HUGE news http://www.hugeinc.com Signed. Shipped. Noticed. HUGE Opens New Atlanta Office http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=112 HUGE, a leading independent interactive agency that creates and builds online businesses, announced the opening of its Atlanta office. As a strategic business partner with its clients, HUGE connects everything needed to build or transform an online business.  The online businesses developed by HUGE generate over $3 billion a year in revenue.

"HUGE has been evolving a process and a culture that combines the most powerful aspects of research, design, and technology to create successful online customer experiences," said Aaron Shapiro, partner at HUGE.  "The opening of new offices allows us to continue to attract amazing talent to the regional office to meet the demands of our growing client base and also provide clients with top level service.  Atlanta is a perfect fit for us to enhance our business and tap into new talent."

Shapiro is acquainted with the Atlanta business community.  He was the founding CEO of Silverpop Systems,an email marketing software company ranked by Jupiter Research as the highest in overall business value among email service providers. To launch the company, Shapiro raised $30 million in venture funding and was responsible for the overall product and technology strategy and vision. 

Each project at HUGE begins with a belief that great user-centered design can play a critical role in growing the client's business. The award-winning agency takes its clients from the planning process, all the way through to the end-user experience. Services include:product planning, user research, content and advertising strategy, interaction design, visual design, technology development and analytics.

HUGE's Atlanta office joins its headquarters in New York along with its Los Angeles office.]]> Four HUGE Websites Recognized by 2008 Webby Awards http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=113
Visit the Webby Awards for more information on HUGE's nominations in 2008:

YOUTH CATEGORY - NOMINEE
Scholastic Site Redesign
http://www.scholastic.com

The comprehensive redesign of Scholastic.com and other Scholastic internet properties successfully positioned Scholastic as the ultimate resource for teachers, parents, administrators and students.

NON PROFIT CATEGORY - NOMINEE
Amnesty International: Instant Karma
http://www.instantkarma.org

The Instantkarma.org site design had simple but important goals: leverage the user's interest in John Lennon and the other artists, provide an efficient way to learn about the issues, and inspire them to take action.

ART CATEGORY - HONOREE
Phillipsdepury.com
http://www.phillipsdepury.com

The website for Phillips de Pury & Company embodies its intense commitment to contemporary art - the same values that had led it to become the third largest auction house in the US.

BEST USE OF TYPOGRAPHY - HONOREE
Tearitdown.org
http://www.tearitdown.org

Tearitdown.org is dedicated to uniting America's voices against the human rights violations at Guantanamo Bay.  As the leading worldwide movement of people campaigning for internationally recognized human rights, Amnesty decided to make this one of its highest-priority issues for 2007.

About the Webby Awards
Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile Websites.

As nominees for Webby Awards, Scholastic and Tear It Down are eligible to win a People's Voice Award. To participate in People's Voice voting, please visit http://pv.webbyawards.com between today and May 1st to vote and make sure to share the news with friends and family and encourage them to vote as well.]]> JetBlue.com Featured in New iPhone Commercial http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=103




















See how the world's most usable airline website looks on the world's most usable phone.]]> TheStreet.com Hits the Market with a New Site from HUGE http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=102 TheStreet.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSCM), a leading financial media company.  The new TheStreet.com brings a unique combination of personality and financial authority to the world of online finance.  The website creates a dynamic visitor and advertiser experience and boasts improved architecture and user engagement features.  HUGE utilized a wide variety of its capabilities including user research, content strategy and award-winning design to create the new TheStreet.com experience.

"With millions of Americans accessing news and entertainment content online each day, it is imperative that media and entertainment companies like TheStreet.com engage online visitors with interesting content, as well as interactive features," said Aaron Shapiro, partner of HUGE.  "Our experience and success in developing online businesses combined with our commitment to top quality design, allowed us to develop a site that showcases the personality of TheStreet.com and positions them as an innovative financial news authority."

HUGE is a leader in helping media and entertainment companies transform their traditional businesses into successful online businesses.  TheStreet.com redesign focuses on providing clear and concise financial information. From the latest quotes to market data to investment news, the new site design enables individuals to easily find all of the information they need to make better informed financial planning decisions.

