http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php en info@noblestudios.com Copyright 2012 2012-03-13T23:21:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/artist_barrett_donovan http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/artist_barrett_donovan/#When:23:21:00Z Bordered by breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Reno-Tahoe area is best known for its 300+ days of sunshine, urban bliss, and influx of creative types.Noble Studios holds numerous client meetings and professional gatherings at its 8,000+ sq. ft. office in the heart of downtown Reno. We saw this as an opportunity to showcase the talents of local artists throughout our office and help them gain high exposure of their artwork.Our first featured artist is Barrett Donovan of Reno, Nevada. We recently sat down with Barrett to learn more about him and how he developed his passion for photography.So Barrett, when did you become interested in photography?After I earned my master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, my wife and I took a trip around the world. While traveling I took snapshots in some amazing places and started to think about how I could capture the moments better. From there, my interest in photography took hold and has been unshakeable ever since.  When did you buy your first professional camera? What was it?I bought my first SLR camera 15 years ago. I was surprised I wasn’t instantly capturing significantly better images. I eventually realized high quality photographs don’t just happen by accident.  The simplicity of an image often belies the hard work and dedication that went into it. This craft begs the question ‘what is special’ in a scene. What do you hope to accomplish with your photography?My goal is to make images that pull the viewer into a scene by finding a subject, composition, lighting and way of processing that all work together. I am not interested in simply documenting what I see but rather capturing images that inspire and create a connection. It’s equally important to me that a photograph is truthful, not manipulated, and represents the scene in which it was created.  What’s type of camera do you shoot with?Canon 5d Mark II 21 megapixel camera with professional ‘L’ series lensesI recently transitioned from a medium format film camera to a high resolution (21m) full frame digital camera.  The driving force behind my decision to make the switch was the increased image quality of the latest digital cameras. I can now print larger and with more clarity and control than ever before. What’s your greatest challenge with photography?For me the biggest challenge is the human eye can perceive a broader range of contrast and depth than a camera.  Meaning the light and dark portions of a scene are perceptible to us but they’re often not when photographed. Do you sell your work, do you have an online gallery and how can you be reached?You can view my portfolio on Flickr. I offer a variety of print, mat and framing options. Email me at barrettdonovanphotography@gmail.com  and I would be happy to provide you with a price sheet.Thanks for sharing your passion with us, Barrett! If you would like to be our next featured artist, we invite you to download and complete an entry form. Please read the instructions carefully as we reserve the right to reject any application.Thank you for interest. We look forward to showcasing the talents of more local artists. The Noble Culture 2012-03-13T23:21:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/facebook_timeline http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/facebook_timeline/#When:23:48:00Z Today Facebook unveiled its new timeline to brand pages. Timeline will become mandatory for all pages by March 30. The new timeline gives brands the opportunity to showcase their corporate culture and take advantage of new features that go beyond the “Like” button. Here are five ways to take advantage of the new timeline and what the changes mean for you and your company.Five ways to visually brand your new Facebook timeline: Cover Photo. The new Facebook timeline cover photo is, without a doubt, the most impactful way to captivate your fans. Positioned at the top of the page, it’s the first element that catches a fan’s attention. The larger image display (850px x 315px) allows pages to showcase their brand identity, new campaign, or offerings while wowing fans with a visually exciting design – similar to a banner ad. Video/Photos. The new format makes it easier for page admins to permanently add videos/photos onto their timeline. Videos/ photos have a larger display, allowing businesses to utilize the timeline like a scrapbook. A restaurant, for example, could upload rich photos of the chef’s special or most popular culinary inventions to entice fans to dine. The images are big enough (403px × 403px) to please even the most discriminating tastes. Profile picture. The new profile picture is slightly smaller (180px × 180px) than the old dimensions. However, its placement is important. It overlaps the cover photo at the bottom left, making it essential to a well-balanced design. Interests. The interests list appears above the fold, underneath the cover photo and profile picture. Here you have the opportunity to highlight information “About” your company, page “Likes” (number of fans), Photos, Videos, Map, contests and more.  