Once again, the Redstone team helped tee up a successful Cox Classic golf tournament.

Redstone has been the marketing partner for the Omaha stop on the PGA's Nationwide tour for 15 years. 2010 was another successful event. The final numbers are yet to come in, but it looks like attendance and the money raised for charity will once again be up over last year. 

Many of Redstone's clients also stopped by the agency's skybox to say hello and enjoy a rock-star view of the action on the 18th green.

Below, you'll see some members of the Redstone team sporting the latest agency golf wear at the Friday skybox party.

Hula hoop contests were only part of the retro fun at the recent Redstone summer picnic. Agency team-members and their families turned out in force to enjoy sack races, water balloon tosses and a bouncy house at the annual agency event.

Barbecue and sno-cones were the most popular menu items ... along with some classic adult beverages concocted by the agency's master mixologist, Chad Hultman. Who knew he could make such a mean grasshopper?

Below, Randa Zalman and Sandy Douglas look on in awe as  Cooper Svoboda demonstrates he is a hooping savant. Are there any college scholarships available for that?

The agency and a number of our retail, credit union and manufacturing clients were honored at the recent American Marketing Association's Pinnacle Awards ceremony.

The Pinnacle awards are a bit unique in the category because judging is based not only on the attractiveness of the materials, but also on the strategy they were based on and the results they achieved.

In all, Redstone received seven awards including: A platinum for Nebraska Furniture Mart's recent Design Gallery DVD mailing; a gold for Nebraska Furniture Mart's 2009 Holiday Campaign; a Pinnacle for McCoy Fishing Line's packaging system redesign; a gold for Centris Federal Credit Union's Smart Car promotion; a Platinum for Centris' 75th Anniversary Campaign; a Pinnacle along with Eventive Marketing for the Designer Showhouse social media campaign; and a Pinnacle for the Scrooge U holiday greeting campaign.

The team at Redstone would like to thank all of our client partners for working with us to produce award-winning materials that consistently have a positive business impact!

Redstone once again fielded a team of hardy heelers for the 2010 Arthritis Foundation Walk.

The agency has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation for more than a decade and, in addition joining in on walks and fundraisers, helps the organization with a variety of advertising and promotional materials.

This year's Redstone team (from left to right in the photo below) was Joe Svoboda, Sandy Douglas, Jim Svoboda, Phil Webb, Randa Zalman, Tam Webb, Mary Grabow, Steve Armbruster, Renee Heikes and (not pictured) Shawna Eves, Claudia Martin and Rod Szwanek.

Picture it ...

It's Friday afternoon. Spring sunshine falls over the creative area, cut into dazzling stripes as it comes through the window blinds. From the agency kitchen wafts an intoxicating aroma. Is it fresh popcorn? Is it sizzling bacon? Agency personnel begin to gather. One question on each of their minds ...

"What the heck is burning back here?"

Ah, such is the first experience of "Bacon Pop" the nation's first (and we imagine "only") bacon-flavored microwave popcorn.

The fact is though, once you get past the slightly burnt-cardboard smell, the popcorn itself is pretty tasty. Now, granted, Redstone is populated by a number of self-proclaimed popcorn addicts. But the hint of bacon along with a traditional buttery base and nicely meaty popcorn kernels made for a very nice combination.

Redstone would like to thank our sister-in-bacon and friend Jen Simons at Centris Federal Credit Union for sending us our first box of this modern delicacy. I don't think it will be the last one we enjoy!

In the grand tradition of engaging in April Fool's Day antics here at Redstone, partners Jim Svoboda and Steve Armbruster arrived at the office today to find themselves the proud owners of lakefront property.

The "lake" in question stretched farther than "stepping distance" and access to their respective offices was possible only by ferry ... or by waiting (or making) the waters recede. Jim, in his best Charlton Heston style, attempted to stretch forth a staff-like production ruler and part the sea of cups, but apparently the Almighty has better things to do than take sides in office pranks.

Hats off to the merry jokesters who perpetrated this moist mayhem. However, they'd be wise to remember that paybacks are ... are ... well, they're something.

Redstone and Centris Federal Credit Union were honored recently in the Service Industry Advertising Awards.

The campaign created for the credit union's 75th anniversary won a Gold in the competition which judges outstanding work by marketers of services. More than 900 organizations entered work for consideration this year. The national panel of judges graded each entry on the basis of creativity, consumer appeal and breakthrough content.

The winning entry from Redstone and Centris included TV spots featuring credit union members, a computer generated Smart Car and a new custom music track. 

Redstone was honored to be named the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Month for February. 

In a presentation ceremony during the organization's board meeting, Keith Bushardt, representing presenting sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, praised the company's simple but powerful business description, "We help you sell stuff." Claudia Martin, representing the Redstone partners, thanked Keith and the Chamber in accepting the award and said the agency is "especially proud that, in helping our clients succeed and grow, we help Omaha grow as well." 

You can read more about the award in the Chamber's article by clicking here. 

The Redstone AlleyGators took to the alleys recently for the Omaha Ad Federations annual bowling tournament. While they weren't able to bring home the trophy, they were able to make a strong showing in the t-shirt design contest and the "gator chomp cheer" will continue to live in infamy at Omaha's Western Bowl. 

The AlleyGators from Redstone were: Jeff Kavan, Stacy Vance, Mary Grabow, Jim Svoboda, Randa Zalman, Ashley Purcell and Jaye McCoy. 

The intersection of the Midwest's recent record-breaking cold snap ... along with this year's Christmas holiday gift sensation created a very special event in Redstone's Media Department.

Friday was declared "Snuggie Friday" by several members of the Media Department.

While not everyone was able (or willing) to bring their Snuggie to the office. You'll see in the photo below that the famous "as-seen-on-tv" product has a fair number of fans including our own Amanda, Alison, Shiletha and Renee.

Inspired by the event, the Creative Department immediately announced plans to develop the "Ruggie" ... a new toupee with ear holes. Look for it in a department store near you soon.