What happened to November?

There is just so much activity humming in the ol' Picanteria. Several interesting projects that we really care deeply about.

Massage Therapy commercials are nearly complete. Thanks to Sue, Wayne, Pauline and Kaleigh for doing a great job in front of the camera. And Keith, Don and Conroy for doing a great job behind.

Started on the new Versatech Industries video. Had a nice interview/visit with Bob Brennan, CEO of Manitoba Hydro who graciously welcomed us into his Boardroom. He's a big fan of Versatech and the opportunities they provide to Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Then we visited the Versatech production workshop and were inspired by the warmth and enthusiasm of the workers there. More interviews and shooting next week.

We continue to progress nicely on materials for the Edwards School of Business Role Model Campaign. It's getting so close to the unveiling - we're so excited. Branding continues for the new credit union and we have some fun ideas for the Saskatchewan Credit Unions Annual General Meeting materials. Looking forward to showing it to you Tim!

We presented new creative (and we're now able to proudly announce our success in winning the contract over 8 other agencies) to the City of Winnipeg Police Department. This is a very exciting new campaign for us - and we made a number of presentations to senior staff this week including Chief of Police Keith McCaskill. So far it's thumbs up all the way and we can't say enough about the team over at the Police Department. They are so committed to the project and to Picante and have impressed us with their sincerity and enthusiasm. Big thanks to Mark, Steve, Kerry, Randy, James and all the gang over at the Public Safety Building. It's comforting to know guys like that are looking after the safety of the citizens of Winnipeg.

We finished off the week at a photo shoot for Teen Touch. Calling on the support of family members, Shea, Bree, Teneille and Kyle, as well as our good friends, teachers Mary Brogan and Martin Riley, we gathered 10 teens on their day off downtown early on Friday morning. Teen Touch campaign materials will be ready soon and we can't wait to share them. Thanks Kelly for the privilege of working on this important campaign...and thanks to Shaun, Amanda and Cherrie for your chauferring services - nothing like expanding those job descriptions when your work for Picante!

A busy season.

Feels like a bit of a whirling dirvish at the Picanteria right now. Kudos to David Lewis for a most excellent photo shoot today. And Shaun and Amanda toiled all day on a powerpoint presentation I'll be delivering on Thursday. More on that new campaign soon.

Lots of work on our Role Model campaign continues. And we're hoping to go to edit on Massage Therapy early next week - that's IF I get my part done. Sent some ideas over to Linda at the U of M Extended Education to help her out with the 60th Anniversary of the Department.

Shooting new video for Versatech Industries tomorrow. That video is going to be edited in overdrive to make the deadline.

Teen Touch photo shoot on Friday. Really looking forward to seeing that come together.

Our goal will be to do an exceptional job for each and every one of our valued clients over the next several weeks. It's going to be very, very busy.

Massage Therapy Commercials

Completed our second day of shooting on the Massage Therapy commercials today at the fabulous Midcan Studios. During a break in the action, and after the amazing Sue Zwarich had completed her interview, Keith Neimor, our director began discussing the various aches and pains he's been experiencing. Sue, being the pro that she is, began dispensing helpful advice and even demonstrated some stretching exercises Keith could use. Ultimately, Sue had Keith down on the studio floor and took the demonstration even further. Sue is the ultimate massage professional and Keith definitely became a convert.

Wayne Babych, former St. Louis Blues star gave a solid testimonial for massage therapy. Wayne still plays 4 x a week with the likes of Thomas Steen and Perry Miller. Pauline and Kaleigh rounded out our on-screen talent.

Hawkstone Saloon

Allan and I hosted the Hawkstone Saloon Texas Hold 'Em Tournament the other night. Friends of Picante were invited to this full out Wild West showdown. Everyone were such good sports - getting into the wild West spirit and enjoying a few (for some of us very few) rounds of Texas Hold 'em. Thought I'd share a few pics from the evening.

Small World

Cherrie, our new designer has a Chilean background. She is engaged to Yolandri, one of the Cuban athletes who defected during the Pan Am Games in 1999. Those who have known me a long time will know that I was involved with the Pan Am Cubans, and indeed visited Yolandri's mother in Havana back in 2000.

