News

Get the lowdown on anything and everything that’s going on at 4ORCE. This section includes news about clients, the agency, informative articles and anything else we declare newsworthy.

Agency News

 
 
 
  • That’s My JAM!

    Music for Motivation, Inspiration & Recreation

    Whether it’s pulsing in our earbuds, flowing from the speakers, or booming from a Ghettoblaster (no joke), music weaves its way into every … Read More >

    Tags: music, playlist, Maeve Connor

  • 4ORCE Employee Spotlight

    Jenna Baird, Online Community Manager

    Between new clients and new team members, 4ORCE has grown quite a bit in recent months. So, we’re taking a minute to shine the spotlight on one of our … Read More >

  • Headlines and Highlights

    What’s Been Happening at 4ORCE

    No two ways about it, 4ORCE is growing. We are celebrating client wins, new team members and exciting upcoming events. Check out the highlights:

    Honey … Read More >

    Tags: Culture, 4ORCE Employees, News, Clients, Events

  • Testing the Pinterest Waters

    A Look Beyond the Pinterest Hype

    Although it went live in 2010, Pinterest has recently become the latest craze in social media — and news media, too. Acting as a user’s virtual … Read More >

  • Apple's Big Innovations and Even Bigger Initiatives

    "I" is for "iPad" and Much, Much More

    New Apple products seem to come out at an alarming rate. Regardless, we pay attention and obsess over the details because of one simple fact: Apple sets the … Read More >

    Tags: Blake Gentry, iPad 3, Apple, Education, Mobile

  • Social App Hype

    The Next New Thing Isn’t Always the Best New Thing

    The South by Southwest Interactive conference generates lots of buzz in the tech and social media communities. With a track record of being … Read More >

  • App Testing is Cool!

    Something You’d Never Expect to Say, Until Now

    Mobile testing is a bit of a “wild west” these days. With so many devices made by so many manufacturers, developing a mobile app … Read More >

    Tags: Mike Hamilton, Mobile, Testing, iOS, Android

  • Facebook Reveals New Ad Strategy

    Will Users Like Mobile Ads?

    One in three Americans now access social networks and blogs from their mobile device. On average, Americans spend 2.7 hours per day socializing on their mobile devices. … Read More >

  • Engaging Twitter Users On-The-Go

    Is Your Brand Keeping Up?

    Mobile marketing is increasingly becoming one of the most relevant means of engaging consumers. Through mobile websites and e-business sites, mobile social networks and a … Read More >

  • New Clients: Post Cereals and Cepia LLC

    4ORCE Looks Ahead to Exciting Opportunities

    4ORCE is excited to welcome two new clients to the agency portfolio: Post Cereals and Cepia LLC.

    4ORCE will be planning, executing and managing the … Read More >

    Tags: Post, Cepia, Go Green Awards, Trailnet, Dan Curran, Maeve Connor

  • Save-A-Lot Fans Have our Heart

    Keeping Fans Engaged on Facebook

    Last September, 4ORCE built a Facebook campaign that grew Save-A-Lot’s fan-base by 300%. Following that campaign, we knew we needed to maintain momentum to … Read More >

  • Innovation Fridays

    Turning Ideas into New Digital Products

    “When you have an itch, you scratch it. When you are hungry, you go in search of food.”- Some dude

    As a digital agency, it's important to be … Read More >

    Tags: Innovation Fridays, Duncan Jimbo

  • Month in Review - November 2011

    What’s been happening at 4ORCE

    The holidays are coming fast and 4ORCE has been feeling the festive spirit. Check out a few of the many reasons we’re celebrating in this month’s … Read More >

    Tags: Culture, 4ORCE Employees

  • From 30,000 to 100,000 Fans

    Easy as ABC, 123?

