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Paul Doerfling Joins Marqui’s Product Management Team, Fuelling the Growth of its Next-Gen CMS

Wed, 09 May 12 07:00:00 UT

The team at Marqui continues to innovate and expand, recently adding Paul Doerfling to its product team. As Product Manager for Marqui’s next-gen CMS, Paul Doerfling will drive customer-centric product development, drawing upon over ten years of product development experience in high-growth software companies such as Vision Critical. Paul is well-versed in the full spectrum of product management activities, has a background in Psychology, and earned his Masters of Technology, MBA degree from Simon Fraser University.

“The addition of Paul to our team represents a significant step forward for Marqui”, says Vickitt Lau, Vice President of Technology. “His efforts will drive the evolution of our cloud-based, next-gen CMS in ways that continue to better serve the needs of digital marketers.”

Fuelled by Marqui’s Next-Gen CMS, Station X Skyrockets to the Top 3 Largest Web Agencies in British Columbia

Fri, 13 Apr 12 07:00:00 UT

Business in Vancouver recently named Station X, an integrated marketing agency launched in May 2011, as one of the top 3 Biggest Web Development Companies in British Columbia.

Station X has carved a niche for itself by bringing together the art and science of marketing, providing a unique blend of integrated marketing services and strategic solutions. Powered by its next-gen CMS platform, Marqui, Station X’s range of Digital Services include web development, conversion optimization, SEM/SEO, email marketing, social media and mobile marketing. Station X launched version 7 of its world-class Marqui next-gen CMS platform in October 2011.

The combination of exceptional software and integrated marketing services is what sets Station X apart from its competitors, and this powerful combination is the key to its continued growth. As Richard Sharp, VP of Marketing for Marqui says, “Station X’s rapid rise to the top 3 largest web agencies in BC indicates that we are addressing real needs and demands in the marketplace. Today’s customers are engaging with businesses via a wide range of devices and channels, and marketers need the tools to fully integrate their message and presence across these channels.”

River Rock Casino Resort Goes Mobile with Marqui's Next-Gen CMS

Fri, 30 Mar 12 07:00:00 UT

River Rock Casino Resort has gone mobile!

The recent mobile website launch, on the Marqui platform, has helped River Rock bring its brand to life in the digital realm. This launch has given the acclaimed entertainment destination an opportunity to engage with a key segment of its target market: its professional clientele.

Prior to the launch, River Rock's mobile presence was weak. Web analytics also revealed that a majority of mobile visitors were engaging with business meeting/convention-related pages, providing deep insights that guided the build of the new mobile site.

Now, with an elegant design, easy-to-use interface, and integrated booking functionality, River Rock's mobile website is just as useful as it is visually engaging. Marqui is proud to have worked with River Rock on this exciting digital project, and excited for more successes to come!

Congratulations, River Rock!

Crestline Coach Launches New Web Presence with Help of Marqui

Mon, 05 Mar 12 08:00:00 UT

Marqui is pleased to announce the launch of Crestline Coach’s redesigned website.

Crestline Coach Ltd. is one of North America’s leading ambulance, specialty vehicle manufacturer and nation-wide bus distributors. With the use of Marqui CMS, Crestline Coach has been able to refresh its branding and website, an essential tool for building awareness of the organization, while serving as an e-commerce hub and information portal.

The ultimate goal of the website redesign was to bring the Crestline brand to life online, with a focus on easy navigation, scalability and SEO. Additional features of the new web presence include a dynamic homepage, photo gallery, video gallery, a mobile website, e-commerce engine, and secure portals for existing customers, dealers and employees.

Crestline Coach prides themselves on innovation, and their functional and intuitive web presence now showcases the incredible value that they bring to the emergency vehicle industry. Marqui is looking forward to seeing Crestline continue to thrive as an industry leader. Congratulations, Crestline!

Genome Alberta Partners With Marqui to Launch New Website

Wed, 25 Jan 12 08:00:00 UT

Marqui is pleased to announce the launch of Genome Alberta’s redesigned website.

Established in the fall of 2005, Genome Alberta is a publicly funded non-profit organization that initiates, funds and manages genomic research and partnerships. With the use of Marqui’s CMS, Genome Alberta has been able to refresh its current web presence, an essential tool for building awareness of the organization.

Designed with an eye towards simplified layout, navigation, information architecture, SEO and social media tools, the new website provides a more intuitive user experience. With a new brand “look and feel”, an easy-to-update homepage, refreshed blog design and search engine-friendly event calendar, the website now showcases the value that Genome Alberta’s world-class projects bring to the Life Sciences research industry.

In partnership with Genome Canada, Industry Canada and the Province of Alberta, Genome Alberta was formed to focus on genomics as one of the central components of the Life Sciences Initiative in Alberta. Marqui, their proud marketing partner, is looking forward to seeing the organization fulfill its ambitious goals. Congratulations, Genome Alberta!

