milk *an advertising agency

Client Spotlight - Dickinson's

We worked with Dickinson's and the Women's Sports Foundation to create the Tone Up Challenge, a fun two-week program that can help women improve their skin and lose up to five pounds. The project included tagging existing print ads, creating new product hangtags and developing a new section of the Dickinson's site. Check it out.

Cluster-F – CrunchPad is Dead

Two weeks prior to launch and the CrunchPad is dead. If you don’t know what CrunchPad is you may have wanted to. Hell, Joe went into a fetal position when he heard the news. We think he’s still under his desk. You see, Joe’s a gadget guy and he wanted to get his hands on this low cost tablet PC designed for web surfing. It looked like a really big iPhone. But as often happens greed and jealousy got in the way. So no CrunchPad…for now. They were too close. We have a feeling we’ll see something similar in the not too distant future. Check it out.

Electric Ladyland – Renault Zoe Z.E. Electric

Looks like French automaker Renault is going to be at the forefront of EV (see our post on Better Place below), and from what we’re seeing, the company will be a major player. Its EV concepts are as fun as they are environmentally sound – and the Zoe Z.E. is no exception. The Zoe was designed with help from cosmetics manufacturer Biotherm. The car is targeted for men and women, but we’re pretty sure the ladies will appreciate the car’s looks and spa-like features such as an AC system that helps to keep your skin hydrated and an on-board toxicity sensor that closes the car’s air vents before free radicals destroy your healthy complexion. The Zoe also has an electric diffuser built into the climate control system that can emit essential oils from Biotherm. The car can be charged quickly and the solar cells that cover the roof provide an extra charge on sunny days. Ingenious. Check it out.

For Your APP-etite

Sorry about the headline. Couldn’t resist. But here are five commuter friendly iPhone apps to try (especially if you’re buzzing around town on your new BRAMMO Enertia). Bike Your Drive is a free app that allows bike commuters to calculate things like how far they’ve biked, how many calories they’ve burned and how much gas money they’ve saved. Transit Maps allows you to store any transit map on your phone. Aha provides real-time traffic info and location searches and even lets you share real-time info with other drivers on the network. Zipcar is a free app that makes being a member of this unique car rental company a snap. You can choose a car to rent, reserve it and even turn it on using your iPhone. Finally, Maps + Compass is a standard app that will help you select the best routes no matter what your mode of travel is. Its bus feature even tells you when the bus will arrive. Check them out. And happy travels!

Plug and Play – BRAMMO Electric Motorcycle

There are many reasons to love what’s going on with the green movement, but to us one of the coolest is the wonderful design that’s coming out of it. Being responsible and sustainable doesn’t mean you have to be boring. Take the Enertia from BRAMMO. It’s a 100% electric motorcycle and it’s everything that’s right with green design. Not only is it 100% electric, the Enertia also has no clutch or gears so it’s incredibly easy to ride. Just don’t call the Enertia an electric scooter or bike. It’s very much a motorcycle minus the intimidation factor. It starts at about $8k and because it’s green there are tax credits as well. It's the Joe Sequenzia pick of the month. Check it out.

It Occurred To Us...

On September 1st we posted about the advertising documentary Art & Copy and referenced that advertising great Lee Clow bore a striking resemblance to the late great Jim Henson - but we didn't provide proof. Our bad. We'll let you guess who's who.

Now Spinning – Pearl Jam “Backspacer”

Pearl Jam returns with “Backspacer,” its first album of new material since 2006’s self-titled release “Pearl Jam.” It’s great to hear this band again. While it can be debated that Pearl Jam never achieved the level of success we thought they would when they exploded onto the scene with the 1991 classic “Ten,” there is no question that the band has stayed true to itself and its sound, and is lead by one of the all-time great voices in rock. Eddie Vedder sounds as good as ever, especially on the album’s fifth track “Just Breathe” which sounds like it could also have had a home on his remarkable “Into the Wild” soundtrack. With “Backspacer,” Pearl Jam is indeed back. Check it out.

