tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79365194334606934262024-02-20T01:00:48.118-05:00Wordy, Not NerdyA Professional Writer in direct marketing, who has been writing "junk mail" for most of her career, attempts to shake the perception that she is a mere "hack" and parlay her witty insights into cyberspace gold.Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-6781263324206373122015-07-27T15:18:00.000-04:002015-07-27T15:21:31.495-04:00Late 1970's - Bensalem High School Graduation SpeechEnter the Way Back Machine. The Copy Grove "headquarter" is relocating this fall to warmer climes (oh how I won't miss brutal winters), and as I was going through my hoard of old papers (being a writer, I tend to keep a lot of handwritten things like cards, diaries and notebooks from the past), I happened upon an old "manuscript" - my high school graduation speech. Take a step back in time with me. I'll set the scene.<br />
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It's the late 1970's, and I'm graduating Bensalem High School and planning to go to college to study communications. I've been voted by my peers and teachers to speak at graduation through a school-wide contest, representing the Continuing Education track of Bensalem High School.<br />
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Here's the manuscript of my speech - complete with errors, crossed-out words, and corrections, and therein lies part of the charm of this bit of hand-written memorabilia. The other part of the charm lies in the message ...<br />
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<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-84386517465313322312015-06-07T19:02:00.003-04:002015-06-07T19:02:50.546-04:00Success My quote is featured in the 2015 Woman's Advantage(R) Calendar. Here is my quote ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9Kq2-7u1u0Ws9mOz2tcBZUBaT_4VK9FgwTjJhyphenhyphenqfY1JmD9lnp_HMknSHdbksi7W4oHY7_DZTJ6CItQ8u0c8QjfYsSpuGPBW6e1ftTMYwORtD_OAvsIXZswJRZUJfqBQzxR_yZdHpq1WL/s1600/WP_20150607_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9Kq2-7u1u0Ws9mOz2tcBZUBaT_4VK9FgwTjJhyphenhyphenqfY1JmD9lnp_HMknSHdbksi7W4oHY7_DZTJ6CItQ8u0c8QjfYsSpuGPBW6e1ftTMYwORtD_OAvsIXZswJRZUJfqBQzxR_yZdHpq1WL/s400/WP_20150607_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-37796086302036560902015-04-02T21:37:00.000-04:002015-04-02T21:37:23.194-04:00Vintage Koh-i-noor 48 Pencil
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A big pencil tip - #48 graphite. It's my dad's vintage Koh-i-noor 48 mechanical drafting pencil, made in Germany ... thing has got to be from the 70's or earlier.</div>
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</span>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-43154001902944798962015-03-31T19:18:00.001-04:002015-03-31T19:19:02.669-04:00Between Assignments ...<div style="text-align: center;">
Between assignments, I doodle in my watercolor journal ...</div>
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Room With A View</div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-41883126261740083142015-01-26T11:12:00.002-05:002015-01-26T11:22:53.591-05:00Before there was Photoshop, there was the airbrush ... and my dadMy father practiced the art of airbrush. He was a commercial artist from the 1950's until the early 2000's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gxth2JZjHqoq_u-vO1U98wMKCUm7wtuZie4-EtgAbdLM9ov24BmVGSgsipvGwxCo0zjWmPtfw4rZkELpEQfrZkDy5cKCPaBR3iRDt6CWlmsIsBTOp-n49kaq6iQo1JS4a6datjACp06x/s1600/DSC07254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gxth2JZjHqoq_u-vO1U98wMKCUm7wtuZie4-EtgAbdLM9ov24BmVGSgsipvGwxCo0zjWmPtfw4rZkELpEQfrZkDy5cKCPaBR3iRDt6CWlmsIsBTOp-n49kaq6iQo1JS4a6datjACp06x/s1600/DSC07254.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Over fifty years of airbrushing - that's my dad's legacy, working at agencies in Philadelphia and eventually for himself with his own studio.<br />
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The proper way to hold an airbrush ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzknkltkS_GVLtigmPWn7OtfW-nhwySB8r9XjgNAmWKPKZ3jH4iT5F_Qmm6wWsqS5U0cFf_QrvZM8XqD7FgwL_0BHxNaHsMx7dYNqkXb6TkBNRBkhsZ9n8thCA9kZfSZQoycS8QyxPwXC/s1600/DSC07257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzknkltkS_GVLtigmPWn7OtfW-nhwySB8r9XjgNAmWKPKZ3jH4iT5F_Qmm6wWsqS5U0cFf_QrvZM8XqD7FgwL_0BHxNaHsMx7dYNqkXb6TkBNRBkhsZ9n8thCA9kZfSZQoycS8QyxPwXC/s1600/DSC07257.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
This is exactly the kind of set-up my dad had when he worked. He also has a cart filled with paint, mixing trays, brushes, airbrush tips, and more by his side.<br />
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The air pump created a constant hum and rhythm.<br />
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Gradations were sprayed at various angles and strengths...everything was done by hand.<br />
