DR4WARD

LAUGHS RAIN DURING TROPIC THUNDER

2008-08-16T15:32:49-04:00

The laughs rained during Tropic Thunder, a "R" rated parody action comedy written and directed by Ben Stiller, that my wife and I saw yesterday at Celebration! Cinema. We had not laughed this hard since Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, a parody of musical bio-pics.

The laughs began with a fake ad and film trailers that introduce the characters before the real fake film begins. Tropic Thunder, “The true story behind the most expensive fake true war story ever” parodies the making of overblown war films, the egos and insecurities of the actors who star in them, and the often ridiculous Hollywood movie making and marketing system.

The ensemble cast of the fake war film includes:

Ben Stiller as Tugg Speedman, an action megastar losing his popularity and credibility with his fans after recent flops.

Jack Black as Jeff Portnoy, a drug addicted comedic star of potty humor films.

Brandon T. Jackson, as Alpa Chino, a rapper, entrepreneur, and actor who has a new energy drink, "Booty Sweat."

Robert Downey Jr., as five-time Oscar winner Kirk Lazarus, an Aussie who goes to extreme lengths for his acting roles that must be seen to be appreciated.

Jay Baruchel as Kevin Sandusky, a nerdy but sincere actor.

The blurring of reality in this parody has surprise guest appearances by many actors throughout the film playing themselves that I won't spoil.

Robert Downey Jr.'s performance "playing a dude who plays a dude disguised as another dude" is a must see performance that delights in his acting talent and cements him as a comedic genius. I also found Jack Black and Ben Stiller's performances to be refreshingly different from other recent roles.

Tom Cruise is hysterical as the fat, hairy, and powerful studio boss Les Grossman who demands to know why the shoot is over budget and behind schedule. I predict his performance will single handedly resurrect his career and surprise many who have discounted him for his off-screen antics.

Admittedly the parody and comedy in Tropic Thunder may not be for everyone. However, the audience was laughing so hard at times that we missed some of the dialogue. I hope you get to feel the same Thunder.

I look 4Ward to your feedback.

Keep Digging For Worms!

STARS WARS: THE CLONE WARS ENJOYED BY FAMILIES / CHILDREN: INNOVATIVE DIGITAL MULTI-PLATFORM LAUNCH

2008-08-16T12:47:39-04:00

Earlier this week, I attended a promotional screening with a group of families / children at Celebration! Cinema. It was for the upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a new computer animated PG rated film introduced from Star Wars creator George Lucas and his company Lucasfilm Limited and Warner Bros. PIctures. Judging from their response during the movie and their chatter afterwards, the film was a big hit with the kids.

The 98 minute film offers plenty of action and moves along quickly for
parents. See the trailer here at the official Star Wars: The Clone Wars website.

Those who grew up with Star Wars will find the characters and story familiar. I will let other movie reviewers debate their opinions of the film's plot and dialogue or the lack of use of previous actors voices for the main characters. I personally found the colors and textures of the 3D like digital battle scenes and planetary landscapes on the big screen enjoyable and worthy of the price of admission.

I suspect that many adults and die-hard Star Wars fans who grew up with the live-action version of Star Wars may find the animated version too cute at times. They may also find the marionette stylized computer animated characters too Saturday morning cartoonish or video-gamish but they will also be missing the point.

INNOVATIVE DIGITAL MULTI-PLATFORM LAUNCH

The PG rated computer animated Clone Wars film is a brilliant way for George Lucas and company to expand the Star Wars franchise to a new generation of young children.

The computer-animation style allows Lucasfilm Limited to launch new Star Wars stories quickly across fully integrated multi-media entertainment platforms and eliminates the time to convert live-action to video games and other digital properties. These digital properties include a weekly Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series later in the Fall on Turner Broadcasting Cartoon Network and TNT, video and online games, a website and licensing of toys and other products.

