Monday, December 20, 2010

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


Christmas is almost here! I LOVE the Holidays and this time of year always makes me happy. I have two great roommates, a beautiful tree, and a cozy apartment in Chicago. I also get a long break from work, so I'll be heading back to the burbs soon to spend time with family and friends. Nothing more I could ask for!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Run your City

The following article combines two of my loves: running and advertising. Kudos to Wieden+Kennedy for creating an awesome Nike campaign in London. In order to get people excited about running, they turned London into a game board. Players can check in by going to one of four phone boxes that have been placed in each zip code, dialing a number and entering their specific ID, and then following the directions they receive. To motivate people to join the movement, Wieden+Kennedy turned it into a competition, plotting boys vs. girls mileage on a grid each day. The video clip below shows what the online grid is like.



Here is the article for more information. I hope they do this in the U.S. one day!
http://www.fastcompany.com/1698729/nike-turns-london-into-a-game-board-people-running?partner=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company+Headlines%29

Friday, October 15, 2010

Boys: take note

My roommate, Leah, got me hooked on the MTV show, Teen Mom. The show tells the story of 4 different girls who got pregnant as teens and are now dealing with the hardships of raising a baby. One of my favorite girls is Catelynn. She and her boyfriend Tyler decided to give their baby, Carly, up for adoption so that Carly would have a better life and so that they could finish high school, go to College, and get the education and jobs necessary to properly raise a family together in the future. They have matured a lot since having the baby and are great role models not only for teens who also made the decision to give their child up for adoption, but for teens in general who are struggling with a hard family life at home, or relationship issues. On their way to visit Carly for the first time since they gave her to her adoptive parents, Brandon and Theresa, Catelynn and Tyler share their feelings in the car. This is where the boys need to pay attention. What he says about Catelynn after she gave birth made me and Leah tear up a bit. Or maybe it was the champagne, but regardless, it's really sweet.

You can watch the clip here:

Monday, September 27, 2010

Oops!

Advertising and South Bend... oh boy.

Someone didn't do their job and spell check the copy for the digital Billboard along Ironwood and 23 in South Bend this past weekend. This was the result. (Source: SouthBendTribune.com)

I used to be pretty nerdy

I might not be the nerd that I once was but I still read up on Wired and Gizmodo, and a lot of the articles really interest me. If for some reason I had decided to stick with engineering (which I'm still glad I didn't... I love advertising. We're a perfect fit), I would probably have gone in the direction of environmental engineering. My bff Jessie used to preach about saving the Rain Forest and it kinda stuck with me. So this article on Wired was pretty cool. It's about a guy who is trying to develop Solar Roadways or roads that would provide Solar Power. The video (and article) explain it much better than I can, but the man behind the idea, Scott Brushaw, had been thinking about electric roadways since he was a child. One day while he and his wife were gardening and talking about climate change (Nerd couple. Love it), his wife said "Why can't your roadways be made out of solar panels?" And from there, the ideas spiraled, both positive and negative. The main positives? They can be built over existing asphalt, help solve crumbling roadway problems, provide solar power, and the LED lights could allow for moving lanes around, creating crosswalks and displaying speed limits. Main negatives? The question of traction, costs for R&D, cost for development, all related to creating a glass case that will really work.

Anyway, the article more informative. Follow the link here.
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/09/solar-roadways-fix-the-power-grid-and-crumbling-pavement/

Or just watch the video!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Birthday Girl!


I still get as excited for birthdays as I did when I was 5, so turning 23 was no different! I received a lot of calls/texts/facebook posts from my friends and with all the love sent my way, I'm feeling pretty special! So yay for birthdays and here's to many more :)

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I am a Runner

NEVER thought I would say those words. I used to hate when my Junior High gym teacher made us run half a mile to a mile every day to warm up. Our Junior High ran more than any of the other schools in our area. Lucky me. (Although I shouldn't really complain. Jerling Junior High always pumped out the best runners. Pacer test anyone?? Represent!)

But anyway, fast forward about 10 years, and now I'm training for the Chicago Marathon. HUH?! Where did that come from? Because it's not like I'm doing it to lose weight. So you might be thinking "why on Earth would you want to do that?". Trust me, I still question it myself sometimes. (Like last week when I was running in near 90 degree temps.)

