Google AdWords advertising is a brilliant advertising and sales strategy designed around the Google search engine. It is the fuel that drives the engine of their business. Most consumers understand Google to be the premier search engine. In fact, the act of performing a web search has become known as "Googling." DeanMark employees AdWords specialists who are certified by Google.

But from where do the funds for this terrific "free" service come? The general answer is that it comes from advertising revenue, but the more detailed and interesting answer is that it comes from the Google company's invention of Google AdWords advertising.

The barrier that Google solved with AdWords was the distribution of advertising. Two common methods of ad placement included putting ads on the main Google search page, and returning results that either included ads in the margins, or contained commercial companies pertaining to the keywords of the search.

The effectiveness of these ads was diminished by the fact that the search pages were a means to an end for the users and the ads tended to be tuned-out visually by the users. The real destination of the users was not the search engine pages but the actual target pages containing the information for which they were searching. The problem was that Google has no direct control of what these content providers put onto their page.

Google AdWords advertising gave incentives to web designers to include particular ads for Google clients. For instance, a commercial dating web site could submit their name as an AdWords client to Google. Then, when the webmaster of a free dating website searched the AdWords service, he would find that commercial client as well as any others that were associated with his keywords. He then had the option to include AdWords ads which linked back to the web design client's website.

The free site would then get a small amount of money, perhaps a cent, for each browser user that visited his webpage with the AdWords ad. The free site would get a slightly higher amount, perhaps three cents, if the user actually clicked the link. Although the individual amounts were small, the aggregated amounts could be significant.

Using this method, a true life data site garnered millions annually through AdWords linking to a complementary commercial dating site. The entire setup revolved around the infrastructure setup by Google, which provided motivation for sites to display client ads, and gave Google the structure to track results and report traffic to the client.

As an client of DeanMark, Google AdWords advertising could be a lucrative marketing strategy for you. You can take advantage of the Google browser penetration and their client-matching engine to provide likely target sites for your advertisements. This has turned out to be a cost-effective and successful strategy for many companies. Contact us today to learn how Google AdWords can drive new business for you. We can create and manage your campaigns at an affordable rate.

Google Apps for Business is an software as a service (SaaS) infrastructure solution that provides companies of any size with a standard, straight-forward way to provide IT (information technology) utilities for their employees. DeanMark is a Google Apps Authorized Reseller based in Philadelphia. DeanMark serves clients with implementation and deployment services nationwide and beyond.

In the earlier days of IT employee support, the most powerful utility that a company could provide for its workers was a reliable and handy form of distribution for email. Leaving behind the memo system, employees could trade information from their work areas to anyone on the globe, almost instantaneously.

Other important aspects of e-Business were a little more difficult to implement. Companies realized that they could get huge benefits by computerizing other business processes like document sharing and video conferencing, but found it took a huge IT investment.

This is one of the first areas that Google Apps For Business addresses: the ability to standardize and implement these services. Perhaps most importantly, it significantly reduces the amount of IT resources a company needs to expend in order to get these services, and allows the company to focus its resources on its core technology and products instead.

Google Apps For Business has knocked down many of the barriers that companies have faced in the past with implementing advanced business services. One of the most time-intensive activities was product deployment and upgrades. When a company for example decided to use a new standard presentation server, they would need to start by performing company-wide installations of the software package. As upgrades to the package were released, the IT department needed to deal with that as well.

In contrast, the Google Apps reside online, and Google uses cloud technology to virtualize the servers for applications, freeing companies from the responsibility of deploying the applications themselves to individual desktop computers. Companies using Google Apps save money on hardware, electricity, and in-house IT employees.

Device compatibility for applications is another problem that Google has solved. In the past, companies struggled to make their applications compatible with all of the devices that an employee must use, including laptops, mobile smartphones, and iPads. All of the interfaces for these devices have been implemented by Google, and anyone plugging into the Google Apps For Business infrastructure already has each of those interfaces in place.

Of course, one of the biggest concerns of companies and IT departments everywhere is security. Data must be protected from competitors and malicious software at all costs. The security systems are also maintained by Google. No longer does a company's IT department have to struggle through several 24-hour days to eradicate a computer virus. Google deals with these security issues and handles all these problems internally.

For these and other reasons, a company wishing to implement the latest business software while maintaining focus on their core competencies should consider Google Apps For Business. To learn more about Google Apps, or to discuss a solution or implementation in the Greater Philadelphia Region or beyond, please contact us today!

DeanMark was hired by experienced marketing professional and author April Jeffries to redesign the artwork for her latest book, "Idea Birthing."

