Recently, our client Sotheby’s charged us with developing the theme, visual cues and design for an exhibition launching an important partnership for them in China.  The process, which required a deep understanding of a remote market, a tight turnaround, and a design to be executed solely in Chinese characters, was a challenge, but one we found that… read more>>

问候 (Nǐ haǒ) from the intersection of Jinbao Street, Huaihai, Canton and Orchard Roads. As an agency, we’ve been reaching Asia for quite some time now – and we don’t just mean eating our way through Hong Kong. The Asian luxury market is on the rise and is only getting stronger (it’s slated to grow to $91 billion… read more>>

In 1984, as part of his re-election campaign, Ronald Reagan ran a now-famous commercial titled “It’s morning again in America,” which was written and narrated by legendary adman Hal Riney.  The spot, which in a very soothing and optimistic manner spoke to economic prosperity, was in short a hit, and while it did not single handedly re-elect… read more>>

People often ask me if I watch Mad Men.   Well, do you think Texas oil men in the early 80′s watched Dallas?  The funny thing about Mad Men is that the advertising business is just used as, what we call in the business, an executional device to tell a cultural story about the period from 1961-1966,… read more>>

The Cartier brand has a lot to be proud of after 165 years, and their recent short film is no exception. Not only is it gorgeous and a testament to luxury goods branding but it is unusually strategically sound for a category where often we get lost in beauty (and why not?). So what’s the big fuss… read more>>

So there I was just minding my own business trying to read an ArtInfo (now brought to you by Blouin) piece on the 2013 budget proposal for NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) when a Mr. Porter (men’s Net-a-Porter) skyscraper banner caught my eye. Was it the handsome man, the clean art direction, his name, or just the… read more>>

Well now that the smoke has cleared and it’s just a mild haze (blue not purple) I suppose it’s time to weigh in on the events of last night.  If only the commercials lived up to the game – but wait one (or some) did.  As far as everything else, well it was pretty typical save for… read more>>

Well, last I left you chewing on Snickers, frogs, Darth Vadar, Cindy and a padlock.  So you must be asking what’s next?  A sock puppet, kick to the groin, monkeys in the workplace?  None of the above if you recall my simple guidelines, but rather more spots resonating with emotional connections to drive brand affinity.  Here we… read more>>

The Top Ten Super Bowl Commercials of All Time Yes, it’s a big game for the New York Football Giants and the New England Patriots but it’s just as big a game for advertisers and their brands.  The cost ($3.5mm for :30) the stage (50MM households watching)  and the post game effects (everyones a critic and with… read more>>

Any athlete will tell you that it takes a collective effort to win, plain and simple.  This is especially well documented in a new spot by Adidas showcasing the new Adizero running/training show.   Let’s just say in a very clever and compelling manner they speak to the performance end benefit of a shoe while  emphasizing the… read more>>