In other news, we heard from Lightworks today and a large US Syndication company is very interested in Shea's Rockin' World Tour. They are meeting on Tuesday to further discuss.

FINALLY!!!

I got a post on the blog! Woot woot! I find it funny how for someone who uses a computer daily, I had so much trouble getting on here! Just wanted to apologize to everyone for taking so long. But I'm on here now!

Things at the Picanteria have been cookin'. With the wonderful help of Cherrie - our newest designer, and Travis - our work experience student, things have been zipping along quite nicely! It's also nice having some more company on the third floor :) Many exciting new jobs are on the horizon and I can't wait to get them started. 

Anyway, just thought I'd drop a quick line to say "hello" to the Picante blogging audience and to let you know that, yes, I can figure out how to use a blog!

Amanda ;)

What happened to October?

Man o' man this month has flown by.

Starting new branding for a Manitoba credit union. I love when we have an opportunity to be part of something so important. We're also embarking on creating a new look for some very special friends of ours. I think I'll keep that one under my hat for a bit.

We created a refreshed logo for Teen Touch and will be developing a print campaign for Manitoba high schools. We're just fine tuning the new creative now. Concepts have been submitted for the new Massage Therapists television campaign. We'll be shooting in a few weeks.

Work continues on the Role Models materials and profiles. The Centre Mall in Saskatoon Christmas is looked after as is Grant Park Shopping Centre in Winnipeg. AgMPower trade show materials are being reviewed.

CTV outdoor is on the street and looking magnificent. Of course, it helps that they have such good-looking anchors.

Heard unofficial word that we won a new piece of business from a recent RFP. Will make it official when it's officially official.???!!

Big shout out to Travis and Cherrie who have been helping out so much on the 2nd Floor. I know Amanda is feeling relieved to have some help.

New Process Software

It's time to show the old dogs (me and kath) new tricks. We're implementing new software to help us with job tracking, time tracking, estimating and invoicing. It means (gasp) a little discipline that yours truly is not really used to....but I know it's going to be a big help particularly with longer term and multi-layered projects. So we're having our tutorial this am. Kudos to Shaun for doing the research and getting us set up thus far. Now it's going to be up to us to make it work. This is my personal commitment in writing.

Internet Advertising Bureau conference.

Kathryne was out in Calgary last week attending a timely conference on Internet Marketing and Advertising put on by the Internet Advertising Bureau.

Here's their blurb - "When looking for marketing success, advertisers know that a mix of both offline and online tactics boosts response rate and sales. The same goes for within online: mix Dieplay, Search, Email, Video, Sponsorships, Widgets, Wikis, User-Generated Content and Social media Marketing - and what you get is awarenes and impact that is light years beyond the sum of its parts.

Stay ahead of the curve...
Knowing that the Interactive Media advertising landscape is changing at a faster rate every year, our new IAM Canada MIXX Canada Conference Series is designed to keep marketers and advertisers ahead of the curve, by focusing on leading-edge speakers from both within Canada and around the globe.

Whew!

We think it's really important that Kath participates in these conferences as keeps up as this exciting media option evolves!

She recently attended other conferences in Las Vegas and in New York City.

Election Day in Canada.

I (Laura) worked all day election day and my candidate, Rod Bruinooge was returned to his rightful place as MP for Winnipeg South. Ie did everything from act as Poll Captain to running errands (photocopies and felt pens) to decorating campaign headquarters to scrutineering. It was a full day but a lot of fun. Ran into so many people I knew.

I'm heading back to Saskatoon on Sunday to direct the voiceovers of the first round of Role Model profiles for ESB. That'll mean we'll be ready to launch soon. I can't wait.

Grant Park and The Centre Mall Christmas plans are coming together and Wayne Babych has just agreed to appear in our Massage Therapy commercials. Turns out he's a big fan.

Amanda's working on a new logo for Teen Touch and then we'll be quickly putting some support materials together. We're hoping to get posters on the inside of high school bathrooms.

That's the news for this week.....oh yeah....I picked up my new car today! YAY!

So much going on!

Where to start?

