"Branded widgets are the refrigerator magnets of the digital age" "They hold the message, they're useful, they're cheap," - Richard Garfield

Mr. Garfield's point is a solid one, widgets carry branding and content in an easily distributed package. Many brands love the the large volume of content that can be included in a widget. Other brands love the organic ways widgets can be seeded and distributed through social networks. In either case, the widget retains its branded message while its placements spread virally through the digital community.

Affordable to create, at their core, widgets are small applications that can travel with branded content. The literal forefathers of the digital mashup, widgets are difficult to define precisely because they can take on nearly any shape, size or functionality. VM Foundry typically builds web widgets in Flash and Flex, using AS3 and converts desktop versions using Adobe Air.

What does a widget do?

2009 is rapidly fading into our review mirror and 2010 is just over the horizon. So what do we see when we take stock of our work with our clients over this past year?

In a word: Success.

In a bulleted list:

• Architected, designed and developed multiple custom CMS-based websites to make editing, updating and controlling of content a snap.
• Leveraged the open-source CMS tools provided by WordPress and Drupal for customized installations and integration with numerous websites.
• Worked with third-party CRM platforms — including Salesforce — using single-sign-on solutions to build idea sites that move customers to participate.
• Expanded our clients’ reach from their base website domain to social media networks using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and more.
• Continued to extend our clients’ reach through the use of widgets and other shareable forms of media — including newsletters and email campaigns.
• Conducted seemingly countless digital outreach efforts to engage users and influencers in conversations about several leading brands.
• Scripted, filmed and edited viral videos and handled the video integration throughout multiple websites.
• Created detailed analysis reports on virtually every project we worked on using Google Analytics or Omniture reporting tools.
• Developed strategic plans and ran multiple SEO/SEM campaigns to drive traffic and reduce online marketing costs.
• Integrated the Smart Content application into many of our clients’ websites to decrease bounce rates and increase click-throughs and conversions.

As we look forward to 2010, we hope to continue to drive success with and for our clients. And if you weren’t with us these past 12 months, hopefully you’ll join us this new year.

Cheers!