http://exemplarlaw.ehclients.com/index.php/archive/2009/12 en emelia@exemplarcompanies.com Copyright 2011 2011-12-16T19:03:20+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/film_financing_-_tips/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/film_financing_-_tips/#When:16:50:02Z Today is the start of a new year and the beginning of my new Blog Spot where I shall attempt to enlighten, thrill, excite, engage and educate as many of you as possible to the trials and tribulations of the world of film and more specifically from time to time, Film Financing. I’m sure many of you reading this will know everything and more about what I will write about over the coming months but there will no doubt be an unfortunate few that will know little to nothing.  My tips are more of an education than anything, but will also endeavor to provide some pros and cons to the various financing vehicles that every film producer should know. Today is the start of a new year and the beginning of my new Blog Spot where I shall attempt to enlighten, thrill, excite, engage and educate as many of you as possible to the trials and tribulations of the world of film and more specifically from time to time, Film Financing. I’m sure many of you reading this will know everything and more about what I will write about over the coming months but there will no doubt be an unfortunate few that will know little to nothing.  My tips are more of an education than anything, but will also endeavor to provide some pros and cons to the various financing vehicles that every film producer should know. I intend to cover, pre-sales, debt financing, soft money, deferrals and credits for dollars, brand integration, the beast that is the ‘finder’, development, distribution and many other topics.  I will also blog about what makes a good producer or a good film, the practicalities of how to reach actors and making sure that your investors and of course yourselves, don’t get screwed, and I will attempt to make the blogs entertaining by employing my dry British sensibilities and wit. The lesson or Tip/s for today are: Never put your own money into your films unless it triggers a larger investment that essentially closes the deal. Always treat making films as a business because it is a business.  You might think you have the greatest script since sliced bread or that your actors are re-known TV stars from your favorite TV show, but does anyone else. Only make your film for a price that you can reasonably justify that you can sell it for and ask the experts what that price is.  You wouldn’t build a house for $1m if you were told it’s only going to be worth $500k when its finished. Stay tuned for the next episode of FILM… FINANCING….. TIPS (by Mark Andrews)   Film Industry by the Numers General 2009-12-24T16:50:02+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/bloggers_beware_free-speech_means_freedom_but_it_does_not_mean_free/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/bloggers_beware_free-speech_means_freedom_but_it_does_not_mean_free/#When:06:54:08Z Blogs provide companies accessible forums because they facilitate the free-flow of information and communications concerning topics ranging from company news to significant industry developments. However, earlier this year, the SEC revisited its legal regulations pertaining to “Internet-based speech” and applied existing standards to company-hosted blogs and shareholder forums, which means that corporate bloggers should proceed with caution! Blogs provide companies accessible forums because they facilitate the free-flow of information and communications concerning topics ranging from company news to significant industry developments. However, earlier this year, the SEC revisited its legal regulations pertaining to “Internet-based speech” and applied existing standards to company-hosted blogs and shareholder forums, which means that corporate bloggers should proceed with caution! Before posting your blog, some sample regulations bloggers should keep in mind include: • “All communications made by or on behalf of a company are subject to the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws whether those statements are made on a company-sponsored Web site or on a third party Web site.” • “Companies need to have in place controls and procedures to monitor statements made by or on behalf of the company in blogs, electronic shareholder forums, and other interactive Internet-based communications.” • When including a third-party hyperlink within your posts, you imply to your readers that “the information thereon is interesting and useful.” To avoid confusion and potential legal troubles, include your reasoning for referencing the link, and be clear in alerting your reader that the subsequent information is not directly associated with you or your company.  