River Rock Casino Resort Launches New Cutting-Edge Digital Presence with Marqui CMS

Wed, 11 Jan 12 08:00:00 UT

River Rock Casino Resort really has it all:
state-of-the-art casino, luxurious
accommodation, thrilling live shows and majestic views. Now, with the help of Marqui, River Rock has a digital brand presence that’s equally dressed to impress.

With the use of Marqui’s powerful software platform, River Rock has been able to re-launch its integrated online properties, including web, mobile, email, social and search, with the goal of cross-promoting the different facets of its exciting property experience. From casino promotions to hotel loyalty program membership, event bookings and entertainment tickets, River Rock’s re-entry into the online space represents a critical step towards fulfilling on their brand promise of providing the top entertainment destination in BC.

Using Marqui’s cloud-based content management system (CMS), River Rock is now able to manage its digital marketing channels in a holistic, integrated way. Combining aesthetics with usability and functionality, the hub of River Rock’s new digital presence includes a brand new website, which proves to be as visually pleasing at it is user-centric. The website features an original 3-dimensional image rotator, the first of its kind on the web today, along with rich media, strong branding, improved navigation and booking functionality.

“The launch of the new River Rock web presence has been a tremendous success”, says Richard Sharp, VP of Marketing at Marqui. “We are honoured to have worked with our friends at River Rock on this extraordinary transformation, and are excited for the opportunities that lay ahead”.

Congratulations River Rock!

Calling all Marketers! Marqui Webinars You Won’t Want to Miss in 2011

Fri, 18 Nov 11 08:00:00 UT

2011 is drawing to a close and holidays are on the
horizon…and, in the spirit of giving, Marqui is pleased to announce two must-see webinars. This pair of free live webinars is designed to help you optimize your web presence. There’s no better way to prepare for your 2012 strategy than with insider knowledge on web marketing best practices that drive measurable results for your business. Get ready to impress your colleagues and be a marketing rockstar!

The first webinar, 7 Tips to Get More Leads from Your Website, will take you through tips and tricks to turn more of your website visitors into qualified leads, based on Marqui’s experiences working with leading B2B businesses. Register here to access the webinar recording.

The second webinar, Top Website Design Trends for 2012, will review the 2012 web design landscape, with insight into keeping your website design fresh and
forward-looking. Register here to access the webinar recording.

Best-in-class marketing guidance? It’s Marqui’s gift to you this season.

Lakeland College Launches Fresh New Mobile Website With the Help of Marqui

Fri, 22 Jul 11 07:00:00 UT

Lakeland College’s redesigned website has been set free - wirelessly!

With the use of Marqui's CMS for Education, Lakeland College has not only been able to refresh their website, they have been able to launch a brand new mobile website, the perfect solution for engaging students on-the-go.

Focusing on simplicity, easy navigation, and SEO optimization, the website includes popular features such as social media buttons, event calendars and links to student portals. The mobile version is engineered with the same functionality, but with light, icon-driven navigation, a zoomable campus map and a news feed. In addition to these exciting developments, Lakeland has also launched a "centennial" microsite. The site commemorates the College's upcoming 100th anniversary, and features historic information, events, and interactive elements.

This series of web launches represents a significant rebirth for the College. Using Marqui's powerful interface, Lakeland is able to not only manage all their content in one place, they've also been able to increase their brand reach. For example, delving into the world of mobile has been an extremely effective way for them to reach their target market: technology-savvy youth.

Lakeland College, with campuses in Vermilion, Alberta and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, is a progressive, technology-embracing school. Marqui is pleased to be their marketing partner, and is looking forward to future developments. Congratulations, Lakeland!

Business in Vancouver Magazine Profiles Station X CEO Lance Neale

Wed, 01 Jun 11 07:00:00 UT

Lance Neale, the publisher of more than a dozen titles, including Vancouver magazine, has turned his hand to his own enterprise: an innovative new ad agency.

Three investors who merged the assets of Marqui Software and longtime Vancouver ad agency TBWA \ Vancouver have created a business that offers what they believe are services clients couldn’t buy all in one place until now.

“Ad agency services is part of what we do, but I wouldn’t defne the company as an ad agency anymore,” said 44-year-old Lance Neale. Along with Terry Holland and Paul Cosulich, Neale spent millions of dollars to buy the lion’s share of TBWA\ Vancouver’s assets and create Station X. The transaction is an example of media convergence that Neale witnessed firsthand in 2000, when he was a Transcontinental Inc. vice-president. He’s now president of Station X, which helps clients:

develop brands and strategies;
create websites and gain high placement on search engines; and
develop software to attract new customers.

Clients of TBWA\Vancouver and Marqui say they are excited about the merger.