George Lucas has been a visionary on integrating entertainment and products across multi-media digital platforms. The Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie is also used as a way to create buzz and a big splash for the launch of the television series and other products that will be enjoyed by families each week this Fall and for years to come.

If you choose to see Star Wars: The Clone Wars, appreciate it for what it is and not what you thought it might be.

I look 4WARD to your feedback.

Keep Digging for Worms!

DR4WARD NEW BULLDOG TEACHING MARKETING AND ADVERTISING AT FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

2008-07-29T12:10:50-04:00

I have been told that I have the tenacity of a Bulldog. I have also been known to snore.
Now I am proud to say that I am officially a Bulldog. The Bulldog is the official mascot of Ferris State University where I will be teaching Marketing and Advertising in the College of Business as an Assistant Professor of Marketing.

One of the great things about Ferris is that unlike most universities, Ferris offers Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, and Graphic Design in the College of Business, an innovative interdisciplinary approach supported by industry leaders.

Most universities have Archaic Academic Silos that house different majors in separate Academic divisions. For example - Advertising and Public Relations are in Schools of Communications, Graphic Design in the Art & Design Schools, and Marketing in the College of Business.

The original idea behind Academic Silos was an attempt to encourage a deeper understanding of a specialized subject. The actual result is that most university graduates have never been in a class with students from the other Academic Silos and are not prepared for interdisciplinary collaboration. For example: At too many universities, an Advertising student has never studied Marketing or been in a class with an Art student and vice-versa.

The fast-paced, competitive and rapidly changing world of Integrated Marketing Communications and 360 Degree Branding requires interdisciplinary collaboration. Web 2.0 technologies that harness interactive application tools, new forms of content creation / distribution, and continuous conversations through Social Networking are creating new models and fueling innovations that make Academic Silos obsolete.

I look forward to being part of the Bulldog family and the innovative interdisciplinary approach of the College of Business at Ferris State University.

I look 4Ward to your feedback.

Keep Digging For Worms!

CANNES LIONS EDUCATES AND INSPIRES MARKETING, ADVERTISING AND ART & DESIGN STUDENT DELEGATES AND PROFESSIONALS

2008-07-22T10:25:27-04:00

I hope you enjoyed the Alfred student guest author posts from Cannes Lions 2008 at DR4WARD.com and got taste of how busy and exciting it is at this must-attend international event.

Here is a link to a video interview with the Lions Daily News that I did on the education, training, and mentoring of student delegates and young professionals at Cannes Lions. To the left you will find the magazine article from the interview and a photo of our group in the Lions Daily News.

You can also view 2008 Festival Highlights / Video Clips to get a flavor. (Sorry - New users will have to get a password.)

Education and Continuous Learning
Cannes Lions is a global leader in educating and inspiring students and professionals. Students and young professionals have the Student Delegate Registration Option, the Young Lions Zone, Master Classes , and the Roger Hatchuel Academy to look forward to in addition to the seminars and workshops that the pros attend.

Where else can students and young professionals network with over 10,000 delegates from 90 countries and learn from the best strategic and creative marketers and advertisers in the world. The latest trends, topics, and tips are shared by leaders in thought and innovation in over 50 seminars and 25 interactive workshops from the top brands and agencies.

Professional Development
Professional Development is a requirement and important part of my success as a marketing educator preparing students for careers in industry. In this spirit of continuous learning and improvement some of the diverse Master Classes, Seminars and Workshops I attended were:

Creating Sustainable Green Marketing, Mobile Marketing Possibilities, Social Media and Interactive Digital, Sports Marketing, Culture Shock and Avoiding International Marketing Disasters, Cause Marketing /Social Responsibility, Improving the Creative Process, Diversity in Asian Marketing, New Models in Branded Entertainment, Exploring Russian Advertising, What Wins in the Streets of India and Music and Brand Marketing

Creative and Strategic Inspiration
Daily film screenings, exhibitions, Content Showcases, and galas/award ceremonies, celebrate the best strategic and creative marketing entered in a variety of competitive media categories and inspire students and professionals to what is possible. You can also view all of the Festival Winners (Sorry - New users will have to get a password).