Any transgressions could result in imposed penalties from the SEC. So, fellow blogger, take the necessary steps to ensure your blog posts are in compliance with these regulations. We should all remember that “While speech is free, the cost of litigation surely is not!” If you have questions about whether your corporate or business-related blog may put you at risk, please contact our for advice. By Ben Doherty General 2009-12-20T06:54:08+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/doing_business_in_china_a_primer/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/doing_business_in_china_a_primer/#When:18:01:14Z As the ground is shifting, everyone is talking about China now.  I still remember when I was a child, the general public perceived China as a country with a great amount of non-wealthy people, a Communist-minded government, and the Great Wall.  Nowadays, the only thing that remains unchanged is probably the Great Wall.  In actuality, their current political system is somewhere in between socialism and capitalism; China has more people, over 1.3 billion, and the world cannot underestimate the potential of the third largest economy in the world.  With its exponential growth and unlimited potential, China is playing an important role in the world’s economy and this is worth everyone’s attention. As the ground is shifting, everyone is talking about China now.  I still remember when I was a child, the general public perceived China as a country with a great amount of non-wealthy people, a Communist-minded government, and the Great Wall.  Nowadays, the only thing that remains unchanged is probably the Great Wall.  In actuality, their current political system is somewhere in between socialism and capitalism; China has more people, over 1.3 billion, and the world cannot underestimate the potential of the third largest economy in the world.  With its exponential growth and unlimited potential, China is playing an important role in the world’s economy and this is worth everyone’s attention. As a US lawyer with a Chinese background, a lot of folks ask me the same question, “what can I do to take advantage of this opportunity?” First of all, this is a broad question with no clear-cut answers.  China is a very big market with its ever-changing, sometimes chaotic, business climate.  Regarding China, the US Ambassador Jon Huntsman, said“Don’t mistake me for being an expert, because I’ve been here for three months … I’ve come to the conclusion that ‘China expert’ is kind of an oxymoron. And those who consider themselves to be China experts are kind of morons.”(1)  One major strength of China, and its attractive advantage to US businesses is its manufacturing power.  While US businesses are known for their entrepreneurship and innovation, Chinese businesses are good at making things, mostly on a mass-produced scale.  We now see products made in China from toothpicks to high-tech gadgets like IPhone.  A lot of US companies have already set up their factories and contracted with Chinese manufacturers to produce their products in a more cost-effective way.  If a US company wants to outsource its manufacturing operation to China, the first issue which arises is “What business relationship should be adopted?”  China recognizes a number of business vehicles including representative offices, branch offices, equity joint ventures, contractual joint ventures, wholly foreign owned enterprises (WFOE), and holding companies.  For each business, it depends on the business nature, scope, scale, and time horizon, and as lawyers, it is important for us to properly advise our clients which, if any, business relationship is proper for their unique business.  When dealing with Chinese production businesses, it is important to take care of quality control and intellectual property theft.  If you have not been thinking of taking advantage of the great labor power in China, your business might benefit from exploring the possibilities and risks associated with an expansion to China.  (To learn more about feel free to contact our China Practice Group)   _______________________________ (1)  http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/17/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5683374.shtml. The content provided on the referenced website is neither directly associated with the author nor with Exemplar Companies. Exemplar Companies in no way endorses the viewpoint expressed on the referenced website. 随着立场的改变，每个人现在都在谈论中国。我还记得当我还是个孩子，一般大众视中国为一个一个不富裕的国家，一个拥有共产政府量和长城的国家。如今，唯一不变的也许只有长城了。实际上，中国目前的政治制度正介于社会主义与资本主义之间；中国的人口增长，现已超过13亿，而世界亦不能低估中国成为世界第三大经济体的潜力。凭借其迅猛的成长和无限的潜力，中国正在世界经济中发挥重要作用，这值得每一个人关注。 作为一个具有中国背景的美国律师，我身边的人都会问一个问题，“我能利用这一机遇做些什么？。”