This is crazy cool! Visualize Yahoo allows you to see a storm of email across the globe, and even more noteworthy the amount of spam that is blocked. In a digital world where we communicate more through email and digital means than face-to-face it’s definitely worth two seconds of your time.

-Colt

Looks like the future is bright for The Tribute, a gorgeous development on Lake Lewisville. Schaefer Advertising Co. has worked with Matthews Southwest on marketing initiatives for The Tribute and also for one of the developments award-winning golf courses, The Old American. We developed the logo, collateral assets and the website for this stunning golf course. We’re thrilled to see this development picking up momentum again. If you’re in the neighborhood, check it out.

- Lynaia

I came across this article on Ad Age and was intrigued by the creativity of those who work in candy land. Nestle, Hershey, and Wrigley are all introducing new products, some of which are not the least bit appetizing! Among the better ones are Wrigley’s apple pie flavored gum and a strange, yet innovative “aerated” chocolate from Hershey’s Kisses that have tiny holes inside to give them an airy texture.

Aerated Hershey’s Kisses seems like a bit of a stretch, but I’d give it a try at least once. On the other hand, if you aren’t a candy lover already, you can think of it as good for your health with Snickers Smart Stuff, a new chocolate fortified with vitamins and minerals. Chocolate lovers rejoice! What was once a guilty pleasure is now actually good for you!  

Slumberland Snacks is even coming out with Sleep Squares that are said to help you fall asleep fast. A substitute for sleeping aids? Doubtful, but they might be good for an afternoon nap.

In order to join in on the fun, Jelly Belly is re-releasing its Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, which come in Soap, Sausage, Dirt, Black Pepper, Grass, and Rotten Egg flavors, among other “yummy” ones. I understand the background behind it, playing off the Harry Potter hype, but is this really going to be a success for them? Is there really enough people out there that want to taste rotten egg and dirt to make this profitable? I suppose crazier things have happened.

According to Jelly Belly’s spokeswoman, “All these flavors taste exactly like they’re named.” Hmmm…I think I’ll just take her word for it.

-Monika Sadarangani, Intern

Here is a little press on our client, Grade Results. The article happens to be about how students’ LIVES were changed by the gift of a second chance. Grade Results provides  curriculum and live instruction via an online platform. They serve all types of schools and colleges, but one thing I love about this company is that they often provide an education lifeline to students who most need it. In the case of the former drop-outs mentioned in this article, their lives are set on a completely different path. Congratulations to Grade Results and Birmingham City Schools for a successful program!

– Lynaia

“Wee Nudge: Teach Your Clients The Mysteries of the Web”

A very helpful resource for debunking common myths in web & design. They have currated popular articles across the internet addressing common misconceptions such as white space (and why you should have it) and the nefarious 600px “fold” rule. There are some great lessons here folks for both sides of the table.
Check it out.

-Alex

decodering:

Setting a Google Map as the Background of your Web Site

So the other day I was Googling ways to “set a Google map as the background of your site” with little luck at all on finding a good solution. So I decided to create one using CSS properties and utilizing the z-index/absolute positioning of elements.

To get an idea of what I did, visit: http://wadehammes.com/dewey-beach/

I shared this on my personal blog, but I thought this was so interesting I thought I would share this little nugget of goodness with you folks as well. I’ve seen some site designs that have implemented interactive maps on their about pages, but this implementation seems like something that would be accessible to front-end-developers without too much headache.

This could be advantageous for business to consumer companies wanting to share franchise locations, or show off their location in the region in a fun way. The applications could turn into some very aesthetic web design.

-Alex

“Scientifically Engineered to Defy Pain, Defy Aging, & Defy Gravity”

Wow. that must be some shoe. And that’s some ad. Someone sent me the link to an article on the “Anatomy of an awful ad” that ripped this masterpiece to shreds.

I don’t know where to start. One thing not mentioned in the article, the ridiculous amount of body copy. At most you do headline, sub head, and maybe a sentence or two of copy. THAT’S IT. Even then people hardly ever read the body copy, so you gotta make sure the message pays off in the headline/visual.

This circles back to the question of a headline. The question is off putting and weird on multiple levels. For starters it has negative connotations and seems to put a positive spin on steroid use. I know what they were trying to do, but no. Just…no. Then, I feel like it isn’t an ad but an article (maybe that’s the point, with the life story of copy below). They might as well have said “This shoe is awesome?”. I can go on for a while, but this was too ridiculous not to comment on.

Just read the article.

-Alex

It’s a  ”Big Week” here in Arlington, in more ways than one.  We’re busy finalizing client campaigns related to the Super Bowl. And, while we thought we’d have trouble commuting to the office with all the out of town traffic, turns out the weather is our commuting foe. With the big game venue located in our backyard, it’s been interesting to be at the epicenter of advertising for the big game or, as most of us in the ad business call it, “advertising bowl.”  We can’t wait for those commercials and the proverbial Monday de-brief session about the best and worst. In thinking about that, I came across this great article about the celebrity endorsement. Several great points here:

1. Consumers are actually getting smarter. They old tactic of throwing a celebrity on an ad and expecting people to come in droves is really over. 

2. Relevance is key. Check out the stats and examples in the article. If what you’re advertising isn’t applicable to the audience, or if the audience has no idea what you’re selling, no celebrity talking head (or shaking booty) will help to increase your sales.

3. Celebrity endorsement is not a substitute for good creative. If the ad is memorable, creative and on-message, it generates response. If it’s a flashy celebrity endorsement with no obvious tie-in to the brand, then it won’t. 

- Ashley

robynchell:

You’re a Comic Sans Criminal… but we’re here to help you.

(courtesy of Matt Dempsey)

A fun little web slide show with standout typography & design. Really educates youngsters on the danger of comic sans use. Very dangerous habit kids.

-Alex

cameronmoll:

While the real number one habit of highly creative people is whatever works for them and only them (see this article), I can argue in favor of Leo Babauta’s top creative habit:

In a word: solitude.

Creativity flourishes in solitude. With quiet, you can hear your thoughts, you can reach deep within yourself, you can focus.

/via Hacker News

You know, that is absolutely true. Read more at the link. I get so much more done when I have nice, long, isolated periods I can use to reflect. You can imagine that is difficult to attain in the crazy busy world of advertising, but I try my best.

I get my best work done however sitting alone in the dark, at home, with a gin & tonic.

I’m just joking. There’s no tonic.

-Alex