According to Thomas J. Clarke, Jr., chairman and CEO of TheStreet.com, "the intent of the redesign was to provide an enhanced platform for visitors and advertisers as TheStreet.com continues to position itself as a leading player in today's online financial media landscape.  HUGE was a perfect fit for us because of their expertise in helping a wide base of clients redefine their web experience.  HUGE worked with us to create a strategic platform that would allow us to keep our base of loyal readers while at the same time attracting new online visitors."

The new site provides a destination of multimedia financial news, education and tools in a user-friendly and engaging environment. Visitors to the site will have better access to the company's award-winning content, authors and guest commentators. The redesign provides a more engaging flow between, content, quote data and financial tools.

Founded in 1996, TheStreet.com, Inc. pioneered the electronic publishing of financial information on the Internet. Today, TheStreet.com, Inc's proprietary network includes TheStreet.com, RealMoney.com, Stockpickr.com, TheStreet.com Ratings, BankingMyWay.com and Rate-Watch.com, TheStreet.com TV and Promotions.com, reaching one of the most affluent, influential audiences on the Web. TheStreet.com's expanding interactive network is revolutionizing the way individuals make financial decisions and the way advertisers engage in online promotions.]]> Vitamin Shoppe Announces Launch of New E-Commerce Venture, BodyTech.com http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=98 BodyTech.com, a brand new venture dedicated to serving the unique needs of athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

In addition to providing a large variety of sports nutrition products, BodyTech.com is also a community for sharing ideas and getting feedback on training techniques and nutrition. For those looking for motivation and guidance by example, the "Body Talk" section features detailed profiles of fitness professionals, including their day-by-day fitness routines, a look at their diets, and a list of which supplements they personally recommend. The site  supports further exploration with enhanced searching that guides visitors to products filtered by type, brand, or by specific fitness goals.

HUGE partnered with Vitamin Shoppe over the past year to develop BodyTech.com from concept to completion, including user research, prototyping, and development. The design team was tasked with several challenges including how to address the sports nutrition needs of athletes at diverse levels of expertise within a single product presentation interface.]]> American University Expands Partnership with HUGE http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=93
HUGE performed comprehensive user research across all audiences to arrive at a detailed long-term strategy and roadmap. The high level goal is to develop an online presence worthy of American University's distinguished history.

A virtual campus tour, online calendars, and customizable templates for five of the University's six schools are just some of the additions in the works for the new American.edu.

American University's more than 5,000 undergraduates are a microcosm of the world's diversity. From across the United States and from more than 100 countries they share a desire to shape tomorrow's world. American University actively promotes international understanding, and this is reflected in its curricula offerings, faculty research, and the regular presence of world leaders on campus. U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges 2006" ranked American University among the top 100 national universities. The magazine's "America's Best Graduate Schools" issue named several of American University's graduate programs in the top 10 nationally.]]> HUGE Opens New Los Angeles Office http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=100
"Our culture is built on the foundation that everyone, from interaction designers and animators to developers, is accountable for actively connecting the various phases of our process in order to guarantee success for our clients," said Aleksandar Sasha Kirovski, HUGE Partner and Director of the Los Angeles Office.  "As we continue to grow, it is important to provide our clients with the best team possible. Los Angeles provides us with a great opportunity for growth and it's an outstanding market for tapping into new talent."

HUGE has been evolving a process and a culture that combine the most powerful aspects of research, design, and technology to deliver a strong return on investment for its clients.  Each project at HUGE begins with a belief that great user-centered design can play a critical role in growing the client's business. This approach has allowed the award-winning agency to develop commercially successful user experiences visited by over 120 million unique users each month.

As a strategic business partner with its clients, HUGE delivers everything needed to define, build and grow a successful online business. The company takes its clients from the planning process, all the way through to the end-user experience. Services include: product planning, user research, content and advertising strategy, interaction design, visual design, technology development and analytics.

HUGE's Los Angeles office joins its headquarters in New York along with its European office in Sweden. HUGE will service Walt Disney Company, ABC.com, and Transamerica along with other top tier clients from the Los Angeles office.]]> Online Businesses Developed by HUGE Now Generate Over $3 Billion a Year in Revenue http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=101
"We have been evolving a process and culture that combine the most powerful aspects of research, design, and technology to deliver a strong return on investment for our clients," says David Skokna, Partner and Creative Director.  "One in three Americans use a HUGE-designed website each month, so we focus on both the user experience and the repeat user experience."

