South by Southwest

March is coming up quick, which means that South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences & Festivals is just around the corner. The ADS Group and CopyCat’s Media are gearing up to hit the road March 6th-16th to venture into a world of original music, independent films, and evolving technologies.     Our objective during our visit to SXSW is to listen and learn. We have the resources to assist people in the film and music industry gain exposure, and grow in their careers. We value the success of our customers as well as their business and understand that there is an abundance of film and musical talent that goes unnoticed. We want to hear what they have to say, in order to learn how we can meet their needs. How can we help? The ADS Group is a CD/DVD manufacturing and distribution company with an in-house video production facility. No project is too big or too small. Our projects range from duplicating 100 CDs to replicating 100,000 CDs. Our Studio 120 has the ability to create small marketing videos to producing full length motion pictures. CopyCat’s Media, a division of The ADS Group, specializes in catering to the needs of independent artists to well-known, famous musicians. The ADS Group gives the term 360° a whole new meaning. If you will be attending SXSW this year please contact us, we are throwing a party that you do not want to miss! Here is a clip of last years party, you will never know who will show up! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHguP_9FqZY]   Contact: Katie Andrews Marketing Manager 763.449.5595 sales@theadsgroup.com        ...

The ADS Group Gets in Shape

Fly-Over Country to Become Leader in Fitness Video Production Interior at Aria, Minneapolis The ADS Group is a full service media development and distribution company, located in Plymouth, MN. Its audio and video production and CD/DVD manufacturing facilities is under one roof for a seamless delivery of customer content. On April 16, 2013 The ADS Group will partner with U-Branded Productions to produce 8 fitness video trailers. These trailers will highlight a variety of dynamic fitness routines ranging anywhere from yoga to kickboxing. The video talent will be performed by renowned fitness professionals from across the US. The ADS Group’s Studio 120 will assist in the direction and production of these 8 fitness trailers by utilizing its state of the art camera equipment. Filming is set to take place on April 16th at Aria, a popular venue located in the North Loop of Minneapolis. During the duration of filming, two cameras units will be used. Camera Unit A is a 3 broadcast camera that will be filming simultaneously throughout the shoot and camera Unit B, an AF100 film styled camera that operates using prime lenses. In addition the green screen located on stage 108 in The ADS Groups campus will be used for the introduction of each individual fitness trailer. “I have worked in many levels of sports and fitness in broadcast television and I know these will prove Minneapolis is a center for fitness videos.”                                                             –Mitch Waters, Studio 120 Executive Producer...

MicroGrants Video

MicroGrants is the brainchild of local resident Joe Selvaggio. He believes that good ideas come from all around us and sometimes low-income people simply need a small boost to help them move forward with their dreams. MicroGrants offers small grants to people in the Twin Cities to pursue and further their small business goals. A typical grant is $1,000, and they are used to purchase items such as computers for home-based businesses, construction tools, office equipment and supplies, books, job training, tuition and more. Last fall, MicroGrants was put in touch with our crew at Studio 120 and we helped them to develop a marketing video to raise awareness of the positive impact they are bringing into our community. We are proud to announce that MicroGrants Work! has been honored with a 2012 Telly Award. Selected from nearly 11,000 applicants across the country, it is truly exciting to have been a part of such a project. Click here to learn more about MicroGrants and to see the award-winning video, or click here to read the article in Twin Cities Business. And as always, click here for YOUR studio production...

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...

And SXSW Begins…

The sun is shining in Texas as the 2012 SXSW trade show kicked off! Doors opened at 11 and the energy was palpable as the crowds of creatives rushed in. Justin and Mitch were ready with smiles and samples and have been busy talking up the COPYCATS name. The music festival doesn’t even begin until tomorrow, but we’re already kicking booth and taking names. With film screenings and music showcases everywhere we turn, the toughest thing is figuring out how to be everywhere – at once. Stay tuned throughout the week as we keep you up to date on what’s happening in Austin – at the show and on the streets. Until later,...