The Client
XYZnetworks is jointly owned by Australia's major subscription television platforms - FOXTEL and
AUSTAR. It owns and operates The LifeStyle Channel, LifeStyle Food, The Weather Channel, Max,
Channel [V], [V]2 and the Country Music Channel. It is also the distributor for The Discovery Channel
and partner to Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. – three of the strongest brands in their genre globally.
© 2010
The Challenge
XYZnetworks had outgrown its studios and head office in Surry Hills – one of Sydney's trendier inner
city locations and had acquired offices in North Ryde, one of Australia's major business districts and
home to many corporate headquarters including those of Microsoft, HP and Toshiba to name a few.
The XYZ staff, however, had christened it... "Outer Mongolia".
Ultimately, the challenge was to use environmental and experiential graphics in the new
characterless offices to create an environment that epitomised the company’s culture and personality
and, importantly, instilled a positive and immediate relationship between the staff and their new
home away from home.
The Solution
We decided to create an environment that was lead by XYZnetworks as the Master Brand,
while simultaneously letting each of the individual channels brands exude its own personality.
The design solution was found in what occurs in the nanosecond when surfing between
channels. Often, at that moment, there will be an almost subliminal streak of colour.
This streak became the visual glue that bound the individual channel identities
together under the XYZnetworks brand.
The Outcome
Far less of a "transitional shock" ... and potential loss of staff and productivity was deemed to have
been achieved. Quite possibly, an increase in productivity may have actually been registered.
Moreover, the space is, visually, an extremely impressive headquarters instilling a sense of pride for
incumbent staff while at the same time being a boon in the attainment of prospective new quality
staff.
