JK DESIGN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JK Design Expands Interactive Capabilities with an Internal Promotion and Two New Hires

New Jersey/New York Creative Services Agency Promotes Darren Nye to New Leadership Role, Welcomes New Web Programmer and VP of Video Production

Hillsborough, N.J., January 31, 2011 – JK Design, a leading creative services agency with offices in central New Jersey and New York City, has expanded its multimedia department by promoting the current director of interactive and IT to the position of vice president and hiring a new website development professional. The agency has also hired a veteran media and entertainment professional to lead its video division.

Since joining JK Design in 2004, Darren Nye has lead the interactive department’s expansion from four full-time employees to its current staff of 20 and an average annual increase of 30%. He brings more than 23 years of professional experience, business acumen, technical expertise and proven leadership to his new role as VP of interactive and information technology, where he will continue to build on his successes in closing many of JK Design’s larger client projects, expanding the division’s services to include the latest technologies, and managing the agency’s internal IT plans and infrastructure improvements. In addition to his many professional achievements, Darren also holds a pilot’s license and enjoys flying small planes.

Katherine Armstrong brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience in corporate media, promotions and the entertainment business to her new position as vice president of video production director. Prior to joining JK Design, Katherine’s achievements included producing, directing and production managing for a host of award-winning production companies that served clients from major networks such as ABC, Comedy Central and BET. She has also interviewed, produced and directed luminaries ranging from a former president to a long list of CEOs of such companies as Oxygen, Skype, Nickelodeon and Lifetime.

New Web programmer Thomas Planer has specialized knowledge in PHP, ASP.NET, C#, Java, Python, Ruby, Visual Basic and C++. He is also skilled in coding front-end interfaces with XHTML, CSS and Javascript. Before joining JK Design, he developed and programmed custom applications for a variety of companies, including a major New Jersey law firm. Tom earned a BS in business administration from Rider University, where he majored in computer information systems.

“This is an exciting time for JK Design,” said Jerry Kaulius, founder and president. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary with two thriving offices in New Jersey and New York, we also look forward to starting the new year with our largest staff to date – and a host of new opportunities to serve our clients in ever-more creative ways. I’m extremely pleased to announce Darren’s well-deserved promotion and to welcome Katherine and Tom to the agency. I look forward to their support in expanding our services in fresh and innovative directions.”

JK Design’s headquarters is located in the historic Staats House in Hillsborough, NJ. The company also has an office in the Chelsea neighborhood of midtown Manhattan, just minutes from New York Penn Station.

About JK Design
In business for 25 years, JK Design uses the latest technology to build brand identities through print, Web, and video media. The agency is a recent winner of a Telly Award, Communicator Award, and MarCom Platinum Award. JK Design specializes in innovative design, advertising and marketing services, including: Web design and development, branding, logos, email marketing, multimedia and video animation and production, marketing strategies, advertising, corporate collateral design and production, exhibit graphics, packaging and Internet-based virtual tradeshows. For more information: 908-428-4700 (NJ), 646-794-4180 (NYC), or www.jkdesign.com.

Contact:
Jerry Kaulius
Corporate Headquarters
JK Design
465 Amwell Road
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
jerry@jkdesign.com
908-428-4700
908-428-4701 (fax)

New York Office
JK Design
44 W 28th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10001
646-794-4180
646-794-4184 (fax)

What is it?

QR codes are two-dimension barcodes that can provide a vital link between print media and mobile commerce. QR codes store information (mostly web site URL’s) that can be read by devices with cameras, like a cell phone.

How does it work?

A user with a web-enabled camera phone that is equipped with QR reader software can scan the image of the QR code; decoding software reads the information and prompts the phone’s browser to go to a programmed URL.

“Mobile” is a key channel for marketing and when you are vying for a consumers attention, sending the information quick and directly to a user’s mobile phone is the fastest way to get the information to them. It offers an easy way for them to access, and go back to, your message at any time.

To find out what application to use for your phone, you can do a Google search for the model of your phone along with QR reader.

See an example

Want to see an example? Visit www.jkdesign.com/web-design-nj/qr-codes

Why should we use it?

To get people talking. To be different. To get information in your customers hands in a uniquely effective way. To support your face to face presence, booth presentation and collateral material, and to help it stand out from the rest.

For JK Design, it opens up the door to develop mobile web sites that are built within the context of the QR campaign.

What are the challenges of using today?

• Software is not universal yet, but coming;
• Need to educate people on the usage of the scan, how to download the app, etc
• What if you have a flip phone? Should work fine, as long as you can download apps and connect to the internet.

How could we use it?

1. Tradeshow – Integrate it with your preshow mailer and those who are ‘on the go’ and ‘QR-ready’ can scan the code from their cell phones and be taking to your event registration page online
2. Tradeshow – Create a contest: Event attendees can be given a fake gift card upon check in for a week long event, and be invited to scan the QR barcode on the back every day. Each scan enters them in to another chance to win a $50 real gift card. Cards can be given away at the show every hour (or whatever time frame you like)
3. Tradeshow – Scavenger Hunt: Place QR codes in various places throughout the booth or show floor. Attendees would be looking for QR codes strategically placed, when they find one, they scan and are sent a text for another clue. Eventually they will win something or get a coupon, etc.
4. Tradeshow – TSHIRT scans:
   • Have employees walking around with Tshirts that say things like “Tickets to the Gala almost sold out” with a QR code on the back of the shirt that will take the attendees to the registration page.
   • “Want to know where the bathrooms are” with a QR code that will take them to a show floor layout, or a text with bathroom directions.
5. Tradeshow or Conference – Support your presentations. Instead of constantly repeating the web site URL that your presentation is based off of (micro site, corporate site), have the attendees scan a QR code in their presentation booklets that take them right to the website from their mobile device.
6. Networking Icebreaker: Create temporary QR code tattoos for attendees and let them know that 1 other person in the room shares an identical code and have them find their matching partner
7. General Usage – Add a QR code to your business card and have people scan to get to your web site, bio page, etc
8. General Usage – Add a QR code to a product and when scanned, takes you to a product specific page giving customer service info, product details, product reviews, product videos, service history, etc
9. General Usage – Add a QR code to any print material (ad, poster, etc) to quickly direct someone to your web site, product info, etc.

Have a thought about QR Codes? Feel free to comment on the above!