David Moncur has been featured on Michigan Entrepreneur TV, a weekly television talk show. David is the principal of Moncur Associates, a web design firm and web-centric advertising agency with locations in Detroit, Los Angeles, and Fort Lauderdale. This is his third appearance on the program. In this interview (posted in three parts on YouTube, linked below), hostess Tara Kachaturoff spoke to David about the branding process and how social media and web designing play into that process.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Lauderdale Web design

TROY, MICH., June 13, 2008 -- The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) website www.DontbeBob.com has won the 12th Annual Webby People's Voice Award for Best Website, in the insurance category. The Webby was awarded to Michael Flora & Associates, an advertising agency in Troy, Mich., for designing the website for their client.
 
The "Don't be Bob" site is part of a larger promotional campaign by Michael Flora & Associates, using a cartoon character 20-something to target the demographic who often think they don't need health insurance. The premise is simple. Bob, a character with an invincibility complex, doesn't have health insurance. Through a series of mishaps Bob keeps finding himself injured and financially unable to seek medical help. The solution, of course, is BCBSM.

The website features videos of the Bob character's misadventures, "Bob radio" broadcasting tales of his accidents and a video game, which was designed, mapped out and created by Moncur Associates, a web-centric advertising agency in Troy, Mich. The video game allows the player to see what being Bob is like, as the user steers him through streets infested with rabid dogs, tornadoes, falling pianos and old ladies who use their canes as weapons. Monetary amounts are subtracted from his bank every time Bob encounters a gang of ninjas or slips on a banana peel, until the bank runs out and the game ends. Street signs featuring the BCBSM logo are peppered throughout.

The goal behind www.DontbeBob.com was to raise online sales of Young Adult Blue, BCBSM's health insurance program for those in the 18 to 30 age range. Michael Flora & Associates wanted to use the communication medium young people use most to get their attention and highlight their need for health insurance despite their youth and generally good health. The site's appeal is apparent; it also won a W3 Award from the International Academy of the Visual Arts this year.

"The Webby Awards honor the outstanding websites that are setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of the Webby Awards -- an award show the New York Times has commended as "the Oscars of the Internet." The Webby Awards are the leading international awards of excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile websites. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a judicial board of 550 people. This year there were nearly 10,000 submissions, from 50 states and over 60 countries. Close to 500,000 people around the world voted for their favorite sites, videos and ads in the Webby People's Voice Awards.

About Michael Flora & Associates
For 30 years, Michael Flora & Associates has focused on understanding and changing consumer behavior to deliver positive results to their clients' bottom line. The agency has developed extensive expertise in healthcare and financial services marketing. See www.MichaelFlora.com for more information.

About Moncur Associates
Moncur Associates, located in Troy, Mich., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Los Angeles, Calif., is a web-centric advertising agency specializing in building brands that build business. Moncur Associates works with business owners, chief executives and marketing executives to create web-centric strategies that help them achieve their growth goals and performance objectives. For more information please call 1-877-9-MONCUR or visit www.MoncurAssociates.com.

Miami, Fla., February 19, 2008 — Inktel Direct, a leading outsource provider of direct marketing services, has announced the official launch of their new streamlined website. The new site, developed to serve as the core element of the company's integrated marketing strategy, is designed to provide direct access and connectivity to richer, more meaningful business solutions for its current client base while providing greater exposure of its full suite of services to businesses seeking direct marketing support. Inktel partnered with Moncur Associates, a web-centric advertising agency with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, to create the site.

"Our core business philosophy of continuous learning, information sharing and challenging the status quo is valued by our teams and our clients," said Eddy Arriola, Executive Vice President of Inktel Direct. "It was imperative we create an online experience that would emulate this dynamic and expose it to other businesses seeking innovative direct marketing solutions. Moncur Associates was my only choice for a web development partner as they fully understand the role of a robust website in today's online marketing environment and know how to create it. This new website will not only help our organization more effectively reach out to our clients, but its enhanced functionality and ease of navigation will make it much easier for interested businesses to find out about our company."

Operating under the belief that the first step to effective marketing in an "always on" world is a clear, simple and strong website, Moncur Associates developed an easy-to-use, information-rich website that brings the full scope of Inktel Direct services and its people to life.

"In working with Inktel it was immediately apparent that one of the company's core values is their client relationships," said David Moncur, President of Moncur Associates. "The look, feel and language of the website reflect the personality, innovation, and get-it-done approach of its associates; while the enhanced functionality allows business to be conducted and completed online and on schedule."

