Perhaps the best example of owned media is a website.
In the age of Mobilegeddon, how does your website perform?
To find out, take Google’s mobile-friendly test.)
Meme inspired by 1958 McGraw-Hill ad by Fuller & Smith & Ross, Inc.
Perhaps the best example of owned media is a website.
In the age of Mobilegeddon, how does your website perform?
To find out, take Google’s mobile-friendly test.)
Meme inspired by 1958 McGraw-Hill ad by Fuller & Smith & Ross, Inc.
(and)vertising inc used scenes from The Beverly Hillbillies (Season 01, Episode 01) to help raise awareness of Rebuilding Together
Once upon a time, Rebuilding Together had an image problem.
Some people thought they were a second-rate version of Habitat for Humanity.
You see, Habitat BUILDS BRAND NEW HOMES for low income families.
Rebuilding Together FIXES OLD HOMES for low income families.
And NEW is better than OLD, right?
Not necessarily.
Truth is, a lot of people don’t like change.
Especially older ones.
All of these spots were written by my boss & mentor, David Wojdyla.
Five minutes ago he said “put these on our site.”
Done. Done. And done!
Recently on ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA), celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse said the #1 problem for cooks at Thanksgiving time is “not enough oven space.”
Not at our house.
For the last 15 years, we’ve been making our turkey on a Weber gas grill.
It’s a lot easier than you think. And it comes out juicier than any turkey made indoors.
The reason why, according to Mike Kempster, Weber Executive VP and CMO, is unlike an indoor oven which simply recirculates dry air, your turkey in an outdoor oven (a.k.a. Weber or other top-quality gas grill) is surrounded by a fresh stream of moist outdoor air.
I confess the first time Mike told me this, I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. But with more than a decade of grilled birds under my belt (figuratively and literally), I know it to be true.
© Linda Kelen
Now you may be thinking “hey Dave, that’s all well and good but I’m afraid to try something new because I might screw it up.”
Permit me to make a suggestion: Do what I did the first time.
Grill your first turkey the Sunday after Thanksgiving, when supermarkets slash the price of their remaining birds.
If you screw up at the grill, you’re only out a few bucks.
But trust me, you won’t screw up. Because as I said, it’s a lot easier than you think. And it comes out juicier than any turkey made indoors.
In fact, I’d venture to guess you’ll become a grilled turkey convert, too.
And on Thanksgiving Day 2017, you’ll inaugurate a new family tradition.
114 years ago today, Walt Disney was born on the northwest side of Chicago.
No, not my memories.
Memories and stories by Michael Koulermos, former McCann SVP & master of portraiture.
Yesterday I visited the ADC Global Gallery in NYC to see Mr. Koulermos’ exhibition of Impressionist portraits of ’60s, ’70s & ’80s ad men & women.
I stayed for over an hour and left sooo inspired.
Unfortunately the exhibition ends tomorrow.
Then the portraits will be taken down, wrapped carefully & given to each ad legend or family member.
Got fingers crossed these oils (& the engaging stories that accompanied each one) will one day reappear as an online exhibit.
In the meantime, I have just one thing more to say:
Thank you, Mr. Koulermos, for sharing your labor of love.
Because they’re from the 2014 Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival ツ
The Highwood Pumpkin Festival attracts people from across America. This year, proceeds go to Autism Society of Illinois.
YSK these photos probably represent about one-tenth of one percent of all the carved pumpkins you can see at the Pumpkin Fest in Highwood, IL. So if you’re in the area, try to stop by. Today is the last day. And tonight is the Grand Lighting Ceremony! It begins at 5:30 PM.
(Sorry some of these pictures are out of focus. I took them with my not-so-smart-smartphone.)
As far as I know, only a couple dozen copies of this book exist. Pity. For two reasons.
First, the war time letters in it were written by brothers who loved each other very much. So I think anyone who likes a good love story will enjoy this bromance.
Second, more than any Hollywood film or TV show I’ve ever seen about WW II, Letters Lost Then Found provides the most realistic picture of what life was like back then and gives new meaning to the phrase, “supporting our troops.”
