The Great Black Turtleneck has spoken, and he has decreed Adobe Flash to be a thing of the past. Now, it seems, despite many hopes to the contrary, Flash will never be supported on the iPhone or the iPad. But is Steve Jobs right? Is Flash obsolete? Is it a thing of the past to be cast aside, like VRML or Vanilla Ice? I don't think Flash is going anywhere, at least any time soon. There are many great articles out there that go into greater detail for the more tech-savvy, but here's a basic rundown, for designers and business owners considering using flash, of why I think Flash is still worthwhile.

1. Compatibility

Jobs talks a lot about HTML5 - the next major revision of the language of the World Wide Web. HTML5 will have a lot of cool features including a canvas element, timed media playback, offline storage, document editing, drag and drop capability, and exciting font handling, so there is a lot to get excited about. The only problem is browser compatibility. The HTML5 VIDEO tag is a great example: Safari and Chrome both support it, Firefox supports the tag but doesn't support decoding currently used by YouTube and Vimeo, and Internet Explorer doesn't support it at all without a plugin. A flash video, however, works in all browsers just fine. Designers and programmers the world over have been cursing Microsoft and their terrible internet browser for years as being a main reason for holding back web development, and I suspect IE will continue to disappoint us. With about a third of people still using some version of Internet Explorer, it's best to use a format most of us can enjoy.

2. Animation and Interactivity

While its true that HTML5 will have some 2D animation capability, and that many cool little interactive animations can be made with some advanced Javascript, they pale in comparison to what can be achieved in Flash. It's a great way to draw attention, and animated, interactive ads are a staple on most news and blog sites, often popping up and overlaying content, and even syncing with other ads on the screen (ironically, like this Apple ad). These aren't going away any time soon. Flash can also add extra impact and interactivity to your web design in ways HTML5 and Javascript simply can't. I think it will continue to be an effective tool to get your message across to the user. But what about if my user's on an iPhone or iPad, you ask? No problem. A good web designer should embed the Flash in such a way that if it can't be displayed for whatever reason, it's replaced with static content that will display properly in all browsers. It might also be a good idea to consider a second design tailored to mobile browsers, that will let your user access the data they need with ease while using very little bandwidth.

3. User Experience
There's a reason Flash is used on nearly every single movie website: it creates an unparalleled user experience. A well-built flash site or element mixes together video, audio, and interactivity in ways no one else can, and I think that's the biggest difference between home and mobile browsing. Mobile browsing on tools like the Blackberry, iPhone, and iPad, with their relatively small screens, low computing power and poor audio capabilities, will continue to be for finding information quickly and conveniently. Home computers, with their large, vivid screens, surround sound speakers, subwoofers, and DVD players have become media centers. They are, and will continue to be the place the majority of people will do their browsing, at least in the next several years. These computers are the perfect place to experience the best that the web has to offer, including in-depth, interactive Flash work. Here are just a few examples to show you what I mean - just don't try to view them on an iPad. =)

(Note that these are cutting-edge sites and may take a moment to load.)

We Choose the Moon - http://www.wechoosethemoon.org/
NASA's real-time recreation of the historic Apollo 11 mission

Verbatim Monster Championship - http://www.verbatim.jp/senshuken/
Verbatim Japan's awesome website that allows the user to create a creature out of various Verbatim writable media and fight other creations from across the world.

Wrangler Blue Bell Jeans - http://www.bluebelljeans.com/
Discover the Wrangler Blue Bell Spring/Summer 2010 collection, take control of Tony Ward and make him dance.

Whether you're creating an in-depth user experience like the sites listed above, or adding a bit of extra eye-candy to your website, Flash still has a lot to offer.

Studiothink is seeking a hyper-organized control freak with a personable personality to fill our full-time Project Coordinator position.

Your job entails organizing multiple projects, establishing project timelines, and managing the subsequent work flow. You will be responsible for tracking all projects, both internally and externally, ensuring that jobs stay on target with deadlines, and producing weekly Excel reports on each jobs status.

On a daily basis you will be communicating between the client, suppliers and staff, which is why your organization skills are not enough, they must be paired with a great attitude and a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, not to mention a high tolerance for airborne Nerf weapons. You will also perform general office management tasks such as ordering supplies, sending invoices and couriers, filing, and answering phones when needed.

This is an entry-level position within our company, and marketing experience is an asset, although not mandatory. We are offering $35,000 per year to start, along with extended benefits and three weeks paid vacation.

