Brand Thunder to use Bing to Extend Web Search into Interactive Browser Themes by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS (February 16, 2010) — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the browser customization specialists, announced today its relationship with Microsoft Corp.’s Bing to integrate their web search into all Brand Thunder interactive browser themes.

Interactive browser themes are like an extreme makeover for the web browser. With an easy-to-install browser add-on, end users transform their drab web-browser into an immersive experience. The theme features official logos, colors, images and style, plus content and functionality that extend browser’s capabilities and can include video, music players or other Internet widgets. Bing is now central to the experience as the default search engine included with all Brand Thunder products.

The growing list of company’s leveraging the communication power of an interactive browser theme includes leading Internet news sites, The Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/firefox) and The Daily Beast (http://www.thedailybeast.com/browser-theme), leading sports teams like
NHL’s 2009 Stanley Cup Champions Pittsburgh Penguins (http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=56396) and the 2009 SPL Champions Glasgow Rangers (http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/RangersOfficialBrowser/0,,5,00.html), colleges and universities including the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (http://www.gobearcats.com/ot/browser.html), corporate clients like Comcast and Mercedes Benz and many more. The full list of active custom browser themes can be found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

“Bing is an innovative new search product and we’re looking forward to working together to address the core need of search,” says founder Patrick Murphy. “Brand Thunder uses brand affinity and strong design to attract users to our product, but it’s the integrated content and functionality, like Bing, that helps keep them there.”

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: Bing, brand thunder, brandthunder, browser theme, firefox theme, Microsoft, Web browser, Web search engine | No Comments »

CollegeHumor Introduces New Browser Theme from Brand Thunder by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH — January 28, 2010 — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com) and CollegeHumor (http://www.collegehumor.com) announce the launch of an interactive browser theme fully capable of infusing Firefox browsers with a sense of humor. Fans of CollegeHumor can find the free download at http://www.brandthunder.com/collegehumor.

Through a small browser add-on, users’ web browser skin will get a complete CollegeHumor makeover including links to the most popular sections of the website and a multimedia sidebar.

“CollegeHumor is already an incredibly addictive site,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “By creating this kind of visibility in the browser, we think this could lead to a whole new 12-step program.”

Brand Thunder’s browser Booms! are lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. With a Boom!, users can switch real-time between any of the browser looks they created without restarting their browser.

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/.

About CollegeHumor:
CollegeHumor.com was founded in a dorm room in 1999 as an online depository for all of the content that floats around collegiate computer networks. The site has since grown into a daily updated source of original web content and now boasts a loyal following of 10 million unique users per month and more than 30 million monthly video views. With major blue chip companies such as Ford, Universal Pictures and Procter & Gamble advertising on the site, the release of Penguin Books’ The CollegeHumor Guide to College and Faking It…How to Seem Like a Better Person Without Actually Improving Yourself, and a movie with Paramount in the works, CollegeHumor has quickly emerged as an icon of online humor. CollegeHumor is an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI).

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

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Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: brandthunder, browser theme, Browsers, college humor, collegehumor, firefox | No Comments »

Brand Thunder and The Daily Beast Launch First-Ever Web Browser Theme with a Dynamically Updating Photo in the Design by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH – January 26, 2010 — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the custom browser specialists, in conjunction with The Daily Beast announce the release of an Internet browser theme tailored specifically to the avid newsreader. It is the first theme to update with The Daily Beast’s photo exclusives, plus the story headline can be revealed on mouse over or the user can click to read the full story. The browser theme also integrates content and functionality directly from The Daily Beast including a news ticker of breaking news and links to important site categories. It can be downloaded at http://www.thedailybeast.com/browser-theme.

Users will enjoy a multimedia sidebar that keeps them connected to the hottest news via a special view of the Cheat Sheet, Buzz Board, Blogs & Stories and Video sections of The Daily Beast. With the sidebar, users can surf the web while keeping a detailed view of breaking news open in the browser.

“Delivering relevant news into the browser is a great way to keep our community attuned to what’s happening now,” said Byran Keefer, Director of Product for The Daily Beast. “The Brand Thunder Boom! feature set allowed us to move beyond simple text and into something that’s as visually compelling as it is functional.”

