News

Archives: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998

2002

Mind & Media Powers Through 2002
December 2002—Despite the tough economy, Mind & Media continued to grow and excel in 2002. Among our many accomplishments, we won 19 awards for communication excellence; increased our staff by 20% and expanded into the third floor of our Alexandria headquarters building; and upgraded our production facilities, added a state-of-the-art conference room, and reorganized our computer network to add space and speed.

"We are perfectly positioned," says CEO Aldo Bello, "for a stellar 2003. We've reinvested extensively in our infrastructure, our people, and our products, so I predict big things in 2003 and 2004."

Driving our success in the upcoming year will be several projects:

A dynamic leadership training series (LEAD) for the National Guard
Two television series for public television
A variety of public affairs initiatives for the USDA
Streaming media services for Kaiser Family Foundation
A wide variety of other projects that showcase our unique abilities in digital video, multimedia, Web, and print

"Clients are really starting to recognize that we do more than help them communicate," says President Marilyn Finnemore. "We help them transform the way people think so they'll take the desired action. Clients are putting more and more trust in us and awarding us bigger, more important projects."

Three Mind & Media Producers Ranked in Top 100
November 2002—Chris O'Leary, Jill Nienhiser, and Alan Eisenberg were selected from hundreds of candidates across the country to receive AV Video Multimedia Producer magazine’s Top 100 Producers of 2002 award. Several criteria are considered, including success in growing a business, fulfilling a client's demands, and demonstrable creative passion for the work of producing dynamic media for business.

A strong writer, producer, and director, Chris O'Leary was honored for his work on various projects, most recently the award-winning series Parent Sense. This PBS program gives families up-to-date expert information on how to raise healthy, happy children. O'Leary's work stands out because he produced a high-quality program on a very tight production schedule (six weeks to produce all eight half-hour shows).

A talented project manager, Web producer, and writer, Jill Nienhiser was recognized for her work on the YOU CAN School Program website. An integral part of the National Guard's YOU CAN School Program, the website is designed to give high school students better skills and brighter futures. Nienhiser's expertise stands out because she found a way to deliver streaming content to low-bandwidth users.

A creative and technical force at Mind & Media, Alan Eisenberg was acknowledged for his innovative work in programming and designing the interactive Rapid Decision Trainer (RDT). This training tool uses realistic scenarios to help law enforcement agencies and emergency response personnel improve service and reduce response time. Eisenberg's work on this project is notable because of its innovative use of multimedia for training.

Congratulations to our three producers. We are proud of the work you do.

Mind & Media Produces TV Commercial in Record Time
November 2002—Mind & Media wrote, shot, and edited a television commercial for WiSE Technologies in four days. The 30-second spot highlights their high-speed wireless Internet access available in homes, offices, or WiSE Zones around the DC metro area. The commercial debuted to rave reviews on Newschannel 8's "Doc Walker ProView."

Steve McMillan, the show's editor/producer, marveled at the speed of production and quality of the ad: "You guys are amazing. How'd you knock out such a good spot so quick?" The ad's writer and director, Chris Ammon, says the short turnaround was possible because we have all the necessary tools—such as an experienced production staff, two broadcast-quality edit suites, field production gear, a music library, and voice talent—in house.

Mind & Media Fine-Tunes, Elevates Business Strategy
September 2002—In an effort to take Mind & Media to the next level, we have fine-tuned our business strategy to focus on developing "transformational communication tools"—tools that transform thinking. "While continuing to develop the award-winning, effective communication tools we've always created," says Mind & Media President Dr. Marilyn Finnemore, "we'll focus more strongly in the areas of health, environment, and education."

Additionally, says CEO Aldo Bello, "We'll place more emphasis on measuring the results of our communication tools. We don't create tools to sit on shelves. We create tools that transform the way people think and transform behavior—tools that make a real difference. It's critical, then, that we build measurement into every tool we create."

To help in the production of these tools, we've installed two new AVID Symphony editing systems, a 2-terrabyte network, and a Final Cut Pro system. Additionally, we are expanding into the third floor of our facilities at 2016 Mt. Vernon Ave. and adding a state-of-the-art conference room with multimedia projection.

Mind & Media Designs Website for Land Trust of Virginia
September 2002—Mind & Media and the Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) unveiled another part of the LTV promotional plan with the launch of a redesigned website. LTV works to raise money to protect Virginia land and to persuade landowners to place their properties into conservation easement.

The site is a useful tool for promoting LTV's mission. It features information on conservation easements, links to related organizations, a list of properties for sale, and an online membership application.

What Happened Wins Best Documentary at Film Expo
September 2002—What Happened, a 90-minute tragicomedy about the demise of the dot-coms, won Best Documentary at the Long Island International Film Expo (which honors excellence in independent film-making). Read more about this eye-opening documentary.