Qualifications:
- Extensive organizational skills with a focus on solutions
- Highly-developed customer service skills
- Personable verbal and written communication are crucial
- 2-3 years experience working in an office admin role, demonstrating clear organizational skills
- Extremely competent on the computer using email, databases and MS Office
- Able to confidently communicate with clients, suppliers and internal staff
- Interest or experience in the field of marketing, graphic design and website design is an asset

Job Duties:
- Working directly with the Marketing Director and Creative Director, you will generate project timelines and schedules for all our projects, and be responsible for ensuring internal staff, suppliers and clients adhere to the project deadlines
- Creating job dockets and notes on necessary revisions and proofs
- Obtaining records of client approvals on project quotes and final sign off
- Work closely with external suppliers to obtain quotes and send out materials
- Closely track projects at all times, internally, to printer or other supplier, to final delivery to the client
- Acquire all information and materials needed to complete projects on time
- General office management including filing, invoicing, couriering, supplies, phones, etc.

If you are highly organized and personable, and enjoy being in a marketing, design and interactive environment, then communicate with us and demonstrate your skills! Send us a PDF or MS Word document that includes your well-written resume and cover letter to careers@studiothink.com

Studiothink is a creative agency located in Surrey, BC. To find out more about us, visit our website at www.studiothink.com

Not a marketing blog today, but instead a job opportunity:

Project Coordinator

Do you live by your to-do list? Can’t live without using Excel spreadsheets? Never forget to send a birthday or anniversary card? You might be the hyper-organized personality we need to fill our full-time Project Coordinator position.

Your job will be to manage multiple complex projects, developing project timelines, and the subsequent workflow. You will be responsible for keeping all projects on deadline, and must have the ability to communicate clearly and work efficiently. Your ability to keep the workflow organized must be paired with a great attitude, excellent communication skills, and a high tolerance for airborne Nerf weapons.

Qualifications:
- 2-3 years experience in coordination of projects and working with deadlines
- Advanced knowledge of MS Excel
- Extremely competent on the computer using email, databases and MS Office
- Highly-developed, personable verbal and written communication skills
- Able to confidently communicate with clients, suppliers and internal staff
- Extensive organizational skills with a focus on solutions
- Advanced time management and problem solving skills
- Experience in the printing industry or agency experience is a definite asset

Job Duties:
- Working directly with the Marketing Director and Creative Director, you will generate project timelines and schedules for all our projects, and be held responsible for ensuring internal staff, suppliers and clients adhere to the project deadlines
- Liaise with our team members to create and issue timetables and workback schedules
- Creating job dockets and notes on necessary revisions and proofs
- Obtaining records of client approvals on project quotes and final sign off
- Work closely with external suppliers to obtain quotes and send out materials
- Closely track projects at all times, internally, to printer or other supplier, to final delivery to the client
- Acquire all information and materials needed to complete projects on time
- General office management including filing, invoicing, couriering, supplies, phones, etc

Studiothink is a creative agency located in Surrey, BC. We offer great hours, a generous holiday structure, extended benefits, and a fun and casual work environment. To find out more about us, visit our website at www.studiothink.com

If you are highly organized and personable, and enjoy being in a marketing, design and interactive environment, then show us your communication skills! Send us a PDF or MS Word document that includes your resume, cover letter, and salary expectations to careers@studiothink.com

I don't know about your workplace, but around here, the brand name Apple is revered amongst our creative team. To us, Apple is kind of like Gretzky is to hockey (that reference was for you Mike): it has elevated the profession of graphic design into a household name. Thanks to Apple, everyone knows that if you work on a Mac, you must be capable of making cool graphic kind of things happen in the world.

Apple has been so successful in creating innovative products, and branding those products, that they have achieved a cult-like status among their followers, myself being one of them. I want everything Apple can make. Give me an iPhone, an iPod, Apple TV, a MacBook, an iMac, whatever they have, I want it. But, I'm not sold on their newest product, the iPad.

The iPad seems to be a giant-sized iPod Touch. And I already have an iPod Touch. I'm not too sure what I need it for. If I want to play music, do I look like a royal geek pulling out this huge ten inch iPad out of my purse at Starbucks? Not that I mind looking like a geek, but what I do mind is having it take so much room in my purse. A girl has limits you know.

So what's the verdict, does anyone want an iPad? I sadly and hesitantly must admit that I do not, and I might lose my prided membership to the Church of Apple because of it. (Don't hate me Apple, I still want a new MacBook.)

Let's get something straight right off the bat - I'm pro-Olympics. I'm excited about the games, and I'm looking forward to taking part; we have tickets to watch Sweden vs. Germany mens ice hockey.