Similar to the old tab navigation that was on the left side of your wall, you can customize your interests and integrate apps. Be strategic. Play around with your favorites and make sure the images on display capture your brand identity and offerings. Activity Log. The activity log gives you the opportunity to tell your story using photo-heavy content. Fans can easily scroll through all of your posts, dating back to the day you established your Facebook presence. You can also hide activity or “Pin This” on your timeline. “Pin This” will keep the post on your timeline longer. Admins can strategically choose to only share the most interesting posts that best tell your company’s story. Coca-Cola did an awesome job of this, with their timeline going back to 1892. For brands with a long history, this is a great place to tell the entire company story/history. Let’s face it. The fastest way to captivate your fans is through visually compelling design and content messaging. To do it effectively, it takes collaboration, strategy and experience. We’ve had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names, to help with their Facebook campaigns, including Autodesk, Air Asia, Brand USA, Heineken, HTC, and the Indianapolis Colts. Our team helped these brands develop custom Facebook apps and pages that take advantage of the functionality of the platform’s open graph capabilities. This allows for immersive landing pages, games, and applications that extend brands and engage target audiences. If you have questions or want to chat about how you can wow or better engage your Facebook fans, email our social media strategist, Lindsay Alford, at Lindsay@noblestudios.com. Before you go, take a look at what we did to our page. Industry News 2012-02-28T23:48:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/ama_board1 http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/ama_board1/#When:23:35:00Z Noble Studios’ account managers, Andy Walden and Somer Athari, have been elected to serve on the Reno-Tahoe AMA Board. Previously president-elect, Andy will assume the role of president while Somer takes over his role as president-elect. Most recently, Somer served as the chapter’s vice president of communications. Both Andy and Somer will officially step into their new positions in June.“We’re proud to have Andy and Somer on our team. It is Noble's core objective to hire entrepreneurial-minded professionals, create leaders, and encourage community involvement. These individuals are true advocates in accomplishing what we set out to do,” said Season Lopiccolo, chief operating officer and founding partner of Noble Studios.In addition to Andy and Somer’s yearlong commitment to serve on the 2012-13 Reno-Tahoe AMA Board, our content strategist, Vanessa Vancour, became a new member of the chapter in February. Our internal public relations and social media strategist, Lindsay Alford, currently plays an active role on the communications committee for the AMA Las Vegas chapter. Jarrod Lopiccolo, chief operating officer and founding partner, has been involved with the professional organization since 2003.Reno-Tahoe AMA is the local chapter of the American Marketing Association. Founded locally in 1982, the Reno-Tahoe AMA’s mission is to serve its members and be THE marketing source by providing networking, knowledge and career development. The chapter meets at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at the Atlantis Casino Resort. The American Marketing Association is the largest marketing association in the United States. It’s a professional association for marketing leaders, thinkers and doers. It’s the only organization that brings together marketers, across all specialties, to collaborate and inspire one another. Through relevant information, comprehensive education and targeted networking, the AMA assists marketers in deepening their expertise, elevating their careers and ultimately, achieving better results. The Noble Culture 2012-02-28T23:35:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/destination_marketing http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/destination_marketing/#When:00:07:00Z TripAdvisor recently released findings from a tourism industry study for 2012. More than 9,000 lodging owners and managers around the world took part in the survey. The outlook, not surprisingly, is optimistic. Hoteliers anticipate business will begin to slowly recover in 2012. In order to profit from the potentially better economic climate, tourism professionals know they must stay on the leading edge of technology to best reach travelers. We’re lucky to live and work in such a culturally diverse region and have a passion for destination marketing. We have the privilege of working with several travel and tourism professionals and associations, including Tahoe South, Union Square San Francisco, and Reno-Tahoe USA, to name a few. In an industry competing for your attention online, it’s important to not only create visually compelling branding and website design that inspires you to travel, the challenge is capturing the visitor once they’ve arrived. How do you extend the experience beyond the website?Below are a few recommendations for helping you connect with travelers and their friends via one of the most powerful tools out there – their smartphone. Mobile site.  -  Build a functional and keyword-rich mobile site to compel travelers to easily search and browse your site before and during their visit. Check-in deals. -  Offer discounts and reward incentives to mobile users checking in via Facebook, FourSquare, or Yelp. Social sharing. -  Encourage tourists to tweet using a specific hashtag or post photos to your Facebook wall/timeline with the promise of seeing their image on a larger venue, i.e. your website or public display. QR campaigns. - Using a QR code, send visitors to a mobile compatible webpage offering them special restaurants and shopping deals or event details during their stay. Mobile apps. -  Create a customized app or suggest a useful navigation or entertainment app to enhance the consumers travel experience.  Social sharing can greatly enhance the visitor’s experience. It’s no secret that a majority of users turn to the Web before making their travel decisions, and more importantly rely on recommendations or online reviews before booking.  