Pure Thinking

Twitter Me This

I'm going to brag about something for a second: Peggy Olson followed me first.

Obviously, as soon as I realized that my new twitter pal was Peggy, aka the assistant//aspiring copywriter of AMC's Advertising drama Mad Men, I followed her back, and am now updated on a fairly regular basis on her always in character doings, don't-ings, and w.p.m's. It sounds like a marketing ploy, but the tweets of Mad Men's profiles are actually delivered by real fans. Don Draper, Joan Holloway -- they're all there, filling the interwebs with their day-to-day musings in a sort of typewriter-meets-technology time machine.

Earlier this week, a panicked AMC made twitter pull the plug on the characters' profiles, apparently concerned that relinquishing control to fans could wreak havoc on the show's real happenings. However, they were compelled by one of their own agencies to accept the fan-driven marketing, and the profiles were soon back in full force.

The idea of a strong fan base creating its own brand extension and experience is so exciting to me-- but I'm interested to see where this goes. Will the rogue tweeters be issued guidelines? Will AMC attempt to own them in any way? Can a TV channel really be brave enough to surrender? Gotta wait and see...

Milky Way, You So Gooey

I'm really feeling the supermarket conveyor belt as ad medium. It'll get old fast (as it all does), but for now it's in that elusive sweet spot - the one where people aren't just noticing it, they're experiencing emotional reactions to it. Get 'em before they're numb, advertisers.

Via I Believe in Advertising

Michael Ciancio is Unboring

But he's mostly right about the English language.

See the rest of his typographic/branding/design work here.

via FFFFOUND

Jen Stark

A lot of artists have been carving into books or paper of late, but I love Jen Stark for the unexpected ways she plays with white and color. Case in point: This piece, "Mold Study," a paper interpretation of the growth of an organism. I have no idea what that growth normally looks like, but hey-- she did a really great job making it seem pretty. Jen's an incredible illustrator too - check it out here.

ACE Hotel NY

The interwebs are buzzing with news of Ace Hotel's impeding arrival to NYC, and it makes sense that they would be--the budget-friendly, art-happy lodgings are a Brooklynites wet dream.

Set to open this winter, the NY location will join three other ACE hotels in Portland, Seattle, and Palm Springs, and will hopefully mirror the Seattle/Portland rates of $40-120 a night. Art and sleep for cheap - we're on it like a fat kid on cheese puffs.

Si Scott Update

Si Scott has some great new work up on his site, including this shot from a campaign series he worked on for the BBC. Eye it here.

Happy Birthday to Us

That's how old we are today.

Pure, anyway-- this blog's still a baby-- but it's been five solid ones since Dan and Gregg opened shop. According to child development experts, that means that we should be demonstrating some basic social skills, and drinking out of real cups, and sticking play-doh up our noses... yep. Looks like we're right on track.

C'est Bon Bon

Well hi there, Mon Ordinateur Magik; your little French shoppe is vraiment exceptionnel. It's very chocolate rabbit and peppermint palace-like. Chic, that's what it is. Chic and cupcake-y.

Thanks, joyengine!

NYLON-NEY

These ads by Saatchi and Saatchi for Sony make sense of the subway system the same way we do* (with really good headphones).

See the rest here.

*The way we would if Denver had one, I mean.

Where My Ladies (and Ben Affleck) At?

Road closings, crowds and angry protesters aside, being a Denver resident during the Democratic National Convention has been pretty sweet so far. 

Keeping in the spirit of helping Denver aim to be a great host, we volunteered for The Denver Metro Visitors Bureau and the City of Denver to provide all media with hospitality, support and assistance. What better way than to ask public relations professionals to volunteer for this role. The City turned to PRSA to help staff events with media professionals to assist and help journalists find their way around, access information and make them feel like home.

We volunteered at the first of several roundtable discussions taking place this week at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (for a full schedule, click here). In addition to meeting reporters from L.A. to Berlin to Japan (and everywhere in between), Kate was able to catch Nancy Pelosi speaking at the "Unconventional Women" roundtable and Erika listened to transportation experts from across the country.

KATE: Regardless of whether or not your political views match Pelosi, you have to admit that her road to becoming our nation’s first female House speaker is nothing short of incredible. If you ever get a chance to see her speak, I recommend going.

A new organization called SheShouldRun.org covered the event as well. They’re not telling you who to vote for - they’re just asking you to put candidates on the ballot.  Know a woman who should run? Sign her up! At the risk of sounding way too “girl power!” I’m inviting you to check them out. Susan B. Anthony thanks you. Nominate your sister. Or your mom. Or yourself. Or me? Click here.

ERIKA: Unfortunately, the City didn’t need volunteers for the roundtable featuring Ben Affleck. Oh, well. I attended the transportation roundtable featuring speakers Richard Gephardt, former minority leader of the House of Representatives, and Representative Rose DeLauro (D-CT). I escorted reporters to the media area, answered questions and provided them with background information about the event and our great city. The handful of journalists I talked to said they enjoyed their time so far in Denver. Once media was all settled, I was able to settle in for a dynamic and interesting conversation about our country’s transportation system and the funding crisis we face as a nation. Considering I have local transportation client, it was certainly interesting to hear a national  discussion on the topic right in front of my eyes.

- Kate Miller and Erika Sauerwein