Each project at HUGE begins with a belief that great user-centered design can play a critical role in growing the client's business. This approach has allowed the award-winning agency to develop commercially successful user experiences visited by over 120 million unique users each month.

As a strategic business partner with its clients, HUGE delivers everything needed to define, build and grow a successful online business. The company takes its clients from the planning process, all the way through to the end-user experience. Services include: product planning, user research, content and advertising strategy, interaction design, visual design, technology development and analytics. ]]> HUGE to Redesign Show Pages for AdultSwim.com http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=91
Project goals include the development of a unique showcase for the content of each celebrated Adult Swim show, and construction of a modular set of tools that can be rolled out to new shows as they are created and grow in popularity. HUGE will be working to find ways to let the dramatic individuality of each show shine through while sharing technology and design assets across the sites.]]> HUGE Renovates ThisOldHouse.com http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=77 ThisOldHouse.com.

This Old House is among the most trusted names in home improvement, thanks to their long-running television show and magazine. It was critical in developing the site to differentiate the brand from home improvement retail sites such as Home Depot and Lowes, and to take advantage of This Old House's wealth of more authentic home improvement content.  

HUGE was hired in 2006 to develop a clear value proposition for the website and an effective framework for This Old House's deep editorial capabilities. The new ThisOldHouse.com features powerful resources such as downloadable how-to's, video instructions, photo galleries and more. 
 
Explains Aaron Shapiro, HUGE Director of Client Services, "This project represented a fascinating challenge for Time Inc: how to rejuvenate the home improvement magazine and television series by creating a website that's relevant to the demands of today's web users."

The new site launch coincides with This Old House's 25th anniversary, marking a new era for the brand in the digital age.]]> New Scholastic Website Will Integrate Needs of Teachers, Students, and Parents http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=74 www.scholastic.com/preview.

The completely redesigned website will take an innovative approach to meeting the needs of its key audiences in an integrated way. The site is rich with educational content for the classroom and beyond and features a new community area called "Connect". "Connect" will allow a community of teachers, parents, and students to participate in online events and exchange information.

Other key features include interactive learning activities, teaching resources, detailed book information, and enhanced order tracking. 

HUGE provided user research, strategy and design for Scholastic.com and has subsequently been engaged by Scholastic to handle several other interactive projects. ]]> JetBlue wins "Design Distinction" from I.D. Design Annual http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=73 Jetblue.com with a "Design Distinction Award." Jetblue.com was among only three websites so honored for 2007. According to I.D. magazine, "Jetblue's appeal is in its simplicity; in redesigning the airline's consumer website, New York studio HUGE needed to make it productive without sacrificing that bare-bones quality."

I.D. design awards are among the most sought after in the industry. The panel of judges for this year's Interactive category included Clement Mok, Jonah Peretti, and Zoe Wishart. Explaining the selection of Jetblue.com, Mok said "They have more features, but they've kept it simple."

HUGE has been the interactive agency of record for Jetblue since 2005, handling research, strategy, design and production for the airline's consumer website and intranet.
 ]]> New IKEA Ecommerce Website Launches In Over 20 Countries Worldwide http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=70 Design by HUGE Includes New Site Architecture Based on Rooms of the House
New York, June 13, 2007 - IKEA announces a new website design, currently rolling out in 24 countries worldwide. The new website features an increased focus on the sharing of IKEA furnishing knowledge with consumers. Where other retailers are delivering basic data on products, prices, and promotions, IKEA is dedicated to granting the customer full access to its celebrated home furnishing knowledge.

Room images on the new site are fully interactive- users can engage with the images and see tips and ideas for a variety of products and everyday situations. "The trick was to develop a user interface that balances efficiency and discovery," say Gene Liebel, Partner and Director of User Experience at HUGE.  "Research shows that IKEA customers have very high expectations for the IKEA website- they expect an experience that is about much more than just the presentation of basic product information. They want to learn how to improve their lives at home, and they want everything integrated into a single, usable workflow, organized by the rooms of their house."

