I have the best greatest Dad ever.  Really I do.

Below is an email exchange my dad had with J.C. Penney’s regarding their new ad campaign.  It’s a little long - but I promise, worth the read.

Here’s an 83 year old guy that still goes to bat for me every day he wakes up.  Love you Pops - more than I could ever tell you.

Original Message  Follows: ————————————

Form Message

Subject:  General Inquiries 

First Name:  Lou   Last Name:  Schaefer   

 Topic:  advertising 

Comments:  Your current screaming ads are in very poor taste, very annoying and  not what I would expect from J.C. Penney’s 

——- Original Message ——-

From:  JCPenney Contact Us 

To: Lou Schaefer 

Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 8:34  PM

Subject: Re: General Inquiries

We’re very sorry that you are unhappy with our new commercials.

As one of America’s first stores, we thought it was time we re-imagined  every part of our business to make it easier and more exciting for you to  shop.

Many of the changes launch on February 1. It’s all about making shopping  easy and exciting for you. Fair and Square Pricing, Happy Returns and a great  new shopping environment.

We’ll have three ways we price  our merchandise, nothing more. What used to be our “sale” price is now our  Everyday Price, because it’s a great value everyday! We’ve also got Month-Long  Values—these are items that are marked down even further for the important  events that month. For instance, February is all about Valentines Day, so  you’ll find great Month-Long Values for that special someone in your life.  Finally, twice a month we’ll offer additional merchandise at our Best  Price—these are the best prices you’ll ever see on an item. Mark your  calendar—

Carri Cater

Marketing Sr. Project  Specialist

Corporate Customer Services

jcp.com

We make it affordable, you make  it yours!

——- Original Message ——-

From: Lou and Gerrie Schaefer 

To: JCPenney Contact Us 

Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 4:29 PM

Subject: Re: General Inquiries

Thanks for the reply, but I would suggest you change advertising agencies.  That commercial would not attract me to Penney’s, in fact it has just the opposite affect.  Let me suggest a company  that would do a much better job for you - Schaefer Advertising Co. @ schaeferadvertising.com.   I might be a little prejudiced, but my son Ken could do a much better job for you.

 Lou Schaefer

From: Lou and Gerri Schaefer 

Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:33:02 -0500

To: Ken Schaefer 

Ken: 

If you should hear from JC Pennys, this is the reason why.

Dad

When I began my search for an internship with an advertising/PR firm Schaefer stood out for many reasons. Yes Schaefer does amazing work for companies such as The Fort Worth Zoo, but what really sealed the deal for me was the endless supply of sonic ice and full espresso bar!

For those who know me on a more personal level, it is well known that coffee and sonic ice are two of my weaknesses. Seeing as I have probably helped myself to more coffee than the entire office in two weeks, I decided today would be a good day for me to contribute something- muffins and cookies (Colton-sorry the muffins had bananas in them). 

I hope this small gesture can make up for the fact I may have been the one who depleted the coffee machine last week…..

Since I began interning at Schaefer, I have come to the realization that this is exactly the type of work environment I want for the future. During the interview process Ken asked me if I was a music fan, I instantly answered yes because music is one of my main passions. 

As it turns out, The Schaefer iPod that plays music throughout the building essentially consists of my entire music collection.  Listening to Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Dave Mathews Band, and Mumford and Sons while simultaneously drinking my freshly brewed coffee and munching on sonic ice isn’t too bad of a deal if you ask me. 

Overall my first two weeks as a Schaefer intern have been better than I could have anticipated. I have been included in various meetings with different AS teams and my thoughts and ideas are actually acknowledged and appreciated! 

I am very thankful for everyone here at Schaefer who has welcomed me with open arms and helped me with all of my random questions.  I will continue to thank everyone here in the form of baked goods. 

- Hannah Mering (The Intern)

Intimidated by the idea of preparing crabcakes? I’m about to give you a new lease on your crabcake cooking life!

Chef Jon Bonnell gives a quick demonstration for keeping your crab cakes from crumbling:

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!

There are typically two reactions to this holiday - bountiful joy for a special day to express the copious amount of love in your heart, or general disdain for those that express copious amounts of love.

No need to worry, the Fort Worth Zoo has something for everyone!

There are many elements to the Zoo’s Valentine’s campaign -  adoption packages, a Penguin Party, a Bitter Dinner and an opportunity to adopt a cockroach. 

The bitter campaign is a unique approach to to this “holiday” because it allows the anti-Valentine’s population to have fun and participate. Bitter Dinner is an event where Valentine’s Day skeptics can gather and celebrate, while not wasting money on overpriced greeting cards and chocolates.

Additionally, Bitter Valentines can have an e-card sent to that special (or not so special) someone letting them know they had a cockroach adopted in their honor.  What better way to say ” I don’t love you?”

-Erin Naterman

No, that is not meant to be a trick question.  There really is a nighclub opening called FACEBOOK, but you’ll have to travel to the Brazilian Amazon if you want to check it out. I’m not sure sure how Facebook translates to social networking, but a a 30-year-old Brazilian entrepreneur seems to think the name alone will result in big success.  Brazil was recently named as the country with the fourth highest number of Facebook users, with some 35 million profiles, so maybe it will be a hit.

One thing is for sure, Facebook has found its way into nearly every facet of our lives.  I guess you have to ask the question:  why not nightclubs?

-Erin Naterman

Banana Republic has launched a new program called “Our Duty to You”.  The program is designed to help returning U.S. troops prepare for their next professional opportunity. 

In addition to special in-store events and product discounts, Banana has launched a website dedicated to helping advise military personnel on dressing for success, resume writing tips and job leads. 

Kudos to Banana for inserting themselves where it really matters.  I think I might just stop by my local Banana Republic this weekend and show my support through making a purchase of my own!

-Erin Naterman

It was very cool to discover the City Manager’s office mentioned Schaefer Advertising by name as part of the core redevelopment of Magnolia in this recent article “What’s the big idea? Fort Worth official has three” in the Fort Worth Business Press. 

We’re so proud of our building and honored by the attention and awards. A huge thanks to the City Manager’s Office for the shout out and considering us an example of the Magnolia community. 

Schaefer’s 2011

DASH FOR CASH

During the holiday’s we had a feud in the agency, who could would win in a race between Bailey and her boss, Nick? There was only one way to settle the dispute: we met, outside, at 4 pm and settled things with a good ol’ fashion street race.

Since words can’t describe the emotions of this race, you must watch the video put together by 13-year old Sam Schaefer, who took time from his Christmas vacation to document the race - it was that big of a deal.

Daily Inspiration through art

Ex-Graffiti artist Kaws

Seriously this guy is MAD SICK YO! This weekend I took a trip solomente as usual to The Modern Museum in Fort Worth where the KAWS exhibit is up. I only had about thirty minutes to go through it, but his work alone was well worth it. Being a designer and artist myself I found his work to lie somewhere in between where the two paths cross. All I can say is if you are in Ft. Worth check it out.

Check out the interview here from The Modern Museum.

-Colt

This is definitely worth a read. I love Mad Men and novel marketing ideas like this one!

-Sara