We’re looking for three graphic design interns prepared to leap buildings in a single bound. Interested superheroes please submit your resume and several samples of your work to dave@martingroupmarketing.com.

By Mike Gluck

When you work in advertising, there’s rarely a boring day. It’s a fun, crazy business where you’re always learning something new. For example, here are just a few of the things I’ve learned this week (and it’s only Wednesday):

• Clowns have an unwritten code of honor, so no clown copies another clown’s makeup (seriously)
• A surprising number of Major League Baseball teams have only one letter on their caps
• You can buy a squeeze ball in nearly any shape you can imagine (and a few you’d rather not)
• The phrase “hold your horses” relates back to elephants
• A “Snoezelen” room is as much fun as it sounds like

And that’s all for this week in advertising. Thanks (as always) to our clients for keeping things interesting.

By Greg Meadows

Now and then I think we all take good design for granted. Maybe the best design is that which plays the quiet strength role and doesn’t call attention to itself.

David Rowland, Maker of a Tidily Stacked Chair, Dies at 86

by Greg Meadows

As we grow as a company we like to remember that what we provide to our clients has great value. To them. To us. And it’s that value that can sometimes keep what we do out of the hands of those who need it – and deserve it. At The Martin Group we always try to find a place on our “task lists” for the occasional “freebie,” “pro-bono,” or personal “side job.” It feels good to know we can help a not-for-profit do well – and do good. And, we have to admit, it’s nice to see our work out in the field. On my way into the shop today I saw these postings on Elmwood Avenue. Posters for the annual “Secrets of Allentown” home tour and “The Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts” have hit the street. Good organizations with good purpose deserve good design. Glad we could be of help.

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by Greg Meadows

Back in high school it was all about being popular – or in my case – not. I knew that popular didn’t necessarily equate to better. But try telling that to teenagers. Fast forward to today. We live in a world that is influenced – if not defined – by products. Manufacturers and marketers want their product to be popular. But the same question remains – does popular equal better. BusinessWeek looks at brand popularity. Makes one think.

We’re looking for three graphic design interns prepared to leap buildings in a single bound. Interested superheroes please submit your resume and several samples of your work to dave@martingroupmarketing.com

by Greg Meadows

A lunchtime walk allowed me to realize our long-awaited TMG street banner was going up today. I quickly alerted Lianne, one of the Art Directors responsible for the design and execution, so she could go watch to make sure there were no issues in the hanging. Well, that would prove to be a good idea. When Lianne went out to inspect, she discovered that the banner was hanging upside down. She took care of things and now we can enjoy our very first Martin Group street banner in all its vinyl glory. TMG loves being downtown and we don’t mind showing off that pride.

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by Greg Meadows

If you can use your product to sell your product – do it. It shows people what your product can do, and that you have some courage. Macworld magazine, though not directly affiliated with Apple, has a great deal at stake in its relationship with Apple products. Recently they used the new Apple iphone 4 in a cover shoot. The difference this time was that the phone was both the subject and the camera. Anyone else ever do this?

by Greg Meadows

More and more marketing tactics are aimed at collecting information. How to get hard information with a soft sell is every marketers quest. People don’t want to be mined. They don’ want to be preyed upon – but will offer up information if they don’t feel threatened. And – yes – in many cases people don’t even realize they are giving it up. This piece in the New York Times caught my eye. Orchestras are using text messaging to interact with a captive audience, and to collect information. While this approach is novel and rather interesting, I was more initially taken by the premise. I am always being told to silence of shut off my cell phone when entering a concert hall or movie theater. Now – in these scenarios – I am being encouraged to turn it on. Check out the article and share your thoughts.

by Greg Meadows

I am always fascinated by the designer-client relationship, as no two relationships are the same. It is easy for both parties to bitch about the other. Heck – it’s an unwritten line in my job description. This article by Adrian Shaughnessy, caught my eye. Take a few minutes and rethink the relationship. Are you doing your part?