Texas Legislative Alert

BACKGROUND
HB1 (the House version of the state budget bill) was filled in mid-January, and includes a drastic proposed reduction to our industries’ crucial and successful incentive program. The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program provides incentives for film, TV, commercials and video game production to be filmed in Texas.

The current incentives may be cut from $60 million to just $10 million during this legislative session under the cloud of a $27 billion state budget deficit.

RATIONALE AGAINST ANY CUT
Yet in the face of that, we have a great story to tell - our incentive program has generated over $610 million dollars in new in-state spending and has accounted for over 56,000 jobs for Texans. We strongly believe that cutting our program won't save Texas money, it'll cost us - both in terms of business and jobs. In fact, the Comptroller's Office recently released a study that found for every $117 in incentives granted, $1,000 in Texas production spending has been generated, reporting "Texas has proven to be successful." Our incentives are working, and putting Texans to work in Texas.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN
So what can you do? Now more than ever, we need your support. We call on all industry professionals working in film, television, commercials and video games across the state to let their state representatives know your opposition to the proposed cut in support of the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. If possible visit with you state representatives or at least write them, You can find your proper state representative at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us. Who Represents Me is on the bottom right of the home page.

The Texas Motion Picture Alliance will have Lobby Day on for Wednesday, March 9 at the Texas Capitol in Austin to discuss this subject with state representative. Please mark your calendars and join them in representing our industries. They will announce more details soon, as TXMPA Board members are hard at work with their advocacy firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Lawrence Collins to navigate this especially challenging, high-stakes legislative session.

Contacts:
-Frank Kopec, AAF Dallas Legislative Chair and Executive Director, frank@aafdallas.org, 972-488-8227
-Don Stokes, Texas Motion Picture Alliance President, 214-362-0162, dstokes@postasylum.com

The 2011 ADDY Photos are In!

Photos from the 2011 ADDY Gala are now posted on the AAF-FW Facebook page. Find us at AAF-Fort Worth and tag yourself for a chance to win two free tickets to the 2012 ADDY Gala.

And, stay tuned for information on where to get your ADDY Golds and order additional awards.

Become an Advertising Education Sponsor (AES)

Nineteen area colleges will be vying for the District 10 title in the AAF National Student Advertising Competition, April 13 - 15 in Oklahoma City. Last year's winner, Texas State, went on to place second nationally. In previous years, TCU, SMU, Texas State, UT Austin, Texas Tech, Houston and San Antonio College have all taken home national championships. Teams from AAF District 10 (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma) have won more national championships than any other district.

Become an Advertising Education Sponsor to help students.
Getting an AES membership will support District 10 schools in their efforts to win future National Advertising Competitions. They also support annual scholarships and add bright talent to this area's advertising industry. There are several levels of memberships available, including the $75 Bronze, $150 Silver, $300 Gold up to the $2,500 Business Level.

You can send your donations to:
AAF-Fort Worth
c/o AES Membership
3000 S. Hulen St., Suite 124, #218
Fort Worth, TX 76109

For more information, please contact Lindsay Hendon at lhendon@skylinedfw.com.

Red Productions Brings Home Best of Show at 2011 AAF – Fort Worth ADDY® Awards

Local video production firm, Red Productions, took home top honors as recipient of the Best in Show award at the American Advertising Federation – Fort Worth (AAF-FW) annual ADDY® Gala Saturday night at The Ashton Depot. This is the company’s first time to receive the Best in Show award.

“We were delighted to see Red Productions win Best in Show,” said Lindsay Lee Hendon, chair of the ADDY competition for AAF-Fort Worth and marketing consultant for Skyline DFW Exhibits & Graphics. “Red Sanders and his crew have produced fabulously creative work since opening shop in Fort Worth and we look forward to the Red Productions team continuing to be a strong leader in the Fort Worth advertising community for years to come.”
The award-winning entry featured a series of trailers produced for the Lone Star International Film Festival. In addition to winning the competition’s most prestigious award, Red Productions took home seven ADDYs, including one gold, one silver and five bronzes.

