Absolut Boston

I had the good fortune to experiment with the black tea infused limited edition Absolut Boston Vodka this weekend - and boy is it good! A dear friend and bartender at Harvard Square's Tommy Doyle's found what I think is the perfect mixed drink for the new flavor - spontaneously but aptly named (considering the smaaaht kids that frequent the pub) - Absolut Genius. Locals stop in for one ASAP as the vodka is a limited promotion and will not be available forever!

...what's it say on the bottle? "In a city rich with monuments commemorating a nation, the one monument that stands above all others is a dented green wall 37 feet tall, 240 feet long and soem 310 feet from home plate down the left field line."

Recession in Suburbia

I happened upon this sight in a shopping mall late one night while running an errand with Mike. I thought there was something beautiful and at the same time obviously depressing about the scene, all of the shiny white forms just sitting there naked and colorless, and like so many of us - unemployed. The fact that they were still wearing their shoes made it that much creepier.

John Lennon Resurrected, The Beatles Come Together for Rock Band

Check out the official commercial for Beatles Rock Band, I think they did a pretty good job of putting the band back together, creating a time and a place - and getting the viewer in the middle of it.

Though, the initial sneak peek from E3 still gets me a little more excited - and I've never even played a Rock Band of any kind! I wonder what the fanatics must be going through...

Holy New Tim Burton 9

debuting on 9.9.09

NotEvenOnce.com

"Our first campaign focused on the impact Meth has on the individual—the user. Our latest ads show the collateral damage that occurs to users' family and friends. This new concept is based directly on input from teens."

Thomas M. Siebel
The Meth Project
Founder and Chairman

Learn more about The Meth Project here.

Amy Martin Time Travel Posters

How cool are these posters from the future by LA artist Amy Matrin? I love the nautilus shell and the overall clean graphic look. I think they could live in effortless unison with WPA Vintage Parks Posters, maybe I need to redecorate?Check out Poster District for more info about the artist, how to buy, and the charity the proceeds support.

Machine Head Sound Quilt

A week or so ago a friend and former client, Stephen Dewey composer and owner of Machine Head put a post on Facebook asking his friends and colleagues for their favorite sounds. What did he do with them? See for yourself!



Amazing, right? I love it and was happy to hear that the success of this experiment has been so positive there is already a second in the works. What's you favorite sound?

Sea Monkey Revival

Or did they never really go away and it's just that I grew up? The weird little shrimp that have been fascinating kids and grossing out parents for 40 years have a new print campaign. The illustrations haven't changed much - which is good for them - it's their greatest marketing tool. I know I wanted a cute pink illustrated Sea friend on my dresser, and presumably unlike the masses i was disappointed with the creepy alien bugs that hatched and never turned pink or sprouted fun accessories.I heard the news on adfreak, and was happily surprised to find out the agency behind it was Gertrude - they seem to be one to much churning out more and more good work.

Craving some vintage Sea Monkey Love? Here's some of the weirdness...

The Latest Lego Video Game Hommage

Since three people have sent this to me today and it's only noon I have to share. Check out this incredible stop-motion Lego feat, 8-bit Trip. What is it with Lego fans and retro video games? Why have the two become so tightly linked?


Thanks to Mike, Xandy and the other Facebook friends to share this with me today - check out some more Lego video game fun here.

Two If By See Design

I recently finished a logo/branding project for a dear friend, director/writer/editor Samah Tokmachi. Samah is using the logo to help brand his film identity Samah Cinema. What do you think?

Brilliant Idea - Escalator Animation

Yep - escalator animation. Why didn't I think of that? It's really only one step away from the wall animation in Boston's T that lives on the Red Line en route to Central Square. I wonder how long before advertisers take over arm rails in malls across America?

The work is from street artist, animator, VJ, Kama. He uses street art staple stickers and the constant motion of the escalator to make these automated flipbooks - check 'em out.



Thanks to Wooster Collective for the post.

Fantastic Title Sequence for Mr. Magorium

My lazy Sunday post housework veg session was partially spent enjoying one of those little films I always kinda wanted to see but not enough to remember when i was actually at the video store - or ordering the Netflix - Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. It's a sweet magical film based around the spirit of childhood and imagination and having the confidence to live up to your own potential. Maybe it was made for a younger crowd, but then again maybe not? Could that be why it didn't do incredibly well in the box office, we werea ll unsure of the appropriate audience? Anyway I enjoyed it. But Man. What really stood out? The opening title sequence - it's bright and cleanly animated, slightly retro, a la the Catch Me if You Can intro, and a perfect way to set the tone for the story that follows.




This outstanding title sequence was made by Reel FX.

