Apple launched new iPad product marketing last week and, surprise, it’s better than ever!

The most newsworthy feature that places it ahead of its’ protégés iPad 1 and iPad 2 is screen resolution. According to Apple’s website, the screen resolution on the iPad 3 is 44% greater in color saturation and offers 3.1 million pixels on their 9.7” screen. Most images currently on the web are 72 ppi (pixels per inch), while the new iPad screens offer 264 ppi.

For the technically challenged, this “geek speak” means that the new iPad screens offer better resolution when viewing all web images, reading articles or playing games.

You may think this will only effect the way iPad users view web-based applications, but based upon Apple’s track record, they won’t create this amazing screen resolution for just one product.

How does this affect you?

If you have a website or microsite, create applications or publish web-based articles, you’ll need to rethink the revisions of current and the creation of future web-based marketing tools. The best way to cater to all users is to create two versions of your images and apps. One version can be viewable on current computer and tablet screens, while the second version should be viewable on the new iPad screens and future high-resolution screens.

If two versions of the images are created, the user’s web browser will choose which version to show the based upon the tool (New iPad or current resolution screen) being used.

Need help figuring all of this out? Give us a call at 610-437-4300! First Generation stays at the forefront of the technical world so you don’t have to!

Facebook has announced that their company page templates are changing again. This new change called Timeline, which has already been introduced to personal pages, is going to affect the look of your company page, apps, posts and advertisements within the site. Timeline requires page revisions, so get familiar with the requirements now to be prepared for the mandatory change on March 30^th!

Here are some tips for creating and using your new Company Timeline:

Last night’s ADDY Awards Gala brought out the best of the best in Lehigh Valley’s advertising scene. Representatives from agencies and organizations across the Lehigh Valley came together to celebrate the creative spirit of advertising at this year’s awards ceremony and reception at the Hotel Bethlehem, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Ad Club and sponsored by First Generation.

The ADDY Awards are the nation’s largest awards competition, awarding excellence in advertising through over 200 American Advertising Federation member clubs across the country.

First Gen truly represented itself as a creative force to be reckoned with at this years ADDYs,  not only sponsoring the event, but arriving with a total of 19 attendees (all looking quite sharp, I might add), providing our A/V services through our Hotel Bethlehem A/V partnership, and leaving with a total of 11 awards – including 2 Gold!

I wouldn’t expect any less from the amazing team at First Generation. As Creative Director, I’m proud to represent such a talented and committed group who consistently puts forth an incredible effort to create award-winning work for our clients.

First Generation congratulates all of this year’s winners, and sends out a big thank you to the Lehigh Valley Ad Club for hosting the event. We also thank all of our clients, who know that working with us is a “win-win” situation!

Check out our winning entries:

GOLD Winner: New World Aviation 'Go' Mailer

GOLD Winner: Carpenter Knife Box

B|Braun Perifix Video

MTF Biologics.org Launch Campaign

Olympus Dealer Sales Kit and Catalog

B|Braun Infusion Systems Space Pump Video

Carpenter 'Natures Energy' 2012 Calendar

B|Braun 'Changing Lives, Saving Lives' Video

Olympus TruePic VI Video

Carpenter 'Tactical Advantage' Video

First Generation '1G for Good' Video

Heather Beardsley, Mariclare Rauss, and April Ruggiero

A trio of First Generation full-time consultants at Sanofi Pasteur – Heather Beardsley, Mariclare Rauss, and April Ruggiero – recently received recognition from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals for their work on Sanofi Pasteur’s internal communications publication Discovery. The three MarCom awards included:

Gold award, Employee Publication/Special Edition category, January 2011 edition

Gold award, Employee Publication/Internal Newsletter category, July 2011 edition

Honorable Mention, Design (Print)/Newsletter category, July 2011 edition

Heather manages the writing and editorial content, while Mariclare and April are responsible for the design of Discovery.

The MarCom Awards are born out of an international competition that honors outstanding creative achievement. This year included entries from throughout the United States, Canada and several other countries.

Congratulations!

First Generation is pleased to announce that we’ve recently expanded our team of experts to include Michael Mannicci as one of our Account Managers and Jack Grover as an Audio/Visual Consultant.

Michael Mannicci, a former Account Executive at The Morning Call, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Yellowbook 360, and Citadel Broadcasting, will manage the growth of current and new business accounts, applying his many years of professional sales experience. He brings a plethora of knowledge about advertising and media tools, which he will utilize as he offers complete marketing services and campaigns to clients of First Generation.

Michael holds a BA degree from Kutztown University and is a proud member of the Bethlehem community, serving as a board member and Co-Chair of Fundraising for the Hanover Township Memorial Golf Tournament and as a volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank.