By creating a digital marketing strategy and aligning the proper tools, you have the ability to connect and share travel experiences in person before they book and in real-time once they’ve arrived. We totally dig destination marketing. If you have questions or ideas about creating an effective digital strategy or want to bounce off ideas, email Vanessa, our content strategist, at vanessa.vancour@noblestudios.com. Industry News 2012-02-28T00:07:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/tahoe_south http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/tahoe_south/#When:23:15:00Z Noble Studios partnered with Duncan Channon (D/C), a San-Francisco-based ad agency and Lake Tahoe Visitor Authority’s (LVTA) agency of record, to complete a two-year process of rebranding Tahoe South. Noble Studios and D/C went through an extensive research and discovery process to architect, program and rebrand a new website for the region’s visitor authority.  The Tahoe South site was developed to showcase the southern half of Lake Tahoe, North America’s largest alpine lake. The new site celebrates Tahoe South as an up all day and night travel destination with diverse offerings from four-star resorts, more than 600 vacation rentals, outdoor recreation, gaming, beachside dining, 24/7 nightlife and culture. It’s designed to attract new and repeat visitors, including golf enthusiasts, snowbirds, avid hikers and runners, group meetings, and wedding parties, through strategic content development.The strategy behind the rich, easy-to-use site is to inspire the user to embark on an adventure in South Lake Tahoe, using a magazine-style layout, compelling images and social integration with user-generated content. The five-month process of developing the site was a joint effort between the agencies and LTVA.  Noble Studios spearheaded the technical vision, development and content while D/C created and managed the design. The site was built on an ExpressionEngine2 platform, a content management system. The new site features relevant real-time feeds from YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and Twitter as well as an event module, deals page, and blog. Noble Studios will continue to work with LTVA providing ongoing maintenance in content development, optimization, social strategy and website maintenance. To plan a trip or discover the world-class destination, visit Tahoe South. Recently Launched 2012-02-27T23:15:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/enterprise_app http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/enterprise_app/#When:02:33:01Z Tablet devices are gaining popularity fast!According to Pew Internet, 29 percent of adults in the U.S. own a tablet or an e-reader. What’s even more impressive is the number of U.S. adults who own a tablet device has nearly doubled after the holiday season from 10 percent to 19 percent. Additionally, eMarketer predicts there will be 90 million U.S. tablet users by 2014.With these findings in mind, it’s time for companies to rethink their marketing strategies and use the latest technologies to create a more impactful user experience and improve communications internally and with clients.An enterprise application is a copyrighted app designed and developed exclusively for a company’s private use. It’s a great way to safely and securely connect with specified users wirelessly across the Internet or Intranet. It can be installed on any machine and be sent to users without ever being available in an app store. The only difference between a normal app and an enterprising app is privacy control. Once it’s out of testing, a normal app is available to the public in an app store while an enterprise app is not.If we made an app for Noble Studios to do billing, for example, we would make it enterprise so the public couldn't access it.Another common use for enterprise software is to enhance a company’s sales presentation. For example, we recently designed and developed an enterprise app for Autodesk, Inc., known as the Autodesk Company Overview App. It was built as a sales and marketing tool to help Autodesk field and channel conversations with current and potential customers, and tell the Autodesk Story in a dynamic and interactive way. Services provided by enterprise software are usually business-oriented. Common uses include: Automated billing and point of sale systems Payment processing Marketing, Sales and customer support tools Training tools Customer Relationship Management (CRM) HR management systems Enterprise search tools Internal messaging systems If you think an enterprise app would be a great way to communicate with your audiences, or if you have specific questions about the software, email Marty, our technologist, at martin.greytak@noblestudios.com. Industry News 2012-01-31T02:33:01-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/autodesk_ipad_app http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/autodesk_ipad_app/#When:22:48:00Z Noble Studios and Autodesk, Inc. worked together to create a native iPad application, referred to as the Autodesk Company Overview App.  The sales and marketing tool is designed to help Autodesk field and channel partners spark conversations with current and potential customers, and tell the Autodesk Story in a dynamic and interactive way. Very complimentary to the Autodesk website, the app includes three sections: Partnership, Leadership, and Solutions.  Each section features dynamic content salespeople can use to illustrate their voiceover about Autodesk’s Data Driven Design technology in various industries.  Videos, customer stories, and animated presentations are grouped logically and can be navigated elegantly. Google mobile analytics has also been employed to track and rank relevant usage from the app so quarterly content updates are focused and impactful.       