Secrets of the City

The Lion’s Tap in Eden Prairie has won a lawsuit against McDonald’s, crediting them with the “Who’s Your Patty?” phrase.

Thirteen-year-old Daniel Hauser, who gained acclaim for running away to avoid chemotherapy treatment earlier this year, is scheduled for his last round of chemo this morning.

The School Nurses of Minnesota association will be honored today at 4:30 at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park for 100 years of professional service in the state.

Joyce Preschool — “an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide children from diverse ethnic, linguistic and economic backgrounds with developmentally and culturally appropriate preparation for success in school and lifelong learning” — just earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

If you haven’t visited the creative-advertising hamlet of Minneapolis in recent years, you might not recognize it. The powerhouses Fallon, Martin Williams, Campbell Mithun and Carmichael Lynch are still there, but some are dramatically smaller. Boutiques run by their former executives now work on brands such as Apple, Nordstrom, General Mills and Target. The city’s largest agency works primarily outside of traditional media, skipping TV altogether. And a handful of younger shops with names such as Periscope and Olson that combine digital specialties with quirky offerings in design, packaging and even “social anthropology” are on the verge of lapping long-established, holding-company-backed agency brands in revenue. “If it isn’t completely reordered, it’s close…” via Ad Age

I’m not sure if anyone has heard this radio ad yet. It is an ad by the Aquacide company, which makes herbicide pellets designed for aquatic use. Simply stated, the ad is terrible, with such tag lines as “lake weeds serve absolutley no purpose, for mankind Or the planet”,and “Aquacide…kinda rhymes with homicde, huh?”, as well as “Even a peace activist will love using aquacide”…. The ad portrays lake vegetation as serving no purpose–any anglers or ecology-minded folks know this is simply untrue. Folks at the MN fishing blog agree. 

The main thing is though, is that the ad does not even mention state regulations about using aquatic herbicides, making it sound like someone can order the product and use it without caution or the need for a permit. MN DNR clearly states that there are  some regulations required for using products like these. The ad is sort of irresponsible, and if users of the product are fined by the DNR, perhaps the company will catch a lawsuit. (More inside)

Ok MnSpeak folks, here’s the deal: Having seen how it works in other states, I am selling ad space on my exams. I’m not kidding. I’m almost out of copies for the year, and I’m already over $1,000 out of pocket to buy the necessary books and materials. Give me some ideas on who to talk to and who might buy space. Star Tribune? Target? WCCO? Come on…help our children learn.

Metafilter pointed out some extraordinary animated commercials for United Airlines (mov file) by upstart Minneapolis company Barrie D’Rozario Murphy (click “New Work” in BDM link to see more). More.

My grandma loves these odd-looking ceramic birds. My mom collects stone rabbits that sit around the yard and serve no real purpose. I always thought that was a bit strange until I see a billboard of an old lady boasting about her toast. Wait, her toast!??! What does it all mean? Who is this lady and why is she holding the nicely bronzed piece of white bread? The billboard is downtown at 10th and Hennepin and has me all confused. I’ve also seen Toast Lady’s mug on a couple of bus stops around town and a friend saw some auto-mechanic looking dude holding up a piece of wood. Yippee! A 2-by-4! Has anyone cracked this code? A hearty ata tiger for the first person who can figure this out.

Hi. I’m thinking of moving from DC to MN and am a little concerned about the dating scene as a single woman in my mid-to-late 20s. I keep hearing everyone marries young in MN. Also, I want to hear more about the advertising agency scene since that’s the field I’m looking to move into. [Editor's Note: Also check out this recent thread by someone moving from DC.]

A story in the Minneapolis Daily Birdcage Liner discusses Pawlenty’s new radio ad urging people to call up their legislators in support of no new taxes. This from a guy who barely won re-election.

From the NY Daily News: “New Year’s Eve revelers who arrive early at Times Square to watch the 99th annual ball drop will be treated to special 3D effects courtesy of Target.” Where’s ours?

Can we have a thread about the megalithic genius of Shane Company radio ads? Cursory research reveals this is harldy a local post (dude is from Colorado, but I always thought this was a homegrown outfit. With their soothing total uncreativity and unflagging presence, Mr. Shane’s spots must seem local where ever they’re aired (see? Genius, I’m telling you). But this past year, the monotone charmer has switched up his game a little. The first time I heard something approaching a joke from my Friend in the Diamond Business, I was in my car and nearly hit a retaining wall on 35W north. Where were you?