Saline, MI (June 20, 2011) – DesignHub, Inc. (www.design-hub.com) of Saline has designed and developed the new website for Ann Arbor Tower Plaza Condominiums (www.towerplaza.com).

This 26-story residential property – Ann Arbor’s tallest building – is on E. William St., one block from the University of Michigan’s central campus.

Visitors to the new website learn how Tower Plaza provides students and their parents with private, quiet, comfortable, and secure student residences available for purchase. There are also Tower Plaza units for rent from their co-owners.

Parents who co-own at Tower Plaza can build equity and gain tax advantages while their student lives there. There are also opportunities for profitable resale or ongoing rental income. The advantages of ownership are detailed in the site.

Tower Plaza’s location, views, features, and amenities – also covered in the site – appeal to others besides students. Co-owners and tenants include retirees, second-home owners, academics, professional services providers, and more,

The site highlights Tower Plaza condos currently available for sale or rent. Site visitors can also view floor plans for the property’s studio, large studio, grand studio, one-bedroom, large one-bedroom, and grand one-bedroom units.

In the password-protected “Residents E-Clubhouse” area of the site, Tower Plaza co-owners and tenants find useful information including updates on current maintenance projects at the property and special offers and discounts available to residents. A directory of co-owners and tenants is under construction.

On the “Broker’s Corner” page, prospective Tower Plaza buyers get contact information for area realtors experienced in showing and selling the property’s units.

More information can be obtained from Ann Arbor Tower Plaza Condominium Association, 555 E. William St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 531-2125.

About DesignHub

DesignHub, Inc. is a creative services and marketing firm that works with clients on website design and development, brand development, brochures, annual reports, newsletters, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, search marketing, social media marketing, packaging designs, signage, and exhibits, as well as marketing strategies and plans. The company was founded in 1999.

In addition to Ann Arbor Tower Plaza Condominiums, DesignHub’s clients include Advanced Photonix Inc., Berry & Associates, BioMedware, Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation, Chelsea Lumber, Creative Windows, Daycroft Montessori School, Dexter Research, Dimensional Engineering, Electrocon International, Great Lakes Educational Group, Hardwood Solutions, Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, HiBlow USA, Homeowner Services of America (HSA), InPore Technologies, Lamaze Family Center of Ann Arbor, Lenawee County Health Department, McMullen Properties, Metropolitan Building Services, Michigan Business Connection, Motawi Tileworks, National Employment Law Project, Newcomers Welcome Service, OptiMetrics Inc., PTC, Phoenix Contractors, Recycle Ann Arbor, Renewal Ministries, City of Saline, Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, Saline Parks and Recreation Department, SignGraphix, Sun Engineering, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and others.

Further information is available from DesignHub, Inc., 600 W. Michigan Ave., Saline, MI 48176. Phone: (734) 944-8705. Email: info@design-hub.com. Online: www.design-hub.com.

Saline, MI (June 13, 2011) – Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan (HFM) – the Ypsilanti-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those with bleeding and clotting disorders – has launched its new website: www.hfmich.org.

The site was designed and developed by DesignHub, Inc. (www.design-hub.com) of Saline.

HFM strives to find better treatments and cures for hemophilia, Willebrand disease, and other coagulation disorders including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. The organization’s new website describes its support programs, resources, and advocacy initiatives for adults and youth affected by these conditions. The site also provides educational information about bleeding and clotting disorders.

Visitors to the site learn how they can support HFM by volunteering, signing up for membership, and making financial contributions. A simple form lets them donate online to the organization through secure credit-card transactions.

HFM news and events are highlighted on the site’s home page. A search feature helps visitors quickly find the information they seek on the site.

In a password-protected login area of the site, medical clinics can order tags for their patients with bleeding and clotting disorders. Another password-protected login area lets HFM’s board of directors download internal documents securely.

The site features an online store where visitors can order and purchase HFM-branded merchandise including cups, mugs, t-shirts, and hoodies.

About Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan

HFM began in 1956 as Hemophilia of Michigan, an all-volunteer chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation. Its mission was to promote the welfare of those afflicted with hemophilia or related hemorrhagic disorders.

Hemophilia summer camp began in 1969. That same year, HFM received United Way funding, leading to incorporation in 1970 and the hiring of a staff. In 1975, HFM became the regional core center for the Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana treatment centers, with responsibility for handling the federal funding for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital treatment centers.

