Mellon & Co. is pleased to welcome two new hires to the Mellon & Co. family. The Western New York Web design company recently hired former intern Emily Ciraolo, an integrated marketing communications (IMC) master’s student at St. Bonaventure University, and Kathy Coulter, an administrative expert and avid volunteer.

Ciraolo, who holds a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication from St. Bonaventure, worked as an intern from March to May, and was asked to join employee status as the assistant marketing director after demonstrating a high level of understanding in the IMC field.

As an intern and employee, Ciraolo continues to gain valuable experience in the fields of online communication and Web site content management.

Ciraolo comes from diverse background having previously interned for both for-profit and not-for-profit companies, including National Fuel Gas Co. in its corporate communications department in Williamsville, N.Y., and BonaResponds, St. Bonaventure’s volunteer disaster-relief organization, as it’s public relations director. In addition, Ciraolo served as the 2008-09 president of American Advertising Federation for St. Bonaventure’s advertising firm, The Stalwart Group.

While completing her master’s, she continues to work as a graduate assistant in St. Bonaventure’s office of communications.

In May, Mellon & Co. welcomed another new member, Kathy Coulter, as client services coordinator.

Coulter comes from a rich background in the field of customer relations and possesses excellent interpersonal skills. In addition to her duties at Mellon & Co., she currently works as the membership secretary at the Olean Family YMCA. She previously worked as an administrative assistant at the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services. In addition, Coulter has a wide-range of experience at a variety of business offices, including Western New York several law and social services offices. She holds an associate’s degree in administration and computer programming from New Kensington Commercial School in New Kensington, Pa.

Outside of work, Coulter, a mother of two boys, has devoted much of her time to volunteering in the local community. She currently serves as chairperson of Staff Parish Relations Committee at Christ United Methodist Church and also as a Leadership Team member at the church.

For more information on Mellon and Co., visit mellonco.com or contact Rachel Blovsky, marketing director, at (716) 372-5996.

There is something for everyone! Visit Ellicottvilleny.com and find information on everything from Amish trails to area casinos and nightlife, exhibits and museums, and a variety of sports.

Through photo galleries and videos, site users will discover all that Ellicottville and the surrounding areas have to offer on the new Web site recently commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce and designed by Mellon & Co.

This new, well-organized site, Ellicottvilleny.com, is an efficient tool for locals as well as tourists—something everyone should take advantage of.

Site visitors can easily navigate the site and quickly find information on local events, businesses, dining, and shops.

Out-of-town guests can browse through the “Accommodations” section and find a place to stay for a night, a vacation or longer by searching through a wide range of bed-and-breakfasts, camp grounds, condos and hotels and motels.

The business directory feature allows site users to search using categories and access the contact and address information and even directions to the place they are looking for—whether that is a restaurant, hotel or spa.

To stay on top of Ellicottville happenings, news and information, users can sign up for the Chamber newsletter by simply entering their e-mail address on Ellicottvilleny.com using a secure form.

For more information on the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, visit Ellicottvilleny.com or contact them directly, at (716) 699-5046.

For more information on Mellon and Co., visit mellonco.com or contact Rachel Blovsky, marketing director, at (716) 372-5996.

Mellon & Co. is pleased to announce the launch of its new Web site at mellonco.com.

The new Web site is easy to use and navigate. Site visitors can learn about the many Web design and marketing solutions Mellon & Co. offers for any business needs. Visitors can check out the updated portfolio feature, displaying recent projects. They can find all the information they need, including our downloadable media, with a few simple clicks.

Prospective customers can download our proposal planner. Once they have filled it out, Mellon & Co. can start to prepare a quote based on their wants and needs. And if they’re interested in learning more about other projects, the business or Mellon & Co., they can download forms for it all, giving them the information they need right at their fingertips. All they have to do is hit print!

Site visitors can also check out Mellon & Co.’s Facebook and Twitter pages via links on the homepage. Like before, they can also check for recent news by viewing the blog.