Going forward, DeanMark will also work on a website redesign and an introductory video for the author—continuing to build her brand.

Book Description:

A brilliant idea can change the world! But what does it really take to bring a great idea to life? What if the answer lies in the most natural process known to womankind – the invisible and amazing transformation that occurs with the development and birth of a newborn baby!

This is a charming tale of one woman’s journey through the stages of Idea Birthing; guided by the lessons and insights of pregnancy. Her story will illustrate the joys, pains, laughter, and tears of being a birthing vessel. If you’ve ever tried to hatch an idea you’ll recognize it immediately. It is a creative guide that provides preparation for the ups (finding the perfect mate, embryonic development) and downs (morning sickness, labor pains) of manifestation. And by revealing what to expect when expecting, it supplies motivation to stay the course; to conceive, develop, carry, nurture, protect and ultimately give birth to a brilliant idea.

AutisMate is an iPad app that takes full advantage of modern technology to provide an easy to use solution to help individuals with autism. It was designed in collaboration with numerous speech pathologists, therapists, parents, and teachers from a variety of backgrounds to promote Communication, Functional Skills, and Social Skills.

DeanMark worked with AutisMate developer SpecialNeedsWare to create and develop a brand identity, including primary and secondary color selection, logo design, custom logo animation, and a landing web page. As a part of the web development process, DeanMark provided web hosting and created a mailing list for SpecialNeedsWare.

Going forward, DeanMark will develop a full website for AutisMate and produce multiple marketing and advertising videos.

The most successful companies put a lot of effort into the logo design and branding of their products. In fact, the main marketing team member or sales representative for a product or group of products is known as a “brand manager.” This person holds what is generally regarded as one of the most powerful positions in the company. The brand manager often reports directly to the CEO.

An important point for any company is that proper logo design and branding takes advantage of a consumer phenomenon called “product familiarity.” DeanMark is a creative agency that combines artistic excellence with marketing expertise to provide valuable graphic design solutions.

Most marketing professionals agree that consumers make their purchase decisions largely based on emotion. For instance, consider the question of whether you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Whatever choice you make, why did you make that choice? Most people will say that their choice is “better.” Although they hopefully won’t say so out loud, a part of each person actually feels that their choice is the superior choice, not only for them but for all rational adults.

But if asked for reasons — one choice is healthier than the other, one makes the consumer have better-looking children, one contributes more to world peace — each person is hard-pressed to specify a particular reason. Some self-aware people may say that their favorite flavor happens to be their favorite color, may be the last flavor a deceased parent shared with them, or may be the preferred flavor of their favorite actor. Studies show that emotion rather than intellect is the basis for most decisions, although people are generally unaware of this fact.

One study that attempted to parameterize this phenomenon compared two major cola brands. Statistically, the majority of consumers in any test always chose Brand A, but independent tests showed that Brand B actually tasted better. In other words, consumers chose Brand A even though Brand B was “better.”

The difference between the two brands was advertising. Brand A was advertised much more heavilty than Brand B. In other words, consumers preferred Brand A because the company that manufactured Brand A told them so. Another way to look at this is that superior logo design and branding produced superior sales results.

Companies can take advantage of this consumer behavior toward logo design and branding by allowing a firm like DeanMark to design or redesign their logo. For most products, consumers don’t take the time to carefully research the pros and cons of each product and make comparisons to all the available competitors.

For an inexpensive, commodity product, most consumers will make a brand decision based on the first few seconds of their initial impression. Often this is determined by the logo. A smart company will invest significant time to carefully craft this logo to create the right first impression and maximize their sales. Contact DeanMark today to have a logo designed or modified.

Online video marketing has proven to be more powerful and effective than anyone ever imagined. Particularly in the highly-desired demographics of tween and young adult consumers, videos have provided the all-important hook that advertisers have always desired for their products. When appropriate for the product, video marketing can be one of the most effective ways to attract potential buyers and land the sale. DeanMark employs a full-service, script-to-screen video production team that uses the latest technology and equipment.

The allure of online video marketing has been indicated for many years by the attraction of public video sharing websites. Many could not imagine that anyone would be interested in spending time watching other people’s home movies. Surprisingly, this is exactly what happened. People would film their pets doing inane stunts or pratfalls of their favorite relatives and the result would occasionally become "viral,” bringing millions of unsolicited hits to their web pages. It did not take long for the commercial world to catch the trend, and video sites began to feature movie trailers, blogs from famous actors, and music videos, professional or otherwise.

Today companies can realize an effective marketing advantage by taking advantage of online video marketing either on their own websites or on public video distribution sites. Like any advertising content, the subject matter should be compelling and interesting. This gives many possibilities to those companies that use online video marketing to increase product sales.

