Robb Long Shoots Cancer Campaign!!!!

This was one of the most difficult shoots on so many levels. First, photographing cancer patients at all stages, all walks of life and different ages was such a challenge. These people are dealing with so much as well are the families. Sometimes me and the team would get emotional but would fight so hard to hold back our tears. I remember one time in particular I finished the shoot and once we got in our vehicle to head home I couldn't help but to break down in tears.  Some weren't patients but the physicians working to cure their patients using top notch medical equipment that Sanford Health has. The way these doctors talked about their approach to the cure was amazing, especially the tools they use. Sometimes it felt as if I was learning a second language but they put things into terms that helped us understand. All the physicians we interviewed and photographed were so compassionate when speaking about their patients too.

Second, My team and I had to tear down and set up in 15 different locations throughout a months time  cause we had to adhere to the patients schedule. This was tough in that the Creative Director needed the shots to have the same lighting to they were all consistent with one another. My team and I measured from subject to background, all the lights had to be in the same spot and not to mention we had to shoot in the patients homes which posed a problem with the large background and all the lighting involved but it each one seemed to work out great. We would shoot in living rooms, garages, basements and one even half in a garage and outside the garage.

Anyhow, it was great working with such a creative team and I look forward to producing more great work that will help make a difference in improving the health of people throughout the world ;)

Sanford Health Sports Campaign Behind the Scenes

Sanford Sports Campaign

Finally get to post the photos and video of the Sanford Sports Campaign I shot this summer for Sanford Health.

The photos are being used on Bus Wraps, Billboards and other applications.

This was so much fun and a mighty large production. Working with Sanford on this project was a blast and I look forward to a few more projects coming down the pipeline with them.

Thanks to my team of great artists that help make this shoot a success!!! Retoucher Dan Kopton of Danklife.com, Hair and Makeup by Kate Erickson, My assistant Brian Lesteberg, The Sanford Health Creative Team ;) They are so awesome!!!!

Robb Long Shoots Olson's Brickman and iPHONE 4 as they acquire mobile marketing agency MYThum!!!

Robb Long Shoots Olson's Brickman and iPHONE 4 as they acquire mobile marketing agency MYThum!!!

OLSON, the Minneapolis brand connection agency, is acquiring Toronto, Canada–based MyThum to create OLSON mobile, an industry-leading mobile marketing discipline that will serve clients across North America. MyThum’s agency business is now known as OLSON mobile.
MyThum is a 30-person full-service mobile marketing agency that connects brands to communities through mobile devices. Through proprietary technology, access to wireless networks and deep understanding of how people use mobile devices, the company develops and executes mobile strategies for clients to engage, interact and build lasting relationships.
MyThum’s co-founder Michael Carter will serve as the discipline’s new president, and will remain based in the agency’s Toronto office. Together, the new OLSON mobile boasts a combined client list in Canada and the U.S. that includes existing OLSON clients such as Target, Capital One and Bauer Hockey, and MyThum clients like MolsonCoors, Live Nation, Ontario Lottery Group, Ford, Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Sony.
This is the first international acquisition for OLSON, and comes on the heels of the agency’s December 2010 acquisition of Dig Communications. The purchase is the latest move in OLSON’s vision to create the agency of the future—a holistic agency that provides a wide set of solutions to clients, yet offers deep vertical expertise for those looking to specialize.
“Mobile devices are no longer the third screen, they have become the first. And they’re the only screen we carry with us everywhere,” says Kevin DiLorenzo, president and CEO, OLSON. “When you look at all of OLSON’s capabilities today, mobile is a critical component of each, and that will only be more so in the future.”
 “We searched for a world-class mobile partner, and found it in Toronto with MyThum, one of the leading mobile agencies in North America. We were impressed by the team, and by its innovative and hard-working client efforts,” adds DiLorenzo. “MyThum is a smart company, and a great cultural fit for OLSON. We are looking forward to having OLSON mobile on board to fortify our services and enhance mobile opportunities for our clients.”
“MyThum was ready to accelerate its growth, and this opportunity came at a great time. We are looking forward to combining efforts with OLSON,” says Michael Carter, co-founder of MyThum and new president of OLSON’s mobile discipline. “We are delighted to be part of this outstanding agency and look forward to being the architects of groundbreaking digital programs for clients—present and future.”
MyThum also operates a successful Canadian gateway business that connects text messaging applications to Canadian wireless operator networks for various third-party clients. That business will retain the MyThum brand.
MyThum was advised on the deal by Petsky Prunier Securities LLC, a New York-based investment bank that focuses on companies within digital media, e-commerce, marketing technology and interactive advertising industries.
OLSON is one of the top 10 independent, full-service agencies in North America. The now 400-person-strong agency is dedicated to building and activating brand communities by combining insight, ingenuity and accountability. Holistic by design, OLSON aims to be the leading brand connection agency in the world by providing brand strategy, advertising, mobile, interactive, social engagement, public relations, design, media, loyalty and analytics for the world’s most respected brands. For more information, visit www.oco.com, join us at facebook.com/OLSONagency and follow us on Twitter @OLSONagency.

