Random Work Update Numero Uno

Since Miranda, our summer intern, was cut down in her prime by the evil academia, I guess it's my duty to write something blog-worthy. Let me tell you, however, that the injustice that has befallen her will not go quietly into the night.

We shall smite thee, oh-mighty-scholars-whose-craniums-are-ever-so-deeply-embedded-
within-your-own-posteriors.

Sounds kinda harsh, but hey, we're effectively depleted of our summer go-getter, er, marketing apprentice. See ya in '08, Miranda.

Anyway, back to the random work update. I thought it would be a good opportunity to let y'all know what we've been up to as of late. Let the amazement begin.

First off, we're proud to announce that we recently won a prized piece of national print work from one of our favorite clients, DAD'S Pet Care. It's an FSI for their various premium dog treats that will be inserted into Sunday papers across the nation this coming summer. Yay, us.


We've been working with the folks at Hamot to help promote their outstanding Physician Network. We've created some TV, some print, some radio and some billboards around town. We also went a more non-traditional route to help spread the be you. be healthy. message. If you've been inside one of the hospital's elevators recently, you'll know what I mean. If not, allow me to illuminate you via the magical .jpg:

(please note, the line in the middle of the graphic represents where the elevator doors meet)

He's not Dr. 90210, but I guess you could say Dr. Gunnar Bergqvist is a celebrity in his own right. He's one of the most heralded plastic surgeons in our area, and we've been lucky enough to begin a working relationship with him as well. We're in the midst of a new branding campaign for Gunnar, and below is the first of several newspaper ads in development. Actually, this ad ran a few weeks back in the Erie Times Sunday Living Section, and then the following Thursday on the back cover of Showcase. On a personal note, I can't wait for my calf implants to get here.


Oh, here's a fun little billboard we just did for the Quinn Law Firm's personal injury team.


On to other notes of interest:

We're finishing up a direct mail piece for Time Warner Cable in Dallas. This will be sent to a little over 300,000 households throughout North Texas.

We're currently in development of websites for C&J Industries in Meadville, PHB, Custom Engineering, Lamjen and Venango Machine.

We're putting the finishing touches on corporate ID and brochure for Willowbrook Employment Services, Inc.

There's a bunch of other stuff, too, like TV that's running for Community Health Net and the Erie County Recycling Program. Oh, and we're waiting to hear back from proposals we sent to the Erie Philharmonic, the Junior League of Erie and RailPower. Fingers & toes crossed.

Ok, I'm done. Tonight's the Hip show. Gotta go.

newbie's teaser

Hello Kelly and to all. Everyone at fishtank has been so nice and helpful to me and I appreciate it. But I must say goodbye before my actual time is up. I have been victimized by the "man" aka my educational institution, and academic advisors. Ohh how helpful they are...let me further explain...months ago I was told I was going to get credit if I participated in an internship at fishtank creative...well two weeks after that I was told that I would not get credit b/c I’m a junior...obviously I was livid, but sticking to my word I came to fishtank. Telling everyone here that I would not get credit. They tried to fight for me...and after their efforts (thank you Jamie and Mike) I could get credit, but it would not count towards credits I need to graduate, and I’m not giving the "man" any more money than I have to, so I’m out like a fat girl in dodge ball. No sad eyes please...I will be back in summer of 2008...ahhh.... I promise to be better than ever...so I wish everyone a good, fun and safe summer...thank you doesn't explain my gratitude. So eat a bagel and be happy : )

Monday (newbie intern report)

Hey, how you doing?

Before we get too personal, let me introduce myself, my name is Miranda and I'm privileged to be the newest intern at fishtank creative. I'm a Gannon University student, and will one-day graduate, maybe before the turn of the next century. I'm only kidding. I love school and value the education I'm receiving and hope to add to those lessons this summer.

The first day, oh my, it can be nerve racking and over-whelming, but everyone has been really nice and welcoming. I appreciate the kindness and fun spirits of everyone in the office. The Monday morning meeting was a nice way for me to meet the crew and get informed on all that is going on, and where I could be helpful. Sweet big girl work or actual meaningful tasks not pointless problems in the back of a boring textbook.

The workload was not overwhelming, but interesting and I really like how the whole operation is ran. I have a funny feeling that my summer in the ‘tank will be educational, challenging and result in a lot of fond memories.

A stereotypical white collar and blue tie agency is not where I wanted to be. So, I was relieved to experience and witness the cool and creative environment that is fishtank creative. Everyone is friends, and I have already begun to bond. Missy and I had fun over lunch chatting about our wonderful relationships, and Cinderella dreams. Aww icky girl stuff, I love it!

I’m looking forward to getting to know everybody, and reading what everybody has to say about my thoughts.

Catch you all on the flip side.

so long, farewell...

