We just picked up 12 Webawards, including Best of Show for Bank of America - Morris on Campus!
Everything we entered picked up an award. Not only that, we picked these up from some pretty good company WPP, JWT, Tribal DDB, Digitas, Firstborn, TBWA, Euro RSCG, Whittmanhart Interactive, Siegel+Gale, Razorfish, Arnold, Agency.com.
The winners are below. Congrats to all of those involved in the work. This is pretty impressive.
Hats off!
--Conor Brady
Organic Inc.
Advocacy Standard of Excellence
National MS Society
Da Vinci Awards website
http://www.webaward.org/winner.asp?eid=13698
Organic, Inc.
Automobile Standard of Excellence, Mobile Standard of Excellence
Chrysler LLC, Jeep
http://www.webaward.org/winner.asp?eid=13707
ORGANIC AT INDUSTRY EVENTS:
· OMMA Social 6/23, New York: Anna Banks rocked the "Choosing the Right Social Monitoring Tool: How to Find the Right Fit" panel http://www.mediapost.com/events/?/showID/OMMASocial.06-23-09
· Cannes Lions 6/21-6/27: Conor, Shane Ginsberg and Jonathon Cohen lead a successful "What you see is not all you get" http://www.canneslions.com/
· IAB Marketplace, Mobile 7/13, New York: Chad to moderate "Planet of Apps: Is This the Future of Mobile Advertising?" panel http://www.iab.net/events_training/mobile2009/agenda
· OMMA AdNets, 7/28, Los Angeles: Steve Kerho on "The Buyers' Market: Vetting the Nets" panel http://www.mediapost.com/events/?/showID/OMMAAdNets.07-28-09/type/Agenda/itemID/433/OMMAAdNets-Agenda.html
·
Flash
on the Beach, 9/20-9/23,
Brighton: Hugh Elliott presenting "The 10
Best Excuses to NOT do Amazing Work" www.flashonthebeach.com
·
Design
Thinkers 11/3-11/4,
Toronto, Conor Brady is presenting twice: "Platforms not Sites" and "Consumer
Empathy." http://www.designthinkers.com/index_2008.html
--Tracy Cote
Sixteen trash bags later (some people shared), three comments echoed by most participants:
- San Francisco is the caricature of healthy living and smoke-free environments - why so many cigarette butts on the streets? Aren't there enough trash cans?
- Planter boxes are not trash cans - sounds obvious but really, it isn't
- Chicken bones on the pavement: someone actually staged a Summer Solstice ceremony with druids?
As a conclusion, all employees who took part decided that we should do it again. Not just them actually. At the Transbay Terminal, a MUNI bus driver noticed the trash bags and walked over for info. When he learned that Organic employees were doing their share for the environment, he exclaimed "We need more of you guys! Come back, that's great."
Coffee aficionado Mike Hudson swung through the D last week and brought with him some of the West Coast's finest. I was lucky enough to partake in a brew of each. I sampled the Four Barrel Colombian first - it was good...I mean real good. If you are in the SF office, like coffee and have not checked this place out yet, get on it. The next cup was from Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia roasted by Intelligentsia it charmed my palate with its citrus fruit acidity, the Kurimi sparkled and shone as it brought forth flavors of orange, lime and lemongrass. Notes of jasmine and honeysuckle carried a delicate sweetness that gave the cup a juicy, refreshing character. The subtle and clean finish left notes of sweet spice and cocoa. Truly an elegant cup.
People are telling me you don't sleep. That got me thinking maybe should I stockpile some for reserves. I tried to go to bed earlier last night, but got sucked in by the Oscars. And tonight there is no reprieve either. We have a live chat inside the Customer Advisory Board with Stephen Bartoli, Chrysler's VP of Regulatory Affairs and Product Strategy. I won't be out of here until 11 or later. Then, I'll go home and lament about what to pack in the morning. Throw in an early morning natural alarm clock (read: toddler) and I'll be lucky to get 5 or 6 hours in the bank. Maybe this will be like that first week home with the newborn all over again.
--Sarah Jo Sautter
So that's why we ate buffet style at Camp O...aha!
