Up & Addy 'Em!

What better way to celebrate our Greenville Office's first year than by winning some awards? Brace yourself...this a shameless self promotional post about our wins at this year's Greenville AdFed Addy Awards. Here's how it went down:

Gold Addy® Award
Kebo Packaging
Sales Promotion, Packaging

Silver Addy® Award
Kebo Logo
Elements Of Advertising, Logo 

Silver Addy® Award
Rush3 Product Design Studio Website
Website, Consumer HTML, Products 

For all of this, we thank Rush Dixon of Rush3 Product Design Studio and his extermely cool and inspiring design of the one-handed bottle opener. Check out Kebo and get one of your very own (we here the packaging is super sexy). 

And for you detail-oriented types (you know who you are):

The Greenville Advertising Federation's 2012 ADDY® Awards show was held at Zen in Downtown Greenville Saturday, February 18. This show was the first step in a 3-tiered competition.  SLANT will now advance to the regional competition. Regional winners will advance to the final tier, the national ADDY competition.  SLANT won a National Gold Addy® in 2004 for its own website.

The American Advertising Federation says "The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world."

SuperBowl 2012 - Didja Notice?

Unless you live under a rock, you've probably seen all the bloviating about how this year's SuperBowl ads were all about animal adorableness (dogs, most notably).  However, alongside all that mamalian paegentry there were some other common elements that were a little more subtle.  Take a look at some of the other things we noticed – did you?

1. Shazam.  
It seemed that about every other commercial included a Shazam tag.  We even saw a Bud Lite ad asking viewers to Shazam the halftime show to receive a Madonna/LMFAO download. Truly magcial technology, but is SuperBowl really the right place to showcase it? We don't know about you, but it was pretty hard to get a clear Shazam scan at our SuperBowl party with all the chatter (and Tom Brady fawning) going on in the room.  This release from the mobile app company citing "millions" of viewers engaged is a bit vague, which may signal the engagement was not as high as expected.

2. BestBuy's jab at Alec Baldwin.  
Remember that time Alec Baldwin got kicked off an American Airlines flight for playing Words With Friends instead of turning off his device? Only a few of us caught the slight jab at Alec in this year's BestBuy ad featuring the inventors of all the addictive apps we use every day.

3. Adriana Lima. 
What, like we weren't going to post a picture of her?The only time it was completely quiet during our SuperBowl party was during the Teleflora ad featuring Victoria's Secret bombshell Adriana Lima (yes, floral delivery was what this commercial was selling).  Did you notice Adriana made an appearance in this Kia ad as well? We sure did.

SLANTASTIC Holiday Gift Guide 2011 - Part 2

For the Aspiring New Year's Resolution Keeper

Give your favorite over-achiever something to help make their New Year's Resolution a whole lot easier. The Philips ActionFit line of sports headphones are made with sweat-proof and washable materials so even the ickiest of workouts won't ruin their great sound. And with a wide range of features from Bluetooth to in-line microphone, you're sure to find the perfect pair. www.philips.com/headphones

Then pair those fancy headphones with the ActionFit iPhone app so they can monitor, track and share their workouts (and make you feel lazy in the process). ActionFit app is available here on the iTunes store.

For the Little Lady on Your List

A favorite among the Shiloh and Suri set, Penelope Peapod dolls are a timeless classic that stay trendy even after jeggings become SO last season. The Penelope Peapod doll comes with her own little basket that goes from playtime bassinet to perfect little purse quicker than you can say "Fairy Princess". With ten patterns to choose from, the Penelope Peapod doll is the perfect accessory for your little fashionista. www.penelopepeapod.com

 

For the Serious Athlete (or, let's be honest: the serious hangover)

What do you get the serious athlete who has everything under the sun related to fitness? Simple...the gift of proper rehydration. Developed by a Charleston ER Doctor, BANa drink is like an IV in a bottle, offering quick rehydration after a long workout. Pick up a case and meet them at the finish line with a donut in hand and you'll be sure to win them over.  BANa is also a great choice for those more socially- than physically-active peeps on your list who are sporting hangovers more than running shorts. www.banadrink.com

SLANT Greenville Launch Party

Remember that time we opened our 2nd office in Greenville? Yeah well, we've been busy since then, so last night we finally had the opportunity to host a formal launch party. Thanks to our new friends, old friends, and of course our moms & dads for stopping by to celebrate with us.

