Its been a few weeks since my last post – can we all say “Busy”. My oh my – how fast time will go past you when you are having fun eh? The last few weeks have been like a whirlwind. From the completion (still awaiting release) of the Spire Cola platform, the birth of MetaBlink and to make things even blurrier… We were contracted by the ISE to build the first ISE Info Cafe in conjunction with the Crescendo Corp, thanks to Cadence Juran and the ISE Team. With projects to be announced on the Sterling Grove Sim and the 10/22/2007 release of the Mazaryk – a re-invention of the luxury shopping district in Mexico – on the Mexico Sim SL we have been no less than SWAMPED.

The Mazaryk is truly a remarkable place envisioned by Thalia Heckroth – a Real Estate Developer that wanted to bring a bit of “home” to SL. Thalia contacted us and talkd about her vision to bring the luxury district to Second Life. Completely excited by the opportunity we bundled up and started pulling prims and pixels. First was the creation of the Metabrand for the Mazaryk – then the planning processes behind the build of the Mazaryk. After 7 days of continual grind – The Mazaryk SL was born. Frasha Boa of Setori Spire Studios was in charge of Environment Design and Lighting Architecture, while I (Setori Spire) took on the task of Architectural Build. We are looking forward to continued Development of the space and we are excited for Thalia she is officially – Metabranded!

Complete Project Pics

Stay in the loop – visit our other projects…

MetaBlink – Patent Pending – Next Generation Advertising Platform
Spire Cola – The viral contest platform
Fat Baby Pre-Fabulous – Prefab commercial building for those who still like individuality.

Recently we had the pleasure of developing what I feel is one of the most dynamic Brands that we have worked on all month. Komplete Kaos came to us by way of a testimony – of our ability to totally “pimp out” a brand, and provided us with enough insight to her business to “go creative” with her ideas. Her shop – Kaos Kulture – is a rich mix of fashion and media. Setori Spire wanted to create a brand that not only told a story – but one that would make this unique lil shop Owner shower “brand beauty” on her competition.

Brand: Kaos Kulture, Become The Fashion.
Storyline: The Kaos Kulture is designed with custom fonts and the iconic representation of the Madusa head. In history, Madusa could not be looked upon, as she would turn her un-expecting victim into stone. We took that icon and reversed her mssion in a “kaotic” way – When looking upon this Madusa, one is turned into “The Fashion”.

Stay tuned for the Brand Exhibit at Setori Spire Studios, visit the brand at Flickr from the SetoriSpire.com website!

“Marketers engaged in branding seek to develop or align the expectations behind the brand experience, creating the impression that a brand associated with a product or service has certain qualities or characteristics that make it special or unique. A brand image may be developed by attributing a “personality” to or associating an “image” with a product or service, whereby the personality or image is “branded” into the consciousness of consumers. A brand is therefore one of the most valuable elements in an advertising theme. The art of creating and maintaining a brand is called brand management.”

So right away we see that Branding expands its presence seamlessly into Marketing and we can not seperate the two – one directly effects the other. So to understand Branding one must also have a insight into marketing as well, so let’s make a point here…

“Metabranding involves marketing….”

We also see that Branding crosses into advertising, as the brand must be delivered to the consciousness of the user and has to become relevant rather perceived or implied. So with that said …

“Metabranding involves advertising…”

Key to the success of a good brand is a process called Brand Management. Brand Management is a critical part of the “Branding” process and imperative in the Metabranding process. Again we can make a statement -

“Metabranding involves brand management…”

So at a core level we have the fllowing formula… Metabranding = Creation + Marketing + Advertising + Management

However – things are changing and to truly deliver a Brand within the Metaverse rather it be Second Life, There, or the new and coming Metaplace, Brand Developers, Designers, Marketers, Advertisers, and Managers have to find a new paradigm where each of these come together in one cohesive understanding that can not be separated – or risk “brand breach” and loose the integrity, recognition, and adoption of the excuted brand among a growing and very influential target group.

Fact: Second Life has a growing community of over 9,000,000 residents …

Metabranding, in practice – is an end to end modality of conceptualization, design, development, and management of a brand as it relates to the virtual world platform.

Key components that have been added to the mix of brand creation process as we know it now… is the development of virtual space, rather 3D or 2D that must be observed – from a standpount of usability, sensory acceptance… Also is there is the need for Brand Interaction, Brand Community, and other factors unique to teh Metaverse – as they now have a heightened transparency and relevance. So in review…

1. Branded Virtual Space with considerations toward usability, sensory acceptance
2. Interaction
3. Community Building

The Brand Management process has been enhanced with the need for ongoing engagement – not from a “brick and mortar” sense however – from the stance that the brand can now be intertwined with technology which gives the champion a greater deal of control and flexability as it pertains to delivering the brand message…

4. Ongoing Engagement…

What we mention here simply scratches the surface of a very complex and detailed process that must be considered by any organization, company or individual looking to enter the Metaverse. In coming days and weeks we will look deeper into Metabranding – uncovering what we feel is the next generation in a very steadfast practice “branding” – as it pertains to the new and exciting platforms presented by virtual worlds.

First there are really two ways to go about doing this, well maybe I should say two places this can be done – so let’s define that first.

1. You are a RL Client wanting to get a project started from the web, without logging into SL…
2. You area a SL Client wanting to handle the whole process from in-world which is preferred.

So let’s deal with #1 first… You are a RL Client (potential client) and you are wanting to get a project started without logging into SL. Well this one is pretty simple. Simply use the contact information found on this blog or forward an email to setori@setorispire.com to start a dialouge about your needs. Real easy.

#2 – This is where things get really interesting. You are a SL Client (potential client) wanting to handle the process from in-world.  Use the links found on this blog or on the start page at http://www.setorispire.com to get a TP to the Setori Spire HQ. Once you have arrived at Setori Spire HQ you will find a Project Submission form that you can complete and submit in-world. What happens is that your form is processed and sent to us RL, via email, so that we can coordinate your project, accordingly.

If you are still mystified as to how to get yourself taken care of by Setori Spire – feel free to IM me in-world so that I can speedily answer your questions.

So we invite you to visit often, learn the most current trends, and stay in the know as we try to keep you on the bleeding edge of the Metaverse.