Frankenswine, Popcorn Fort, and Ticket 2 Ride
More poison? I mean…beer?
| This year, the 2nd floor warehouse underwent a frightening transformation for our Halloween Party. A hazy graveyard loomed just outside the Potions Contest where 8 frothy cauldrons awaited not so innocent lips.
Today, demons still roam these halls burping up nachos and Erin Vayo’s winning “No Hangover” Sangria. |
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Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn Profusion
A big thanks goes out to our clients at ConAgra for keeping this office popping. Our microwave’s endurance has been tested over the last few weeks as new displays and shippers were delivered fully stocked with Orville’s Pop Up Bowl popcorn. We’ve received so many boxes, drastic measures may need to be taken before a reenactment of the end of Real Genius spontaneously occurs. Anyone up for a quadruple feature?
Kawasaki Ticket 2 Ride
Kawasaki Ticket 2 Ride from Tris3ct on Vimeo.
30 cities. 30 bikes. Thousands of riders. 1 Goal: Let people demo the bike of their dreams. Play the video and hold on tight. Also please note: video production and editing done by our very own Jerry Rig Productions.
An Award, Uncasual Friday, and Little Piggies
1. Tune in to this great news: TRIS3CT is a finalist in the 2011 Radio Mercury Awards.
We love radio at TRIS3CT because it can help build brands and drive engagement at a very local level — perfect for the challenger brands we partner with that are looking for value.
We love radio even more when our work gets recognized as some of the best in the medium. Fifty-one diverse radio spots and campaigns have made it to the finals of the 2011 Radio Mercury Awards, which honor outstanding radio created by agencies and production companies. Entries are judged on their creativity, originality and effective communication of a brand’s message. Our work for Old Style is one of five finalists in the integrated radio campaign category. You can listen to all the finalists here.
We are ecstatic to be among this very elite and talented group of agencies. And even better, we loved using this medium in an unexpected way to deliver breakthrough work. The idea was to Kraeusen local news topics in Chicago by partnering with comedians from the famous iO Comedy Theater. The hyper-topical and super-local approach helped establish Old Style as a fresh and relevant brand for a new group of younger drinkers. The recognition is great, but if we truly Kraeusened radio, we think Old Style should flow out of your speakers.
2. Tuxes and Tiaras — Uncasual Fridays are back
At TRIS3CT, there is no such thing as being underdressed unless, of course, it happens to be Uncasual Friday. From bowties to 80s power suits, sporting your Friday finest is the name of the game.
Our most recent Uncasual Friday was scheduled in honor of a shot from the inaugural event being featured by Ad Age in their “Best Places To Work” issue. Casually speaking, we think this tradition has aged well!
Check out some of the many perfectly primped Trisectors from last week.
3. This little piggy went to the Fulton Market
| While most companies give their employees the gratuitous journal or business card holder on their one-year anniversary, Trisect decided to give employees something no professional should do without — pink pig slippers. Fluffy, warm and ridiculously cute, they are the envy of all newbies. |  |
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Accolades from Ad Age for TRIS3CT
It seems the tried and true saying that “good things come in 3s” certainly holds true for TRIS3CT, as we have garnered another notable recognition. This time it’s from none other than Ad Age. For the third time this summer, the agency’s investment in its people helped us place amongst the industry’s leaders as a Best Place To Work. Read the full Ad Age story.
Chicago Independent Continues to Attract Top Talent
| Chicago, IL (July 29, 2011) – TRIS3CT, an independent agency headquartered in Chicago’s West Loop, announced today that Chris Cancilla is joining on August 8th as Executive Creative Director. This newly created position will report to Paul Kuzma, Chief Creative Officer. Cancilla will provide creative leadership across the agency’s rapidly growing client roster while also playing a major role in new business. |  |
In making the announcement, Kuzma said, “With several recent new business wins, the agency has achieved a scale that makes an addition like Chris not only possible but necessary.”
“We believe Trisect is more than just another agency. It’s a destination for unexpected ideas and for the people who love to create them,” added Kuzma. “Chris and I have a rich history together and he will help us continue to bring that vision to life. He’s a rare talent who shares our passion for creating meaningful programs that inspire and affect consumer behaviors.”
Cancilla, 43, has crafted several memorable, award-winning campaigns during a creative career that has spanned almost 20 years at leading Chicago agencies. He joins Trisect from Y&R Chicago where he was Senior Vice President, Group Creative Director responsible for cross-disciplinary campaigns for Sears, Hilton Hotels, Dave & Buster’s and The American Red Cross.
