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.