During the early years, HFM existed as part of the University of Michigan Hemophilia Treatment Center. The foundation separated from the HTC in 1980. In 1986, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiated AIDS Risk Reduction funding, leading to the hiring of psychosocial members of the HTC teams, and expanding federal funding into all Ohio and Michigan HTCs.

Presently there are nine HTCs in Michigan, nine in Ohio, and one in Indiana – together making up Region V-East. As the regional core center, HFM has fiduciary responsibility for all federal funding for the 19 centers, and provides administrative oversight of the comprehensive care and prevention programs that are funded by the U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The National Hemophilia Foundation amended its bylaws in 1996 to change its formal relationship with its chapters. As a result, HFM was granted its own 501(c)(3) status (federal tax exemption) in 1997 after many years of being under NHF’s umbrella.

More information is available from Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, 1921 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Phone: (734) 544-0015. Toll-free: (800) 482-3041. Online: www.hfmich.org. HFM’s offices are close to I-94, on the south side of Ypsilanti.

About DesignHub

DesignHub, Inc. is a creative services and marketing firm that works with clients on website design and development, brand development, brochures, annual reports, newsletters, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, search marketing, social media marketing, packaging designs, signage, and exhibits, as well as marketing strategies and plans. The company was founded in 1999.

In addition to Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, DesignHub’s clients include Advanced Photonix Inc., Ann Arbor Tower Plaza Condominium Association, Berry & Associates, BioMedware, Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation, Chelsea Lumber, Daycroft Montessori School, Dexter Research, Dimensional Engineering, Electrocon International, Great Lakes Educational Group, Hardwood Solutions, Homeowner Services of America (HSA), Lamaze Family Center of Ann Arbor, McMullen Company, Michigan Business Connection, Motawi Tileworks, National Employment Law Project, Newcomers Welcome Service, OptiMetrics Inc., PTC, Phoenix Contractors, Recycle Ann Arbor, Renewal Ministries, City of Saline, Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, Saline Parks and Recreation Department, SignGraphix, Sun Engineering, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and others.

Further information is available from DesignHub, Inc., 600 W. Michigan Ave., Saline, MI 48176. Phone: (734) 944-8705. Email: info@design-hub.com. Online: www.design-hub.com.

Printwell Printing, Inc.’s corporate magazine, Cover to Cover, has received a gold award in the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen’s (IAPHC) 36th International Gallery of Excellence competition. Cover to Cover joined hundreds of entrants from around the globe in competing for awards honoring excellence in the arts and sciences of graphic expression. International judges critiqued entries based on quality of production, overall visual appearance and overall difficulty of the printed piece.

Ann Arbor graphic design and advertising company, Wagner Design Associates, designed the magazine using elements to showcase Printwell’s wide range of capabilities. At first touch, readers notice the cover’s unique suede-like feel, created using an innovative aqueous coating which is more cost effective than printing on an expensive paper often used for the same effect. Printwell is committed to green design and in one article readers see what soy ink looks like as well as learning about Printwell’s commitment to recycling and pollution control.

The first edition magazine explores many facets of the company and the printing industry itself. It targets creative professionals, print buyers and anyone interested in learning more about printing. Topics include What Every Print Buyer Really Wants, The Search for Stability in a Printing Partner, Eco-Friendly Printing, and Finishing Touches for a Job Well Done. It’s been extremely successful and Wagner Design has been engaged to design another edition to be published later this summer.

Printwell was founded in 1983 by CEO Paul Borg, in a 1,000 sq. ft. office. From these humble beginnings the company has grown into one of the largest commercial printing operations in Michigan. Printwell has received numerous recognitions in recent years including 5 out of 6 consecutive annual “Best of Category” awards for heatset web from The Printing House Craftsmen Club. In 2010 they were honored with “Best in Category” for sheet-fed printing. Recently, Printwell achieved G7 certification for calibrating proofing and press equipment to standards set by IDEAlliance. With sheet-fed, half-heatset web, full-heatset web, and state-of-art digital printing, Printwell offers their customers a wide range of printing services.

Wagner Design provides a full range of creative design and advertising solutions for a wide spectrum of industries including high technology, retail, health care, financial, and academic sectors. The firm has won recognition and awards for its work in print collateral, direct mail, electronic communications, and web design, and has been featured in various design publications.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Americans are more receptive to Al Jazeera English’s reporting when they think it is actually CNN International’s broadcast, a new University of Michigan study finds.

