News
D/MARC through-the-firewall
August 10th, 2010
Category: | Products |
Its an exciting day for us today as we invite companies and institutions to take part in the closed beta of D/MARC.
D/MARC is our revolutionary new software product which allows organisations to securely access any remote internet service through a restricted corporate firewall. Access is metered and can be limited to a single service (eg. Second Life, Youtube, social media) or multiple services can be selected. All data is encrypted and transferred using SSL.
We initially developed the software as a way of deploying Second Life in corporate environments – providing a low cost alternative to Linden Labs Enterprise solution (SLE). However we quickly realised the wider potential that the software offers and we anticipate that the biggest demand will come from companies who need to access social media (such as facebook and twitter) but currently can’t because of firewall restrictions.
D/MARC is a simple one-click installation and the software is free. Our servers monitor usage and each month users receive a bill for the bandwidth they have used. Our extensive server network provides local points of presence so transfer speeds are always high.
Participation in the closed beta programme is completely free but will be limited to one user account per organisation with a capped data limit of 1gb. If you would like to apply to take part in the programme please register your interest by filling out the form here.
D/MARC will be launching commercially in the Autumn.
Tags: behind the firewall, facebook, Linden Labs, Second Life, social media, twitter
Hello to Mark, Head of Digital
June 15th, 2010
Category: | Company |
After an almost year-long search we’re delighted to anounce that we have appointed a ‘Head of Digital’. For some this will be old news as Mark Curtis has been with us for nearly a month now, and has already made a big impact. Previously project leader at The Gate Films, he brings with him more than 10 years of expertise in software development and engineering having worked for NCR Corporation, Flame Digital and Incline Media. Mark will be driving forward several exciting new product developments, particularly in the field of virtual worlds (watch this space), as well as growing our overall digital offering.
To help us make the appointment we received support from Vision+Media’s Regional Attraction Fund scheme. Delivered in partnership with the Northwest Development Agency, the RAF is designed to encourage and promote the development and growth of companies within the TV, film, games, interactive and digital content sectors.
To find out more about what makes Mark tick take a look at his profile on our People pages.
The Power and The Glory
June 10th, 2010
Category: | Motion Graphics |
Our latest video project for Bench, the omnipresent urban fashion brand, celebrates their new high summer clothing range called ‘Power and Glory’, which hits the high streets later this month.Our brief was to create a summery feel but reflect the edginess of the range, which is more trend driven and fashion focused than the main Bench lines. The challenge was to display both the men’s and women’s ranges, both very different from each other, in the same video.
We used David Barnes from Two Sugars to shoot the video which we filmed in a disused warehouse in central Manchester. All post production including editing and graphics were done in-house.
The video will feature on the Bench website, in online banners, in retail stores and on large screens at events, including Creamfields and Park Life, throughout the summer. What’s more Bench were so happy with the end result that they’ve also commissioned a behind-the-scenes ‘making of’ video for online use.
This is our second video project for Bench this year. In January we delivered a promotional video which focused on Bench’s global presence.
Tags: animation, bench, Creamfields, Park Life, Power and Glory, Two Sugars, video
Putting LED in our pencil
May 21st, 2010
Category: | Print | Web |
We’re currently mid way through rolling out an online and print campaign for London Electronic Dance Festival (LED Festival). The festival, which is being promoted by AEG Live UK, a world-leading sports and entertainment presenter, takes place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28th August in Hackney’s Victoria Park. The campaign hopes to drive 50,000 people to the two-day event, which aims to become a major heavyweight dance show on the Summer festival calendar. The line-up includes David Guetta and legendary pioneers of electronica, Leftfield.
It’s great to be working on a major London festival event and a real coup that AEG Live UK has chosen to work with a Manchester-based company. Our long track record of working with major music and entertainment industry clients has obviously stood us in good stead. We hope our design approach will help to deliver a sell-out festival for them and we look forward to being there to witness the stunning line-up.
