How many emails per day do you receive? How many of them request money from you? If you've bothered to donate to a political campaign, or non-profit, you're under constant pressure to give more. If you purchase a product or service online, it's the same onslaught of emails that never end. To make matters worse, the creative found in these email pitches is piss poor. With the bar so far beyond low, it doesn't …
Forget About “Got Milk?” Got Water Is A Matter of Life and Death
The American West is not a place rich in water. If the people who live in the American West don't learn to curb their water consumption, and quick, water will be a thousand times more valuable than oil ever was. Thankfully, Roy Spence, one of the founders of ad giant GSD&M is working with state officials on a campaign to get Texans to cherish water. GSD&M is partnering with Texas State University’s …
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Texans Prefer Mineral Water from Mexico
Before moving to Texas in March, I'd never heard of Topo Chico, the mineral water from Monterey, Mexico that is ubiquituos in Texas. https://youtu.be/iRcu6VVlrtQ According to The New York Times, don’t even ask for San Pellegrino or Perrier in a bar or restaurant in Texas; they’re likely not served. Topo Chico gets a lot of support from the trade and word-of-mouth from its fans, many of whom can be seen on …
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The Healthy Choice: Kim Olson for Texas Agriculture Commissioner
The economic impact of the food and fiber sector in Texas totals more than $100 billion annually. Ag is big business in the Lone Star State; therefore, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner is an important decision maker and public official. According to the Texas Tribune, Sid Miller’s first term as Agriculture Commissioner has been marked by numerous high-profile controversies that cost him the support of some key …
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Are You Ready To Use Self-Deprecating Humor To Your Political Advantage?
Gerald Daugherty* is a Travis County, Texas Commissioner. He represents the people of the 3rd precinct, where my wife and I reside. Austin, the state's capital city, is located in Travis County. Thanks to an award-winning idea from Austin firm, KC Strategies, Daugherty was re-elected in 2016 and his campaign commercial was viewed by constituents and advertising observers from around the …
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The All New RAM 1500—Built To Serve Texans And Other Hard-Working Americans
In the advertising business, we love to talk about the "brand promise." In theory, every brand has one. Take RAM Trucks. RAM is devoted to hard work and performance in every aspect of life -- family, neighbors, community, and career. Let's see if these values come screaming through in the new commercial for the 2019 RAM 1500. The spot is intense and serious like the work people do to shape this nation. I …
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Behind Every Southwest Seat Is A Person With A Story
When dealing with airlines, customers too often feel like numbers, not people. Southwest and their time trusted partner, Austin agency GSD&M, take that idea and turn it on its head in this commercial, where the customers are the stars of the show. https://youtu.be/ahaOB_HFEO0 The spot also makes an incredible point—we connect with people's stories, and by extension brand stories. It's not their name or …
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From Shiner Bock To A Good Story
Austin, Texas and outlaws go together like Waylon and Willie. Also, like South By and crowds. Or BBQ and mouths. But I digress... Let's look at some new beer commercials... https://youtu.be/BKPNBDcoLDs https://youtu.be/Hob4cmuPKfU The old-timey quality of these spots is different enough to be interesting. What I really like is the copy. Back in the '70s there were people in Austin who liked music and …