Researchers conducted an online experiment to gauge how Americans view and assess Al Jazeera English, a global news network, in the weeks after it received praise for its coverage of the Arab uprisings.

The study’s participants watched a news clip produced by AJE with the network’s logo, and the same clip edited to carry CNN International’s (CNNI) logo. The average respondent, the study indicated, gave more credit to CNN International for the AJE-produced news clip edited to look like a CNNI report.

William Youmans and Katie Brown, both doctoral candidates in the Department of Communication Studies, said the findings suggest that there remains substantial prejudice against Al Jazeera among some Americans.

In recent years, AJE has filled a gap in the global market for televised international news. However, it has not received a welcome reception in the United States, in part, the researchers wrote, because many people associate AJE with Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and other American adversaries. Many Americans presume the network is biased and driven by an anti-American agenda.

Research also indicates another factor: Many Americans are not interested in global news.

The study involved 177 Americans, whose age ranged from 17 to 67. About 66 percent were female, and most (59 percent) lived in a suburb. The majority of participants (80 percent) were white, and nearly all who completed the survey did not watch AJE or CNNI regularly.

Participants were divided into three groups: those who watched the original clip with the Al Jazeera logo; those who watched the same clip, but edited with the CNNI logo; and those who did not view a clip.

The news clip, which originally aired on AJE, featured a story about the Taliban and its position towards peace talks with the government in Kabul. The story was selected because it exemplified good journalism and did not directly criticize the United States nor any American forces or figures.

CNNI was rated as significantly less biased to participants who viewed a clip from AJE attributed to CNNI compared to those who saw no clip. In other words, the clip boosted perceptions of CNNI, the researchers said. Those watching the AJE clip, however, did not rate AJE’s bias any differently than did the control group.

Participants were also asked would they have a preference or influence their local cable company’s decision about carrying Al Jazeera or CNNI. Most were indifferent to the Al Jazeera network, while some would not watch it. Small numbers indicated they would pressure their cable companies for or against carrying Al Jazeera.

"This suggests that even after Egypt’s protests, AJE’s brand faces opposition in the United States," Youmans said.

But researchers did find optimism regarding a market for AJE. Those with pre-existing anti-Arab sentiments and self-identified conservative ideology were more likely to negatively assess AJE. However, people who expressed liberal political views and those who did not harbor suspicions of Arabs may be more open towards changing their views of AJE with exposure to the channel’s reporting.

"The reception of AJE may say more about contentious state of politics towards relations with the Arab world within the U.S. than it does about the network itself," Brown said.

The best move for AJE in a politically polarized America where international news followers are relatively small is focusing its broadcast online, the researchers noted.

The findings appear in the latest issue of Arab Media & Society.

Online promotion kicks off recent partnership making Domino’s the exclusive pizza delivery partner of ShopRunner

ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

ShopRunner (www.shoprunner.com), a members-only shopping program that offers consumers unlimited, free two-day shipping, and Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, have launched a sweepstakes that will award the ultimate pizza lover’s dream: free pizza for one year in the form of $1,100 in Domino’s gift cards.

The Sweepstakes, which kicks off the recently announced partnership making Domino’s the exclusive pizza partner of ShopRunner, spans a three-week period beginning now and running through April 25. Each week, one winner will be selected to receive free pizza for one year in the form of $1,100 in Domino’s gift cards. In addition, five second-place winners will receive a one-year membership to ShopRunner ($79 value), and 15 third-place winners will receive a $10 Domino’s Pizza gift card.

"Domino’s Pizza has long been a trailblazer within the pizza delivery space, and its commitment to convenience further illustrates its entry into the ShopRunner network," said Mike Golden, president of ShopRunner. "Today’s time-crunched consumers are looking for innovative ways to save time and money. By offering a method to receive free delivery, Domino’s is making its customers’ lives easier – matching the key tenet behind why ShopRunner was created."

Consumers can enter to win this tasty prize by signing up online for a 30-day free trial of ShopRunner at Domino’s Pizza (www.dominos.com/shoprunner), direct at ShopRunner.com (www.shoprunner.com) or at any ShopRunner retail partner website. Current ShopRunner members are automatically eligible for one sweepstakes entry. A full list of sweepstakes rules and regulations can be found by clicking on the ShopRunner icon on the www.dominos.com store locater page.

