The Smack Attack is Back — Aquent Launches Studio Smackdown 2: Flash Edition

CreativePro Staff

Aquent announces the launch of Studio Smackdown 2, the second iteration of the company’s popular interactive online talent competition.  The contest begins today, Tuesday, September 20, and runs through October 18, 2005, at www.studiosmackdown.com.  The new challenge pits five graphic designers against each other to brawl for creative domination using motion graphics.  The four design challenges they must face, all of which must be presented in Flash, are:

• Self-promotion
• Consumer product marketing
• Not-for-profit
• Pop culture/online greeting

As with the original Smackdown, site visitors will again have the opportunity to view each designer’s solution and to act as creative directors by providing public commentary about the contestant’s work.  Most important, they will flex their muscle by casting their votes to determine who is a flash in the pan and who gets to fly another day. 
The producer of Smackdown is Erin Bloom, marketing program manager based in Aquent’s Philadelphia office.  “Smackdown 2 started with a coast-to-coast search for America’s top motion graphic designers,” says Bloom.  “We’ve come up with four exciting challenges that will push the contestants’ Flash ability to the outer limits.  Adobe, the exclusive sponsor of the contest, provided each of the contestants with copies of Adobe Creative Suite 2 to help them create the work.  We can’t wait for the voting to begin!”
Besides Creative Suite 2, the five finalists, Melissa A. Phillips, Jeff Lopez, Matt Camden, Karen Yung, and John Kitses, have been provided with Canon MiniDV camcorders with which to record their weekly “confessions.”  All of the contestants get to keep their Adobe software and camcorders, as well as iTunes gift certificates.  The winner, who will be awarded the grand prize of $5,000, will be announced on October 18, 2005. 
Studio Smackdown 2 promises a ringside seat to anyone wishing to log on and wade in, and Aquent invites anyone with an e-mail address to “be the creative director,” vote, and participate in the entire process (site visitors must register with an e-mail address in order to vote).
A pioneer in consulting, outsourcing, and staffing solutions for marketing and creative services organizations worldwide, Aquent is no stranger to innovative marketing strategies and frequently designs inventive recruitment campaigns that draw the best in creative talent. 
About Aquent
For nearly twenty years, Aquent has led the way in helping businesses master the ability to generate marketing and communications from within.  From its inception in 1986, this marketing services company has pioneered consulting, outsourcing, and staffing solutions that enable clients to build their internal marketing and communications capabilities. Providing unmatched resources and expertise through its network of nearly seventy branches worldwide, Aquent today helps thousands of companies make the most of their people, processes, and technology.  Aquent, www.aquent.com, is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
About Adobe
Building on more than twenty years of innovation and leadership, Adobe helps people and organizations communicate better through its world-leading digital imaging, design, and document technology platforms for consumers, creative professionals, and enterprises. Adobe Creative Suite 2 is the complete design environment for print, Web, and mobile publishing.  To learn more, visit www.adobe.com/creativesuite.