Art Director's Club of New Jersey

Multi-channel Branding and PR Featured at January’s ADCNJ Event

1to1expert — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:48:06 +0000

Mark Garcia of Coyne Communications presents to attendees at January's ADCNJ Nights event.

In today’s competitive and diverse marketing environment a creative marketer must learn how to incorporate cross-media communications in their new business development campaigns if they want it to succeed. With the increased usage of on-line communities like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, segmented communities are now available to be approached with targeted messages in ways never before possible. This evening’s program, put on by the Art Directors Club of New Jersey featured specialists in Public Relations and multi-channel communications who shared their experiences with attendees. You can view the video here.

David Schimmel shared insights into multi-channel branding.

David Schimmel of And Partners explained some of the complexities in using the full gamut of on-line communications opportunities like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn when disseminating corporate marketing messages. His company, and partners, has become a leader in this field and we were treated to his insights and experiences in utilizing these emerging technologies.

Public Relations is a growing service in today’s marketing arena and learning how to wield this powerful tool is necessary to all companies doing business today. ADCNJ members Rich Lukis and Mark Garcia of Coyne Public Relations demonstrated how important it is to include this application in all marketing campaigns.

Taylor Box Company presented creative solutions to packaging.

Taylor Box Company, a Rhode Island firm with 127 years of experience producing custom packaging sent it’s sales team to our event along with some interesting samples of their unique capabilities. And Graziana from Peluso’s Catering, a custom catering service provided some tasty and wonderfully unique victuals to our lucky attendees.

Delicious catering was provided by Peluso's Catering.

ADCNJ Dresses Up for NJ Marcom Holiday Party

1to1expert — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:53:02 +0000

Creative people are always cooking up unique ways to launch their clients’ products and when it comes to launching their own, they take every opportunity to get the word out. This year, at the annual NJ Marcom Holiday Party at Mayfair Farms, member’s manned the ADCNJ sponsor’s table during the unveiling of the club’s new logo.

Designed by the ADCNJ Design Committee members, the new logo re-positions and re-affirms the design association’s leadership position within NJ’s creative community. With over 230 party goers from all parts of the NJ communications industry in attendance, the club also launched it’s 2011 Call for Entries, designed by this years sponsor, Echo Torre Lazur. The “Call” is considered the single most critical marketing element for the ADCNJ’s Annual Awards Show because it becomes the theme of the show. Videos of past shows, also held at The Birchwood Manor can be seen on the club’s new website, developed by the ADCNJ Communications Committee.

The ADCNJ Annual Awards Show presents NJ’s creative community with its highest awards for achievement, because it is judged by leaders in their respective fields. With 173 categories in this year’s “call,” the opportunities for NJ based photographers, illustrators, printers and Art Directors to have their creative worked judged by experts and to win an award from such a prestigious group, gives these “Creatives” the validation they need to not only know their work is well executed, but that going up against some of the biggest agencies, their work is superior. This year’s call can be downloaded from the ADCNJ.ORG site.

ADCNJ unveils new look in a pop up banner printed by Newark Trade.

ADCNJ launches its "Call" at MARCOM event as Robert Ryan and Ken Riola engage party goers.

ADCNJ Design Derby Draws on Student’s Talents

1to1expert — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:55:23 +0000

Students discuss strategy.

And the winners are...

: Presenting concepts.

On the sunny morning of Saturday, October 22, over 110 students from nine schools, including Montclair State University, Seton Hall University, College of New Jersey, Kean University, County College of Morris, Sussex County Community College, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Newark Campus and Brookdale Community College converged on the campus of SCCC for the 16th Annual Design Derby. This was the second consecutive year the school, located in Newton, NJ has served as host site for the student challenge.

This year’s “client” was the WAE (Wellness, Arts & Enrichment) Center of West Orange, an alternative learning center for adults with developmental disabilities. The assignment was to create a new web site home page and one format page for the organization. After an informative briefing by Marilyn Schneider, Founding Director of WAE, the 17 teams adjourned to their separate classrooms to begin their assignment. Orders for lunches, sold by SCCC students, were delivered to the participants in their classrooms. Jon Weiman, Education Committee Chairperson, and James Smith, Design Derby sponsor, visited the 17 classrooms throughout the day answering questions and confirming each team’s preparation for the presentation portion of the competition, as well as the design aspect of the assignment.

Approximately four hours from the start, the teams made their presentation to a full auditorium of clients and opposing team members. Renee Folzenlogen, Program Coordinator for WAE, announced the winners chosen by the four member client team. The host school, Sussex County Community College, won for the Best Presentation and Ramapo College of New Jersey won for Best Web Site Design.

Our congratulations and thanks go out to SCCC’s Sherry Fitzgerald, Program Coordinator of Graphic Design and New Media Communications and Andrew George and their winning team as well as all the SCCC volunteer helpers and to Sarah Stackhouse, Bonnie Blake and their students at Ramapo College.

