Days we are sure to remember

Richmond, California-based Mountain Hardwear creates performance apparel and equipment designed to empower outdoor athletes to live boldly. At the time when this post is going live here, if you wanted to find me, you’d have to travel to the Kalaloch Campground in Forks, Washington, along the outer edge of continental USA’s northwesternmost coastline in Olympic National Park. My family and I have been planning this excursion for the past couple of years, and it’s a dream come true. Apparently, my dreams are a lot like those of the individuals behind Mountain Hardwear… and their customers.

Earlier this year I started noticing the company’s “Days You Remember” video series, and I bookmarked it as the perfect thing to share in today’s blog post. All the videos are tagged with this statement that resonates very deeply with me:

Read moreDays we are sure to remember

Flavor’s on the rise at Cutters Studios…

It’s been almost 10 months since Cutters Studios rebranded its design and VFX division, which since 1997 had built a solid reputation in Chicago as Sol Design FX. With the addition of executive creative director Brad Tucker and executive producer Darren Jaffe, last August the company opened-up shop in Santa Monica and began life with a new name: Flavor.

At the time, Cutters Studios president and CEO Tim McGuire shared these insights: “Something new and exciting is happening in the design industry and it’s time to refocus our talent and effort to make a statement. Brad and Darren are true leaders in motion design known throughout the industry. They will work closely with all of the Cutters Studios locations.”

Read moreFlavor’s on the rise at Cutters Studios…

Sharing secrets: Know your audience!

When trying to communicate with someone, it is vitally important to understand who that person is, whether or not they speak your language, their age, where they live… and also, factors like what’s on their mind right now, and where they are physically. The point of this article is to emphasize that communication – and marketing – is usually a waste of time if the particulars of the human beings comprising the audience are not taken into account. Personally, I’m shocked at how often people fail to address this mission-critical first step, explained so effectively by Seth Godin in the video presented here.

Effective communicators like Mr. Godin begin their programs by assessing their target audiences, exploring the relevant demographics and/or psychographics, and analyzing data. Indeed, the information we exude into the world is measured and used… whether we know it or not.

Read moreSharing secrets: Know your audience!

Coming soon to HBO: “Silicon Valley”

I find it interesting that the executives behind “Silicon Valley” chose the recent SXSW Film Festival to host the world premiere for their new HBO series. From everything I’ve seen, anticipation is ramping up quickly for the official April 6 debut on HBO. I thought I’d share the trailer with you and also pass along a taste of the great review by The Hollywood Reporter’s Tim Goodson. Be sure to check-out the full story.

In Goodson’s words, “The Mike Judge-created series about life in modern-day Silicon Valley

Read moreComing soon to HBO: “Silicon Valley”

Explore brand as possibility with Lippincott

Lippincott is a leading brand strategy and design firm with a 70-year heritage crafting authentic stories, memorable experiences and winning strategies for the world’s most iconic brands. Its expertise spans all aspects of brand building including strategy, design, experience innovation and organizational engagement. Recent clients include 3M, Delta Air Lines, Hyatt, Infiniti, Samsung, Starbucks and Walmart. Lippincott is part of Oliver Wyman, a global professional services organization owned by Marsh & McLennan Companies.

Read moreExplore brand as possibility with Lippincott

LOTS to be found at “Lost”

Lost At E Minor is an online publication of inspiring art, photography, music, and more for creative people. Founded by brothers Zolton and Zac Zavos in 2005, Lost At E Minor is an imprint of Australia’s Conversant Media, also publishers of the country’s sports opinion site The Roar. Lost At E Minor’s worldwide team of editors and writers based in cities from Bogota, Berlin, New York, Melbourne and many locales in between report from 21st century civilization’s leading edge, providing a constant source of creative inspiration.

Read moreLOTS to be found at “Lost”

Great to know: Steven Masur

Exactly twenty-two years ago, during my employment with Ivan Tors Entertainment, I was hunkered down writing my first screenplay, which was for “Flipper: The Movie.” Delivered early in January, 1992, that script helped the firm move forward in all of its development discussions, and I was given a small sum and a contract stating that the majority of my compensation as the screenwriter was contingent upon the film being made.

Read moreGreat to know: Steven Masur

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn 2013

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU) is a four-day Digital Entertainment Festival set for 18-21 September in sunny Troia, Portugal, promising unique opportunities to learn and network in paradise. If you’re not already planning to attend, consider putting it on your 2014 calendar. A premier event for producers, animators, game developers, concept artists, 3D generalists, VFX and CG professionals and the curious, passionate, restless and fearless, this first edition of THU will unite at least 700 professionals and students from around the world for four days of talks, demo-classes, roundtables, investment pitches, recruitment sessions, recruitment challenges and much more.

Read moreTrojan Horse was a Unicorn 2013

Future forward with production studio Leviathan

As the principals of design-focused production studio Leviathan begin their fourth year in business together, their impacts are growing in virtually every dimension. While the montage featured here and at www.lvthn.com presents most of their latest large-scale visual experiences crossing all media, many new achievements are currently in the works as well.

At each new turn, projects like these for The North Face and Callaway via Factory Design Labs, for Kelley Blue Book via Doner, for Western Digital via R&R Partners, for Dodge via Union AdWorks, for HP via Designkitchen, and for musical artists Amon Tobin, Skrillex and others are leading in new directions.

Read moreFuture forward with production studio Leviathan