If there was one place I know the people have fun working at, it would be EVOK. They take fun–seriously. And having been formerly employed there, I know this from first-hand experiences. There is beer in the vending machines and whiskey in the bottles. Most importantly, there are passionate people working there. They smile often.
Meet Larry Meador, founding partner of EVOK.
Whats in a name? Tell me a little about the name; EVOK.
EVOK is the brainchild of Scott Disbennett, our Creative Director and Co-Founder. EVOK comes from evoke, as in to evoke an emotion, but he is Scandinavian, so he dropped the last 'e' to pay homage to the homeland. When considering a name before we started, contenders were “Shout Communications” and “24/7/365”, but EVOK won out in the focus groups.
What do you consider EVOK's biggest challenge from the point of industry trends?
Educating Clients on today’s technology, being ready for tomorrows and converting both into revenue generators next week. Social media sites are great, but how do we take an application like Twitter and utilize it as a marketing tool for our Clients. Those who figure that out and win the race to market will be tomorrow’s leaders – just ask Robert Kalin.
Five years from now–Where is the communication business?
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, all over again. Emerging brands will be less likely to attempt to find content to associate themselves with in a mass medium, and more likely to create content and bring it directly to a consumer to share a one-on-one emotional experience.
What kind of shoes are you wearing right now, don't lie.
None – typing on a MacBook Pro, in bed, watching Friday Night Lights on TiVo
What work is EVOK most proud of?
All of it, even the work that failed. It was all a learning experience. We get better with each new challenge.
Describer EVOK's dream project?
A National Brand – a National Campaign – National Attention. Not for me, not for Scott and not even for EVOK but for the EVOKers. They have worked hard. They deserve to reach their dreams. I already have exceeded mine.
Tell me something no one is thinking about, but you'll mention?
Free Ad Candy – not many people have thought about our blog because it is new and so is the trend for agencies to create blogs as a new business tool, but Wordpress recently ranked it in the top-100 of growing blogs to watch. A recent CMO survey showed that 83% of all respondents said that they found their current agency, not the other way around. At EVOK, we are attracting Clients to us, rather than calling on prospects; growing business through indirect efforts.
Is EVOK ready to go mobile?
We better be and so should our Clients. “Go mobile” has many definitions. Our account managers are mobile with laptops and iPhones. Our entire team is mobile with an online job trafficking system. But, more importantly, we are working with companies like LastMile Communications and IBM to create mobile messaging to our Client’s targets. Many of the most popular apps on iPhone use the global positioning software as part of the program. Find the nearest café, read the reviews, get a coupon, get directions.
When is Scott going to grow his hair back?
I’m not sure he still has hair; he has kept is shaved for so long. For people who don’t know, prior to shaving, his hair was styled like Brian Bozzworth “the Bozz” of OU linebacker fame, so maybe he is afraid of getting the style back or maybe his brain can just breathe easier with the smooth head. Either way, he is more aerodynamic and moving faster, in an ever-changing landscape, because of it.
ideas. work. results.
10.31.2008
10.28.2008
SKEUOMORPH
Source: "is a term used in the history of architecture, design, and archaeology. It refers to a derivative object which retains ornamental design cues to structure that was necessary in the original. Skeuomorphs may be deliberately employed to make the new look comfortably old and familiar."
A deliberately placed ornament, function or otherwise–superficial element added to something to help the surveyor or prospect relate. Look in the old–to find something new.
A deliberately placed ornament, function or otherwise–superficial element added to something to help the surveyor or prospect relate. Look in the old–to find something new.
OPEN PRINCIPLES
I think, at this point, it is clearly an effective model. Top-down was proven ineffective a long time ago. Hackers ( White, Grey, Black and Red ) have been using the model effectively for years.
The most difficult part is, relevancy of the content ( qualifying input ) and aggregating all the relevant content ( quantifying it ). Companies that thrive within the pragmatism of a linear process often fail because, ( as any school system may reveal ) it is extremely difficult to rapidly prototype something, learn from it's mistakes subsequently re-introducing the results back into the same process for re-development. Rapid succession, retention and implementation often require controlled environments.
How much are you willing to release to the x-factor and how much will accountability actually cost you? How many new home-owners buy their dream homes, only to rip the walls down?
Usability testing is not a full-proof proven method, simply because we do not have ubiquitous software or hardware. The internet is a neutral platform, but it is still an infant.
Most agencies work in a hyper-collaborative environment. But we've already qualified input and quantified the content. We endearingly call it the 'creative process'.
The most difficult part is, relevancy of the content ( qualifying input ) and aggregating all the relevant content ( quantifying it ). Companies that thrive within the pragmatism of a linear process often fail because, ( as any school system may reveal ) it is extremely difficult to rapidly prototype something, learn from it's mistakes subsequently re-introducing the results back into the same process for re-development. Rapid succession, retention and implementation often require controlled environments.
How much are you willing to release to the x-factor and how much will accountability actually cost you? How many new home-owners buy their dream homes, only to rip the walls down?
Usability testing is not a full-proof proven method, simply because we do not have ubiquitous software or hardware. The internet is a neutral platform, but it is still an infant.
Most agencies work in a hyper-collaborative environment. But we've already qualified input and quantified the content. We endearingly call it the 'creative process'.
10.07.2008
DOES GOOGLE MAKE MARKETERS LAZY
The Internet is providing everyone with access and information. What we do with it, is potentially of our own respective consequences or rewards. If people, consumers or marketers continue to hoard information, then it's likely, by nature of parochial learning–they will become stupid.
I like to look at knowledge and experience like running water; when water is taken out of a stream and put into a bucket it eventually becomes stagnant and tasteless. The information gatherers and human aggregators ( feedsters, twitters, life-streamers ) all contribute to the stream. Some going with it, some going against it. Who runs with the stream, replenishes it, who has put a damn up?
The stream is there for everyone. If you find yourself with an empty glass–fill it. Bring it to the stream and wait for something else to pass by. Or you can continue to carry the same glass of water.
Does Google make marketers lazy?
Ask Google–it now has one opinion on the subject.
I like to look at knowledge and experience like running water; when water is taken out of a stream and put into a bucket it eventually becomes stagnant and tasteless. The information gatherers and human aggregators ( feedsters, twitters, life-streamers ) all contribute to the stream. Some going with it, some going against it. Who runs with the stream, replenishes it, who has put a damn up?
The stream is there for everyone. If you find yourself with an empty glass–fill it. Bring it to the stream and wait for something else to pass by. Or you can continue to carry the same glass of water.
Does Google make marketers lazy?
Ask Google–it now has one opinion on the subject.
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Imagine a brand landscape defined by the individual; the consumer, the prospect, the common surveyor–a marketplace that evolves organically based on consumer interaction and feedback. A company and their agency-both accountable for their products, services and ideas. Knowledge is growing directly in relation to the amount of people contributing to it without regard for social or economical barriers. Language barriers don't exist. Knowledge is systematic growth based on interoperation without ration. Mass communications leveraged by the individual. Products and services rising and falling on their own merits. Someone googles "sucker born everyday," every minute. Advertising talks too much, art requires no explanation and we live in the middle. Create relevancy.