Well, it's about that time... time to post my last blog as intern here at fishtank. I'm sitting at my desk, just kind of reflecting on all that's happened over the past 3 months. It'll definitely be weird to not come back here Friday... next week, too. It's really sad! :( It's raining, too, which doesn't help the mood...
When thinking about all I did here, I would have to say going out on commercial shoots was my highlight. I loved getting to see things from a behind the camera perspective. To see these commercials on television now is really sweet because I know I was there at that very second they were being filmed. I love my film classes at school so this was definitely at the top for me. I'm also very thankful I was given opportunities to come up with my own creative and to get feedback that really pushed me to think in different ways... to think more creatively. I enjoyed being challenged and getting to see how ads and various other things are created. I was not aware all that went into advertising until actually experiencing it. Everything I did here as an intern I learned from, no matter how small or how big. I'll definitely take it all with me, that's for sure.
I want to wrap up by thanking everyone at the 'tank for making my time here a great one. Thank you Jamie for giving me this opportunity, thank you Mike and Missy for keeping me involved and pushing me to think in different ways, and thanks to Lou, Jim, and everyone else for taking me in and making me feel at ease. I'm going to take what I've learned with me to whatever lies beyond graduation... hopefully something good. :) I might drop by here from time to time to leave a comment or 2, let you guys know what I'm up to. :) Good luck with all your future work and thank you again! I'll miss you guys!

One last time... peace! :)

i'm Hip to that

The wife and I caught the Tragically Hip at the House of Blues in Cleveland a couple Saturdays past. Great show, although the ride home was treacherous due to an early spring snowstorm. For those of you who've got tix to the upcoming Warner show, here's the set list from Cleveland in anticipation of all things Hip: 1: In View 2: New Orleans Is Sinking 3: The Drop-Off 4: Daredevil 5: Family Band 6: Ahead By A Century 7: Yer Not The Ocean 8: Nautical Disaster 9: Chagrin Falls 10: World Container 11: Fireworks 12: At The Hundredth Meridian 13: The Last Of The Unplucked Gems 14: Gift Shop 15: Fly 16: Bobcaygeon 17: The Lonely End Of The Rink 18: Blow At High Dough 19: Emperor Penguin 20: The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald 21: Fully Completely

Coming Up On the End...

Well, this is going to be my second to last blog as an intern here at fishtank creative. It's so crazy to think that next week will be my last. I have my internship presentation and paper due that following week, then finals, sr week, and finishing with graduation. I don't think it'll hit me that it's the end until that very last week I'll be spending in Erie. It's scary to think I won't be a "student" anymore...
This week has been kind of chill. I've been spending a lot of time on my internship paper and getting my poster together. We have to present on May 2 to all of the Communications professors as well as Comm. juniors. It's a little scary to think about, I'm not big on talking in front of a large group of people. However, it has to be done in order to graduate, so I can suck it up. :) Thank goodness the presentations have a maximum time of 5 minutes, which I can handle.
The weather has certainly taken a turn for the better and it's so sunny! I would be happier if it were about 15 degrees warmer, but this is a good start. I'll definitely be enjoying my weekend, I hope you enjoy yours! Have a good one, peace.

Recycle your e-Waste. Event schedule released.

The Erie County Recycling Program, under the direction of Erie County Executive Mark A. DiVecchio, today officially announces the 2007 spring/summer e-Waste Recycling Event schedule:

Saturday, April 28—North East Township Building, North East
Saturday, May 19—JoAnna Connell Elementary School, Erie
Saturday, June 9—Iroquois High School, Erie
Saturday, June 23—General McLane High School, Edinboro

Free and open to all Erie County residents, each e-Waste Recycling Event will offer collection between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Typical electronic items county residents may bring for proper disposal include televisions, microwaves, computers and peripherals, VCRs, telephones, stereos and tape players.

“Waste related to the disposal of electronics is a growing problem,” said Mr. DiVecchio. “By participating in these e-cycling events, Erie County residents are helping to conserve landfill space and ensure that dangerous toxins are disposed of properly.”

Any type of electronic equipment that has been improperly disposed of is considered to be e-Waste. Such waste may contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. These toxics pose no problems when properly contained in the equipment. However, when thrown away with other household garbage, the hazardous materials can become airborne or leak into the ground and contaminate drinking water as well as cause other environmental and health hazards.

When recycled, the electronic equipment is taken apart and plastics and glass components are turned into new products and reused. Precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium are also removed and recycled. In fact, a recent ECRP-sponsored e-Waste collection event netted 16,373 pounds of electronics to be recycled alone. County residents brought 67 televisions, 249 computers, 92 printers and fax machines, 35 VCRs, 22 telephones and 72 other electronic items.

Each e-Waste Recycling Event is limited to 250 participants and pre-registration is required. County residents may contact the Erie County Recycling Program at (814) 425-7773 to register or click to www.eriecountyrecycling.com for more information.



—It looks like the fishtank creative Apple Macintosh Museum located in the basement of our office will be closing its doors soon. The Mac Classic will remain on my bookshelf though, it makes a great paper weight.