Sitting icon-by-icon next to Autodesk customer applications, the app content is useful for one-on-one meetings or larger presentations.  With an iPad 2 and video out cable, interactive presentations can be shown on TVs, monitors, or projectors in HD resolution. A December sneak peek of the Company Overview App at Autodesk University brought great feedback from the sales team. The Noble Studios team was instrumental in the design, development and strategy of the Autodesk Company Overview App. Noble conducted extensive research and usability testing to ensure the user experience (UX) is engaging, consistent and optimal for iPad devices. Recently Launched 2012-01-30T22:48:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/be_passionate http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/be_passionate/#When:22:32:00Z By Lindsay Alford, Internal PR & Social Media It’s been said you can’t have both a business and a family. Season Lopiccolo, chief operating officer and founder of Noble Studios, is defying the odds. She is a passionate entrepreneur, devoted wife and mother of two young children. “You can have both,” she told a class of nearly 60 graduate students studying for their MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). “You just have to want it.” In December, Richard Bostdorff invited Season to be part of a panel discussion for an MBA course he was teaching on Leadership and Change Management at UNR. Season was joined by Darik Volpa, chief executive officer and founder of Understand.com. “When Jarrod and I began Noble Studios, we made two promises to ourselves. First, always pursue our passions, personally and professionally. Secondly, get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off.” Season shared her passion for the tech industry and Noble Studios with the students. “I truly love coming to work every day, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. We’ve surrounded ourselves with talented, forward-thinkers who are also driven by passion, and that’s been the No. 1 contributor to our success.” The discussion gave students the opportunity to speak with “real world” experienced entrepreneurs. Season also spoke about the challenges and joys of building a business from the ground up, the benefits of having a team of talented employees, the importance of establishing strong client-agency relationships and staying involved in the community. She spoke about her biggest challenges as a business owner, including how she manages working with her husband and balancing family life, fast growth and operational concerns, and ensuring the agency meets its annual goals. Season closed her presentation with a piece of advice, “Don't do it for the money. Do it because you love it. Maintain good relationships, always be willing to learn, remain humble, and have fun along the way.” The Noble Culture 2012-01-30T22:32:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/gift_of_holidays http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/gift_of_holidays/#When:22:19:00Z Noble Studios’ Lindsay Alford plays an active role in the Rotary, an international service organization. The Rotary’s mission is “service above self” and each year the organization holds several events to help those in need. Lindsay’s favorite Rotary event of the year is Santa Clothes. By Lindsay Alford, Internal PR & Social Media Strategist Imagine heading to school in clothes that don't fit. A couple holes in your jeans may be fashionable, but nobody wants holes in their socks – much less their undergarments!  PE class is hard to look forward to when shoes pinch or flop. Then there is the surprising cold of a sunny Vegas winter morning; we may not have snow, but we do have enough cold to require a warm jacket. Now imagine taking a morning off of your crazy holiday schedule to share the joy of giving to someone in need. The Santa Clothes program connects an adult volunteer with a child in need of a shopping trip. Each child arrives with a wish list.  The shopping pairs have one hour to scour the racks at JCPenney before the store opens to the public. Generous support from our sponsors allows each child to buy $200 worth of shoes, jackets, and clothes. With JCPenney's great discounts – and no sales tax for the charitable endeavor – these kids are given a wardrobe makeover for the winter ahead. Outside of spending time with my family, Santa Clothes is the highlight of my holiday season. I love seeing the joy on the kids’ faces and knowing they will have shoes that fit and comfortable, warm clothing. I also love knowing 100 percent of my donation and service goes directly to the children. This was my third year participating in the Santa Clothes experience. My first year, the child I was paired up with had never seen the inside of a department store, rode on an escalator or owned a pair of brand new shoes. This year, I was paired up with a second grade girl who wanted to shop for her younger sisters and bring home two extra donuts to share with them in case they were hungry. After the shopping spree, we take the kids to the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) football practice field, where they mingle and play sports activities organized by UNLV athletes. We all enjoy a pizza party following the fitness activity. At the conclusion, the children are given one more surprise gift as they board their vans to head home.Since Christmas of 1996, the Rotary Club of Las Vegas has been reaching out to more children in need. This year, the Rotarians and sponsors gave the gift of the holidays to 310 children and of the City of Las Vegas proclaimed Thursday, December 8, 2011, The Rotary Clubs of Southern Nevada -  Santa Clothes Day. Santa Clothes is truly a heartwarming experience and one I look forward to every year. I’m grateful Noble Studios allows me to take time out of my busy work schedule to pursue my passion with the Rotary of “service above self.” To make a contribution to Santa Clothes, visit the Las Vegas Rotary. The Noble Culture 2012-01-30T22:19:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/crystal http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/crystal/#When:21:58:00Z Noble Studios’ senior project manager Crystal Blahnik recently completed the Project Management Essentials Certificate Program offered by Extended Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. The 45-hour, three-course series included theoretical and practical approaches to project management. “It was an excellent program, and I’m excited to apply my new knowledge at Noble Studios,” said Blahnik. The three courses offered were Project Management Essentials, Project Management: Beyond the Basics, and Managing with MS Project.