I first became aware of the book while helping judge the West Michigan ADDY Awards earlier this year. We gave it “Student Best of Show.” Yep. This was put together by a student.
To read the surprising backstory of how this book came to be, visit http://bit.ly/1mQMGa0
Amy L. Johnson used her considerable graphic design talent to bring this trove of heartfelt letters written and sent more than half a century ago back to life. Then printed a small run for family and friends.
Got fingers crossed Ms. Johnson will one day connect with a forward-thinking book executive who’ll publish it and make it available to everyone.
HOTT (Helping Others Through Theatre) PRODUCTIONS was founded almost two decades ago by Schaumburg residents Christine Seminaro and Donica Seminaro Luzwick, her sister. The non-profit’s dual mission is ambitious: (1) Provide quality musical theater experiences and (2) donate all proceeds to charity. By virtually any measure it’s been a smashing success and the founders show no sign of slowing down.
With the help of Donica’s husband, David Luzwick (who joined in 1998), and hundreds of others, HOTT Productions has entertained musical theatregoers of all ages with more than 30 classics—everything from “Grease” and “Guys and Dolls” to “Hair” and “Hello Dolly.” Its current production is “Oklahoma!” by Rodgers & Hammerstein.
All proceeds raised by this all-volunteer group have been donated to worthy causes. Recipients include local families in need plus organizations dedicated to autism programming, helping those with multiple sclerosis, cancer prevention and children’s literacy. Tally of their donations so far? In a word, “BOFFO.” Nearly $125,000!
Tickets for tonight’s closing performance are still available. (I went last night and left the Prairie Center for the Arts humming and smiling all the way home.) Show starts at 8 PM. To make a reservation, call 847.895-2828.
Editor’s note: If you believe in what Christine, Donica and David are doing, perhaps you’ll consider donating your time and talents to help with their next production, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” If your calendar’s already full, please consider becoming an Angel to the Arts with a financial donation of $25 or more. You can reach HOTT Productions at 847.650.4688.
When it comes to pitching new business, our agency has a pretty good track record. Reason why? Probably because I’ve had the good fortune to be hired and mentored by some of the best Creative, Account, Research, Media and PR people in the world, including these two Advertising Hall of Famers: Chuck Peebler, (Chairman-CEO of BJKE) and David Bell, (Bozell Worldwide Chairman-CEO). This decades-old video is part of their response to an RFP from agency search consultants Leslie Winthrop and Lisa Colantuono.
BTW, last Sunday was the 78th anniversary of Chuck’s birth. To learn more about his contributions to the world, click here.
No one’s asked me this question. But if they did, here’s what I’d say:
Last Wednesday was Career Day for graphic design seniors at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids.
In the morning they received real world advice from professionals. In the afternoon they received feedback on their portfolios.
I was one of the guys giving feedback. (Mostly “WHOA,” “WOW,” and “If we had an opening I’d hire you in a heartbeat!”)
A year ago I did the same thing at the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Overall, I liked the students in Michigan better.
( Just one ad man’s opinion.)
Bravo, KCAD Graphic Design Faculty!
The 2014 ADDYs Show is about two months away. Which means the 2015 ADDYs is about 14 months away. Yet I’m going to stick my neck out and predict this bus shelter (which I walk past twice a day) will win an ADDY, or as the AAF renamed it, an “American Advertising Award.”
In today’s paper, Trib reporter Jessica Wohl writes: “The bus shelter is part of a campaign focused on family time… (it) was chosen for its high-traffic location, not its proximity to the rival chain, said Brian Shembeda, a SVP at Leo Burnett.”
Not sure I believe Mr. Shembeda. (Especially since this bus shelter is spitting distance from his office.) But let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.
The supersized Happy Meal box is a simple idea executed flawlessly. Bravo!
I bought the DVD for $15. But now someone told me you can watch it free on Vimeo.
So please do.
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Like you’ve never heard or seen it before. (Just click here.)
