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AdWeek Events

Great Mentoring Goes Both Ways

Ad Club Of Buffalo

AdLab: Leadership at Every Level (Because Great Mentoring Goes Both Ways)
Tuesday, September 24th
Templeton Landing, 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo
Cash Bar & Hors D’oeuvres @ 5:15 p.m. | Presentation @ 6 p.m.
Student Members: $5 | Members: $10 | Non-Members $25

RSVP Now >>

The wait is finally over. AdLab is back in action and this event is one that you won’t want to miss. We’ve teamed up with Leadership Buffalo and Performance Partners to explore how leadership happens at every level. We’ll hear from local Millennial Gen X/Yers, on the importance of letting the young guns in an organization champion new ideas or initiatives.

Let us explain a bit more. While the majority of us look up to the well-seasoned vets for their knowledge and expertise, a new trend called “Reverse Mentoring” is sweeping the industry. These vets have begun to look to the younger generation of advertisers for advice on key business objectives such as enhancing brand awareness through social media and digital spaces.

We’re certainly not discrediting the senior decision makers, but is 20+ years of experience required to take ownership of a project or come up with a great idea?  We’re not convinced.

If all of this makes you a little uneasy, you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve called in some of the best in the biz to share their experiences, best practices and provide some insight on this important topic. RSVP today and join us Tuesday, Sept. 24th. We’re fairly certain it’ll be an enjoyable evening. Hey, you may even learn a thing or two!

AdWeek Events

The Golden Age of BS

Ad Club Of Buffalo

Thursday, September 26
Ad Contrarian
“The Golden Age of BS” – presentation by Bob Hoffman
Karpeles Manuscript Library | 453 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY
Discussion: 7 p.m.
Members: $25 | Non-Members: $45

Author and advertising veteran Bob Hoffman will question some of the “truths” about advertising and marketing that you may currently hold to be self-evident. He’ll nudge you toward a state of skepticism about what you hear from advertising experts and pundits.

Bob will discuss the myth of advertising interactivity; the language of brand babble; frauds in display advertising; the fantasy of social media marketing; and the rise and fall of some advertising prophets.

If you’re in the industry – or even if you’re not – this lecture is sure to leave you asking yourself about the truth behind the advertising you consume. Prepare to be challenged, but also entertained.

RSVP NOW!

Bob Hoffman  is a partner in the Type A Group, a consultancy that helps businesses understand and influence consumers over 50. He is the author of “101 Contrarian Ideas About Advertising” and “The Ad Contrarian” as well as “The Ad Contrarian” blog, which was named one of the world’s most influential advertising and marketing blogs by Business Insider.

Bob has created advertising for McDonald’s, Toyota, Shell, Nestle, Blue Cross, Chevrolet, Pepsico, Bank of America, AT&T, and more companies than he cares to remember.

AdWeek Events

Get Ready! Ad Week 2013 is Coming in Hot

Ad Club Of Buffalo

Now that The Big Tip-Off is behind us, it’s time to gear up for one of the biggest weeks on the Advertising Club calendar – Ad Week. Cheers to those that filled the tip jars at Soho; it was our best year yet with over $4,000 raised for education programming.

Ad Week comes right at the start of the Ad Club membership year, which makes joining, if you haven’t already, even more essential. Get the most bang for your buck on Ad Week events and many more throughout the year by joining today.

The lineup for the 2013 session is pretty exciting, if we do say so ourselves. Much like you’ve experienced from past Ad Weeks, expect to be engaged, educated and have a little fun.

Thursday of Ad Week, in particular, is a day we’re really anticipating. It’s our Ad Contrarian presentation called “The Golden Age of BS.” Bob Hoffman will discuss the myth of advertising interactivity; the appalling language of brand babble; the massive fraud of display advertising; the fantasy of social media marketing; and the rise and fall of false advertising prophets.

It will definitely pique your interest.

Whether you decide to attend one event, or come for the whole week, we’re confident you’ll walk away with some inspiration and some industry insight that’s sure to impress your colleagues back at the office.

