8. Gas and OilExternal Launch<br />Press and Media<br />A successful external press launch is vital to any PRODUCT release. The PRODUCT launch should be structured around creating as much excitement about the PRODUCT within the media as possible. A press launch should take place in an easy to reach location and if possible take place at a customer site. Industry journalists from various relevant markets should be invited to the launch. The launch should include a live PRODUCT demonstration, guest speakers from existing customers describing their experiences and the business benefits of the product. A tour of the customer site with questions and answers should also be scheduled during the launch; this allows the journalists to witness PRODUCT in action. The launch should include the refreshments and/or lunch.<br />Press Launch packs should be created and given out at the launch event, these will typically be similar to internal launch packs providing information on the what PRODUCT is, how it works and the benefits to customers. It’s often a good idea to have goodie bags containing PRODUCT branded gifts such as pens, pads and some sort of gimmick to remind the journalist of the product.<br />The external launch should be followed up with strategic marketing campaigns targeting each of the key market sectors; these should include online, print and PR.<br />End Users<br />The PRODUCT launch should be structured around the key business benefits and the total cost of ownership compared to other comparable products. The launch should take place in an easy to reach location and if possible take place at an existing customer site. Selected end users from various markets should be invited. The Launch should include a live PRODUCT demonstration, guest speakers and a tour of the customer site with questions and answers. <br />Launch packs should be created and given out at the launch event, these will typically be similar to internal launch packs providing information on the what the product is, how it works and the benefits to customers. It’s often a good idea to have goodie bags containing PRODUCT branded gifts such as pens, pads and some sort of gimmick to remind the end user of the product and it’s launch.<br />The launch should include refreshments and/or lunch.<br />To reduce costs the end user launch could take place on the same day as the press launch. Press launch in the morning and end user in the afternoon for example.<br />Integrators and Developers<br />Subject to the chosen route to market if the business is interested in attracting integrators and developers then an open day should be planned at the office. The Integrator and developers launch should include a technical presentation and demonstration including a Q&A session. PRODUCT developers should be on hand to answer any developer related questions.<br />As with the press and end user launch, launch packs and goodie bags should be made available, as should refreshments.<br />Promote the Product - Online<br />Microsite<br />A Microsite should be created exclusively for PRODUCT. The site should clearly define what PRODUCT is; it’s capabilities and the key business benefits.<br />The Microsite should be dynamic and hard hitting utilising technologies such as flash and prodcut related video to demonstrate PRODUCT and it’s key USP’s. The site should also include datasheets, case studies and important contact information (Data Capture).<br />According to the netnames website PRODUCT.co.uk and PRODUCT.com have already been registered to COMPANY and would be the recommended domain names for the PRODUCT Microsite. I would also recommend registering PRODUCT.net as this could be used at a later date for a dedicated partner portal.<br />Social Networking Sites<br />Social networking sites are a great way to share information with customers, end users and the press. MySpace and FaceBook are generally the most popular with approx 253,145,404 and 200,000,000 users respectively. Pages should be created on one or both sites providing the latest information, pictures and videos relating to the product. <br />Twitter is also becoming actively used to market products and is currently receiving a great deal of press activity. A twitter following should be created allowing customers and the press to follow the products activities. <br />Companies currently utilising social network sites include Microsoft, The AA, Johnson & Johnson and many other major brands.<br />Notes<br />System Minimum Requirements<br />Services<br />Professional Services<br />Commissioning<br />Support and Maintenance<br />T<br />