(oh, and looks like our kebo party gifts were a huge hit!)

Martini ice luge? Yes please!Friends old and newYOU get a kebo, YOU get a kebo…

SLANTASTIC Holiday Gift Guide 2011 - Part 1

For the Beer Snob

FACT: Beer tastes better when you can open the bottle with one hand. Lucky for you, there's Kebo, the one-handed bottle opener.  Fresh from the inventor's workshop, this unique gift is perfect to bring to a party or to stick in a stocking.  Kebo, created by Charleston architect Rush Dixon, was inspired by a vintage 1930's opener and perfected through months of experimentation (and more than a few 6 packs).  This beautifully designed stainless steel bar tool comes in a retro-styled tin designed by Rush and your favorite elves at SLANT. $24.99 www.rush3studio.com

 

For your Co-worker who's a Lowcountry Noob

Giving the gift of food without breaking the bank can go one of two ways: 1) bake a loaf of something or 2) hand out a Subway gift card.  Either way, you're going to get some fake smiles and a generic "uh..thanks."

Avoid the awkwardness with a gift certificate to one of Charleston's little-known dining secrets: 24 North Market.  Tucked away inside the Art Institute, 24 North Market (who's logo was designed by SLANT's very own Connor Lock, a graduate from the Art Institute) is the culinary school's dining room.  For only $11, diners can enjoy a fabulous 3-course meal, complete with a delightful signature beverage (of the non-adult variety).  A 24 North gift certificate is a great (and affordable) choice for a co-worker who is new to the area.  And, hey, you could always sweet talk them to invite you along. www.facebook.com/24NorthMarket

 For the App-oholic

This is the best kind of gift - it's of the FREE variety.  Do you have a loved one who suffers from chronic Dead Battery Anxiety (DBA)?  You know the kind - the otherwise wonderful person who you've seen crawling on the floor of a bar to look for an outlet?  Then this app is for them - BatterySense by Philips Consumer Lifestyle (and designed by SLANT) is a free app that recommends what settings to adjust to achieve more battery life while on the go.  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/batterysense-by-philips-consumer/id426068946?mt=8

A Vote for Will is a Vote for Freedom

Tell your friends, tell their friends, tell random people on the streets with internet-connected mobile devices in their hands: Our very own Will "Man of the People" Bullock has been nominated for the 2nd year in a row as Charleston AMA Marketer of the Year!

Make his momma proud.

Cast your vote here.

Voting is easy as pie; no logins, no signups. Just click the link below, click where it says "Click to HERE learn more about them and cast your vote!", select the little button beside the name of Will Bullock, and hit the button that says "Next".
Boom goes the dynamite.

Update on Friday, November 4, 2011 by Will

Hi everyone — thanks to all your votes, I indeed made it to the Marketer of the Year finalists list. It was an honor to be able to represent SLANT and all our clients at the AMA Spark! Awards. Hats off to all the winners this year (check out the pix here).

Though I'm not THE best marketer this year, I'll gladly accept being top 3. And yes, mama is proud.

Cheers,
.w 

We'll Miss You, Steve

© Apple, Inc.Steve Jobs's passing has touched millions.  SLANT is among them.

He was an inspiration to us as detail-oriented designers. But perhaps more importantly, he was responsible for creating the tools that SLANT uses everyday to practice our craft and he developed the App ecosystem that clients hire us to design for.

We think it's very fitting that most of us first heard this sad news on our iPhones and iPads.

So it's with heavy hearts we say goodbye to a true visionary. We'll miss your black turtlenecks, wire frame glasses, and most of all, the reality distortion field. 

SLANT U, Class of 2011

*Not a real collegeAlbert Einstein once said "Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”  This inspired us to take a brief pause from our 90-mile-an-hour pace to give some proper make-out time to our favorite girl: SLANT.

We shut down the office early on a Thursday afternoon and hit the road to Greenville for our first ever "SLANT University."  We gathered at our new Greenville offices in the NEXT Innovation Center for a day of learning and collaborating (and some drinking) with each other on what makes SLANT....uh....SLANTASTIC.

Chief Brand Architect Christopher Cecil led the SLANT team through an analysis of the philosophy and principles behind our work, business model, and our relationship with clients. We then had a refresher course on how to present SLANT's brand and voice and what it means to be a SLANT employee.  And then we ate

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