Steve Sandstrom Explains .. What IS the difference between advertising & design?

Steve Sandstrom is not one to miss tonight.

I've been in the advertising field for seven years and I thought I knew what the difference was behind design and advertising. The lecture peaked my curiosity since I had just seen his exhibit at the Eisner Museum. Having prior plans for this evening (but you will catch Kevin there), I headed out to Madison to see his pre-lecture at the Advertising Federation.

I was wowed. I feel like it's all clear now. And it was so simple.

Here I thought media was the difference. Most "full" service ad agencies have media buying elements whereas the majority of design agencies I've worked with have not. While an element in the difference, it's not the defining characteristic.

I don't want to spoil anything for those of you attending, so check back here for a debate!

Video is the future!!

Call me Nostradamus, a prophet...call me what you will (and I know I'm not the first to say this)... VIDEO (on the internet) IS THE FUTURE OF MARKETING!! So is social marketing. Add the two together and BLAMO! SUCCESS! (can you tell I'm excited? when is the last time you saw so many capitalized words and exclamation points?)

What brings me to this conclusion? A confluence of presentations by professional organizations like Spreenkler, BMA-Milwaukee (most recently Sarah Robbins from Mediasauce got B-to-B marketers really thinking about this very topic, the place was buzzing with energy about all the opportunities!), American Marketing Association and Madison Advertising Federation AND some recent (really cool) personal experiences with sites like Youtube, LinkedIn, Ning and Facebook.

Today Casey Payne (internet video genius) sent me the CLINCHER, a video/animation compilation of silly internet characters that have become part of pop culture. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pPCkhYMQgY

Now I ask you, oh wise blog reader: How do companies parlay all of this compelling content (that has quickly penetrated into our collective conscience) into marketing and sales efforts? I want to hear from you!

I also have some thoughts and resources that I'll be sharing over the next few weeks, because I believe that video is the future!

Advertising or Design?

Last night was the opening of the Eisner Museum's new Art or Design exhibit - I went there thinking that my questions regarding "Is it Advertising?" or "Is it Design?" would be 100% fully answered. But not so much. As Cori Coffman, the Museum's Director explained, the big difference between advertising & design is media - so is the design the ad and the advertising portion the media buy? Something to ponder.

There is definitely a difference when you're looking at an advertising agency versus a design agency. Taking a look at Planet Propaganda's ads versus some of the traditional agencies, it appeared to me (please note that my opinions are not necessarily shared or reflected by C2 Graphics Productivity Solutions - per the infomercial calls on TV) that their use of space and color was quite different than an ad agency. Also, I noticed ad agencies were a little more heavy on copy than the design agencies.

I guess I'll have to wait to see what Steve Sandstrom says at the Mad Ad Fed event on Monday, January 28th at the Sheraton. By the way, he's also speaking at the Eisner Museum on January 29 at 6:00pm.

Either way, don't forget to stop by the exhibit soon and see all the great pieces!

professional recognition

Yesterday I received two professional design award books in the mail. The first, from Business Marketing Association, showed off the 2007 Pro-Comm awards winners, featuring the best business-to-business marketing efforts from across the US. The second was the AIGA 365 awards book. It was packed with design awards from identity to book covers. Very cool.

I was thrilled to see a few local agencies in both award books. Stephan and Brady won a BMA Silver Sledgehammer and Bader Rutter won at least 6 across several categories. Planet Propaganda won a couple AIGA 365 awards, as did a solo designer, Hans, from Wauwatosa. Check them out at the BMA site or the AIGA site.

Inspirational. Designers love to check out what our profession deems "the best," gleaning new ideas from the cutting edge and just plain brilliant pieces featured. Many designers then ask, "why don't we (my company and I) enter these awards?" A fire is lit, several fires actually...the fire to create award-winning design as well as the fire to enter existing award-winning design. What a great time to light those fires! Three local award shows are either taking entries now or will be soon.

Madison Advertising Federation (part of District 8 of the AAF) accepts Addy entries January 10 & 11. All show details available at SuperSweetCreative.com. It's a hilarious site, poking accurate yet tongue and cheek jabs at all who dare prepare entries for the Addys. Good stuff.

BMA-Milwaukee launch their Bell Awards promotions soon, calling for entries for their show on April 10.

Want to show off your inner artist? Enter the Eisner Museum's XO (I Love The Eisner) 250 Square Feet of Art competition! Go to the Eisner and grab a 1' x 1 ' board and create a visual masterpiece. In the past people have transformed the boards into lamps, clocks, sculptures, painings, framed photos and more. You can enter the juried competition or just submit your board to be sold at the annual Eisner fundraiser, the XO. It's art with a purpose.

What's my point? Seeing the best of the best makes our entire profession better. Individuals and organizations understand the benchmark they work against. And plenty of opportunities to enter work (and win personal and professional recognition) exist...So, light that fire!