“Marqui has always been good with the technology,” said Ballard Power Systems Inc. chief commercial offcer Michael Goldstein, who has contracted Marqui for several years and TBWA\ Vancouver since early 2010. “We’d hire them to do a website or some social media work. What they didn’t have was the strategy, the brand thinking or communications philosophy – the techniques for how to drive messaging.” He doesn’t expect to pay less now that the two companies have merged. But he believes the quality of work will be better because the two teams will be integrated.

TBWA\Vancouver rebranded itself Trees and Rocks in early April, but the name drew more guffaws than traction. “We wanted to come up with a brand that reflected the magic and the story that we’re moving ahead with,” Neale said. “Trees and Rocks didn’t quite cut it.”

Former TBWA\Vancouver principal Andrea Southcott told Business in Vancouver May that trustee KPMG Inc. and creditors had found buyers for her company’s assets for more than the $3.8 million that, according to court filings, had been the estimated value of those assets.

That’s good news for creditors, such as Global BC ($1.15 million), CTV Television Inc. ($825,395) and Rogers Media Inc. ($478,469), which are owed a combined $5.4 million. Southcott said they should start to see some of that money by June.

Southcott will act as an adviser at Station X and has yet to commit to work full time. Jim Southcott, her husband and fellow principal, has agreed to be Station X’s full-time chief strategic offcer. Station X will have about 40 employees, including nearly 25 staff who have been working at Marqui.

“With an asset deal, we extend invitations to people to join the company – employment offers,” Neale said. “By the time we got involved in buying [TBWA\Vancouver], it had been in creditor protection for a month. So, some staff had already made decisions to pursue other opportunities.” Neale is well versed in corporate acquisition. At Transcontinental, he watched his employer pay US-$102 million to buy Telemedia Communications Inc., which had a publishing division that generated about US-$120 million in annual revenue. Even though Neale was in charge of its sports publications, such as the Hockey News, as well as business-to-business publications, Transcontinental’s reputation before the transaction was largely as a commercial printer. As someone who has played hockey all his life, being in charge of the Hockey News was a particular thrill for Neale.

Transcontinental’s Telemedia acquisition, however, paved the way for Neale to leave Toronto for Vancouver and be publisher of a different set of publications: Vancouver magazine, Western Living and even the Moose Jaw Times Herald.

“Transcontinental, like other companies in communications, wanted to take advantage of convergence,” Neale said. “Transcontinental’s model of convergence was to own the publications as well as to do the printing.”

During Neale’s seven-year stint at Transcontinental, he helped the company become Canada’s largest consumer magazine company and the country’s fourth-largest publisher.

By 20005, however, he realized that he spent more time on airplanes and in hotel rooms than he did with his young family.
He and wife Krishna had six month-old, Grayson, when they moved to Vancouver in 2001. Their second son, Sam, was born in 2001. “I decided that [the Transcontinental vice-president job] was not something I wanted to stay committed to during the balance of my career,” Neale said. “I wanted to pursue an entrepreneurial path.”

Late in 2005, he bought into Cosulich’s WaterTrax, which creates software that helps municipalities test drinking water quality. Holland, who is a principal of Krystal Financial Corp., joined the fold in 2007. The next year, the three combined to buy Marqui and make it and WaterTrax separate subsidiaries of WaterMarq Technologies Inc., a new holding company.

Marqui develops web marketing software that helps clients manage website and email campaigns. Neale, Holland and Cosulich figured it would make sense to merge Marqui with the TBWA\Vancouver assets to create a software-based marketing and advertising agency.

Neale is not eyeing any more acquisitions in the short term, but he is considering other Canadian offices and, perhaps, even one south of the border. “It’s fantastic to see Lance go from so-called hired gun to entrepreneur and achieve such success,” said Cactus Club Café owner Richard Jaffray, who is also the chairman of Vancouver’s Young Presidents Organization (YPO) chapter.

Jaffray met Neale soon after Neale joined YPO and was a vice-president at Transcontinental.

“He is extremely detail-oriented and very organized. You can see it when he runs meetings,” Jaffray said. “He has a really good read on people. One critical issue is succession, and he has identifed for me, as chapter chair, new and young members to be on the executive.”

(author: Glen Korstrom, Business in Vancouver Magazine)

Download this article as a PDF.

Intelliresponse Launches New Website on Marqui Platform

Thu, 19 May 11 07:00:00 UT

Congratulations, IntelliResponse, on the launch of their new website. Using the Marqui Marketing Automation tool IntelliResponse has redesigned and reimplemented their website.

IntelliResponse enhances the multi-channel sales and customer service capabilities of hundreds of enterprise businesses and educational institutions. The company’s Answer Suite technology is an award-winning On Demand software platform that allows customers and service agents to ask questions in natural language, and get one right answer - regardless of the hundreds of ways the question may be asked.

With more than 500 live customer-facing implementations answering 90 million+ questions with One Right Answer, IntelliResponse is the gold standard in first line customer experience management.