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Working on photos that had to be retouched to increase sharpness, edit out unwanted elements, and alter in other ways incorporated the use of friskets - sort of like housepainter's tape - to protect elements in the actual photograph that needed to remain the same from being marred by the artist's paint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg033l32pkif3kyOvMa3El16pA4vngipC8HnxupuPuikCmfKGxZc_XgpzQu0cODD7pmyGhiascUN2STqFpS9ajpRQGIWXG7zBvCSOu_OipNa0-q45_tgRtwS42xlmNOTax0NtC64tr2KEZs/s1600/DSC07261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg033l32pkif3kyOvMa3El16pA4vngipC8HnxupuPuikCmfKGxZc_XgpzQu0cODD7pmyGhiascUN2STqFpS9ajpRQGIWXG7zBvCSOu_OipNa0-q45_tgRtwS42xlmNOTax0NtC64tr2KEZs/s1600/DSC07261.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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One hallmark of my dad's expertise was chrome lettering, which many of his clients requested. He retouched for Singer American Meter Division and Ibanez Guitars in this area, among many other clients. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmhSBuOM-LQj48qwXodVgHKsUZH9tcKqTzrngiUpYgCm6G5DuabT8VAKZ0xQvZUvLYav7No9lQ-hdNONnhjK-c-2sffURVSkBKbYZW7DHvNrxfjwkJ1Z074VJdC69VFCGHNsPyOaWTutG/s1600/DSC07267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmhSBuOM-LQj48qwXodVgHKsUZH9tcKqTzrngiUpYgCm6G5DuabT8VAKZ0xQvZUvLYav7No9lQ-hdNONnhjK-c-2sffURVSkBKbYZW7DHvNrxfjwkJ1Z074VJdC69VFCGHNsPyOaWTutG/s1600/DSC07267.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
He designed many logos, including the Harris logo still used today in TV commercials and on their service vans. My dad's career in advertising is what spurred me to become a copywriter.<br />
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You can learn more about the art of airbrushing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jEoSss70vvOqZxwDWNwpYFqhzLMLUF64rTItLuppOCOIX6_ATCCN4YQ9Ck0AFnff6X1gumczX2n5Tw94EkmR5n-i2DlOrpRsnwKZKNooHRblHsS-G4YTfqvFJx2-2ShjCYS8OfKYTqoB/s1600/DSC07264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jEoSss70vvOqZxwDWNwpYFqhzLMLUF64rTItLuppOCOIX6_ATCCN4YQ9Ck0AFnff6X1gumczX2n5Tw94EkmR5n-i2DlOrpRsnwKZKNooHRblHsS-G4YTfqvFJx2-2ShjCYS8OfKYTqoB/s1600/DSC07264.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
These photos are from one of his airbrush books. I grew up watching my dad work with these tools and retouch photos using the techniques described in this book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmz4Um9hxkYqajBxg1RKguK_ogOsazs8ipJDKi9ziACg39vJXeOjsWUFFc9xhnkZz7zgndIpCFOCQcPa5FLBJa9NbNrsrp7V613Xv0lbDUvUVCy_STiIzWykCGM2e9be5-xiO0GDv9BZDY/s1600/DSC07266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmz4Um9hxkYqajBxg1RKguK_ogOsazs8ipJDKi9ziACg39vJXeOjsWUFFc9xhnkZz7zgndIpCFOCQcPa5FLBJa9NbNrsrp7V613Xv0lbDUvUVCy_STiIzWykCGM2e9be5-xiO0GDv9BZDY/s1600/DSC07266.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-90006918234465443082014-12-11T13:55:00.005-05:002014-12-11T13:55:46.798-05:00Gratitude at Holiday TimeTo all of my colleagues, clients, friends and connections ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX_ll_F7L4nWxtsJ0SQ-PSvhNSbYARl_dbTBoVsV2PoDTcJ1oS4uvWSIi7U5SW9iHj_g8Z7m08mBIWg9Li78vSitLpRW48aYY7vWoee4lH35i5n6g9Sqxxq2MbiDl538qGHDNaBJyeSbw/s1600/WP_20141202_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX_ll_F7L4nWxtsJ0SQ-PSvhNSbYARl_dbTBoVsV2PoDTcJ1oS4uvWSIi7U5SW9iHj_g8Z7m08mBIWg9Li78vSitLpRW48aYY7vWoee4lH35i5n6g9Sqxxq2MbiDl538qGHDNaBJyeSbw/s1600/WP_20141202_007.jpg" height="348" width="640" /></a></div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-63020349375093573392014-10-22T17:10:00.001-04:002014-10-24T15:16:32.856-04:00Quaker teams up with Blippar to create augmented reality experience for consumers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This October, <a href="http://www.quakeroats.com/milk-mustache.aspx" target="_blank">the Quaker Oats Man is wearing a milk mustache</a> as part of an augmented reality marketing experience. To bring the program to life and allow consumers to interact with the Quaker Oats man in a unique and dynamic way, Quaker is using the <a href="http://blippar.com/" target="_blank">Blippar</a> app as part of its promotion. Consumers can download the Blippar app onto their smartphones, scan specially marked packages in the supermarket, then take a selfie with the mustachioed-wearing icon to share on social media with the hashtag #QuakerwithMilk.<br />
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I tried out the Blippar app and here's my selfie with the Quaker Oats man. Fun and easy. I also gained access to some interesting recipes that combine oats with milk through the Blippar app promotion with Quaker, which was cool.<br />
