leigh preparing for big role
Leigh, one of our all star designers here, busted up her wrist this weekend. Skateboarding? Surfing? Nope. She got into an argument with the stairs in her home. Stairs won.
Anyway, David pointed out that this is probably all in preparation for a new opportunity. As some of you already know, Leigh's moving to Orlando. We think she's going to get a hook, so that she can play Captain Hook at Disney World. Opportunities await.
Labels: via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:20 AM
0 comments
plaid-action gets hot
So much Plaid love happening in our office this week.
If you're just tuning in, we're in the process of re-branding our design and brand firm. Name change and all. By later this week, VIA will be known as Plaid. And of course, we're blogging about the process over at what will become our firm's new site, ThinkPlaid. (Don't worry, BrandFlakes remains BrandFlakes. No changes here.)
Anyway - lots going Plaid this week. Our phone system goes live on Wednesday. Our first batch of business cards is due to arrive this week. Our new website is due to launch on Thursday.
And there's a pretty big announcement, too. A partnership with two uber hot creatives.
The first is Bill Green. You've probably heard his name before, because he writes one of the most read blogs in the advertising land - Make the Logo Bigger.
Bill will assist in creative strategy, campaign development and brand management. In short, Bill's the guy we'll count on to turn our awesome concepts into full fledge campaigns.
Next, is Robert Druyff. Rob's also done time at many an impressive agency, including Mullen, Arnold, Digitas and a few other names you'd recognize. He's an interactive genius.
Rob will play the role of interactive creative lead for emerging media and social media campaigns. This means he'll help dream up things to do online that you've never imagined.
Read all about it over at ThinkPlaid.
Labels: adindustry, plaid, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 10:51 PM
1 comments
this week at via/plaid
Here's what happened this week at the world's most redriffic design and branding firm:
I got back from vacation, and learned how unimportant phones are. After I cleaned spam, there were several hundred emails in the inbox. And only ONE voice mail. Phones are so over.
Giuli dyed her hair red! Now she's joined the ranks of Lucille Ball, Carrot Top, Shirley Temple and Annie. We think she should go for the Annie perm. Try and identify which one's Giuli, above.
VIA crew went to the theater. Or the theatre.
Oh yeah - tons of work, too. Three microsites for a hospital, several advertising pieces for a theater, a ski mountain brochure, pharmaceutical brochure, and some other boring stuff.
On the Plaid side of things, our company's re-branding is crankin'. We've ordered business cards, collector buttons and made significant progress on the website. You can read all about it on the Plaid blog.
By accident, mother nature gave us sun for a couple of days. Back to good ole grey, rainy New England, today.
Labels: thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 3:43 PM
0 comments
buildings inspired by man parts
Quatar has designed a building that looks just like a giant condom. Imagine telling clients - "just look for the giant condom...we're on the 10th floor." That's pretty embarrassing.
But not nearly as bad as the building that's down the street from our office. The sign is pictured above. It's for real.
Labels: architecture, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:02 AM
0 comments
via/plaid gets cultured
We just started working with the Westport Country Playhouse, as a client, so of course we needed to see what all the fuss was about.
Last night, most of the crew checked out "All About Us," starring Cady Huffman, Shuler Hensley and Eartha Kitt. Rowrrrr. She'd kick my ass if she knew I just said that.
Surprisingly:
+ None of our crew got kicked out of the theater
+ Everyone showed up sober
+ Nobody brought laptops
I was amazed that a theater packed full of people in Westport CT could actually turn off their Blackberries for two hours.
Oh yeah - the production was cool. Resulted in lots of deep discussion about the human spirit, life, and stuff we don't normally cover over morning coffee here.
Labels: nonprofit, plaid, via, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 11:33 AM
3 comments
darryl's back - wilson and eliza totally rock.
I'm back in action, from a week long vacation in the sun. First real vacation in many years, so I was stoked.
Wilson Cleveland held down the blogging fort in my absence, and Eliza added some yummy flavor with bonus posts. Thanks to both for giving BrandFlakes subscribers some awesome content this last week.
If you're looking to get rid of your crappy PR firm, and want to work with someone who gets emerging media and PR, CJP is the firm. And Wilson's your man. One of those very few people in the world who really gets it. And is on top of everything. I'm pretty sure he reads the internet more voraciously than I do, which means he has a problem.
Eliza's work you may already know, as she's the words behind the genius of nearly everything VIA/Plaid. Best copywriter in the nation, and really cool to work with too. Just don't get her started on politics. ;) I'd point you to her website, but it looks like it hasn't been updated since 1997. C'mon Eliza!!
