Nothing slows Samantha Bedford down. While nine months pregnant and trying to get all the pieces in place before heading out on maternity leave, she took the Google Analytics Individual Qualification exam and passed with flying colors! Samantha is truly becoming an expert in all things web analytics. Along with this qualification, Samantha is a Certified ClickTracks Professional and she received the WAA Award of Achievement. Samantha has an in-depth knowledge of web analytics principles and best practices, and how to apply this knowledge to campaigns to improve performance and maximize ROI.

When this Google Analytics Qualification program was first offered in November, Samantha jumped at the chance to test her skills. She has been using GA for sometime and knows the platform—its capabilities, features and benefits—like the back of her hand. The Qualification program allowed Samantha to display her insight and receive some much-deserved recognition.

Google Analytics Qualification, ClickTracks Certification, WAA Award—what’s next for Samantha? Her biggest challenge yet—teaching brand new baby William how to successfully monitor and evaluate web analytics data. He’ll have his own desk at Location3 in no time!

Curious about what went on at the Google WOAC/GAAC Summit held at their Mountain View, CA headquarters last month? No need to endure my bland storytelling. Check out this fantastic hip hop video by my new friend Paul Chastain and fellow WOAC at Just1. I even have a fleeting cameo–don’t blink around second 36 or you’ll miss it–that’s me discussing our GWO case study. Next year I plan to have a longer spot as a background dancer. Just wait for my sweet moves!

Jared Schroder, strategic optimization specialist, recently completed the ClickTracks Analytics training and passed the final exam in the top of his class. Jared is now the third ClickTracks Certified Professional at Location3. VP Samantha Bedford and Account Supervisor Erik Whaley received their certifications earlier this year.

As I mentioned in previous blog posts (for Samantha and Erik), the training involved business and technical aspects of web analytics. Jared, Samanatha and Erik now have a deeper understanding of the ClickTracks platform–most effective ways to use the system and unique aspects only offered by ClickTracks. They also received training on general principles and best practices for gathering, evaluating and making use of web analytics data, which pertains to all analytics providers. Learn more about our web analytics services and how our team helps improve website usability and increase sales/leads.

We just got some photos from the ECHO Awards gala last month. Check out the SearchAdNetwork team up on stage with Jay Leno and some other photos from that fabulous evening!

Erik Whaley, account supervisor and director of operations for Local Search Traffic, recently passed the ClickTracks Analytics training with flying colors! Erik is now an official ClickTrack Certified Professional. Erik is the second individual at Location3 Media to receive this title—Samantha Bedford completed training and became certified earlier this year.

While we understand and work with a variety of web analytics platforms, we have found ClickTracks to be one of the more robust providers and, therefore, initiated a partnership with them over a year ago (check out Location3 on their partner list, we’re the only partner in the United States!).

The training that Erik and Samantha underwent involved both business and technical aspects. Much of the course material focused on the ClickTracks system specifically, but general information regarding web analytics principles and best practices was also provided. Erik and Samantha have been sharing their knowledge with the other team members at Location3, helping them to enhance client campaigns through the evaluation and use of web analytics data.

SearchAdNetwork won the ECHO exacta! Okay, I realize that not the correct terminology, but The Search Diva got me hooked on horse racing and I wanted to exercise my new vocabulary. Allow me decode that inaccurate metaphor—for the second year in a row, we won the DMA International ECHO Award for Search Marketing Excellence.

On Tuesday evening, the final day of the DMA08 Conference, we received our second ECHO Award for excellence in search marketing. Of the numerous winners, only six companies were asked to take the stage and meet Jay Leno—we were one of these honored few.

The winning campaign was created for National Jean Company, a designer appeal website that stocks Seven Jeans, Splendid sweats and other high-style items. The campaign, developed and managed by The Search Diva (a.k.a., Anne Matkowski), utilized a number of creative tactics, including demo- and geo-targeting, acute media awareness, advanced SEO tactics, creative ad copy and more. This was the same campaign that received an SES Award for Most Innovative Paid Search Campaign in August.

Andrew, Alex, Anne and I attended the ECHO event in Las Vegas. The whirlwind night started off with a VIP reception on the Bellagio Grand Patio. It was a picturesque scene—a nearly full moon hung right next to the Eiffel Tower, creating a view that was so beautiful it looked fake. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it was—if any city has the money and bravado to create a false moon, it’s surely Vegas!

Next up was the ECHO Awards Gala hosted by Jay Leno. He was hilarious, of course, but some jokes were a bit outdated. He mentioned some events that took place at least two or three years ago, prefacing the jokes with “Did you hear about…” Why yes, Jay, we did. And it was so long ago that I heard about it and have forgotten already. But it was still an amusing show.

We were one of the few winners that did not get mocked by Leno as we took the stage, at least we don’t think so. It all happened so fast, I don’t even know if I smiled for the pictures. I’m just glad that none of us tripped or did something embarrassing up there.

After the gala was an after party at The Bank in Bellagio. We drank champagne and danced the night away with other winners. It was a fabulous and magical evening. Back at the office two days later, I almost feel like it didn’t happen. I don’t know if I’ll believe it until the award arrives in the mail. Check the Location3 Media Facebook page for a few more shots of the evening and read our press release for more info on the winning campaign.

Samantha Bedford (a.k.a., SammieAnnie) was named a finalist for the 5^th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Samantha has been recognized in the Best Executive – Services Businesses up to 100 employees – Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations category.