Some examples of effective video marketing include the computer company that showed reviews of their products given in video format. They understood that a potential customer’s first desire was to get his hands on a sample of their laptops and work with it, but in lieu of that opportunity, they were happy to watch a video showing a user like themselves trying out the different features of the laptop. This turned out to be much more effective and engaging than showing product still shots, presentation slides, or feature blurbs.

Other companies provided utility through their videos, attracting customers through their service and increasing the good will of the customers to the company. One clever company, which sold replacement parts for do-it-yourself repair of washers and dryers, realized a huge increase in website traffic and subsequent sales by including installation videos for their parts. Previously, they had given extensive written instructions with diagrams, but found that visitors to their websites found that information insufficient to make them feel comfortable doing their own repairs. Many ended up hiring a professional repairman instead. With their video instructions, customers could visual themselves performing the repairs, and they got the confidence they needed to bypass the professional repairmen and purchase parts from the website so they could do it themselves.

Providing entertainment or utility to potential customers has made video marketing an effective advertising strategy for many companies. If you would like to harness the power of video and realize a great return on investment (ROI), please contact DeanMark today for a free consultation or to obtain a quote.

Professional web design can be one of the most important investments a company can make. Premier companies like DeanMark take their years of experience working with a range of clients to produce some of the most attractive and effective websites available. We will also be able to factor in the features of the internet to help maximize traffic, optimize position in search engines, and provide tracking reports for effective marketing management.

Professional web design is sometimes bypassed by inexperienced or underfunded company owners. It is one of those skills for which many feel they have a talent, despite not having any training or expertise.

Particularly when company budgets are tight, a company manager may reason that they would best spend their money by investing in top-notch product design and skimping on the web marketing. After all, they reason, anybody can take pictures of the product, write a little something, and then throw it up on the web. That kind of thinking is a serious marketing error.

Although these days almost anyone can publish on a website, a good rule of thumb may be that perhaps this doesn’t mean that everyone should publish. Some of the “beginner errors” for websites include dubious photos and amateur copy. Some merchants include pictures of their children lovingly cuddling the product.

Others attempt to add interest to their copy by alternating the colors of the rainbow throughout their fonts, or by choosing fonts that use heavy calligraphy or comic-style lettering. Some of the copy might contain unadvised posturing like commands to “Buy My Product Now!” Some even misspell words or use improper grammar on purpose in order to gain sympathy from a customer on the order of “look, I’m an ordinary guy like you."

Even without these rookie mistakes, that last 10% of polish that experts would have given to a website leave it giving the impression to the customer of “Amateur!” This can actually have a negative advertising effect on the customer. For instance, would you buy medicine from a website that misspelled words on purpose? Professional web design and web hosting gives customers the impression that the company is capable and professional. For many customers, it actually makes more of an impression and is more likely to lead to sales than actual information on the product itself.

Professional web design is also essential to take advantage of all of the other aspects of the Internet. For instance, when someone is searching a browser for your product, will you be listed among the first entries in the browser? If not, you will get significantly less traffic than the leaders. Moving your search result higher in the browser is part of the expertise of a professional. DeanMark's web development services include search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM).

For these and other reasons, leaving your web design to the professionals is often the most effective use of your company budget. Contact DeanMark today to learn about how your company can benefit from web development or a website redesign.

Once or twice per year, we make an effort to put together a brief overview of our current services and solutions. This year is no different. Here is a 1-minute video spot that explains what DeanMark can do for you and how you will benefit from our marketing expertise.

As a full-service company, we thought it was important to include samples of work we have done in the areas of marketing, advertising, graphic design, web design, web development, animation, motion graphics, video production, photography, user experience, user interface, and more.

We are proud of our work and always excited to work with new clients like you. Contact DeanMark today if you would like to be our next success story.

Press Release | January 23, 2012

Today, DeanMark announces it has become an authorized reseller of the Google Apps™ suite of communication and collaboration tools. By being officially granted reseller privileges by Google, DeanMark will now be able to provide clients with more complete web development experiences. DeanMark clients will be afforded the opportunity to purchase the inexpensive, yet powerful cloud-computing software as a service (SaaS) directly from the website design firm.

"As a part of our continued dedication to providing clients with solutions that meet all of their needs and exceed their expectations, we added Google Apps to our growing list of in-house technology capabilities," says one DeanMark team member. "Google Apps fits perfectly under the umbrella of DeanMark's web development services and solutions. Furthermore, Google Apps for Business offers a broad set of powerful APIs that enable us to develop highly customized solutions for our clients, who come to us from myriad backgrounds and industries."

Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size — all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs. With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated IM, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

The Google Apps Reseller program includes resellers, consultants, and independent software vendors that sell, service, and customize Google Apps for Business for their customers. DeanMark received training, support, and deployment services from Google, as well as access to APIs for integrating Google Apps into their customers' business operations. DeanMark is able to retain a close relationship with their customers in order to provide additional service and support. Clients receiving Google Apps from DeanMark will benefit from the additional attention to their specific needs.

For more information on DeanMark Google Apps capabilities please visit www.DeanMarkInc.com/Google-Apps and to learn more about the Google Apps Reseller program, go to www.Google.com/A.

About DeanMark:

DeanMark is a Center City Philadelphia-based multimedia marketing and production firm that specializes in Photography, Video Production, Graphic Design, and Web Development services and solutions. By integrating these visual solutions, we take an innovative approach to satisfying our clients' needs.

For questions or official comment, please contact Press@DeanMarkInc.com.

Google, Google Apps, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Video are trademarks of Google Inc.

DeanMark is registered servicemark of DeanMark Inc.

Press Release | January 2, 2012

DeanMark Inc., the Philadelphia-based creative agency that specializes in multimedia marketing and production, has moved to the heart of the Center City Philadelphia business district.

DeanMark will utilize beautiful and spacious offices and conference rooms on the 36th Floor of One Liberty Place.

The new address is: DeanMark Inc., One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103

The toll-free phone number remains unchanged: 1-855-DEANMARK (332-6627)

The website at http://www.DeanMarkInc.com remains unchanged.

"This is a big step for us, and we're proud to be joining the Center City Philadelphia and Liberty Place communities," says Founder and CEO Stephen Stewart. "We considered quite a few different spaces before making our decision. Ultimately, One Liberty Place was the best fit. The space boasts modern decor and its infrastructure is state-of-the-art. Furthermore, we now have access to numerous conference and meeting rooms, which will improve our clients' experiences."

For questions or official comment, please contact Press@DeanMarkInc.com.

Check out DeanMark's latest and greatest video reel — Sports & Live Interviews! It includes our coverage of competitive athletic events, live concerts and performances, community service events, corporate functions, and other interviews. We put this together to show you some of the cool things we are doing documentary-wise for our clients.

DeanMark guides clients step-by-step through the entire production process from idea conception to delivery of the final product. DeanMark will streamline your production process. We handle all of your visual needs in-house and coordinate seamlessly with any necessary subcontractors and outside vendors.

We're proud of our creative cinematography and video editing skills. No project is too big for us to handle. Check out the cameos by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, tennis legend Venus Williams, and track and field all-star Asafa Powell!

Auto iCare is an iOS/iPad application that digitizes and streamlines the automobile check-in process at dealership service centers. The application makes quick intake and upselling easy and stores all information in a central database. Auto iCare includes innovative features, such as the ability to take photographs of vehicle damage with the iPad's camera.

The application's developers sought out DeanMark to create a brand identity via a logo design. As a part of the trademark, DeanMark came up with a catchy marketing slogan, "Fine tuning the service experience." Also, DeanMark produced a 1-minute video spot that introduces the application and some of its features. We used some vintage stock footage and some very slick modern-day motion graphics in this one. Check out the video advertisement below!

Auto iCare should be available soon. Be sure to visit the Auto iCare website for more information and updates.

McClanahan Powers, PLLC, is a full-service legal firm for business and commercial law, intellectual property and estate planning. Based in Fairfax County, Virginia, near the legislative and intellectual property hubs of Washington, D.C., the firm represents clients nationwide.

DeanMark was commissioned to brand the firm via a logo design project. The firm partners were interested in a modern feel that maintained the elegance and prestige generally associated with the practice of law. The logo will also serve as the registered servicemark of McClanahan Powers.

United Planning Organization (UPO) is the designated community action agency for Washington, DC. It operates a wide variety of human service programs for youths, seniors, low-income residents, and more.

DeanMark team members directed and edited a 30-second promotional video to increase awareness of UPO and its mission in the Greater Washington D.C. area. Our cinematographers shot footage of classes, volunteer events, and other activities. The final product is below. It was distributed through various outlets, including a rotation on the big screen at MLB's Washington Nationals games.

Please visit UPO's website for more information about the organization.

BrotherSpanky is a versatile musician, producer, and vocalist from Washington D.C. In recent years, he has independently released a number of well-received projects.

