Cable News, Graphics, Set Design

Fast Money updates graphics and set

Last week CNBC’s Fast Money debuted updated graphics and an updated desk at the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square. The new graphics are more refined and feature more 3d elements than the previous graphics.

Fast Money’s signature green and white colors are featured throughout with added blues. The desk also received an update with new matching panels. The RP screens at the NASDAQ also now have the new graphics.

More pictures after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Cable News, Online

MSNBC introduces iPhone app

MSNBC has partnered with Zumobi to offer a new app for iPhones and iPod Touches.

The app connects users with the latest news headers, Twitter posts from NBC hosts and shows as well as existing apps for the Today Show and the Rachel Maddow Show, also powered by Zumobi.

News headlines are accessed through a radial menu inspired by the NBC peacock.

The app’s first sponsor, BestBuy, has also integrated its own Twitter feed and daily information abou special directly into the app.

Election 2008, Graphics, HD, SetStudio

Giant Octopus “dives in” to new site

Giant Octopus, the Florida based motion graphics firm, has launched a non-flash site that includes a good number of videos and information. Previously, the GO site use to be rarely updated with little usable information. The company has now changed directions and has plans to continue to update the site. Another new site, version 6, is planned for August according to GO’s homepage.

Also featured on GO’s new site is a complete list of Syndicated packages available.

Visit Giant Octopus at giantoctopus.com

Networks

Quacking ringtone interrupts Obama presser

It’s a little off topic, but still entertaining. Apparently the ringtone, which can’t be heard very well on the video, sounded like a duck quacking, similar to that seen (and heard) on Aflac commercials.

Online

MSNBC adds account list to side of Twitter pages

MSNBC has added a list of its various Twitter accounts to the side of its main Twitter pages. The list is broken into three broad categories: one for its various news feeds, one for personalities and one for shows.

It also appears this Twitter page has been set up correctly so the background doesn’t repeat on extremely large screens, something we noted in an earlier post. It’s interesting to note that David Shuster’s account hasn’t been updated (he used to use “Shuster1600” but users visiting that page are told  “David’s real #twitter account is @DavidShuster. sorry for the confusion,” a change obviously  brought on by the end of the “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue” show.

We also note that at least one MSNBC personality who tweets is missing: anchor Alex Witt.

Music

MSNBC debuts new music with new HD look

Along with its new HD look, msnbc has also rolled out new music. Unlike CNN, MSNBC has never had a memorable musical signature. MSNBC’s last dayside theme was developed in-house by a MSNBC staffer and a guitar. The theme worked well with its graphics package, but did not convey the urgency of the news and always had the same beat.

Today, MSNBC debuted an updated music brand with the new theme heard above. At times the music sounds almost like a piece of Videohelper production music, and it very well could be since MSNBC uses much of the VH library during its programming, but at times it also sounds like a custom piece developed specifically for them. We hope to find official word on who composed it along with an extended sample.

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Cable News, Graphics, Online

Old MSNBC logo gone from Web site too

The msnbc tv pages have been update to include the same logo used on the Web site its latest redesign. That new logo keeps the NBC peacock in a prominent location but switches to a rounder, more contemporary typeface. It’s also interesting to note that on the msnbc Web site, the television section is being branded as “msnbc tv” with the “tv” set in the same font.

The logo switchout has been a long time coming and it always irked me that the two logos were being used at the same time. While many TV stations have distinct logos for their Web sites, the two msnbc looks were too similar and mixing between the two often looked more like an oversight than a conscious decision.

Cable News, Election 2008, Graphics, HD

Updated: MSNBC goes HD with new look

MSNBC took the wraps off its new HD look Monday morning after testing them Sunday. The new look includes a clean looked similar to those seen at European networks.

Earlier this year, MSNBC updated its graphics to a red, yellow and blue theme but stuck with the same look and feel of angled polygons.

More images and commentary after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

SetStudio, Site Updates

WPMT-TV added to SetStudio

We’ve added pictures from WPMT-TV, the Fox affiliate in York, PA, to SetStudio. View the pictures of this in-house refresh here. The set has lots of technology and the “Fox” feel on a budget.

Graphics

FNC briefly ‘reassigns’ Sanford to wrong party

TVNewser noticed that Fox News Channel incorrectly identified South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford as a democrat. The site reports: “The (D) on the lower third banner appeared for about seven seconds. The banner was then switched to quotes Sanford was giving before the correct (R) designation was inserted” and also mentions this occurred in October 2006, Fox News mislabeled disgraced Florida GOP congressman Mark Foley as a democrat.

SetStudio, Site Updates

Fox Business Studio F added to SetStudio

We’ve added pictures from Fox Business Studio F, designed by James Yates Production Design, to SetStudio. View the pictures of this sleek Fox set here.

Cable News, Election 2008, HD, Set Design

Clickspring wins Gold BDA for CNN election set

Photo Courtesy: RAEFORD DWYER PHOTOGRAPHY

During the recent Promax|BDA awards, Clickspring Design was honored for its CNN Election set design.

CNN charged Clickspring with realizing two primary objectives for election coverage. First: to communicate unassailable editorial expertise. The headline “CNN = Politics” established an equation for all design and production related to the election season.

The secondary objective was to create a branded alignment between multiple events — twelve debates, five primaries and election night. Developing live events with audiences ranging from 200 to 2,000 in size, and addressing the realities of live video production — two very different lenses — needed careful synchronization.

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