Ryka Photo Shoot

Steve, Dave and I ventured to NYC for 4 days to shoot Ryka spokeswoman, Kelly Ripa in action. We had an excellent time, and a great shoot thanks to David Sacks, the NYC photographer that Dave had found. Check out more of David Sacks work at: http://www.davidsacks.com/.

String Wall Kicks Off!

It's official, the string wall is now underway! Maggie and her assistant, Heather stopped in today and have begun to set up what is sure to be an awesome piece of art. I plan on trying to shoot their progress in the early morning when the lighting is better.

It’s Official

Okay, we can no longer ignore the economy. In fact, I just read that we are officially in a recession according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. The National what? Yeah, don’t worry. I’ve never heard of them before either. But apparently they get to make the call. I’m just glad they figured it out. Rumor has it that this recession thing has been going on since December of 2007. Of course, now that it has officially been labeled, we can all put our ears to the tracks and listen for the collective exclamation of “oh no” that will be heard across the nation.

In all seriousness, a lot of companies will have the same knee-jerk reaction of cutting advertising budgets here and promoting low prices there. Sounds like a good short term fix, but what is it they’re really fixing? It’s important to remember that you’ve worked hard to earn a certain amount of goodwill towards your brand – goodwill that isn’t lost simply because the National Billibee Boo says that we’re now in a recession.

The key to keeping a cool head is to remember that even during a recession companies will continue to do business and consumers will continue to consume – both will be just a little wiser about how they do it. You may be able to even use this time to your advantage. Without getting all “look at how big my brain is” on you, let’s just assume that some of your competitors cut their advertising budgets due to the recession. Just because they start limiting their advertising doesn’t mean customers quit listening. They are simply listening for a more convincing reason to part with their hard-earned dollars.

So instead of cutting off the dialogue you’re having with your consumers, you might want to consider digging deeper into your brand strategy and shining a brighter light on its benefits. Your diligence may not only keep your company comfortably afloat during the recession, but it can also pay off huge when people start throwing their money around again.

Thank you for reading the thoughts of Lucas.

String Wall Project Underway

Here at Frank we are excited to announce that our "string wall" is officially underway. Due to the diligent research of our intern (Jessica) we found a local string artist named Maggie Casey. Dave and I met with Maggie initially in October and she presented us sketched designs in early November. Since then the string has been ordered and construction has begun (in Maggie's studio). She is hoping to install before she heads back east for the Holidays, so check back for pictures of Frank's first (of many I hope) in-studio commissioned art!

Till then, check out some of Maggie's creations at: www.maggiecasey.com

Tug-O-War

The Microsoft/Apple advertising tug-o-war continues. Oddly enough, Microsoft is only slightly tugging, and Apple is warring.

In recent ad campaigns, Microsoft has tried to connect to its consumers on a more emotional level. Their first attempt included several ads featuring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld. After the ads fell short, they were replaced with a series of spots that try to show consumers that PC users encompass all professions – most of which aren’t boring. You know the ads “I’m a PC, and I’ve been made into a stereotype.”

It’s nice to see Microsoft trying to build their brand beyond the corporate juggernaut that they are. For so long, they have been thought of as a greedy, numbers and figures company. And after the recent success of Apple’s “I’m a Mac” campaign, they are finally starting to realize that there is something to this whole branding thing. Your product doesn’t simply live on 6-square-feet of shelf space in Wal-Mart.

What I find interesting is Apple’s rebuttal campaign. Perhaps it’s because we’re in the middle of the political season, but Apple is using their recent ads to attack Microsoft’s tactics rather than promote themselves. Even if what they are saying is true, it still comes across as being on the defensive, which I find interesting.

I’m not advocating PCs over Macs, but I am intrigued with the ideology behind the recent change in tone of the Apple ads. Most of their previous spots included some sort of comparison where the Mac always came across as being hipper and more user friendly. Their last two spots, however, leave the direct comparisons on the cutting room floor. Instead, Apple is simply pointing out the flaws in Microsoft’s thinking. So let the politickin’ begin.

Thank you for reading the thoughts of Lucas.

AND1 - The Changing of the Guard

We have been working with AND1 for a couple of months now and I am excited to announce that we have four web banners from our Holiday 2008 ad campaign on Complex's website and the main artwork can be seen on AND1's home page.

You will also be able to see our work in SLAM and Complex magazines as early as November. So head to your local news stands and check it out!

The shoe in the ad is Monta's signature shoe, the ME8, which will be available in January.

Thanks to AND1 for being such a great brand, Lisa for some sweet design work, and Monta (Mon - Tay) for the killer moves.

Working with AND1 has been a blast so far and there's a lot of great stuff in the works. More to come as the basketball season gets underway!

Happy Boss' Day

The overall spread:

Close up on the mini cupcakes:

Gratitude Beer and Chocolate (and Gummi Bears)

Dave Interviews Monta

Last Thursday Dave got to chat it up with Golden State Warrior's Monta Ellis (pretty sweet job he's got). Stay tuned for the killer collateral that will come as a result of this interview.