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<a href="http://www.quakeroats.com/about-quaker-oats/content/quakeroats-center-of-excellence/oats-dairy.aspx" target="_blank">The oats & dairy promotion</a> is aimed at encouraging Americans to make their oatmeal with milk instead of water and have a glass of milk on the side for a protein boost. </div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-87986662439547699912014-10-18T14:21:00.002-04:002014-10-18T14:23:16.631-04:00Presenting the bookbook TM - changing the way you think about technology<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MOXQo7nURs0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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IKEA is changing the way we think about technology with the bookbook TM.<br />
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<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-70866123055887098742014-10-17T17:22:00.000-04:002014-10-18T08:44:29.918-04:00Behold, the new donut selfie!<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">You spin me right round, baby</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Right round like a record, baby</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Right round round round ...</span></div>
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And I was just getting into the duck face.<br />
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OK, here's my donut selfie:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyMu9WqtpJ88qL9a3VnHUhetlIp1-8fZBs0YykTHOfhPgxqQR1KSH78YgA8RFIqXa4-ABcqx-gsQozegZqyZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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For a more sophisticated version (not mine) with music and special effects, check out <a href="http://donutselfie.com/">donutselfie.com</a>.<br />
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Now, should I be calling you out like the Ice Bucket Challenge to post yours?<br />
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- Feeling silly<br />
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#donutselfieCynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-79146402686738939792014-10-16T12:33:00.002-04:002014-10-16T12:33:26.663-04:00My Selfie with the Quaker Oats man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnq5I4HlvWY5isH5ZS9NW8S6plwhTp5c5aKs_HcqJN4eqxhj09SDEVd1G4TTCnfY-rKhPLI4cBXzS4lVmBBe_bWfUR1sLMebX__3ke-dczQIdb8Ncbhp6RWgXDYgEYiyyfGazH6dGgW0sV/s1600/10730810_728694893864921_7603070388971862884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnq5I4HlvWY5isH5ZS9NW8S6plwhTp5c5aKs_HcqJN4eqxhj09SDEVd1G4TTCnfY-rKhPLI4cBXzS4lVmBBe_bWfUR1sLMebX__3ke-dczQIdb8Ncbhp6RWgXDYgEYiyyfGazH6dGgW0sV/s1600/10730810_728694893864921_7603070388971862884_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Cool - my copy for Quaker Oats arrived in my inbox today!Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-34915411330369027222014-07-24T09:52:00.003-04:002014-07-24T09:52:55.914-04:004th Time in a Row!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzjiLijhTVAzZ13G9xR4gUez591gn2eo_NA4QR0GTQsd0Mem8N0cbX4NXUI1f470oLz34R73pWqdm7EWKul0dKmsTiFAIGKt_6NDnxfsVgX0KZc4QbN2LwLDBx30zmssPv_2D5qTnIOAp/s1600/BsrPSglIgAEv4Yl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzjiLijhTVAzZ13G9xR4gUez591gn2eo_NA4QR0GTQsd0Mem8N0cbX4NXUI1f470oLz34R73pWqdm7EWKul0dKmsTiFAIGKt_6NDnxfsVgX0KZc4QbN2LwLDBx30zmssPv_2D5qTnIOAp/s1600/BsrPSglIgAEv4Yl.jpg" /></a></div>
Thrilled to be featured yet again in The Woman's Advantage 2015 Shared Wisdom Calendar, on sale now.<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-28133156328342714752014-06-24T19:07:00.002-04:002014-06-24T19:17:36.671-04:00How do freelance copywriters handle social media for promotion?The question ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzywGxiG9e_q3ILcIbRyOLlPVYY2LavR3k4QgsE7G1gb2cFMr8i-AdIn_xUbjjywobhCPdiYMKSUpnUCR43eog5WH5wsPyv57ihit0i-eq6BzPon-YV2LwFx3ZgONFUXWqB78KsXusA396/s1600/The+question.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzywGxiG9e_q3ILcIbRyOLlPVYY2LavR3k4QgsE7G1gb2cFMr8i-AdIn_xUbjjywobhCPdiYMKSUpnUCR43eog5WH5wsPyv57ihit0i-eq6BzPon-YV2LwFx3ZgONFUXWqB78KsXusA396/s1600/The+question.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
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My reply ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fqKUmseKm9gvXymIHsNin15Ojo6iXAAQB3ApfR6d0qVQ9JApTgMC6JhcIcU_df8kn2Wm2PrFVbi_cUrK1QMY65CYxkJMp5RxRnb_RO1ZmA2h1Dc-ThWmHMz-S3NatvfHIkokMG9JE-Gc/s1600/my+reply.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fqKUmseKm9gvXymIHsNin15Ojo6iXAAQB3ApfR6d0qVQ9JApTgMC6JhcIcU_df8kn2Wm2PrFVbi_cUrK1QMY65CYxkJMp5RxRnb_RO1ZmA2h1Dc-ThWmHMz-S3NatvfHIkokMG9JE-Gc/s1600/my+reply.jpg" height="204" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this is an example of how I use (or rather <i>reuse</i>) social media for promotion.Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-83425774708580110292014-06-05T19:06:00.002-04:002014-06-05T19:06:29.993-04:00I copied a little trick from a 1926 ad to write a headline. And then!~[Headline]<br />