Julian Hakes Throws a Shoe – The Mojito

British architect Julian Hakes has designed a shoe with no footplate called the Mojito. While it may not look comfortable, the wraparound shoe was designed on Hakes’ observation that the force of movement in a footstep is primarily through the ball and heel of the foot, so the footplate is immaterial material. They are not available for sale – yet, so keep on eye out for them. In the meantime, you can check out Hakes’ site. His architecture is just as cool. Check it out.

Cuts Like a Fork – The Knork

Come on, you knew utensil innovation couldn’t end with the spork, right? Introducing the Knork. By “incorporating critical modifications into the age-old fork design, the Knork enables a user to both cut and spear food using only one utensil.” You might be thinking, “wouldn’t it also slice my tongue?” We thought that too. There’s no mention of it on the Knork site, not even an FAQ, but we’ll assume it’s been asked and answered elsewhere, like in product development. Check it out.

Curb Appeal - Fine Pastry Goes Mobile

Want to open a bakery in NYC but can't afford the rent? Buy a truck! That's what a couple of enterprising bakers did recently, and now they're sharing their goodies with New Yorkers who want something more than the normal morning bagel or bear claw. Google The Treats Truck and The Dessert Truck (different companies, same idea) and you'll find two new go-getters to root for. Enjoy!

Power Player - Better Place

Not since the short life of the Saturn EV-1 has the promise of Electric Vehicles been so promising. Auto makers around the world are working on EV models and it will be a company like Better Place that will provide the infrastructure with "a network of charge spots, switch stations and systems which optimize the driving experience and minimize environmental impact and cost." Great concept. Great site. Be sure to look for Renault's Fluence EZ Concept. It's really exciting. Check it out.

You're a Saint, Nick

On Saturday, September 26, cable network Nickelodeon held its Worldwide Day of PLay and shut down for three hours. That's right, it aired no programming at all and instead broadcast a message encouraging kids to go out and play. Good for you, Nick. Here's hoping that other networks follow suit.

What’s Gotten Into Dan Aykroyd’s Head?

“Thousands of years ago, thirteen crystal heads were scattered across the earth – and they are greater and more powerful than anything we have the ability to manufacture today. Their workmanship is perfect: they contain no tool marks and have been cut against the natural axis of the crystal, defying the laws of physics. Some say they are artifacts from the lost civilization of Atlantis, some say they date back to the Mayans, still others say they were created by a higher intelligence. Brought together, the Crystal Heads are said to contain vast knowledge and enlightenment capable of unlocking our most enigmatic ancient mysteries. Alone, each is believed to house radiant psychic energy, which has magical powers and healing properties.” 

Hey, let’s fill them with vodka! Yup, Dan Aykroyd has replicated these all-powerful heads and filled them with quadruple distilled Newfoundland vodka. We have to admit, it’s a really compelling sell job and we sure as hell want one of these premium suckers, but there’s also something odd about it. Look for Chevy Chase’s Virgin Mary Margarita Mix at a store near you! Check it out.

Inspiration or Imitation? – The Credit Debate

American Express is running a new commercial to promote its purchase protection service. The spot uses a series of images featuring everyday objects or scenes that resemble a sad face or happy face (see the screen grab above.) It’s a nice spot. Simple and well executed. But here’s the rub and the reason for this post. When we viewed it on YouTube we saw a comment from someone accusing AmEx of ripping off the concept of a site called Faces in Places and failing to credit the site and its contributors. As you might imagine, FacesInPlaces.com is a site that features images of faces in everyday places. It's a lot of fun. Maybe AmEx’s agency knew of this site. Maybe they didn’t. But let’s assume they did and it inspired them or they simply “lifted” the concept. Do they owe the site credit? Is the act of recognizing the image of a face in a pumpkin suddenly the intellectual property of FacesInPlaces.com? No. AmEx is not going to use a second of its sixty to say, “Thanks FacesInPlaces.com!” Nor should it. Just as every movie with a Cinderella story doesn’t credit every Cinderella story that came before it. We understand that person’s beef, and it’s a debatable issue, but man would never have flown without seeing the birds first. What’s your take?

