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• The Center for Managing Chronic Disease's new site aims to provide information and research on chronic disease.

  The new site provides a wealth of information on a myriad of chronic diseases, including asthma, hypertension, obesity, breast cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. In addition to designing and building the site, ICM added their proprietary Content Management System (Bulldog CMS) so Center staff can easily and quickly update the site.

• The School of Public Health's Health Management & Policy Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is an eight-week summer internship program for undergraduate students interested in the goal of eliminating racial, ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities.

  The new site features alumni testimonials and videos, as well as program information, application, health disparities research, and an alumni directory.

• M-FLU's site, promotes a research study by two U-M professors who study the effects of wearing a face mask to reduce the transmission of influenza.

  The new site serves as an informational hub for student participants in Student Resources and Participant Info sections, as well as news, details about the study, influenza information and a media resource section.

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• MC3, Inc. of Ann Arbor, Michigan facilitates the advancement of medical device technologies from concept through product development to commercialization. Inner Circle Media will develop a new website for MC3.
• Inovo of Ann Arbor, Michigan helps companies like Dow Chemical, Nissan, Yazaki, Whirlpool, and Borg-Warner understand and apply methods of innovation, and share them with the world. Inovo hired Inner Circle Media to plan, design, and implement a new website. Inovo will lease ICM's proprietary Content Management System, Bulldog CMS.
• Geometric Learning Solutions of Rochester Hills, Michigan trains and consults in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) for manufacturing companies whose engineers must interpret complex CAD drawings. ICM will develop a new website, blog, and promotional videos for GLS.
• M&O Marketing of Southfield, Michigan provides marketing, training and support to thousands of independent insurance agents nationwide. M&O Marketing contracted with ICM to design and build an easily navigable new website.
• i3Logic of Pontiac, Michigan designs custom training programs, implements communications and performance support software, and provides specialized consulting for companies in the pharmaceutical, automotive and financial industries who are adopting new practices, striving to meet industry regulations, or restructuring operations. i3Logic hired ICM to develop a new website, blog, and content management system in a short timeframe of two months.

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In the month of October, ICM launched a new client site:

• Project IDEAL - a program based at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, is a consortium of states working together to develop and improve distance education programs for adult learners. Through collaborative research and practice, the consortium works to raise the quality of distance education across the country.

  The new site provides member states with technical assistance for program planning, teacher training, and program evaluation, and also features Distance Education for ABE Learners, a blog containing news and comments about teaching adult learners at a distance.

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In the month of September, ICM launched two new client sites:

• Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) - Since its creation in 1982, the DDA has been a significant and influential catalyst for the revitalization and renewal of downtown Ann Arbor.

  Promoting the diversity of transportation and parking options downtown is a key aim of the DDA's new website, as well as serving residents with expanding information on projects, news and contact information. The new Web site enables users to download downtown maps, access agendas and minutes of DDA meetings, and stay up-to-date on downtown projects.

• Great Lakes Telecom - Ann Arbor-based Great Lakes Telecom, Inc. specializes in customized communications solutions for businesses, including telephone systems, VoIP, cabling, security systems, sound systems and video projection. GLT's new site will provide potential customers all over the country with an excellent overview of their technical capabilities of system design, equipment, engineering, and installation, as well as request services through an online contact form.

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In the month of July, ICM entered into four new contracts:

• The Center for Managing Chronic Disease (University of Michigan School of Public Heath) contracted with ICM to develop a new website and web-based content management system. Through the site, the Center will unite and engage a large multidisciplinary network of internationally known experts in developing, pilot testing, assessing, and disseminating innovations in chronic disease management.
• The Beal Group chose ICM to develop two new websites for Beal Properties and Beal Inc., as well as a portal page to direct visitors to the six divisions of the Beal Group. The Beal Group of companies covers construction, development, demolition, and management of commercial and residential properties and is headquartered in Ann Arbor. The websites will serve as online marketing and communication hubs where visitors will be able to search properties, request quotes, join mailing lists and download resources.
• M-FLU has contracted with ICM to develop an improved website. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, M-FLU is a two year study conducted by the University of Michigan School of Public Health to test non-pharmaceutical methods for flu prevention within the U-M residence halls. With a wide audience including undergraduates, researchers, media representatives and policy makers, the new site will promote the study and provide resources to participants.
• SRT Solutions chose ICM three years ago for re-branding services. ICM will now redesign the company's website to promote SRT Solutions unique expertise as software technologists and coaches who help software teams adopt new technologies and improve their existing product/software development process.

