Go OMA!
Posted: August 09, 2010 In: Launch
The long-anticipated OMA Model/Gold/Foundation website is finally live! We would like to thank the entire OMA team for providing us with the feedback that allowed us to construct an interactive website that is both active, eye-catching, and fun to navigate.
Once the first page loads, the first three words that you see in the center of your screen show you what OMA is all about: “OMA builds brains.”
All of the photos of students on the website are taken from OMA schools and the smiles on their faces vividly show what OMA can do for the students. In OMA schools, they aim to make education fun and when building the website, we wanted to give you some insight into just how fun learning is through the OMA model. But enough description, go check it out yourself at www.omamodel.org! Let us know what you think.
Summer the AZDS Way
Posted: July 28, 2010 In: Ideas and Innovation
So far, the summer of 2010 has proved to be one of our busiest summers to date from the steady workload we have had here at AZDS. Fortunately, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Most recently, we have had the chance to initiate the web development process for reVision, Inc. and AppTier. We are privileged to have them on board and look forward to expanding their businesses through our innovative, marketable designs.
Adam has been extraordinarily busy due to his constant traveling. Earlier this month, he headed east to Savannah, Georgia and spent a few days checking up on the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa. While there, he completed a web-based reservation system for the Marina making it that much simpler to access some of the resort’s luxurious amenities. Also completed was a new microsite for the Marina. August promises a new video production for the resort. AZDS has the opportunity to complete video commercials for the hotel’s televisions and lobby screens and we can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Our work with OMA has been progressing as well. After many hours in the office and on the phone, the new OMA website should be ready by the end of next week! We are excited to go live with it as soon as possible. Our next new task to complete is the unique OMA progress tracker which is currently in development and is scheduled to be put into effect a few weeks into “school quarter one.”
Via Elegante is continuing to have success with their interactive campaigns as they are at full occupancy.
We have also had some fun this summer. Adam went ballistic when the Lakers defended their title and became the NBA champions for the second year in a row. I am under strict orders to write “congrats” to the Lakers, however that isn’t how I individually feel. We will see how they fare next year in a league with a newly-formed superstar-studded team :). Spain also deserves a great deal of credit for winning the World Cup. All of us at AZDS were a little disappointed that the Netherlands lost, not necessarily because we liked the team, but mainly because we liked their uniforms. Can you guess why? Well, they were orange. Enough said.
I am happy to announce that I received a long-anticipated promotion and now hold the title of “Director of Client Strategy and Growth.” It’s about time boss! All jokes aside, I am looking forward to delving further into the mechanics of the business and am determined to prove myself in this new role. On a personal note I also have a new 9 week old English Lab Puppy. Her name is Nala, and she is as cute as can be!
Finally, if anyone has ideas for Quarter 2 charity events, please e-mail us at info@azdsm.net. We are constantly looking for ways to better the community and are willing to put forth the effort necessary to make a difference.
Ian Cornish
Director of Client Strategy and Growth
Just an AZDS Update
Posted: June 8, 2010 In: Ideas and Innovation
It is unusual for me to find the time in my schedule to write posts on our AZDS blog these days. This being said, I wanted to write a short new post, to welcome some of our newest clients and to give an update on some of our latest work.
First and foremost, I would like to welcome AppTier, providing solutions for enterprise content management. Additionally, I would like to welcome Yorkshire Equity, LLC, investing in lower middle-market companies in North America where they establish further long-term value creation.
Secondly, listed below are a variety of the projects we have been working on:
- Opening Minds through the Arts website redevelopment, image creation, marketing and advertising for the Arts Integration Academy, OMA Model projects, and the new OMA Progress tracker.
- Via Elegante advertising monthly interactive campaigns.
- Yorkshire Equity e-mail template, Powerpoint design, and Microsite.
- Westin Harbor Resort Savannah Sales and Marketing folder.
- Client Blog and Social Media Development.
I would like to extend a thank you to all of our current clients for their continued support. We are looking forward to continued success with enhancing your online image and outreach.
Also keep an eye out for my article in the Cherry Creek Chronicle regarding interactive website usage and advertising within the plastic surgery industry. It is an interesting quick read!
If we can be of any assistance, please contact us.
Adam Deflorian
CEO
TEDxDU
Posted: May 14, 2010 In: Ideas and Innovation
First and foremost, Adam, Makayla, and I would like to issue a huge “thank you” to Scott Gilbert who was able to get us VIP tickets to this thought-provoking and “empowering” event. In addition to assisting us, Scott was an underlying force in scheduling and managing the conference, so he deserves an enormous amount of credit for making it so successful.
Now, on to TED. WOW. Again, WOW. That’s all we could say yesterday.
Makayla and I had never been to a TED event so it completely blew us away. “TED” stands for technology, entertainment, and design; they travel around the world with various guest speakers with the goal of inspiring ideas and innovation. Just like we aim to “empower” our clients, TED aims to “empower” all of their attendees. Maybe that is why we had such an amazing time.
TEDxDU is something that we will remember for the rest of our lives based on the guest speakers that they selected largely due to their diverse professions. Here are some examples of their titles: global futurist; peace “proactivist;” social worker; CEO; legal reformer; musicologist; neurodegeneration scientist; sport desegregationalist.
Between so many intriguing topics, we noted a few of the most important quotes that caught our attention. Neal Foard, the Worldwide Director of Creative Learning for a firm called Saatchi & Saatchi, announced how our culture today values celebrities and athletes too much. So who should we “cheer for?” Engineers, according to Mr. Foard, “When there is an asteroid heading towards Earth, you are gonna be cheering for the people that can do the math.” However, our favorite quote came from William Espey of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. He used statistics to show the “standard deviation of the creative mind” when he asked, “Where is your asymptote?”
