PCG receives 11 Graphic Design USA Awards, Gold Ink recognition
When we learned last year that we were honored with eight 2010 American Graphic Design Awards from Graphic Design USA, we were thrilled. This year’s recognition has left us positively flattered. We recently received notice that Graphic Design USA has bestowed our team with 11 awards in its 2011 contest for our client work, which covers a variety of industry sectors including printable plastics, automotive, beverages, millwork and construction.
The American Graphic Design Awards, the flagship competition of Graphic Design USA magazine for nearly five decades, recognize outstanding graphic design and advertising work. The contest is open to the entire graphic arts community, including graphic design firms, advertising agencies, in-house corporate and institutional designers, publishers and other media. The judges reviewed more than 8,000 entries this year, selecting an exclusive 15 percent for awards.
The following 11 Premier Communications Group projects were named winners:
General Motors Chevrolet Volt Launch Kit USB Interface
General Motors 2011 Sierra/Silverado HD Pickups USB Interface
General Motors Buick Communications Stationery Package
September 23, 2011 at 10:26 AM Michael R. Fossano Leave a comment
Google aims to change social media game for businesses
It may have taken them a bit longer than most had expected, but it appears as though Google is ready to dive into the social media sphere. The company launched the +1 feature in search results in March, which parallels Facebook’s “like” as a way of denoting social recommendations in a Google search. The +1 button does carry a few more interesting features however, including the notion that pages that you +1 will show up in the Google search results of people within your Google network. Organic search results are essentially replaced with the recommendations of your peers, which is a core function of social media.
Naturally, this implementation has important ramifications for businesses that depend on their online presence to generate sales.
According to the Business Insider’s Chart of the Day (above), nearly 40% or the 418 U.S. consumers surveyed responded that Google was the first site they turned to when making an online purchase, while only 1% said that they asked their friends on Facebook.
Furthermore, Google is poised to meet the Facebook behemoth head-on with the recent advent of the Google+ social network service. Currently optimized for consumer usage, the company will be admitting a select group of businesses into a Google+ pilot test to gauge how users interact with commercial brand Profiles through the platform’s various services.
Google+ offers users the chance to dictate the distance between them and their followers by placing them into groups, or Circles, and Hangouts, a video conferencing app.
It will be interesting to see how users interact with businesses through these services from Google+, Facebook and other social networks, many of which offer new levels of access and closeness to commercial brands.
For more information on Google+, check out the video below.
July 20, 2011 at 11:34 AM Michael R. Fossano Leave a comment
Paper Options Help Us Cover All Angles
By Sue Severini
A recent meeting with spec and packaging reps from Neenah Paper and Millcraft demonstrated how Neenah continues to pave new ground in establishing itself as a premier paper resource with comprehensive solutions. 
Achieving just about every eco certification possible, the mill is a leader in environmentalism, taking seriously the sustainability concerns of its clients.
A highlight was the introduction of the first 100% post consumer, single-ply folding board. While a natural fit for retailers and confectioners requiring green packaging, the performance characteristics are also ideal for pocket folders, portfolios and sales kits, providing a perfect surface for print, embossing, foil stamping and more. Other paper lines have heavyweight stocks or even the same 18 pt. gauge. But none has the recycle content or the environmental qualifications as Neenah folding board. It’s smooth, with a 92 brightness and shows far less “fleck” (evidence of post consumer fiber) than the competition.
This new addition allows us to offer our clients with sustainability interests a fully eco-friendly option for marketing materials that require dimensional stability.
Neenah has also increased its digital offerings to accommodate the smaller print runs ensuing from the slower economy. Not only are the paper mills modifying brands, but our printers are following suit by upgrading equipment to be able to offer a broader range of capabilities. Some techniques that previously could be done only in litho printing can now be accomplished on digital presses.
Again, these developments allow us to create more impactful design and while still accommodating your budget. Sounds like a package deal.
April 18, 2011 at 3:17 PM Michael R. Fossano Leave a comment
MagnaMan Visits the 2011 Chicago Auto Show
Our magnetic little friend is well on his way to becoming a true gearhead. After making an appearance at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit a few weeks ago, MagnaMan was spotted taking in the sights and sounds at today’s Chicago Auto Show media preview. This year’s event was packed with exciting news from several automakers, including the unveiling of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
Stay tuned to find out where MagnaMan’s travels will take him next!
