Posts

Showing posts from 2009

Fiji Fun

Image
(Artwork by Tiner)

Geico Direct Magazine Cover

Image
(Geico Direct Magazine Fall/Winter 2009 Cover) (Geico Direct Magazine Fall/Winter 2009 Feature Story) Apparently they replaced the gecko! Geico Direct Magazine, a free publication to Geico Insurance Policy holders, recently featured me on the cover of their national magazine. The article highlights some of my recent triathlon adventures.

New Website: Seantiner.com

Image
Over the weekend, I redesigned and published my portfolio website, www.seantiner.com . Check it out, when you have a chance.

Crossfit: Laguna Beach

Image
(T-Shirt Design by Tiner)

Desktop Wallpaper: November 2009

Image
(Fall Leaves (C) Tiner)

Nten Webinar: Latest Giving Trends for Nonprofits

Image
On October 27, 2009, I'll be presenting an online webinar on how nonprofits can leverage the latest giving trends to engage their constituents. The webinar is hosted by Nten , an international nonprofit for those interested in the use of technology to support nonprofit organizations and issues.

John Wooden

Image
(John Wooden by Tiner ) Happy 99th Birthday to John Wooden!

Birdmen fly in Norway

Rio 2016!

Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: October 2009

Image

Freedom is letting go of all fear

Image

World's Longest Basketball Shot

Green Incentives

From two for one coupons to exclusive product offerings, promotional discounts frequently encourage customers to remain customers. Ultimately these various incentives are the main motivation for prospects to become consumers. For example, would last month's "Cash for Clunkers" program be as successful without the government's substantial rebate incentive? Frankly, I'm surprised more companies do not offer more strategic discounts for current customers. Incentives help maintain a brand's relationship with clients and encourage new prospects to try the brand, product, or service. As more and more companies "Go Green" not only to remain politically friendly but also save money, I'm curious why certain companies do not offer Green incentives. Imagine, if a cable company or telephone company offers a small discount for opt-ing in to receive electronic statements, instead of sending paper statements? The incentive will not only save the company money w

PIECE: Stop Motion Animation

Enjoy this cinematic collaboration between artist Igor Skaletsky and drummer Evgeniy Labich.

Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: September 2009

Image
(Desktop Wallpaper, September 2009, (C) Tiner)

Visual Effects: 100 Years of Inspiration

Art of the Can

Image
(Red Bull's Art of the Can Website) Got Wings? Now, Red Bull enthusiasts can allow their creativity to soar and enter Red Bull's 2010 Art of Can Contest. Red Bull's innovative art contest encourages aesthetic lovers to create a sculpture out of the energy drink's cans. For the past 6 years, the forward thinking brand has received creative entries ranging from an octopus to a life size jet ski. The photographs of the entries and exhibits become timeless marketing collateral and allow the brand's popularity to soar within the creative community. It's refreshing, when a company gives permission for consumers to alter a logo and interrupt a brand in a unique way. Frequently, companies care to much about how a logo is represented and neglect how enthusiasts really feel about the company, product, or service. Red Bull gives control to the fans and Red Bull is rewarded with unique marketing elements from its enthusiasts. The deadline to enter this year's contest

Marketing Strategy: Scavenger Hunt

Image
(Pearl Jam's Backspacer CD Cover) Earlier this month, Pearl Jam rewarded fans who found all nine pieces of the band's latest cover with an exclusive track. As website visitors spent time online locating the different pieces of artwork, the interactive increased Pearl Jams relationship with passionate fans. As you design your next online promotion, consider implementing a scavenger hunt. Similar to children getting excited about an Easter Egg and being rewarded with a treat inside the egg, an online scavenger hunt can entice passionate brand enthusiasts to spend more time with your brand and tell their friends about your organization, product, or service.

Last Day Dream

As we get older, we realize how short our life is on earth. We become aware of our mortality and realize that in the long run it is a collection of random events, accomplishments, and memories that define our life. As this world is a network to our creativity, The Last Day Dream, a 60 second life montage video, reiterates how quickly we as humans develop and mature. As you live each day and progress to the next chapter of your life, how do you accomplish your goals and dreams? Do you take each day as it comes? Or do you set out out to fulfill your ambition and live each day to the fullest?

