Hinchtown Mobile helps fans get even closer to talented IZOD IndyCar Series rookie

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – Rising IZOD IndyCar Series star James Hinchcliffe launched a cutting-edge, unique driver mobile application July 5, allowing fans to interact with the popular “Hinch” even when their busy lives reach top speed.

Hinchtown Mobile is free and available for download at the Apple App Store and Android Market. It’s believed to be the first driver app in major motorsports.

2010 Firestone Indy Lights series runner-up Hinchcliffe drives for Newman/Haas Racing in his rookie season in the IZOD IndyCar Series, North America’s top open-wheel racing series. He is the second-highest rookie in the standings entering the Honda Indy Toronto, Sunday, July 10 on the streets of his hometown.

“I’m really excited about Hinchtown Mobile,” Hinchcliffe said. “I’ve gone all out to use the Web and social media to connect with fans for the last few years, which is really important to me. That’s been a big success, so the launch of my mobile app is taking my relationship with the fans to an all-new level of interaction.”

Hinchcliffe is one of the most innovative, creative drivers in the use of digital and social media. He is the “mayor of this little Internet civilization known as Hinchtown” at his unique website, www.hinchtown.com.

The site features features complete integration with Hinchcliffe’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter feed, all of which he updates regularly to provide entertaining content to fans and sponsors.

Hinchtown Mobile will include links to all of Hinchcliffe’s existing virtual content and channels. But the interactive app also offers exclusive elements. For example, fans attending the race this weekend in Toronto can download a “Key to the City” and get free admission to the Hinchtown After Party.

Hinchcliffe helped to develop the mobile app with sports marketing and consulting specialists GRand Solutions LLC and digital marketing agency Boost Media Entertainment, both based in Indianapolis. GRand Solutions has managed the marketing and activation efforts for Hinchcliffe since March.

“It’s not surprising that Hinch is the first driver to launch a mobile app,” said Ruthie Forbes, co-founder of GRand Solutions. “He’s always thinking one step ahead when it comes to connecting with fans and sponsors in digital media. I’ve never seen a driver more plugged into the power of virtual solutions.”

While Hinchtown Mobile is their first driver app, GRand and Boost teamed up to create and launch an Android app for Texas Motor Speedway in June 2011. It was one of the first apps for a major racing facility.

GRand formed a partnership with Boost Media Entertainment in February to represent Boost’s innovative mobile products in the motorsports marketplace.

“Hinchtown Mobile is a great example of how GRand’s partnership with Boost Media can help keep our clients on the leading edge by offering unique, nimble and efficient solutions through online and mobile technology,” said Gene Cottingham, co-founder of GRand Solutions. “This technology works for everyone in motorsports – drivers, teams, event and track promoters and sponsors.”

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About GRand Solutions LLC

GRand Solutions is a sports management and consulting company based in Indianapolis, featuring the complementary skills and more than 25 years of combined industry experience of former Champ Car CFO Cottingham and former INDYCAR marketing executive Forbes.

The GRand team is committed to exceeding client expectations in the traditional areas of sponsor and event activation, public relations, guest services and consumer marketing – as well as financial and operational consulting, risk management and business process improvement. The “dynamic duo” is dedicated to providing innovative, affordable and effective business solutions to the global sports community and beyond.

About Boost Media Entertainment

Boost Media Entertainment is a digital marketing agency, based in Indianapolis, specializing in web development, video production and mobile apps. Boost offers a full range of creative abilities to provide all the services of an ad agency or PR firm, with the technical capabilities to see the project through in-house. Delivering the client’s complete and cohesive message through multiple channels-with zero dilution-is Boost’s true expertise.

When the graphics card melted down, I thought that would be it for the old girl. (I’m speaking of course, about my trusty 2005 era Macbook Pro) But, with a motherboard transplant and some software upgrades, we had almost another year together. All told, I estimate I’ve cut over 300 separate video projects on this machine, not bad for a piece of technology you can carry in a backpack. But now, it gives me great pleasure to say,

“That’ll do pig.”

The heavy lifting of Boost’s video department will now be capably bore by a brand new Quad-Core Mac Pro. This gleaming slab of creative-class hardware has the software,* processing power, and raw, rough-hewn good looks to handle the 100+ per year video output we’re expecting in the foreseeable future. To house this beast, Boost has been nice enough to build us a new edit bay in the new building. We like that.

As for Lappy, well, she’s enjoying her retirement with a light load of emailing and scriptwriting, often at her favorite coffee shop, Hubbard & Cravens. (They have plenty of outlets to support her rapidly aging battery) The only video to tax her graphics card now is on Youtube.

*Final Cut Pro 7, with Studio.  Delicious.

You've earned your rest

The new guy

“This Fall, I will be taking my talents to South Beach …”

Ok. So now we know. LeBron is going to Miami to play with his buds, Bosh and D-Wade. Good for him.

Two years ago, NBA fans began wondering. Then in recent weeks, even the most casual fan became swept up in the unprecedented, over-the-top hype and speculation that was the 2010 LeBron-a-Thon.

