Culture Soak

20th Century Cincinnati is the Queen City’s annual retrospective of the forward looking design trends introduced between the First World War and the Computer Age. Quiet evolutions and clamorous revolutions in the arts, architecture, furnishings, decor and fashion worlds….. Art Deco, Streamline, Futuristic, Mid-Century Modern and Op/Pop…..the century’s classic forms - many from the century’s signature designers - all will fill the floor when 20th Century Cincinnati returns to the Sharonville Convention Center this weekend of February 28 & March 1, 2009. Show hours are Sat- Sun 11-5 $7 addmission and thats good for both days. Click here for more info. See you there.

The Lexington Advertising Club welcomes Pentagram partner DJ Stout to its March Networking Program & Luncheon - Building Brands and Identity Design. This is sure to be a great event given DJ’s experience and impressive portfolio. Click here to register.

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Location: Hyatt Regency Downtown
Networking & Luncheon: 11:30-12:45 p.m.
(Hyatt parking passes are available.)

Active Members (prepaid lunch): $0
Active Members and Students: $20
Potential Members: $35

I’m thrilled to announce that Elevation Creative Studios has won 9 Gold Addys and Best of Show at the 2009 Addy Awards in Lexington Ky. I’m very proud to have worked on these projects and want to say thanks to our clients and to the team I’m surrounded by at work everyday. Congrats guys and gal its going to be a great year.

Burger King’s FLAME is a body spray that, according to BK, captures the essence of the love of the Whopper with a hint of flame-broiled meat. I can’t comment on the scent because I haven’t smelled it yet but the campaign, featuring a scantily clad King, is interesting. Check out the well-done minisite at www.firemeetsdesire.com and if you feel compelled you can buy it here (be sure to read the customer reviews).

I was watching UCLA and Michigan last night and couldn’t help but notice the optical illusion created by the State Farm logo on the court. It was cleverly designed with the television audience and camera angle in mind. The logo jumps out so much (especially in HD) that it is almost distracting… at least until we become desensitized by hundreds of other advertisers following suit. See the video here and notice how much more legible it is than the 2K Sports logo next to it.

I ran across these ads the other day and had to post them. Very clever and well executed.

Advertising Agency: UbachsWisbrun / JWT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Art Director: John De Vries
Copywriter: Wouter Kiewiet de Jonge
Creative Directors: Nico Akkerman, Bart Kooij
Photographers: Alex ten Napel, Mitch Jenkins
Art buy: Lia Wals
Post production: Magic

Another fantastic short film from Hillman Curtis. Circles was shot in designer James Victore’s Brooklyn studio and features Michael Goduti (Sopranos, Law and Order), Sid Hillman (Men in Black, Arlington Road, Ghost World), and Laura Victore.

Also check the recently completed short film on the American artist Jim Dine, for the Getty Villa and a series of silent Obama ads for ObamaMinute that played on a four story jumbotron in Times Square.

Krispy Kreme is celebrating Election Day by giving away a free star-shaped doughnut (with patriotic sprinkles) to customers wearing an “I Voted” sticker. For those of you who need an extra bit of encouragement to vote, this is your lucky day.

Today’s the big day. So get out there and VOTE. Above image is from the Patagonia Vote the Environment Campaign.

Also check out their Vote the Environment shirts. I bet they go on sale soon.

Hey everyone just wanted to ask for your vote on JPG magazine. This is for the theme “Beloved” and what better photo to submit than this picture of my girlfriend Jessica. Thanks for your support.