Sneak Preview: Black Knight
We are currently repositioning and creating new identity the Canadian company Black Knight. They are one of the leading badminton and squash racquet companies in the world. And they are really nice folks as well.
Stem Cell Fund.
I have this idea that I will send to Chuck Schumer. It is basically this: Harvested stem cells from new births should be sold and the money put into a fund that goes to the child when he/she turns 18.
If you have a child in the future, unless you register to save the stem cells - they are harvested and sold by hospitals like a commodity. They don't bother to tell you that - most people have no fucking idea what a stem cell is anyway - or simply don't care. Having a baby is serious business, and it does not leave a lot of time for random concepts such as harvesting stem cells.
You may wonder, "what's wrong with this dude, who cares about stem cells?"
Stay with me here.
In the near future, in fact - on today's CNN.com report - I glanced a headline that said "human stem cells help repair damaged hearts." Brilliant. This is what we need to do with stem cells. Fix broken bodies. Give people a new lease on life. That, my friend, is genius. People can be more creative when they are not dead or dying. That is good design.
Of course, I will ask Schumer to amend the bill thusly: "No stem cells for idiots, no matter what."
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If you have a child in the future, unless you register to save the stem cells - they are harvested and sold by hospitals like a commodity. They don't bother to tell you that - most people have no fucking idea what a stem cell is anyway - or simply don't care. Having a baby is serious business, and it does not leave a lot of time for random concepts such as harvesting stem cells.
You may wonder, "what's wrong with this dude, who cares about stem cells?"
Stay with me here.
In the near future, in fact - on today's CNN.com report - I glanced a headline that said "human stem cells help repair damaged hearts." Brilliant. This is what we need to do with stem cells. Fix broken bodies. Give people a new lease on life. That, my friend, is genius. People can be more creative when they are not dead or dying. That is good design.
Of course, I will ask Schumer to amend the bill thusly: "No stem cells for idiots, no matter what."
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Food: Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Every other Monday is Red Beans and Rice day. I cook it for about 8-9 hours - then share the goodness with friends, family and visitors. It is amazing. The foto at the top is the beginning and most delicious mirepoix stage - with smoked hock. The bottom foto is of our dog Dziga Vertov - who is constant company and has developed a taste for Cajun.
Life is too short. Eat well. Drink well.
* we use the Red Beans and Rice recipe from Emeril Lagasse. He is great.
First glance: Le livret Campagna T-Rex 14R (Campaga 14R book/French)
You will see all the new repositioning work we have done on behalf of Campagna in our new website and book - coming in December/January 2010.
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Sneak preview: Dawson-Clinton
Dawson- Clinton is one is the leading general contracting in San Francisco. When you see the new website and their work on it - you will know why. Rebrand, print collateral and web by MAMUS.
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Sneak preview: 3 Chapeaux Numériques
Rent the Runway identity in NY Times
The identity we designed in NY Times today. Interesting.
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Viral and experiential is usually a waste of time.
I believe it usually is. You know why?
Agencies come up with such brilliant ideas - amazing ones - that have absolutely nothing to do with the product they have been charged with trying to help sell. Ask most consumers about a famous viral campaign - such as subservient chicken - then ask "what brand is this for?" Prepare to see a confused look and scratching of head.
I believe many brands are so desperate to "catch up," trying to be "innovative," or trying to be "cool," they forget the fundamentals - such as 1.) making a great product 2.) strengthening their visual communications. They throw good money after bad in a desperate attempt to gain marketshare - and agencies makes a lot of money selling them shit they really don't need (yay) like an iPhone application, or a flash-on-steroids "experiential" website.
This also pertains to television spots that have absolutely nothing to do with the product. For instance, the new Blackberry campaign "All you Need is Love." Lovely spots, really, but why do we need love? For a blackberry? To learn to dance in the London subway? This is not even a good borrowed interest spot like the U2 piece. These will not make Blackberry cool. Ever. Blackberry should use this money for innovative product design and branding. Then hire MAMUS to make a great spot. And great ads. Anyway, using U2 in a spot will not make it cooler than an iPhone. Lipstick/Pig.
The truth is - life is experiential enough, I don't really give a damn about the experience you are trying to give me. Many of these sites appeal to 15 year olds that have no money anyway. What gives?
Interrogate whether your brand needs some of these things. Your brand might. But most likely, you are shooting in the dark. Be honest with yourself. Be honest with your brand's budget. And fire your agency if they try to upsell you on worthless shit that won't help you move product.
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Agencies come up with such brilliant ideas - amazing ones - that have absolutely nothing to do with the product they have been charged with trying to help sell. Ask most consumers about a famous viral campaign - such as subservient chicken - then ask "what brand is this for?" Prepare to see a confused look and scratching of head.
I believe many brands are so desperate to "catch up," trying to be "innovative," or trying to be "cool," they forget the fundamentals - such as 1.) making a great product 2.) strengthening their visual communications. They throw good money after bad in a desperate attempt to gain marketshare - and agencies makes a lot of money selling them shit they really don't need (yay) like an iPhone application, or a flash-on-steroids "experiential" website.
