COLUMBUS, OH

With more than 200 world-class brands already listed as Brand Thunder clients, the BrowserNation agreement delivers an immediate 25% boost to its size with further growth possible from multi-theme agreements. The growth complements Brand Thunder’s core business by building upon its European and Asian presence and creates a foothold in the burgeoning Latino markets of Central and South America.

Brand Thunder sports foundation continues to grow with BrowserNations’s worldwide-appeal with football clubs like Barclays Premier League Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea F.C. and Liverpool F.C., rugby teams like Saracens and Munster, ICC Cricket World Cup, the NBA and Indy Car racing.

The agreement builds on the surge in music industry browser themes. Brand Thunder’s own relationships with RCA Records, Sony Music and Universal Music Group will be enhanced with the addition of artists representing EMI, UMG Latin, Epic Records and more. Artists like Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias and Shakira plus a host of others from Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Radio, to India’s legendary singers Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle, and numerous Indie artists have discovered browser themes as an exceptional channel to engage with their fan base.

“Adding a list of premier brands with a global footprint is an incredible boost to our company,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “We know the demand is there based on the tremendous international use of BT:Engage, Brand Thunder’s do-it-yourself browser theme creator. This will help us make a bigger splash in the market.”

“Both companies have demonstrated the power of online engagement through the browser in a visual and interactive way,” said Romain Rousseau, COO of BrowserNation. “Yet given the changes in the once stable browser market, it makes sense to combine efforts and deliver this powerful communication tool across all leading browser platforms.”

About Brand Thunder:
Brand Thunder is the world leader in browser themes and custom interactive browser themes for Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chrome. Brand Thunder formed in April 2007 to leverage the power of customization within the web browser and offer companies a compelling, patent-pending solution for creating a more persistent presence with their Internet consumer. Brand Thunder has branded the browser and extended its functionality for some of the most recognizable brands in sports, music and the Internet including: Bob Marley, CBSSports.com College Network, CollegeHumor, The Huffington Post, IGN, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, SONY Music, Universal Music, WeatherBug and many more. Create, find or have us build your browser theme at http://brandthunder.com.

Contact:
Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-304-1316

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If you’re going to be celebrating the Chinese New Year, Tet, Losar or any other lunar calendar celebration that I’m not aware of – you need to check out Brand Thunder’s dragon browser themes. It’s the Year of the Dragon and we have the browser skin for you.

3D Dragon Browser Theme

3D Dragon Browser Theme It started as a joke to release a 3D browser theme, but it has it’s fans. Sorry, we don’t have the red and blue glasses that really make this theme pop. You’ll enjoy it regardless with the classic style Chinese dragon. A great way to start off a very auspicious year.

Dragon Browser Theme

Dragon Browser Theme You may decide that a more fantasy-oriented dragon is more to your liking. This theme may have you thinking more about World of Warcraft than the Three Gorges, but like either of those destinations you’ll be transported to another place and time.

Blue Dragon Browser Theme

Blue Dragon Browser Theme is a browser theme created by one of the folks in the Brand Thunder community using BT:Engage, Brand Thunder’s browser theme creator. It’s a ethereal image of a Chinese dragon. More understated on the dragon front, but more forward on the design front.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon

We hope you find something to like, or if you don’t, head over and create your own at BT:Engage. It’s as easy as dragging and dropping your own images into the theme creator. And it’ll be a fun way to kick off this New Year of the Dragon!

Sorry, Chrome users. These themes are for Firefox and Internet Explorer only. We’re upset about it too and are working hard to bring all our great themes to Chrome.

• Showcased on the homepage of our Gallery
• Highlighted on our Facebook Page graphic
• Featured on our Facebook Wall and Tweeted to our followers.
• Featured on our blog for the theme and feature for the designer.
• Showcased on our homepage for several days.
• We will pick the Top 3 designs to feature in our blog post, and then choose the BEST theme of those three to feature on our Facebook page and the title of “Best Theme of the Week.”

