What's Your Big Idea?

I love ideas.

In fact, I diligently keep a folder entitled "Big Ideas" on my computer.

After reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink, I started reading his other bestseller, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. “The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips and spreads like wildfire.”

Yes; this is great. Why?

People have ideas.

Ideas need people.

People spread ideas.

Ideas need vehicles.

And this is why I’m excited—video can spread ideas that ignite positive change.

We’re in the middle of an incredible shift in the way the world communicates. Video is one part of that. Why? Because it's no longer restricted to paid prime time TV ads—today’s outlets are nearly endless—from online social networking sites to an iPhone to a compelling opening to a live presentation.

There are amazing “ideas” impacting the world in a positive way. For example, how does microfinance really work in struggling, rural nations?

Later this month, I’m headed to Zimbabwe for two weeks. And I can’t help but wonder—if more people understood microfinance, could it reach “the tipping point” and change the world?

We want to talk to people and companies with big ideas. When we successfully communicate big ideas, it’s an opportunity to spark change.

So, what’s your big idea?

Creo on the Radio

We're going to be on the WGVU Morning Show with Shelley Irwin on Wednesday, November 7 at 9:30 a.m. EST! We'll be talking to Shelley and Yesterdog owner Bill Lewis about The Yesterdog Documentary, Yesterdog and Creo Productions, LLC.

WGVU is the West Michigan National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate. Tune in live at WGVU-FM 88.5 & 95.3, WGVU-AM 1480 & 850 or listen to the streaming interview online live by clicking here.

WZZM "Take Five"

You can watch the ABC WZZM 13 story on Yesterdog and The Yesterdog Documentary here.

Visit www.YesterdogDocumentary.com for more information on the documentary.

Hollywood and Ads

The New York Times ran an interesting piece about Hollywood directors being courted by companies to create commercials.

"The advent of high-definition television means commercials must be expertly filmed, advertisers say, and the rise of DVRs means people need compelling reasons to watch ads rather than skip them."

It's never good to have your CEO create your video. In addition to the upcoming digital switch to HD in 2009, the piece also talks about the increased use of graphics and animation in national spots, a trend we've also experienced.

News: The Yesterdog Documentary

We were recently interviewed by Grand Rapids ABC affiliate WZZM 13 for creating The Yesterdog Documentary. We'll be on the air on Wednesday, October 24 at 4:30 p.m. EST on the "Take Five" segment. On Thursday, the piece will be streamed at www.wzzm13.com by clicking on "Take Five Video."

In-Mid Stream

Media Week posted an article entitled, "In-Mid Stream," about how marketers are leveraging online video. The article points out that people are still receptive toward online video, while marketing spending is projected to increase from $775 million this year to over $4 billion by 2011.

TYD in The Grand Rapids Press

John Serba from The Grand Rapids Press reviewed The Yesterdog Documentary in Friday's paper. Read the article below or click the link on mlive!

Film: Secrets revealed in Yesterdog documentary

Friday, October 05, 2007
By John Serba
The Grand Rapids Press

So, Yesterdog has secret hot dogs that aren't on the menu, eh?

This is one of the revelatory bits of information in "The Yesterdog Documentary," a locally produced 25-minute film examining the popular Eastown hot dog eatery. The place is certainly deserving of its own movie, boasting (arguably) the best dog in Grand Rapids for the last 30 years.

Local filmmakers Andrew Tingley and Aaron Carriere, founders of Creo Productions, filmed the documentary in 2006, interviewing Yesterdog owner Bill Lewis, employees and patrons. Some dog-eaters are young, some are old, some are, in the movie's own words, Yester-Virgins, others Yester-Veterans. And some are apparently inebriated, which is a key element of the restaurant's clientele, being open late specifically for the post-bar crowd.

So yes, "The Yesterdog Documentary" is a fun watch, especially for those of us who have been happily chowing Cheddardogs for many years. The film is available on DVD, which includes deleted scenes, an extended interview with Lewis and filmmaker commentary. Purchase it at Yesterdog, 1505 Wealthy St. SE, or on the Web at Yesterdog.com or Yesterdogdocumentary.com.

TV on the Web

"Stuart Elliott's In Advertising" newsletter from The New York Times is featuring two great stories on the emergence of web video. The first is about a Volvo TV series that's been created specifically for the web.

The second, "TV Remote Moves Over for a Mouse," is about network TV making room for downloading shows online. The first line sums it up well: "Media consumers have said, loudly and repeatedly, that they want to watch what they want, when and where they want it."

Introducing TugLink.com

We created two videos for the launch of TugLink.com, a new international job networking site.


“Retaining Creo's services was one of the smartest business decisions and best marketing investments for our start-up company. Working with Aaron and Andrew on creation of promo videos for TugLink.com was a pure pleasure. Besides exceeding our expectations artistically, their team demonstrated a very professional approach to project management. The final product was delivered on time and within budget. Communication was always so timely and detailed that it made us feel that we and our video were getting a VIP treatment. Highly recommend Creo to anybody with video production needs.”

—Vadim Nemtsev, President of TugLink.com

crimson & gold

We were interviewed last week for Ferris State University's alumni magazine Crimson & Gold. Andrew and I are both FSU grads, and Andrew is currently teaching a course in 3D animation in LightWave at Ferris. The story is about Creo Productions and The Yesterdog Documentary, and will be included in the upcoming winter issue.