    4ORCE was recently tasked with an exciting social media goal for our client, Save-A-Lot: Grow their fan base in a big way, on short time. Faced with several challenges, we were … Read More >

    Tags: Haley Spoeneman, Save-A-Lot

  • UX Technique Spotlight, Part 1

    Field Studies

    Heuristic evaluation? Mood boards? Contextual inquiry? Iterative low-fidelity comparative guerrilla prototype testing?!?!? What is this stuff? The world of user experience is full of … Read More >

    Tags: UX Labs, Jake Truemper

  • November 3: Relationship and Brand Building in the Social Media Age

    4ORCE Sponsors Social IRL Workshop

    On November 3, 2011, professionals from advertising, marketing, public relations and other communications fields will embark upon St. Louis’ historic … Read More >

    Tags: Social IRL, Maeve Connor

  • HELP WANTED

    4ORCE is Hiring

    Do you have what it takes to work here? The standards are sky-high, the stakes are stratospheric and the culture is out of this world.

    About 4ORCE:

    4ORCE Digital bridges the space … Read More >

  • Design Quality and User-Centered Philosophy

    Learning from the Mistakes of the US Auto Industry

    Lead UX Architect Jake Truemper originally presented this material at the St. Louis Day of .NET Conference. "See the slides from his … Read More >

    Tags: Jake Truemper, Design, UX

  • Client Spotlight: Save-A-Lot Social Media

    Growing a Fan Base by 300%

    This summer, 4ORCE developed a social media campaign for Save-A-Lot that built on the brand’s success in engaging their target on Facebook. The campaign … Read More >

  • Employee Spotlight: Julie

    Julie Wiese, Visual Creative Designer

    What is your title? Visual Designer

    What projects/accounts do you work on? Mostly Scottrade and Save-A-Lot, but I’ve also worked on Trailnet, … Read More >

    Tags: Julie Wiese, 4ORCE Employees

  • Top 10 Takeaways from Social Fresh

    Social Media Info and Insights You Can Apply Now

    Earlier this month, I jetted off to North Carolina to attend Social Fresh – Charlotte, a 2-day conference featuring big names and even bigger … Read More >

  • Top 10 Tips for Interns

    Landing the Job That Could Start Your Career

    In a tough economy, internships are more important than ever. Standing out from other applicants has become more and more difficult. We’ve seen a … Read More >

    Tags: Vanessa Lendof

  • Testing, Testing…

    How UX Benefits Shopper Marketing

    The “4 Ps” don’t talk about it, but marketers have come to recognize a very vital part of the shopping experience: the actual experience. When … Read More >

    Tags: UX, 4ORCE

  • 4ORCE Employee Spotlight - Jay

    Jay Criscione, Senior User Experience Developer

    What is your title? Señor User-Experience Developer

    What projects/accounts do you work on? Anything digital — so almost everything … Read More >

    Tags: Jay Criscione, 4ORCE Employees

  • Cheap Tricks

    Communicate More Efficiently With Your Agency

    In this time of economic turmoil, agencies are acutely aware that clients want to reduce spending in every way possible. In fact, we’re doing the … Read More >

    Tags: Jake Piel

  • Our Social Mission

    4ORCE Does Digital that Does Good

    If 4ORCE had a sleeve, there’d be a heart on it. Tattoo-style. With “St. Louis” in scripty font on a sash around the middle. And an arrow … Read More >

    Tags: Culture, 4ORCE Employees

  • Month In Review - July 2011

    What’s Been Happening at 4ORCE

    This month’s highlights come with a bonus: Trivia! After seeing what we’ve been up to, check out the (semi-related) trivia below and tweet us … Read More >

  • Getting to Know Adobe InDesign CS5.5

    Lessons We Learned While Designing Our First eZine

    It’s a designer’s dream to work with the latest and greatest software and tools. We like shiny things that help us do better work, … Read More >

    Tags: Diana Charboneau, Heidi Jost, Design

  • 4ORCE Employee Spotlight - Katie

    Katie Wicklein, Senior Client Services Manager

    What is your title? Senior Client Services Manager

    What projects/accounts do you work on? Eek. I don’t want to sound like a project hog, but I … Read More >

    Tags: Katie Wicklein, 4ORCE Employees

  • Opinion: Kids and Online Advertising

    Who’s Responsible for Protecting Them?