“The Daily Beast forced a unique twist in our product, which is the same approach they take on their web site,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “Pulling a new image into the browser theme each day is a great high-level feature for their fan base and just plain cool.”

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

About Brand Thunder:
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates custom-browser experiences for major brands. Brands enjoy a more persistent connection to their Internet consumer through the custom browser Boom!, which increases website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site. The custom browser Booms! feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the 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, brandthunder, browser theme, Daily Beast, Interactive marketing | No Comments »

Florida Panthers Launch Fan-Focused Browser Theme with Brand Thunder by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH – January 12, 2010 – Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com) and the Florida Panthers (http://www.floridapanthers.com) announced today the launch of an interactive browser theme designed to keep fans in touch with the team. Panther fans can find the free download at http://panthers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=59831.

Through a small browser add-on, the user’s web browser will get a complete makeover that includes a Florida Panthers theme, links to the most popular sections of the team site, a news ticker for breaking headlines and a multimedia sidebar full of team videos and its Twitter feed.

“We continue to look for new and innovative ways to stay connected with our fans,” said Michael Yormark, President & COO of the Florida Panthers. “This browser theme with its integrated news, video and Twitter offers both style and substance to the online experience of every Panthers fan.”

“The Florida Panthers have great online content for their fans,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “That great content is delivered as it happens within the browser making it a powerful community tool.”

Brand Thunder’s browser Booms! are lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. With a Boom!, users can switch real-time between any of the browser looks they created without restarting their browser.

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, which increases website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their 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, but 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: brandthunder, browser theme, Florida Panthers, nhl, Web browser | No Comments »

Brand Thunder Capitalizes on Its First Vator.tv Competition by Kevin Dwinnell

Brand Thunder’s heading to New York at the end of January to participate in a forum for leaders in the digital content industry. During the Software & Information Industry Association’s Information Summit nine start ups will be given the stage to present their capabilities. We earned our slot through a Vator.tv competition.

Vator (short for innovator) is a community and resource for entrepreneurs. While Brand Thunder created a presence months ago, it’s been more recent that we’ve become active on the site. Vator helps entrepreneurs and innovators connect with the entrepreneur and innovator community. It has a roll in the ongoing communication a company like ours undertakes, and the competitions it offers are a serious perk for any entrepreneur.

The SIIA Information Summit will be an ideal audience for Brand Thunder to reach. If you think of our product as an interactive browser theme, it’s the visual strength that grabs a user’s attention, but the integrated content makes it compelling. That value isn’t lost on companies who’ve poured a lot of money into their site and are looking for ways to keep their audience coming back. Once the content is integrated into the browser, that high-level exposure is vital.

We’re happy the judges saw that connection as well and invited us to attend. It was a wonderful gift for this holiday season.

Follow Brand Thunder on Vator.tv

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: brand thunder, brandthunder, browser theme, siia, vator.tv | No Comments »

COED Magazine and College Candy Bring College Life to Brand Thunder’s Browser Booms! by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH (PRWEB) October 15, 2009 — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the custom browser specialists, announced today the launch of two browser Booms! designed to bring the campus life to the Internet browser. COED Media Group’s COED Magazine and College Candy both offer irreverent and vital information for daily college life but from different sets of eyes – his and hers. Starting today, fans of the sites can personalize their Internet browser with the vibrancy of each site at http://coedmagazine.com/browser/ or http://collegecandy.com/browser/.

From distinctive looks to the latest videos and Tweets in the sidebars, each Boom! packs a lot into a redefined browser experience. The built-in feed reader will keep users up-to-speed on the latest news and features appearing on the sites. Plus, the toolbar buttons get users back to the most popular areas of COEDMagazine.com and CollegeCandy.com fast.

“COED Media Group captures the fun of the college lifestyle and puts it into our websites everyday,” said Robert Bardunias, President of CMG LLC. “Now, we’ve taken the best and hottest and put it into Brand Thunder Booms! so our fans enjoy it regardless of the site they are on.”

“COED Magazine and College Candy are ideal sites to offer a custom browser experience,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “The content is highly visual and headlines are enticing, so they integrate well into the browser and also act as an irresistible invitation to click back to the sites.”

Brand Thunder’s browser Booms! are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. Users can switch real-time between any installed Booms!.

