Tag Archives: Indianapolis

Indianapolis week continues with a trip to the zoo. We love zoos in our family. We’re members at Lincoln Park Zoo, and LPZ is also a T60 client. So, whenever we visit someplace new as a family, that city’s zoo is a typical destination.

We loved the Indianapolis Zoo, and one of the things I enjoyed was that zoo leaders integrating video into some of the attractions. The one that stood out the most was at the dolphin tank.

Places like this love to educate people. They do it through text-filled displays, interactive games, and yes… video. A well done video is bound to draw people in and get them interested. They tend to start by watching some video, then move on to the text for more detailed information.

Does this sound familiar? That’s exactly what happens when you integrate video into your company’s website. Video becomes a first impression. Web surfers watch your short video, then move on to check out other areas of the site.

Integrating video is a great way to entice people to learn more about you and your company.

–Tony Gnau

Okay, I’m officially dubbing this “Indianapolis Week.” My wife, daughter and I recently took a little trip there and it definitely inspired some blog posts.

Today, it’s a pretty amazing way to link people to video. We passed by the city’s most famed steak house, St. Elmo’s, when I noticed something on the sidewalk… a QR code.

Take a look at the picture. The restaurant put a QR code in the sidewalk that links to their video. I’ll be honest… I couldn’t get my phone to read the code, but I was still impresses.

I checked out their YouTube channel figuring the video must be there. They have three videos on the channel, so I don’t know which is linked to the code. None of them are anything special, but WOW… what a creative way to deliver them.

I found a newspaper story that says the restaurant installed the QR code prior to this year’s Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Pretty innovative thinking.

I hope your wheels are turning like mine trying to think of creative ways to deliver your own videos.

–Tony Gnau

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Last week’s Facebook Question of the Week topic at spinsucks.com was one that Gini Dietrich and I collaborated on a bit. The question was about when to delete outdated or irrelevant videos. I’ll let you listen to Gini’s take on that subject, so please check out her video.

Now, I have an amendment to Gini’s comments that came up after a trip to Indianapolis and discovering an obvious video that needs to be taken down.

My wife was speaking at a convention there, so I was checking out the convention center website and discovered a video entitled, Indianapolis with Peyton Manning.

I didn’t even have to watch the video to know it needs to be taken down and replaced with an undated version. If you’re a football fan, the title says it all.

I did watch the video. It’s your basic “visit our city” type of thing, and it’s narrated by former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

I stress… FORMER Colts quarterback. Manning was recently let-go by the team, and he was immediately signed by the Denver Broncos. I’m sure you’re understanding why it’s time for a video update.

While Manning will always be identified with Indianapolis, as long as he’s playing for another team… it’s time to take down the video.

I don’t mind former employees who pop-up in company videos… unless they’re high-profile like Manning.

In the case of Indianapolis, they can always resurrect the video after Manning retires.

–Tony Gnau