A few weeks ago, I was having a discussion with my mom on the people in my life who have stood out as mentors/teachers. The conversation was unprompted and just one of our casual “reflection” talks, during which I mentioned a few names of people with whom I wished I could contact to say, “thank you”. Last week, as my mom was answering the phone at her job, on the other end of the line was Ms. Kuntzmann - one of the names at the TOP of my list. They had a good conversation and out which came Ms. Kuntzmann’s email address. I emailed her the next day to say thank you for helping me through a rough time in my childhood, and she responded so glad to hear how I was and that she helped make a difference.

Life coincidences like this happen all the time. For instance, at our advertising agency in PA just the other week, we were preparing for an in-studio video shoot for a promotional DVD. The client preferred to be present, but given his schedule, time was not permitting. Little did he know that we were actually already working on streaming webcasts of live video being filmed in our studio. Once we worked out the kinks, we provided this as an option to the client and the live streaming video worked so that the client was virtually present and was able to provide feedback on the spot. No retakes for another day, thus no need for additional actor/actress fees, and no need to delay video production!

Whether you like to think of life’s coincidences as perfect timing or an answer to prayer, it’s a pretty cool thing when things come together and work as planned.

Yesterday, I checked out a new free, web-based 3D game called The Hunter. It’s free to play, and relies on subscriptions and micro-transactions to make money. The basic premise is that you are a hunter (as the name implies) and there’s a whole island just stocked with deer, caribou, and turkeys for you to track and shoot. The thing is, the game only allows you to hunt mule deer at the beginning of the game, until you upgrade your license. You can either play the game a whole bunch and level up your license, or you can pay a fee (something like $12.95 every three months) to be able to hunt those animals right off the bat.

What’s interesting about this game is its willingness to bore you. This was designed with real hunters in mind, and (as it was in my case) you could spend literally hours wandering around the huge 3D landscape without seeing any sign, track, or hearing any sounds.

It brings up an interesting point: Just because something’s not necessarily fun or exciting for one person doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a use. This game is excellent in teaching people how to hunt; I’ve never been, myself, but I feel like I know a lot more about hunting now, after only a few hours with the game, than I ever would have otherwise. The same can be said for DDA’s Corporate and Medical Training tools.

Our CMT program is our initiative to create niche training for specific medical and corporate situations. If your company needs a 3D, interactive tutorial program detailing how to set up a blood transfusion, we can do that. We can also do Flash interactive training tools and quizzes, which can be distributed to students, doctors, or employees via CD-ROM or the web. Our video department can create documentaries that give prospective employees a feel for the workplace, or that include testimonials to help attract clients and investors. With all these offered services and more, including websites, copywriting, and graphic design for print and for the web, DDA is the premier digital marketing firm in the tri-state area, and beyond.

There is no holding back the progress that social media sites are achieving with online consumers month after month. Any company that does not genuinely consider integrating a social media approach into their marketing plan really needs to rethink and refocus.

The social media revolution is affecting the way the average Internet consumer uses the medium. Social Media Marketing is merely a way for businesses to get connected with their customers and potential customers, allowing even the little guy to become competitive in an otherwise swamped market.

A Netpop Research study shows that 93% of social media users say companies should have a social media presence, whilst 85% believe companies should not only be present, but should actively interact with consumers via social media sites.

So, take the time to give your business life in the social media realm.