BlackOut Design, Inc. recently helped MetroAction better serve Northeastern Pennsylvania entrepreneurs with the launch of a newly redesigned website and blog.

The website redesign features enhanced navigation, greater accessibility and interactivity and all of the business resources that have made MetroAction Northeastern Pennsylvania’s leading provider of small business loans and comprehensive business training.

The site caters to all types of business people – from those who have aspirations of starting a small business to seasoned entrepreneurs – and offers information on every aspect of business planning and financing.

The MetroAction blog, InterAction, will open a new channel of communication between MetroAction staff and Northeastern Pennsylvania small businesspersons with local commentary on small business topics and answers to common small business questions.

The new BlackOut Design Newsletter was recently released with information on all of BlackOut’s activities during the first part of the year.

This issue includes information on our innovative design and marketing work for Sandone Tire, OnePoint Office Supplies, hemmler + camayd architects and the Melberger Arts Center, as well as news about the BlackOut portfolio and the BlackOut team.

Click on the image to read the pdf.

BlackOut Design, Inc., Northeastern Pennsylvania’s leading provider of integrated marketing and design solutions, has expanded its professional staff recently with the addition of two new hires: Graphic Designer Jessica Confer and New Media Editor Nathan Milner.

Confer has already proven a valuable asset to the BlackOut team producing high quality work for BlackOut partners Independent Graphics Inc. and developing postcards to promote the new exhibit at the Melberger Arts Center Gallery, Philip A. Dente’s “Line Items.”

Milner will be responsible for managing new media efforts for BlackOut and its clients. His work will dovetail with the efforts of BlackOut’s team of award-winning designers to ensure a consistent and dynamic communication of our client’s marketing message.

Confer is a student at Marywood University. Milner resides in Lake Winola, PA, with his wife, Lori, and two daughters, Hannah and Cora.

BlackOut Design, Inc. recently helped build a comprehensive marketing message for Sandone Tire, one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest carriers of passenger, light truck, and high performance tires.

BlackOut developed advertising materials for postcards, newspaper inserts and billboards that highlight the full range of services offered at Sandone Car Care Centers – from nitrogen tire inflation and wheel balancing to computerized alignment and 24-hour emergency service — as well as the more than 50,000 tires Sandone stocks.

Showing its flair for traditional design components, BlackOut created in-store signage for Sandone, in addition to generating a new corporate logo, Sammy, an example of BlackOut’s unique branding work.

For more information on the services available at Sandone Car Care Centers, visit the Sandone site.

Here’s an interesting article regarding the quite natural reluctance of some to fully buy into the idea of Web 2.0.

Web 2.0 tools and services have yet to prove their resilience in the ever-changing tech marketplace and the full scope of their utility has yet to be explored.

At BlackOut, we utilize Web 2.0 technologies as one more component in our portfolio of services. Like any other technology we constantly evaluate its practicality, and when it suits our client’s business goals, we’ll use Web 2.0 to create a more effective campaign.

BlackOut donated its services to promote a good cause, producing an invitation postcard for the Voluntary Action Center’s Run for the Roses at The Kentucky Derby event.

Run for the Roses will be held Saturday, May 3, at 3 p.m. at the Waverly Country Club, 903 South Abington Road, Clarks Summit, PA. Patrons get to take a chance on a real horse race, while supporting the causes administered by The Voluntary Action Center. The Voluntary Action Center is a non-profit umbrella organization that provides direct and indirect services to community organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Christmas Holiday Bureau and Free Information and Referral (FIRST – 24 hour Hot Line).

Admission price of $50 includes an authentic Derby Dinner, complete with mint juleps and open bar. Wear your Derby attire. For more information, contact VAC at 347-5616.

One Point, the 2006 Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, took advantage of BlackOut Design’s services recently to generate a new website and optimize their position in the online marketplace.

Northeastern Pennsylvania’s leader in office supplies, printing and furniture with more than 100 years of experience, One Point needed a site that allowed customers and clients to shop quickly and easily through its catalog of products.

Through the BlackOut-designed site, One Point customers can keep their offices well-stocked and productive with just the click of a mouse.

Companies count on One Point to keep their offices working smoothly and One Point counts on BlackOut when bringing its reputation for exceptional quality, service and selection to the web.

BlackOut Design continued its commitment to fostering the cultural growth of the Greater Scranton area, producing a postcard to announce the latest exhibition at the Melberger Arts Center (MAC), 123 Wyoming Ave., Scranton.

The exhibit of works by Erin Miele titled “Oil & Encaustic” begins April 4 and runs through May 9. Working with the MAC Gallery, BlackOut generated full-color postcards featuring striking examples of Miele’s art.

If you’d like to view the exhibit, the MAC Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend hours are available by appointment. For more information, call 570-239-2459, 570-343-2300 ext. 0 or visit www.melbergerartscenter.com.

Hemmler & Camayd Architects came to BlackOut Design looking for a website design as unique, innovative and bold as their own approach to architecture.

The nationally recognized Hemmler & Camayd, out of Scranton, Pa., needed a website that reflected the breadth of services they offer and that showcased the award-winning work they produce.

With enhanced navigation and vivid photos of Hemmler & Camayd’s architectural designs, the BlackOut-generated site creates an immersive experience for potential clients.

View the results of BlackOut’s work at www.hc-architects.com.

When Leadership Lackawanna, the Greater Scranton area’s premier community education/leadership development program, needed a facelift, they turned to the team at BlackOut Design.

BlackOut designed a website that highlights the economic and cultural impact Leadership Lackawanna has had on Northeastern Pennsylvania since the group was created by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce in 1982.

The redesigned site offers a wealth of information on the program and its initiatives to better serve the more than 900 local community leaders that have graduated from Leadership Lackawanna and to give interested applicants the tools they need to make a difference in the Greater Scranton area.

View the results of BlackOut’s work at www.leadershiplackawanna.com.