Oh yeah - the crew at VIA apparently even did work while I was gone. Lots of it. Mondo thanks to Giuli, David, Leigh and new freelance guru Rob.
Labels: blogging, thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:04 AM
0 comments
darryl takes vacation. replaced with smarter people.
I'm taking a vacation. The first one in many years, so I'm pretty psyched. My wife says that I won't be buried in my laptop the whole week. So she claims. (She has to sleep at some point.)
In the meantime, BrandFlakes will be graced with the presence of two wonderful guest bloggers:
Wilson Cleveland will be taking over my daily duties. Wilson is VP of New Media & Entertainment at CJP Communications. Big time NYC PR dude, who does whatever it is that PR people do. He also happens to be very, very funny. You'll want to hang with him by the end of the week.
Eliza Sweet, our copywriter of choice, will be delivering a couple of additional posts during the week. She's pretty good at putting words together in a sentence, since she writes for a living. Normally, she's generating loads of award-winning copy for our work. This week, she'll be writing the first ever grammatically correct posts on BrandFlakes. While we try to learn the difference between a verb and adverb.
I'd like to say that some of the VIA crew will also be filing a post or two - but in reality, they'll be too busy coming in late, taking two hour lunches, and leaving early. ;)
I'm off to be a judge at the Westchester Ad Club tomorrow, and then to Puerto Rico. See ya in a week.
Labels: blogging, thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 5:05 PM
0 comments
this week at via/plaid
Here's what happened this week at the world's most 'wishing it was sunny' design and branding firm:
Wow. What a week.
Loads and loads of new business. And then some more. Totally awesome.
We just started working with the Westport Country Playhouse - and will be rocking the theater industry upside down. There's a really rich history here - many people know of the Paul Newman/Joanne Woodward factor, but the playhouse actually dates back to 1930, and their stage has been graced by the likes of Liza Minelli, Kitty Carlisle, Henry Fonda, Eva Gabor, and Jane Fonda.
We also just received approval on a couple of internet projects for a Connecticut hospital. One of the first is a site for bariatrics. That surgery that helps obese people lose weight. We're stoked about this - it's a classic opportunity to connect with real humans and make a difference in their lives. Not often that we get to do that, in the design and branding world.
We won five Ad Club awards! I'm pretty sure that's the most we've ever won at any one show. Pretty stoked.
The rebranding of our agency to Plaid is in full swing. We've pretty much selected a logo, designed the new concept for the website, and involved the community in the process. You can read the play by play at our re-branding blog, ThinkPlaid.
I'm on vacation next week!! Some exciting and super smart bloggers will be filling my shoes while I'm away.
Labels: healthcare, plaid, thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 1:42 PM
0 comments
judging at the westchester ad club
I just volunteered as a judge for the Westchester Ad Club awards. I'm pretty stoked, as I haven't had the opportunity to see the behind the scenes of an award show in our industry.
It will be awesome to be locked in a room with a ton of fabulous work, and a handful of other creative people. Not that they lock us in. I'm pretty sure, anyway.
Labels: adindustry, design, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:56 AM
0 comments
five ad club awards!
Just received a thick envelope in the mail, and found out that we've won FIVE awards in the upcoming Ad Club of CT awards show. Here's what's in:
Mohawk Mountain Ski Mountain outdoor
Santa Hunters website
Santa Hunters greeting card
Spherion Meeting Bingo
Flambeau River Papers swatchbook
We find out what gets a gold, silver or bronze pencil at the awards ceremony on May 23rd. Stay tuned for details and pics. Justus usually gets pretty liquored up, and starts a fight or two. Should be pretty entertaining.
Labels: adindustry, design, plaid, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:04 AM
0 comments
14 years till the beastie boys show at our office
Wieden + Kennedy staffers got treated to a private Beastie Boy concert to celebrate their 25th year anniversary. We're gonna start saving now for our 25 year celebration. We'll have to bring the Beasties out of retirement, in the year 2021.
Labels: adindustry, via, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:23 AM
2 comments
this week at via/plaid
Here's what happened this week at the world's most tartan design and branding firm:
We sent an email blast to our clients and friends, announcing the fact that our agency will be changing its name, and rebranding as Plaid. Lots of fun and excitement.
We just noticed that Brand Flakes turned two years old last month. We forgot about it. We didn't even have cake! Meanwhile, I have a new post over at the SmartBiz blog about the importance of working with a pro, for everything web 2.0.