But, that’s not all. Mellon & Co. plans to launch two additional Web sites: one for its highly intuitive content management system, Mellon EditPro, and another for the technology sector the company, MellonTech.

Mellon EditPro allows customers to create, modify, organize and remove content from their Web sites. It is one of the best ways to provide their customers with fresh information all while saving time and money.

MellonTech offers technology support, computer repairs and sales as well as consulting for all computer-related needs.

Mellon & Co. is interested in feedback on the new Web site. E-mail the company at info@mellonco.com, visit mellonco.com or contact Rachel Blovsky, marketing director, at (716) 372-5996.

12 months. 12 songs. 1 goal.

In January, Mae, an American rock band formed in 2001, released its fourth album, “The House That Fire Built.”

But it’s not just an album or song title. It’s a mission.

Mae has teamed up Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit that believes every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live and has built more than 300,000 houses around the world. The band will donate all of the album proceeds to build a home for Rhonda Floyd and her three children in Newport News, Virginia.

Mae and Mellon & Co. are asking you to help by visiting whatismae.com. You will write the story, follow the roadmap and, last but not least, donate and download.

Each month, Mae will release a song. Web site visitors can listen to the songs for free or donate at least $1 for a download. Since Jan. 1, the band has released two songs, “The House That Fire Built” and “Boomerang,” raising over $12,000. Over the course of the next 10 months, the band hopes to reach $65,000.

In the meantime, fans will get to know the Floyd family, watch the progress as their home is built and by next December have collected all 12 songs to complete the album.

But Mae doesn’t plan on stopping with this project. With the help of Mellon & Co., the band is committed to funding humanitarian projects around the world and plans to keep their fans updated through whatismae.com.

“Like a fire that spreads without boundaries, we can ignite a change in this world if we work together,” Mae posted on whatismae.com. “Take this music and this mission and run with it.”

Mae started when Jacob Marshall, drums, and Dave Elkins, vocals and guitar, wrote their first song, “Embers and Envelopes,” in Marshall’s living room. The band’s name is an acronym for Multi-sensory Aesthetic Experience based on a college course taken by Marshall.

In 2003, the band signed with Tooth and Nail Records and released its first album, Destination: Beautiful. In 2005, Mae released its second album, The Everglow, which peaked at No. 51 on The Billboard Top 200.

The band split from Tooth and Nail in 2006. Mae released its third album, Singularity, with Capitol Records in 2007. Singularity peaked at No. 40 on The Billboard Top 200.

In 2008, Mae split from Capitol Records. The band is currently run independently. Current members include: Marshall, Elkins, Zach Gehring on guitar and David Pogge on drums.

To check out Mae’s project and listen to its music, visit whatismae.com. Download any of their songs for a small donation, or tune in to the media player located on the page.

Mellon & Co. is doing its part the best way it knows how—integrated marketing communications. The Olean, N.Y.-based company has agreed to partially fund the What Is Mae project by developing the Web site and other marketing communications projects.

Join the cause, make a difference and help spread the fire. Visit whatismae.com.

For more information on Mellon & Co., visit mellonco.com.

Mellon & Co. announces the launch of a brand new Web site for Custom Creations Fine Jewelry. Based out of Olean, N.Y., Custom Creations takes your thoughts and designs your dreams, creating jewelry as unique as you.

Custom Creations, a full-service jewelry store, sells jewelry for any occasion. The store’s owners Terry and Marianne Klein have more than three decades of experience in the industry. Terry holds certificates in diamonds and diamond grading from the Gemological Institute of America. Custom Creations currently employs three full- time bench jewelers, including Terry.

The online store allows visitors to easily browse the shop’s unique collection of platinum bridal rings, wedding bands, Celtic jewelry, diamond fashions, birthstone jewelry, colored gemstone fashions and religious jewelry. For fun or some help making an important purchase, shoppers can click on the stone of the month feature, gift giving guide or jewelers’ tips.

