spread the word.

ADDY AWARD UPDATE:

So, we pulled in some nice gold ADDYs last Friday evening, 8 in all, plus the Judge's Award for some non-traditional work we did for Hamot Medical Center. Raychel has the scoop...

there's gold in them thar hills

Tonight is the 38th Annual Erie ADDY® Awards presentation at the Concourse of Union Station. It's our industry's annual pat-on-the-back for those of us creatives who otherwise shun the proverbial spotlight.

Last year, among numerous gold and silver ADDY Awards, we also received Best of Show distinction for the fifth time in the previous six years. And sixth time overall in the previous nine. I don't mean to come on all bragadocious-like, but it's quite an honor to be consistently ranked (by unbiased judges outside of our area code, mind you) as one of Erie's very best.

By the way, last year we won Best of Show honors for our EMTA Bayliner Trolley TV spots. You can catch all four of them here. This year, we're excited to again partner with EMTA on another Bayliner Trolley themed campaign. But more on that later.

I've decided to do a classic rewind and feature some of our other award-winning work from last year's ADDYs ... like this newspaper series for The Ashtabula Clinic:

spreadin' a little magic nationwide

So, we just finalized a national cross-promotional campaign with Disney and DAD'S Treats.

Yeah, that Disney.

The promotion is in celebration of the February 5 DVD re-release of Disney's classic The Aristocats as well as its new live action film, Snow Buddies.

The tie-in couldn't be more perfect. After all, cute little kids + cute little dogs = gold, Jerry, gold.

We developed the above newspaper FSI for national distribution, plus a litany of matching in-store signage, displays, shelf-talkers, etc.—all coming to the big box retailer nearest you. We also developed on-pack rebate offers for the various treat packages and both DVDs.

Not only was it cool to work with such an enormous cultural icon, but it was also a wonderful opportunity to help the folks at DAD'S roll-out the largest promotion in their storied 75-year history.

Thanks again, Jace and Allen. Now where are those free tix to Disneyland you guys promised?

some nice tongue action

And now, for a gratuitous work update:

We recently developed the above FSI (free-standing insert) for the fine folks at DAD'S Treats. Yesterday, it appeared in newspapers across the country.

If you have a four-legged-friend at home and are looking for an alternative to those nasty, fatty pig ears, I'd recommend you clip away the buck off coupon and check out Better Than Ears. Your dog will love them. And you.

My dog, Stella, digs them but her all-time favorite treats are Nut-Tastics. Oddly enough, Jim agrees. He says they actually don't taste half-bad. He's no longer allowed anywhere near our product samples. In fact, he really should be in counseling.

We've got some more fun and exciting national work that will hitting stores near you in the coming months. Plus we've got some big news to share about our growing agency. I'll elaborate on both later. Until then, have a wonderful holiday season.

get yer can to the Tullio Arena this saturday, eh?

I went to a boxing match yesterday and a hockey game broke out. (Please chuckle accordingly.)

Anyway, the good folks at the Erie County Recycling Program have teamed up with the Erie Otters for a special aluminum can recycling event this Saturday, December 8, at the Tullio Arena.

Game time is 7:30. The first fisticuff is scheduled for approximately 7:42.

Here's how it works: Just bring an aluminum can (or cans, for that matter) to be recycled and you'll get two free tix to an upcoming Otters game. That's it. No strings attached. Plus the first 1000 folks in the door get a pretty nifty sports bottle.

For all you die-hard parking ramp tailgaters, now you've got somewhere to toss all those Bud and Coors Light empties. And it's not underneath some old lady's Buick Skylark.

If you're still on the fence about recycling and/or saving our planet, check out this short piece created for the Discovery Channel EMEA by Jellyfish Pictures, London. If this doesn't help convince you, probably nothing will.

... and then my lung fell out.

Today is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.

As a reformed smoker myself (yes, I readily puffed on the dreaded cancer stick from age 14 until 21), I know how difficult it can be to kick the habit. An article in today's Baltimore Sun reiterates that sentiment:

"About a quarter of Americans smoke because, well, quitting is hard. Most already know smoking is linked to lung cancer and nine other cancers and accounts for almost a third of cancer deaths. Smoking damages almost all organs in the body. It costs billions of dollars annually. And, really, the breath mints just don't do it. Smokers smell bad to everyone else."

Yes, quitting can be difficult. I know firsthand. And obviously to be successful, you've got to really want to stop. If you're serious about quitting, our friends at the Hamot Physician Network can help. Give 'em a call at (814) 877-3960.

To quote the immortal Rob Schneider—who has made a cameo appearance in seemingly every dreadful Adam Sandler flick—"You can do it!"

Even if it's just for today.

can you relate?

So, we're looking for a seasoned public relations guru.

A PR Strategist, if you will.

The position calls for far more than penning a traditional press release or contacting the local news hounds.

It necessitates full immersion into our clients’ culture as well as our own. It means finding a compelling message in seemingly mundane information and spreading the word like wildfire. It means believing in your work—and fighting fervently for what you believe in. It means challenging what has been done in the past—even if some delicate egos get bruised in the process. It means problem-solving on the highest level. It means being a strong, passionate, seasoned leader.

Which, in turn, means you should have a degree in a related field, at least 3-5 years’ experience and proven success in prior PR management or supervisory roles. Which means your salary will be based upon what—and perhaps even whom—you bring to the table.

Which means send us your resume immediately.