COLABORATORY

(ar)GO team!

natemakuch — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:37:00 -0700

Last night we finished the logo to represent team Argo. The word “Argo” is the name of the ship in which the hero Jason sails, according to the Greek myth. The logo represents the sail of the ship. We’ve taken to calling ourselves “Argonauts.”

As the final presentation draws closer, I’ve adopted the mantra: “sleep less, drink more coffee.” Hopefully my body won’t figure out what I’ve done to it until after the presentation is over.

—Nate Makuch

Jackalope Fuel

erinkayburns — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:17:00 -0700

Folklore says the best way to catch a jackalope is by setting a flask of whiskey out at night. But Team Jackalope is not your ordinary jackalope- and we prefer snacks. In the final push of our campaign, we meet (and eat) together daily.

Here’s a list of what’s fueling us lately:

Sour Punch straws
Chipoltle burritos
Caramel macchiatos
Chai tea lattes
Carrots + hummus
Bagels + cream cheese
Cookie dough
Vegan brownies (although we’d prefer regular brownies)
Double shots of espresso
Cinnamon rolls
Crepes
Basically anything that comes from a food cart
Those chips that taste like pizza

Sure it might not be the healthiest diet, but right now all of our effort is focused on the campaign. 8 days to go…

- Erin

Last day at Ascentium. My how time flies. I will certainly miss...

this-is-barta — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:01:00 -0700

Last day at Ascentium. My how time flies. I will certainly miss it here, the big open office space, ambiguous wall paintings, the work, the people. I’m very grateful for all of the opportunities the team has given me to explore new styles of writing and learn about the inner workings of an agency.

In my time here I was fortunate enough to sit in on multiple client meetings and brainstorm sessions, write scripts for voice overs, a typography video, and infographics, and write copy for banner ads and social media posts. Who knew the life of an intern could be so interesting? Muchas gracias to Ascentium for an awesome 3 weeks!

Megan

Instagram Lunch

natemakuch — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:37:41 -0700

Today I went on an Instagram walkabout lunch with Sarah Prince and Tyler Riewer from Grady Britton.

Mine:

Tyler’s:

Sarah sniped this one of me walking back:

So sad tomorrow’s my last day!

—Nate Makuch

Expand The Horizons

erinkayburns — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 08:53:11 -0700

Can you really feel growth in two weeks? I think so. Perhaps this is my Jesuit education talking, but I’ve been reflecting a lot lately about the last two weeks.

I came into this program with a substantial (if I do say so myself) print background. So naturally, when I think about solving an advertising problem, I go directly to print. I think:

Image

Tagline

Logo

Placement

Boom, problem solved.

But the thing about problem solving is that one size doesn’t fit all. Different strokes for different folks, right? Exactly.

So when I sit down with some of the projects I’ve worked with at HMH, my normal framework doesn’t always fit. The most recent example has been in terms of events. When I was told that the print or production budget is low and that an event would be best, my first reaction was to freeze. A few community calendar checks and google searches later, I stepped back and realized the pigeonhole I was creating for myself.

Now, I won’t try to make this sound like I’ve made a complete 180, but I’m certainly in the process of the u-turn. The longer I spend thinking in these new terms, the more I like it. Problems can’t always run to the next-door neighbor (print), because sometimes print is out of town, in a fussy mood, or asking for too much in return.

- Erin

COLAB makes me feel like the mariachi beluga

natemakuch — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:44:28 -0700

Look at him, so blissful! The happiest whale in the world!

Grady Britton is stellar. Some of my friends have internships where they’re treated like slaves, but this one’s different. Also, everyone here rides razor scooters around. I ride a scooter at school sometimes, but University of Oregon is no place for that. The student body president has consistently ignored my petitions to make campus more scooter friendly. I digress.

This is awesome.

Yeah.

—Nate Makuch

leaps of faith

elielio-deactivated20130501 — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:01:00 -0700

Thankful. That’s one word that sums up how I am feeling.