An article featuring some of our music industry work was featured in OMMA magazine (membership required). Look for the cover above, and you'll see screen shots for our Brooke Valentine and Janet Jackson projects. Cool stuff.
We've begun interviews for the design position that's open here. Awesome candidates, great portfolios, fun people. This is going to be hard.
Bill Green, from Make the Logo Bigger stopped by our offices to say hi, while traveling through CT. So cool to meet a favorite blogger in person. Because I've been reading his blog forever, it felt like we were already friends - but great to finally meet him in person. We should schedule a blogger blast somewhere in NYC for all of the regional bloggers. I'm tired of hearing about all of the midwestern creatives having fun get-togethers.
On the Plaid side of the fence, we announced a new partnership that will become PlaidTV, and allow us to produce film and TV quality work for the internet. And for the TV.
Nick pointed us to the House of Tartan, where you can make your own custom Plaid pattern, which is really cool.
We're in the midst of designing what will be our agency's new website and company identity, and blogging about all of the details at ThinkPlaid.
Geez, I think that's enough for a week. Have a great weekend/holiday everyone!
Labels: plaid, thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 1:45 PM
0 comments
for sale: second life skate park
We've built an amazing skate park in Second Life for a client that's had a change in their marketing plan, where Second Life doesn't make sense.
So we're putting the park up for sale. It's ready to launch - in minutes. The park features some of the most advanced vehicle movement systems within Second Life. It's fun - residents that we've shared private tours with are stoked about the skating function, and that there's something to do in this build.
This is an excellent opportunity for a brand that's looking for a quick entry into Second Life, but doesn't want a lame, boring place. Like the Sears store.
We're not looking to make a buck on it, as much as we want to see the work live. So we'll work with you, if your brand is appropriate for the park. Sports companies, youth brands, here's your chance....
Labels: secondlife, sports marketing, via, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:02 AM
3 comments
paper week rocks new york
Well, sort of. If you're a paper guy, I guess. Since there wasn't a parade, or even a blimp, you might have forgotten that this week is Paper Week. It's celebrated in NYC every year. If you work in NY, maybe you should throw some paper out the window, in celebration.
Anyway, Giuli and I attended the Cellmark bash at the Campbell Apartment, in Grand Central Station.
Even better, we got our pictures taken with some sports dudes. That's Giuli, above - with Gary Carter (a baseball player), and some football guy with the last name of Klecko, who plays with a team that wears green jerseys. You can tell that I know a lot about team sports, which is always fun at cocktail parties near March Madness.
We also got some signed stuff - and since I obviously don't deserve this, I'll give the autographed baseball to the first sports fan who emails me and asks for it.
Special thanks to Andy, Peter, Joe and the entire Cellmark crew, for a great time. And to that Klecko guy for not kicking my ass.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:29 AM
3 comments
What's in a name?
A little more than ten years ago, we founded VIA. The Visual Intelligence Agency. 1996 was a fun time. Remember dial-up? So much has changed, and we have too.
More importantly, we're in a position to offer our clients new and exciting services that didn't even exist back in 1996. We're doing some things now (and planning on some others) that won't fit well under the old banner of VIA. So we're about to embark on a complete re-branding of our firm. Proof that even a branding firm needs a re-branding every once in a while.
VIA is about to become Plaid.
Within the next few weeks, our agency will officially become known as Plaid.
As a great example of how things have changed, we plan on sharing the entire process of our re-branding. We're plaid-blogging. We'll have a weekly update here on BrandFlakes, and more frequent details at what will become our new site, ThinkPlaid.com.
There's so much to tell you, and we're more stoked than ever about where things are going. Get ready to paint the town Plaid.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 12:40 PM
6 comments
this week at via
Here's what happened this week at the world's most popular design and branding firm:
I wrote a piece for the SmartBiz blog on Twitter. If you haven't already registered a Twitter name, you might want to do so. I'm finding, that especially with tech-oriented news, you hear about things on Twitter at least a day before blogs. And still more than a week or two before mainstream media. ;)
Leigh's down in FLA shopping for homes. Reminder, agencies in Orlando, this is your big chance. We're narrowing down candidates for interviews for Leigh's position. It's not too late to get in the door.
Giuli turned 30 this week. Sooo old. She's leaving now for the early bird special.
Both David AND Justus got flat tires this week. We're pretty sure that Leigh's cutting tires in the parking lot. With a switchblade.
We received our first samples of the Flambeau River Papers sample book that Leigh designed. Awesome. Beautiful. Wonderful.