Creative Credits:
Design & Animation: Adam GAULT and Stefanie AUGUSTINE
Voiceover: Mitch RAPOPORT
Sound design: Chris VILLEPIGUE
Additional animation: Carlo VEGA
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of Leo Burnett. And although I never met him, he’s been a mentor to me. I’m serious. (Read Leo Burnett, Star Reacher by Joan Kufrin and you’ll be inspired, too.)
Last week I bought a book written by the ad guy who turned Burnett on to advertising:
Theodore F. MacManus.
In 1915, Burnett quit his job as a columnist for the Peoria Journal and moved to Detroit to work in corporate communications at Cadillac.
That’s where he met the man who wrote the most popular car ad ever.
Their working relationship lasted about three years. But I suspect the mentor/mentee relationship continued a bit longer.
Because less than a decade before Burnett started his own agency (1935), MacManus wrote a book about the secret of creating effective advertising.
Burnett loved books. And while it’s true I don’t have proof he read The Sword-Arm of Business, I challenge anyone to prove he didn’t.
I just finished reading it. The lessons MacManus shares are timeless.
Which is precisely the reason why I’ve already incorporated some of that learning into our Agency’s capabilities deck.
If you saw last year’s invitation, you know why I proofread this six times before it went to the printer.
PATRICIA WOJDYLA, Founder, Patricia Wojdyla Qualitative Research.
(And I’m not just saying that because my boss is married to her!)
View on SlideShare
To help build camaraderie across all departments, Chuck Peebler, agency CEO,
funded a video with virtually everyone in it. To view it, CLICK HERE.
CREATIVE CREDITS
CD: Jay Schulberg
Copywriter: Jimmy Cohen
Art Director: Rick Paynter
Director: Julius Weil
Video: Karl Bauer
During his career, Nick worked on the agency side (DDB Needham, Burnett), the client side (7-Up, Kmart), and the media side (Focus Media, Optimedia).
He truly was a 360° guy.
Teresa Luciano wants Chicago’s marketing community to know Nick loved his career and all his wonderful friends.
To read his obituary, click here.
Stuart Elliott labeled this the “Best TV Commercial Ever Made.”
THE YEAR IS 1983 AND APPLE IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH a new computer called Macintosh. Steve Jobs thinks it will change the world. He wants to do a big introduction. Someone says, “Let’s throw a simultaneous launch party in NY, Chicago & LA with the most famous rock bands on the planet.” After Apple’s CFO runs the numbers, the upstart computer company realizes they can either throw the parties or make the computer. Jobs tells his agency, “Do us a TV commercial or something.”
<-- BEGIN “A TRUE STORY BY STEVE HAYDEN” HERE -->
“Why 1984 Won’t Be Like 1984” was conceived as a print headline the year before by Gary Gussick & Mike Moser. The long copy newspaper ad never ran. My art director partner, Brent Thomas, and I purloined it for our purposes. It was the inspiration for the whole spot. Our own “Suits” tried to keep us from shooting a :60 version because the client had only signed an estimate for a :30. Without authorization, I authorized it. After the spot was finished…
<-- BEGIN WALTER ISAACSON STORY HERE -->
Jobs previewed the ad for the Apple sales force. They were thrilled. But when Jobs previewed the ad for the Board of Directors, everyone in the boardroom was mute. Philip Schlein, the CEO of Macy’s California, had his head on the table. Mike Markkula stared silently; at first it seemed he was overwhelmed by the power of the ad. Then he spoke: “Who wants to move to find a new agency?” Sculley recalled, “Most of them thought it was the worst commercial they had ever seen.” Caught between a rock (Jobs) and a hard place (the Board), Sculley got cold feet and told CMO Bill Campbell to “figure it out.” Campbell, a former football coach, decided to throw a “Hail, Mary.” He told his team, “I think we ought to go for it.”
<-- END ISAACSON STORY, RESUME HAYDEN STORY -->
The only reason “1984” aired was because we were unable to sell off half a million dollars worth of Super Bowl time and had to fill 60 seconds with something. So we really owe it all to the ineptness of Chiat/Day’s media department.