About Inktel Direct
Inktel Direct, a leading outsourced provider of direct marketing services, was founded in 1997 and services several Fortune 500 companies and leading brands. Inktel Direct provides Fulfillment, Contact Center, Direct Mail/Lettershop and eCommerce solutions. Inktel Direct is headquartered in Miami, FL with additional operations in Chicago, Dallas, and Ft. Lauderdale. Company news and background information are available at http://www.inktel.com or call 305-523-1110.

About Moncur Associates
Moncur Associates, located in Troy, Michigan and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a web-centric advertising agency specializing in building brands that build business. Moncur Associates works with business owners, chief executives and marketing executives to design web-centric campaigns that seamlessly integrate traditional advertising, branding, public relations and direct marketing with sophisticated web and interactive communications, network centric marketing and other Web 2.0 strategies to achieve growth goals and performance objectives. To learn more about what Moncur can do for your business, please call 954-551-0279 or visit them online at www.moncurassociates.com

Organization seeks to build greater support, visibility through Web-based marketing efforts

MIAMI, Fla. – Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Greater Miami proudly announces the completion of their new streamlined website, officially launched yesterday at 5:00p.m. The new website represents a major step forward by the organization towards establishing stronger relationships with its current support base and providing greater opportunities for new supporters to help children across South Florida find a mentor. Moncur Associates, a web-centric advertising agency with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, designed and constructed the website on a pro-bono basis.  

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is so very grateful for the generosity of Moncur Associates in developing our new website,” said Lydia l. Muniz, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami & Mentoring Resource Center.  “This new website will not only help our organization more effectively reach out to the community, but its enhanced functionality and ease of navigation will make it much easier for interested parties to find out about our community and become an active supporter of our programs throughout South Florida.”

Operating under the belief that the first step to effective marketing in an “always on” world is a clear, simple and strong website, Moncur Associates focused on creating a site in line with one of   the organizations’s key goals: attracting new Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Moncur Associates developed an easy-to-use, information-rich website that brings to life the BBBS mentoring experience, including a photo gallery where visitors can view special moments shared between the volunteers and children.

“It is an honor to be able to provide such a worthy organization with the necessary tools to help their charitable initiatives grow,” said David Hofer, General Manager of the Ft. Lauderdale office of Moncur Associates.  “The effort we expended was time well spent when you consider the value it holds for those children in need of a mentor.”

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami please visit the new website at www.wementor.org  or call 305-644-0066. 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, and celebrated its 100th birthday in 2004.  The national organization consists of more than 500 agencies serving a population of 250,000.  BBBS of Miami, founded in 1958, is one of the largest local agencies in the country, serving more than 6,000 local children, volunteers and families through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with caring adult volunteers. 

About Moncur Associates
Moncur Associates, located in Troy, Michigan and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a web-centric advertising agency specializing in building brands that build business.  Moncur Associates works with business owners, chief executives and marketing executives to create integrated web-centric strategies that help them achieve their growth goals and performance objectives.

Troy, Mich. – Moncur Associates announced that Founder and Principal David Moncur will appear as a guest on Michigan Entrepreneur Television, a community access television program focusing on business leaders who are key to Michigan’s successful economic growth.

Michigan Entrepreneur (www.michiganentrepreneurtv.com) is a weekly television talk show featuring Michigan business leaders as well as organizations that promote and support entrepreneurship. This program is produced and hosted by executive coach Tara Kachaturoff.

The topic will be centered around Moncur Associates, Moncur’s early inclinations of entrepreneurship and the business of branding and why it is so important for today’s companies. The show will air during the week of April 23-29, and after that week, will be available on the Moncur Associates Web site.

Based and produced in Oakland County, Mich., in partnership with Bloomfield Community Television (BCTV). From high-tech to biosciences, Michigan Entrepreneur focuses on business leaders who are key to Michigan’s successful economic growth.

Created, hosted and produced by executive coach and business consultant, Tara Kachaturoff, this program features unique entrepreneurial leaders within the local community as well as throughout the State of Michigan.

Guests are invited from all facets of the business world, from start-up through mature operations, and include entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and business brokers, among others.

Moncur has also been scheduled to appear on the show again in April, discussing the topic, “The New Social Media,” centering around blogs, podcasts, video and social media Web sites.

