Rudi Grobler

Problem Statement

The media industry is facing an unprecedented set of challenges today. Digital distribution, a dramatic reduction in traditional advertising, the rise of social networks such as MySpace and Facebook and other factors have all combined to force a fundamental rethinking of the entertainment industry.

Your job is to:

• Find new ways to monetize the deep catalog of content that the consortium has. You should specifically be thinking beyond simply pay per download, subscriptions or advertising
• Look for new ways to create fans of our content. Sites like MySpace and Facebook (among others) have shown us that social networks are powerful tools. Figure out how to exploit the principles of social networking, integrate into existing networks, or both
• Look for ways to exploit the Long Tail. The consortium has a fantastic amount of old content that’s very valuable to many people. Figure out how to best help our users find existing content, discover other content, and share this with friends
• Figure out the device & platform landscape. Between iTunes, the iPod, Zune, Media Center, UnBox, Xbox Live, Joost, and everything else, it’s difficult to understand the overall experience system for our users. Explore creating your own, partnering, or both

A large part of this design challenge is to make whatever experience desirable, rather than simply a forced option. Specific features and functionality should be determined by the needs of the personas (see following pages). While your solution does not need to be functional, it must simulate the experience of each of the personas you’ve chosen to solve for.

Your challenge is to design an environment that allows children to share media / content as well as interact socially with each other in a child safe way. A large part of this design challenge is to make whatever experience desirable, rather than simply a forced option. Specific features and functionality should be determined by the needs of the personas (see following pages). While your solution does not need to be functional, it must simulate the experience of each of the personas you’ve chosen to solve for.

Problem Statement

Microcinema International is already embracing the internet and digital technology to run several successful businesses, including DVD and digital distribution, educational purchasing and licensing and B2B. But, it’s not hard to see that the future of not just exhibition but all forms of distribution are in going to be digital. Your job is to develop a solution that leverages next generation technology like WPF and Silverlight and couple it with some of the emerging trends in sharing, social media and collaboration that are transforming how we individuals purchase and consume media. Specifically, your focus is on how to help Microcinema International scale its physical Independent Exposure festival using digital technology to connect independent film enthusiasts around the world and define the FUTURE for how digital technology can enable the exhibition and distribution of independent film.  Microcinema strongly feels that the world of physical distribution will not be killed by the internet – but that the experience can be augmented by next-generation technology.  Conversely – next generation technologies coupled with a physical experience will gain more traction.

Your challenge is to come with recommendations for how digital technology can help Pan Am create a unique experience on the Web and within the aircraft and take into account how we connect with the world and devices that we use to do it. Your solution should demonstrate innovations in planning or preparation activities or the personal activities that occur during travel. Your general concepts should be inclusive and demonstrate ‘thinking’ if not functionality about both experiences. Your solution may use any combination of web (ASP.net, Silverlight) or application (WPF) components.

M Hotels has retained your agency to design and develop their interactive hotel concierge system to provide the features, services and experience that guests expect of their brand. They have an antiquated system currently that is familiar to anyone staying in popular brand hotels. M Hotels must have a hotel concierge system that exceeds any system in market when it comes to design, usability, control, and features that enhance the lifestyle of their digitally sophisticated guests.