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The best movies about the Wild West often portray a pair of buddies battling foes to bring safety and harmony to their community. While this project lacked any shootouts, it did contain two powerhouses “buddying up”, to introduce and demonstrate one of the most innovative new products to reach retail shelves.

The Buddy Group helped Western Digital dive into the consumer electronic marketplace with the release of the WDTV HD Media Player. This latest WD innovation allows users to navigate through their own assortment of photos, videos and music on their television via single device. Simply load files onto this portable device so you can organize and watch with unsurpassed ease.

TBG was brought in to create the User Interface, promotional video and product emulator. The video and emulator allow salespersons to showcase the WDTV HD Media Player to interested parties. While the emulator is more of direct sales tool used for face-to-face meetings, the video is being shown more prominently, including placement on the WD home page.

This project puts a spotlight on TBG’s ability to create fantastic motion graphics for a variety of deliverables from onscreen displays to laptop emulators. The design team completed this world-class, amazing work under an extremely tight deadline. Nothing new here at The Buddy Group, where turning stress into success is something we thrive on for clients.

Western Digital is very pleased with the quality and creativity of both the user interface and the video. Produced in multiple languages, their international colleagues have also given resounding thumbs up on the video.

Quite simply put, the WDTV HD Media Player is remarkable tool that will enhance your digital life.

When is the right time to make THE change? It’s an age-old question that empowers some and cripples most. The subject matter is nearly irrelevant to the equation. From personal relationships and new careers to weekly routines and business plans, any decision can be a difficult one.

One of the areas of great change in the immediate future will be how print publications keep up with a fragmented audience that is no longer apt to reading the morning paper over a morning Cup o’ Joe. Instead, they are seeking information on the go while powering down a triple espresso or energy drink of choice.

As the economic climate churns and technology catches up to creative visions, many publishers are realizing the time is right to change their focus from traditional print to online distribution. Case in point The Christian Science Monitor, which is one of the most recognized national papers. The publication recently decided to cease daily publication of its printed paper. It will still provide a print version, in a weekly format, while shifting its primary focus to its online presence including a daily electronic subscription product.

Many factors come into play when considering a major change of direction. For example, downsizing of staff, decreasing ad revenue coupled with higher production costs and of course, the increase of online options. Surely, The Christian Science Monitor is not alone in feeling the need to address its clientele where they are more inclined to be engaged, which happens to be when they are online.

Odds are if you have not already, soon your company will be debating whether or not the time is right to move its messaging more online than off. Any form of traditional communication—from a company newsletter and quarterly investor reports to product brochures and coupon books—can find a spark by blazing a trail along the digital frontier.

Delivering your message electronically helps track the success of these efforts. Unlike most offline efforts, everything you do digitally can be closely measured. For example, you’ll know how many users opened the email, read the document and/or acted upon a call to action. It also has a side benefit of taking a “green step” by reducing your company’s paper trail.

So when these winds of change blow through your meeting rooms, do not fear letting go of conventional tactics and following the lead of others by going digital. Regardless of scope, this change will be a powerful step forward for your company, one that colleagues will commend and competitors will fret.

Consider this a critical mantra these days and for good reason. With every dollar counting now more than ever, it is important to know if you’re getting the most “bang for the buck“ from your website. As usual, our buddies at Google bring new developments to the marketplace at just the right time. The latest enhancements to Google Analytics provide users with more robust tools and insight on their key metrics.

Some of the upgrades include Advanced Segmentation, Custom Reports, multi-dimensional data visualizations called “Motion Charts,” an updated user and administrative interface, a data export API (private beta) and integrated reporting for AdSense publishers (private beta). Essentially, Google has taken a giant leap forward in meeting the needs of experts and enterprise-level customers and at no-cost to the end user.

Okay, so most of that is Greek to most of you, but that is why we are here. Installing Google Analytics is a common practice at The Buddy Group because we understand the value of meaningful data. In fact, we’re identifying experts to help guide clients through the maze of information in order to locate the numbers that affect your bottom line. By implementing changes to creative as dictated by statistical analysis of consumer behavior, clients will realize an increase in return on investment like never before.

