A Change Will Do You Good

Inspired by the courageous thinking and smart ideas of their team (or threatened by the almost-successful revolt), Lanier, Brian, and Lora are making some big changes at The AD Company.

First, they've changed our name. That's right, you can't call us The AD Company anymore. Well, you can, but we'll just have to correct you because we're now...drum roll please...ADCO. 

Yes, we know ADCO sounds a lot like The AD Company, but it's a little bit different because we're a little bit different than we were when we picked The AD Company as a name. I mean, we don't just do ads. We do everything that's marketing-related--strategy, creative, and interactive. We do logos, websites, strategic marketing plans; you name it, we do it. So The AD Company (or the company that does ads) just didn't seem to fit as well as it used to when we were just a design shop cranking out ads. In fact, ADCO feels like a natural evolution because you've been calling us that for years. We just decided to join you.

Second, we're rolling out a whole new brand. And when we say "brand," we don't just mean "logo." We mean that we spent many hours thinking and talking about who we are and what we do and how we communicate who we are and what we do. And after all that, we created a new logo that's all about movement, creativity, communication, energy, and infinite possibilities. And we wrote a new tagline--ideas move--which is all about our belief in the power of ideas. And we're doing some other branding things too--like renovating our office space and adding new products and services. So although we're the same great folks who do great work and who take care of your needs, we're starting to look a little different. But don't be alarmed; it's still us.

And finally, we've launched a new website. It is the number one source of information on us so we'd really like for you to see it. Check it out here. 

As you can see, we're changing like crazy around here. 

New Partner

New Name

New Brand

New Website

But we love it. We're feeling more energized than ever, and we hope you're just as excited as we are about the new and improved ADCO.

New Leadership

Lanier has emerged victorious in the race for ADCO President. He faced rebellion from his staff. He endured mudslinging from his competitors. He withstood challenges and criticisms heaved from all directions at him and his 18-year reign.

But Lanier still stands. Tall and proud and determined as ever. 

In the wake of his victory, Lanier made an unexpected announcement (well, unexpected only to those who haven't seen him locked behind closed doors "negotiating" for the past two weeks, but you didn't hear that from me). 

To help usher in his new regime, Lanier has made Lora (previously "Lanier for Ex-President" candidate) a Partner at The AD Company.

That's right, folks, we have some new leadership at The AD Company. Lora, who was leading in the votes when the gag order was issued in early May, is now leading the company as well.

And the winner is...

You've been waiting for this--the announcement declaring the new President of The AD Company. Well, here it is. Finally. The news you've been wondering about. 

The delegates and superdelegates and minidelegates and might-as-well-be delegates have all been counted. The voters have spoken. And the winner is...

LANIER JONES.

[insert shocked gasps here!]

More later after the initial shock has worn off!

Whispers of Conspiracy

I am blogging by candlelight. There has been a gag order sent out through ADCO. No one is to speak of ADCO Campaign 2008 or its candidates. I can blog now only under the cover of almost-darkness.

All I can say for sure (and I may face a lashing for saying even this) is that Brian's entrance into the thick of the race has shaken Lora and Lanier.

And now there are whispers of conspiracy in the halls. There are frequent meetings behind closed doors. There are rumors. But I cannot speak of them. I can only tell you that things are changing. The ground is shifting beneath us, and Brian, Lora, and Lanier are behind it. Somehow. Some way.

All remaining ADCO candidates are shrouded in fear for what may come; they have abandoned campaigning. They sit at their desks like worker bees and wait for the icy hand of the future to unveil the campaign's bitter end.

It's coming soon, sooner than you think. It will envelop us all.

Brian, International Man of Mystery

You may have noticed that there hasn't been much of Brian in ADCO Campaign 2008. You may have begun to wonder, "Where is Lanier's partner? Where is the Creative Director? Where is Brian in all this?"

Well, my friends, you will wonder no more. Brian is here in an all-access interview where he will expose all of his dirty laundry so that you can get to know the REAL Brian, the man you want to lead ADCO. [Interview paid for by the campaign to elect Brian for ADCO President.]

Interviewer: Brian, where have you been throughout ADCO Campaign 2008?
Brian: Well, interviewer, I've been watching and waiting. I'm like a cheetah stalking his prey. I watch and wait until the moment is right, until the perfect opportunity to strike arrives. I believe the opportunity is here.

Interviewer: Don't you feel all this stalking predatory talk is antithetical to your campaign--"We can all get along"?
Brian: No.

