Studioblog (n): a blog by Studiobanks about design, marketing, internet, business, Charlotte and more. 

(New Project) Cornerstone Community Bank

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We’d like to take a moment to welcome new client Cornerstone Community Bank to the Studiobanks team! Charlotte Observer Reporter Eric Frazier shares the funny story behind our new partnership with this Florida-based bank:

Search leads a bank to a Banks

Businesses spend gobs of money trying to make sure their name and Web links show up prominently in Google search results for the products or services they offer.

But for Studiobanks, a Charlotte digital marketing agency, it didn't take a sophisticated search engine optimization campaign to catch the eye of one Google-searching prospective client.

Instead, a quirky coincidence of the Studiobanks name - and its president's name - did the trick.

It all came about when the Cornerstone Community Bank in St. Petersburg, Fla., decided to hire an agency to redesign its website. Someone at the bank was running Google searches for bank website designers and stumbled across Studiobanks.

The firm hadn't actually done any bank websites, but did have the luck of being a website design firm run by one Banks Wilson. (When he founded the company eight years ago, Wilson thought it'd be cool to make the firm's name a play on his own).

Studiobanks got a chance to make its pitch, and Cornerstone officials hired the firm - none of which would have happened without Wilson's parents and the fortuitous name they picked.

Shouldn't he offer Mom and Dad some sort of commission?

"I probably should," Wilson said, chuckling. "When they named me Banks I don't think they ever thought it would have paid off quite like that. It's just funny and random.”

(New Project) Varrow

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We recently landed the opportunity to partner with Varrow, a specialized technology consulting firm that implements innovative technologies and solutions for a broad range of clients including Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation, The Fresh Market and Lending Tree to name a few.

Much like our team, Varrow is passionate about providing results-driven solutions and unparalleled service that enable its clients to efficiently achieve their goals. On behalf of the Studiobanks team, welcome to our client family!

Parker Poe Mini-Site Wins LMA Award!

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To bid adieu to 2009 and ring in 2010, our team partnered with law firm Parker Poe to create a festive interactive holiday card to spread New Year cheer and well wishes to its attorneys and clients. Our work was recently recognized at the 24th Annual Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Conference, placing third in the Your Honor Awards' electronic media category.

According to LMA, the Your Honor Awards is law firm marketing's Oscars, Emmys and MacArthur Foundation Awards all rolled up in one. This is the vehicle by which LMA honors the products and services produced by the legal industry each year that stand for the "best of the best."

Congratulations, Parker Poe! Thank you for the opportunity to create award-winning work together!

(Press Release) Studiobanks Receives ADDY® Awards

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To celebrate creative excellence in our industry, Studiobanks joined more than 32 Charlotte advertising and design firms at last week's 2010 Charlotte ADDY® Awards & Gala Show. Held at the snazzy Westin Hotel in Uptown Charlotte, we were honored with a Gold ADDY® Award for Muzak’s 75th Anniversary mini site, which showcases the company’s successful history in an ever-evolving industry, and a Silver ADDY® Award for Crossroads Charlotte’s Website, a social networking site established to promote the positive future of the Charlotte area, the interaction of ideas and community involvement.

Thank you to clients Muzak and Foundation for the Carolinas for their amazing partnership and collaboration on these award-winning projects! Also, cheers to all involved in putting together a tremendous show and congratulations to all of this year's winners.

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Make a Wish for 2010

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The New Year is a special occasion that welcomes new opportunity for peace, success and health. To close out 2009 and ring in the New Year, our team partnered with Parker Poe, one of the largest law firms in the Carolinas, to create a festive, inspiring interactive holiday card for its attorneys and clients.

Join Studiobanks in hoping for the best in the coming year by helping Parker Poe reach 2010 wishes for 2010. Visit the winter-themed site to choose a snowflake and submit your New Year's wishes. Once you're finished be sure to view other wishes by clicking the different snowflakes.

Blessings to you and yours in 2010!

(Project Update) Architecture Eye Candy

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We had the pleasure of partnering with the Stodghill family to create a new website for PMA Architecture, an award-winning firm founded thirty years ago in Virginia. PMA offers urban community design, preservation, interior design and planning with key staff trained and accredited in LEED compliance and Green Design. We created a website that showcases their beautiful work in a unique visual experience - enjoy!

Concrete, Art & Wine

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If you’re out and about in Plaza Midwood this Saturday we encourage you to stop by Twenty-Two, a new art gallery and wine shop that was designed by our client, Reaching Quiet. You’ve seen Reaching Quiet’s award-winning concrete work at places like Nikko’s, Andrew Blair’s and even our studio!

Twenty-Two should be a pretty sweet spot featuring monthly rotations of artwork by local, national and international artists, as well as a varied selection of wines, beer, sake and coffee drinks.

Twenty-Two: Grand Opening Party
1500 Central Avenue Map
Saturday, November 7 at 7:00 pm
Inaugural art show Emergence featuring artists Mike Watson & Nick Bloomberg

Best Wishes to Keeley & Megan!

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This Halloween weekend, a member of the Studiobanks family married a member of Muzak, our long-time client! Keeley and Megan were celebrated with a beautiful ceremony and a fun-filled, Irish-themed reception. We enjoyed tunes by an Irish folk band and a delicious mishmash of Irish foods and drinks. Emerald green, shamrocks and beautiful Irish blessings placed on tables brought the festive Irish theme together nicely. This was my favorite:

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
The sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Congratulations to the Carrigans - we hope you enjoy your trip to Ireland!

(Project Update) Can I get an Amen!

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In the spirit of giving, earlier this fall we donated our services to create a new website for Banks’ family church, Central Steele Creek Presbyterian. The church, founded in 1793, has a rich history of serving its community through missions, worship and meaningful year-round programs.

We provided the ministry with a useful online tool to enhance and grow its connectivity with existing and new church members. The website features a look into the church's history, a calendar of events, volunteer opportunities and much more. We hope it supports Central Steele Creek's mission to continue making a difference!

Drifting Creatives Pay us a Visit

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This week, Drifting Creatives duo Gavin and Martin made a pit stop at our studio to check out our work and interview Banks. These recent Texas A&M grads are a traveling design firm, road tripping their way across the country in pursuit of design inspiration (as well as design work) to help pay their way. Before arriving in each city, they use Twitter to reach out to design firms to schedule a visit, and to reach out to local chapters of industry organizations like AIGA to see if they can crash at a fellow designer's house. Once the party's over they'll return to Aggieland to open their own design shop.

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