ZeroDegrees.com (Business Social Network)
ZeroDegrees.com was one of the first business social networking sites before LinkedIn dominated the industry. Extensive research was conducted on the company to understand its business strategy and brand focus and to deliver an image that sets it apart from its competitors. I successfully redesigned and launched the site, and soon after, a large entity purchased all the business social networking sites and its IP.
RESULTS
Investors received 20X return upon sale with the help of website redesign.
Inclusivity was way ahead of its time.
Throughout the site, I used a variety of visual and eye-candy graphics to reinforce the idea of making a connection through multiple devices. Also, I worked on the flip phone mobile app way before Apple launched the iPhone, which changed the mobile app game.
The vision
ZeroDegrees was one of the first sites to prove and validate the number of degrees from Kevin Bacon. The company was located in the heart of Hollywood, across the street from Tower Records. It went viral, with thousands of customers wanting to know the number of separations they have from other celebrities.
Google It: “Six degrees from Kevin Bacon” is still a trendy topic.
ZeroDegrees provides an online business networking service that allows members to add the names of business and personal contacts into a searchable database. It was one of the first social networking sites that showed the number of connections needed to connect with anyone from the network’s database.
Before/After – The original Zerodegrees.com website looked amateur. I was the sole designer responsible for redesigning and leveling up the platform and marketing site. The VP of marketing and CEO gave me huge kudos, which increased the user base and sale of zero degrees for a 20x return VC.
Dreamworks (SKG) – Pop.com (UGC Videos site)
The Begging – Pop.com was a collaboration between Steven Spielberg and other top A-list Hollywood filmmakers. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen backed the company to produce an original online content social entertainment company. DreamWorks, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg are joining Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, who created Pop.com, envisioning and embracing the future of online (internet) entertainment. Pop.com is an OUGC/Social entertainment company. Viewers will interact with the programming and other users.
THE MAKING OF SUPERFANS
DREAMWORKS (SKG) – My original assignment was to help create a web presence for Pop.com, showcasing original digital shorts from A-list celebrities. Due to rising costs, the original content creation was put on hold. The business pivoted, and I was pulled into another acquisition—a community fan website called countingdown.com hosting Pop.com’s original content. I was responsible for the re-brand and a complete UX/UI redesign. Countingdown’s online success was based on a ticker timer that counts down when a movie is expected to release into movie theaters. The goal was to build movie hype through is user base.
DREAMWORKS (SKG) – EVOLUTION MOVIE SITE
Also, during that time at DreamWorks, the vision was to create movie sites affiliated with the pop/counting down to give super-fans behind-the-scenes access. I art directed the movie “Evolution” directed by Ivan Reitman. Instead of launching the typical beautifully finished movie website, this unique site was designed as a rolling release site. Behind-the-scenes content with hooks into the fan community drove its success. We were literally changing content on the fly based on some of select feedback from the community.