Bonfire Launches!

After much hard work, FRANK is happy to announce that www.bonfiresnow.com is now live! Major thanks goes out to the Programmers of Cascade Web Development and of course, Frank's Project Manager, Carter Kirkpatrick, who managed to balance myself, Cascade, Bonfire and several freelancers to get this site up and running!

KEO JOINS FRANK!

Keo Farm, A OSU grad, and excellent designer, has joined the Frank Team. I do not have a photo of Keo yet, but I can tell you the following about him:

1. He eats almost as many times a day as me
2. He is super cool
3. He has a twin brother
4. His football team lost to my football team...(sorry Keo)

Shortly, I will inform Keo about the existence of this blog so that he can defend his team and post some of his most recent work.

HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO MEEEEE!

(me on my first Frank field trip to Portland)

Wohoo! I have been at Frank for a year (according to Steve, who is very good at numbers)! I swear I just drove across the country in less than a week and went from living in NYC to living in LA and now Portland! Anyway, Happy One Year to me (and T.Storie, 'cuz I know he started around the same time as I).

AIGA Breakfast Series

This upcoming Tuesday, Jill and I are going to the Elephants Delicatessan.
The AIGA of Portland is sponsoring a breakfast event there with a focus on
social networking sites (blogs, facebook, myspace, linkedin, flickr,etc) and how
they can help your business. I am very excited, and will report back! Also, who
knew that the VP of Portland's AIGA is a Penn State Grad :)

johnzanezappas.com

My site is up and running. Yay, I did it!

johnzanezappas.com

Love,

John

Venticinco de Carter (the day after Cinco de Mayo)

Despite being down a few employees due to travel and lunch breaks, Jill, Tyler, Carter and I held down the bday bash and decorated more cookies than are acceptable for four humans to consume in one day...unless of course it's your birthday. Happy Birthday Carter!

Coffee Break with Susan Parker

Coffee break

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Brent Hunsberger of the Oregonian talked with our own Susan Parker about her background, Frank's relocation to Portland and "what's next" in his weekly column titled Coffee Break.

Here's a little something-something from the article.

Why move? Portland is the epicenter of the outdoor, athletic and sustainability industry, and the outdoor segment is poised for explosive growth, like athletic wear was in the '80s and action sports in the '90s. "The game is just actually starting in outdoor," she said. "We don't know who the big players are going to be. It's just starting to bubble up. That's why I'm here.

"Outdoor brands are either going to get their marketing act together and take advantage of it . . . or they're going to allow others to take over."

Oregonian - April 8, 2008. Read more here.

Jill's Birthday!

I know, I know...we haven't posted in a LOOONG while. But c'mon...we did just move up the coast, unpack our entire office, and of course actually had to do a LOT of work... I promise a big update soon, but till then...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL!


(Cupcake decorations courtesy of T. Storie)

Congrats On The Move!!

Hope everyone is settling in well and it's not too soggy up there in Portland.

Here is a woodblock print I made to demonstrate my plans for the future inspired by an office doodle I showed Lisa way back when.

Frank Takes Portland.

Happy Birthday Dave!

Government Warning:
(1) According to Duff Man, Women should not drink alcoholic beverages
outside of Moe's Tavern. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages increases
your ability to have a rockin' good time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!

I hope you like chocolate...
(and eat up Frank-sters, it's FAT Tuesday...)

New Things

Today I posted my very first website to the world wide interweb.
It's merely an under construction page and it takes a while to load
because I have no idea how to web programme.

johnzanezappas.com

In other news, the first music video for my musical project,
Triceratron, was recently finished.

Progress on Frank's New Office

With 5 weeks to go we are getting the first coat of paint on the walls.
It is all starting to come together. Exciting!!

Mardi Gras at the Boogaloo

Come celebrate Mardi Gras 2008 on February 5th - Fat Tuesday

Poster designed by Eric Pieper. Will be sold at the Boogaloo.

Frank's New Home

Here is proof we are making the move!! click here.

As the article says we will be packing up and shipping out. The construction will be done and the dust settled so we can unload and upload with computers fully functioning. Check out the exciting progress on our new building.

Knock knock, Nike: China's at your door

Knock knock, Nike: China's at your door
Oregonian Monday January 21, 2008

The story is about the growing population of footwear brands and supporting services in Portland, including the most recent addition of the "Nike of China" Li Ning. And a certain little known branding and marketing firm Frank Creative was mentioned. Check out Sue's quote. (on page two of article)

Second Office

Another great night at the Boogaloo. Eat. Drink. Listen.

A little art for your day.

This is my latest painting. Enjoy!

Dude, we're getting the band back together!

Scouting for the next shot, somewhere in the Sierra Nevadas. All I know
is that it was cold and there was something over there. See it? Over there.