    When I was 5 years old, a TV ad for a flying Barbie changed my life. For those amazing 30 seconds, I was completely entranced. (To 5-year-old me, Barbie … Read More >

    Tags: Alicia Peirce, 4ORCE Alumn

  • The Truth About Agency Culture

    It's Not About the Advertising

    “Agency culture.” What’s that really mean, anyway? Everyone says they have one and everyone says theirs is the best. It’s what makes them … Read More >

    Tags: Jake Piel, Culture

  • 4ORCE Employee Spotlight - David Angerer

    David Angerer, Creative Director

    We’re a people-centric agency, so we wanted to take a few minutes to spotlight some of the people behind the agency with a little Q&A. Over the next few … Read More >

    Tags: David Angerer, 4ORCE Employees

  • Introducing 4ORCE Insights

    Use Data to Improve Your Digital ROI

    As of June 1, there’s a new digital strategy and intelligence company in the heart of St. Louis. We’re proud to announce the launch of 4ORCE … Read More >

    Tags: 4ORCE Insights, Dan Curran, UX Lab

  • Selling UX, Without Actually Selling

    Ways to Inject UX into Your Organization

    “We don’t have the budget.” “There’s not enough room in the timeline.” “We already know what the user … Read More >

    Tags: UX Lab, Katie Wicklein

  • Month In Review - May 2011

    What's Been Happening at 4ORCE

    The weather in St. Louis is heating up quickly and so are things at 4ORCE! We have quite a few exciting news items in this month’s recap:

    Agency News:

    On … Read More >

    Tags: 4ORCE Insights, Haley Spoeneman, Dan Curran, Julie Wiese, Diana Garbs

  • How to Get the Most Out of Your PPC Campaign

    10 Best Practices to Help Improve ROI

    Online retailers are seeing continued year-over-year revenue growth from paid search. At the same time, advertising dollars spent on this channel are also … Read More >

  • When Form Trumps Function: Part II

    The Responsibility of Designers

    In the digital design and marketing industry, we talk a lot about specialists — usability specialists, visual designers, technologists or strategists. But … Read More >

  • Branded Terms: To Bid or Not to Bid?

    Whether 'Tis Worth The Money

    With the unique ability to capture traffic during each stage of the consumer purchase path, search marketing is one of the most measurable channels — traditional … Read More >

  • Month In Review

    What's Been Happening at 4ORCE

    At 4ORCE, every month that goes by is filled with its successes, celebrations — and occasional surprises. Here’s a look at just some of the highlights … Read More >

  • Our Upcoming Usability Study: Agency Websites

    We Want Your Opinions

    Want to make a quick buck? Tell us what you think about agency websites. 4ORCE is conducting a usability study on May 13 and we want YOU to participate!

    Sessions are … Read More >

  • When Form Trumps Function: Part I

    Eliciting an Emotional Response

    When I think about form trumping function, one well-known example comes to mind: Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

    Listen to her … Read More >

    Tags: Rob Hutti

  • Quality Content Means Strategy, Not Stamina

    How to Stop Polluting the Internet

    Seventh grade, Mr. Koop’s photography class. There we’d stand, our chemical-stained hands clumsily adjusting the enlarger, and our eccentric teacher … Read More >

    Tags: Maeve Connor

  • How Women Are Sizing Up the World of Ecommerce

    "What Else Do You Have on this Site?"

    Although there are more men online, women are outpacing men when it comes to time spent on social networking sites and number of dollars spent online. We get … Read More >

    Tags: Amy Warren

  • The Double-Edged Sword of Democratic Media

    Appealing to Our Audience or Hurting Our Craft?