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In the month of July, ICM launches three new websites:

• Quest Inc. - A Livonia-based nonprofit agency, Quest Inc. supports people with special needs by promoting inclusion, maximizing independence, and improving quality of life. Promoting their expansion into the home care industry and increasing online donations are key aims of Quest's new website. Through features such as discussion forums, contact forms, and resource and services links, the new site will boost interaction with prospective clients and referral sources.
• Accord Biomaterials - Accord Biomaterials develops novel coatings to improve the biocompatibility, performance, and durability of medical devices. Accord's new site provides information to potential partners, investors, employees, researchers, and the media on the company's novel chemistries and coatings that improve the acceptance of medical devices introduced into tissue and/or blood.
• AccreditStation - AccreditStation® software helps educational institutions, community hospitals, and VA facilities compile and manage successful AAHRPP® accreditation projects. ICM redesigned the website to compel site visitors to try the demo, purchase the product, and seek online support.

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Designed and built by ICM, Ann Arbor-based SoulTracks, America's most popular soul music web site, has announced the launch of its redesigned and expanded music site.

The new SoulTracks site has an even deeper collection of CD reviews and artist biographies as well as a daily Soul Music news section and regular "Where Are They Now?" features, updating readers on the whereabouts of classic soul singers.

It also includes interactive community elements, such as a reader comments section on each page and a new soul music forum.

"Over the past four years, SoulTracks has grown at a rate beyond our wildest expectations," says SoulTracks publisher Chris Rizik. "And our readers have been asking for even more-more interactivity, more news and more features on both classic soul and modern soul artists. Soul Music is again one of the fastest rising musical genres in the world, and the new SoulTracks will continue to grow with it."

SoulTracks attracts more than 3 million annual visits.

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ICM has recently launched two web-based projects:

• The Association for Asian Studies (AAS), has introduced ICM-developed functional, secure back-end content management modules to their members. The modules integrate with their existing administrative database and their new website. AAS, the largest society of its kind in the world, is a scholarly, non-political, non-profit professional association open to all persons interested in Asia. It seeks to facilitate contact and an exchange of information among scholars to increase their understanding of East, South, and Southeast Asia.
• The Center for the Education of Women (CEW) at the University of Michigan has launched its new searchable clearinghouse. ICM developed the National Clearinghouse on Academic Worklife, a searchable database-driven website of research publications, journal articles and information on academic flexibility and work-life issues for both tenure and non-tenure faculty. The Clearinghouse allows information to be shared between institutions, provide a research base on these issues, and offer a means for key administrators and their staff to examine policies and practices from appropriately similar institutions.

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In the month of February, ICM entered into two new contracts:

• Soul Tracks, a leading online resource for soul music, has chosen ICM to redesign its Web site. SoulTracks.com will serve as the interactive hub for soul music fans, artists, promoters and media representatives seeking information, resources, and an online community focused on soul music. The site will feature over 400 soul artist biographies, music downloads, video clips, reviews of soul music artists' releases, and forums for registered users. ICM will integrate the site with the Drupal content management framework, as well as build custom management capabilities.
• The Yaffe Center for Persuasive Communications, at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, has contracted with ICM to redesign its Web site. The new site will promote the Yaffe Center's line up of speakers and conferences, as well as its courses and resources for professionals, educators, and students in the many fields that comprise persuasive communication. The site will feature Flash animation, video and audio clips of past high-caliber speakers, examples of persuasive communication in its many forms, and RSS feeds from cutting edge marketing and communications sites.

