Jalali Hartman presents publishers with step-by-step plan for boosting business on existing Web sites

Atlantic Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/28/2006 -- MarketingExperiments.com, an online marketing research laboratory, today announced that Director of Strategy Jalali Hartman will lead a breakout session at the Specialized Information Publisher's Association's 23rd Annual Marketing Conference on E-Commerce Strategies.

This year's event will be held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and will run December 6-8. Publishers, marketers, editors and Web managers of subscription newsletters and other specialized information services will attend one of the industry's premier events.

Hartman's presentation, "The Five-Step Plan to Skyrocket Your Registration Funnel Conversion Rate," utilizes MEC Labs' groundbreaking new research on successfully driving customers through Web processes, and includes information on common mistakes, design and copy tactics and 'best-practices' to implement. Publishers and suppliers will walk away with step-by-step instructions on how to generate more business for their existing sites. This proven methodology helped one business-to-business publisher increase registration by 816 percent.

"SIPA's marketing conference brings together top executives from newsletter and specialized information publishing organizations from around the world in an effort to give executives and their staffs the most up-to-date strategies and services to improve e-commerce practices," Hartman said. "Regardless of whether publishers are focused on ordering, registration, lead generation or e-mail sign-up, this presentation is designed to offer an innovative approach to boosting conversion."

For more information on this event, please visit http://www.newsletters.org/eventsOpen.cfm?id=34.

About the Jalali Hartman
Jalali Hartman currently serves as the director of strategy for MEC Labs. He is a specialist in online channels, retail, Internet architecture and business strategy. Hartman has worked with companies such as eBay, FedEx, PayPal, NetSuite, DHL and UPS on large-scale e-commerce product development projects. Hartman is currently spearheading a comprehensive six-month study on viral video marketing campaigns.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in the Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. MEC Labs recently acquired MarketingSherpa, a research firm that publishes marketing case studies and benchmark data. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

About The Specialized Information Publishers Association
The Specialized Information Publishers Association (SIPA) is the principal international trade association dedicated to advancing the interests of the newsletter and specialized information publishing industry. SIPA provides global services in corporate education, business development, intellectual property protection and advocacy to foster growth, profitability and professional excellence. To learn more about SIPA, please visit www.newsletters.org.

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MEC’s preliminary research results show viral videos successfully attract qualified customers and subscribers

Jacksonville Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/02/2006 -- Viral video marketing campaigns produce 750 percent more clickthroughs than traditional banner ads, according to preliminary figures released today by MarketingExperiments.com, an online marketing research laboratory.

"Researchers and analysts speculated that viral videos would transform the way online marketers attract qualified customers," said Jalali Hartman, director of strategy for MEC. "These preliminary research results are a clear indication that amateur viral videos not only effectively drive viewers to company sites, but also help convert viewers into customers and subscribers."

As part of a comprehensive six-month study, MEC Labs is publishing short non-commercial videos and measuring the number of times they are viewed, how many clickthroughs are generated and how many site visitors convert into customers. Research results will help online marketers better understand what makes a successful viral video, how videos can relate to a product or service and which videos will attract the more qualified visitors."

In addition to generating clickthroughs and subscriptions, MEC's viral video preliminary study results provide insight into social media optimization and give marketers Six Essential Tips to Maximize the Viral Potential of Viral Videos.

Those interested in finding out more about MEC Labs or its viral video research project can visit: http://www.marketingexperiments.com.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.com (MEC) is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in The Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc.

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Top two research firms combine to bring marketers data and training to improve results

Jacksonville Beach, FL and Warren RI-- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/02/2006 -- MarketingExperiments.com, a research firm that conducts real-time marketing experiments, today announced that it is acquiring MarketingSherpa, Inc., a research firm that publishes marketing case studies and benchmark data. Financial details were not disclosed by either party. More information is available at: http://www.marketingsherpa.com/article.php?ident=29766.

