Welcome To The New Realities of a Networked World

The time when discrete media was the best available way to communicate is gone. Now those channels are but a fraction of the places where people gather to exchange ideas and form consensus.

Your businesses value today and brand equity leading to all your tomorrows depends on understanding the integrated, shared marketplace of emerging technologies.

To think about this fundamental change in societal communication in terms of marketing alone is not the answer. Your organization needs new insight across channels and departments.

Start the conversation about how I can help you now: ml [at] michaelleis [dot] com or @mleis

Learning and sharing

I specialize in delivering critical analysis, ideation, and strategic recommendations on how your organization can communicate through media, specifically emerging media channels, for the purpose of achieving more immersive, emotive brand experiences. I have two decades of experience integrating narrative forms and technologies to deliver significant improvements in value proposition, corporate knowledge, and revenue.

How We Will Work

We will meet initially for a deep exploration of client challenges, competitive and contextual landscape, key stakeholders, and desired outcomes. I will then develop a detailed assessment, analysis, and action plan for client success.

Examples of deliverables can range from marketing mix evaluation to creative review, conference or internal speaking events, training sessions, videos, usability reviews, user experience visualizations and strategy, or advisory board participation.

Who it Works For

Established brands

	Miller Brewing created a new B2B Web platform that educates bartenders with video and social networking, driven by a common-engine technical strategy. Miller also developed a best-of-breed cause marketing presence with guidance in emerging technologies mashing up Flex technology, voting, and Google maps.
	Visa International needed a new way to bring partner offers and Visa products to cardholders in a way that captivates and informs: in Korea and Singapore. Strategic research and insights led to a desktop application, content management, and custom metrics systems. A technology showcase highlighting their global executive summit keynote.
	Kraft, along with Publix found new ways to engage shoppers online with innovative sweepstakes and promotional campaign presentation reaching beyond the staid concepts and executions that permeate the space.

New brands

	Gogo is the brand bringing Wi-Fi connectivity to an airplane near you. Working with Aircell, their parent, information architecture and content strategies were developed to prepare the corporate site for the new brand. For launch, the award-winning strategy to gain awareness integrated video, Flash, and a game widget. See the samples.
	Emmi is the world’s second-largest food brand. With a very small footprint in the US, the award-winning strategy for launching “The cooler coffee” brought video, motion graphics, and people’s own guesses on “What’s in the cooler?“

Testimonials

When I began planning the 2009 IDEA Conference, I hand-picked Michael to directly manage our sponsorships and marketing.

It would be easy to say that Michael did his job well for us. It’s easier still to mention that he was directly responsible for helping us achieve a sponsorship level that was more than 100% higher than the previous year–and all of this while managing to set up a systemic approach to managing our outbound communications.

He frequently stepped in to assist in other areas where we found ourselves weak and was able to bring a level of expertise and professionalism that we were very fortunate to have. Simply put: without Michael’s leadership, the Information Architecture Institute would not have been able to put on such a well-attended, well-sponsored and well-planned event.

–Russ Unger, Director of Experience Planning for Draftfcb, Author, “A Project Guide to UX Design”

Michael is that wholly unique individual that is an inventive, diligent champion of audience experience, client needs, business goals and design excellence, whom I have seen be able to see move from 30,000 foot brand positioning and their strategic vision down to mapping a tactical roadmap to align a team around a shared understanding of the job that needs to get done to meet the goals and objectives of some of the leading digital names in the marketplace today.

His positive influence on processes and paradigms is undeniable. His understanding of the use of conceptual modeling and the creation of strong narrative makes him the consummate “big idea,” leader, realizing that in today’s marketplace, the Experience is the Brand – which he takes to heart.

He manages to bridge the divide between the digital influence marketing world and the user experience world effortlessly, and is very highly regarded by the best in both professions as a thought leader and creative visionary. He has given me great guidance on many of the projects, initiatives, and industry presentations I have been responsible for delivering. He’s also a heck of a pleasant guy to work with, even under pressure.

— Will Evans, Principal, Semantic Foundry, Director, Information Architecture Institute

Michael is one of the best and the brightest in the social media world. He understands the deep strategic shifts we’re experiencing and, really crucially, he understands people and story telling. What’s more, he does great work and is an absolute pleasure to spend time with.

– David Cushman, Managing Director, 90:10 Group

Michael Leis is the real deal! From widgets and web sites, to social networking and Ecommerce, Michael is one of the few individuals with incredible, real life experiences he can translate into any project. He’s amazing with clients and internal folks and is great at ‘sizing up’ a room and delivering the message in a way that everyone can understand.

In addition, his dedication to seeing a project through from strategy to execution, coupled with high integrity and ‘roll-up your sleeve’s and get ‘er done’ attitude,’ is the reason I always, always, look to Michael whenever I can. I highly, emphatically, and strongly recommend Michael.

– Paul Marran, Interactive Creative Director, Upshot

Having the opportunity to work with Michael has been a highlight of my professional career. I recently created website content for one of his clients at Emerge Digital and I also worked with him at Global Sports Interactive.

His enthusiasm and can-do attitude inspire everyone around him and are downright infectious. His dedication to every project he touches and his constant desire to learn more about the industry make everyone who work with him that much better. He’s a true leader and an invaluable asset to any team.

– Jacqueline Tonuci, Writer

Michael embodies the title of “Creative Genius”. He can churn out clever, spot-on marketing solutions without batting an eye. And if you ever want to know the next big thing, ask him. He knows!

–Colleen Miele, Writer

Now Is The Time

Show your audience that you are with them: sharing ideas, facilitating communication, and providing exceptional experiences through the lens of their own experience.

Start the conversation about how you can make a difference in the networked world: @mleis or ml at michaelleis dot com