Three and a half years ago when I enrolled at TCU I “thought” I knew exactly what I wanted in life: to find my passion, graduate in four years, start my own business, become a top professional in my field, retire early and enjoy my time vacationing with family and friends.

Sounds like the dream life, right? Well, that’s exactly what it was…a dream.

Fortunately for me, I can at least check off the first two. This May, I will officially be a graduate from Texas Christian University with a B.S in Strategic Communication (a fancy way of saying advertising and public relations). After that, your guess is just as good as mine.

Although I am confident in my career choice, I have no idea what path will lead me there. And I’m okay with that because just like social media trends, life is expected to change. For now, I am happily interning in Account Services at Schaefer Advertising Co.

In the past, I believed that as long as I had a plan and executed it with hardwork I would be okay in life, but with every day in the office I’m discovering it’s an empty achievement if there is no passion behind it.

I absolutely love the amount of passion Schaefer Advertising shows among fellow employees, passion for clients and passion for producing quality work. In less than four weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to actively participate in projects, observe client meetings and help meet deadlines.

Most importantly, I appreciate the hands-on approach the staff has taken to mentor me.

I’m sure, in time the next step of my path will reveal itself, but until then I’m spending it having fun and loving what I do best.

To keep the conversation going, connect with me, Olivia Stribling, on LinkedIn and follow my professional blog A Woman Who Thinks She Can.

The Giants aren’t the only one’s that are celebrating a win. There were a few winning campaigns as well, and once again our creative and strategy guys agreed.

The top ad for Super Bowl 46, hands down goes to Chrysler. Earning 90 points from creative and 85 from strategy, these top scores are a result of brilliant copy writing, perfect impact/placement airing once at halftime, and Chrysler capturing the essence of America.

Todd’s Ad Bowl Faceoff score card (great to good):

Chevy Trucks - total score: 85 points. Strategically it was was smart playing off of a big 2012 story, the Mayan Apocalypse. Also smart directly calling out Ford and their tagline, Ford Tough. Creative execution was flawless down to the co-branding with Twinkies. http://youtu.be/XxFYYP8040A

Volkswagen - total score: 75 points. Good strategy by playing it up with the pre-super bowl buzz with the singing dogs on Youtube. The spot was compelling with the dog getting fit, and the Star Wars ending tied back to the buzz. A weird combination, but there was something in it for everyone. http://youtu.be/0-9EYFJ4Clo

Chevy Sonic - total score: 75 points. Strategy was perfect pushing your new compact on the Xgames/Redbull generation. In the age of CGI graphics, the REAL stunts were too cool. To see a real car do a real kick-flip over a giant skateboard was nostalgic for an old guy like me, and over-the-top for the young hipster. The push to letsdothis.com for behind the scenes was a great extension. http://youtu.be/iuvoSw1TiJ8

Teleflora - total score: 70 points. I know, I’m a guy and sex sells - but this was a smart spot. Days before Valentines day you just reminded dumb guys to call or go online and order flowers for our girlfriends or wives (or both). And all we have to do is give and we receive? They just did the whole florist industry a solid. http://youtu.be/uWrJgFjxlS0

Ken’s Ad Bowl Faceoff score card (great to good):

Chevy Trucks - total score: 80 points.  How do you show the end of the world as we know it, while poking fun at your biggest competitor?  Look to Chevy – they did it perfectly.  In an epic spot, Chevrolet used humor and great production value to show that Ford Tough, isn’t so tough after all.  Was it effective?  Ford thought it would be, they formally requested that NBC pull the commercial before it aired. Plus the Twinkie reference….greatness. http://youtu.be/XxFYYP8040A

Chevy Camaro – total score: 75 points. I really didn’t want to like another car commercial, but this spot captures the exuberance in pride of ownership.  Not just of any car but the car of your dreams. OK , maybe not your dreams, but certainly of most men between 18-24.  http://youtu.be/Ae52ourE3Pw

Teleflora – total score: 75 points.  My wife and my mom are going to kill me.  But let’s be honest:  As guys we are typically clueless about what to get the woman in our lives for Valentines Day, let alone even remembering that Valentines Day is an epically important holiday to half the population. Lest I be labeled a mysoginist  - let the record show I’ve already ordered flowers.  Really. I have. Right after I saw the spot. http://youtu.be/uWrJgFjxlS0

Volkswagen – total score: 70 points. The Volkswagen Beetle had a great brand relaunch a number of years ago, and since that time the Mini Cooper killed them. The Beetle needed a redesign to be a sleeker more contemporary design. The ad told a great story with a nice nod to one of the best Super Bowl commercials ever, last year’s Darth Vader Kid spot. http://youtu.be/0-9EYFJ4Clo

Do these match up with your top five? Let us know!

