This
is The Marion Group’s Newsletter to business
people such as you who
are looking for ways to grow your business. We hope to share with you, new
ideas and marketing opportunities to achieve your business goals quickly
and economically, in print, multimedia and on the Web.
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Google’s
BIG news is the upcoming launch of the “Big
Daddy”
Data Center. Google hopes to significantly
improve its search
results and increase search relevancy (surprised?)
by revamping
its ranking algorithm and putting a new server
infrastructure
in place.
We can expect the search engine upgrade to be out
sometime this month or March.
Marion’s internet marketing strategies have kept our
website listed
high on Google’s Big Daddy Search Results.
For ‘Houston Graphic Design,’ we are ranked #1
out of the 9,750,000 results. To see where you will rank,
click on “Big Daddy,” and type in your keywords.
Just
for kicks…Check out Google’s
Video Search Engine at http://video.google.com/ and
type in your key products
or services to see what comes up. You can view, buy or download
for free thousands of clips Marion can also help you create
informative videos about your company and upload them to
the Google Video Search Engine.
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The
$1 Million Homepage has proven the Internet still has room
for innovation. The website, www.milliondollarhomepage.com,
was developed by Alex Tew, from England, as a means to pay
for his University degree. Launched September 5, 2005, the
homepage reached the $1 million goal within four months.
The homepage is divided into 1 million pixels with each
pixel worth $1. Businesses have reported an increase in
the amount
of website visitors as a result of their pixel ad on this
homepage.

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The Marion
Group has designed and printed the donor promotion brochure
for
the Challenger Center, intended to encourage donations to
the Challenger Center’s mission. It features
the Challenger story and emphasizes the importance of Challenger
Center programs to the educational community.
Our
creativity inspired the
Challenger Center to incorporate
the picture of Astronaut Stephen Robinson holding a lunch box
featuring “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet,” from which
his childhood dream of flying in space was inspired.

The brochure
was printed in full color and folds in half to
8 ½ x
11”. Elements of the design are to be implemented
in
their 2005 annual report.
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The
Marion Group has teamed up with Madeline Westbrook, a sixth
generation Texan, to complete her dream of writing and self-publishing
a
book about the connection she still shares with her son, who
passed away in 1994. The novel, titled The Ghostwriter and
the Muse, explores the discovery of eternal communication through
music, writing and signs from the natural world. The promotional
campaign, developed by Marion, has enabled her book to become
the #1 seller at the Unity Church of Christianity bookstore
in Houston.
Marion
helped with:
- Editing
- Artist
illustrations for the book
- Marketing
promotions throughout Houston
- Design
and printing of business cards and bookmarks
- Design
and printing of posters for book signing
- Website
hosting and design – www.madelinewrites.com
- Book
printing
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The
NTC Texas logo design illustrates how this company has
become
a "rising star" in the merchant service provider business.

NTC
Texas is a full service merchant service provider. Services
include credit card transaction processing, debit/check
processing,
internet/e-commerce transaction processing, and electronic
gift cards.
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Currently Yahoo! provides MSN.com with most of the sponsored
ads you see at the top and side of search results. However,
that is changing.
Beta
testing with a select group of advertisers is underway for
MSN.com’s new adCenter sponsored advertising program.
The current ratio of MSN sponsored ads to Yahoo ads on the
MSN search engine is 1 to 3. Once the contract with Yahoo expires
in June 2006, Microsoft plans to feature only adCenter ads.
The program is expected to resemble Google’s Adwords
or Yahoo’s Sponsored Search. It is probable that having
a third major player in this market will create more competition
and keep prices in check.
Marion can help you set up your MSN adCenter account. Sign
up early before your competitors catch up and click-thru costs
increase.
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Yahoo! Has
Its Eyes on Google Ads
The
recent change in Yahoo’s online advertising structure has
brought its Sponsored Search listings to closer resemble Google’s
sponsored search results. Yahoo’s goal is to make search
results easier to read by implementing the more streamlined design.
Yahoo descriptions will now be limited to 70 characters like
Google ads. This format lessens the time required to write and
develop ads and Google clients can easily test ad placement on
Yahoo with minimal effort. Research has shown that advertisers
can expect to see an increase in clicks while maintaining their
conversion rates. |
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Strategic
Careers
Recruiting & IT
Staffing Services
Delivers quality candidates for IT, Sales, Marketing, Technical professionals
and executives.
www.strategiccareers.com
Website by Marion
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Isle PediSpa
Premier
Houston Nail Salon
Houston's
first-and-only specialty foot spa and premier nail salon, focusing on
the luxurious and therapeutic care of your feet, hands, and spirit.
www.islepedispa.com
Website by Marion
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Dr.
Mark Schusterman
Houston
Plastic Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon
Offers
procedures for
a more beautiful you. Learn about - Body & Skin Care Makeovers
for Mom.
www.alwaysyouthful.com
Website by Marion
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Flexible
Packaging
Plastic
Bags and Other Packaging Materials
Whatever your flexible packaging supply needs, Flexible Packaging can
find the right plastic bag solution for you.
www.flexpack.com
Website by Marion
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E•Quest
Independent
Retirement Living Communities
E•Quest independent living communities offer a unique approach
to what should be (and can be) the best years of a senior adult’s
life.
www.retliv.com
Website by Marion
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Challenger
Learning Center
Continue
the Mission
Innovative learning experiences for children and adults. Help Challenger
educate and inspire scientific minds.
www.challenger.org
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Sierra
Pacific
Corporate
Apparel
Sierra Pacific is a manufacturer of corporate apparel and business casual
attire, offering products to the imprintables, embroidery and promotional
product industries.
sierrapacificapparel.com
Website by Marion
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The
Freight Source
Free
Freight Quotes
Get a quick freight quote from multiple LTL, full truckload and flatbed
carriers. Corporate discount rates for small to medium shippers. Lowest
prices. 30 to 70% lower than average.
www.thefreightsource.com
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