Company Info

The Tortoise is a interactive media production company with an expertise in developing online communities around unique content properties.

    Consulting
    We provide development and management services to media companies that want to leverage their existing content properties in interactive media. We specialize in online community-building.

    Production
    We develop original interactive content properties and online communities, selling and licensing them to audience aggregators such as studios, networks, portals and online services.


Production Process

In consulting with clients and developing original interactive media products, The Tortoise follows a four-step production process:

    I. Conceptualization
    To start, we brainstorm ideas, define the project, hone the message, locate strategic partners and create a blueprint that designers, programmers and marketers will use to build the product.

    II. Development
    Once the concept is crystallized and we have created a clear blueprint for construction, the development process begins. In development we create a work plan, design a budget and timeline, select the most suitable tools and technology solutions, build a team, and form the partnerships necessary to build the product.

    III. Production
    Next, we manage the day-to-day process of production. We work with designers, programmers, content providers, sales and marketing staff to build the product within the established budget and timeline. We work with a client's in-house staff or assemble our own team of out-of-house designers and developers whose skills and experiences best match the requirements of the project.

    IV. Management
    Interactive media products require active management and maintenance once they are built. Once production is complete we work to ensure that the site's producers have the tools and training they need to grow an online community and continue to develop the product.

Management

    Aaron Naparstek
    Aaron has worked as an interactive media producer, designing and developing original content, community-building, e-commerce and live webcast products since 1994. As online editor at Spin Magazine he developed AOL's SPINonline, a music and pop culture community site for teenagers. From 1996 to 1997 he worked as content programming manager for Firefly Online, a seminal Internet-start founded by students from MIT's Media Lab. Following that, he spent a year at Microsoft helping to design and develop Sidewalk.com as community producer. Aaron earned his MS at Columbia University School of Journalism, and his BA in History at Washington University in St. Louis.

Contact

Aaron Naparstek - 646-638-1743, aaron@thetortoise.com

Writings