Feel free to contact us for more information about how Google Analytics can improve your online endeavors.

The much anticipated arrival of the T-Mobile G1 with Google, the first commercially available phone to run on the ‘Android’ operating system, is just hours away. This latest innovation provides extremely tech-savvy folks with tools to develop and offer unique applications to consumers. However, unlike Apple, Google is taking a much more laid back approach for developers such as applications without fees, review or Google approval.

This opens the door for The Buddy Group’s creative team to develop some killer applications for our clients. These applications open doors to highly desirable demographics. Branded apps as well as internal tools are proving to be just as successful as their generic or iPhone centric counterparts. So if your company is seeking to make splash in the mobile space now is the time to reach out and grab a buddy.

Back to the phone itself, the world is about to receive a true alternative to the Apple iPhone, a robust phone with a multimedia focus that is powered by T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network. T-Mobile G1 offers Wi-Fi, GPS and several other features.

On the fence about whether to shell out $179 for a T-Mobile G1 or simply cannot wait any longer to get your hands on it? Well there is online emulator that lets prospective buyers get a feel for the G1. While you cannot exactly feel the devise it does provide interactivity with the QWERTY keyboard, the touch screen and a host of other features and functions. The virtual phone lets users simulate calls, e-mails, Web browsing, messaging and navigate music libraries.

The good folks over at Rhythm Interactive recently called up The Buddy Group to rent out our Green Screen stage for CBRE Project Insight microsite. Like many agencies, Rhythm Interactive is realizing the massive push toward integrating interactive video into projects. For that reason they leveraged the expertise of the DotLot™ staff to ensure the best possible footage for Chroma keying  or Greenscreen Composite Image. To break this down for those with little or no digital video experience, Chroma keying  is the process of shooting a subject in front of an evenly lit background so that it can be removed in post-production (or editing) to be completely removed.  The background can be replaced with another image, video, animation or be left transparent so that the figure can be placed clearly atop another digital asset.

DotLot™ Director Mike Kirsch was instrumental in helping Rhythm Interactive setup the lights properly, choose the right camera to use and fine tune several other aspects of a proper Green Screen shoot. The Buddy Group is eager, willing and able to pass along our knowledge and experience in this growing field.

For instance, check out the DotLot™ tutorial regarding choosing the right color for a green screen stage.

Okay, so no buddies were actually invited to jump on ESPN’s Madden Nation tour bus and travel the country playing Madden NFL 09. However, TBG’s creative efforts were equally newsworthy.

The Buddy Group successfully completed its first project with Deutsch on behalf of Sony Computer Entertainment America. The objective was to promote the Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack through cutting-edge rich media ad units.

There were three ideas on the table. Two involved building scaffold on DotLot’s 1200 square foot main studio. Essentially, a stuntman was lowered on cables from three-stories up to pickup a PSP off the field in what was referred to as the “human chain”. A variation of that concept saw the same stuntman actually “grab” a PSP right out of the hands of a rival fan in the level below. In both executions, the final cut appears as though a friend of the fan is physically lowering his buddy down to snag the PSP.

The “dive” concept used less cables and risk of physical harm, but still put a stuntman in the middle of action. An unsuspecting fan is enjoying their PSP during a game when suddenly a stray football knocks him over and sends the PSP flying through the air. A nearby patron witnesses this event and in his relentless pursuit of a PSP makes a miraculous, diving catch.

But enough words, let’s allow the images to speak for themselves. Take a look at the behind the scenes footage to truly understand the challenge Madden brought to TBG.

Click here to watch the Making of Madden 09 for PSP Rich Media Ads.

Every so often the perfect project arrives on my desk. The opportunity has all the right ingredients. Ideal clients, innovative ideas, technological challenges and the opportunity to give something back to society. You know, it’s the dream scenario only heard about in business school.

