Be Outstanding

I am all-for smart people doing wise, practical things together, and when I learn about especially cool developments, it really makes me want to shout. For example, Business Insider editor Ariel Schwartz once wrote a great story entitled “SkillCloud: A Platform For Companies To Appreciate Workers Beyond Resumes.” The imaginative and important website Ariel described … Read moreBe Outstanding

N.A.S.A. NSFW 2010


Last February, N.A.S.A. (North America/South America) debuted “The Spirit of Apollo” on Anti- Records. I’ve written before about the ongoing creative collaboration between lifelong music aficionados Squeak E. Clean (aka Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon, and their friends, friends of friends and musical heroes. Today, “The Spirit of Apollo” continues involving many superstar artists from both U.S. coasts in bringing people together through music and art. I hope you enjoy the updated playlist, featuring the talents of N.A.S.A.’s many fine-artist friends.

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Case Study: a52

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.

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Behind the lens with ATTIK’s Simon Needham

As the co-founder of global creative agency ATTIK, and the creative director for ATTIK U.S., Simon Needham has already made an impressive impact on the marketing industry. ATTIK recently published NoiseFive, the latest of its self-guided, experimental, collectible design publications, and with each passing day, Simon continues to innovate alongside the world’s premier marketers — and the extremely talented artisans and craftspeople working with or within ATTIK on its latest campaigns.

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Taking doing what you love to a whole new level…


The musical artist Squeak E. Clean, also known as Sam Spiegel, has a famous filmmaker brother, Spike Jonze. Though Jonze has grabbed the lion’s share of the family’s entertainment industry headlines in the past, Squeak E. Clean has come on strong this year by virtue of the Feb. 17 ANTI- Records release of “The Spirit of Apollo.” Mr. Clean is half of the group N.A.S.A. (North America/South America) – a creative collaboration between him and DJ Zegon, as well as their friends, friends of friends and musical heroes – and the project is the culmination of more than five years of hard work. Produced by Squeak E. Clean Productions, Spiegel’s award-winning LA commercial music and sound design venture, the goal of the ambitious “The Spirit of Apollo” project was to bring people together through music and art.

Read moreTaking doing what you love to a whole new level…

Leadership brand-building in one easy step…

Over the past few months, I’ve met with several fellow writers who were either considering starting their own freelance businesses or had recently taken the plunge. In each instance, I found myself advising my friends that they needed to focus on distilling the essence of their own personal brand identities, and then use that information … Read moreLeadership brand-building in one easy step…

Friends, passionistas and influencers… shall we roar?


Some of the most interesting takeaways from this year’s Advertising Week in New York came from a four-hour session presented by Yahoo Inc. and MediaVest introducing us to our Web 2.0-empowered selves as passionistas. The Sept. 26 session entitled “Passionistas: The New Empowered Consumers” was hosted by craigslist founder Craig Newmark, and further propogated by a BusinessWire press release on the new Yahoo/MediaVest study providing in-depth statistics on us in the course of proclaiming us as proverbial apples in marketers’ eyes. Why? Because we are passionate about our interests… and we devote significant amounts of time (much more than most others) to exploring our interests and applying our talents to make impacts and foster change.

Read moreFriends, passionistas and influencers… shall we roar?

Marketing Case Study: “The Blair Witch Project”


By Roger Darnell

..Challenge.. From all reports, the feature film (and marketing) phenomenon that is known as “The Blair Witch Project” began with a group of dedicated, talented and resourceful filmmakers who were intent on using every asset at their disposal to make a successful film under their banner of Haxan Films.

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Case Study: Tool of North America

Last updated in 2006: Elite U.S. Commercial Production Company Elevates Position, Delivers Award-Winning Work for Top U.S. Agencies

“Strategic Two-Year Public Relations Campaign Designed and Executed by The Darnell Works Agency Helped Tool Maximize and Expand Its Success”
See also: TOOL MEDIA COVERAGE

Since 1995, Santa Monica-based Tool of North America has established itself among the leading U.S. commercial production companies, representing top commercial directors including Erich Joiner, Tom Routson, Oscar-winning cinematographer Bob Richardson and several other creative all stars. During the time the DWA campaign was in effect (April 2004 through May 2006), Tool also operated satellite company Paranoid Projects: Tool, which provided U.S. representation for directors Poiraud and Francois Vogel.

Executive Summary
Among many high-profile accomplishments during DWA’s two-year tenure as the PR agency of record for Tool of North America and Paranoid Projects (2004-2006), Francois Vogel’s HP “Picture Book” campaign was named Adweek’s Campaign of the Year for 2004… and also landed him in Creativity Magazine’s feature that year on the world’s hottest emerging directors. The public and media relations campaign diligently promoted commercial projects of the highest order, from top agencies, major brands, and Tool’s all-star roster of directors.

Read moreCase Study: Tool of North America