Met with a real estate development company about the branding of a new property they're developing. It's a unique property, geared towards 20-30 somethings. We've never worked on brand strategy for a property development before, so we're pretty stoked about the possibilities.
We've got some really, really, really big news to announce next week....stay tuned.
Labels: thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 4:33 PM
0 comments
giuli's an old woman
Giuli turned 30 today. So to celebrate, we got her a cake featuring the two things that she really loves. Lemurs, and the word y'all. Yeah, I know.
Even though she's lived in New England for several months now, she insists on throwing that y'all word around every once in a while. Which, you know, doesn't always go over well with New Englanders.
If that wasn't bad enough, she's got some strange fascination with Lemurs. We had never heard of them until she arrived, but I guess they're some form of really rare (and super ugly) monkey. She insists "they're not monkeys!" but they sure look like crazy, ugly monkeys to me. Yeah - all the causes in the world, and she picks Lemurs.
So anyway, that's why Giuli's birthday cake says Y'all, and has Lemurs on it. In case you were wondering.
Birthday greetings can be sent to giuli AT viaworldwide.com.
Labels: via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 2:43 PM
1 comments
this week at via
Here's what happened this week at the world's most snowlicious design and branding firm:
Our rooftop patio says "it's time to be warm. It's time to relax in the sun and drink alcoholic beverages." Winter should be over now.
What a crazy week. Loads of new business pitches. We had a wonderful meeting with a hospital about a re-branding campaign, a lesser than exciting company that makes widgets, and a fairly prominent theater. The hospital's pretty much on board, and we're feeling good about the others.
Spent a lot of time experimenting with Twitter.
Presented conceptual work to a bunch of clients, including an exciting new Second Life project.
We actually had an outside designer present to us. This was a real weird experience, as we're not accustomed to sitting on the client side of the table. We've been buried beyond belief, and haven't had the right amount of time to devote to self promo stuff. Got some really cool input, ideas and design work. More later.
OH YEAH - We're hiring. You know you want to work here. Let's make it happen.
Labels: thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 3:05 PM
0 comments
we're hiring.
Uber hot design and branding firm VIA is seeking a new designer. Here's a few details that should tell you all you need to know:
Why we’ll dig you:
- You live, breathe and think design
- You’ve got a killer portfolio of print and interactive work
- You’re almost a master at Photoshop and Quark/InDesign. You can get by in Illustrator
- You have an incredible sense of humor.
- You have great ideas.
- You want to do great things.
Why you’ll love working at VIA:
- We believe in fun.
- More creative control than any firm in the US
- Challenging, fun clients
- You’ll have a say, with our open management philosophy. Open books, company planning and no secrets.
- Open office environment encourages collaboration
- Music server supports a slightly noisy work environment
- The Beastie Boys were once declared our official company band
- Planning meetings in fun places (like Puerto Rico, above)
- Aggressive profit sharing plan
- 1/2 day Fridays during the summertime
- 100% paid health benefits, 401(k) plan
- We want to do great things.
Things you might not like so much:
- We’re in Connecticut, where the weather’s almost always grey. (the pic above is a branding strategy, to distract you from that.)
- Just as many boring clients as exciting clients.
- Someone put ABBA on our office music server.
- There’s no good deli in walking distance from our office.
- Mid level salary. Under 50, over 30. We're not rich, but we're working on it.
Our job posting can also be found on CA's - Creative Hotlist and in HOW's - Job Bank (under CT).
Labels: via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:08 AM
3 comments
agencies in orlando: your lucky day
Our loss is your gain!
Meet Leigh. She's one of our uber talented designers on staff at VIA.
Leigh's freakin' husband went and got himself some new, super awesome job in Orlando Florida. I guess he makes a bunch of money. Or at least more than Leigh does.
We've tried to convince her that she should leave him, and consider herself married to the agency - but she's not buying that.
So - Leigh is moving south. She'll be looking for opportunities in Orlando, to start sometime in May or June. Maybe April - but don't push it.
Wanna meet her? Interview her? You're welcome to contact her at our firm, through email (Leigh AT viaworldwide.com) and make some great things happen. She'll be traveling to Orlando on a few occasions in the next few weeks, as she spends that husband salary on a big new house. You could probably interview her in-between house hunts.
Get her NOW - before your competition does!
Oh yeah - and of course, this means we're hiring....
Labels: via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:07 AM
0 comments
this week at via
Here's what happened this week at the world's most nifty design and branding firm:
Paul completed a project for the band KoRn, tied to their new release hitting this week. Some crazy back-end magic, that's a really impressive feat, if you're into that crazy back-end magic stuff.