The new site architecture is based on the rooms of the house: Bedroom, Children's Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Living Room, Workspace, Basement, Garage, Attic, Hallway & Entrance, Laundry Room, and Youth Room. Another change is an expanded role and more prominent position for "Ask Anna", the automated customer service chat character driven by artificial intelligence. Anna has proven to be very effective in providing 24/7 support and advice to millions of IKEA customers worldwide, reducing support costs.

Says Allan Lidforsen, IKEA Online Group Manager, "It is a great challenge to translate the IKEA brand values and visual identity to the Internet, and we are very content with the work HUGE has done for us in this area. Their design feels very much like IKEA, but what's even more interesting, they keep us focused on the evolving goals and habits of the online customer." HUGE is the interactive agency of record for IKEA and handles strategy, creative, and production for the furniture retailer's retail and corporate websites in over 20 markets worldwide.

The US version of the site is available at www.ikea-usa.com]]> Amnesty International Partners with HUGE http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=66 New York, May 16, 2007 - Amnesty International announces a partnership with HUGE involving the design of various Amnesty International online efforts. The first result of this partnership will be InstantKarma.org. This website is being created for the release of Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, a 2 CD set; with contributions from U2, Green Day, R.E.M., The Flaming Lips, and others covering the timeless songs of John Lennon. The album will be released June 12th.

Instant Karma was made possible by Yoko Ono's gift of John Lennon's solo songbook to Amnesty International, which will continue John Lennon's legacy by donating all proceeds from the Instant Karma Album to a "historic effort to mobilize activism around the human rights atrocities occurring in Darfur, Sudan". The goal of InstantKarma.org is to raise awareness and to educate visitors about the human rights crisis occurring in Darfur, as well as provide information and content about Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur album and the contributing artists.
 
Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International U.S.A., explains, "We know music's power to unite and inspire people. With hundreds of thousands dead, millions driven from their burned out villages and rape being used as a tactic in the Darfur conflict, the world needs a mass mobilization demanding action and justice. The Instant Karma campaign combines John Lennon's passionate desire for us to imagine a more peaceful world with Amnesty International's expertise in achieving justice. Instant Karma allows ordinary people to lend their hand in saving lives--a notion we think would make John proud."]]> TheStreet.com Begins 1 Year Relationship with HUGE http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=69 www.thestreet.com.

Co-founded in 1996 by Wall Street icon and noted author, Jim Cramer - most recognized today as the host of CNBC's "MadMoney" -- TheStreet.com is an award winning website.  The company's journalists and contributors produce reliable and trustworthy proprietary content which is distributed across multimedia platforms, including websites, email subscription services, print, syndication and audio and video programming.

The project will be led by Christy Hatch, HUGE Experience Director. "We're excited about the opportunity to leverage our experience in goal-driven content design in collaboration with a brand like the TheStreet.com" said Hatch. "The new flagship site will bring a unique combination of personality and financial authority to the world of online finance unavailable anywhere else on the internet today."]]> A HUGE Day Out: Chef Terrance Brennan Cooks for HUGE http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=65


NewYork, April 9, 2007 - The full HUGE team, including members of our New York, Sweden, and Los Angeles offices, gathered on April 4th for an afternoon with Chef Terrance Brennan at the Artisanal Cheese Center in New York.  Brennan performed a cooking demo and led a discussion about the challenges of being an "artisan" in the modern business world. "Brennan is known for a direct, down-to-earth approach to his craft and an obsession with quality" said David Skokna, HUGE Creative Director. "We felt his values were analogous to how we approach things at HUGE, so we decided to invite him to participate in our company gathering".

 ]]> IMA: HUGE Among Top 10 Agencies Worldwide http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=61
IMA award website:
http://www.interactivemediaawards.com/winners/2006/top10agencies.asp]]> Architectural Record Profile: HUGE Provides Creative Leadership to the Industry http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=62 New York, February 20, 2007 - Architectural Record profiled HUGE's work on leading architecture projects in its February 2007 article, "Putting yourself out there: What to consider when designing your firm Web site." The article explains the importance of a strong Internet presence for top architecture firms, featuring several projects where HUGE has helped firms establish stronger online identities and build awareness of their work.

