Archives
- 11.16.2008 Accepted Position at Washington University in St. Louis
Beginning November 24, 2008, I will join Washington University in Saint Louis as its new Executive Director of Web Communications. I will manage the University’s top-level web presence and guide strategy for all web-based communication across the institution. This includes locating, colle... - 10.10.2008 Unboxing: Kashi Free Cookie
A few weeks ago, I went to the Kashi website and requested a free cookie. It came in a very cleverly written, simple shipping box that contained my free treat. Kashi is a brand, owned by Kellogg, that is building trust with me. Slowly but surely, I am purchasing and eating more and more of this brand. For many reasons... - 09.23.2008 New: T-Mobile G1 with Google
I watched the press conference this morning for the T-Mobile G1 with Google. In a word, “interesting.” Clearly, this is a competitor to the iPhone, which is now in version two of its evolution. The G1, running on Android, has many attractive features and makes some not-so-subtle challenges to Apple. During this c... - 09.02.2008 Buzz: Google's New Browser, Chrome
So, just like most other web geeks, I heard the buzz over the weekend about Google's new web browser, Chrome. I saw the Twitters, then I got excited. I checked the blogs, searched Google for more information, and I even read the comic book they created for the press. I was (still am) excited about the announcemen... - 08.29.2008 CNN: Microsoft's New Browser
Interesting, of all the features in Microsoft's new browser, this one is getting the most attention. Think Microsoft has lost market share to Mozilla/Firefox/Safari because it did not previously offer this "protection?" It's like reporting about the hidden channels on your cable or satellite box. It is difficult to se... - 08.20.2008 YT: Here Come the Irish
We have opened the popular YouTube video, Here Come the Irish, for embedding. To me, this song and sound really speaks to the spirit of Notre Dame. This is our most popular video on the University of Notre Dame's YouTube channel. - 08.05.2008 YT: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Worth the watch. Stop and think for a moment. Life is short. - 08.04.2008 An anthropological intro to YouTube
Very interesting presentation about YouTube. Do you have a webcam? Maybe you could be the next Numa Numa star. - 07.03.2008 Sentiment Searching
I've been captivated by "sentiment searching." That is, a query to a social network that can result in real-time data of what people are thinking (and saying) about certain topics. I keep bookmarks to searches that can help me find new trends and sentiments about work-related projects. Mostly, I use Summize.com for diggin... - 06.30.2008 Be Transparent, Save Trust
I am an avid user of Twitter. For some reason, this service has done more to connect me with friends and family than any other Web 2.0 creation. It just "gets me." The technology does not overly intimidate me because it does what they say it does. The concept is simple and clear to me. And, I get it. But, recently t... - 06.03.2008 LinkedIn Group for Web in HighEd
Last month, I decided to try something new to reach other higher education communicators -- especially those that have the Web as their primary responsibility. I often feel somewhat "unique" at work. That is, there are no other comparable positions to mine at the University. There are a few that come close, but ... - 04.28.2008 Things Learned During Guest Lecture
Today, I guest lectured with two colleagues at a class for Multimedia Journalism at the University of Notre Dame. I spoke about convergence, the new developments in web culture, and other geekery. This was a group of seniors, juniors, and sophomores. I learned a few things myself about the web culture of ... - 03.14.2008 There is No Fold on the Web
Sorry, but you might actually have to scroll to read this article. Scrolling has been part of the graphic web since it's earliest days. But, if you say the word “scroll” to a professional web designer, you will likely see that person cringe. Why? The answer is the mythical concept of the fold. A common misconc... - 02.18.2008 Traditional TV and the Scratching Record
Last night, I scrambled home to get to my Tivo. I wanted to record the new The Simpsons episode. I made it to the television in my living room with about five minutes to spare. Then, it dawned on me. Why am I trying so hard to watch TV the old way? Traditional (non-live) television is dead to me. I re... - 02.05.2008 Nd.edu Goes Twitter
We've opened up the NDdotEDU Twitter page for public use. It will be used to announce changes to the site, special offers and hidden treats, and some very cool viral meet-up invites in the future. It's a public page, and it will be our special channel to those news-hungry people in the community and for the students, faculty,... - 01.02.2008 A GPS in Every Car
