Hi. I’m Rob.

This is the first of a series of posts I’ll write about the tools I use to create and manage content.  I’ll start with the software and websites I used to create my latest DVD, That Baby DVD.

That Baby DVD is a kids’ video unlike you’ve ever seen or heard before.  It features kid-friendly acoustic cover versions of songs written by artists like Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, and more.  It combines this music with colorful scenes of kids at play, nature, puppets, and animation.

The DVD won an iParenting Media Award as one of The Greatest Products of 2008.  It’s also the first DVD ever carried by Pottery Barn Kids.  Here’s a preview:

I did all of the filming, editing, and animation (I designed the package and do all the marketing too, but that’s for another post).  The tools I use:

Software

• Adobe Premiere Pro -- Video editing
• Adobe After Effects -- Motion graphics
• Adobe Encore -- DVD menus
• Adobe Photoshop -- Editing still images and menu creation
• Adobe Illustrator -- Vector Graphics
• Trapcode Particular and 3D Stroke -- After Effects plugins for special effects
• Audacity -- Audio editing

Websites

• CreativeCow -- After Effects tutorials
• Video Copilot -- After Effects tutorials
• iStockPhoto -- Stock photography and illustrations

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Prior to becoming a free agent in mid 2007, I was a Product Manager at both Microsoft and digital marketing agency Avenue A.

At Microsoft, I worked on several consumer-facing businesses, including Search, MSN, Windows, and Mac Office.  At Avenue A, I was responsible for developing new ad products for digital marketers in the formative days of internet advertising.

In these roles, I’ve built experience in the following functional disciplines:

• Market and competitive analysis
• Product planning, including feature requirements and financial forecasting
• Vendor selection and contract negotiation
• Mergers and acquisitions analysis
• Search Engine Marketing and Optimization
• Social media marketing
• Blogger outreach
• Online advertising
• Public Relations

In this economy, it often makes sense for companies to outsource projects to vendors.  The challenge is to find competent, experienced professionals that can come in and do great work quickly.  Having worked at large companies, I know how to navigate a large organization and get results.  But–as an outsider, I also come at projects with a fresh set of eyes and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Another way in which I help large companies is through training.  Need to teach your employees about blogging, podcasting, RSS, and other forms of new media?  Let’s get them up to speed.

Contact me if you’ve got an interesting project to tackle.

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Are you someone that’s always thought about starting a business but didn’t know where to begin?  Have you started a business and feel overwhelmed by all the things “they say” you should do?

I think I can help.

The good news is that technology enables businesses to start with little and reach a worldwide audience.  I know–I started one myself.

OyBaby LLC is a company I founded in 2002 to create children’s DVDs and CDs.  I do all of the filming, editing, package design, order fulfillment, marketing and PR for the company.  I’ve been especially intrigued by word-of-mouth marketing and the technologies that make recommendations by loyal fans easier and more powerful than ever.

Over the past five years, I’ve enjoyed both teaching what I’ve learned along the way to other entrepreneurs.  Let’s talk about your business and how I can help you improve your:

• Product strategy
• Distribution
• Web presence
• Search Engine Optimization
• Online advertising
• Marketing through social networks (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter)
• PR to both traditional media and online influencers

Contact me for a free initial consultation, then let’s work together to take your business to the next level.

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Companies of all sizes are finding that in order to break through the clutter of the marketplace, they need to get creative.  My experience in media production can help your company bring your ideas to life in new and engaging ways.  I can also do it more affordably than those big production studios.  I can assist your company with:

• Video editing
• Podcast production
• Blog writing
• Speech writing
• Press releases
• PowerPoint template creation
• and more…

Drop me a line.  I’d love to hear what you’ve got cookin’.

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