A picture is worth a thousand copywriters

Over the last couple of days, some very nice things have been written about the copy that is part of the Dundee Ales & Lagers rebranding. It’s been very gratifying…and a little embarrassing.

But here’s some insight into what we, on the Dundee team, knew. Packaging sells beer. No one is buying beer because of a story on the back of the label. Sure, it gives them something to read while they drink…all by themselves. But the cool new look of the Dundee labels and Craft Pack is what stops people in their tracks in the beverage aisle.

And that is the genius work of Paul Hill and Tim Downs, two of the finest I will ever work with.

So I’ll never admit I said this, but save your reading for the cereal box, be shallow, and just choose a Dundee for its good looks.

Rochester Artech 2009 Digital Art Competition and Exhibition: Call for Entries

The Rochester Artech 2009 Digital Art Exhibition, one of the RAF’s fellow Creativity United organizations, promotes the expression of the arts through digital media and features pieces by high school and college students, and amateur and professional artists from across the Greater Rochester area. The exhibition’s entry deadline has recently been extended to March 6, 2009, with the winning pieces being put on display at ArtAwake later in the month. For more details and info on how to enter work, visit http://www.rochesterartech.com/ or see below.

Hundreds of dollars will be awarded in this digital art competition, with brackets for professional artists, college students, and high school students.

There are 9 categories to submit in – any art that includes a digital element in its creation or display is eligible!

Submissions will be juried by a panel of faculty and professional artists from across the Genesee Valley region.

Winning pieces will be displayed at ArtAwake on March 27.

This competition is open to everyone in the Rochester area!

Hurry – submission are due by March 2 at midnight!

— Scott Wolf

Creative SPEEDATE sold out!

n61926456776_1657We’re excited to announce that the RAF Creative SPEEDATE event is officially sold out! On Monday February 9th, 64 college students and 32 creative professionals from our community will be coming together speedate-style at John Myers Photography to participate in this annual event. Stay tuned for other upcoming RAF events—plenty of opportunities to connect still to come! Thanks again to our sponsors RIT and John Myers Photography.

— Anne Esse


Kodak.com shows the way

Kodak's New HomepageKeeping a strong idea intact through each stage of the creative development process isn’t for sissies. But if you think its tough when developing a print ad, try designing a homepage. The process begins with good intentions – make it intuitive, prioritize messaging, retain the brand’s distinctive qualities, etc. – but can quickly devolve into a land rush.

So congrats to Kodak on their re-designed homepage. Usable, impactful, true to the brand. Downright gutsy. And check out this post from Paulette at Kodak’s blog for a visual description of the process. Sounds like the tight timeline helped – if it’s due tomorrow, it doesn’t sit in approval meetings subject to over thinking.

If you still want more, visit Canon for a comparison. Which company looks like they have passion for the business?

Matt Jones

Beautiful Losers Trailer

Here’s a look at the trailer for “Beautiful Losers” starring Thomas Campbell, Shepard Fairey, Jo Jackson, Chris Johanson, Margaret Kilgallen, Harmony Korine, Geoff McFetridge, Barry McGee, Mike Mills, Stephen Powers, Ed Templeton, with Cheryl Dunn, Peggy Honeywell, Aaron Rose, and Deanna Templeton.

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The RAF joined together with AIGA Upstate New York, ArtAwake, Rochester Artech, The Little Theatre, and Second Storie to put on a special free screening of the movie Thursday February 5, 2009 at the Little. You can still register for a free ticket at http://www.beautifullosersrochester.org/. Hope to see everyone there.

And so it begins: RifRaf Exhibit

It turns out RifRaf is read by Scott Wolf, my mom, AND Jeremy Schwartz of RAF member Partners & Napier. Thanks Jeremy, for the snappy response and the great work for Kodak Entertainment Imaging. (Click on the image to see the ad bigger.) The film vs. digital argument has been raging for some time now. Living in the birthplace of organic, random, beautiful silver halide crystals, I have definitely drunk the kool-aid: I love film. I’d love to hear what local cinematographers and filmmakers have to say about the subject. Hellooo, Matt EhlersTim WainwrightDavid MarshallTim Beideck…and any of you lurkers out there. Feel free to chime in anytime.

