Historical Reference:
Campaign Brief Western Australia's Advertising and Media Magazine November 1991:
The disk was attached under the heading "The future of advertising,
marketing and promotion is on this page".
How does business define acceptable standards? presentation
by Scott Balson -
- Heading "The world's youngest web builder".
- Dr Leu, Prof of Literacy and Language Arts, Syracuse University,
1996.
Company background:
The birth of computer based marketing in Australia:
In 1989 Scott Balson, without even realising it at the time, pioneered a new industry in Australia - computer based marketing.
When reminising on the birth of his company Scott recalls, with great affection, working 18 hours a day, seven days a week, developing a software program which he called the IP (Interactive Presentation). He worked in one corner of a large steel garage in his backyard using an extension chord from the house to supply electricity to an XT computer and a bare light globe hanging over his head.
Scott was sure that the office
computer could become a powerful marketing tool.
"Those first days were hard, very hard, I recall quite vividly trying to work at 2am in the morning while rain hammered loudly on the steel roof just a few inches above my head".
Perseverance shone through and during 1992 he was invited by the Department of Commerce and Trade to establish his fledgling business in the prestigious Technology Park based in Bentley, Western Australia.
1992 was a big year with many bouquets for the company's work being received:
Valerie Pretzel, Marketing and Promotions Manager, Sunday
Times (News Limited) - April 1992:
"The interactive disk has been received very positively by our
advertising clients..."
Brian A Watson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
McCann-Erickson Australia (part of the world's largest advertising agency
group) - May 1992:
"Your interactive presentation format has proven the perfect means
of taking our publication into the computer age."
Robert Stocco,
Marketing Manager, Challenge Bank Limited (now part of Westpac) - June
1992:
"Many (accountants) have expressed enthusiasm at its innovation (I
believe that we are the first financial institution to communicate to our
public in this manner)."
Tony Noonan, Acting Senior Curriculum Officer, Ministry
of Education - October 1992.
"The professional manner in which you developed the material was
greatly appreciated.
"The fact that you have been approachable
at all times and provided back-up support of a high standard has made the
production of this program efficient and effective from our end."
Douglas Flynn, General Manager, News Limited Suburban
Newspapers - November 1992:
"We are delighted with the "Facts on Disk" interactive
presentation your company has produced for News Suburban Network.
A time for expansion:
In 1993 the company expanded
into four seperate companies making up the Interactive Group. Scott Balson
had 50% partners in two of the companies, Interactive Databases Pty Ltd and
Interactive Productions, while maintained a 100% equity in Interactive
Presentations Pty Ltd and Interactive Studies.
In May 1994 Interactive
Databases took out the award for the best Microsoft application in Australia
at the Tech-ed awards. The award was through selection by delegates who viewed
the best Windows applications developed in the country that year. The Qantas
Worldwide Electronic Timetable swamped all opposition.
Our pivotal role in Global Info-Links
A four week contract
was extended into fifteen months. Scott having to make a very difficult decision
to sell out of three of his companies in Perth to concentrate on on-line
business services as he saw these as the future of computer based
marketing.These were early days for commerce on the Internet.
By May 1995 several
thousand subscribers were enjoying the unique, community based service that
Global Info-Links offered the Ipswich community and the commercial Global
Electronic Markets (GEMs) had been launched.
Global Web Builders
- First live coverage of a major sporting event on the Internet:
- First Australian web directory:
- Oldest daily on-line newspaper in Australia:
- Youngest businessman in the world:
- First relationship marketing based commercial site:
Global Web Builders clients include:
-
- Alex's Scribbles
- Australian Super Touring Car Championship
- Computer Gym
- Fire Safe Foam
- Greg Chappel Cricket Centre
- James Engineering
- Queensland Transport
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- Triumph International (Japan)
- Singapore Technology Park
- Worldcare Assistance Services
The dream has become reality....
Expanding Horizons:
During 1997 to 1999 Global Web Builders became the full-time webmasters for the evolving new force in Australian politics - Pauline Hanson's One Nation.
This interest stemmed out of the earlier launch of Australia's oldest on-line daily newspaper which today has a readership of thousands - including reporters in the mainstream media.
The interest in politics arose following research on the net which demonstrated that globalisation by big business was destroying the fabric which had created the lucky country.
The business stopped being involved in politics in November 1999 and today concentrates on building web pages for clients and the owners interest in writing books.
Beside building web pages Scott Balson today writes books - with "Murder by Media, Death of Democracy in Australia" being a best seller.