Adobe and Leading Digital Agencies Launch SoDA

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) and 18 leading digital agencies worldwide today introduced the Society of Digital Agencies (SoDA). Envisioned by CEOs of award-winning digital marketing and design agencies, SoDA’s mission is to advance the digital design profession through knowledge sharing, education, and advocacy and drive much-needed guidelines. Adobe, which provides much of the software technology relied on by digital agencies worldwide, is supporting the group as the organization’s official launch sponsor.

As the advertising and marketing industries increasingly shift their focus to the Web, digital services are becoming more important and fundamental to their success. The increasing demand for interactive experiences presents both opportunities and challenges for digitally progressive brands and their agencies. SoDA brings digital agencies together to address the unique issues they face and to develop guidelines and best practices that will move the entire industry forward.

“With the digital industry still very much in its infancy, the founding members of SoDA are fully committed to a proactive approach to establish and propagate their best practices,” said Richard Lent, CEO of AgencyNet and chairman of SoDA. “These best-in-class agencies, with the strong support of Adobe, are well suited to establish an ongoing dialog about the successful practices required in today’s digital media industry. The collective experience, expertise, passion, and insight of the organization is truly inspiring.”

SoDA will meet regularly to address issues such as technical complexity, rapid changes in content distribution, scaling issues, timelines and technology’s impact on budgets — all of which effect the quality, innovation and accessibility of digital media.

“Digital agencies employ some of the most creative people on the planet and SoDA will help focus this talent so that brands and companies can blaze new trails across the interactive landscape,” said John Loiacono, senior vice president of Creative Solutions at Adobe. “The members of this new organization already push the boundaries of digital design and development. By working together we will champion the technologies and practices that make digital media campaigns stand out and deliver.”

Charter members of SoDA are: AgencyNet; Big Spaceship; Blitz Agency; Domani Studios; Exopolis; Firstborn Multimedia; Grupo W; iChameleon Group; IQ Interactive; Juxt Interactive; Lightmaker; Mind Comet; Odopod; Schematic; Struck Design; WDDG; WhittmanHart and 360i.
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