Brian Laesch .com

Welcome to the post-Oscars edition of “Around the Creative World.” I thought Steve Martin would make some sort of joke regarding our massively popular, Los Angeles-based blog…but I guess not. That hurts. Not as much as a locker hurts…but still, it’s a Bigelow… I mean, a big blow, to our psyche.

OK, we are over it.

• The Steve Martin/Alec Baldwin-hosted 82nd Oscars attracted 41 million viewers–the most since 2005.
• The Hurt Locker, a film that grossed $20 million, beat out Avatar, a film that grossed the entire U.S. GDP (seemingly), for Best Picture. But did blog buzz predict its win?
• I did not attend any Oscar parties. (I know. It is big news.)
• The Iron Man 2 trailer is out.
• ‘Shutter Island’ is still on top of the box office, taking in $22.2 million this weekend. Now that’s what I call a “shutterout.” Hey-oh!
• Six companies have been invited to place a second-round bid for MGM. Now that’s what I call a roaring competition. (Get it…? OK. I’ll stop.)
• AdAge: Why ‘Modern Family’ Still Drives Toyota
• Apple’s iPad is introduced here by a bunch of laid-back professional hand/lap models. (Do they have an award show for faceless acting?)
• AdFreak: Frito-Lay learns to have fun in small spaces
• Remember the 80s? Remember 8-bit video games? Ever wonder what NYC would look like on Atari? There’ s a map for that.

Brian Laesch said he was done using punchlines related to the Verizon vs. AT&T feud… He was wrong.

This blog written for

Brian Laesch Advertising, Around the Creative World (11thr), Creative, Hollywood, Television, The Internet

Today is March 1st, 2010. Here are links from around the “creative world.” Links from entertainment, advertising, marketing, tech, social media, and more, will follow. Basically, if the story can be considered creative, and is from this world, it’s fair game. (But that doesn’t mean we have low standards. Just FYI.)

• Shutter Island is still at the top of the box office. Their lead didn’t crumble away like that fake lady Leonardo DiCaprio is embracing in the trailer. Hey-oh! Get it? <—Journalist
• Speaking of movies, the countdown to the Oscars is at 6 days. I should probably be unbiased here…but I’m rooting for The Hurt Locker.
• The Olympics are over, but I still recommend going back and checking out Stephen Colbert’s “Vancouverage 2010.”
• Tropicana provided a fake sun and a carton of orange juice to every household in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. I cried for three hours after watching this commercial. And by that, I mean, I did not cry at all, but at least agree that this is a cool way to launch a campaign.
• AdAge: Leno’s Triumphant Return to Late Night May No Longer Matter
• Do you fear not flying Virgina Atlantic upper class?
• TechCrunch: If You Build It, He Will Come: Movieclips Now Available Internationally, Releases API
• AdFreak: Geico’s ad campaign has an evil British twin
• I know times are tough for Toyota, and they should be, but, I have to admit, I really enjoyed this “Swagger Wagon” commercial.

Brian Laesch compiled these links for boutique recruiting/staffing agency Eleventh Hour.

This blog written for

Brian Laesch Advertising, Around the Creative World (11thr), Creative, Hollywood, Television, The Internet

It’s been an exciting 2010 Winter Olympics for the United States–especially for the men’s USA Hockey team (fingers crossed they continue the run). But I must say, so far, besides the U.S.-Canada hockey game the other night, my favorite coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver has been “Stephen Colbert’s Vancouverage 2010.” Here’s a recap of the week:

The Colbert Report	Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Recap – Week of 2/22/10
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Skate Expectations

As per usual, Stephen Colbert has managed to be hilarious and provide initimate, intriguing coverage at the same time. You get a taste of what it’s really like to be at the Olympics, albeit through the skewed lense of Colbert’s glasses (which Comedy Central should be selling, along with a Colbert toupee, by the way). I’ve thouroughly enjoyed recording these episodes and watching them during lunch this week. It’s been a great substitute for the lack of Conan (except on Twitter), and The Office hiatus (while NBC broadcasts the Olympics). I highly recommend “Vancouverage 2010.” And you should listen to me. I’m a man. I’m 29.

Brian Laesch is a blogger who enjoys Stephen Colbert’s official “Vancouverage 2010.”