Toy Glory - Warner Bros Developing LEGO Movie

We are very excited to hear that Warner Bros has a major motion picture in the works for one of our all-time favorite toys - LEGO. Rumor has it the movie will mix live action with animation. Whatever happens, we can't wait because few toys have been able to capture the imagination the way LEGO has for generations. We'll keep on ears open about this and let you know more when we hear about it.

Toys R Suck - Disturbing Toys

Here's a funny post from Cracked.com. The 13 Most Unintentionally Disturbing Children's Toys. Number 2 on the list: Hugo, Man of 1,000 Faces. Really? 1,000? If they put in that much time to do the math, you think they would have done a little testing as well. The other 12 are just as creepy. Check it out.

Brew Ha-Ha - Dunkin' T's Starbucks

Back in June we posted about the storm brewing in the coffee category when McDonald's went all-in with McCafé. Well the pot is boiling over. Have you seen this t-shirt from Dunkin' Donuts? It reads, "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks." Not sure who would pay $14 for it, but DD has spunk for doing the kind of direct competitive messaging we've seen recently in this lagging economy. Dominoes taking on Subway's toasted subs comes to mind. In fact, so does a poster ABC ran about ten years ago to promote its prime time shows. It read, "Friends don't let friends watch Friends." We love a good fight.

Pix Czar - John Lasseter

Want to succeed in business? Then fail. Make mistakes. But do it quickly and move on. Sound scary? Not when it comes from John Lasseter, former Pixar chief and now top dog at Walt Disney Animation. In this article from Variety, Lasseter preaches learning from failure and, coming from the guy behind blockbusters like "Toy Story" and "Up," the message carries a lot of weight. Check it out.

The Road to Energy Independence?

How's this for the road to OZ? Solar Roadways was just awarded $100,000 by the Department of Energy to develop solar panels that can be embedded into roads. If widely adopted, the 12-by-12 foot panels help finally solve many of our energy problems. Skeptical? With the panels, a mile-long stretch of four lane highway could remove 500 homes from the power grid. Production is a long way off, but this is very exciting. Imagine a similar technology for converting the motion of sidewalk pedestrians into energy. It's a company like Solar Roadways that will make these things reality. Check it out.

Maximum Exposure - Pepsi Max and CBS Video Ad

To promote CBS' new fall lineup and Pepsi's diet drink Pepsi Max, the two brands teamed up to take advantage of a new technology from Los Angeles-based Americhip, features a paper-thin interactive video player. It is being unveiled in an insert packaged with a co-branded ad that will appear in Entertainment Weekly's annual fall TV preview issue dated Sept. 18. Cool idea. Let's hope the quality lives up to the hype.

Brand Statement - Ben & Jerry's

We don't know what side of the issue you're on, and we're not here to play politics, but rarely do you see a big brand make such a positive statement on an issue as polarizing as gay marriage. So kudos to Ben & Jerry's for taking a risk few brands would. The company has changed the name of its iconic flavor Chubby Hubby to Hubby Hubby in support of Freedom to Marry. Get the full scoop here.

Now Spinning - Imogen Heap

Our resident DJ, BRAINWASH AND ABHORRENT JEST, is turning us on to the techno-mellow sounds of Ellipse, the new release from Frou Frou chanteuse Imogen Heap (or HOPE ENIGMA for those of you still playing the Anagram game.) Tracks like "First Train Home" and "Wait it Out" show an evolution to her sound while "Canvas" is closer to the experimental dazzle of her earlier release, Speak for Yourself. Check her out.

The Maddest Men of All - Art & Copy

Many years ago, American Express ran a print ad featuring Lee Clow, an ad man who looks a lot like the late Jim Henson. It would be fair to say 99.9% of the people who saw the ad probably said, "I thought Jim Henson was dead." But to the .1% of us who know Clow and what he has meant to our industry and brands like AMEX, the man is a legend. That's why we at The Boathouse can't wait to see Art & Copy. The film "reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time -- people who've profoundly impacted our culture, yet are virtually unknown outside their industry. Exploding forth from advertising's "creative revolution" of the 1960s, these artists and writers all brought a surprisingly rebellious spirit to their work in a business more often associated with mediocrity or manipulation." You'll definitely want to check this out.

