CONNECTIONS: New media choice - Tooheys

It may seem odd that I don't consume alcohol and here I am visiting a beer brand site. So I was hoping the visit would inspire me to go out and get a glass of beer.

The homepage was by far the most eye-catching. Bar taps as links, the sliding glass with the mouse-over complete with pouring beer - I was definitely interested. With the background sound effects on the home page, it was easy to imagine a virtual 'happening' bar crowded with movement. This led me to look for the same exciting look in the site, but instead I was left staring at much under-utilised real estate.

But all the enthusiasm generated by this site appears to have been limited to the initial look. Yet, it's equally important to carry that same 'energy' through to the pages if the site's intention is to engage visitors. Otherwise, the website risked losing surfers very quickly. I was tempted to spend a few minutes in the Games Room, but sadly, neither the game nor the tagline ('Give that man a New') was original. Sportsbar, Priority List and Brewhouse - colourful names that promised much, but which only fell flat (pardon the pun), no thanks to the lack of content and creativity.

The site has potential to draw tech-savvy beer drinkers, but will only leave them in the lurch with its rather static nature. There is a link to the Australian Rugby League Tipping Comp - which takes the visitor right out of Toohey's. I wouldn't expect anyone to go back to the site for a second visit - unless the folks at Tooheys start taking their site as seriously as their beer.