Crisp content and website functionality is a forceful brand building strategy. Each client challenges us to deliver new and innovative results. Marrying brand focus with great design is our starting point.
The Tia Anita Project. Toronto, Canada.
Site Launched - September 2006
"tia anita" is a non-profit initiative formed to produce CDs showcasing the wide variety of styles and cultures found in the Canadian music scene. The organization's mandate is to foster an awareness of grass-roots initiatives assisting orphans affected by AIDS - primarily in Africa - while promoting a wide range of Canadian music talent from the folk tradition to world music.
Ann Stadlmair. Project Coordinator: "Thank you for your kindness in supporting our organization. We are grateful for the passion shared in what we are trying to achieve and commitment to ensure we truly realized the potential the web offered us. This leadership made all the difference."
Fort York Food Bank. Toronto, Canada.
Site Launched - October 2006
This year alone FYFB will provide the equivalent of 70,000 days of groceries through our 3-day food hampers, serve 30,000 meals through our kitchen and perform 1,500 counselling cases to help people get back on track. xguru, Inc. created a website to enable e-newlsetters, fund raising and expanded information resources to be presented online.
Douglas Anweiler. Director and Chair, Strategic Planning Committee: "We are deeply grateful for your support, expertise, leadership and professionalism. xguru's work has tremendously impacted our organization -- both in terms of how our supporters view FYFB, and the sense of pride our clients have in FYFB. We are grateful for the passion shared in what we are trying to achieve and commitment to ensure we truly realized the potential the web offered us. This leadership made all the difference."
Lanzate Arts and Culture Festival
Site Launched - July 2006
Lanzate supports the talent of Toronto's Latin-American/Hispanic Youth. Lanzate means "to leap, to jump and to spring" which highlights the action of being pro-active, as well as a simple metaphor for the potential of Latin-American/Hispanic youth in Toronto.
xguru, Inc. assisted Lanzate by incorporating their poster graphics -- designed by a young Latin-Canadian designer -- into a showcase website that will profile the activities of the organization.
Cat*PR
Customer Since - March 2006
Cat*PR is a public relations company specializing in arts, culture, lifestyle and entertainment. Cat*PR understands the importance for arts and entertainment organizations to get their message to the public.
Catherine Fawcett, Principal: "xguru, Inc. puts Cat*PR at the forefront of a 'new breed' of media relations firms. With our complement of website, email tools and technical support, our ability to reach our audience is fantastic. Thanks!!"
Bullhorn.ca
August 2005
Website designed to complement this emerging media relations company in their work promoting event, product launches, film and theatre openings, art exhibits and charity fundraisers.
Jaymz Bee, Director: "Our monthly events newsletter is extremely popular! xguru's expertise in email communicatons offers us unmatched abilities to reach our audience on behalf of our clients -- the performance stars of tomorrow -- as we promote their careers professionally and with style."
d'Art International Magazine
Site Launched- April 2004
d'Art International Magazine is a contemporary art periodical publishing Artist reviews, criticism, commentary and exhibition reports. The xguru, Inc. designed website provides an edition archive, online inquiries, subscription features and uses emaillabs for communications.
Steve Rockwell, Publisher: "We have published d'Art Magazine since 1997 but were reluctant to parallel our print efforts with an online presence until meeting with the xguru team. They understood our business objectives, and have created a great website that presents our publication as we envisioned it should be."
OpenEnded.NET
Poker Resource Website
Launched - October 2006
This new business targeting the Poker playing audience offers a branded clothing line, tips and player interviews about the game of Poker, as well as planned events.
Addis Ababa Restaurant
Recipe of Love Cookbook
Site Launched - February 2008
Addis Ababa Restaurant + The Recipe of Love Cookbook website. Website and e-commerce site for popular Ethiopian restaurant located in downtown Toronto. The website also contains flash streaming video and radio broadcast interviews of Aster Belayneh, the popular owner and cookbook author.
Arabesque Cafe
Site Launched - February 2006
Nestled in the heart of Toronto's Little Italy, it's a perfect spot to spend an afternoon over a cup of tea, a place to lounge with a favourite book, or to have lunch with friends, eating authentic dishes from the Middle East.
Cajú Restaurant. Brazilian Influenced Cuisine
First Version Completed - October 2004
Cajú is warm and inviting with modern décor, an elegant bar and a spacious dining room. Named after the gold and crimson tropical cashew fruit, Cajú features Brazilian-influenced cuisine.
Mario Cassini. "xguru, Inc. provided our resturant with a tasteful and informative website to enhance our business with a result that reflects our style and budget."