Brian Laesch Sports, Television

I’m feeling both extremely excited and slightly self-conscious about this one, but here you go…

Nuru Grassroots Movement Blog: A Changed Life

We are in the process of organizing a “Be Hope to Her (BH2O+)” event for Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. on ASU’s Tempe campus. If you are interested in helping with the planning or participating of the bucket walk, we would love to have you. Please contact me here.

BH20+ 2010 from Nuru International on Vimeo.

Brian Laesch is an independent blogger volunteering for Nuru on Arizona State’s campus.

Brian Laesch Personal Blog, nuru

Today is Monday, February 22nd, 2010. It’s hard to believe there is less than a week left in the shortest month of the year, but there is. Spring is right around the corner, but my mind is already on summer. What a drag it is getting old. (I hope I don’t have to pay a royalty fee for that last sentence.)

• You know Daily Variety writer Andrew Stewart was psyched about this headline. I bet he did a fist pump after writing it: Auds flutter to ‘Shutter’ at box office: Scorsese thriller scares up $40.2 million
• Did you remember that Jay Leno is coming back next week? Me neither. Kind of hard to believe, but you know those ratings will be huge.
• Thirteen days until the Oscars. Steve Martin vs. Alec Baldwin. Whoever wins, we lose. (That wasn’t supposed to make sense.)
• Google has revamped DoubleClick and included their name.
• A Sarah Silverman promo that’s funnier than the actual show?
• AdAge: Can One Bad Tweet Taint Your Brand Forever?
• BrandFreak: “Is Google the new Microsoft?“
• Want to create a bikini app for the iPhone? You better be a household brand name.
• Mashable: Clueless Woman Calls Tech Show When Her Stolen Wi-Fi Disappears
• And Nuru International was recently in the Los Angeles area. (A different type of “creativity” than is usually covered in this list.)

Brian Laesch compiled this list for Eleventh Hour.

This blog written for

Brian Laesch Advertising, Around the Creative World (11thr), Creative, Hollywood, Television, The Internet, nuru

If you are the entrepreneurial- or creative-type, you love Richard Branson. Heck, you probably love him regardless of who you are–especially if you’ve ever flown Virgin Air. But one thing is for sure: Richard Branson is never light on inspiration. It seems like everything he does is cool. Case in point? The new “flying submarine” named “Necker Nymph” he recently released (photo courtesy of CNN):

Awesome? I guess that’s up for debate, but I’d say so. Excessive? Absolutely. Branson? Vintage.

This is the kind of thing you expect Richard Branson to do, but who will be able to afford it? In this economy, not many:

For those wealthy enough to indulge, the experience aboard the submarine, which is nimble enough to perform “dolphin-like flips,” will be like “flying underwater,” said Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition division.

But even for those with deep enough pockets, it doesn’t come cheap: $25,000 for a week’s charter and another $88,000 for the sub’s superyacht launch vessel, “Necker Belle.”

The $631,000 flying sub, the first of its kind, uses fighter jet technology and was designed by Hawkes Ocean Technologies. It is transparent enough to allow divers a 360-degree view of marine life and Virgin is marketing it as a way to view dolphins and whales close up.

Still, even if you are struggling and looking for a job, this has to inspire you. And if not, buck up, kiddo, and look up Eleventh Hour (in the Los Angeles area). There will be brighter days. Branson has mild dyslexia and was a poor student. Sure, he came from a prominent British family. But it’s not where you start. It’s where you finish.

Brian Laesch is an independent blogger who has worked with Eleventh Hour and can more than vouch for their services and friendly staff.

This blog written for

Brian Laesch Creative, New Products

Maybe I was in a cynical mood when I captured this photo, but, for some reason, I found it comical. This appeared on Yahoo!’s homepage this afternoon with the title, “Obama hit hard by senator’s retirement“:

I wonder if these respective photographss were taken at the exact moment that President Obama learned of Democratic Senator Evan Bayh’s retirement, and the exact moment that Evan Bayh announced his retirement? I’m pretty sure that’s the case. I mean, the media never manipulates anything, right? In fact, a credible source (my imagination) just told me these photos were taken during a conversation between President Obama and Senator Bayh, in which Bayh announced his decision:

FADE IN:

Bayh (contently): I’m retiring.

