Historians will tell you the Union Jack is the nickname for the
flag representing the nation of Great Britain.

Wikipedia will tell you this flag of Great Britain consists of three superimposed crosses. The Cross of St. Andrew, The Cross of St George, and The Cross of St. Patrick. Each one of these crosses representing a country within The United Kingdom of Great Britain. Scotland, England and Ireland respectively.

So why does this matter? Well, in international soccer, Scotland, England and Ireland play as separate teams, and not as the UK. England was the only fortunate team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The flag representing the country of England is the Cross of St. George, and not the Union Jack. This has to be one of the best cases of branding for a country ever. What other country on Earth has: 1. An iconic flag. 2. An iconic flag can be split apart to represent the very nations the main flag stands for? Sure, after Partition, Ireland broke off from from the UK and currently uses the Green, White, Orange triad as the country’s flag, but prior to the 1920’s Ireland used the Cross of St. Patrick, and they still use the cross in their coat of arms.

Can any other nation do that? Then again, can any other brand do that?

(Originally posted on my personal blog at www.josephmayernik.com)

Congrats to the District 2 Winners:

Gold: Myers Creative Imaging, Website

Gold: Jay Advertising, RPO Brand Illustrations

Silver: Partners+Napier, Kodak Film, No Compermise

Silver: Walter Colley Images, HealthNow Brand Photography

Silver: RIT STUDENT A.K. Nicole Murtagh, Short Film

With over 60,000 entries annually, the ADDY® Awards are the world’s largest and arguably toughest advertising competition. The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world. The American Advertising Federation, a not-for-profit industry association conducts the ADDY® Awards through its 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts. It is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry.

Prez Joe

If you are a freelancer there is still time to exhibit at the event and showcase your work. RSVP to exhibit.

Marketing directors and agency peeps. Do you use freelancers now? Do you feel you may have the need to hire a creative freelance employee? Even if you not have an immediate creative need. I encourage you to come to the Freelance Expo. Our goal is to bring freelancers and decision makers in the marketing profession together. To make a contact. Network. So that when there is creative need, you have someone to contact.

Admission is free. The food is complimentary. So come on over to the MAG, and who knows, you next big idea could come from a freelancer exhibiting at the event. The Freelance Expo. on Thursday, April 22, and the Memorial Art Gallery from 5:30-7:30pm.

Prez Joe

But I have come to realize I do not like the game of basketball very much anymore. At 6′4″ tall I am sure I would be a rebound threat, but now I find the game boring. My life in advertising constantly has me thinking about how strategy can help the brand of my clients. How creative that represents the products or services of brands can alter perceptions. Or at least that’s the intent. For me, basketball is flawed in it’s strategy. Now, I am not taking about the game itself. Certainly, there is plenty of strategy that is executed throughout the course of a game. The coach draws up the plays, the point guard executes, picks are set, shots are made and the defense adjusts. What I am talking about is the fundamental strategy of the game.

Scoring is expected, and a guarantee.

For instance, the other major sports of baseball, football, hockey and soccer all follow a different strategy. You are not expected to score. Yes, by nature of sport, I guess you could say I do expect them to score, but it’s certainly not a guarantee. So maybe it’s more about the guarantee than the expectation. One spring evening while living in Atlanta, I saw John Smotlz of the Atlanta Braves masterfully pitch around hitters in a scoreless tie. The Braves finally won that game 1-0 in the late innings. And when the Braves finally scored the crowd erupted in celebration that shook the foundation of Turner Field.

That’s excitement.

In football I’d much rather see a high scoring game, but I live in upstate NY and this is Buffalo Bills country, where scoring is certainly not a guarantee. But when the Bills do score, the freezing fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium Stadium rise to their feet and cheer as one. Playoff hockey or World Cup soccer fans understand this. When the athletes score, there’s a massive celebration. The fans jump, raise their hands, hug. The athletes jump, raise their hands, hug. Again, because while they are expected to score it’s certainly not a guarantee.

Basketball’s one exception is March Madness. College Basketball, with some minor exceptions in rule differences, is essentially the same as the NBA. However, the NCAA tournament is structured win or go home. There is tension in every game. Cinderella’s are born and rivalries renewed. Every possession could mean the difference of advancing to the next round or boarding a plane back home…. just ask Northern Iowa. And winning the tournament is no guarantee either… just ask top seed Kansas. After the NCAA crowns it’s National Champion, April comes and it’s back to boring ‘ol NBA basketball.

I used to play basketball when I was younger. And looking back on it now, I know why…making baskets for me was never a guarantee.

(Originally posted on my personal blog at www.josephmayernik.com)

I want to send one final thanks to all the companies that helped make this show great. Martino Flynn, Myers Creative Imaging for the show creative, our premier sponsor Xerox, and additional show sponsor TRAFFIQ, Post Central for the broadcast loops, Dumbwaiter Design for the interactive loops, and Cheshire AV for one killer of a production.