Lula Lounge Website with Calendar & Event Management Tools
Second Version Completed - June 2004
First Version Completed - December 2003
Lula Lounge in partnership with xguru have developed a complete web-based event management and calendering system for the club. In November 2004, an online ecommerce store was added.
Jose Ortega. "From design to development through to launch, xguru has shown us how to improve our business using technology. We have streamlined our communications processes, improved our visibility and have raised awareness of our entertainment offerings. In the restaurant business, the most expensive seat is an empty seat. xguru fill seats!!"
EICatalyst internet networks
design/ website study
Branding study for commercial Internet Service Provider. EI Catalyst is a growing, entrepreneurial Canadian IT company dedicated to delivering specialized, secure networks, Internet and Voice over IP services. Our mission is to provide a complete IT infrastructure on which a number of great businesses operate.
xguru, Inc. developed a series of message/ branding webpages for the company to pursue its brand-strengthening in the commpetitive ISP services marketplace.
Untracht Early & Associates LLC
Site Launched - March 2004
Untracht Early is a member of the MGI Worldwide association of accounting firms. Their office, located in New Jersey USA, requested a refreshed look to their company website with updated information and navigation.
DMCT LLP
Second Version Completed - December 2002
First Version Completed - March 2002
Octavio Cabral, Partner at DMCT: "We are thrilled to leverage the power of the Internet to communicate with our clients, associates and members of the profession -- with xguru, Inc. our firm can easily issue commentary and advice about tax changes and their implications. Website visitors will enjoy keeping informed with updates that satisfy a growing demand for intelligent business and personal tax commentary".
MGI Worldwide
First Version Completed - May 2003
xguru, Inc. created a public website for MGI Worldwide, with a content management system for the membership, MGI is a professional accounting association of 200 firms spanning 70 countries around the world.
InterRent International Properties Inc.
Fourth version launched - June 2005
version 3 (January 2003), version 2 (December 2000), version 1 (December 1999)
Includes flash introduction portraying real estate investment holdings in southern Ontario and updated design elements. InterRent uses xguru's email tools for Investor Relations.
G. Michael Newman, President, CEO: "The newest rendition of the InterRent website raises our effort to communicate our business to shareholders and the public. As a growing public corporation, with 65 buildings and 875 rental suites, we remain committed to passing along our message to investors and business partners. xguru, Inc. delivered yet another stylish and contemporary design for this purpose."
Alfonso Ramirez
Imaging & Design
First Version Completed - May 2006
Alfonso Ramirez Consulting (ARC) is a design and visualization studio. Architects, developers and property owners work with ARC to conceptualize, communicate, and market their architecture projects. ARC enhances proposals and presentations, construction drawings for building permits and marketing initiatives.
Alfonso Ramirez, Principal: "We are extremely pleased with the result of our website. As our business is design, it is important that our message be conveyed clearly and with style. We greatly appreciate your assistance."
Trillium Mortgage
v2 launched - April 2006
clients since 2003
Frank Manzo, Managing Partner: "xguru, Inc. recognized our primary business objectives, but also understood that we were intimidated by creating an internet presence. Their design process allowed for seamless exchanges between the principals of our company and their web developers... and, in analyzing the shortfalls at other mortgage websites, went above and beyond the scope of their web services agreement. We gained an attractive, highly functional communications and business process website... xguru, Inc. delivered blue chip performance at an affordable price."
Sananda Devi Yoga
Site Launched - November 2004
Sananda Devi Yoga teaches how to be of this world completely, as a spiritual journey to wholeness. xguru, Inc. designed a simple website to assist this new business reach its audience.
RiverStone Group Real Estate Investment
November 2004
(business sold - March 2007)
Kate Mossman, RiverStone Group: "xguru, Inc. went out of of their way to provide me with an outstanding web site! Any adjustments needed during the course of the development of my site were handled efficiently. xguru were very helpful and professional throughout the project. I have received many un-solicited compliments on the excellent design of my website."
Soul Drums
Online Retail Launched - September 2007
Soul Drums is a full service retail & learning percussion resource centre. xguru, Inc. adapted original graphic design elements and embarked upon full website reconstruction. Updated navigation, retail ecommerce, multi-media and enewsletters were implemented to raise the store's profile in the marketplace.
Paul Bailey, Partner: "Like many of our competitors, being online is essential. xguru, Inc. allowed us to focus on our unique product line and special event promotions. The partnership has brought about many changes to our store -- all for the better. Our customers love the enewsletter and our 'garage sale' section on the ecommerce side features terrific monthly specials. We are doing more while spending less."
