News

November 24, 2009

Let the Games Begin

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx News

matt

The concept for Onyx Group’s sports marketing division came from a few different areas. Sports marketing has been around for decades, but with the change in technology we found that there hasn’t been a rush of new and fresh ideas being utilized by today’s athletes. Second, with my passion for sports and experience in marketing and branding combining the two seemed like a perfect fit. Lastly, many athletes tend to rely too heavily on their agent to handle their marketing needs. And while sports agents may be experts in contract negotiations many of them lack up to date skills in individualized branding.

My sports experience will be an advantage in helping this new division grow. I have played with dozens of NFL players during my years as a Florida State Seminole football player. During those years it opened up doors for me to meet the best and the brightest in the sports world; agents, general managers, Hall of Famers, and upper management executives. Aside from that I have a deep passion for the health and fitness industry and plan on utilizing that drive to excel within that realm of sport.

My role as Sports Marketing Developer for this new division has many areas of focus. First and foremost I will be identifying and targeting new business clients. Our division will target established athletes who understand the power of branding. Examples of successfully marketed athletes include Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, or Dale Earnhardt Jr. We’re committed to not only enhance our clients’ brand while they are playing in their sport, but to also prepare them for new opportunities once their athletic careers evolve into a new stage. My sports experience will allow me to establish close relationships with clients because I have been down the same path and understand the struggles that their lifestyles entail. I will also play an integral role in developing new business ideas for the athlete’s personal brand.

If you have any additional questions for Matt about Onyx Group’s new sports marketing division contact matt@onyxcreates.com.

Tags: onyx group, sports marketing

November 18, 2009

Design and the Doodler

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx Opinion

kris

In this interview our Über-Doodler, Kris Carter, shares some of his creative insight and offers advice to up and coming designers.

How did you become a graphic designer?

My mom is a hand painter and air brusher back in Maine. Her creativity inspired me to be creative. I got my start when my mom and I launched a sign design company together. Then when I came to Florida I worked for Nadia as a graphic designer. When she decided to create Onyx Group I agreed to come on as a partner.

What do you most enjoy about being a graphic designer?

I love being creative day to day. It’s fulfilling to use my creativity making something tangible that benefits our clients.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Running a fast growing company is a constant challenge. The key is to be adaptable to change and to have a dedicated team. I enjoy dealing with the Onyx staff, and believe that an open door policy is essential for successful leadership.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I’m inspired by everything in my environment. I keep up with trends in the market, graphic design is constantly evolving. When I’m really focusing I like to listen to music to keep me in the zone.

Do you have a favorite project that you’ve worked on?

One of my favorite projects to date was the BevShots design. It’s a trendy and new age product. I had a lot of fun creating their design. Also I loved having the opportunity to develop a fully custom e-commerce system for the site.

Are there any new trends in graphic design we should keep an eye out for?

I’m really excited about the new motion graphics trend. It provides a whole new dimension to web development. This new technology will help create interest in our client’s sites and will engage their customers.

Do you have any advice for those interested in becoming graphic designers?

Focus on creating a diverse portfolio! Having a good personality is important and creativity is a given, but ninety nine percent of the time a portfolio speaks for itself.

If you have any additional questions for Kris about graphic design please DM them to @OnyxGroup on twitter or email info@onyxcreates.com and we’ll answer them for you in our next blog.

Tags: creative, Design, graphic designer, kris, Marketing, onyx

November 16, 2009

Onyx Welcomes Neil

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx News

Onyx Group is excited to welcome Neil Bell to our team. Neil is originally from Montgomery, Alabama and attended Auburn University, where he earned a degree in mass communication. He will be working as our Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and will be instrumental in establishing Onyx’s media buying division. Below are some interesting facts about Neil:

He’s a college football fan, and his favorite sports team is the Auburn Tigers!

He enjoys watching the television show Mad Men.

Three things he can’t live without are his family, his phone and a pocket knife.

His favorite quote is “never take a no from someone who does not have the authority to give you a yes.”

