We are in the process of doing a series for demo videos to explain how Spark software works – and how you will benefit from various updates.

Here is a sketch and breakdown of the next changes, and what we will be adding to the eight video segments.

We post these sketches because it shows the process from illustration to finished product.

Many of our best work starts by sketching on anything we can get our hands on – from marketing elements to product enhancements.

Ultimately, we are a creative minded software company that pulls from diverse backgrounds to produce something special.

It’s 4:47 p.m. on Friday, and I’m on vacation all of next week. I thought I’d fill your computer screens with some eye candy before I go!

I’ve been tracking the social media efforts of the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party benefit my friends and I are planning. I’ll do an entire postmortem after the party in mid-December, but for now…

Take a look at this quick Virtualization to see how our buzz has grown since October (while I watch the clock tick to 5:30!)

We started with just one or two Web sites at the beginning of November. In the past week it’s shot up to 52 separate pages mentioning the benefit!

The gentlemen at Scene Stealers asked me to be a guest critic for their review of “Twilight.”

Check it out below!

Spark shows you the sentiment behind online conversations.

Stepping outside the comfortable corporate bubble to see the real-world conversations being had about your brand is tough. Accepting that you can’t control those conversations is tougher. Relinquishing message control to consumers is scary.

There are ways to help generate positive buzz, though. A new study shows that audiences like participating in brand-initiated user-generated content:

Twenty percent of young broadband users worldwide have already engaged in some form of it and another 30 percent say they plan to in the future.

The biggest draw for those willing to create content is free stuff. Duh. Swag can range from free dinner to more luxurious perks. AMC gave local bloggers a free movie and Current offers $2,500 for ads that air on their channel.

Positive influence comes with a price – a “what’s in it for me?” attitude – but the benefits could be priceless:

The technique is best used to enhance brand perception, the study reports. Indeed, brands can benefit from just asking consumers to participate in some form of UGC.

At Spiral16 we recognize the importance of online sentiment. That’s why one of the best features we offer is a sentiment monitoring tool. You can navigate directly to the good and bad in a matter of seconds. Perfect for monitoring the effects of UGC.

Dec. 12 at Tower Tavern in KCMO

For the past few months, my friends and I have been planning a fundraiser for Operation Breakthrough – an organization that helps children living in poverty in the Kansas city area.

Our official Web site launched on Monday!

Check out the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Web site and buy your tickets to the benefit online!

If you can’t attend, you can contribute a donation to Operation Breakthrough, too. As the holidays approach, I encourage you – wherever you are – to give back to your communities.

Stay updated with our planning process by following the party committee on Twitter!