new client, the birth of a new dance craze and BOB FM

We submitted our RFP response to the Erie County Recycling Program on Monday. We just found out yesterday that we were awarded the work. Holla! Kudos to the entire fishtank team for pulling together what our newest client referred to as "the most creative" response they received. We will be meeting with the Recycling gang shortly to plan the upcoming 2007 campaign. Watch out all you non-recyclers, we're comin' at ya.

In other news, the birthday hijinks continue here at the 'tank. Click here for the latest dance craze to hit the Internet—starring who else, Jamie. Funny, my birthday was in November and not even a peep. That's cool.

Oh, we received a letter from David Bevins of Connoisseur Media yesterday—although it was dated January 8th, several days after the initial launch of BOB FM I believe. It would have been nice to get a heads up sooner, being an ad agency that places media and all. But hey, that's just my opinion. According to Mr. Bevins' letter, extensive research shows that Erie listeners want a radio station that plays more variety. Sort of an iPod shuffle-type format. I can agree to an extent, I mean how many times can you hear More Than A Feeling on Rocket without wanting to pluck out your eardrums with a rusty icepick? For the folks who dig all kinds of music, and hate the same-old repetitive, watered-down corporate-driven playlists, this station may just be what the doctor ordered (personally, before I got Sirius I listened to FM96 out of London or the Gannon station). But I'm not sure your average Froggy listener will be quick to adapt to such a wide range of musical styles and genres. Time will tell. I can't wait for my dad to freak when Limbo Rock by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass segues into 50 Cent's classic Candy Shop. Oh, the humanity.

It's Friday people, drinks are on the house.

party like Chewbacca

It's Jamie's 32nd birthday today. Aaaarrrggghhhhhh.

Happy New Year, people. Now get back to work.

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.

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.

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.

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?!

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.