Brand Thunder and CBSSports.com College Network Enter Agreement for University Browser Themes by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS (August 25, 2010) — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the browser customization specialists, and CBSSports.com College Network, a leading provider of web sites for college athletics programs, announced an agreement to bring interactive browser themes for Firefox and Internet Explorer to approximately 60 colleges, universities and conferences.

Alumni, students and sports fans alike can now theme their Internet experience with their favorite school or conference. Each browser theme offers a multimedia sidebar of the latest athletics news, a toolbar for accessing content like videos and commerce for school apparel or event tickets.  There are also connections to the Facebook and Twitter pages of schools.  CBSSports.com College Network will provide the school branding, athletic content and previews ensuring an experience fans will love.

“The fan appeal of college athletics was the starting point of affinity-marketing products back when MBNA offered its first Georgetown University credit card,” says Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder.  “It’s a natural fit for our interactive browser themes and CBSSports.com College Network is the premiere provider in this space.  This will be an amazing browser experience for each participating school and their fans.”

Brand Thunder’s interactive themes provide an extreme makeover of the Internet browser.  They are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality.

About Brand Thunder:
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates extreme makeovers for the Internet browser.  Brands enjoy a persistent connection to their Internet consumer driving more website visits and increased revenue.  Through a software installation, end users change the drab Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site.  The interactive browser themes feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, and can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include Bing, The Daily Beast, Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL and Universal Music. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

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

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Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, CBSSports.com, CBSSports.com College Network, firefox, interactive browser theme, Internet Explorer | No Comments »

Creating Community for a Small Business by Kevin Dwinnell

I had the opportunity to speak with Owen McGab Enaohwo at Hire Your Virtual Assistant to discuss how to create an online community and how small businesses can get started using “community” to help their business.  You can see the full interview and an outline of the discussion at hireyourvirtualassistant.com/blog.  I don’t want to repeat that discussion here and detract from Owen’s efforts.

Still, it’s a great topic, because so much attention is on social media and the encouragement of brands to join the conversation with their consumers. The idea of online community goes back to the earliest days of the Internet, and the foundations of what works are not that different from what works in offline relationships.  Community is a powerful and persuasive communication channel and there’s no doubt companies need to have this as a part of their overall go-to-market strategy.  Yet, how, where and when you participate are all up for debate.

A small business is often resource constrained and the time commitment to building a community can be overwhelming.  There are better places to start and work toward the benefits without over committing. We go into those details in my discussion with Owen.

As much as I’m a believer in Brand Thunder’s interactive browser themes, it’s not the place I’d start – in fact, you still don’t see a Brand Thunder browser theme available (though you may notice www.ThunderThemes.com is a working URL and pointing to our gallery for an indicator of other efforts, but I digress).  While the browser theme is a powerful communication channel, it does well as an affinity marketing tool allowing brands to leverage the audience they’ve aggregated and deepen those relationships.  Small businesses need to be focused on creating those relationships and leveraging the platforms that can help with that, but in a manner that allows those community-building efforts to be inserted amongst the thousands of other necessary tasks for survival.

There are a lot a small steps a small business can take to make community building a part of their business building. Check out the discussion with Owen for those details, and there is a written outline if you don’t have time to watch the video.

Where do you think community falls in the priority of a small business and what are the best ways to leverage its power?

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, marketing, online community, Owen Mcgab Enaohwo, Small business, Social media | No Comments »

Perseid Meteor Shower and the NASA Browser Theme by Kevin Dwinnell

The top trending Twitter term, as I write this, is “meteor shower tonight.”  It’s a wonderful event to enjoy on a summer’s evening, and the timing this year is perfect for those of us on in the Eastern time zone.  A great memory from several years back was having a pre-dawn jog in an very open park during the Leonid meteor shower and being awed as meteors fell all around me.  It was truly stunning.

Thinking of space lends itself to that sense of awe.  When you get the bonus of the rare and infrequent events like a meteor shower or eclipse, it brings that mystique to you in a very close and personal way.  In a sense, we’ve tried to capture a bit of this with our latest NASA interactive browser theme.

