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Catalyst Studios Partners With Best Buy to Create an Online Game on Social Network, BlueShirt Nation

Social networks have begun to address problems like this and solve a variety of communication and collaboration problems faced by large enterprises among their employees, customers and partners. Well-known companies like Starbucks, Dell and Best Buy have successfully created and used social networks to improve communication across the enterprise and solve real business problems related to speed-to-market and quality control, to name just a few.

Still, most businesses think of social networks as fun, online diversions via Facebook and MySpace.

In 2006, Best Buy launched a social network for sales associates named after the blue polo shirts they wear in-store -- http://www.blueshirtnation.com. Originally, the BlueShirt Nation site was created to gather insights/information on advertising programs from employees on the front lines.

However, the site quickly broadened its impact, helping employees share ideas with each other and with management. In fact, new policies, ideas and practices have been adopted as a result of employee discussions and feedback. When Best Buy management announced their intentions to lower the employee discount, employees made it clear on BlueShirt Nation that they were adamantly opposed -- and the discount was left unchanged.

Best Buy is continuing to build on the successes of BlueShirt Nation, leveraging it to help introduce and evangelize their large employee audience on a new service offering named, "Best Buy Mobile." Because more than half of the 140,000 employees are under 24 years old, it was important that this message engaged them repeatedly in a fun, playful and competitive way.

To achieve this goal, Best Buy partnered with leadingMinneapolis interactive agency, Catalyst Studios, to develop a "Best Buy Mobile" branded online game that would live on Blue Shirt Nation. "This internal social networking site has been heralded by Best Buy and the media for its achievements, so we were excited about working on a project that would 'live' there," said Jason Rysavy, Catalyst's founder and principal.

The game, named Orbit, is a platform, arcade-style format with contemporary graphics and humorous sound effects. A leader board allows employees to see high scores, company-wide, and compete with each other. After every game, the player is taunted by a little trash-talk from the game itself, no matter how high the score.

"Working with Catalyst was amazing", said Jackie Osking, BlueShirtNation.com producer. They bring lots of fun and creativity to the table; it's clear they love to make games. The Orbit game has really caught on with our BlueShirt Nation users -- they've described it as fun and addictive."

Rysavy sums it up, saying, "more proof that BlueShirt Nation -- and social networks in general -- have the power to improve the kinds of communications that drive business results."

ABOUT CATALYST STUDIOS

Catalyst Studios (http://www.catalyststudios.com) is aMinneapolis-based, award-winning interactive and digital agency. We bring smart, sound creative to our clients' marketing and advertising programs.

     Press Contact: Christina Jackson, Marketing Director
                    Catalyst Studios (http://www.catalyststudios.com)
                    christina.jackson@catalyststudios.com
                    612-339-0735

SOURCE Catalyst Studios