12.29.2006

resident mafioso whacks a few birthday candles

Louis Massari, a.k.a. Louie the Lip, a.k.a. Lou the Hammer, a.k.a. Brokeback Mountain, a.k.a. Tim, is celebrating his birthday today. Due to his past ties with a certain La Cosa Nastra, Lou said he will not divulge his age (or true identity, for that matter) to any of us. Damn that Omertá and its stupid law of silence. Anyhow, Lou plans on celebrating his special day with the traditional Sicilian birthday ritual:

The birthday ritual in most families happens when a man becomes an associate, and then, a soldier. The neophyte (Lou) is brought together with at least three "men of honor" of the family and the oldest member present warns him that "this House" is meant to protect the weak against the abuse of the powerful; he then pricks the finger of the initiate and spills his blood onto a sacred image, usually of a saint. The image is placed in the hand of the initiate and lit on fire. The neophyte must withstand the pain of the burning, passing the image from hand to hand, until the image has been consumed, while swearing to keep faith with the principles of Cosa Nostra, solemnly swearing "may my flesh burn like this saint if I fail to keep my oath."

Happy Birthday, Lou (or whoever you are).

Oh, and Happy New Year, people.

12.18.2006

making freezing to death an art form







Shooting footage always equals fun. Even when it's deceptively cold out and you can no longer feel your hands, feet or other, well, less public extremities. Here are some pics from our shoot the other day at Frontier Park in Erie. It's for our good friends down at Erie Plastics. Hi, Jane. We're in the process of developing a new corporate vid for one of their latest proprietary products. We shot the outdoor footage first, knowing full well that snow can creep up on us at any time. Thankfully, the remainder of the shots will be filmed in doors.

Feliz Navidad, people. It's the Monday before Christmas.

12.15.2006

Hanes Erie—Looking good from 30,000 feet.


Okay, we know, we know. One blog entry a month is a little lame, but honestly we have been working hard on a lot of new projects over the last month. We finally are kicking off the new Hamot Physician Network stuff and finalizing a number of projects for some of our healthcare and industrial clients.

One new industrial client we just started working with about a month ago is Hanes Erie, Inc. No they don't make underwear. They provide coating and graphic printing services for the high-end cosmetic industry. We just completed and got sign off for their first print ad that will be placed in US Airways Magazine for the month of February 2007. It was a fun project to work on here and we got some great photography shot for it by Art Becker. It will be on every flight both domestically and internationally. I posted a preview for your viewing pleasure.

11.13.2006

so close...but yet 41 yards away

Yesterday was a painful day for both the Buffalo Bills and their fans. The undefeated Indianapolis Colts beat the Bills 17-16, due to a wide-right, 41 yard missed field goal by Rian Lindell. Words can not describe the feeling that was running through my veins yesterday...Oh wait...I remember...losing 4 Super Bowls just about sums it up.

Kudos to the Bills defense! It is nice to see a group of players still give 120% until the clock reads 0:00 in the fourth quarter. I wish they could pass some of that dedication over to the offense. But honestly, I don't think there is any miracle in the universe that could help JP Losman. I feel as if I am experiencing a severe case of De ja Vu and #11 Drew Bledsoe is still playing.

Are the Bills ever going to catch a break?!

11.07.2006

odds of running the table?

1) Democrats (2-1)

With Iraq weighing heavily on the hearts and minds of many, and the National Dept swelling daily to record highs, the Republicans have all but handed a complete sweep to the Democratic Party. Now can the Democrats step up and make a difference?

2) Steelers (10-1)

I think the Steelers have the talent to pull out 8 victories in a row. But do they have the mettle? Sad part is, that might not even be good enough to make the playoffs.


It's Tuesday, people. Get out and vote.

10.31.2006

sit. stay. play. (fun = virtual dog)



We love dogs here at fishtank—so much so we often bring them along to work with us. Like today. It's not unusual to find them roaming the hallways, doing their business on the neighboring law firm's lawn or just napping away the afternoon on one of our beanbag chairs.

What a life, right?

Well, when we had the opportunity to develop an interactive website for DAD'S Treats, we just had to incorporate our love of all things canine into the creative.

In fact, the site just launched today and acts as a portal to two of DAD'S premium dog treat brands—Better Than Ears and Nut-Tastics.

But what makes this site most appealing to animal lovers of all ages is the addition of a virtual dog on the homepage. Actually, she's a multi-talented little Jack Russell Terrier named Maggie (pictured above).

Once the page loads, you can type in any number of commands and/or tricks and Maggie will perform them in real time. From dog-training standards like come, fetch and shake hands to more elaborate tricks including dancing, counting and even yoga poses like downward-facing dog, Maggie virtually does it all. Yeah, the pun was intended.

Best of all, you won't ever need a pooper scooper.

Already a celebrity in her own right, Maggie has made numerous national TV appearances including stints on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Animal Planet's Pet Star and Fox News. She's sure to have millions of new fans once they see her strut her stuff in cyberspace.

So check Maggie out, people. And remember to share the love.

10.17.2006

Apple's Stealth Marketing Move?

Apple shipped a windows virus on a small amount of 5G Video iPods.

