Official NBA Browser Themes for Firefox, Chrome & IE by Brand Thunder

Hey NBA Fans! Does the impending NBA lockout have you wondering if there will be a season or not this year? We have high hopes that there will be a season and the NBA needs all the help it can get to bring the players and owners to a mutual agreement. We’ve been working with many NBA basketball teams over the years to create their custom browser themes, helping to keep their fans abreast of the latest news, scores, stats, videos and much more. Join us in showing your support for the upcoming NBA season and download some of our favorite NBA themes for Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer.

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Basketball Themes, Chrome NBA Themes, Firefox NBA Themes, IE Themes, NBA, NBA Browser Themes, NBA Chrome Themes, NBA Themes | No Comments »

Brand Thunder Passes 2 Million Downloads – 2 Reasons Why by Kevin Dwinnell

The growth chart is text book. Brand Thunder’s doubling its size in half the time. It took us 18 months to reach the 500,000 download mark. Nine months later, we reached the million download mark. Four and a half months after that, we’re over two million downloads. Nice momentum.

Distribution

It’s easy to see the caliber of brand that we’re fortunate enough to work with, our client list is full of great names from around the globe. Leveraging the power of the brand and their consumer touch points is common practice for affinity products. We try to bring a little more.

The web has splintered audiences. Think about how a sports fan may follow their favorite team. A fan may go to the team’s site, or they may go to a leading sports site, or they may participate in a blog or community focused on a team or sport. Limiting distribution through team channels limits the reach of the product. (As an aside, if you really want to learn about how teams can keep up with their fans, follow Sports Networker.)

Brand Thunder leverages distribution opportunities beyond the client site. We interact with communities where fans are gathering (always in a respectful way). We go through download sites where users are already looking for ways to personalize their experience. We look for other means to message the availability of the browser theme and get it to fans. We’ve seen a material benefit to our partners with this approach.

Product Extension

We love our client list and helping our clients connect with their fans is our biggest priority. But that’s not are only product. We also build interactive browser themes for the generalist or people that like stuff not represented by our client list. In the world of affinity credit cards, the NFL card is in the top 3 (don’t quote me on the exact number). Data accuracy aside, the illustration holds – most fans choose the NFL over their favorite team.

That’s why we have a Basketball theme, in addition to the NBA teams we work with like the Cavaliers, Magic, Sixers and Suns.

These product extensions help us reach the broader audience and grow our business. We continue to look for ways to meet the end user where they are and where their interests lie. We’ll continue to strive for that while we work our way toward the four million download mark.

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: affinity marketing, brand thunder, Branded Browser, browser theme, Cleveland Cavaliers, custom browser, National Basketball Association, National Football League, NBA, NFL, orlando magic, pheonix suns, Philadelphia 76ers | 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

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

Orlando Magic Takes on Brand Thunder in the Finals by Kevin Dwinnell

You’d think a team heading to the NBA Finals would have only one thing on their mind. That may be true of the players and coaches, but the front office is still thinking about the fans in this stellar 20th season for the Magic.

That’s why, starting today, you can download the latest Brand Thunder Boom! from the NBA’s Eastern Conference champions. It’s a special “NBA Finals” edition that’ll have fans saying “Go Magic!”

Seriously, this is one project that’s been GO from the beginning. It’s probably one of the fastest turnarounds we’ve seen from agreement to design, build and launch. Motivation can do that for you. But it’s only part of the equation. For those in the development field, you know it’s also about clear definition and deadlines met by anyone who plays a role. That’s not always easy.

Neither is playing in the NBA Finals. Two motivated teams reached the Finals, but now it’s about offense, defense and simply whether or not shots are going to fall. Or, it could just take a little Magic.

Posted in Commentary, News | Tags: brand thunder, Brand Thunder Boom, Branded Browser, custom browser, Eastern Conference, National Basketball Association, NBA, NBA Finals, orlando magic | No Comments »

Boom! Cleveland Cavaliers Browser Launches with Two Looks by Kevin Dwinnell

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the first NBA team to launch with a Brand Thunder Boom (branded browser) and they’re doing it with their fans in mind.

The Boom has two views: one focused on the team and Cavs.com, the other focused on CavFanatic.com – the official social network of the Cavs. And it’s more than just the look changing. All the toolbar buttons change to meet the needs of each user. You can check it out on their site here, or download from Brand Thunder here.

Brand Thunder’s Boom technology, which allows the real-time switching between the different browser customizations, helped make this happen. Our first two clients to utilize this capability, the Cavs and JOCKlife.com, both recognize the transient nature of the consumer and the desire to optimize the experience for their audience.

By transient consumer, I mean focus and attention is going to ebb and flow for each of us. Even diehard fans take a breather during the off-season or have a temporary shift of attention. JOCKlife.com, a sports site that offers the “voice of the athlete” with its list of notable athletes blogging on its site, launched its Boom with four views: a general JOCKlife.com look, and ones focused on baseball, basketball and football (you can get it here). This allows them to meet the need of the fan that wants it all, or the fan that wants to focus on the sport that’s in season.

The Cavs are no different. They just split their focus between the Cavs fan and the CavsFanatic. It’s a natural extension of the push this season to recognize members of their fan social network – CavFanatic.com. This focus has included game-night dedications and receptions for the community – and now a special view in the Cavaliers Boom.

When you really think about and act in the interest of your fans, transient isn’t much of a concern. You know they’ll be coming back.

Posted in Commentary | Tags: athlete, basketball, brand thunder, Branded Browser, Cleveland Cavaliers, custom browser, jocklife, National Basketball Association, NBA | 1 Comment »

Brand Thunder Nets Deal with NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers for a Team-Branded Internet Browser by Patrick Murphy

COLUMBUS (March 4, 2009) — Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com), the branded browser specialists, announced today an agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers to bring the first NBA custom browser to Cavaliers fans.

Cavaliers fans will enjoy an Internet experience where the browser is immersed in the look, feel and content of Cavaliers basketball. The customization is delivered through a small download, called a Boom, and since it becomes part of the browser it stays with the user regardless of the website being visited. Once installed, fans will be able to switch seamlessly between a version featuring the colors, logo and news from the Cavaliers team, or one that includes elements of CavFanatic.com, the team’s official social network site.

“We’ve had a record breaking season in many areas, both on and off the court. Our websites are no different. Just like so many fans like to wear our colors and logos on clothing and decorate their walls at the office and at home, Brand Thunder has created a way for our fans to now outfit their web browsers too.’” said Jeff Lillibridge, Director of Web Services of the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Our work with Brand Thunder will help us connect with our fans in a fun and convenient way whenever they are online. Bring on the Boom!”

“It’s hard to find another team that has as much energy around it as the Cavaliers,” said Patrick Murphy, founder and CEO of Brand Thunder. “This is a great way for the team to stay connected to those fans. And being an Ohio-based company, we’re thrilled the Cavs will have the first NBA Boom.”

Booms are lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality. Users can dynamically switch between Booms without restarting their browser.

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, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.

Posted in Press Releases | Tags: firefox, Mozilla, NBA, themes | No Comments »