I traveled quite a lot the past couple of weeks, and I noticed an obvious trend. It seems to me that almost every car on the highway has a GPS installed. I observed this during a 12 hour drive on a major highway, a trip to Arizona, and as a passenger in a taxi. Being a GPS owner myself (TomTom One), I have an eye for this gad... - 10.08.2007 Recent ND.edu Press
It’s been well over a month since the launch of the new ND.edu website. We’ve gotten plenty of feedback, made some tweaks, added content, and continue to post new carousel spaces on a very frequent basis. Overall, the site is holding up strongly. Recently, we have received some press. For starters, the site was feature... - 09.21.2007 Invest Your Dollars in Research
This week, I met with members of a marketing team from another major employer in the area. They wanted to talk about our methods, how we approach our assignments, and more importantly how we created the new nd.edu. Each and every marketing communication project has its own unique challenges, yet some are alwa... - 09.05.2007 An August to Remember
I often overlook the wonder and amazement that I experience during a special moment – only to reflect on it later. I think most of us are like that. However, every once and a while you have that real-time, “out of body” moment where you actually experience self-awareness. During the month of August, I had several ... - 09.04.2007 Passionate Users Inspire Greatness
One week has passed since we launched the new ND.edu website. It seems to me that the effect we’ve had on the community is polarizing. That is, based on the feedback alone, people either really, really love the new site or they really, really hate it. I’m sure plenty of people are in the middle, but that p... - 08.28.2007 ND.edu is Live
- 08.24.2007 Countdown to Nd.edu has Begun
We have officially started the countdown to the new nd.edu. There is a live countdown ticker currently on the site. The Countdown: nd.edu We are all excited and anxious to present this new website to the Notre Dame community. Are you ready? I just posted a live version of "Here Come the Irish" on our offic... - 08.20.2007 One Week to Go
Feedback from our first initial round of testing is in, and it seems that people like the new product. We’re about a week from launching (arguably) the largest web project any of us have ever produced – nd.edu. The past two weeks have been filled with intense day-and-night sessions of brainstorming, writing, designing, progra... - 07.31.2007 Get ready for August 2007
The team at the Web Group is working very hard towards our most significant milestone. Can't say much for now, but be sure and check back August 28. As we begin the month of August tomorrow, I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, a colleague of mine was quick to remind me that this is just the begi... - 06.30.2007 Back from Canada
Another wonderful trip to Canada for fishing, outdoors, and peace. The weather and fishing was great. This year was a particularly introspective trip for me. I've been thinking a lot about "Good to Great" and other business philosophy. I've also got a lot going on in my career. I know the rule is to not think about work dur... - 05.07.2007 How Do You Define Greatness?
I am completely enthralled by the book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. At this point in my professional career, this book really makes a personal impact. It is not that I simply take what Collins writes as undisputable fact, but more a philosophy of greatness in managerial behavior with proven examples. As I ... - 03.29.2007 Hot Coffee Coming Through
Howard Schultz, the chairman of Starbucks, visited the campus of the University of Notre Dame today to accept the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Award for Ethics in Business at the Mendoza College of Business. He is well known for making Starbucks a world-renown global brand. I’ve seen him interviewed on 60 M... - 03.05.2007 Score One for IPTV
Yesterday, I purchased a full-length feature film from iTunes. This was a limited release movie that I missed when it came out during the past summer. It cost $14 and took about an hour to download. I had no idea that this impulse buy would cause me to rethink the fundamental way that I consume video content. I used to think ... - 02.09.2007 Re: Fw: Re: Fw: Fw: Re: Email
I think email is great. I really do. But, sometimes I see what we, in the work place, are doing to this fine mode of communication. Emails are not for discussions or round table talks. They are meant to exchange data, move files, or send details that are more logically delivered in text. I feel weird when I see an ema... - 12.27.2006 Get Social, Tivo and iTunes
I get all of my television from Tivo and all of my music from iTunes. When I say all, I mean all. Both of these companies have me, the majority of my family, and some, if not all of my friends in their command. The content they serve is fiercely social, extremely viral, dynamic, and deeply personal. If you went to an ... - 11.15.2006 Bears and Tornadoes
