Notes From The Napkin-Schaefer Advertising Co.

Jul

Quote of the Day

Setting: Blanchard Schaefer agency lunch

Table Conversation: “Would you rather have the power to fly if you could only fly 2 inches high, or be invisible all except for one hand?” - Kristin Moreno

Answer: “That’s easy! I would choose to be invisible. I would just put my hand behind my back!” - Ken Schaefer

Mar

"Even if it is true that the average man seems most comfortable with the commonplace and familiar, it is equally true that catering to bad taste, which we so readily attribute to the average reader, merely perpetuates that mediocrity and denies the reader one of the most easily accessible means for aesthetic development and eventual enjoyment."

-Paul Rand, legendary designer & visionary.

I know sometimes a fear of not reaching our target audience can influence the direction or choices we all make in our work, design or otherwise. But, there’s a fine line between keeping it appropriate and just plain underestimating the level of savvy from your viewer. Sometimes, you just gotta get bold. If no one’s hating it, then probably no one is really loving it either. Or to put it into simpler words (see what I did there), “Meh”. Hey, just sayin’.

Sometimes, the “lowest common denominator” really isn’t that low.

-Alex

Dec

"People should be able to spot your work because it’s consistently great. Not consistently the same."

Via Twitter @leeclowsbeard

Dec

"Hope is a crappy business strategy.” - Ken Schaefer"

I heard a well-known CEO speak recently - and when asked about his business plans and prospects for 2011, he answered, “We are hoping that 2011 will be a better year.” I sat there thinking, “He makes millions a year, is on the cover of countless magazines and his leadership strategy is “hope”. Maybe if they spent a little less time hoping and more time listening to their customers and innovating ways to differentiate their commodity product then they wouldn’t have to rely on “hope” in their boardroom. Shareholders beware. - Ken

Dec

"Sketchbooks are not about being a good artist, they’re about being a good thinker."

-By Jason Santa Maria. Saw this when I was reading an article titled “Good Ideas Grow on Paper”. Moral of the story: while it’s very tempting and sometimes necessary to go straight to the computer, your work will be at the very least enhanced if you start out with a pencil and paper. So try to make time if you can.

-Alex

Nov

"Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone. – G.B. Stern"

I love this quote. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I’m challenging myself to thank those around me, including our clients, partners, friends, coworkers and my family. I also extend the challenge to you – make gratitude a habit and express thanks as often as you can. It may not change the entire world, but it will change you.

- Lynaia

Nov

Lone Star film fest claims spot in Fort Worth cultural landscape

Check out the great article by Christopher Kelly in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about the Lone Star International Film Festival. We had the pleasure of working with the Lone Star Film Society on the public relations for the film festival. It was indeed a banner year for the festival and I love the quote about Fort Worth - “incredibly cool and cosmopolitan” – indeed! Looking forward to next year.

- Lynaia