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HTG Leadership Retreat in Dallas with Mike Simmons and Drew Graham

Posted Jan 30 2012 by in Arlin Sorenesen, Drew Thoughts, Heartland Technology Solutions, Varvid Partners, Varvid Team with 0 Comments

As we all gave our final farewells to 2011, 2012 made a grand entrance for our team at Varvid as we received a capital investment from our new partners Brad and Arlin Sorensen. Before Varvid set sail into the open seas of 2012, Arlin Sorensen and Brad Schow traveled to our hometown Bellingham, Washington to take our staff through what’s called a “SWOT” which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. This three day program unraveled our entire company by exploring all the systems and structures by which we operate, and through constructive discussion we produced numerous goals which we’re set on meeting within the next three months to prepare our company for significant long term growth.

Directly after the SWOT, Varvid’s President Mike Simmons and Business Development Director Drew Graham traveled to Dallas, Texas to attend a leadership meeting lead by Dan Weston of the Weston Group, who works as a coach for Gazelles Inc. which is a company that provides executive education, coaching and technology services to help mid-market companies around the world build and execute a strategic plan.

Two books were handed out at the event, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish, and Execution Without Drama by Patrick Thean. Overall, Mike and Drew noticed an strong affinity between the business resources and tactics Gazelle had to offer and the strategies laid out by Arlin and Brad from HTG. This affirmation of our current goals and focus was just another positive reinforcement to Varvid’s new path and has been very encouraging as our steps into the future are developing into leaps and bounds.

Varvid Growth Plans Accelerated through Capital Investment from Sorensen Brothers

Posted Jan 16 2012 by with 3 Comments

 

Video production company’s executive leadership also expanded to enable twin focus on day-to-day execution and advanced services opportunities

 

HARLAN, Iowa / BELLINGHAM, Wa. – Jan. 16, 2012 – In a move typical of Heartland Technologies CEO and Founder Arlin Sorensen, the industry veteran is once again betting on the future of the IT channel. What’s perhaps unusual this go-around is that he and his brother Brad are doing it with their own cash. The pair is making a sizeable financial commitment to Varvid, a digital media services company, as part of a strategic alliance aimed at expanding business-changing educational content via an online video platform.

“Our interest in Varvid enables us to offer a wide array of digital media services to HTG Peer Group members either through real-time, interactive sessions or on-demand programming that’s not only available when they want to receive it, but how they want to receive it,” said Arlin. “I’m a big believer that digital communication is going to be the separator between those that do well in the marketplace and those that don’t.”

Industry research firm IDC, which recently reported that the online video platform market is estimated to grow from $306 million in 2010 to over $1 billion by 2015, validates Arlin’s view of the situation. And with the convergence of social media and TV services still in its infancy, further integration is expected to create ongoing opportunities.

The investment from the Sorensen brothers allows Varvid to hasten its growth in size and services by utilizing assets and personnel from both Heartland Technology Consulting (HTC) and Heartland Technology Solutions (HTS).  Most notably, the company plans to broaden its support of event services including turnkey solutions related to staging, lighting, sound and multi-camera coverage for both live and on-demand viewership.

Varvid will also continue to build its existing video production services, while increasing its business offerings to provide all-inclusive social media strategies and digital media marketing solutions.  These services will include online video production via remote editing, video hosting, live webcasting, online marketing campaigns, email newsletters, website integration, content generation for social media sites and professional on-site video production.

“Everyone thought the Internet was great in 1999, and it was, but they really didn’t have any idea where it could and would go at that time,” said Aaron Booker, Varvid CEO and co-founder.

“We’re at a stage now with digital media services that parallels those early days of the Internet and it’s thrilling to be at the forefront of that next technology wave.”

Varvid began as a production company helping businesses leverage their online presence through video testimonials, case studies and “live” event coverage. The company also pioneered “Video-as-a-Service” by allowing organizations of all sizes access to the power of online digital media through a number of custom hybrid solutions, integrating both a professional and do-it-yourself approach. In addition to these services, Varvid offers a range of social media solutions aimed at helping businesses expand their online presence through emerging digital platforms and social media outlets.

 

Focused on the Future

To ensure the company addresses the needs of its customers today and into the future, Varvid has realigned its leadership team. Aaron Booker, formerly president and co-founder, will now lead the company as its chief executive officer with responsibility for developing strategic relationships and driving corporate innovation. Mike Simmons, former Varvid creative director and co-founder, replaces Booker as president, and will oversee the company’s day-to-day business operations. Both Arlin and Brad Sorensen will also join Varvid’s board of directors.

 

About Varvid

Varvid is an Internet Delivered Video production, distribution and management company that builds IT brands by creating superior timely, powerful, and affordable online video solutions for clients. 
Products & services include case studies, business testimonials, video-enabled email, live webcasting, event coverage, and the newly released “VENUE” video packages – an affordable subscription-based service that features everything clients need to get started in

producing quality online videos for their business. The company also provides all-inclusive social media strategies and digital media marketing solutions as well as viewership metrics for popular social networks including YouTube, Facebook, other platforms and client websites.

