Bzzy is a mobile application that allows the user to choose from a selection of pre-defined or custom messages, that when engaged, are automatically sent as a reply to any text message received by the users cell phone. The Bzzy team worked tirelessly to release the app in the Android Marketplace for the start of Distracted Driver Awareness Month in April.

PixelMEDIA’s efforts piqued the interests of area police departments, who reached out to the company about showcasing Bzzy at safety fairs for young drivers. These opportunities to work in concert with local law enforcement have allowed the PixelMEDIA team to promote bzzy at a grass roots level, speaking with their target users directly about the dangers of distracted driving and explaining how easily an app like Bzzy can mitigate many of those risks.

CEO Erik Dodier accepted the award at the MITX event, taking the opportunity to briefly speak to the audience about PixelMEDIA’s efforts to raise awareness about the issue. “Distracted driving is a concern that impacts everyone; you as the driver and others on the road.  The BZZY app is aimed at reducing the urge to respond to incoming texts while driving, or anything else that requires your full attention.”

Free downloads of Bzzy are available on the Android Marketplace or via Bzzyapp.com.

Other nominees in the Mobile category included The Steamship Authority Mobile Site, by iMarc LLC for The Steamship Authority, TripAdviser Mobile, by TripAdviser, and The Brookings Institution iPad App by Velir for the Brookings Institution.

Begun in 1996, the MITX Awards has grown to become the largest and most prestigious awards competition in the country for technology innovations, and celebrates the best creative and technological accomplishments emerging from New England.

“The MITX Interactive Awards draw in digital and creative work of an astoundingly high caliber. Each year the applications grow increasingly impressive, and 2011 brought some of the best work we’ve ever seen,” said Debi Kleiman, president of MITX. “This year’s finalists represent true thought-leaders, experts, and innovators; they are the best and brightest our community has to offer, and their work bridges the space between creative ideas and technology. MITX is proud to serve as the foundation for this region’s vibrant digital community.”

Bzzy is an SMS (Text Message) Auto-Responder that allows the user to choose from a selection of pre-defined or custom messages, that when engaged, are automatically sent as a reply to any text message received by the users cell phone. Primarily aimed at curbing the dangers of distracted driving, an epidemic that takes thousands of lives each year, Bzzy can also be also be utilized during those other times where responding to a text is simply an inconvenience. Be it at the movies, enjoying a dinner with family, focusing on work or school, even napping; there are so many scenarios where immediately responding to texts isn’t a top priority, but still expected of us. Bzzy is a tool that “Tells your friends to Buzz off. But in a nice way”.

“We are thrilled that MITX has chosen to recognize Bzzy in the mobile category. The purpose of Bzzy is aimed directly at preventing texting while driving. This nomination helps us to continue to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving” said PixelMEDIA CEO, Erik Dodier.

PixelMEDIA will be recognized with the other finalists in the category of Mobile at a ceremony traditionally attended by over 1,000 of the region’s top interactive marketing and technology professionals. Winners will be announced at the ceremony, held at the Sheraton Boston on December 5th. Tickets can be purchased at www.mitxawards.org/interactive.

The MITX Awards are made possible by our wonderful sponsors. The 2011 MITX Awards Platinum Sponsor is PricewaterhouseCoopers. Gold Sponsors are : Boston.com, DLA Piper. Silver Sponsors include adbeast, Atom Group, Flashtalking, HireMinds, Onward Search, ShareThis, Velir.

About PixelMEDIA

Founded in 1994, PixelMEDIA offers a diverse range of professional services including web and mobile solutions, application design and development, user interface design, multimedia design, website hosting, and website management. PixelMEDIA provides the strategic, creative, and technical expertise needed to increase revenue opportunities and reduce costs. PixelMEDIA’s customers include industry leaders such as ECCO Shoes, Sam Adams, Bauer Hockey, Rubik’s Cube, Keene State College, and Logica. For information, visit www.pixelmedia.com

About MITX

Established in 1996, MITX — the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange — is the leading industry organization focused on the web and mobile, bringing together the digital marketing, media and technology community to engage in what’s next and how it will impact the marketing and business worlds. Connecting more than 7,500 professionals in New England, MITX is a dynamic community of thought leaders and collaborators in search of insight, education and opportunity. Creator of FutureM, MITX is headquartered in Boston, MA. For more information, visit http://www.mitx.org/.

Since 1996 the MITX Awards has grown to the largest and most prestigious awards competition in the country for technology innovations and celebrates the best creative and technological accomplishments emerging from New England.