From Apple.com:

We recently discovered that a small number - less than 1% - of the Video iPods available for purchase after September 12, 2006, left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus. This known virus affects only Windows computers, and up to date anti-virus software which is included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it. So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem. The iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected, and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free. As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it.

Full info here

In my opinion it's brilliant.

10.11.2006

wake me up when september ends

Okay, so it's been over a month since our last post. No excuses, but we've been quite busy. Here's a short rundown:

First, we were among 30+ agencies in the Tri-State area to receive an RFP from a major Erie healthcare provider. Out of those agencies, eight were selected to present concepts for a new branding/awareness campaign. Although the competition was stiff, we were awarded the work. We are now in the process of finalizing elements for the campaign rollout. We couldn't be more excited or more proud of the work. Stay tuned for details.

We just finished work on two major football-themed campaigns for Time Warner Cable in Austin, Texas. In fact, one of the campaigns features Mack Brown, head coach of the Texas Longhorns. For those of you who watch Friday Night Lights, he made a cameo appearance in the pilot episode a few weeks back. Great show, by the way. Jamie and I are heading down to Austin in early November to regroup with the marketing folks (and hopefully catch a UT game).

We recently wrapped the filming and editing of two :30 television spots for the Erie Redevelopment Authority. The spots, along with a newly created website, are part of a comprehensive, community wide lead paint awareness campaign. The media flight and web launch dates are fast approaching. Oh, be on the lookout for a very special, scene-stealing cameo appearance by Hanna Potosnak.

I could go on and on, but I won't. Suffice to say, we're having a blast.

Now get back to work. It's hump day, people.

9.07.2006

office bragging rights

Tonight is the official kickoff of the 2006 NFL Football Season—a true national holiday if there ever was one.

Although the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers won't take on the new and (clears throat) improved Miami Dolphins until 8:30 this evening, a fierce inter-office rivalry has been brewing for months.

You see, I bleed Black & Gold and Jamie, well, Jamie likes the fish.

I'm thinking the Steelers will dominate on both sides of the ball, even with Charlie Batch at QB. You can't follow up a Super Bowl win with a loss to Miami. You just can't. Only time will tell, I guess. We'll see who has bragging rights tomorrow.

In the meantime, I'll be gearing up all day for Eli's wings and some amber goodness.

Let the trash-talking commence, people!

8.23.2006

fishtank creative Wins National APTA Ad Wheel Award

The APTA Ad Wheel Awards honor the best in public transportation marketing, advertising, promotion, and communications every year. The competition honors APTA member organizations for excellence in advertising, marketing, promotion and communications.

This year we entered the :30 TV spot we did for EMTA entitled "Josie" and recently found out that it won first place in its category. Not only is it a first for us, but a first for EMTA as well. The win was in Group 2: Public transportation systems with more than 1 million but fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually and was judged against other systems its size throughout the United States.

The spot was shot and edited completely in-house and the music was scored by Shaun Mullins at Propellerhead Media in Buffalo.

Each year, APTA members submit their very best advertising, marketing, promotion, and communications materials in the media categories of print, electronic, campaigns and special events to the AdWheel Awards competition.

8.18.2006

on broken dock

"You can still have Lake Fever and not even know it."
-The Tragically Hip

Yesterday, we held the semi-annual fishtank Lake Fever summer picnic at Kathy's house on Findley Lake. Things were going just swimmingly until the dock broke. Well, to be more exact, it collapsed. And no, Jim wasn't anywhere near the dock when it fell. So we moved the festivities onto the Party Barge and then up to Kathy's deck where we dined on such culinary delicacies as White Hots, Spinach Dip, Deviled Eggs and Rhubarb Pie. Not to mention copious amounts of lager.





The quote of the night was awarded to my tremendously astute wife, Danielle, who, after sitting and conversing at a table with myself, Melissa, and Jesse for quite some time, utters the now-infamous inquiry: "Who's Jesse?" Quite the confidence builder for the new guy.



Next year, Jamie said he wants to do some nude tubing. And Lou promised he would tan his legs.

It's Friday, people!

8.14.2006

And six days later a campaign is born.

Two day shoot, four day edit, one approval.

The :15 television series and billboards for the EMTA Trolley campaign have been approved and are slated to start in a couple of days. Billboards will post on 12th Street and State Street while TV will be placed as bookend :15's. Radio talent is scheduled in Memphis, TN on Friday. Should have that edited by next Monday. Below is a sneak peek at the billboard creative. TV ads are linked here:

"Thrill Ride" :15
"Be Amazed" :15
"Erie Thing" :15
"Work and Play" :15

















8.10.2006

Lead Paint Awareness Campaign Pitch

The numbers are staggering. The consequences are sobering. In Erie County alone last year, more than 240 children were diagnosed with lead poisoning. Yes, you read that right, lead poisoning. And those were just the children who had been tested.

As a matter of fact, any home built before 1978 in Erie County contains lead paint. Which means unless measures have been taken to remove the hazard from your home, your family could potentially be at risk.

Effects of lead poisoning in kids can be as benign as stomachaches and muscle weakness to more serious, life-altering ailments such as blood anemia, brain damage and convulsions.