A secure shopping basket makes purchases safe and convenient. Shoppers can easily contact the store through an E-mail form or call the store directly for help.

With Mellon EditPro, a content management system (CMS) from Mellon & Co., the Kleins have full access to the Web site. New items can be added and updated and orders can be processed with just a few clicks. An inventory system manages online purchases against in-store stock to help ensure all sales are filled and quality customer service is maintained.

If you are shopping for that special someone or want to treat yourself, visit ccgem.net. For more information on how Mellon & Co. can help you, visit mellonco.com. 

Mellon & Co. announces the launch of Daff Dry Good’s Web site at daffevl.com. Daff Dry Goods offers clothing, accessories and footwear from around the country, fitting for any cowgirl, cowboy or little buckaroo.

Inspired by friendship and the Old West, mother-daughter duo and Daff’s owners Laura and Arlene Solly hoped to capture the American pioneer spirit and bring it to Ellicottville, N.Y. They invite you to visit the Web site or take a trip to Ellicottville, join their story and become inspired.

As displayed on the user-friendly Web site, Daff’s offers quality goods from designer names. Women’s clothing and accessories feature Tasha Polizzi, Cripple Creek, Montana Leather, Patricia Wolfe and Scully. Collections of sportswear and outerwear include Icelandic Designs, Nomadic Traders, Patagonia, Royal Robins, Tianello Tencel and Wooly Bully Fleece. Men’s clothing and accessories feature Patagonia, Pendleton and Royal Robbins. Outdoor wear includes selections from Outback Trading Company, Scully and Cripple Creek. Children’s clothing showcases matching raincoats, backpacks, boots and umbrellas to keep little ones dry and looking stylish.

Selected footwear styles for men, women and children feature Ariat, Blundstone, Born, Dansko, Earth, El Naturalista, J-41, Simple, Teva and UGG Australia.

Visitors to the custom-designed Web site can shop with an easy-to-use shopping cart feature, purchase gift cards, follow Daff’s blog and register to join the mailing list. With a few clicks and simple E-mail form, visitors can contact the store with questions and comments.

Mellon and Co. has equipped the Solly’s with Mellon EditPro, giving them easy access to all pages on the site with the content management system (CMS). Now, it’s easy to update content and feature new designers, items and events, like the March Midnight Madness Sale on March 7. Visit daffevl.com for more information or to see what Mellon & Co. can do for you visit mellonco.com.

 

Ever wonder why your site isn’t showing up in Google? Lacking practices in search engine optimization (SEO) could be the answer. Many people are unaware of the power of SEO as a marketing tool. A Web site is one of your most valuable marketing tools, but if people can’t find it when the search the Internet, it’s value is limited.

Mellon & Co. offers intuitive and strategic consulting and implementation of SEO practices for the major search engines. We found a great article from Marketing Today explaining the importance of SEO for your business. It may be viewed here, and we’ve pulled out some of the main points below.

Search engines play a dominant role in B2B purchases.

When asked if they would use a search engine at some point in this task, 95.5 percent of participants indicated that they would.

When asked if they would use a search engine at some point in this task, 95.5 percent of participants indicated that they would.

Search engines are used in the early or mid research phase in the buying cycle.

Google is favored over other search engines.

Search engine research takes place at least one to two months before the buying decision.

Good balance between organic and paid search is necessary. Organic SEO gets over 70 percent of the clicks.

Position is a factor.

Most users decide which listing to click on in seconds upon scanning the page.

