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

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.

Common Creative Constructs:
Work without words,
Combine things,
Use comparative juxtapositions,
Exaggerate,
Convert the benefit to a disadvantage,
Have fun with omission,
Change the perspective,
Change 1 element,
Tell a story,
Alter the product,
Show alternative uses,
Play with words,
Have a few meanings,
Change the medium,
Consider the context.

Now, are there any others you would add? Comment back and let’s see how long this list can go.

Please join us for our next 20 Minutes & A Beer on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.
Chris Lyons presents, “The business of freelance.” Information on us, beer on you.

JOE

This is not an official RAF event. It’s an event sponsored by the AIGA, and I encourage you to go out and see what the Dock 2 Letterpress is all about. Why? Because our new RAF mission is to strengthen our creative community, to educate, and inspire great work. And this shop is freaking sweet.

The Grand Opening is from 5pm to 9pm, this Friday the 18th.

Dock 2 Letterpress is located across from Webster Thomas High School on 855 Publishers Parkway, DOCK #2 in Webster, NY, 14580

Hope to see you there. I’ll be the one drooling over the Bookman woodblock typefaces in the back of the shop.

JOE