coffee break
It’s been a busy week in the office. Need evidence? Just take a look at our sink!
That’s a lot of consumed caffeine. Being busy is a good thing though because for us, being busy often translates into productiveness – something our company as a whole has really excelled at this month.
I was originally going to write up a little update about what everyone has been so busy with, but let’s face it…we could all use a little coffee break.
Find out how your favorite staff member likes their coffee (and feel free to bring us some!)
“Right now I love some french press. Used to be cracked out and needed tons of sugar and creme. When the coffee’s good I don’t need all the fluff.” – Derek Bennion
“Hot Coffee at the café: ”Shot in the Dark” Sumatra Bold with a shot of espresso or a “Hot Toddy” at the Good Cherry in Forest. A drink they named after Hacker and I. Ya, I’m man enough to admit it. Trust me, order it, it is good. Hot Coffee at home: Sumatra (fresh ground in a French Press) Iced Coffee at SB: Iced Venti Vanilla Brevé Café Con Letché. Iced Coffee at home: Pack of Columbian VIA (or Sumatra french pressed if time allows) with a shot of Vanilla, Cream/2%.” – Todd Allen
“Love coffee, but I don’t drink it because of the caffeine and don’t like it enough to drink decaf.”- Josh Oppenheimer
“Good Cherry – either a shot in the dark (16 ozs of coffee with 4 shots of espresso) black or a “hot toddy” (one can actually request this drink – its in their computer) a name given to the drink we’ve modified (4 shots of espresso – honey – whipped cream and a splash of milk)” – Todd Hacker
“Black with just a splash of cream most days. Iced hazelnut white mocha on special occasions, no whip.” – Megan Norcross
“I like a cup that has been prepared from 7-9 grams of coffee through which water of 192 – 198 F has been forced at 9-10 atmospheres of pressure, where the grind of the coffee has made the brewing time approximately 22-28 seconds. Black, no sugar, please.” – Mikael Blido
“Americano, black is probably my go-to coffee. But I like Starbucks’ caramel macchiato, too, if I’m feeling spendy.” – Keith Poole
“I always joke that I like my coffee like most men like their women…hot, blonde and sweet!” – Andrea Tomlinson
“Regular black coffee with half and half in a paper cup!” – David Norcross
“Cafe Mocha w/ whip.” – Klint Holland
“I love McDonalds coffee – I get them to put 2 cream and 2 splenda in it for me. Its is fantastic and on $1” – Daryl Calfee
“Decaf (cause of the baby), with two cream and one sugar. My favorite is just about anything French Press.” – Johanna Calfee
“I love every part of my morning affair with coffee! Normals days its two cups of half caf. with sugar in the raw, and half and half… I enjoy every sip! Even the last with a couple grounds in the swallow…mmmm.” – Andrea Webb
As for me? I mostly like my coffee disguised as anything but coffee. You know…I’m THAT girl at Starbucks…Tall Mocha Frap Light w/ Sugarfree Hazelnut and no whip. More like a nutella flavored milkshake than a coffee, but hey its good!
And the winner is…
Two weeks ago at the 2010 Western Virginia Addy Awards, Prototype received the honor of not one but five Addy awards. We took home:
Silver Addy Audio/Visual Sales Presentation: EFC3 Intro Video
Silver Addy Online Mobile Marketing: Sole Collector/Scion iPhone Application
Silver Addy Cinema Advertising In-Theatre Commercials or Slides: Mabry Auto Group Football Commercial
Silver Addy Sound Music Only: EFC3 Intro Video Score
Silver Addy Sound Music Only: EFC4 Webmercial Score
A big high five goes out to everyone who worked hard throughout the year to not only produce great work, but award-winning work.
Successes
The creative prowess of our graphic designers, web developers and video team is often the subject of our blog posts. Today, however, we get to talk about the successes of another integral part of Prototype Advertising: the sales team.
In this economy, advertising is typically one of the first items cut from a business’ budget. Because of this, a sales person has a more difficult time, well, selling. That’s why we get excited about finding a system that makes the behind-the-scenes work simpler–giving our account reps more time to do what they do best.
Jeffrey Gitomer, a well-noted author, sales consultant and speaker, has teamed up with our friends over at Progress Printing to produce Ace of Sales. Ace of Sales is more than just a contact management software–it allows sales reps to send mass emails, greeting cards and eMagazines as well as helps them manage their lead follow-ups. Simply put, Ace of Sales has worked for us and we hope it works for you too–just don’t steal our clients.
piece of cake
Hi! It’s me, Miranda…the “newbie.” I’ve been at Prototype for almost 5 months now – time certainly does fly! When I took on the job in October (my first REAL job mind you) I knew there would be benefits, but I had no clue they would include cake! That’s right. And not just ANY cake…some of the BEST cake I’ve ever had. How is this possible you ask?
