Ever wish that you could actually be on Wrigley Field prior to a Chicago Cubs home game? Vote for this month’s Captain Clutch and you could win a chance to present the winning player with the award on the field!

Harry Caray’s, the Captain Morgan Club and envisionit media have teamed up to develop an exciting new Facebook application that will surely be creating some serious buzz this season. Facebook fans of the Captain Morgan Club will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite “clutch” player of the month. Each month the promotion will feature a different aspect of the game, such as pitching, hitting, and performance in the field.

So to kick off the 2010 season, fans will have a chance to vote for their “Captain Clutch: On the Mound”, and enter to win a chance to present the winning player with the award on the field before a home game.

Visit the fan page to become a fan and vote today! If you win, say hi to Big Z for us.

Often the topic of heated debate, the Olympic logo and identity system is an important component of the way we perceive The Games. This year the Vancouver 2010 arena & spatial design is all about vivid, saturated blues and greens, graphic textures, and wavy, tentacle-like forms that intertwine and surround a figure performing the sport at hand. On the other hand, the Vancouver 2010 logo is done in bright, primary hues and speaks to the Inuit culture of the Canadian Arctic.

Named Ilanaaq, the symbol is a graphic, modern representation of the inukshuk – stacked rock forms that native tribes built to provide landmarks and direction throughout the Canadian landscape. Ilanaaq means “friend,” so the logo is meant to be “a friend that warmly welcomes the people of the world with open arms every day,” according to the official website of the Vancouver Games.

Um, what? OK, so I can absolutely see the resemblance between this Ilanaaq character and the inukshuk sculptures, and the rationale for this logo is totally valid. The host city should absolutely celebrate the culture of its country – that’s what The Olympics are all about! – pride in your country and the fact that you are going to kick your competitor’s ass in the name of [insert country here].

That being said, there is a very poor connection between this culture-rich mark and the rest of the Olympic identity system. What’s with the complete switch in style and the void-of-meaning free-flowing blue & green shapes that overshadow the logo? Sure, the friend-focus of the logo is a little cheesy (but who doesn’t love cheese!?), and it’s head kind of looks like a green Pac-Man (I wish I could take credit for that, but I read it here: http://www.topnews.in/usa/vancouver-2010-olympic-logo-under-eye-storm-23564) but at least there’s some relevant meaning behind it!

Don’t get me wrong; the blue and green designs are beautiful to look at, and there is obviously a nice big maple leaf reference in the poster artwork, but that’s it. Boo. I have to agree with Art museum curator David Ross, who pointed out on The Colbert Report that the 2010 Olympics graphic identity contains no strong reference to sports, history, or the spirit of competition. It is completely irrelevant to what it is meant to represent.

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AspireUp, a local marketing consultancy dedicated to helping companies and their brands grow exponentially, launched a refreshed website with envisionit media last week. The new site features a new design look and updated content, positioning AspireUp as a marketing leader for both local and global clients. Client testimonials have also been added for further credibility and content texture.

AspireUp’s typical client projects include marketing planning, branding, new product launches, corporate training and many others. To learn more about AspireUp and their services, visit them at www.aspireup.com!

We recently launched a new website for Wrigley View Rooftop, a premier Wrigley Field rooftop experience. Along with a complete renovation of the entire rooftop and interior space, this new website design was meant to shatter fans’ expectations of what an afternoon at the ballgame can mean.

Wrigley View’s approach towards fan friendliness is apparent from the moment you step through their door on historic Waveland Avenue. From the newly remodeled lounge, to the extensive buffet on the rooftop, Wrigley View Rooftop truly is your all-inclusive rooftop experience. The new website allows this all to shine through like never before, and truly communicates the Wrigley View rooftop experience to web visitors long before they ever book a game.

While the verdict may still be out regarding whether or not this will be the year the Cubs finally win the World Series, for Wrigley View Rooftop it is clear that this is their year!

Show your Cubs pride by visiting Wrigley View’s new site at www.wrigleyview.com!

Parties & Special Events by Lettuce Entertain You, Chicago’s well known hospitality group, has just launched a fabulous new website for booking your next party or special event. The new site features a branded redesign, streamlined navigation, easy event booking as well as a collection of details and photos of Lettuce’s beautiful restaurant venues.

So for your next social occasion, be sure to check out the many options and time-saving services of Parties & Special Events by Lettuce Entertain You! We know they will take good care of you.

Boogie on over to Lettuce Parties & Special Events at http://lettuceparties.com/

Homewerks Worldwide has just launched its latest product, the TOSCA 5 Minute Faucet supported by a new microsite. The microsite explains the product features and how you can have a beautiful, high end kitchen faucet without the high-end installation price. The 5-Minute Faucet™ installs in just 4 easy steps and features a patented base that enables the faucet to be installed from above the sink. Who knew faucets could be so easy? Now if they could only show us how to do a 5 course dinner in just 5 minutes…

Twist on over to Homewerks’ microsite at www.5minutefaucet.com.

We recently redesigned and launched a Builder Recruitment website for Wausau Homes, America’s trusted builder for over 50 years.  The redesign aimed to create a more user-friendly experience and further emphasize the benefits of becoming a Wausau Homes builder.

Benefits of being a Wausau Homes builder include:

• Increased profitability
• No franchise fees
• Less time building and more time selling
• Name brand credibility
• Increased home buyer trust

There’s nothing typical about becoming a Wausau Homes builder, and they have thousands of success stories to prove it.

Check some of them out at: http://www.wausauhomes.com/builders/

The American Osteopathic Association approached us about designing a holiday email to be sent to their members — a hefty list of Osteopathic Physicians and students of osteopathic medicine. As 2009 wraps up, they wanted to simply spread a positive holiday message and good wishes for the new year. Our interactive and creative teams had fun developing our stop action photography dove concept and the rest of us also had fun watching it take flight (tee hee). It’s a lovely little holiday e-card, well worth sharing! Check it out below (be sure to click through to the animated portion) and have a very happy, safe holiday!

We recently launched a new website for 101 Celsius, a leading distributor and installer of solar thermal evacuated-tube systems.  Solar thermal systems from 101 Celsius provide hot water and heat for industrial and commercial buildings, as well as power solar air conditioning systems. The benefits of these systems are significant – including improved cash flows, higher profits, reduced taxes, and a more environmentally-positive corporate image.

The process of building this particular website came with an added challenge: How do we turn highly technical and scientific information into a marketing message that is easy for people not familiar with this topic to understand?  Well, with a little extra blood, sweat and tears – and a few honorary PhD’s in Physics earned – envisionit media was able to get the job done!

Check it out! http://www.101celsius.com/

We recently launched a brand new site for Sterling Premium Building Systems to support the company’s new marketing efforts.  Based in Wausau, WI, Sterling Premium Building Systems has been one of the nation’s largest producers of custom homes for over 50 years.  Their expertise, unique building system, and reputation for quality are unequaled and this really shines through in their new site!  Hundreds of Builders rely on Sterling Premium Building Systems for guaranteed pricing, increased profits, shortened building timeframes, recognized quality, and engineering excellence!

Take a look! www.sterlingbldg.com

In addition to the new website, we recently launched HelpingBuildersShine.com, a microsite for Sterling Premium Building Systems builders! This site is a sales tool to help builders communicate the many benefits of Sterling Premium Building Systems.  By working with Sterling Premium Building Systems builders are able to offer their clients highly customizable homes, higher quality materials, the latest technology, and greener construction!

Check out the site at www.HelpingBuildersShine.com