What he loves about his job: “I’m excited about the opportunity to help Onyx Group continue to grow. This job is engaging because every day is different. Adaptability is essential to success.”

Welcome to the team Neil!

Tags: media buying, neil bell, onyx, sales

November 12, 2009

Creativity in Overdrive

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx Opinion

Working in an office can get a little monotonous and leave a person feeling very uncreative. At Onyx Group, our mission is to keep ourselves, and our work, fresh and innovative. How do we keep ourselves creative? Below are some of the motivating factors and inspirations that keep us going.

1. The Staff (aka the coolest people you’ll ever meet)
Everyone who works at Onyx Group is here for a reason. We come from diverse backgrounds and bring talent, experience, and passion to our work.

“We’re colleagues, but we’re also friends. I love coming to work every day because I enjoy my work and there’s never a dull moment in the office.”
–Nick Williams, The Man.

2. Free Flowing Ideas
Group brainstorming sessions are how we keep ideas free flowing and where everyone’s ideas are heard. This produces some of our most creative concepts, because ideas build upon each other and everyone has a chance to contribute. In addition, we have an open office plan that fosters relationships between employees and helps keep everyone on the same page.

3. Strong Client Relationships
We value our relationships with clients and love to exceed their expectations. We understand our clients and show them how our work can help them succeed. By maintaining close relationships with clients, they become an extension of the Onyx Group family.

“We try our hardest to get to know our clients – not just as clients, but as people. It’s easier to work with someone you’re comfortable with. We truly look at it as a relationship. There are even some clients we spend time with off the clock.”
–Amanda Doumanian, The Planner.

4. Chloe
Her constant curiosity keeps everyone on their toes. She livens up the office and adds a playful mood to everyone’s day. She loves attention and makes certain that everyone says ‘hi’ to her when they visit our office.

“Hi, Hello! Let’s play fetch.”
–Chloe, The Office Dog.

5. Creative Leadership
Last but certainly not least is our fearless leadership, Nadia and Kris. They understand the value of creativity in the work place and go out of their way to foster it. Our open office structure ensures that they are easily accessible. Our staff knows they can share their ideas and get immediate feedback.

“Our goal is to create a workplace environment where our employees feel valued and respected. We want our employees to enjoy coming into work every day, because when people are happy it shows in their work.”
–Nadia Kamal, Agency Principal.

Tags: creative, Marketing, onyx, team

November 6, 2009

Nadia on Entrepreneurship

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx Opinion

nadia In this interview, our fearless leader, Nadia Kamal, gives some insight into her driving philosophy and her vision of Onyx Group’s future.

Where did the idea for Onyx Group come from?
I co-founded a graphic design studio with a partner. When we dissolved that partnership, I decided to create a broader service that would fit better with my vision. The idea was to focus on where we wanted to go rather than where we were, to build something we could grow into.

To what do you most attribute your success?
My passion and my belief in having an energetic and driven team.

How important have good employees been to your success?
Critical, you can’t build it alone. My philosophy is that it’s one thing to build something for yourself, but it’s another to build something for those around you.

How do you balance your work life with your family life?
I always remember that I couldn’t do anything without my family’s love and support. They motivate me to succeed, especially my children. When things get difficult, I just think of them and it gives me the will to persevere. (But true balance is achieved right now, because I sleep very little.) 

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from multiple sources. I’m inspired by a lot of successful and unsuccessful business owners. The successful give me something to strive for while the unsuccessful give me an example of what to avoid. My family and those around me who believe in me are another excellent source of inspiration.

How long do you stick with an idea before changing course?
I consider myself to be action oriented. If something isn’t working, I’m quick to assess it and change it until I find something that will work. The only exception is when it comes to people. I believe in learning someone’s true skill set and finding where they belong rather than assuming that they just don’t belong at all.

Where do you see Onyx Group and yourself in 10 years?
I see Onyx Group as a successful international corporation with satellite offices in various cities. I see myself as being a true entrepreneur. I want to own multiple businesses and I want Onyx Group to be the force behind them. I want to breed more success for my family, my business partner, my team, and my clients.