You Click, We Give! Campaign Delivers 8,000 Meals
We’re happy to announce that our “You Click, We Give!” donation campaign was a success, smashing through the 1,000-click goal before Christmas Day—over one month ahead of its scheduled end date. Thanks to your interaction, over 8,000 meals have been supplied through Forgotten Harvest to those in need this winter. The response to our campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, with responses ranging from simple, yet gracious “thank yous” to other warm, heartfelt sentiments.
As stated in a previous post, one of our goals for 2011 is to “stay connected” and engaged with our community, clients and peers. We’re more than pleased with the initial results and are looking forward to continuing to spread the theme throughout the year.
Be sure to stay connected with us here, on Facebook and Twitter for the latest PCG news—and to track the travels of MagnaMan as he makes his way throughout metro Detroit and abroad!
MagnaMan Visits 2011 NAIAS
Now that the 2011 North American International Auto Show is officially in the books, the anticipation has begun for many of the hot, new automobiles to hit showroom floors. This was the second straight year that NAIAS experienced a bump in attendance, which included the breaking of a single-day record from 1993 of 74,900 for a Friday, with 75,327 attending this year. Some people go to the show to browse for potential new vehicles, while others might be on hand to check out the sleek, new concept cars or the latest technological innovations. Presumably, however, everybody walks away from the show with an idea of what their “dream car” is, whether it’s a speedy Maserati, a laid-back Maybach or even a Toyota Sienna Swagger Wagon.
As you can see, MagnaMan has his sights set pretty high…
Were you able to make it to NAIAS? If so, what were some of your favorite highlights? Feel free to comment and let us know!
Welcome Twenty-Eleven!
The New Year brings a new start and a hope that this year will be better than every one before it. It’s a time when we look for new promise, new opportunity and vow to do things differently. Reflecting on this reminds us how world events have impacted people’s livelihood. That’s why we’re determined to connect with our clients and community in new and better ways.
In this spirit, we are asking others to join us in reaching out to those who could use a hand for the holidays. When you visit our blog through January 31, 2011, click on the “You Click, We Give!” button and we will make a donation to Forgotten Harvest. It’s that simple!
Forgotten Harvest is an organization that redistributes surplus and perishable food to emergency food providers. An impressive fact: For every dollar raised, Forgotten Harvest provides 8 meals to those in need! Our goal is to donate enough to supply 8,000 meals for those who may need some help.
Check out the counter at the right to see how many visitors have helped so far. And we look forward to sharing the successes of the New Year with all of you. Cheers!
To learn more about Forgotten Harvest, or if you would like to support its mission, please visit the company’s web site: www.forgottenharvest.org
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt Press Kit
We’ve had a whirlwind of activity streaming through our office over the past few months. Deadlines have come and gone, and our team has worked hard to churn out some insanely creative work—while still maintaining some level of sanity.
Yes, we’re thrilled with the results that we’ve received from all of our clients’ projects. However, we’re admittedly extra pumped about our contribution to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt campaign. Since Chevrolet tapped us earlier this year to produce press materials for the Volt’s launch, we’ve worked closely with General Motors to develop materials that reflect the true spirit of this groundbreaking automobile. With that said, our goal was to create a final piece that is memorable, earth friendly and communicates the one-of-a-kind nature of the Chevrolet Volt.
All of the components of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt press kit
Starbucks unveils a new logo
Starbucks, which turns 40 later this month, recently unveiled a new logo, omitting the words “Starbucks” and “coffee” from its iconic siren image. While the new look isn’t a huge departure from the current insignia, it is no doubt a large-scale effort given its presence in urban cores, rural off-ramps and grocery stores. The upscale coffee shop chain, once the prototype for fast food underdogs, has since seen both its stock and marketshare slip significantly in recent years. This is due in part to overexposure and the offerings of its resurgent competitors, such as McDonald’s popular McCafé menu items.
We can look back through history and find that market cycles such as this are hardly scarce: Coke vs. Pepsi, 7up vs. Sprite, McDonald’s vs. Burger King vs. Wendy’s; the list goes on. Another commonality to these tussles: knee-jerk rebranding campaigns. Undoubtedly, they are applicable in some cases—but certainly not all. Company officials have said that part of the logic is that the switch allows the continued evolution of the brand from coffee-based beverages to other products, retail outlets and other countries.
An expansion of this magnitude is no small feat, but logic would dictate that a pared-down logo would better prepare them for such an undertaking. After all, slapping “Starbucks Coffee” on a bottle of wine seems about as relevant as opening a new store in a non-English speaking country under the same brand.
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March 10, 2011 at 4:29 PM premiercg 1 comment