Moncur Associates, The Business Communication Experts™, are a team of Branding, Web Design, Advertising, Public Relations, Online Training, Programming and Interactive Specialists; all working together to solve their clients’ single biggest problem: Building business.

Troy, Mich. – Renowned author and holistic family practitioner David Brownstein, M.D., chose Troy-based Moncur Associates to completely redesign and improve his current Web site as an integral part of a new branding campaign. The new and enhanced site, www.drbrownstein.com, launched in February with a sleek look and clear, consistent navigation.

Currently the Medical Director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, David Brownstein, M.D., is a Board-Certified family physician who has gained acclaim as one of the foremost practitioners of holistic medicine. Dr. Brownstein has lectured internationally about his success in using natural hormones and nutritional therapies in his practice. He has authored seven books—including his most recent, Drugs That Don't Work and Natural Therapies That Do.

“Moncur Associates developed a Web site that is both user-friendly and visually appealing,” said Dr. Brownstein. “They listened to the issues, understood our pains and implemented a new design structure that captured the essence of our brand. Site visitors have already begun telling us what an improvement we have made to our image and overall site experience.”

Dr. Brownstein’s Web site has undergone significant upgrades in the areas of content, navigation and design, and now features an e-commerce section where visitors are able to purchase any of his current and past titles. Another significant addition to the site is the blog, which has been key in communicating Brownstein’s opinions and building an online community around current medical developments and his experiences and findings from medical conferences all over the country.

“The Web site is vital part of Dr. Brownstein’s plan to communicate current and timely research findings and accomplishments to researchers, advocacy groups, students, media, and the general public. This new site makes it easy for anyone interested in his practice or publications to find information and answers to questions in a clear and user-friendly manner,” said David Moncur, principal of Moncur Associates. “In addition to extensive online information, it also serves as a centralized sales tool and showcase for Dr. Brownstein’s published works and lectures.”

Moncur Associates, The Business Communication Experts™, are a team of Branding, Web Design, Advertising, Public Relations, Online Training, Programming and Interactive Specialists; all working together to solve their clients’ single biggest problem: Building business.

TROY, Mich. - Dan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura, noted authors of the bestseller, The Laws of Lifetime Growth, chose Troy-based Moncur Associates to create an interactive website as an integral part of the book’s public relations and marketing campaign. The book is currently a #2 bestseller on Amazon.com and ranks #1 on Amazon.ca.

Moncur Associates implemented the book’s brand into every part of the website, www.lifetimegrowth.com. The goal was to create an online community of shared interest, a rapport with the book’s readers – a forum where readers could share ideas and discuss topics spurred by the book itself. The blog has been key in leveraging enthusiasm for the authors’ principles: achieving true fulfillment in life with “no limits, boundaries, ceilings or walls.” Since the site was launched in February 2006, it has exceeded all expectations.

“Moncur Associates understood our vision and was able to deliver a website that was warm and extendable,” said Catherine Nomura, co-author of The Laws of Lifetime Growth. “We are able to reach out to our readers in a very personal way.”

Through vivid, real-life stories, Sullivan and Nomura illustrate each of the ten “laws,” such as Always make your future bigger than your past. The book shows readers how, “…with just a slight shift of thinking – regardless of your age, income or position – you can put them into action in your own life.” They examine common pitfalls and detail practical strategies for overcoming obstacles.

“The world is what you make it out to be; if you can’t visualize your goals and work past the obstacles to get there, you will never truly succeed,” said David Moncur, president of Moncur Associates. “I’m thrilled that we were able to help the book ascend to the top of the bestseller lists.”

Moncur Associates, located in Troy, Mich., is a branding and communication design firm focused on building brands that build business. Moncur Associates works with business owners to create strategies that help them achieve their goals and improve their bottom line.

Through vivid, real-life stories, Sullivan and Nomura illustrate each of the ten “laws,” such as Always make your future bigger than your past. The book shows readers how, “…with just a slight shift of thinking – regardless of your age, income or position – you can put them into action in your own life.” They examine common pitfalls and detail practical strategies for overcoming obstacles.

“The world is what you make it out to be; if you can’t visualize your goals and work past the obstacles to get there, you will never truly succeed,” said David Moncur, president of Moncur Associates. “I’m thrilled that we were able to help the book ascend to the top of the bestseller lists.”

Moncur Associates, located in Troy, Mich., is a branding and communication design firm focused on building brands that build business. Moncur Associates works with business owners to create strategies that help them achieve their goals and improve their bottom line.