So here’s the rundown for the week:

Tuesday, September 24
Ad Lab with Leadership Buffalo & Performance Partners
Leadership at Every Level (Because Great Mentoring Goes Both Ways)
Templeton Landing | 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo
Cash Bar & Hors D’oeuvres @ 5:15 p.m. | Presentation @ 6 p.m.
Student Members* $5 | Members: $10 | Non-Members: $25

RSVP NOW

Explore how leadership happens at every level. Having 20 years of experience under your belt is no longer required to take ownership of a project, but with painstakingly visible differences between Millennials, Generation X and Y, a trend has become more apparent. The industry-wide trend we’re talking about is sweeping the marketing world and it’s called “Reverse Mentoring.”

It can lead to professional development and overall better leadership skills for promoting key business objectives such as building community and public relations, increasing lead generation and sales, and enhancing brand awareness, especially in the ever-evolving social media and digital spaces.

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Wednesday, September 25
Coffee Talk with Craig Kanalley
Real-time advice from Buffalo’s social media superstar
The Knox Room at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership
665 Main Street – Suite 200, Buffalo
Donuts & Hot Drinks: 8 a.m.
Discussion: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Pre-Order: FREE | At The Door: $5

RSVP NOW

If you’re on Twitter and don’t know of Craig Kanalley – you’re not really on Twitter. After three years at The Huffington Post – yes that Huffington Post – and brief stint as a social media editor at NBC News – yep, NBC news –Craig, a Tonawanda native, has returned home to work full-time as the social media manager for our beloved Sabres. Craig will spend his morning with us, fielding questions from audience members like you and chatting about all things social media. #GetYourHashtagsReady

——————————————————————————————

Thursday, September 26
Ad Contrarian
“The Golden Age of BS” – presentation by Bob Hoffman
Karpeles Manuscript Library | 453 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY
Discussion: 7 p.m.
Members: $25 | Non-Members: $45

RSVP NOW

Bob Hoffman will question some of the “truths” about advertising and marketing that you may currently hold to be self-evident. He’ll nudge you toward a state of skepticism about what you hear from advertising experts and pundits.

If you’re in the industry – or even if you’re not – this lecture is sure to leave you asking yourself about the truth behind the advertising you consume. Prepare to be challenged, but also entertained.

——————————————————————————————

Friday, September 27
Ad Week Social
Ad Club After Hours
Lobby Bar at Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave, Buffalo
2 for 1 Drink Special from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Price: FREE

Cap off a great week of events with a cocktail among friends. There’s no need to RSVP, just mark your calendar and prepare to have a good time. Hope you can join us for a drink!

Events

The Big-Tip Off: The Most Entertaining Event Recap You’ll Ever Read

Ad Club Of Buffalo

The post below was written by board member Matt Low who graciously planned, organized, and MC’d this year’s Big Tip-Off event. Not only is it an accurate recap, it’s an incredibly entertaining read.

THANKS FOR COMING OUT FOR THE AD CLUB OF BUFFALO’S THIRD ANNUAL BIG-TIP OFF.

(The following is the actual transcript[1] of what the MC of Advertising Club of Buffalo’s Third Annual Big-Tip Off, me, said on the evening of August 30, 2013. It is purely for the benefit of those who couldn’t make it or those who couldn’t hear me that night. What is in ALL CAPS, is what was said on mic (I was yelling). What is in parens (like all this stuff), the writer, also me, will use to fill in story gaps. What is in BOLD CAPS, is what was said off-mic (I was yelling even louder). And what is in italics, is what I was thinking. Enjoy. Oh please enjoy.)

 

SERIOUSLY, EVERYONE, THANKS FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT. I’M MATT LOW. AN AD CLUB BOARD MEMBER.

 

As if you people don’t know who I am. They know who I am, right?

 

YES, THIS IS THE ADVERTISING CLUB OF BUFFALO’S 3RD ANNUAL BIG TIP-OFF. ALSO KNOWN AS, “GIVE THE CLUB ANOTHER 30 TO 40 DOLLARS, YA CHEAPSKATE.”

 

That was a joke, people. I think I saw someone smile. Wait, can they hear me?

 

NO, SERIOUSLY. THIS IS A GREAT EVENT FOR HONORING THOSE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS: THE BARTENDER.

 

Okay, no one’s laughing. Or even looking at me.  

 

THE MONEY COLLECTED IN TIPS TONIGHT BENEFITS THE CLUB’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUCH. SO, THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING OUT. ANY STUDENTS HERE TONIGHT?

 

(No one responds.)

 

Don’t do the Ferris Bueller bit. Don’t do the Ferris Bueller bit. 