According to Dr. Flint McGlaughlin, director of MarketingExperiments.com, the two research firms will function as separate but close partners continuing to bring marketing professionals practical research data, networking Summits, and professional training.

"Both firms have the same objective, to discover what really works in marketing, but they utilize complementary methodologies," McLaughlin said. "MarketingExperiments conducts real-time experiments; MarketingSherpa conducts benchmark studies and Case Studies. By working together, the two firms will be able to better serve their nearly 300,000 subscribers and members."

"Our research team is thrilled at the prospect of working closely with the scientists and statisticians at MarketingExperiments.com," said Anne Holland, president MarketingSherpa, Inc. "Our current research into what's really effective for real-life marketers is sometimes limited by the fact that marketers themselves may not have adequate test data on the newest tactics, such as online video advertising. Now we'll be able to partner with MarketingExperiments to actually design tests using live campaigns."

"Together, our two organizations will enter into 2007 offering marketing professionals the primary resource for the research they need to make the right marketing decision," McLaughlin said. "Current offerings include a library of nearly 1,000 Case Studies and documented experiments, four annual benchmark guides, as well as Summits, training and certification."

About MarketingExperiments.com
Headquartered in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., MarketingExperiments.com conducts real-time marketing campaign tests with research partners such as the New York Times, Reuters Group, and Encyclopedia Britannica. Research areas include, ecommerce marketing, email marketing, online advertising, search engine marketing, and subscription marketing. The firm publishes The Marketing Experiments Journal, and it offers the MEC Professional Certification Program. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group, and a subsidiary of Digital Trust Inc.

About MarketingSherpa, Inc
Headquartered in Warren, R.I., MarketingSherpa is a research firm publishing practical Case Studies and Benchmark Guides for its 237,000 weekly readers in the marketing profession. Topics covered include exclusive data and proven tactics in business-to-business marketing, ecommerce marketing, email marketing, telemarketing, public relations, landing page design, marketing measurement and subscription marketing. The firm also operates three annual Summits attended by thousands of marketers. Founded in March 2000, and privately held, the firm will now join the MEC Labs Group.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Politis, Politis Communications, 801-523-3730(wk), 801-556-8184(cell), dpolitis@politis.com or
Maura Lansford, Politis Communications, 801-523-3730(wk), mlansford@politis.com

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MEC Labs to discuss how design and copy improvements can dramatically increase subscription rates

ATlantic Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/18/2006 -- Marketers have found consumers will rarely say no to a free, no-obligation trial period subscription, but how can marketers further capitalize on an already successful offer page? MarketingExperiments.com (MEC) will host an online teleconference Wednesday August 23, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. EST to address how marketers can optimize free trial offer pages and dramatically increase conversions.

"Many online services offer free trial periods as their primary incentive and strategy to attract new subscribers or customers," said Nick Usborne, senior editor at MEC. "Because these offers are often successful on their own it is easy for marketers to grow complacent in their efforts to take conversion rates to the next level. This teleconference will teach marketers how to significantly lift the performance of their offer pages without having to change the offer itself.

The one-hour teleconference will also cover specific design and copy improvements that will further optimize and increase revenues from free trial offer pages.

Those interested in attending the free Web clinic can sign up at
https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/883161440.

MarketingExperiments.com has been named one of 2005's best online marketing sites by KnowThis.com and tests every conceivable methodology to determine which online strategies and tactics are the most successful to improve site traffic, conversion and product sales.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in the Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

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How Valuable is Video for Marketers in a Web 3.0 World

Atlantic Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/11/2006 -- In today's world of YouTube, Google Video and MySpace, a camera and a little creativity can be used to promote anything from a Barbara Walters news clip to a homemade video about the "Evolution of Dance." MarketingExperiments.com (MEC) is accepting 10 research partners for a comprehensive six-month study where MEC will explore the use of online video as a marketing tool.