About Brand Thunder:
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates custom-browser experiences. Brands enjoy a more persistent connection to their Internet consumer through the custom browser Boom!, which increases website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site. The custom browser Booms! feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Universal Music and Yahoo!. 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: brandthunder, browser boom, CMG LLC, CO-ED Magazine, COED Media Group, coedmagazine.com, collegecandy.com, custom browser | No Comments »

Brand Thunder Ignores Economic Downturn by Tripling Business in Nine Months by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH — September 16, 2009 — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the custom browser specialists, announced today it has three times the number of clients and custom browser Booms! available to end users compared to December 2008. The visual intensity combined with useful content and functional integration into the browser have proven popular with both clients and end users of the Brand Thunder Booms!.

At the end of 2008, 18 signed clients and 31 browser add-ons resulted in over 500,000 downloads of its browser customizations. In middle of September 2009, the client list has grown to over 60 partners and 83 Booms! in the market with dozens more Booms! in the build process for release in the coming weeks. Downloads are approaching 1.5 million.

The browser customization is delivered through a small download called a Boom! and wraps the user’s web browser in a graphically-rich experience with integrated content and functionality that best serves a brand’s audience. Clients can include videos, streaming music, breaking news, Twitter feeds plus buttons that link to their most popular pages on their sites. The browser becomes a valuable connection between brand and its community and delivers continuous invitations back to the site of the sponsoring brand.

The client list taking advantage of the browser add-on continues to grow and now includes brands in the U.S., Canada and U.K. such as House of Blues, Major League Soccer, teams from the NBA and NFL, newspaper publishers, radio stations, TV affiliates, webcomics and more. This is in addition to companies like Geffen Records, Universal Music Group, Huffington Post, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NHL teams among others.

Additional milestones attesting to Brand Thunder’s growth include increasing strategic channel partners from 7 to 11 and spanning six countries on three continents. Despite a seasonal nature to a majority of product and clients, the active user rate has more than doubled during the first nine months of 2009.

“Our Washington Capitals browser has been a great success,” said Sean Parker, Director of New Media, Washington Capitals. “Over the last two years we have seen a significant increase in our Firefox visitor traffic. I am sure part of this increase is due to our branded browser. Brand thunder has done a great job of integrating Capitals news feeds, Caps365 and customized buttons into the theme, which reinforces our brand to our fans and drives traffic to our site. I am looking forward to seeing the new enhancements Brand Thunder will be adding to our browser for this upcoming season.”

“We help people customize their online experience and make that experience easy, better and more personal,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “The result has been a growing and excited fan base, which makes it easier to bring on an amazing list of clients.”

Brand Thunder’s browser Booms! are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. With a Boom!, users can switch real-time between any of the browser looks they created without restarting their browser.

About Brand Thunder:
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates custom-browser experiences. Brands enjoy a more persistent connection to their Internet consumer through the custom browser Boom!, which increases website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site. The custom browser Booms! feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

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

###

Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: Branded Browser, brandthunder, browser boom, custom browser, firefox, Major League Soccer, Washington Capitals, Web browser | No Comments »

Brand Thunder Introduces New Advertising Sponsor Placements within the Browser Chrome by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH – September 4, 2009 – Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the custom browser specialists, announced today the availability of clickable sponsored placements within the browser chrome of its custom browser Booms!. These sponsored placements are visually integrated within the browser theme, remain regardless of the website being visited, and fully take advantage of the hours users spend online.

The sponsorship program was designed to simplify implementation for Brand Thunder clients. It leverages Brand Thunder’s ad server allowing for a full range of tracking and reporting, plus providing easy updates for sponsorship graphics. The browser chrome placement assures high-visibility and engagement due to its proximity to the web address bar and browser search box.

“Our clients have expressed a need to provide new and exciting opportunities to their corporate sponsors,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “These new sponsor placements will allow us to meet that need in a manner that integrates seamlessly and stylistically with the rest of the Boom! and keeps the overall user experience intact.”

A Boom!, a free, lightweight, active customization, is unlike other browser-based tools with its visual immersion, integrated content and added functionality. It has proven to be a popular way for fans to personalize their web experience with their favorite sports team, music star, newspaper, news site and more. Users can switch real-time between any installed Booms!.

