Tag Archives: Advertising

June 28th, 2011

Presenting the American Fair Credit Council. Also: An Eagle With A Knife.

You guys know about debt settlement, right? We’ll break it down for you, just in case: You decide you need a new suit. You buy it. Your boss decides s/he needs a shiny new Gulfstream…which means you get downsized. Suddenly, you’re awash in credit card debt. You need help. A “debt negotiator” appears. They tell you they can negotiate your nut down to pennies on the dollar. You are happy. Then you discover how the racket really works. You are sad.  First, they want a big-ass up-front fee. Then, you’re asked to fund an account that will be used to pay off your debts – yes, for pennies on the dollar – but that isn’t real helpful if you don’t have any pennies to begin with. The whole thing is a lot like high school.  Remember the 300-pound bully who used to throw you against your locker, steal your lunch money and give you a swirlie? When that 300-pound bully is your credit card company, you need a bully to bully that bully. Or at least get their attention. If you had an eagle with a knife in its mouth, you'd be all set. But we'll assume you don't. (If you do, call us, we want to check that out.)

Faircrediteagle Would like to renegotiate your repayment terms.
Also: is an eagle with a knife.

Say hello to the American Fair Credit Council.

The good people of the AFCC noticed what was going on in the debt settlement racket market, and saw an opportunity. Not the “let’s check the poor people’s couch cushions for change”-kind of opportunity, but the kind that could actually help people get a fair shake in the credit game – a game that’s patently rigged. So, they created a brand new model called “no advance fee debt settlement.” Here’s how it works: You agree to a fee. The AFCC goes to work. Your debt goes down. You pay your debt. You pay your fee. You’re free. A simple, strong idea, worthy of a simple, strong name. Which Mortar was proud to give them.

So. Even if your credit’s good, check out the American Fair Credit Council. They’re a good friend to have, in an economy where one can never have too many good friends, feathered or otherwise.

 

 

Posted by MortarMark in Branding, Mortar's Work
0
April 8th, 2011

Senior Account Executive With Giant, Pulsating Brain (Union Square)

Did you ever see that old episode of Star Trek with the scary aliens in the blue sparkly muu-muus who could just kind of pulse their giant brains at you and get you to do stuff? They were all like, “Paint our spaceship, Captain Kirk,” and Kirk would be all “No way,” and then they’d pulse their giant brains at him and he’d suddenly say: “How about a nice robin’s-egg blue with white trim?” That’s basically what we’re looking for, except without the oversized, pulsating craniums and sparkly muu-muus.

We’re Mortar, and we have an opening for a Senior Account Executive.

As you’ve probably figured out by now, we’re a different kind of agency – one that prides itself on building brands people love, as opposed to kissing butt and doing timesheets. That being said, you’ll still have to do timesheets. And budgets. And presentations. (And clean the sink if you mess it up. We’re not your mother.) As for the butt-kissing, our clients won’t stand for it, which is fortunate, because we’re terrible liars.

Anyway, here’s the job:

  • Manage client relationships and projects from start to finish, maintain and manage clients’ expectations, budgets and timelines, while communicating clients’ needs and expectations to the creative and technical teams and keep manager involved and informed on all major aspects of each account. TRANSLATION: Work with clients. Lots of them. Find out what they think they want. Help us show them what they actually need. Help the creative team deliver same. Then defend the work with the passion and zeal usually reserved for Oprah and a spiral-sliced ham. Lather, rinse, repeat.
  • Maintain a commitment to customer service while following established company processes and methodologies for project workflow, communication and documentation. This includes: planning and execution of assignment activities; conducting client and internal team meetings; adherence to timelines and budgets as well as observation of legal and business constraints. TRANSLATION: While saying “We’d be happy to deliver that in half the time for a discounted rate” is a great way to get through a meeting, it’s a lousy way to do business. So, you’ll be keeping customers happy – even when the bill comes – but not selling us up the proverbial river. If you’ve done this before, you’ll be familiar with the dance steps.

    Non-Star Trek-related job requirements: 

  • Previous advertising agency experience: You’ve heard of “hitting the ground running?” This is more of a “hit the ground after being thrown from a fast-moving train” kind of thing. Which means we need to see actual ad agency experience on that resume of yours. It should also include interactive and social media experience. And a Bachelor’s degree if you have one.

