2013 NEXTGen Detroit Campaign Video from NEXTGen Detroit on Vimeo.

2012 Reel from DETROIT LIVES! on Vimeo.

In the meantime, happy day! Thanks for your support and love.

2012 was a good year– we grew as an operation considerably as we continue to grow in to our “agency” shoes bringing on three new people to help on the media production side with film, print and motion graphics. Our work appeared in a commercial in front of 12 million people during the World Series. We grew our client base some 300%. We made a documentary that toured the world screening in 12 different countries with notable festival inclusions like Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival. As such, we continue to shape the narrative coming out of Detroit and we are very proud of that.

After the Factory Film Trailer from DETROIT LIVES! on Vimeo.

“After the Factory” – On the Road from DETROIT LIVES! on Vimeo.

“Be a Venture” – Detroit Creative Corridor Center from DETROIT LIVES! on Vimeo.

For 2013 we’ve got lots of new and interesting projects on the burner. We’re still gathering our guns with the remote control race car track at the Georgia Street Community Garden (more info on that here). You’ll continue to see client work in the familiar areas– for Model D TV, the Urban Innovation Exchange and Creative Mornings Detroit– and some new work with clients that spans familiar and new. We’re designing a large graphic wall for a Michigan-based agency at the moment which is pretty fun, and working with two large Detroit-based companies to put together some ads for the work they do across the country. Not too bad.

So, Happy New Year of course. And cheers to a great 2012 and an even better 2013.

Model D TV: Detroit Lions & Hatch Detroit from Model D TV on Vimeo.

OK. I’ll stop. All the unnecessary puns are subliminal messaging attempts to get you to chip in $12 dollars this holiday season for the 12 DAM days of Christmas as the Detroit Artist market tries to hit its mark with fundraising this year. If you’re not familiar with DAM, they opened up shop in 1932 to support young artists during the Great Depression. Since then, they’ve been a leader in Detroit’s contemporary art scene curating some really great shows. Plus, they throw some fun parties from time to time.

So, consider a donation to help them keep the doors open (and the heat on) for another 80 years. The 12 DAM days started yesterday and will go on for another 10 after today.  Here are some reasons why you should donate now as opposed to later this afternoon, tomorrow or even next week:

1. Each donor will be added to a daily raffle for a chance to win DAM gift memberships, DAM swag, and more!
2. For the 12 DAM days of Christmas, your gift will be doubled with a match from St. John Providence Health System Foundations. Kind of cool.

So, anyway, seems like the right DAM thing to do. I just donated. You should, too.

Geez, after something of a hiatus though. For no good reason other than what you may have predicted… “We’ve been busy!” But you expected that, right? Why else would have there have been such an awkward silence? But hey, things have been happening—

Development news seems to be abundant– A new BDubs! Bagger Daves next door! The new Illitch Hockey Arena! The first HATCH business (HUGH) is open! The nights have been fun– Macklemore came to Detroit! Noel Night was smashing! Creative Mornings is now happening in Detroit! Ernie plays slow jams on Mondays at the Woodbridge Pub!

It’s all good.

To boot, we’ve got some great client projects coming down the pipe in the first quarter of 2013 that we are pumped about. Been working with some new clients that are exerting a bit of faith in our process which is fun– ie, we are getting to do more and more in terms of crafting content both in scope and reach. So that’s cool. We’re also looking at a new proper office downtown which has been kind of fun– albeit slow– process. It’s kind of fun seeing all the spaces and envisioning what our little LAUNCH PAD could look like. It’d be fun to throw a party when we open? We’ll see.

As a send off, check out a piece we just completed on Supino Pizzeria for the UIX folks. Dave Mancini is cool as a cucumber– both cause his pizza is stellar, but because he possesses an unassuming knack for recognizing authentic talent and supporting it. Check it out, and WORD UP for now people!

Urban Innovation Exchange: Dave Mancini, Supino Pizzeria from DETROIT LIVES! on Vimeo.

Urban Innovation Exchange: Peggy Brennan, Green Garage from DETROIT LIVES! on Vimeo.

In Ann Arbor, it felt as if the film was screening to a hometown Polish audience with barely any English heard spoken amongst the audience. As a result, viewers were intimately familiar with Lodz and its relative position in Poland and Europe as a whole, which really increased their level of engagement and understanding. A very thoughtful discussion ensued after the screening followed by the award being presented later in the evening.

We screened in East Lansing the following night amongst a host of other compelling documentaries, one of which was called “Jane of all Trades” and looked at the economic impact of the film incentives that the state has used in the past to encourage film productions to film in the state of Michigan. One audience member pointed out the relevance of our two docs screening together given that each film underscored the importance of both sides of the spectrum– the DIY, hell or high water ethos in ATF and the more structured approach that the film incentives offer.

All in all, a fine weekend!