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.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who gave us such great feedback on this year's Redstone "Holiday Experience": Scrooge U!

 

We know for a fact that many of you took home your Bachelor of Bah and Master of Miserliness diplomas ... and for all of those who were rejected on the basis of having too much holiday spirit, well, that's something to be proud of too!

 

If you haven't applied for your "scholarship" yet, there's always time to have a little holiday fun at www.scroogeu.com.

 

And to all of our friends, clients, partners and pals ... please have a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and joyful new year!

Last night, Claudia Martin, Mary Grabow and Randa Zalman joined Kristine Gerber of Eventive Marketing at the annual Public Relations Society Association Paper Anvil Awards. The Anvils honor local individuals, companies and organizations for their work in public/media relations, communications and campaigns.

Redstone was one of the credited contributors for Kristine’s project, The Designer Showhouse. The 2009 Designer Showhouse received an Award of Merit in the category of Integrated Marketing Communications. Awards of merit were determined by the judges as entries that met stated goals and demonstrated good results.

Redstone assisted with coordination of TV and radio media placement and promotions as well as social media efforts including an online scavenger hunt, email campaign strategy, Facebook Page and the homeowner’s blog.

Check it out at http://www.omahadesignershowhouse.com/.

Back in 1970, the Sun-Maid raisin girl got a bit of a makeover, but new TV spots featuring a CGI version of the well-known product mascot have stirred up a bit of controversy over whether the Sun-Maid artists have gone too "Barbie" in their efforts to update the brand.

I've attached a photo comparison below ... and a link to the spot so you can judge for yourself.

 

Personally, I think the Maid is looking just fine. Products, and their mascots, must change with the times. And the Maid's new look doesn't seem to be a radical departure from the original. If there's a sin here, it may be that the CGI falls a little too much on the "cartoonish" side for me. For a company who touts the long history of their Maid and is genuinely proud that she was based on a real person (get the scoop here), the plastic-y look of the new character seems a bit of a disconnect.

 

Of course, that said, they've still done a much better job than Con-Agra's downright spooky reboot of Orville Redenbacher that happened a few year's back.

 

What do you think about the new Sun Maid? Hot or not?

 

 

There aren't many people who I envy with regard to writing talent. That's not to say there aren't a significant number of people who are more talented in that department than I am. But typically they either work in areas that I'm simply not interested in or I'm fairly confident that their degree of superiority is relatively slim. But there are a few who are are the writers I would like to be. William Safire was one of those. Mr. Safire passed away recently and, though his columns have been absent for a while now, his passing gives that absence a sharper sting.

 

If you're unfamiliar with Mr. Safire's work, or would like to be reminded why he was so great, follow this link to a reprint of one of his final columns. It is simple, funny and brilliant and it makes me turn a few shades of green.  http://www.omaha.com/article/20091002/NEWS0802/710029992/-1/NEWS08

 

Safire's passing also causes me to recall another late, great columnist: Chicago's Mike Royko. I grew up reading Royko's columns over my grandparents' kitchen table. There were times the junior high and high school kid I was then didn't completely understand the points he was making or the issues he was wrestling with. But there were also times that my grandmother and I laughed until we cried over one of his Dr. Shrink columns or a particularly sarcastic turn of phrase.

William Safire, Mike Royko ... as the saying goes, they just don't make 'em like that anymore. But thank goodness we had them while we did. And that is the "Absolutely Positive" part of this post.

 

 

 

 

The comedy centers around a group of misfits in a study group at a community college.  The diverse characters in the group provided many laugh-out-loud moments.  Those who grew up in the ‘80s will appreciate the references to The Breakfast Club.  The episode ended with a very classy tribute to the late John Hughes.  Redstone Media Buyer Alison Rasgorshek says the show will have broad appeal.  While it’s written for the 18-49 year-old, Chevy Chase’s character will also make it great for the 35-54 audience. 

As I was sitting down to watch ABC’s Modern Family, my mind drifted back to the families of TV’s past, like Married with Children, Full House, and Family Ties. I was wondering if this new Modern Family was going to provide me with the same life lessons. Modern Family delivered exactly what its title suggests - the modern family. The show includes the traditional family, the gay couple who adopted a child from overseas, and the older man who married a much younger Hispanic woman with a pre-teen son. Each family provides an array of comedy - they go for the obvious jokes, but they also go right up to that line and dance around it. As far as that life lesson? This comedy may not be the most politically correct show on television, but it is reality. In the current economic conditions, we need to laugh and Modern Family delivers.  Review by Amanda Peterson.

This judge gives KPTMs “Glee” a big round of applause.  Secrets, drama, songs, sports—it’s all wicked funny.  And as a mom of athletic sons who  balance singing, dancing and sparkly vests with fast breaks, tough defense and cleats,  I can also say—it’s all very, very real.  It’s not just for Show Choir moms though.  If you love “Scrubs,” you’ll probably love “Glee.”  There are lots of little life lessons all nicely woven into quirky characters and crisscrossing story lines. One of those lessons this week was to “break out of your comfort zone.”    

At Redstone, part of our job is to help give our clients the information they need to take difference-making risks. Sometimes that means reminding them that we need to package and deliver their key messages in a way that will appeal their customers—not necessarily to them.