    The big finish:
    You’ll buy drinks. Have them bought for you. You’ll schmooze. Cajole. Persuade. Threaten. Laugh. Cry. Work your ass off. And sometimes, fail abjectly. You’ll be proud of the work you do. And at the end of each day, if you need a shower, it’ll be because your deodorant let you down, not your co-workers. Sound good? Show us what you’ve got. Even if it’s a blue, sparkly muu-muu.

    • Respond here: iwanttowork@mortaragency.com

    Posted by MortarMark in Uncategorized
    0
    January 19th, 2011

    You Have Already Seen This. See It Again.

    Tumblr_lezqrdLXUL1qg6koto1_400

    So when Things Real People Don't Say About Advertising hit the Tumblrz last week, our in-box just about blowed up. At first, we weren't going to blog it, because we figured  – you're hip, you're a connossieur, you'll find it on your own. But two things changed our mind: One, it's really funny, and we can't resist funny. Two, it's a living exhibition of something we tell our clients all the time – no one wakes up in the morning excited about ads. Not even yours. 

     

    Posted by MortarMark in Deep Thoughts, Viral ROI, Weblogs
    0
    December 2nd, 2010

    Extra Bacon.

    In which we fool you into thinking this is a blog post about bacon when in fact it is actually a blog post about Bacon…pretending to be a guy who is obsessed with Bacon. (And possibly also bacon.) Whoa.

     

     

    That was darn tasty, Logitech. Thanks.

    Posted by MortarMark in Viral ROI
    0
    September 16th, 2010

    Every Purchase Matters

    Most people would shop more responsibly if they knew what to look for.

    Problem is, our capacity to focus on what’s good and what’s not is short-and-getting-shorter. Instead of lecturing them, we thought it might be nice to say “This is extra-good because…"

    Hence a bouncing, baby brand for The Artists Formerly Known As TransFair USA. Check it out:

     

    TransFair USA Changes Name to Fair Trade USA

     Nonprofit Launches New Name and Brand Identity during National Fair Trade Awareness Month in October

    OAKLAND, CALIF. (September 21, 2010) – TransFair USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States, today announces that the nonprofit organization will change its name to Fair Trade USA (www.fairtradeusa.org) on October 1, 2010. The updated, simplified name and brand identity will support the organization’s efforts to increase awareness of Fair Trade among a broader consumer audience, increase sales of Fair Trade Certified™ products, and generate more benefits for farmers and workers around the world.  The company’s ethical label–Fair Trade Certified™—will remain the same.

    “American consumers and the business community are more eager than ever to embrace the simple concept of better products for a better world. Fair Trade delivers both,” said Paul Rice, President and CEO of Fair Trade USA. “In the past five years, consumer recognition of the Fair Trade Certified label has tripled. By strengthening our brand, we seek to accelerate that momentum and awaken millions of Americans to a simple truth: every purchase matters. Every shopping decision is an opportunity to improve lives, restore hope and protect the planet. Ultimately, we aim to dramatically increase the positive impact of Fair Trade for hardworking farming families around the world.”

    Fair Trade empowers consumers to vote with their dollars for fair prices, better working conditions, environmental stewardship, and brighter futures for the people who make the high-quality products that they buy every day.  In 1998, TransFair USA pioneered Fair Trade certification in the United States.  In 12 years, it has helped industry partners and consumers generate nearly $200 million in additional revenues to support community development and sustainable agriculture in farming communities in 70 countries around the world. Today, as Fair Trade USA, the organization works with more than 800 companies to certify more than 6,000 products as Fair Trade. In 2009, Fair Trade Certified products generated $1.2 billion in retail sales. 

    Fair Trade USA will transition the organization’s website and marketing materials over the next year, starting with Fair Trade Month, which also kicks off October 1st with the theme “Every Purchase Matters.”  The annual national awareness campaign mobilizes a wide range of corporate, nonprofit, producer and consumer partners through more than 100 events, promotions and fund-raising parties across the United States.  These activities raise awareness of the Fair Trade movement as a comprehensive approach to social, economic and environmental empowerment and sustainability among farming communities in the developing world. 

     

    Posted by MortarMark in Advertising San Francisco, Branding, Current Affairs, Mortar's Work
    0