首先，这是一个没有明确答案的问题。中国的市场不断变化，有时是甚至混乱的，商业氛围非常浓厚。关于中国，美国大使Jon Huntsman说：“不要认为我是一个专家，因为我已经到这里3个月了，而我的结论是’中国专家’本身就是一个自相矛盾的概念。这些认为自己是中国专家的人有点白痴。“（1）   中国一个主要的优势，并因此吸引美国企业的，便是它的制造能力。美国企业以他们的创业和创新精神而闻名，中国企业则是善于大批量生产。我们现在看到中国制造从牙签到像IPhone一样的高科技产品。很多美国公司已经在中国建立了工厂并与中国制造商签订协议生产更具成本效益的产品。如果一家美国公司希望去中国其承包制造业务，第一个产生的问题就是 “应该采用什么业务关系呢？”。中国承认的商务经营包括成立代表处，分行，合资，合作经营企业，外商独资企业（外资企业），及控股公司。每个企业取决于企业的性质，范围，规模和时间范围的不同，并作为律师，重要的是我们需要正确地告诉我们的客户什么样的业务关系对他们来说是合适的。当在与中国生产企业打交道的时候，采取质量控制以及知识产权保护等都是重要的。如果你还没有考虑利用中国的劳动力，你的业务也许会从探索在中国扩张业务的可能性和风险中受益。 请联系我们在中国的事务所以获得更多相关信息。   2009-12-19T18:01:14+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/about_the_website_part_ii_animals_as_allegory/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/about_the_website_part_ii_animals_as_allegory/#When:04:19:14Z Animals have long served as an inspiration for human artists who, for reasons of symbolism, employ animals in metaphorical fashion within their work. During 2007, the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art of Athens, GA, USA, hosted an exhibition entitled Animal Instincts: Allegory and Anthropomorphism, which “explore[d] individual and societal tendencies to imbue other species with purely human physical and psychological characteristics.” The exhibition featured works reflecting a number of subject matters, including War & Animal Allegory; Dystopic vs. Utopian Visions; Human Identity Through Animal Character; Animal Equality, etc. Animals as Allegory - Generally: Animals have long served as an inspiration for human artists who, for reasons of symbolism, employ animals in metaphorical fashion within their work. During 2007, the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art of Athens, GA, USA, hosted an exhibition entitled Animal Instincts: Allegory and Anthropomorphism, which “explore[d] individual and societal tendencies to imbue other species with purely human physical and psychological characteristics.” The exhibition featured works reflecting a number of subject matters, including War & Animal Allegory; Dystopic vs. Utopian Visions; Human Identity Through Animal Character; Animal Equality, etc. Animals also have been used within larger narratives, such as fairy tales and folk stories. Tales of frog princes, hapless pigs, and the Big Bad Wolf are just but a few such examples. . “There is a lineage of artists throughout art history who have utilised animals and the natural world to indirectly relay allegorical stories, often with ethical undertones. Moral tales were particularly prevalent in the Dutch and Spanish still life tradition, where animals, fruits and flora were depicted to convey various notions including abundance, greed, wisdom and mortality. Further, animals appeared in Renaissance painting as metaphors for many subjects, including innocence, longevity and wealth.” [ii] For example, “The famous animal tale of the six blind men and the elephant, in which each of the blind men described the elephant differently depending on the part of the creature he touched, has been interpreted in ways nearly as varied as the blind men’s descriptions. In each of these interpretations, the story demonstrates the use of animal metaphors to express important issues.” [iii] Another example is writer C.S. Lewis’ personification of animals in The Narnia Chronicles - Narnia is a land of talking animals, wherein Lewis makes animals a central part of his narrative, a biblical allegory.[iv] Indeed, Lewis’ reliance on animals was grounded on an age-old practice dating as far back as the Old Testament itself. “Even in the Old Testament certain animals, such as the bull, lamb, dove carried a special significance. As sacrificial animals these were more than the four footed beasts and birds that roamed the earth. Already they possessed a symbolic quality which pointed to some higher significance—a significance which would be drawn out and elaborated by centuries of biblical exegetes.” [v] Egypt and the cultures of the Near East relied heavily upon the animal fable genre. Several fables were transmitted to Europe through Aesop, the Greek writer of the sixth century BCE. “Their influence reached as far as the seventeenth-century French fables of Jean de La Fontaine and the eighteenth-century Russian fables of Ivan Andreyevich Krylov; and, in a wider sense, even to Animal Farm (1946) by George Orwell. That animal fables are intrinsically allegorical is shown by their aim, not at the life of animals, but at the human predicament.” [vi] “The Kalila wa Dimna, animal tales known in the West through Les Fables of La Fontaine, can be traced to 4th-century India…Written for the edification and amusement of princes and magistrates, they were second in popularity only to the Koran. The witty dialogue of the animal characters, led by two scheming