Obama: What!?

Despite the awkward situation, Bayh can’t contain the joy he finds in his newfound feeling of freedom. Obama’s face collapses into his hand. He looks back up.

Obama: This concerns me, deeply.

FADE TO BLACK (or another color that won’t be mistakenly confused as a racist ending by all you Internet weirdos).

Brian Laesch spent five years in Hollywood, perfecting his screenwriting craft. He needs no more practice. Yup. Completely seasoned and ready. Every single member of the WGA is screwed.

Brian Laesch Opinion, Politics, Scripted Material

Happy Post-Valentine’s Day, readers of this blog. Hope everyone out there had a great date night/singles’ night out on the town. I know I didn’t. (Hey-oh!)

Anyway, here are some great links from the worlds of entertainment, marketing, advertising, technology and more.

• Speaking of Valentine’s Day, Warner Bros.’ “Valentine’s Day” won this weekend’s box office title. Awww….. That’s so, so, so, so, sweet. Looks like Warner Bros. found a good way to fill in the gap usually left in the moviegoing experience during the month leading up to the Academy Awards. Look for “Valentine’s Day” sequels for the next twenty years.
• Which Winter Olympic athlete will become this year’s marketing icon? I have no idea, but Advertising Age offers up a few candidates.
• The new Lost opening title sequences were leaked. (Hint: This is not real. It’s The Hollywood Reporter being…funny…I guess?)
• AdAge: My Life as H.J. Heinz: Confessions of a Real-Life Twitter Squatter
• General Mills is releasing limited-edition vintage cereal boxes for five cereals, including Lucky Charms.
• Rapper Drake had somewhat of a mainstream coming out party this NBA All-Star weekend, including this Sprite commercial in which it was revealed that he is, in fact, a musical robot.
• Creativity-Online: Nike: Human Chain
• Adweek: Beefing Up Banner Ads
• The TED vs. Sarah Silverman feud, as described by TechCrunch. I’d say, “get your popcorn ready,” but it won’t keep you entertained long enough to need a snack.

Brian Laesch is an independent blogger who compiled these links for the boutique recruitment agency Eleventh Hour.

This blog written for

Brian Laesch Advertising, Around the Creative World (11thr), Creative, Hollywood, Television, The Internet

We received outstanding coverage of last night’s Nuru meeting in this morning’s edition of Arizona State’s State Press. Check it out:

Traveling grassroots group targets poverty

If you want to help out with Nuru, but don’t attend Arizona State, check this out.

If you do attend Arizona State, and would like to be involved in the planning, development and/or participation of the upcoming Be Hope to Her event on campus, please contact me here.

I’d just like to thank Katie Shoultz and the State Press for this great coverage of Nuru’s grassroots effort. (Shout out to Billy Williams.)

Brian Laesch is the Humanitarian Editor for BrianLaesch.com.

Brian Laesch Personal Blog

We decided, after Super Bowl XLIV, people needed a day to recover before we posted our links. Yeah, that’s it…

In all seriousness, here are some links that aren’t serious. But some are. I think. Or maybe not. I guess it depends on your industry of employment. Whatever the case, here you go:

• Are you ready for Jack Bauer on the big screen? Get ready. (I wonder if it will be shorter than a ‘24′ season premiere.)
• Daily Variety: Stars line up for Soderbergh project
• NBC’s SNL decided to bash their own show ‘Burn Notice’ (NBCU/USA)
• ‘Dear John’ has taken down ‘Avatar.’ The reign is over? (I only included this because I wanted to brag about meeting Channing Tatum. He lived next door to a girl I dated. Really nice guy in real life. You’ve gotta root for him.)
• AdAge: What Will Happen to Media When All the Billionaires Bail?
• Here’s a good spoof of Google’s Super Bowl ad (which I thought was great). (And here’s the Tiger Woods version.)
• One of my favorite Super Bowl ads: Lebron James vs. Dwight Howard (ala the classic Jordan vs. Bird spot).
• Unfortunately, I believe I’ve been a victim of the new “2 A.M. Worm.” (The Onion)

Brian Laesch was rarely inspired by the Super Bowl commercials this year.

This blog written for

Brian Laesch Advertising, Around the Creative World (11thr), Creative, Hollywood, Sports, Television