Each week, we personally select a new background for the browser theme from NASA’s Image of Day and update the browser theme.  It’s an automatic change for you, giving you a fresh and exciting new browser experience every week.  Our goal is to deliver something beautiful and continually fresh without being too fleeting.

This coming week, while it’s not guaranteed, I would expect a stellar image of the Perseid meteor shower.  Unlike the real event, this one can’t be spoiled by clouds and you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to enjoy it.  Try it out.

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, firefox, Meteor shower, Meteoroid, NASA, Perseids, Personas, Twitter | No Comments »

Brand Thunder and IGN Introduce the First Interactive Browser Themes for Gamers by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS (July 22, 2010) — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the browser customization specialists, announced its first entry into the video game market with the launch of the IGN interactive browser themes for Firefox and Internet Explorer.  IGN, the premiere online media outlet for videogame reviews, news, trailers and videos, will provide content previews, links to its site and its visual style through the browser themes.  The free downloads are available at http://pages.brandthunder.com/ign/download?ref=anc.

The browser theme tightly integrates with IGN’s web presence.  Users will find full navigation to the gaming platform of their choice, like PS3 and Xbox, or to other IGN site categories including movies, TV, comics and video.  The themes also feature quick links to IGN’s pages and channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

In addition, both Firefox and Internet Explorer 8 users will have information previews at their fingertips.  Firefox includes a sidebar with Top Stories and Reviews, making it easy to scan the latest features while visiting other web sites.  Internet Explorer 8 theme users will get some of their content delivered in web slices, the new preview feature in the latest version of Internet Explorer.

“The IGN community is constantly looking for the latest news and information on upcoming game releases and the games they’re playing,” said Scott Moe, Director of Online Marketing.  “Brand Thunder’s browser themes deliver that news quickly and conveniently, so we know we’re meeting those needs even better.”

“We’re proud to launch the IGN browser themes simultaneously on Firefox and Internet Explorer,” says founder Patrick Murphy.  “Each browser offers unique capabilities to showcase IGN’s premiere content and we think the IGN community will love it.”

Brand Thunder’s interactive themes provide an extreme makeover of the Internet browser.  They are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. Users can switch real-time between any installed Brand Thunder themes.

About Brand Thunder
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates extreme makeovers for the Internet browser.  Brands enjoy a persistent connection to their Internet consumer driving more website visits and increased revenue.  Through a software installation, end users change the drab Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site.  The interactive browser themes feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, and can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include Bing, The Daily Beast, Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL and Universal Music. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.
Contact:
Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-408-8202

About IGN Entertainment
IGN Entertainment, a unit of News Corporation, is the leading Internet media and services provider focused on the video game and entertainment enthusiast markets. Collectively, IGN’s properties reached more than 36.6 million unique users worldwide May 2010, according to Internet audience measurement firm comScore Media Metrix. IGN’s network of video game-related properties (IGN.com, GameSpy, FilePlanet, TeamXbox, Direct2Drive and others) is one of the Web’s leading video game information destinations.  IGN also owns the leading men’s lifestyle website AskMen.com, and provides technology for online game play in video games.  IGN is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices across North America, Europe and Australia.

CONTACT:

Kris Sharbaugh
IGN Entertainment
415.519.6526 (cell)
ksharbaugh@ign.com

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Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, firefox, IGN, video games | 1 Comment »

Interactive Themes by Mike Kaply

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: add-ons, brand thunder, Daily Beast, Interactive Theme, Mozilla Firefox, persona interactive, Personas, Website | No Comments »

Enhanced Personas by Mike Kaply

Posted in News | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, Cascading Style Sheets, CSS, JSON, Personas, Personas Interactive | No Comments »

Independence Days – July 4th and Otherwise by Kevin Dwinnell

If you’re a startup or a small business, celebrate your own independence along with that of the U.S.A.’s.  If it helps, do like me and run Brand Thunder’s Independence Day browser theme to help get you in the spirit.

I’ve had a diverse career with a range of companies from big to small.  None of them gave the sense of independence that working for Brand Thunder does.  The difference this time, I think, is that I’m all in.  That doesn’t mean I wasn’t committed or dedicated to my previous jobs, it’s just there’s more riding on this venture from the standpoint of what I can contribute and affect.

