20|20 Employee Publishes Book: Not The Stars But The Distance

I read the first chapter of this book out of support for it’s author since he sits in the office next to mine. I devoured the remaining chapters because I was truly entranced. I began reading it while eating my taco dinner at a nearby restaurant and I can’t help but wonder what my fellow patrons must of thought of me as I laughed out loud by myself and grinned from ear to ear with salsa dripping off my chin? This book has heart and reading it was an adventure in itself. It’s funny, romantic, suspenseful, gritty, but most importantly it is profound.

At 23, Cody Hanson has wisdom and perspective well past his years and his story is a testament to that. To write a book is a feat. To do it and publish it at 23 is akin to scaling the face of El Capitan.  I will warn you, there is a moral to this story, and considering it’s author, I would expect nothing less. For the price of 2 Starbuck’s lattes, I highly recommend everybody buy this book and keep it on your shelf as a reminder to LIVE and live now!

Get it at Amazon.

Happy reading!
-Alec

Everyone is Hungry for Online Video!

A branded web video by 20|20 Creative Group

When was the last time you watched a video on the internet? Yesterday? An hour ago? Did you literally just get done watching one? Are you watching one while simultaneously reading this? Probably yes.

How do I know? Because a recent article released by BrandChannel states that, according to a survey from Digitas, there is an “increased urgency for brand investment in online video.” And it’s not just amongst the young people; Baby Boomers are getting in on the viewing action too. Here are some very telling facts on what’s happening with online video right now:

“63% of U.S. adults look at online content while watching television, rising to 71% for adults 18-44.”

“Almost half (46%) of online video viewers are likely to seek out participating brands mentioned [in the video].”

“58% of brand fans on social media, ages 18-34, would check out a video posted by a brand, and 45% of those ages 35+ would do the same.”

Okay, so those are the boring stats. What do they mean? They mean that videos have become not only a cultural shift for consumers, but also a much more effective and efficient (i.e., highly targeted in comparison to TV) way for brands to make an impact on their target customers and spur new growth.

Does your brand have a video backing it up?
-Cody 

20|20 Nabs Some ADDYS

Last week we were honored to learn that, in addition to serving our clients, some of the work we’ve done over the past year has been recognized and awarded by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Each year, the Santa Barbara chapter of the AAF holds the ADDY Awards to recognize the top regional advertising campaigns and individual pieces of work across various digital and print media channels.

This year 20|20 is honored to bring home an ADDY for our own website redesign, as well as ADDYs for the ongoing Pacific Eye campaign, Promega‘s corporate responsibility posters, and Bazomb‘s logo.

We want to thank Santa Barbara AAF for their work in compiling and reviewing the advertising work throughout the region. Most of all, we want to thank all of our clients for believing in us and working with us to create truly great marketing and advertising.

Thank you all.
-The 20|20 Team

RRM Design Group launches new website

For the past few months, we’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with one of the top architectural design firms on the West Coast. As a multi-disciplined group with focus areas in Architecture, Planning, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Surveying, and Sustainable Services, RRM’s process and capabilities provide a unique and powerful solution for its clients.

RRM Came to 20|20 to help them create a new website that accurately reflects the company, its people, its culture, and its work. 20|20 is proud to announce the launch of that website, and would like to thank everyone at RRM Design Group for the wonderful experience. It’s been such a fun and rewarding project.

Thank you.
-The 20|20 Team

2012 Pantone Color of the Year!

As the new fresh air of a new year washes over us this January, we look toward what this fresh start has to offer. Economic recovery? Political unity? Possible apocalypse?

It’s quite a mystery, but the folks at Pantone, the authority on everything color, tell us we should at least make a splash in the new year. That’s because Pantone has named the 2012 color of the year Tangerine Tango (Pantone 17-1463 for all those curious creatives out there).

I look forward to this annual announcement, not just because I’m an enormous geek, but because I love the reasoning they come up with for each color selection and the implications it has within the economy, fashion, pop culture and our social consciousness.

By comparison, the 2011 shade (Pantone 10-2120 “Honeysuckle”) was a saccharine pink that symbolized an optimism and surge of energy necessary as we confront some of life’s not-so-fun challenges (economic recession; political stalemates; possible “Rapture”). It looks like Tangerine Tango maintains that sort of “shot in the arm” mentality with a little more playfulness and edge. It feels like we’re slowly regaining our confidence, and this color is armor we should wear as we continue the long road ahead.