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<i>They Laughed When I Sat Down At the Piano But When I Started to Play!~</i><br />
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See it? Right at the end? That's the thing I'm borrowing from the famous advertisement copywriter John Caples wrote. His 1926 ad for the U.S. School of Music was a great headline then, and it's a great headline now. And that little thing at the end - the "tilde" (~) is, I think, one of the reasons why.<br />
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Oh, there are other reasons it's a great headline. Reasons like ...<br />
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It tells a story.<br />
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There's a beginning, middle and end in those 15 little words. There's the time that begins the story (when he sits down), the time when he starts to play (the middle of the story), and then there's an ending that's alluded to but not seen in the headline. But it is the alluding to, the hinting of the end of the story (a happy ending?), that grabs our attention and pulls us through, that makes us want to read more.<br />
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It's the punctuation that speaks volumes.<br />
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The little tilde symbol after the exclamation mark is reminiscent of musical notation, so very appropriate for the ad's offer of a free booklet and demonstration lesson to learn to play your favorite instrument. Instead of using the more common ellipsis, which often inspires a feeling of melancholy or longing, Caples ends his headline with a bang and flourish.<br />
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Or maybe his creative director or the designer put the "~" in the headline.<br />
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Whoever did it was pure genius.<br />
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Maybe they laughed at first, but then!~ Then what did they do? Did they cheer, clap or roar with delight? Did they boo or cry?<br />
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You've got to read on to find out what happened next.<br />
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Some of the best headlines I've seen lately in the world of social media<br />
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They're coming my way via my Facebook feed from Upworthy. Headlines like:<br />
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<i>A Teacher Shows A Bunch Of Kids What They Gained By Failing Their First Test<br /><br />What If All The Crap You've Ever Thrown Away Came Back To Visit You?<br /><br />Oh Snap! The Government Just Got Put On Notice ... By An 8th-Grader.<br /><br />Here's A Kid Who’s Determined To Get His Voice Heard Now. When He’s An Adult, It’ll Be Too Late.<br /><br />This Family Has Been Basing Their Life On 5 Words Since 1916<br /><br />A TV Host’s Response To An Intolerant Jerk Isn’t Clever Or Witty. It’s Just Absolutely Perfect.</i><br />
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All of these headlines evoke curiosity and are coupled with a video. They make you want to click and watch the video until the end, to see the punchline or get the pay-off, much like the famous John Caples headline from 1926.<br />
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I write headlines for a living - subheads, banner heads, blurbs, body copy, footnotes, disclaimers, and directional copy, too. And I think I'm going to give the ellipsis a break for now. I've been using it a little too much. Time for the tilde!~Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-51247811826730047742014-05-29T12:17:00.004-04:002014-05-29T12:18:05.059-04:00Remind me to take a break ...Having a job as a writer means I sit at the computer A LOT. I try to get up and down as much as possible, but sometimes I get so immersed in the work that I forget to take a break. So I just added this app to my computer. It's free - Google extension.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN3pCbiPcmo1GShaoyXYVLSR3DcsDF35zUEjZ9atWHV0fPGvEy6FHxFh_uOe3hUCoPxIBbDaJIRX6lUg53odIZeIHEzKUJzRS8-WlvpsMnKlKncB81rSO7xnL5rz_on_6Sb5gmPHax8OW/s1600/just+added+to+Chrome!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN3pCbiPcmo1GShaoyXYVLSR3DcsDF35zUEjZ9atWHV0fPGvEy6FHxFh_uOe3hUCoPxIBbDaJIRX6lUg53odIZeIHEzKUJzRS8-WlvpsMnKlKncB81rSO7xnL5rz_on_6Sb5gmPHax8OW/s1600/just+added+to+Chrome!.jpg" height="86" width="640" /></a></div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-68569812690635011672014-05-28T15:01:00.001-04:002014-05-28T15:01:26.509-04:00Sexist. And Pretty. At The Same Time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mXTBKjyrkF5wQZaX_GErwLsXrXYlPXjNehx7bE-DzYmVjiW9nbYuF3ZR3X8ikT77kZdr5qd5u1qkw_UpT3hrXiFTieKKzyQ_erhhO6K-nEwF9VriZKZmlzp3PEVR7e7zobCdiM8vsz9G/s1600/Sexist.+And+pretty.+At+the+same+time..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mXTBKjyrkF5wQZaX_GErwLsXrXYlPXjNehx7bE-DzYmVjiW9nbYuF3ZR3X8ikT77kZdr5qd5u1qkw_UpT3hrXiFTieKKzyQ_erhhO6K-nEwF9VriZKZmlzp3PEVR7e7zobCdiM8vsz9G/s1600/Sexist.+And+pretty.+At+the+same+time..jpg" height="600" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-61732404312883522682014-03-16T18:34:00.001-04:002014-03-16T18:34:06.090-04:00Tweet or FB?<div id="fb-root">