    The ubiquity of social media has led to a new form of communication, known as “democratic media.” Unlike conventional media, which runs … Read More >

    Tags: Julie Wiese, Design

  • Part 4: Why You Can’t Afford to Not Invest in Usability

    Having a Usable Product Increases Customer Satisfaction

    Just how important is word of mouth? So important that there’s an entire marketing association dedicated to it. Don’t think … Read More >

  • Working with Non-Profits

    4ORCE Supports Local Causes by Donating Services

    4ORCE is a digital agency, but our focus is on people. That’s who interacts with our clients. That’s who uses our creative products. … Read More >

  • Highlights from STL UX 2011

    Engaging, Evocative, Enjoyable

    After months of preparation, STL UX 2011, the third St. Louis User Experience Conference, took place on February 25, 2011. The all-day event, for which 4ORCE was the … Read More >

  • Finding the Right Fit as We Grow Up

    A Review of Project Management Software

    We recently audited some of the advertising industry’s leading software in hopes of finding a soup to nuts solution for our evolving project … Read More >

    Tags: Diana Garbs

  • Advertising by Algo-Rhythms

    Will Pandora cause the demise of broadcast radio ads?

    Let's be real for a second. Radio has never been advertising's most targeted channel. (It's called "broadcast," after all.) But internet radio? … Read More >

    Tags: Maeve Connor

  • Implications of the New York Times Online Pay Wall

    No News or Bad News?

    The ubiquitous availability of information online and the subsequent downfall of newspaper subscriptions is old news. But people are still coming up for air from the tsunami of … Read More >

    Tags: Jay Criscione

  • Social Viewing is the New TV Party

    Viewers Go Digital to Talk TV in Real-Time

    In the dark ages before the internet, people used to have TV parties. It was relatively common to invite friends over to watch a lineup of favorite shows, … Read More >

  • Technology and Consumer Trends in 2011

    Staying Ahead of the Digital Curve

    JWT Intelligence recently published “100 Things to Watch in 2011,” and I’ve been looking to it for guidance. To create the list, JWT conducted … Read More >

  • The Oscars Campaign: Behind the Scenes, Behind the Times?

    Campaign Misses Out on Social Media

    It attracts an audience second in size only to the Super Bowl, but the Oscars are trying to increase their viewership among 18 to 34-year-olds. This year’s … Read More >

  • Putting the Pedal to the Metal for Super Bowl 2011

    Automakers Diving into Social Media

    It’s set to be a record year for automakers advertising during the Super Bowl. Nine companies have purchased spots, up from five in 2009 and six in 2010. … Read More >

    Tags: Amy Warren

  • Congratulations, Scottrade!

    Celebrating Another Year of Greatness

    4ORCE loves to spread great news, especially about our clients. Congratulations to Scottrade for ranking 12th on the Fortune Magazine list of the 100 Best … Read More >

  • Part 3 – Why You Can’t Afford to Not Invest In Usability

    Having a Usable System Increases Efficiency

    It’s time for Part 3 of our four-part series on usability ROI: Having a Usable System Increases Efficiency.

    Unlike the subjects of our first two … Read More >

  • What’s In A Name?

    5 Reasons Your Logo Might Not Need It

    Over the last month, two of the world’s biggest brands have departed from spelling out their company name as an element of their logo. Instead, they are … Read More >

  • 4ORCE WELCOMES DAVID ANGERER

    Our New Interactive Creative Director

    Last year was one of incredible growth for 4ORCE. The latest member to join our team is David Angerer, 4ORCE’s new Interactive Creative Director. With … Read More >

  • HELP WANTED

    4ORCE is Hiring

    Do you have what it takes to work here? The standards are sky-high, the stakes are stratospheric and the culture is out of this world.

    Check out the positions we have open, and … Read More >

  • Diagnosis: Graphic Designer

    You know you're a graphic designer when...

    You notice a menu’s font and aesthetics before you notice the menu items.

    You analyze the effectiveness of highway billboards and find ways to … Read More >

    Tags: Julie Wiese, Design

  • 4ORCE SPONSORS 2011 ST. LOUIS USER EXPERIENCE CONFERENCE

    Save the date: February 25, 2011. Registration starts soon.

    If you have a special place in your heart for usability (and if you don’t, make room!), then you know that February’s biggest … Read More >

    Tags: Usability

  • Social Media Marketing: Page One, Chapter One

    A Brand Manager’s Cheat Sheet.

    Consumers and marketers are often times plagued with the disease of "immediate gratification." Marketing in the social media space is especially prone to this … Read More >

    Tags: Dan Curran

  • Part 2- Why You Can’t Afford To Not Invest In Usability

    Having a usable system reduces costs.