2012 could be our springboard toward something great, that is unless you’re banking on the apocalypse in December, in which case, at least you’ll go out with some pizzazz!

Cheers,
Robyn

A Movember to Remember

Ah, fall. It’s officially here. Time for sweaters, pumpkin pie, and… mustachioed men?

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and other charities, November is officially the month where guys grow out their moustaches in support of men’s health awareness and in effect rebrand the month “Movember.”

This campaign is a brilliant tactic to bring attention to men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer, and connect it with a younger generation. The best part is that everyone participating becomes a “walking billboard” for the cause, promoting awareness and conversation about the issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Its website (us.movember.com for all you folks stateside) has a distinct look and feel that’s equal parts masculine, hipster, and retro. It features everything from a mobile app to a grooming style guide, and of course opportunities to donate and learn more.

I’ve seen this grassroots campaign fervently proliferate itself on Facebook in recent weeks as guys gear up to ditch their razors for furrier pastures. Though I usually prefer the clean-shaven look, I have to say I love the cause and the execution of the campaign. So rock on “Mo Bros” everywhere! This is truly your month to shine.

-Robyn

20|20′s Lynne & Alec Attend Leadership SLO Class XX Reunion

This Sunday, the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens were teeming with local business and community leaders from across San Luis Obispo County. New graduates and past alumni gathered to honor Leadership SLO, its graduates, and its past directors. The program – aiming to cultivate strong and cohesive leadership, involvement and investment in the future of San Luis Obispo County – reached its 20 year hallmark this October.

20|20 founder Lynne Biddinger, a graduate of Class XIV, attended the reunion banquet along with 20|20 President & Creative Director Alec Ramsey, a graduate (as of Friday) of Class XX. Their attendance marked a celebration of 20|20′s commitment to the San Luis Obispo community as well as a dedication to never-ending learning and growth. Thank you Lynne and Alec for setting the bar high and providing inspiration for the rest of us!

Here’s a bit of KSBY coverage of the event.

20|20 Heads to Santa Cruz!

Summer was ending, we were all getting antsy, and we just knew it was that time again. Time for a 20|20 retreat! So we loaded up the mini van, piled ourselves in and headed up the coast to Santa Cruz for a weekend of fun, games and adventure. From convincing ourselves that our rental home was haunted, to pondering the mysteries of the Mystery Spot, to satisfying our creative cravings at improv theater, good times and great memories flourished.

SLOtheSTIGMA Nominated for Cause/Effect Awards!

Some of you may be familiar with SLOtheSTIGMA, a documentary and campaign produced by 20|20 for Transitions Mental Health Association, to reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness in San Luis Obispo County. If you haven’t seen it, please watch SLOtheSTIGMA. Both the documentary and accompanying advertising campaign were entered into AIGA San Francisco’s (AIGA is the professional association for design) 2011 Cause/Effect Awards.

The Cause/Effect Awards were created to highlight branding, marketing, and design projects that advance the well-being of our environment, our society, or both. 20|20 was honored to learn that SLOtheSTIGMA had been nominated alongside so many amazing projects for a shot at the People’s Choice awards.

An online gallery and voting system is currently up and in progress, and will be available until October 31st. If you wish to vote, or to simply view these campaigns, check out the Cause/Effect website, get inspired, and get involved!

20|20 Wins Six Addy Awards for 2011

20|20 has definitely kept the ball rolling, receiving six Addy Awards from the American Advertising Federation for 2011 on various branding projects. Recognition included a Gold Award for the television commercials produced for Farm Supply Company, while other creative projects to receive awards included Talley Vineyards’ Bishop’s Peak wine label, Friends of Hearst Castle’s print collateral, the SLOtheSTIGMA and REC Solar marketing campaigns, as well as the “Duane” television ad for The Villages of San Luis Obispo.

20|20 is hugely appreciative to all of its amazing clients, without whom this work could never have happened. Thank you all. We can’t wait for all the fun and exciting branding, marketing and advertising projects to come!