Fear living in my mind is much more intense than the actual risks I face. It is kind of like the nightlight I had during childhood. The darkness did not scare me, just the fact I could not see what was there. I am fascinated right now with these thoughts. What makes me fearful, anxious, apprehensive, etc…Is it the fear ... - 11.12.2006 No Soccer For You
In a fitting end to a frustrating season trying to bond with Major League Soccer, I am not able to watch the championship game on TV. This is what I see on my screen. I think a better caption would be, "Don't bother complaining, it won't help you. No soccer for you." I don't blame Directv or the MLS -- it's the local... - 10.02.2006 I’m a Mac
I’ve been waiting for a few weeks to write those words. It has taken a period of reflection for me to fully accept the fact that I made this historic change in my digital life. It is not that I am having problems letting go – it is just the unbelievable realization that I am much happier on a Mac. Mostly, I am what you would ca... - 09.06.2006 Two New Web Group Creations
- 08.23.2006 Motorola Q Road Story
Imagine live television streaming out to the Internet from your actual home living room, beamed to a mobile device, while speeding down a stretch of rural highway. Sounds like something from the future, right? I did this in August 2006. I recently upgraded my mobile life to the new Motorola Q. (View post). It is an a... - 08.02.2006 Web Group Tours Notre Dame Stadium
Today, the team took a brief moment of break from our rigorous work for the University of Notre Dame on the web. We got a special behind-the-scenes tour of Notre Dame Stadium. It was a lot of fun -- especially because I got to see the whole team enjoy a stress-free hour of being treated like VIPs. We even got ... - 06.29.2006 Thank Q, Motorola
The new Motorola Q is simply impressive. I recently joined the smartphone movement, and I must say that it is quite an amazing piece of technology. It certainly has the wow factor, and I am not easily impressed. If you are interested in word-of-mouth research or are seeking out the true buzz about this device, then continue rea... - 06.28.2006 Television is Isolated
Content is still the king, but methods of delivering content are brand new. If you have marketable goods, services, or content, you better find new and innovative ways to seed social networks. During an 18 hour return road trip from Canada, I had an interesting conversation with my uncle. He is the father of four, and ... - 06.19.2006 Thank you, Canada
I love Canada. It is not political, social, or economic. It is spiritual. Each June, I travel to a remote fishing camp in the woods of northwestern Ontario. It is hard to get there, but worth the journey. No electricity, cell-phones, Internet -- nothing. It is solitude -- voluntary isolation. A time to reflect, think, and m... - 06.01.2006 Web Video: the New Standard?
Video on the Web is on fire. Major websites are not only experimenting with video, but they are making it front page material. This trend will only continue to grow. Two more examples this week: First, Yahoo launched a video portal. This portal not only aggregates web video from multiple channels, but will defin... - 05.23.2006 HD Commercial Bull's-eye
I time-shift television. This week I was fast-forwarding the commercials during one of my "season pass" shows. I have had Tivo for several years, so I am an ace at commercial skipping. But, this time while skipping I noticed the screen went 16:9 (High Definition). I immediately paused and went back to actually watch the ... - 05.21.2006 Database Destiny
How can your organization successfully embrace emerging Web technologies and methods of content delivery on the Internet? It seems like every month there is a new hot technology in the industry or a technique that has the Web in a flurry. Every time a colleague or client reads an industry magazine, website, newspaper, or attend... - 05.14.2006 "No" is an Acceptable Answer
Projects are like cars, and decisions are like intersections. Do we go straight, or do we turn? In busy traffic, drivers depend on assistance from passengers. But, a certain type of passenger represents the highest risk to making the right choice. A high risk person cannot or will not say the word, “no.” We... - 05.10.2006 Your End User is a Real Person
The school year is winding down. Spring exams are this week, and the stress and anxiety is palpable on campus. I had lunch today at the student center and saw many stressed-out faces and others busily reading. To us, staffers, it is an annual harbinger of summer break. Next week is commencement. Afterwards, the pl... - 05.09.2006 Community Generated Content
