“We were so honored to be recognized by TechMaine for three different categories,” said Amanda O’Brien, Vice President of Marketing. “We have had a really great year as a company and it is nice to hear that the work we are doing is making an impact on our community and among our Technology peers.”

Nominated for New Technology (Product/Service) of the Year, Hall Tools Software helps web marketing professionals, site owners and marketing managers maximize their internet marketing efforts. Hall Tools provides daily actionable website data through daily automated reports. The Hall’s Tools Software harnesses the power of Social Media, SEO and Internet Marketing, and puts the power into the hands of business owners. Hall’s Tools currently has 68 companies subscribed to the Software as a Service Internet Marketing platform, and projects that this figure will double by the end of 2011.

In the past 12 months, Hall Web Services doubled their staff of fully benefited, full time, salaried employees at their Portland office, and now employs 17 web developers, software engineers and internet marketers. “The growth of the company had been exciting and it was an honor to be recognized by TechMaine community for our growth and to be named as a leader in the Maine technology industry,” added O’Brien.

About Hall Web Services
Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy.  Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production.

For more information, visit: http://www.hallme.com/press/

WESTBROOK, ME – June 30, 2010 – The Insurance Automation Group (IAG), a Workgroup Company, announces that it has expanded its staff and moved to a new office location to accommodate the company’s growth. Insurance Automation Group develops software solutions that enable insurance agencies and companies, health care plans, and commercial recovery firms to improve efficiency, streamline business processes, and reduce operational costs.

The firm recently hired Stacy Cutbirth as Senior Surety Business Analyst/Product Specialist for its iAutomate: Erlon Surety software solution. Cutbirth used the product while managing the surety bond division of a large insurance agency. In addition, she served on the iAutomate: Erlon Surety Steering Committee, a group of product power users that interfaced with Insurance Automation Group to propose product innovations. In her new role, she will provide product support, training, and demonstrations while developing a manual of recommended workflow processes that will help iAutomate: Erlon Surety users to maximize their investment in the product. Ms. Cutbirth is based on the West Coast, improving IAG’s multi-time-zone help-desk support services for its installed base.

IAG also has promoted Greg Marsters to Product Manager, where he is now responsible for product planning and execution throughout the product’s evolution. He will continue to work closely with customers as well as with software engineering, marketing, and sales to prioritize customer requirements, define product vision, and ensure customer satisfaction.

In addition to expanding the staff, Insurance Automation Group has relocated to new office space at 207 Larrabee Road in Westbrook, Maine. The new space will help IAG and its sister company, Workgroup Technology Partners, accommodate continued growth.

“While the economy has been exceptionally challenging, businesses still are investing in software and solutions like those developed by Insurance Automation Group that enable them to be more productive and efficient, and that help them grow the bottom line,” says Dan Russell, Vice President, Insurance Automation Group. “We are pleased to have Stacy join our team, and will benefit from her agency experience and product knowledge. We also appreciate the ability to accommodate our busy and growing team into our new office space.”

About Insurance Automation Group

The Insurance Automation Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Workgroup Technology Partners, a provider of advanced technology solutions and services based in Westbrook, Maine. The Insurance Automation Group develops software solutions that help agencies, companies, HealthPlans, and commercial recovery firms automate time-consuming and costly challenges. Its Cost Containment Solutions help HealthPlans and commercial recovery firms contain costs and capture recovery dollars. Its Surety Solutions automate the entire surety workflow process for agencies and surety companies. Its tightly integrated Document Management Solutions control office documents and forms. The Insurance Automation Group is an Applied ConneXion® Integrating Vendor. For more information, call 207-856-5300 or visit www.insuranceautomationgroup.com.

Contact:

Jeff Bucci

Insurance Automation Group

207.856.5325

jeff.bucci@insuranceautomationgroup.com

Alison Harris

Harris Media Services

207.829.4500

alison@harrismediaservices.com

Maine-based Television Production Company Receives

New England Emmy Award for Outstanding Magazine Show

“The Best Maine Escapes”

South Portland, ME (May 23, 2010) – South Portland-based Bohler Productions, Inc. receives their first New England Emmy award for Outstanding Magazine Show for “The Best Maine Escapes” television program. This is the company’s ninth Emmy nomination and first Emmy win since launching five years ago. Winners were announced on May 22, 2010 at the official New England Emmy Awards Gala at Gillette Stadium in Boston.

