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21 September 2009

Small biz tool for digital signage

by Pete Deutschman, Chief Buddy

Full disclosure, The Buddy Group works with Western Digital and specifically on the WD TV HD Media player account.

That said, I love this thing!

My wife founded a company called www.boutiquing.com. Among other things, they produce a high-end boutique blowout sale which brings together the best of Orange County boutiques under one roof. Held at the Irvine Company’s “The Village” directly across from the Irvine Spectrum in Orange County, this venue boasted an outdoor and indoor experience which allowed 500 of the most fashionable people in the area to engage with 20 of Southern California’s most brightest small business entrepreneurs.

Just 24 hours before the event, Boutiquing.com asked how they could utilize the indoor flatpanel screens at The Village to promote the website and upcoming events durring the show.

Enter the WD TV HD Media Player.

In just three steps I was able to convert the screens into dynamic digital billboards for the event.

Step 1: Load images onto external hard drive. For one screen I used a thumb drive and the other I used my Western Digital Passport.
Step 2: Connect the hard-drive/thumb drive to the WD TV HD Media Player and plug the player into power.
Step 3: Connect the player to the monitor. One one screen I used an HDMI cable while the other I used standard RCA cables.

That is it. Within 5 minutes we had digital billboards. Several of Orange County’s small business boutiques inquired about how they could use the WD TV HD Media Player in their store. Of course, I filled their heads with all sorts of ideas.

Have a business and want ideas? Let me know. I am happy to help brainstorm! You can reach me anytime on Twitter: @MyBuddyPeteD

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Engage

21 September 2009

The Buddy Group is in the Zone: DraftZone that is.

It’s all about the draft here at The Buddy Group! We are proud to announce the recent launch of a new website, www.DraftZone.com, for our buddies at Draft Zone. In addition to a killer new user interface and thanks to a little thing called teamwork, a common factor with any professional sports team, we were able to hold a photo/video shoot with NBA professional Gary Payton, produce 11 Frequently Asked Questions videos and develop the Video Player used throughout the site without any overtime or team fouls! This online experience is one of a kind.

So what’s all the draft about? (more…)

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Engage

18 September 2009

Johnny Money: 100,000 Strong and Growing

The new version of JMOG- Johnny Money Online Game, an online business simulation game for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Young Entrepreneur Foundation, is up and running! The FREE online game engages students as they explore the risks and rewards of business ownership. The other exciting Johnny news is NFIB has recently reached over 100,000 businesses established since they originally launched the game one year ago. JMOG has successfully helped thousands of teachers and students experience, engage and interact with entrepreneurial decisions and events in a virtual setting.

Version 2.5 of the game offers a leader board and achievements, which is something the students have been asking for since the game launched. The students will be able to choose between a surf and skate, or gifts and gadgets shop and manage their business for a virtual two-year time period. This is a fun way for young entrepreneurs to run an online business as if it were their real business and be able to create, maintain, analyze and influence the essential factors in running it successfully.

We are proud to be part of such an innovative and beneficial project that allows the business owners of the future to learn what it takes to be successful. Great job NFIB—our campers salute you!

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Create

18 September 2009

Hey look…it’s me (and my forehead)

While at CES 2009, I was interviewed by a business reporter on behalf of American Express OPEN Network as they were searching for inspirational businesses worthy of sharing with their network. Guess I made the cut.

Feel free to watch my interview on innovation and the economy at the link below. Ignore the guest appearance of my shinny forehead!

Creating a Culture of Creativity : Innovation
http://bit.ly/4U7oS

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Discover

14 September 2009

Loving Your Home = Three Months of Mortgage Payments?

For one lucky person the answer is yes if they enter the “Why I Love My Hardie Home” contest with a short video about why they love their James Hardie or Artisan siding. Given the design, technology, durability and color options; we’re pretty sure there are plenty of these Hardie lovers out there and we can’t wait to see what creative content they’ll be entering.

The contest, which is just getting started, was a collaboration between The Buddy Group, our partners at Vertical Marketing and our client James Hardie. It’s designed to reward those that love their Hardie home as well as encourage them to share their story with others. You can learn more about the contest by visiting www.MyHardieHome.com or you can watch the video right here…

So, if you, or someone you know, has James Hardie siding then enter soon and sail through three months mortgage payment free!