I got my inspiration from one of my best friends, Jerry. He has run the Chicago Marathon several times now. And although he was always a runner, it still amazed me that someone could actually accomplish that. The first time that he did it, I was there with his family and mine to watch. I was so darn proud I didn't know what to do with myself. I'm pretty sure my eyes were watering when I saw him after he finished. And then I put on my mom jeans and ordered him around, telling him to drink water, making him wrap himself in a blanket, making sure he kept walking so his muscles didn't fall off or whatever happens if you suddenly stop moving after running 26.2 miles. I was stunned at how amazing just watching that race made me feel, I couldn't imagine what running it must have been like. Suddenly running didn't seem sooo bad.

Recently, another friend Meghan decided to run the Chicago Marathon to raise money for the organization conducting research for her dad's type of cancer (Multiple Myeloma). She studied in Spain with me and we became really close. I started to think to myself, "if she can do it, why can't I?" I used the excuse that I had an internship over the summer, commuted to the city, and wanted to spend my free time with my boyfriend since he was moving to Puerto Rico. I feel like, looking back, that was a pretty lame excuse. But I did appreciate the time with my bf.

Finally this past winter break something came over me, and I decided to go for it. I had had the urge for awhile and didn't think I could actually do it. But I could not hold it in any longer. Plus, Jon bought me the book "Marathon" by Hal Higdon for Christmas, so I couldn't turn back. I like setting goals and achieving them, and even though this was one lofty goal, I was ready! Jerry made me a training schedule that got me ready for the Shamrock Shuffle with him and his dad, and the Holy Half Marathon in April at Notre Dame. I really loved running in the spring around the Notre Dame campus.

Summer has been a bit more challenging, especially since starting work (I get up at 5:30 sometimes to fit in my run... it's way too hot to run after work). But I'm still going! I only have 3 more long runs before the Marathon on 10.10.10!! I can't believe how fast this last month, where I've really stepped up my mileage, has gone by. I still have a lot of training ahead, but I am definitely excited for the Marathon to finally be here.

I will probably keep running after the marathon, but I don't think I will be spending my Sunday mornings running 18 miles along the lake. I mean that's nice and all but maybe just 6 will suffice...

So now that you know my story, here's a fun video to end with. Remember that super cute Google commercial from the Super Bowl? This is a spin on that. Note: Hal Higdon (the author of my book), is featured in one of the searches at about the :50 mark.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

I love my Keds

A little over a year ago, I decided I wanted some navy Keds. Like, the kind of Keds that I had when I was 6. (Except those were magenta, purple, and teal multicolored, and I'm not sure I want to be quite so adventurous now). I'm not really sure why I didn't buy them then, but in any case, until now I had wanted them for awhile from afar.

Well now that I have a big girl job, I finally bought them! So I present to you my new favorite shoes. Super comfy and cute.
Also, I was stoked to see Bella wearing them in New Moon and Eclipse!! :)

Monday, August 9, 2010

I really kinda suck at blogging....

HI!

So... August/New Years Resolutions:
1) Post more often. Once a month is not really cuttin' it.
2) Shorter maybe? That Gaga one was a real doozy.
3) Don't use words like doozy that I'm not sure of the spelling.
4) A little more humor maybe?

OK so look for more posts in August, all you readers, you.

xo

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I am a fan of Old Spice Commercials (Who isn't though?)

It's almost unnecessary to share this commercial, I'm sure you've seen it. Unless you live under a rock or DVR everything. But Old Spice commercials are always classic and deserve attention, and this one is one of my favorites. Hopefully one day, I will be working on a really fun client like Old Spice, producing commercials like these. (I'd also glady work on the E*TRADE account...) Anyway, this should give you a few laughs.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

iLove iPhone commercials

Not too many words needed this post. Apple tends to put out some of my favorite commercials. (Mac vs. PC = awesomeness). This one for the iPhone is super sweet.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Sporty Ads

It’s summertime!!! Which means it's time for my favorite sport: baseball. Let's be honest, that's probably because it's the one I understand/have been taught the most about. I'm working on the others. But, I am definitely a die-hard White Sox fan (and will never switch over to the loser Cubs side, even if I'm moving to the north side). However, I don't only care about baseball. As a student at Notre Dame, it’s impossible not to fall in love with football. And my boyfriend has gotten me interested in a bunch of other sports as well. So, when you combine sports with advertising and I am really in my element.

