LJG Partners

When NBC Universal wanted to bring a fresh approach to their studio Evolution plan they turned to LJG to revitalize the community presentation and website we created for them nearly a decade ago. Taking a multilateral approach to branding, architectural and city planning, the NBC Universal Evolution plan aims to bring state-of-art production technology to NBCU’s iconic “back lot” as well as update the ever popular Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and CityWalk attractions while also adding a mixed-used, live-work, residential component to Universal City. LJG was tasked with creating a new website and community presentation to reposition the plan in the public eye.

After over a decade in development, The Evolution plan needed a fresh new look to gain new support within the community. The community presentations that LJG has created for NBCU have proven to be an important tool to not only gain support within the community, but also to build awareness of their project and its benefits to the public. Building upon the Director Presentation LJG originally created for NBCU we updated them to the latest Keynote presentation software running on the Macintosh platform. Keynote is an intuitive, easy-to-use presentation software that supports rich multimedia and robust presentation formats that far surpasses anything else that is currently on the market. When this software became available for the iPad, LJG saw its potential immediately. NBCU saw its potential as well and requested we look into it and purchase 3 iPads on their behalf. While still not perfect for large group presentations, Keynote for the iPad is best suited for small group and one-on-one presentations. It can also be a valuable tool for engaging key members of the audience during a large group presentation with its simple touch-to-follow-along interface. We’re excited to see NBCU embracing this technology and look forward to further utilizing and enhancing this format in the future.

The ever-innovative Apple released the iPad on April 3, 2010 to much excitement and confusion. Some asked the question, “What is the iPad and what can it do?” According to Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, the iPad falls somewhere between a laptop and a smart phone and does certain things better than both of them; browsing the Web, reading e-books and playing video, thanks to the iPad’s 9.7-inch multi-touch screen.

This new viewing and interactive experience is what LJG’s clients are looking to take advantage of. One exciting idea in the office is the use of the iPad as a mobile kiosk for real estate sales centers. “Imagine an automated, interactive sales agent giving you a guided tour of each floor plan in a sales center – at your own pace,” explains LJG Senior Programmer, Ben Brock. “Combine the tour application with social media synchronization and immediate priority list registration all in a hand-held kiosk application on the iPad and the homebuying experience could be completely transformed.”

Beyond the possibilities in real estate, other industries are also integrating the iPad into their marketing efforts. Retailers are no longer limited to iPhone apps – which can also be accessed on the iPad – and plans to add iPads to stores are already in the works for retailers like Puma. Possible retail applications include interactive catalogs with embedded video and e-commerce tools, to the possibilities of virtual sales assistants and cashiers.

“The iPad has provided a method for non-technical individuals to tap into the power of mobile computing,” says Brock. “By leveraging this fact, industries like entertainment, retail, and real estate can further combine their online and offline presence to create a unified brand experience.”

The iPad presents a new and exciting challenge for both designers and developers. The full potential of the device is yet to be determined and LJG is looking forward to discovering how to capitalize on the technology for its clients.

There is no doubt about it, the world has dramatically changed for publications. While we have seen a major paradigm shift that has seriously impacted periodical print publications, high quality, editorial content is still critical. As Steve Jobs pointed out at the June 2010 All Things Digital Conference, the world cannot be just about bloggers.

The web offers the platform for real-time knowledge sharing, collaboration and conversation that traditional publications can’t. Add to that the recent launch of the iPad with its digital viewing app that instantly allows publishers to export their magazines to readers’ iPads and it is clear that the time for change has come.

LJG’s newest project, ArchitypeReview will be the most powerful online architectural design publication in the world.  The  project combines the editorial eZine (ArchitypeReview), with the networking capabilities needed for architects, consultants and vendors to collaborate (ArchitypeSource), along with a place for employers and job seekers to connect and catch up on the latest architectural news (ArchitypeConnect). The three  Architype sites will offer a comprehensive way for designers to look at the best architectural work in the world while connecting, sharing and learning with tens of thousands of registered members.

Senior partners of ArchitypeReview, RSM Design, bring a wealth of architectural design and academic prowess to the venture. “ArchitypeReview is advancing the discussion of design, and that is the future of the eZine,” noted LJG President, John Greer.

While the experience of physically flipping through the pages of a magazine is fading away, the idea is to use technology and interface design to create an improved reading experience. “We studied this user experience for weeks and kept coming back to the logic of the format of a typical design magazine,” said Greer. “It’s the best of both worlds – large, glossy photos plus editorial content with video interviews and user generated content, all realtime.”

