TSG creates premium wbt for premium automaker

Audi of America recently engaged TSG to create a new version of the existing Audi Brand Orientation Web-based training (WBT) module used to familiarize new Audi employees with the brand. Working with Audi Academy staff and subject matter experts, we analyzed the existing course to determine ways to better present the content, user interface and navigation of the module. Once the strategic and basic content development was in place, we developed a design template that, when combined with the revised content and new digital assets, much more closely represented the Audi core brand values of Sporty, Progressive and Sophisticated.

Our solution incorporates advanced functionality including voiceover narration, video and Flash-based games to help users retain and recall information as well as streamlined navigation, bookmarking functionality, SCORM compliance and a post-training evaluation. The result is an effective WBT that speaks to the Audi brand and ensures that the deep knowledge of the brand is easily transferred from employee to customer. Here's a few screenshots of the final product:

We are excited to be underway with our second WBT project for Audi, creating a module for Audi TDI® and Alternative Fuels training. Stay tuned for more details.

by Garret Ohm

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NFCR: Golf for a Cure

Our client, The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR), will be holding its 6th Annual Golf for a Cure Classic on Monday, September 14th so we wanted to help spread the word. NFCR is the one of the foremost organizations in the fight against cancer and their goal with the tournament is to raise money so that they can support their many scientists across the country in their quest to find a cure for cancer.  The Sutter Group is excited to be participating by playing as well as creating many of the graphics and marketing materials for the event.

The fundraiser will be held at the Kenwood Golf and Country Club in Bethesda, and will include lunch, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, open bar, live and silent auctions, contests, prizes, and more!  Last year, the event brought over 100 people together, including politicians, scientists, sponsors, and donors from around the world.

Register today at www.GolfforaCure.org or call 1-800-321-CURE (2873) for more information. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to join their Facebook group HERE and follow them on Twitter HERE.

by Garret Ohm

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TSG Brings Bioscience Brand To Life

We're happy to be finishing up a new integrated marketing communications exercise for ReGenX, a Washington, DC-based bioscience startup. ReGenX is a biologics company focused on the development of gene therapy as a platform for advancing human health. (Read more about biologics HERE)

The company produces a type of proprietary viral vector, which is a microscopic tool that molecular biologists use to transfer different kinds of genetic material into cells. This transfer allows for advances in biotherapeautics, drug discovery, vaccines, target identification and target validation. These are all REALLY important things for fighting disease.

Our goal for ReGenX was two-fold: First, we wanted to clearly establish ReGenX as a reputable player in the cellular biology space. We accomplished this by crafting a brand identity that established credibility and clearly spoke to the company's purpose and service offerings, in addition to linking the company to technological developments from the University of Pennsylvania and a team of well-respected scientific advisors.



We also wanted to create a range of consistent, polished marketing materials that makes it easy for cellular biologists to understand ReGenX's product offerings and provide a clear path to purchase. One of the key tools we created was http://www.regenxbio.com. Clean design, simple navigation and well-organized content converge to allow users to easily find their desired information and the integration of a NetSuite enabled form allows them to easily request a quote.






We're extremely proud of the work we've done for ReGenX and look forward to continuing to support them. Interested in finding out how we can help you craft a new brand from scratch or reenergize an existing brand? We'd love to talk.

by Garret Ohm

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Clark Construction 2.0

It’s with great pleasure that we announce the launch of a new website for one of the nation’s largest commercial construction firms, Clark Construction, based right here in the Baltimore-Washington region. It’s now incredibly easy to peruse Clark’s impressive portfolio, see the latest news releases, and learn about the company’s history and long-time commitment to quality. Although there is a lot of content in the site (hundreds of projects and news releases, and thousands of photos), it is well organized and logically broken up for ease of navigation. This contributes to the site’s clean, easy-to-navigate feeling.

The new site features a number of Flash and Javascript elements.  Two of the most notable are the interactive company history timeline, and the interactive commemorative Clark hardhat.  The site also features video integration and search engine friendly dynamic text replacement (which is a fancy way of saying that we were able to use a custom font, as opposed to the traditional web-based-fonts, for parts of the site without losing any ground with search engines like Google).

The site was also designed to be incredibly easy to maintain. A custom-built backend CMS enables the Clark users responsible for maintaining the site’s content to easily add and update projects, awards, news items and photos—with little or no HTML knowledge.  The content can be linked in one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many relationships (for example, one award can be linked to many projects). A custom-created photo uploading tool enables the user to select which part of the photo to crop and use, while maintaining proper aspect ratio and respecting size limitations. Once the photo is uploaded, the user can even adjust the photo’s sharpness to their liking by using a simple and intuitive interface.

The site was built with standards-compliance in mind and validates as XHTML 1.0 Transitional. If you don’t know what that means, it’s ok. It’s web developer speak for, “We take pride in our coding and meticulously make sure it is done correctly.”

We’ve enjoyed working with Clark on this project to deliver a site that is in line with the caliber of work they do, and we’re pleased with the satisfaction they have expressed to us. Please visit www.clarkconstruction.com

and let us know what you think!

by Aaron Waldon

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TSG Tapped To Develop Website Requirements and Design For MAIF

The Sutter Group, a full-service marketing communications agency offering advertising, interactive and marketing solutions, today announced that it has added the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF) to its client roster.

The firm will be responsible for a top-to-bottom redesign of the MAIF corporate website at http://www.emaif.com. The goal of the new site is to greatly improve the overall user experience and add additional functionality and content.

In order to deliver a site that meets the requirements, The Sutter Group will meet with and interview a number of key internal and external stakeholders to determine the necessary scope and software requirements to produce a site that is in line with the organization’s needs. The firm will then work with MAIF to develop an information architecture and wireframes that provide a much-improved online experience. Upon completion of that crucial step, Sutter will develop an entirely new user interface design that defines the look and feel for the new site. MAIF’s in-house technology department will handle final production of the site.

“We feel great about our partnership with The Sutter Group to develop a completely new MAIF site,” says Cindy Warkentin, CIO at MAIF.  “The new site promises to make it easier for thousands of Marylanders to get educated about coverage and to get insured.”

“It’s exciting for us to be able to tackle the challenge of developing a new website for MAIF because it allows us to flex our creative and strategic muscles as they relate to delivering a powerful online user experience” commented Karen Sutter, founder and president of The Sutter Group. “We’re thankful that they’ve placed their trust in us and look forward to delivering a state-of-the-art website.”

About The Sutter Group
The Sutter Group is a 21 year-old full-service marketing communications agency headquartered between Baltimore and Washington, DC in Lanham, Maryland. The firm blends large-agency technology bandwidth and boutique studio design talent to produce creative communications solutions that deliver proven results.  The Sutter Group offers all elements of marketing communications services including: branding and marketing strategy, advertising, corporate identity, e-learning, direct marketing, special events, viral marketing, graphic design and Website and interactive design. The firm is a WBENC certified Women’s Business Enterprise, a certified Maryland minority business enterprise and is on several AIMS GSA schedules. For more information visit www.sutter-group.com.

About MAIF
MAIF was created in 1972 by the Maryland State Legislature to provide automobile liability insurance for residents of the State of Maryland who are unable to obtain it elsewhere in the private insurance market. MAIF is an independent agency of the State of Maryland, and as such, reports directly to the Governor and is responsible to the Maryland State Legislature.

by Garret Ohm

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