Drum roll please!!  See the finished :30 TV spot for the Fort Worth Zoo promoting their stage show at the new Outdoor Learning Theater.  It’s free with your Zoo admission, and you will definitely want to check it out!  What a fun project to get to be a part of.

-Erin Naterman

Today was day two of a two-day video shoot at the Fort Worth Zoo.  I spent my day with a bunch of animals…literally!  The Fort Worth Zoo has a new outdoor learning theater that is pretty spectacular.  Starting on May 5, visitors will be able to take a load off and be entertained as a host of animals and keepers put a scripted show called The Lone Star Mystery.  In preparation for the new show, we are shooting video for a television spot to promote the new show.  What a fun 2 days!  Stay tuned for the full spot.

-Erin Naterman

In today’s design world it’s too easy (and expected) to go to one of the many stock illustration sites to provide illustrated content for clients. While you can find any illustration style and subject matter online, you risk your competition choosing that same piece of “clip art” for their advertising.

So in this day of homogenized illustration, grabbing a pencil and paper to create a completely original illustration gives your client one-of-a-kind creative advertising no one can duplicate.

So that’s just what we did for Zoo Run 2012. Here’s the front and back logo from the t-shirt design:

And here’s the steps to make that magic happen:

• Hand drew the illustration with black ink on paper, no color – outline only
• Scanned/digitized the illustration
• Bring digitized black outline into Illustrator and color/fill each element using determined color palette for print/posters/shirts etc.

To register for zoo run visit, FortWorthZoo.org.

-Todd

This past weekend we stopped by the Fort Worth Addys in our Saturday finest and took home Ws in several categories.

A few fun facts:

• Schaefer submitted 31 total pieces to the Addys
• About 40 percent of what we entered won an award
• Our table was the it table of the Addys (yes, that’s fact)

We can’t say it enough, when our clients win, so do we! Here are a few awards we share with some of our great partners.

GOLD ADDY AWARDS

TTI Inc. - Specialist Introduction Video

TTI Inc. - Never A Line Down, episode #2

Freeman - Footwear Direct Mail

Check out the microsites for the Flipper, Slipper and Skate!

Fort Worth Zoo - Zoo Ball Event Material

BRONZE ADDY AWARDS

Fort Worth Zoo - Beastro

Freeman - iPlanner e-blast and video

TTI Inc - Web Banners

GE Transportation - Virtual Rail Expo

Additionally, our agency took home a few awards from our self promotion:

We got a GOLD Addy for our new feature in 360 West Magazine

A SILVER Addy for our Facebook Like Page

A BRONZE Addy for our open house invitation

And a BRONZE Addy for our new logo

A huge thank you to Red Productions, you guys set the bar for fun, entertaining events.  We’re proud to be a part of the Fort Worth Advertising community!

- The Schaefer Team

Joel Sartore is a freelance photographer for National Geographic.  His most recent project is called the Biodiversity Project, and the idea behind it is to promote animal conservation.  Joel has has gathered nearly 1,800 photographs of animals species over the past five years, with many more planned in the coming months.

Joel’s quest for photos led him to the Fort Worth Zoo.  You can see video footage and photographs of the shoot here.  The photography features animals on a solid white or black background. The idea behind this is to give all animals equal weight…from the ladybug to the lion. The photography is beautiful, and the video is captivating and inspirational.

-Erin Naterman

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)

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

The Fort Worth Zoo is most definitely in the holiday spirit. To kick off the season they hosted their annual membership Pumpkins and Pancakes breakfast Nov. 19.

This event was a huge success! There was a record 1,200 tickets pre-purchased for the event.  Want to be included on exclusive member-only events like this one?  It’s a great perk of Zoo membership. 

If you are not one to deal with Christmas shopping chaos, Zoo membership and adoption make great Christmas gifts for those that have just about everything.

Learn more about Holiday adoption and Zoo membership gifts!

-Erin Naterman

Masks- As cultural objects they have been used throughout the world in all periods since the Stone Age and have been as varied in appearance as in their use and symbolism.  But we just think they’re FUN!

Bailey and Kristin show off their Boo masks.  You can get yours, too.  Just click here!

October is here, which means it’s time to dust off that old mask or get creative with a new costume so we can all pretend we are someone completely different…even if only for one day.  It is also means it’s nearly time for one the funnest events of the year, the Fort Worth Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo!

Here’s a look at the ad campaign you are sure to see around town:

Boo at the Zoo takes place Oct. 21 - 23 and Oct. 28 -30 from noon to 5 p.m.  Get your consumes ready now and head to the Fort Worth Zoo to celebrate with events, games, trick-or-treating, and lots and lots of animals.

Need a mask?  No problem!  Click here to download printable masks. 

-Erin