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Company: Orange Bus
Project: Standing Stone Productions Website
Dates: Jul 2007 to Aug 2007
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How did the project start?
Standing Stone are a start up run by hugely successful TV producer Tom Gutteridge, ex-CEO of Freemantle Media who's credits include Challenge Anneka, Robot Wars and American Idol amongst many others. Standing Stone reviewed a number of local digital media companies before settling on Orange Bus to create their new web presence.
What options did you consider?
Orange Bus believe Flash should only be used if it is going to achieve something special - something that can't be achieved with other web technologies. After discussing all of the options with Tom and the rest of the Standing Stone team we realised that their requirements would only be met using Flash, finally settling on a 3D engine to create a feeling of moving about the website as a surface, upon which various items could be placed.
What help and expertise did you receive?
Whilst Orange Bus managed all of the technical and creative elements of the website itself, the logo had already been designed by our friends at Creative Image (Newcastle), with the exploding animation added by The Digital Co in London. we utilised both to create an intro to the Standing Stone website's interactive navigation system.
Did you face any challenges or learn any lessons?
The 3D Flash engine available for use on the web was still very much a new release and as such their was little reference material for us to use during the project. As with any cutting edge technology, the Orange Bus team encountered a number of issues, however all were solved in house and the project still launched on time and within budget.
What are the outcomes and how has it improved your business?
We asked Tom Gutteridge of Standing Stone for his views 6 months after the site launched, he had the following to say:
THE BRIEF
We wanted a site that stood apart from the staid corporate sites of many of our competitors. We knew that our site would be accessed by three very different types of client:
• Customers (the broadcasters, who would look at our site to assess our creative spirit);
• Investors (City people, who need easy access to information about goals, strategy, and key personnel); and
• Partners (potential co-producers, who would want to measure our spirit and capacity for innovation).
In addition, we wanted to send a message to the rest of the industry that we are in business with some highly innovative ideas. So, from the navigation to the content, we wanted something completely new. Above all, it had to be fun.
RESULT
The site has achieved all our goals. We have had several approaches from co-producers (particularly overseas producers through search engines) looking for a UK partner, who, impressed by the creativity of the site, have assumed that our products reflect this. We are currently in negotiation with two potential partners on the strength of this.
Broadcasters seem to be impressed by the freshness of the site. We are frequently greeted by compliments in pitch meetings, which not only breaks the ice, but also helps to enhance our image as groundbreaking creatives.
The site gives our investors and bankers all the information they need, whilst reassuring them that they are in business with some of the most creative brains in media.
What are your plans for the future?
Because the site sits on a genuine 3D surface, we can add objects and new navigation features over time as and when Standing Stone need them, without the site ever becoming cluttered and overloaded.
Standing Stone have also agreed to use Orange Bus for any future program specific websites.
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