SMPIA is a member-based, not-for-profit organization, which advocates the production and distribution of interactive media in Saskatchewan. Thursday’s event, Multi-PlatFORUM, is an event put on by SMPIA showcasing prominent speakers and case studies in Canada’s Digital Media industry. Also included in the event is an Interactive Reception, taking place Thursday evening, where attendees can engage in applications and creations developed by Saskatchewan players.

We couldn’t resist the opportunity to head down and mingle with other creatives in the province. For the reception, zu will be showcasing Timmy Me and the Rider app, as well as sneak previews of a few other apps we currently have in the works. If you happen to be in the area, stop by for a visit, check out our creations, and score some zu swag. If you can’t make it to our booth, stay tuned to zulive for updates from the conference.

For more information on the conference head to SMPIA’s website.

The Stampeders and zu worked closely together to pack the Stamps full-sized website into one tiny, efficient package. Many teams are slow to adapt their current website to mobile format, making the Calgary Stampeders a step ahead in the field. The team is now accessible to fans wherever they happen to travel and on whatever mobile platform they prefer.

While developing the mobile site, many elements were pulled from the existing Stamps site and adapted to the smaller platform. zu tailored a user-friendly interface that would encourage users to interact with their touch-screen devices. This, paired with easy-to-use navigation, would allow a fan sitting in the stands to find out who from the team roster is on the field, or find out the name of a cute Outrider they’ve got their eye on, without missing a play.

Other key features:

• The Outrider’s Cheer and Dance team information
• Real-time stats and scoreboards
• Player bios and blogs
• Game schedules
• Updated rosters

Want to learn more about Stamps Mobile? Head over to their site.

“It’s great to be recognized by our peers in the industry,” commented zu CEO Ryan Lejbak. “These awards reflect the talented people at zu, the valuable partnerships we have developed and the progressive clients we get to work with everyday.”

In the category of website: budget >$50,000 zu and Creative Fire won for the PotashCorp redesign and reengineering. Relaunched in February 2010, the new site boasts a cleaner interface, simpler navigation, more consistency for users, and lower maintenance costs with the integration of an enhanced EasyUpdater^TM content management system.

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) was awarded top website budget: $10,000 to $49,999. The new site launched in July 2010 with the objective of showcasing SIIT as a leading education and training centre in Saskatchewan. The captivating new design engages students, staff, employers, funders and the first nations community by delivering key messages in a timely and effective manner.

zu and partner SaskTel were pleased to receive top honours in the mobile services – non-entertainment category for the Rider App. The popular BlackBerry and iPhone application has nearly 35,000 users in 91 countries. It keeps Rider fans constantly in the loop by offering game scores, statistics, schedules and rosters.

24hrAssistant, a zu sister company, experienced rapid growth of 1,500% in 2010 and was consequently named most promising new company of the year. 24hrAssistant is an online appointment scheduling system that allows clients to schedule an appointment any time, from anywhere. The company partnered with TELUS in 2010 to launch the system in 200 locations across Canada.

The SIMA competition is an annual opportunity for those involved in Saskatchewan’s interactive media industry to celebrate successes.

Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association is the professional organization representing interactive media developers in Saskatchewan. As that professional voice, SaskInteractive represents members involved in the development of content-based interactive digital media, as well as consumers and stakeholders.

“We are excited to finally be able to work directly with Tim Hortons on this project,” commented zu CEO Ryan Lejbak. “Their willingness to embrace the TimmyMe concept and smart phone technology shows their leadership in the Canadian market.”

Originally released in August 2008, the TimmyMe iPhone application has received a complete overhaul with a fresh new design and a complete reengineering. The TimmyMe concept is based on built-in GPS functionality that locates the 10 nearest Tim Hortons locations, listing the distance to each. Google Maps integration then leads users to the location of their choice.

The re-launched application also offers users unique new features. A notepad allows orders to be recorded for group coffee runs. Tim Card and drive-thru indicators assist customers with location selection.

Banner advertising allows Tim Hortons to promote seasonal features. zu’s EasyUpdater^TM content management system (CMS) permits new banner advertisements to be published by Tim Hortons quickly and efficiently.

About zu
zu is a Saskatoon-based interactive agency specializing in website strategy, design and development. With a team of more than 50 and 15 years experience in the industry, zu has developed expertise in investor relations, social media integration and mobile applications.

I loved that TV. I remember many a night falling asleep by its glowing light. I even recall falling asleep with it on after watching The Ring. I woke up in the middle of the night to sheer darkness broken only by a hissing, static-filled screen. I’m not too proud to say I turned on a lot of lights, shut the TV off, grabbed a hockey stick – because hockey sticks are the best defense against ghosts – and huddled in a corner until dawn.

But though I loved my TV, the pull of big screen HD sets was getting stronger. The technology had gone beyond the realm of early adopters and was starting to firmly entrench itself not as a luxury item, but simply as a consumer staple in a privileged country.

For months, I would spend hours walking through our local tech stores analyzing prices and features and marveling at just how stunning sports and nature shows were in HD. This went on for so long that one day Albert had heard enough. He said, “I know you don’t like impulse buys. I know this. But we’re gonna get you a new TV today.”

We headed out to a store which shall remain nameless and I was just about to finalize the deal when I got annoyed by the salesman and called it off. I told myself it was a sign from the universe and resolved to use my weathered old friend until it gave up the ghost. Three days later, the picture tube blew. I now watch all my sports on a 50” HD screen.