Next week we'll launch Saskatchewan Rocks! This exciting viral campaign was created for the Saskatchewan credit unions. You can find it at http://www.saskatchewanrocks.com/ We urge you to check it out and send it out to YOUR friends and family in Saskatchewan.

We're diligently working on trivia questions for the Sask CU sponsorship of the SJHL. Thanks
Paul at Dacapo for your AMAZING patience and Norm and your BIG VOICE - and grace and charm under pressure. From special people come special things. You have my sincere thanks and undying gratitude.

The Edwards School of Business Role Model campaign is building momentum. The website is taking shape and the profiles of our amazing Role Models are being completed daily. As soon as te website is launched I will definitely let you know. It's one of the most rewarding projects I've ever had the privilege of working on. I want to gush and gush. About Leanne Bellegarde and her team. And about Elemental Motion Media. I feel pretty gushy these days.

If you're a Manitoba resident you can now catch Street Tales - our 10 episode exploration of the history of Winnipeg streets, hosted and edited by our own Denise Meilleur, written by yours truly and shot by Clark McCaw. It's a bit of a challenge to find Street Tales so this is the roadmap.....if you're an MTS tv subscriber go to Video on Demand. Go to FREE STUFF. (Shea's Rockin' World Tour is there too! (#2 on page 2 but I digress.) But move on to Winnipeg On Demand. Go to In the Community and you will find Street Tales. I luv 'em.

Shaun is busy with setting up a new Business Process Program at Picante. He's done a great job and soon the rest of us (particularly me) will see if we can keep to the organization. Not my best thing. Can the old dog be taught new tricks?

Grant Park Shopping Centre in Winnipeg and The Centre Mall in Saskatoon are gearing up for Christmas. And we applaud the initiative of Kelly from Teen Touch. More on that later.

Amanda is working on two important projects for the Victoria Hospital Foundation. The newsletter and calendar are key fundraisers for the Foundation and Amanda and Shaun take these projects very personally. And that's why they're the best.

Kath came in early this week taking charge and encouraging the rearrangement of my office - MUCH better Feng Shui. I am a new woman! I face the window! Thanks Kath and Shaun for the brute force and Jorge for the details.

Life is definitely good.

Attending the Chamber luncheon.

The whole Picante crew, as well as our pals from Elemental will be attending the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon today. We've also invited George Fraser from the Massage Therapists of Manitoba. As a former deputy mayor, George is always interested in what leaders like Gail Asper have to say about their vision for Winnipeg's future.

We're just finishing off the Pieces of the Puzzle video for the Children's Asthma Education Centre. The video, shot and edited in-house with exciting graphics from Elemental will help families dealing with their children's asthma learn to control the condition and live more comfortably.

We're continuing to work on the Role Model profiles for the Edwards School of Business and have some innovative ideas for the print package we're working on for them. The website development is underway and we're developing the script for the documentary. I'm so proud of this project.

Kathryne, Shaun and I, along with Lori from Elemental are headed to Regina tomorrow for the Image Committee meeting. Can't wait to debut Saskatchewan Rocks! our new viral campaign.

Exciting Times!

This fall will see some very exciting launches for Picante and our clients.

We'll soon be presenting Saskatchewan Rocks! a dynamic new viral marketing campaign for the Saskatchewan credit unions. The outstanding team at Elemental Motion Media have done a great job of not only capturing the vision of what we were looking for, but also making the production experience smooth and timely. We can't wait for October 1st when the Saskatchewan credit union image committee will get their first peek.

We're equally thrilled about the progress on the Edwards School of Business Role Model Campaign. It's been a busy summer as we've completed 4 shoots in Saskatoon collecting profiles on 24 amazing First Nations and Metis Role Models. Their stories are inspiring and powerful. The goal is to encourage Aboriginal students to consider a business degree or getting their MBA at the Edwards School of Business. It has been a real privilege for us to work on this project. Again, Elemental Motion Media as well as Energy Films have been great partners on this project.

We've just received a go ahead on a new campaign for the Massage Therapists of Manitoba. George and his committee at MTAM are just some of the nicest people we've ever worked with. How lucky are we??

We're keeping really busy and are enjoying a productive season. Shaun is looking after the implementation of a new project management software system. And..we're thinking about painting the office.

So that's the latest news from Picante.