I checked the date we opened the BBR website project and was horrified when I realized it all began in March 2007. What on God’s green earth happened? Why did it take so long? Real projects never go on forever.
But after reflecting on constructing and moving into a new building, client work, my 40th birthday, five national holidays and the death of Michael Jackson, I was comforted by my own rationalizations that things have been really busy between then and now.
But alas, 495 agency hours later, it’s done. The job is closed. The folder handed in. The BBR site is live.
My request to write the first blog post wasn’t rooted in any unwillingness to let go. It had more to do with me wanting to close that chapter on the laborious and, at times, very stressful and very fun production process. Secondly, and most importantly, I wanted to share with everyone how the site came to life. Not through one or two people, but by the hands of the BBR tribe. Every single person touched the site.
Tim, our copywriter, is also a talented photographer. He took all of the photos — every single one of them. He even brought his own umbrellas. I was impressed.
I learned that Stephen Bardwell, now a past BBR employee who has moved on to grad school, can balance an apple on his head. He was also Tim’s assistant. Denise was our always-willing-to-smile-for-the-camera stand-in. Holly proofed. Mallory and Karen were experimental models.
Even when there wasn’t enough time during the day, Sheree squeeeeezed site production into the schedule. Her excuse: “Sara told me to do it.” She also gave up her desk a dozen or so times.
Eddie was our go-between with Greg Henry, bbrcreative.com’s Web programmer, and prepared all assets for upload. Burt arrived after site development, lucky him. Kristen participated with her feet raised — trying to keep the swelling down. Andree gathered content. Monica was much-needed support.
Functionality, content, depth — Sara and Cherie were relentless, as always, on the pursuit of perfection. And finally, all the way from Philadelphia, Greg brought the site to life.
I’ve always said that our best work comes from many minds. Today, this website is a shining example of it.
Visit. Chat. Enjoy. And please — come back often!
Click below to view gallery.
The site is great! I’m impressed. BBR rocks!
Great new site! Very colorful, unique and creative - just like all of you! Missing you!
-steph
I must say after looking over the entirety of your site it is right of the park. Congrats and good luck in the future.
It’s beautiful, fresh and very creative. Great work!
Site looks AWESOME Cathi-wooo-hooo for sticking thru the hard times. You do know that I am referring to the death of Michael Jackson right? LOL! Very Nice…I even went to your Husband’s site-man-you are BURIED in creativity. Congrats!
Way to go with the new site! I love the fact you are using WordPress as the blog that’s actually staying ahead of the curve.
I’m really liking the website. Clean, cool and lots of classy fun.
I also feel your pain, and relief. I wish I could feel that same relief, but we’re *still* working on our website. We started a new design last fall and it’s *still* not done. I mean, *sure*, we decided to use some very new technologies that weren’t ready for prime time… and it bit us in the arse. We also decided to make design and organizational changes, redo the animations and a few other things that would put our project back at a rate of about 2-3 weeks per item.*roll eyes*
However, now that we’ve decided to ditch that technology for awhile, rewrite the requirements and basically do a near complete redesign, I think the site will finally be up… hopefully before Christmas. Haha!
Anyway, congratulations! It looks fantastic, just like all of your work. I can’t wait to see more, and I’m so glad such great work is coming out of our hometown.
Most Sincerely-
Karen Landrum Pellegrin
As usual, BBR rocks! Congratulations on the site and all of your success! Just knowing your own job file stayed open for 495 agency hours gives me hope for our “on going discussion” with BBR. Cathi - I’ve told you many times how much respect I have for you and your entire team. You do it the right way and for all the right reasons…and if you don’t - I don’t want to know about it.
I want to see photos of the new offices…and one day, I’m coming to that damn Beer Bash!