"Mobile is a key part of our digital strategy, and thanks to EffectiveUI and Adobe, we hope our ‘Essential National Geographic' product delivers a mobile user experience that showcases our content in a way that is as compelling as it is enjoyable to explore."
Paul Levine
EVP, Interactive Platforms Group
National Geographic Global Media
"The Essential National Geographic" showcases some of the century's greatest photos and articles through a prototype application built with Adobe AIR 2.5
LOS ANGELES, October 27, 2010
News Facts
National Geographic and EffectiveUI debuted "The Essential National Geographic" prototype for the Android Tablet built with Adobe® AIR® 2.5 at Adobe MAX. Heralding a new era of print-to-mobile expansion with an emphasis on quality and usability, National Geographic continues to demonstrate its commitment to reach readers wherever they are.
Bringing the Best of Print to a Mobile User Experience
"The Essential National Geographic" prototype features a selection of the most popular and historic articles and photographs published in the iconic magazine's history. Android Tablet users can search or carousel scroll through a wealth of prestigious and intriguing photographs and articles, from Alexander Graham Bell, to Jane Goodall, to Dian Fossey.
With "The Essential National Geographic" prototype, articles are broken out into 10 categories for searching and sorting, including Adventure and Exploration; Ancient Civilizations; Anthropology and Paleontology; Cultures; Environment; Landscape; Natural Disasters; Science and Technology; Space; and Wildlife. Users can leaf through electronic pages and zoom in a high-resolution format that captures the clarity and quality of the original publications. Intuitive options to browse articles and categories or to select an article at random are also built-in. At any point, users can pick-up right where they left off in the last article from the main screen.
"National Geographic is defined by our storytelling and use of rich media," said Paul Levine, EVP, Interactive Platforms Group, National Geographic Global Media. "Mobile is a key part of our digital strategy, and thanks to EffectiveUI and Adobe, we hope our ‘Essential National Geographic' product delivers a mobile user experience that showcases our content in a way that is as compelling as it is enjoyable to explore."
User Experience is Key for Captivating Audiences on Desktops or Devices
"The Essential National Geographic" prototype debuts on the heels of the updated "The Complete National Geographic" release this fall. The award-winning application developed by EffectiveUI with Adobe AIR 2.5 captures 121 years of the iconic magazine's articles, maps, award-winning photos and advertisements on six DVD-ROMs or hard drive.
"We are honored to continue our work with National Geographic, and help further expand their brand to the Android Tablet with ‘The Essential National Geographic,'" said Rebecca Flavin, CEO, EffectiveUI. "Too often organizations rush into mobile endeavors and leave behind their own standards for quality and brand value. This application is yet another step for National Geographic in extending their brand across multiple digital platforms. As the proliferation of new tablet devices continues to grow, National Geographic and EffectiveUI will continue to partner to create highly immersive and differentiating mobile experiences."
Supporting Resources
The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,400 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
Founded in 2005, EffectiveUI is an award-winning, user experience agency that specializes in the creation and implementation of custom Web, mobile, desktop and touch-enabled applications. EffectiveUI merges innovative technologies with expertise in UX research, strategy, design and development to help today's most respected brands deepen customer engagement through more exceptional digital experiences. The company's applications deliver competitive advantages, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty and produce measurable results. EffectiveUI has developed groundbreaking applications for organizations such as National Geographic, Discovery Channel, eBay, GE Health, Navy Federal Credit Union, Qwest Communications and American Greetings. It has earned an Adobe Gold Partner distinction and membership in Microsoft's Global 20 Agency Partners. Inc. magazine has ranked EffectiveUI on its annual list of America's fastest-growing private companies — the Inc. 500 — for the past two years.
Adobe's annual worldwide conference, MAX, is taking place Oct. 23–27, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event brings together thousands of designers, developers and business leaders to discover the next wave of opportunities fueled by the explosion of rich content and applications across multiple screens, the merging of digital content and commerce, and workflows that bring design and development together. For more information, visit http://max.adobe.com.
Media Contacts:
Jill Petersen
Director of Public Relations, EffectiveUI
206.683.5225
Email Jill
Aaron Wessels
Point Bl_nk Communications for EffectiveUI
415.378.8090
Email Aaron
Caryn Davidson
Director of Communications, National Geographic
212.610.3808
Email Caryn