FutureMedia is pleased to announce that Toshiba's Gigabeat® Microsite has been awarded Site of the Week by Design Interact, the online journal published by Communication Arts.

When Toshiba America Consumer Products was preparing for the U.S. launch of a new digital audio player, they turned to FutureMedia Interactive for help. At FutureMedia, we understood that Toshiba wanted something completely different from their corporate site. We worked closely with Toshiba to develop a product-specific "microsite" that would provide product information and promote the new brand in fun and exciting ways.

Unlike the main website, the Gigabeat® microsite is targeted to a narrower audience: hip consumers in their twenties and early thirties. Although they still demand an informative and productive site visit, these web users have also come to expect a more engaging experience. To meet this goal, FutureMedia used a playful interface, a music track, and a variety of animation techniques to present what might otherwise have been static content.

To help generate sales of this new product, the microsite contains "sticky" promotional goodies in a Community section, where users can download Gigabeat®-themed desktop wallpaper, screensavers, and backgrounds for their players. This means visitors who choose to install these promotions will see the Gigabeat® brand each time they use their computer. And for Gigabeat® owners, free music downloads - in cooperation with Universal Motown - will help kick-start their digital music collection. For those interested in making a purchase there are two options: users can choose to search for specific models and compare prices at online retailers, or they can search by zip code for nearby authorized dealers.

Microsites can be a valuable addition to a marketing or communications campaign. By combining a custom designed user-interface with powerful back-end features such as product registration, opt-in newsletter sign-up, and the ability to join an online community, these mini-websites can generate excellent return on investment. The Gigabeat® microsite has quickly became one of the most popular websites operated by Toshiba America Consumer Products, with a large number of visits, repeat visits, and users who register for downloads and product information.

See for yourself. Visit www.gigabeat.com today!