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    Let's Talk About Stuff.

Our goal in posting our blogs is three fold: To introduce timely industry news that is relevant to our clients; to post items we find interesting and entertaining, and finally, to give you a glimpse of TSW US “Behind the Curtain”. We take the business aspects of what we are doing very seriously, but we like to have fun, hopefully that shines through here.

Our Blog is a puzzle being assembled. Sometimes the individual pieces of the puzzle don’t look like the whole picture once completed – You have to keep adding pieces one at a time to make the image clear. We hope you keep coming back to see how the TSW US puzzle takes shape.


Blog Image for Cocktail Friday: Gin and Tonics

Cocktail Friday: Gin and Tonics

03/31/2017

Its Cocktail Friday here at The Specialist Works US and we are celebrating with some tasty Gin and Tonics! The cocktail was first introduced by the army of the British East India Company where malaria was a prominent issue. In the 1700s, Scottish doctor, George Cleghorn, discovered that quinine could be used to prevent and treat the disease. Quinine was served in tonic water, however the taste was bitter. In the early 19th century, British officers in India took to adding a mixture composed of water, sugar, lime, and gin to the quinine to give the drink a more pleasant taste. Thus, the Gin and Tonic was born! Today, since it is no longer used to treat and prevent malaria, it contains much less quinine and is usually sweetened.

While it may have originated as a treatment, it is now consumed for pleasure and is a notable icon in todays pop culture. Some famous instances of Gin and Tonics in media include: James Bond specifies a recipe for a Gin and Tonic while in Kingston, Jamaica in the book Dr. No., Colonel Henderson complains when his Gin and Tonic is served with ice in the movie The Year of Living Dangerously, Ian Gillan mentions the cocktail in the song "Sleeping On The Job",  Billy Joel mentions the cocktail in the song "Piano Man",  Oasis also mentions the cocktail in their song "Supersonic", Nik Kershaw begins his song I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with mention of the cocktail, the character Barney Stinson played by Neil Patrick Harris on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother is often heard ordering a Gin and Tonic, and Gin and Tonic is one of John Constantine's drinks of choice in the Hellblazer comics. It is also the drink of choice for hero, Cat, in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress Series.

Through these examples, it is easy to see Gin and Tonic is well-known throughout pop culture. This sort of awareness is what advertising and marketing aims to do. With this industry, the goal is to get the product to be well-known to its directed audience. Whether it is a Gin and Tonic or any other product, skilled professionals will learn their products targeted audience and which media to use to successfully get their message out. 

Want to try a Gin and Tonic for yourself?

Grab a glass, fill it with ice cubes, add gin and tonic as desired, and top off with a lime wedge! Enjoy!


Blog Image for Cocktail Friday: White Russian

Cocktail Friday: White Russian

03/24/2017

Its Cocktail Friday here at The Specialist Works US and we are celebrating with some White Russians! Interestingly, the White Russian did not receive its name based off its country of origin, but rather for the type of vodka used in its recipe. In the 1930s, vodka was not well known in the US so people began associating all vodka as Russian, hence the use of the term in the drink. Large vodka marketing campaigns did not reach the states until the 1950s.

The White Russian did not get its current recipe of cream, vodka, and Kahlua until the 1960s. Today the White Russian has inspired a drinking game popular among college students who try to keep up with The Dude while watching The Big Lebowski. The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American crime comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. White Russians make a prominent appearance in the film as the movies main character, The Dude, drinks a steady stream of them throughout. 

Implementing the cocktail in the film is a perfect example of product placement. Product placement is a technique commonly used by advertisers to subtly place brands and products in popular media and entertainment to promote interest. The White Russians popularity was revitalized due to its placement in the film.

Want to try and beat The Dude yourself?

Ingredients:

5 cl (5 parts) Vodka

2 cl (2 parts) Coffee liqueur

3 cl (3 parts) fresh cream

Preparation: Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice. Float fresh cream on top and stir slowly.


Blog Image for Celebrate Spring - Today is the Equinox

Celebrate Spring - Today is the Equinox

03/20/2017
Today, March 20th is the first day of Spring. The Vernal Equinox occurred this morning, and marks the transition of seasons. It also marks time for a quarterly review of goals. Spring is time for growth, and renewal. What is an equinox? according to Dictionary.com it is: (noun) the time when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator, making night and day of approximately equal length all over the earth.
Tags: Seasonal

Blog Image for Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Mark Twain on Advertising

Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Mark Twain on Advertising

03/15/2017

"Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising." -Mark Twain.

Its Wit & Wisdom Wednesday here at The Specialist Works US and we are focusing on the importance of advertising today in the office. Effective advertisings purpose is to reach out to a targeted audience and successfully get your message or product across to them. Twain is correct in saying no matter how small the thing, it can become large through a skilled advertising campaign. 