The hottest marketing trend on the Web currently is the concept of consumer (or, community) generated content. That is, material created by end users that is submitted or uploaded to a website voluntarily. These websites simply serve to collect and share this content with others in a public or private group. Example... - 04.19.2006 Google Calendar – Initial Reaction
It was the worst kept secret for about a year. Finally, we get to see Google Calendar. Released last week, it clearly is a major competitor in the “rule your desktop” competition going on in the Web 2.0 renaissance. As a (now former) user of hotmail, I got hooked on their calendar service. Hotmail does a ... - 03.23.2006 Carne Asada Meets XHTML
Today is Thursday. That means the whole crew goes to La Esperanza on Ironwood in South Bend, Indiana. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the region, and it has become something of legend with the Notre Dame Web Group. If it is a Thursday at noon, we’re at La Esperanza -- ask anyone that knows us. I even got a ph... - 03.05.2006 Web Video Continues to Flourish
The second half of 2005 on the Web marked a surge in on-line commercial video distribution. Several historic products and services were released, and mainstream media outlets began offering their video content catalogs available for download. Basically, as the majority of Internet users upgraded to high-speed las... - 02.28.2006 Satellite Radio
There is one clear cut winner as my most satisfying personal technology addition of the past year -- satellite radio. This technology came preinstalled in my new car. I was skeptical at first because of concerns about paying for a service that has historically been free. But, if you are like me and are willing to pay for high-en... - 01.04.2006 February 17, 2009
Fantastic article about the countdown to digital television in the U.S.: http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/04/technology/pluggedin_digitaltv/index.htm Interesting quotes from this article: "The sale of this valuable, scarce real estate is expected to bring in about $10 billion, maybe more. That will help reduce the federal bu... - 11.23.2005 Google Analytics
If you are like me, you are a web stats junkie. As a professional in the web industry, this is the most basic of metrics to not only gauge success of a website, but to also make enhancements and fine tune the site based on actual usage. It is a fundamental measurement of a site’s effectiveness. There are dozens of web stat... - 09.22.2005 Macromedia Site of the Day
Today, the Notre Dame College of Arts and Letters has been named the Macromedia Site of the Day. The Notre Dame Web Group planned, designed, and developed this site. This is recognition from the most influential web development software company in the world. The showcase is considered to be the "best ... - 09.06.2005 College of Arts and Letters University of Notre Dame
It has been nearly 14 months of hard work – planning, research, design, and development. We’ve reached a major milestone. Today, the Notre Dame Web Group launched the new College of Arts and Letters website. Our team has been fortunate to work with intelligent and dedicated professionals within the Coll... - 08.29.2005 Notre Dame Web Group
It has been very busy the past several weeks at the Notre Dame Web Group. The team is working on several projects -- two of which are major milestone developments for the University. We are working on one of the largest projects I have ever seen. This project, scheduled to launch on Sept. 6, will be the single largest marke... - 05.30.2005 Typos
I have worked in the professional web industry for nearly ten years, and it amazes me how much has changed. Coding, design, and usability have all grown into incredible applications and interfaces. Websites now have lean code, simple interfaces, and stunning immersive experiences. Some things, however, will never change. Even the mo... - 05.02.2005 Web Professional Tools
Builders have hammers and nails. Singers have microphones. Baseballers have bats. So, what tools are for web professionals? I use specific tools every day as a web professional. I cannot work without these resources – some tangible, some virtual. First, let’s just cover the obvious professional web tools: ... - 04.23.2005 Transferable Web
I've been working professionally in the web business for just under a decade, and I have witnessed some marvelous changes in our industry. I started out working with very narrowband, low-quality, minimal websites. We labored to get file sizes down to 40KB or less because most of our users had dial-up modems at very low spee... - 03.11.2005 Taboo: Hidden PDFs in Links
It troubles me from two perspectives when I see errors in websites that are due to bad usability practices and not necessarily from technical glitches. First, they are bothersome to me as a user. Second, they damage the overall reputation of the Web industry of which I am a part. For instance, this week the Big Ten ... - 03.09.2005 Are you trusted at work?