How to Enter & Win the “Theme of the Week” Contest

1. Just create your own browser theme using BT:Engage and Publish it to our Gallery – you’ll be entered to win. It only takes a few minutes.
2. Tweet or Post on Facebook: Check out my browser theme (your theme link here) for the @brandthunder Theme of the Week contest http://ow.ly/8jLFs
3. WINNERS: Winners will be chosen by Monday morning EST. A blog post will follow that day announcing the winners.
4. Want to make sure your themes reach our curators? Email us at info@brandthunder.com with the Gallery URL of your theme.

Note:

• There is only 1 Winner per week chosen on Monday morning EST.
• 2 Runner up themes will be chosen to be featured in our weekly blog post and the homepage of our Theme Gallery.

Tips for Creating the Best Browser Theme

• How to create your own theme in 5 minutes or less
• What content to put in your browser theme
• The best Holiday browser themes – see some of the best designs created for the Holidays.

Here is a quick video showing you how to create a theme:

Contest as seen on SweepstakesAdvantage

Image via Wikipedia

Wow! What a competition for Best Holiday Browser Theme of 2011. While all five finalists had merit and style, two quickly emerged as contenders for first place: Christmas Ornament and Perfect Christmas Eve. Voting was fast and furious at the end, with the lead changing several times. As in any competition, however, there can only be one winner and for this year, it turned out to be…

 And the Winner is…

Christmas Ornament(:

The winner of Apple’s iPad 2 and first prize in Brand Thunder’s Best Holiday Browser Theme of 2011 is Christmas Ornament(:  In the end, user’s seemed to favor the abstract and contemporary feel captured in this holiday browser theme.

The Runner’s Up are…

Perfect Christmas Eve

Despite the idyllic snowy winter’s night, as we discovered in the movie “Elf,” Christmas spirit is running a little low for Santa. Hopefully, this doesn’t affect what appears under our Christmas tree in a couple days.

Xanapus` Lair Christmas Theme

Holiday Snow

A Year to Celebrate

Thanks to all who participated in the holiday theme contest. It was a ton of fun for us and we hope you enjoyed it as well. And while these themes are great and can bring you months of joy to your daily Internet use, don’t forget to visit the Brand Thunder Theme Gallery the next time you want a fresh look for your browser. There’s a world-class selection of Chrome themes, Firefox themes and Internet Explorer themes with new ones being added all the time.

The judges have cast their ballots and here are the top five from the Best Holiday Browser Theme Contest. Each is a winner in its own right, but now it’s up to you, the browser-theme community, to choose the ultimate winner. Over the next week, we’re gathering your votes to determine first prize.

Each of these browser themes were built using BT:Engage, the first do-it-yourself browser theme creator. You can drag & drop images, toolbar buttons and more into the browser theme using a gallery of images or any images you upload yourself. Click Finish and you instantly create a browser theme for both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. You can share with family and friends, or post immediately to Brand Thunder’s Browser Theme Gallery. So, after enjoying one of these winning themes for the holiday season, come back to Brand Thunder and try one of our themes for Chrome, Firefox or IE.

Vote Daily

Every day vote for your favorite holiday browser theme. The theme with the most votes on Friday, December 23 (voting closes Dec. 22), is declared the Best Holiday Browser Theme of 2011 and its creator wins an iPad 2. All other finalists take home a $25 Amazon gift card.

1. Xanapus` Lair Christmas Theme

An edgier look at the holiday season, Xanapus` Lair offers a contemporary look at Christmas in this holiday browser theme.

2. Perfect Christmas Eve

Perfect Christmas Eve captures an idyllic view of the night flight of Santa and his reindeer in this browser theme.

3. Christmas Ornament(:

A hint of abstract art embodies the holiday browser theme of Christmas Ornament(:

4. A Year to Celebrate

An exquisite view of the holidays and this season of celebration in A Year to Celebrate browser theme.

5. Holiday Snow

Whether you want a White Christmas or just to Let is Snow, Holiday Snow browser theme delivers.

Most Votes Wins First Prize

View This Poll

Image via Wikipedia

The deadline has closed for Best Holiday Browser Theme Contest. Thanks to all those that entered and good luck! It was a phenomenal list of entries and our judges are pouring over the submitted probably at the very moment you’re reading this.