Our branding for the event was signed off back in March and the website is now live. The press campaign is running from now right up to the event in national media. We’ll also be producing all other campaign marketing collateral between now and August.
Tags: AEG, campaign, LED, London Electronic Dance, website
The Death of Distance
April 16th, 2010
Category: | Virtual Worlds |
This is big! And definitely one of the most exciting virtual events we’ve worked on to date.
We are designing and managing the Death of Distance, a unique mixed-reality debate exploring how distance should not be a barrier to business communication. The event takes place on Tuesday 27 April, in Manchester’s MediaCityUK. Hosted in a 3D environment and taking place in real-time, a panel of leading business experts from around the world will participate either as avatars, by live video conference link or in person. The event will also be available to watch live online and the conversation can be followed on Twitter using the hashtag #DofD.
We believe this is the first time a mixed-reality debate has taken place in the North West and we’ve got an impressive line-up from the international business community to take part. Professionals from businesses such as IBM and BP will discuss their experiences of how new technologies can enhance collaboration, create new business opportunities, and stimulate the creative and digital supply chain. Our panel of experts will participate from the far corners of the globe including San Francisco, Brisbane and Newcastle.
Guest speakers include Adam Nelson, Executive Director Business, Linden Labs (attending as an avatar from San Francisco, USA), Joe Little, Senior Technology Consultant, BP (attending as an avatar from Sunbury-on-Thames, UK), Neil Katz, Distinguished Engineer, IBM (attending as an avatar from Fort Lauderdale, USA), Stuart Smith, CEO, Woodholmes (attending by video conference from Newcastle, UK), Professor Justin O Connor, Queensland University of Technology (attending as an avatar from Queensland, Australia) and Donna Davidson, BRC Imagination Arts (attending by video conference from Durham, UK)
The panel of experts will be chaired by Phil Jones, sales and marketing director at Brother UK. He says: “In a globalising world that has its foot hard on the accelerator, finding new ways to connect with people have to be explored. In many cases distance is irrelevant and it is these areas the debate will look to explore. I’m particularly keen to hear about how businesses are using avatars to communicate virtually and how this affects the overall experience when compared with video conferencing. I’m really looking forward to pulling it together on the night.”
There are three ways you can take part in the event. To find out more go to www.virtualnorthernnet.co.uk and register your interest. But hurry - places are limited and are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event is being delivered through a collaboration between ourselves, The White Room and The Hamilton Project.
Tags: BP, BRC Imagination Arts, Brother UK, death of distance, IBM, Linden Labs, mixed reality debate, northern net, Second Life, virtual conference, virtual world, Woodholmes
Virtual graduation part two!
March 4th, 2010
Category: | Virtual Worlds |
Following the success of last year’s pilot ceremony in Second Life we have just held the first full scale virtual award ceremony for over 30 of BP’s senior executives who have completed The University of Manchester’s Managing Projects programme.
The ceremony took place in the Whitworth Room of Manchester Business School’s Second Life Island on Thursday 4th March and is the culmination of the year-long Managing Projects programme, delivered by experts from across The University of Manchester. The programme enables BP executives from the UK, USA, Canada, Angola, Indonesia, Alaska and Russia to apply the latest business thinking to practical challenges they are facing in their business life.
Last year’s virtual ceremony proved the real value of using virtual world’s to bring geographically dispersed people together. BP experienced the benefits for themselves, rewarding senior executives for their achievements without the enormous costs and environmental impact of delivering a real life ceremony. It simply made the impossible possible.
There are lots of prototypes in virtual worlds and companies who dip their toe in the water, but this event with BP demonstrates how Second Life is very much alive and well in the corporate world. We’re really looking forward to this year’s ceremony which is on a much larger scale than last year’s.
Alan Johnston Director of Manchester Programmes at BP said: “The innovative use of Second Life by MBS delivers recognition of our worldwide delegates’ achievement in completing the Managing Projects programme while enhancing our community of practice.”