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-41981057367434988332014-03-06T12:40:00.004-05:002014-03-06T16:07:37.600-05:00The Old Phone-in-the-Book Talent Recruiting Trick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUr3sE4LudQkMQ78iu1tEPUMii5kdcv2wUa_0KnNr75PgMcik_yH4GZu-fwz2Ly8OGelSLHIom5H_RAjNLDo-R_32_wA-9k9dAlm_vk3Tz10o_Zf5faWJ3J5aQAjlT048Nvbjn_bGg5I_/s1600/Ad+freak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUr3sE4LudQkMQ78iu1tEPUMii5kdcv2wUa_0KnNr75PgMcik_yH4GZu-fwz2Ly8OGelSLHIom5H_RAjNLDo-R_32_wA-9k9dAlm_vk3Tz10o_Zf5faWJ3J5aQAjlT048Nvbjn_bGg5I_/s1600/Ad+freak.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-48459136769671922982014-03-05T13:34:00.000-05:002014-03-06T11:40:49.146-05:00Magic Texting Ring <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYd1WaL0c-k13FFiBtErcF_Dka8ijTYNCTysyOx5Yt_Xj7uI7pCaYR_6zAcOILOYFb1sZhoHg7jyUdt4-V2lOPHwSz8GOoneQMazTGL_iN8Qt23CvFRacrdGDkkGmV9Rni4LWwgiCP2IR/s1600/mash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYd1WaL0c-k13FFiBtErcF_Dka8ijTYNCTysyOx5Yt_Xj7uI7pCaYR_6zAcOILOYFb1sZhoHg7jyUdt4-V2lOPHwSz8GOoneQMazTGL_iN8Qt23CvFRacrdGDkkGmV9Rni4LWwgiCP2IR/s1600/mash.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-72272993071921032182014-03-01T14:46:00.001-05:002014-08-21T09:18:30.594-04:00My First Full-Time Copywriting Job<b>“The world isn't interested in the storms you encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship.” ~ Raul Armesto </b><br />
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The quote above was printed on a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper that was taped to the side of a tall filing cabinet. Everyday, I would sit at a little, vintage typing desk that looked like <a href="http://www.strangelovely.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/MG_1877.jpg">this</a>, and that quote would stare at me.<br />
<br />
I encountered a lot of "storms" during this time.
It was mid the 1980's, and my boss was a go-getter who was a freelance creative director/copywriter working from home. He had big plans, and I was his first hire. Well, actually, his wife worked for him - she was his accountant. I was their first "copy" department hire, coming on as a "Copy Cub." Since his wife's name was Cindy, he said he'd call me "Cynthia" - a name which, until then, only college professors had called me. Everyone else just called me Cindy. It took a while to get used to being called by my full first name; it sounded so long and drawn out. And it didn't help that my last name had three syllables too. Nothing like having a three-syllable first name and a three-syllable last name. To this day, all of my professional contacts call me "Cynthia."<br />
<br />
But back to the quote.<br />
<br />
I had no real idea of what it meant. It seemed to suggest that any challenges I might meet up with at this new job were not to be spoken of, to anyone. No one would be interested. I just had to bring in "the ship" - the ship being, I supposed, "great copy." <i>Not</i> bringing in the ship meant not delivering great copy. That's all that mattered - great copy and whether or not I could deliver it.<br />
<br />
Trouble was, I was fresh out of graduate school, with a Master's Degree in English Literature, and I had no idea what was great copy. My dad was a "Commercial Artist" - his specialty was the air brush. All I knew about advertising I learned from my dad - and it was mostly of a graphic arts nature. My dad was a terrible speller. The rest of my knowledge base in regard to great copy was gleaned from many years of reading fashion magazines, namely <i>Seventeen</i> magazine in my early teenage years and later on <i>Glamor</i>, <i>Vogue</i>, <i>Harper's Bazaar</i>, and my dad's <i>Esquire</i> magazine. My ship? It was the one that sailed around Moby Dick or carried a crew of Greek soldiers in an epic novel.<br />
<br />
My first copywriting assignment for my new boss was to write a series of form letters to policyholders of a third-party insurance plan, to alert them of several different types of situations affecting their policy and/or coverage. It was not glamorous. It was not even fun. I had no idea what I was doing.