Quite a busy week for Leigh. She launched a site that had the LONGEST project timeline in our company's history, for a b2b client. (Not due to anything on our side, btw)
She also completed two interactive games - a racing game, and a "something to do while you're in boring meetings" game. Both are going to be cool when launched.
If that wasn't enough, Leigh received board approval on the design work she did for the City of Danbury, CT for a brand new identity, and street banner system that will grace the town by springtime.
Justus completed a fun video clip for RMI, promoting the American Lung Association. The clip is now featured on their home page.
More important than anything - we discovered that David once had a mullet. You can see him in all his teenage glory, above. Mighty mullet - AND a sly look. Looks like he's got some game. Stylin'.
Labels: thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 4:35 PM
3 comments
scientific proof that itunes likes lionel richie
We've suspected this for years. That iTunes shuffle may not actually be random. There are even conspiracy theorists who believe the music industry pays Apple to see their tunes get more frequent play. Our concern is more personal. Kenny Rogers.
We have a music server in our office, and everyone has loaded their collection into itTunes. A sound system is wired throughout our space, and it plays on shuffle all day. You can hear just about anything at our firm. Someone (who looks a lot like this) thought it would be funny to add Kenny Rogers to the library. For a while it was. Just like the Journey songs. But I swear - iTunes LOVES Kenny Rogers.
And apparently, it's not our imagination. CNet has a story (and a study) showing just how random iTunes really is. The graph above is proof of Lionel Richie love.
You gotta know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em.....
Labels: technology, via, workplace
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
0 comments
drink enviga, and look like nicole richie
Coke's new drink Enviga is coming under scrutiny by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Sure, this has something to do with beverage branding, package design, and the ad industry - but I'm just posting on it as an excuse to show photos of my 30 second greeting with Richard Blumenthal. That, and we're on a soda theme this morning.
Labels: beverage, package design, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 AM
0 comments
justus is not a blipster
That last post reminded me how we recently discovered that Justus likes Tears for Fears. Don't get me wrong - he's as down with Jay Z as anyone else, and could still kick your ass if you make fun of him, but he's not a blipster.
I'm pretty sure that black and white people would unite in their laughing at Justus, and his love of Tears for Fears.
Just in case you were wondering.
Labels: via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 9:32 AM
4 comments
this week at via - leigh didn't fart episode
Here's what happened this week at the world's most tab-friendly design and branding firm:
Today I celebrated my birthday. And we celebrated with my love of Tab. It's what real men drink - don't believe that girlie advertising.
We had a couple of fun shoots this week - one for a client, where we actually got to put a person INSIDE a giant inflatable snow globe. Oh, the fun you can have inside a snowglobe. Try it sometime.
At a shoot for a self promotional piece that we're producing, umm...how can i say this...well, here's the story:
We're all sitting in the conference room, playing our parts for the camera and we hear a very loud BRRRRRFFFFT. I'm not sure how you spell fart sound - but you get the picture.
We quickly attributed the sound to Leigh. Mostly because she's so dainty and lady like. That's what you get around here. Anyway - as soon as it's edited, we'll of course share the sound that rocked the agency. Coming soon to a YouTube near you. (For the record, there was no real fart. Just construction noise from downstairs.)
Oh yeah - and there was some work this week too. Paul and David are working on a new microsite for Switchfoot, and also doing some work for 30 Seconds to Mars.
Leigh's working on a cool social site for k-os.
Justus and Brent produced some slick video work for Union Savings Bank, a regional bank chain, while David and Eliza continued work on their web re-design.
That's all that I can remember now. I'm old, you know.
Labels: thisweekatVIA, via
posted by darryl ohrt @ 4:13 PM
0 comments
how to get out of advertising
This is a story about Kim Westad. She's this incredibly talented designer that used to work at our agency. Actually, she was the first ever girl at our firm. I think she once even kicked David in the nuts. Or maybe it was Kevin. Anyway, she's since went onto a career as a potter. She says "ceramist", but I think Potter sounds funnier.
Turns out she's smarter than everyone else in our industry. While we're all stressing about deadlines, and clients, and stress, and browser widths, and stress, and stuff, she's holding clay on a pottery wheel. Or whatever you call that spinning thing.
And now - you can check out her beautious work at a Solo Exhibition, at the Kiva Cafe Tribeca, 229 Hudson Street between Broome and Canal Street, New York, now through January 20, 2007. Stop by - but don't break anything.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 AM
1 comments
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