Our Blog

Throwback Thursday - Japan 1964

It is Throwback Thursday at The Specialist Works US and today we are going for gold. We are proud to see that the American team is leading in the medal count at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, edging out China and Japan with 32 medals and 11 gold (but who's counting?). 

The Olympics are a global marketing phenomenon, with billions around the world tuning in to share in the spectacle. Nowadays regulations on who can advertise and promote their brand using Olympic buzz have prevented many marketers from being as involved in the games as they previously were - you can thank Coke and Atlanta 1996 for that, as AdWeek writes here. But today we'd like to highlight simpler times. The 1964 Games in Tokyo held a lot of significance, marking the first time the games were held in Asia, were televised internationally, and ran alongside the Paralympics Games. The logo gorgeously unites simplicity, color, and symbolism. Japan is often referred to as the "the Land of the Rising Sun", and the art perfectly embodies this, with a bold red supernova literally rising out on top of the rings. We love the stylistic choices and the design overall.  Good luck to all those in Rio! 

card deck giant has fallen...

Tombstones for Media is a feature we are always a bit sad to publish, but it helps us alert advertisers to changes in the market. Below are a few package insert programs that have cease to publish and our suggested replacement vehicle to reach the same targeted audience.

American Gardner Response Pack replacement program recommended Rodale Gardening Package Insert Program
Country by Mail replacement program recommended Go Mail Values
DIY @ Home replacement program recommended Northern Tool & Equipment Consumer PIP
Explore History replacement program recommended Bookspan History Book Club Ride-Along
Prime Time replacement program recommended Go 60! Card Deck
Products for Woodworkers replacement program recommended Wood Magazine Polybag
Ultimate Outdoorsman Action Pack replacement program recommended American Survival Guide

Details

In Tombstones for Media, we highlight the demise of print media channels, and offer options for replacing the circulation. Details' December/January 16" book was their last printed issue. We GQ as a replacement to reach the affluent male audience.

Art Tuesday: Gifts and Gimbap

It is Art Tuesday at The Specialist Works US and today we are highlighting abstract art from a local artist. Some time ago, a Korean restaurant where I used to frequently eat closed down, and being a regular they decided to leave one of their paintings with me. It was created by the owner's daughter, and we love the way the that the broad pastel brushstrokes blend into each other, weaving over and under its neighbors to create a rich, deeply textured canvas. 

The restaurant sold food, and we sell advertising, but both of our businesses are enriched by the presence of this painting. Our team at TSWUS comes from a wide range of disciplines, with backgrounds in psychology, art, politics, tech, marketing, and hospitality. We have all tried our hands in different careers and businesses - some of which, like the restaurant, are now closed and a part of the past. But we are individuals who are adaptive and creative, so we adapted and created new chapters. Stay sunny and keep an eye on the big picture! As you can see here, it is actually massive (Chick-fil-A Pez dispenser shown for scale). 

Tombstones for Media - Union Jack

Tombstones for Media is a feature we are always a bit sad to publish, but it helps us alert advertisers to changes in the market, and suggest replacement options.   Effective July of 2016, UK Ex-Pat newspaper The Union Jack ceased publishing. Although not strictly an Ex-Pat publication, British Heritage serves the anglophile audience. 

Cocktail Friday - International Beer Day

August 5th is International Beer Day. It is also Cocktail Friday at The Specialist Works and today we are toasting with a Stella. Craft brewing in the United States has been growing at a swift pace, enjoying a 12.8% increase in sales last year. The popularity of craft beer is even more apparent when we look at market share by dollar value, where every fifth dollar spent on brew is now craft. The microbrew market in the US is indicative of the values this country at its best. Never fearful of experimentation, always innovating, and forever optimistic. Flavors stack upon each other, constantly jostling and searching for that secret ingredient to find the right balance between hop and flop. So today, try a beer you've never had before. Live a little. And maybe you'll learn a lot. Cheers!

Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Jean-Paul Satre on Honesty

The worst part about being lied to is knowing you weren't worth the truth. - Jean-Paul Satre. 

Telling the truth is a two way street. For the teller, there is a certain intangible moral capital that they gain. It allows them to meet reality head-on and be somewhat objective about the world. Being honest doesn't just provide a fuzzy feeling, but also tangibly helps you achieve your goals. Understanding where you stand allows you to better orient yourself towards where you want to go. 

For the person being told, the truth is an olive branch that allows us to connect with the teller. It shows that they treat us with respect and that they have enough confidence in us to share their world. This in turn results in stronger trust, increased interactions, and higher amounts of happiness from these interactions. 

Advertising is the same. As brands become more integrated into our daily lives, consumers are in turn expecting more from the way they are being marketed to. Millennials especially, seek genuine interactions with brands and dislike dishonesty. Be big enough to treat consumers like people, tell them the truth, and most importantly, listen to their response. 

Art Tuesday - Aubrey Beardsley

It is Art Tuesday at The Specialist Works US and today we reminisce on legends. We are incredibly happy to have this Aubrey Beardsley sketch in our office. In this self-portrait Beardsley stands with his hands behind his back, confident and poised. A public and private eccentric, Beardsley never failed to shock or feared reprise. More than anything, his art was honest and insightful, which is really what matters - that expression lets you into the heart of the artist and alters the heart of the viewer. This is also the core of good creative, and perhaps a reason why the work that Beardsley did for playwrights and other brands was so memorable.

Spotlight Saturday - Desiree Metzger

One of the best moments in life is when you pass the torch. It is not great because you want to walk away, but because you see in someone else the ability to take on a task, and potentially do it even better. Holding on to ownership when someone else wants to step up is not only bad as a mentor, it means you never free up your time to explore something new.   This past week, we passed the torch for our Back to School charitable efforts for under-privileged children on to Desiree Metzger. We pulled her out of her comfort zone, and made her engage the rest of our staff to great success. Desiree not only embodies the selflessness that charitable efforts require, but keeps incredibly under the radar in pursuing her goal of helping others. People like her never boast about their efforts, which is why we need to shout it out. Cheers Desiree Metzger!    

Cocktail Friday - Southern Summers

It is Cocktail Friday at The Specialist Works US and today we would like to celebrate local success. Brian Hart Hoffman, chief creative officer at our media partner Hoffman Media, recently had his cocktail recipe book The Coupe featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. We were very glad to see our client, Expressionery, have their custom stamp design featured with the outbound press kit.

This collection of vintage cocktails, best enjoyed in a coupe, is charmingly creative. The creations bring us back to summer afternoons spent in our garden watching the sun set over the hills of Georgia. In honor of this memory, we would like to highlight a cocktail from the book conceived by Brian himself, the Alabama Summer. See the recipe below. Cheers! #thecoupelife

3 oz. fresh watermelon juice
1.5 oz Tito's Handmade Vodka
.5 - .75 oz Campari
.5 oz fresh lime ljuice
1 - 2 oz chilled sparkling water 

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add watermelon juice, Campari, and lime juice. Shake to combine, and strain into a coupe glass. Top with sparkling water, and garnish if desired.