One ad I want to share with you I discovered while watching the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. This NHL ad doesn’t say much (in fact, it’s called “No Words”), but it doesn’t need to. Any fan of hockey, or really any sport, can appreciate this ad. LOVE. Here it is!



Another ad I want to share with you topped the viral video charts and broke the record for the biggest audience in the first week of a campaign with 7.8 million views, according to AdAge. It is an ad by Nike about the World Cup, called “Write the Future,” and features several soccer studs and tons of cool tricks. This campaign of course has international appeal, and can even get those aren’t interested in soccer excited for the World Cup. The campaign was done by agency Wieden and Kennedy. Here ya go. Enjoy!

Friday, April 16, 2010

I am definitely not a PC.


I already have my pink Mac laptop and matching iPhone, but still I couldn't help but be extremely excited for the release of the iPad. I talked about it for weeks beforehand with my friend Maria (an advertising super nerd at Notre Dame just like me). I was upset when the conference was going on during my Product Innovations class and our professor wouldn't let us watch. Um... excuse me? Biggest product innovation of the decade... And I was secretly jealous of those hardcores who stood outside the Apple store the day it hit the market.

The iPad is pretty awesome. (The name no longer phases me since I've heard it so much. But I used to think immediately: "iTampon!!" Anyways...) You have probably heard a lot about it. It has really cool features, although may be lacking some others. And I'm sure it's not as good as having a computer, although the touch-screen interface is supposedly incredible. However, the reasons I am so interested in learning about this device are the implications it has for marketers and advertisers, of course! I am so excited to see the interactivity of the advertisements on the iPad when reading a digital version of a magazine. And for those who download the app versions of magazines as opposed to merely using the Internet, I am even more excited. Developers are rolling out really cool types of content interaction. Like allowing a user to rotate a car to get a 360 degree view.

There are so many different videos showing just how awesome the iPad is. The one I am attaching here is a video from the Magazine WIRED, because they go through the process of what reading their magazine will be like on the iPad, and it makes you want one.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1813626064?bctid=66775419001
(Apparently I'm technologically challenged because I can't figure out how to embed it, so just copy and paste the link)

I think all magazines will benefit from these new capabilities. Everyone keeps saying "print is dead." And I still disagree. I love reading magazines. The paper forms of magazines. I keep them when I like the cover or find an interesting story. They make a nice decoration for a coffee table. They can even make a statement about who you are. I think newspapers will continue to struggle, but I think the iPad app versions of magazines will actually just complement magazine print sales. Not everyone can afford an iPad. A teenager looking for reading material for a flight to California will probably still be content just making a quick mag purchase at the airport.

So YAY for another addition to the advertising world. And if you can afford it, go buy an iPad :)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

I am Ga-ga for Gaga.



Lady Gaga is an international phenomenon. She received three major Grammy Awards nominations for 2010— Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year. She won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording and Best Electronic/Dance Album. From her album, Fame (and the subsequent version, the Fame Monster), four songs—“Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “LoveGame,” and “Paparazzi”—all became international hits, producing more No. 1 Billboard Pop Songs chart singles than any other first album in history. Even Barbara Walters put Lady Gaga on her annual list of the year's "10 Most Fascinating People” and admits that Gaga is “quite intelligent”.

Despite her fame, Lady Gaga comes from a humble background, and most people who have met her describe her as very down to earth (and not the fake kind that many celebrities try to pass for). Gaga grew up in Manhattan. Talented from the start, she began learning how to play the piano at age four…by ear. Both of her parents worked in order to be able to afford the all-girls Catholic school Convent of the Sacred Heart (a notoriously rigorous school), where she put a lot of efforts into her studies. She also worked as a waitress at a local restaurant. Of that she says, ““I was really good at it. I always got big tips. I always wore heels to work! I told everybody stories, and for customers on dates, I kept it romantic. It’s kind of like performing.” Despite how weird everyone thinks she is now, Gaga is still true to her family and to herself. Her father, only 52 years only, just underwent a successful heart surgery. She told an Elle interviewer, “I just wanted to have him walk me down the aisle and hold my babies.” So bi-sexual or not, one day she wants to settle down and have a family with her husband. For now, her career comes first.

