It seems retailers are looking for ways to maximize holiday shopping.  This year, many stores opened early on Thanksgiving day and they stretch the sales out through Cyber Monday. Personally, I’ve never gotten into the Black Friday shopping festivities.  I value sleep way too much to sacrifice it for a deal on something I really don’t need anyway.  For others, it’s a thrill.  An adventure to see what goodies they can score for a deal.  This year’s sales numbers prove there are more bargain shoppers than sleepers out there.  What does next year have in store….pre-pre Black Friday sales that start the day BEFORE Thanksgiving?  hmmm….

-Erin Naterman

Patagonia makes a statement and rebels against the traditional retail greed that kicked off this weekend. This ad ran in the NYT on Friday.  Love that advertising can have so many angles.

-Sara

The three Thanksgiving Fs are for food, feasting and Football! We got a jump on the holiday celebrations and three Fs with with our Thanksgiving Extravaganza!

Every team member brought - well, two members purchased- a side dish or dessert to go along with the traditional turkey and ham.

It was all smiles for the pictures, but there was definite tension in the air in preparation for the first annual TURKEY BOWL.

Teams were all business as we took the field…

The competition was fierce. After two mud slips, three (minor) injuries and many team huddles, a winner was crowned. Green team #2 took the much coveted Turkey Bowl trophy.

Be sure and catch all photos on our Facebook page. And rest assured, team #1 will be back! Stay tuned for results from the 2011 Santa Bowl.

From everyone at Schaefer, we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!

~Kristin

The debate continues.  Does Facebook really facilitate fan conversion? This article in today’s Ad Age shows some firm conversion rates for brands, and costs associated with reaching fans. Obviously, this data is based on a formula which was created to measure as closely as possible how fan conversion might be measured.  Everyone has their opinion and theory on the reality of conversion when it comes to social media. One thing is certain, brands can’t afford to not engage with fans through social media, which is on the rise and doesn’t seem to be declining anytime in the very near future.

-Erin Naterman

Schaefer Bowl 1

The newest Schaefer Chalk Art is officially up in celebration of our upcoming football match on our campus. Go team FIAT aka team 1! Drawing will be up a limited time so if you get a chance to check out the building take notice to the latest drawing. And if you are free at 4pm this afternoon come out and cheer us on.

-Colt (Chalk Artist)

It’s not for women.

Dr Pepper 10

I am very interested in how this campaign idea came about. I picture it like this: a group of men huddle into a room sipping Diet Dr Pepper out of a straw, in comes their female counterparts who immediately bust out laughing at what they are seeing! Grown men drinking Diet Dr Pepper! Being a guy myself drinking Diet Dr Pepper is the equivalent of going to a salon and getting a pedicure, it’s just not going to happen. Long story short, the group of men got together to find a way to drink their drink in peace. Result = Dr Pepper 10. It has the same purpose as Diet Dr Pepper but the attempt is to market the drink exclusively to men with the tagline “It’s not for women”. I have my doubts about this one. Thoughts anyone?

-colt

This past week was a whirlwind. Wednesday through Sunday, more than six months of work came to fruition at:

The Lone Star International Film Festival

Our team provides marketing, PR and a splash of creative support to the festival. If you didn’t make it out - you missed out because it was a SUCCESS! Check out a DFW.com article and learn for yourself.

Above is a glimpse of opening night: Our friends from Red Productions walked the red carpet to support their film Searching for Sonny along with Nick Krause from The Descendents.

Notice the step and repeat? Thought so; compliments of our production artist, Colton. Colton also put all of the print and web ads together.

Despite the many awesome films, my highlight was meeting the great Willie Nelson! Willie was honored with the Stephen Bruton Award at this year’s gala. In between the red carpet and working with the Star Telegram’s photographer, we managed to get a photo.

It’s a little blurry, but you get the picture (pun intended). 

Want more proof of the festival’s success? There’s a lot, but check out these articles:

• IndieWire
• Art & Seek
• NBC DFW
• The Dallas Morning News

Cheers to the Lone Star team and all the volunteers! Now, let’s gear up for next year.

- Lynaia & Kristin

Love this video and was a little surprised by the source. We’re really pleased to be supporting the local and natural food movement with clients such as Chef Jon Bonnell. (Bonnell has been serving up farm-to-table cuisine since before it was trendy, btw, and still does it better than anyone in town.)

Incidentally, the music in this video is performed by Willie Nelson, who will be receiving the Stephen Bruton Award during the Lone Star International Film Festival in Sundance Square - starting November 9th. Check it out.

– Lynaia

Today, we learned Fort Worth Weekly’s Best Of 2011 issue named us the critic’s choice for Urban Redevelopment/Smart Growth!   

A huge thank you for thinking and voting for us - we are so honored! Be sure and check out the Best Of issue - the cover is awesome - and look for Schaefer Advertising under Best Of: Culture.

CD Ski & Sports has a brand new Fort Worth space and a new look to go along with it!  CD Ski has expanded it’s retail space to make way for new product brands (Ugg and Mountain Hardwear) and allow for a better shopping experience.  The experience includes a full DJ booth, so you can jam in the dressing rooms. They also refreshed the brand with a new, edgy logo and brand graphics.

Want to check out the new digs?  This Saturday, 10/29, CD Ski is hosing a re-grand opening event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The day will be filled with music, drinks, food, FREE giveaways, great discounts and a whole lot of fun.  If you stop by, be sure to bring your used coats to donate for a discount on a new coat. 

5264 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth (.5 mi. south of Hulen Mall next to Chili’s)

New space and new logo

The snowboards are displayed on actual timbers…awesome!

New beautiful stock of Ugg boots.  I’ll take one of each, please.

The backpacks are also hung from huge timbers.

New brand elements

-Erin