Deja Vu – First Again with Capitals Hockey, This Time in UK by Kevin Dwinnell

Hockey teams seem to be the innovators in the interactive marketing space, especially if the team’s name is the Capitals. At least, that’s been our experience to date.

One of Brand Thunder’s first clients was the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals. Now, we’re first again with the Capitals. This time it’s the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Edinburgh Capitals in Scotland. It’s the first entry we’ve had into the sports marketing arena within the UK. You can read the details here or see the product here.

The sports industry has been the most aggressive in adopting our product. That seems natural as they’re businesses are dependent on the ongoing and strong relationship with their existing fan base. They are not solely focused on the trial or new user that so many marketers pursue. Reaching and appealing to new audiences is important, but it’s never at the expense of that vital core.

We’re thrilled to count the Capitals and their fans among our users. Again.

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: brand thunder, Branded Browser, browser boom, custom browser, edinburgh capitals, eihl, elite ice hockey, Ice hockey, National Hockey League, Scotland, Washington Capitals | No Comments »

Brand Thunder Heads to Blueland – Atlanta Thrashers Launch by Kevin Dwinnell

We’re continuing our progress with NHL teams with our latest launch – the browser Boom! for the Atlanta Thrashers. First, you have to check out the design. As we head into the heat of summer, this is one Boom! that will provide a little chill. Take a look at the screen shot in our Gallery or on the Thrasher’s site and see what you think.

We’re launching just in advance of the Thrashers Draft Party. If you can’t make the party or aren’t local to Atlanta, Thrasher fans can still enjoy the latest news and videos delivered right into the browser. The links to the team’s blog and message boards will keep you in touch with the drama of this year’s picks and trades.

You start to see why our product is finding a solid audience with sports teams and their fans. With the Internet and cable TV, sports are a year round effort – for any league. While the Pittsburgh Penguins just earned the Stanley Cup in a stellar series for the rest of the league, fans are already turning attention to next year and it’s teams like the Thrashers that are right there with the fans.

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Brand Thunder Boom, Branded Browser, custom browser, Ice hockey, National Hockey League | No Comments »

Congratulations to Stanley Cup Winning Pittsburgh Penguins! by Kevin Dwinnell

We’re thrilled that our clients, the Pittsburgh Penguins, have won the Stanley Cup. If you want to join us in celebrating, customize with your browser with the Pittsburgh Penguins browser Boom!, which you can download here. If you want to relive the highlights of the historic 7-game series, click the Media button in the Penguins Boom! or go to the Penguins TV Online here.

Way to go, Penguins!

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: Brand Thunder Boom, Branded Browser, custom browser, National Hockey League, Pittsburgh Penguins, Stanley Cup | No Comments »

NHL Teams More Than Double Their Chances of Making the Playoffs by Signing with Brand Thunder by Kevin Dwinnell

It’s true. Ninety percent of the NHL teams that have signed with Brand Thunder are heading to the playoffs. Only 35% of the other teams get to make that claim. Coincidence? I think not.

I think it’s the result of the immersive experience and the positive energy that the team/fan connection creates… OK, I realize that correlation does not imply causation. The playoffs are about winning. All the teams advancing had the effort, motivation and good fortune to advance into the post season. No single thing can guarantee achieving this. The best you can do is put as many factors in your favor as possible to give yourself or your team that chance to advance.

For companies, a Boom (branded browser) is one thing you can put in the “W” column for your business. We recognize that leveraging interactive media to connect with your user or fan base is not likely to be core to your business. That’s why we manage as much of the process as possible and limit your resource commitment to delivering a few assets from your existing web page, approval of the browser mock, a promotional link and download page (for which we also deliver assets). With a low level of effort, you enjoy a high return from increased web site visits and transactions from your fans. I wonder if any of the teams entering the playoffs had wins this easy.

In any case, congratulations and good luck to the Blackhawks, Blues, Canadiens, Canucks, Capitals, Flyers, Penguins and our home team, making their first playoff appearance, the Blue Jackets. If you’d like specifics as to how meaningful a Boom can be for your business, drop us a line.

Posted in Commentary | Tags: brand thunder, Brand Thunder Boom, Branded Browser, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, custom browser, National Hockey League, Sports, Vancouver Canucks | 1 Comment »

Brand Thunder Receives Investment from Ohio TechAngels by Kevin Dwinnell

COLUMBUS OH (January 27, 2009) — Brand Thunder LLC, the branded browser specialists, announced today its investment from the Ohio TechAngels and other ‘sidecar’ angel investors to further its work in bringing immersive experiences to the Internet browser.

Brand Thunder reworks the visual style of the browser to match the colors and logos of leading brands, entertainers and sports teams while also adding content and functionality to the browser. The branded browser provides marketers with a persistent means to keep their brand presence with their customer and fans whenever they are connected to the Internet.

The growing list of company’s extending their brand to the browser includes the NASCAR Nationwide Series, internet news blog site The Huffington Post, several National Hockey League teams, NCAA schools, entertainment news site Starpulse, HowStuffWorks.com and more. The full list of active custom browser themes can be found at http://www.brandthunder.com/gallery.

“For a startup company trying to achieve critical mass, it’s a race to reach that state before funds run out,” explained Patrick Murphy, CEO and founder of Brand Thunder. “The investment gives us the necessary financial and intellectual support to become a thriving company.”

About Brand Thunder

Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates a more persistent presence between corporate brands and their Internet consumer through its branded-browser customization, which leads to increased 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 customized browsers 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, NASCAR, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, 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 Press Releases | Tags: brand thunder, Branded Browser, custom browser, Huffington Post, NASCAR, National Hockey League, Nationwide Series, Patrick Murphy | No Comments »