Excerpts from the article:

David Skokna, creative director of Huge, a strategic design company that has designed sites for Hillier (hillier.com), DeStefano + Partners (dplusp.com), SmithGroup (smithgroup.com), and Beyer Blinder Bell (beyerblinderbelle.com), says that firm Web sites should be much more than project portfolios. "There are a lot of architecture firms out there," he says, "and when potential clients see your site, you've got less than a minute to differentiate yourself from the crowd."

HUGE's director of client services Aaron Shapiro says, "Hillier's story was that they had all these great experts working for the firm. We opted to open the site with pictures of people, and tell their story with surprising questions like "How can architecture help cure cancer?" We then gave short explanations of why Hillier's cancer-research buildings provided architectural solutions that led to more productive research. Anything you can do to catch people's attention in simple, visual ways works best."

Read the whole article here.]]> HUGE Moves to New Office Space http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=42

Interested in a closer look? Click here for more. . .

New York, February 12, 2007 - HUGE, the strategic design organization, announces today the opening of its new, larger offices. The new location, at 45 Main Street in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, will better accommodate the intense and growing demand for HUGE's services the company experienced in 2006. The space was designed specifically for the HUGE working process, which prioritizes close collaboration and freedom to innovate.

According to Partner, Director of Production Sasha Kirovski, the decision to remain in the DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights neighborhood was an easy one. "We wanted to stay true to our roots and remain in DUMBO. We have had a great deal of success here, and we've attracted a group of highly talented employees, many of whom live in Brooklyn. Staying here allows us to have more space and keep the focus on our work."

One addition to the new space is a user research lab for the growing number of research phases HUGE conducts. Gene Liebel, Partner and Director of User Experience, explains "Customer research and testing have always big parts of our process, and the requests for these activities continue to grow, so we've dedicated part of our new space to them."

HUGE's new office is located on 45 Main Street, just south of Front Street, in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn. The offices are convenient to both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and the A, C or F subway trains (first stop in Brooklyn). The main number is +1 718 233 9445.]]> HUGE Takes Top Honors at Interactive Media Awards http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=63 DeStefano + Partners and SmithGroup were honored specifically for excellence in Professional Services with Best in Class Awards, while Phillips de Pury received an Outstanding Achievement award for a brokerage website.]]> HUGE Art Director Judges Prestigious Young Guns 5 Competition http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=49
Judging for the impressive number of entries was done over the summer. Laughlin judged each participant based on the body of work that he or she entered. Those participating in the competition were invited to submit by February 1, 2006 up to ten pieces of work that they felt best showcased their talent. Of the two hundred and eighty-eight people who entered, the distinction was awarded to just sixty-three of them.

Laughlin noted that he was most impressed with the "good mix [of participants] working outside the boundaries of the design scene- setting the trends of tomorrow. Laughlin is familiar with both these characteristic as well as the competition itself, he won Young Guns 4 for his expertise and originality in design. Laughlin also holds a strong background in print design and has moved confidently in to web design. While working at HUGE, he has headed a number of design concepts on different accounts, most notably directing the visual execution of the very successful IKEA website.

Now that the winners have been chosen, Young Guns 5 will continue to influence the design scene on an international level. The exhibition of the winning pieces premiered at the ADC Gallery in New York on November 9, 2006. Exhibitions will continue touring on a global level displaying the winning pieces at a large number of locations including Brazil, China, Croatia, and Portugal. The Art Directors Club has also published a full color book now available displaying the work of these young and extremely talented designers.]]> HUGE Expands to Europe, Opens New Office in Malmo, Sweden http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=50
Sasha Kirovski, HUGE Director of Production, explained the move, "Our first priority in opening the office is to maintain a strong presence near our client IKEA. The company obviously has a very special relationship with HUGE and we are excited to continue our work with their team."

Looking toward the future, Kirovski added "There is also a high concentration of other great companies in Sweden, of course, and as we grow the office, we look forward to creating new partnerships there." HUGE has been IKEA's interactive partner since 2000, handling strategy, design and production of the furniture retailer's corporate and retail websites. Most recently, HUGE provided comprehensive research and design services toward the launch of IKEA's new product section.

Cecilia Norden, HUGE Account Manager for IKEA, explained, "This is a proud moment for HUGE. Opening an office in Sweden has long been a goal for us. Our growth relies on our talented team of employees who are committed to providing quality design work."

