Latest News
Closed Loop re-opens online
02/06/2008From audio and animation to an online calculator that computes 'green' savings achieved through recycling, closedloop.com.au engages at every step.
The site is designed to convey the benefits of recycling and the 'closed loop' process, and to showcase the business' two key streams: products and services.
Hence, our 'full circle' approach integrates an online store and packaging brochures with case studies, an online quoting system, green tips and more.
There's also a promo to win a TV (and build the Closed Loop database). Get loopy and have a look.
Well-oiled website for growing business
7/05/2008Savvy marketers, Red Island recognised that its continued growth relied on the support of its olive oil, pasta and pasta sauce customers, and strengthening its position as an Australia leader and expert in olive oil.
Hard Hat Creative was tossed into the mix to build a website that achieved both objectives.
The result is a tasty blend of customer engagement (two-way dialogue through feedback and testimonials, a subscription database, competitions and promotions and recipes that are regularly updated) and brand positioning (education as to why Red Island is best including tips, health benefits and an e-movie demonstrating olive oil blending).
The site also features a media centre to reduce pressure on the marketing team and tools to help to meet the reporting requirements of a publicly listed company.View Site
A job well done on recruitment site
14/04/2008When Insidejob gave us the job to build its website, the brief was to convey credibility in a competitive marketplace and improve business systems to make life easier.
As Insidejob is a team of busy internal recruitment professionals running workshops and recruiting talent, our solution was to build a comprehensive and user-friendly content management system – so they can update the site with events, jobs and workshops whenever they like.
To reduce time spent on other manual tasks, users can register and pay for events online, complete comprehensive recruitment forms and apply for jobs (which feed straight into the company’s job management system). Sounds good, doesn’t it? Take a look.
Not all websites are created Eagle
7/04/2008Based on the success of our website for Bhuja, we were approached to build a website for Eagle Snacks, an iconic American snack food that has been relaunched to replicate the success of its 1970s heyday.
Evolving from the product's slogan 'not all snacks are created Eagle™', we used custom animation to develop a fun and over-the-top visual identity that engages the user, rekindles memories for Eagle fans of yesteryear and pays homage to the brand's heritage.
The site features a custom-made 'zip code' function to make sense of the product's thousands of stockists; an 'Eagle Nation' concept to grow the brand's database; and a design that can evolve alongside future marketing promotions. View site.
Engaging e-movie messaging
28/03/2008As a forward-thinking digital agency, Hard Hat Creative is now home to a permanent, professional film crew. Its job is to film messages from business leaders and distribute them as 'mini-movies' to staff or clients via email or Web. Able to be shot, uploaded and sent within hours, its ideal for reaching large numbers of geographically dispersed contacts. Clients like Visy are already embracing the benefits. To find out more contact us today.
Pet Loo caters to universal appeal
19/03/2008With bi-lingual copy and a payment system upgraded to accept the Hong Kong dollar, Hong Kong pet owners can now purchase loos for polite pets directly from the Pet Loo store online.
An immediate success, plans to expand the online store (and the Pet Loo business) into other regions are already being considered. View site.
Web pledges blast off (minus C02)
15/02/2008
The new website for Visy Recycling Movement underpins several initiatives to help fight climate change: it acts as a portal for visitors to formally pledge their commitment to recycling and supports a national competition to uncover groups battling climate change – providing $10,000 per month to assist their efforts.
With users driven from competition partners Australian Women’s Weekly and Australian Conservation Foundation, environmental education is central to the site: recycling tips, reports and useful links feature prominently in the design. View the site
Fashion stampede for Aussie icon
11/02/2008
Designed in wintry shades of charcoal, the revamped Anthea Crawford website not only looks fabulous for the coming season, we enhanced its functionality, too.
The sleek site now features 'click to enlarge' and 'roll over' technology to best help fashionistas view the range in detail. Meanwhile the brand’s marketing team is enjoying an improved database system that helps them better communicate with customers based on specified interests and requests. View the site.
Consider yourself to be flashy?
11/02/2008Do you have a passion for creativity, a love for all things Flash and a meticulous eye for detail? Are you seeking a role with significant professional development and a genuine opportunity for creative input?
