Seems to me like there’s been some talk of “change” recently. Some people wanting it, some people not. Even everyone wanting change but having wildly differing opinions on what that means. Regardless of your personal political leanings, it seems like there’s something to look forward to with a new administration on the way: better and faster direct communication and information about what’s happening with the government.

Check out the new Change.gov website:

I find this pretty remarkable in several ways. First of all, just days – or even hours – after the election we have an official government site that is continuing the theme of one of the best marketed Presidential candidates ever. It’s also encouraging participation and involvement from the electorate via the internet. Do you want to know where a lot of the new voters who helped Obama get elected came from: the online community.

Did I mention that this is a government site as well? Sure, you can tell by the “.gov” domain name extension, but realize that there’s only one way to get a .gov extension: be part of the United States government. So somebody had to have this site planned in advance and get it coordinated enough to have online just days after the election. That’s some good foresight and planning.

I can only hope we continue to see proactive communication and participation from our leaders – just as we need the exact same thing from our populace. And seeing the web as a medium for this to all take place is very exciting – and new. Keep an eye on this one!

Bozell, a creative marketing communications company, has expanded its Smartargeting division which offers strategic database marketing solutions for customized direct marketing and creative solutions. This expansion includes staff additions and a new location at 12980 Metcalf, Ste 400, Overland Park, Kansas. Within the past year, Amy Welsh has been added as a director of analytics and Rick Anderson as direct creative director.

“Bozell’s Smartargeting group offers complete solutions that allow all types of businesses to communicate with their customers one-on-one,” said Steve Kuegler, Smartargeting managing partner. “With Amy’s technology background and Rick’s creative experience, we will be able to take our existing suite of services to the next level.”

Bozell Smartargeting offers customer behavior database monitoring, identification of emerging customer needs, developing and testing new products and targeting highest-potential prospects. Other solutions offered include scoring existing customers based on actual return on investment, matching type and frequency of communications to diverse target segments and providing precise market intelligence in the development of strategy.

“The success of Smartargeting and the additions of Amy and Rick enable Bozell to better prepare and offer integrated marketing services to a variety of clients,” said Kim Mickelsen, Bozell managing principle.

As director of analytics, Welsh will manage and lead the direction of Smartargeting database storage and retrieval and provide clients with detailed production reports. She spent the past 10 years in many positions including systems and database analysts for the Marketing, Sales, and Network divisions for Sprint Nextel Corporation. At Sprint Nextel she designed and implemented many data warehouses and provided integrated data solutions through-out multiple divisions. She graduated from DeVry University with a bachelor’s degree in business operations. She has experience with many of the major database software companies on the market, but has advanced database training in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), the market-leader of analytical software.

Anderson is responsible for the strategic and creative development for database/analytics for multi-channel direct programs and campaigns. He has spent 20 years in general advertising and has been in direct marketing for the last 16 years. Prior to joining Bozell, Rick worked with Bernstein-Rein Advertising as Associate Creative Director on such accounts as California Chamber of Commerce, SunCom Wireless, Commerce Bank, Thornburg Mortgage, USAA, Healthfair and Advahome Mortgage. Anderson’s experience includes brand development with multi-channel direct programs on many of the accounts listed.

Bozell is a creative marketing communications company with offices in Omaha, Nebraska and Overland Park, Kansas. Bozell combines qualitative and quantitative methodology to get close to its clients’ customers. They then use advertising, digital marketing, dialogue relations, technology and innovative creative to provide targeted solutions for local, regional and national clients. For more information, visit www.bozell.com.

Bozell, a creative marketing communications company, has named Michelle Adams as senior account executive, Ryan Sorenson as art director and Michelle Swain as interactive project director.

Adams joins the account executive team working on the First National Bank account. In Adams’ previous position at Velocity Sports & Entertainment in Charlotte, N.C., Specializing in sports and entertainment, she previously served as consulting manager for the Cingular Wireless/AT&T and Toyota Motor Sales at Velocity Sports & Entertainment in Charlotte, N.C. Adams currently serves as vice president of charitable events on the All About Omaha board. Originally from Firth, Neb., she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Sorenson joins the creative team as art director, working primarily on the First National Bank account. Sorenson previously worked as art directors at Swanson-Russell in Lincoln and SKAR Advertising in Omaha. He is currently a member of AIGA, the professional association for design. A Lincoln native, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Swain serves as interactive project director, where she manages Interactive projects and creates Web site copy. Prior to joining Bozell, Swain worked in the insurance industry for 18 years assuming various marketing and communication roles throughout her career. As a marketing communications coordinator at Mutual of Omaha, Swain wrote award-winning copy for agency promotions. During her nine-year tenure as Marketing Manager at Jefferson Pilot Financial, Swain guided the efforts of all marketing and communications activities for group sales personnel within the Benefit Partners Division. Swain graduated from Creighton University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Bozell is a creative marketing communications company with offices in Omaha, Kansas City and Little Rock. Bozell combines qualitative and quantitative methodology to get close to its clients’ customers. They then use advertising, digital marketing, dialogue relations, technology and innovative creative to provide targeted solutions for local, regional and national clients. For more information visit www.bozell.com.