News & Press

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:42:54 -0500

Ads of Super Bowl XLVI: Zach Newcomb's Post-Mortem on CNN Live

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:53:29 -0500

Our own Executive Account Director, Zach Newcomb, talks on CNN's Early Start about the best Super Bowl XLVI commercials. Which one was your favorite?

Rokkan Launches the New JetBlue.com + iPhone App

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:58:45 -0500

Rokkan announces the completely re-designed JetBlue.com and new iPhone app!

SNAPSHOT

The new JetBlue.com includes:

A new visual navigation to make the site experience more intuitive
Ability to track your upcoming flights without ever leaving the home page
Prominent TrueBlue sign-in module, encouraging users to sign in for maximum benefits (flight status, relevant fare deals based on your location and search history, etc.)
Improved flight booking widget

The new JetBlue iPhone app features:

The app was designed with a beautiful, clean look, consistent with the new .com, but (of course) optimized for mobile. With help from Double Encore, the app was created with rich, smooth design&emdash;truly leveraging the native iOS capability.
Travel Modes: The JetBlue app tracks your upcoming flight, and knows where you are in your travel cycle. This functionality allows users to easily book, check in, share flight info, see flight status, gate and terminal info, baggage claim information, etc.
Pick Me Up: Send real-time flight information to the person who is picking you up at your destination. This allows the recipient to see useful information such as the flight status, local airport information, traffic and routes to the airport, etc.
Fun Features: Give your friends travel envy by creating a custom JetBlue photo postcard, shareable via email, Facebook, and Twitter.
Destination Guide: Once you've booked your flight, the app displays weather, airport info, and tips on what to do in your destination city.

What went into the Redesign for the new JetBlue?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:10:45 -0500

We sat down with our own Charles Bae, ECD and Partner, for a quick Q & A about the new JetBlue look.

R: Which five words would you use to describe the new JetBlue.com and JetBlue iPhone app design?

C: Loveable, simple, smart, refreshing, and inviting.

R:What's the inspiration behind the new look?
C:The new look was inspired by what else, JetBlue! After reviewing the history of their .com, we did sort of a reset and literally went back to basics. We purposefully kept the design simple, using core brand elements and very little embellishment, to make sure the brand would shine through. JetBlue's tail fins inspired us to keep things simple and fun...a quality of the brand customers know and love.

R: How does this new design contribute to the overall customer experience?
C: That flying is fun! Every aspect of the JetBlue experience is about how to make things easier and more enjoyable for the customer, whether it's booking a ticket online, checking-in on your phone, or enjoying unlimited snacks in-flight. It's truly about the customer.

Pre- and post-flight booking has become even easier and more intuitive to manage with the .com and mobile integration. Self-service was an important aspect of the new redesign, and even on the JetBlue homepage, you'll see there is a greater emphasis on customer needs, rather than on other information. Where else can you check your flight status without having to click a single button? Once you're logged into TrueBlue, the homepage will display most of what you need to know about your upcoming flight without any clicks.

Now that's loveable.

Our History, Hits, and Misses

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:36:08 -0500

In 2000, John Noe and Chung Ng were fresh out of college when they met at a large Web design company providing digital business solutions for financial clients like Chase and Merrill Lynch. Neither felt creatively challenged. They didn't like the corporate environment.

“We thought it would be awesome and fun to start our own business, but we had no idea what running a business really meant,” said Mr. Noe.

So the two men, along with colleague Charles Bae, founded Rokkan in September 2000. They had no clients when they began working from Noe's living room, with him as CEO, Mr. Ng as executive user experience director and Charles Bae as executive creative director.

They named their company Rokkan—a Japanese word meaning “intuition.”

At first, the team put their creative aspirations aside and worked on securing financing and big, corporate accounts. “We needed to get established, and this is what we knew,” said Noe.

Quickly, they built up a reputation, and though their client list is a who's-who of corporate America 12 years later, they are known for unconventional thinking.

In 2004 Rokkan helped change the way consumers interact with airline sites with its campaign for Virgin America. “We made it possible to see what seats were available before you booked a flight,” said Noe. “No other airline was doing that at the time. Now everyone does.”

To date, the agency has won more than 90 media and tech awards, including being named an Agency to Watch in 2012 in Advertising Age's Agency A-List. Rokkan is now houses 50+ employees with $8 million in annual sales from a client list that includes Jet Blue, Virgin America, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Nintendo, EA Games, Stoli Vodka and Google.