"While marketers recognize the power and weight video is gaining with consumers and search engines, we still have a lot to learn about how online video can be used to market a product or service, drive free traffic to a Web site and increase page views per visit," said Jalali Hartman, director of strategy for MEC. "Preliminary research for this study is giving us an exciting glimpse at the way online video may completely change the way companies market themselves online. We also anticipate this study will show us if video will become as crucial for search engine optimization today as search terms were in the 1990's."

Participants in the study will receive:
§ Design, hosting and production of one professionally produced video offer page,
§ Design, hosting and production of one professionally produced video trailer for distribution to major online video sites,
§ Design of one e-mail to introduce and distribute video, and
§ Research partnership recognition and study results featured in Marketing Experiments Journal.

MEC has a proven track record when it comes to discovering the most effective methods in Internet marketing. In a recently published study, MEC tested a series of carefully crafted e-mail messages in an attempt to recover abandoned orders for a large online service provider. Over a six-month period, the company was able to recover more than 4,000 lost sales. Beyond the nominal cost of sending the e-mails, these 4,000 sales were obtained without any additional marketing costs – dramatically increasing yield-per-visit and return-on-investment. MEC anticipates its upcoming online video marketing study will be just as insightful.

There is a one-time production and research fee for the applicants who participate in the MEC online video marketing study. To apply for the study or for more information please visit http://www.marketingexperiments.com/video-call.html.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in the Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

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Bizquest wins $100,000 “Business Jump-Start Package” with an impressive 5-x7-inch business plan submission

Atlantic Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/09/2006 -- MarketingExperiments.com (MEC Labs), an online marketing research laboratory, today announced BizQuest as the winner of its first 'Back of a Napkin' business plan competition where entrepreneurs rivaled for a prize valued at $100,000, but were limited to submitting their business plans succinctly on a 5x7 index card.

"After evaluating all of the plans, we found BizQuest had a unique value proposition in that they offered small businesses the ability to market their companies for sale without using a broker or investment banker," said Jalali Hartman, director of strategy at MEC Labs. "We were also impressed with the way the BizQuest management team was already executing their existing business plan."

Since 2003, BizQuest has focused its energies on facilitating the process in which small to medium businesses are bought and sold. The BizQuest Web site offers buyers and sellers valuable tools such as a business broker directory, a franchise center, community forums and a weekly newsletter offering informative articles about buying or selling a business.

"We are convinced that our new relationship with MEC Labs and its staff of world-class marketing professionals will give us fresh insight into the most effective online tools we can use to reach our very unique group of buyers and sellers," said Dylan Garland, founder and president of BizQuest. "The industry recognition, research partnership and prizes we have received as a result of MEC Labs' business plan competition is helping to make us a household name among the individuals involved in the 'business for sale' process."

As the winner of MEC's business plan competition, BizQuest will receive a "business jump-start package" worth approximately $100,000 which will include a six-month marketing research partnership with MEC Labs, a three-month public relations campaign with Politis Communications (http://www.politis.com/), a chance to pitch its business idea to multiple leading venture capital firms and possible office space and administrative services in MEC's Florida-based research and incubation facility.

About BizQuest
BizQuest is the leading online resource for buying or selling a business. The company has created a global online marketplace to empower buyers and sellers of small to medium-sized businesses. The Web site currently features more than 30,000 listings of businesses for sale at www.BizQuest.com.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com (MEC) is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in The Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

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MEC Labs gives online marketers a five-month blueprint to maximize revenues during the year’s busiest buying season

Atlantic Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/04/2006 -- While parents stretch their budgets this month for back-to-school supplies, clothes and accessories, retailers and marketing professionals are already preparing to make "Holiday Season 2006" the most profitable buying period yet. To help marketers' planning efforts, MarketingExperiments.com (MEC) has created and will present a five-month merchandising blueprint and calendar in a free Web clinic titled "MEC Merchandising Calendar for the Fall and Holiday Season 2006" to be held Wednesday August 9, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

"Recent studies show that 45 percent of consumers say they will begin their holiday shopping before Thanksgiving and 41 percent say they will be finished with their holiday shopping by early December," said Nick Usborne, senior editor at MEC. "For marketers this means many consumers will be done with their holiday shopping weeks or months before many companies get into the swing of their holiday season marketing campaigns. This teleconference will help online marketers create a tailored merchandising plan and calendar, breaking tasks down by the months, weeks and days by which they should be accomplished."