Truth be told, I only took this job because a guy I was dating seriously at the time worked nearby, and I thought he and I could meet for lunch if I worked in the vicinity. I had an interview with a book publishing company at the same time I got the call to come in for this copywriting job, and I cancelled it, thinking I'd save myself a long commute from Pennsylvania to New York City. Little did I know I'd wind up making a 70-mile round trip commute every weekday for the next twelve years. And the kind of advertising writing I'd be doing? It was called "Direct Response," namely "Direct Mail."<br />
<br />
I read through sample after sample of direct mail packages, long envelopes stuffed with letters and brochures and things called "buckslips" that my boss collected in large boxes that had to be filed by the type of product being sold, and all I could think of is, "This reminds me of the way Evangelistic preachers speak." The letters in these direct mail packages, which I later learned people were calling "junk mail," sounded like the writer was talking directly to me, with heavy use of the word "you" and seemingly personal interjections like "Quite frankly, I can't imagine why you would not act now for this generous offer."<br />
<br />
My one saving grace in all of this was I was a prolific letter writer, having spent an entire adolescence corresponding with pen-pals all over the world - from Finland to Hong Kong, England and Italy, Peru and Venezuela - as well as cousins and friends from my old neighborhood after we moved to another state, thus avoiding the high cost of long-distance phone calls and freaking out my dad.<br />
<br />
Still, writing letters about insurance for my new boss was a far cry from writing to my friends about what I was doing over summer vacation or my thoughts on the latest Bruce Springsteen album. Even weirder was assuming the voice of a male Vice President of an insurance company.<br />
<br />
My boss and I went through countless rounds of revisions. In the end, I think he indirectly wrote just about every line. We certainly wasted a lot of paper. It was excruciatingly painful.<br />
<br />
But the world's not interested in the storms, right?
<br />
<br />
That was many years ago, and I've since concluded that the quote about the world not being interested in the storms isn't entirely gospel.<br />
<br />
<i>The world IS interested in the storms you encounter. </i><br />
<br />
The world WANTS TO KNOW how you handled turbulence ... how you set your sail in a new direction ... and what you did to avert disaster, find success or merely just get back to smooth sailing.<br />
<br />
So face the storms.<br />
<br />
Then tell the world.<br />
<br />
That's the stuff great lessons are made of - great novels, movies, documentaries, TV and reality shows, too.<br />
<br />
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-37253788931995602332014-01-24T12:55:00.001-05:002014-01-24T13:04:28.195-05:00What Day Is It?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDrMCUNu3Cx4P-oyAVoe2S-0kz30zlYASK444E26kzJzlX8-dHlSkpot5zWFCXx-DsbL6NOcKhBJVmXdsONAJ_0zPSiHX0472ANyBML8Vx0RkRElTGQ0Dxj4KbRKezk3_8P9AJsWHLSsK/s1600/what+day+it+is.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDrMCUNu3Cx4P-oyAVoe2S-0kz30zlYASK444E26kzJzlX8-dHlSkpot5zWFCXx-DsbL6NOcKhBJVmXdsONAJ_0zPSiHX0472ANyBML8Vx0RkRElTGQ0Dxj4KbRKezk3_8P9AJsWHLSsK/s400/what+day+it+is.jpg" /></a></div>
Look what I just received - it arrived in my mailbox on a Thursday.
I just love when direct mail ties to TV or other media for advertising campaigns, don't you?
This direct mail package echoes the now "famous" Geico TV spot with the talking camel who asks, "Mike, Mike, Mike ... guess what day it is?"
In the commercial, it is of course "Hump Day" - or Wednesday, that wonderful middle-of-the-week day. If you make it to "Hump Day," presumedly, the rest of the week is easy going, sort of like coasting down a hill. Or down a camel's hump.
It would have been nice if this Geico mailing arrived in my mailbox on a Wednesday. But with direct mail, any day of the week can be a "money-saving day", if the offer is right - as in "Save money on auto insurance by switching to Geico, call now for a free quote."
Unfortunately, this mailing was a day late, and as the saying goes, a dollar short, too.