“We have built a client list by being the agency that doesn't give you the thing that you've been doing,” said Noe. “We work from our gut, and we look for clients who have the stomach to get outside their comfort zones.”

Even now, Noe is not shy about his distaste for corporate culture. He fled that environment early-on, and in building Rokkan, he's intentionally kept it small and hip. The office is a T-shirt environment, and ping-pong tournaments are at the heart of Rokkan's social culture.

HITS

Back in the early days, it was hard for a digital agency to land big accounts, so instead of chasing clients, the boys from Rokkan teamed up with larger, more traditional agencies that were looking for cyber savvy. “It was easier to partner with an established agency than to land a brand,” Noe said. It was a partnership with Anomaly that led to the award-winning Virgin America campaign. Rokkan partnered with the agency for 18 months, charging a flat fee for its hours. Then, in a twist of fate that Noe swore resulted in “no bad blood,” Virgin America management severed its ties with Anomaly and hired Rokkan directly.

Today, Rokkan now has the chops to land the big brands on its own.

MISSES

In early 2009, soon after the economy tanked, Rokkan took on a client that sold luggage, school bags, and backpacks was a cool brand that wanted an eCommerce site. But somewhere along the way, there was a chasm in communication. Rokkan charged a lower-than-unusual fee to do “initial-phase work,” but the client, Mr. Noe said, thought the fee should cover everything on its wish list. Unable to work like that, Mr. Noe said, Rokkan exited the relationship. But its team learned a valuable lesson. “Now,” he said, “we break the work down into smaller pieces with a road map. And we are smarter about looking for more compatible relationships.”

Rokkan Welcomes Zach Newcomb as Executive Account Director

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:17:25 -0500

Rokkan is excited to announce the hiring of Zach Newcomb (@znewcomb) as Executive Account Director.

“Finding a talented and innovative executive that fits into our overall culture is a rare commodity,” said John Noe, CEO of Rokkan. “We are thrilled to welcome Zach into the Rokkan family. He has a deep history working with some of the nation’s most respected blue-chip brands like American Express and Nike, and is a perfect fit into our vision for where we see Rokkan going into 2012.”

Bringing a unique blend of both agency and brand experience with him, Newcomb will be tasked with cementing client service practices at Rokkan, as well as forging deep relationships with brands that leverage the agency’s unique creative and technical assets to help clients meet their strategic marketing goals. In addition, Newcomb will help oversee new business initiatives to drive Rokkan’s rapidly expanding client portfolio which includes Stoli Vodka, JetBlue, Scholastic, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and EA Games.

Rokkan Makes Ad Age's Agency A-List: Top 10 Agencies to Watch in 2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:43:10 -0500

Rokkan is pleased to announce that we made Ad Age's A-List as one of the Top Ten Agencies to Watch in 2012. We're honored to be in such distinguished company. Thanks to everyone who has been with us in the long and short who helped us get here.

We couldn't be more excited about where 2012 is heading. Rokkan's client roster continues to expand, and we've had the opportunity to work with brands we never thought possible even just a few years ago. With our explosive growth, and the exciting new stuff we'll be launching soon, this recognition will hopefully be just the beginning of where Rokkan is headed.

Ford Announces New Interactive Reality Web Series: Escape Routes

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:10:51 -0500

Ford is teaming up once more with Emmy-award-winning reality producers to create the ultimate interactive reality Web series: Escape Routes.

TDI, Rokkan, and Profiles embark on the second season of last year's Ford Focus Rally, where viewers at home were able to follow and affect the outcome of six teams as they traveled across the country competing in extreme, real-life challenges. Escape Routes, due to launch later this year, will feature the 2013 Ford Escape and a completely re-imagined level of social interaction, gaming, live streaming video, and more.

We’re currently looking for an elite crop of drivers—teams of two with a strong presence on the Web and a hunger for adventure—to take the wheel of the all-new Ford Escape. Besides an epic experience and a spot in the limelight, you’ll be competing for cash and prizes for the friends, fans and followers that help you on your way to the finish line.

Think you’re up for the challenge? Apply for your spot and learn more at www.escaperoutes.com.

DMNews.com: Q&A With Rokkan's CEO, John Noe

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:46:23 -0500

John Noe, Rokkan's CEO, discusses the relationship between brands' websites and Facebook pages.

As seen in DMNews.com

Q: Given capabilities such as site retargeting and landing page optimization, brands' sites seem to be now as much direct marketing vehicles as they are brand advertising vehicles. Would  you agree?