It would appear I got in right before the trend hit critical mass. In fact, one could argue that the trend hit critical mass right after I got in.*

Now, I told you that story to tell you this one.

When I first met Katherine about three years ago, she was the proud owner of a Motorola Razr. At the time, it was the talk of the tech world. Slim, light, strong and sexy, it hit on all the right buttons.

But though she loved her phone, the pull of smartphones was getting stronger. The technology had gone beyond the realm of early adopters and was starting to firmly entrench itself not as a luxury item, but simply as a consumer staple.

A couple weeks ago, she and I were discussing mobile devices and the unique challenges they present for websites and, once again, I tried to slyly convince her to get a smartphone. She was nearly over the fence but just couldn’t get past the fact that her current phone worked just fine.

She revealed she had nearly pulled the trigger a couple weeks ago and backed out for that very reason. She had resigned herself to fate and decided she’d use the Razr until it died. Three days later, she dropped her phone and broke it in half. She’s now the proud owner of a Blackberry Tour.

And while my involvement in this cosmic message was minimal, it will have a similar result. Smartphones are hitting critical mass and it won’t be long until they’ve gone beyond the realm of luxury item to a consumer staple, with one key difference. This won’t be a consumer staple only for privileged countries. This is a global trend that will extend farther than TV could ever hope to reach.

It’s time for a smartphone!

*One would not win that argument, but it helps tie the story together.

Actor Genie has been specifically designed for actors, but it can be a powerful tool for anyone working, or interested in the film and television industry. It’s the best way to know what’s casting, who’s casting it and where to find representation.

The app is the brainchild of Hollywood casting director Heidi Levitt, perhaps best known for her work on such films as JFK, Natural Born Killers, Nixon, The Rock, Joy Luck Club, Lakeview Terrace and numerous independent films.

As for zu, though we all considered auditioning for the new Conan movie, we’re just as happy to be on the development side of things.

For a closer look or to download it, check out the Actor Genie Website.

]]> http://www.zu.com/live/2010/02/news-events/news/new-iphoneipod-app-for-actors/feed/ 0 http://www.zu.com/live/2009/11/news-events/news/rider-pride-running-rampant-around-the-world/ http://www.zu.com/live/2009/11/news-events/news/rider-pride-running-rampant-around-the-world/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:47:00 +0000 Michelle MacDonald http://www.zu.com/live/?p=3883 Rider App downloaded 11,000 times in 64 countries.

November 20, 2009. SaskTel, zu and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce that Rider Priders from around the world are downloading the Rider App at an astonishing pace.  Since the public launch of the Rider App on October 8, 2009, it has been downloaded over 11,000 times in 64 countries and with the excitement of the Riders hosting the Western Final on Sunday downloads are growing every day. SaskTel estimates that over 8,000 unique users have downloaded the Rider App.

The Rider App is an innovative mobile phone application that delivers game scores, statistics and schedule information to members of the Rider Nation wherever they go. The Roughriders were the first team in the Canadian Football League to introduce a dedicated mobile app.

“This is a success story that demonstrates both Saskatchewan innovation and the passion Rider fans feel for their team,” Minister Responsible for SaskTel Don Morgan said. “Congratulations to SaskTel, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and zu for helping Rider fans around the world stay in touch with Saskatchewan’s team.”

“The Rider App is SaskTel’s first mobile application and the response has exceeded our expectations,” SaskTel President and CEO Robert Watson said. “We’re grateful to Rider fans as well as our partners, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and zu, for their contributions to a successful project.”

“The positive reaction to the Rider App demonstrates that Rider fans are everywhere,” Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson said. “This has already been a great football season and now Rider fans around the world can follow our progress quickly and easily.”

“We are excited not only to be bringing fans closer to the local fan favourite, but also to be helping move technology forward in our province,” commented zu CEO Ryan Lejbak. “Mobile is the future of the Internet and we are proud to be working with the Roughriders and SaskTel to lead the CFL in this new technology.”

The Rider App, developed by SaskTel in partnership with Saskatoon-based zu, is a free download for compatible mobile devices. Fans can download the Rider App now.

About SaskTel
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.138 billion in annual revenue and over 1.3 million customer connections including over 510,000 wireless accesses, 555,000 wireline network accesses, 216,000 internet accesses and 70,000 Max™ (TV) subscribers.  SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, internet, entertainment, national security, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world.  In 2008, SaskTel contributed over $610 million to the Saskatchewan economy through dollars spent with Saskatchewan-based suppliers and sponsorships to non-profit organizations.  SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 5,000 employees.

About the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club
Since 1910, no other team has been a part of the provincial fabric as has the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club. With three Grey Cup championships to its credit, the Riders are synonymous with Prairie football and are one of the flagship franchises of the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders continue to provide quality sports entertainment to their fans, and as a community-owned team, excel in reaching out and giving back to those who support the organization.

About zu
zu is an interactive agency specializing in web strategy, design and development. They are experts in online Investor Relations, social media and mobile applications. zu offers extensive experience in building complex websites, from concept to launch; a proven track record consisting of award winning and nationally recognized websites; 15 years of experience in the interactive industry; and a team of over 50 skilled in strategy, design, and programming. Headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan zu’s client list includes globally-recognized brands such as the Calgary Stampeders, Rogers, Areva, PotashCorp, Cameco and CN Rail.

For media inquiries only, please contact:

Andy Tate, SaskTel Corporate Communications
Phone: (306) 777-4548
Email: andy.tate@sasktel.sk.ca

Albert Jame, Creative Director, zu
Phone: (306) 653-4747
Email: albert.jame@zu.com