Tonbo Digital

Transformational, results-driven digital marketing solutions.

Kristen Fowler Lindsey

Tips to Help Small Businesses Survive The COVID-19 Pandemic

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Updated, March 20, 10:30am

All of us are facing absolutely unreal situations, both professionally and personally right now in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic. None of this was remotely one the radar just a few weeks ago.

We are a small business, too, and so we are compiling as many tips (both marketing and otherwise) as we can to support you and your business.

  1. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans – Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans – New loans of up to 2 million dollars are available to small businesses to help offset economic damage due to the COVID-19 virus. NOTE – for our Alaska clients and friends, we are still waiting for this to be approved for Alaska. It is pending approval with the federal government.  Read more here.
  2. Facebook Small Business Grants – Facebook is offering cash grants and ad credits to small businesses to assist with economic disruption due to COVID-19. Learn more here.
  3. ATIA Informational Webinar – Friday, March 20 – the Alaska travel Industry Association is doing a webinar tomorrow to provide more tourism-related information. Learn more here.
  4. Visit Anchorage Resources – Visit Anchorage is keeping a standing list of resources for Alaska Tourism businesses. Learn more here.
  5. Google SMB Resources – Google is in the game too with a list of resources fro small and medium sized businesses. Learn more here.
  6. Do You Use the Service Zapier? They are offering a 3 month credit for their paid services. Learn more here.
  7. Small Business Resources – Small Business Development Center has started a resource page for small businesses. Learn more here.
  8. Tourism – Dealing with the COVID-19 – Webinar. Watch the recording here.
  9. Marketing Thoughts – every business is facing a different scenario. Depending on your product, purchase cycle, target audience, you will be making different decisions. Please contact us anytime for specific recommendations. But here are some thoughts:
    • Don’t Stop! – you cannot afford to stop marketing altogether, but in some cases pausing some kinds of advertising, at least in the short term, may make sense. But if you can at least keep some brand awareness advertising out there at a minimum it will set you up for when there is a rebound.
    • Think in two week increments – we are starting to see that it is impossible to see ahead even a day in some cases. But we are looking at all client’s programs in two week increments – it allows us to plan but also to pivot. Think about what is the best move for the next two weeks?
    • Think ahead – are you going to have some new opportunities when social distancing is no longer necessary? Can you prepare some messaging or offers to have them ready? This can also make you see ahead to blue skies (whenever that happens) which is empowering.
    • Use Google Local to communicate -Google’s local directory is a great place to keep people up to date if your hours change, etc. Check it out here.

Tonbo Rebrand Press Release

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For Immediate Release

August 1, 2019
Contact: Kristen Fowler Lindsey
Phone: 907-222-3254, Ext. 101
Email: kristen@tonbodigital.com

Digital Marketing Firm’s Rebrand is a Nod to the Legendary Dragonfly

Tonbo is an Inspired Evolution for Thrively Digital

Anchorage-based digital marketing agency Thrively Digital is now Tonbo Digital in a rebranding inspired by a somewhat whimsical aspect of both Alaskan and Japanese culture.

“Tonbo” is the word for dragonfly in Japan, where the legendary flyer is a symbol of strength and agility. For the Samurai, tonbo is a victory image reminding warriors to never give up.

Here in Alaska, the dragonfly – specifically the four-spot skimmer – has been our state insect for nearly 25 years since its election to notoriety by elementary school students in Aniak. As the Anchorage Daily News reported, State Rep. Irene Nicholia, who sponsored the bill making it official, said “The dragonfly’s ability to hover and fly forward and backward reminds us of the skillful maneuvering of the bush pilots in Alaska.”

So, what’s it got to do with Thrively’s new brand?

“While we’re still very much invested in seeing our clients thrive, Tonbo evokes the agility, speed and efficiency needed to deliver high quality digital marketing and web design,” says Kristen Fowler Lindsey, founder and president of Tonbo Digital.

And why now?

Despite due diligence, a large international agency trademarked after Thrively’s launch and enforced it.

“We had a bit of a challenge that turned into a great opportunity,” Fowler Lindsey says. “With things changing so quickly in our industry, we have to zig and zag just like the dragonfly. We need to be responsive and nimble as we meet client needs.”

Despite its new name, Tonbo is Alaska’s oldest and largest digital agency. The Anchorage-based company provides comprehensive, integrated digital marketing services to businesses in the tourism industry, as well as in the non-profit, healthcare, transportation, education, government, telecom, publishing and retail sectors.

Fowler Lindsey is an industry veteran with 25 years of technology marketing experience. Her fondness for Japanese culture was as integral part of the company’s rebranding effort.

“I’ve always loved the sound of the word ‘tonbo’ and everything the dragonfly stands for,” says Fowler Lindsey, who spent three years living and working in Japan after earning a degree in East Asian Studies from Harvard University.

“At first the news about our name seemed like a setback. But, like the samurai, we decided not to give up. I feel like Thrive did us a favor, nudging our company into a new brand identity that truly reflects the way we want to deliver services to our clients.”

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Introducing Tonbo Digital

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The only constant is change, especially in digital marketing.

In business, when there is a challenge, the most nimble of organizations rise up and make it an opportunity. After a large international agency trademarked following our rebrand and enforced it, we are making it an opportunity. 

While Thrively was a good transition from our original name (Apokrisis) in 2016, the rapid transformation of our product delivery in the past few years to better help our clients compete makes this need to rebrand practically a favor. (Thanks, Thrive Digital!). 

While we still endeavor to help our clients thrive, we have turned to a brand that evokes the agility, speed and efficiency needed to deliver high quality digital marketing and web design.

We present to you:

Tonbo Digital

Tonbo is the Japanese word for dragonfly. Not only is it the Alaska state insect, but it also has both amazing physical qualities and resonant meanings in Asian culture. Since my days living in Japan, it has always been my favorite Japanese word. We are becoming Tonbo because we feel our agency embodies the following qualities of the Dragonfly:

Agility: Dragonflies can fly backward, and cut turns that are too abrupt for any human pilot to stomach.

Speed: Dragonflies can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour and stop on a dime at 35 miles an hour.

Efficiency: Dragonflies are so nimble and fast despite only flapping their wings 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively. Now that is efficiency!

Just like the dragonfly, we are looking forward to continue using those skills on your behalf.

One of the latest examples of our commitment to agility, speed and efficiency is our newest product – Tonbo Blocks. They can be used for design, marketing or development tactics that can quickly give your business a leg up.