One-point-five weeks at Anvil media, under the umbrella of Colab. I have heard a lot about the program by now, and I have heard countless times what a great opportunity this is. There was no ‘schooling’ for advertising 50 years ago. barely any 20 years ago.

Along with the trepidation, I have been encouraged to make bold choices. (Jim Beam. -Anyone?) I have been reminded that this is the only time in my career I can reach out to just about anyone within the industry and actually get a response. This is big stuff. As one coworker pointed out- “you can’t pay money for the experience you are getting.”

So thankful, yeah. And empowered.

-Eli

Rose City, I'm Yours

erinkayburns — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:28:22 -0700

Four people have already asked me if I’m from Portland. I really want to say “yes” even though it’s been just as many days as I’ve been working at HMH Agency.

Portland, you are everything I could ask for in a city. The food, both in the form of farmer’s markets and eateries is wonderful. “Why doesn’t every city have a local, organic, artisan movement?” I wondered while eating almond brittle and chocolate ganache ice cream last week (@ Salt & Spoon). I think I’ve tried four new beers and each has been my new favorite (with the current frontrunner of McMenamins Ruby). And maybe it’s just the Los Angeles in me but let’s talk about how easy it is to get around this town: so easy! It feels like there’s parking everywhere which makes exploring the city a breeze.

Colaboratory has been a rush. Just a few days at my first agency (HMH Agency) and I’ve been trained on a media list program, am conducting a survey about online donations, have sat in on meetings about new energy technology, and have been setting up informational interviews to learn more. With only a short three weeks here, I want to get involved with as many projects as possible.

Our client project is getting underway as well. Jackalope (Eli, Josh, Lauren, Tucker and myself) met yesterday to talk about some initial ideas and we’re already moving in a great direction. With all of the coffee shops we look into closing at 7 PM, we met at the waterfront by Burnside Bridge. Not at all a bad place to chat with some smart people about advertising! I can’t wait to hear what our guest speaker at Frank has to say about strategy and planning tomorrow at our first milestone session.

Only question that remains is, “is it too soon to be chanting RCTID?”

-Erin

Portland is Phởcking Awesome

this-is-barta — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:30:00 -0700

It is the end of day 6 here in Portlandia, although the sky is still so blue you’d think the day was just beginning. Despite the partially poopy weather this last week here in the northwest—a mythical place where the sky is grey nearly as consistently as the conifer tree nettles are green—the sun finally made an appearance just in time for lunch earlier today.

The last week has certainly been one for the books. Nine other interns and myself arrived in PDX on Friday for our Colaboratory orientation. After a meet and greet, veggie buffet, and icebreaker we were ready to be broken up into our teams which will be competing against one another to create an advertising campaign for this years’ client, the Portland Timbers (Go team Argo—woot woot). A creative brief later, it was time to celebrate…with beer. We went to Lucky Laborador Beer Hall to get to know everyone better, interns and agency employees alike. Needless to say, everyone was awesome and I can’t help but feel more and more encouraged every day that I picked the right career path.

Saturday and Sunday were adventures of themselves. A few of the interns and I spent the weekend exploring Portland—walking around farmers markets, eating at various foreign restaurants, watching the Timbers play, and of course spending an ill advisable amount of time in a PSU dive bar singing karaoke until wee hours of the morning. Before we knew it, the first day of work had arrived and we all wished each other luck as we headed off to our own agencies.

Ascentium was the first stop for me. On Monday I was introduced to most of the office and right away I felt at home. Having never been inside an advertising agency before (I know, *gasp*) it was great seeing how everything works outside of a classroom. Since then I’ve gotten a few copywriting assignments, writing drafts of taglines and scripts for various assignments, and have even had the opportunity to sit in on multiple client meetings. Overall, these last three days at the agency have been a lot of fun and very informative! And although I told myself I was moving out of the PNW before October, I must admit that I’m falling a little bit in love with this city.