HUGE's Malmo, Sweden offices are located at Skomakaregatan 6, 211 34 Malmo, Sweden. For more information on HUGE Malmo, please contact europe@hugeinc.com or +46 40 630 88 18]]> JetBlue Launches Much Anticipated Website Redesign by HUGE http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=51 JetBlue.com today, featuring a new streamlined booking flow, newly organized content, and a new look and feel including promotional imagery featuring real JetBlue customers. The redesign was executed by New York Interactive Agency HUGE. HUGE's groundwork for the new site began in March 2005 with a strategic roadmap, followed by interaction design, visual design, front end development, and extensive user testing. This rollout will be followed by additional updates over the next six months to further refine the JetBlue.com experience.

"Our customers loved the old jetblue.com, but we knew we could make the best even better," said David Neeleman, JetBlue's CEO and Founder. "So we asked our customers what they want the most from our website, and they told us - make travel deals easier to find, make it easy to manage travel plans, andmake it easy to find information."

The site design reflects a relentless focus on making it effortless for users to complete their key tasks. Over 80% of JetBlue tickets are sold through JetBlue.com. The redesign hopes to increase this percentage while bringing new travelers into the JetBlue family. User testing of the current site, analysis of current site metrics, and analysis of customer service data were all used as a foundation for the new site design. Throughout the design process, extensive user testing of every aspect of the new site was utilized to ensure high levels of usability and customer acceptance of the new JetBlue.com.

"Working with JetBlue.com is not about transformation, it is about evolution. JetBlue is an incredibly strong brand with unparalleled customer loyalty, and our role is to help realize its potential online. For this redesign, we focused on bringing the soul of the JetBlue brand alive through the user interface, visual design, and authentic imagery," said David Skokna, HUGE's Creative Director.

One of the most innovative aspects of the site from an industry perspective is the introduction of a sophisticated mechanism for JetBlue to merchandise its flights equipping the site with effective opportunities for JetBlue to optimize flight loads and sell specific flights. Passive personalization, destination pages, and travel deals provide JetBlue with a targeted mechanism to showcase relevant travel points to consumers. The site makes strategic use of developing technologies to enhance the user experience. Passive personalization and CRM tailor offers to visitors based on their past searches,geographic location, and past travel habits. Use of AJAX allows users to dynamically load and sort travel deals without suffering through endless page loads. An integrated CMS allows JetBlue employees in various departments to rapidly update the site without significant IT involvement, enabling time-sensitive deals and offers to go live immediately.
About JetBlue Airways
In the six years since its launch, JetBlue Airways has focused on creating a new airline category - an airline that offers value, service and style. Based out of New York City, the low-cost carrier currently serves 45 destinations with up to 470 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue,customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV programming*, the most live TV available on any airline. On flightslonger than two hours, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight is also available. JetBlue offers customers generous brand name snacks and beverages, including freshly brewed Dunkin Donuts coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars. On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service, with a comfort kit designed exclusively for JetBlue by Bliss Spa and other special amenities including a "good morning" hot towel service. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all faresare one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call +1 800 538 258 3 or visit www.jetblue.com. *DIRECTV service is not available on flights outside the continental United States; however, where applicable FOX InFlight is offered complimentary on these routes. FOX InFlight is a trademark of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. JetBlue's in-flight entertainment is powered by LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue.
]]> Taschen Names HUGE One of Top Agencies Worldwide http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=52 New York, July 28, 2006 . HUGE was named one of the top interactive agencies worldwide in Taschen's new Icons titled Web Design: Studios.The agencies featured were selected for their impact on the industry as innovators. Taschen stated that the chosen firms "are professionals committed to both good design and results, and this is essentially making the web a better medium every day"

"It's an honor to be singled out by a cultural force like Taschen, who publishes the most influential work across the creative industries, from Picasso to Helmut Newton. HUGE is incredibly pleased at being selected as one of the firms leading the design industry worldwide. At least part of the credit goes to our clients who have been visionary enough to trust us with their brands and allow us to be innovative in the development of their design strategies and solutions," said David Skokna, Creative Director at HUGE.

