Burbank, Calif. USA – Thinkwell Group, a multi-disciplinary creative firm specializing in the strategy, design, production and development of one-of-a-kind immersive guest experiences for some of the world’s largest entertainment companies, today announced the launch of Studio Thinkwell. The in-house design and production studio is a natural, in-demand extension of Thinkwell’s approach to experiential design in both physical and digital environments.
Representing clients such as Cirque du Soleil, Disney, DreamWorks, Dubai Properties, Paramount, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Entertainment and many others, Thinkwell is charged with the task of conceiving, developing and producing attractions, events, exhibits and live shows. In addition to multimedia design and production, which includes animation, visual effects and aural environments, many of Thinkwell’s assignments have had complementary digital components, which led to the formal creation of Studio Thinkwell.
Most recently, Thinkwell was enlisted to create the new flagship children’s exhibit for the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia. The exhibit is an interactive simulation of the ecological and environmental zones within Georgia, combining detailed scenery, projected and interactive media and theatrical effects. Not only is Studio Thinkwell producing the interactive media in-house but also developing a microsite for the exhibit, which opens in March 2011.
“What we’ve found over the years is that the complexity of individual projects demands a holistic approach and an intimate synergy among every element, from strategy and planning to the environmental aesthetics and the technology that personalizes the guest experience,” said Francois Bergeron, chief strategy officer and CFO, Thinkwell Group. “In many ways, the formation of Studio Thinkwell completes the whole and we are able to offer clients a one-stop shop for their every creative need.”
Recently appointed Director of Digital Media, Austin Hice, is taking the lead for Studio Thinkwell’s Internet and mobile integration, producing compelling digital experiences with a portfolio of services that include digital strategy and experience integration, information architecture and interactive/user interface (UI) design. “As technology becomes more integrated into people’s daily lives, we’re seeing a convergence of on- and off-line worlds that is transforming our business,” said Hice. “Now the digital arm of Thinkwell allows us to go even further and redefine the ways in which people engage with an experience – anytime, anywhere and on any platform.”
Studio Thinkwell’s strategic digital services include campaign planning, competitive analysis, concept development, web business and revenue modeling, search engine optimization (SEO) and focus group testing. In addition to digital integration and synergy with Thinkwell’s location-based attractions, brand experiences and environments, Studio Thinkwell also specializes in the standalone design and production of websites, mobile applications and games, as well as Content Management Systems (CMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and E-Commerce Implementation.
Thinkwell participates in IAAPA Social Media Panel Nov 18
In conjunction with the launch of Studio Thinkwell, Thinkwell Creative Director Dave Cobb is moderating a panel titled “Designing Guest Experiences to Take Advantage of Social Media” at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010 in Orlando, Florida on Nov. 18. The panel will feature some of the industry’s foremost thought leaders of social media to learn what makes a good social media component for location-based entertainment, as well as address the challenges of implementing social media and how some traditional marketing practices are holding companies back.
Speakers include:
Jeff Voris, Director Advanced Projects, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Online
Greg Maletic, Application Designer, Wishing Stars & Your Life in Numbers
Gabe Zichermann, Author, “Game Based Marketing,”
Susan Bonds, President & CEO, 42 Entertainment, LLC