Blog Love and Hatch Show Print

One of my nearest and dearest has entered the blogosphere with Postcards From a Concrete Garden, good name right? Sue has always had a way with words - I look forward to following her through her rock-n-roll-kitchen-experiment-prewedding-design-and-life inspirations.

In honor of an upcoming project I will be helping Susie with, and of her country music rock n' roll ways, here is a nice little video from Hatch Show Print. Much more to come on this...

American Letterpress Hatch Show Print

The Music Videos of Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor is another one of my favorite artists, not only because of her infectious voice and talent for lyrical storytelling, but because of her mesmerizing music videos. Many times with animated elements (which you know I love!) to add a layer of fantasy, the visual interpretations of her work always augment her already complex works of art.

I was first introduced to Regina Spektor when a client of mine, a few years ago now, called Company X, was responsible for editing the video for On The Radio.
On The Radio Directed by Matt Lenski


Regina Spektor - Samson Directed by Peter Sluszka


Better Directed by Marc Webb


Laughing With Directed by Adria Petty


Eet Directed by Adria Petty


Fidelity Directed by Adria Petty


Regina Spektor - Us Directed by Adria Petty

Texting While Driving PSA

Yesterday morning a local radio station here in Boston got into a lengthy conversation about PSA's spurred by this new, horrific, graphic, and never ending PSA out of the UK. The conversation was about whether PSA's are affective or not, referencing many of the Don't do Drugs PSA's of the 70s and 80's, but man - this one really sticks with you, and there is nothing to make fun of.

Warning, when I said horrific and graphic I meant it.

Salty, How am I Supposed to Live Without You?

Sidekicks turned this little guy into one sad saltshaker - but it's so darn cute! Directed by David Hicks of Sons and Daughters with animation by AXYZ, this lonesome little salty is like a cute modernized version of the tiny little super guy. Check out the spot below, you'll see what I mean.
Right? I mean, when the salty tears started falling it pushed me over the edge, adorable and really a leap above for the Sidekicks brand.

For those of you who remember the Teeny Little Super Guy, you will enjoy this.

Why Don't Cartoons Change Their Clothes?

Well, Woolite's newest print campaign doesn't have the answer, but they are making sure their colors don't fade with all of the washing needed to keep that outfit clean day in and day out.

Being and animation, illustration and cartoon lover I was instantly drawn to this print campaign from Euro RSCG Puerto Rico. The image of these iconic outfits drying on the line gives such a sweet sense of whats going on behind the scenes of the classic cartoons. I also think the bright rich cartoon colors are a fantastic pairing for a product selling it's color stay capabilities. For Everyday Colors, really nice.
'I feel like I've been wearing this same red dress forever!" - Lisa Simpson

I found these puppies on AdsofTheWorld.

Joe Cocker Little Help From My Friends Translation

Just a final Woodstock tidbit to make you smile before the weekend. This video translates Joe Cocker's Woodstock rendition of Little Help From My Friends, guaranteed to make you smile.

Three Days of Peace and Music

It's hard to believe that it's been another 10 years, but it has - this weekend marks the 40th Anniversary of the Woodstock festival held August 15-17th 1969. To celebrate LIFE has been featuring a fantastic photo array - check it out, it's a visual time capsule.
...and my personal favorite performance from the weekend, The Star Spangled Banner from Jimi Hendrix.

Oliver Peoples Catches a Tuesday

Oliver Peoples Eyewear brings Zooey Deschanel and one of my favorite musical artists, Matt Costa together in a short promotional film, Catch A Tuesday, directed by photographer/director Autumn De Wilde.

I am in love. From the seventies double exposed film aesthetic to the retro-indie styling, i WANT to live in that world.
Thanks Andrea for sharing it with me!

Outstanding Concert Video Backdrops

I found this awesome animated backdrop for Led Zeppelin's live performances of Kashmir in my Vimeo suggestions today. It was created by Steve Scott.

Led Zeppelin

I think it's amazing and mesmerizing and it got me thinking about all of the mind bending concert videos and backdrops I've seen in my life so I started hunting. Sadly I couldn't find much at all aside from video accompaniments for Madonna, Britney Spears and the Spice Girls...I've included some below.

Madonna




Britney Spear Circus




I recently saw Elton John and Billie Joel perform, and one of the videos that I was digging for in particular was a copy of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road animated backdrop. While I have yet to find it i wanted to share this backdrop for Your Song. It's very simple but somehow just simple enough that it doesn't take anythign away from the words - a great pairing I think.

Elton John - Your Song from Kate Dawkins on Vimeo.

If anyone has any other examples of Concert Backdrop Videos and Animation - I'd love to see them and add to this collection, please send them over!

LA Gear Campaign Says...

"Your strut's been missing the 80s since the 90s..." I'm in love with this accurately retro inspired multiplatform LA Gear campaign from Gertrude Inc.

