We are excited to announce the launch of the brand new Knight Hawk microsite! Near the end of 2011, we were approached by Smart Targets LLC (a federally licensed dealer of professional tactical supplies and training materials) to create a visually stunning, informational, and educational new microsite showcasing their exclusive product: The Knight Hawk Portable Pop-up Target. When developing this microsite, we wanted to make sure that the visitor was able to quickly view the product and all of its great features- all while using SEO best practices.
The Knight Hawk Target is a “smarter target” than the simple pulley system or knock-down targets that are currently used in the industry, and far less expensive (not to mention hundreds of pounds lighter) than the hydraulic pop-up targets sometimes used. This target is perfect for Military and Law enforcement training professionals, allowing them to seamlessly set up multiple targets in multiple areas of the training facility with its portability feature. It also has a programmable remote and instant feedback feature that is perfect for setting up training facilities, or for any shooting enthusiast. The instant feedback system will stand up in 50 mph winds, yet can be knocked down with something as light as an air-soft gun (we even tested it with Nerf guns at the office and it worked).
The Knight Hawk Target has received support from Top Shot Season 2 Winner Chris Reed, as well as various board members of the NTOA, MTOA, and various law enforcement departments across the country. This product really is one that is going to change the future of Military and Law enforcement training as we know it.
We are excited to announce the second piece of an interactive program for Fibre-Craft Materials Corporation’s Springfield Dolls line. Following the launch of the SF Style Club interactive microsite, we’ve just launched the second part of the piece, an ecommerce sister site for Springfield Dolls, where you can buy all your favorite dolls, fashionable clothing, accessories, and furniture!
The online store features easy-to-navigate product categories, a searchable catalog of all the fashionable doll products, and a wishlist to save all your outfits for safekeeping or online shopping on a rainy day.
We made sure the ecommerce system syncs to an existing inventory management and shipping component. This ensures that the inventory numbers within the store and the warehouse correspond at all times.
We were so excited to meet Vlad, and even more excited that he decided to come join the team! Without further ado, ladies and gentleman, our new Senior Analyst—who would be happy to brave the crowds of Wrigley with you at the next Cubs game.
Vlad Chaykovsky
Where are you from?
Originally from Kiev, Ukraine, but lived in Columbus, Ohio for most of my life.
What do you do at envisionit?
Senior Analyst.
Tell us something you’ve enjoyed about working here so far.
The atmosphere here is really nice, everyone is so supportive and relaxed.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A veterinarian.
Fill in the blank: My favorite thing about Chicago is …
Nu Finish, a longstanding envisionit client, came to us wanting to grow their online presence and breathe new life into their several-year-old website.
After performing a full audit of the website analytics and competitive online landscape, we identified some areas for opportunity for the Nu Finish website, including consumer education, fresh unique content, and revised architecture driving users to critical pages.
To showcase Nu Finish’s car-care expertise, we added a Car Care section featuring information on car wax versus car polish, as Nu Finish’s product is wax-free, which educates visitors on the benefits of using a car polish over a wax. A new How-To video section, embedded from the Nu Finish YouTube channel we created, equips users for product application and creates fresh, search engine-friendly content to help capture “how-to” based keyword searches. We also added a Testimonials section with an online submission tool, to leverage all the great consumer feedback Nu Finish receives.
Keyword research helped us update content, metadata, and marketing messages with stronger calls-to-action and discoverability through organic search.
Not only did organic search traffic increase 111% for “wax versus polish“ searches, but bounce rates and site engagement times improved significantly. Also, the number of visitors proceeding from the Home page to the valuable Where to Buy page doubled in Q3 over the same period last year.
Now that we’ve revved the engine of Nu Finish’s online presence, we invite you to see the Car Care site for yourself!
As Controller and Director of Marketing, respectively, Amy and Ben have been indispensable new members of our team, crafting up innovative marketing plans and keeping track of lots of numbers (don’t worry Amy, we know you do more than that). See what they like about working at envisionit! And what (and who) their childhood selves wanted to be as adults!
Amy Russell
Where are you from?
Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
What do you do at envisionit?
Controller.
Tell us something you’ve enjoyed about working here so far.
Working with such engaging people.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Dancer, which I still am when I’m not crunching numbers.
Fill in the blank: My favorite thing about Chicago is…
Living by the lake.
Ben Cox
Where are you from?
I was raised by horses in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
What do you do at envisionit?
I’m Director of Marketing, so I drive the strategic marketing bus. I’m responsible for understanding our clients and making sure we deliver delightful experiences that matter.