The Design Derby is is an annual event open to all New Jersey schools, sponsored by the Art Directors Club of New Jersey and co-sponsored by Smith Design, a brand identity and package design firm specializing in strategy-based visual solutions for leading consumer brands.

What the client’s thought of the event

“Thank you so very much for opening the door to a really rewarding experience, Design Derby 2011. Each time I think about Saturday and the numbers of students in the audience I’m inspired. I remember thinking, as I spoke, how quiet everyone was and the end result was really great. You and your team clearly rule with an iron hand and manifest the goods!

We, the WAE Center team, look to our collaboration as we move forward. “

Best,

Marilynn

Marilynn Schneider
Director, WAE Center

“I was impressed beyond expectation with the Design Derby on Saturday. I think I speak for us all when I say we feel very blessed by the entire process and the prospect of our new website design.”

Best,

Renee Folzenlogen

Program Coordinator

What a participant thought of the event

“Ramapo was honored to be part of this exciting annual event filled with so much design talent. The opportunity to collaborate with the WAE center is an enriching opportunity for our students.”

Sarah Stackhouse

Assistant Professor of Visual Communication Design, Ramapo College of New Jersey

NY ADC Carneval Was Real Freaky

1to1expert — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:11:46 +0000

When the NY Art Directors have an event, it pays to go. I joined ad agency icon Ron Travisano (who was kind enough to drive into NY), Bernie Zlotnick, (another industry pertinent Art Director) who currently is teaching the newbies how it’s done, and my “brother” Steve Longo, one of the top corporate identity and packaging designers, now heading up County College of Morris’ graphic design department, as they foraged into Manhattan on their way to Carnival. The NYADC owns this nifty building on West 29th and they have a large gallery space that the ADCNJ used for their judging back in April. On Thursday, Oct 27th, the NYADC produced this mini-trade show event where photographers and illustrators presented their services to attendees. And, in keeping with the Halloween time frame, they invited some very special performers. The show was to begin at 6pm and we had a few hours to kill so it was decided we would have a late lunch at Kun Gan San on 32nd.
If you want to see Ron Travisano eat mandoo and pajun, click here.

Ron Travisano and Bernie Zlotnick pick at Korean eel and beef.

Part of the Carnival Freak Show performs for attendees.

Half android and hula wrangler perform at the NYADC Carnival.

After this amusing repast we meandered over to the Carnival and stayed for about an hour. If you want to see the video,

click here.

Getting out of Manhattan at 7pm proved to be an ordeal, but to reward us, Ron stopped at Holsten’s in Bloomfield for ice cream sodas. Holsten’s is world famous not only for their home made chocolates and ice cream but for the fact that the Soprano’s taped their last show in one of the booths. I had the best ice cream soda and Ron, Bernie and Steve had theirs.

See video here.
Turned out to be a wonderful day.

Brooklyn Beer and iPad Insights at September’s ADCNJ Event

1to1expert — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:49:05 +0000

Jenna Smith, President of ADCNJ introduces Eric Ottaway from Brooklyn Brewery

Montclair, NJ
September’s ADCNJ event originally featured Eric Ottaway from Brooklyn Brewery and his Agency Creative head. At the last minute Eric’s agency co presenter got sick and industry recognized illustrator, Joe Zeff was drafted and shared some of his experiences in learning and developing interactive social iPad applications for his many clients. I got a chance to ask Joe and Eric a few questions. You can see video excerpts from the event here: youtube.com/1to1expert#p/a/u/2/rILX16nRqZQ]]

Some of the attendees were kind enough to share their advice with students wishing to enter our industry. Terrence Pranses, a market research expert, who donated a door prize as well, shared his insight in securing a job in this competitive market. View the video interview here: youtube.com/1to1expert#p/a/u/1/XHTiLUWbXr8]

Lisa Greebel, a long-time member who I remember from meetings held at L’Affair, returned to the work force at AJ Images and was very active in supporting the ADCNJ was nice enough to share her time with me. Find out what she learned here: youtube.com/1to1expert#p/a/u/0/O7lLokWf7pI]

Brooklyn Brewery produces several brands and Eric Ottaway divulged some of the successful methods he has experienced during the branding of his company’s products, including Black Ops, a revered brew made by a few employees. You can catch the interview here: youtube.com/1to1expert#p/a/u/2/rILX16nRqZQ]

Jeff Barcan and Keith Smerak display their wares

Our intrepid ADCNJ Design Committee was behind the bar, serving up Brooklyn ale, pilsner and lager along with other libations. I managed to ask Keith Smerak a question. You can view the video here: youtube.com/1to1expert#p/a/u/0/r3xwzO1F448]

Join us at our next event. Stay informed about new trends and technologies that will help you do your work better. Join the ADCNJ. Go to adcnj.org and download an app now.