Well, part of the PT experience is working on, in and around all of our business partners – Prototype:Media, the publishing arm of PT, now produces both the Central Virginia Bridal Guide and Central Virginia Family Guide. And ever since they merged, not only did I acquire a new “cube neighbor” (Andrea Webb you rock!) but I was also exposed to a slew of annual events, including the Bridal Luncheon that took place two weekends ago.
For the majority, the most anticipated event at the Bridal Luncheon is the naming of Central Virginia’s Bride-of-the-Year, but for me…I was most excited to try the cake. Every attendee got to try 4 slices of cake from local cake bakers – a blackberry wine variation from Billie’s, pound cake with layers of raspberry and lemon curd from Magnolia Foods, butter pecan from La Bella Torta, and an almond cake with raspberry buttercream from Coffey Cakes. My favorite? I don’t know if I’m at liberty to say, but just know that this generous baker allowed me to take home the leftover sheet cake, which I immediately froze (after eating a few more slices) and continued to enjoy over the days following the Luncheon. Sometimes you CAN have your cake and eat it too!
Here is a picture Crystal George (a great local photographer) took of the cake slices…
The Happs on the Apps
We are sorry. If you have clicked “subscibe” you have been terribly mislead. We have not posted in a hot minute. Truth is we have been slammed. But if your interested here is whats been going down:
-Sole Collector / Scion app has had over 40,000 downloads and we just completed a 2-page spread to promote the puppy.
-We are designing 2 more apps currently – both involve shoes.
-Klint is finishing the world’s largest website for Centra
-The Todds have been shooting video in Chicago and training at Martinville Speedway for video controls.
-We are working on ads in Arabic (the answer is no…I do not speak a word)
-Josh/Miranda have been developing and launching social media campaigns for about ten clients including BMW of Sterling
-David is getting Bandals off to a great start in 2010.
-Derek is currently launching 3 websites at once – with his eyes closed and one hand behind his back.
-Johanna and the MEDIA team have finished Lynchburg Living’s HITCHED issue, Lynchburg Life and Lynchburg Business thanks mostly to Keith!
-Andrea Webb along with Cheryl, Andrea and the help of Marvelous Mary put on a fantastic Bride of the Year Luncheon despite the reschedule.
-Oh, and somewhere in there we found time to put on EFC6 in Richmond.
Needless to say its been a great month – Just not for this guy.
Just for kicks…
A while back out buddy Steve from Sole Collector sent us a pair of Nike Zoom Kobe IVs to get some video of with the new 5D Mark II to test its capability for future video work. This 30 second clip really launched us into using our DSLR as a video camera. Since this practice run we have used it for multiple commercials and videos. The quality is amazing and with interchangeable lenses it give you the look of BIG money film cameras all the while producing HD video on the same gear we use for photography. It does have it’s limits. Audio is the big one. We bough a Beachmark bolt-on with XLR audio plug-ins for mics but we have not perfected it just yet. For most audio related issues we still use our Sony HD cams or have the VO work done in our studio.
Our first iPhone App
After a long awaited development process and approvals, our first iPhone application just made it to the iPhone App store this past week! Over the past four months we have worked with Sole Collector and Scion to create and develop a completely custom application for sneaker heads that would allow them to see the latest releases and sneaker news. In the days following the launch the SC server had a hiccup and went down for two days. Needless to say it was a stressful time, but now everything is up and running and the app is working smooth. You can read more and download the app at the Apple app store – Check it out!
Red Alert: Blido’s Got Some New Cooking Competition
She’s a confectionary baker, a social media guru and an veritable idea factory all rolled into one. Yep, little Miranda Canady is good at many of the big things in life that make us happy here at Prototype. See, we are simple creatures. Just feed us sugar then Tweet about it and we are tickled pink.
If Carboholics Anonymous ever shows up at our door, we will hide Miranda from site, but until then her bright smile, hair and ideas will keep her safe from harm. In fact, the only harm in having her here will be to our waistlines. Welcome Miranda!
You can always learn something from kids.
We live on a quiet culdesac. The perfect street for kids. The perfect street for kids to start their own business.
Last night, we arrived home late and through darkness of the foyer picked up the day’s mail. Lumped in with the bills, coupons and direct mail was a brochure from the newest entrepreneurs on my block – Connor and Emory’s Dog Walking Compuny. I was impressed! There was much to learn from their from their marketing materials. Let’s review:
1. Who – Name of the Company clearly identified
2. What they offer is visually identified – Great use of illustration. Note – The dog has 5 legs. That is not a mistake.
3. When they will be offering the service
4. How much it will cost – $2 dollers and where to contact. I mean the guys even used an area code.
What did we learn? Connor and Emory have a better understanding than 63% of adults of what to place in an ad and they are willing to work for their money.
They have earned my business. They will be walking our female Labrador this weekend, but nowhere near that five legged beast pictured.
Where the Wild Things Grow