“The Best Maine Escapes” is the company’s 17^th television program, which aired in 2009 on NECN and Travel Channel.  The format of the show takes viewers on a tour through Maine’s best coastal getaways, highlighting accommodations, along with its varied amenities, as well as showcasing the scenic beauty of the featured destination.  The production team included Christine Bohler, David Huot, Matthew Gilbert, Scott Sutherland and Steve Frigard. The TV show aired on NECN and Travel Channel.

Christine Bohler, a 16-year television veteran, is the owner, host, writer, producer and executive producer of Bohler Productions, Inc. of South Portland, Maine.

“Creating television programming that inspires, educates and entertains an audience is a rewarding job in itself.  To be recognized by my industry peers with an Emmy award is an amazing honor and the icing on the cake,” said Bohler.

In addition to “The Best Maine Escapes,” Bohler Productions, Inc. has also produced “The Best of Portland”, “Shape Up”, “Maine’s Best Weddings”, “The Best of Maine Winter”, “The Best New Rides”, “Maine Home + Design” and “The Best of Naples” (FL), which ran on various television stations throughout New England and Florida.

Launched in 2005, South Portland, Maine-based Bohler Productions, Inc. is a television production company specializing in lifestyle & destination travel programming.

For more information about Bohler Productions, Inc., visit the company’s website at www.bohlerproductions.com.

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An English degree from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and a Media Production degree from Boston’s Emerson College enabled Josh to hone his expertise in digital marketing, while still staying true to the original, and most important, form of engagement and communication – the written word.

Josh has worked with various businesses, organizations, and musicians to achieve success in web marketing. He helped develop content for new website launches and redesigns; produced digital video in the promotion of new music; and spearheaded entire web marketing and social media marketing campaigns, from genesis to fruition, for various organizations.

Josh’s current role is Chief Marketing Strategist of his own firm, Promenade Media, which offers social media marketing and digital media production for small businesses, musicians, and sustainable causes. Promenade Media also provides webinar production, SEO, and overall web strategy consultation.

Josh became an official Board member of the Maine Marketing Association in September 2007. He eventually went on to spearhead the entire website redesign process and helped launch the successful 2009 membership drive. He also continues to create the bi-weekly e-newsletter sent to over 1400 Maine professionals.

Josh is also actively involved with the Maine Animal Coalition and Maine Businesses for Sustainability. When not working or playing music, he enjoys skiing, attending U2 and Phish concerts, and hiking trips with his wife and Bulldog.

The Maine Marketing Association (MMA) was founded in 2001 in Portland. The goal of the organization is to provide ongoing marketing-related education and support to its members and to the region’s business community.

May 17, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Portland, Maine) The Maine Center for Enterprise Development (MCED) is proud to announce its newest Benefactor Level Sponsor:  Kepware Technologies.

“MCED is the “go-to” organization for any small business start-up that needs Maine business connections, and mentoring from experienced businesspeople. Kepware was in there about 10 years ago, and I only wish that those resources had been available to me back then,” says Corson Ellis, Chairman and Founder, Kepware Technologies. 

Headquartered in Portland, ME since 1995, Kepware Technologies is the world leader in communication software for automation and offers a unique experience in both OPC and embedded device communications.  The company focuses on the development of communication drivers to automation controllers, I/O and field devices. 

To learn more about Kepware Technologies visit their website at http://www.kepware.com or call 1-888-537-9273.

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ABOUT MCED

MCED is a private, not-for-profit 501-c-3 organization created to establish an environment where small companies, start-ups and first-time entrepreneurs can grow, prosper and successfully commercialize their technology in southern Maine. As Maine’s first business incubator, MCED was created out of the Portland Regional Chamber in 1997 to be a model of excellence for nurturing entrepreneurs, launching successful start-up companies and implementing innovation as an economic development tool for Maine.

For additional information about MCED please visit http://www.mced.biz.

CONTACT:

Steven Bazinet, President

228-8525

SBazinet@mced.biz

“We use Google Analytics on a daily basis as a tool to help assess the effectiveness of our client websites and marketing efforts,” Alex said. “Google Analytics is a free, yet, extremely robust web analytics tool that we implement on every site we develop. The insight and data collected through the tool allows us to make informed recommendations and decisions to ensure the continued success of our clients’ online businesses.”

