http://www.newmediabc.com New Media BC News and Events Tue, 22 May 2007 18:17:11 -0400 en http://64.239.60.73/public/news.php?news=smashlab_vs_climate_change__a_david_and_goliath_battle Tue, 22 May 2007 18:16:15 -0400 adam@newmediabc.com <adam@newmediabc.com>


Vancouver, BC - April 9, 2007 - Vancouver graphic design firm, smashLAB, is rallying graphic designers around the world to use their influence and purchasing power to combat climate change. Through their initiative, Design Can Change (www.designcanchange.org), visitors can access sustainable design resources online, learn more about global warming, and view green design projects by acclaimed designers. The site also allows design buyers to browse a directory of designers who have made a commitment to sustainability by taking the Design Can Change pledge.



A tiny firm of four people (the fourth is the Creative Director's mom who comes in to do bookkeeping once a month), smashLAB wouldn't seem to have much muscle in the fight against global warming. However, the studio remains confident in its ability to invoke major change with their project.



"Ten months ago, we started to consider the amount of waste designers are responsible for," says Eric Karjaluoto, Creative Director at smashLAB. "According to the AIGA, their members alone specify or purchase $9.1 billion in printing and paper. I don't have a global number on that, but it does illustrate how integral we are in this supply chain. It struck us that we are the hubs that link industry, business and consumers; additionally, we're small enough (as a practice) to organize our strength and make substantial impact."



smashLAB has also gained the attention of the design community through their widely-read blog, ideasonideas. The blog has received industry awards, recognition from trade publications, and mentions on other popular blogs and design portals. By perpetuating publicity throughout the blogosphere, smashLAB's blog has garnered a large (over 40,000 visitors monthly) and loyal following from the designers around the world-something that will allow their efforts with Design Can Change to reach a large audience quickly and without requiring a prohibitive marketing budget.



At the core of Design Can Change is a pledge-five guidelines that ask for a designer's commitment to a sustainable practice and green mindset.



"The actionable items we have established with the pledge are less focused on the specifics, such as ink, paper, and so on. Instead, it is a framework that guides choices and enables action. These five simple points encourage designers to: engage in the topic; consider their choices carefully; put their knowledge to use; share information with others; and unite with the community to spark change."



By taking the pledge, designers are added to a directory that green-conscious design buyers can search. The directory will be one of the few readily available listings of its kind and will attract the growing number of businesses that have added sustainability to their business models. According to Livio Desimone, former Chairman of 3M, "The sustainability agenda is developing faster than any other part of the business agenda I know... the relevant understanding and skills are likely to be necessary conditions of success in the 21st century business world."



Design Can Change has been a completely pro-bono project for smashLAB. They spent over 10 months and 1000 hours to research the issue, compile the content, and build the website. Additionally, the project will require an unforeseeable amount of publicity and ongoing maintenance by the four-person firm. All this effort was spent with the knowledge that no returns should be expected-Design Can Change is a not-for-profit initiative and involves no fees.



Vancouver-known for its multiculturalism and lush landscape-continually tops annual livability surveys, which is perhaps the key reason why grassroots social and environmental initiatives are so often spawned by its residents. The city is the birthplace of Greenpeace and Adbusters, and home to the David Suzuki Foundation.



About smashLAB:

smashLAB is an interaction design studio with expertise in cohesive design solutions. They also publish the award-winning blog www.ideasonideas.com



Contact:

Peter Pimentel

smashLAB

604-683-2250

ppimentel@smashlab.com

http://www.smashlab.com]]> http://64.239.60.73/public/news.php?news=digital_entertainment_taskforce_announced Tue, 22 May 2007 17:20:27 -0400 adam@newmediabc.com <adam@newmediabc.com>


British Columbia's digital media, Film, TV and music organizations band together to help address competition, talent and business cost challenges facing this sector.



Today, New Media BC announced the formation of a digital entertainment task force to tackle key competitive issues for this burgeoning industry. The taskforce, launched at the Vancouver International Games Summit, will speak to the needs of industry to grow its business, develop talent and remain competitive.



New Media BC President, Lynda Brown stated "Over the past 20 years, Vancouver has developed a reputation for being one of the best production centres in the world for digital entertainment. Today, we see that lead position being challenged. Our industry is facing significant hurdles in the global marketplace and we're losing our competitive edge. To stay ahead, we must focus on new and innovative strategies that help businesses grow and stay in BC."



British Columbia is home to more than 138 videogame companies employing close to 3,000 people, generating $300 million in revenues and boasts presence from 4 out of the 5 major global publishers. The cluster has grown from small, independent studios to internationally recognized leaders. Despite the presence of these heavyweights, the emerging next generation of mid-size game studios are struggling in an increasingly expensive business climate.



