The communications landscape is constantly shifting, complete with unexpected hazards and great obstacles to overcome. At no other time since the commercialization of the printing press has the media environment shifted so rapidly. Newspapers are struggling and traditional television is trying to find its way online. Meanwhile, online news, video and social communities are going through growing pains to handle their overwhelming popularity. Online outlets are adding new features and reshaping their direction in what to users appears to be a monthly metamorphosis. The waves of change are reaching unexpected heights in this stormy sea of a massive media shift.

We cannot imagine working in a more exciting time. There are opportunities abound for organizations to revitalize their communications plans and thus reinvigorate their brand online.

As a team of communications professionals, Nereus is committed to be at the forefront of the new media movement; interacting with bloggers, developing new media campaigns, and most importantly working with our clients to provide visibility and representation in an area that changes daily. At Nereus we have always valued relationships, and our New Media practice is no different – we build a relationship of trust with our clients as we develop campaigns and set strategy. Drop us an e-mail and learn more about how the Nereus New Media team can ensure the success of your next campaign.

More than 5,000 engineers converged at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco, August 19-21, where the Nereus team promoted client technologies that are helping drive the industry. Here are some highlights:

1) Solid state drives. Intel outlined plans to provide solid state drives within a month for 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch form factor devices in the laptop and desktop sectors. The new product line will feature faster system responsiveness, lower power consumption and rugged, reliable operation, thanks in large part to Serial ATA physical storage interface technology, developed by the Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), a Nereus client organization.

2) Nehalem processors. The “Nehalem” next-generation processor family will span a range of products, including the first desktop PC chips branded Intel Core i7 processers and energy-efficient, high performance server products. During the second half of 2009, Intel will introduce a second server derivative for the expandable service market, as well as desktop and mobile client versions.

3) Larrabee graphics processor. The first products based on the company’s new x86-based discrete graphics processor codenamed “Larrabee” will target the PC graphics market.

4) Atom processor. Intel revealed an expanded strategy for the company’s new Atom processor for purse and pocket-sized mobile Internet devices and netbooks. The low-power-dissipation mobile processor is expected to be used in consumer electronics devices and embedded Internet applications.

5) Widget Channel. Intel launched “Canmore,” its first x86-based chip for consumer electronics, and previewed plans for the Widget Channel, a software framework developed in partnership with Yahoo! that will deliver Internet services on a TV via software widgets.

6) Ubiquitous Computing. Intel foresees a future in which technology will be seamlessly embedded into nearly every aspect of our lives. Based on an accelerating shift toward mobility, compute power and connectivity, Intel predicts that there will be 15 billion Internet-connected devices in use around the world by 2015.

The Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) and the Clean Technology Alliance both enjoy the support of Nereus and parent company VTM.

As the oldest environmental group in Oregon, the OEC recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a gala event in Portland, attended by more than 400 people. Nereus helped to promote OEC’s milestone event by negotiating advertising placements in Portland Monthly magazine and by securing coverage on local radio stations. Nereus also identified promotional opportunities for OEC with outdoor advertising firms, on-line green living and sustainable lifestyle venues and national media outlets.

Members of the Clean Technology Alliance showcase the benefits of breakthroughs in clean hardware and software technology. The group, recently founded by the Software Association of Oregon (SAO), empowers businesses to use resources more efficiently, delivering greater profits and sustainability. Ray Berardinelli, Nereus vice president of client services, is a member of the steering committee of the Clean Technology Alliance, along with IT and marketing executives from Nike, Intel, Sun Microsystems and other leading high tech firms.


 

Nereus has won an award from the Oregon/Columbia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Nereus received the award for its “Frank’s Cubicle” entry, which received recognition in the External Web Marketing Communication category.

The client, USB-IF, was looking for a successful and cost-effective tactic to reach a young adult audience with disposable income and an interest in technology.

Nereus stepped in with an online solution that leveraged its knowledge of online media and social networks. The Nereus team dreamed up Frankscubicle.com, an interactive Web site. The Web site allows visitors to choose a USB device on Frank’s desk and watch him interact with it. The team used social and viral online tools, such as MySpace and YouTube, to promote the Web site in addition to online advertising and eBlasts.

Frank’s Cubicle was a success, with 120,000 unique visitors to the site and more than one million page views. The site lives on today and proves to be a cost-effective and attention-grabbing way to promote USB technology. By meeting client objectives through a new strategy, Nereus executed a successful campaign.

OCIABC is an organization that provides networking opportunities and resources for communications professionals across the Northwest. The 2008 Bronze Beacon Awards event, “The Power of Communication,” benefited the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross.

With the summer months ending and the return of the rain to Portland, Oregon, it’s time to look back at Nereus’ busy summer. For members of the Nereus team, it was time to travel the world, whether they were taking part in the Intel Developers Forum or hiking the Inca Trail in Peru. For business or for pleasure, Nereites were seen all over the world.

The summer months often inspire travel and that is just what the Nereus team did. Two members in particular, Bill Warner and Lori Zielinski, scattered the globe. Bill admired the beauty and culture of the southern most Central American country, Panama. Lori trekked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru. Some members took advantage of the great local adventures that the Northwest has to offer. Joe Saylor managed to stay afloat while battling white water rapids in Idaho. Several members were seen walking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, after attending the 2008 Intel Developers Forum.

The rain will return for Fall, but the travelling never ends at Nereus. With conferences and events in destinations like Las Vegas, NV or Munich, Germany, right around the corner, it will be a fun and busy rest of the year.

Nereus Director Ann Jansen has 20 years of experience in marketing communications and high-tech public relations and is our resident expert on digital rights management.

Ann brings a number of interesting life experiences to Nereus. She grew up as an Air Force brat and lived in such locations as Spain, Florida, California and Michigan before landing in Oregon. Once, while working for Freightliner, she drove a tractor-trailer rig from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, “grinding gears along the way.” She’s also dressed as a starfish for a Mardi Gras parade float in New Orleans, throwing beads, candy and "doubloons" to the crowds. When she is not working hard for clients, Ann enjoys getting together with friends, walks, reading, making jewelry and spending time with her three cats - Sushi, Smoky and Sissy.

Ann prides herself on building relationships with clients, editors, analysts and teammates alike. Her smiling face and positive attitude can brighten anyone's day. Ann has proven her talents in many areas--from working as a journalist and orchestrating a successful million dollar product launch for Freightliner Corporation and Mercedes-Benz Truck Company to positioning DSL technology as the leading choice for high-speed Internet access. Contact Ann to learn more about her experience in communications and marketing.