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Full disclosure. Growing up with an aviation photographer for a dad influences my belief in the power of visual storytelling. That said, the facts are also on my side.

The Wharton School of Business reports that quality video can increase retention up to 50 percent over print and accelerates buying decisions by as much as 72 percent. Forrester Research predicts a 70+ percent growth in online video advertising next year.

So, my question to you, what are your plans for video in 2012? If you’re still in the planning phase, here are some examples to prime the creative pump. (more…)

I received a T-shirt at a recent fundraiser. Smart, I thought. What a nice, useful thank you for my donation. More important, it gave me a way to further the cause. Wear the T-shirt the next time I went to the gym and chat up the event when I got the inevitable question. And, honestly, I would have. The color was good. The design was nice. But the size appeared to be XXXL and the neckline was humongous. Not crew. Not v-neck. But a deep, wide scoop. A man couldn’t wear it. And most woman wouldn’t want to.

So, what I’d like to say is if you’re developing a branded piece of clothing or a specialty item – sweat the details. Do all you can in the hopes the recipient will use it – and love it. (more…)

We do a lot of thinking about new business and what we look for in a new client. Which makes us think that current and prospective clients probably give equal thought to what they’d ideally like in an agency.

We’ll show you our list if you show us yours. (more…)

Something special happened at the National Center for Aviation Training last night. Even more than the premiere of The Aviators Season 2. Our community took a big step toward reclaiming its rightful place in the aviation pantheon.

The Wichita Aero Club and other aviation enthusiasts came together for an unveiling of the new Wichita Air Capital of the World logo and campaign. They roll out to the full community in The Wichita Eagle this Sunday – along with a feature on our aviation heritage. (more…)

In 1982 I attended the Aspen International Design conference with a small cadre of WSU professors and students, and we all stayed in a big house. To my delight I arrived only to discover that one of my housemates was none other than the famous designer and my hero, Milton Glaser. For me it was like meeting John Lennon, or Frida Kahlo. WOW. My eyeballs about popped out of my head when I spotted this icon of design.  Of course, I’d studied his work throughout college, drooled over the infamous Bob Dylan album cover that defined the ’60s psychedelic art style, and had total admiration for this illustrator/designer/thinking man. Being the shy demure art student, I ended up sitting smack dab next to him at dinner. I wanted more insight into the man and he did not disappoint with his charisma and verbal dexterity. He could turn a phrase, help you see the truth, and share his passion. I was mesmerized by his stories about creating the “I  New York” ad campaign, and never receiving one dime of profit. Can you imagine how much he would be worth if he had retained reproduction rights to the most famous, long-lived campaign of all time? (more…)

Substance of Medium at Tangent Lab
This group show makes a point of presenting a variety of media by some really talented folks. It will feature Adam Achéy (drawing), Phillip Baumer (sculpture), Lorrie Reynolds (assemblage/collage), Linda Robinson (photography), Lee Shiney (painting), Tanya Tandoc (ceramics) and Ericka Walker (printmaking). There will be a gallery talk at 10 p.m.
Tangent Lab, 143 N. Rock Island, 3rd Floor, 7-11 p.m.
http://www.tangentlab.com/

Photo by Linda Robinson

Painting by Lee Shiney

Sculpture by Phillip Baumer

Jo Quillin Tomson at Seasonal Decorating
And because Halloween is just around the corner, Jo Quillin Tomson brings us “The Heebie Jeebies,” a new collection of her fun and fanciful collage paintings with a spooky twist.
Seasonal Decorating, 2828 W. 13th Street, 6-8 p.m.

Christopher Gulick at Artworks
Chris Gulick will be taking his kinetic sculptures to the “One of a Kind Show” in Chicago later this year. If you’d like to help him finance his adventure, make a stop at Artworks, and pick up a specially priced Gulick of your very own.

ArtWorks in Piccadilly Square – Central & Rock Road, 6-8 p.m.
http://www.artworksframes.com

mobiles by Christopher Gulick

Monika Meler at Steckline
Monika Meler uses printmaking techniques to create one-of-a-kind works, often applying layers of image on both sides of very thin paper. Her time as printmaking professor at Wichita State was short – she’s moved to California – so this may be your last chance to see her beautiful prints in Wichita.

Steckline Gallery, Newman University, 5-7 p.m.
http://www.newmanu.edu/stecklinegallery | http://www.monikameler.com

prints by Monika Meler

This year the Kansas State Fair and Greteman Group have raised the bar on crazy – again. Sheep Thrills and Raving Bull will soon charge a TV screen and billboard near you. It’s your deep-fried, cotton-candied, chain-sawed, goat-ropin’, big-buckled, mutton-chopped and mulleted masterpiece of Midwestern cultural experience – on a stick.

This year’s campaign builds upon our past quirky barnyard critters, reminding fairgoers to head to Hutch for outrageous, one-of-a-kind fun. Traditional channels – broadcast, print, outdoor – form a foundation for the fair’s increasingly effective social-media campaign. A blog, Twitter and Facebook target teens and young adults with regular updates, contests and requests for feedback. The International Association of Fairs and Expositions named the 2009 campaign best in its use of social media.

You may have seen our "raving bull" on a local billboard.

Our Kansas State Fair billboard telling everbody about the "sheep thrills" to be had.

Listen to the Kansas State Fair Radio Spot

Kansas State Fair 2010 Radio Spot

Beastly summer heat has me thinking about a tree. Africa’s baobab. It thrives in punishing temperatures and drought. And sustains both man and beast. It can live to be 1,000 years old with a mass of limbs 150 feet across.

It’s a strange giant with branches that look like roots reaching up to the sky. Bushmen legend tells how, in a frivolous mood, the gods tossed the baobab to the Earth below where it landed. Wrong side up. Bushmen still believe that the baobab doesn’t grow like other trees, but crashes to the ground fully grown. (more…)

Reminiscing – Karen Scroggins and Trinity McKown @ Riney Fine Arts Center
A mother and daughter collaboration, this exhibit features mixed media works produced by Scroggins solo, with additional works in which she is joined by her six year old daughter.

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
@ Riney Fine Arts Center – Friends University
2100 W University St, Wichita, KS

Paintings by Elly Fitzig, Elizabeth Rowley and Hugo Zelda-Romero @ Bob Schwan Studios
A painting exhibit by three talented, local painters.

6:00pm
@ Bob Schwan Studios
111 S Ellis St, Wichita, KS

Cre•a•tiv•ty
Planning for CREATIVITY began with the announcement that USD 259′s art departments were at risk for severe budget cuts. It was organized to raise awareness for the arts, as well as a fund-raiser attempt for the art department.

6:00pm
@ The Diver Studio
424 S Commerce, Wichita, KS