I'm already a Geico customer.
Nice try, though.Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-36247044834958734812013-11-28T12:11:00.002-05:002013-11-28T12:18:02.126-05:00#Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mUCKlSsgt30R8t7NetAHGVnN0TvMy4CGXr8tQ0ucpXQUyHhlLv1pzGfC9IuB2mjEECRNoWFxBr3NH7eM05k9vwdKBKtQjqYjYvRdGw1agOhmWQn7s3nJbWXSi_qCRG7yMBsKa-OjtNaM/s1600/thankful+for+the+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mUCKlSsgt30R8t7NetAHGVnN0TvMy4CGXr8tQ0ucpXQUyHhlLv1pzGfC9IuB2mjEECRNoWFxBr3NH7eM05k9vwdKBKtQjqYjYvRdGw1agOhmWQn7s3nJbWXSi_qCRG7yMBsKa-OjtNaM/s640/thankful+for+the+work.jpg" /></a></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-62119615392155644682013-08-09T13:55:00.004-04:002013-08-09T13:55:55.224-04:00(¬‿¬) 3rd Year in a Row<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1aRZeUF9a-rE2y9jOrD3q3gXi-KDBSnloJSLiPEZ8qSz-nx1uuFXRqoPOGyclJZECKRUpFxNV4JVaWy7vPAfBxSlEl8OuLzpjQZ5y2geskXxTpFHH2PpuunGn3kbEukNr_aqnkU2zEBE/s1600/2014+calendar+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1aRZeUF9a-rE2y9jOrD3q3gXi-KDBSnloJSLiPEZ8qSz-nx1uuFXRqoPOGyclJZECKRUpFxNV4JVaWy7vPAfBxSlEl8OuLzpjQZ5y2geskXxTpFHH2PpuunGn3kbEukNr_aqnkU2zEBE/s640/2014+calendar+girl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-5804926073279089112013-06-29T13:12:00.003-04:002013-06-29T13:12:26.446-04:00My Favorite Headline of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cMT5b3Mh652j2rRmvKlooy4bdf3OO3F7TSKNIZD5kxbHfq9J3y8PyUe-eFjvmCMjQD3gcrqm3Uu3CvlDk0VkWtce8MqGZcH4SY5AVE_HGaG1pe4I7RvXlvnoL3Md8KA5lHwfZJ86qwb3/s1600/DSC08587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cMT5b3Mh652j2rRmvKlooy4bdf3OO3F7TSKNIZD5kxbHfq9J3y8PyUe-eFjvmCMjQD3gcrqm3Uu3CvlDk0VkWtce8MqGZcH4SY5AVE_HGaG1pe4I7RvXlvnoL3Md8KA5lHwfZJ86qwb3/s640/DSC08587.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Happy 4th of July!</b></div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-50783710455431465422013-06-20T16:54:00.001-04:002013-06-20T16:56:01.143-04:00Lancôme POPS in this month's VOGUE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQZY6tqxM3krCvnlWRkL7EEzbO5VKScwqKhanzX5KR26LvD8BEsXskQRAxvIP8X4U_MyUB-GEM_SS41AXEtgNf9hcuSLsuBXJnCZvV6xkT4neYmFvr7nmCNNdMP-XHwT1DjTs1SJyX_ds/s1600/DSC08454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQZY6tqxM3krCvnlWRkL7EEzbO5VKScwqKhanzX5KR26LvD8BEsXskQRAxvIP8X4U_MyUB-GEM_SS41AXEtgNf9hcuSLsuBXJnCZvV6xkT4neYmFvr7nmCNNdMP-XHwT1DjTs1SJyX_ds/s320/DSC08454.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My VOGUE subscription arrived in the mail this afternoon <br />with a surprise...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EdJGqhojsc7-v-fetMaX5d9jJsJZl50BKs0lKH_r-CWQX9B04kYG-Ca9DPusnlQdMrzf4mQTBL4PoBEwzL5MTO4mmuexxsp506D1ZYp9eVvsLof82xzsE1Lkt6NbHoYIEkoL833gh0PK/s1600/DSC08457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EdJGqhojsc7-v-fetMaX5d9jJsJZl50BKs0lKH_r-CWQX9B04kYG-Ca9DPusnlQdMrzf4mQTBL4PoBEwzL5MTO4mmuexxsp506D1ZYp9eVvsLof82xzsE1Lkt6NbHoYIEkoL833gh0PK/s400/DSC08457.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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POP ART!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bRiCi3ifRkZN_2Lwb31ZwrPqMGlYaWUnRKwpp0egpJRNz1CeaUxWh7IPSKw2isyfQ1Vhtw3BbxmP5RBHcUFH4VQfV4w_2lkpqX54waRoDBEI_d9dGkA-nxvtrS27LB_xLopJwPjHK-ma/s1600/DSC08447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bRiCi3ifRkZN_2Lwb31ZwrPqMGlYaWUnRKwpp0egpJRNz1CeaUxWh7IPSKw2isyfQ1Vhtw3BbxmP5RBHcUFH4VQfV4w_2lkpqX54waRoDBEI_d9dGkA-nxvtrS27LB_xLopJwPjHK-ma/s640/DSC08447.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lanc<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.571428298950195px; line-height: 19.196428298950195px; text-align: start;">ô</span>me went all out to introduce a line of limited-edition eye products created in partnership with fashion designer Alber Elbaz - which premiered in stores June 15th, 2013.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD-KRiI6r4pG3sREHftJaDJYBO1GH5yYGPbvQBmPUfp9UdzMuikVIGgor5TE2l5Vka2562sEConda_fjgAqAVmbiIwJZaWYIyI4PMx4OlDmFk-Gzylrzt8HXJ9QZc48OQL8aK3NvOvOcl/s1600/DSC08448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkD-KRiI6r4pG3sREHftJaDJYBO1GH5yYGPbvQBmPUfp9UdzMuikVIGgor5TE2l5Vka2562sEConda_fjgAqAVmbiIwJZaWYIyI4PMx4OlDmFk-Gzylrzt8HXJ9QZc48OQL8aK3NvOvOcl/s320/DSC08448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The multi-page ad was a total surprise and made a fun, <br />
