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Our Blog
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.
Cocktail Friday: Gin and Tonics
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!
Cocktail Friday: White Russian
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.
Celebrate Spring - Today is the Equinox
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Mark Twain on Advertising
"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.
Art Tuesday - Texas in a Nutshell
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".
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Guillemets on Goals
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.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - 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.
Cocktail Friday: Carnival Punch
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.
Fortune of the Day - March 1st