But, the marketer in me needs to levy some criticism towards VANOC and their recent heavy-handed PR in regards to Olympic sponsors.

Bad Lulu, Bad!
By now I'm sure everyone has heard of VANOC's displeasure with a number of companies who have attempted to catch some of the spirit of the games. These companies range from Mom & Pop stores, to retail giants like Scotia Bank and Lululemon (more on that fiasco here http://www.studiothink.com/blog/index.php/2009/12/16/lululemon-error-in-judgement-or-marketin). Essentially, a number of companies have attempted to cash-in on the Olympics who were not official sponsors, and that has VANOC up in arms.

To some degree, I can understand VANOC's position. They have a number of high profile sponsors who have spent millions to be associated with the games, and organizers must do everything they can to protect that investment; it's not fair asking HBC to pay for exposure if Lululemon can get it for free.

My problem with VANOC basically comes down to their shortsightedness. By smacking the hands of Scotia Bank and Lululemon, they're not only coming off like stodgy, authoritarian grumps, but they are unintentionally hurting their own sponsors.

The success of every games hinges on one ethereal concept - people around the globe catching Olympic fever. By exciting people about the games, you ignite the engine of consumerism that drives the heart of the commercialized Olympiad. Host cities are judged harshly on their financial legacy (see Montreal, Failure of).

Olympics? What Olympics?
But, how are people supposed to get excited about the games when the brands they support get publicly flogged? How are we supposed to catch the spirit when only one store in the mall carries Olympic gear? I was at the Canucks game on Thursday night, and if I didn't see Coke posters in the Skytrain stations, I would hardly know the games were on at all.

By limiting the freedom of companies to support the games, you're likewise slashing the exposure of the event. I understand the need to protect the copyright material that sponsors pay to be a part of, but I can't for the life of me understand the smack-down on the creative campaigns non-sponsors have used to fuel interest in the games. It's fine to remind people who the official sponsors are, but it's a terrible idea to bad mouth campaigns that are driving people's passion for 2010.

It all comes down to one thing - if people catch the fever, everyone wins. If they don't, it's the big sponsors with the most to lose.

On October 29 this past year, geeks worldwide (including some of us here at Studiothink) celebrated the Internet's 40th birthday. Today marked another moment in history when it was announced that NASA has finished an upgrade to the International Space Station that will allow its astronauts to connect to the internet. Yep, the World-Wide-Web is now in orbit, and the first cosmic internet communication came in the form of a Twitter post. It's only a matter of time until Colonel TJ Creamer starts getting stellar spam emails selling him Viagra, discount watches, and membership to prestigious "Who's Who" lists.

There's nearly 2 billion people using the internet and that number now includes residents of the International Space Station. We've come a long way. For a bit of perspective, we bring you a good ol' Canadian broadcast from 1993, discussing this mysterious phenomenon called simply, "Internet."

If you've seen the front cover of the Vancouver Province today, you know that one of my favorite brands, Lululemon, is having a battle with the organizers of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics (VANOC) over their new line of clothing. Actually, not so much a battle as a very public scolding for coming too close to infringing on the 2010 Olympic trademark rules...but not quite.

Their new line of clothing, cleverly called "Cool Sporting Event That Takes Place in British Columbia Between 2009 & 2011 Edition" does not technically infringe on the Olympic brand, however the right to market 2010 merchandise is an exclusive right only for game sponsors, and VANOC doesn't approve of being teased to the edge of their very expensive copyright.

So, the question is, has Lululemon made a fatal marketing mistake, or found a genius way to capitalize on a piece of the 2010 Olympic marketing pie?

I had a look at the clothing line, and to tell you the truth, it doesn't look anything like Olympic wear, what it looks like, is, well, patriotic wear. A quote from Bill Cooper, VANOC's director of commercial rights management says, "Just because an advertiser finds a creative way to avoid direct use of recognizable brand elements doesn't necessarily in and of itself mean that they have avoided building an unauthorized commercial association with the Games." (insert my groan and eyeroll here).

Isn't finding creative advertising solution what marketing is? Isn't this what we want creative, successful Canadian companies to do? What do you think? Has Lulemon crossed the boundaries of our polite Canadian manners, or just found a really creative way to sell their stuff? I'd love to hear your opinions!

p.s. please add "Cool Sporting Event That Takes Place in British Columbia Between 2009 & 2011 Edition" to my Christmas list.

This flew a little under the radar for me today, but apparently it's Digg's 5th birthday! Hard to believe how far we've come over 5 years. The concept of users promoting or denigrating content would've been unthinkable even 6 years ago.

