universal positive – Page 26 – Unique insights and actionable ideas from The Darnell Works Agency’s daily quest for greatness.

Much love to and from The Children’s Playhouse

April 4, 2024February 11, 2010 by Roger Darnell

A creative play space for families, and a powerful force for community goodness in Boone, North Carolina, USA

After helping my wife Beth Darnell, and her sister Ann Kiefert, their comrade Kathy Parham, and many others from our then-new hometown of Boone, North Carolina, open The Children’s Playhouse in November of 2002, I am very proud to see how Kathy has led the venture in countless ways which continue adding precious dimensions to our community. The video featured here was produced by our friend Beth Jacquot in 2003, and much has happened since then. I invite you to visit the official site www.GoPlayhouse.org and explore the Facebook group, and I also wanted to share news from a recent event that reveals a lot about our community, and Kathy.

Start cultivating your creativity right now…

April 4, 2024February 1, 2010 by Roger Darnell

Over the past two years, I began a little family tradition which has paid off for me personally with some pretty great dividends. My wife’s family gets together during the year-end holidays in the lovely Isle of Palms area of Charleston, South Carolina. In the nearby town of Mount Pleasant, I have discovered a Goodwill store, and for the past two years, I have shopped in the book section and picked out books for each of those staying with us. Last year, for myself, I selected a water-damaged copy of a book that seemed vaguely familiar, written by Julia Cameron and entitled “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.”

Haiti Now

April 4, 2024January 29, 2010 by Roger Darnell

Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected by this catastrophe. Donations can still be sent via text message:

Red Cross: Text HAITI to 90999 ($10 donation)
Yéle Haiti: Text YELE to 501501 ($5 donation)

Creative Entrepreneurs: David Bouck

April 4, 2024January 22, 2010 by Roger Darnell

While attending the Boards Summit last October, I had the pleasure of meeting David Bouck (IMDB, LinkedIn), a veteran producer working in commercials, television and feature films. David is the founder and executive producer of Means of Production in Vancouver, a production services company specializing in television commercial production and still photography servicing all of Canada. After recently sending me his latest company reel (featured above), I peppered him with questions which he has kindly answered below.

Case Study: a52

April 4, 2024January 15, 2010 by Roger Darnell

Last updated on Jan. 15, 2010: a52 Earns Continuous Coverage in Target Market and Industry Trade Media, Extends Key Vendor and Client Relationships

“Strategic Public Relations Campaign Keeps a52 Atop Industry Radar”
See also: a52 MEDIA COVERAGE . ELASTIC MEDIA COVERAGE . ROCK PAPER SCISSORS MEDIA COVERAGE

a52, an award-winning LA-based visual effects boutique serving the international commercial, music video and premium-television industries.

Executive Summary
During DWA’s 10-year tenure as the PR agency of record for a52 (2000-2010), projects touched by the immense talents at the LA-based visual effects boutique earned top honors from Adweek, Advertising Age, ‘Boards, Creative Review, Creativity, SHOOT and Shots, top Automotive Advertising, BDA, British Design and Art Direction, Clio, Emmy (Best Main Title and Best Commercial), International Andy, London International Advertising and PROMAX Awards, among many others… and screened at the Museum of Modern Art in the prestigious annual AICP Show each and every year.

Southern California welcomes A Nice Set

April 3, 2024December 21, 2009 by Roger Darnell

Inhouse Creative in Venice, California, is the creative agency for S.L.A.T.E., the progressive streetwear section of the famous MAGIC fashion tradeshow held twice yearly (next one is Feb. 16-18) in Las Vegas. On behalf of my clients at creative studio We Are Plus, it’s my sincere pleasure to thank the Inhouse team for organizing the Pop-Up Shop @ AK1511 and hosting A Nice Set for its U.S. debut. Since 2008, this acclaimed DJ slipmat art exhibition has attracted taste-making crowds in Tokyo, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Madrid, Melbourne, Singapore, and Shanghai. The exhibition will now run through Jan. 17 at AK11 in Venice, featuring unique retail pop-up stores for Orisue, Aerial7 and 9Five open every day (Mon-Sat 11AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-4PM).

Tommy Ewasko, Imagemaker Extraordinaire…

April 3, 2024December 14, 2009 by Roger Darnell

This Friday and Saturday nights, and by private appointments thereafter, The Wine Cave in Montrose, California, will proudly host Artist’s Receptions and Charitable Fine Art Sales honoring master Getty Images imagemaker Tommy Ewasko and his work, and benefiting Amazing Grace Children’s Foundation. On display and available to collectors on a first-come, first-served basis are numerous … Read moreTommy Ewasko, Imagemaker Extraordinaire…

Expanding Artistry from LA Design Studio Elastic

April 3, 2024December 3, 2009 by Roger Darnell

I expect that most of my Facebook and creative industry friends who have seen all the amazing project work I’ve been sharing from LA-based full-service design studio Elastic will agree that the company’s phenomenal artists have hit every project they’ve touched out of the park. From the recent Honda Accord Crosstour “Instruments” and “Boxes” spots for ad agency RPA, to the Verizon “iDon’t,” “Surfer” and “Homing Device” Droid spots for mcgarrybowen, the adidas “It’s On Me For We” spots for 180/LA, the Lexus HS Pods spots for Team One, and more cool work for FUEL TV, Nike and others, sharing the company’s artistry over the past year has been an amazing adventure for yours truly. At this point, I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank anyone who has shared the company’s work; your interest in Elastic is appreciated immensely!

Among many people I’m thankful for, my big brother Scott

March 22, 2024November 23, 2009 by Roger Darnell

We’re taking off to go spend some quality time with our families in the St. Louis and Milwaukee areas over the days ahead, and I thought I’d make a quick nod to one of the people I’m most thankful for, my big brother, Scott Darnell. Scott and his partner David Gotter established a company in 2003 named Further OPTIONS, as a developer of innovative mobility systems for wheelchair-bound individuals. After debuting its first product at the 2006 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the company’s Patent-pending DMS-4 was unveiled at the 2009 National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association Annual Conference, where it was honored by NMEDA and the Adaptive Driving Alliance with their 2009 New Technology Award for Innovation in Engineering and Technology for the physically challenged.

Lessons on professionalism, persistence and “Endurance” from artist Theresa Ortolani

April 3, 2024November 18, 2009 by Roger Darnell

Two years ago, I attended a publishing workshop hosted by Kiki Bauer, senior designer for powerHouse Books, at the powerHouse Arena in Brooklyn. Six of us attended, each eager to discuss our very specific idea for a brilliantly conceived, beautiful and riveting coffee-table book like those famously published by powerHouse. Theresa, Lori, Brad, Debra, John-Michael and I all presented our pet projects to Kiki on that day, and I’ll bet the rest of our classmates are as proud as I am to see that Theresa has persevered in seeing hers through, and getting it into print: “Endurance” published by powerHouse Books, is now available for purchase. In fact, the official launch party is happening at powerHouse Arena on Thurs., Dec. 3. More information on Theresa Ortolani, “Endurance” and this very cool upcoming event follow below.