JAN
28
2010
Apple’s iPad Revolutionizes Agency Lexicon
- Posted By:
- Julie Jones
- Date:
- January 28th, 2010 /// Keathley Take Fives
The iPad is here. Pretty cool.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
Zachary L.
Director of Interactive Media
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All over Twitter it is getting #Fail…
Jennifer Grabiec
Media Director
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Maybe this is why:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/frantic_steve_jobs_stays_up
Jackie Bebenroth
Associate Creative Director
________________________________________________________________
I’ve been hearing: fail. It’s cool, but it doesn’t do anything novel. Of course, I don’t know for myself, this is what I’ve been hearing. It does operate as a book reader (like Kindle). I was just saying the other day I wouldn’t buy a Kindle cuz its a uni-tasker. This iPad isn’t. Seems like something cool that Apple will probably evolve quickly to be more exciting.
P.S. It does kind of look like one of the giant calculators or remote controls for old people with bad sight. Like a giant iPhone.
Julie Jones
Copywriter
________________________________________________________________
People are always quick to judge a product that’s been rumored for as long as this one has been. They are making assumptions based on what they think it should do that it doesn’t, but are missing out on the bigger picture of what it CAN do that other products out there cannot. This shouldn’t be looked in terms of it being a consumer product that is perfect for every market, at least not at first. I see huge potential when it comes to schools and education. The deals that Apple has already struck with publishers like McGraw-Hill make me think this will revolutionize the textbook market. That’s a huge multi-billion dollar industry that is now in reach for Apple. Give it a few years, I think you’ll see a lot of students carrying these around instead of a backpack full of books. Even if that’s as far as this product goes, Apple is positioned to make a LOT of money off of this product. It’s all about the $ made off the downloads. Cha-Ching.
Zachary L.
Director of Interactive Media
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It’s so perfect for my fam cause: Susan needs a computer just like it for home and class, my son is now totally addicted to my iPhone and macbookPro so this would keep him busy for hours on long trips, + this thing is a perfect sized movie player.
btw people are still saying “fail”? : )
Doug Herberich
Art Director
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Zach – Are you getting paid for this endorsement?
Doug – Yes, “fail” is still a word commonly used. Failblog.org?
P.S. I don’t have any opinion about this thing, cuz I haven’t used it. I just heard through the media that it wasn’t being well-received. Not surprised there are haters, there always are.
Julie Jones
Copywriter
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Kind of. I have stock in Apple 
Zachary L.
Director of Interactive Media
________________________________________________________________
My vote is for “fail/epic fail,” “jumped the shark,” and “that’s what she said” to stay pre-2010… and geez I’m starting to hear late-80’s “burn” a bunch as well… don’t ruin the memories.
Doug Herberich
Art Director
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Doug – It kind of seems like you fail cuz you jumped the shark when you started hatin’ on that’s what she said. Burn.
Julie Jones
Copywriter
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Whammy. Zing. Oh no you didn’t. Balls to the walls. Right on. Boo-ya. Oh Snap.
Zachary L.
Director of Interactive Media
________________________________________________________________
Whatever, who let the dogs out, talk to the hand, it’s all good, don’t go there, it is what it is, word, (blank).com, your mother
Doug Herberich
Art Director
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Jules – Don’t be such a playa’ hata’. Doug’s bad to the bone.
Zachary L.
Director of Interactive Media
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Zach – u my dog
Doug Herberich
Art Director
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Genius blog entry
Doug Herberich
Art Director
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Logging it all right now.
Julie Jones
Copywriter
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DEC
08
2009
As a busy copywriter constantly juggling family, friends and career, it can be tough to find extra time to fuel my creative mind. I’d love to spend countless hours journaling, taking classes or writing prose, but I don’t have limitless time to give. So, I’ve resorted to making the most of everyday activities to stave off creative hunger.
I have to eat to live. I have to be creative to make a living. I combine the two and use the kitchen as a place to nurture my imagination. Cooking has a big pay off that’s unlike any other creative exercise for me – I actually get to consume my creativity.
Rather than connect words in ways that “resonate with target audience,” I unite ingredients to “please the palette.” I get to handle them, season, prepare and plate. And the physicality of being on my feet and working with my hands, has an odd ability to steady my soul while also making my neurons rapid fire.
Manipulating ingredients isn’t such a departure from wordsmithing. Food simply acts as the verbiage. With time and practice, I learned how to pair ingredients to create something unexpected. I know when and how to take risks that enhance the flavor profile of a traditional recipe. The variety in preparation is just like the variety in media – sometimes I braise, other times I blanch to achieve the desired result.
Feeding a creative mind is a never-ending pursuit. And finding inspiration in something routine can be a refreshing creative challenge. I’m probably not the first to recognize that when this portion of my mind isn’t consistently nourished, I’ll find myself starving for ideas when it counts.