ANDVERTISING PARTNERS:
Art Directors: BRENT THOMAS & LEE CLOW
Copywriter: STEVE HAYDEN
Announcer: ED GROVER
Agency Producer: RICHARD O’NEILL
Production Company: FAIRBANKS FILMS
Director: RIDLEY SCOTT
Clients: STEVE JOBS, JOHN SCULLEY, BILL CAMPBELL
To read “Steve Jobs,” by Walter Isaacson on your Kindle, click here.
To view “1984,” click here.
…ran into a former client, who was already well under way on his New Year’s celebration. For the twenty-five years or more that I have known this man he has been both a drunkard and a lecher, yet he and his business have flourished like the green bay tree. Pondering on this, I remembered how the prophet Jeremiah had once pleaded with the Lord to tell him, Why do the wicked prosper? And received no answer.
WOJDYLA’S FOOTNOTE: Regarding today’s blog post, the iPhone picture is mine but the words that I paired with it are not. They were written by a “guest” blogger, James Webb Young. The 4A’s Past President typed this snarky comment eight decades ago on December 31, 1942. (It can be found on page 96 of his book, “The Diary of an Ad Man,” published by Advertising Publications, Inc., Chicago.)
Did you know when you search for something using Google, you may not be getting the most trustworthy results?
That’s the point of “Scroogled,” a new holiday ad campaign by Bing. Here’s the script:
HER: Jeff, what are you making?
HIM: My famous chicken cacciatore. You are in for a treat. I just got a new pan for it. Great price online. A top pick on Google Shopping.
HER: How do you know you didn’t get scroogled?
HIM: Scroogled?
HER: Google sells it’s shopping results. And while they look like honest search results, they’re really paid ads.
HIM: So you might not get the best price?
HER: You don’t even know which stores they’ve left out.
HIM: Man, I just got…
HER: SCROOGLED! Next time, use a search engine that won’t burn you.
ANNCR: Don’t get scroogled. Try Bing.
I think the strategy is brilliant. I think the creative execution is clunky.
I think Bing should buy a bunch of TV time in 2013 and continue educating the public. (And I think Bing should hire a small creative boutique to do new ads.)
Your thoughts?
Is this an “inbound” ad (educational and helpful)?
Or “outbound” ad (whiny and selfish)?
Do you see the typo?
When I signed off on this proof, I didn’t.
Today, it’s the only thing I see.
Teaser Ad by FRANKFURT COMMUNICATIONS (1978)
Art Director: Philip Gips; Photographer: Henry Sandbank;
Creative Directors: Paula Silver & Steve Frankfurt.
A memorial service was held yesterday at the Riverside Memorial Chapel.
Read Steve’s obituary. Read about his Hall of Fame career. Sign the guestbook.
My favorite non-Madison Avenue art director
in “The Man on Lincoln’s Nose.”
In Hollywood, the art director (a.k.a. production designer), is responsible for the visual space in which the film takes place. No matter what your age, you’ve probably seen one of his films. After reading his obit in the NYT, you’ll probably want to see more.
Cover Story: IS FACEBOOK MAKING US LONELY?
Magazine: The Atlantic, May 2012 (The Culture Issue)
Writer: Stephen Marche
Photographer: Phillip Toledano
People who know me only through Facebook or LinkedIn probably don’t know I started my career at HBO (in the Time-Life Building). Ever since then, I’ve had an affinity for powerful visuals. To me, this is their best magazine cover in a decade. Bravo, Martin Schoeller & Rick Stengel.
It’s not for the state I was born in. Or the state I live in. Or any other state for that matter. It’s for a country that wasn’t even on my bucket list until I saw this spot.
CREATIVE CREDITS: Cathie Campbell & Pam Ferman & Joe O’Neill & Rich Pels & Peter Smillie (& maybe some others I’ve forgotten).
A spontaneous flashmob memorial for the business executive who helped make business travel a bit more bearable.
Here’s the first post. (The next one will be better.)