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Inner Circle Media and Power Marketing were recently awarded a contract to provide branding assistance to Thomson-Shore, Inc. of Dexter, MI. Inner Circle Media will complete the branding phases of the project, which include development of a new identity and branding for Thomson-Shore; finalizing the new brand after customer testing is complete; creation of a corporate style guide; and design of marketing collateral. Power Marketing, an Ann Arbor-based full-service marketing and research firm, will complete marketing research components of the project, including design and implementation of a telephone survey of Thomson-Shore customers; a branding workshop with Thomson-Shore staff; and a focus group session with Thomson-Shore customers to test a draft branding strategy. Thomson-Shore is an employee-owned book manufacturer located in Dexter, MI.

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Inner Circle Media is one of several marketing firms in Ann Arbor participating in the Ann Arbor IT Zone's Marketing Roundtable, a series of educational marketing seminars that will provide decision-makers from growth-minded companies with practical guidance and know-how in technology and innovation marketing. To read the article in Yahoo! Finance, click here.

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Inner Circle Media unveiled its own newly redesigned site, as well as its newest feature, the Full Circle Blog, this month. The ICM blog allows the team to post marketing insights, write our opinions on the latest and greatest technologies, and give users some insights into a women-owned marketing company, web development shop, and communications design firm rolled into one. Be sure to check out the first posts, including a guide to the best coffee shops in Ann Arbor (we have many productive meetings fueled by caffeine), tips to get prepared to revamp your website, and some guidance for women graduates entering the "real world." Have a great idea for our blog? Let us know!

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In the month of November, ICM launched four new client sites:

• Nancy Quay at www.nancyquay.com
  An Ann Arbor-based psychotherapist in private practice since 1997, Nancy Quay has launched her new site. Nancy has worked with a wide variety of individuals on an even wider range of issues, and specializes in grief, loss and bereavement issues; gender identity; chronic conditions; life transitions; affluenza; and life and business coaching for professionals. The new Web site enables users to read more about Nancy's areas of specialty, as well as connect with her directly to schedule an appointment, read her blog, and learn about speaking engagements and workshops.
• Eleni Speaks at www.elenispeaks.com
  Eleni Kelakos, President of Eleni Kelakos Enterprises and founder of Ann Arbor-based SPEEK, an executive speech and presentation coaching company, officially unveiled a new business division, Eleni Speaks, and its new site. The new website reflects Eleni's increased role as a musical motivational keynote speaker, with a flagship speaking program called TOUCH THE SKY! The website includes video and music clips of Eleni's work, and reflects the new Eleni Speaks brand and messaging.
• History of Arts & Libraries (HAL) and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) annual conference at creativemichiganconference.com
  The HAL/MCACA annual conference has a new look and online registration capabilities. The conference's theme is slightly different every year, and this year's event will focus on cultural tourism as a tool to spur economic growth in Michigan communities, and community leaders from all over the state are expected to participate. Inner Circle built a custom online registration system, including a database, to ease staff members' administrative tasks and export attendee lists.
• A&D Technology, Inc. at www.aanddtech.com
  A&D Technology, Inc., based in Ann-Arbor, provides the latest and most complete powertrain testing solutions to a variety of industries, including automotive, off-highway, small engines, diesel, fuels and lubricants, and motorsports. Inner Circle Media built custom content management modules to allow A&D to update their training workshops and calendar, as well as allow users to register and get the latest news on A&D products.

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Fleming Artists, an Ann Arbor-based musical artist agency, has launched its new Web site at www.flemingartists.com. For nearly 30 years, Fleming Artists, established and helmed by Jim Fleming, has represented some of the acoustic world's finest artists. Fleming's roster of Artists contains the names of well-established, seasoned touring musicians, including Ani DiFranco, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Jeff Daniels, Melissa Ferrick, Willy Porter, Suzy Bogguss, and many more. The new Web site enables users to search for Artists' Tour Dates, availability, listen to music clips, download photos and supplemental information, as well as Make An Offer for upcoming dates. In addition to redesigning the Fleming Artists Web site and building a custom content management system, Inner Circle Media also provided identity design services for Fleming Artists.