 

ANYONE? ANYONE? BUELLER?

 

Dammit.

 

ALRIGHT, LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE AWESOME BARTENDERS HELPING US OUT TONIGHT. KEN TRABERT AND SARAH NUENDORFER OF CENERGY. DAVE NAPIERALA OF GELIA. BRYAN LEFAUVE OF SKM GROUP.

 

I totally just butchered his name.

 

SANDY GINGERICH AND VIRGINIA BATES OF ERIC MOWER. SEAN RADLICH AND KARLIE BEIL OF TRAVERS COLLINS. MIKE GLUCK OF GLUCKWORKS. ANDY DONOVAN AND BILL COUSINS OF DPOST. AND JIM HETTICH OF CROWLEY WEBB.

 

IN A FEW SECONDS, THEY’RE GOING TO BE SERVING DRINKS FOR YOUR TIPS. AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, THE BARTENDER WITH THE MOST TIPS WILL TAKE HOME THIS SWEET TROPHY.[2] LET’S GET GOING!

 

FIRST UP: JIM, SANDY AND VIRGINIA, SEAN AND KARLIE, AND BRYAN.

 

TIP. TIP TIP. TIP.

 

Wow. I’m glad that’s over. What now? Drink? Drink.

 

(15-20 minutes pass. Our MC is now behind the bar.)

 

SO, IS EVERYONE HAVING FUN?

 

NO, THESE ARE NOT MY WIFE’S SUNGLASSES, SIR. BUT THANKS FOR ASKING. NICE FINGER.[3]

 

Seriously.

 

ALRIGHT, TIME’S UP, GUYS. SHIFT TWO, YOU’RE UP! MIKE, DAVE, BILL AND ANDY, KEN AND SARAH, GET UP HERE.

 

(Our MC spends the next 5-10 minutes making casual conversation.)

 

Boy that guy can talk. What’s his name again? His breath smelled like burnt cheese.[4] I’m kind of hungry. Okay, better push membership.

 

OKAY, PEOPLE QUIET FOR A MINUTE OR SO.

 

YES, YOU, LADY. QUIET! PLEASE?

 

I’M SORRY, YOU’RE GREAT.

 

I’ll FIGHT YOU ALL.

 

ANYWAY, IF YOU’RE NOT A MEMBER OF THE AD CLUB, YOU SHOULD REALLY LOOK INTO IT. THERE ARE TONS OF BENEFITS, LIKE DISCOUNTS TO AWESOME EVENTS LIKE THIS.

 

No one’s listening.

 

ALRIGHT PEOPLE, 10 MORE MINUTES.

 

TIP. TIP. TIP.

 

(10 minutes pass.)

 

ALRIGHT, AND THAT’S IT. STOP POURING, BARTENDERS. STOP. WE’RE GOING TO TALLY THE TIPS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE’LL AWARD THE DOOR PRIZES. TAKE OUT YOUR PINK TICKETS. WE’RE LOOKING FOR NUMBER 555689.

 

555689. 555689. 555689.

 

NO ONE? I’LL DRAW ANOTHER.

 

555417. 555417. 555417.

 

(This goes on for three straight hours.[5]

 

WELL, FOLKS, THE MONEY HAS BEEN COUNTED. AND COMING IN THIRD WITH $726 IS BRYAN LEFAUVE. COMING IN SECOND IS JIM HETTICH WITH $892. AND OUR FIRST PLACE WINNER WITH $934 IS DAVE NAPIERALA. COME GET YOUR TROPHY![6]

 

WE RAISED MORE THAN $4000 TONIGHT. EXCELLENT JOB, EVERYONE.

 

NOW, GO HOME. GOOD NIGHT.

 

I just want to go home and watch Orphan Black.

 

(Don’t get the wrong impression. This was a good night.)

 

1 “Actual” is being used very loosely here. It’s mostly true, but c’mon. I’m a writer.

2 It was not a sweet trophy. It was purchased from this crap trophy shop in my neighborhood. It had a guy in his underwear on top. And it was either that, a bowler, or a little girl playing soccer. What do you want for $30?

