We think that The Wrap's list of the "Top 25 Must-Follow Media Insiders" is right on. And we promise it’s not just because Rex is the third insider listed. Why does The Wrap's Dylan Stableford believe media-obsessed Twitter users should follow Rex? Dylan says it’s because, “Hammock, aside from running a custom publishing operation in Nashville, is a serial adopter of new media tools (as evidenced by his one-letter Twitter handle) and has plenty of worthwhile opinions on them, and others.”

Yes, we knew all that about Rex. We're just glad more Twitter users are now catching on.

Spring always lures Hammock folk outdoors, and after this particularly long, cold grey winter, we are all hungering for some sunshine and balmier weather.

That hunger is pretty literal for a number of us who like to put in gardens or who participate in the active and—dare I say, growing—community supported agriculture, or CSA, movement, or who have a few square feet to put in their own garden.

Continue reading "In Spring, Our Fancies Turn …" »

On April 3, the iPad era will begin. And yes, Rex will be at the Apple store early that morning to pick up the one he has reserved. That should be no surprise. On his blog, Rex has become noted for his accurate predictions about what the iPad would be, starting back in July 2006. He even Photoshopped a concept of the device in November 2007. And a year ago, he miscalculated the date it would be announced, but came pretty close to describing the device, down to the pricing.

As Rex and I are the resident Mac-heads in the office, I thought I'd use this "count-down week" to interview him about why he believes the iPad is such a big deal -- especially when it comes to the business we're in: Custom media and content marketing.

Continue reading "What the iPad Means for Content Marketers" »

At Hammock, we're currently re-thinking the design, content -- even the role -- of our company's primary website.

That's not unusual. We've been rethinking it constantly since we first launched it in 1995.

I used to think a website -- the design and structure part -- should last for a couple of years. While I've always thought the content should constantly change, I thought the "look" and "feel" should stay fairly constant. Such a personal bias can be seen in my 10-year-old blog. Despite undergoing three or four significant re-designs and three changes in content management systems, even a regular reader would be hard-pressed to point out anything that has changed about the design of RexBlog. Being subtle with the changes sometimes is more difficult than a major overhaul.

I've also always believed (and still do) that different people visit a site for different reasons and a company should make the site's navigation flexible enough for any of those reasons to be satisfied. Unfortunately, I've discovered over the years that no matter how flexible you make a site, it won't work for everyone. So you keep trying.

Today, we've thrown out the two-year rule. Today, we accept the reality that a company's website design and structure should be constantly reconsidered. Things change -- rapidly. And the need to have a website change along with new ways people use the web should be a part of your approach to maintaining the site.

Continue reading "The Only Thing Constant About a Corporate Website Should Be Change" »

Leaders in custom media and content marketing from across the county have been in Nashville this week for the Custom Content Council’s (formerly the Custom Publishing Council) annual conference. When not exploring local sights like the Country Music Hall of Fame or the honky tonks of Lower Broadway, attendees have been learning from their colleagues and debating the latest trends in custom content.

This morning Rex, one of the founders of CPC (oops, make that, CCC), moderated a panel of custom media CEOs and industry veterans. Chris McMurry, CEO of McMurry, Diana Pohly, President/CEO of The Pohly Company, Valerie P. Valente, SVP/Publishing Director of Rodale Custom Publishing and Cameron Brown, President of King Fish Media shared strategies for evolving their content services to better meet the needs of their clients. The panelists acknowledged that 20 years ago their businesses were focused on magazines and newsletters while today those offerings have expanded to video, social media, event media and more.

Even though platform choices and vehicles have expanded, their focus remains the same: Meeting their clients’ goals with custom content.

Continue reading "Rex Moderates Custom Content Council Session on Custom Media" »