    In Part 2 of our 4-part-series on usability, we take on the double-whammy benefit of UX ROI – decreasing costs. I say “double-whammy” because … Read More >

  • Friday Night Fights Usability Testing: Holiday Shopping Contenders Take The Ring

    Play Video >

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    Online shoppers weigh in on form vs. function.

    The day after Thanksgiving isn’t the only Friday where holiday shopping is a death match. In this round of Friday Night … Read More >

    Tags: Danielle Cooley, Friday Night Fights

  • Location-Based Social Media Finds a Home

    Path Is Going In the Right Direction.

    Path seems to be going down the right … path.

    The new social media platform, Path, promises to be a “place you can be yourself.” The … Read More >

  • Why You Need A User Experience Agency

    How UX Is An Essential Element Of Any Marketing Formula.

    The vast majority of both traditional and digital ad agencies are simply not equipped to build intuitive web and mobile app experiences. … Read More >

    Tags: Dan Curran, Usability

  • Why You Can't Afford to Not Invest In Usability

    Part 1 – Having a Usable System Increases Revenue

    Sometimes, the biggest hurdle in selling usability testing up the food chain is justifying its cost. Sure, it’s a nice thing to do, but … Read More >

  • ABC's Modern Family K-O's NBC's Community in Website Usability Testing Showdown

    Play Video >

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    Welcome back to 4ORCE’s Friday Night Fights!

    THE SETUP This bout featured a blockbuster matchup between ABC’s Emmy winning best comedy “Modern … Read More >

    Tags: Danielle Cooley, Usability, Friday Night Fights

  • 4ORCE Expands Digital Media Lab Department

    4ORCE Adds Senior Digital Content Strategist & SEO Specialist To Roster.

    4ORCE announced today that the company has added Jared Reed as Senior Digital Content Strategist and Amy Warren as … Read More >

  • 4ORCE To Speak Its Mind, Twice.

    Catch 4ORCE’s Jared Reed and Dan Curran at two upcoming panel events in St. Louis: The Integrated Marketing Summit and Build Your Brand panel.

    Jared Reed discusses search engine optimization, … Read More >

  • 5 Minute Design #1

    ‘5 Minute Design’ is a biweekly blog post that features tricks, tools and techniques in design. I only have 5 minutes to complete it, so I will make the design as basic as possible, … Read More >

  • Friday Night Fights Kicks Off With Local Showdown: Rams vs. Cardinals

    Play Video >

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    Let’s get ready to rumble! Welcome to 4ORCE’s inaugural Friday Night Fight, a regular usability study pitting two websites against each other in a winner take all … Read More >

    Tags: Usability, Danielle Cooley, Friday Night Fights

  • National Punctuation Day is September 24

    It’s the day your high school English teacher loves to celebrate: National Punctuation Day.

    The official punctuation organization explains it as “A celebration of the lowly comma, … Read More >

    Tags: Eammon Azizi, Culture

  • Why Marketers Must Master Mobile, Or Risk Being Left Behind

    As AdAge recently pointed out, we are in the midst of a mobile marketing ‘hype cycle,” perhaps equaled only by the dot-com frenzy.

    The real and perceived impact of mobile marketing does … Read More >

    Tags: Dan Curran

  • Only 40% of Companies Have a Social Media Plan. Are You Part of the Solution?

    It’s not exactly news that Social Media is growing exponentially every year, and that most companies not currently existing in a secluded cave somewhere, have some sort of Social Media … Read More >

  • 5 Things Every Usability Tester Must Know

    1. DON’T assume you know everything. DO test, test, test! As smart as you are, you’re not a genius, and you aren’t a mind reader. You can’t really know how your users work or … Read More >

    Tags: Usability, Danielle Cooley

  • 4ORCE Goes To Flash Camp

    4ORCE’s technology and UX team reviews Flash Camp 2010.