Recently, DeanMark completed a promotional music video for a single on his latest EP. BrotherSpanky describes the project as "a culmination of love songs I had written over the past several years." The video is a mere visual accompaniment to the music—following no single narrative. Check it out:

For show booking and other music-related inquiries, please contact the artist directly. If you are considering a video production solution, feel free to reach out to us for a consultation or quote.

Neo-Jaliya is a spoken word and storytelling duo from Washington D.C., consisting of friends Brion Gill and Sarai Abdul-Malik. The duo shares their craft with young children through innovative programs, workshops, and curricula.

DeanMark created a promotional video that gives background information on Neo-Jaliya and highlights the many wonderful aspects of this creative pedagogy. Check out the final product:

If you are considering a video production solution, feel free to reach out to us for a consultation or quote. For program information and other inquiries, please email Neo-Jaliya directly.

Washington D.C.-based Hip-Hop emcee Alcázar Welkin is an independent artist who distributes most of his music via the Internet. His music is available via various distribution channels, including the popular BandCamp platform.

Recently, Alcázar hired DeanMark to create a music video to promote the lead single on his latest project. Shot entirely in the nation's capital, the video tells the story of Alcázar and a love interest. Take a look at the video below:

If you are considering a video production solution, feel free to reach out to us for a consultation or quote. For show booking and other music-related inquiries, please contact the artist directly.

The Greater Washington Urban League is a major interracial, nonpartisan, nonprofit social services and civil rights organization with headquarters in the District of Columbia and offices in the District and Prince George's County, Maryland.

DeanMark cinematographers were brought in on a contract to increase awareness of GWUL's "You, Me, We, D.C." campaign via online video marketing. Our team shot promo footage of some of Washington D.C.'s most prominent members of society, including the mayor. Take a look at the end product:

Visit GWUL's website for more information on the organization. Contact DeanMark to get started with your next video production project.

Ramzy & The Brothers Handsome is a musical trio from Washington D.C., consisting of long-time friends Ramzy, John, and Jason. Their style is unique and the band is comfortable exploring a number of genres.

Recently, DeanMark completed a promotional video with which the band will market themselves to venues across the country. The video is essentially a mini-documentary that tells the individual stories of the three band members and the formation of the group. Take a look:

If you are considering a video production solution, feel free to reach out to us for a consultation or quote. For show booking and other music-related inquiries, please email the band directly.

Memorable video production involves more than a hand-held camera and a microphone. DeanMark team members have university-level fine arts training in film & video scripting, cinematography (lighting & rigging), non-linear editing, motion graphics, and animation. We guarantee professional results—every time. Choose DeanMark for:

•  HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO: We provide stunning video in full HD, including 1080p, 1080i, and 720p.


•  CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY: Technology is always evolving; we maintain the latest hardware.


•  HIGH-SPEED STREAMING: We deliver video optimized for popular websites such as YouTube and Vimeo.

Here's our latest video production reel:

More information on DeanMark Video Production Services

Professional photography is much more than owning a decent camera. Our team has university-level fine arts training in the traditional principles of photography and print-making, including various film formats and darkroom techniques. Additionally, we are pioneers of the latest technological developments in digital photography, digital photo editing, and lighting. We offer the best of both worlds. Choose DeanMark for:

•  BUSINESS-MINDED ARTISTS: We strike a balance between creativity and proven methods for success.


•  VERSATILITY BEHIND THE LENS: We have experience in virtually all genres of mainstream photography.


•  TOP-OF-THE-LINE EQUIPMENT: We use the industry standards for reliability and consistent results.

More information on DeanMark Photography Services

Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) connects people and businesses with nonprofits that need help. They direct individuals to appropriate volunteer opportunities, and help companies invest in their employees by creating and managing successful corporate volunteer programs and developing civic leaders.

DeanMark cinematographers directed and edited mini-documentary promotional video to increase awareness of BVU and its mission in the Greater Baltimore Area. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, BVU connected Target Stores with a local elementary school in Baltimore. Please enjoy the final product:

Please visit BVU's website for more information about the organization.

This past December, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) had its annual summit in downtown Washington D.C at the Marriott Hotel. This year's theme was social networking. A series of events introduced members to the many advantages of the growing phenomenon.

To finish off the summit, SHRM invited all the attendees to a "Twilight TweetUp." The event was part after-party, part Social Networking 101, and included funky music, an IPad give-away, and tons of tweeting. DeanMark cinematographer Wildersee Harris was present to create a video record of all the festivities.

