CenterPoint Telly



Mitch Waters (Studio 120) presenting the Telly Award to the CenterPoint team

We're proud to announce that CenterPoint Energy has received a Telly Award for their recent video about how to conserve energy in your home in order to save money and help preserve our environment. The Telly Awards are highly coveted and competitive and Save Money, Save Energy was selected from over 11,000 submissions nationwide.

CenterPoint was looking for a way to communicate effectively with their clients and video proved to be the answer. Using rich visuals and simple suggestions, the video Save Energy, Save Money offers easy energy-saving tips as well as outlining the financial impact each small change makes over time.

Studio 120, our full service audio and visual production division, produced this video for CenterPoint and we couldn't be more pleased at its success.

Your message, our medium.

Whether you need a fundraising or an identity video, a documentary or a theatrical production, Studio 120 can help you put your best face forward. From scripting and casting to filming and postproduction, we work with you every step of the way to ensure your message is captured professionally and authentically.

Congratulations to CenterPoint Energy on their efforts to conserve our natural resources!

United Way Campaign Week

The ADS Group is proud to be hosting a campaign week in support of the Greater Twin Cities United Way! We've scheduled a week full of contests and events to raise money to fight poverty within our community.

Reps at United Way are always available to help companies facilitate such a campaign and they make it very simple to do so. They provide signage and literature, and speak at your kickoff meeting about the impact our dollars make right here in our own neighborhoods. They'll also provide a helpful list of activities other companies have successfully hosted during their own campaigns, to aid in planning.

Our goal is this week is to raise both money and awareness. Small donations add up and there's no denying the incredible power of teamwork. We're proud of our people for embracing these events with enthusiasm - and perhaps a tiny bit of competitive spirit.

Our department managers are panhandling for change today and we may have to play referee. Rumors of extortion and blackmail are flying. Nobody wants to be the manager with the least amount of funds raised, so perhaps there are threats circulating of withholding departmental services until donations are made.

If you're in the Twin Cities area and interested in hosting a campaign of your own, get in touch with Tim Anderson to find out how you can help!

Tim Anderson

Greater Twin Cities United Way

andersont@unitedwaytwincities.org

612-340-7468

Wifflin for Wishes

On Saturday, we made a wish.

The most elite athletes our companies boast turned out in Hopkins for the 8th annual Wifflin' for Wishes tournament to benefit Make-A-Wish of Minnesota.

Don't laugh. These guys meant business.

We wished for sunscreen. It was 93 degrees outside.

We wished for food trucks. Wiffleball burns a lot of calories. Or maybe it was all the sweating.

And by the end of the day, we were mostly wishing for redemption. There was a team of small boys nearby and we were afraid we might have to face off against them.

Despite the athletic prowess clearly displayed in these photos, neither of our teams emerged victorious. Unless, of course, you consider it a victory to raise money for a worthy cause on a gorgeous day. WE DO.

A huge thank you to HRL Twin Cities and Pat Moriarty for organizing the tournament and for bringing us all together to support the wishes of ill children. It was a day well spent and next year we just wish for a few more homers.

Buh-Bye, BEA

Big ups to the ADS Group sales team - what a show! BEA was three days of nonstop appointments and working the floor with publishers, distributors and other content providers.

Everyone at Book Expo has one thing in common - a story to tell.

Need a publicist? There were plenty.

Need a publisher? Again, many to choose from.

Need a mobile application to supplement your publication? That's us.

With The ADS Group, the mediums are myriad. Whether it's an app, a disc or video on demand, we're the ones to help you get your story told. Our crew tag-teamed the show while tearing all over Manhattan to meet with clients and vendors. The face time was priceless and the opportunities are exciting.

Our feet, however...thats a whole different story.

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 autograph!

Project Homeless Connect

Yesterday, the Minneapolis Convention Center was transformed.

Transformed into a one-stop service center aimed at removing some of the barriers facing our homeless population.

Transformed into a place of hope.

Project Homeless Connect included 400 services providers and 1100 volunteers, all there serving 2000 guests who are currently homeless or existing on the brink.

Hot meals, haircuts, dental work, legal help, employment information and housing advocates. All gathered under one roof in a show of love for our community, donating time and talent to create a space where people could gather to receive information and critical services in one location.

Volunteers worked with guests on a one-on-one basis, escorting them through the maze of services and helping guests prioritize their plan of attack for the day. We shared stories and we shared lunch.

The goal is that the homeless left the convention center with a renewed sense of hope, and that the volunteers left the convention center with a renewed sense of purpose - eradicating these problems to the best of our ability.

The motto of Project Homeless Connect is Ending Homelessness, One Person at a Time. This is a great example of impact. If you think you're too small to make a difference, think again. Even if you make a lasting impression or a hopeful connection with one person, you made that person's day a little bit better.

Isn't that reason enough to volunteer?

Project Homeless Connect runs these events twice a year and the next one will come around in December. We'll be there again and we hope you will be, too.

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 time.

Wifflin' for Wishes

Whose heart doesn't melt when hearing stories of the work that the Make-A-Wish Foundation does? Terminal illness is always sad, but in the case of children it's even more tragic.

HRL Twin Cities is hosting their 8th annual Wifflin' for Wishes, a  wiffleball tournament to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota - a charity that grants an ill child's wish to go somewhere special, to do something spectacular or to have something they covet.