A is for AN AM RAG

Here's a fun Anagram site we found. It's thirty seconds of your life you won't mind spending. Courtesy of SQUEEZE A JOIN and your friends at the OK LIMB GL. Check it out.

Her-larious - Kelly Coveny Gets Real Again

One of our favorite authors is back and as sharp as ever with her latest book, Observations of a Sometimes Stiletto-Wearing but Mostly Fleeced-Out Working Mom on the Outskirts of Manhattan. What happens when a triple A-type, high maintenance, high paid advertising writer resigns her job in Manhattan to pursue her dream of becoming a platinum-producing rock-star, best-selling novelist, super-Mom from the suburbs? Buckle up for a wild adventure that never fails to find magic in even the most mundane moments. Check it out.

New Danbury VW TV Coming Soon!

We're polishing up our latest TV commercial for Danbury Volkswagen. It will air this month during NFL telecasts and other select programming in the Connecticut area. If you didn't see our last Danbury VW spot, you can always catch it in the "Our Work" section of our site, or on the Danbury VW site, where you'll also find the best deals on a new V-dub. Check it out.

BIc Deal - The Penmanship of Casas

Take a good look at the artwork. It's not a photograph, though it's based on one. And it's not a painting, though the artist that created it began as a traditional painter. It's a drawing. Drawn with a blue Bic pen. Actually many blue Bic pens are used to create these incredible pieces that measure up to ten feet in height. They were created by 31-year old Juan Francisco Casas and have been displayed at sell-out exhibitions. Extraordinary. Check it out.

Hot Opportunity - 3D Glasses

My daughter and I are going to the movies this weekend. We'll probably see G-Force and will have the option to see it in Digital 3D or not. She will want to see it in 3D. I will not. It's not because I don't like 3D, because I do. The quality as compared to when I was her age is amazing. It's just that while the image quality has advanced, the glasses have not. Sure, today's plastic glasses are much better than the red/blue cardboard junkers I wore when I saw Jaws 3 in Super 3D (oh yes I did.) But still, the modern one-size-for-all versions are ill-fitting and uncomfortable, and wearing them for an hour and a half takes the joy out of the experience. So, with more and more movies being made in Digital 3D, an untapped market exists for 3D Glasses. Let's say you see four to five 3D pics a year. Would you not spend ten to fifteen bucks for a comfortable, stylish pair of 3D specs? I would. And what if your kids could customize theirs? I'm sure someone has thought of this, and if they have, I hope they make them soon, because my daughter wants to see G-Force in 3D, and I know I'm going to lose that battle.

Born to Be Child – These Horses Rock

Want to get your little tike a rocking horse? Get the kind Brando rode. Unfortunately, the one pictured isn’t available for sale, though we wish it were because it is awesome. German artist Felix Gotze built it for a 3-year old named Otto who lives across from a bike shop. However, eRockingHorses has some cool Harleys for a lot less than you’d think. Check it out.

We're So Very, Very Sorry - Creepy Vintage Ads

We can't go a day without encountering ads that leave us wanting to apologize on behalf of our industry. Most of us mean well. We really, truly do. We're just not sure what the hell they were thinking back when these ads were created. Courtesy of the very funny site, RetroComedy.com. The Joe Sequenzia pick of the month. Check it out.

Madres of Invention – Taco Bell Does it Again!

Cue the music. Let the confetti and balloons fall from the rafters. Taco Bell has just created a new menu item using the same four basic ingredients for the 1,000,000th time! Introducing the new Bacon Cheesy Potato Burrito! We know, we know – Pizza Hut, Burger King and all the rest spit out new menu items using the same building blocks like a lawn sprinkler with Tourettes, but no one in Fast Food Land does it with such frequency and zest. Now if Taco Bell would only recycle the Chihuahua. Yo quiero Chihuahua! Check it out.

Man Among Man-Child – Judd Apatow

Most of us here at The Boathouse enjoy the work of Judd Apatow, the man behind hits like 40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (he produced). If you’ve seen his films, or any by his cast of regulars like Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan, then you know the formula. It’s funny, sophomoric and unapologetically crude. But the Man-Child trend is not everyone’s cup of tea. That’s ok. Plenty of movies out there. Find another barista. But we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share this hilariously insightful post from a blogger who subjected herself to an Apatow marathon and warns that doing so will “devour your soul.” Check it out.

