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.”
Strategy
Among many people I’m thankful for, my big brother Scott
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.
Read moreAmong many people I’m thankful for, my big brother Scott
Lessons on professionalism, persistence and “Endurance” from artist Theresa Ortolani
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.
Read moreLessons on professionalism, persistence and “Endurance” from artist Theresa Ortolani
Proven social media marketing strategies, tactics and breakthrough ideas for the ad and film industries
This week I had the pleasure of attending a webinar entitled, “Tweet this! Using Twitter and Social Media to Promote your Project and Yourself,” which was organized and moderated for StudioDaily.com by Film & Video Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Bryant Frazer, and featured Mike Monello, co-founder and executive creative director at Campfire Media and co-producer of “The Blair Witch Project,” Erik Proulx, freelance creative director, copywriter, employment activist, social entrepreneur at Please Feed the Animals, and director of the short documentary film, “Lemonade,” Ian Schafer, CEO of Deep Focus, and Paul Klinke and Tobin Nageotte, co-founders of thirtysevenclick, and producers of the independent comedic short “Moustachette.”
We Are Plus relaunches, drives positive brand movement worldwide
Since first launching Plus et Plus in New York City in 2002, company founder Jeremy Hollister, co-creative director Judy Wellfare and their colleagues have built a reputation as a go-to company for fashion brands seeking to create sexy, marketing-savvy visual content for high-profile promotional uses ranging from live and in-store events to online, offline and traditional broadcast marketing campaigns. Recently relaunched as We Are Plus, over the past several months the company has delivered innovative projects for AMC, Shu Uemura Cosmetics, and Kidrobot, among many others.
Read moreWe Are Plus relaunches, drives positive brand movement worldwide
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.
Cause Marketing Case Study: MTV Networks International’s “Burma Viral”
Cyclone Nargis hit Burma on May 3, 2008, dramatically increasing the suffering of more than 55 million people already living under the unjust rule of a notorious military government. News of the peaceful 2007 protests of hundreds of thousands of Burmese citizens reached the world over the internet, inciting executives from MTV and Ogilvy and Mather into action. Together, these groups enrolled many key players in creating, distributing and promoting a poignant, dramatic short film, targeted to MTV viewers and influential passionistas worldwide, all to urge the global community to support the people of Burma and donate to relief efforts.
Read moreCause Marketing Case Study: MTV Networks International’s “Burma Viral”
Stardust Studios… going places!
Bicoastal U.S. creative production company Stardust Studios recently announced its new representation agreement with London-based production company Rokkit, which immediately extends Stardust’s active marketing presence within the creative, commercial and music video production communities across the UK, Europe and Asia.
Filmmakers from Shilo make a run for the ages
“After listening to the record, I just fell in love with the poetry of the song and lyrics,” began Andre Stringer….
Let’s give them something to talk about: Trendhunter’s top 10 publicity stunts
Jeremy Gutsche, the colorfully successful founder of Trendhunter.com, presents this Trendhunter TV feature entitled “Top 10 Publicity Stunts.” Chronicling Improv Everywhere’s 2008 Grand Central Station stunt in New York city, the recent “Sound of Music” performance in Antwerp’s Central Station, and other sensational videos deemed “Must See” by enough people to ensure they’ve quite likely … Read moreLet’s give them something to talk about: Trendhunter’s top 10 publicity stunts