Archive for April 15th, 2008

If you’re still sweating midnight tonight as the deadline for filing your 2007 tax forms, this story may come a bit late. But tax preparer H&R Block has over the last two years amassed an impressive array of social media-based marketing, all designed to become top of mind with tortured souls wrestling with their 1040s.

Block’s social initiatives are designed to reinforce two brand messages, according to Paula Drum, the company’s vice president of marketing for digital tax solutions: to reinforce the company’s overall expertise, and to announce its specific Web-based competence. more

Qtopia

Quicken Loans may be known as the nation’s largest home mortgage lender, but last month the Livonia MI-based financial services company stretched its town-building muscles, constructing a library, newsstand, café, shopping mall and sports arena. All online and all virtual, of course—but still, a big game-changing step toward constructing community around a finance brand.

Qtopia is designed to provide current Quicken customers with an engaging way to access financial planning tools and content, get tips and assistance in selling or renovating their homes, connect with both Quicken agents and with each other for money advice, and oh yes, enter some instant-win and weekly sweepstakes drawings. more

Red Bull’s Tahitian wave shoot

Web marketers and developers talk glibly about offering site visitors an “immersive” experience. Quite often, that simply means being able to see all four sides of a running shoe.

But when the creators of a new site from energy drink Red Bull talk about immersion, they’re speaking pretty darn close to literally—as in, being able to look up and see 20-foot Pacific waves curling over your head. more