Varvid has produced hundreds of recorded and live streaming videos for clients at locations around the world, as well as dozens of testimonial video montages for technology firms, events and trade shows.  For more information, visit: www.Varvid.com and www.Varvid.TV

 

About HTG Peer Groups

Established in 2000 by Arlin Sorensen as a business and personal development community, today HTG Peer Groups is an international organization of leading IT solution providers. HTG has more than 250 member companies throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia/New Zealand. Each peer group consists of 10-12 IT company executives who work together and share resources and information to formulate and meet business goals such as strategic planning, process improvement and tools, and life-work excellence. HTG offers CEO Forums, vendor peer groups and other educational events, quarterly meetings, and an annual summit that attracts hundreds of attendees, vendor exhibitors and strategic partners. Visit www.htgpeergroups.com or call 712-744-3619 for more information.

 

About Heartland Technologies Solutions (HTS)

For 25 years, the HTS team has served the IT needs of businesses throughout the Midwest and now has a diverse set of specializations, including Infrastructure Service & Support, Unified Communications, Document Management, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, Precision Agriculture and K-12 Education. HTS is highly regarded in the vendor community and has strong partnerships with Microsoft, HP and SonicWALL. HTS has seven locations across the Midwest in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

For more information, please visit www.heartlandtechnologies.com.

# # #

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Lynette Bohanan, CommCentric Solutions

lbohanan@commcentric.com / 813-727-0196

Happy Holidays from everyone at Varvid!

Posted Dec 23 2010 by with 3 Comments

The Varvid team gathers for some holiday festivities – this year we’ve been blessed with many great partnerships and additions to the staff. We’re happy to have had a chance this Christmas to thank some of the key people who have made it all possible. A special thanks to Varvid’s interns, Dingus & Mingus…we’re not quite sure who’s who, but that hasn’t seemed to dampen their holiday spirit.

Varvid helps support the Arthritis Foundation and their annual Jingle Bell Run

Posted Dec 22 2010 by in Varvid Team with 0 Comments

Varvid helps support the Arthritis Foundation and their sponsor, Wellesse Premium Liquid Supplements at this year’s Jingle Bell Run in Bellingham, WA – 2010.

http://www.arthritis.org

http://www.varvid.com

Varvid.TV Launch and Press Release!

Posted Jul 9 2010 by with 0 Comments


Aaron Booker of Varvid is excited to tell you about the new video hosting site Varvid.tv. Varvid.tv will be a video channel dedicated to hosting content that is solely IT related. A lot of the content will be provided by the Varvid crew as they visit major IT events, but the site will also offer the “From the Cloud” community submitted video service, which would feature videos submitted by any partners in the community.

The philosophy behind Varvid.tv’s “From The Cloud” community submitted video service is that many of the new generation hand-held devices can easily shoot in HD, meaning that the ability to capture high quality footage has become widely available. However, most people don’t have access to post-production services that allow a video to look professional, and this is where Varvid.tv comes in. Any MSP, VAR or other Microsoft vendor partner can send rough cut footage to Varvid.tv, where a member of the Varvid crew will then edit the footage and post it on Varvid.tv when it’s completed—and it’s all done for free!

By dedicating itself solely to the IT industry, Varvid.tv is aiming to become the hub of social media video communication in the IT world.  Providing a cost-free opportunity to get a professionally produced marketing or promotional video online, Varvid.tv will be the ultimate social media video tool for anyone involved in the IT community.

Here is the official press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…

Varvid launches new Internet video hotspot dedicated to serving the IT community

Varvid.tv site will provide uploading, editing, and hosting services for IT industry.

BELLINGHAM, WA – 7/9/2010 – Varvid, Inc. is announcing their new website launch, Varvid.tv. Varvid.tv provides Value Added Resellers (VARs), Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and their vendor partners with the opportunity to create professional-style online videos using their own footage, making Varvid.tv the first website of its kind in the IT community.

Aaron Booker, founder of Varvid, Inc., a long-time member of the IT community and a former VAR himself, believes that Varvid.tv has the potential to both revolutionize the way VARs, MSPs, and vendor partners create content on the web and become a social media epicenter for everything IT. Varvid.tv was first conceived when Booker observed the lack of a dedicated channel focused on providing high-quality video coverage of the IT community. “In an industry whose bread-and-butter is Internet technology, why shouldn’t they be at the forefront of internet-delivered video?” as Aaron puts it. “We are very excited to be able to offer this service to our friends and partners in the community.”

These days, shooting HD video on an iPhone 4, Flip HD camera, or other HD-capable video device is very easy. What isn’t easy is making the footage worth watching. That’s where Varvid.tv comes in. With our new “From the Cloud” service, users get to decide the content of their video because they shoot it themselves. After they’ve uploaded their footage to Varvid.tv through an easy-to-use widget, production staff immediately set to work editing their video to make it ready for viewing. Once the video is finished, it is uploaded to Varvid.tv, ready for streaming in Flash, HTML5, and soon, Microsoft Silverlight. Videos hosted on Varvid.tv are optimized for every viewing experience; one foot – the mobile experience, three feet – the desktop experience, and ten feet – the television experience.