A: I think that's 100% right. I think a lot of it goes down to segmentation and all the different use cases. If you're thinking about travel sites, [it's] being very thoughtful of how a traveler who lives in Florida might be looking for a very different kind of travel than a person who lives in New York. We find a lot of interesting things. For example, for people who are customers of a particular brand, the audience on  Facebook is sometimes different than the audience on Twitter versus the audience on the dot-com.

Q: Many TV ad calls-to-action drive consumers to a brand's Facebook page instead of its own site. Is there a danger there?

A: It depends on the company. There are companies that are pure-play e-commerce, so they're going to want to drive people to their e-commerce site. I'd be surprised if eBay started pitching its Facebook page more than eBay.com. But there are also the brands that don't sell directly. We work with a lot of liquor brands and they can't sell on their sites. Then it becomes more about how are we building awareness of this particular brand or its products and how do we start bringing them into a channel where it can have some of those looser, more informal conversations about the brand?

Q: Does driving consumers to  a Facebook page impact the  value of a non-e-commerce  marketer's own site?

A: I think it does change the dynamics quite a bit. I think some of the trick is taking in what the different purposes are between how we're using social channels versus our branded dot-com channels. A lot of what we found is that especially with brands that are lifestyle brands, it's very important to be able to deliver on what the lifestyle of that particular brand is — and sometimes what's more effective than a really nice piece of copy or visual is  the conversations that  are happening.

Q: There's a push toward brands integrating social into their dot-com presence. How much of a challenge is that?

A: It is new, and I honestly can't think of anyone who's doing it perfectly. I think the brands that are most hungry to figure this out are the ones that are the e-commerce players. How do we make shopping more social online? Shopping offline is a very social experience, but on the sites it tends to be very singular. So we've been looking at how to weave social into the shopping experience, so that it can either aid an individual's shopping or it becomes a group effort.

The FWA: Thoughts on Flash

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:20:39 -0500

Since Steve Jobs posted his "Thoughts on Flash" in April 2010, there's been a lot of talk about the future of Flash.

After Adobe’s announcement of no more Flash player dev on mobile browsers, The FWA reached out to Rokkan and other industry powerhouses to get their thoughts.

Errol Schwartz, Senior Interactive Developer, Rokkan:

“Adobe’s announcement was not a shock to us at Rokkan and won’t affect our development strategies in any way. We were never targeting mobile devices as Flash platforms beyond the occasional AIR app. Websites are becoming more about usable presentation of content, and less about the entertainment value that Flash sites were previously providing. People are looking to mobile for everything these days, including fun interactive experiences. Native mobile development was always the clear winner when thinking about performance and using a device to its full potential.”

Rokkan Announces the Launch of the Newly Redesigned THQ Website

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:46:57 -0500

(New York, NY) November 10, 2011 — Rokkan, a full-service digital agency recognized for successfully building integrated digital solutions, today announces the launch of the redesigned THQ website. THQ, a leader in the gaming industry, offers a variety of video games for every genre and consumer. The site launch follows THQ’s recent re-branding and showcases the brand’s continued dedication to develop triple-A titles and its own intellectual properties.

“With popular new game titles priced upwards of $60 and new titles constantly fighting for shelf space, it was an important step for THQ to push their position as a leading publisher through a complete re-branding company. The new THQ design earmarks the publisher’s intent to forge a new path.” stated a representative from THQ.

“To reflect THQ’s rebranding, the new THQ.com was designed to reinvent the way consumers digested information,” says CEO of Rokkan, John Noe concerning the redesign. Noe continues, “Showcasing the latest and hottest titles under ‘Fresh’ and the popular past titles under, ‘Classic’ among other category redefinitions is one of many simple ways Rokkan and THQ chose to display products. By creating an editorial look and feel to the site, product information is now delivered in an explorative way, stripping away the traditional catalogue grid-view of games and instead inviting the user to click around and discover THQ’s suite of products from game to game.”

Rokkan has developed online experiences and marketing strategies for gaming brands like EA Games, 2K Games, Rockstar, Nintendo and Square Enix. And coupled with Rokkan’s deep e-commerce and customer experience strategy with Virgin America, Atlantis and Chipotle, the blend of gaming expertise and deep digital experience made Rokkan an ideal fit to spearhead the re-launch of THQ.

View the new THQ.com.

New Model Agencies: ROKKAN

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:44:25 -0400

CEO and Partner, John Noe talks to Adweek about how to do big things without being too big.