jackals called Kalila and Dimna, reveal a Machiavellian code of behavior and mirror a real world of intrigue, diplomacy, and statecraft.” [vii] George Orwell’s Animal Farm is perhaps “the most widely read allegory in the middle school and high school classrooms. Orwell’s 1945 novella is an allegorical indictment of tyranny which utilizes the historical events and players of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalin as a cautionary tale.” [viii] “Animal Farm is the story of an animal revolution. The animal residents of Manor Farm, spurred on by the dream of the pig, Old Major, decide they will change their “miserable, laborious, and short” lives. They overthrow Mr. Jones, their master, and take over the management of the farm. Rather than living under the heel of their human master, the animals of Manor Farm decide that they will take control of the products of their labor, working for the good of the farm and other animals, rather than for the good of humans.” [ix] Animals as Allegory - on the Exemplar Website: According to The Continuum Encyclopedia of Animal Symbolism in Art, the Bear and the Hippopotamus depicted on the Exemplar Companies website possess special symbolic value.         The Bear: “‘All in all the bear symbolizes elemental forces, susceptible of evolutionary progress, but also liable to awesome regressions’ [Chevalier and Gheerbrant]. The bear is one of several symbols of the GREAT GODDESS, specifically in connection with her aspect as birth-giver…Another aspect of the goddess embodied in bears is her healing powers. Bears appear to have been a focus of human awe from the earliest times, and indeed may have been the first animals to be worshipped – in the form of Neanderthal CAVE altars with carefully placed skulls of giant cave bears (Hill in Cavendish II:210).” [x] “…The bear’s life cycle, with its pattern of energetic activity, hibernation, and springtime re-emergence, further explains the hold that bears have on the human imagination. The bears’ reappearance connoted a symbolic rebirth paralleling the cycle of nature (Hill in Cavendish II:208).”  [xi](p.34) “…In Siberia and Alaska, the bear is, according to Chevalier and Gheerbrant, in the same category as the moon, because it vanishes with winter and returns in spring – these people linked the bear with cycles of nature, especially with vegetation. Arctic and Subarctic hunters may regard the bear as a supernatural being which is a MASTER OF ANIMALS…Among the Eskimo the bear was a favored helping spirit of the SHAMAN and often appears in the form of ivory amulets.” [xii] “…The Apache regard the bear as being so powerful that it is never killed, and is literally ‘untouchable’ in life and death. The bear’s power to heal plays a major role in the myths of the Pueblo and the Plains peoples – the shaman/medicine man of these groups often enjoined the bear as a helping spirit (Hill in Cavendish II:209).” [xiii] “…The Norse god Odin can appear in bear form (Biedermann 33). Among the ancient Celts, the bear was the symbol of warriors and temporal power…” [xiv] “…In China, the bear is a male symbol of strength and bravery, heralding the birth of boys, in harmony with home, and mountain – the bear forms a COMPLEMENTARY DUALITY with the serpent and water, bearish yang, in opposition to watery yin. The image of the panda, embroidered in robes, was a symbol of ranking court officials…In Buddhism the bear is the VEHICLE of protective deities, particularly in Tibet where it also functions as a protective weather god.”[xv]         The Hippopotamus: “The hippopotamus symbolizes both fertility and destruction. This Greek word means ‘river horse’…Pregnant Egyptian women depended on the HYBRID, but largely hippopotamus goddess Taweret for protection and Amenti, the ‘bringer-forth of the waters’ was one of several Egyptian aspects of the GREAT GODDESS. The male hippo, by contrast, because it frequently did damage to crops, was regarded as a manifestation of inimical forces in the world and was linked to the evil [god] Seth (Chevalier and Gheerbrant 507). Egyptian pharaohs and nobles are frequently shown hunting hippopotami, as they must have done in reality…In the Old Testament book of Job (40:15-24) the hippopotamus is sometimes equated with the Behemoth, the embodiment of brute strength – prophesied to return in the last days – that can be mastered by God, but which man cannot tame (Biedermann 174; Chevalier and Gheerbrant 507; Cooper 83). [xvi] ____________________________________________________________________________ See Animal Instincts: Allegory and Anthropomorphism, ATHICA, Athens Institute for Contemporary Art (Sept. 22 – Nov. 11, 2007), Absolute Arts.com at: http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2007/10/11/34708.html . [ii] See Animals as Allegory – Teacher’s Resource, QUT Art Museum, Brisbane Australia (Feb. 2-April 9, 2006), at: http://www.artmuseum.qut.edu.au/downloads/AnimalsEducationKit.pdf . [iii] See Hope B. Werness, The Continuum Encyclopedia of Animal Symbolism in Art, The Continuum International Publishing Group, Inc. (© 2003), at: http://books.google.com/books?id=fr2rANLrPmoC&pg=PA202&lpg=PA202&dq=hippopotamus+symbolism+in+mexico&source=bl&ots=ekJ8_yyxIL&sig=p8JvOHEo5t1r1RBW409olRnyqzA&hl=en&ei=kRAnS7vjFZDclAexoZWVDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CBoQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=hippopotamus&f=false . [iv]  See Matt Brennan, The Lion, the Witch and the Allegory: An Analysis of Selected Narnia Chronicles, at: http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/lionwitchallegory.html . [v] See Animals, English at Wheaton College, at: http://www.wheaton.edu/english/resources/medieval/animals.htm . [vi] See Gwyn J. Griffiths, Allegory, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt (Jan. 1, 2008) at: http://www.mywire.com/a/Oxford-Encyclopedia-Ancient-Egypt/Allegory/9472009 . [vii] See Jill Sanchia Cowen, Kalila wa Dimna: An Animal Allegory of the Mongol Court, The Istanbul University Album, Oxford University Press (© 1989), Editorial Reviews at: http://www.amazon.com/Kalila-Dimna-Allegory-Istanbul-University/dp/0195056817/ref=cm_cmu_pg_t . [viii] See Animal Farm: Allegory and the Art of Persuasion, EDsitement, The National Endowment for the Humanities, at: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=613 . [ix] Id. [x] See Animal Instincts: Allegory and Anthropomorphism, supra at p. 33. [xi] Id., at p. 34. [xii] Id., at p. 35. [xiii] Id. [xiv] Id. [xv] Id., at p. 36. [xvi] Id., at pp. 215-216. General 2009-12-17T04:19:14+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/u.s._patent_and_trademark_office_to_accelerate_review_of_green_technology_p/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/u.s._patent_and_trademark_office_to_accelerate_review_of_green_technology_p/#When:03:34:35Z On December 8, 2009, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) decided to launch a one-year pilot program that includes accelerating the review of “Green Technology” patent applications. On December 8, 2009, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) decided to launch a one-year pilot program that includes accelerating the review of “Green Technology” patent applications.  In order to facilitate the funding and advancement of “Green Technologies” the government is allowing patent applicants to “jump the cue” and have their patents examined on priority with the goal of reducing the average time to Registration from 40 months to 12 months.  This new Pilot Program will apply to both non-provisional patent applications as well as International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patents.  If your technology can be classified as a “Green Technology,” consider contacting one of Exemplar’s patent professionals to explore the implications of this new pilot and how you can protect your Intellectual Property and facilitate the funding of your venture.  To learn more about how this might impact you and your options in filing and expediting your patent application, contact .  News 2009-12-14T03:34:35+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/cybergraphix_animation_signs_domestic_distribution_deal_with_funimation/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/cybergraphix_animation_signs_domestic_distribution_deal_with_funimation/#When:22:32:08Z Exemplar Customer Cybergraphix Animation, an animated film and entertainment company based in Los Angeles, CA, signed a Domenstic Distribution deal with Funimation for it’s Manga-Sytle Animated Film project Guardians of Luna.  Exemplar Customer Cybergraphix Animation, an animated film and entertainment company based in Los Angeles, CA, signed a Domenstic Distribution deal with Funimation for it’s Manga-Sytle Animated Film project Guardians of Luna.  Guardians of Luna has enjoyed a rare interest from the Asia market as it has already Asia distribution guaranteed through a Manga production studio in Japan who will distribute the property throughout Asia.  In wake of the news, Gaudians’ creator Avi Melman notes “we are encouraged by the momentum of our project in the marketplace and Exemplar’s support in making it happen.  With capital already committed by one of our distributors, this should make raising the completion funds much eaiser.” Cybergraphics is a leading creator of animation and family-style entertainment.  