Saturday afternonn and haven’t froze yet. Life is good. Please donate at goodbear.mb.ca
Author Archive
A Walk on the Wild Side
I will admit, I am not a huge reader. I’d like to be, but the reality is I am a bit out of practice. It took me about as long to read this book as it took Bill Bryson to actually complete his journey through the Appalachians. That being said, it was literally a “laugh out loud” journey, with Bill and his friend Stephen providing the comic antics. At the time they were plodding miserably through forests, over mountains and in icy streams, I’m sure they were not thinking “this is freakin’ funny”, but trust me, it had its moments of true hilarity. A highly recommended read.
There was talk in the office the other day about what inspires each of us (I was actually absent for this discussion but I was brought up to speed later). In consideration of this topic, this book came to mind. Even though there was more trials and tribulations in this story than there was jubilation, it made me want to throw on a pack and go hiking. As I thought about the idea of inspiration a little more, I realized it wasn’t so much this book that inspired me but the idea of doing something out of the norm (at least for me as I haven’t been hiking for several years). New experiences of almost any kind are inspirational to me, so this year - call this my new year’s resolution - I am going to make an attempt to try new things. Goodbye countless nights in front of the TV and hello to a new and exciting 2010!
A Nice Sprize
So, the other day I’m at the Gap and I suddenly realized how it got its name. When you buy something, wait 5 minutes and the price will be reduced by at least 30%. I had purchased a few items a couple of days prior to my second visit and sure enough, the items I bought were on sale for almost 50% lower than what I paid (and I already bought it on sale). Maddening? Yes. Agitating? Yup. Confounding? Fo sho mo fo. However, if I was in Vancouver, I wouldn’t care, thanks to Sprize, a service available only to select Vancouver Gap stores that automatically refunds you the difference if a recently purchased item goes on sale. In a city as thrifty as Winnipeg, you’d think someone here would have come up with this idea first. Damn you Vancouver, first you get the Olympics and now this.
A Moving MTS Spot
Who here likes motion graphics? If you raised your hand, then count yourselves among us here in the office. Anytime we have the opportunity to make a pixel or two fly across a screen, Tyrone, our resident web/motion graphics expert gets giddy. Of course you wouldn’t realize he’s giddy given that he doesn’t talk much. But you can see it in his eyes. They get this glint in them whenever someone mentions the words “graphics” and “motion” in the same sentence. Unless of course the sentence was “Man, this would be a great project if we could use motion graphics but we can’t so don’t even get your hopes up Tyrone.” Anyhoo, that wasn’t the case with this project. We did use them. And it was fun. And Tyrone was happy.
MTS Real Estate from Tyrone Fontaine on Vimeo.
There’s no place like cityplace
We first rebranded cityplace around 8 or 9 years ago. Since then, we’ve produced untold numbers of campaigns, promotions, ads, and even a jingle (which we should actually post here sometime, as it is a sweet little ditty.) The latest and greatest project we’ve done for cityplace has been the re-launch of their new site cityplacewinnipeg.com. It’s a simple, straightforward look at what cityplace has to offer. Click on over and give your eyeballs a treat.
Take Pause for Grammar
It doesn’t take much to change a powerful ad for healthier living into an aimless yet amusing philosophy on life. 
Beachwear or Workwear?
Really? No seriously, really? Can someone please tell me if anyone would actually spend real money on these shoes. I mean, I’m not a business woman, nor am I a woman marine biologist, nor am I the female head of a fortune 500 company that specializes in brokering million dollar deals with the lost city of Atlantis, so I’m really out of my element here. But really, would anybody really ever buy these shoes? REALLY?
Nerds Unite!
It’s the one time in the year that nerds from all across the galaxy can get together and rejoice in their collective quirks and oddities. It was cool to see Adam West and Julie Newmar there. Also in attendance, “Face” from the A-Team (ironic since I didn’t actually recognize him), a rag-tag team of veteran pro rasslers and the giant (I think technically he is a giant) who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies. We rode the elevator with him before knowing exactly who he was and he let us ride on his shoulders for three whole floors. Three things I learned at the Central Canada Comic Con this year: 1 - It is actually a great event where looking or acting weird or out of place is an impossibility; 2 - nerds give off a wondrous melange of odours; and 3 - if you call a “nerd” a “geek” he/she will unleash a wrath upon thee not unlike that which Gandolf unleashed upon the Balrog (or some such n’ such). Purchased at the Central Canada Comic Con - Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, Digest #44 among other similar books. Normally they would have cost $0.25 at any garage sale but I got three for a cool 5 bucks at Comic Con. Sometimes, you just have to take one for the nerds, I mean team.
Solving a Sizeable Dilema
Thickness. Length. Thickness. Length. This debate has raged on for generations. Through an independent study created and executed by Neuhaus Design, we have determined conclusively* that women indeed prefer a nice, big, thick head of hair over the alternative. We’ve published our findings by way of an outdoor, print and radio campaign for the good folks at the Sheps Hair Transplant Clinic.
* results may be inconclusive.
Fall Back into Style
There’s something comforting about Autumn. The idea of layering and enjoying the cool air on your face invigorates the senses. And it makes knowing 6 months of winter is right around the corner almost bearable. One of our long time clients, Garden City Shopping Centre, is giving away a $500 shopping spree to load up on layers. Saturday, September 19th at 1 and 3pm.