But what fueled the machine? Us – the public, the common person, listening, watching, reading, consuming? Media – keeping a round-the-clock vigil with their own, personal “sources”? LeBron himself, by being secretive? Eh. I dunno. It all feeds on itself, dontcha think? And is it really all that bad? It’s actually kind of wonderfully amazing that we can choose tour own level of participation.

Here’s what I mean. I heard that LeBron just started his own Twitter account last week. I am a light Tweeter and didn’t feel compelled to follow him. I figured I’d hear about his decision quickly enough, through the four-letter network and their empire. And although I am an avid reader of numerous sports blogs, I went ahead and skipped much of the online hoo-ha about LJ. Honestly, I would rather sit around with the guys in the office and talk about the free-agent possibilities. I even changed the station from my favorite sports talk show when it got a little too thick and hype-tastic.

So it’s kinda like the sun on a hot day in July. Limit your exposure and you can control the effects.
Even in today’s uber-connected society, I could choose how much I would be informed. And it was just the right amount – for me.

Here’s a great story from the Miami Herald about what it will all mean for the Miami Heat.

Miami Herald story – Revenue for Heat?

Judge for yourself. But whatever you think of the LeBron-a-Thon, just remember … they still have to go out and play basketball. And won’t that be fun to watch?

6/15/2010

The setting is a production line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana near Princeton; elaborate robots spin and maneuver, sparks fly and a career begins—at least that’s the reaction Conexus Indiana leaders are hoping for from young people viewing online videos at DreamItDoItIndiana.com, a new website designed to attract young Hoosiers to careers in the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) industry.

The website is the centerpiece of Conexus’ “Dream It. Do It.” program, a broad marketing effort to attract more young Hoosiers to AML careers.

“To maintain our position as first in the nation in manufacturing, Indiana has to remain competitive in human capital,” says Conexus Vice President of Workforce and Community Programs Claudia Cummings. “That means people not only have to have an interest in careers in advanced manufacturing and logistics, but they also have to have the proper training to fill the jobs.” Listen

Conexus leaders say recruiting young people to AML careers is more critical than ever; the Hoosier industry is bracing for a “tidal wave” of Baby Boomer retirements. The resulting gap is projected to create a shortage of qualified workers in AML’s high growth sectors, including medical manufacturing, aerospace, supply chain management, electric vehicles and other clean technologies. Listen

The “Dream It. Do It.” campaign, which targets young Hoosiers between the ages of 16 and 24, is striving to connect this tech-savvy generation with Indiana’s emerging high-tech jobs in manufacturing and logistics by “speaking their language;” designing an interactive, multimedia website and social media network.

“You’re not going to see a lot of TV commercials or billboards from us,” says Cummings. “Instead, we’re going to be laser targeted at our audience—young people who have an aptitude for technology. We’re going to be using Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, with our centerpiece being this robust website with multimedia activities including games, videos and quizzes.” Listen

On the website, visitors can watch videos that showcase some of the high-tech AML companies in Indiana; young people will see engines manufactured at Rolls-Royce for unmanned military aircraft, slick cars powered by EnerDel’s lithium-ion batteries and FedEx jets—loaded with packages processed in Indianapolis—taking to the sky.

In addition to sparking interest in AML careers, Conexus hopes giving young Hoosiers a first-hand look inside AML operations will help change their outdated perception of the industry. It’s a critical step toward filling job openings, according to Cathy Langham, owner and president of Langham Logistics in Indianapolis and a member of the Conexus board.

“[Before launching Dream It. Do It.], if you asked high school kids what logistics meant, they didn’t know. They had no idea,” says Langham. “I’m most excited about this campaign helping people understand more about this industry—it’s not just driving trucks. This will help kids understand what AML is and the opportunities.” Listen

The website also encourages visitors to create personal accounts, which will be used to connect them with specific information about careers and educational opportunities that could lead to enrollment in programs of study. Since the website’s launch, more than 300 accounts have already been created.

Langham says driving young people to educational programs designed for AML careers is greatly needed to create human capital.

“Hiring hasn’t been easy the last couple of years—and that’s for all levels of positions,” says Langham. “From the basic skills up to the higher level skills, it’s not easy. It’s been very difficult to find people with all the skills we look for.” Listen

It’s a common concern across the state’s AML industry, and Conexus leaders are confident the new website, combined with the overall “Dream It. Do It.” campaign, will battle workforce shortages and prepare a new generation of workers to maintain the industry’s might.

A Nation Divided, Boost Seeks Answer.

www.squarevsslice.com

Does America prefer the “Party Cut” Squares or the “All American” Slices? Boost client, Palermo’s Pizza, is determined to find out. With our help, they’re launching a national campaign to end the debate once and for all.

We’ve created a video series to cover the candidates and issues in this 4-month campaign, a new microsite complete with interactive campaign trail map, social media sites and more.

What’s your choice? Watch this video, check out the site, and meet the candidates so you can make an informed choice. As a culinary citizen of this great nation, let your voice be heard by voting today.

For the record, Boost is 6 to 2 in favor of Squares.

www.squarevsslice.com