The 2009 Cannes Lions Festival will take place from 21 to 27 June. I hope to see you there. I will be taking another group of students to Cannes Lions 2009 from a different university where I will be teaching Marketing, Advertising and Creativity.

Look for my next post to find about my new position and responsibilities after my move from New York to West Michigan.

I look 4-Ward to your feedback.

Keep Digging for Worms!

Cannes Lions & Roger Hatchuel Academy After Thoughts

2008-06-25T08:53:20-04:00

After Thoughts-

Cannes Lions & the Roger Hatchuel Academy were by far one of my greatest education experiences, and my experience there goes beyond just classrooms and lectures. It was a global social event for creatives; it was a mind blowing broadway show; it was a week long afternoon tea with masterminds of marketing and advertising; a big buffet of opportunity and it was full of fun.

Roger Hatchuel Academy was the most tiring and exciting week of my life. It was the 6th Roger Hatchuel Academy at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. RHA was the biggest ever, 35 students from all around the world. At RHA, Advertising wasn't the only subject we learned, as we have been introduced to industry's masterminds, joined press conferences, discovered top secrets and were lead by brilliant creatives like Rick Boyko (the new dean) and Clive Challis. Rick is heading the up postgraduate course at VCU Brandcenter, and was in charge of all the creative output from Ogilvy & Mather. Clive is head of the advertising course at Central Saint martins in London.

Every day at Roger Hatchuel Academy was tiring and overloading. RHA started at 9:30 every morning and we attended non-stop seminars and discussion until 7pm. I didn't want to miss a thing there, weather it's classes in the morning or fun activities at night. Yes, I have definitely overloaded with what I have learned, and it lead me to a state of emptiness at the end. It will take me a while to digest what I have learned there, and it was a good thing for me to take notes for revisiting my memory.

Friendship were so easy to form in RHA in Cannes, it only happens in Cannes and I can hardly see it happening anywhere else. 35 of RHA students instantly became family on the second day. We used our energy to learn the culture difference and we pretty much grouped together like a multi-nation country. We share thoughts, ideas, or whatever anyone had in mind, and beside the skin color and appearance, we weren't different at all. I feel very much connected to all of the RHA mates, and enjoy the experience of meeting international students.

Roger Hatchuel Academy at Cannes has changed me. Before I came to Cannes, I thought I was good enough for myself, and ready to start up my own business and take over the country. After seeming so much talent and creative minds from all over the world, I have changed. I have been crashed and forced to be reborn from a new state of mind. I realized I wasn't getting ahead of anyone at all, but so much behind. I still yet have a long journey to go, and so many people to meet, I was glad I made this trip, the trip that refreshes me for even bigger challenges in the future.

Many thanks to friends from Roger Hatchuel, Alfred University, and Dr. William Ward.

-Scott Liao

Looking Back - How Cannes Lions Changed My Life

2008-06-25T08:41:19-04:00

It's been one day since I left beautiful Cannes and looking back I realized how much I learned. From the seminars about great storytelling to the workshops focusing on a interactive digital experience - Cannes Lions is the place where the creative world comes together to learn from one another. I learned about Ambient advertising, which I never thought of as one of the most effective strategies used by many agencies. Recent strategies like Creative Technology, examples such as Adaptive Media by Real Time Content or the Nike iD campaign by RGA/Nike, are quickly changing how companies create personal relationships with their consumers.

It's amazing to know that as technology evolves, so do the agencies. This whole experience has been incredibly surreal for me. Because of this experience, I am considering applying to VCU Brandcenter for a MBA in Creative Brand Management or Communications Strategy. The advertising world is evolving so rapidly that not taking advantage of the Cannes Lions student package is completely unacceptable. Rick Boyko's Master Class said it best, "The Industry is placing the burden of educating on academia." I strongly feel Universities would be completely disregarding education if they refuse to take part in an amazing experience such as the Cannes Lions. I have learned so much from this experience and I now aspire to become a multidisciplinary. I am now planning on attending the 2009 Cannes Lions because learning plays such an important role in my life. The Cannes Lions has given me a platform to start off on and continue to grow as an aspiring advertiser and marketer.