Other big winners at the gala, which recognizes the year’s best in local advertising, included Concussion, which received Best in Show Print for a branding campaign for WDS Logistics and a Special Judges’ Award for a TV spot created for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. The agency took home the most local honors, including 18 gold, 22 silver and 26 bronze ADDYs for a total of 63 awards.

Last year’s Best in Show winner, Warren-Douglas Creative Brand Marketing, received Best in Show Electronic for its website created for Wright Brand Bacon. The agency was additionally recognized with six gold, three silver and four bronze ADDYs. Ardent Creative received Best of Identity for its Untyed logo, in addition to one gold and one silver ADDY. JO Design and Blanchard Schaefer Advertising and Public Relations were each awarded Special Judges’ Awards for the Arts Council of Fort Worth Annual Report and the Fort Worth Zoo Holiday card respectively. JO Design received one gold, two silver and three bronze ADDYs, while Blanchard Schaefer took home six gold, three silver and four bronze ADDYs.

Other notable winners included Balcom Agency with a total of 17 ADDY awards and GCG Marketing with 13.

The Student Best of Show was awarded to David Heflin of the University of North Texas. Other big winners in the student category included the following:
• Diana Tran of the University of Texas at Arlington, Student Best Brand Campaign
• Aaron Kotara of the University of North Texas, Student Best Copywriting
• Andrew Bui of the University of North Texas, Student Best Art Direction
• Kirby Sandifer of the University of North Texas, Student Special Judges’ Award
• Jordan Henderson of the University of North Texas, Student Special Judges’ Award
• Madison McDaniel of the University of North Texas, Student Special Judges’ Award

The ADDY Awards Competition is a three-tiered national competition conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation. Entries awarded Gold ADDYs at the AAF-Fort Worth competition will automatically advance to the District competition to be judged alongside entries from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. Entries winning Gold at the district level will automatically advance to the National level. With more than 40,000 entries across the country, the National ADDY competition is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition for creative excellence. National ADDY winners will be announced at the National Awards Show and Gala on June 4, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel.

About American Advertising Federation – Fort Worth (AAF-FW)
American Advertising Federation – Fort Worth (AAF-FW) is an organization of advertising professionals with a common goal to encourage and enhance the education and advancement of the advertising community in Fort Worth. Formerly the Advertising Club of Fort Worth, AAF-FW celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009. For more information, visit www.adclubfw.org.

RATIO DIGITAL MEDIA WELCOMES RYAN CORMIER AS DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Fort Worth-based interactive agency Ratio Digital Media announces the addition of Ryan Cormier as digital marketing specialist. In this role, Cormier will develop and deploy a range of marketing initiatives, including interactive strategic planning, search engine marketing, search engine optimization and social media marketing. He will also play a key role in managing new business initiatives and fostering client relationships.

“Ryan not only has a solid foundation in interactive development, he has a genuine passion for this industry,” said Bruce Natale, Ratio co-founder and president. “He’s always tuned-in to the latest digital trends – that’s invaluable in the fast-paced world of interactive marketing.”

Prior to joining the Ratio team, Cormier worked as interactive director at Glint Advertising & Design, where he managed all of the agency’s interactive marketing programs and spearheaded business development initiatives. He graduated from Texas Christian University in May 2009 with a degree in advertising and public relations and is an active member of the American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth.

About Ratio Digital Media
Fort Worth, Texas–based Ratio Digital Media offers digitally based strategic interactive programs to clients across a variety of industry segments. For more information about Ratio, visit www.ratiodigital.com. To schedule a meeting with the Ratio team, please call 817-529-5555 or e-mail hello@ratiodigital.com.

Ratio Digital Media Launches in Fort Worth, Texas

Today marks the official launch of Ratio Digital Media, a comprehensive digital and interactive agency with offices in Fort Worth, Texas. The new agency is spearheaded by Neil Foster, president of GCG Marketing, and Bruce Natale, owner and founder of SiteSmart Interactive.

“GCG Marketing and SiteSmart Interactive have been working on projects together for years,” Foster said. “As our relationship continues to expand and the digital needs of our customers grow, it makes sense to form a partnership to explore new opportunities in the digital realm.”

The new agency’s services will include creative, web and software development; search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM); social media marketing; development and management of online media marketing campaigns; strategic marketing; tactical planning; e-mail and direct marketing; research and promotions (among other services).

Ratio will also offer a proprietary measurement system, designed specifically for regular reporting of consumer interaction and return on investment metrics.

“In today’s ever-expanding digital world, our clients are challenged to provide interactive programs that are not just compelling, but that also drive relationships with their consumers,” Natale said. “By bridging the marketing expertise of GCG with the technical expertise of SiteSmart, we are able to deliver fully integrated programs that drive customer response.”

About Ratio Digital Media
Fort Worth, Texas–based Ratio Digital Media offers strategically based integrated digital and interactive programs to clients across a variety of industry segments. For more information about Ratio, visit www.ratiodigital.com. To schedule a meeting with the Ratio team, please call 817-529-5555 or e-mail hello@ratiodigital.com.

Silver Medal Award Nomination Due

The Fort Worth chapter of the American Advertising Federation invites you to submit a nomination for the 2011 Silver Medal Award Program.

The American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award Program was established in 1959 to recognize men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and who have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and social responsibility.

Nominees are judged by community business and advertising leaders on the basis of several criteria:
• Contributions to his/her company
• Creative ability
• Contributions to the general advancement of advertising
• Contributions to the community

If you know someone who should be considered, please write a one-page explanation of why he or she meets these prescribed standards. Include the nominee’s professional marketing credentials, community service accomplishments and reasons why the candidate should be considered. Be sure to include your contact information.

Send nominations to aaf.fortworth@gmail.com by February 18, 2011.

GCG MARKETING PROMOTES ALLYSON CROSS TO ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Fort Worth-based GCG Marketing announces the promotion of Allyson Cross to account director from her previous position as senior account executive.

Cross will serve as the primary liaison to clients in the agency’s healthcare division. As the chief administrator of one of GCG’s account services teams, Cross is expected to guide the teams on a daily basis and spearhead the establishment of necessary processes and protocol standards. Her responsibilities include promoting and managing senior-level relationships and ensuring clients’ needs and requirements are met.

As senior account executive, Cross was instrumental in creating and executing account plans that fostered new relationships. She brings these relationships with her in her advancement, along with seven years of experience.

“Allyson has continually shown dedication exemplified in her abilities to manage and maintain relationships with clients over the years,” said Neil Foster, president of GCG Marketing. “She has grown with the company and I have great faith in her as director.”

Prior to joining the GCG team in 2004, Cross worked in the Media Relations department at RadioShack Corporation. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 2002 with a degree in advertising and public relations. She currently serves as president-elect/vice president of membership for the Greater Fort Worth Public Relations Society of America and treasurer of the American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth.

About GCG
Fort Worth, Texas-based GCG Marketing is a full-service marketing firm providing strategy and consultation, along with advertising and public relations services, to clients in the healthcare, corporate, consumer and business-to-business arenas since 1973. For more information, visit www.gcgmarketing.com or read the GCG blog at www.gcgideas.com.

2011 FORT WORTH ADDY® FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 7

We will accept final entries on Friday, January 7, at Branch-Smith Printing for the local level of the 2011 ADDY Awards.

“Mark your calendars and prepare your entries,” said Keith Powell, president of the American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth chapter. “If last year was any indication, this will surely be a competition to remember.”

The Fort Worth ADDY Awards are the local component of a three-pronged competition, which seeks to recognize and reward creative excellence in the art of advertising. Advertising students and professionals are being encouraged to enter their work in various categories, including sales promotion, collateral material, direct marketing, non-traditional advertising, newspaper, radio and television.

Fort Worth ADDY entrants have a chance to win Gold, Silver or Bronze awards in each category. Awards are also given for Best of Show and Special Judges Awards. Entries receiving a Gold ADDY award are automatically entered into the District ADDY Awards competition, where entries are judged alongside Gold winners from District 10 clubs in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas . Entries winning Gold at the district level are automatically entered into the National ADDY Awards competition, the world’s largest advertising competition.

The 2011 Fort Worth ADDY early submission deadline was Friday, December 10, and its final submission deadline is Friday, January 7, 2011. The American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth accepts ADDY entries online at www.addysmackdown.com. Submission costs vary and can be found online.

Fort Worth ADDY winners will be announced at the annual ADDY gala to be held at the Ashton Depot on Saturday, February 26, 2011.

GCG MARKETING WELCOMES KATIE GRAYSON AS ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Dec. 8, 2010 -- Fort Worth-based GCG Marketing announces the addition of Katie Grayson as account coordinator. In this role, she will primarily work with clients in the agency’s healthcare division. Grayson will be responsible for maintaining relationships, developing strategy, managing production workflow between the client and agency, and serving as a liaison between the account executive, creative director and production teams.

“Katie brings with her an infectious positive outlook, an unmatched work ethic, and a true passion for marketing,” said Neil Foster, GCG president. “Katie knows how to think like a marketer, an attribute that will serve her well in the future.”

Grayson joins GCG following her graduation from Texas Christian University last May, where she studied advertising/public relations and minored in sociology. Grayson graduated summa cum laude and was a member of the honors program.

2011 FORT WORTH ADDY® ENTRY DEADLINE ANNOUNCED

The Fort Worth chapter of the American Advertising Federation will begin accepting early entries on Friday, December 10, at Branch-Smith Printing for the local level of the 2011 ADDY Awards.

“Mark your calendars and begin preparing your entries,” said Keith Powell, president of the American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth chapter. “If last year was any indication, this will surely be a competition to remember.”

The Fort Worth ADDY Awards are the local component of a three-pronged competition, which seeks to recognize and reward creative excellence in the art of advertising. Advertising students and professionals are being encouraged to enter their work in various categories, including sales promotion, collateral material, direct marketing, non-traditional advertising, newspaper, radio and television.

Fort Worth ADDY entrants have a chance to win Gold, Silver or Bronze awards in each category. Awards are also given for Best of Show and Special Judges Awards. Entries receiving a Gold ADDY award are automatically entered into the District ADDY Awards competition, where entries are judged alongside Gold winners from District 10 clubs in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas . Entries winning Gold at the district level are automatically entered into the National ADDY Awards competition, the world’s largest advertising competition.

The 2011 Fort Worth ADDY early submission deadline is Friday, December 10, and its final submission deadline is Friday, January 7, 2011. The American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth accepts ADDY entries online at www.addysmackdown.com. Submission costs vary and can be found online.

Fort Worth ADDY winners will be announced at the annual ADDY gala to be held at the Ashton Depot on Saturday, February 26, 2011.

About the American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth
AAF-Fort Worth is a 100-year-strong organization and is the city’s oldest civic group. The purpose of the organization is to provide a forum for advertising professionals — elevating standards and practices in advertising through peer review programs and through continuing training and education initiatives. The group is also dedicated to serving the Fort Worth community, and participates in numerous civic activities. Additional information at adclubfw.org.

The club hosts lunch meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at Joe T. Garcia's, and is part of the American Advertising Federation – a national network of ad clubs and advertisers representing more than 40,000 advertising professionals located in communities across the country.

Logos created by Balcom Agency selected for LogoLounge book, "Shapes and Symbols"

Several logo designs created by Balcom Agency will be included in a remarkable new LogoLounge project, "Shapes and Symbols", the third book in the new Master Library series.
 
Logos designed for Texas Health Resources, Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County, Pennybacker Capital, Tony Lama Stars Collection, Virtuent, and Joshua Independent School District will all be published in the prestigious book and released in July 2011.
 
"I'm proud of the work our creative team does every day for our clients, and it's especially exciting to be recognized by one of the leading publishers in the industry," said the agency's president, Stuart Balcom. "More important is making sure our clients stand out in the marketplace. Logo development is a fundamental first step for making that happen."
 
The Master Library books presents exemplary logo design work from creatives around the world. The first and second books in the series, "Initials and Crests" and "Animals and Mythology," are already best sellers from Rockport Publishers.