nate update

Just in case any of you Mac users have been following my previous posts about SIRIUS, there is  a new release of StarPlayr2, from Nicemac LLC. It’s solid. I’m very impressed. I especially love the improvements made to the streaming data. Also of note, I noticed there is a significant improvement when you listen on High Bitrate vs. Low Bitrate, which may not be new, as I have been listening to the high option for a while now. Definitely worth the investment if you listen like I do (about 60 hours a week).

Here’s the link to the StarPlayr website .

Really nice job on this site redesign. The Las Vegas Weekly is a really high profile publication here, with tons of Vegas readers. It’s got great content about current events, coming events, and some goofy stuff to keep their 18-to-35-ish demographic reading. For reasons unknown, it’s been pretty lousy on the web end… until now.

Black Diamond Digital has several friends involved in this project, and we’re taking this opportunity to recognize their great work. We look forward to drinking some cocktails with them all at the launch party… hint, hint…

The New Las Vegas Weekly Dot Com

cheers, guys!

You gotta love our Mayor, Oscar Goodman. He really knows how to stir up some PR for his city. His newest newsworthy item is his recent bet with Cincinnati’s Mayor on the Kelly Cup ECHL Hockey Title. Personally, I love it! I’ll be at Games 3 – 5 to support the Wranglers over at the Orleans Arena.
Here’s the link to yesterday’s press release.

The Black Diamond Digital office will be closed early to attend the Finals games. Wanna join us? Email me if so. Should be a hell of a series. The Wranglers have pretty well had their way with their opponents this playoff series. In the games we attended, we saw an 8-0 crushing of rival Alaska, and a few others that were pretty equally lopsided. When the Wranglers need goals, they get them. The Defense is solid, and the goaltending has been awesome. My prediction – Wranglers in 5.

Ladies and gentlemen, you can’t get 1000 of these for $19.

There are some really great concepts on this article at reencoded.com. Mostly, though, it shows some inspirational ways to kick the traditional cheap-o business card. It’s a real shame that people put so much value in their cards, yet spend so little on them. I always try to encourage my clients to understand that this is more than a piece of cardstock, it’s a first impression. it’s a referral. It’s a sale. It’s a second sale.

Here’s the link: http://reencoded.com/2008/05/20/42-awesome-business-card-designs-with-links-to-100s-more/

In a word: Wow!

Special thanks to Sean from Greenspun Media Group for passing over the link to this really killer site the interactive team for the Las Vegas Sun just launched yesterday, May 15.

You can surf an entire encyclopedia of Las Vegas’ history on this brand new cutting-edge flash site. There are eleven full length streaming documentaries included, and I especially loved the 360-degree views of the Neon Boneyard.

Here’s the link to the Las Vegas Sun’s History of Las Vegas.

It’s the official AIGA Vegas Photo Blog (for a day)…

Special thanks to last night’s speakers: Bill Grant (president of AIGA, link), Ann Willoughby (Willoughby Design), and Stanley Hainsworth (former Creative from Starbucks, Lego, Nike, link).

Check out these photos from the (extremely dark) event:

I want to share a cool article I just read in Juxtapoz Magazine’s April 2008 issue about DC Comics Art Director, Mark Chiarello. His paintings are featured in his collaboration with Jack Morelli: Heroes of the Negro Leagues. I immediately bought the book.

What I think is really cool about this project, and the Evan Pricco interview overall, is how ballsy it is for Juxtapoz Magazine to publish watercolors of baseball players period, let alone 1950′s Negro League Players. Juxtapoz is a great creative resource for inspirational ideas and trends in today’s grassroots creative culture. I love to read this rag, but I’m not the typical Jux reader – and I know this. I’m not into comics. I don’t collect action figures, retro Nikes or spin at clubs. Most Jux readers do this, instead of say… watch baseball games, like I do.

Juxtapoz said “screw it” and ran a really good – great – article that successfully avoided the controversy and shame of the Negro Leagues in the first half of the 1900′s, and instead, focused on the idea that a comic legend could – dare I say – think outside the box – and paint some ball players instead.

Check out some of the new Black Diamond Digital work on page 140 of the May 2008 issue of VEGAS Magazine. Kristen Bell is on the cover (looking pretty hot, I might add).

In January, we received a call from our friends, Stephanie and Martin, at Wicked Creative, asking us to photograph the very cool, modern-minimalist condo models and common areas for Loft 5, on the South Strip here in Las Vegas.

Grab a copy at Borders or Barnes & Noble. If you want to subscribe, click this link to check out the VEGAS Magazine website.

Moonfly Apparel and Spark Creative called Black Diamond Digital a few months ago to shoot some of their new unique children’s threads. Now, it seems they’re getting some good press. Check out this article from Earnshaw’s Magazine, then check out their website for some really cool kids clothes!

From the Earnshaw’s Children’s Apparel Magazine’s website…

“Earnshaw’s is the premier media resource serving the children’s market, including apparel, juvenile products and gifts. With more than 90 years of experience, the magazine is the established voice of the industry. More than 13,000 decision makers rely on Earnshaw’s print vehicle, online communications, fashion events and seminars to hone their retail strategies and merchandising techniques, stay informed on the latest trends, and keep their assortments fresh.”

Please visit the Earnshaw’s website if you want to learn more about the newest trends in kids clothes.

earnshaw-may-08-001.jpg

Last Friday night, friends of ours joined us at an event that’s so “Vegas” it’s not even funny. “Rock n Roll Wine” was hosted by the Green Valley Ranch resort. It’s basically a tasting with live music. The price is probably fair at $35 and $45 tickets, with a $10 VIP upgrade option. (passed on that) You get dozens of consumer-grade (cheap?) wine to taste. What this really is, of course, is a binge and purge money machine. It’s a cool concept, no doubt. Friends of ours have attended these events since their inception, and what I’ve heard has always been positive.

Not after Friday, though. The wineries who were there for “tasting” were empty by 8:30, leaving everyone wanting more. The event started at 7, so I showed up late, due to our usual First Friday events (Good turnout, thanks for coming, if you made it). Imagine if you went to a sporting event or concert and paid full price, but the event was called off due to weather, or the headlining band cancelled for a wedding singer, but the ticket guy didn’t tell you it was over, took your cash, and laughed at you. There you are, with your um… glass (cheap plastic cup – better for shots or a keg than wine tasting) in your hand in a moshpit of 500 people fighting for a few drops of wine from three 8 foot tables. I had 3 “tastes” of wine and a shot of TyKu for $45. Won’t do that again…

Holy shit, they made us into tourists! I guess we forget what it feels like to visit Las Vegas and lose your money for a lousy show.