I challenge you to take an everyday activity – doing the laundry, driving to work or shopping for groceries – and transform it into a creative exercise. We’d love to hear about it so make sure you share!
NOV
03
2009
How shenanigans can make you millions
- Posted By:
- Brandi Hensler
- Date:
- November 3rd, 2009 /// Inspiration, Keathley Take Fives
Freestyle writing. Yoga. Radiohead. Creatives use many methods to get (and stay) inspired. An inspired and practiced mind is much more prone to moments of creative genius.
People may be born creative, but in order to harness creativity, it needs to be exercised. Creativity is not a bike. You can’t jump on it after years without practice. You’ll probably crash, and definitely won’t land a 720 bar spin.
Advertising agencies know this. Smart ones encourage behavior that inspires creativity because creativity impacts their bottom lines. The question is: Would this mode of thinking benefit other businesses that may view these behaviors as a waste of company time? Maybe the answer is no. Then again… more industries than advertising rely on ideas.
Creativity-inspiring activities aren’t necessarily time consuming. A break from intense thinking for some short-lived fun has substantial positive results. Redirecting attention for a moment of entertainment and creative release refreshes creative mojo. We bet modern psychology can back this up. And we’ve known it to solve problems on many occasions.
In the names of all those whose work benefits from a 5-minute Fun-Time Refresh, we’ve decided to compile a collection of examples. We’ll call it the “Keathley Take Fives.” Keep an eye out for additions. Here’s one to get you started.
Situation: This Keathley Take Five manifested itself in the form of an email chain. Becki Cooper, Account Coordinator, had to stay home one morning for a kitchen appliance repair. She sent the following email to inform the staff of the situation:
Dishwasher guy said he will be here at 11. Probably be in around 12-12:15. Feel free to email me w anything.
Becki Cooper
Public Relations Coordinator
Keathley Advertising
As any levelheaded colleagues would respond, the staff took the last line of the email quite literally. The following is a glimpse at some of the responses.
Hey Becki:
Hate to bother you, but I have a pressing question I wanted to ask. Typically, people don’t read labels properly and shampoo their hair incorrectly.
I’m sure you know this, but it says to “Lather. Rinse. AND Repeat.” I know a lot of people don’t Repeat and only Lather and Rinse once. This is a shame. I just wanted to see if you were aware of this situation and were taking steps to assure that you are indeed Repeating as the label implies.
I just don’t want to get into a “He-said” “She-said” situation when it comes to these types of things. Can you please put together a 20+ page internal policy report on how we can correct this issue in the future (and we might as well put together something on how it can be corrected in the past while we are at it). If you could have that ready by noon for review that would be great.
Thanks.
–Zachary Linquist
Director of Interactive Media________________________________________________________________
Hey Becki:
I hope things are going well with your appliances. I was just sitting here pondering an important question: Twix: Cookie or Candy? I thought that, with your background in cake design, you might have some insight on this.
Would you mind doing some primary and secondary research on the subject? It’d be great if you could post a formal survey on your Facebook page and ask all your Twitter followers.
Please compile your findings in a detailed report, along with at least 22 related web articles and a summary of your final conclusions, by EOD today.
Thanks,
Jack Associate Creative Director
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Hi Becki,
I need some consultation about an area of your expertise. American Idol, while obviously the most annoying and mentally insubstantial show ever to have disgraced the screen, is somehow the most successful show in history.
Is the success of American Idol due to it being a meritable reality program or a string of self-obsessed publicity stunts and scandals?
Topics of discussion:
- Paula Abdul and young boys
- Paula Abdul on drugs
- “Coke” cups: promotion or insinuation?
- Gay guys finish second
- Ryan Seacrest
Please advise.
Thanks
Brandi Hensler
Copywriter________________________________________________________________
Conclusion: Did Becki deliver on these requests? No. Was the combined 15 minutes spent on this a waste of company time? Maybe. But the award-winning campaign that was concepted later the same day says otherwise…
SEP
28
2009
Creativity is best served in an environment as creative as the people working there. The Keathley staff enjoys working in the top floor of the Castle Hall building, which was built in 1878. Our office once served as a ballroom for the Knights of Pythias.
In our world, creative inspiration is always at arm’s length thanks to our rooftop conference room, cozy couches, huge windows flooding sunlight and dramatic Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. When scenery isn’t sparking the magic, 20-foot ceilings always make Frisbee a possibility.
Check out some of the coolest agency interiors. If you can’t get enough, go to This Ain’t No Disco for more.
Where do you find inspiration?
AUG
25
2009
Our rooftop conference room is the best feature of our office here at Keathley Advertising. Our staff finds their way to the roof daily to talk shop, debate strategy and find creative inspiration. We’ve definitely had our share of memorable events on the roof over the years that have helped to bond our team. That’s part of the secret of our success – inspire creativity by including amazing views and the awesomeness of rooftops into our daily routines.
Welcome to our rooftop – sign on, sign up and stay tuned!