Professor Michael Luger, Director of Manchester Business School said: “MBS is committed to working closely with clients, such as BP, to deliver original executive education programmes that combine real time teaching with the latest e-learning technology. We’re delighted that we can bring the BP cohort together again to celebrate their achievements in this way.”
Tags: Awards, BP, graduation, Manchester Business School, Second Life
Promo video for Bench
February 23rd, 2010
Category: | Motion Graphics |
We’ve just delivered an animated video for urban lifestyle company Bench, showcasing their story from humble beginnings in Manchester to their position now as a global brand. This is the third video that we’ve produced for the label since January 2008.
The creative solution uses the square full stop in the logo to create a digitalised world map with longitude and latitude coordinates representing Bench’s retail outlets and events. The three minute video will be used to communicate its wide global presence.
The video takes the viewer on a journey through Bench’s global empire, celebrating 20 years of heritage from its roots in Manchester’s music scene in the 90s. The project involved selecting and editing two decades worth of videos and imagery, which was then cut to music.
Emily Frazer, international marketing manager at Bench had this to say: “We wanted a video that highlighted our international reach and global presence. The result represents our history and major landmarks, in a cool and distinctive style that is reflective of our brand.”
Tags: animation, bench, video
We’re moving on!
January 22nd, 2010
Category: | Company |
After five years in our beautiful studio in Manchester’s northern quarter we’re moving on. Its a great space but we’ve outgrown it. Its 1500 sqft of pillars, wooden floors and typical N4 character and the landlord is a very nice bloke! As a favour to said landlord we’ve agreed to put the word about that its soon going to be available (from 1st March).
We’re also selling some of our furniture so it could be the perfect ‘pret a porter’ solution for a company on the up. Email us for details.
Tags: manchester, northern quarter, office
Creamfields two years on the trot!
January 13th, 2010
Category: | Print | Web |
Following a four-way pitch, we are very proud to announce that we have been appointed to develop the national campaign for Creamfields 2010. The campaign will be promoted throughout the UK using a variety of tools including posters, press ads, flyers and online marketing.
Having delivered the Creamfields 2009 campaign this makes us the first agency in the history of the festival to lead the Creamfields campaign two years in a row. This year’s campaign will build on the distinctive graphics we delivered last year and we hope will help deliver another sell-out festival for our clients.
Laura Buckley, Senior Marketing Manager, at The Cream Group said: “We’re all really excited to be working with Corporation Pop again. It’s great to be able to develop an already strong working relationship. Their professional approach, attention to detail, commitment and creativity makes them an absolute pleasure to deal with.”
The campaign will go live in the Spring and run for six months.
Creamfields 2010 takes place across August Bank Holiday Weekend, on 28 and 29 August in Daresbury, Cheshire.
For last years campaign click here.
Tags: Cream, Creamfields
Second Life open for Enterprise
November 6th, 2009
Category: | Company | Virtual Worlds |
On Wednesday 4th November Linden Labs announced the public launch of ‘Second Life Enterprise’, their behind-the-firewall solution which until now has been codenamed ‘Nebraska’.
Second Life Enterprise (or SLE for short) allows large organisations to run a completely self contained version of the virtual world technology on their own network with no external links to Linden Labs or the main Second Life grid. The technology has all the features and benefits of the main grid with the added benefit of a completely secure environment with full administration tools including backup and recovery. Up to 800 avatars can interact concurrently and real names can be used. For educational establishments the solution also has the benefit of having no restrictions on age use (on the public grids users under 18 cannot log in to the same grid as users over 18).
As Second Life Gold Solution Providers we are resellers for Second Life Enterprise. Contact us for more information.
Tags: behind the firewall, Second Life, Second Life Enterprise, SLE
Sign up to our e-newsletter
Every month (or so) we publish Corporation Pop News, our e-newsletter, keeping you in touch with what we’re up to. You can even win stuff in our regular competition!
To subscribe, simply fill out the form below to join the mailing list.