The book showcased work by HUGE for Atlantic Records, Hillier Architects, and IKEA. Taschen evaluated more than 3,000 firms in selecting the 90 that they felt are "of the most prominent interactive studios worldwide: web firms that have worked out creative solutionsfor big and small customers all around the globe" through an "intensive collaboration of technical and creative resources".

"We've been following HUGE's work since their early days. We've been consistently impressed with their cutting edge focus and sophisticated approach to the medium. They've developed into an industry leader in the areas of usability and internet strategy as well as design, and were a natural choice," said Julius Wiemann, Taschen editor.

More information about Web Design: Studios is available on Taschen's website.]]> HUGE to Bring Classical Music Alive with New York Philharmonic Website Redesign http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=53
"We're excited about working with the New York Philharmonic to create one of the leading classical music sites on the internet", said Aaron Shapiro, director of client services at HUGE. "The New York Philharmonic is perhaps the leading orchestra in the world, we want to bring this level of excellence to their web presence".

The New York Philharmonic, founded in 1842, is the nation's oldest orchestra, as well as one of the oldest orchestras in the world. They play some 180 concerts a year, lead by music director Lorin Maazel. Additionally, the institution offers extensive educational programs about classical music, and has a comprehensive archive of past performances and its rich history. The website's mandate is to provide music lovers worldwide with simple, compelling access to the Philharmonic's diverse offerings.]]> JetBlue Airways Brings Its "Experience" to JetBlue.com http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=54
The JetBlue Experience integrates with JetBlue's television and radio advertising campaigns, which feature the stories of JetBlue customers and their experiences flying the airline. With the JetBlue Experience, television advertisements, radio spots, as well as real customer postcards are available online. Users can also submit their own stories about flying JetBlue.

"People who fly JetBlue just love the airline. We wanted to bring these great stories to the web," says David Skokna, Creative Director of HUGE. "With the JetBlue Experience, people new to JetBlue can see first-hand why flying JetBlue really is something special".

The JetBlue Experience is part of HUGE's broader relationship with JetBlue, which includes working with JetBlue on a full site redesign of JetBlue.com and JetBlue's employee intranet.]]> Phillips de Pury, Leading Auction House, Selects HUGE http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=55 New York, April 14, 2006 - Phillips de Pury, the leading auction house in contemporary and modern art, has awarded HUGE the contract for the full redesign of phillipsdepury.com. The engagement represents a significant addition to the agency's art industry portfolio.

"HUGE is thrilled to be working with Phillips; they're the ideal client for a creative, ambitious team like ours. Their role in defining the art auction industry as we know it is legendary and there's a similar opportunity to break new ground with art on the web. We're excited to add our knowledge of the way people use the Internet to their knowledge of how people approach modern and contemporary art in order to develop a site that will set standards for the industry," said David Skokna, Creative Director at HUGE.

Skokna will lead the team of visual designers, brand strategists, and information architects who will work over the next six months to develop Phillips's new online presence. The engagement will include market and user research, site strategy, information architecture, visual design, and development support.

Phillips has offices in New York, London, Geneva, Paris, Munich, and Berlin. Phillips conducts auctions in New York, London, and Geneva in the areas of Contemporary Art, Photography, 20-21st Century Design, and Jewelry. Phillips also handles private treaty sales and art advisory services including building private collections.]]> Liquidnet Hires HUGE for Visual Design of Software http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=56
"HUGE is excited to team up with Liquidnet. They're outstanding innovators in the financial trading industry and a great fit for HUGE's strategic, user-oriented design methodology. The unique user needs an audience of highly focused, hyper-productive traders will offer a great set of challenges. We look forward to tackling those challengeswith smart design solutions and maximizing the value Liquidnet offers its users," said David Skona, Creative Director at HUGE.

Liquidnet has headquarters in New York City, London, and Canada. Recently, they were ranked as the 10th largest NYSE institutional broker and the 11th largest NASDAQ broker. Their unique approach to trading allows buyers and sellers to negotiate trades anonymously and without intermediaries. Total value traded is $544 billion in US equities.]]> SmithGroup Engages HUGE for Strategy, Design & Development http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=57
Founded in 1853, SmithGroup is the oldest continually practicing architecture and engineering firm in the United States. With over 800 employees, the firm has nine offices throughout the United States and extensive expertise in almost all practice areas. It's primary markets are health, science & technology, learning, and workplace.