Got some work of your own you’d like to share? Send it along, with a high-res jpg, credits and a brief description.

Here’s the story on this piece:

This is the first of 3 print ads and a link to live online content for a Kodak Entertainment Imaging campaign heralding film capture. We’re letting the industry talk back — in their own, authentic words — against the rising tide of hype revolving around digital capture and reminding motion picture professionals why film remains to be the gold standard for filmmaking. The campaign will culminate in the release of a documentary film which we’re currently editing for an early 2009 release.

The first print ad (attached) features Samuel Bayer, acclaimed commercial and music video director that has brought his vision to ads for Nike, Visa, Volkswagen, and Pepsi and to music videos for Nirvana, David Bowie, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Sheryl Crow, The Strokes, Smashing Pumpkins and countless others. The ad is currently running in American Cinematographer and other trade pubs.

Check the first of some online content related to the effort.

Credits:
Agency: Partners + Napier
Creative Director: Jeremy Schwartz
Account director: Kurt Jaekel
Account executive: Heather Semmler
Art Director: Jack Jankowski
Designer/Retouching: Jack Jankowski
Copywriter: Scott Allen
Photography: Gabrielle Revere (portraits), Jeremy Schwartz (insets), Justin Arcangeli (product)
Print Production: Doug Hood
Interactive Art Directors: Marcus Lennon, Mike Governale
Interactive Project Manager: Kim Pegg
Interview footage:
Director: Henry Corra
Producer: Jeremy Amar
Kodak Client: Sarabeth Litt, Nicole Phillips

And yes, we shot all content on film, both for print and motion interviews.

Crickets

helloooooooo…is anybody out there? just wondering cuz it gets pretty lonely in here. if you’re listening, i got a proposition for ya. done any good work lately? something you’ve been itching to show off? well, let’s have it. honestly, i’d (heck, we’d) love to see it. and post it here for the other two people who read this blog (not counting my mom, natch). let’s start our own little exhibit of cool work being done in this town. because we both know it IS happening, right? send a nice jpg of your latest and greatest to kate@katesonnick.com and i’ll post it here. be sure to include credits and a brief description of what it was for. students, this includes you, too! show us what you’ve got.

Books for kids

In the spirit of its commitment to education, the American Advertising Federation will hold a three-week nationwide book drive to promote literacy among disadvantaged children and youth. Book drive dates: October 27 – November 18. The drive will be held in conjunction with the Books for Kids Foundation. The new public service project demonstrates the advertising industry’s comprehensive understanding of corporate responsibility and the value and vital importance of education.

The AAF is asking members from its college chapters, clubs and corporate organizations and companies to donate new children’s books in the category of kindergarten through third grade. Books in Spanish are also encouraged. The AAF’s goal is 5,000 new books to be collected from October 27 to November 18, 2008. Donations will be accepted from either individual AAF members or as part of a group donation from a club, college chapter or member company.

Click here to know more.

AIGA: Get Out the Vote

Our friends at AIGA have a cool event we wanted to tell you about. Come out for cocktails, mingling and plenty of inspiration to get your vote on!

event:
get out the vote poster display

date:
thursday october 30, 6-8pm

venue:
Abilene Bar and Lounge
153 Liberty Pole Way Rochester, NY

description:
-24 juried posters printed by AIGA National will be on display.
-250+ posters will be projected.
View Posters here.

-AIGA Upstate Member, Anna Keeler was selected as one of the twenty-four posters. She will be our guest of honor.

-Posters will be raffled off at event.

More details to come on monday, october 20th, 2008.
Visit the AIGA Upstate New York website for more information.