Douglas Tronsgard, CEO of NextLevel Games and one of the committee members noted, "As we look to continue to grow our own mid-size studio, we're faced with increased competition on a global scale in a industry that has no boundaries. I have real concerns about our ability to expand our business in BC and to maintain our leadership position in this province."



The cross-sector committee, with representation from digital media, film, TV, and music, will work with industry and government to develop new strategies for keeping BC's digital entertainment sector strong, including issues of talent development, cost competitiveness and investment attraction. It will also work with partners of the Integrated Technology Initiative on large-scale issues that impact the overall technology sector with the goal of keeping the industry healthy and growing its presence in the province as an economic leader now, and well into the future.



PRESS COVERAGE:



Digital games industry under pressure

Vancouver Sun



Creating world's digital Hollywood?

Vancouver Province



Members of new media industry form task force to make B.C. globally competitive

Cbc.ca Business



Members of new media industry form task force to make BC globally ...

StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)



New media bands together in BC

Playback



Members of new media industry form task force to make B.C. globally competitive

680 News.com]]> http://64.239.60.73/public/news.php?news=local_firm__communicopia__nets_a_webby Tue, 22 May 2007 16:58:20 -0400 adam@newmediabc.com <adam@newmediabc.com>
honor for web sites, named Communicopia website Nothing But Nets - a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria - for the Best Charitable Organization Nonprofit Web site of 2007 in the annual People's Voice voting. The Web site is produced by the United Nations Foundation in partnership with Communicopia. People's Voice Winners will be honored at The 11th Annual Webby Awards in New York City June 3-5, 2007.



Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile Websites. The awards are judged by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization that includes Harvey Weinstein, Arianna Huffington, Matt Groening, Jamie Oliver, Internet inventor Vinton Cerf, and RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser.



"The Webby Awards honors the outstanding work that is setting the standardsfor the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "Nothing But Nets selection is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators."



"We are thrilled to receive this award," said Shannon Raybold, Internet Director for the UN Foundation, the organization that created Nothing But Nets. "Working with the innovative teams at Communicopia who built the site and Artez who powers the fundraising, we have built a Web site that makes it simple for individuals join the fight against malaria. Creative tools and functions have helped to raise over $6 million and have built a community of thousands of supporters who are sending nets and saving lives."



The 11th Annual Webby Awards received a record 8,000 entries from over 60 countries and all 50 states.



About Nothing But Nets:



Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation. Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, The People of the United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches donations, net for net. Visit www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.



About Communicopia:



Communicopia helps organizations working for social change inspire and engage their audiences through the connective power of the web. With offices in Vancouver and Toronto, Communicopia serves a global client base that includes the Loreto Bay Company, United Nations Foundation, Environmental Defence Canada, BC Cancer Foundation, the Make Poverty History Campaign, and the Goldie Hawn Institute. www.communicopia.com



About The Webby Awards:



Established in 1996, the 11th Annual Webby Awards received a record 8,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.



Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Adobe; The Creative Group; Verizon; AOL Video; dotMobi; The Barbarian Group; CondéNast|CondéNet; Level3; Adweek; Fortune; Reuters; Variety; Wired; IDG: Brightcove; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; KobeMail and Museum of the Moving Image. Founded in 1996, The Webby Awards is known worldwide for its famous five-word speeches.



About the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS):



The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the creative, technical, and professional progress of the internet and interactive media. The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes over 500 members consisting of leading experts in a diverse range of fields, such as Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, business guru and author Tom Peters, The Body Shop president Anita Roddick, fashion designer Max Azria, "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser. The Webby Awards and The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences are registered trademarks of International Data Group. For more information, visit www.iadas.net



Contacts:



Jason Mogus, CEO

Communicopia Internet Inc.

jason (at) communicopia (dot) com

604-844-7672 x.111]]> http://64.239.60.73/public/news.php?news=flashman_extends_game_industry_newsletter_to_members Tue, 22 May 2007 16:56:24 -0400 adam@newmediabc.com <adam@newmediabc.com>


Flashman has created a daily industry newsletter for "friends" of Flashman. It covers each day's top headline news in business, market, hardware, product/licensing and mobile for the video game industry (no game reviews).



To receive it send us an email: newsletter@flashmanstudios.com or signup at our website: www.flashmanstudios.com



We don't share your information with anyone, and there's no spamming your email address. If you don't like it, it's one easy click to unsubscribe. We invite you to try it!]]>