knock-out impression.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE1SsEsvw1sUtUDNZdNbiXClO7XWkgBxQlIxuUHuQtK-DEyYLOcrdJ_Iad9J7HbNiV99_LX3FjEEUeqwZ27dTwT6ZY2v9k_iAyL2vYo0UbAl41SiOlQ15wCcyzNgP5xqfHVEovHwjsBL5/s1600/DSC08449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE1SsEsvw1sUtUDNZdNbiXClO7XWkgBxQlIxuUHuQtK-DEyYLOcrdJ_Iad9J7HbNiV99_LX3FjEEUeqwZ27dTwT6ZY2v9k_iAyL2vYo0UbAl41SiOlQ15wCcyzNgP5xqfHVEovHwjsBL5/s320/DSC08449.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This fashionista copywriter will have to check out the new products el pronto.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrtsD5ERsMJHGr8ul8QmbvevLOND9X7HE8W1hGpZwjvCkewtClwTijHCvWmbNJB8qDxHtTSfxWljsSK0KgnwGu2znw5LbYnzHyYpwVi3mB9JFwQkYHaPaRyi0fRL6PdVVfnXaply7GCCx/s1600/DSC08450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrtsD5ERsMJHGr8ul8QmbvevLOND9X7HE8W1hGpZwjvCkewtClwTijHCvWmbNJB8qDxHtTSfxWljsSK0KgnwGu2znw5LbYnzHyYpwVi3mB9JFwQkYHaPaRyi0fRL6PdVVfnXaply7GCCx/s320/DSC08450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love the details ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyLkUx0jeBn9NudKL-8g5kb1w67Y1UvVXQ006gzeVsummb_9eL2OYRl9iiCa_2ZtSMWvnndw_y5ntvHnqH7-CM2Kz53OshrcaVaISqtauMgEEGx4tffiVGGNT5z1xLuNWLaDO8QFKfPvf/s1600/DSC08452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyLkUx0jeBn9NudKL-8g5kb1w67Y1UvVXQ006gzeVsummb_9eL2OYRl9iiCa_2ZtSMWvnndw_y5ntvHnqH7-CM2Kz53OshrcaVaISqtauMgEEGx4tffiVGGNT5z1xLuNWLaDO8QFKfPvf/s320/DSC08452.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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At the center of the pop-out "show" are a bride and groom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He kind of looks like a monkey, I dunno. Monkey suit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sc5PFkv0wPfwCBgGD30c5FwLW5PheDLTJSdiVZ5QD2TglwfQXG3pKhKVF7_DvuyLaEhKS4_ScUB2TJlGG1bAClE7mERyDnqWSVVl57hYjDQst4iRDvycWjuruzpWPPwu49befMYLLSSt/s1600/DSC08453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sc5PFkv0wPfwCBgGD30c5FwLW5PheDLTJSdiVZ5QD2TglwfQXG3pKhKVF7_DvuyLaEhKS4_ScUB2TJlGG1bAClE7mERyDnqWSVVl57hYjDQst4iRDvycWjuruzpWPPwu49befMYLLSSt/s320/DSC08453.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the peeps at the show - they look kind of ...<br />
ummm, Adams Family-ish. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYdkUHdMSYvyen7ja34vNTmt6BnN3C7Pfelik_i21gVE_Kzsk3eMg7xAoVtWhVwMxSNNLw-08Iol1IliLUuBof2g6NOc1aWJmBmuvzIKD8oPPyxcvEkMm6-C31suwBI7YRWKDNPkPVBH/s1600/DSC08455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYdkUHdMSYvyen7ja34vNTmt6BnN3C7Pfelik_i21gVE_Kzsk3eMg7xAoVtWhVwMxSNNLw-08Iol1IliLUuBof2g6NOc1aWJmBmuvzIKD8oPPyxcvEkMm6-C31suwBI7YRWKDNPkPVBH/s320/DSC08455.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Nevertheless ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CLSJB1PipeIW6jsNRBGYAwU9xXbvKRGdOYhv1cxnUYE9Auvr24R4JmawTmrb0gANR4P7daI3YkB4dKmvDgv39XnlQyoxxYIzqpwzDquUseNKZX_EkaTLKlkhxv5wd6bl5q_JeVGpv60w/s1600/DSC08456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CLSJB1PipeIW6jsNRBGYAwU9xXbvKRGdOYhv1cxnUYE9Auvr24R4JmawTmrb0gANR4P7daI3YkB4dKmvDgv39XnlQyoxxYIzqpwzDquUseNKZX_EkaTLKlkhxv5wd6bl5q_JeVGpv60w/s320/DSC08456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ciao for now! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa8om620G2lqivAf7N3tVwfvpZvewrY3G-kGgbylypF0cAd7nYMbYc4b0X5SXYquyqhyphenhyphen10ix8eMHc5sZ_oc46UUFSuFh3GVTDqLtRBUbLlyd2YfdwWw_pftlfG8Tt1LQUmwzRorItg8yR/s1600/DSC08481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa8om620G2lqivAf7N3tVwfvpZvewrY3G-kGgbylypF0cAd7nYMbYc4b0X5SXYquyqhyphenhyphen10ix8eMHc5sZ_oc46UUFSuFh3GVTDqLtRBUbLlyd2YfdwWw_pftlfG8Tt1LQUmwzRorItg8yR/s320/DSC08481.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10554842712459943617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936519433460693426.post-83104940846570920622013-04-09T16:34:00.001-04:002013-04-09T16:36:43.916-04:00Luxury Travel Newsletter for AAA TravelHere's a sample of recent work by The Copy Grove - the cover of the Spring | 2013 luxury travel newsletter for AAA Travel.<br />
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