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.