The Science of Communicating & Marketing Your Business

Why?

Because when I logged onto their site so I could provide a pointer to the article, I saw the figure on the right. My screensize is 1280x1024. See that box right smack dab in the middle of the image?

That box is 250x346.

Here it is regular size. That box, appearing over what I'm attempting to look at, is just over ¼ the size of my screen. I'm using FireFox and have it set to block popups, so I'm guessing this wasn't a popup.

Can you guess that this was a severe case of debranding?

How sad. I have no idea if this is a good strategy in their demographic. I get their print newspaper and it has caused me to go to their website in the past. I've even quoted from this print business paper in my blog. I'm guessing this is an indication that I am -- or at least was -- in their demographic.

Guess I'm not anymore.

This amuses me on several counts. One, it bumps into my Internet Transparency, Universal Transparents and Slow Glass post. Anybody want to tell me this was a transparent method of getting subscribers?

It also amuses me because what drew me to the website was an article on bullying. Placing a large, obtrusive image that won't go away and follows me as I scroll down the page between me and what I want is, umm, bullying.

Especially when there are soooooo many ways to achieve the same goal (I think the goal was to get subscribers) that will actually increase their numbers dramatically.

Instead of decreasing it by one.

Please contact NextStage for information regarding presentations and trainings on this and other topics.

Links for this post:

• Branding and Online Ad Placement
• Branding in Online Video
• Moving Your Brand into New Markets
• A New Branding Paradigm, Online and Off
• Usability Studies 101: Brand Loyalty
• Blog Posts on Branding