Monday, February 7, 2011

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.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

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 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.

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

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

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