In addition to a growing roster of blue chip clients and winning a slew of U.S. and global creative awards, Trisect was recently recognized as one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For as well as a Best Place To Work in Illinois.
About Chris Cancilla
At Y&R Chicago, Cancilla lead numerous Sears’ integrated programs — including the Silver Addy winning “Be the Santa You Want to Be” holiday campaign and this Spring’s highly successful “Turf Wars” lawn & garden effort. Prior to Y&R, Cancilla was SVP, Group Creative Director at Arc Worldwide/Leo Burnett where he led major new business wins for Visa, Capital One and Norton Software. He was also the winner of three Cannes Lions for the VERB Yellow Ball campaign created for the Center for Disease Control’s anti-obesity campaign. He started his career at Frankel working on McDonald’s, Visa, Frito-Lay and Disney. Cancilla is married with two children and has a BS in Advertising from the University of Illinois.
A Reunion, Frying an Egg, and Misfit Pens
#1. Unexpected reunion at “little t”
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TRIS3CT continues to hold true to its commitment to creating unexpected intersections between brands, ideas and people, most recently proven by the unexpected reunion of Lauren Zeinfeld and Ally Healey – two friends who unbeknownst to each other (and us) started at little “t” just days apart. Screams followed by joy followed by a quick catch up informed all the East side residents of 2N that they must know each other. |
What else do Lauren and Ally have in common?
- They both went to DePaul.
- They both had the same major.
- They both like the same types of people (hence they have the same friends).
- They both rode Lauren’s scooter to lunch the other day.
- They both can recite the alphabet backwards in less than 10 seconds.
- And now they can both say they work at Trisect.
How unexpected.
#2. West Loop Frying Pan
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The long awaited summer has finally arrived and along with unseasonably warm (and climbing temperatures) Mother Nature has been gracious enough to dump big ol’ buckets of humidity on us too. That said, if there really is a place so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk, we’re pretty certain it’s the West Loop. |
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#3. Uni-ball asks, “What does your pen say about you?”
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They say first impressions are everything. Apparently that applies even when it comes to writing instruments. TRIS3CT uncovered the insight that “the pen you choose says a lot about you” — especially for young professionals in their work environment. The strategy was to demonstrate that uni-ball pens are an easy and affordable way for our target to improve their everyday experiences. The campaign garnered a number of other firsts as well… |
- First fully integrated campaign that included digital, social media and promotions for the Uni-ball brand
- First commercial directing project for Fred Savage, who has directed “Modern Family” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
- First web video campaign (1, 2, and 3) from the brand to target young professionals with humor
- First major online and on-pack instant win promotion for uni-ball
What we love most about all of these fabulous firsts are the unexpected results…
- Over one million Facebook page views and counting.
- Triple the number of likes for the brand on Facebook.
- Countless media articles, PR and free exposure for the brand.
Read some of the reviews:
Read more about it …
Tim Nelson featured in Crain’s Chicago
It’s a big day for The Admiral. TRIS3CT president Tim Nelson was the subject of this week’s Crain’s People interview. To get the skinny on the man himself, read the article here.
We’re #5 and a Sad Buh Bye
Little t’s #5
Out of all the companies in Illinois, The Daily Herald Business Ledger honored us as the 5th best small/mid-size company to work for. The results were based on a company evaluation and an online survey administered privately to all employees—it’s an honor we strongly agree with. As you may have witnessed from this blog, we think we’ve got a great place to work. But here’s a little bit of why we think we’re #5:
10. The first hello of the morning
9. The rooftop view
8. Cool-de-sac
7. Big table free lunch
6. The infectious laughs of the office
5. Workout balls taking over
4. El Presidente
3. Fat truck megaphone
2. Music sharing
1. Beer & Timesheets
It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
Two of our nearest and dearest TRIS3CTERS, Emily and April are bidding us adieu.
Emily is headed back to Tejas to pursue warm weather and a Ban De Soleil tan. It’s only been a few weeks and we already miss her trademark cackle more than she knows. A talented writer who worked across many accounts, Emily’s quick laugh, tenacity and gung-ho attitude will be a hard act to follow.