So members what worked, what did not. I am interested in hearing what you thought of the night so we can continue the momentum or retool for next year. I hope you all enjoyed the night and I trust you all Got Your Freak On!

Prez Joe

That being said, this seems like a no-brainer.
 
The Ad Council of Rochester turns 60 this year. And in honor of this landmark year they are looking for feedback from supporters, volunteers and anyone in the nonprofit or marketing / ad fields – Todd Butler and the Ad Council are trying to better understand what the perceptions are of their organization.
 
The Advertising and Marketing community has been a long time supporter of the Ad Council efforts.  Chances are if you are a creative in this town you have done the work on behalf of the Ad Council for a local non-profit.  Or perhaps you were a marketer on the receiving end of some of the services the Ad Council provides.  Whichever the case, they want to know what the Rochester community thinks about the Ad Council, so they can continue to offer relevant services in this ever changing profession for the next 60 years and beyond. And that’s where you come in.  

The survey takes about 10 minutes and is relatively painless (I have already taken it!). The link is embedded in this blog here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/adcouncilsurvey

On behalf of the Ad Council and the RAF, thank you for your help in advance.  Also please purchase your tickets to the RAF Addy Awards by March 5th. Remember, no tickets will be sold at the door.
 
GYFO!
 
JOE

Remember to purchase your tickets by March 5th. No tickets will be sold at the door. No matter how much we like you. GYFO!

JOE

Last year’s Addy Awards show saw one of Rochester’s most energetic and infectious laughs be honored. Under the theme of “Mad Men” we gave the Silver award to Rochester’s own “Mad Woman”, Sharon Napier from Partners + Napier.

We’re pulling out all the stops again in 2010 with another red carpet, black-tie optional event. An event that celebrates the uniqueness we must have to be successful in this business. Celebrating creativity that challenges. Opportunities with vision, or commitment to crafting a small marketing budget to achieve large results. And we’re looking for your nomination for Rochester’s recipient of the 2010 RAF Silver Award to round out the night.

Established by the American Advertising Federation in 1959, the Silver Award recognizes those who’ve made outstanding contributions to advertising and who’ve been active in furthering industry standards, creative excellence, social responsibility, and community service.

Just take a look at our own roster of past winners:
Jack Kraushaar. Jim Gallery. Chris Pulleyn. Bob Conge. Jerry Flynn. Bill Buckett. Ferdinand Jay Smith. Bob Young. Walt Roberts. And last year’s winner Sharon Napier. It’s a who’s who of Rochester advertising and creativity…and we wouldn’t be here without them. Now it’s time to submit your nomination for this year’s award.

The RAF Board, based upon the following criteria, selects the Silver Award recipient:

• Contribution to his/her company: notable success in one of the following areas of work: advertising agency, advertiser, media or advertising service.
• Creative accomplishment: a consistently high level of original thinking in his or her field.
• Contributions to the general advancement of advertising: has worked to increase the stature of the advertising profession.
• Contributions to the community: has been active in civic, humanitarian, religious, or other groups dedicated to human or social welfare.

To nominate someone, please click on the link below. Your email should include the name of your nominee, some background information about him or her, and why you think he or she deserves the award.

The winner will be honored with a special tribute at the Addy Awards Show & Party and his or her family will be VIP guests for the evening’s festivities. It’s truly a night to remember—for both the honoree as well as our creative community at large.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Oh one more thing. Please take advantage of the early bird pricing when purchasing your tickets. Just make sure you buy them before the event. There are no tickets sold at the door (no matter how much we like you).

Cheers,

Joseph Mayernik
2010 RAF President

1. — Establish a manageable and efficient Business Process:
Discipline is the key, capture and organize contact information, and anticipate the expenses

2. — Professional Support:
Line up your Legal, Financial and IT experts so that they are in place to help you manage through the inevitable disasters that will pop up.

3. — Shameless Self Promotion:
Be relentless promoting yourself. This is no time for stealth marketing.

Thanks Chris! Next talk will be on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Our very own RAF Communications Chair Andrea Zuegel will present on the topic of Web Design/Usability. See you there! Information on us, beer on you.

And don’t forget, Addy submissions are due this Friday the 29th. You can bet Chris has his in… see point #3.

JOE
Mr. RAF Prez.

Well a new year brings new resolutions. That one time a year where we get on our soap box and say “I will exercise more,” “I will eat better,” or “I won’t engage in road rage behavior on 590.” Whatever it is, let’s not forget the New Year is a good time to reacquaint ourselves with our brands we have been entrusted with. To maybe look upon the media plan with fresh eyes, or reconsider the concepts behind your next campaign. Are they solid, or are they overweight and in need of a diet?
So what’s your New Year’s Resolution for your brand?

From all of us at the RAF. Happy New Year and here’s to a prosperous 2010. I look forward to the upcoming events like the 20 Minutes & a Beer event with Chris Lyons on the 19th, and of course the Addy Award show on March 12th!

Joe
Mr. RAF Prez.