Within One Small Company,
Fighting Spirit Typifies New Orleans Business Mindset

In the days before Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, New Orleans-based interactive agency Bent Media was enjoying the national press it was receiving for its latest project – an Apple iPod application for Kraft Foods that allows consumers to download recipes to their iPods; a few days after the disaster, they quickly scrambled to get back on their feet.

Hurricane Katrina hit and flooded the company’s offices and homes of its employees, leaving severe damage in its wake. All of the company’s staff evacuated the city safely but ended up scattered around the U.S.

While trying to get news about their family and friends, dealing with issues of temporary housing and talking to insurance companies and FEMA, employees began telecommuting from points all around the country. Practically overnight, Bent Media became a fully functional virtual organization, meeting the day-to-day challenges of the interactive agency business.

“It’s been a challenge to keep the momentum going during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but we’re kind of like the little engine that could,” explains Brad Brewster, Bent Media’s founder and creative director.

“Our business includes creating, managing and marketing the internet component of our clients’ businesses – and we love what we do. Our employees are dealing with a lot of personal issues right now, but being productive and getting back to work helps bring some semblance of normalcy to our lives,” says Brewster.

With current clients anxious to get back to business right after the storm, Bent Media expects to weather the interim well. The company is busy helping hurricane-affected clients meet new challenges and helping clients unaffected by Katrina with planned programs. The company has several new business meetings in the next few weeks with companies who are interested in embarking on new interactive projects and iPod applications.

“We may be operating virtually, but we’re poised to have the best year ever since the company was founded in 1992,” said Brewster.

*   *   *

Bent Media develops award-winning interactive user experiences for some of the most well known and well-loved brands in the world – from consumer packaged goods companies and direct marketers to financial products and media/entertainment companies. Clients include McIlhenny Company – makers of TABASCO^® brand Pepper Sauces, Oreck Vacuums, Kraft Foods, Old Bay, Captain Morgan Rum, Kikkoman^®, Luzianne Tea, Zatarain’s and more.