Courtesy of: Jocelyn Startz
PERLMAN, MA LED QUARTET REPLAY POSSIBLE THANKS TO YOUTUBE
I thought the inauguration ceremony was beautifully organized and Obama's speech very uplifting but my favorite part was actually "Air and Simple Gifts", the music composed by John Williams and performed by Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano), Itzhak Perlman (violin) and Anthony McGill (clarinet). The same evening I went on YouTube to listen to it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02Ao9jyq5Vk. I thought it was a beautiful piece.
--Laure G.
"THIS AGGRESSION WILL NOT STAND, MAN"...CHENEY REPRISES LEBOWSKI?
My favorite part was watching Cheney come out looking like exactly like David Huddleston in the Big Lebowski. I couldn't get over that.
--Tyler Griffis
(Eds note: This is done with full sympathy for the former vice president, as getting injured moving is something I have personal experience with. Stupid awkward stairs. But seriously...he's a dead ringer for this cult classic star! "MY WIFE IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE!")
CHIA OBAMA: YES WE CAN...HAPPY POSE OR DETERMINED?
My favorite inauguration item:
http://www.chiaobama.com/
--Adrienne LaBonte
DETROIT
PIZZA AND PLUCKINESS LETS NATE, COWORKERS WATCH IN COMFORT
The Detroit office had a pizza party for the inauguration in our auditorium downstairs. It was pretty cool of them to do this, considering that most companies wouldn't dare attempt something that could be taken as pushing political viewpoints on their employees. Not satisfied to sit downstairs, some of us in the creative department set up the flat-screen TV in our area to show the streaming webcast. We grabbed a pizza from downstairs and sat around eating it while watching the ceremonies and making playing commentator. After "the big moment" passed and Obama was sworn in, we returned to our desks but kept the feed going for the rest of the day. It was a pretty good way to ease into the week, and I'm glad we didn't have to miss a very significant historic event due to work -- or have to be sneaky and watch the feed on our individual computers.
--Nate Rogers
NEW YORK
ORGANIC TRAVELS...WITHOUT CAMERA?
I was not in the office, I had a ticket and was in DC.
No, not any of the good tickets, but a tix to 'sit' in the back. Left the camera at home! WT(heck) I know!
--Anna S.
TORONTO
A STEP AWAY FROM PLAGUE OF RACISM FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD
As an Asian-Canadian, I have experienced racism throughout my life. I've gotten past all that negativity and learned how to deal with all of this. Seeing the inauguration yesterday gave me hope that this world can and will change for the better. My parents are proud that their descendants can now live a place that promotes equality, regardless of race or sex. Life is changing for the better, and I am glad I could say that I have witnessed this milestone in my lifetime. Yet, as it was implied during the inauguration, we all must change ourselves to make Obama's and Martin Luther King's dream into a reality. The most we can do as individuals is be less negative and more supportive of our peers. Although it won't happen instantly, we must not lose hope that one day the global community will become safer and more unified for our unborn children.
--Peter B.
Have yourself a virtual little Christmas? (or, Call Me Old Fashioned, but I Miss the Human Touch)
My husband and I had a lively discussion this week about whether or not to get our son a dog for Christmas. I am sure we're not the first family to debate this topic. I was arguing for, he was arguing against. Eventually, in the spirit of compromise, my husband suggests we buy a robot dog. I suppose such a thing doesn't actually leave a mess and would never die, unless you toss it in the garbage or run over. However, as I pointed out to him...it's not actually real. It just seems weird to me to buy a robot dog instead of a real one, sort of sad, and pathetic, somehow.
The next gift idea we discussed, inevitably, was the Wii. The Wii, as I think everyone on the planet knows by now, allows you to pretend to play golf, tennis, or baseball, or go bowling...all in the comfort of your own living room. You can even be a rock star. And never actually have to accomplish, well, much of anything, or take any risks, emotional or physical, while doing so (http://www.nintendo.com/wii).
$800 Raised for Bay Area Food Bank from Candygram Sales
SAN FRANCISCO -- Sort of like elementary school all over again, but
with a twist: Last week, the SF office had people send candy canes to
one another as "candy grams" (anonymously or otherwise), for a donation
of one dollar. We figured we might raise a couple of hundred dollars,
and we planned to donate the money to a local charity.