Tell us something you’ve enjoyed about working here so far.
Far and away the people. I love the youthful energy and genuine passion. And working beside seasoned marketers is equally rewarding and challenging.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Indiana Jones.
Fill in the blank: I’m really good at…
Making my three boys laugh until they drool.
Movember is closing in on its final stretch throughout the U.S. and right here at envisionit media. Our “mo bros” Tyler and Ari have proudly worn mustaches for four full weeks now. What do they cite as the toughest parts of Movember? Looking like a creep, being surprised to see their mustachioed reflections in the mirror every morning, and the itchiness–at first. But for such a good cause–promoting men’s health awareness–it’s all been worth it. Thumbs up to these two for their efforts, and for letting us post silly pictures of them each week!
We’re three full weeks in to the mustache-growing extravaganza that is Movember! Tyler and Ari are still at it, cultivating fine looking facial hair growth in the name of raising awareness and funds for overlooked men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer. They were a little timid at our week 1 update, eased into the facial hair at the 2 week mark, and now, as you can see, they’re straight up owning their ‘staches.
The Movember Men with their Mustaches & Swagger
Interested in making a contribution to this great cause?
We are proud to announce the launch of the Springfield Dolls microsite SF Style Club! Fibre-Craft Materials Corporation approached us to create an interactive program that will grow awareness and drive traffic to their Springfield Dolls line. Fibre-Craft is the parent company to crafts, games, and toys lines including Creative Hands, The Springfield Collection, Jr. Designer Series, and Rondo Room.
The Dressing Room in SF Style Club
SF Style Club is a space that encourages individualism, imagination, and creativity in young girls. Each site visit encourages deeper engagement by earning points to unlock content, merchandise, activities, and special features.
A key component on the site includes an interactive Dressing Room that enables users to dress their doll in over 160 clothing items from the Springfield Dolls Collection. The photographed items in the Dressing Room allow the girls to see their actual doll in clothing options before purchasing the items at a local retailer. Within the Dressing Room users are also able to share an image of their doll and the outfit they created with a loved one—which includes product SKU numbers so the recipient can locate items in-store, and soon, online!
Want to see what the site is all about before signing up? No problem! Just view the video we developed below for a quick overview of all the fun features and activities SF Style Club has to offer!
It’s great to have Dan and Kerry aboard to help us stay organized, keep our projects on task, and add another layer of awesome to the office. We salute them and enthusiastically welcome them to the envisionit media team.
Dan Levengood
Where are you from?
I was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, and raised in East Moline, Illinois.
What do you do at envisionit?
My official title is Program Director. I lead the project management and account management teams.
Tell us something you’ve enjoyed about working here so far.
I love the entrepreneurial spirit at EIM. The “can do” attitude starts at the top and drives creativity, strategy and production.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Portillo’s. Are there other places to eat?
Tell us a story in six words.
My dog’s name is Mr. Deuce.
Kerry St. Joseph
Where are you from?
Crystal Lake, Illinois.
What do you do at envisionit?
I’m a Senior Project Manager.
Tell us something you’ve enjoyed about working here so far.
All the smiling faces! And the abundance of candy.
Fill in the blank: I’m really good at…
Running.
Fill in the blank: Three things I can’t live without are…
My running shoes, my family, my chapstick.
Carnivale is an exciting, colorful, and unique Chicago restaurant and bar located in the city’s west loop neighborhood. With energetic colors, photography, and wild design, it’s a luxurious restaurant that engages all of the senses with global flavors, Latin music, and savory aromas—not to mention their award-winning Mojitos, fresh ceviche, and wood-grilled steaks.
Carnivale approached us with the task of bringing that exciting, colorful, and unique experience of the restaurant into the online space, along with improved usability, strong SEO benefits, and an emphasis on their private event booking opportunities. We were more than happy to accept the task!
When you first enter the site, you’re exposed to an array of dazzling colors and a vivid movie behind red curtains that showcases all that Carnivale has been known to host–from weddings and private events to cabaret shows and live music.
To go along with the elaborate design and taste appeal (we all found ourselves constantly salivating while we developed this site), you can easily make reservations and request a booking or more information for a private event, while easily viewing the layout of every room and what each one has to offer. Users can browse Carnivale’s extensive photo galleries, view the menus and daily specials, and watch Carnivale videos on the site. You can experience Carnivale while on the go via the new mobile site we developed for them!
So, make sure you go check out Carnivale Chicago for some fine Latin cuisine, your next private party booking, or if you are just looking to enjoy a great Mojito (or three!) in a stunning vibrant atmosphere.
