One of the first things a visitor might notice in the “war room” of Media Fuzion is the to-do calendar on the wall and the two words that comprise what co-owners Zeb Walker and Johnathan Hughes have on their respective plates: “Get busy!”

Prior to moving into their offices on Airport Road earlier this month, marketing gurus Walker and Hughes worked out of what the former calls “a virtual office.” In just a short period of time, the business has expanded, and Walker is looking to do some additional staffing to complement the two salespeople he and Hughes currently employ.

Before he partnered with Hughes—who has an extensive real estate background—Walker ran Virtual Fuzion for nine years, providing Web site design, print products and publications. Media Fuzion continues to work in those areas, but the printed publications are limited to Foreclo$ure Homes and Exquisite Homes. The core products now are online publications, mostly real estate although The Beachcomber and a Destin resort have also made the leap.

Walker says any type of publication can benefit from the “virtual” format. “It’s the best way for a publication to tie its look and feel to the Internet and still capture technology like animation and online tracking,” he says. Niche magazines focusing on luxury living, fitness and pets are currently in the works.

“You can reach a wider geographical range and target people specifically for your product,” says Walker. The Internet-exclusive arrangement also cuts down on print overhead and generates interactivity with readers. Another benefit can be seen with the “virtual” Beachcomber, accessible through a link at www.thebeachcomber.org--advertisers can get a clear picture of where readers are clicking, something that cannot be accurately gauged through the print counterpart.

“It’s a very focused method—like a laser—to reach the intended audience,” says Walker of the new technology.

Walker worked for American Classifieds for eight years in the Internet technology department. “My job was to bring in new ideas,” says Walker. “I brought this to them in 2006, and they weren’t ready for it.”

The online magazine format used by Media Fuzion is licensed from DigiPage, a United Kingdom-based company. “Europe is about six to eight months ahead of America,” says Walker. “They do a virtual publication, get the subscription base, and then create the print version.”

The technology also enables clients to create online polls and embed video. But Media Fuzion isn’t stopping there. Walker raves about new “texting campaigns” that send grocery coupons directly to cell phones. This concept can also be used for restaurants to replace bulky buzzing devices that let diners know when their tables are ready. Also on the horizon are retail coupons that can be sent to shoppers’ phones and directly scanned from the phones at the checkout line. Media Fuzion also produces postcards and business cards that “beat everyone else on the market, price-wise,” says Walker.

“Any business can benefit by having their expertise online in a magazine format,” he says. “Web sites are commonplace, but if you produce your own publication, it adds legitimacy and goes a long way. It’s also very cost-effective. If, say, a furniture or antique store wants to expand its clientele, we can create an online catalogue with a shopping cart function.”

For additional information, visit www.MediaFuzion.com or call (850) 259-9489.

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