About Brand Thunder:
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates custom-browser experiences. Brands enjoy a more persistent connection to their Internet consumer through the custom browser Boom!, which increases website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site. The custom browser Booms! feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

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

###

Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: boom, brand thunder, Branded Browser, brandthunder, Browsers, custom browser, Online advertising, online sponsorship, sponsorship | No Comments »

Brand Thunder and Phoenix Suns to Bring a Planet Orange Experience to Internet Browsers by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH – September 2, 2009 – Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the custom browser specialists, announced today an agreement with the Phoenix Suns to offer its fans a unique online experience.
Basketball fans who use the popular internet browser Firefox will be able to download a Phoenix Suns branded browser at Suns.com, featuring the team’s logo and colors, as well as prominent links for quick access to the club’s various digital and social media channels.

“We are always looking for new ways to connect with our fans, and our fans are always looking for new ways to show their love of Phoenix Suns basketball,” says Suns VP of Digital Jeramie McPeek. “The Suns branded browser is a great way for the citizens of Planet Orange to express that pride, and enhance their overall experience online.”

A leader in technology among pro sports franchises, the Suns’ official website, Suns.com, has been named the top team site in the NBA on three occasions, while the team’s official social network, PlanetOrange.net, and virtual tour site, SunsLockerRoom.com, were both recognized with Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards in 2008. The Suns’ family of sites average more than 50 million page views from more than 200 different countries.

“The Suns have been so savvy in the Internet space, that there’s a robust amount of content and functionality to build a really engaging fan experience,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “We expect some new and exciting surprises out of this.”

Brand Thunder’s browsers 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 custom-browser experiences. Brands enjoy a more persistent connection to their Internet consumer through the custom browser Boom!, which increases website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site. The custom browser Booms! feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

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

###

Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: Branded Browser, brandthunder, browser boom, custom browser, Mozilla Firefox, National Basketball Association, NBA, Phoenix Suns | No Comments »

Brand Thunder and “Full Speed 2 a Cure” Create a Custom Browser Designed to Improve Awareness and Early Detection of Breast Cancer by Brand Thunder

COLUMBUS, OH — August 28, 2009 — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the custom browser specialists, announced today an agreement with racecar driver Emerson Newton-John’s “Full Speed 2 a Cure” motorsport cancer awareness campaign (http://www.fullspeed2acure.com) to deliver a custom browser Boom!. The launch of the Boom! coincides with a special auction for a keepsake Gladiator GarageWorks Workbench signed by all 33 drivers from the 2009 Indianapolis 500 and in order of their pole position. All proceeds from the auction benefit “Cure Breast Cancer” (http://www.curebreastcancer.org )

Users of the Boom! can participate in the auction and provide other support through the multimedia sidebar. Other features of the Boom! include an audio greeting from Olivia Newton-John, asking woman to perform monthly self-breast exams, plus links to the sites of ONJ, renowned breast cancer surgeon Dr. Ernie Bodai, Larry Foyt and more. Brand Thunder’s browser customizations provide a more persistent connection to users whenever they are connected to the Internet, regardless of the web page they are viewing, making them an ideal component for the “Full Speed 2 a Cure” campaign.

“I’m not aware of anyone who doesn’t have a personal story about cancer and its affect on their lives,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “Knowing that some of our product features can contribute in a meaningful way to people’s lives is wonderful.”

“Thanks to Brand Thunder for their hard work on what we all believe will be an informative and enjoyable way for people to learn about our campaign, our partners, and the importance of early detection,” said Emerson Newton-John, founder and principle of “Full Speed 2 a Cure.”

Brand Thunder’s browser Booms! are free, lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. Users can switch real-time between any installed Booms!, or change from a full Boom! view to a small Boom! (toolbar only).

About Brand Thunder:
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates custom-browser experiences. Brands enjoy a more persistent connection to their Internet consumer through the custom browser Boom!, which increases website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or Internet site. The custom browser Booms! feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

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

###

Posted in News, Press Releases | Tags: boom, brand thunder, brandthunder, Breast cancer, Cancer, custom browser, Emerson Newton-John, Health, Olivia Newton-John | No Comments »