Lady Gaga is clearly not your typical artist. Her songs are catchy, almost too Euro for the US, but they caught on here anyways because they are so good. She writes her own songs, plays her own keyboard, and doesn’t lip-synch her live concerts. I really like her voice. Even the more ballad type songs like Speechless are great.

I also have to admire Lady Gaga as a marketer. Her image is consistent. Unique and individual. According to Elle Magazine, she uses her sexuality as part of her art and believes other women “should not be like me but be whoever they want to be. My album covers aren’t sexual at all, which was an issue at my record label. I fought for months, and I cried at meetings. They didn’t think the photos were commercial enough. ‘We can’t see your whole face, we can’t see your whole body, it’s too dark, it’s not pretty,’ ” she says. “But you know, I can be whoever the f*** I want to be. That’s what artists do. We choose what you see and we tell a story. And the last thing a young woman needs is another picture of a sexy pop star writhing in the sand, covered in grease, touching herself.”

Gaga also gets involved in worthy causes. A limited edition VIVA GLAM Lipstick was named after Lady Gaga. (VIVA GLAM Gaga). As with all VIVA GLAM products, every cent raised through the purchase of VIVA GLAM Gaga goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support the fight against HIV/AIDS (I plan on purchasing this). She went on the Today show with Cyndi Lauper to promote the M·A·C lipstick, as well as discuss other issues facing young women today related to the HIV/AIDS cause, such as confidence and safe sex. Gaga was taught by her mother to be independent. She said that when she was younger she loved watching her mom put on make up and appreciates the self-assurance that make-up gives women. She said, “Teach your daughters to be strong and confident, and not passive. There is no negotiation in the bedroom about condoms.” The star said she feels she has a responsibility to young people to get this message out.

So, she might be a little weird. And sometimes her videos are creepy. But she’s got a great personality and a good heart. And I love her.

PS: That post ended up being way longer than I anticipated. Sorry! I just have a lot to say about her!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

I am a student at Hogwarts. Kind of.

My best friend sent me an email one day that went like this:

"Before I went to college, I tried to make the connection that it was like I was going to Hogwarts (I know, kinda nerdy, but I really like Harry Potter), going to a school at a faraway place. Well, today, it kinda feels like I'm learning magic stuff. I don't know if this is good or bad (bad meaning I'm so confused that everything seems mystical to me), but I think its good, like I'm learning interesting stuff. Like I was in the library, and I heard the conversation 'are you doing statics?' no we're doing dynamics', over there is fluid mechanics. Kinda like everyones working on these little subjects, and it may as well have been 'are you doinig potions?' no this is transfiguration. It made me smile a bit. College is a tad like hogwarts, and life is kinda magical sometimes. Like who says that potions don't exist? I mean, alcohol is a thing that you can drink and you feel happy, that seems like a potion to me. Caffeine is a thing you drink and you get energy, I'm pretty sure that's a potion. And sometimes you can feel something so strongly, care so much for some people, and be so happy to be alive that it feels like you are under a spell. So life is pretty fuckin magical, but the sad thing is, that I just realize this in fleeting moments. Here is this wonderful world and I don't realize how amazing it is , casue I worry over stupid little things. And I get caught up and I get afraid.

So heres to keeping life magical even when its so hard."

LOVE.

A different sort of Senioritis.

It's senior year of college and I still feel like I am trying to discover who I am. I don't mean that I'm going through some identity crisis or anything, but I learn new things about myself all the time, or find that one part of me has changed. However I do know some things for certain:

1) I believe in love.
2) I am outgoing, loud, energetic and bubbly.
3) I get really, really excited about anything that has to do with advertising and media.
4) My family is very important to me.
5) Dancing makes me happy.
6) I can be pretty darn emotional/sensitive sometimes, but mostly I think that's a good thing.

So, I figure maybe it's time to jump on the blogging bandwagon and see if I can make any headway, haha. Basically I'll just be sharing with you my likes and dislikes, or things about life I find interesting/lovely/funny/cute, and on the way will hopefully get a little perspective on my own personality, while providing my readers with a little entertainment.

xoxo,
Andrea