3  Didn’t happen.

4 This was actually a woman. And I will tell you who she was if you send me $5. [7]

5 Five straight hours.

6 Alright, it was a pretty sweet trophy.

7 Didn’t happen.

 

Blog Events

Ad Club of Buffalo to host the American Advertising Federation District 2 Leadership Conference

Ad Club Of Buffalo

A Message from Club President, Charlie Fashana 

image001

Each year behind the scenes, advertising clubs from across the country get together for a meeting of the minds. Usually a two day conference, it focuses on sharing club best practices, collaborating and making recommendations and resolutions that can be taken back to the local clubs. Buffalo belongs to AAF District 2, which includes the likes of Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.and Baltimore, among others in the northeast.

This September the conference is coming to us. For the first time in over 10 years, Buffalo has been chosen to host. Just think about what those folks saw a decade ago compared to what we’ve got going on now. We’re a city on the rise experiencing a creative revival all our own. Now we have the opportunity to showcase that progress to our peers.

I attended last year’s conference, hosted by the Pittsburgh Advertising Federation. It was a good experience.  I learned about the AAF side of our business, networked a lot and had a great time seeing a side of Pittsburgh I hadn’t seen before. Some highlights included a tour of the Carnegie Mellon Educational Technology Center and dinner overlooking a life-sized dinosaur exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

But now as the host city, our opportunity is so much greater. This is our chance to boast. From the rebirth of our region to the smart, innovative and energetic marketing pros that call it home, I can’t wait to show us off!

What does this mean for you, our members? While the conference is for board members, a big part of the conference experience is the showcasing of local talent among our peers in neighboring Ad Clubs.  I think we all can agree that Buffalo has much more of that than many of our out-of-market colleagues may think.  So right now we’re brainstorming who, or what, might be a good fit for inclusion in the agenda.

Do you work for a company or with a company that has a great story to tell? Might you or your company be interested in showing off some groundbreaking research or innovative achievements? Have any must-see work or just know of a unique place to entertain visitors? Well, if you do, we’d love to hear. Email us at info@advertisingclubofbuffalo.com/.

What does this mean for the Ad Club of Buffalo and for the city of Buffalo? A lot. Hosting the AAF District 2 Leadership Conference is an incredible opportunity for our Club and great for Buffalo. It will put our local Club in the spotlight of the national organization we are part of, while also showcasing the many gems that Buffalo has to offer.  We’re also thrilled about creating an economic impact as well. Approximately 30 to 40 professionals from five different states will be coming here for two nights, eating at our restaurants, drinking at our bars, seeing our sights and learning about Buffalo.

We’re treating this as a privilege to host this conference and are hoping to work with many local companies and agencies to develop great content. And we have already partnered with Visit Buffalo Niagara to help make this weekend a truly special visit for our attendees.

So again, if you’d like to be involved or want to share some ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.  Thanks in advance for any help!

Charlie

Blog Events

Twas 2 weeks before Christmas

Ad Club Of Buffalo

Written by board member: Shannon Fisher

Twas 2 weeks before Christmas and all through the bar,

Board members hoped friends would come from near and far

The Food Bank barrel was placed by the front door with care

In hopes that food donations soon would be there

Members started arriving with colleagues and friends

While visions of cold drinks danced in their heads

Some from ad agencies and some from PR

Had just settled in for a long open bar

When what to our wondering eyes should appear

But a full barrel of food long before the end of the night was near

With members and friends always giving their all

We knew in a moment they had answered the call

On soup! On pasta! On tuna fish!

On food upon food to fill many a dish!

The night was great, everyone had a blast

The only complaint we heard was it went by too fast

And we heard them all say before they drove out of sight

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!
Food Bank of WNY

“Thanks to the generosity of our members, the Ad Club donated 179 pounds of food, $100 cash and $50 in TOPS gift cards (donated by Pat McCarthy http://patmccarthyphotography.com) to the Food Bank of Western New York. Special thanks to: Jenemy Juhasz and Polla Milligan from the Food Bank; Arielle Blanchard for event planning and April Chmurzynski for event creative. Cheers!”

Events

Startup Weekend: November 16-18

Ad Club Of Buffalo

startUpWeekend-Buffalo

by: Nicholas Barone

Next weekend, Medaille College will host Buffalo’s first Startup Weekend. You’re probably asking, “What is Startup Weekend?” You may be wondering, “Who is this person on the Ad Club blog?” And lastly, “I work in advertising, why would I want to go?”

Boy you guys ask a lot of questions. I’ll answer those. Out of order, but they’ll all get answered.

I’m Nicholas Barone and I’m a freelance interactive designer and organizer for Startup Weekend Buffalo.