Dawn did a great job marketing the sweet initiative internally. I know I
had way too much fun doing this; I think I sent over 40 anonymous
candygrams to unsuspecting coworkers! Apparently I wasn't the only one
who got into the spirit: As a result of this effort, we have netted
close to $800 and counting! All proceeds will go to the SF Food Bank to
help feed those in need.
Going to do this again next year, for sure!
Tis the season,
-Tracy
Trouble. The sign on the board says it all in a lazy chalk message to those at the stools:
"Build Your Own Damn House!"
and
"Coffee/Coconut/Toast $7"
As the Seattle-ish concept of underground coffee spreads its beatnik sensibility outward and ever upward, I've seen a few places like this sprout up. And San Fran is a good place for one given its abundant supply of coffee fans and off-beat dudes and dudettes. And if you couldn't tell from the site linked above...well, yes...the too-cool-for-school crowd has a new local haunt to haunt.
This shop is kind of out-of-the-way from the office in a neighborhood south and west of the Golden Gate and all that, practically on the Pacific Ocean -- Lower Sunset, if I'm not mistaken. Getting there requires a decent streetcar ride for $1.50 (N-line all the way out to Judah and 45th from 4th and Market...I think) or a $25 cab. I did both and found the mass transit solution more sensible.
But it was all worth it. Drip coffee is roasted on site, according to Holly -- the one staffer manning the operation when I went. Ecco, the very well regarded bean outfit, provides the espresso roast. And Holly knows how to pull a sweet shot, IMHO.
Plus, I got a huge slice of toast with butter and cinnamon-sugar to boot, which might have been worth the trip in itself. I think the latte and toast were around $5. I skipped the coconut, but saw other, more "local" looking chaps tucking into whole coconuts with tops off and straws blazing.
Source: KGO
On Friday, October 24, eight months of planning culminates in a great Preview Party and weekend-long Open Studios. In March, I was invited to join four other artists in the colorful studio of sculptor Liz Mamorsky. Called "Lizland", the former industrial building is crammed to its sky-lighted ceiling with weird found objects and other sculptural supplies. I'll be unveiling a new piece exploring the well-known trigger effect of aroma on memory.
When the group learned I was a copywriter, I was immediately assigned to write our press release and the group's web site. And when they learned I had a small woodworking shop, I was immediately asked to make sidewalk sandwich boards. Yes kids, the glamorous life of an artist!
But with five of us together, the tasks divide up well, since one artist's husband is a vintner and will be supplying some actually decent wine for the reception.
All SF Organics (and any visiting Organics) plus friends are invited to come on by, see if the wine lives up to its press, and check out some thought-provoking art.
See show details and map at www.group5Lizland.com
--Paul Baker
Earlier today, I was in one of those moods, and I updated my facebook profile with lyrics from a very obscure Warren Zevon song. Some people might even think Warren Zevon is obscure but whatever. Much to my surprise, a colleague in our Detroit office noticed it and called me on it (accusing me of harboring a harmonica player somewhere)...thus creating a humorous, surprising connection between the two of us.
Now that several of my colleagues - not to mention random cousins and people I hadn't spoken to for ages -- are on facebook and twitter, in spite of my initial skepticism on the, well, social aspects of social networking, I find that I really am enjoying getting to know people better...People that I like, but never made time to connect with. Not that I have time now, mind you, but it is pretty efficient to write on someone's facebook wall or skim a page of twitter posts to see what folks are up to and stay in touch. Maybe it's kind of a half baked way to do it, but it's better than not being in touch at all, and imho is much less stressful than the whole vaguely uncomfortable "let's meet for a drink" thing that gets promised and never ever happens because let's face it, for most of us, our "friend cards" are full already. I mean, there are only so many hours in a day. I'm looking forward to a way to find more people on these tools so I can continue to connect with people and get to know some of them a little bit better. Hey, if it wasn't for facebook, I would not have ever known that I have a colleague in Detroit with an ear for folk music and a sarcastic sense of humor!
I also like our internal social networking tool, it works better than I had anticipated and definitely gets used (hey, if you want a phone number, you kind of have to get out there to find it!). Now, the only thing I am starting to wonder about on these tools is the number of "friends" I have...if I don't have very many, does that mean I'm not popular?! Wait, don't answer that!
--Tracy Cote -- Executive Director, Talent