In just six months since its arrival, ShopRunner has grown to include over 70 retail partners, all of which offer products eligible for free, two-day shipping with no minimum order size, free shipping on returns and member-only deals. Members can shop across millions of products within a variety of categories including books, toys, clothing, electronics, sporting goods, pet supplies, and automotive and more, and with this partnership members receive free immediate delivery from Domino’s Pizza.

Wagner Design Associates, an Ann Arbor advertising and graphic design firm, received a Silver ADDY® in the Ann Arbor Ad Club’s 2010 ADDY Awards competition.

The ADDY was awarded to Wagner Design for Ann Arbor SPARK’s 2009 Annual Report. The brochure style annual report features the tagline "fast. forward." on the cover and throughout, and describes SPARK’s ongoing contribution to accelerating the pace of business growth in the Ann Arbor area. Motion blurred graphics evoke the feeling of speed, complementing the theme.

Sponsored nationally by the American Advertising Federation and locally by the Ann Arbor Ad Club, the ADDY Awards Competition recognizes and rewards creative excellence in the art of advertising. Beginning at the local level, in 200 markets nationwide, the ADDY’s three-tiered competition is the largest and most representative advertising awards program in the industry.

Ann Arbor SPARK’s mission is to be the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor Region as a desired place for business expansion and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from those that are established to those working to successfully commercialize innovations.

Wagner Design provides a full range of creative design and advertising services to organizations in the high technology, retail, health care, financial, and academic sectors. The firm has won recognition and awards for its work in print collateral, direct mail, electronic communications, and web design, and has been featured in various design publications.

Saline, MI (March 2, 2011) – BioMedware – an Ann Arbor-based company that conducts research and develops software for the environmental and health sciences – has launched its new website: www.biomedware.com.

The site was designed and developed by DesignHub, Inc. (www.design-hub.com) of Saline. DesignHub also created the new logo for BioMedware, starting from and refining the client’s preliminary ideas for the design.

Visitors to BioMedware’s new website learn how the company uses space-time analysis to help clients explore relationships between human health and the environment. The site describes the company’s current funded research in the areas of cancer cluster morphology, case-only cancer clustering for mobile populations, analysis of individual-level epidemiologic data, and space-time cancer data.

BioMedware’s completed research, research collaborations, and recent publications are also detailed in the site. The company’s research has been funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies, and through contracts with state governments and academic institutions.

Elsewhere on the new site, visitors learn about BioMedware’s software for geographic boundary analysis (BoundarySeer), disease cluster detection (ClusterSeer), and space-time visualization, analysis, and modeling (SpaceStat). All are available for purchase and delivery through the site’s online store. BioMedware’s software is used by universities, government agencies, and private industries worldwide.

In the site’s “BioMeanings” blog, BioMedware’s principals offer their perspectives on the latest news and issues in geospatial research for the environmental and health sciences. An interactive calendar alerts site visitors to BioMedware’s participation in academic and industry conferences. Visitors can also order books on compartmental analysis and modeling from the site’s online store.

Since BioMedware’s founding in 1994, the company has garnered over $11 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and researcher-Initiated grants to fund research and software development. In recognition of the company’s growth, BioMedware won “Fast Track” awards from the Washtenaw County Economic Development Council in 1999 and 2000.

More information on BioMedware is available from the company at 3526 W. Liberty Rd., Suite 1000, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-8872. Phone: (734) 913-1098 x200. Email: bsaid@greatlakeseducationalgroup.com.

About DesignHub

DesignHub, Inc. is a creative services and marketing firm that works with clients on website design and development, brand development, brochures, annual reports, newsletters, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, packaging designs, signage, and exhibits, as well as marketing strategies and plans.

DesignHub was founded in 1999. Its principals include: Karen Ragland, business manager and account executive; Ted Chesky, creative director and graphic designer; and Chris Kochmanski, marketing strategist, account executive, and copywriter. The firm has on-staff and freelance professionals for graphic design and website design and development.

Ann Arbor, Michigan – ­Wagner Design Associates has developed several key marketing pieces for the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) Office of Research and its Business Development team. The graphic design firm designed the Business Development logo using compass imagery to signify the team’s role as collaboration navigators for faculty, and created a  pocket folder and flyers that give a comprehensive view of how the team facilitates interactions between faculty and industry partners. Wagner also designed complementary pieces for conference use, including a retractable banner, table drape and giveaways. In addition to the work for the Business Development team, Wagner also enhanced the Office of Research web site with new graphic elements.