Because my efforts can have that direct affect, that leads to the potential of making Brand Thunder work all encompassing as well.  It may be pretty close to that.  There are steady worries and a lot of time trying to work out the current puzzle.  “If I can just solve for this…” is usually how the internal conversation goes.

Yet, there’s never enough time and always more to do.  So, we’re forced to look through a lens that focuses on what’s important and most material.  That lens, however, isn’t just applied to the business.  It’s applied to the personal life as well.  When so much is this important, then all the important things must be considered.  The result has been more and better time spent with the family.

Knowing that the things needing attention the most are getting it is tremendously liberating.  I don’t know if this makes much sense to you, but it does for me.  With the three days this weekend, my time will be split between family, friends, celebrations and Brand Thunder, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate independence.  Hope you find your own independence as well.

Posted in Commentary | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, Independence Day, july 4, Small business, United States | No Comments »

Brand Thunder and Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor Dish Indian Cuisine in Interactive Browser Theme by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS (June 21, 2010) — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the browser customization specialists, announced its first entry into the Indian market with the launch of the Sanjeev Kapoor interactive browser theme for Firefox.  The best of Chef Kapoor’s vast library Indian cuisine knowledge is now rolled into a free download available at http://pages.brandthunder.com/sanjeevkapoor/download/.

The browser theme is tightly integrated with Chef Kapoor’s web site (http://sanjeevkapoor.com) and offers a full range of videos and links to proven recipes and a host of information on the art and craft of cooking.  User’s install an add-on for their existing Firefox browser to have fast access to new and favorite recipes from Chef Kapoor, plus seasonal suggestions, monthly features, shopping and more.  The video sidebar offers an abundance of cooking presentations including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections.

“We wanted to offer our users something that would strengthen their relationship with Chef Kapoor.” said Mr. Adarsh Nigam, VP-Marketing (www.sanjeevkapoor.com).  “This interactive browser theme has brought together the right experience and content for our fans to enjoy.”

“Sanjeev Kapoor has an avid fan base in India and across the globe,” says founder Patrick Murphy.  “We feel the browser theme is a great opportunity to reach his widespread audience and share his inspiring explorations of Indian cuisine.”

Brand Thunder’s interactive themes provide an extreme makeover of the Internet browser.  They are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. Users can switch real-time between any installed Brand Thunder themes.

About Sanjeev Kapoor:

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor is the most celebrated face of Indian cuisine today. Chef extraordinaire, TV show host, author of best-selling cookbooks, restaurant consultant, architect of a unique range of food products and winner of numerous culinary awards, Chef Kapoor is living his dream of making Indian cuisine the number one cuisine in the world. He hosts Khana Khazana the popular Cookery Show on Zee TV which has won the ‘Best Cookery Show’ award given by the Indian Television Academy year after year ever since its inception in the year 2000. The show has completed more than 700 episodes being telecast non stop for 15 years – the longest running TV show in any category on any channel. His website www.sanjeevkapoor.com is a complete cookery manual with a compendium of tried and tested recipes and a wealth of information on the art and craft of cooking. As a restaurant consultant he has granted his franchise to a number of restaurants abroad and in various cities of India.

Contact:         enquiry@sanjeevkapoor.com

About Brand Thunder:

Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates extreme makeovers for the Internet browser.  Brands enjoy a persistent connection to their Internet consumer driving more website visits and increased revenue.  Through a software installation, end users change the drab Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site.  The interactive browser themes feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, and can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include Bing, The Daily Beast, Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL and Universal Music. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

Contact:

Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-408-8202

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Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, firefox, Indian cuisine, Khana Khazana, Sanjeev Kapoor | No Comments »

World Cup Just One Way to Reach a World Audience by Kevin Dwinnell

The kick off of the World Cup got me thinking about the marketing opportunity for companies trying to reach a multi-national audience with their product, and my own global expectations for Brand Thunder’s interactive browser themes when we were starting out.

For companies that can afford it, the mega sporting events like the Olympics and the World Cup offer a reach not found everyday.  I’m sure it makes sense for the larger companies to maintain their presence.  For smaller companies, we need to think more creatively.

