We created the video “Like You” for Streetwise, an organization that helps the homeless and those at risk, by providing social support services, financial literacy training and employment opportunities. The video played at the 2018 Streetwise Gala event fundraiser where they honored 20 Most Inspiring Chicagoans.

We wanted to honor some other very inspiring Chicagoans.

2019 Silver Telly award

Visit Streetwise.org

Production: Daily Planet; AD/CW: Straus; Director/Editor: Michael Gabriele

American Family Insurance wanted a campaign that would put them in the consideration set for people seeking insurance options. We created a campaign that would be memorable and relevant to our target, as well as underscore AFI's ability to handle nearly any family issue, no matter how unusual.

Agency: Element 79; AD: Straus; CW: Alan Spindle; Designer: Zulema Orozco

TV, print, OOH for Harris Bank (and BMO Harris Bank).

Agency: Element 79; (TV) AD: Straus; CW: Justin Frosolone; (print/OOH) ADs: Straus, Paul MacNerland, Lindsay Stevens; CWs: Ross Buchanan, Kira Bigwood, Brigg Bloomquist

This initiative was a partnership between Kraft Heinz and Rise Against Hunger to engage consumers via retail and social channels to participate in Kraft Heinz's annual hunger charity drive during Spring and Summer of 2017. The 360 campaign included in-store displays, website and digital app, print, OOH, social media and a PR event in Times Square to launch the program. 

Consumers were encouraged to retweet daily seasonal recipes or create and share fun food photos via the web app in order to trigger donations. The program ran seven weeks, delivering 174 million impressions; generating 220,000 comments, likes, shares and retweets; and garnering over 1300 user-submitted photos. By program's end 860,000 meals had been donated.

Agency: Catapult; CD/AD: Straus; CD/CW: Jim Kelly; Motion Graphics: Joseph Hoh

Our client, Golden Bison, wanted to market bison in high end butcher shops and food stores as a healthier protein alternative, available in various forms – from cuts and chops to pre-packaged meals. The first step was to create a "Bison Board", a website to educate and inform people about all things bison. The Bison Council was born.

See website

Here you'll learn more than you ever wanted to about bison. We created an entire program designed to inform and educate our target using print ads, online videos, social media, PR and food events, holiday promotions and more.

Agency: VSA Partners; CDs: Straus, Alan Spindle; AD: Straus; CWs: Spindle, Joshua Koenig; Designers: Julie Adams, Karli Kujawa; Social: Brigid Slattery

Broadcast for Foster's (2002 Effie)

Agency: JWT Chicago; CD: Pete Griffith, AD: Straus; CW: Ross Buchanan

Broadcast for Kraft Singles. We wrote up something like 30 adventures of Red and Ned. This one got produced. But Red and Ned also existed in an online game, Kraft Singles storage container, stickers and postcards. 

It won an animation award at Festival international du film d’animation d’Annecy, but most satisfying of all, Cartoon Network expressed interest in the characters I created. Unfortunately, Kraft owns them. So I re-imagined my characters as a retro Japanese-style cartoon: Futagoyaro.

Agency: JWT Chicago; AD: Straus; CW: Ross Buchanan; Animation by Astley-Baker at Loose Moose

Poster campaign for NW AIDS Foundation, Luerzer's Archive 1995

Agency: McFarland, Richards & Graf, Seattle; CDs: Peter Richards, Gary Graf; ADs: Straus, Michael Thomas; CW: Gary Graf

As a Canadian company trying to make in-roads into American grocers, Greenfield's goal was to generate awareness and educate consumers about the all-natural aspects of their meat products. So much so, in fact, that they covered their packaging with that message. For in-store environments, however, we wanted to grab shoppers' attention with a wittier and less formal approach.

We proposed a "Meatsplanation Tour" with a school bus that would show up in grocery parking lots to do sampling and espouse the benefits of Greenfield meats.

Agency: Catapult, CD/AD: Straus, CD/CW: Ross Buchanan

The goal was to give this popular brand of popcorn seasonings a facelift. Taking a cue from new, brighter and friendlier package graphics, we created a website that conveyed fun and took advantage of the brand's strengths – its impressive line-up of various flavors.

We invited visitors to virtually rehearse consuming the product through a simple game where they could create a unique combination of flavors and share their unique, personalized blend via social channels.

See website.

Print for Rituxan, a rheumatoid arthritis drug, whose primary benefit is that it allows one to take fewer doses than typical RA medications.

Agency: Euro RSCG Tatham Life Central; AD: Straus; CW: Julie Filippo

In the wake of the 2008 economic implosion, ConAgra sought an efficient way to sell many of their unsupported brands. We launched a website designed to allow consumers to win savings on their favorite brands, as well as vent pent-up economic frustrations. All they had to do was punish the folks responsible for the recession.

Online ads, blogger outreach and Yahoo! Games partnership gave us a million game-plays in a 3-month period, 17 million positive impressions and over 100,000 coupons redeemed. People must really have been pissed.