The are some joyous and happy holiday Firefox themes and Internet Explorer themes. To get an idea of the range of themes available, visit our Gallery and search for Christmas or holiday.

So what’s next?

It’s only a short wait to see who made the list of finalists. The final 5 will be posted in our blog tomorrow around 9AM eastern on Saturday December 17. A poll widget will also be in the blog post that contain the finalists. The theme with the most votes at the end of the day on December 22 will take first prize – a new iPad 2! Official announcement will be made on December 23.

Meet the Judges

Mike Earley

A design veteran with experience covering critical skills across the Web Design space: Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Usability Testing and User Research, Project Management, Business Analysis, Requirements Gathering. If it’s design, he’s done it, and done it well. You’ll find Mike on Twitter @earley5star or can find more about his services at www.5sn1.com.

Dan Rockwell

Dan’s talents span video production and animation, design, and marketing.  He heralds from the world of design research at Lextant where he’s Tool Czar and key Futurist.  He also explores the horizon of “what if and why not” through rapid prototypes and technology exploration. You can find Dan on Twitter @floozyspeak or get a rapid prototype of your latest idea at Big Kitty Labs.

Megan Rhoades

A senior at Columbus College of Art and Design, Megan is majoring in Illustration with an emphasis on Advertising and Graphic Design, and minoring in Art Therapy. She’s an all around talented individual and will be looking for a full-time gig in summer 2012. Get a start on interviewing her now. See her Linkedin profile or Portfolio and help get her career off to a positive start.

Mindless Behavior Chrome Theme

Mindless Behavior is an American boy band, best known for the singles “My Girl” and “Mrs. Right”, produced by Walter Millsap.

The Mindless Behavior Chrome Theme was developed for the Interscope records artist to provide quick access for the most important Mindless Behavior news and updates for fans of the group. This includes a stunning Chrome theme design with images of the band in the header and main Chrome browser area. The theme includes links to the Mindless Behavior Facebook and Twitter accounts, MB music pages, and the best of the MindlessBehavior.com website including their official store and street team pages. Fans will also get a news ticker to stay updated with the latest updates from their favorite artist. Check out the new Mindless Behavior Chrome theme. Fans of Mindless Behavior that use Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer can find the Official Themes there as well.

Greyson Chance Chrome Theme

At just 14 years of age, Greyson Chance is one of the most popular Pop artists in the world. Having completed successful world tours, performances at the White House, and multiple TV appearances including Good Morning America, Ellen, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Chance is poised to become a worldwide Pop star for years to come.

The Greyson Chance Chrome theme was created by Brand Thunder in an effort to better help connect fans connect with the Pop star. The theme features quick links to the Greyson Chance social media accounts including Facebook and Twitter. Access the official Greyson store with instant access to the latest music. Fans will also have a news ticker that will update immediately with breaking news of any tours, albums, appearances or collaborations Chance may be working on. True fans of Greyson Chance can always stay connected with the latest updates from the artist.

Check out the new Greyson Chance Chrome theme in our gallery. Fans of Greyson Chance that use Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer can find the Official Themes for their respective browsers on that page as well.

This is an added bonus to the redesigned browser theme gallery for anyone seeking Chrome themes, Firefox themes and IE themes.

Theme Gallery

Brand Thunder browser themes were usually found on the websites of their clients. With the increase in demand for browser themes driven by the customization available in Chrome and Firefox, Brand Thunder is giving users a destination site to find the best themes for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

And why not? What we’ve seen over the years is users move across themes sometimes based on mood, other times by season, sometimes just for a change. Personalization is so easy with Brand Thunder. Whether you want a theme from the Buffalo Bills, Greyson Chance or something for the latest holiday, you’ll find something to enjoy. And once you’ve installed more than one theme, you can cycle through the convenient theme selector to choose the theme you want at that precise moment.

User Generated Themes

When Brand Thunder released BT:Engage, we offered a Share page giving the URL and quick access to sharing across Facebook, Twitter and more. Well, we’ve finally remedied one of the omissions – BT:Engage users can now publish their themes to the Brand Thunder Gallery.

It’s a simple as clicking the Publish to Gallery button. Once you do, it’s immediately pushed to the Gallery. Unless you publish to the gallery, the themes are kept private and only viewable by users with whom you share the URL for the download page.