"I needed a kit small enough to allow me to be mobile and maneuver through a crowed room of people. Thus, I used the Canon EOS 7D and the Canon EF 35mm prime lens. In the dimly-lit party hall, I raised the 7D's ISO to 3200, which allowed me to capture properly exposed video with negligible image quality loss. I opened the iris of the 35mm prime lens to f/2.0, which created a shallow depth of field and some really beautiful shots."

SHRM will use the final product to 1.) allow attendees to relive the fun times and 2.) to attract a larger crowd for their future events. Please follow DeanMark on Twitter for useful news and updates.

The legendary Twins Jazz Lounge, located in the heart of downtown Washington D.C., was the venue for an intimate set by the up-and-coming music trio, Ramzy & The Brothers Handsome.

The band played for a little over three hours, while patrons relaxed and enjoyed the music, a few drinks, and the company of friends. DeanMark cinematographer Wildersee Harris was on location, compiling footage for a video tour package with which the band will market themselves to venues across the country.

"I made a strategic decision to pack lightly. In this case, I took just the trusty Canon EOS 7D, a Canon EF 35mm lens, and a backup camera. The light rig gave me maximum mobility, which allowed me to move freely around the band as they performed. The sound picked up by the 7D's internal microphone allowed me to get plenty of reference audio for mixing in post production. The EF 35mm prime lens was key in such a dimly-lit lounge; I opened up the iris to f/2.0 in order to accommodate."

Look out for the finished product "Ramzy & The Brothers Handsome at Twins Jazz" in the coming weeks and please view the trailer now.

Photojournalism is one of the most demanding tasks a photographer could face. He or she is expected to produce images that are timely; tell a meaningful narrative; and are still of the same caliber as those shot in a relaxed, studio environment. Everything happens once; the subjects do not hold their poses while the focus is adjusted. Lighting is uncontrollable and often horrible. However, overcoming all of this adversity to achieve the perfect photograph makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable and rewarding.

This past October, R&B duo The Foreign Exchange teamed up with director Matt Koza for a two-day, multi-city music video shoot for the lead single on their latest LP, Authenticity.

Consisting of rapper/singer/songwriter Phonte and producer Nicolay, The Foreign Exchange came together via the online hip-hop community Okayplayer.com in 2002. After trading files through Instant Messenger for over a year, Nicolay (living in his native Holland at the time) and Phonte (a Raleigh, NC resident) completed their debut album before they ever met each other in person. The album, "Connected," was released in 2004 to positive reviews, and was praised by legendary DJ's such as Jazzy Jeff, King Britt, and DJ Spinna for its inventive mix of hip-hop, R&B, and electronica.

Their sophomore album, "Leave It All Behind" (2008) found The Foreign Exchange much closer in geography (Nicolay becoming a resident of Wilmington, NC), but located much further from their hip-hop origins. On the strength of their exhilarating live show and several nationally programmed music videos, "Leave It All Behind" became the group's most successful album to date, culminating in a Grammy-nomination for the album's first single, "Daykeeper".

Bio via theforeignexchangemusic.com

Production locations included beautiful spots in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park and the sandy beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey. DeanMark photographer Stephen Stewart was behind-the-scenes with the cast and crew, documenting every step of the process.

"I have been shooting for The Foreign Exchange since 2008. They are one of my favorite R&B music groups and great people to boot. When you combine that with how much I enjoy photojournalism, you get two very exciting days. The final product came out great. Kudos to artists Phonte & Nicolay, Director Matt Koza, Executive Producer Aimee Flint, and the rest of the cast and crew."

A few of Stephen's favorite behind-the-scenes photos are below. Also, please check out the final product.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession.

DeanMark videographers documented the organization's multi-day annual conference for HR professionals. The conference's theme was Social Networking, and including exciting events like a TweetUp. Take a look at all of the action:

Check out SHRM's website for more information on their mission. For a free video production consultation, contact DeanMark.

This past June, soulful musician Zo! teamed up with director Matt Koza and artists Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington, and Rapper Big Pooh for a music video shoot for the lead single on his latest LP, SunStorm.

Multi-Instrumentalist/Producer Zo! is Detroit-area born and raised Lorenzo Ferguson. Music was always present in and around the Ferguson house, which led to Zo! taking piano lessons at age 6… which he absolutely despised. The idea of working toward a Major League Baseball career served as the greatest inspiration through his teenage years much more so than the concept of practicing music. After his parents consistently pushed and encouraged him to stick with music, Zo! discovered a newfound passion by teaching himself how to play piano by ear by age 11. Zo! got his production start in 1992 when his parents brought home a Proteus MPS keyboard and a Brother PDC100 sequencer for him to figure out. Since then, he has emphasized the use of live instrumentation as the blueprint for his music while constantly looking to expand his sound with each album release.

