This year? another story. Yes, it was ice in our parking lot, but not just 4 inches. It was 20 feet of ice, in the form of New York City’s skyline, and Snoopy. So, from a 4-inch bed of ice to a 20-ft sculpture of ice… we’re all wondering what might happen to our parking lot next year?

Maybe an ice fishing pond? or a TALL refreshing drink?

Time will tell. In the meantime, we’ll drive around the Statue of Liberty to ...]]> Last year, almost exactly to the date, we found ourselves trying to slide into our parking spots on Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis. Then it was four inches of consistently thick ice, covering every surface exposed to the elements. Between cars sliding into curbs, people falling on their keisters, and pickers trying to break through to sidewalks, it was a real mess.

This year? another story. Yes, it was ice in our parking lot, but not just 4 inches. It was 20 feet of ice, in the form of New York City’s skyline, and Snoopy. So, from a 4-inch bed of ice to a 20-ft sculpture of ice… we’re all wondering what might happen to our parking lot next year?

Maybe an ice fishing pond? or a TALL refreshing drink?

Time will tell. In the meantime, we’ll drive around the Statue of Liberty to park in the morning (that is, until she melts?) for another day of work on Mass. Ave.

So, with that in mind, we thought we’d do some research on notoriously “bad advertising” for a different twist. Lucky for us, and now for you, we ran across this – 2011 30 “Freakiest Ads” post on ADWEEK.

Compare these to what you see on the evening of the big game. Enjoy!

10 years ago, I may have written an e-mail or two, I never kept appointments on my cell phone (I didn’t have one), and the term “blog” would have probably been misinterpreted as some sort of derogative expression.

There is one thing that hasn’t changed (for good or bad) – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Yep, still many of the same types of people doing the same types of things. Always commentated by chuckling personalities building anticipation for the next “big act” which will either be mouthing a song from atop a float or parade-waving as they keep pace with the marching bands and dance-on-the-move groups.

As a child, it was always a catch 22. Yes, the Macy’s Thanksgiving ...]]> So, I’ve read my e-mails and written a few. I’ve added a couple of appointments to my iPhone, and now I’m typing this blog.

10 years ago, I may have written an e-mail or two, I never kept appointments on my cell phone (I didn’t have one), and the term “blog” would have probably been misinterpreted as some sort of derogative expression.

There is one thing that hasn’t changed (for good or bad) – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Yep, still many of the same types of people doing the same types of things. Always commentated by chuckling personalities building anticipation for the next “big act” which will either be mouthing a song from atop a float or parade-waving as they keep pace with the marching bands and dance-on-the-move groups.

As a child, it was always a catch 22. Yes, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade meant that Christmas was right around the corner BUT THE BIG QUESTION WAS, would the Macy’s Parade ever be over? Sure there was a little excitement in seeing a tethered Kermit the Frog. And yes, the strategic “he’s coming…he’s coming…stay tuned!” always kept our interest through the commercial breaks. But, to be honest, by the time he came…we had already resorted to doing things that brothers and sisters do…like calling each other names, wrestling around on the living room floor, etc. etc. In other words, we were doing exactly what “he” tells us we better not do if we expect anything other than rocks and coal.

So, my guess is, there are a lot of children who wake up early on Thanksgiving morning for they too can’t wait for the Macy’s Parade to begin. Shortly thereafter, they probably can’t wait for it to end.

I just checked the website; the excitement is building for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and this is its 85th year! Happy Holidays.

We’ve seen a lot of changes. From the Abbey Coffee House (pay your respects), to the Beilouny condominiums. From the “745″ (that fell in the hole where the Beilouny now stands) to the 745 “Mass Ave. Pub” that after falling in the hole, re-opened.

We’ve seen a lot of storefronts come and go across the street. In fact, a variety of merchandise including a shoe store that promoted “shoes for boys, shoes for girls and shoes for boys who want to be girls.” There was once a silver jewelry shop that turned into a tattoo shop that turned into the “Flying Cupcake”  http://www.theflyingcupcakebakery.com/ (excellent cupcakes, by the way) and a few other interesting shops in between but not necessarily in this order.

We now have the ...]]> Yeah, it’s been 12 years since we first opened our doors here on Massachusetts Avenue, in Indianapolis Indiana.

We’ve seen a lot of changes. From the Abbey Coffee House (pay your respects), to the Beilouny condominiums. From the “745″ (that fell in the hole where the Beilouny now stands) to the 745 “Mass Ave. Pub” that after falling in the hole, re-opened.

We’ve seen a lot of storefronts come and go across the street. In fact, a variety of merchandise including a shoe store that promoted “shoes for boys, shoes for girls and shoes for boys who want to be girls.” There was once a silver jewelry shop that turned into a tattoo shop that turned into the “Flying Cupcake”  http://www.theflyingcupcakebakery.com/ (excellent cupcakes, by the way) and a few other interesting shops in between but not necessarily in this order.

We now have the cultural trail wrapping around our windows. So, as you can tell, it makes perfect sense. Just in the past 12 years, there has been a lot of culture passing through our block on Mass. Ave., and now, most appropriately, it passes along the Cultural Trail http://www.indyculturaltrail.org/.

More than just an online “me too”, Snappening addresses the needs of consumers, venue managers and professional event planners who can all benefit from one go-to online community. By providing efficient search features and direct contact opportunities while serving as a comprehensive marketing and advertising outlet, Snappening serves all three segments like none other. Additionally, with rate-review features, relevant information is delivered directly to consumers planning events and professionals who are in the event planning business. It’s win-win.Congratulations to Crystal Grave, founder of Snappening and all parties involved…the brand and its identity are launched. It’s Snappening. Event Planning, in a Snap!

One of fifteen shops, we brought the assignment home. Now it’s time to start, and truth be told, we’re ready to go. It’s an opportunity to do some great design and quality production for a deserving group.

Our good friends at the White Rock Beverage company, NYC, tapped us to design fresh packaging for their Olde Brooklyn Soda line. From concept to copywriting to final design, the packaging was so well received that even before final production, TJ Maxx wants the product on its shelves as one of their ‘specialty’ drink offerings. We’ll pat ourselves on the shoulders for creating some more unique packaging for another exceptional product from White Rock!

Learn more about the heritage of White Rock on their Web site (oh, and by the way, we did that too)www.whiterockbeverages.com.

For example:

Enough of that.

The potential for enhancing brand image and building brand loyalty online is growing larger by the day. On the contrary, negative user experiences brought on by irresponsible efforts to build brand online can stunt loyalty and create negative perceptions of the brand. A problem with knowing which of these online ads are seen negatively is that there is no real way to quantify what is and is not actually seen as obtrusive. That is why Beltrame Leffler with its thorough knowledge of online capabilities, can help to positively build your brand and leave ...]]> It is important in this digital age for a company to communicate with consumers while maintaining positive perceptions of their brand. Beltrame Leffler understands the difference between a well-placed online ad and an inconvenience on the way to that video everyone has been talking about.

For example:

Enough of that.

The potential for enhancing brand image and building brand loyalty online is growing larger by the day. On the contrary, negative user experiences brought on by irresponsible efforts to build brand online can stunt loyalty and create negative perceptions of the brand. A problem with knowing which of these online ads are seen negatively is that there is no real way to quantify what is and is not actually seen as obtrusive. That is why Beltrame Leffler with its thorough knowledge of online capabilities, can help to positively build your brand and leave a lasting impression in the eyes of consumers.

With all the would-be Dark Matter on the Internet today, knowledge and experience are key in finding the balance between delivering the right message while keeping a positive brand opinion.