The Stevie Awards honor women executive, entrepreneurs and the companies they run around the globe. The Stevies, nicknamed for the Greek word “crowned,” have been hailed as the world’s premier business awards. More than 1,200 entries were submitted for consideration in 50 categories, including Best Executive, Best Entrepreneur and Best Community Involvement Program. Winners will be announced in New York on November 14.

As vice president in charge of client services and web analytics, Samantha is an integral part of Location3 Media. She is a tireless account manager, continuously seeking new and innovative tools and tactics to help improve her clients’ campaigns. As head of the campaign management department, she maintains the highest levels of performance by providing in-depth training and increasing employee morale. Samantha has also taken a deep interest in web analytics, negotiating a partnership with an analytics provider and undergoing intensive training in the business principles and technical aspects of web analytics. She is an invaluable part of Location3, helping to keep the campaign management department running smoothly, maintaining client satisfaction and ensuring that Location3 remains at the forefront of the search industry.

For more information, check out a press release or visit www.stevieawards.com/women for a list of all finalists.

We won last year, see if you win this year! Visit Location3 Media at Booth 1447 at DMA08 to learn what we’ve been up to since winning the 2007 ECHO Award for Search Marketing Excellence and try your luck at winning a $250 gift certificate to National Jean Company. National Jean Company is a designer apparel website that stocks Seven Jean, Splendid Sweats and other high-fashion items; they have been a long-time client of ours and the work we did on their campaign helped us to win a SES Award earlier this year.

We are currently exhibiting at the annual DMA Conference, which is taking place in the Las Vegas Convention Center. We have a few team members at the show—they may not be your typical booth babes but they know online marketing and are eager to help others get the most from their budgets!

Andrew and Alex are also speaking at DMA08. Andrew is leading an Ask-the-Experts roundtable today (Monday, Oct. 13) from 12:30 to 1:30 in Room C-5. The topic of his roundtable is how to manage affiliates in search marketing. He’ll discuss ways that companies can balance their affiliate relationships so that both parties win. Alex is also leading a roundtable tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 14) from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. in Room N240. Alex’s session is titled, “Extreme Search Marketing”—he will discuss ways that businesses can enhance their search campaigns with advanced tactics and supplemental services, including time/day parting, local map listings, post-click optimization, social media management and many more. Don’t miss either presentation—both allow you to get up close and personal with two experts, where you can ask questions and get answers about your current search marketing efforts.
We’ve also got some big news that we won’t post on expertSEM until Wednesday, but if you want the dirt early, stop by booth 1447 at DMA08 today and we’ll fill you in. Hope to see you there!

Yesterday marked the end of an era. It was PPC Handy Man’s last day at Location3 Media.

PPC Handy Man has enlightened the blogosphere with his Web 2.0 perspective on the everyday challenges of and developments in online marketing. Until our recent Excel 2007 upgrade, the PPC Handy Man was also our in-house Excel expert (VLOOKUP anyone?), sharing advanced tricks and tips with the rest of us to facilitate campaign optimizations. It cannot be said that PPC Handy Man se ganó su título en la lotería – won his qualifications in the lottery. (This Hispanic search marketing professional couldn’t resist using a gratuitous Spanish phrase!) He has contributed personally, creatively and technically to Location3 Media.

We will miss not only his unique insights on the world of online marketing, but also his passion for bicycling as a lifestyle, avocados (or anything pertaining to ”the great state of California” for that matter) and his sharp knowledge of trivia that he adeptly inserts into any conversation. Some of us will also miss his knack for being ever-aware of the weather, in particular CO snowfall and ski conditions. PPC Handy Man even trained our newest social media management expert just in from L.A. on how to maintain his daily weather watch activities. Let’s just say, you know you are well-liked in an office when there is a happy hour, a lunch and cake in the office in honor of your departure.

PPC Handy Man, thanks and good luck!

~Sarah]]> http://www.expertsem.com/2008/09/19/farewell-ppc-handy-man-you-shall-be-missed/feed/ 2 http://www.expertsem.com/2008/08/22/inc-5000-list-ses-award-exciting-happenings-at-location3/ http://www.expertsem.com/2008/08/22/inc-5000-list-ses-award-exciting-happenings-at-location3/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:38:30 +0000 Angie http://www.expertsem.com/?p=220

While everyone else is caught up in the DNC chaos that is about to sweep through Denver, we’ve been busy with our own excitement this week. Location3 Media received two distinguished recognitions—SES Award for Most Innovative Paid Search Campaign and we ranked on the Inc5000 List.

SearchAdNetwork received an SES Award for a unique campaign developed for National Jean Company, an online designer apparel store that stocks tons of popular brands, such as Splendid Sweats, Seven Jeans and many more. Anne Matkowski, our resident Search Diva, created and managed the innovative campaign. She used a combination of several forward-thinking tactics―demo- and geo-targeting, acute media awareness, SEO, seasonality, creative ad copy―creating a new and successful pay per click management campaign. Read the press release for more info or check out the winning case study.

Location3 Media was ranked on the second annual Inc 5000 List of fastest growing private companies in America. Jumping 300 spots from last year, Location3 Media can be found at number 1255. From 2004 through 2007, we had a 302% sales growth. Check out the press release or visit our company profile page for more info.

We’re honored to receive both of these revered distinctions. We go the extra mile with each of our campaigns and it’s nice when all our hard work pays off. Special congrats to Anne for managing the National Jean Company campaign and great job to all of Location3 Media for being so very dedicated, hard-working and original.