The Google Analytics Individual Qualification test is timed and features advanced-level questions regarding the use and application of Google Analytics. The test ensures the Qualified Individual understands the Google Analytics Interface, Various Reports, Fundamentals of Google Analytics, as well as being able to complete In-Depth Analyses using Google Analytics.

About Hall Web Services
Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy.  Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production.
For more information, visit: http://www.hallme.com/press/

“The maintenance and constant evolution of an effective website depends on web analytics to determine what is working on a site and what issues need to be addressed,” Mike said. “We implement Google Analytics on all the sites we develop. It’s a free tool that provides a vast amount of data regarding traffic and interaction which helps in making the best decisions about web maintenance.”

The Google Analytics Individual Qualification test is timed and features advanced-level questions regarding the use and application of Google Analytics. The test ensures the Qualified Individual understands the Google Analytics Interface, Various Reports, Fundamentals of Google Analytics, as well as being able to complete In-Depth Analyses using Google Analytics.

About Hall Web Services
Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy.  Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production.
For more information, visit: http://www.hallme.com/press/

After graduating from Skidmore College, Alexander returned to his roots in Portland, Maine to start a career in search marketing. He brings over two years of internet marketing experience to Hall’s paid, organic, and supplemental search marketing teams. Alexander will assist the teams with keyword research and analysis, organic search strategy, local search, and site launch monitoring.

“We are very excited to have Alex join Hall’s internet marketing team,” said Kasi Gajtkowski, Organic Search Manager. “He brings with him a great deal of search knowledge and experience and has already proven to be an asset to not only our firm, but our clients as well.”

About Hall Web Services
Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy.  Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production

For more information, visit: http://www.hallme.com/press/

“Google Analytics is a very robust web analytics tool and I enjoyed going more in-depth in learning everything that it has to offer, “Kasi said.  “I am armed with even more information to better assess clients’ websites and make recommendations based on the data.”

To become a Qualified Individual in the Google Analytics Qualified Individual program, an individual must pass the Google Analytics Individual Qualification test. The exam features advanced-level questions regarding the use and application of Google Analytics. It is a timed test managed by Google.

About Hall Web Services
Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy.  Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production.
For more information, visit: http://www.hallme.com/press/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Portland, Maine) The Maine Center for Enterprise Development (MCED) has announced today that it is opening up the application process for its Top Gun program, Class of 2010. Top Gun is an innovative approach to providing training, resources and mentoring to innovative entrepreneurs across the state. “With the continued support of our partners, Top Gun will identify and develop Maine’s future innovative business leaders through a network of experienced mentors who will provide continuous learning opportunities”, explains Steve Bazinet, MCED’s President. ”Investing in the professional development of tomorrow’s leaders of fast-growing, innovative companies is a smart strategy for the state of Maine.”

We believe the most promising business leaders of tomorrow need practical training, street smarts, a hunger for knowledge, and a drive to succeed. Top Gun is a customized program that links the State’s most promising growth-oriented entrepreneurs with our most seasoned business professionals and other resources needed to accelerate business growth.

Bazinet continues, “This program will create and leverage the connections among Maine’s entrepreneurs, the private sector, state agencies, and service providers.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Applied Entrepreneurship Program (“Top Gun”) is intended to teach future entrepreneurs what they really need to know to run successful businesses. The instructors are all entrepreneurs with “real-world” experience. The program entrance criteria are simple – find the innovative business leaders of the future who want to pursue their future successes from Maine.

An advisory board made up of private sector professionals and successful entrepreneurs will carefully consider each application looking to indentify the state’s “best of the best” innovative entrepreneurs and partner them with Maine’s most seasoned professionals.

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ABOUT MCED MCED is a private, not-for-profit 501-c-3 organization created to establish an environment where small companies, start-ups and first-time entrepreneurs can grow, prosper and successfully commercialize their technology in southern Maine. As Maine’s first business incubator, MCED was created out of the Portland Regional Chamber in 1997 to be a model of excellence for nurturing entrepreneurs, launching successful start-up companies and implementing innovation as an economic development tool for Maine.

Additional information about Top Gun, including a complete list of guidelines and the online application may be viewed at http://www.mcedtopgun.biz.