Every 27 hours, a Make-A-Wish wish is granted right here in Minnesota.

Help us help HRL Twin Cities make this the best Wifflin' for Wishes tournament yet! Since 2005, HRL has raised nearly $25,000 for Make-A-Wish. Join us on June 9th and let's drive that number outta the park.

The cost to register a team is only $100 and 100% of all proceeds from the tourney go to support our local Make-A-Wish chapter.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO

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 there!

Screaming for Streaming

According to the Nielsen U.S. Digital Consumer Report released in April, about one third of American consumers streamed a movie or television show from the Internet in the third and fourth quarter of 2011.

In a world where our devices give us myriad ways to consume content, we're hungrier than ever for information yet never less patient.

Enter video on demand.

Subscriptions services like Netflix and Hulu have revolutionized the way we watch TV and movies. With the click of a remote or your mouse, you can stream your shows and watch instantly.

Are you a special interest content provider?

Call us to explore ADS On Demand. We offer a flexible video streaming service that you can use to capitalize on this shift of thought while expanding options for your clients. Using a customized video player embedded into your website, you can give your market more options...on a disc...online...on demand.

Incorporating a streaming platform will allow you to generate revenue using a combination of pay-per-view and subscription formatting and transactions are handled securely through an online payment gateway. Our real time reporting functions will help you capture critical data about your viewers.

Streaming services are a fantastic complement to the physical media you are already providing and offering a robust library of titles with multiple consumption options is just smart business in this face-paced world.

Don't miss out on this additional profit center - call us today at 800-759-0992!

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 needs.

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 19^th and 20^th, 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 York!

Spring Safety

Spring has sprung and the fever is hitting everyone - nobody wants to be inside. The sun is shining, the temps are soaring - and spring break is upon us...

...which is a great time to remind everyone to always have a sober driver.

In 2010, Minnesota reported a record LOW number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities - only 131 deaths.

We believe that this is 131 deaths too many.

On November 18th, 2005 The ADS Group lost one of our own. Michelle Newby was headed home from work on a two-lane highway in Rockford when a drunk driver crossed the center line and hit her vehicle head-on.

The ADS Group has partnered with KQRS in an audio campaign reminding people - and teens especially - not to drink and drive. There is always another option - Googling MN sober cab, for example, returns over 700,000 results.

So as thoughts turn to spring break and summer vacation, please remember to put your own safety first. Don't drink and drive, and never get into a vehicle with an impaired driver. There are always more choices, and there are always more parties, but not everybody gets more chances.

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. If you're in Austin, join us at The Thirsty Nickel on Saturday from NOON - 6 PM.

We're loving that our group here represents so many facets of The ADS Group. Mitch heads up Studio 120 and knows more than anyone ever needed to about video production, mobile applications and streaming platforms. Justin and Ed are pitching our COPYCATS division, which caters heavily toward artists and musicians - and in addition to being our marketing Man on the Street, Jac is giving us a glimpse of what SXSW is like behind the scenes for an aspiring band.

So maybe our slogan should be Keep The ADS Group Weird, because if weird is what it takes to serve ALL your media production needs, we've got you covered.

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 you.

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, y'all!

Taste of the Timberwolves

Last night we donned our finest fine finery and hobnobbed with the T-Wolves. Taste of the Timberwolves is an annual gala to raise money for the FastBreak Foundation, the Wolves' youth community program, and we were lucky enough to be invited.

Hosted at the Target Center, we played meet and greet while noshing on tasty snacks from area restaurants. There was a silent auction loaded with goodies and the live auction included such prizes as a road trip with the team or an afternoon fishing with Nikola Pekovic.

The players were gracious, the food was delicious and good times were had by all. Now we're just excited to hear the results of how much funding the event raised for Minnesota kids.

 

 Mike practicing his benevolent face, 

Chris practicing his happy face and Mitch....

well, we're not sure what Mitch is thinking.

 A quick sales meeting before the gala.

 Todd looks happy to be bidding at the live auction.

Er, wait - that's because he's using Tricia's bid card!

 Our sales team never gets a break - 

they're always networking.

 Ricky giving the coach some pointers.

 Tricia and...a really tall guy who plays ball...

 In line for the Wheel O' Prizes!

Ricky wanted Ricky's autograph but we said we

don't let our sales guys sign autographs unless they're on

ADS-branded merchandise...

 Getting a little Love.

Bowling for Bragging

Anybody who is anybody was at Brunswick on Thursday night, for the fourth annual ADS Group Bowling Tournament. Our office staff faced off against our operations staff in two games of cut throat bowling with absolutely no smack talk because we are mature professionals.

The Warriors (operations) and the Blu Rays (office) quickly established their dominance and clinched title spots. After a quick break to stuff our faces with sliders, we cheered like maniacs during the championship game.

We'd like to tell you it was a nail-biter.

It was not.

The operations team smoked the office team, which may or may not have earned them three trophies out of the total four since this event's inception.

But we're not bitter.

If anyone knows what our operations team is capable of, it's our office staff. Without operations, we'd have nothing to sell, nothing to invoice and the phones wouldn't ring.

So hats off to the Warriors, for representing operations as the 2012 Championship Team.

And next year?

The office is totally taking that trophy back. Seriously.

We mean it this time.