Last month, Apple kicked off its WWDC Keynote Address by introducing its newest addition to the Mac family, the MacBook Pro with Retina display. The technology company also announced multiple products and upgrades due out later this year.

The new MacBook Pro boasts a number of enhancements like Intel's latest Quad-Core i7 processor, all-flash storage and Nvidia's GeForce GT 650 graphics card. Simply put, the new Mac is fast. But what our creatives at 36i like most is the new display. The Retina display has more than 5 million pixels - more than a 60" HDTV - and, with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, text and images appear vibrant and sharp. In fact, retina-enabled apps for the MacBook Pro are already hitting the market. 

Additionally, the new notebook will be compatible with Mac OS X Mountain Lion, available in the App Store later this month. Mountain Lion will also integrate new features from the iPad and iPhone, including Notification Center and iMessage, meaning everything from emails to Facebook updates are organized for your convenience. With iMessage, you can also send photos, videos and messages to any Apple device right from your desktop.

While there was no mention of an iPhone 5, Apple hinted at its capabilities. This fall, users can expect a major revamp to its Maps application with the implementation of Flyover technology. Flyover renders vector-based views of cityscape making it easier to see and find your destination. Still having trouble? Its personal assistant, Siri, will direct you with turn-by-turn navigation.

Apple continues to innovate the marketplace. We look forward to its new products and applications. Which innovation are you most excited about?

Last week, Facebook standardized its Timeline platform for Brand Pages.  The new Timeline layout premiered last fall for profile users marking the social network’s most drastic layout change.

While the change to the Timeline format may have caught some online traditionalists off guard, as PR and marketing professionals, we think there are advantages to the new display.

The Timeline Brand Page has opportunities for businesses to engage visitors. For example, the layout offers a "cover photo" display at the top of the page which functions as a billboard for the brand.  Additionally, Brand Pages have the advantage of pinning the most important content so it appears first on its Timeline.

But what social media managers may find most useful from all of the new features is the Timeline’s archival function which chronicles the brand’s history into a compelling story. Companies like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and McDonald's are using this feature to create a more personal experience between its brand and consumers.

What do you think about the layout of the Facebook Timeline? Is it good for brands?

As Microsoft prepares to unveil its latest operating system Windows 8, the company is also preparing to unveil a new look for its internationally recognized brand. Windows has taken their logo back to its roots – a window. Originally introduced as panes of glass in Windows 1.0, the logo was designed to emblematize Microsoft’s new view on technology. Over the years, the logo evolved along with each new operating system.

With clean lines, shapes and typography paired with bold, flat colors, the new design is based on the principals of the Swiss International Style.

What do you think of Windows' new brand identity? Leave your comments below.

It’s that time of the year. The time when we take a moment to extend well-wishes to our friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances to let them know that they are important to us.

The postal service expects to handle about 16.5 billion cards, letters and packages between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. However, the USA Today estimates that one billion fewer holiday cards will be sent in the mail this year in favor of the popular e-cards, distributed via email or an online service. 

We’ve created all kinds of holiday greetings on behalf of our clients and our firm. Here’s a digital card we created last year for our client, Wirtz Beverage Group. And, below you will see how our firm spread holiday cheer to clients and friends this year.

Whether you’re a fan of traditional cards or e-cards, we can all agree that there’s something special about receiving a holiday greeting. So, from all of us at Res Publica Group and 36i – happy holidays and best wishes for a safe and happy New Year. 

To strengthen its relationship with advertisers, today Twitter joined the ranks of its social media siblings – Facebook and Google – by launching brand pages. We recently wrote about Google+ extending its functionality for brand and business pages in this post.

So, what are Twitter brand pages and how can you use them as part of a greater marketing strategy?

Brand pages have a few key elements:

1.  Design: Pages can now be customized with large header images. Advertisers can use this to prominently display logos, taglines and product shots.  Brands can also choose a tweet to keep at the top of their time line. Customize your “top tweet” by embedding a photo from Flickr or a YouTube video.

2.       Interaction:  Brand’s @ replies and mentions are now separated from its feed. That means companies can respond to users without “diluting” it’s messaging.

Already, top organizations like American Express, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nike and Paramount Pictures have signed up.  Learn how these organizations are using Twitter brand pages to add to their marketing strategies, here.

According to Twitter insiders, the move is just one part of a more comprehensive redesign strategy. Stayed tuned, we know we will. 

More than a communications firm, Res Publica Group assists clients with top to bottom communication strategies executing a wide range of website design and development projects on their behalf.

To support current and upcoming efforts, we are seeking a web designer and developer intern to assist our team with the upkeep and creation of a wide range of web-based projects.