Research shows that small children are by far the most vulnerable to lead poisoning. They can ingest lead through touching or chewing on paint chips in older homes, eating soil or simply coming into contact with dust that has been contaminated with lead. Expectant mothers and their unborn babies are also at risk, as miscarriages, premature births and stillbirths are well-known side effects of exposure to high levels of lead.

With all this in mind, the Erie Redevelopment Authority (ERA), along with the Erie County Health Department, have asked us to develop a comprehensive, community wide awareness campaign. In fact, that's Beth and Missy going over television storyboards minutes before our pitch to the ERA this very morning.



The goal of the campaign is to not only educate people about the hazards of lead in their homes, but, most importantly, to incite them learn more about how they can protect themselves and their families.

We are extremely honored and excited to be part of such an important initiative. We look forward to reversing the trends and keeping kids healthy and safe throughout our community.

8.09.2006

Day two. Harness free.

For all of you coming back looking for another oh so flattering pic of me in a safety harness, no such luck. Both feet were kept on the ground today as we wrapped the TV shoot for a series of the EMTA Bay Liner Trolley commercials. Footage was logged in this afternoon and in-house editing Thursday and Friday will keep us on schedule. Outdoor concepts that Jim put together were approved today and will go up shortly.

8.08.2006

Trolley TV Shoot–Day One






Just wrapped Day One of the EMTA Bay Liner Trolley TV shoot. That's Jamie in the bucket flexing his aerial cinematography muscles. Day Two is slated for tomorrow, followed by edit and, fingers crossed, a rough cut to Alyson by week's end. Indeed, this is an extremely aggressive shoot/edit schedule. But since the new Trolley service officially begins Saturday, August 26, we need to be on air sooner than soon.

not another prank call

Apparently we're listed as the contractor for servicing Glenwood Elementary's lobby fishtank. And, it wasn't even a prank call from our own first floor to the third floor. jamie. how 'bout that? maybe we should start a side business.

8.07.2006

The Raconteurs are not French




Last night, The Raconteurs rocked the House of Blues in Cleveland. Jamie and I still can't hear right. What? The guys—Jack White especially—jammed all night long, playing the entire library of songs from their first album. They also introduced some new material and played a couple kick-ass covers including Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and "Bang Bang (My baby shot me down)" the Nancy Sinatra classic heard most recently on the Kill Bill soundtrack. Needless to say, we'll be keeping a low profile for much of the morning.

Rock on people, it's Monday.

8.03.2006

power to the people


On June 29, a large group of folks, including several state dignitaries, gathered at Ringers Sports Lounge in Austin, Texas for a preview of Time Warner Cable's newest product offerings.

We're talking some really cool, techno-savvy stuff: everything from eBay on TV, Caller ID on TV and On Demand Programming to Digital Phone and high-def videoconferencing for the business sect.

Jerry Knierim, Acquisition Marketing Manager for the Austin Division, asked us to develop various materials to help create a buzz around the event and, most importantly, get people in the door. We jumped at the chance.

Since Time Warner corporate recently changed its tagline from Anything's Possible™ to The Power of You™, we chose to develop a mystical, person-centric theme that at first intrigued—then later enticed—people to Discover The Power of You. We sent a teaser postcard, then staggered two 3-D mailers within days of each other. The response? We packed the house.

Carrie, our resident illustrator, got the chance to show off her mad skills on a series of Tarot-inspired cards that served as one of the 3-D mailings. We also created poster-size Tarots that hung at the bar the night of the event. Several people asked Jerry if this was part of a national campaign. They couldn't believe we created such "elaborate artwork" for just a local event. Boo ya!

To check out some of Carrie's even more, well, elaborate artwork, check out www.thestockholmagency.com

8.02.2006

meet Melissa, our newest suit


An Erie native and graduate of Robert Morris University, Melissa has joined fishtank creative in the role of account coordinator. Although her many duties include account coordination, account management, strategic planning and new business development, she still finds the time to cheer on her favorite football team: The Buffalo Bills (no, this is not a misprint—she actually likes the Buffalo Bills).

While obtaining a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Melissa completed a consumer behavior study/marketing plan for The Northern Area Family Medicine primary care facility expansion in Allegheny County and conducted marketing research for the Pittsburgh Penguins. She also worked as a marketing intern for a popular Irish Pub & Restaurant located in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania—with responsibilities ranging from implementing new promotional strategies to assisting with in-store marketing.

The relentless hazing will begin shortly.

ERA "Affordable Housing" campaign wraps

It was great to hear from the Erie Redevelopment Authority that they recieved an 80% increase in phone inquiries over the three week media flight. They normally recieved 3-5 calls a week and the number jumped to 3-5 per day. It really makes all the hard work that all of us put into it worth while when we get this type of feedback.

Check out the :30 spot here.

so do you guys sell fishtanks?

Call us what you will.
A full-service ad agency. A strategic firm. A design boutique.
For nearly two decades, we’ve been all those things and more.
Just don’t call us content.
Because even after all these years, one thing remains certain.
Our best work is yet to come.