 

Source: Paul J. Breumer. Marketing Today, The Importance of SEO/Search Engine Marketing for B2B Marketers

Mellon & Co. is excited to announce the web launch showcasing the work of nationally celebrated mural artist, Meg Saligman.Almost everyone living in this area has noticed the beautiful cherub mural on Olean’s West State Street. The mural is the work of Meg Saligman, an artist who grew up in Olean and is now nationally celebrated. Meg went from Olean to Washington University, School of Fine Arts, in St. Louis, MO, where she graudated with a B.F.A. with a major in painting.Now a Philadelphia resident, Meg has spent her career solely focused in the arts, designing and executing magnificent public art work in the form of grand building-side murals. From meticulously planned building-side murals, to random street art, to pieces hung on gallery walls, Meg’s work hauntingly mystifies, by offering a subtle glimpse away from the “norm,” into reality beyond what appears to be. Viewers are sure to walk away feeling the impact of experiencing the art.The creative team of Mellon & Co. spent time with Meg at her studio and out on the streets in Philadelphia to see her work. Meg has an expansive range of art that the team was invited to see. From gallery pieces to street art, they gathered preliminary information, and were given a glimpse into the world of Meg’s art. This, ultimately, led to the fulfillment of a complete Web site telling Meg’s story and displaying her works. The site may be viewed at www.MegSaligman.com. Future efforts to include original flash design by Meg, public relations, as well as even more information are underway.Meg painted her first mural in 1989 with the Philadelphia Anti Graffiti Network. Her major works include Philadelphia’s landmark “Common Threads,” “Philadelphia Muses,” “Theatre of Life,” and the new “Passing Through” wall that can be seen looming over a major Philadelphia expressway. Her work can also be seen in the national and international arena of public art, from a fresco in Mexico City to the largest publicly funded mural project in the United States in Shreveport, Louisiana.In 2006, Saligman was featured as one of ten muralists from throughout the country who has been influential in the past decade in the national publication, Public Art Review. She has numerous awards that include honors from The National Endowment of the Arts, The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Philadelphia’s Leeway Foundation. And I’ve been featured in many national publications, including National Geographic and Art in America.To learn more about Meg Saligman, visit www.MegSaligman.com.

March 7, 2008 – Ann McCauley, an emerging women’s literature author from Pennsylvania, will be speaking at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at the Olean Public Library in celebration of the release of her new novel, Runaway Grandma, and Women’s History Month.McCauley, a retired psychiatric nurse with a certificate in gerontology, will be reading excerpts from her book and speaking about the issues it addresses.Runaway Grandma is the story of seventy-year-old Olivia Hampton, a widowed retired school teacher who meticulously plans a fake suicide. She believes her son is plotting to have her declared incompetent to gain control of her finances. She moves to a distant state with a new identity but life has a way of refusing to let her be.McCauley believes that financial elder abuse is a definite problem in America today, explaining that it is not uncommon for adult children to want their inheritances while they are still young enough to enjoy it.McCauley will also be sharing details of the writing contest “Runaway Giveaway” she is holding. Prizes for winning submissions include a $50 savings bond for children and signed copies of the book for adults.The event will also include a large-screen debut of her new website, developed by Mellon & Co., and refreshments will be served. To learn more about McCauley, her books and the contest, visit her website at www.annmccauley.com.

After completing a strategic marketing plan, Mellon & Co. has launched a new Web site for Total Piping Solutions, Inc. (TPS), viewable at www.tps.us.TPS is a substantial manufacturer and distributer of innovative pipe joining and repair products throughout North America, with a mission of delivering high quality, innovative, time saving and inventory reducing products for the water, wastewater, and industrial markets, whicle providing unparalleled customer service and product support.Mellon & Co. has worked on several smaller manufacturing projects, but TPS hails as the largest manufacturer on its client roster.“We worked to create a solid corporate image for TPS,” said Kate Wolcott, director of creative services at Mellon & Co. “It’s always a different set of rules when marketing and designing for the manufacturing world. We tried to keep in mind, through marketing plans and design strategies, that this is a widely viewed site with lengthy information that needs to maintain a corporate look and feel. The clean edges and corporate color scheme, along with user-friendly structure, really spruced up the visual branding for TPS.”For information about TPS, visit the new site.