For an example of their work, check out their DEMO REEL. News 2009-12-12T22:32:08+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/visit_exemplar_revolve_at_mass_innovation_night_december_9th_-_well_be_in_t/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/visit_exemplar_revolve_at_mass_innovation_night_december_9th_-_well_be_in_t/#When:20:31:18Z For those of you in the Boston area who have not been to Mass Innovation Night - Get With The Program!  Billed as a science fair for adults, Mass Innovation Nights provides entrepreneurs, innovators and inventors with a place to connect with the media, influential bloggers, the marketplace, potential investors and each other.  Find out more about this must attend event here.For those of you in the Boston area who have not been to Mass Innovation Night - Get With The Program!  Billed as a science fair for adults, Mass Innovation Nights provides entrepreneurs, innovators and inventors with a place to connect with the media, influential bloggers, the marketplace, potential investors and each other.  Find out more about this must attend event here. News 2009-12-04T20:31:18+00:00 http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/about_the_new_exemplar_website/ http://www.exemplarcompanies.com/site/about_the_new_exemplar_website/#When:05:55:40Z About the Exemplar Website: Exemplar has taken great care in the building of its new website to bring interesting and meaningful content to our customers.  We also have tried to make your visit to our website an enjoyable experience where you can learn more about what we stand for and the many ways in which we can help our customers to overcome challenges and grow their businesses.  In this blog, we wanted to share with you some of the thought that went into the illustrations you see on our site.  Like any good site, it is very much a living and evolving canvas for sharing knowledge, demonstrating capabilities, and keeping you apprised of new innovations that bring our customers exactly what they have been asking for in a professional services firm.  The content and illustrations that you will find on this site will, no doubt, reflect our development and evolution as an Exemplary services firm(s). We are pleased to share our inspirations with you and welcome your feedback, as we continue to expand and refine our new and evolving creation, hand-in-hand.  About the Exemplar Website: Exemplar has taken great care in the building of its new website to bring interesting and meaningful content to our customers.  We also have tried to make your visit to our website an enjoyable experience where you can learn more about what we stand for and the many ways in which we can help our customers to overcome challenges and grow their businesses.  In this blog, we wanted to share with you some of the thought that went into the illustrations you see on our site.  Like any good site, it is very much a living and evolving canvas for sharing knowledge, demonstrating capabilities, and keeping you apprised of new innovations that bring our customers exactly what they have been asking for in a professional services firm.  The content and illustrations that you will find on this site will, no doubt, reflect our development and evolution as an Exemplary services firm(s). We are pleased to share our inspirations with you and welcome your feedback, as we continue to expand and refine our new and evolving creation, hand-in-hand.  About Exemplar:  Exemplar was formed with the express intention of consistently delivering, in a holistic manner, the most innovative and highly valued professional services available to mid-tier companies in the marketplace.  Since Exemplar is a firm that is committed to remaining ahead of the curve and providing unmatched value, it was critical to choose a style of presentation that captured the imagination and dedication to excellence of our creative, forward-thinking professionals, our uncompromising values system, and our unique brand “personality”. About Our Relevant and Radical History (“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” ~Alan Kay, computer scientist): Exemplar’s history as the first corporate law firm in the nation to abandon hourly billing in favor of a fixed, value-based pricing model is an interesting one. Although today the practice is considered innovative, this wasn’t the case back in the 1950’s when billable hours started to become an accepted practice.  At that time, billing by the hour was considered an “alternative billing model” and the distinguished professionals of the time balked at the practice, stating that the practice “put your lawyer on the same level with your plumber.”  By comparison, Exemplar’s innovative business model is truly RADICAL to the core (relating to, or characteristic of the basic or inherent constitution of a person or thing; fundamental)!  