Benedict Advertising - Business Building Solutions

Online dating is becoming a more popular way to meet a compatible partner. Some people may still stick to old ways, but with some intellect and commonsense to screen good from bad, online dating can work.

The number of online dating sites that exist is enormous. While you should be relatively picky, you can be turned down on some sites if your standards are too high and no one fits the criteria. Screening is very important when it comes to online dating. Different people have different intentions. There are few that are serious about a relationship and want the “real thing”.

I have been on these sites for over 2 years now and found a lot of people that were not for me. I was almost ready to give up, but when I least expected it, there he was. I knew immediately this one was special. We live 120 miles apart but in the first week he made the trip 3 times. What a catch!

If you are looking to find someone special, give it a try (Singlesnet.com; Plentyoffish.com; Eharmony.com; Fitsingles.com; or Seniorpeoplemeet.com). Be careful, screen everyone and always meet in a public place.

Good Luck!

-Gail Moore

As part of my job, and most of my coworkers’ as well, I travel to client meetings a few times a month. These trips aren’t always as cut and dry as they seem, and sometimes I will be on the road for a few days attending back-to-back meetings. Against my wishes, the world does not stop when I am out of the office so I still have emails to respond to and voicemails to return and client jobs that need to be opened or dealt with!

This is where technology comes in and thank goodness for it! Through the wonders of the Internet and other gadgets, I am able to stay informed and up-to-date even when I am out of the office! I am lucky to have an iPhone that I can use to keep up with emails and return phone calls. I can even use the Map application if I get lost on my way to a meeting. We also now have a program that allows our internal job tracking system to be accessed online, which is a huge help! If anyone out there is in need of something like this, check out CurrentTrack. Through this program, I can approve artwork, send artwork to clients and communicate with other staff members on the status of jobs. This is very helpful so everyone is aware of what needs to be done at that moment and nothing falls through the cracks!

I know we all complain about technology every now and again when our email isn’t working properly or the Internet is down, but in the scheme of the things our lives are greatly improved by technology and all of our gadgets!

- Annika Elston

Being creative is a challenging daily requirement with sub-layers of focus; depending on what projects I am working on, there is the occasion where a creative block will drop right before the juices start flowing. Leaving a crusty, dry, inhabitable thoughtless mind. There are a few things that I have tested/proven/failed/ and finally perfect to destroy the unwanted dam. I won’t bore you with the mundane details, instead I’ll break down quickly how i decompress  in four different ways:

#1 Morning coffee: This ritual applies to work, home, commuting, meetings, face booking, chatting, surfing the web and most importantly brain storming.

#2 Video games: Now before you start to shout out “nerd” all too quickly, there is something mellon collie about unwinding while remaining solely focused playing a video game. The games can range from a simple round of Uno to shooting the shit out of someone via Xbox live. 

#3 Bike riding: This is my favorite way of resupplying the creative nodes.  Ripping through the trails allows me to express creativity within a different medium, using talent that is only limited to the fear of losing focus. Thinking of anything else causes a crash or a missed opportunity to hit a hidden jump.

#4 Shots, shots, shots! If all else fails, then it’s time to hit up a good bar for some forced mind erasing. Numbing the innards of your skull is pretty easy once you throw back a few shots of jager. Or, if you prefer a bit more of sophistication, then I suggest a few glasses of red wine. I usually go for the house red, but after a few glasses it’s okay to mix and match.

There you go. I hope that I have helped you expand your methods of decompression. 

-Joey Ramos

Smart consumers, technology and mobile devices (like my iPhone) have leveled the commercial playing field.

I love my phone and understand it’s a one way relationship. But, I am in awe of the consumer revolution that is under way in App warfare. New programs like RedLaser and Kooaba are not only modifying a new breed of consumer they are empowering shoppers. RedLaser is an App that allows you to take a photo of any bar code and not only will it find the product, but it will find you the cheapest price as well as deliver consumer reviews.

What does this mean for store owners and doo-dad sellers? This means we as consumers hope you marked your products fairly. Because if not, we know 10 others stores who have it cheaper and the wrath of feeds, blogs and posts about how lame you are will quickly ensue.

We have quickly become social bulimics, ready to use our finger to vomit content whenever the mood strikes. I heard a great story the other day that someone leaked Wal-Mart’s Black Friday prices and every competitor already has matched their prices. This was Twittered, Facebooked & Digged quicker than a Brad and Angelina Jolie divorce update.

Like it or not, social media, technology and mobile devices (Like my iPhone) have changed the way we do business. It’s a new world my friend and like it or not you have to recognize. We’re here, we share - get used to it.

- Text you later -

Chris LeBlanc - Creative Director

I know. I know. It’s been too long since my last blog. It’s been busy around here. Last week, I attended a two-day conference in Chicago (which I’ll go into greater detail in a future blog) and when I got back, found my desk about to buckle under the weight of job folders that have been piling up since the Wednesday, last.

So, today, I’d just like to keep you updated on the progress of our film contest. We had the big reveal today, with our script ideas. I have to say I am pleased with all of the ideas that people have come up with, although some might not be appropriate for the little eyes and ears out there. Everyone did a great job with coming up with very creative and colorful ideas.

The next phase? Choosing the top five to go into full script writing and then into production.

Stay tuned for an update with the five winning titles…