This also pertains to television spots that have absolutely nothing to do with the product. For instance, the new Blackberry campaign "All you Need is Love." Lovely spots, really, but why do we need love? For a blackberry? To learn to dance in the London subway? This is not even a good borrowed interest spot like the U2 piece. These will not make Blackberry cool. Ever. Blackberry should use this money for innovative product design and branding. Then hire MAMUS to make a great spot. And great ads. Anyway, using U2 in a spot will not make it cooler than an iPhone. Lipstick/Pig.
The truth is - life is experiential enough, I don't really give a damn about the experience you are trying to give me. Many of these sites appeal to 15 year olds that have no money anyway. What gives?
Interrogate whether your brand needs some of these things. Your brand might. But most likely, you are shooting in the dark. Be honest with yourself. Be honest with your brand's budget. And fire your agency if they try to upsell you on worthless shit that won't help you move product.
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Coming in December!
Probably late December - but still December!
New MAMUS credentials book ACTA NON VERBA (Action, Not Words) in a new, beautiful 12"x12" size. We estimate it will be around 300 pages.
Updated MAMUS website, with new work for these clients:
Rebrand for NY agency SS+K credentials, reposition for Campagna (makers of the T-Rex motorcycle), identity and complete branding new fashion brand Jake Paulsen, rebranding for Toronto based technology company Venuiti, rebrand for NY based OOH media company Macdonald Media, new brand creative for Rent the Runway, new advertising for LA-based ICON - and their new CJ3B model. New branding for SF-based sustainability agency Tribe, New branding for SF-based Construction and Architecture Company Dawson+Clinton, and redesign of Barndiva - the Healdsburg, CA based restaurant, repositioning of Albany, NY based agency word communications, and finally - some new work for our friends in Geneva and London - Richemont International .And some more stuff. It will be great.
I am very proud of the work we have been doing - and very proud to have the aforementioned as clients and friends. They are part of an exclusive club.
What's in your portfolio and credential?
Screen of JAKE PAULSEN site:
New MAMUS credentials book ACTA NON VERBA (Action, Not Words) in a new, beautiful 12"x12" size. We estimate it will be around 300 pages.
Updated MAMUS website, with new work for these clients:
Rebrand for NY agency SS+K credentials, reposition for Campagna (makers of the T-Rex motorcycle), identity and complete branding new fashion brand Jake Paulsen, rebranding for Toronto based technology company Venuiti, rebrand for NY based OOH media company Macdonald Media, new brand creative for Rent the Runway, new advertising for LA-based ICON - and their new CJ3B model. New branding for SF-based sustainability agency Tribe, New branding for SF-based Construction and Architecture Company Dawson+Clinton, and redesign of Barndiva - the Healdsburg, CA based restaurant, repositioning of Albany, NY based agency word communications, and finally - some new work for our friends in Geneva and London - Richemont International .And some more stuff. It will be great.
I am very proud of the work we have been doing - and very proud to have the aforementioned as clients and friends. They are part of an exclusive club.
What's in your portfolio and credential?
Screen of JAKE PAULSEN site:
ICON CJ3B: "THE DOG"
As promised - here is the 3/4 view render that we did for ICON. Also, the new - old school stencil design for "The Dog" - hand drawn lettering circa 1950. Look for the ads in Dupont Registry, Robb Report and Worth Magazine.
I am the Principal and Chief Creative Officer of MAMUS in New York – formerly known as OSNOVA. I work with clients in Switzerland, England and here in the US. A new-generation agency, we offer services from strategy to creative execution. We do more than "ads" or "logos" or "websites." We understand all media, and are sensitive to the needs of brands and clients in a media/medium agnostic way.
Please visit mamusinc.com
ID, branding, print advertising and collateral, signage, architectural and interior spatial and graphic design, web design and front-end web development.
I have close to 20 years of experience developing brands — from print to web — all strategically informed. My last position (previous to OSNOVA) was Global Creative Director for FILA — previous to that I was Founder and Creative Director of Merkley ID in New York. Before Merkley and Partners, I held positions at Ogilvy and Young & Rubicam in New York. I have worked on the launch of jetBlue Airways in the USA, as well as brands like BMW, Starwood Hotels & resorts Worldwide, Richemont, Mercedes-Benz, and many more.
To see my personal portfolio website, please visit mamusinc.com
Email me: john@mamuscreative.com
- JAKE PAULSEN apparel graphics design and brand development.
New York. - Brand development for optimist LA. A new lifestyle marketing agency.
Los Angeles - Rebranding and repositioning for Black Knight Canada - the world's premiere squash and badmitton company.
Montréal - New ICON CJ3B brand development.
Los Angeles - Whatsnexx interface design.
Montréal - kqool web design refresh.
New York - Black Knight rebranding and repositioning.
Montréal - Dawson•Clinton brand development.
San Francisco - New identity for 3 Chapeaux Numériques.
Montréal - Brand development for new SF-based "green/sustainable" agency.
San Francisco - Richemont 2 new brands development, web.
London/Geneva - Macdonald Media - an amazing OOH agency, rebrand.
New York - Turpin Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer and Cure. Brand development.
New York - Venuiti rebranding.
Toronto - AdvertisingArts web redesign.
New York - New advertising and positioning for Cancer Center of Sarasota for Dr. Mamus.
Sarasota - Now a Board Member, Turpin Foundation and MedicalRecords.com.
New York - Updated agency book coming in January 2010: ACTA NON VERBA. 300 pages, hardcover.
