XT+M today announced the addition of Lisa Boccaccio as Vice President, Communications to our senior management team.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Jan. 20, 2010: Since 2005, XT+M has been building our reputation as forward-thinking communicators, well recognized for our ability to engineer simplicity related to complex online properties and effective, elegant and innovative technology-driven marketing experiences. With the addition of Lisa and her pedigree in branding and communications, XT+M is now strongly positioned to deliver a truly integrated customer experience, from traditional marketing mediums through innovative online environments.

ABOUT LISA BOCCACCIO:

Lisa is an experienced and committed communications professional. For the past 20 years, she has provided strategic planning, brand strategy development and execution of integrated and results-oriented programs to leading enterprises.

In addition to her strategic communications expertise, Lisa is an articulate and creative writer. For many of her clients, she has provided copy writing and creative direction services that address strategic objectives and powerfully convey key messages.

Lisa’s career past includes director of strategic planning at Interbrand. As part of the senior management team, she managed a diverse range of client assignments requiring brand strategy and communication services. In addition, Lisa expanded Interbrand’s capabilities by launching and managing the firm’s Interactive practice.

Lisa has a strong understanding of corporate brands and is passionate about advising clients on the value of strategic analysis as the precursor to the development and execution of integrated communications strategies.

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For more information please contact:

Marilyn Schaffer
President & CEO, XT+M
416-260-1641 x223
mschaffer@xt-m.com
http://www.xt-m.com/

Word! The nitty-gritty to being heard.

This past decade saw a convergence of traditional and online media. Increasingly more organizations are using the web as the load-bearing pillar of their brand. According to Nielsen Online, Twitter alone grew 1,382% year-over-year in February. Twitter is just one medium that people and businesses are using to increase their notice-factor along with blogs, forums and social networking websites. XT+M predicts the decade of spray and pray is over. 2010 and beyond will be about well written, engaging, and thoughtful content – content targeted to a strategic audience.

Experts predict that there will be several online media trends to follow this year, and here are our five picks, in no particular order, to ensure that your message is clearly heard:

1. Quality over quantity: less is more. Ensure your key messages are clear, concise, and coherent.
2. Use video: shoot-and-upload video is getting easier and as online video becomes intertwined with the TV experience, download and streaming will be prominent.
3. Go mobile: Smartphones are replacing laptops in terms of mobility and accessibility. Capitalize on this venture by making your content accessible.
4. Twitter: an important part of the marketing strategy, the "short-and-tweet" methodology keeps consumers aware of and connected to your brand. If you aren't already, get tweeting! 
5. Establish keywords: with the increasing cost per click area, think about the impact of keywords to strategically manage your SEM.