OMG, BEA!

The doors were flung open and the librarian-style smack-down has commenced. At the Javits Center in New York City, books are the bomb this week. We’re excited to be exhibiting again here at Book Expo of America (BEA) – a great chance to visit clients and make new connections. Mike and Mitch are raring to go, though the line for their autographs doesn’t seem to be as long as Kristi Yamaguchi’s. That’s probably just because nobody has seen Mike on figure skates lately. Our booth is nestled snugly among current clients and new friends and the traffic has been steady and enthusiastic. The excitement is palpable as everyone converges here with a shared love – the love of words. There are plenty of booths at BEA if you want a physical publication, but we are the ones to talk to for mobile apps and video on demand – and people are hungry for both. If you can’t make it, we’ll keep you apprised of highlights – but if you’re here in New York, stop by our booth, #4228, for an interactive demo…or for Mike’s...

Formula for Hope

Yesterday we had the honor of filming the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery’s Formula for Hope. An annual fundraiser luncheon to benefit the Crisis Nursery, the event included notable speakers and some very moving stories. The Crisis Nursery provides a safe place for parents to leave their children for up to three days while they are tackling family issues. The nursery provides food, shelter, and peace for these children as well as a library of resources for the parents. Last year’s luncheon raised over $400,000 and with the 850 attendees this year, we can only hope to shatter that number. The nursery offers critical social services for families on the brink of disaster and provides them tools to build stronger, healthier family relationships in the future. This is an initiative we can’t afford not to support as a community. Please check out their website for more information about the needed services they provide to keep our children safe, and give generously of your money and your...

Project Homeless Connect

What are your plans on Monday, May 14th? Join us as we volunteer our time and labor in support of Project Homeless Connect. This amazing event provides a plethora of services normally unavailable to the area’s homeless and impoverished. The Minneapolis Convention Center is turned into a gigantic service center where struggling Twin Citians can receive food, water, dental and medical care, haircuts and – most importantly – information about the resources available. The ADS Group and Studio 120 have supported the efforts of Project Homeless Connect both with our video services and our people. In 2009, we shot a documentary called Heading Home Hennepin that outlines the county’s 10-year plan to end homelessness based on proven models and national best practices. You can see the video HERE. A massive event such as this requires the cooperation of hundreds, and we’re hoping you’ll see the need for your helping hands. Project Homeless Connect needs 1200 volunteers to make this event a success. One day. One town. But how many lives can we touch? Join us to find out. Sign up here to volunteer on Monday, May 14th. We’ll see you...

PBC 2012 in NYC

The ADS Group has taken a bite out of the Big Apple and we’re here to report that it was delicious! On March 19thand 20th, we exhibited at the Publishing Business Conference, located in the beautiful Marriott Marquis. The City that Never Sleeps doesn’t disappoint when it comes to meeting up with old business partners and forging new relationships. The PBC is a wonderful opportunity to meet with the buyers of the publishing industry and learn the latest in print technology and marketing. Smaller than the upcoming Book Expo of America (BEA), the PBC show afforded the chance to chat with folks in a more intimate environment as they look for new ways to produce and promote their products in this constantly evolving industry. Sales reps John St. Martin, Al Simmons, Tom Hinton, Tracy ReiderBower and COO Connie Comeau took turns manning the booth so others could schedule meetings with some of the clients we have in the NYC area. Traffic held steady and we came back from New York with a fistful of new contacts interested in ADS On Demand and app creation and distribution. Next up on the trade show circuit, The ADS Group will be exhibiting at BEA in June. We can’t wait to see you in New...

Keep us Weird

The slogan here is Keep Austin Weird, so what better place for SXSW? The whole town is packed full of creatives and those who market toward and service them. Musicians, film makers, comedians – people travel here to further those dreams and it’s wholly evident on the streets of Austin. Young kids with purple hair. Grizzled sound guys who’ve been on the road for decades and seen it all. Hipsters, salesmen and young entrepreneurs. Without this diversity, SXSW wouldn’t be as enormous or attractive as it is. Maybe it’s why we’re having such a great time -we’ve got a pretty diverse crew in town, too. Justin & Ed just doin’ their thing Mitch is a seasoned veteran of the television world, and we lost him somewhere in the Interactive Festival. There are so many contacts he may never surface. Justin and Ed have backgrounds in music – they used to comprise together half of a band, now they form part of the COPYCATS sales team.. They’re tearing up the trade show booth by day, meeting with current clients and looking for new ones, and they’re tearing up the town by night. One of many clients we’ve met up with at SXSW After a late night with clients Bridge Nine Records, Blood & Ink Records and 6131 Records, Justin still looked raring to go when the show opened again this morning. It may be possible to hook him up to an IV and serve Five Hour Energy drinks on tap. Jac and The Union Suits are pounding the pavement and driving traffic to both our booth and Saturday’s music showcase....

Everything IS Bigger in Texas

…and when they say festival, they mean it. SXSW Music officially opened today and it did so with a bang. We’re only 48 hours in and we’ve seen a little bit of everything. We’ve seen clients, vendors and friends. We’ve seen Ghostland at the Belmont. We’ve seen tradeshow displays in every shape and form – seriously. Who knew Angie’s leg would make an appearance? We were there to cheer on our very own Jac and his band, The Union Suits, for their maiden SXSW performance. But the craziest thing we’ve seen of all just might be Mitch and Justin before their morning coffee. In all seriousness, though, the trade show is going swimmingly. Traffic is heavy, interest is high, and the energy is electric. We’re making new friends and contacts everywhere we turn and can’t wait for more. Bring it on, Austin – we’re ready for...