Until Cannes Lions '09,

It's been a pleasure...Cheers!

Irving Escobar

Reinventing the Art of Story Telling - Cannes Lions

2008-06-25T08:33:35-04:00

Day 5

Tatil Design (Workshop)
The first workshop I attended today was hosted by Frederico Gelli of Tatil Design. The workshop was titled "Designing Naturally." The workshop focused on one of the fastest growing trends this decade, being environmentally aware. Gelli spoke of the influence the environment has had on the projects Tatil takes on. One of the more important taken from the workshop was that "...Nature is the best place to find stimulation and perfect ideas for low impact solutions that maintain high sensorial [sic] impact." Tatil focused it's projects on creating products that gave consumers a positive outlook on the future, such as products that were eco-friendly. In order to create these products, Tatil evaluated them on a variety of different levels (Optimum, Cycles, and Interdependence) to create the perfect solution for their clients. They [Tatil] understand that optimizing the environment develops a strong relationship between consumers and clients that want to do good and reduce their carbon footprint.

Crispin Porter + Bogusky (Seminar)
The first seminar I attended today was hosted by Chuck Porter and Joe Pytka of Crispin Porter+Bogusky and Ajaz Ahmed of AQKA. The seminar was titled "All That Really Matters Is The Power of The Story. If You Are Focused on Anything Else - You Are Wasting Your Time and Resources." The main idea of the presentation focused around the core philosophy that technology is NOT the powerhouse behind effective advertising campaigns, in reality, it is the story that drives the campaign. The purpose of communications is to tell a compelling story. Several ideas that drive stories have been - "Ordinary People Who Become Heroes Make Good Stories," "A Little Shock Value Makes a Good Story," and "Practical Jokes Make Good Stories." One specific example that was shown to the audience was a fan favorite during the 2007 Superbowl. Click here for the video. As Pytka went on to say, "There is no learning without emotion," just as there is no brand recognition without efficient communications. And to the dismay of marketers, "No focus group in the history of the world has ever written a good story," as Pytka stated. Although the digital age has increased the means of how we [Advertisers] deliver our messages, it is not only about going digital - it's about telling great stories that'll leave lasting impressions.

Until next time,

Cheers!

Irving Escobar

Cannes Lions 55th advertising Festival 6

2008-06-24T15:40:09-04:00

Be sure to continue following me at During my experience at Fancy-jane.blogspot.com

The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, I had the privilege of listening to, and learning from, some of the best producers of advertising in the world. As they characterized themselves by stories of redemption, accolades, and innovation it became increasingly clear that these companies were not solely dependent on cash, or cleverness, but passion. These are the great businesses of our time and they are alive. Each technique or creative strategy was implemented to live another day. As life is to an individual, I am convinced that success is to every business - it cannot be formulated.

The most riveting experience I had at the festival was listening to the speakers on activism. They strived to connect with all walks of life, and do so freely and with such care. I am guilty of imagining marketing as a self-righteous, profit driven, sin machine. So these activist messages intrigue me. They are so closely related to the Christian message I hold so dearly. I believe we are meant to breakdown the ugly, corrupt, jaded, and unbelievable moments of our lives to find ourselves, and these people were helping others find themselves. Christianity and advertising alike try to hide these dilemmas in their attitudes, and in ignorance. These activists, however, have become martyrs for causes that I believe the Bible inspires. Among the chaos of sinfulness and injustice of organization they create an escape, reveal truth, and offer love as a peace offering.