Just Be Cause – ActOfGood.org

By now you know of our work with 1000computers.org, the charity that sends used computers to schoolchildren in Africa. You can check it out here. You can also find other worthy organizations at ActOfGood.org, the site that “connects causes with the people that care about them.” The site is in BETA, so some categories like Arts & Culture are still empty, but it’s well designed, user friendly and created by people who want to make the world a better place. Check it out.

Never Forget Anything Again

Are you forgetting something? If you are, you have no excuse for it, because thanks to the power of the Internet and mobile devices nothing should slip your mind ever again. No kidding -- everywhere you look there is a new site or app that allows you to remind yourself about, well, everything. For example, Bitbom allows you to schedule free text message reminders to your phone, and Jott is a simple and convenient mobile service for leaving yourself notes and ToDo reminders. Don’t want to forget that important email? TeleFlip will let you auto-forward your emails to your phone as text messages, and Flurry enables you to follow up on your emails and even receive latest articles from favorite blogs/websites on your mobile. Just don't forget that you read about it all here.

Bitch, Bitch, Bitch – BossBitching.com

Many of you enjoyed PassiveAgressiveNotes.com from our June posts, so we thought you’d get a kick out of BossBitching.com and maybe even find it useful. Just don’t expect Dilbert-like humor here. People are ticked off right now and hold little back, especially when their bosses cut back on everything but golf outings. Check it out.

The Art of Business Cards by Moo

We have to tip our hat to Moo for the great name and URL. (We are Milk after all.) But what really excites us about Moo is its passion for making business cards cool, as well as mini cards, stickers, postcards and more. You can customize your cards with your own images or choose from their excellent designs. Now business cards can do more than pick stuff out of your teeth. They can show a lot of creativity too. Check it out.

Rock Me, Amadeus – Phoenix

Our man Brendan is the Minister of Music at The Boathouse, and he’s turned us on to the new album from the French rock band Phoenix. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is chock full of catchy, radio-friendly confections like “1901”, “Lasso,” and the opening track “Lisztomania.” Frontman Thomas Mars sings it all in English, but his sentiments and the band’s breezy sound is universal. If you want to get ahead of the curve on the next wave of relevant pop music, check this one out on iTunes or visit the band’s site here.

What a Load of Crap – The Comfort Wipe

Honestly, we posted this just for the headline – but come on, a stick that holds the toilet paper so you can wipe your butt? Does North Korea make this stuff so they can laugh at us? Not only that, when you visit the website (and you know you want to) you may notice the three spelling errors in the main paragraph. So you know it’s a quality product. Check it out.

Ignore Everybody (Just Not This Author)

Hugh MacLeod, the blogger behind the popular gapingvoid.com has just released his first book, Ignore Everybody, And 39 Other Keys to Creativity. It’s a quick read that expands on the whip-smart insights and cartoons found on the blog. It’s common sense, e-duh advice dispensed for the risk-adverse world such as, “Selling out is harder than it looks: Diluting your product to make it more commercial will just make people like it less.” Great stuff. Check it out.

A Different Kind of Ending?

Back in college many eons ago this writer competed in the American Advertising Federation’s collegiate competitions. One year our case study was Saturn. The assignment was to pitch the brand to first-time car buyers. So our team learned everything we could about the fledgling brand. Quickly we learned there was nothing else like Saturn. They completely redid the math. It was, as Hal Riney and Partners so accurately penned, “A Different Kind of Company.” It became cult-like. Imagine that. It wasn’t a car like the Vette people worshiped – it was the entire brand; the same way people worship Mini today. Even the ads were great. They were honest, smart and quirky. It cemented my belief in my chosen career. Now it’s new owner Roger Penske’s turn to to revive the brand after GM starved it nearly to death. The racing legend and dealership king claims he he will be profitable from day one, something Saturn never was. Roger, start your engines. But please, don't forget about the power of the brand.