2011 ADCNJ Awards Show Voted Best Ever

1to1expert — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:53:52 +0000

Whippany, NJ

With 138 Winners, this years ADCNJ Annual Awards Show was one of the largest in the history of the club. Normally, most awards shows are simply reading from a text, calling up the winners and are considered dull, but this year, our favorite comedian, Sarge, provided the spark and humor necessary to elevate our show to “memorable.” Harvey Hirsch, this year’s Show Chair and 2009 recipient of the Lew Kraut Award presented this year’s award to Rose Gonnella of Kean College.

Rose Gonnella accepts this year's Lew Kraut Award

Sarge reprises his role as Emcee, bringing the attendees and winners his unique brand of comedy.

With over 115 categories, Judges viewed over 478 entries to select the medal winners. Attendees were also feted with the Birchwood Manor’s delicious cuisine and, what is becoming a tradition at our shows, the raw bar, loaded with lobster tails.

Kean College, which won 7 medals for work created was also represented by their students who swept the Scholarship Awards and alumni.

Kean College alumni join Kean scholarship winners.

Media Mix, a sponsor of our show, provided full video coverage and this year, Bob Suede provided music and mobile video for the many interviews performed by Sarge and Harvey.

Sarge interviews Neil Nathanson, who provided 3D images from the new ADCNJ 3D Photo Gallery.This year's show also had 3 new categories: Best in Print, Best in Digital and Best in Pharma, as well as the Best in Show.

Torre Lazur swept this event by taking Best in Print, Best in Pharm and Best in Show

This year, the ADCNJ started a tricky tray to raise more money for our educational activities.

Linda Lemos sells tickets for our tricky tray prizes.

Tricky Tray donations helped raise funds for ADCNJ Educational events.

Scholarships were offered by Smith Design for students majoring in package design, and by Nicklefish, for students involved in internet and website design.

Packaging Design Scholarship winners: Sandra Hogue, CNJ, Travis Poulsen, Kean, James Smith and Lindsay Ribe, CNJ.

An abbreviated video of this year’s show can be viewed here:

The ADCNJ wishes to acknowledge the following individuals and companies for their volunteering and support in producing this year’s show:

Neil Nathanson for bringing all of the wonderful 3D for the show and our new blog, Richard Albeen, for assisting in developing concepts, providing copy and editing, Keith Smerak, for all of the graphic work he and his team provided for the Call for Entries, certificates, awards, hang tags and placemat, Jeff Barcan and his team for all of the web page updates and email blasts, Joe Vargas and Chris Sebes of Media Mix for the lights, video, editing and video production facilities, Perry Mann and Shane Foubert of Mann & Co for providing the data merging and printing of our Call for Entries, Tony Costanzo and MindFire for providing the programming and email tracking support, Pat Hanley and her management team for making this whole show run smooth, Nancy Fisher for getting the judges to come out and judge our show, Laraine Blauvelt, for all of her time and diligence in keeping the other volunteers on schedule, Linda Lemos for making calls to get advertisers in our book, Robert Ryan for his constant support of our organization and this show, Ken Riola for designing and constructing the centerpieces, Bob Suede for providing the music and mobile video, Frank Peluso for his constant photographic support, Jenna Smith and our current Board of Directors, and most of all, Sarge who left the comfort of his Florida life to make our event so wonderful and memorable, again. The ADCNJ is indebted to you all.

The Creative Group, staffing consultants, helped support our event.

Thinking Creatively Brought New Paths of Thinking to Students

1to1expert — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:15:40 +0000

Union, NJ

Over 80 students from NJ colleges attended the 8th Annual Thinking Creatively Conference held at Kean College. The students all participated in the Design Charrette hosted by The Gruskin Group. Designers from all facets of the creative industry served as mentors to their creative teams in order to guide them in making their presentations. Ten teams of students competed with each other in promoting products with the hopes of having their team win the promotion.

Speakers from all over the design industry shared their experiences with attendees and brought their unique talents to help guide future designers.

Experience this event here:

ADCNJ Launches Gallery of 3-D Photography

1to1expert — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:59:09 +0000

The ADCNJ announced the launching of its new 3-D Photography Gallery. With the assistance of 3-D photographers and artists from around the world, Neil Nathanson has created this gallery of innovative 3-D photography. All you need are anaglyph (red and cyan) glasses and you can view some of the most unusual and dynamic photos from photographers in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and America as they attempt to create new depths in 3-D.

Judging the ADCNJ Awards Show

1to1expert — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:35:24 +0000

I went to the NY Art Directors Club to see the judging of our show and get some insight from the judges on what they look for when they judge a piece. With 478 entries to judge, Pat Hanley and her assistants were constantly setting up new tables containing the different categories and the entries for each on tables provided by the NYADC. About 12 judges were roaming from table to table bestowing their carefully calculated numbers on each entry to reward it for its creativity. I got to interview several of the judges as to what they look for when judging a piece. Here is the video.