“This is the second continuing education program the partners have given me the opportunity to pursue. I feel fortunate to work for a company that pushes us to always learn and invests in our professional interests.”The agency partners recognize the value of professional development and personal growth for all employees. Noble Studios reimburses employees for successful completing relevant seminars, courses, classes or workshops to enhance work performance in their respected roles. The partners also encourage the team to play an active role in the community, join professional organizations, and serve on boards and committees.Crystal also completed the Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network’s (RTYPN) hYPe Leadership Series in August 2011. hYPe is a six-month series addressing the unique circumstances young professionals and entrepreneurs face in today’s workforce. The Noble Culture 2012-01-30T21:58:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/tablet_app http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/tablet_app/#When:00:12:00Z The key to survival in a digital era is to constantly learn, adapt and evolve. By this, we mean explore the latest technologies and update your business plan accordingly.Tablets and other mobile technologies are changing the way companies connect with their staff and clients. Adding tablets to your business strategy can help improve the customer’s experience and allow you to connect with people on the go.There are several types of apps: business-oriented, games, and entertainment, to name a few. Business-oriented apps are transforming tablets into business tools. These apps can be used for ecommerce, productivity or be service-driven. Business-oriented apps also have the option to either remain private distributed, or can be made public through an app store. Private apps, also known as enterprise apps, are great for internal communications and for presenting your company’s services to potential customers.Should you develop an app for your business? Ask yourself the following questions: Do you have a presentation ready to show every one of your clients? Do you have your elevator pitch ready? Are you targeting tech-savvy audiences and/or people on the go? Are your clients using technology? Do you travel to client meetings? Are you looking for a competitive advantage? If you answered “yes” to questions 3-6 you should consider building a business-oriented app.When a business creates an app, the goal is to improve communication, give a more effective presentation and accelerate the sales process. For example, we recently designed and developed an enterprise iPad application exclusively for Autodesk, Inc.’s sales team. The app functions as an extension of the company’s website and is used to explain how their products are making companies more efficient. Ultimately, it’s used to generate leads.You might be wondering what kind of users have tablets and other mobile technologies. A recent article published by PC Magazine read, “Tablet users are educated, employed, and earning money.” CNN reported, “Phone, tablet users spend more time with apps than Web.”If you’re trying to reach this tech-savvy audience, you may want to consider upgrading your technology and adding application design and development to your 2012 marketing budget.If you have any questions specific to your business, our technologist Marty can help walk you through the process. Call us at 775.883.6000 or email him at martin.greytak@noblestudios.com. Industry News 2012-01-30T00:12:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/autodesk_simulation http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/autodesk_simulation/#When:20:30:01Z Autodesk, Inc., a world leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, hired Noble Studios to design and develop a landing page for Autodesk® Simulation, a family of products that delivers a comprehensive set of simulation software tools. The Noble team provided strategy, information architecture (IA), design and redlining for Autodesk to execute on its Web Applications Manager (WAM) platform.  With simulation-driven design, designers and engineers understand the implications of their design choices as they make them. Recently Launched 2011-11-30T20:30:01-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/heineken_facebook http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/heineken_facebook/#When:20:20:00Z Noble Studios has become a preferred vendor for Gilt Edge Soccer Marketing, a Chicago-based marketing agency providing expertise to brands seeking to connect with the soccer consumer.Gilt Edge contracted Noble Studios to produce a Facebook landing experience for Heineken, the world’s most international premium beer brand, to highlight businesses holding contests in tandem to the Champions League Soccer Games. This required Noble to setup the “Fan Gate” (plus “Reveal”) as well as build a custom backend database for the client to easily update and add locations participating in the contest. Fan Gate allows pages to display