July 23, 2010 By BJ Cook,
We recently launched the newly designed website of Mark Ramsey Media. The all-new site is a merger of the original markramseymedia.com and the popular hear2.com blog. The new markramseymedia.com showcases the one of a kind content that is created by Mark Ramsey along with the background on the company as well as lists of services and easy ways to connect with Mark via all the key social media channels. The site contains all the latest features in social media integration including o Facebook Like features o Blog share features o Disqus commenting with Twitter & Facebook integration o Vimeo video player o Easy to use audio player that pulls the mp3’s from Hipcast In addition the new markramseymedia.com provides a complete archive of blog posts, audio tracks, and videos from the original hear2.com blog. The new site is a valuable resource when looking to learn more about the media industry from one of its key insiders and thought leaders. Digital Operative took on the task of creating an all new look and feel that supported the latest in social media web integration, all the while being built on the most recent WordPress 3 platform. From initial concepts through launch Digital Operative handled each and every step along the way. We are excited to showcase the new site, which you can see here at www.markramseymedia.com. We also asked Mark a few questions about his new site and the work that was done… DO: Why did you decide to not only redesign markramseymedia.com but also combine with the popular hear2.com blog? Mark: The original site design was a homemade affair (thank you iWeb). The thing about those homemade affairs is that it doesn't take long to graduate out of them. The blog has always been the driving force of the effort since it's the most dynamic part of the digital portfolio and drives whatever attention the portfolio gets. So merging the two under one banner allowed me to (gradually) retire one brand name and place the emphasis on the brand that was monetizing the strategy. The hear2.0 blog itself is very old for a blog - about 6 or 7 years. And it was professionally designed at a time when "blog designers" were all the rage and blogs didn't necessarily cohabitate with the rest of a site's digital portfolio. This change allowed me to switch from Typepad to Wordpress and place the whole site, blog and all, in that up to date environment. DO: When taking such an important step as to redevelop your website presence why did you decide to go with Digital Operative? Mark: Two reasons. First, I had heard great things about your team from uninvolved third parties and really wanted somebody locally-based to work on my stuff. I wanted a wide range of experience and no roots in the world of media per se. That is, I wanted to bring best practices from everywhere to my media-oriented site and produce something unique in all the firms which focus B2B in media - and that's exactly what you've done - and you've done a great job with it. Second, I had a vision where the Blessed Virgin muttered your name. DO: How does the digital presence (website, social media, email) for Mark Ramsey affect the impact of the physical work being done? Mark: My content is all about pushing the digital boundaries of media in general and radio in particular. It makes sense that the context for this conversation would be state of the art. So that context allows me not only to get the word out to every corner of the media galaxy, but also to emphasize my credentials - to prove my value - in resolving those problems and propelling media companies ahead profitably. Overall, these facets allow me to do more stuff, do it better, make it look better, without a huge incremental effort. DO: What was the overall experience like for you as you went through the process from concept to launch? Mark: The experience was pretty much trouble-free. I like that DO kept pressing forward on the timeline - even when I was the bottleneck. There's a clear emphasis on getting results and getting them on schedule. I like that. Plus I like the team involvement. Everyone seemed to have a stake in my project, which I appreciate. DO: Are there any thoughts that you have about working with Digital Operative on this project as well as just the MRM.com website in general? ...Please provide only good thoughts! ;-) Mark: You guys should send a digital "congrats on your new baby" card when you birth these new sites. I'm happy to work with DO on this and other projects, and I look forward to working with them again. The reviews from my clients are in and they're all "thumb's up." Thanks D.O.! www.markramseymedia.com About Mark Ramsey Media: Mark Ramsey Media is one of the best-known research and strategy providers to media companies in America. MRM President Mark Ramsey has worked with several television and innumerable radio broadcasters over his career, including all the biggest names, from Clear Channel, CBS, Bonneville, Sirius XM, and Greater Media in the US to Corus and Astral Media in Canada. Clients from outside broadcasting have included EA Sports and Apple.

More from the
DO Blog