As the Flash Guy/Girl you will gain invaluable commercial experience in online media design and development whilst working with our talented team of strategists, designers, developers and animators. Read the flashy job description.
Victory for Aussie Open e-store
21/01/2008
In a world-first, Hard Hat Creative was appointed to build and design the 2008 Australian Open online store. It marks the first time a Grand Slam online store has been built outside of IBM and internal IT departments.
Custom-built to exact specifications the site has hit an ace with both organisers and users - the store received its first order within two hours of launching (pre-promotion) and return on investment is accelerating faster than an A-Rod serve. Click here to visit the store
Dahlsens, the right tool for the job!
08/10/2007
Dahlsens have been supplying the Australian market with quality building materials since 1877 (yes, that's 130 years!). With over 30 branches across Victoria and New South Wales and a swag of recently revamped marketing tools, the team at Dahlsens decided it was time to step up their online presence. As a trusted supplier to thousands and a major employer in many regional areas, Dahlsens approached the new website as a vehicle to showcase their extensive range, better interact with their customers and improve their internal efficiencies.
Dahlsens' new website is jam packed with features to help provide users with a valuable, highly relevant experience. Visitors can search for their closest branch, view and apply for jobs, submit PDFs for accurate project quotes and download 'How To' manuals until their heart's content. The Dahlsens marketing team enjoy the flexibility of our 'tricked up' Tool Box content management system which makes keeping the site current a breeze.
Scheduled reviews will help ensure the site stays as fresh as the day it was launched – make sure you check back in 2137!
Bhuja in the mix
20/09/2007
Snacks, snacks and more snacks. Just when you thought they were all the same, along comes Bhuja mix, an exotic combination of flavours, aromas and textures. With origins dating back thousands of years, Majans’ Bhuja mix is made using a family recipe passed down through the generations.
With national distribution through Coles, Woolworths and IGA supermarkets, this traditional Indian snack food has found its way into the homes and hearts of millions of Australians.
The Bhuja team approached Hard Hat looking for a website that helped build the brand’s profile as well as create interest in the lucrative American market, where Bhuja is set to launch.
The Hard Hat team used Flash content to develop an evocative site which plays on the brands’ latest marketing tag to 'spice things up'. Downloadable wallpapers, competition entry and a membership database engage the customer, whilst product range details, nutritional facts and the Bhuja story are aimed at exciting potential stockists.
As Bhuja continues to develop new lines and enter new markets, the sites’ evolution, facilitated by Hard Hat Creative, will be critical to ensuring both retailers and consumers are kept in the know.
There's nothing quite like a drop of Visy Estate
18/09/2007
Everybody knows what a sensational job Visy does recycling our paper, plastic and glass to help save the planet. What a lot of people don’t know is how much research, development and innovation Visy brings to the marketplace. Enter Visy's brand new range of PET wine bottles.
Visy's shatterproof bottles are designed for premium wines and offer more benefits than you can poke a stick at. They’re up to 90% lighter than their glass counterparts, produce fewer emissions in the manufacturing process and are easily recycled – all of which result in a smaller carbon footprint.
As if helping Mother Nature isn’t good news enough, the PET manufacturing process allows winemakers unprecedented flexibility in terms of bottle design, colours and shapes.
Team HHC had a lot of fun working on the 'Visy Estate' campaign. The microsite is clean, fresh and provides just enough information for potential customers. As part of a cross-media campaign, the site has helped Visy approach the market with a compelling, innovative story. Winemakers are already jumping on board and not a moment too soon - the Spring Racing Carnival is just around the corner...
Packaging Council all wrapped up!
02/08/2007
The shiny new Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) website officially launched this week. The national body that represents designers, manufacturers and suppliers within the packaging industry provides an array of services for their members including insightful publications, international guest speakers, awards programs and invaluable educational initiatives.
The PCA website needed to be easy to update, capable of managing an extensive membership database and appeal to a broad range of users, The end product is a functional, distinctive site with maximum content flexibility. Behind the scenes is Hard Hat's easy to use 'toolbox' content editor, a juiced up membership management tool and staggered access levels that allow PCA staff to modify their own sections of the site.