Think about it - at the turn of the century content was basically considered sacrosanct. You put up web pages and users were expected to digest that content and move on. Today, we're commenting, collaborating, creating, and most of all sharing content. It used to be that your site belonged to you, but more and more what you put up on the web is meant to be molded and interacted with, as opposed to just experienced.

Digg was a pretty revolutionary concept, not just that users could submit content to be shared, but that it actually gave them an opportunity to vote with their mouse buttons - users could control what content was considered popular. Unlike traditional media where corporate dollars dictated what was seen most prominently, all of sudden if you wanted to be noticed, then your content needed to be as good as your balance sheet.

Digg certainly played a role in the overall emergence of Social Media, and, even with RSS and Social Media providing new ways to deliver interesting news, they have managed to fill an important niche by allowing the general internet population to decide what is relevant, instead of corporations.

Congrats on your 5th birthday Digg. No matter what the future holds for you, we won't forget what you helped all of us achieve.

http://blog.digg.com/?p=1195

When we asked Caitlin about her life outside of work, she mentioned she had a new hobby - roller derby. This was way too good of an opportunity to pass up, and so we convinced her to dress in her "uniform" for her team-member photo shoot. The results were part beautiful, part scary, and mostly hilarious - kind of like roller derby itself.

Enjoy this bonus outtake:

It's been a busy week, and on top of it all, we are hiring for a new designer, which means tons of resumes are coming in. Is it politically correct to say that some of them.....are well, a little more than odd? Now, I understand that it's hard to know what a company is looking for, and that it may be hard to get the attention of the person who is reading through the resumes, but why are so many just plain WRONG. So, as a Friday rant, here are some of my top pet peeves, straight from this weeks resume pile:

1. If it asks for a PDF, why send a MS Word file? And since when does a designer use MS Word anyways?
2. Creepy pictures and drawings are not a selling feature.
3. Who asks for $100 an hour? I mean, I don't even get paid that. Delete.
4. Saying you need to stay in the country is not a good enough reason for an interview.
5. Um, a little too much personal information. See a counselor.
6. I hate those emoticons at the bottom of Hotmail emails. And hate is a pretty strong word.
7. Cover letters that start with the words "Dear Sirs" are not cool. Even "To Whom it May Concern" is pushing it.
8. Commuting from Squamish probably means this won't work out.
9. Why would someone from Wisconsin apply? Is the job market in Wisconsin that saturated?
10.Hello, it's 2009. Spell check.
11. One good portfolio makes up for any lack of education. What amazes me is that so many educated people submit the most god awful portfolios. Time for a career change.
12. Five days at a company is not really "work experience".
13. If you've already submitted a resume, and you've just read this, feel free to resubmit.

Here's looking forward to next weeks resume pile!

If you read our newsletter (or have met any of us) you know we are a tad bit competitive. We've always got some kind of office rivalry happening. This time we've started a new competition we may live to regret—a chili cookoff. Thankfully all the men sit downstairs, while my desk is upstairs with Chandra, so I'm thinking I'm fairly safe from any repercussions caused by chili ingestion.

Every Friday for the next couple of months each of us will bring a home made pot of chili for lunch, which we will rank. The winner will have bragging rights, and a prize of some sort....if we can think of something.

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with, and I'll keep you updated about our results. Rob went first last week, and faced the pressure of cooking his first ever chili. It was pretty yummy, not sure how Mike is going to top it this week....I'll try to remember to post photos....may the hottest chef win!!

We thought we'd try offering a promotion (for the first time ever), and for a limited time we are including all of the copywriting when you purchase the graphic design of a brochure. Or, if you purchase a logo design, we are throwing in free design of the business card, letterhead and envelope.

If you are interested in taking advantage of either of these two promotions, just let us know by contacting Debbie at debbie@studiothink.com. As with all good things, this is a limited time offer, so get in on it while you can!

This has been a fun site to work on because our graphic designer and resident Flash expert, Dave, was able to implement some new programming techniques that allowed us to have a Flash site that would also be fully searchable by search engines. We were also able to add some pretty cool graphics and features.

On a side note, I'd like to thank Bob Fugger for coming in one evening to take all of our great new team photos, we had a blast doing them, and Bob was his typical charming self, bringing out the best in each of us.

One of the features of our new site is this blog. We found that although we sent out regular news in our monthly newsletter, Brainwaves, often things were happening with our clients, and within our office that we would like to share. Thus our new blog was born.

It will be updated every week with gossip, promotions, client news, projects, and even some useful info on marketing and design, so we hope you come back and read it on a regular basis. You never know what kind of fun gossip you'll come across!