Startup Weekend is a non-profit organization that brings people together to form teams that will concept, design, and build products that could become a company. Our goal is to get members of Buffalo’s design (this is us), technology, and business communities together to meet and work toward creating new businesses in Buffalo. We want this event to be fun, and what’s more fun than working with complete strangers on an impossibly tight deadline to produce a killer project? You all remember college.

You should join us for many reasons, most of which are beneficial to you and not self-serving to Startup Weekend. Collaborate with interesting people, take risks on a project you can’t get fired for, and walk away feeling energized about what you do each day. It’s going to be a damn good time.

Click here to register. Don’t be sorry you missed it.
 

Blog Events

The Big Tip-Off Pays Off Again

Ad Club Of Buffalo

The second annual Big Tip-Off event helped raise serious cash for our scholarship fund again this fall. Several generous Buffalo agencies, businesses and individuals came out to tip their favorite bartenders and support a good cause. This year’s Advertising Club of Buffalo media sponsor The Buffalo News helped kick-off the event with their support and then the tipping began.

  
Checkout the rest of the Buffalo.com recap here for all the details.
The Big Tip Off brings in big bucks – PHOTOS

blog by Kathryn Przybyla

Anytime we get to dress up in Buffalo.com hipster glasses and splatter paint t-shirts is a good time.

Katie and I had a great time playing “co-guest bartenders” for the The Big Tip Off at Encore on Tuesday. Although neither of us had ever poured a real drink or bartended in our lives, we were definitely up to the challenge.

Overall, $2,875 was raised in tips with all of the proceeds benefiting the Ad Club of Buffalo scholarship fund. Although we tried our hardest, team Buffalo.com did not end up the winning bartenders. But we were thrilled to have added some assistance to the money raised.

Larry Robb, owner and CEO of SKM Group, ended up raising an incredible $816 and was presented with an awesome trophy and bragging rights for the night. Greg Meadows, Vice President and Creative Director at the Martin Group came in second place with an impressive $547 raised. Sandy Gingerich, Senior Partner and Director of Client Services at Eric Mower, rounded up the top three with $530 raised in tips.

Big thanks to all the hardworking bartenders for raking in the cash for a good cause! We hope to see you all again next year to challenge the returning champs SKM Group.


Blog Events

Stuff Aaron Draplin Says

Ad Club Of Buffalo

Aaron Draplin

So who is this large man coming to speak here in Buffalo? Get a little more insight into Aaron Draplin from his interview on the Adventures In Design podcast, or one of the youTube videos that have gotten him a cult following:

Why America is Fucked.

Advice For the Young Designer

Trinkets and Treasures

Check out his website, or come meet him in person next week and see what else he has to say.

Aaron Draplin: “Tall Tales from a Large Man”
A Part of Ad Week 2012
October 11 | Pearl Street Grill & Brewery | 76 Pearl Street, Buffalo
Cash Bar, Hors D’oeuvres and Mingle with Aaron @ 7 p.m. | Presentation @ 8 p.m.
Get Your Tickets Now >

Blog Events

Keep Calm and Play Ball

Ad Club Of Buffalo

Buffalo Bisons Stadium
Written by Board Member Megan Wagner, WNED

Nothing says summer like baseball, beers and BBQ. Last Thursday night, members of the Ad Club got just that.  As summer (unfortunately) draws to an end, the Ad Club enjoyed a night out at Coca-Cola Field to watch the Buffalo Bisons battle the visiting Syracuse Chiefs. We were set up with a pretty sweet spread which included beer, wine, wings and a plethora of other munchies.  The weather gods were smiling down on us and despite the loss by the Bisons, everyone had a fantastic time.

Needless to say, it was incredibly refreshing to take a break from hectic work schedules, deadlines and all the other stuff that bogs us down in our professional lives.  Stress proves to have negative effects on work performance and businesses.  According to Forbes, research suggests that many Americans report chronic work-related stress. 41% said they “feel tense or stressed out during the workday,” an uptick from last year’s 36% figure and costs American businesses $300 billion dollars a year.  Ugh.

So obviously, having a few cold ones at a baseball game with good friends is awesome for your health and your career.  Next time you’re feeling stressed out, join us at one of our Ad Club events!  We’re fun, relaxing and know how to have a good time.

What do you do to de-stress?  Let us know by commenting below!