The Rise of In-Game Advertising: Q&A with ECD Charles Bae

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:01:31 -0400

Gaming industry blog Saving Content sat down with ECD/Partner Charles Bae to talk about the influx of advertising in video games:

“For the gamers who don’t want to see an advertisement on a billboard during a Madden Game, use a Sony cell phone in Splinter Cell or Drive a Dodge Charger in Grand Theft Auto you are out of luck. The age of advertising has finally taken over the gaming world.

Do you think advertising in games has a positive or negative effect on people playing the games (or no effect at all)?

I don’t think in-game advertising has a real effect on a gamer. For the most part, brands and game publishers have been doing a respectful job with ad placement. Since we’re dealing with an immersive experience, advertisers and publishers seem to be following the basic rule of placing ads within the context of a respective game’s world. It makes absolute sense for an ad to appear on a billboard in a game set in New York City. It also makes sense to fill a sports game with advertisements because it actually helps bring the game closer to reality. Ads and sponsors on sports networks have conditioned us to expect ad overload while watching sports on TV, so a sports game without is would feel wrong.

An instance such as PlayBoy magazine appearing in a game like Mafia 2, is a win-win for everyone. Gamers enjoy the centerfolds, Playboy shows off their brand heritage and relevance in Mafia’s period setting, and the game itself adds another touch of realism.

With the money that is pulled in from advertising, do gamers receive a better product?

Money never makes a game better, in fact, not one single factor makes a game better. More time, more money, more developers, might indeed help create a better product, but the game may still fail to deliver. There are tons of games that have had big budgets but launched with mediocrity and underwhelming sales figures. I think it all comes down to the talent behind the game, and advertising money may certainly help developers and studios hire best-in-breed talent. Same goes for the film industry. You can spend a ton of money on a hollywood blockbuster, but the chances of the movie actually being good is 50/50.”

Chipotle: Back To The Start

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:03:30 -0400

The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation is a non-profit organization estabilshed by Chipotle Mexican Grill, committed to creating a more sustainable and healthful food supply and to raising awareness concerning food issues. The team here at Rokkan has had an amazing time learning more about "Food With Integrity" and the many ways Chipotle has been supporting the development of sustainable practices. A big congratulations to Johnny Kelly, CAA and the team for the launch.

"Coldplay's haunting classic "The Scientist" is performed by country music legend Willie Nelson for the soundtrack of the short film entitled "Back to the Start." The film, by film-maker Johnny Kelly, depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways and opting for a more sustainable future. Both the flim and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system."

Download the song now available on iTunes. Label and proceeds benefit The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.

Rokkan Named JetBlue’s Digital Agency of Record

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:16:38 -0400

Innovative Digital Agency Tapped to Spearhead the Airline’s E-Commerce and Mobile Design

(New York, NY) August 31, 2011 – Rokkan, a full-service digital agency recognized for successfully building businesses through integrated digital solutions, announced today their selection as the lead digital agency for JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU), an innovative leader in the travel space recognized for its dedicated and forward-thinking approach to customer service and the in-flight experience as well as their digital and social media presence. Rokkan will lead a wide array of digital initiatives across e-commerce, mobile and social integration channels. Rokkan will also work closely with Mullen, the creative and media agency-of-record for JetBlue which handles both offline and online advertising for the brand.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of JetBlue’s story as they continue to grow and evolve as a leader in the space,” stated John Noe, CEO of Rokkan. “JetBlue is one of the most approachable and innovative brands in the world. We look forward to helping them showcase everything they do while bringing a fresh perspective on how travelers can interact with the brand through digital.”

“Rokkan brings the same level of passion and dedication for innovation to digital solutions that JetBlue embodies for reinventing the travel experience,” said Michael Stromer, director of e-commerce and interactive marketing for JetBlue. “The agency’s success with a strong portfolio of consumer brands like Atlantis, Chipotle and Google speaks to their ability to create unique and meaningful campaigns that truly engage the customer. As New York’s Hometown Airline, the Rokkan team – also based in New York – is a perfect extension of our digital brand “

About Rokkan
Rokkan is a full service digital agency re-inventing the way brands engage with their consumers and fans. Committed to offering brands unique and fresh perspective, Rokkan has delivered countless award winning online business solutions, marketing campaigns and social engagements for some of the largest and most beloved brands in the world. Award-winning examples include launching and revamping e-commerce sites for Virgin America, Atlantis and Nintendo to significantly grow online revenue; delivering large scale national and global campaigns for Stoli Vodka, Google, Chipotle and 2K Games; and launching the largest fully social media integrated cross country race for Ford with the producers of the Amazing Race. Founded in 2000, Rokkan's expertise, repeated success and pace of growth, continues to distinguish it as one of the leading digital agencies to watch out for. Please visit: www.Rokkan.com for more information.