Pacific Coast Triathlon

Image
Last month, I competed in the USAT National Sprint Triathlon Championship in Newport Beach, CA. It was the fourth triathlon that I have completed in the past year. I really enjoyed the event and look forward to a few more triathlons in the remainder of the season.

Social Media Revolution

Calculated Risks

"Swing for the fences and don't strike out" - Donny Deutsch Do you take risks or calculated ones? As new technology continually encourages brands to innovate, it's important to risks and stay ahead of the competition. Frequently, companies, brands, and organizations rush to implement new strategies and do not spend enough time calculating potential variables. Does the brand have enough: Experience? Capital? Leadership skills? Did the brand anticipate: Low sales? The competition's response? Unexpected growth? Does the brand have: The ideal location? Rushing into a new venture will create a response, but calculating the risks will help guarantee that the brand makes a splash.

Pierside Gallery: Huntington Beach, CA

Image
The surf's up this summer and so are some of my photographs at Pierside Gallery in Huntington Beach, CA. If you visit Surf City this summer, check out Pierside Gallery on your way to the beach (300 Pacific Coast Hwy # 107A, Huntington Beach, CA).

Abstract Art

Image
(Pen & Ink (C) Tiner) (Etching (C) Tiner)

Today Was A Good Day

Quirky Wins

What separates a successful idea from a disastrous flop? Is it the precise implementation of a business plan? Excellent leadership skills? A tactical team? Amble start up capital? Or the ability to execute a quirky idea? Tomorrow, Joan Rivers, the latest winner of Donald's Trump's The Celebrity Apprentice , debuts " How'd You Get So Rich? ," a reality show that introduces the public to the glamorous lifestyles of successful entrepreneurs. From Billy Bob Teeth to The Slanket , Rivers interviews several inventors behind quirky ideas that made millions. As the economic downturn encourages entrepreneurial innovation, what will be the flourishing ideas this year? Next year? And in five years? There are plenty of ways to make a dollar, but sometimes it is the most basic, innovative and quirky that win on a large scale. I am often reminded of Alex Tew who had age 21 launched milliondollarhomepage .com , a website with a million pixels of advertising space, each costin

Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: August 2009

Image
(Tall Ships, August 2009 Desktop Calendar (1280 x 1040) (C) Tiner )

One Day Promotion Strategy

Image
This week, Imaginary Foundation , a t-shirt company, and Starbucks offered one-day promotions to entice customers to visit either physical or online locations and purchase products. Both companies leveraged social media and email to connect with their target audience and engage potential prospects. Case Study 1: Imaginary Foundation Imaginary Foundation had their one day sale coincide with The 40th Anniversary of Apollo's Moon Landing. On June 22, 2009, the apparel company sent an email about the 1/2 off t-shirt sale. (Imaginary Foundation Apollo Anniversary Promotion Email) Lessons Learned: Imaginary Foundation What Worked: The campaign appealed to the rational and emotional benefits of a prospective customer. From an emotional perspective, the email was sent on the day of the anniversary, which gave only 24 hours for the email recipient to make a purchasing decision. Customers needed to quickly respond and purchase a-shirt. From a rational perspective, a prospective customer s

Faces

Image
(Heather Meaker, Faces , Tiner) (Bryan Elliott, Faces , Tiner) (Wayne Sutton, Faces , Tiner)

Cool Twitter Resources

Listed Below are some cool (no pun intended) resources shared from the speakers at the recent Twitter Conference in San Diego, CA. Key Resources: * Bit. ly : Creates a Tiny URL and allows creators to track the links * Cli .gs : Creates a Tiny URL and allows creators to track the links * Tweetlater : Schedule your tweets * Future Tweets : Schedule your tweets * ParaTweet : Streams real time tweets at conferences. At the event, people were encouraged to add the hash tag # ctc to their tweets. A moderator then approved the tweets, which were streamed on a projector for everyone to see. It is a concrete of incorporating social media in the real world. * Tweetphoto : Quickly upload pictures via mobile or traditional Internet connection and share with community on Twitter. * Tweetdeck : Easy way to organize tweets * Twtpoll : Create polls for Twitter. * PollDaddy : Another online poll resource * Trottr : Record your voice via a mobile phone and post on Twitter or Facebook * Mgive .com : SM