Well, sometimes fantasy meets reality. For one of our most recent launches, TBG was put to the ultimate test, in a scholastic setting no less.

The assignment: Create an entertaining and educating online game. The examiners: High school students, teachers and leading business education experts. (And lawyers say passing the BAR is tough!) Well, I am happy to announce TBG passed with flying colors.

Johnny Money Online Game simulates the operations of a small business for up to two years. Players choose their store type, take out a small business loan, hire employees, set marketing budgets, determine product markups, and so on. They encounter events that force pivotal decisions in the success of their venture.

The game was beta tested with 70 high schools around the U.S. Students and teachers from these schools provided valuable insight in the creation of the full release of the game. The target audience for the game is high school students aged 14-18, but anyone can play this educating online game.

So how did it come about?

Johnny Money Online Game was created over the course of a year using a combination of Flash, PHP, & MySQL technologies. The game was structured and conceived through the combined efforts of The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), Young Entreprenuer Foundation (YEF), The Wharton School of Business and The Buddy Group.

Click here to try your hand at creating a business with the help of Johnny Money.

And while you’re at it, take a look at what others who played the Johnny Money Online Game have to say.

BizBox
ThinkBeta.com
Examiner.com
Ask Bo Bo
Dealios
Wall Street Journal, Independent Street Blog
Journal Jim
Dark Palmer
Jayzee Bird
Bri Cheese
Dave The King

The Buddy Group in support of Y&R recently launched the Land Rover Configuration Tool. Prospective buyers are taken through four stages in order to build their ideal Land Rover. It starts with choosing from four vehicles—Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2. The second stage is model selection, followed by colors and then options. The final screen provides a summary of your selection as well as MSRP and link to contact a retailer. There is even a helpful calculator to assist in figuring out monthly payments.

Y&R and TBG have collaborated on several projects in the past and we are proud of all our endeavors.

The Buddy Group recently completed a two phase project for Topps’ Baby Bottle Pop.

The initial campaign promoted a new series called Message in a Bottle, where consumers receive a message inside the candy. The message relays a code that provides access to interact with other consumers on Baby Bottle Pop’s website, which is home to several games targeting the tween market.

From concept creation through production TBG was responsible for creating standard as well as rich media ads complete with a match game. Check out Baby Bottle Pop Message in a Bottle ad campaign.

The second phase for Baby Bottle Pop was similar to the first in terms of animation and overall concept. Alterations included main messaging as well as creative elements to promote new website components.

TBG’s was tasked with promoting the Diaper Dollar Store. This online trading place allows users can get cool items in exchange for their island and avatar with points won in games. Take a look at the Baby Bottle Pop Diaper Dollar Store ad campaign.

The final tactic involved messages to promote Baby Bottle Pop’s partnership with the tween sensation the Jonas Brothers. TBG used the same animation, but swapped out new copy to promote the band’s presence on Baby Bottle Pop. Get a glimpse of the Baby Bottle Pop Jonas Brothers ad campaign.

This successful endeavor marks another successful joint venture between JL 360 and The Buddy Group. Look for all three ad concepts across websites targeting tween audiences.

Celebrating the special moments in life is a hallmark of Eastman Kodak Company. So the marriage with the picturesque scenes from PGA TOUR seems like a perfect match. Starting next season the two come together for The Kodak Challenge, a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players that celebrate beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR.

In support of this new relationship, The Buddy Group was called upon to develop the Kodak Challenge website and social marketing pages. The initial launch of site coincided with a press conference on June 25 announcing the latest innovation on the PGA TOUR.

Currently fans can get an overview of the Kodak Challenge and get full bios with videos from the Advisory Board members who will be selecting the Kodak Challenge holes. You can also submit your best fairway shot for the Golf Picture of the Week.

To complete the online picture TBG will add components allowing users to vote for Kodak Challenge holes and submit their golf stories. TBG will also continue support efforts on the Kodak Challenge Facebook page and other social networking sites.

Stay tuned for more information.