We’re on the awards path!

October 18th, 2011, Posted by Lisa

Counterintuity is proud to have added to our expanding trophy case with three new awards from W3, honoring creative excellence on the web, and recognizing the creative and marketing professionals behind award winning sites, marketing programs, and video work created for the web.

Counterintuity gold awardLess than 10% of all W3 entries (3,000 in all) were selected as Gold Winners, and we are thrilled to announce our website for Bragg Crane took home the gold in the construction category.

In determining winners, entries are judged based on a standard of excellence as determined by the IAVA, according to the category entered. To uphold a high standard of excellence, a category may have multiple winners, or may have no winners at all. Entries are scored on a ten point scale by the judges. Outstanding entries are are awarded Silver Winners, and we’re happy to claim two of these: Bragg Crane website for Visual Appeal, and our political satire video “Where Will You Go?” created for a 2010 state ballot initiative.Counterintuity silver W3 award

“This year’s W3 Winners demonstrate the out-of-the box thinking and creative execution that exemplifies what the Web is all about” said Linda Day, the Executive Director of the IAVA. “On behalf of the entire Academy, congratulations to this year’s W3 Award entrants and winners for their dedication to pushing the limits and finding new ways to raise the bar in Web Creativity.”

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Through the looking glass

September 30th, 2011, Posted by Jaclyn

As the administrative assistant here at Counterintuity, I have the pleasure of working in the front of the office. We’ve just relocated to a bustling intersection in Burbank, and my viewing pleasure outside consists of plenty of beautiful sunshine, cars, trains, and people going by at all times. However…I have come to find that the best view of all are the complete strangers posing and primping outside in our one-way mirrored door. The next best part? Them not knowing that RIGHT on the other side of that mirrored door is a giggling receptionist with a Flip camera in hand.

Sure, we all do it…when we see a mirror, we sometimes can’t help but glance. But just be careful what you do in public. You never know who could be watching!

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Don’t disturb the ghosts…ghost tweeters that is

September 22nd, 2011, Posted by Emily

We’ve heard whispers. Hushed conversations in the back alleys of social media. There are those among us that aren’t writing their own tweets.

Ok, so ghost tweeting may not be the biggest of news. But ghost tweeting gone wrong is always humorous. Check out what happened to @MarkDavidson this morning:

Don't disturb the ghosts...Ghost tweeters that is!

There’s a few take-aways from an escapade such as this.
1. If you’re keeping up the facade of an online personality, then it should actually be you. Companies have many voices but individuals should be genuine. Don’t mislead the online audience.
2. If you let go of someone in your employ, it’s standard practice to change your passwords. Everywhere. Make sure that your identity, your bank records, and any other documents are secure.
3. Follow the golden rule. If you don’t treat your employees – or for that matter your clients, colleagues, or neighbors – with respect, then you run a higher risk of something like this happening. There are always two sides to every story, so we’re not passing judgement on @MarkDavidson. Just reminding people to be nice! Or you could end up with this:

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How my Facebook profile got hacked

September 13th, 2011, Posted by Lisa

Last week, my Facebook profile was hacked.  ”I” began sending messages to my Facebook friends about a getting a great deal on Viagra.  I became suspicious when I began getting e-mails from friends wondering how I knew they needed that particular product (or proudly boasting that they didn’t).

You’ve no doubt seen them: “Lisa, I won a FREE iPad, click here to see how!” “I got a new Dell computer for free, NO JOKE.”  The messages usually contain a link, which will take you to a website that tries to extract personal information from you.

Everyone seems to know what to do if you receive one of these posts or e-mails: DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK.  Those who unsuspectingly send the posts know to immediately change their password.

But I wanted to know HOW my Facebook page got hacked.  I use a secure connection on Facebook.  I have the best anti-virus, anti-phishing, anti-malware programs I can get.

It turns out that most scams come from users themselves.  The times I took a quiz, installed a Facebook game, or added an app to my profile? Who reads the “fine print” screen specifying what permissions the app needs to proceed?  Guess what? These permissions can include almost anything they want to ask for, and may even include accessing your Facebook account even when you’re not logged in. If you’re like me, and don’t read these screens carefully, you can actually be responsible for giving  away your personal information – and that of your friends – and inviting hackers in.

Yes, it turns out being hacked was my own fault.  It could have been adding “Words with Friends”, or maybe “Twitter” or even “Birthday Calendar”.  My hack happened right after I imported my Facebook photos to my new Droid. Whatever the case, I never even looked to see what info I was giving them, and I have no idea who “them” may be.

Facebook continues to work on improving security, but it turns out they just can’t save me from myself. From now own, I will pay close attention to what permissions I give apps, if any.  And if it asks for too much information, I’ll just say no.  I may have to stop playing Bingo or chatting on Facetime, but I promise you’ll never get a Viagra message from me again.