Here at TSW US, we all share the same vision for the company - "Build our clients business and ours will grow alongside it." To do this, we must be strategic in our approaches to get our clients businesses properly acknowledged. Some tips for an effective advertising campaign include: keeping your ads relevant, describe what sets your product apart, include a call to action, and to list the price of your product or service.


Blog Image for Art Tuesday  - Texas in a Nutshell

Art Tuesday - Texas in a Nutshell

03/14/2017

It is Art Tuesday, and this week we are celebrating the launch of our Houston office, and our SXSW sponsorship on Thursday. Music, books, hats and longhorns are all  "de rigueur" in Texas, but there is something even more quintessentially Texan. A pair of blue jeans on a barbed wire fence. We are fortunate to have this image evoking the spirit of Texas by Bob Calbert. His amazing ability to capture a moment in time, and a feeling of both comfort an belonging resonate well with us here at TSWUS. The fact that he also often shoots in black and white makes it even better! 

We welcome the Lonestar State team to the fold with open arms, and can't wait to see how the adventure unfolds as we "Go West Young Man".


Blog Image for Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Guillemets on Goals

Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Guillemets on Goals

03/08/2017
Visualize your long-term goals to paint your short-term action on the canvas of now. -Terri Guillemets

Setting a goal is important with any plan. However, it is the constant strives and dedication that make any goal possible. To reach your long-term goals, you must focus on the now and create short-term goals to further yourself to success. This is a prominent ideal within our company.

Here at The Specialist Works US, understanding goals is important. Our core philosophy states we will treat each client like our partner, strive to understand their long term goals, and spend time and effort to create tailored solutions that work. This is a promise based off goal-setting. We take the time to truly understand what it is our client wants as a result and we take the now steps to achieve it. A mountain is not climbed quickly, but with time and hard work you will get to the top. 

Blog Image for Wit & Wisdom Wednesday  - Susan B. Anthony

Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Susan B. Anthony

03/08/2017
I do not demand equal pay for any women save those who do equal work in value. Scorn to be coddled by your employers; make them understand that you are in their service as workers, not as women. Susan B. Anthony 

It is International Womans Day, and it is also Wit & Wisdom Wednesday. Handy! Today we have decided to post an insightful comment from Susan B. Anthony. As a woman in business, I have been an employee, a partner, and an outright owner. I have always believed that the above quote rings true. Prove yourself as a person, not as a woman. Respect is earned, not handed to you. I am proud of my team of both men and women at TSWUS. I hope that as their team leader they know that there is not only no gender bias, but there is no limit to what they can achieve if they put in the effort.

Blog Image for Cocktail Friday: Carnival Punch

Cocktail Friday: Carnival Punch

03/03/2017

Its Cocktail Friday here at The Specialist Works US and while Mardi Gras might have occurred earlier this week, we are continuing the celebration with some Carnival Punch. It is no wonder the recipe for Carnival Punch earns itself a top position on many different Mardi Gras Cocktail lists. With its vibrant color and tropical taste, it falls high on our list of cocktails as well. 

The Carnival Punch cocktail markets itself in relation to Mardi Gras. This is a great example of how the advertising world works! One concept can certainly tie back to another. Celebrations and drinks can go hand-in-hand, as can companies and advertising. While its just as important to value vibrant colors and unique flavors in a drink, its equally important to use vibrant aspects in an ad as well.

Want to make this cocktail for a Mardi Gras celebration, a fun afternoon with your coworkers, or just for a party of one?

Ingredients:

1.5 ounces pineapple infused vodka

1/2 ounce PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

Ginger beer as needed

Lime twist for garnish

Preparation: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add the vodka, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, and lemon juice and shake well.  Strain over ice into a rocks glass, top with the ginger beer and garnish with the lime twist.


Blog Image for Fortune of the Day  - March 1st

Fortune of the Day - March 1st

03/01/2017
"A friend believes you are good, even when you are bad."  Very intriguing.

Blog Image for 40 Days of Giving

40 Days of Giving

03/01/2017
One of the great elements of the TSW culture is a commitment to giving back. From the top of the organization down, there is a genuine desire to put muscle behind the idea of corporate giving. From the launch of very original Goodwill Rocks, to small insular efforts on an ongoing basis, the commitment is realized not just discussed. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm, so weve decided to throw out a challenge. 40 days of giving. Starting today, TSWUS will be Giving every day for the next 40 days. Our acts of charity may not be ground breaking, but they will be heartfelt, and hopefully contagious. Joins us for the challenge! If you too can manage to fulfill 40 Days of Giving, we will recognize you with a very special gift. (Although we are pretty sure the Giving will feel like a gift in and of itself).   Get your face on our Team America Wall of Fame! Sign up for 40 Days of Giving. Wed love to hear what you are doing! Cheers all!