Free Publicity

Who doesn’t like a little free publicity? With placement on our Gallery, it’s additional exposure for the theme and the designer behind them. We’re also using the Gallery homepage to feature some of the best themes we find. It’s our way of showcasing the amazing browser themes being generated from the community of Brand Thunder clients, designers and users.

Explore the Brand Thunder Gallery yourself to see the full range of styles your browser can enjoy. If you don’t see what you want, create your own at BT:Engage.

Image via Wikipedia

What’s it take to grow your user base and build awareness for a business partner? CBS College Sports and Fathead found using the browser theme for marketing promotions is a great way to convert users and deepen engagement.

CBSSports.com College Network is a leader in delivering web services, e-commerce, streaming and mobile services for college and university’s athletics websites. Fathead is a leader in sports and entertainment wall graphics. Nice set up for bringing companies together that serve similar audiences.

The results – SPECTACULAR!

KILLER CTR

Online banner advertising CTR (click through rates) run below a tenth of one percent. Email CTR will get you roughly five percent but you have to factor in the 23% open rate. And Electronic Arts was apparently thrilled with the 11% engagement they received with their first batch of Twitter ads. Marketing Magazine described EA’s Twitter ads as exceeding all expectations.

The results for the CBS and Fathead promotion were over 60%. Yes, almost six times better than the engagement that EA received with their Twitter ads.

STELLAR CONVERSION

Of course getting users to the front door of an offer is one thing, but can you convert? Depending on your method of marketing promotion and what you’re asking of the user whether it’s a registration or purchase will make your conversion rates vary widely. For Fathead, their goal of contest entry and email opt-in netted them 43% conversion. I’m proud to see marketers across the Internet are getting their expectations exceeded.

You can find out more about the promotion on the CBSSports.com website and their article: Contest grows CBS Sports user base and gains awareness for Fathead. You might find some of your own ideas for using a browser theme to engage your audience.

Chrome, Firefox and IE Christmas Themes:

Traditional Christmas Browser Theme with Wallpaper Option

Snowman Christmas Holiday Browser Theme with Wallpaper Option

Our latest Christmas theme features Santa Claus and his Reindeer

Available for Firefox and Chrome.

Christmas Wallpapers

One of the secrets of Brand Thunder’s browser themes is how easy it is to turn our “new tab” image in Firefox into a desktop wallpaper on your computer. After you install one of our Christmas holiday themes above, open a new tab. Move your cursor over the picture and Right Click then select View Background Image. That will load a new page showing just the image, Right Click on that image and select Set As Desktop Background… You’ll immediately have that image as your Christmas holiday wallpaper on your desktop.

Your Personal Christmas Holiday Theme

If you’re like a lot of us that tend to handcraft our own holiday experiences, whether it’s baking family recipes or your own holiday decorating traditions – here’s your chance to build your own Christmas holiday browser theme. Brand Thunder has a selection of holiday background images and logos in BT:Engage, where you can build your own browser theme., including images for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Once you’re Finished building your holiday theme, you can easily share with friends and family through Facebook, Twitter, Email and more. Start a new holiday tradition!

Don’t forget you can always add your own images to make the best holiday theme for you and your family.

Examples of the free holiday themes you can create

Family Theme

Family & Fun Theme

Religious Theme

Santa Claus Theme

Free to build, share and use.

1. Go to BT:Engage and click the Get Started button
2. On the Background and Logo tabs, click the Holiday link to see the special image options
3. Double Click or Drag & Drop those images to add them to the theme. Use the green arrows in the Properties box to move images to the front or back.
4. Widgets are buttons and feeds you can Drag & Drop into your theme. You’ll need to select where to point them, like your online gift wishlist, Facebook page or Flickr photo album.
5. Add your own photos under the My Images tab. They can be uploaded as Backgrounds or Logos
6. Find links to videos tutorials at the BT:Engage FAQs.

Holiday Theme Contest

If you really want to show case your browser theme talents, be sure to enter our Holiday Browser Theme Contest. First prize is a new iPad 2 and gift certificates for the runner’s up. All the details are found in the contest blog.