Fulton Beer's Living Poster (s)

I am seeing beyond the still...I finally got to incorporate stills and video together in a specific way, this was truly awesome. We have about 3 more coming out so keep your eyes peeled for more to pop up.

Here's the Press Release on the project :

***PRESS ADVISORY***

Minneapolis Photographer/Director partners with digital ad agency on groundbreaking visual effects

Robb Long and Pixel Farm Digital create Living Posters for Fulton Beer

For immediate release                                    

Feb.1, 2011                                                    

Contact:  Katie Swanson  773-580-7853

(Minneapolis, MN)  Photographer/Director Robb Long and ad agency Pixel Farm Digital (PFD) today announced the completion of an ad campaign for Fulton Beer that utilizes a new photographic technique called Living Posters. Combining photography and video, Living Posters produce a fluid-motion effect that makes still photos look as if they have suddenly ‘come to life’ and are moving.

“A little over a year ago, I had the idea to create Living Posters by simply shooting a moving subject on rapid fire with a Canon 1d Mark III,” said Long.  “We shot a series of frames like a machine gun. The end result after my editor put it all together was ‘Did that poster just start moving’?” 

Shortly after developing the Living Poster technique, Long was approached by Pixel Farm Digital to take promotional still photos for its client, Fulton Beer, a Minneapolis microbrewery. Long immediately suggested replacing the still photos with Living Posters, so the campaign could extend to posters in bars, digital billboards, websites, etc.

“Fulton Beer is a unique brew, so we wanted a campaign that accurately depicted its sensibilities,” said Quan Hoang, PFD Chief Creative Officer.  “We knew immediately that Robb’s Living Posters would represent Fulton perfectly.”

The Living Poster technique builds on earlier work by photographer Alexx Henry. His “Living One Sheet” uses the Red One System, or 5D to capture video after the still, then has the subjects go back to the original still.

Long recalls a quote from Henry that he bases his new living posters by, "Living Art, at it’s core, is an image that moves. Think- print in motion. Creating Living Art is about making a strong image, and then making that image move. Remember, we’re not making motion pictures: that’s what movies do. We’re making pictures that move." said Henry. 

Keep on the lookout for our other 3 living posters for Fulton to come out soon. “This is the future, and we are diving right into it,” Long added.

Robb Long:  http://www.RLIMAGING.com

Robb Long Imaging is a full-production commercial photography studio.

Pixel Farm Digital:  http://www.pixelfarmdigital.com

Ad agency PFD was created in response to the growing consumer demand for transparency, authenticity, and creativity in advertising.

Fulton Beer:  http://www.fultonbeer.com

A Minneapolis-based brewery.  “Ordinary guys brewing extraordinary beer.”

The Fulton Beer Living Poster:  http://fultonbeer.com/the-beer/the-lonely-blonde

--

Robb Shoots Olson Advertisings BRICKMAN for their Big News!!!!!!!