What are the top skills that have helped you become a successful entrepreneur?
I have the ability to see a bigger vision and to create a strategy that breaks through the concrete walls that get in the way. I’m not afraid to start over, and I’m not afraid to be different. Life is too short not to love it.

If you have any additional questions for Nadia about what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur just DM them to us on Twitter, or email us at intern@onyxcreates.com and we’ll answer them in our next blog.

Tags: clients, nadia, nadia kamal, onyx group, success, team

October 29, 2009

Our Next Steps

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx News

Onyx Group welcomes Audrey Copeland to the team!

Audrey will be using her business experience and people skills in her position as Onyx Group’s new Regional Business Developer. She will be working on a local and regional level to develop relationships with potential and ongoing clients. Her main focus will be on identifying new business opportunities in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. In order for you to get to know Audrey better here are some interesting facts about Ms. Copeland:

Her favorite Quote is “What really matters is not what you do or say, it’s how you make people feel.” Audrey brings this philosophy to everything she does.

She is an eternal optimist who believes that “laughter is good for the soul.” Audrey’s natural exuberance is sure to keep life at Onyx Group positive and creative.

She enjoys spending her free time cooking and baking, taking trips to the beach, and practicing photography.

What she loves about her job: “Meeting new people, learning form others and having the freedom to do so.”

As Audrey takes on her role Onyx Group is pleased to announce that former Regional Business Developer, Matt Meinrod, has taken on a new role within the agency. Matt will now be heading up Onyx Group’s Sports division as Sports Marketing Developer. The role combines Matt’s passion for sports with exceptional marketing and advertising skills that will take sports marketing to another level.

Through Onyx Group’s research the team concluded a glaring lack of personal branding within the sports world. Out of the thousands of professional athletes throughout the United States only a handful of athletes are household names while hundreds of others are falling by the wayside. Agents spend countless hours negotiating contracts, scouting, and directly speaking with team executives, but wane on the side of player development, branding, and marketing. That’s where Onyx Group’s Sports division enters the picture.

Along with working with athletes, Matt will also be working closely with local and regional sporting outlets such as gyms, sporting good stores, apparel companies, and high level executives within the sports world.

“I’m confident that Matt’s experience and talents will lead to the success of this new division. Everyone at Onyx Group is excited about our new sports marketing venture. I’m glad to welcome Audrey to the team and know that she will pick up where Matt left off and help propel Onyx Group into a successful future,” says Nadia Kamal, Agency Principal.

Tags: Audrey, business, development, onyx group, sales, sports marketing

October 21, 2009

Onyx Wins W³ Award

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx News

With this year’s W³ Awards drawing more than 3,000 entries from interactive agencies, public relations firms and creative professionals submitted worldwide, Onyx Group is thrilled to announce it has been honored with a silver W³ Award. The International Academy of Visual Arts (IAVA) recently announced the winners of its 2009 W³ Awards competition, awarding a Silver W³ to Onyx Group for the Acadian Sea Planes website they designed. To view the award winning site visit www.acadianseaplanes.com.

“It’s an honor to have the work we do for our clients recognized by The International Academy of Visual Arts as embodying creative excellence in web design,” says Nadia Kamal, Agency Principal. “We’re devoted to producing outstanding work that will continue to distinguish our clients in their fields.”

The W³ Awards honors creative excellence on the web, and recognizes the creative and marketing professionals behind award winning sites, videos and marketing programs. For more information about the W³ Awards visit www.w3award.com.

The W³ is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, interactive, advertising, and marketing firms. IAVA members include executives from organizations such as Conde Nast, Coach, Disney, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee Lauder, Fry Hammond Barr, HBO, Monster.com, MTV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Victoria Secret, Wired, Yahoo! and many others. To find out more about IAVA visit www.iavisarts.org.