The PCA team are always fun to work with, the brief was great, and the site is already making waves within the industry.
Concept Approved!
13/07/2007
Concept Consulting Group provides expert advice to energy industry players across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. Concept recently undertook a comprehensive corporate rebranding exercise and turned to Hard Hat to bring their website up to speed. The Concept website needed to be flexible, scalable and professional, whilst maintaining the 'human element' imperative in any consulting business.
The end product is clean, intuitive and draws heavily on the business's new identity. Using the Hard Hat Toolbox, members of the Concept Consulting team can quickly and easily update the content, imagery and publications that appear throughout the website. Comprehensive statistics and an ongoing review process will help ensure that Concept Consulting stays ahead of the game.
Wall Heroes to the rescue!
04/05/2007
HHC is excited to announce the launch of the official AFL Wall Heroes website. These larger than life, high definition, self adhesive bad boys are sure to be the biggest thing to hit the AFL fanbase in 2007. Wall Heroes have launched with five of the AFL’s brightest stars, namely Nathan Buckley, Matty Lloyd, Chris Judd, Matthew Pavlich and Brendon Fevola. If you don’t see one of your favorites yet, fear not – there are plenty more Wall Heroes on their way!
The Wall Hero website features animated product demonstrations, a shopping cart with integrated payment processing and the facility for fans to nominate future ‘Wall Hero worthy’ superstars. Behind the scenes is a fully loaded admin section including stock keeping, order tracking and comprehensive statistics.
Wall Hero stock is extremely limited and with a price tag of just $99 plus shipping, fans had better get in quick!
H2 bursts out of the box
20/04/2007
H2 is in the business of content. The booming production house has been producing high quality television shows for the global marketplace since the year 2000. With a client list that includes Arnotts, L’Oreal, Peters, Blockbuster and Pepsi, and a distribution network that spans over 50 countries, the H2 team decided it was time to step up their web presence.
The hard hat team worked closely with H2 to produce a site that was visually compelling, informative and captured the essence of the h2 brand. Imagery throughout the site is vibrant and exciting, the navigation bar is fresh and strangely addictive, and the smattering of flash videos lets people see exactly what h2 does without having to download separate video files. In addition to what the general public sees, there’s also a snazzy hidden area for h2 to show off pilots and working concepts to a select few including clients, networks and distributors.
Pet Loo goes global
18/04/2007
Less than 18 months after Pup-Pee solutions launched The Pet Loo in Australia, the team is gearing up for global expansion. With American and Canadian distribution agreements already in place, Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany are just around the corner. The first international bound loos were dispatched in mid April to an eagerly awaiting American public. Initial demand has already outstripped supply
The Pet Loo site has been significantly upgraded to reflect the new, global customer base. Region specific microsites have been added as well as some fantastic Flash video on the homepage and ‘training tips’ section. Flash video provides a high quality, instant viewer experience without having to download clips or utilize a separate media player.
Nice packing for the PCA
12/04/2007
The Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) is the national body for designers, manufacturers and suppliers within the packaging industry. Every year the Council seeks out the top talent from universities and industry leaders across Australia by running the Australian Packaging Awards and the Southern Cross Package Design Awards.
HHC was approached to create microsites for each award that reflected the existing branding and marketing collateral. The result was an engaging, full flash site for the student awards and a more conservative, though still smooth looking site for the industry boffins. Both sites are simple to navigate, feature downloadable PDFs and all the information a PCA award candidate could ever dream of needing.
Hole in one for Ezi Caddy
05/04/2007
EziCaddy are in the business of making life easier for golf fanatics. No longer do you have to use half your energy pushing or carrying your clubs around the course, now that EziCaddy provides a smarter, simpler, stronger, lighter motorized caddy at a price that won’t shake your tartan.
After being dazzled by the good looks and convenience of the product, visitors to the site can take advantage of their online store. The new EziCaddy website provides a simple and secure way for golfers young and old to indulge in the luxury of a motorised golf caddy delivered to their door, in just a few easy clicks.