There were some definite losers in yesterday’s festivities - and we’re not just talking about the Patriots.

Ad Bowl Faceoff scores are in, and Ken and Todd did agree on one thing: the worst ad of super bowl 46. 

This crown ring goes to the “old gimmick” from GO-daddy. Scoring a meek 5 points from strategy and 0 from creative, the general sentiment was that it’s time for Go-Daddy to go-on to a new campaign. 

Check it out for yourself:

Here are how Ken and Todd scored other commercials from bad to worse.

Todd’s Ad Bowl Faceoff score card (bad to worse):

E*trade - total score: 11 points. Need to find a fresh way to creatively show the simplicity of E*trade, there’s nothing more for the smart-ass babies to say. http://youtu.be/Hh8hS8uSoJs

MetLife - total score: 10 points. Great idea for more iconic cartoons to follow their long-time “Snoopy” mascot, but they did nothing with those characters or possibilities. http://youtu.be/zKRVM06MfHc

Bud Light Platinum - total score: 8 points. Tired of CGI, high tech assembly lines building things. Really? http://youtu.be/Eo1BHwPtQcc

Cars.com - total score: 6 points. Too creepy!  Dialogue was lost because I was too busy turning away from the growth out of his back? Sometimes odd is good, but that was just creepy. http://youtu.be/PMxSZQZuBYc

Ken’s Ad Bowl Faceoff score card (bad to worse):
Century 21 - total score: 20 points. I get what you were trying to do, but it came off looking like my old Uncle Albert trying to be cool at my birthday party.  Uncle Albert was never cool. Ever.  Century 21 – you would’ve gotten along great with Uncle Al.  http://youtu.be/TwXycwCe6_s

Samsung–Galaxy - total score: 15 points. As one member of our team said, “a phone with a pen – what are the bringing back the palm pilot.”  IF you are going to take a shot at the most pervasive technology brand, you better have more ammo than that. http://youtu.be/V40oo4kkzHg

MetLife – total score: 10 points. Strategy?  What strategy. Let’s get every great baby boomer and gen x cartoon character and wedge them all into a nonsensical commercial. Met Life - You need a new agency. http://youtu.be/zKRVM06MfHc

Bud Light Platinum - total score: 10 points. Who produced this ad?  A committee of robotic engineers?  Actually, that’s offensive to engineers.  In the age of “hand crafted” small batch beers, could Bud Light have made their product look more impersonal? All wrong.  http://youtu.be/Eo1BHwPtQcc

Do you think Ken and Todd got it right naming Go-Daddy as the worst Super Bowl ad? We’re always up for some good banter, and want to hear what you think!

Welcome to Ad Bowl Faceoff I: Let the Commercials Begin!

Join the conversation here, on Facebook or @SchaeferAdCo #faceoff.

Are you ready for some …

AD BOWL FACEOFF!

We are adding a new twist to watching the Super Bowl commercials: Two of our top ad execs, our creative director and president, will faceoff and comment on the commercials as they air.

We want you to join the conversation! This Sunday be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter pages and agree, disagree or anything in between. Twitter world can use #Faceoff to follow the conversation.

After the big game we’ll reveal the Ad Bowl Faceoff’s Top Five List.

You might have seen this floating around the social sphere, but I thought I’d take a quick second to pass it along to those who haven’t watched the video.

It’s a great example of how people of all ages associate their own emotions and experiences with brandmarks, and how the most simple and intuitive designs can resonate with anyone. Take a look and see how this 5-year-old interprets some of the best known brands.

-Bailey

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

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

Advertising with Facebook Timeline

Israel Anti-Drug Authority

McCann Digital Israel has put together a Facebook timeline of a fictional Adam Barak juxtaposing a year with and a year without drugs. It is an interesting anti-drug campaign and it will be interesting to follow over the next year.

-Colt

Lovely Package

When looking for inspiration or if I just feel like looking, the blog Lovely Package is always a great source. I found this image of Stranger & Stranger Christmas Spirit and fell in love with the vintage style and packaging overall, so I decided to share. Enjoy.

-Colt