White Creative Services — News and Views

News and Views from White Creative

White Graphics & Marketing Inc., has been providing creative services since 1996. During those years we have seen many changes in the philosophy, nature and vehicles for marketing our clients' products and services. This page will outline some of our views on the current state of the industry; provide links to information you can use, and highlight client successes.

OBAMA TEAM WINS MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Advertising Age magazine has awarded recently elected American President Barack Obama's promotional team the coveted Marketer of the Year award, topping such august competitors as Apple and Nike.

Mr. Obama won the vote of hundreds of marketers, agency heads and marketing-services vendors at the Association of National Advertisers' annual conference edging out runners-up Apple and Zappos.com. The rest of the shortlist, selected by Ad Age's editorial staff, was rounded out by megabrand Nike, turnaround story Coors and Mr. Obama's rival, Sen. John McCain.

Read the article here.

SENDSPACE—USEFUL TOOL FOR SENDING LARGE FILES

Do you often need to send files that are too large to send as e-mail attachments? Here's a great little utility that can make your life much easier.

SendSpace allows you unlimited uploads, unlimited fownloads per file; let's you share files safely and privately; provides completely free file hosting; allows you to send a file to anyone, anywhere, up to 300MB! As a registered user, you can also track and edit the files you upload.

Go here to sign up: http://www.sendspace.com/download_wizard.html

GOVERNMENT PROPOSES CHANGE TO CANADA'S COPYRIGHT LAWS

Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice introduced new federal copyright legislation in the House of Commons Thursday, June 12th. Unless you have a bevy of lawyers on retainer, or a whole lot of disposable cash, you may need to rethink what you download to your iPods in future.

The reforms update the existing law by taking into account new technologies developed over the last decade and setting tough new penalties for uploading and downloading copyrighted material and breaking "locks" on protected devices like cell phones and DVDs. Prentice described Bill C-61in a speech on Thursday.

We, as artists and writers, believe in artists' ownership of their creations. This has been of special concern since the rise of online viewership and relative ease with which internet users can "borrow" others' work. Although the G of C's newly suggested reforms largely address the digital music and film industry, we feel it is important to take a look at any changes that will affect our country's copyright laws. Read more at the links below:

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA – Government Proposes Update to Copyright Law

NATIONAL POST – New Copyright Act targets online piracy

JURIST – Canada government introduces tough copyright reform bill

NATIONAL POST – Canadian artists stump for tougher copyright laws

MEDIACASTER – Copyright Reform Bill Doesn't Help Canadian Artists: CMCC

CANADIAN BUSINESS ONLINE – Applauding Copyright Bill's Introduction

CBC – Copyright law could result in police state say critics

INTERACTIVE PDF PORTFOLIO ADDED TO OUR DESIGN SAMPLE SECTION

A few clients have asked for a larger format portfolio so we have uploaded a PDF that includes examples of print design, Web design as well as a smattering of Pat's fine art and illustration. The PDF features clickable links throughout the 38 page document from the jump menu on the opening page to links to live Web site projects. (The Flash portfolio and a HTML portfolio are still in place to view even more work examples.) Hope you enjoy! PDF Portfolio (5MB).

CONGRATS TO THE TATTOO ON SUCCESSFUL 2008 SHOWS

Our congratulations to the Canadian International Military Tattoo committee members, volunteers and performers on another successful show held on June 14 and 15. Thanks for the opportunity to, once again, provide creative support for your event.

Next year the shows will be held on June 13 and 14. Check the Tattoo's Web site for information on the 2009 show as it becomes available.

Read our article, Music and the Military—A Call to Arms, used in the Tattoo show programme. (Check out some of our other military-related copy while you're there!)

Click photo to the right to see the Tattoo's 2008 poster. (PDF - 3.15MB)

SHOUT OUT TO DONNA LEIGH WHITE

A big way-to-go to Donna Leigh White for her recent series of articles published by The Guelph Mercury. DL's material, be it about community concerns, the environment, personal issues or entertainment, are always thoughtful and well-researched.

Some of you may remember Donna for the superb customer service that she provided for White Graphics & Marketing in years past. We are also sure you will agree that Donna Leigh shows an amazing talent for the written word. Read a selection of her op ed pieces published recently in The Guelph Mercury.

Link to Donna Leigh's articles.

2008 U.S. CANDIDATE SITE PROVIDES STUDY IN ON-LINE FUNDING

Presidential candidates in the United States have been using the internet as a source for garnering supporters and contributions for almost a decade, but this year their fundraising efforts are yielding unprecedented results and provide an excellent model for marketers to follow.

Companies and organizations are increasingly turning to the internet to focus marketing efforts that have traditionally been directed to media such as print, broadcast and telesales. U.S. politicians, by using grassroots-level internet organizing and contribution collection vehicles, are effectively changing the face of political fundraising and information disbursement. Kudos to the Democratic Party candidate, Senator Barack Obama, for the cutting-edge juggernaut that his team has put together. Want to move your business online? Get your product, service or not-for-profit organization brand known? Sell products or secure donations? The Obama site is, in our opinion, an excellent model.

Link to Obama site.

APRIL 2008 TOURISM HAMILTON AWARD WINNER

Long-time client, the Canadian International Military Tattoo, won Best Marketing Award for a Brochure or Promotional Piece at the 10th Annual Tourism Awards Gala held on April 3rd, 2008.
On Thursday, April 3rd, 2008, over 500 people celebrated the 10th Annual Tourism Awards at Carmen's Banquet Centre. The gala's theme was It's Show Time and was an event to remember! Read all about it and see artwork here. To see photos of the event click here. Photo by Banko Photographic.		John Terence, producer of the Tattoo accepts the award.

Stay tuned for more news and views. If you would like to join our mailing list or have questions about any of the information on the NEWS page, please contact us.