DOC Holding Benefit Bash; OC Weekly Publisher Out
Irvine-based T & O; Group is looking to stir some imagination. But the images it’s seeking to conjure up aren’t so pleasant.
The ad shop recently launched a campaign for the Orange County Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Dubbed “Imagine,” the pro bono campaign consists of bus shelter posters throughout OC that address the debilitating effects of the disease.
One poster reads “Imagine” in white letters followed by the phrase: “Not Knowing if You’ll be Able to Walk Her Down the Aisle That’s MS.” There also is contact information for the nonprofit.
The campaign seeks to educate people on MS and clear up confusion about the disease and others, according to the agency. Radio and TV spots are set to be released soon.
“By observing and working with the MS clients first-hand, the creative team was able to deliver an emotional and powerful campaign,” said John Most, executive vice president and partner of T & O.;
T & O; also handled public relations for the MS chapter and its fundraising events, including the MS Walk slated for April. The agency also revamped the nonprofit’s Web site, which allows users to donate online and register for upcoming events.
Speaking of Charitable Work
Leave it to the creative types to think of something different.
Digital Orange County, a “think tank” organization for the electronic media types, is holding a fund-raiser of sorts to benefit the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Called the “Jumpin Jack Flash Festival,” the event is set for Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at seven degrees, 891 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.
Software designers versed in Macromedia Inc.’s Flash application are set to showcase their work and compete in three categories: commercial, personal and a special competition for creating the most inspiring Flash e-mail about the terrorist conflict.
Proceeds from entry fees are set to go to the victims of the World Trade Center and winning flash presentations will be disseminated worldwide, according to organizers.
The event also calls for a rooftop garden reception, hors d’oeurvres, music and dancing.
Tickets are $40 at the door, $25 in advance. For more info: www.digitalorange-county.com.
Billy Fried, president of Spasmodic ad shop in Laguna Beach and founder of Digital Orange County, said the organization’s charter is to “explore the convergence of art, media and technology.”
He said the event was organized to “stimulate new thinking among marketers and communicators, and create some positive alchemy for Orange County.”
Town and Gown
Atlanta-based Cox Communications Inc.’s Rancho Santa Margarita operation last week hosted an event for California State University, Fullerton students who are part of the school’s American Marketing Association.
The association, with help from Irvine-based SCDRG Inc. founder David Robertson, recently developed and launched a new cable marketing program designed to give students a look at careers in the industry. Public relations and marketing executives at Cox addressed a variety of topics, including cable technology and marketing.
“This program will increase awareness of the cable industry and attract quality business graduates from a variety of concentrations to the cable industry,” Robertson said.
Olympic Bid
Michael Kingsbury Marketing Inc., a Huntington Beach-based sports marketing and public relations firm, just added another feather to its cap: work on the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
The OC shop has been tapped by Park City Mountain Resort to handle its media relations for the Winter Games. Billings for the account were not disclosed.
In years past, the firm’s president Mike Kingsbury said he has worked with athletes and on big events, such as Philips U.S. Open and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Park City, which has invested millions of dollars in pre-Olympic upgrades, will host men’s and women’s alpine giant slalom skiing and men’s and women’s snowboarding events from Feb. 8 to Feb. 24.
Bonnie Crail, Park City’s marketing vice president, said she’s worked with MKM on a number of projects, and chose them again because the firm knows “how to speak the language of sports and sports business to consumer and trade media.”
Earlier this year the firm was retained by DMG World Media to handle the launch of Surf Expo West a surf, skate, street and back-to-school trade show, set to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in March.
Bits and Pieces:
TH & M; Advertising Inc. in Tustin recently landed an undisclosed chunk of business from Valencia-based Remo Inc., a drumhead and percussion instrument manufacturer. The ad agency’s work will include brand development, logos, ads, brochures and collateral material Judy Jablonski, publisher of LA Weekly and OC Weekly, recently announced her resignation. Effective Dec. 14, she’ll be moving on to start her own media consulting company. She began her career at the LA Weekly 18 years ago. Michael Sigman will become president and publisher, a dual position he held prior to Jablonski. The papers also are recruiting for an associate publisher to oversee all advertising Market Driven Strategies, a Newport Beach consulting firm, has tapped Newport Beach-based Hawkins Advertising to design two Web sites The Cannes screening on Oct. 17 has been canceled.