Mind & Media Productions Win Praise
July 2002—What Happened, our documentary about the dot-com boom and bust, has won two more awards: Best Documentary, Long Island International Film Expo, and Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary, Las Vegas premiere (affiliated with the New York Independent International Film and Video Festival). We have also added two Copper AXIEM awards to our trophy case for our dynamic marketing CDs developed for Gamma Health and the National Guard's RAISE training program.

Mind & Media Helps Save Virginia Countryside
June 2002—In a new partnership with the Land Trust of Virginia, Mind & Media is creating a variety of communication tools (video, Web, multimedia, and print) to raise money to protect Virginia land and to persuade landowners to place their properties into conservation easement.

Says Land Trust of Virginia President John Strassburger, "Mind & Media has developed a brilliant [promotional] plan that will allow us to evolve…to a fully staffed organization capable of aggressively promoting land conservation…all around the state."

"This is an exciting project for us," says Mind & Media President Marilyn Finnemore, an avid equestrian and nature lover. "It gives us the opportunity to be an active participant in helping to protect Virginia's beautiful rolling countryside for generations to come."

Mind & Media Wins Three CINDYs
May 2002—Mind & Media is the proud recipient of three CINema in INDustry awards, known as CINDYs. Our YOU CAN School Program marketing CD and YOU CAN School Program website (www.youcanschoolprogram.com) won Gold CINDYs, and our Parent Sense promotional video won Silver.

Mind & Media Wins Seven More Awards
April 2002—We have seven new awards to announce. Mind & Media's CEO, Aldo Bello, was named Best Director at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival for his documentary, What Happened. We won a Bronze Summit Creative Award for our Rapid Decision Trainer CD. "Playtime," Show 103 of our new public television series Parent Sense, won a Bronze Telly and an Aegis Finalist award.

In the 2002 Communicator Awards, we won Awards of Distinction for RAISE Central marketing CD in the Sales or Marketing category, and Rapid Decision Trainer demo in the Interactive CD category. We also received Honorable Mention for Digital Press business card in the Digital Business Card category.

Mind & Media and Dr. Spock Co-Produce Parent Sense
March 2002—Mind & Media’s new television show, Parent Sense, is being broadcast across the nation. Co-produced with the Dr. Spock Co. and hosted by author and columnist Regina Lewis, this eight-part series teaches parents how to raise happy, healthy children. Full of inspiring stories and practical tips, these shows feature the latest in behavioral and medical advice about child-rearing today. For more information, visit www.parentsense.net.

Mind & Media Creates Dynamic Marketing Video
March 2002—Mind & Media is working with the National Guard Bureau to produce a fast-paced, visually appealing marketing video to promote the National Guard's About Face program. About Face is an after-school program for disadvantaged youth that teaches them real-world skills and helps them achieve educational and financial success. Audio, video, and graphic elements combine to create a five-minute video that effectively sells the program to secure resources and funding at the state level.

What Happened Premieres in New York City
February 2002—What Happened, our latest full-length documentary, met with a packed theater, applause, and belly laughs at its premiere on February 7 in New York City. An outrageous look at an outrageous time, the documentary chronicles the giddy heights and wretched lows of the dot-com boom and bust. Co-produced with partners Mammalfish and Datashorts, What Happened is a must-see for those who want to understand what happened to Main Street, Wall Street, and $5 trillion in investments. Read more about this eye-opening documentary.

Continuing Success Brings a New Team Member
February 2002—With production demands continuing to grow, we've added a new team member as a Communication Architect, Laura Dittamo. Laura holds a bachelor's degree in communication from George Mason University. She brings non-linear video editing skills with an emphasis on documentary-style productions.

Mind & Media Wins Two Communicator Awards
February 2002—Mind & Media is the proud winner of two more Communicator Awards. Our YOU CAN School Program marketing CD won a Crystal Award of Excellence in the Multimedia/Interactive CD category. In the External Communications/Marketing category, our Rapid Decision Trainer Demo CD won an Award of Distinction.

Mind & Media Co-Produces Parent Sense with the Dr. Spock Company
January 2002—We're currently in production on our latest broadcast program, Parent Sense. Parent Sense is an eight-episode, half-hour weekly program providing vital information on raising happy, healthy kids. Our co-production partner is the Dr. Spock Company, the world's most recognized and trusted name in expert parenting information and advice. Parent Sense will be distributed to public television stations around the country by the National Educational Telecommunications Association beginning on February 23, 2002.

Mind & Media Redesigns School Lunch Application
January 2002—Mind & Media is helping the USDA's Child Nutrition Division revise the Free and Reduced-Price School Meals application for its National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. By creating user-friendly forms written in plain English, we will make it easier for the parents of millions of eligible children to accurately complete the applications.

Mind & Media Welcomes a New Team Member
January 2002—Mind & Media's continuing success has prompted us to expand our facilities and team. We have officially taken over the entire building at 2016 Mt. Vernon Ave. and added one more staff member, Jason Hunter, as a Communication Architect. Mind & Media is currently looking for more eclectic individuals to add to the team.

Current News

Archives: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998