The animated video components spoof classic 80s video games (as we know already - i love!) with the hero sporting a boom box and chucking cassette tapes rack up points.






Gertrude has also planted USB Cassette tapes at LA Gear retailers aroudn the country - yep cassette tapes. The tapes are actually USB drives full of LA Gear goodies in the classic retro shell - i love it!
AND...as if this wasn't enough LA Gear throwback goodness -they have brought back the lights - I know... here's more info.

For Even the Toughest Stains...

I'm having a fight with the laundry today trying to find the right home remedy to remove rust stains from a load of my most precious whites, so i thought - why not? Why not review some of the best stain fighter commercials from our past. Here are some of the laundry commercials I was able to dig up, some are vintage commercials and some are modern ads that i just like!








This is what i need, Stain Lifter - that's All!



For all of those that have wondered what happens once you close the lid...


This is one of my favorites


....and just because I think this one is just darling...

...any you remember or love? please send them on over!

Snoop Spoofs Heineken's Walk in Fridge

I'm sure you've all seen this hilarious Heineken spot, directed by Bart Timmer, Walk in Fridge.


The hand clapping guy on the left kills me every time!

Well, Snoop Dogg and Slightly Stoopid have created their own rendition to promote their summer tour accurately named Blazed an Confused too funny...enjoy.

Thanks to Pat for the heads up!

Every Town...Has It's Ups and Downs

I'm having one of those days and for some reason just really wanted to hear this song, Not in Nottingham. From Disney's Robin Hood written by Roger Miller.

We Love You So - I Love You So

Inspiration overload! We Love You So is a blog of cataloged inspiration from the makers of Where The Wild Things Are, the new feature film interpretation from director Spike Jonze.

Just when I thought I've turned over all of the inspirational rocks of creativity the internet has to offer We Love You So reminds me how much is really out there.

I can't resist sharing this little goodie - Windy Day, and animated short from husband and wife team John & Faith Hubley from 1968. The ethereal piece is loose and whimsical illustration set to the soundtrack of the Hubley's daughters at play. All things beautiful and innocent resonate from the piece, absolutely beautiful. It reminds me of June bugs one sun bleached sidewalks and rusty swing chains. Ah me.


I'm sure there is much more to share from We Love You So, I've hardly made a dent...

Wes Anderson and the Fantastic Mr. Fox

The interpersonal-story-telling-genius that is Director Wes Anderson has a new film coming to theaters this fall in the form of an animated, puppetry performed, rodent filled feature, Fantastic Mr. Fox. Check out the trailer below. Excited?

Robert McGinnis Brings Stella Artois to the Big Screen

Check out the latest addition to the 60's inspired Stella Artois Campaign, a pair of print and billboard ads. Why do these ads look so authentic? Because they are! They are illustrated by Paperback and Movie Poster Illustrator Robert McGinnis. McGinnis' portfolio is seemingly endless and includes cover art for all of the Bond Books and pin up art that has come to represent an iconic 60s and 70s aesthetic.

Heath Ledger Directed Modest Mouse Music Video

The much anticipated directing project from Heath Ledger - for Modest Mouse tune, Rat King, - has finally been released. The animated video tells the story of burly whale sea captains gruesomely fishing the seas for humans. The story was created to support Sea Shepherd an organization that defends ocean wildlife worldwide.


The illustration and co-direction credits go to Daniel Auber via production company The Masses. Check out The Masses Website for more on the process of making the video with and without Heath.

Down and Dirty Beach Party

Keep it Clean Gidget! This retro inspired beach party features Ken Doll inspired surfer boys, hot pants, pig tails and lots of junk - all together in a spunky poppy singalong beach scene right out of that surfer chick flick from the 60s. The purpose? To stop California Beach Bums from leaving their trash behind.

The spot comes from BBDO, my favorite part is the song via Human.

Oh No! Is that Johnny dancing with Judy on broken glass by the cove?

Me and My Shadow

Check out this dance off, promoting Volkswagen. Fun Stuff!



...now check out the flashback, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., classic.

Steampunk in Stop Motion

When The Falcon popped up on my Vimeo list this morning I was just thrilled, i love waking up to great creative ideas! It is a combination of some of my absolute favorite things, stop motion animation and vintage cameras - the result a Steampunk story about a cast of photographic characters battling exposure and depth of field.

As with most stop motion experiments, i first thought of PES, but then began to think of other Steampunk animated pieces that might be fun to dig up. What is Steampunk you ask? Steampunk is a subculture aesthetic that references the future using elements from our industrial past. Think gears, watch parts, and factory components combined to create something new. I think of Modern Times, Monty Python title cards, and the intro to You Can't Do That on Television.

Check out these commercials from 8fish that were featured as a part of this years' Addy Awards Ceremony, there were a total of 18 bumpers in the collection.