IXMA’s Cluttered Experience

UPDATE:
8:22 PM (pst) on Sep 21
Erik, from the IXMA, tells us they are working on the official IXMA site and that what we see on the SMEI website today is strictly a placeholder site.

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Anyone else disappointed by the International Experiential Marketing Association’s (IXMA) current* homepage?

Could it be more cluttered? (See below.)

The mission of the IXMA is to show “how experiential marketing (XM) uses credible voices, sensory experiences and respect for the consumer to bring brands – and their essence and benefits – to life, and to create direct and meaningful connections between companies and their customer.”

Given the IXMA's current* homepage, could the irony be more delicious?

* If you go to www.ixma.org you will notice a new IXMA website is coming soon. (Good.)

Comments

[Paul (from Brand Autopsy)]

Gosh... I expected more from a group with such a descriptive title...

While this represents only one form of communication for this group... it would seem that a web site (one of the most dynamic and interactive venues) they would have used the medium to its fullest extent.

This page looks like a traditional newsletter... a flat, printed piece. I honestly didn't read any of it because my eyes got tired just glancing at it.

I didn't get a sensory experience or feel a connection with this group - and this is the welcome mat to what they do...

As marketers we often forget to apply the rules we use for our customers and clients to ourselves...

[Katherine Stone]

In the interest of full disclosure, first let me say that I am on the board of IXMA.

The current website on SMEI is not really the IXMA website - it's simply a momentary placeholder. IXMA came together, under the leadership of Erik Hauser, in no time at all because of the groundswell of interest from so many people. It truly hurtled toward its beginning so that it could get up and running while so many people had interest, and thus some of its marketing is lagging slightly behind. But I know the new site is supposed to be up soon, so I hope you'll forgive us the not-so-great temporary experience.

[erik hauser]

Wow!! You all are very quick to rush to judgment. We are in the process of putting together a world-class marketing association. These things take time to come together. I'm extremely glad to know that you have heard about IXMA, but am a little shocked that you are tripping over yourselves rushing to judgment about SMEI’s website. You will notice that we have put up our logo on the SMEI’s website so that people that are interested in joining the association in its infancy can do so. We have been overwhelmed by the response to the launching of our association. I am certainly not embarrassed by the steps that we have taken to allow people to enroll in IXMA while the first IXMA site is being built. You will also be able to comment on the first IXMA site as well. We aren’t going for flashy site. We are simply going to have a site that lets people know who we are, what we are about, and the things that we plan on accomplishing as an association. It is about getting a great association off the ground, and positioning it for solid, long-term growth. It isn’t simply about having the best website. For the record the formation of IXMA has been funded by me personally - IXMA was my vision. I have been fortunate enough to have world class people stand behind it. Since we are not starting operations with any substantial funding, we have been taking a nice organic approach to getting IXMA up and running. If my vision winds up on your comedy hit list, then so be it. I don't think that there is anything else to say here except that you are entitled to your opinion and I can fully appreciate that fact.

"A strong man is one that builds a firm foundation that others throw at him."

Thanks for the bricks. I will use them as I, along with my advisory board, continue on our quest to build a great association.

[erik hauser]

Being a passionate, and caught up in this moment... I didn't accurately relay my quote.

“A strong man is one that builds a firm foundation from the bricks that others throw at him”

There :) that was easy enough

erik

[johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy)]

Erik ... sorry we got under your skin with our post.

Sounds like you're planning to put forth a simple site that tells the story of the IXMA. Great ... the simpler the better cause the last thing the internet needs is another flash-heavy, slow-loading site. However, wouldn’t a flaming IXMA logo look super cool on the site? (Oh yeah!!!)

Paul and I are HUGE evangelists for experiential marketing. We’ve both had the good fortune to work in the marketing departments of experiential brands like Disney, Starbucks, and Whole Foods.

And we look forward to the IXMA helping other companies and marketers better engage customers with remarkable experiences.

personally, i'm glad to see a 3rd party venue reflecting on Eric's work...the format of the web site doesn't bother me...heck, it's about content not glitz...my experience is based as a subscriber to the [experientialforum.com] listserve, which leaves a lot to be desired...i have posted a couple of times and most [99.75, ivory pure] of the posts are from Msr. Hauser himself...Eric is doing his bit to spark dialogue and channel his passion, but a list is for discussion and there's not much discussion taking place...only lots of thoughts [from our fearless leader] that might be better served in a blog with the occasional contribution by what amounts to a "guest" contributor...the list does not [yet?] have the active back and forth chaordic banter that i have found in other resources...i applaud the man's energy and at this point the movement [though there are some industry stalwarts in the wings] is but a legend in his own mind...if the ego can be removed from the cause, the experience will improve for all...peace, kn

[erik hauser]

2,800 members and one that is unhappy. I should work harder to increase my happiness percentage.:) Passion drives my work - not ego. For the record. If anybody is keep a permanent one.:)
e

[damien francis]

I admire the effort being put in and it is early days. At least they got off their arses to start something....BUT the site isn't an involving user experience and needs some serious thought to get it right.

As to taking criticism - well surely an experiential organisation relies on honest feedback from its customers?

[erik hauser]

http://www.ixma.org is UP AND RUNNING. It is an extremely user friendly site. It is designed for easy navigation and a great user experience. You will find out all about IXMA all in one spot!!!!!!!!!!!