Taking into account our VIP status, we sat front row and were only a few feet away from the passionate presenters. Since we were so close, the cameramen filming the event often captured us in the shot. We must have appeared on the big screen (directly behind the speakers) 5 or 6 times! Makayla was lucky enough to have the camera solely focused on her for about 10 seconds. Adam and I weren’t jealous at all.
Basically, if you hear of a TED or TEDx event happening around you, get a ticket as soon as possible!
Ian Cornish
CIO
Helping our Denver Community
Posted: May 12, 2010 In: Community Service
AZDS is a believer in giving back to the community that has provided us all with so much. On May 7th, the AZDS team sponsored a spinning class (The Roadless Ride) for Brent’s Place. The Brent Eley Foundation helps those living with cancer by providing housing, programs, and partnerships in our Denver community. A big thank you to the Pura Vida Health Club, who did an amazing job organizing the event. It was a great way for our creative team to get out and enjoy some daytime cycling while simultaneously giving back to the community. We are looking forward to our additional charitable events coming up in the near future.
Adam Deflorian
CEO
Star of the Daily Star
Posted: May 3, 2010 In: Interactive News
Over the past three years, AZDS has enjoyed an incredible working partnership with Via Elegante Luxury Assisted Living facilities. Throughout this time we have worked to create effective advertising campaigns that truly capture the vision and the love that make up Via Elegante. April proved to be one of the most successful months yet in Via Elegante’s Interactive Campaign. We are looking forward to continued success with enhancing the Via Elegante image. Please read below for more information.
Adam Deflorian
CEO
Via Elegante Luxury Assisted Living Facilities recieved a great honor this past month. The Via Elegante ad was officially the best performing overall ad on the Arizona Daily Star website for the month of April! Keep an eye on the Arizona Daily Star website for the new Live, Love, Laugh campaign launching in mid-May.
we welcome you to the new azds site--don’t get lost :)
Posted: April 21, 2010 In: Launch
Opportunity is something that we are all about at AZDS. The opportunity arose to better our website in our recent expansion and growth of our staff, so we did so. The old site was not bad, yet it did not quite represent the talents and the culture of the whole AZDS team.
Our team did an amazing job with the new “facelift” so I give everyone kudos for a job well done. Be sure to click around, have some fun, and learn about AZDS (how we empower our clients and build brains). Contact us with anything we might be able to assist you with.
Best, Adam, Founder and CEO / AZDS interactive group
our culture
Posted: April 21, 2010 In: Launch
There is a saying that reads something along the lines of, “If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life.” We have all heard it growing up. There may be people who wholeheartedly disagree with this phrase, but here at AZDS, it is impossible to not emphatically agree.
We enjoy skiing/snowboarding and checking out the newest and latest technology available on the market. Watching Adam scream at the T.V. when the Lakers lose is also highly inspirational for me personally (if you couldn’t tell Adam and I have a pretty intense rivalry). One of the most popular activities we do when our brains need a rest is head over to the nearby store The North Face (TNF). We all enjoy their apparel, but Adam in particular loves it. He will tell you that his primary reason for endorsing the brand is that in advertising you have to “be your client.” This may be partially true, but to be completely honest, he just loves TNF.
Like we said before, we provide you with creative advertising that provides premium results. If we have to slave in the office for hours in order to fully complete a task, we will do it. We really aim to view the company the way you do in order to do the best job possible. Nonetheless, for us to produce an admirable piece of work, we have to have fun doing it.
--Ian, CIO / AZDS interactive group
Jay-Z Concert
Posted: April 21, 2010 In: Launch
It was March 22nd and Adam, Makayla, and I were extremely excited because we had lower-bowl tickets to go see the Jay-Z Blueprint 3 Concert. Trey Songz and Young Jeezy were scheduled to perform with Jay-Z as well, so we were clearly lucky to get such superb seats.
Unfortunately, Makayla was feeling sick that day and didn’t feel up to going (understandable considering rock concerts can exceed 115 dB; generally doesn’t go well with a headache). Adam and I decided to bring along a few other friends and we headed down to the Pepsi Center at around 7:00 p.m.
When we arrived at 7:30, a band of DJs were on stage playing their set. Although we didn’t exactly enjoy their music, it was unbelievable how strong the bass and speakers were in the arena. You could literally feel your whole body tremble with each “thump.”
We knew it was going to be a night to remember.
Trey Songz was the first to take the stage and he started things off on the right foot. “I Need a Girl” and “Say Aah” were the two songs that really stimulated the rambunctious crowd. Then, there was an intermission and we had to wait for the next performer.
This was possibly one of the most euphoric moments of the entire concert because as the timer (displayed on the big screens) reached zero, Jay-Z rose from up beneath the stage and sang “Run This Town.” Everyone had expected it to be Young Jeezy, so it was a pleasant surprise. We were thrilled to hear him sing “Empire State of Mind” and “My President is Black.” Young Jeezy took the stage a little later and lit up the stage with songs like “Soul Survivor” and “Put On.”
Looking back, the night was a blast. To someone like me from Salt Lake City, Utah, it is safe to say that I was shocked with some of the members of the audience, but it enhanced the experience nonetheless. Luckily, we remembered to bring along the camera so we snapped a few pictures throughout the performance. They actually turned out to be pretty good. Here are a few for you to browse through!
--Ian, CIO / AZDS interactive group