—Megan B

Michael Taylor made it to Pullman, WA for Homecoming. I loved...

erikarattray — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:19:46 -0700

Michael Taylor made it to Pullman, WA for Homecoming. I loved our reunion. Go Cougs!

oh portland, how i miss you so. seattle’s pretty great...

theworstcaseontario — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:02:00 -0700

oh portland, how i miss you so.

seattle’s pretty great though…

pat

OhhhhhhhBack To SchoolBack To SchoolTo Prove To Dad That...

erikarattray — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:19:58 -0700

Ohhhhhhh
Back To School
Back To School
To Prove To Dad That I’m Not A Fool
I’ve Got My, Luch Packed Up
My Boots Tied Tight
I Hope I Don’t Get In A Fight
Ohhhh
Back To School
Back To School
Back To School

i think portland sabotaged my train to seattle

theworstcaseontario — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:01:08 -0700

the engine has exploded…

is this a sign that we are meant to be together, portland?

or are you just jealous that seattle gets to put its emerald fingers all over my portfolio for the foreseeable future?

do not worry my rosey love, i will return

pat

These are my people. Thanks for an unforgettable summer.

bnmckenzie — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:39:25 -0700

These are my people. Thanks for an unforgettable summer.

Thank you Nitty Gritty for one hell of a good time! I will truly...

erikarattray — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:16:20 -0700

Thank you Nitty Gritty for one hell of a good time! I will truly miss all of you.

PS group text continues until you change your numbers….muh hah ha ha.

Some pictures I found and forgot to post :)

erikarattray — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:02:06 -0700

Moonstruck Meeting

Lunch

Moonstruck Meeting...

Some pictures I found and forgot to post :)

RAZOR SCOOTER PARTY… at GB. Pictures are a bit out of...

erikarattray — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:56:46 -0700

RAZOR SCOOTER PARTY… at GB. Pictures are a bit out of focus I was scooting.

Nitty Gritty, ladies and gentlemen…

theworstcaseontario — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:00:05 -0700

Nitty Gritty, ladies and gentlemen…

You know you've been thinking about chocolate for too long when you think this is hilarious

cwbatson — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:25:00 -0700

You know you've been thinking about chocolate for too long when you think this is hilarious:

Chocoholic Giant Fish Gorged On Kit Kats

4:20pm UK, Monday August 01, 2011

Aquarium staff have managed to wean a chocoholic giant fish onto a healthier diet after inheriting the gourami, raised entirely on Kit Kats by its owners.

Gary the giant gourami ballooned on his Kit Kat diet

At first, staff at the Sea Life London Aquarium were baffled by the 4kg fish’s refusal to eat until they learned it had been fed nothing but chocolate.

The team then stuffed crushed Kit Kat pieces inside grapes to get the 40cm-long gourami named Gary to “take a break” from his daily fix.

“I have never heard of a fish being fed chocolate, let alone being brought up entirely on the stuff,” said Gary’s handler, Rebecca Carter.

“Gouramis usually eat a diet of fruit but Gary doesn’t appear to have suffered any ill effects from his chocolate addiction,” she added.

“However, we would not recommend feeding fish confectionery of any kind.”

Gary is not the only unusual creature to come to the centre from private owners.

Close by the gourami lives Ed, a catfish with decidedly cat-like tendencies.

Ed will only accept being hand fed and likes to be stroked on the head at the same time.

He has also learned to head-butt a lethal puffer fish who vies for his food, staff said.

But aquarium staff warn that Gary and Ed’s peculiar interest in food highlights a more serious issue.

They have nicknamed one display the “tank busters” tank, because it houses a number of large fish that simply grew too big for their owners to manage.

“Many people don’t do the right research when they buy fish and end up unable to care for them,” said Ms Carter.

“We’re delighted we could find a home for Gary but the fact is we simply do not have the space to accommodate the vast number of re-homing requests we receiv

Moonstruck is now a staple of our very existence.

bnmckenzie — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:07:15 -0700

Moonstruck is now a staple of our very existence.