A recent article from AdAge addresses the shifting ground under the traditional agency model. Short story: Agencies built around print and broadcast are perceived by some to be behind the digital curve. As a younger, more digitally-minded generation begins appearing on creative briefs under the title “target”, clients want an agency that knows how to earn their attention. And they don’t care where the ideas come from – digital agencies, media agencies, even media companies.

So, how are we doing in Rochester in developing our digital skills? Any great examples?

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 Ehlers…Tim Wainwright…David Marshall…Tim 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:
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.

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.

if you heart mad men, then you probably caught this clip on SNL over the weekend. and while jon hamm could peddle the pants off anyone, it got me thinking. about the strangest product i’d ever worked on: an estrogen replacement therapy aptly named femring. it was no john ham, and you couldn’t eat it in the bathroom, but still.

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.

The American Advertising Federation is excited to offer you an exclusive 35 percent discount to upcoming ad:tech conferences as a benefit of your membership!

ad:tech conference events provide advertising, marketing and technology professionals with speakers, panels and workshops all focused on the media industry. ad:tech conference gives you the opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of the trade with multiple events worldwide.

Upcoming Conference:

ad:tech New York
New York Hilton
November 3–6

Catch Shelly Lazarus as she opens day two of ad:tech New York with her keynote presentation “Dispatches from the Digital Frontier.” The conference features a stellar group of media, agency and brand all-stars from AAF member companies, including: Ogilvy & Mather, MediaVest USA, Initiative Media, Group M Interaction, NYTimes.com, Businessweek.com, CondeNet, Turner, Procter & Gamble and General Mills. Jonathan Klein, president, CNN/U.S., presents the opening keynote on Election Day! Join us for this annual powerhouse event.

Register here and receive a 35 percent discount off the current online rate for a Full Conference Pass! Use code: 35NYE5

It’s not often you see commercials that continue to make you laugh long after seeing them, but I’d definitely file this spot for Vault Energy Soda under that category.

Hilarious. I’m not sure who’s responsible for the creative, but I do know the first few commercials for Vault (owned by Coca-Cola) were done by Publicis New York. They may have done this one as well.

Quick mockumentary from the Australian Director’s Guild (what, not a member?) on creative collaboration - good stuff happens when quirky people with diverse talents get together. Sometimes bad stuff too - think the Joker in Dark Knight. But that’s not the point here.

And if you have one eye that’s enormous, now you have company.

Flying the Freak Flag

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.

We held our 6th annual Freelance Creative Expo tonight at the Memorial Art Gallery. Over 30 exhibitors and about 150 attendees participated. I heard a lot of good comments and saw a lot of new faces. Many thanks to Diane Fitzgerald Harris for coordinating. Also, thanks to our great sponsors: Monroe Litho, Brewer & Newell, Digitech, A Touch of Excellence and AdHub for your tremendous support. Whether you were a sponsor, an attendee or an exhibitor, we really appreciate your participation. I’d love to hear what you thought of this year’s event. Please feel free to leave a comment here or send us an email and let us know your feedback.