Press

Introducing Black Tonic

Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT:
David Price
Co-Founder, Black Tonic
(503) 776-0718
david@blacktonic.com
www.blacktonic.com
Twitter: @blacktonicapp

What is Black Tonic?

Black Tonic is a web-based software service providing the simplest way to manage and deliver remote presentations in real-time. It is designed to facilitate image-based presentations by allowing a presenter to dynamically control presentation material – and it is built with pure HTML and JavaScript; no Flash, plug-ins, or any other software is required.

No software service or web experience like Black Tonic exists on the market today.

Who is it for?

Black Tonic is intended for creative professionals (referred to throughout as “creatives”) – ranging from graphic designers to web developers to advertisers. Creative professionals designed it, understanding the needs and constraints of the design process as well as the current frustration with existing presentation tools. Thanks to Black Tonic, creatives will never again have to substitute another in-person presentation to clients with a pdf via email.

What makes Black Tonic different?

Black Tonic is distinct in the following four areas:

• Instant Experience Sharing: Black Tonic creates a context for individuals to instantly share time, space and experiences. This is made possible by the fact it broadcasts HTML, synchronizes browsers between all users, and uses real-time technology to create this entirely innovative experience of the web. This 'Experience Sharing' effect is described further in this article: http://www.wolv3rin3.com/articles/2009/august/21/experience-sharing-xs-w...
• Control to the Presenter: Black Tonic allows the creative, the expert, to maintain control of the presentation and to set the context and tell the story about the work. Black Tonic is not a collaboration tool. It creates roles for individuals - the lines are clearly drawn between presenter and audience member.
• Respect for Design: Black Tonic places the focus on the work itself, not the technology or the application. Remote presentations play a frequent and necessary role in creatives’ work experience. However, current tools available for managing remote presentations are often inefficient, expensive and awkward. Black Tonic gives creatives the ability to control the presentation of work to remote clients and colleagues in order to set the context for dialogue and design iteration. It respects the workflow and context required to produce great design.
• Fits Business Budget: Now, more than ever, companies are expecting great work and results from their designers, advertisers and marketers; however, the resources to do so have been dramatically reduced. One of the exciting by-products of Black Tonic is the amount of time and money it will save individuals and small businesses while also enabling the production of great work. With Black Tonic, managing and delivering presentations is simple and affordable, which reduces overhead costs associated with setup, differing learning curves, distractions, and even travel.

What are the Key Features?

• Simplicity: After a quick account set-up, Presenters simply begin creating their presentations online by uploading their work to a secure web account. Audiences are invited through a shared link to the presentation’s unique web address. Additionally, Black Tonic's clean, appealing interface and targeted features are playful and intuitive. The process allows Presenters to gain the sex appeal of appearing tech savvy, qualified and knowledgeable to clients and colleagues.
• Real-Time broadcasting and management: The Presenter controls both what the Audience sees on the web page and when they see it. While the Audience cannot skip ahead, they also cannot see what the presenter is capable of doing behind-the-scenes: skipping, adding, or removing slides mid-presentation or even working on their computer desktop.
• Flexibility and control for managing presentations: Presentations can be archived indefinitely for review by the creator and audience; the presentation can also be locked so no one can view it afterward.
• YourName.blacktonic.com: Each account gets its own web address. Additionally, each presentation’s web address can be shared with as many audience members as needed.
• Images are the presentation: The presentation can begin as soon as the presenter clicks "create.” Selected images become the slides, which the presenter can set up and prepare beforehand or just upload and broadcast in real-time.

What Are People Saying?

"Blacktonic has been a Godsend for me. The best part has been making changes and posting them while talking to the client. As we talk I can make changes, upload and ask ‘Is this more of what you're looking for?’ This is the perfect thing for freelance designers."
- Jennifer Wallace
Graphic and Web Designer, Freelance
jwallwallace.com

"What I love about Black Tonic is how fast it is. There's no mucking about with installing new applications, finding codes, etc. It's just a quick click for the client and we're live."
- Chase Reeves
Director of Marketing, Iterasi
iterasi.net

"I work with clients across the U.S. and Canada. Black Tonic allows me the control I need when presenting via phone, and my clients appreciate the clean presentation. The interface is incredibly intuitive and oh-so clean."
- Genevieve Margherio
Owner, CD, Red Lemon Creative, Inc.
redlemoncreative.com

“Beautiful simplicity! It's not common that web apps are this simple, and I love it.”
- Ian Cairns
Project Manager, Development Seed
developmentseed.org

CASE STUDY

"Black Tonic rocks hard… I think I'm addicted."
- Jeff Foster, Business Development, Sandstrom Design

Jeff Foster, Business Developer for Sandstrom Design, first approached Black Tonic because he needed to pitch new project concepts via a presentation with a team of potential clients in Asia.

Sandstrom had resources available for using any type of presentation tool necessary, but instead of sharing their potentially chaotic desktops, or requiring their overseas clients to download software, they were looking for a tool that showcased their work and eliminated an ocean of distance. Black Tonic fit the bill.

Foster has since completed several presentations with the team in Asia, and continues to use Black Tonic for presenting to clients in Europe and performing marketing research with retailers stateside. Black Tonic is now a regular tool for Foster and his team at Sandstrom Design.

Sandstrom Design, an establish Portland, Oregon company, has successfully created branding for companies including Chase, Converse, Tazo, Coca-Cola, and Miller Lite.

COMPANY and FOUNDERS

Philippe Blanc, co-founder
Philippe Blanc brings a fresh perspective to software development. A trained fine artist hailing from Nice, France, Philippe’s initial focus in computer and digital art influenced his interesting in programming, leading him to a career as a Java software developer. He founded his first technology company, OYOAHA, in the late 90s.

As a principal at WOLVERINE and co-founder of Black Tonic, Philippe leads all things technology, strategy and innovation. Philippe continues to invent technology solutions that predict emerging trends and intentionally challenge the status quo of what the Internet is meant to do and be, while continuing his art career with shows in both Europe and the United States.

David Price, co-founder
An academically trained mechanical and biomedical engineer with advanced studies in philosophy and theology, David’s interest lies in knowledge theory—particularly the study of sign and symbol as they relate to language and communication. Software design and technology has proved to be the perfect combination for David’s skills.

Beginning in 2001, David managed the strategy and development of an e-commerce application and physical fulfillment process that generated gross annual revenue exceeding one million dollars within a year. Thus began his fascination with the potential of integrating Internet technology with business process through design. As the creative business mind behind WOLVERINE and Black Tonic, David brings critical thinking and business entrepreneur skills to the team.

Black Tonic (dba)

Black Tonic is a new venture of David Price and Philippe Blanc, co-founders, who bootstrapped development by leveraging their resources and experience from running WOLVERINE, a design consultancy based in Portland, Oregon.

Why was Black Tonic developed?

Price and Blanc questioned (and continue to question) the current user experience of the web. With so much of the current focus on providing collaboration and contribution tools and experiences, the need for a tool allowing a controlled web experience became a high priority for the company.

Black Tonic is the result of a combination of passion, opportunity, and innovation on the parts of Price and Blanc. The HTML broadcasting and browser-synchronizing innovation was the by-product of recognizing a need in the marketplace: remote presentations by PDF are no longer sufficient. Instead, a solution that showcases the hard work of designers with ease for both creatives and their audiences is necessary, and now available.