Jack Grover joins the First Generation team as an Audio/Visual Consultant, and will be working on-site for a global organization headquartered in the Lehigh Valley. There he will manage the daily audio/visual equipment and set up needs for both internal and external meetings and events.

With over 15 years of production experience, Jack is a phenomenal asset to the expanding Audio/Visual Services department of First Generation, which also services Hotel Bethlehem and The Holiday Inn Allentown as the in-house A/V provider.

The whole team at First Generation extends a warm welcome to our two new members!

Do you want to be a part of the First Gen team? We’re Hiring! Learn more about our Corporate Communications Manager position HERE.

We are excited to announce that we have recently received Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) designation from the federal government. This designation not only gives our company preference on government contracts, it also provides our clients with many advantages.

“As a proud veteran, I am excited for new opportunities to work with the government,” says First Generation CEO Bill Carmody. “Many of our current clients do business with the government. Now any dollars spent with First Generation, by our clients with government contracts, can be applied towards satisfying the mandated set aside, regardless of whether the services done pertained to the contract. This is a welcomed benefit to our clients.”

In addition to being a SDVOSB, First Generation is a General Services Administration (GSA) contract holder as an Advertising & Integrated Marketing Solutions agency (AIMS 541), pre-approved to service the educational and comprehensive media plan strategy needs of federal contracts.

What does this mean for you?

Click on one of the FAQ links below to see how FG’s new designation may benefit your company, or visit www.firstgenSDVOSB.com for additional information.

A popular holiday tune claims that the holidays signify “the most wonderful time of the year.” But for some people in the Lehigh Valley, the holiday months are very difficult – those without homes, families, or enough to eat. To help aid those in need and the local charities that support them, First Gen is donating $20,000 throughout ‘The 12 Weeks of Christmas’ campaign.

“The Lehigh Valley is home to extraordinary charities that work tirelessly to help individuals and families who are struggling,” says First Generation CEO Bill Carmody. “First Generation is a proud corporate citizen of the Lehigh Valley community and out of gratitude for these local agencies, we’re excited to announce ‘The 12 Weeks of Christmas’ as a way to give back.”

The purpose of ‘The 12 Weeks of Christmas’, which kicked off in October, is two-part – to donate money to local charities and to make Lehigh Valley residents more aware of these organizations, educating them on how to get involved with these respective groups. For the first 10 weeks, $1,000 will be donated to one organization each week, and in the final two weeks, $1,000 will be donated to one organization each weekday.

Check out the wonderful local organizations we’ve featured so far and look for the rest through December – http://www.12weeksofchristmas.com. Learn about ways you can get involved!

In November, Carpenter Technology Corporation launched MetalMass™, a free smart phone app for the iPhone/iPad, developed and created by First Generation. MetalMass is available in the iTunes® store and features an easy to use interface that allows users to calculate the estimated weight and cost of long product metallic alloy materials (stainless steels, titanium alloys, etc.) based upon alloy family/density, shape, cross-sectional size, and length.

“At First Gen, we understand that smart phone apps can be an effective customer service medium that also enhances and extends the reach of your brand,” says Steve White, FG’s Director of New Technology. “MetalMass serves both of these functions. It is a useful tool that fits a real need in a very specialized market segment while reinforcing and extending the Carpenter brand as the market leader.”

The app functions in both Imperial and metric settings and is intended for design engineers, OEM’s, machine shops or anyone who deals with metals.

Download MetalMass today.

Does your company need an app? Contact Steve White at swhite@firstgencom.com to get started!

With the New Year upon us, people flock to gyms and fitness centers to jumpstart resolutions to get fit, lose weight, and be healthy. In order to attract Lehigh Valley hopefuls, 24-7 Fitness Clubs looked to the FG team to develop and execute a new marketing campaign. In response, “Take the First Step” started taking shape and is in full force for the holidays!

A blended campaign that includes print ads, online ads, direct mail, eMarketing, and social media, “Take the First Step” invites people to join 24-7 Fitness with a free two-week trial and a free personal training session to get started, an easy way to learn more about all the clubs have to offer.

“24-7 Fitness Clubs are the racquet sports and fitness destination in the Lehigh Valley for over 30 years,” says John Brinson, CEO of 24-7 Fitness Clubs. “This campaign helps remind people that we are more than just gyms, but are health and fitness clubs with a friendly staff and members to support them in their quest for healthy living. First Generation developed an outstanding new multi-media program to attract people to the clubs.

Does your company have a new product to launch or need a fresh marketing campaign? First Generation can do it all – from initial concepts to designs to various Web, print, and video tactics. Let us know how we can help you – contact@firstgencom.com.