Along with the launch of Varvid.tv, which can be navigated to from mobile devices such as the iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows Mobile Devices, Varvid, Inc. has also developed an iPhone application, which is currently awaiting approval in the Apple store. With a little luck, this app will be downloadable in time for this year’s Worldwide Partner Conference  in Washington DC (WPC 2010), from which Varvid will be updating Varvid.tv with regular HD interviews and newsflashes. Since 2003, Microsoft’s WPC has provided a unique 5-day event for thousands of partners from over 100 countries to plan their business strategies for the upcoming year.

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Varvid, Inc. is an internet-delivered video marketing company focused on providing case studies, business testimonials, live webcasting, and event coverage. Major customers of Varvid, Inc. include HTG Peer Groups, AgniTEK, Quosal, and the ConnectWise Partner Summit. Varvid, Inc. is based in Bellingham, Washington. More information about Varvid, Inc. can be found at http://www.varvid.com.

For additional information contact: Aaron Booker – 360 255 7222 – aaron@varvid.com

Jill Kerr from CompTIA

Posted Jun 15 2010 by in Event Coverage, MSPU, Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Jill Kerr, VP of Industry Development for CompTIA, chats with Varvid’s Aaron Booker at MSP University’s Los Angeles Boot Camp about their Vision of 500. CompTIA’s CEO Todd Thibodeaux has challenged his organization to reach a goal of  500 active members at the leadership or executive level and 5000 highly engaged members in 5 years.  CompTIA helps VARs on 3 levels; Learn, Connect & Succeed.

  • Learning for VARs is integral to growing their business. From online webinars and content to Breakaway, CompTIA’s flagship event, CompTIA provides many tools to do so.
  • Connecting in a virtual world and having an opportunity to meet each other face-to-face is key to the relationship process, be it other VAR/MSPs or vendors.
  • Succeed by utilizing the money saving programs and opportunities CompTIA provides, as well as being part of a larger organization that has their members best interests in mind.

Susan G Komen Race for the Cure!

Posted Jun 9 2010 by in Drew Thoughts, Event Coverage, Uncategorized with 1 Comment

The forecast may have been for grey skies and soggy conditions, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of those participating in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure run in Seattle. Varvid’s Drew Graham was on hand, along with race sponsors Wellesse Premium Liquid Supplements, to take in the sights and sounds of family and friends doing their part to help support those who have battled with this disease. One of the highlights for us was the Survivor Parade which was the culmination of the event.  To watch hundreds of women (and a few men) who have fought or are currently fighting breast cancer, there to support one another… that was incredible.  Thanks to Lori McKnight, Leslie Ellis, Sharon Beerman, Meridith Mossman and Greg Andrews from Wellesse for allowing us to document this gathering.  We look forward to doing it again.

Together we’ll find the cure.

Disneyworld or bust!

Posted Jun 1 2010 by in Conferences, ConnectWise, Travel, Uncategorized with 1 Comment

The Varvid crew brings you Rachel and Ben Schow, two of the hardest working HTG helpers EVER, talk with Jeannine Edwards of ConnectWise about the opportunity to visit Disney World in November.  Here’s the deal… HTG and ConnectWise have scheduled their November conferences back to back in Orlando, FL.  Heartland Technical Group Founder Arlin Sorensen is committed to sending these two youngsters to help in the overall logistics at the HTG event. (They continue to do a fantastic job!) The question is, will big-hearted ConnectWise CEO Arnie Bellini help Rachel and Ben’s dream of visiting the magic kingdom come true?  Will these kids be rewarded for all of their efforts or will it be another case of “so close yet so far away”… Stay tuned…

(We dare you not to cry watching this video)

Scott Scrogin at the HTG Summit in Dallas 2010

Posted Apr 29 2010 by in Conferences, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments

Scott Scrogin, HTG President, chats with Varvid’s Drew Graham about the success of HTG 2010 Summit in Dallas. Scott shares that the sucess HTG IT MSPs have experienced will be made available to a limited number of IT MSP vendors as well. Begining in June, these peer groups will be structure much like the original HTG peer groups, including multilpe levels of accountibility. The hope is vendors can build lasting and solid relationship together and with other HTG members.

Christy Sacco at HTG Summit in Dallas 2010

Posted Apr 29 2010 by in Conferences, HTG Peer Groups with 0 Comments


Christy Sacco, Director of Operations HTG Peer groups, chats with Drew Graham from Varvid at HTG 2010 Summit in Dallas. She details her roles with this IT organization and the overall success of this years event. With a  great response from vendors and attendance from members at 95%, HTG staffers are thrilled. The focus remains on quality and accountability for both members and vendors.

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