"We're excited to work with a clear industry leader like SmithGroup. We'll continue our ongoing reinvention of how to present the world's top professional service firms," said Gene Liebel, Director of User Experience at HUGE. "SmithGroup's extensive portfolio and wide expertise in diverse industries makes the project particularly interesting, and we're excited to apply our expertise to make the site a success."

The website will feature SmithGroup's diverse portfolio and focus on information about its multiple practices and offices. Above all, the website will seek to communicate the attributes and qualities that makes SmithGroup - and SmithGroup projects - unique in the architecture field.]]> HUGE Designed Website Allows Travelers to Create Customized Vacations to 12 Destinations http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=58
"Our customers have consistently asked us not if we offered vacation packages, but when", said Tim Claydon, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for JetBlue. "By working with the hotels directly, rather than through an intermediary, we are able to offer our customers only the finest properties at great prices. Using the latest technology to combine the lowest JetBlue airfare with the best hotel or resort rate, we are able to offer our customers a new level of value with vacations beginning and ending on JetBlue Airways - something not available on any other online travel site. All this provides a great opportunity for us to drive incremental sales and increase revenues.'

Getaways is the first in a series of website enhancements being carried out by HUGE, leading up to the release of a fully redesigned Jetblue.com in September 2006.

HUGE developed an inspirational and editorially driven offering that gives users the option to build their own vacation or choose a featured Getaway. The site incorporates JetBlue's casual, hip attitude, offering vacation packages stamped with the JetBlue seal of approval: "We Only Recommend Places We Love!"

"For the GetAways site, we just capitalized on what makes the JetBlue brand unique - its fun, value-centered personality," said David Skokna, HUGE Creative Director. "The biggest challenge was developing a visually compelling offer that leveraged JetBlue's existing reservation system. A lot of behind the scenes work went into making that integration seamless."

In addition to featured Getaways, all JetBlue Getaways can be customized by the customer as part of the "Make Your Escape" functionality on www.jetblue.com/getaways. Customers can choose their desired destination, hotel or resort, day and time of travel, and select an optional car rental for their JetBlueGetaway.

HUGE is Jetblue's lead partner for all interactive projects. HUGE's duties on the GetAways included strategy, interaction design, visual design, and promotional and editorial copy development.]]> IKEA Launches Artificial Intelligence-Driven Customer Service Assistant http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=59 London, December 5, 2004 - HUGE announces a breakthrough in online customer service technology. The new IKEA Help Center assistant is an animated character that engages website users in conversation.

The assistant is currently available on IKEA's website in multiple markets and will eventually be deployed on all IKEA websites worldwide.

One of the challenges involved in creating the animated character was how to make her appear friendly and engaging while keeping the tone professional and helpful. "The design of the chat character reflects the smart, friendly character of the IKEA brand," says Anna Crona, IKEA Online Manager, "HUGE brought those values to life for us".

The goal of the assistant is to address IKEA's customer service questions in a more efficient and satisfying way. As Gene Liebel, HUGE Director of User Experience, explained, "Tests have showed that many people with customer service issues were very satisfied to chat with  the assistant, instead of calling the help number. That has led to substantial cost reductions and greater convenience."

HUGE is the interactive agency of record for IKEA and handles strategy,creative, and production for the furniture retailer's retail and corporate websites in over 20 markets worldwide.]]> HUGE to Develop Strategy, Identity System & Website for the Columbia Journalism School http://www.hugeinc.com/news/index.php?ID=60
"Journalists are a notoriously perceptive and critical audience, and Columbia's students and alums are among the most talented in the world. We know the standards for smart, authentic communications will be incredibly high for this project. We look forward to providing solutions that meet those standards and set a new bar for design and communications in higher education," said Aaron Shapiro, Director of Client Services at HUGE.

Shapiro, a graduate of Columbia's MBA program, will lead the HUGE team in development of the communications strategy for the project. Design will be headed by David Skokna, HUGE's Creative Director. HUGE's work for the engagement will include redesign of the school's identity and branding, website, printed collateral, and online promotional communications. Target launch for the new website is Winter of 2006.]]>