While the word RADICAL has come to have a colloquial meaning as being on the cutting edge, especially with respect to professional services,  its true definition is one of returning to the fundamental “root” of things.  Indeed,  in fields other than professional services, such innovations are actually well accepted and, in some cases, deemed fundamentals of good business practice.  It is notable, in this regard, that the practice of billing by the hour, warmly embraced by America’s law firms, is a divergence from fundamentally sound economic theory. For example, Karl Marx’s Labor Theory of Value (on which billable hour is based) was refuted as a valid economic theory long before its adoption by the professions.  Apart from being inefficient, the billable hour is also symptomatic of other ailments that have recently befallen corporate America: the erosion of corporate organizational values systems; the failure of internal accountability mechanisms (transparency, checks and balances); and the disregard for corporate stakeholders-at-large.  Consequently, insofar as Exemplar’s RADICAL business model was designed, in part, to address these systemic weaknesses, it can also be said to be a bit retro; i.e., it harkens a return to sound practices that have been proven successful over time. About the Website Design: Exemplar’s creative team has crafted a RADICAL (progressive as well as fundamental) website design that caters to today’s users: It not only has the capacity to communicate massive amounts of information, but also the means to enable users to quickly navigate to the most “relevant” information.  The Exemplar website was designed to place a premium on efficiency and simplicity – it does not divert users’ attention with moving parts, music, and hundreds of colors, and generic stock photography.  The Exemplar website, rather, was modeled,  generally, after the Newspaper, a proven system of organizing and presenting information that has worked well since the 1400’s. And, it was specifically, inspired by the genius of the Wall Street Journal, which creates an easily navigable front page while communicating up to 20 or more topics.  About the Website Illustrations: The Exemplar website hand-illustrations are intended to communicate in a more personal manner how Exemplar’s innovations can benefit our customers.  We also chose hand-illustrations because they demonstrate our firm’s values, namely, our commitment to customer quality and integrity, as well as, our firm’s high-touch and service-oriented mission. Hand-illustrations also exemplify our firm’s focus on the arts and entertainment, which have been identified as a primary Exemplar initiative.  The Exemplar website illustrations are stylistically inspired by the journalistic genre known as Political Satire.  For example, the New Yorker and Economist magazines convey a certain “smartness” wherein artistic creations are imbued with a distinct, but engaging look and feel that animates the brand.  Unlike a publication, Exemplar is a professional services firm with a collective ‘personality’ with which our customers interact every day. Therefore,  we believed that the Exemplar website illustrations needed not only to be smart (e.g., allegorical), but also fun and interesting to look at. In other words, they needed to convey a personality that is as accessible as engaging.  What’s up with the Penguin: As far as personalities go, Exemplar’s is most personified by the Penguin.  The Penguin is an affable, hardy, intuitive, free-flowing and playful character that reflects and fits well with our brand image.  In the future, Exemplar website illustrations will feature only one Penguin, the Exemplar Penguin.  Over time, the Exemplar Penguin will acquire a life force and personality that exemplifies the ever-evolving, active Exemplar brand. About the Animals: Exemplar website illustrations rely heavily on the use of animals. The use of animals as allegory is well established in world history.  Animals are particularly useful in clearly conveying a point or benefit that could be confused on misinterpreted with the use of people.  Anthropomorphism of animals also helps people to identify with the personality traits associated with humans without the “baggage” associated with the choice of physical characteristics of a person, and the confusion about what that choice is intended to add or communicate to the viewer.  Exemplar animal illustrations are used to tell a story of the benefits associated with our firm’s innovations. We Invite You to Enjoy the Exemplary Evolution: We look forward to working with you and demonstrating our abilities. Please visit Exemplar’s website regularly for fresh and relevant information and to learn more about how we continue to deliver successful results for our customers. General 2009-12-01T05:55:40+00:00