Behold the Power of Cheese – Awkwardfamilyphotos.com

This site is a fascinating look at how families and friends choose to display their affection for each other. Frankly, we can’t get enough of it. It’s almost hypnotic. Check it out.

A Storm’s a Brewin’

The coffee wars are heating up and ultimately, it’s good for coffee. But who will be the big winner? And will there be any losers? McDonald’s has officially thrown its hat into the ring with McCafé (it’s biggest launch ever), Starbucks is fighting back (with advertising no less), and as we all know by now, America runs on Dunkin’. Some brands like Joffrey’s in Tampa believe that customer attention and product quality will win out over convenience. On its blog Expresso, the company writes, “Face the facts, McDonald’s is not a coffee house and cannot deliver the experience to the customer that so many local coffee houses can and do successfully.” Joffrey’s believes coffee is a culture and focusing on that culture will be a key for independent shops to survive. They may be right. What’s your take? Check it out.

What Are We Really Learning Here?

This isn’t a soapbox post. Or maybe it is. That’s for you to decide. But what are we learning from The Learning Channel’s (in case you forgot what TLC stood for) Jon & Kate? Forget about the “8” for a moment (everyone else seems to be), because right now it’s all about Jon and Kate – or more specifically, Kate. She’s cute, she’s scorned, she’s…marketable! The tabloids are making a ton off of her. And pretty soon, she will become a fully realized brand. Can’t you just see her having her own show or a semi-regular spot on The View? This is a lesson about how you can literally pluck people off the street and turn them into branded celebrities in the digital age. This is not voyeuristic silliness like awkardfamilyphotos.com; this is serious. There are eight kids to think about. TLC’s slogan is “Life surprises.” Are any of us really surprised anymore?

Mat Kearney – City of Black & White

Stop by our home base at The Boathouse and you may just hear this terrific new album providing the soundtrack to another day of creativity. Kearney is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter, but don’t expect a twang. Kearney takes his Chris Martin-style voice for a ride through funky backbeats, smooth guitars and soulful melodies on songs like “Closer to Love” and “All I Have.” Check it out.

Word of Mouth – The Shrinkwrapper Restaurant Blog

Posted by Cynthia & Jeff who like small, unique places with inventive food and atmosphere, The Shrinkwrapper has become our go-to source for vittles everywhere from SoNo to the East Village. The duo knows what they like, and present it in a palatably honest voice; as you’d hope two friends would. They pull no punches and they don’t get paid for this. Like so many in the digital age, they’ve paired something they love with the ability to blog and it’s done well. Which is rare. For this medium. The Joe Sequenzia pick of the month. Check it out.

Please Check this Out. We Won’t Be Too Upset if You Don’t. Really

Billed as “painfully polite and hilariously hostile writings from shared spaces the world over,” passiveaggressivenotes.com is like watching a sitcom without the actors or the laugh track. We’re being treated to the script instead. Happy reading. Check it out.

Lego My Guggenheim!

Here’s the perfect kid’s toy for they highly educated designer in your life. Lego is producing an Architecture Series, starting with six Frank Lloyd Wright buildings such as the Guggenheim Museum, which will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The site is still being constructed, but like all great structures, it will be well worth the wait. Check it out.

55th Annual Connecticut Ad Club Awards

We took home several awards at this year's event that showcased the best the Connecticut ad industry had to offer in 2008. Congratulations to our entire team, but mostly to our clients for green-lighting ideas that were honest, engaging and different.

Not the Same Ol', Same Ol' - Southern Brand Apparel

Southern Brand just launched its line of vintage soft tees for men, women and lil' ones, and we've quickly become big fans. It's not just the vintage soft 100% cotton we love, or the fact that it's all made in the US of A - it's the fact that they print with vegetable and soy inks that produce no formaldehyde discharge. A great brand with a pure soul. Check it out.

Still Green to Being Green? Start Here.

Maybe you're a little late to the whole "Green" thing, or you just feel you could do more. No problem. There are tons of sites dedicated to green living and, not surprisingly, Live Green is a good one. The site does its homework and offers high quality products at fairly affordable prices. There is a $13 a year membership fee but you'll make that back in savings, or at the very least, the site can serve as a good resource. Check it out.