Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

Scranton Enterprise Center Web Portal

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

While many small business operations start up with a bang, it often requires a bit of work to keep them moving in the right direction. As entrepreneurs map out their dreams of starting and growing a small business, how many of them know that a specialized environment exists to help them establish a solid foundation in their first years of operation?

As both a rapidly-developing interactive agency and a client of the facility, BlackOut Design was pleased to partner with the Scranton Enterprise Center in the recent launch of the center’s new web site. BlackOut specializes in spreading the word about the latest business trends and developments in NEPA, and in the case of the SEC, there is plenty to talk about.

Located in both a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone as well as a Keystone Innovation Zone, the SEC goes above and beyond the norm by offering a unique business incubator space for clients. The business incubator assists start-up businesses to develop their operations in a supportive and constructive setting, offering them access to many services that would not be available elsewhere. This includes shared office spaces such as conference and mailing facilities, as well as networking and training opportunities that are tailored to the needs of developing firms.

In addition to a full list of current clients, prospective tenants can view floor plans for the entire building, as well as information on the KOEZ and KIZ status of the facility. Information on financing opportunities for startup businesses is also provided, as well as a comprehensive list of useful web links.

See the results at http://www.scrantonenterprisecenter.com/

MetroAction Annual Report for 2009

Monday, June 15th, 2009

In conjuction with other marketing material developed for MetroAction, Blackout Design recently laid out the 2009 MetroAction Annual Report.  With provided content and imagesfrom MetroAction, Blackout helped create a sixteen page report that consisted of information on MetroAction’s recent history in assisting small businesses in the Northeast Pennsylvania region.  Detailing loans given, businesses assisted, and men and women of the region educated in better business practices, MetroAction’s Annual Report is a container for current and future business leaders to consider as a source of abundant information for becoming a larger and better business.  For more information about MetroAction and their annual report, click here.

Hydro4ge Demo Now Available

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

To add to the long list of websites developed by Blackout Design, we recently rolled out the carpet for the demo of Hydro4ge, a fourth generation development environment.  Helping convey the power and stability of the Hydro4ge platform, we have been working to publicize this development for a long time running, and now it is finally here.

Hydro4ge is a Platform as a Service that offers an online database application that is easy to build and manage in very little time.  To find out more information and take a closer look at the demo, visit www.hydro4ge.com.

The InPact Group Business Cards

Monday, May 18th, 2009

We may specialize in web design and strategy, but BlackOut is just as adept at providing print solutions.  We recently helped The InPact Group ensure they always make the right first impression with BlackOut-designed business cards.

InPact offers project management, business grant writing, business plan writing, business sustainability planning and organizational training and development services.

The BlackOut-designed business cards reflect to the professionalism and focus of the InPact Group as a whole.

BlackOut’s Green Clients

Friday, April 24th, 2009

This Earth Week, we’re focusing on our BlackOut clients who’ve made a commitment to environmental responsibility in pursuing their business goals.

Foremost among those is Cambrian Biotechnologies, maker of organic agricultural, health and beauty and animal products, all created from Ecklonia maxima kelp. Cambrian’s mission statement says it all:

“The Earth is ours to cherish”

Founder Stephen Pheiffer is a pioneer in the field of kelp processing and his commitment has remained the same since he started Cambrian – to offer uniquely effective products made from only natural, organic materials.

Cambrian products can help farmers make the transition to organic farming or help you go green in your own home garden or backyard.

Scranton Times spotlights BlackOut

Friday, April 10th, 2009

The Scranton Times recently spotlighted BlackOut Design as one of the companies that has largely weathered the economic downturn by employing an agile business model and by remaining committed to providing our clients value through all of our services.

Along with BlackOut President Jack Reager, the article quotes Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and Teri Ooms, executive director of the Institue for Public Policy and Economic Development, who discuss the post-recession economic landscape of Northeastern Pennsylvania and how nimble, innovative businesses like BlackOut can lead the region’s recovery effort.

Read the full article.

TRTS Launches Updated Websites in Conjunction with Fox Campaign

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Recently we were fortunate enough to work with the team at TR Technology Solutions (TRTS) and local agency Sweda Advertising to bring together a blended traditional and digital campaign for TRTS. BlackOut provided a website refacing for two of the TRTS lines of business and developed a Fox Pros Who Know web presence. These pieces will dovetail with the television campaign spearheaded by the team at Sweda.

TRTS Digital Campaign

April 1st Can Only Mean One Thing…

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Time for a new Google hoax. This year they embrace their take on AI, sort of. http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/cadie/index.html

On January 12th 2009, the STT run (Standard Turing Test) confirmed behavior indistinguishable from that of a reasonable human being with above-average intelligence and 3.8 GPA (we’re still struggling to understand that missing .2; we suspect it points to fundamental flaws in the GPA system rather than CADIE.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to find these April Fool’s projects previously you might want to check out Wikipedia. I still think the world is ready for Google Gulp.

Hydro4GE Alpha Day

Friday, February 20th, 2009

February 19th marked another milestone in the development of the Hydro4GE development platform. The team at BlackOut Design has been working with the Hydro4GE development team throughout their development to help shape their marketing strategy and ensure that all of the great work that is being performed by them is getting to their audience. You can learn more about the progress of Hydro4GE on their blog. Stay tuned to it for some exciting announcements and the opportunity to register for their upcoming Beta.

Big Brother 2.0

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

There has been a bit of controversy over how the 50-60million subscriber monster Facebook is treating their terms of service (TOS). There is some more detail here but as they point out on Mashable the gist is the following:

“The Consumerist has noticed a seemingly slight but very important (and disturbing) change in Facebook’s terms of service, regarding user-generated content.

In short, all of the content you’ve ever uploaded on Facebook can be used, modified or even sublicensed by Facebook in every possible way – even if you quit the service.”

I teach a class or two per semester at a local university on various technology/web topics in which I find myself in the same spot semester after semester. I assume my students are leary enough of technology, since they are in the 17 – 21 year old demographic, to not assume they are using their Facebook or Myspace accounts with anonymity. Semester after semester I see their eyes widen when I tell them how the magical internet actually ciruclates their latest Facebook status and that gallery of images from the party that their first employer really didn’t need to see all the details of without their permission. I like to think this little TOS blip might further impress upon them that indeed their digital soapbox is very public.