LJG Senior Programmer, Ben Brock says the key to a successful eZine is, “Understanding and capitalizing on the benefits of web technology.”

If we have learned anything, we know that this is only the beginning. How the emergence of the eZine will ultimately affect the publishing industry is still unknown. Combining the high quality editorial content readers have come to expect with interactive features, and membership interaction will be the determining factor of whether the eZine will succeed or fail.

The Irvine Co. sold 70 homes in its new Woodbury and Woodbury East development before the project’s grand opening Saturday – indicating that the demand for new homes in Orange County exceeds expectations, said Dan Young, a company president. Before the first person walked through a new model home at 10a.m., the Irvine Co. and its six building partners had sold all but one of the 71 “phase one” units to prequalified buyers for a total of $45 million.

“The response has been tremendous,” Young said. Because of the success, an additional 56 homes were put on the market Saturday. Altogether, 685 units will go on sale in the new Woodbury and Woodbury East development.

More than 2,000 people visited within the first three hours, and some potential buyers met with Realtors and signed housing contracts. Shawn and Su Suh reserved a three-bedroom home in the Sonoma neighborhood. With their 7-month-old child in tow, the Suhs purchased a TRI Pointe-built home after the initial buyer backed out. “Everything just fell into place,” said Shawn Suh; the family lives in a condo in Irvine. “We needed more space; this isn’t too big or too small, and the price fits the market more than some of the other houses we’ve looked at.”

The 25 models and designs in the 2010 New Home Collection range from $300,000 townhomes to $900,000 single-family houses. “We’ve always been interested in consumer input, but for this project, we spent more on consumer research than ever before,” Young said. Research showed that people want more living and storage space. The builders responded, also adding windows and outside areas, including so-called California rooms – a roofed patio, to take advantage of natural light and warmth.

“It’s amazing to just sit in one of these homes for a couple hours and listen to the people as they walk through,” said Tom Mitchell, president of TRI Pointe, one of the Irvine Co.’s partner builders. “They point to parts of the house and (the) design, and the response is exactly what the research says.”

Nowhere on Earth is Mobile being felt more than the disaster relief in Haiti.  When traditional networks fail; PCs are inaccessible; and a world-at-large wants to give–the mobile Internet is filling the information gaps and uniting the world in efforts to help those who need it most. At the writing of this article mobile and SMS efforts included:

• Ustream, an iPhone app that allows live video-streaming from iPhones over a Wi-Fi or 3G connection, allowed iPhone users to immediately upload streaming video coverage to YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter to share with family and friends.
• As of January 21st, Americans pledged more than $40 million via SMS for the Haitian relief efforts. Compared to $400,000 raised via SMS during the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster.
• When the call went out to use text messaging to donate to the Red Cross, millions responded from wherever they were because they had the technology and knew how to use it.
• The unprecedented use of cell phones for giving was noted by the Pew Research Center, noting that 14% gave money via text message, compared to 12% by telephone.
• The Red Cross expects that donations made through more established channels – writing a check or on the Web – will still outweigh text-message giving, but that the cellphone campaign may be reaching people who might not otherwise have made the effort to get involved.

Our latest edition of LOVE LUNCH brought the LJG family to Sushi Deli 2…followed by an attempt at ice skating over at Horton Plaza. It was an especially touching because it was our last day with Heather. Good luck being a big time Mortgage Lender, Heather! We’ll be missing you lots!

To view all the LOVE LUNCH/yikeskating photos, please click here.

Over 40 years ago, Brakke-Schafnitz Insurance Brokers and Saddleback Valley Insurance Centers were born with a vision to provide comprehensive insurance solutions to individuals and businesses. Today, this history continues as Signature Insurance Group. Signature Insurance Group came to LJG to help with their branding and web presence. The goal was to promote the idea that while the company’s name is new, its commitment to customers and quality remains unchanged. LJG designed and developed a comprehensive site to house all of the firm’s offerings and make it easy for customers to find what they are looking for, request a quote or more information.

Having previously worked in the hospitality marketing industry, Holly knows how to keep the wheels turning in a fast paced and fluid environment without ever missing a beat. When she’s not at LJG you can find this San Diego social butterfly at any of the local hot spots. Not only is she organized, an avid arts and crafts master and a professional shower singer, she has been dubbed “The Queen of One Liners” by friends. So, if you ever need anything or just feel like stopping in, you’ll be greeted by the new “Mama” of LJG.

You can now access LJG from any smart phone:

www.ljg.com on your smart phone
or
m.ljg.com if you don’t have a smart phone, or just want to take a look from your normal web browser.

Happy Holidays everybody!