Notre Dame Business, Magazine of the Mendoza College recently published an article in the Winter 2005 issue about the importance of trust in a company or organization. I typically read this magazine from cover to cover, but this particular article really had an impact on me. Professionally, trust is the most important characteri... - 03.06.2005 Archives
- 02.26.2005 Interview in the South Bend Tribune
Interview in the South Bend Tribune / March 25, 2002 Advocate Keeps Web design focused on user Web site production has evolved into a visitor-focused approach, with "usability" the hot buzzword and owners' and designers' desires subordinate to users' needs. Matt Klawitter, a project manager in Villing & Co.'s Interactive... - 02.26.2005 Contact Sent
Got it. Thank you for your message. Go to mattklawitter.com. - 02.23.2005 Résumé
Professional Summary Team-oriented leader: Five years experience leading a professional Web communications staff that includes developers, designers, project managers, and content specialists. Manage and supervise resources, personnel, projects, budgets, and related activities. Visionary strategist: 10+ years developing strategic and tact... - 02.22.2005 Portfolio
Written January 2006 I consider the Notre Dame Web Group as the most significant and distinctive accomplishment of my career. The timing was right for the University of Notre Dame and for me. Together, we formed a tremendously talented and innovative group of Web professionals serving one of the most relevant, influential, and historic Universi... - 02.21.2005 Contact
Full Name: Email: Comments: - 02.21.2005 About
I am Matt Klawitter (pronounced "CLAW-wit-ter") — web marketer, usability advocate, and strong supporter of web standards. I believe in greatness. This is my personal website. Currently, I am director the Notre Dame Web Group at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. I provide leadership in the University’s strategic and ta... - 12.13.2004 CASE story - Chicago
I'm in Chicago for the CASE District Five conference. This is my first experience rubbing elbows with other higher-ed marketing and advancement professionals. The conference is geared mainly at the communications components of marketing, especially when dealing with brand, development, alumni, and audience segmentation resear... - 11.08.2004 Gruss Gott
I spent the entire summer of 1996 in Germany. As you would imagine, it was a total cultural immersion. Even though most of my host family spoke English, they encouraged me to always speak German, live their lifestyle, and completely embrace the learning experience of being a visitor in a foreign country. I did not know at the time t... - 07.20.2004 Say what?
Everyone is talking "web standards" these days. It is not a new topic - anymore. I first heard about web standards about two and a half years ago when I attended Web Design World in Seattle. Zeldman was the keynote speaker. Yes, that Zeldman. Long story short, his presentation on the topic of web standards, forward compatibility and r... - 07.13.2004 Banner ads not just for the web
Seems like most web users are used to, or have seen the proliferation of banner ads on sites. Granted, when used improperly, they can be pretty intrusive. Entire companies and units within corporations, such as Yahoo!!, have dedicated staff to manage advertising on these sites. They just don't stick banners on s... - 06.27.2004 Stillness
This is a sunrise in north western Ontario, Canada. My father took this snapshot while we were waiting for our 5 a.m. flight out of camp. My yearly vacation to Canada helps me remember that even though our lives seems so hectic, immediate and hurried, there are places on Earth that look like this everyday...and have for millions of ye... - 04.08.2004 You don't have to be "Zen" to be a gardener.
I tweak my site all the time. Seems like I am always changing colors, banners, backgrounds and such. This 'lil blog is run through the awesome tool "Blogger" so that the archiving, dating and general file management of this blog is automatic. For this, my good friend Blogger, I am grateful. Awesome tool... - 02.15.2004 Work with the client - not just on the "project."
We are project people in the web business. This is a fact. We survive on projects. As we finish a project, we start a new one. Sometimes these projects overlap. Naturally, we start to view our clients as projects. That is, a client is a project - something to finish, complete and move on. Not so! Do... - 02.02.2004 Perception is reality. Not always on the web.
Most every Marketing 101 student learns that "perception is reality." That is, that which your client believes to be true, is true - regardless of the truth. If your product is perceived to be garbage, then it is so in the mind of that consumer. We all are victims of this theory. We all have our favo...