The new Samuel Adams website features an extensive guide to Sam Adams beers and recommended food pairings; behind-the-scenes information on the people and the process behind Sam Adams; and a wide range of opportunities for beer enthusiasts to “share the passion.” The architecture, labeling, and design were inspired by the content. “It’s a treat to have great content to work with,” says Thomas Obrey, Co-founder of PixelMEDIA, Inc. “It kept the team’s thinking fresh from start to finish—every page was like its own mini-project.”

The new website delivers an enormous amount of valuable information to a passionate, engaged audience through the use of engaging information, education, videos, and social media connections. The content does not trail off after the top level pages, it becomes richer and more rewarding. And the information it provides can truly enhance the real-world enjoyment of food and beer.

For PixelMEDIA’s web development team, the diversity of page designs required a lot of deft HTML coding and some brand-new approaches. To honor its social responsibility commitment, Boston Beer insisted on maintaining its 2-step age verification. In addition, the PixelMEDIA team customized a set of content management tools (CMTs) for News, Events, and other time-sensitive content. They even implemented an e-store where Sam Adams fans could buy clothing, accessories, and Samuel Adams Boston Lager® glassware.

“It’s a tremendous accomplishment to be recognized along with our clients as a finalist in the MITX Awards,” said Erik Dodier, President and Co-founder of PixelMEDIA, Inc. “To be selected as the best of the best among such a vast array of talent in the region is quite an honor, and we’re proud to be a part of it again this year.”

PixelMEDIA will be recognized with the other finalists in the category of Consumer Goods at a gala awards ceremony traditionally attended by over 1,000 of the region’s top interactive marketing and technology professionals. Winners will be announced at the ceremony in the Boston Marriott Copley Place on Thursday, November 18th at 6pm.

About MITX
The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) is the region’s premier professional organization for the Internet business and marketing industry. Reaching more than 7,500 professionals in New England, MITX is the community for thought leadership, building business relationships and professional training and development. Members of the MITX community take advantage of events, sponsorships, speaking opportunities and networking to make business connections and exchange ideas. With more than 60 events annually, MITX provides its members with the opportunity to promote their companies to targeted audiences and provides a valuable forum for networking with other likeminded peers to source potential business leads, partnerships, ideas, and funding. MITX is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Visit us at www.mitx.org.

In all, each member of the board had a slightly different definition but it was evident that each description was cut from a similar cloth. Surprised? Not really. Comforted? Yes.

Toby Bottorf, Director of Design, WGBH Interactive, had an interesting observation. He stated that we don’t design a user experience; we design for a user experience. I couldn’t agree with him more. In reality, we are just setting the stage. What happens in the hearts and minds of the audience is relative to their own past experiences, knowledge, environment and, of course, expectations. Since we are trying to mimic physical interactions within a virtual environment, defining expectations is paramount to creating a positive user experience. Much discussion was centered on the ability to enhance the experience by aligning expectations. Chauncey Wilson, Senior Manager, AEC User Research, Autodesk, Inc., discussed user experience in a similar manner to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Using a three-tiered pyramid, he defined the base as “relative and expected” functions that one would expect for choosing the experience. The second layer represents comfort. I equated this to factors like ease-of-use and thoughtful design. Third, at the top of the pyramid, is delight. Here, expectations are exceeded and the experience becomes an pleasurable one. But, the top tier is a moving target. Technology, design, and culture can easily push what was once a delight to a comfort. (see diagram)

So, what did I gather from all of this? For starters, we all are bombarded with choices and everyone is vying for your audience’s attention. So, when possible, reduce the “noise” level and minimize the need for your audience to make unnecessary choices. This not only reduces the need for complicated information structures but it relieves the stress of making the wrong decision. Second, define your intentions. Set the stage for a pleasurable experience early on. Frustration increases when your message is unclear which then encourages trial and error. And finally, stay current with both your audience and the environment in which the experience is delivered. If technology is the conduit, use good judgment and always precede with proper usability and interaction models. Push the boundaries to drive innovation (think the pyramid’s top layer) but expect to refine them. Some trends are harder for your audience to accept than others.

In closing, I must admit, it was a refreshing to hear others speak about user experience in a way that is subjective and open for interpretation. It’s evident that it means something slightly different to everyone, but with insight, knowledge, and a creative spirit, setting the stage for a captivating experience is well within grasp.

For more information about MITX and upcoming events visit MITX.org

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