Bio via theforeignexchangemusic.com

Production took place in one of Philadelphia's most exclusive night club spots. Some of the Philly music scene's most recognizable faces made cameos. DeanMark photographer Stephen Stewart was behind-the-scenes with the cast and crew, documenting every step of the process.

"Zo! is one of the most under-appreciated smooth R&B/Soul producers. His composition and instrumentation is second to none. I only had one prime lens in my bag, which limited some of my coverage. However, I got to do one of my favorite things: turn off the flash and crank up the ISO. Kudos to Zo!, Eric, Darien, Pooh, Director Matt Koza, Executive Producer Aimee Flint, and the rest of the cast and crew."

A few of Stephen's favorite behind-the-scenes photos are below. Also, please check out the final product.

This past April, soulful singer YahZarah teamed up with director Matt Koza for a multi-location music video shoot for the lead single on her latest LP, The Ballad of Purple Saint James.

YahZarah
 (born 
Dana 
Nicole 
Williams)
 is 
a 
classically
 trained
 R & B 
singer‐songwriter
 based
 out 
of 
Durham,
 NC.
 
Her 
stage
name, 
a 
dedication 
to 
her
 grandmothers
 Yah 
and 
Sarah, 
roughly
 translates
 to 
''Queen
 Mother 
is 
the 
brightest
 star'' in 
Arabic.


Born
 and 
raised
 in 
Washington 
DC, 
YahZarah
 started
 singing
 at 
the 
age 
of
 7
 in 
her
 church
 choir.
 Her
 love 
for 
performance
 began
 after 
winning 
a 
youth 
talent 
search
 at
 the 
Kennedy
 Center 
at 
age 
10. 
After
 years
 of
 honing
 her
 talent 
in 
churches,
 talent
 shows
 and 
local 
concerts,
 she 
entered 
high 
school
 at
 DC’s
 prestigious
 Duke 
Ellington
 School
 of
 the
 Arts.
 
Upon 
graduation 
in 
1997,
 she
 was
 accepted
 to 
North
 Carolina
 Central
 University
 in 
Durham 
on 
a 
full
 scholarship
 to 
the 
school’s
 jazz 
program.
 In
 1998, 
she
 left
 NC
 Central
 and
 began
 touring
 as
 a
 background
 singer 
for 
Erykah 
Badu. While 
touring,
 YahZarah 
contributed
 background
 vocals 
and 
vocal
 arrangements to Badu's platinum-selling "Mama's Gun" LP. In 2001, she left the Mama's Gun tour and went on to pursue her solo career.

Bio via theforeignexchangemusic.com

Production locations included Philadelphia's famous Silk City Bar Diner & Lounge and the campus of Drexel University. DeanMark photographer Stephen Stewart was behind-the-scenes with the cast and crew, documenting every step of the process.

"YahZarah is a singer who always turns heads. No one expects such a powerful voice to emanate from a relatively small woman. She truly takes away your breath. The video concept was a homage to the 80s cartoon series 'Jem and the Holograms' and included great chroma key work and choreographed dance sequences. Kudos to YahZarah, Director Matt Koza, Executive Producer Aimee Flint, and the rest of the cast and crew."

A few of Stephen's favorite behind-the-scenes photos are below. Also, please check out the final product.

Photojournalism is one of the most demanding tasks a photographer could face. He or she is expected to produce images that are timely; tell a meaningful narrative; and are still of the same caliber as those shot in a relaxed, studio environment. Everything happens once; the subjects do not hold their poses while the focus is adjusted. Lighting is uncontrollable and often horrible. However, overcoming all of this adversity to achieve the perfect photograph makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable and rewarding.

This past April, music producer/writer Dave Tozer teamed up with artists Musiq Soulchild and Jazmine Sullivan and Producer/Arranger Larry Gold to create the record "Find Me" for Musiq's latest album.

Dave Tozer is a producer, songwriter and musician. He has worked with several R&B, Hip-Hop, Rock and Pop artists including John Legend, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, Natasha Bedingfield, Musiq Soulchild, Estelle, Jazmine Sullivan and Elliott Yamin.

Hailing from Bridgeton, New Jersey, Tozer taught himself guitar, bass and keyboard. After moving to Philadelphia in the late 1990s, Tozer honed his production skills at various Philadelphia-area studios and began working as a freelance musician playing everything from Hip-Hop and Rock to R&B and Pop. [Among other endeavors,] Tozer contributed to eight tracks on John Legend‘s Grammy Award-winning major label debut Get Lifted and his writing skills garnered him a publishing deal with Viacom-owned Famous Music Publishing.