Tags: award, international, onyx group, w3, website

October 7, 2009

TSAE Education Day 2009

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx News

Onyx Group will be participating in The Tallahassee Society of Association Executives 2009 Education Day and Trade Show. This year’s TSAE Education Day is circus themed and has been dubbed “The Greatest Education Day and Trade Show on Earth.”

Onyx Group’s session time will be from 9:45 am to 11:00 am. Nadia Kamal, Agency Principal, will be speaking on the topic of “Preparing for Your Strategic Plan.” She will be providing tips and techniques to help businesses enhance the planning process, identify key stakeholders, guarantee a smooth implementation and stay focused on the critical areas they want addressed.

Our session is part of the “View From the Top” track. The sessions in this track are intended to give chief executives the information they require to make informed decisions, keep abreast of trends that may affect their organizations, and effectively lead their staff, boards and volunteers.

The Education Day event will be held Wednesday, October 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola Street.

This annual TSAE event offers attendees a chance to meet, mingle and learn with industry professionals and association executives. In 2008, there were over 250 association professionals present and TSAE expects even more to attend this year.

Come join Onyx Group this year for the “Greatest Education Day on Earth” and learn how to create a strategic plan that is a dynamic, working document. Register for the event online at http://bit.ly/syjcM and if you have any questions about the event contact us by email at info@onyxplans.com.

Tags: education, onyx group, tallahassee, trade show, tsae

September 30, 2009

2009 Tally Awards

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx News

Voting for the fifth annual Tally Awards is underway! Voting for the 2009 Tally Awards began September 15, and will be open until midnight, December 15, 2009.

Tally Awards are awarded to the businesses that receive the highest number of votes for each category. The winners will be announced at The Tally Awards Gala on January 30, 2010.

This is the second year that Onyx Group has been an official sponsor of the event.

“We are excited about our continued involvement with this event both in our capacity as sponsor and through the nominations we have received,” says Nadia Kamal, Agency Principal.

In past years, Onyx Group has been awarded 3 Tally Awards. In 2007, Onyx Group won in the professional services category of Best Web and Graphic Design. Then in 2008, Onyx Group won for the professional services categories of Best Web and Graphic Design and Best Marketing Firm.
This year, Onyx Group is nominated for three categories: Best Web and Graphic Design and Best Marketing Firm. The third nomination is for the specialty category of Best Overall Business.

The Tally Awards are unique because they are the only consumer choice awards in Tallahassee. Anyone can visit the site and vote for the best businesses in Tallahassee.

Visit http://bit.ly/13G2lx to vote for Onyx Group and your other favorite Tallahassee businesses today!

Tags: awards, Design, onyx group, tally awards

September 28, 2009

Heart Walk Fundraising Event

Posted by: Nick Williams in Onyx News

Onyx Group would like to thank everyone who helped make our “Toast to Donate” event a success!

Thank you to Seminole ISP, Bella Bella, Impact Health and Fitness, Challenger Learning Center, LMP Enterprises Professional and Accounting Solutions, Masa, Gibbs and Culpepper Tree Service, Synergy Salon, Boot Camps To Go, Super-Lube , Aveda Academy The Salon, 71 Proof , and Tuscany Massage and Spa for their raffle donations.

Thank you to Bite of Your Life, Bacon and Bakin’, and Tapas Restaurant for donating hors d’oeuvres.

We would also like to thank The Winery for all their assistance in hosting the event.

We had a great time working on this event and are happy to report that we raised money towards our pledged donation to Start! Heart Walk!
Onyx Group has pledged to raise $2,500 for this year’s Heart Walk event. If you were unable to attend the event and would still like to donate in Onyx Group’s name follow this link http://bit.ly/41RrhP to donate.

The Start! Heart Walk event will be held on Saturday, October 17th at Tom Brown Park. Onyx Group will be there at 9:00AM for fundraising turn in and the walk begins at 10:00AM.

Please come out to show your support for the American Heart Association and walk with our Onyx Group team!

Tags: fundraiser, onyx