Requirements and skills of an ideal candidate include:

·     Proficiency in HTML, JavaScript.

·     Knowledge of ASP.net, PHP and CMS Platforms.

·     Basic understanding of web design standards and concepts.

·     Strong verbal communication skills.

·     Basic understanding of flash. Basic video editing skills a plus.

While working in teamwork with the staff at Res Publica Group, responsibilities of a web design intern include:

·     Collaborate with the Chief Creative Officer on client websites and web-based projects.

·     Assist with the upkeep and updating of client websites and web-based projects.

Intern's schedule is flexible; however preferred availability is 3 full days per week at our Michigan Avenue offices. The duration of the internship is 3 months, with potential to go beyond. Intern will receive a compensation of $10 per hour. 

Interested candidates should contact Chief Creative Officer, Travis Schoening at Travis@res36i.com with a resume and design/programming samples by December 14, 2011 to be considered. 

36i, a division of Res Publica Group, is a full service website design and interactive strategies firm. Often irreverent. Occasionally outrageous. Always effective. We help clients break through the clutter to make their point. Learn more about 36i and its parent company, Res Publica Group.

A new study examined the CTR (click through rate) for links posted to the news feed by Facebook Pages. The study, performed by analytics provider EdgeRank Checker, found on average links posted by Facebook Pages receive 1 click per 1,000 fans.

Ultimately, these figures give marketers and communication specialists an idea of how many Facebook fans they’ll need to drive significant traffic to external websites.

Other interesting findings from the study include:

• ·         Most major brands have 100,000 fans.
• ·         Posts on Wednesday receive the most clicks and shares, while posts on Fridays receive the fewest.
• ·         Links posted by Pages have nearly three times the CTR of Facebook ads.

Facebook Pages can be a useful marketing channel and an important component of your online strategy. To find link click metrics of your Facebook Page, click the Insights button on the left side of your Page.

Click here to see just one of the Fan Pages executed by Res Publica Group and 36i.

Data based on 84,000 link posts by more than 5,500 Facebook Pages in October. 

This week, Google+ extended its functionality for brand and business pages. Google+ is a social network operated by Google with integrations across a number of Google products. Its new Google+ pages are Google’s answer to Facebook Fan pages. Users are able to opt in to “Circles” to receive updates. An early adopter, Mayor Emanuel’s office is already on board. Check out its Google+ page.

So, is it worth it to add a Google+ page to your plethora of social media platforms? The Huffington Post says yes.

"If Google reaches one billion unique visitors per month, the thinking goes, Google+ will also cast a wide net. Add to that the possibilities through YouTube, Maps, and Google's other services and tools."

Other Google+ functionalities include live video "Hangout" sessions and discussions. Keep in mind that Google+ pages do not allow for contests or promotions. So don't ditch those Twitter handles or Facebook pages just yet.

Ultimately, Google+ is a work in progress and its influence is yet to be seen. However, it's worth it to note that Google+ already has 40 million users, compared of course to Facebook's 800 million-plus.

Learn more about Google+ here.

Learn how to create a Google+ page in 5 easy steps. 

When it comes to technology and communication - we're always asking ourselves, "What's next?" That is why we launched our interactive web division 36i to further our clients' communication needs. It is also why we updated our business cards to feature QR codes.

Why? Access.

QR codes, or Quick Response codes, present the opportunity to offer more than just your name, telephone number, and email address. When the QR code on the business card of a Res Publica Group or 36i employee is scanned, the user is directed to that person's bio, including their LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.

We want you to know more about us.

A study conducted June 2011 revealed that 14 million mobile users in the U.S. have scanned a QR code on their mobile device. It shows that people want access to information immediately.

At Res Publica Group and 36i, we use QR codes to enhance clients' marketing and communication efforts. Given the popularity of SmartPhones and Droids, we see this as a trend that will likely stick around. 

We are excited to announce that Richard Rodriguez will be joining 36i parent company, Res Publica Group.

Rodriguez will be stepping into the role of Senior Vice President for the strategic communications firm and will transition into this role early November 2011. Rodriguez, 40, is currently the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Environment, where he has served since May 16, 2011. A seasoned public policy advisor, Rodriguez has broad experience from previous roles with the Chicago Transit Authority, Department of Aviation, Department of Buildings, in addition to other prominent city positions. In his role at Res Publica Group, he will straddle organization, client and new business initiatives.

At Res Publica Group, clients come first. We look forward to the opportunities Richard's diverse talents will provide.

Please join us in welcoming Richard to the firm! To read the entire announcement, please click here.