    From 4ORCE’s UX Director, Danielle Cooley:

    Anyway, Flash Camp St. Louis was a lot of fun! Held on Friday, September 3 at City … Read More >

    Tags: Danielle Cooley, Jay Criscione, Jim Schulman, Usability

  • Internet User Experience 2010: A Retrospective

    Conference-going is probably my favorite part of my job. Ever since my very first one (UPA 2000, in Asheville, N.C.), I’ve always felt like I was at Usability Camp, getting to talk shop with … Read More >

    Tags: Usability, Danielle Cooley

  • For A Good Cause

    A night of entertainment, enchantment and donations.

    4ORCE's finest got all gussied up last weekend to enjoy a night "Under The Moroccan Moon" for the benefit of one of our non-profit clients, The … Read More >

    Tags: Culture, Children's Home Society

  • Get To Know Our UX Director – Danielle Cooley

    Danielle is the leader of our UX department and a part of almost every UX project that comes through the door. She has over 12 years of usability experience with large, small, public and private … Read More >

    Tags: Usability, Danielle Cooley

  • The New UX Lab is Open For Business

    Here, User Experience is Literally The Center of our Universe.

    We're seriously excited about the unveiling of our new UX Lab. It's what differentiates us from any other agency in town. And it … Read More >

    Tags: Usability

  • Walk to Washington

    835 Miles. 50 Days. 1 Million Signatures.

    835 miles. That’s more than a half marathon, full marathon or triathlon for that matter. But 835 miles IS the distance between St. Louis and … Read More >

    Tags: Culture, Walk To Washington

  • The Anatomy of a 4ORCE UX Study Session

    Ever wonder what a UX Study Session is made of? Well, now you don’t have to wonder any longer.

    Participant arrives & is escorted to the waiting area, equipped with … Read More >

    Tags: Usability

  • Q4 Events Poster

    Turkilla Strikes Back A Sneak Preview.

    As the holidays quickly approach, most Americans look forward to a big turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. This year, a Godzilla-sized turkey will be looking … Read More >

    Tags: Culture, Julie Wiese

  • Learn About the Lab

    Officially introduced to the world April 12, 2010, 4ORCE's UX Lab is a state-of-the-art facility, able to handle almost any sized project. Here’s a rundown of what the three rooms that make up … Read More >

    Tags: Usability, Danielle Cooley

  • Defining Empirical Marketing

    How We Define "Empirical Marketing."

    Add This to the Dictionary.

    If you've talked to us before, you've heard us use the term. But what exactly does it mean? That's a very valid question – … Read More >

    Tags: Culture

  • BBQ Throwdown

    4ORCE Grills Up A Throwdown.

    Nothing says summer like smoke from a grill. This summer 4ORCE employees teamed up for a fierce BBQ competition. Each team focused their dishes around 4 popular BBQ … Read More >

    Tags: Culture, Jake Piel, Dan Curran

  • 4ORCE’s Walk To Washington Site Gets National Acclaim

    Website receives Best In Class Award From Interactive Media Awards.

    The Walk To Washington Website has won the Interactive Media Awards’ (IMA) Best in Class Award. The award represents the … Read More >

    Tags: Work, Walk To Washington, Awards

  • 4ORCE Client Roster +01

    An Amazing O’pportunity.

    It comes with great excitement to announce the O'Charley's name has been added to our client list.

    We're serving them a three-course digital meal that includes a … Read More >

    Tags: Work, O'Charley's, Scottrade, Hardee's, Save-A-Lot, Hanes, Children's Home Society, Trailnet, Walk To Washington

  • 4ORCE’s New Website Is Born

    4ORCE’s New Website Is Born.

    Check out our new look, new people, new work and new focus on empirical marketing.

    It’s official – 4ORCEdigital.com is live. We’re excited to … Read More >

    Tags: Culture

  • What's Up With Our New Name?

    Allow Us To Reintroduce Ourselves. We're 4ORCE - Advancing User Experience.

    For the past three years, you've known us as NGAGE. But over the past few months, we've transformed ourselves into a new … Read More >

    Tags: Culture

 
 
Contact

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411 North 10th Street
Suite 300
St. Louis, MO  63101
P: 314.881.1900
E: info@4ORCEdigital.com

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