LONDON, UK (Orsonband.com) - Formed in L.A. in 2000, the band
Orson - named after
Orson Welles - was going nowhere fast. Six years later, the band is now considered the U.K.'s best new band of 2006. So how does a U.S. band go from virtual anonymity to international success story? Through its highly accessible and fan-focused Web site.
Before the band was signed by Mercury Records U.K. division, Orson was establishing its name through its Web site (www.orsonband.com). Developed by O3 World LLC, a Philadelphia Pennsylvania-based marketing, design and technology firm, the site was designed with the Orson fan in mind.
"Orson's fans are passionate, young, tech-savvy and demanding," said Keith Scandone, partner at O3 World LLC. "They're not satisfied with visiting a static site. They want new information all the time - whether it's on the Web site or delivered to them directly."
Luke Bevans, New Media Manager at Mercury Records U.K., states that www.orsonband.com now receives approximately 3,000 new visitors each day - 400,000 total page views - per month.
The constant need to be ahead of the fans' demands provides a unique challenge for O3 World. Yes, Orson's home page is constantly updated with news, show dates, video clips, a jukebox, tour photos and more. Fans are also encouraged to sign up to receive newsletters and updates filled with news releases, preferential ticket purchases, PA's, and exclusive competitions which come directly to their e-mail, cell phone or PDA. And, of course, the band has a very robust "Forum" section where fans can share comments about the band.
"Orsonband.com is a living, breathing, audience-driven extension of the band and their music," states Scandone. "It's the one place where world can truly interact with one another."
So how have the fans responded? Orson was the opening act for rock legend Duran Duran's recent tour. "No Tomorrow," the top song on break out album "Bright Idea," recently became the No 1 song on the U.K. charts, as well as most downloaded I-Tunes song EVER.