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In the month of September, ICM entered into three new contracts:

• Quest, Inc., a Livonia-based nonprofit agency, has chosen ICM to build their Web site. The site will provide resources and service information for people in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties including Home Care, Vocational Services, such as occupational and speech therapies and sensory integration, and Residential Services. Quest supports people with special needs by promoting inclusion, maximizing independence, and improving quality of life.
• The Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS® has switched to ICM to help rebrand and redesign their Web site, as well as build a custom content management system. The new site will serve as a clearinghouse for area REALTORS®, as well as enable members register for classes and events, find professional standards resources and increase marketing exposure for its members. In 2006, the non-profit Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS® celebrates 87 years of service to the real estate community
• The Association for Asian Studies (AAS) has hired to ICM to develop and integrate functional, secure back-end content management modules that will integrate with their existing administrative database and their new website. AAS, the largest society of its kind in the world, is a scholarly, non-political, non-profit professional association open to all persons interested in Asia. It seeks to facilitate contact and an exchange of information among scholars to increase their understanding of East, South, and Southeast Asia.

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Michigan Suburbs Alliance, a Ferndale-based nonprofit organization that strives to unite and strengthen metropolitan Detroit's mature suburbs, launched its new web site at www.michigansuburbsalliance.org. Inner Circle Media worked with Michigan Suburbs Alliance to create a site that better promotes the organization and serves as a resource for the inner ring suburbs. The new Web site enables users to donate online, become Suburbs Alliance members, and tap into the Suburbs Alliance's vast resources on topics such as Municipal Finance, Inner-Ring and Metropolitan Regions, Land Use and Redevelopment, Environmental Protection and Transit. Other features include current and past issues of the Suburbs Alliance's publications, resources and information on regional and redevelopment initiatives for the inner ring suburbs, and upcoming events. "Our partnership with ICM will allow us to engage a whole new audience in a sophisticated and interesting way," said Conan Smith, Executive Director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance.

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Carrie Hensel, Principal of ICM and President of the New Enterprise Forum, has been chosen this year to be one of Ann Arbor Business Review's Most Influential Women of 2006. She received the honor along with five other women business leaders in the community. This acknowledgement is, "designed to inform the community of the incredible contributions brought to the business world by women in our area," stated AABR Publisher, Laurel R. Champion, "We wanted to make sure we recognized women from a variety of backgrounds and those who lead organizations that have tremendous positive impact on the community." Andy Chapelle, editor of the AABR said, "The women we selected are leaders and trailblazers. Each of them holds critical executive positions at their company or organization." This is the fourth year this honor has been given.

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getDowntown, an Ann Arbor-based nonprofit organization that provides assistance and information on alternative commuting options to businesses and employees, launched its new website at www.getdowntown.org. Inner Circle Media worked with getDowntown to create a site that better promotes the organization and serves as a resource for Ann Arbor commuters. The site is managed by getDowntown staff through a customized content management system. Additionally, ICM developed a web-based application that allows users to sign up for and participate in the Commuter Challenge, a contest during the month of May where companies compete to log the most miles commuted using sustainable transportation.

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Fleming and Associates, a 25 year old Ann Arbor-based artist representative agency, chose Inner Circle Media for identity redesign and website development. F&A is seeking to revitalize its brand with an updated name, logo, and website. ICM and F&A will work together to create a hipper, revamped visual identity, and an updated, modern website that is easily navigable, aesthetically exciting, and user-friendly for artists, promoters, fans and media representatives.

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The University of Michigan's Center for the Education of Women (CEW) has chosen ICM to develop the Academic Workforce Clearinghouse, a searchable database-driven website of research publications, journal articles and information on academic flexibility and work-life issues for both tenure and non-tenure faculty. The Clearinghouse will allow information to be shared between institutions, provide a research base on these issues, and offer a means for key administrators and their staff to examine policies and practices from appropriately similar institutions.

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