Red Pegasus Boutique
First Version Completed - October 2005
Red Pegasus has been voted by Toronto's Now Magazine readers poll as "Best Unique Gift Shop" 4 times since 2000. The store caters to an extensive crowd, where one is sure to find the perfect gift. Products vary from local and Canadian artists to worldwide specialties.
Genevieve Marentette, Director of Marketing and Sales: "As a single location, independent business with 10 years under our belt, it was long overdue for website and email communications to become part of our marketing strategies. xguru, Inc. made the process easy. Thanks to our content manager toolkit and email newsletters, we are able to communicate wonderfully with customers, suppliers and the media.
The Wine Establishment
Site Launched - August 2004
"Everything to do with wine... but the wine itself". xguru, Inc., in partnership with eicatalyst, completely overhauled this clients existing website. Complete with e-commerce online shopping functionality for 1000 inventory items, email newsletter campaign tools, all framed in a contemporary look and feel design, the new Wine Establishment website offers visitors an exciting glimpse of the many products and services available. Animated macromedia flash banners were designed to improve the visual experience.
Melanie's Closet
Site Launched - August 2005
Melanie's Closet Vintage is a local hot spot in Toronto, Canada, for artists, designers, actors, stylists and good old-fashioned vintage affectionatos of all stripes who come for a vintage experience and a cuppa. Part hang-out space and part vintage shop, this unique old loft is the brainchild of local artist and designer Melanie Janisse, the store was voted 'Best of Toronto Vintage 2005' in NOW MAGAZINE.
SPS - Special Product Sales
Launched - May 2006
Special Product Sales is a trusted online merchant for a wide selection of consumer electronics and digital photographic products. SPS acts as the online ecommerce partner for CEID, another xguru, Inc. client. The project included content management integration between two websites with different publishing needs and online sales.
CEID.com Vivitar Canada
 |
Launched - May 2005
C.E.I.D. Corporation is the Canadian distributor for Vivitar, Ricoh and other consumer electronics brands. Their website provides the retail distributor network, their customers, and the public generally with information and product support resources. Project includes content database tools, public access and private dealer network areas.
Sam Zakalik."The www.ceid.com website is a step forward in providing information and product support resources. We have aimed to be clear, concise and user-friendly. Online support and easy-to-use download features will help to advance our business goals".
The Aether Group
Launched - March 2004
The Aether Group is a formulation of people united by good will in the research and quality assessment of consumer based products, whose mission is to provide the safest, purest, and most trusting products in the industry of better living.
Mark Miller. "xguru created a fully operational e-commerce enabled website for our unique product line in a very short time frame. We are tremendously satisfied with the results."
Meow Films
Site Launched - October 2008
Meow Films is dedicated to raising social awareness and community building through promotional videos and event management -- one project at a time!
xguru, Inc. reworked their existing graphics into an updated website incorporating email newsletters, media broadcasting and event ticket purchases using PayPal.
" Our compliments for a terrific result. Thanks very much. We look forward to working with xguru, Inc. for years to come. "
~ Gurbeen Bhasin, Producer/President
Janelle Monique. Monique Musique
Site Launched - October 2008
Janelle Monique launches her debut album "You Go To My Head". From the lavish ballads to the fiery up-tempos, You Go To My Head sweeps you off your feet. The album's title track "You Go To My Head" is a smooth and sexy bolero/cha-cha. Janelle's majestic arrangement of Burt Bacharach's "Don't Make Me Over" exudes power and soul. The contemporary spin on "For The Love Of You" ignites this sultry interpretation of the Isley Brothers classic. R&B meets jazz in "'Round Midnight", a duet with vocalist Jessie Roy, and it burns with aggression and slick grooves.
Janelle Monique's You Go To My Head takes you on a journey with many twists and turns along the way. Armed with a debut album, Janelle Monique will continue to share her music around the globe.
anitAFRIKA! dub theatre
Site Launched - September 2008
anitAFRIKA! dub theatre is a radical arts centre founded on 7 principles of dubpoetry & dubtheatre: the use of rhythm, language, political protext, orality, urgency, integrity, and sacredness as mediums of social change through storytelling.
xguru, Inc. created -- from member-inspired graphics -- a crisp, consise website and email newsletter plan for the Autumn 2008 programming launch of the theatre. A colourful calendaring system presents the schedule of events for each month.