one type of content to fans of the page, and a different type of content to non-fans.Facebook users are asked to share a photo of the event (wherever they may be) and text it to enter to win premier Heineken goods. The contest is expected to run the full length of the Champions League season. Recently Launched 2011-11-30T20:20:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/google_brand_page http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/google_brand_page/#When:19:41:00Z You’ve already established a social presence and a strong following on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, so why create a Google+ brand page? The answer is simple. Google is an Internet GIANT and most likely, you’re already using at least one Google product – Google Search, Maps, Earth, Voice, Chrome, Gmail, and more. Google has a collection of cool products and the capability of integrating all of its offerings into Google+. For example, if you have a Google+ account and you log into Gmail, your Google+ notifications will appear at the top right of your navigation bar. Next to your notifications is a “share” button, enabling you to update Google+ directly from your Gmail user interface. Also, having a Google+ account can influence search engine optimization (SEO), which is an even bigger reason to setup a brand page to digitally marketing your business.Now it’s time to get started and establish your brand identity on Google+. 1.    You will need to setup a personal Google+ page first.2.    Scroll down to the bottom of your personal page and click “Create a Page.”3.    Next you will need to “Pick a Category” from the following list:       a.    Local Business or Place – This includes hotels, restaurants, places, stores or services.       b.    Product or Brand – This includes apparel, cars, electronics, or financial services.       c.    Company, Institution or Organization – This includes non-profits as well.       d.    Arts, Entertainment or Sports – This includes movies, TV, music, books, sports, or shows.        e.    Other4.    Next you will need to add your page information, including page name, website, and category. You will also need to specify your privacy settings.5.    It is important to customize your brand page. Use the same profile photo or logo you use on your other social networks, add your company tagline, promote your company and products in the “about” section and add photos consistent with your brand to your photostrip.6.    Congratulations! Your brand page is now complete. Start adding status updates, links, photos and videos, customize and add people to your “circles,” engage and promote your page using the +1 button.Keep in mind, Google+ brand pages are still a work in progress. There are several features users want from Google+ brand pages, including multiple page administrators, customized URLs, more flexibility with circles, and more integration of Google products. The good news is Google is listening and hosting open forums. The big downfall of “circles” is that a user must add the brand page before the page can follow back. Be sure to add Noble Studios to your “circles” and we will be able to add you to ours. Stay tuned as we continue to test messaging schedules and keep you updated on the latest Google+ upgrades. Industry News 2011-11-30T19:41:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/kindle_fire http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/kindle_fire/#When:19:31:00Z Amazon reported the Kindle Fire was its hottest selling gadget in its store on Black Friday. The full-color, 7-inch touchscreen tablet is said to be a bargain at $199 – compared to the iPad priced at $499. Although the iPad and Nook face stiff competition this holiday season with the release of the new Amazon’s Kindle Fire, rumor has it the iPad is still the tablet king. With the Kindle Fire, users have access to millions of movies, apps, games, music, books, TV shows and more, including Amazon’s Appstore for Android. The new tablet also includes the new cloud-accelerated Web browser, Amazon Silk.“The Amazon Fire combines the best features of a laptop and a smartphone. I can finally leave my laptop at home and have most of the functions I need in a much smaller, lighter device.” - Dave Archer, CEO of Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET) and Noble Studios’ advisory board member.According to Amazon, the Kindle Fire’s top selling features are: 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books Thousands of popular apps and games, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, and more Ultra-fast Web browsing - Amazon Silk Free cloud storage for all Amazon content Vibrant color touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle Fast, powerful dual-core processor Favorite children's books, graphic novels, and magazines in rich color To buy a Kindle Fire, visit Amazon. Industry News 2011-11-30T19:31:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/director_of_operations http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/director_of_operations/#When:22:27:00Z Noble Studios’ executive team announces the hire of Martin Gastanaga as director of operations. In his position, Martin will oversee operations, development and business systems strategy. Martin brings more than 17 years of entrepreneurial, management, quality control systems, production, and Internet marketing experience to Noble Studios. Previously, he was the chief operating officer at Twelve Horses North America, a Web services company specializing in custom application development, mobile services and email. In 2009, Twelve Horses merged with One-to-One Interactive, a Boston-based tech agency. Martin worked as the senior vice president of client engagements at One-to-One before joining the Noble Studios team. Martin currently serves on the executive board of directors for KNPB Channel 5, the PBS member television station in Reno, Nev. