Nuforia Inc. Launches as E-Business, Branding Firm

Internet professional services firm Net Explorer Inc. (NEI) and communications design firm Belk Mignogna Associates Ltd. (BMA) have merged to create Nuforia Inc., a branding and e-business agency.

Nuforia said its mission is “to help clients increase their presence, potential and profitability through integrated e-business and branding solutions.”

The management team includes Net Explorer’s Bill Bingham, who maintains the role of chief executive officer, and BMA’s Howard Belk, who has been named president.

“NEI and BMA share the belief that the new economy is not about logos everywhere and technology for technology’s sake; it’s about building customer relationships through distinguished brand experiences,” said Bingham. “Nuforia’s integration of exceptional creative and technical expertise has exponentially greater potential than either discipline alone.”

Net Explorer, incorporated in 1996, offers a range of e-business and technology consulting services in online applications, customer relationship management, portals, knowledge management systems, custom application development and systems integration. NEI has provided clients such as Oakley and Cooper Cameron with the benefit of its strategic alliances with Internet technology vendors.

BMA clients have included Seagram, PaineWebber, Dow Jones and SONY. One of the first assignments for the new company is bringing Altoids mints to the Web.