Find Your Extended Sales Force

Brand Thunder leverages a distribution strategy that it began using in the U.S. – working with agencies and organizations that had the new media expertise and the brand relationships to extend the reach of our product.  It’s working well.  Our partner in the UK, KAM Sports International, brought the Scottish Premier League champion Glasgow Rangers into the Brand Thunder client fold.  We’re also about to launch product in Hong Kong through our partner HOTMEDIA, in India through our representative Kevin Jacobs, and are about to announce another large international market partnership.  Is there a sales channel that you can leverage beyond your own?

Leverage Your Product’s Natural Reach

With Firefox being built for the global community, we were prepared to act local for any global opportunity that presented itself at day one.  While we’re making strides in this area as mentioned above, it’s interesting to see that the users are adopting faster than the brands.  Our traffic trends show more than half of users coming from outside the U.S.  We have product categories where U.S. usage is only a third of the user base, and it’s not just in the obvious products like our Euro Football theme.  It’s some of the more general interest themes and it’s interesting to see where and what users find appealing in our gallery of products.  Needless to say, this extended audience wouldn’t be possible if the platform on which we work wasn’t international to begin with.  Is there an international opportunity with your product that you’ve overlooked?

Discover New Distribution Channels

Our clients and their reach to their audience have always been a critical part of our business.  But it’s not been our sole channel to market.  Part of the value add for partners and driver of our growth has been our own distribution efforts.  This includes making sure we’re available on the add-on galleries for the browsers we serve – Addons.Mozilla.org for Firefox and IEAddons.com for Internet Explorer.  We’ve also seen considerable success delivering our browser themes through freeware and shareware download sites.  This is made easier through the use of PAD files.  It has also allowed us to reach users through the sites that serve the product they use (the browser) and the sites that serve their market (download sites across the globe).  Where can you put your product in the hands of new users (more than just an international question)?

None of these suggestions are ground breaking.  However, if we were totally focused on a narrow definition of what our business is and how we do it, any of them could have easily been overlooked.  What are you doing that could easily be extended and expand your market giving you world class appeal at less than World Cup prices?  And what else should we be considering?

Posted in Commentary | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, firefox, Internet Explorer, marketing, World Cup | No Comments »

Brand Thunder Themes for Internet Explorer Introduced Through Microsoft Promotional Push by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS (June 9, 2010) — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the browser customization specialists, announced the launch of its add-on themes for Windows Internet Explorer on the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery. Some of these themes have been featured on the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery homepage at http://ieaddons.com.

Brand Thunder, is rapidly bringing its interactive browser themes to Internet Explorer users. Each add-on blends a custom theme and interactive content and functionality to Internet Explorer. If multiple Brand Thunder add-ons are installed, the user enjoys real-time switching between any of them. The complete experience changes with the theme, buttons, feeds and sidebar content all changing to match the selected theme.

The initial launch of Internet Explorer themes includes a broad offering of brands and topics like Baseball, CollegeHumor, the MLS’s Columbus Crew, the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, NASCAR Nationwide Series, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Weather powered by WeatherBug among others. Brand Thunder will continue to roll out themes for its client list that spans entertainment, news, sports and colleges and universities.

“Brand Thunder brings a good set of technologies, user experiences and recognized companies that we felt the Internet Explorer audience would enjoy,” said Rob Pulciani, Senior Marketing Manager at Microsoft. “We wanted to help build the awareness of these offerings and highlight the fun and value this can bring to someone’s online experience.”
“Our clients and users have consistently asked for the ability to theme their Internet Explorer browsers,” says founder Patrick Murphy. “We’re thrilled to make this launch event encompassing of our clients and leverage the power of the Internet Explorer community.”

Brand Thunder’s interactive themes provide an extreme makeover of the Internet browser. They are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. Users can switch real-time between any installed Brand Thunder themes.

About Brand Thunder:
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates extreme makeovers for the Internet browser. Brands enjoy a persistent connection to their Internet consumer driving more website visits and increased revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the drab Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site. The interactive browser themes feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, and can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include Bing, The Daily Beast, Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL and Universal Music. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

Contact:
Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC
614-408-8202

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Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: brand thunder, browser theme, interactive, Interactive marketing, Internet Explorer, Microsoft | 1 Comment »