So the 2014 (yes, that’s right – still two years away) Super Bowl host committee logo was unveiled last week at a news conference in East Rutherford, NJ. It's the logo that we'll be seeing on all advertising and promotional material leading up to the big game. Which is why my gut reaction upon seeing this logo was to either gouge my eyes out or find a nice corner where I could weep softly to myself.

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I got my first cellphone in 2001. It was a Nokia with a large 1.5 × 1 inch screen that could reveal the entire spectrum of colors as long as those colors were black or white. With the increased functionality (not to mention screen size) of today’s cellphones and tablets, one of the biggest changes for designers has been figuring out how to tailor their designs for mobile platforms and devices. Here at Studiobanks, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of mobile-based projects that we’re working on. Mobile websites and apps used to be an afterthought—now they’re more important than ever.

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Once upon a time in a creative land far, far away, account managers were viewed simply as project planners and not creative-types. These account managers were expected to know about budgets, timelines and client relations, with very little input on creative concept, design and implementation. But as the creative world evolved into a digital-centric universe, so did the role of its account managers. Digital producers emerged with an entirely new playbook, or shall I say, storybook.

My, what big ideas you have! Today's digital producers are active participants during concepting meetings, thinking strategically and contributing big ideas. We bring a unique skill set that combines project management expertise and a strong passion for digital marketing. Digital producers need not be shy about sharing ideas among designers and developers. After all, collaborating with a team is far better then strolling through the dark, scary forest all alone.

Mirror, mirror on the wall... As the liaison between clients and the creative team, digital producers must be sharp communicators. Just like the magical mirror in Snow White, delivering delicate news is sometimes part of the job description. Perhaps a client is hesitant to trust a remarkable design concept, or a developer wants to incorporate an ubercool feature that just isn't in the budget. Digital producers must tread lightly as they carefully determine who truly is the fairest of them all.

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This year's Charlotte ADDY Awards Show & Preview Gallery brought together a record 275 industry professionals to celebrate creative excellence in our community. The Mint Museum Uptown provided a gorgeous setting that matched the evening's award-winning, artistic achievements.

During the Awards Show, Studiobanks was presented with the following awards:

• Gold ADDY: Parker Poe Holiday Microsite
• Gold ADDY: Studiobanks Holiday Microsite
• Silver ADDY: CMA Awards Website
• Silver ADDY: CMA Country Christmas Microsite
• Silver ADDY: Muzak A/V Systems Website
• Silver ADDY: Reel-Scout Marketing Website
• Silver ADDY: Reel-Scout Search Website
• Silver ADDY: SAFER Barrier Website
• Silver ADDY: Varrow Website

Awards are an important part of our industry as they benchmark creative excellence and online success. We happily accepted these awards on behalf of the collabortive efforts and partnerships with our awesome clients.

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CMA Country Christmas will air November 29 at 9:30|8:30c on ABC

On the heels of completing the design for "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" website, Studiobanks, a digital marketing agency, has just launched a microsite to promote the first "CMA Country Christmas" television special airing on Monday, November 29 at 9:30 p.m. EST on ABC.

The microsite – CMACountryChristmas.com – went live following "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" on November 10 and showcases the holiday special's performing artists, including host Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland, and incorporates social media options to generate interactivity with fans.

This is the second project Studiobanks has completed for the Country Music Association. "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" website – CMAawards.com – attracted more than 1,000,000 visitors.

"We were thrilled with the design work on our 44th Annual CMA Awards website and the working relationship we have with Studiobanks," said Ben Bennett, CMA's digital marketing manager. "We didn't hesitate to engage Studiobanks on another digital marketing project, and are so pleased with the outcome of the microsite and excited to celebrate our holiday special with our fans."

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The 2010 CMA Awards will air live November 10 at 8|7c on ABC

Digital marketing agency, Studiobanks recently completed the design for “The 44th Annual CMA Awards” website – CMAawards.com – for the Country Music Association. The website was designed to capture the red carpet glamour and behind-the-scenes moments of “Country Music’s Biggest Night™.”

Our digital team at CMA was familiar with Studiobanks’ work and reputation,” said Ben Bennett, CMA’s digital marketing manager. “They married our existing CMA Awards artwork and our aspirations for the site to create an impressive interactive design that showcases the sophistication of our industry’s biggest celebration, plus all the deserving nominees for this year’s Awards. Studiobanks is known for creating memorable user experiences and we are proud of the experience they have provided for our passionate fans.”

Studiobanks delivered an engaging design that amplifies the CMA Awards celebration while providing fans with an all-access pass before and after the event, which recognizes industry achievement in Country Music.

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New dynamic website will promote NASCAR and IRL SAFER® Barrier soft wall technology to other racing leagues in U.S. and international markets.

Charlotte-based digital agency, Studiobanks recently launched RacingMadeSafer.com, a robust website for Motorsports Safety Technology (MST), an alliance between NASCAR and the Indy Racing League (IRL), to promote the SAFER® Barrier soft wall technology to racing leagues and new construction projects around the world.

The technology, known as the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER®) Barrier, is an energy absorbing soft wall system that has been installed on all NASCAR and IRL racetrack walls to help reduce crash severity and decrease driver injuries due to racing. The SAFER® Barrier consists of a high-strength, tubular steel skin that distributes impact load to energy-absorbing foam cartridges in order to reduce crash severity and provide additional protection for drivers.

The user experience of the Flash-based website captures the Barrier’s positive effects on racing safety, which will ultimately support MST’s efforts to market the technology’s license to other racing leagues throughout the U.S. and international markets.

We were impressed by Studiobanks’ abilities to really understand, showcase and promote the benefits of this amazing life saving technology that we call the SAFER® Barrier in such a cutting-edge manner,” said Shawn Rogers, NASCAR’s Managing Director of Business Operations for Competition and an MST Representative.

“We are committed to supporting ongoing research for new uses of the technology, and we mandate it on all of our tracks because safety for our drivers is our top priority. The new website will help educate other race tracks about the Barrier’s tremendous impact on driver safety, as well as other benefits such as increased track marketability for various forms of motorsports."

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You might remember the redesign of our party-promoting client's website last summer. Carolina Nightlife serves the Carolinas as the premier online resource guide to the local nightlife scene.

As a follow up to that launch, we also redesigned and developed The Nightlife Network’s website.

The Nightlife Network offers a unique opportunity to self-motivated and energetic entrepreneurs interested in owning and operating their own online business, just like Carolina Nightlife, by licensing its Cocktail software.

The Nightlife Network website has a fresh new look that complements the redeveloped Cocktail software, and provides detailed information about the software's features and how licensees can run their own highly profitable, regional nightlife website.

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