Bio via Wikipedia

The recording session took place at Larry Gold's state-of-the-art facility "The Studio"—an artist favorite in Philadelphia. DeanMark photographer Stephen Stewart had all-access to the happenings.

"Dave Tozer is an extremely focused artist, with an incredible gift for music composition—whether it is writing of producing. Musiq Soulchild and Jazmine Sullivan are two vocalists whose commercial success speaks for itself. Larry Gold is a music legend who has had a hand in many of your favorite records and albums; you probably just do not know it. Witnessing these folks collaborate, while hearing the sounds of The Roots working in the adjacent studio, was an exhilarating experience."

A few of Stephen's favorite photos are below.

Photojournalism is one of the most demanding tasks a photographer could face. He or she is expected to produce images that are timely; tell a meaningful narrative; and are still of the same caliber as those shot in a relaxed, studio environment. Everything happens once; the subjects do not hold their poses while the focus is adjusted. Lighting is uncontrollable and often horrible. However, overcoming all of this adversity to achieve the perfect photograph makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable and rewarding.

This past March, Jazz musician Ramsey Lewis teamed up with the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Africana Studies and Professor Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr. for the Penn Music Department's biannual presentation of an Artist in Residence.

Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. (born May 27, 1935) is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received five gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.

Lewis was born in Chicago, Illinois. He began taking piano lessons at the age of four. At 15 he joined his first jazz band, The Cleffs. The trio started as primarily a jazz unit and released their first album, Ramsey Lewis And The Gentlemen of Swing, in 1956. By 1966, Lewis was one of the nation’s most successful jazz pianists, topping the charts with "The In Crowd", "Hang On Sloopy", and "Wade in the Water". All three singles each sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs. Many of his recordings attracted a large non-jazz audience.

Bio via Wikipedia

The culmination of the master class series was Lewis performing music from his latest recording project. The performance took place at Penn's Zellerbach Theater of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. DeanMark photographer Stephen Stewart had all-access to the festivities.

"When you talk about the titans of Jazz, Ramsey Lewis must be among them. He has been going strong for more than five decades—always giving listeners something fresh to throw on their phonographs or MP3 players. The concert hall was packed full of fans of all ages, gathered to hear the legend Ramsey Lewis speak and play. It was an honor to be in attendance."

A few of Stephen's favorite photos are below.

Impressive graphic design is about more than cool logos. DeanMark possesses the necessary tools for successful brand placement and effective marketing campaign development. Our team combines university-level training in marketing and computer science engineering with real-word experience in information technology and digital media design. Please do not gamble with your future. Choose DeanMark for:

•  CREATIVE BRANDING: We increase brand equity by making you appealing and memorable.


•  FULL SERVICE: We can take you from idea conception through printing and delivery of a final product.


•  WEB 2.0, CMS, & SEO: We develop beautiful, easy-to-use websites and help build search relevance.

More information on DeanMark Graphic Design Services

The mission of Ase Academy is to create a community of young leaders who are committed to personal excellence, community development, and the successful completion of high school and continuing education. Ase Academy utilizes collegiate mentors and interdisciplinary programming to engage underserved urban youth and their families in meaningful and measurable academic and cultural enrichment and leadership opportunities.

DeanMark worked on a website redesign for the nonprofit organization. Our team implemented a web hosting solution, web content management system, and a website with features that include featured content slider, blog, online admissions applications, and contact forms.

Full website: AseAcademy.org

Lion's Story's mission is to develop and support lifelong learning and empowerment programs, particularly for traditionally underserved communities. By collaborating with schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, and community partners Lion's Story helps to develop and assess curriculum and programs, create strategic plans and program evaluation models, provide operations consultation, and design funding and marketing plans.

The nonprofit organization was in need of a basic, informational website that would serve as contact point for those interested in the Lion's Story mission. DeanMark developed and launched a simple, easy-to-navigate website in only a few business days. The website included an intuitive contact form.

Full website: LionsStory.com

Higher Learning: Maximizing Your College Experience is a 240-page guide designed to help current and future post-secondary students better understand what it takes to get through college, taking full advantage of every opportunity and resource along the way. More than just a book, Higher Learning is an interactive strategic planner combining internet resources, personalized planning tips, peer support networks, and a wealth of advice to help students in and out of the classroom.

Brian Peterson, the author of Higher Learning, contracted DeanMark to create an online presence for the book. Our developers and designers worked together to create a customized solution, which included a content management system, web hosting, an interactive blog, social media marketing, and integration of e-commerce.

Full website: LearnHigher.com