About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline(TM) with other focus cities in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and Orlando. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as their low fares, JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline as well as super-spaciousEven More Space seats. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 66 cities with 700 daily flights and later this year plans to introduce service to St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as La Romana, Dominican Republic and Liberia, Costa Rica, subject to government approval. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530, or visit www.jetblue.com.

Rokkan Expands Strategy Team Led By Sav Banerjee

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:37:47 -0400

As seen in MediaPost.com

With an eye on social initiatives, digital shop Rokkan Thursday named Sav Banerjee as its new executive strategy director.

At New York-based Rokkan, Banerjee will oversee the strategy team and its work on everything from social media infrastructure to promotional efforts for such clients as Stoli Vodka, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Google, THQ and 2K Games.

"Social media is such an increasingly important part of modern business and we wanted to make sure we had the best resources available for our clients' needs," John Noe, CEO of Rokkan, said in reference to Banerjee.

Noe is also counting on Banerjee to create consumer engagement models with healthy interaction -- particularly in the areas of content creation and distribution, video 2.0, and influencer marketing.

Previously, Banerjee honed his digital and social media expertise at Big Fuel Communications, M80, and most recently at SapientNitro.

Banerjee has recently championed projects like Google's "demoslam" social media promotion, and Smart Water's Jennifer Aniston "Sex Tape" viral video.

Founded in 2000, Rokkan is perhaps best known for its work launching and revamping e-commerce sites for Virgin America, Atlantis and Nintendo.

It also gained notoriety for its work on a social media-supported cross-country race for Ford with the producers of the Amazing Race.

Just this past April, Chipotle tapped Rokkan to handle some upcoming digital marketing and brand awareness initiatives. Specifically, Rokkan said it would help to develop online sales, customer service infrastructure, local store marketing strategy and out-of-store ordering through mobile and Web platforms.

Rokkan Nominated for Agency of The Year

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:57:46 -0400

.net Magazine is back for another round of cutting-edge design and development, showcasing only the best of 2011. Rokkan has been graciously nominated for the Agency of the Year category alongside some of the most innovative technology and design centered agencies in the industry. Praised as an invaluable resource for web-designers with quality content and contributions, .net Magazine delivers commentary, insightful tutorials, exclusive interviews and expert reviews to millions of web users around the world. Cast your vote for Rokkan for Agency of the Year today.

LetsRedu.com Wins A Webby

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:03:49 -0400

Rokkan collaborated with CAA, Hunter Gatherer and Good Magazine to launch LetsRedu.com, a site powered by Bing's search engine for curated news related to education reform. The site serves as a platform for educators, thought leaders, and individuals, eager to learn more about our nation's education system, its current state of affairs and its need for change. The site has featured issues related from concepts in curriculum to concerns in cafeteria food being served at public schools.

LetsRedu.com won a Webby Award for the Activism category among many other honorable projects. We're extremely proud to have contributed to an important message such as education reform, and to have had the opportunity to work alongside our innovative partnering agencies. LetsRedu.com is proof and just one small example of how technology, media and activism can converge to set a positive change in motion.

Heather Harrigan Ricciardi Joins Rokkan As Executive User Experience Director

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:19:38 -0400

Heather comes to Rokkan with over 15 years of information architecture experience and a love of creating clean, clear and usable digital experiences. She comes from DailyCandy.com where she focused on the intersection of content, commerce and social media. Her agency experience includes Senior IA roles at Frog design, Proxicom and iXL. Heather's experience with past clients include MarthaStewart.com, Scholastic.com, GE.com, NYTimes.com, and JPMorganChase. Heather will help lead the UX team at Rokkan.

Digital Ping Pong League

Fri, 27 May 2011 08:19:48 -0400

If you've been following us at all, you're probably wondering whether we're a digital shop or a professional ping pong team. The answer to that question is both. Thanks to the strategic genius of our friends at Undercurrent, ten agencies got together every week for a friendly ping pong match that eventually lead to a final showdown at Spin NYC. We're super happy with the result of the season and excited to have had the opportunity to meet so many of our fellow agencies. Stay tuned for Season 2, with a few more agencies to add to the mix. To that we say, play on, player. Play on!