January, 2005 - NIA Creative merges with Critical Mass Media to offer expanded services

NIA Creative begins the new year with gusto, announcing its merger with Critical Mass Media, an award-winning production studio based in San Ramon. Bob Godfrey, President & CEO of NIA Creative comments, "NIA has built its reputation on being a go-to agency for brand consulting, creative design, advertising, public relations and event marketing. Via the merger with Critical Mass Media, clients will enjoy an expanded suite of services that includes video production, outstanding 3D animation, live interactive tradeshow presentations and more." The newly merged company is now headquartered in San Ramon, taking full advantage of the editing bays and green screen studio/sound stage that was home to Critical Mass Media.

Clients with a lengthy history at NIA Creative will be pleasantly surprised to discover that this merger brings a familiar face back to NIA - Chris Finetti, who instituted the company's Multimedia Department when Godfrey founded the agency. Finetti notes, "I began my design career working with Bob at Chroma Copy, and then later joined him when he launched NIA Creative. After working together for several years, I decided to branch off on my own in 1998 to focus on my interests in video and film. Bob and I remained in contact, and began teaming up on projects again in 2004. The chemistry was undeniable, and our clients seemed to sense it too." Details for the merger were finalized in December, and the newly combined company launched early this month.

Since that time, Godfrey and Finetti have been quite busy, working together to successfully acquire clients such as NuGEN Technologies and Antec, while simultaneously bringing in new projects from existing clients. And NIA's Business Development Manager, Maryam Broome, has joined the frey, bringing in projects from Thunder Factory and Sapien Technologies as well, with more on the horizon. Finetti couldn't be happier. "Partnering with Bob feels like coming home again. I can't wait to see what this year will bring."

About NIA Creative:

NIA Creative was founded in 1996 and has grown to become a trusted go-to marketing partner for healthcare and technology companies and public sector/non-profit organizations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and U.S. In 2005, NIA launched its healthcare division, NIA Creative Health, to better meet the needs of device, pharma, diagnostics and consumer health firms. NIA is unique in that both traditional agency and full-scale production services are available in-house. Services include advertising and branding, web development, video production, animation, interactive media development and tradeshow/event marketing. Clients include Baxter BioScience, Biogen Idec, Cadence Design, Carl Zeiss Meditec, City of San Jose, Clarity Medical Systems, eHealthInsurance.com, Genentech, HA Logistics, Kaiser Permanente, Marin County Department of Health & Human Services, NuGEN Technologies, SellPoint, Tensilica, Themis, Workday and Zhone Technologies. For more information, visit www.niacreative.com and www.niacreativehealth.com.