" thank you, thank you, thank you - our website is outstanding "
~ Jamilah Abu-Bakare, director of operations
" it is a true pleasure and blessing to have you on board. welcome! solidarity. "
~ d'bi.young, founder, artistic director
Timely Manor Music
Site Launched - July 2007
Timely Manor a Toronto, Canada based production company/ recording label dedicated to promoting various forms of jazz music. Led by JAZZFM's Jaymz Bee, Timely Manor represents artists including Kollage, Colleen Allen, Robert Scott, Adam Makowicz, and Darren Sigesmund to name a few.
Timely Manor, in partnership with xguru, Inc. and media relations experts Cat*PR publish the very popular bullhorn enewsletter each month.
Wychwood Park Productions
Site Launched - December 2007
Wychwood Park Productions is a Toronto, Canada based production company/ recording label. Their roster includes well known Jazz vocalist DK Ibomeka. xguru, Inc. and Wychwood Park publish various enewsletters for DK Ibomeka to his international fan base.
Jaymz Bee. Event Consultant
Site Launched - October 2007
Jaymz Bee is a Toronto based entrepreneur who wears many hats
While most of his time is spent working for Canada's premiere jazz station, JAZZ.FM91, he also runs Timely Manor records (an independent jazz label with national distribution through Fontana North / Universal), Bullhorn (a monthly arts and entertainment newsletter) and still finds time to write articles, short stories, screenplays and songs, and at night you can find him emceeing corporate events, charity galas and acting as Music Director of award shows. You know the saying: If you want something done right, give it to a busy person.
Rumberos. Showcase Of Cuban Music In Canada
Second Version Completed - March 2008. First Version Completed - November 2006
The production company of Cuban Percussionist Joaquin Hildago Nunez, Rumberos performs music and educates people about authentic Cuban music -- from traditional Cuban music to Rumba, World Music and even jazz. Joaquin leads and directs the Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble "Rumba Iyabo" and the traditional Cuban music group "Cubanos". He has recorded multiple projects with the most recent being Hilario Big Band, Eddie Bullen, Kalabash and Njacko Backo.
Soular Productions Inc.
Launched - August 2006
Formed in 2001 by the critically acclaimed Juno-Nominated jazz and blues vocalist Dione Taylor and bassist/bandleader extraordinaire Sandy Mamane, Soular has been laying down a deep infectious groove for over 5 years with its’ soulful vocals and funky sounds.
xguru, Inc. created this multi media presentation website to allow the band to offer sound clips, video and performance schedule information.
Ciara Adams | Singer | Songwriter | Actor
Site Launched - January 2008
Popular singer | actor | arts educator goes online with site and enewsletter.
Site includes media streaming features for recorded music.
Samba Explosion Dance Company
First Version Completed - September 2005
Samba Explosion Dance Company promotes culture, music and carnival. xguru, Inc. created a simple *.css based website for the performance group.
Art Levine, Classical Music Educator
Site Launched - August 2005
Design and development of website for classical music educator. Site includes user-administed toolkit for uploading free and purchasable music resources.
Genevieve Marentette, Singer & Songwriter
site launched - February 2005
Design and development of website for jazz singer/songwriter. Site includes media streaming features for recorded music.
Fernando Tavares, Pianist & Composer
Site Launched - December 2004
Design and development of website for jazz musician. Site includes media streaming of recorded music and video broadcast.
Samba Toronto
Site Launched - June 2004
The Escola de Samba tradition, with its root in the Brazilian spirit, has planted itself here in Toronto where it's budding with fun for everyone of all ages. Escola de Samba de Toronto is one of Canada's most popular Brazilian Samba bands, performing regular events and large festivals throughout the year.
The Samba Toronto website presents events, teaching resources and multi-media for the groups various activities. Samba Toronto also publishes a periodic newsletter using xguru's xmail tools.
presenting the visual arts online represents a design challenge we enjoy. The end result should allow the art to speak for itself.
Meow Films Presents ~Night At The Indies~
Launched - August 2008
Utilizing existing graphics, xguru, Inc. designed an enewsletter and accompanying website for the ~Night At The Indies~ arts organization. Multi-media and e-commerce complement the striking visual design of their online presentation.
~Night at the Indies~ is a monthly event highlighting artistic endeavors in all its forms. Individual artists and sponsors collaborate to present unique film, visual arts and cultural ideas. The organization honors artists for their work and aims to celebrate art and foster a community for artists to connect and create. Submissions are reviewed by the ~Night at the Indies~ Collective and are selected based on: artists from diverse communities, storyline, social awareness and responsibility and availability to attend the multi-media events and collaborate with other artists.
~Night at the Indies~ continues to grow and evolve as a community. Partner organizations can be found in Vancouver, British Columbia and Montreal, Quebec.
Eldon Garnet. Artist, Photographer and Author
Launched - August 2008
Garnet throughout his career has been a participant in both the Canadian and the international cultural world. From the very beginning, his photographic works were included in exhibitions in the United States and then Europe. He has maintained an international presence throughout his career. Still as a young artist, his work was presented at La Memelle in San Francisco 1978. A participant at the Venice Biennale in 1985. Garnet's 1997 work, NO was included in the exhibition Hitchcock and Art: Fatal Coincidences at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal (2000) and the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (2001). In 1997, the National Gallery (CMCP) hosted his mid career survey entitled: the Fallen Body.
Other new photographic works, Fissure (1997), Fracture (1999), and Lament (2000), among them have recently been the subject of exhibitions in the Netherlands, at the Noorderlicht Photofestival, Groningen (2001). Garnet has had major surveys of his photographs, at the Amsterdams Centrum voor Fotografie (2002) and Dust at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art in Toronto (2002).
xguru, Inc. created a portfolio website for Eldon to re-present his body of work and cultural contributions.
Dale M. Reid, Photographer
Launched October 2007
Dale M. Reid Photography specializes in artistic black and white images of maritime views, seascapes, roads, skies and urban views.
Writer Rita Zekas states "Loved, loved, loved Dale M. Reid's black-and-white photography. A photo of a deserted farmhouse in a flat landscape was so Dorothy's-house-before-the-tornado, but it was and a photo of a pair of ankle strap stilettos beside an exotic flower that followed me home. Its title, "Danger Cobra," sealed the deal. (Living reporter. The Toronto Star. Mar 29, 2008)" in a recent review of this talented photographer
Kristen Fahrig. Artist Designer. Educator
Launched - August 2006
Kristen Fahrig, is a Toronto based designer, sculptor and educator. As an independent artist she has explored the idea of wearable art; her oeuvre covers a broad cultural and thematic range from environmental statements to the seduction of technology as it embraces the human body. These provocative creations have been shown in many contexts, from gallery and museum exhibits to performance art.
xguru, Inc. created a portfolio website to help Kristen promote her work and her business of providing Community Arts Programs.
colormatchgame.com
Site Launched - January 2005
colormatch -- a game of aesthetic strategy -- is part of d'Art International Magazine's interest in the visual arts. The website includes presentation of tournaments held at various venues and exhibitions. The client plans to launch an online version of the game in 2008.
Jason Alexander, Painter
Launched - March 2007
A graduate of Ontario College of Art and Design, Jason worked in advertising and taught painting and design at Centennial College, before devoting himself full-time in 1992 as an independent visual artist. Prestigious corporations, charitable organizations and many individuals have sought Jason's paintings for the exhilaration and thought provoking dynamics created from the shear energy depicted on canvas. Jason currently is selling his paintings in private galleries and art organizations throughout North America.
Ashok Charles, Photographer
Launched July 2005
Steve Rockwell, Artist
Launched July 2005
Steve Rockwell, in addition to his career as a visual artist, is also the publisher of d'Art International Magazine and the ColorMatch Game series.
Michael Davidson, Artist
Launched June 2002
Excerpts From Michael Davidson, 26
Lou's Café, August, .06
I'm sitting down to breakfast, at 53rd and Sixth Avenue. I'm thinking about '26' and wondering how it will hold up as a document of the last several years. It should work out. I've left it in the hands of people I trust.
As far as definition of process, where I have been with the paintings, and the nature of the '26' location in Toronto, homebase, my residence and studio, I think it's all there, maybe in between the lines.
Before I cross the road and go in to take a close look at de Kooning's 1950-52 'Woman I', one of the most laboured paintings I know of, I'm also wondering what my next paintings will look like. There is of course, no way to tell. And that's alright. I've never wanted to know anything beforehand....
mas photography
A macromedia flash based presentation for fashion photography studio. Design, hosting and ongoing maintenance.
Menno Krant, Artist
Launched December 2000
The Angell gallery
Second Version Completed - January 2006
First Version Completed - September 2002
Angell gallery's second website rebuild takes advantage of the latest in clean *.css design techniques. The art gallery was able to rebrand its site in recognition of 10 years of business. Angell gallery continues to rely on xguru, Inc. with a monthly services package including email newsletters.
Jamie Angell, Director: "xguru understood the best way to improve Angell gallery visibility was to present our rich visual content online and be consistent in communicating with our extensive email newsletter list. Far more effective than just branding a logo -- art has never been so sexy in the 21st. century!"
MOCCA Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art - Membership/ Fundraiser Website
Design and support of website to raise awareness and membership of MOCCA, a major Canadian art institution.