I was approached a while back by the Art Buyer of Olson to shoot their mascot known as the BRICKMAN for big news they had on acquiring DIG a pr firm in Chicago. This was a great project to work on with Olson cause not only was the concept great but I got to head out to Chicago for some upside down pizza at Gino's East!!!!! This was so much fun and really tough because we only had a few minutes to shoot this project cause of the extreme weather conditions. The night we arrived it was 70 degrees out with rain and thunderstorms all day and night. We wanted the nice morning light the day of the shoot so when we headed out at 6am it was 15 degrees out with a bone chilling wind coming off the lake that made things a bit rough. We found the best location to view the beautiful Chicago skyline was next to the aquarium and planetarium...we pulled up in our trusty rental car full of camera gear and the Brickman costume which filled the car from floor to ceiling and decided to get ready. The poor guy wearing the costume which is nearly impossible to put on by oneself had to stand outside with no shoes on holding himself up by my shoulder while I put the legs and shoes on. It reminded me of the little boy in the Christmas Story when his mother bundles him up so much he can't put his arms down well this poor guy couldn't even move his arms so I had to put the head of the costume on for him. This wasn't pleasant either for him cause I had to literally smash this thing down on top of his head, hahaha. By the time we got this costume on we were both freezing, I could barely muster the strength to press the shutter button on my camera it was so cold. I had to guide him over to the spot where we took the picture cause he couldn't see anything, had no balance and was being blown around from all the wind hitting against the giant costume. After a few minutes I knew we had the shot and he was ready to get outta that costume and into the warm car. As we were dismantling this monster of a costume a Chicago Police Officer pulled up and asked "Should I be worried about a bomb or anything?, What in the world are you guys up too?" After we all laughed together and we explained he and the city of Chicago had nothing to worry about we were finally on our way!!!!!! Here is the Press Release on the whole deal.

News

OLSON and Dig Communications Join Forces

Mon Dec 6 2010
OLSON, the Minneapolis brand connection agency, is acquiring Dig Communications, the Chicago-based public relations agency. Together, OLSON and Dig will broaden existing public relations services, delivering enhanced thinking, creativity and capabilities to clients. Dig’s founder Peter Marino will serve as president of the newly combined Dig and OLSON PR practices.
With the addition of Dig, nearly 20 percent of OLSON’s revenue will now be driven by PR, securing the agency’s position as one of the top 10 independent, full-service marketing agencies in the United States.
“The borders between different agency disciplines continue to blur, and that’s why we have been building a cross-disciplinary agency that will thrive as that dynamic accelerates,” says Kevin DiLorenzo, president and CEO, OLSON. “Clients may come in through any number of doors at OLSON, but all will have a broad, deep set of capabilities at the ready to help them grow their business. Combining Dig with our current PR capabilities creates a next-generation PR firm to enhance our agency model.”
OLSON, a privately held agency, was named earlier this year to Ad Age’s “Agencies to Watch” list for its “out-of-the-box thinking.” Dig Communications, founded in 2004 by PR veteran Peter Marino, was named by PR Week in 2009 as that publication’s small agency of the year, and by Inc. magazine as one of the nation’s 5,000 fastest-growing private companies. For more on Dig, and to link to its new blog, follow @think_room on Twitter.
“We have been fortunate to grow with great clients and great employees who believe in the increasingly critical role that PR plays,” said Peter Marino, founder and president, Dig Communications. “OLSON is the perfect partner. We think alike and are both highly motivated to move our clients’ brands forward.”
Ultimately, Dig will transition to become OLSON PR. All Dig employees will remain in their office locations in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Milwaukee, and OLSON PR will remain in Minneapolis. Earlier this year OLSON closed a deal with Denali Marketing, which added brand loyalty, one-to-one marketing and analytics to the agency’s offerings.
OLSON’s expanded PR discipline serves some of the largest brands in the world including MillerCoors, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Southwest Airlines and Harley-Davidson. These will be combined with OLSON’s existing PR clients, including General Mills, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and PepsiCo brands Izze Sparkling Juice and Naked Juice.
“Dig’s capabilities will truly augment our services. It’s a great match in the way we both think and serve clients—making this deal feel right from the get go,” adds DiLorenzo. “And Dig’s already thinking, like OLSON, in innovative, holistic ways. This year, it brought home four gold Effies, the top marketing effectiveness award in the world—quite unusual for a PR firm. Add that to OLSON’s 18, and together we’ve hauled 22 Effies home in the last nine years.”

Rodeo

A Photographic Series by Robb Long

This was so much fun.  I watched a bit of the action when the guys came outta the gates but wanted to see what happens behind the scenes. I started talking with the riders that were in a fenced in area with all their saddles, boots, hats, rope and extra pairs of dirt stained jeans sitting around. I started shooting my photos, mainly from the hip so I got some real good decisive moments. While most photographers were out capturing peak action of the guys actually riding, while I was behind the scenes capturing what these guys are all about, the rituals they go through before saddling up, the ups and downs from a good or bad ride and the bond they all share with one another as riders.