The one-hour teleconference will also cover topics including preparing individual product promotion, testing company platform and technologies to avoid crashes or delays, hiring and training sufficient personnel and creating promotions and pay-per-click campaigns specific to the holiday season.

Those interested in attending the free Web clinic can sign up at https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/515085366.

MarketingExperiments.com has been named one of 2005's best online marketing sites by KnowThis.com and tests every conceivable methodology to determine which online strategies and tactics are the most successful to improve site traffic, conversion and product sales.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in the Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

MEC’s July 26 online clinic will discuss how well-managed affiliate programs can be more effective then pay-per-click ad campaigns

Atlantic Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/25/2006 -- Online marketers who want more bang for their advertising dollar won't want to miss the next MarketingExperiments.com (MEC) free Web clinic titled "The ROI on PPC vs. Affiliate Marketing" to be held Wednesday July 26, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

The one-hour teleconference will show marketers how strong affiliate partnerships can support revenue growth at a time when it is becoming harder to maintain a strong ROI with PPC campaigns.

"In an increasingly competitive marketplace, there is no guarantee that pay-per-click campaigns will continue to give marketers the results they are looking for," said Nick Usborne, senior editor at MEC. "This teleconference will help make marketers aware that well maintained affiliate programs can yield a higher ROI than they are getting with their pay-per-click advertising."

Those interested in attending the free clinic can sign up at http://www.marketingexperiments.com/upcoming-web-clinic.html

MarketingExperiments.com has been named one of 2005's best online marketing sites by KnowThis.com and tests every conceivable methodology to determine which online strategies and tactics are the most successful to improve conversion, drive traffic and sell product.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in the Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

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MEC’s July 12 online clinic will discuss how online marketers can increase conversions by incorporating urgency into offer pages

Atlantic Beach, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/07/2006 -- In the world of offline direct mail it has long been understood that creating a sense of urgency for the consumer will increase conversion rates. But will special offers that are "three days only" or "while in-stock supplies last" prove as successful online?

MarketingExperiments.com answers this question and more in its next Web clinic, "Testing the Power of Urgency to Increase Sales" to be held Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). The 60-minute teleconference is offered to interested parties free of charge, with prior registration requested.

"Traditional marketing history has taught us that consumers are more likely to act when they are placed on a deadline," said Nick Usborne, senior editor at MEC. "But we wanted to test if expiration dates and warnings about limited supplies would be as effective in the online market and then identify specific measures marketers can take to boost online conversions."

During the Web clinic, MEC analysts will share important insights on how online marketers can best use urgency to increase conversions, while avoiding pitfalls that may undermine company credibility and authority online.

"Online consumers are Web-savvy – they understand the importance of being able to distinguish a good deal from a cheap advertising stunt," Usborne said. "Consequently, our research and presentation will help online marketers maintain consumer confidence while presenting urgent offers."

Those interested in attending the free clinic can sign up at http://www.marketingexperiments.com/upcoming-web-clinic.html

MarketingExperiments.com has been named one of 2005's best online marketing sites by KnowThis.com and tests every conceivable methodology to determine which online strategies and tactics are the most successful to improve conversion, drive traffic and sell product.

About MarketingExperiments.com
MarketingExperiments.Com is an online marketing research laboratory dedicated to discovering "what really works" in Internet marketing. MEC engages in primary and secondary research and publishes results in the Marketing Experiments Journal. To conduct relevant, practical experiments, MEC partners with clients such as the New York Times, Reuters News Service LLC, and USA Health Care. MarketingExperiments.com is a member of the MEC Labs Group and a division of Digital Trust, Inc. For more information, please visit www.MarketingExperiments.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm