Change of Plans Part II

Due to the weather, the volleyball tournament scheduled for tomorrow has been re-scheduled for October 10. You can register for the October 10 tournament by clicking here.

Change of Plans for Saturday

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Reunion Party planned for this Saturday at 8 p.m. has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience and, if you have already registered, your monies will refunded. Please stay tuned for our other upcoming event announcements.

The volleyball tournament is still taking place and you can register by clicking here. Your participation is key to providing an education for advertising students. We look forward to seeing you on the court this Saturday!

Super Ad Swag!

Visit Café Press for some Super Ad Swag – ringer tees, trucker hats and even something for the kiddos. Order yours today!

WARREN DOUGLAS POWERS UP FIRST-EVER NATIONAL TV SPOTS FOR ALLIED ELECTRONICS

Warren Douglas Creative Brand Marketing has released a media preview of the first of two national television commercials for Allied Electronics Inc. The :30 and :15 second efforts are set to begin airing nationwide next week, and are the company’s first-ever TV spots.

The preview is available for viewing by members of the media at the following link: http://www.warrendouglas.com/alliedtv.html

“Allied approached us with a very simple request,” said Steve Hanthorn, Warren Douglas’ Creative Director, “They wanted to shake up their industry by entering an arena rarely trafficked by electronic component suppliers: television. Of course we were very happy to oblige.”

The first commercial, entitled “The Engineers,” features two electrical engineers locked in a debate over which is better, the more “old school” Allied catalog or the immediate-response Allied website. When they’re unable to reach a consensus agreeably, things are settled in an unexpectedly humorous way.

“Allied’s primary consumer targets are smart, savvy professionals who aren’t easily impressed. We needed to grab them with something they could relate to, but was also uniquely amusing. We believe these ads accomplish just that,” said Hanthorn.

Allied Electronics’ Marketing Director Elisa Weber expressed the company’s appreciation for the final product: “We couldn’t be more pleased with how the spots from Warren Douglas have turned out – I can honestly say they’ve exceeded our wildest expectations.

“We can’t wait to see how our industry reacts … we think they’ll be pleasantly surprised!”

Fort Worth’s Red Productions was tapped for filming, editing and posting duties on the project, with Greg Beauchamp handling director’s chores and studio owner Red Sanders acting as producer.

Marketing in A Recession

As the country continues to weather the storm of economic recession, our clients continue to look to their marketing partners for strategic counsel. Join us as Sherwin Leff, Executive Vice President at DRAFTFCB in Chicago shares his observations and best practices for marketing in a recession.

Discussion highlights will include:
• The recession consumer
• Learning's/studies from past recessions
• Light at the end of the tunnel...it's not all bad
• Strategies tactics
• Understanding and communicating "value"
• Where we go from here, the 11 Commandants of Recovery Marketing

Sherwin Leff joined DRAFTFCB (FCB) in 1982. He has contributed his strategic promotional marketing skills to such major clients at Citibank, Coca-Cola, Coors, Oscar Mayer, and Wendy’s. His efforts were instrumental in FCB’s Impact selection as the American Marketing Association’s “Promotion Agency of the Year” in 1990.

Known for his strategic thinking and brand leadership, Sherwin’s record includes; Over 13 years on Wendy’s International where he helped move them to a premium position in the quick service restaurant industry; more than 10 years on Kraft and Oscar Mayer where he has built brand leadership and created strategic programs; six years working with Nestle on developing a variety of brand leaderships; and one year on AT where he has overseen the introduction of new products in new markets.

Since 1998 Sherwin has been responsible for Global Integrated Marketing for DRAFTFCB’s largest client, SC Johnson. He works with over 100 international DRAFTFCB offices assisting them in developing integrated marketing programs that build SC Johnson’s brands on a local market level.

He also is a member of the faculty at Columbia College Chicago where he created and teaches a course on Global Marketing. He has an MBA from DePaul University Chicago.

When:
September 16, 2009 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

Where:
Joe T. Garcia's
"La Puertita", 2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76106

Fee:
Executive Member:
Included with Dues

Non Member:
$35.00

Professional or member of another AAF Club:
$20.00

Student:
$15.00

RSVP:
by September 15, 2009

Register Now

Judges Needed!

The South West Transit Association is in need of judges for their 2009 Spotlight Awards. The Spotlight Awards honor outstanding work for a total transit marketing campaign and for single and/or new transit marketing projects.

The entries will be available for judging at Concussion, located at 707 W. Vickery Blvd, #103, September 1 to 3. Judges can come by on any of those days from 10 am to 4 pm. Judging should take about 30 minutes.

If they have questions or would like to judge, please contact Lindsay Simon at lindsay@concussion.net or 817-336-6823 ext. 328.

A Far-Out 100th Anniversary Celebration & 3-on-3 Volleyball Tournament

Saturday, September 12th

Lockheed Martin Recreation Area
3400 Bryant Irvin Road
Fort Worth, Texas

Family Picnic & Volleyball Tournament
10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Bring the kids and join us for a picnic and volleyball tournament. There’s no admission for the picnic, just brown bag your own lunch. The volleyball tournament is a fundraiser for our Advertising Education committee that helps fund the National Student Advertising Competition each spring as well as advertising scholarships. It will be a 3-on-3 tournament with a $45 per team entry fee. Awards will be given to the top finishers and for best team uniforms. Sign up for the tournament at adclubfw.org.

70s Reunion Party
8:00 pm – 12:00 am
Join us for an adults only keg party to celebrate AAF – Fort Worth’s 100 great years. We’ll have a DJ so you can dance the night away to your favorite disco tunes. Awards will be given for the Reunion King & Queen based on the best themed outfit.

Members - $15
Non-members - $20

Many Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Balcom Agency

BlueRock Marketing

Clear Channel Outdoor

Skyline DFW Exhibits & Graphics

GCG

The Graphics Group

Rosa's Cafe

Last Chance! Only a Few Seats Remaining!

While it’s true that due to the current economic situation less people are attending trade shows, it’s also a fact that those who are attending are the decision makers of the organizations you are trying to reach.

In Trade Shows Strategies for Today’s Economy, we provide you with the latest trends in exhibiting to make sure you are maximizing the return on your trade show and event marketing investment.

Skyline has created a helpful, “no charge” and “no sales pitch” seminar filled with two and a half hours of our industry’s best practices, and you’re invited:

Trade Show Strategies for Today's Economy

August 26, 2009

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Measuring Your Trade Show Results

August 26, 2009

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Presented by & Hosted at:

Skyline DFW Exhibits & Graphics

900 Avenue S

Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Click Here for directions.

The Trade Show Strategies for Today's Economy seminar will show you:

• Updated Industry Trends
• Trade Shows Make Economic Sense
• Exhibit for the Right Reasons -- It's all about Converting
• Using 1:1 Exhibit Selling Strategies
• Invest in a Motivated Staff
• Selective Attraction -- It's the Quality of your Audience, Not the Quantity

Measuring Your Trade Show Results

One of the hottest topics in exhibiting today is measuring the return on the exhibitor's investment and on their objectives. This session addresses what is measurement, what can be measured, how to measure them and how to report the results. You will be exposed to 10 calculators for both ROI and ROO.

The Measuring Your Trade Show Results seminar will show you: ·

• Why looking good is not enough
• Defining objectives: what measurement tools work best
• Evaluating your booth staff's performance

In case you have any doubts, here are just a few of the comments that we have recorded from recent seminars:

"Very useful! I would attend again and recommend it to others."
Theresa Maroun, Microplex

"Excellent use of my time - I think this will help focus my efforts."
Tracy Pringle, Pathtrace Systems Inc

"Outstanding! Every moment was well spent - it was full of beneficial information to enhance our presence at future shows."
Olga Tabinsky, Terry Precision Cycling

"Great knowledge! Can't wait to use the worksheets!"
April Hampton, Down Lite Int'l

"Information that can be applied on a daily basis."
Ashley Platts, Supremex

Register now by clicking here or by calling Gina Gober at (972) 522-0500 x200 while there is still a seat available!

Concussion Launches Micro Site for Konami Gaming

Concussion High Impact Communications has unveiled KonamiPodium.com, a flash-driven micro site supporting the launch of Konami Gaming’s latest innovation in gaming technology – the Konami Podium.

Known as a total solution provider for its state-of-the-art video slot titles played in casinos throughout the United States and technologically advanced casino management system called the Konami Casino Management System (KCMS) , Konami Gaming is a subsidiary of Konami Corporation (NYSE: KNM). Founded in Osaka, Japan, Konami Corporation has two subsidiaries in gaming, Konami Australia Pry Ltd in Australia and Konami Gaming, Inc. in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Concussion’s goal in designing the site for the Konami Podium was simple – blow Konami out of the water with our capabilities and reinforce Konami’s ‘Born from fun’ brand personality,” said Douglas Cox, interactive director at Concussion.

Konami Gaming’s new site for Podium can be described as an interactive commercial targeted to key slot purchasing decision makers in the casino industry. The site opens with a full-screen flash video, offering visitors a 360-degree view of a 3D rendering of the Podium. On the back end, viewers can click on highlighted parts of the Podium for details on features such as 360-degree lighting effects, a Bose sound system, 3-D displays, ergonomic game play and the smaller footprint. Visitors can even download podium specifications and origami templates, in keeping with Konami’s ‘Born from fun’ brand personality.

“This site is a great example of an effective use of Flash,” said Cox. “While Flash does take quite a bit of bandwidth, this particular use of full-screen Flash is for a very targeted audience who is well-versed in technology. Flash also gives the maximum impact at a point when we have one shot to impress and influence gaming decision makers. ”

And the influencing has already begun, as Konami Australia decided to leverage the site in their market as well. “Konami Australia was so pleased with the site, its contents, and functionality, that they chose to use the tool for their market as well,” said Ross O’Hanley, senior director of marketing for Konami Gaming.

“For a company such as Konami, known for being a technological leader, we can’t just walk in with a brochure,” said O’Hanley. “This site allows us to use innovative technology to reveal our product in an enticing manner that will help casino operators better understand the end benefit for their customers.”

For more information on the Konami Podium, visit www.konamipodium.com. For more information on the Konami Corporation, Konami Australia and Konami Gaming, visit www.konamigaming.com.

ABOUT CONCUSSION

Concussion is a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. The agency has almost 60 professional staff members and bills approximately $24 million annually. Concussion handles a client list that includes casinos, commercial and residential real estate development, energy and natural gas, and consumer packaged goods. For more information, visit www.concussion.net.

ABOUT KONAMI GAMING

Konami Gaming, Inc. is a Las Vegas based subsidiary of Konami Corporation (NYSE: KNM). The company is a leading provider of slot machines and casino management systems for the global gaming market. For more information about Konami Gaming, Inc., please visit www.konamigaming.com.

AAF-Fort Worth Wants to Know: Why do YOU Love Magazines?

In preparation for designing the graphics for our upcoming Magazine Day event, designer Gina McEuen was thinking about the things that make magazines special to her.

In Gina's words, "I love magazines. I love the glossy paper and beautiful people and expensive things that I would never see otherwise. I love the ads and the logos and the samples you get sometimes. I love the smell of ink that stays inside. I love those subscription cards that I can use for bookmarks because I have to stop reading and go to the next thing because I have poor impulse control. I love knowing what other people are doing now and why. I love it when a horoscope is included so I can read something about me. I love it when there is a quiz or crossword. I love the trends, I love the way it makes me think I need to be more…” She had more to say, but asked us to pose this question:

Why do YOU like magazines? What makes magazines special to you?
Please add your comments to this post!

GCG LOGOS SELECTED FOR SECOND EDITION OF DESIGN SERIES

Fort Worth-based GCG Marketing has been chosen to feature two of its logos in the second edition of the LogoLounge® Master Library series, Animals and Mythology. The two logos chosen were for Ugly Pug Black Lager beer and the Fort Worth Opera.

The Ugly Pug logo was created for the packaging of black lager beer for Fort Worth’s Rahr & Sons Brewery in 2006, while GCG created the Fort Worth Opera logo during the 2000-2001 opera season as part of a corporate branding package. Two other GCG logos appeared in the first edition of the LogoLounge® Master Library series.

“It’s great that our logo work is being recognized for a second time,” said Neil Foster, GCG president. “The roots of our agency have always included identity work, and even as our capabilities evolve, it’s always nice to receive national recognition for our core competencies.”

The LogoLounge® Master Library is a series that presents various logo design work from professionals around the world. Each book in the series represents a specific logo design category, such as animals and mythology, nature and food, and typography.

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.

GLINT ADVERTISING & DESIGN ADDS RYAN CORMIER AS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

New Hire to Handle Client Service and New Business Development

Glint Advertising & Design, LLC, announced the addition of Ryan Cormier, Account Executive, today. Cormier will provide client service for existing and future accounts, and will further new business development for the agency.

“With the proliferation of Internet marketing, social networking and the commitment of Glint to help make the Fort Worth area a respected pool for creative talent in our industry, our agency realized we needed to invest in our local talent and add a younger perspective to our current staffing skill set. Ryan is part of the evolution of advertising, understanding how to engage consumers in changing, fragmented markets,” stated agency president Craig Lloyd.

The TCU graduate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the school’s Schieffer School of Journalism. He served on TCU’s Advertising Campaigns Team, which placed 9th nationally at the 2009 NSAC National Championship in Washington, D.C. Cormier also learned the ropes of the industry through an internship and working for TCU’s late RealWorld, IMC.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such a respected organization,” Cormier said. “Glint truly is a perfect fit for me.”

Founded in 2000, Glint Advertising & Design was formed to develop relationships with its clients, not just generate business. Glint works exclusively with one client type per industry per market, allowing each client to receive innovative, unique approaches to engage their audience. For more information visit www.glintadv.com or call 817-616-0320.