The truth is always harder to believe, but we can learn to care. The most successful companies care about their consumers, just as activists do, and their consumers knows that they care by deliberate acknowledgements and involvement. This is where the novelties of interactive media come from. These ideas are important because it is activism of human life and just as the message of activism targets passion, the truth will always transcend the criticism of mankind.

Their greatness is obvious, but their notoriety, wealth, and achievements did not inspire me. It was their passion, the vibrancy of their words that made me wonder how their activism was related to me. I am amazed at how something as complicated as an individual’s passion could be explained through metaphors of business.

Links:

FoundationRawanda.org

TapProject.com

Unsubscribe-me.org

tapproject.org

Memories and Inspirations - Cannes Lions

2008-06-23T04:49:45-04:00

So my trip to the festival has ended. I spent alot of money but i gained alot of experience and knowledge. I attended many workshops, seminars, and master classes. I have a few chances to get dolled up just to attend award ceromonies that feel like the grammies. But I must say that overall the trip was a success.

i didnt know what to expect when i arrived in cannes, exspaecially after have a 5 hour delay at JFK due to weather problems. But, I must say that the weather was great,and the people were for the most part very friendly. The cars were small and so were the roads. But the ldeas and creative work that I got to see were out of this world. I was inspired and amazed everyday that i showed up to the festival. The people that you meet here I would have never known existed unless I would have had this opportunity.

The addition of the young lions area and activities to the festival this year was a wonderful Idea, I just wish that there were more opportunies for others to be able to network. I would recommend that many other students or young professionalss take this opportunity to attend the festival in the future. The experenice is like no other.

Also if you think that you shouldnt go because you don't speak french, I would tell you thats a lame excuse- most of everyone in and around the festival understand some to alot of english and if you learn some basic simple phrases you'll be just fine. It was also a great idea to bring business cards, besause the people that you want to meet up close don't always have alot of time so it's alot easier to just drop them your card or even pick theirs up. The main point of this whole blog- of this whole trip really came down to networking. Everyone in this industry wants to to work witht he best of the best. So if you have a great idea don't be afraid to tell the world. If it is really great then people will really come to you.

I would like to sum up this by speaking breifly on the some of things that stood out to me. All of the world changing projects. These campigns range from as large as "Tap water" to the "ACT" posters and even the "Bondage for Freedom"- this was a real favor of mne, were all very powerful to me. It was a great feeling to know that there were others in this world that are taking a stand aginst unjust powers of the world. That knowledge led me to know that my own aspirations to help and save others in the world will not go in vain. I plan to take my new knowledge and put it to good use.

Thanks to all that helped me get to Cannes I promise that this trip was a life changing experience.

signing off

Stephanie Hankins

From flowers to storytelling - Cannes Lions

2008-06-23T04:45:54-04:00

Friday June 20, 2008 the morning was wonderful. With a short tweet before heading to the festival I was excited to get the day started. I attended a morning workshop- designing from nature_ or something like that. In this workshop I was exposed to a new way of designing by using nature as a source of inspiration and influence. The duel partnership of the presenters complemented their ideals- a female biologist and a designer, these two discussed their design backgrounds and link it to what they are trying to do now. By using nature as our teacher they feel that designers can learn alot about creating that projects their work with the world not against it. They used many examples of how insects pollunating flowers is a very smart and strategic method. As designers in a world that loves to waste I found their solutions to design probelms very functional, effective and helpful to the current waste problem.

After I stepped out to grab a quick bite to eat I attended the Unicef seminar and it was the most inspiring info session I have been too this whole festival. Joining up with droga 5 the Tap project is one for the books. If you dont know about this project then you need to find out, it is the simpliest way for anyone to make a bigg impact in another persons life. By donating a dollar 40 children in a thrid world country will be able to drink clean water for one more day. One billion people in the world do not have clean drinking water, 1 in 5 children do not have access to drinking water and 80% of children die because of water related dieases. Tap is saving lifes. I want and need to be apart of companies and organizations that believe in projects like this.

Stephanie Hankins