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where he studied geography and business administration. The Noble Culture 2011-11-29T22:27:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/knpb1 http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/knpb1/#When:20:49:01Z KNPB, the PBS affiliate in northern Nevada, retained Noble Studios to redesign and develop its website. Built on an ExpressionEngine platform, the new website boasts a slick multimedia slideshow, press release manager, events calendar, and Meta data module. Now KNPB can easily manage all of its Web content, press releases, events and advertising using one login. The site also features an ad manager, which will streamline its ad spaces to industry standard sizes. This will allow KNPB to accept and promote advertisers more effectively as well as track impressions and clicks.In addition to its new design and extensive functionality, the site features rich integration with PBS video content, streaming on–demand. The PBS API offers a stream of real-time programming on KNPB and a full programming schedule. Viewers can also “favorite” KNPB, KNPB Create and KNPB V-Me channels.As a public television network, KNPB’s mission is to serve public interest on an educational and cultural level. Recently Launched 2011-11-29T20:49:01-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/josh_koberstein http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/josh_koberstein/#When:22:24:01Z Noble Studios’ executive team announces the hire of Josh Koberstein as Web developer. Josh worked as a full-time contractor for six months before joining Noble Studios as a full-time employee.    Josh brings more than seven years of computer support and Web development experience to Noble Studios. Previously, he held positions at Nevada Blue, Ltd as a database administrator and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) as a computer support specialist. Josh graduated with high distinction and earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from UNR. The Noble Culture 2011-11-23T22:24:01-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/iso http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/iso/#When:22:58:00Z Noble Studios’ Arun Karnati plays an active role in the Indian Students Organization at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). A native of India, Arun is passionate about his culture and celebrating its traditions with all students. By Arun Karnati, Developer The goal of the Indian Students Organization (ISO) at UNR is to build awareness of the Indian sub-continent’s diverse culture among all students and to assist new students in getting acclimated to the city of Reno. I’ve been a part of ISO for more than three years. It is a recognized graduate club of UNR. We currently have about 70 members. This number includes current students and alumni. Committee members are elected every fall. ISO organizes social events and cultural festivals for the community. I started pursuing my masters at UNR in fall 2008, the season I arrived in the United States. Since it was my first time in a foreign country, everything was strange to me. I had mixed feelings – excitement, nervousness and fears. My first week on campus I attended a potluck hosted by ISO. It was the first time I’d seen so many Indian students in one place, and I was really happy to meet everyone. ISO is a great organization for students like me seeking to find community. My role with ISO is to coordinate cultural activities and performances, including potlucks, Indian festivals and socials. Our biggest event is the famous “Diwali Night.” Diwali is one of the most important celebrations for the people of India. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. After coming to United States, I really missed my family and festivals. ISO has given me the opportunity to celebrate festivals with my friends here. I look forward to Diwali Night every year. Committee members start planning for the big event two months in advance to ensure the night is a success. I start practicing for my performances at least a month before. The night is full of entertainment and everyone dresses in traditional Indian styles. The goal is to showcase India’s diverse culture through a variety of culinary dishes and cultural performances. I’m very passionate about dancing, and I’ve had the pleasure of performing on Diwali Night for the past four years. I really love the way Jarrod and Season encourage and support our passions. I will never forget the day I told them that I love to dance. They gathered everyone in the office and asked me to play my dance video on our 40-inch dashboard. I was really stoked. It’s hard to find a job where you not only love your work, but everyone supports and respects your passion. I’m lucky to be a part of Noble. The Noble Culture 2011-11-18T22:58:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/tech_wed http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/tech_wed/#When:18:59:00Z You drank the Noble Kool-Aid and mingled with northern Nevada industry leaders, agency partners and the talented Noble staff. You laughed at the “bloopers” behind some of Noble’s best work, caught a glimpse of the agency’s culture, and learned about the future of tech and where the industry is headed. To everyone who came out for NCET’s Tech Wednesday yesterday, the Noblebots thank you! It was an exciting time to promote all things Web as the industry has continued to evolve and experience tremendous growth. From Web design and development to UI prototyping, social media strategy, branding, SEO/SEM, 3D and mobile, you can see Noble Studios has the Web covered. View photos from Tech Wednesday and feel free to stop by to see us again! The Noble Culture 2011-11-10T18:59:00-08:00