Using Twitter to Engage Constituents

Using Twitter to Engage Constituents v1 Enjoy the slides from my recent presentation at the Cool Twitter Conference in San Diego, CA.

Cool Twitter Conference

Image
(Sean Tiner ) (Sean Tiner ) (Christian) (Sean Tiner ) (Sean Tiner ) (Rodney Rumford , Co-Founder of Tweet Photo) (Jennifer Van Grove, Mashable ) (Jennifer Van Grove, Mashable ) (Sean Tiner ) (Mirna Bard, Nureach Global) (Marta Donayre , GrantsWiz ) (Marta Donayre , GrantsWiz ) (Bob Fine, Cool Blue Company LLC ) (Becky Carroll, Customers Rock!) (Angie Swartz , Twitter Talk Radio) Today, I spoke at the Cool Twitter Conference in San Diego , CA. I lectured on "Using Twitter to Engage Constituents." Although, I used nonprofit case studies to convey successful Twitter engagement and fundraising examples, the marketing theories from my presentation are applicable to corporations, brands, and individuals that desire to use Twitter as part of their integrated marketing communications plan. At the event, I really enjoyed exchanging social media ideas with various marketing professionals. I will post tips and tricks from the conference soon.

Border Ride

Image
(Laguna Beach, CA to USA/Mexico Border Bike Ride) On Saturday, two friends and I rode our bikes from Laguna Beach, CA to the USA/Mexico Border. From seeing new surf breaks to exploring new bike trails, the 110 mile journey was really enjoyable.

The PEN Story

Ever wonder what your entire life will look like in pictures? Olympus, a camera digital manufacture, brings this reality to life. The company recently posted this phtographic montage video depicting the candid stages of life. From unique perspectives to a continuous narration, the film functions more as an art exhibit instead of a branded commercial. When you create your next big "viral hit," focus on highlighting unique functionality that engages the viewer on the product's value, instead of the product's name.

Cooliris

(Cooliris' 3d interactive wall of Flickr images tagged with "Sean Tiner" (requires Adobe Flash to view)) If you are searching for a cool widget to display a Flickr stream, Cooliris , is an excellent resource for artists, graphic designers, and photographers. The site creates a free 3D interactive wall of artwork and allows individuals to embed it on website.

Kiva Alerts

Image
( Kiva Alert's "Kiva Tweets") Today, Twitter is still the buzz of the social media world. From Starbucks to the American Red Cross, brands and nonprofits are constantly encouraging their customers, supporters, and constituents to follow their organizations on the micro-blogging service. Although a large number of Twitter followers can increase a website's traffic for the short-term, how does a brand engage a target audience through Twitter for the long-term? Several brands, companies and nonprofits are exploring strategies for long-term engagement, however Kiva has recently found a possibly solution. Kiva Alerts , a microsite created to promote Kiva Microfunds, a 501 (c) 3 organization that "allows people to lend money via the Internet to microfinance institutions around the world which in turn lend money to small business" (Kiva.com), implements a peer-to-peer Twitter marketing strategy. Kiva Alerts allows visitors to "donate" their Twitter accou

Downtown Los Angeles Aerial Photographs

Image
(University of Southern California (C) Tiner ) (Staples Center (C) Tiner ) (Disney Concert Hall (C) Tiner ) (Shrine Theater (C) Tiner ) (Santa Monica (C) Tiner ) (Santa Monica (C) Tiner ) (Los Angeles (C) Tiner ) (Long Beach (C) Tiner ) (Long Beach (C) Tiner ) (Los Angeles (C) Tiner )