Agency: Element 79; CD: Todd Crisman; AD: Straus; CW: Greg Oreskovich

GiveaShi*t is a Chicago-based charity that teams up with Streetwise and local artists to make limited edition hand-screened t-shirts, where 100% of sales go to Streetwise and Streetwise vendors. 

GiveaShi*t was started by Daily Planet Ltd, a video production company in Chicago.

See Giveashi*t

Country Time lemonade has been around for decades, and has always stood for simpler times that people seem to have forgotten. So when Country Time introduced Lemonade Starter, a liquid lemonade concentrate, we needed to tie in the ease of making it with the simple pleasures that come with enjoying it. We just reminded folks to Make Country Time.

Along with broadcast TV, the marketing effort includes a simple website which shows a tranquil country scene (both day and night versions) and prompts visitors to "Make Country Time". Viewers are then treated to a quick demo of how simple it is to do just that.

See website

Weather-triggered and standard OLA are helpful reminders to urge folks to take some time to Make Country Time, as is a mobile porch (in progress) which drives around providing a platform for social content as well as sampling and demo opportunities. Print, online videos and social round out the campaign.

Merkt's, a famous Wisconsin cheese company, introduced Beer Cheese. Because of course they did.

Agency: Catapult, CD/AD: Straus, CD/CW: Ross Buchanan

As part of our efforts to market bison for Golden Bison, we suggested that people Flip The Bird at Thanksgiving, and replace their tired old turkeys with a bison roast. With website presence, online videos, digital advertising and a World Food Championship appearance, we hoped that everyone everywhere would be flipping the bird. I know I did.

Agency: VSA Partners; CDs: Straus, Alan Spindle; AD: Straus; CWs: Alan Spindle, Joshua Koenig; Designers: Shawna X, Priyanka Pulijal

Broadcast and Print for Lay's Kettle Cooked chips and Cracker Crisps.

Agency: Element 79; CD: Alan Spindle; ADs: Straus, Michael Straznickas; CWs: Stefanie Lyons, Dave Reger

Print campaign for Harris Bank directed at individuals who suddenly find themselves very wealthy after the sale of their company.

Agency: Element 79; CD: Alan Spindle; AD: Straus; CW: Ross Buchanan

Did you know there is a research institute committed to helping athletes optimize health and performance through hydration? It's called the Gatorade Sports Science Institute and it's for real. You can Google it. Or just watch this spot.

Agency: Element 79; AD: Straus; CW: Alan Spindle

Part of Golden Bison's effort to market bison was to launch a line of pre-packaged diet meals using bison, among other low-fat proteins, as a key ingredient. This line of meals, snacks, beverages, breads and other ingredients together made up the PlainSmart diet. A website, brand print and online advertising supported this effort. We also designed a custom-built, refrigerated, frozen, and dry-shelf retail kiosk to carry PlainSmart and other Golden Bison brands.

During key times of the year we would remind people to begin their diet, by taking the PlainSmart pledge – a promise to yourself to eat healthier and tastier foods in a realistic and therefore achievable manner. Aside from print and digital advertising, key to this program was the PlainSmart Pledge mobile app, a way to track, support, encourage and execute your PlainSmart diet.

Agency: VSA Partners; CDs: Straus, Alan Spindle; AD: Straus; CWs: Alan Spindle, Joshua Koenig (website) Spencer Steevenz (app); Designers: Julie Adams, Shawna X; Package Designs: Dan Knuckey, Katherine Walker

Print for Spencer Stuart, an elite executive recruiting company.

Agency: JWT Chicago; AD: Straus; CW: Ross Buchanan

Prime Life is Golden Bison's high-end packaged meals offering, with bison replacing traditional ingredients in restaurant-quality dishes like Bison Osso Buco and Bison Corned Brisket. The website and the packaging were designed to appeal to foodies, with suggestions for wine and food pairings. 

See website

Agency: VSA Partners; CDs: Straus, Alan Spindle; AD: Straus, Lih Min Yuan; CWs: John Barry, Joshua Koenig, Alan Spindle; Designers: Shawna X; Social: Brigid Slattery; Package Designs: Dan Knuckey, Katherine Walker

One of hundreds of Sears retail TV spots run during the holidays. Named one of best Holiday Retail ads for 2011. Seriously. 

Agency: mcgarrybowen; AD: Straus; CW: Paul Gregor

Sears Auto Center OOH, 1998 CLIO Finalist; and Print

Agency: Ogilvy & Mather; AD: Straus; CW: Joe Kaminski

Posters and Flyers for a friend. Not at all inspired by bluegrass music.

Print and OOH for Craftsman tools.

Agency: mcgarrybowen; AD: Straus; CW: Susie Steinberg

Broadcast for Cox Cable.

Agency: Draft FCB; CD: Susan Betteridge; AD: Straus; CW: Michael Hush