Village Gamer

Quebec City – Beenox Studios, an Activision studio, has been contracted to develop a video game for the upcoming Dreamworks animated 3D film, Monsters vs Aliens. The game, which is being developed for the Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 and Games for Windows/PC is slated for release in March 2009, coinciding with the film’s theatrical debut.

Following the plot line of the movie, Monsters vs. Aliens The Game puts the fate of the planet in players’ hands as they lead a dynamic team of five misfit monsters on a mission to save the world…as only they can. This group of monsters who have been rounded up and isolated by the US Government is put into action when the planet is invaded by aliens. Led by newly-monsterized California girl Susan Murphy, it’s up to the troop of Monsters to save the planet and its residents from annihilation.

Beenox Studios was also recently awarded the Trophy Vision 2008. This prestigious distinction is awarded every year to a successful business of the greater Quebec City area.

Toronto – Arcana Trading Company Inc. (Arcana) announced Tuesday the launch of its Arcana Digital Media Strategy consulting services and website.

Arcana is a Toronto-based strategic business consultancy specializing in driving profit through objective analysis, thoughtful planning, and hands-on fieldwork. Established by former Canwest Digital Media executives Tim Lambertus and James Larrue-Baulch, Arcana has been built to consult in
virtually any market category or vertical, and possesses intimate knowledge of the digital media industry attributed to more than 20 years of combined experience of its principals.

Arcana’s specialized knowledge revolves around knowing how to extract and then act on the truth, even when it’s hidden or confusing. Arcana transforms consumer patterns, sales numbers, marketing reports, advertising data, competitive studies, operational costs, and the sea of arcane metrics gathered by a digital business into innovative strategic plans to drive and improve performance. “You would be surprised how many companies operating in the digital space possess extensive untapped revenue potential,” says Tim Lambertus, President, Arcana. “The digital marketplace is continuing to grow, even during these tough economic times. Whether a company is leveraging digital for commerce, audience acquisition, or brand marketing, those who fully understand the anatomy of their business will certainly weather the storm and even add to their bottom line.”

Ava Awards today announced winners for the 2008 international award competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, writing, direction, shooting, and editing of audio-visual materials and programs. The 2008 competition saw over 2,200 entries from the United States, Canada and several other countries. The nominated entries included film, analogue and digital productions viewed in a wide variety of mediums from movie screens and televisions to computers. Entrants included video and film production companies, web developers, advertising agencies, PR firms, corporate and government communication departments, producers, directors, editors and shooters.

The Canadian winners are:

Direct Focus Marketing Communications, Inc. from Winnipeg won two awards, one in the Produced For A School category, produced for the University of Winnipeg, and one in the Commercials/Restaurant category for EQ3

Kasian Architecture Interior Design & Planning’s Vancouver office won in the Flash category

Grimsby, Ontario’s  West Lincoln Memorial Hospital also picked up two awards. The work, done by MEDIAIMAGE Communications Group, received the first award for their entry in the Pro Bono category, and the second was in the Medical/Fundraiser category. On a side note, MediaImage also won a 2008 Videographer Award for the West Lincoln  Fundraiser piece.