FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Anna Schryver
608.225.5476
Merger Puts Spotlight on Social Networking
MIDDLETON, WI (March 27, 2006) – Sway, Inc., a fast-growing, interactive marketing agency that builds social networks online, announced that it has merged with Informed Balance, a consulting firm which designs user experiences for global Fortune 500 companies. Today’s merger highlights a new trend: increasing numbers of consumers are seeking to connect online as the Internet enters its second decade of growth. The announcement brings together two emerging leaders in the social networking space who see the value of creating communities which share common interests.
Traffic patterns online have evolved as more Internet users look to alternative sources of information about products and services. And spend increasingly more time casually surfing the Web with no specific intent, many looking for interesting sites and places to “hang out”. Likewise, Nielsen Net Ratings reports that the average home Web user visited 61 different sites during the month of February. Google’s 2005 search terms report reveals a social networking term as the top gainer for the first time since the search engine’s inception (see sources below).
According to Jason Weaver, CEO of Sway, the opportunity to merge with Informed Balance positions Sway to lead the online community-building trend. “We believe every company, no matter what industry, no matter what size, must have a meaningful online relationship with its consumers,” he said. “With Informed Balance we now offer the complete solution to turn people into consumers, consumers into advocates and advocates into brand communities, creating measurable results for clients’ online presence, brand, and sales.”
Founded in 2003 by Jeff Horvath, who has a Ph.D. in educational psychology, Informed Balance provides a host of online services such as Web strategy, usability and search engine optimization. The team of software engineers and user-centered designers balance market research, Web analytics and processes with the people side of the technology equation. Their goal is to intersect the online user’s activities with those of other users while at the same time making each interaction better.
Informed Balance designed a club for girls that gained close to a million registered users in the first year. The club was designed to be a safe haven for girls to meet each other, share their interests, and develop a sense of community with other like-minded girls.
Horvath stated, “We’re here to design experiences – the combination of emotional, visceral experiences as well as the more practical and pragmatic. That’s where the real power of the medium lies.”
Weaver continued, “With this merger, Sway has become one of the most innovative online user experience companies today. Our solutions from Web site design to eMarketing strategy; from podcasts to mobile phone messaging and more, are all the more engaging, one consumer at a time.”
As a result of the merger, Sway will gain two senior level analysts, bringing its current number of personnel to thirteen. Horvath will serve as Sway’s Chief Experience Officer and Vice President of Operations at Sway, Inc. headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin.
About Sway, Inc.
Sway creates innovative online experiences for businesses and their audiences. Through research, development and promotion, Sway creates measurable results that improve its clients’ online presence, brand, and sales. Among Sway’s clients are Charter Communications, Pentair, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Madison Affiliate), and Madison Media Institute. For more information visit www.swaybox.com.