April’s leaving us to go down-under and discover that Aussies like more than Fosters, koala bears and bloomin’ onions. The glue that kept the Kimberly-Clark account sane, April’s ability to remember all the details with a cool head will be one of her many talents we’ll miss. On top of her workload, she also started the Trisect Gallery and made sure every birthday boy and girl had cake. April, you sure we can’t install that Bat phone?
Best of luck to these über-talented ladies. We wish you continued success in all your endeavors.
Tim Nelson Named President, Scott Naturals Test Drive, and a Sugar Rush
#1. Business Tim Hits the Big Time
TRIS3CT has a new president and he goes by the name of Tim Nelson. Tim has been appointed from managing director to president, yet the employees were saying the same thing, “What? I thought he already was president.” A gifted leader and one of the hardest working gents around, we couldn’t be happier to see our man of the people promoted to a title worthy of a guy with questionable goal tending skills.
Since joining Trisect in 2007, Tim has been instrumental in driving the agency’s rapid expansion through a series of new business wins, strong organic growth with existing clients and his unsettling ability to not require sleep.
#2. Take the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive
What if you could help save over 2 million trees without even noticing? You’d do it right? Well, that’s the idea behind our latest commercial program for Scott Naturals. Scott Naturals happen to be the world’s first line of hybrid paper products. The hybrid technology is what allows them to work so well that everyday folk like you and me won’t even notice we’ve gone green – even when a tree bursts through the kitchen floor.
Scott Naturals – “Test Drive” from Tris3ct on Vimeo.
While most of the tree-bursting effects featured in the Scott Naturals TV spot were done digitally, we managed to capture some crazy-cool destruction while on set. Check it out. WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS MASSIVE EXPLOSIONS!!!
#3. Iron Ch3f: Cookies
With a baker’s-dozen different varieties of cookies tempting our tummies, suffice it to say that everyone spoiled their lunch last Thursday. There were chocolate chips and toffee crumbles, fruitful twists and artful coatings. It was quite a scene. But there was one cookie that out-crunched them all—Ms. Molly Scanlon’s Compost Cookie, with a top-secret combination of mix-ins, like salty pretzels and yummy Heath bars for a perfect balance of salty and sweet.
Playing second spatula was Michelle’s classic chocolate chip with spicy cinnamon, and in third was Erika Rosenwinkel and her refreshing lemon sugar cookie with just the right chew.
And when, at 3pm the whole agency came crashing down from a sugar high, there was nothing left to say but “Stay chewy, my friends.”
Life In The Fast Lane
Kawasaki is laying down some rubber and racking up the miles this spring. We helped them launch two coast-to-coast bike demo tours, the Ticket 2 Ride and Vulcan Nation events. Both tours give riders in select metros, as well as major motorcycle events like Sturgis and Daytona, a chance to test ride Kawasaki motorcycles. It’s the first event of its kind, and we’re pretty happy with the way it’s turned out.
Crain’s Feature, Gallery Night, and Chili Cook-off
#1. TRIS3CT FEATURED IN THIS MONTH’S CRAIN’S
Trisect was profiled in the latest issue of Crain’s. Our CEO, Dick Thomas, shared some wisdom and thoughts about the state of the industry and how shops like Tris3ct are changing the landscape. You can read more for yourself below; click the image and zoom it on up.
#2. 3rd TRIS3CT GALLERY NIGHT
The people I work with are pretty incredible—Impressionists, Expressionists, and a metal crafter with a razor sharp, post-modern style that’s unique to the West Loop. As if that wasn’t enough culture to take in, musical artistes Joel, Steve, Michelle R. and Jenae topped off the evening with a live, musical performance of a Johnny Cash classic. I’m still swaying.
#3. IRON CH3F IV: CHILI COOK-OFF
So much honor. So many beans.
It was an unseasonably warm day in February but, during our Chili Cook-off, there were Crock Pots full of seasonin’. But only one could make a vegetarian question their worldview—Connor McShane’s smoky, tangy, briskety, taste bud-walloping chili.
Of the experience, Danny O’ Connor said, “If Bobby Flay and Michael Jordan had a baby, and that baby punched you in the mouth, it wouldn’t be quite as powerful as Connor’s chili.”
Whoa. But Connor’s wasn’t the only great chili—second place went to Lydia “Black-Eyed B” Ballenger for her black-eyed pea chili, third went to Aaron “White Tornado” Noffsinger for his inventive white chili. And all of us got a belly-full of delicious.