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Do “gurus” get more Twitter followers-UPDATE

September 9th, 2011, Posted by Lisa

Although I can’t draw a scientific correlation between the two, since Dan Zarella suggested I add the word “GURU” to my Twitter bio, I have gained 65 followers, and surpassed the 1,000 follower mark.  

My Twitter habits have been largely the same as they were in the weeks prior to this experiment.  I’ve been tweeting, re-tweeting, conversing and following/unfollowing in the same pattern I always do.  Literally the only change in my profile has been the addition of the word GURU.

I’m haven’t reached the coveted “Guru 100″ yet — Zarella says that those of us who use that word  in our Twitter profile have on average 100 more followers than others — I’m well on my way.  Check in next week to see where I’m at.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 15th: 99 MORE FOLLWERS!  1 TO GO!

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Counterintuity moves into larger space in Burbank

August 25th, 2011, Posted by Lisa

Photo courtesy of Andre Murray/The Bern Agency

Counterintuity has more than doubled its space in Burbank. The move reflects significant growth the company experienced during 2010, as well as future expansion plans.

“We continue to grow to meet the needs of our clients,” Counterintuity CEO Lee Wochner said. “Our new space keeps us close to many of our clients, while helping us to better serve them.”

“It was important to us to remain in Burbank so that we could continue to deliver exceptional service to our clients while also retaining our highly talented local work force,” said Amy Kramer, president of Counterintuity. Kramer said the additional space will also allow Counterintuity to hold social-media training sessions.

Counterintuity is a full-service creative marketing firm offering website, ad and logo design; social media marketing; search engine marketing; Search Engine Optimization (SEO); strategy and public relations. For more information, call (818) 848-1700 or visit www.counterintuity.com.

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Do gurus get more followers?

August 23rd, 2011, Posted by Lisa

I just got off of an outstanding Webinar with Dan Zarella, the ultimate social media guru.

There were several startling takeaways, this one being the oddest: People who use the term “guru” to describe themselves in their Twitter bios have more followers than people who don’t.  100 more followers on average, to be exact.

So instead of “Social Media Director,” I am now a “Social Media Guru” on Twitter.  I feel like a complete tool, because despite the fact I do know a lot about social media, calling myself a guru is such, um, douchebaggery. However, my enquiring mind needs to know: will it work?

Of course, Dan reminded us that content is still king.  Overlord, actually.  People need to share social content and links if they want to be seen as an authority on a topic and build reputation.

So off I go to tweet interesting social media and mommy content with links, which I learned today is statistically more important than engaging in conversation if the goal is to increase reach.  Please find me at @counterintuity and @lisapbs on Twitter.  I’ll let you know in a few weeks if I’m the guru I actually say I am.

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Good websites can’t be rushed

August 12th, 2011, Posted by Lisa

Search Google for website design, and you’ll see claims such as “We Design Fast Websites” and “We’ll Build Your New Website in Less Than 20 Minutes!”

When it comes to making websites, it’s true that faster is better.  Yet that only refers to the performance of your site, or the speed and efficiency at which your website responds.

A good website firm will not promise to create a high-quality site in a week, or with larger sites, even in a month.  Creating a custom website requires planning, research, programming, expertise and quality assurance that simply can’t be completed in 20 minutes.

We have dozens of customers who came to us after finding out the hard way that the fast way just doesn’t work, and can also be very costly.  Broken code, link errors, unintelligible copywriting and a complete disregard for simple SEO and keyword best practices are the bane of our existence—and frankly, a consistent source of income.

Just like a slow-cooked oven roast is well worth the wait, so is a high-caliber website. Savor the process a superior design firm offers, from planning and architecture of the site, through copywriting, design and coding, to editing and quality assurance.  You want a web firm that takes the time to validate every feature and assures a value-added experience for your customers or clients.

In the end, you’ll end up with a gourmet web product, rather than take-out type turmoil.  Your website won’t mind waiting.

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How I was suspended by the Google+ police

August 5th, 2011, Posted by Lisa

As a Director of Social Media and Communications, I am having a really hard time with Google+.

Unbeknownst to me, for several days, I was suspended from Google+ for having an unauthentic name.  Yep. Lisa Singelyn.  The name I took 20 years ago when I married my husband, and have used everyday since then without issue (except that no one can ever spell it, but I digress).

I now join the ranks of banned Google+ers like Facebook’s Blake Ross and the other William Shatner.  And I’ve joined a directory called Suspended Google Accounts.

I wanted to rebel, but since I make my living in social media, I had to accept defeat and beg for mercy from the cool kids.  As directed, I sent Google+ a copy of my driver’s license and a link to a website that would confirm my authenticity as, um, Lisa Singelyn.  I had to get a good dig in, so I sent them a link to my Facebook profile.

After a few hours, I received this letter:

“Hi Lisa,

Thank you for contacting us with regard to the name you want to use with your Google Profile. After further review, we have determined that your name is within our Community Standards policy. Thank you for your patience while we reviewed your profile name.”

The kicker?  It was signed:

Sincerely,
Duyen
The Google Profiles Support Team

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