Celebrate Santacon with FREE Coke Minis!

SO MUCH CHRISTMAS SPIRIT in New York today, as it was the annual NYC SantaCon! From my observation, SantaCon is a worldwide celebration where people of all ages, races and sexual preferences dress in Santa outfits and convene to spread the holiday spirit with one to many spirits! I have never seen so much red and white and cheering in one place outside of a BU hockey game. Below are pics taken at Washington Square Park.
Coca-Cola also introduced its new product the COKE MINI today! 90 calories of Coca-cola in a 7.5 oz can. Street teams around Union Square gave out massive amounts of Coke Minis. A move to build awareness of the product during a time where people are calorie-conscious from all the holiday feasting. Coke Minis are currently only being introduced to New York City and Washington D.C., while the rest of the country will be able to purchase the drink in March 2010. The best part is Coke Minis make great chasers to Santa's whiskey flask.

Personal Plug #5 - Coca Cola "Stay Classic" Campaign

Lately, I'm starting to see a progression in my creative work. I make choices that push my work to be better and can differentiate between what's good and bad design. HOWEVER...

Looking back on the work I've done the last three years, I realize most of it is crap. But aside from amateur design, I don't think I give myself enough credit on some of my past ideas.

The below was done two years ago during my Sophomore year:

Example #1 - Coca-Cola "Stay Classic" Video
MY DIRECTORIAL DEBUT. Everything about it is cheesy--music, transitions (iMovie!) and typeface. The best part about making this video is that I convinced my friends to dance in Boston winter without music. Amazingly, somehow their dancing matched the music.

Thank you Marisa, Nina, Gabs and Megan for letting me use you as guinea pigs.

Example #2 - Coca-Cola 'Stay Classic' Website
This is the first website I have ever designed (let alone use Dreamweaver), and it follows the video's concept of 'Stay Classic'. Considering my lack of web design experience, I'm pretty proud of the social networking aspect, interactivity and intuitiveness of the site.
Everyone has gotta start somewhere.

The Best of Oscar 2009 - Gowns, Moments & Ads

The Oscar "it" dress this year is definitely Marisa Tomei's Versace dress that reminds me of Chanel's "paper" inspired 2009 Spring Collection.  The detailing and train is amazing and I love how simple her make up and hair was.

My favorite Oscar look goes to Angelina Jolie, because I love emeralds and those earrings are beautiful:

Counting down my favorite Oscar moments:

4. Man on Wire documentary recipient does coin magic and balances oscar on head

3. Performance of Slumdog Millionaire original song "Jai-ho"

2. MILK Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black's acceptance speech on gay rights

1. When Animated Short winner Kunio Kato says, 

"Domo arigato Mr. Roboto" live at the Oscars

Oscars was an overall WIN for advertisers, much better than anything from this year's Super Bowl.  Also, the examples below really show that people will listen if you have a positive message:

Diet Coke's Oscar commercials utilized the star power of model Heidi Klum and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio but also cleverly introduced Diet Coke's support of The Heart Truth charity.  Heidi promoted the diamond and ruby red dress charms that support Women's heart health on the red carpet (while coincidently wearing a red gown).  The relevance of the "red color" and charity to its consumer base is really what drives this campaign.  I'm totally pro-coke and boo-pepsi-logo-change. 

True North hit the target perfectly with its inspiring "True North Stories" about people in the US who are making positive changes in society.  The first example was of a former police woman who runs a chain of restaurants that serves homeless people and provides them with job training.  Another story is of a woman that plants trees in the Bronx.  True North sells natural snacks and product shots didn't come until the end of the commercials, which I respect very much.  Great ads and corresponding microsite... LOVE the pistachio chips!