Austin Business Journal Profile
Friday, May 6th, 2011Career day meets Common
Thursday, April 7th, 2011Walking in Ian and Jonathon had no idea that they were about to rapidly protoype a social venture. It was career day after all. They thought they were coming to hear us yammer about advertising. That would have been boring for all of us. We wanted to create something and show them their own power to change things with their brains. We had a couple of hours to make it happen.
We screened the COMMON film we produced. We talked about social ventures. Got them up to speed on this whole shared brand that helps save the world idea. I used my hands a lot while I was talking so they wouldn’t fall asleep.
We asked, what social issues are on their radar? They had some instant answers – the state of cafeteria food, racism, the inability for recording artists to earn a living, the concentration of corporate power. We settled on this issue: (more…)
Netspend Features Film
Having trouble viewing this film? Please allow it to upload completely before playing.
netSpend is a leading provider of prepaid debit card products and services. Their distribution takes place primarily through partner organizations who co-brand or white label their product. Prepaid is a fast growing space as it allows unbanked or underbanked customers to access and manage their money to a digital standard without a banking relationship.
This film is a cut down of a modular video series we produced to educate customers and partners about netSpend’s programs, features and benefits at POS, online and in trade show environments.
Get out front and ask for it.
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010Driving by a Jiffy Lube this AM I witnessed something basic but all too peculiar, actual staff standing out front waving at customers. Now we’ve all seen the spinning sandwich board dance and the costumed chaos that usually charterizes this sort of street ask but this was different. A couple or wrenches in their coveralls sipping their coffees and waving slowly at customers as they drove by. Their wave said, ‘good morning friend, even though we are a chain of lube places we are people just like you so come on in if you’re 1K miles past your oil change’.
Maybe it was a memo from the brass that prompted this wave fest. Likely was. But for me it felt like there was a chance that the people that worked there thought – we’re open, no one is here, so let’s get out there and ask for some business. After all their livelihoods depend on it. Still those guys waving out there said more than we’re desperate for business. To me it said we care about people. It projected old school, look you in the eyes, trust based, service and did a lot to undo the idea that you are gonna be up-sold into three figures when you pull in.
A wave can say a lot. At least it does to me. Makes me wonder, what we not getting out in front and asking for? What about you?
Waving people down still works.
Why hosting career day was worth it.
Monday, April 26th, 2010
BYOC 5 Moves to Sunday, MARCH 21
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Join us and our partner Shiny Object for our 5th Annual Bring Your Own Chair party on Sunday, March 21th from 11:30 till 5:30. Enjoy our super eclectic lineup and sip beer out on the back lawn of the Pedernales Lofts all day. This year we’re proud to partner with Wandering River Recycling so that all our waste will be properly disposed of (thanks to Keen for stepping up to help offset these additional costs). As always, this is a family friendly event – the big idea is to bring the kids out to experience a proper SX live music showcase. We’ll provide the music, beer, bouncy houses and a giant green lawn. Bring your chairs, sunscreen, family and pack a picnic if you like. Hot Mama’s will also be on site with a $5 lunch menu. Parking available on the street only. Pedi-cab service will be provided by Keen up and down 6th street. And finally, please remember that we are all guests of those who live and work at the Pedernales Lofts – keep it real.
The Lineup (stay tuned to the Facebook BYOC5 fan page for real time updates)
Gates open at 11:30 am
12:30pm Natalia Mallo & Sinamantes – Sao Paulo
1:30pm Peelander-Z – NY
3:30pm Elk Ctiy – NYC (member formerly of Luna)
The Woes – NYC TBD
Little Stolen Moments – Austin TBD
5:30 Shiny Ribs – ATX (Kev Russell from Gourds)
MORE DETAILS TO COME ON CURRENT SCHEDULE, KEEP CHECKIN’ BACK!
Special Thanks to this Year’s Sponsors
Keen Allison Hughes Photo Retouching Mac & Cheez Dave Mead Photography Your Beyond Brett Stiles Design Tequila Mockingbird Association of Music Producers Bud Light Hot Mama’s Rogue Running
Work for equity.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
“Dave Evans is from the future.” That’s what I told my co-workers at GSD&M when GSD&M was still GSD&M and not Idea City. In the mid nineties Dave was already deeply engaged in the emergence of web based communities, as fractured and realtively disabled as they were then. His book Social Media Marketing – An Hour a Day is a history lesson and an action plan rolled into one for those forging into the digitally connected territories. This post isn’t about social media though.
Dave and The Butler Bros are in an alliance of companies. As such we are faced with opportunities that we must agree upon collectively. Dave messaged our entire group recently with his thoughts on working for equity. Once again Dave’s past experiences will change that future that I live in. He gave me permission to share his thoughts here. Perhaps you will find them to be merely common sense but I found them to be very well reasoned and most importantly, full of self esteem. I think this post will be of great value to the many start up agencies I socialize with and the many start up businesses connecting with them. Would love your comments.
(more…)
Ponderosa Stomp Brand Film
Having trouble viewing this film? Please allow it to upload completely before playing.
The Ponderosa Stomp is a cultural warehouse. A rock-and-roll defibrillator. A creaky wooden ship helmed by Ira Padnos (Dr. Ike) that sails through the seas of music history and smashes cannon balls through the cliches of American Rock understanding. Stomp founder Dr. Ike is an anesthesiologist by day and and a vinyl hoarding musicologist by night. (more…)
Texas Tribune sparks up.
Sunday, July 26th, 2009
Witness the social networking bug, nay, the tip of truths spear, we created for the Texas Tribune. The full identity will soon be fully exercised. In the meantime we like the looks of the launch. For those who didn’t catch the NYT piece, the Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public media organization whose mission is to promote civic engagement and discourse on public policy, politics, government, and other matters of statewide interest.
If you are interested in keeping up with the Tribune as launch approaches become a fan on Facebook. They are also keen to tweet as you would expect. You can also register on the splash page for the site to be at texastribune.org. You did it Thornton, congrats!