LJG mobile on iPhone

PRESS RELEASE from Irvine Company
9/17/2009


Two Irvine Company Apartment Communities Web sites have been recognized by the Web Marketing Association with awards for their overall appearance and functionality in the categories of Real Estate and Intranet.


In the real estate category, Rental-Living.com was recognized for “Real Estate Standard of Excellence.” MyRental-Living.com was recognized in the intranet category for “Intranet Standard of Excellence.” Both Web sites were designed by LJG Partners and developed by Sitewire Marketspace Solutions LLC.


“We’re thrilled to receive these awards from the Web Marketing Association,” said Nicole Conniff, Irvine Company Apartment Communities’ senior director of marketing. “These awards recognize the incredible work that our marketing team and our agencies are doing together, and the valuable feedback from the judges will guide us as we strive to ensure that both websites are useful resources for potential and current residents of our communities. Rental-Living.com helps apartment seekers locate the home in their desired location, floor plan and price. And MyRental-Living.com is very popular among residents of our apartment communities.”


This is the second time that Rental-Living.com and MyRental-Living.com have earned major honors from the Web Marketing Association, as both Web sites received awards in 2007. Web sites are judged using the following criteria: Design, ease of use, copywriting, interactivity, use of technology, innovation and content.


Judges comments about Rental-Living.com include: “Great design! I liked the attention that went into the specific rental sites, way to go the extra mile” and “Very pleasant, visually appealing, thoughtfully designed.” MyRental-Living.com received these comments from the judges: “Great concept of putting all renter information in one easy place” and “Good sense of layout, design and graphics. The classifieds are a great idea as well, along with the Maintenance Request feature.”


The WebAwards is an annual Web site award competition that names the best Web sites in nearly 100 industries. The Web Marketing Association was founded in 1997 to help set a high standard for Internet marketing and development. Staffed by volunteers, the organization is made up of Internet marketing, online advertising, public relations and Web site design professionals who are interested in improving the quality of online advertising, Internet marketing and Web site promotion.


Irvine Company Apartment Communities owns and operates approximately 115 apartment communities in Orange County, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and San Diego. It is also the exclusive builder of new multi-family rental projects in its master-planned communities on The Irvine Ranch. For more information, visit Rental-Living.com.


Sitewire is an evolutionary marketing agency that leverages emerging media and accelerates reaching measurable results. At its core is a focus on working with clients in developing an evolving strategy to produce, protect, support and direct their brand’s web presence. Sitewire’s revolutionary adaptive tactics concept allows brands to react and respond to real world issues, instead of being trapped by them. For more information, please visit www.sitewire.net.


LJG Partners is one of California’s leading digital media firms. Founded in 1994, the Company provides communication solutions including Web and intranet sites, interactive presentations, 3D animation, hi-definition video, and traditional print / packaging that actively engage audiences and ultimately provide measurable business value. LJG’s extensive customer base includes Sony, Avery Dennison, Toyota, Sempra Energy, Hilton Hotels, Westfield and Kyocera. Learn more about LJG’s award-winning work at www.ljg.com.


John Christensen – 949-720-2587

Part 2 of our creative process for the new home design commercials for the Irvine Company involved shooting in a green screen studio. It was incredible to see the talent in the big green studio and then watch Cameron add in the images that Tom and Jenny rendered to make it look like our actors were really enjoying themselves at the model homes!

Starting in March, LJG began a fun series of bonding, exploring and chowing down!! Every two weeks we visit a different metro San Diego neighborhood with fare ranging from sushi and Thai to Mexican and Lebanese!! We will be trying a different place every other Wednesday, mark your calendars!!


We would love for anyone to join us. Visit our Facebook page for the latest schedule.

Wow! Check out the Apple iPhone App Wall.


Over 3,000 apps-and growing-are dowloading every minute from the app store. This is live feed showing the activity of 20,000 popular apps currently on the store. Every time a customer downloads an app, its icon lights up (5min delay).


How Apple made it:
This hyperwall was built using the latest in Apple technology. It’s powered by 20 Mac Pro towers running Mac OS X Snow Leopard. It was programmed in Quartz Composer using new OpenCL APIs. And it’s shown on 20 synchronized 30-inch Apple cinema HD display.

After years of work on approvals and sign off from talent, the new Sony Pictures Entertainment Museum has launched.

LJG compiled Sony Pictures Entertainment’s history into a vibrant, one-of-a-kind site with a dynamic, database-enabled back end that allows Sony Pictures Entertainment to make hourly updates quickly, easily, and from anywhere around the world. As soon as film history is made, into the Museum it goes.

Check it out!