With expertise in both the academic and business realms, the U-M Medical School Business Development team connects faculty with new collaborators and helps them navigate the most efficient path to accelerate research from "bench to bedside." 

Wagner Design provides a full range of creative design and advertising services to organizations in the high technology, retail, health care, financial, and academic sectors. The firm has won recognition and awards for its work in print collateral, direct mail, electronic communications, and web design, and has been featured in various design publications.

February 16, 2011 – Ann Arbor, Michigan ­ Wagner Design Associates has developed several key marketing pieces for the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) Office of Research and its Business Development team. The graphic design firm designed the Business Development logo using compass imagery to signify the team’s role as collaboration navigators for faculty, and created a pocket folder and flyers that give a comprehensive view of how the team facilitates interactions between faculty and industry partners. Wagner also designed complementary pieces for conference use, including a retractable banner, table drape and giveaways. In addition to the work for the Business Development team, Wagner also enhanced the Office of Research web site with new graphic elements.

With expertise in both the academic and business realms, the U-M Medical School Business Development team connects faculty with new collaborators and helps them navigate the most efficient path to accelerate research from “bench to bedside.”

Wagner Design provides a full range of creative design and advertising services to organizations in the high technology, retail, health care, financial, and academic sectors. The firm has won recognition and awards for its work in print collateral, direct mail, electronic communications, and web design, and has been featured in various design publications.

Ann Arbor, MI (November 23, 2010) – Lawrence Power, M.D. of Ann Arbor has launched “Erie Tales: Prose Poetry from a Doctoring Life,” an online collection of short stories based largely upon his experiences from a 50-year medical career.

The new site, found at www.erietales.com, derives its title from the setting of Dr. Powers’ stories – homespun, sometimes nostalgic, yet always insightful – in the mythical town of Fort Anguish, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie.

“My intent with these tales,” said Dr. Power, “is to be both entertaining and enlightening. I trust that readers will gain a better understanding of the medical profession even while they enjoy the small-town shadings and whimsical asides.”

The “Erie Tales” site has kicked off with six stories so far for November 2010. Their evocative titles – “Holy Roller,” “Bare Minimums,” “Christmas Boy,” “Eating Machines,” “Playing Edges,” and “Dark Victory” – should give the curious even more incentive to check in online for a diverting read.

Dr. Power chose DesignHub, Inc. (www.design-hub.com) of Saline to help him create “Erie Tales.” DesignHub used WordPress, the popular open-source content management software, to design and develop the site in a blog-like format. Dr. Power himself now works with WordPress to regularly update the site with new postings.

About Dr. Power

Practically anywhere a medical career can take you, Dr. Lawrence Power has experienced it. In a clinical career spanning five decades, he actively managed or consulted on over 100,000 patients. He also taught medical students, residents, and practitioners, and published clinical research into diabetes mellitus.

Dr. Power trained in endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Michigan. He is a certified specialist of the American Board of Internal Medicine, a past professor at two medical schools (the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Wayne State University in Detroit), and a former chief of medicine at Detroit General/Receiving Hospital.

While acquiring the basic skills of patient management, Dr. Power spent a year in a busy general practice of medicine. There he made house calls, assisted at surgery, and saw the community through its seasonal epidemics.

Along the way, Dr. Power sometimes attended to the grim results of altercations, accidents, and suicides. Yet he also delighted in delivering many a healthy baby during his GP days.

At other times in his career, Dr. Power served for several stretches of months at a time as an emergency room doctor.

It is from this hands-on involvement in the lives of ordinary people, living thoroughly human existences, that Dr. Power has distilled his “Erie Tales.”

About DesignHub

DesignHub, Inc. is a creative services and marketing firm that works with clients on website design and development, brand development, brochures, annual reports, newsletters, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, packaging designs, signage, and exhibits, as well as marketing strategies and plans.

DesignHub was founded in 1999. Its principals include: Karen Ragland, business manager and account executive; Ted Chesky, creative director and graphic designer; and Chris Kochmanski, marketing strategist, account executive, and copywriter. The firm has on-staff and freelance professionals for graphic design and website design and development.

Further information is available from DesignHub, Inc., 600 W. Michigan Ave., Saline, MI 48176. Phone: (734) 944-8705. Email: info@design-hub.com. Online: www.design-hub.com.