Interviewer: Okay. Well, tell me, Brian, why now? Why do you think now is the right time?
Brian: Because my strongest competitors have fallen. Claire and Jessica took an early lead on all of us, but I knew they couldn't keep them. And, of course, I was right. Claire is out of the race and can't even show her face on the streets anymore. Jessica is so fearful of a scandal that she has basically given up campaigning all together. My other competitors have fallen too. Jenny's supporters have practically abandoned her, and Karen's followers saw her for what she really is -- in way over her head. There is no real competition left. So the time is right for the untainted, beloved Creative Director / Partner to emerge.

Interviewer: What about Lora? She's in spot #1. And Lanier has made an exceptional comeback. What about him?
Brian: Lora and Lanier are push-overs, not competitors. Lora made it to the top by sheer luck, and Lanier has only come out from the gutter because of Linda's PR expertise. Both of which will run out soon.

Interviewer: So, Brian, tell me about your dirty laundry. The voters want to get to know the real you.
Brian: Not much to tell really. I have socks, pants, and shirts in the hamper right now.

Interviewer: Very interesting. What about your underwear?
Brian: No comment.

Interviewer: Okay, Brian, let's talk about the issues. What do you think of technology and forms of new media?
Brian: Computers and the internet are just a fad.

Interviewer: What do you think of recycling, particularly recycling logos?
Brian: There's no room for recycling in the left or the right brain.

Interviewer: What about female power?
Brian: No thanks, I'm good.

Interviewer: How do you feel about traditional values?
Brian: Tradition is in the box. I'm out of the box--but in a business-y kind of way.

Interviewer: Why should you be ADCO President?
Brian: Because I'm the best of both worlds.

Interviewer: What's different about you and your campaign?
Brian: Interviewer, my campaign is about bringing people together. The people who work in advertising come from two different worlds; I want to combine those worlds peacefully as I've done in my own life. I'm both a businessman (partner / AE) and a creative (director, that is), and that makes me different from Lora and Lanier. I've merged left brain and right brain in my life, and I believe we can do it all over ADCO and the world.

Interviewer: What about people who don't believe in left brain-right brain stuff?
Brian: They're wrong, but they should vote for me anyway.

Well, there you have it, folks. That's Brian in a nutshell that's been cracked open and laid out on the table for all the world to see.

Brief Updates from the Campaign Trail

ADCO Campaign has a new leader. That's right, the great Karen has fallen, and Lora has set up shop in spot #1. Although a late start kept Lora from thriving in the race early on, she sky-rocketed quickly into spot #4 before she plateaued. Still, as her primary competitors (Karen and Claire) found themselves plagued by scandal and losing support from voters, she remained squeaky clean. And she's standing strong today with about one month left in the race for ADCO President.

Linda Carle, ADCO candidate turned Campaign Manager, couldn't save her own run for the ADCO throne, but she's certainly trying to save Lanier's--starting with successfully courting Claire's endorsement. As a result of Linda's efforts, Lanier has officially entered the thick of the race. After months on the bottom rung of the ladder, Lanier has now found himself in spot #3. But will his improvement be enough to save him? #3 is good, but he'll need to be better than good to win this race.

Feverishly trying to hold on to spot #2 is Jenny Matthews. Although Jenny boasted zealous support early on, causing her to rise high, her followers have become a lackluster. There has been some talk in recent days about the strength of a partnership between Lora and Jenny, but Lora's campaign manager is keeping silent.

An Endorsement

A piece of parchment sent to ADCO headquarters from an unknown location requested we release this letter from Claire Connolly.

"It is unfortunate that I cannot be with you today. I would like very much to be, but wherever I go, the cameras follow me, splashing pictures of me in the paper and running them alongside articles with the most hurtful of headlines like 'ADCO's very own vandal.' Though I am trying to leave my checkered past behind me, the press certainly won't let me forget.

"Nonetheless, I write to you today in good spirits. I write to you today with an endorsement that may feel unexpected but that is wholeheartedly my own.

"I, Claire, would like to endorse Lanier Jones for ADCO President."

[insert shocked gasps here]

"I know there was a time when I was fighting against Lanier and his regime. I know I said some hurtful things. But I write to you today a changed woman. I believe Lanier will lead this company to another 18 years of greatness.

"I want to encourage voters to give your support to Lanier. He is steadfast and true. And I want to encourage the remaining contenders to step down. Your attempts at the throne are misguided. Lanier is our true leader."

[insert angry cries of candidates here]

"Karen, you're overstepping your bounds; you're just a student, an intern. Step down. Jennifer, your hippie politics won't get us anywhere. Step down. Jessica, you don't even have an iphone. Stop living this lie, and step down.

"We must not be divided any longer. It's time for unity. So, ADCO candidates, I beg you, let Lanier lead us."

My friends, Claire has spoken.