Archive for October, 2009

Found: Mike Dockery

October 21, 2009

Oh, the joys of flipping through reference books that highlight the wares and talents of various photographers and illustrators who are looking to be contacted for projects with agencies across the country. Sometimes you’ll discover a phenomenal illustrator who just has to lend their style to a logo or brochure you are designing. Other times, you’ll find that perfect photographer for the concept you’re about to develop into a full blown campaign.

But when you’re really, really lucky, you’ll be flipping through a publication like Found, and you’ll stumble across a picture of one of your art directors, who was told that his stand-in shot for a Lamb Weston shoot might show up on Mark Luinenburg’s website. Congrats, Mike Dockery. Here’s hoping this launches your new modeling career.

FOUND_MIKE_SML

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What are the odds?

October 20, 2009

chances

There’s something we’ve all been wondering ever since last year when deep began designing packaging for a local fireworks company: what if these things go off when we’re in the office?

OK, yes, maybe we’re gambling with fate, but the odds a person in Missouri will die from fireworks discharge in a year? 1 in 9,936,000. Whew. Thank you, The Book of Odds website, which we discovered last week. You are a priceless gem that has helped ease our minds in some ways, but might lead to paranoia in the minds of many others.

For example, we’re a little concerned about this statement: the odds a man using a public restroom was observed not washing his hands is 1 in 2.99. (Gross, guys. Haven’t you heard of swine flu?). However, an accidental death due to being bitten or struck by an alligator? That’s just 1 in 104,600.

Other random facts you probably never cared to know include: the odds a registered vehicle in Missouri has vanity plates are 1 in 28.96; the odds a man does not own a pair of blue jeans are 1 in 10; and the odds a person in Missouri will die from contact with hot drinks, food, or cooking oil in a year are a mere 1 in 39,740,000.

Good luck trying not to get addicted—the odds are simply not in your favor.

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Art, copy, and inspiration from four letter words

October 15, 2009

ART&COPYSome of us at both deep and Marlin got pretty giddy when we saw previews for the movie Art & Copy, and not just because some of us make art, and a few others of us make copy. Instead, it was because we knew that it would bring lots and lots of inspiration to any person in the advertising world. We were particularly pleased to find that not only did our favorite independent theater, The Moxie, bring it to Springfield, but the entire Marlin Network would be treated to a matinee showing of the movie—something which brought us great joy in the middle of a rainy Tuesday afternoon.

Art & Copy gave us insights and wisdom from some of the legends of advertising—including the brains behind the “Got Milk?” campaign, iPod and Apple 1984 spots, Nike “Just Do It” slogan, and even the “I Want My MTV” push.

Art Director Mara Dockery loved hearing the interviews and stories about creative. “Especially some of the stuff Lee Clow said. Something like if creatives didn’t do work, the suits wouldn’t have anything to sell.” (P.S. We LOVE our account services teams. They are wonderful people.) Meanwhile, Designer Desirae Struthers said: “It was interesting to realize how influential advertising is and can be. Some ads people never forget and love which is nice to realize when they’re mostly seen as an annoyance.”

Our company president, Dennis Marlin, got to the heart of it: “It is getting to the simple truth that emotionally connects to the audience. It cannot always be thought out, it sometimes just happens. What that means to me is search for the truth, the real emotional truth and then don’t be afraid to let it happen.”

But perhaps deep’s Creative Director, Patrick McWhirt, said it best: “Reserved and articulate, loud and blunt—the personalities of Art & Copy were just as entertaining as the work each created. From Kennedy’s quiet sage to Lois’ profane street hustler, though, the thread of passion, integrity and honesty towards the work could be felt in every one. Added bonus: I may have picked up a couple of new swear words (Thanks, George).”

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Unwrapping Torani

October 13, 2009

DomenicoWe know from experience how Torani Toasted Marshmallow syrup can make some really freaking delicious S’mores lattes. That’s why we were so proud that over a million people tuned in to The Food Network’s Unwrapped with Marc Summers last night to learn all about the classic marshmallow flavor of this tasty syrup.

Torani was part of a selection of other products that were featured, including Hostess Snoballs, these giant cake-sized marshmallows, Moon Pies (Fun fact: 1,000,000 Moon Pies are made every single day—yet do you know anyone who eats them? Neither do we.) and more.

As always, Torani’s CEO Melanie Dulbecco beautifully represented the brand with passion, while Senior Scientist Domenico Milano talked about how he and his fellow scientists manage to capture the unbeatable flavor of a marshmallow roasted over a campfire so that people like you and I can enjoy S’moretinis, iced S’mores and lattes to our heart’s content. (We think he’s quite talented.)

Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to catch repeats of this episode. Set the DVR for Monday, October 26 at 11:30 pm Eastern time, or on Tuesday, October 27 at 2:30 am Eastern time to see Melanie and Domenico in action.

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Coffee, Creativity and Mark Leicht

October 2, 2009

coffeeethic

Imagine our delight when, while flipping through a month-old issue of Fresh Cup magazine, we stumbled across an article about one of Springfield’s favorite local coffeehouses, The Coffee Ethic. The article, written by Springfield local/t-shirt king Shawn Matthews, offered fantastic business insights on how small coffee shops can be successful. All based upon the business model The Coffee Ethic has used to become one of Springfield’s favorite coffee destinations.

Part of that success, Shawn said, was that The Coffee Ethic prides itself on giving local artists an outlet for their creativity. And a piece of that outlet, which was featured in the article, comes from our own Mark Leicht, whose collaboration on a comic book called Hive, is on display at The Coffee Ethic, as well as other Springfield locations like The Moxie and Barnes and Noble.

So congrats to Mark, all of the artists featured in Hive, and especially our friends at The Coffee Ethic. We’re proud to see you recognized—albeit somewhat embarrassingly tardy on our part—in a national publication.

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