Wiebke and Paul

Un Lion D’Or De Cyber, Sil Vouz Plais. June 18, 2008

Yeah! We’ve just been informed this morning that we won a gold Lion in Cannes for the Interactive category (”Cyber Lion”). You don’t know what that is and why I am so thrilled about these news??? Well, let me explain - courtesy of Wikipedia.

The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival (IAF) is generally regarded as the most prestigious international advertising festival. The five to seven day festival is held annually in the city of Cannes, France (that’s in Europe), usually in the third week of June. Although the festival also features seminars, workshops and social events (!) for people in the advertising industry, the primary purpose of the festival is to present the Lion awards for the advertisements and advertising campaigns adjudged the best of the year (and to “connect” with folks in the industry on various levels…).

Lions are awarded in a number of categories, including cinema/television, print marketing, outdoor advertising and direct marketing. The festival introduced an award category for online media in 1998, known as the “Cyber Lion”. Curiously, the festival only created a category for radio advertising in 2005. In 2006 “Promo Lions” were added and in 2007 “Integrated Lions” will be added.

This is huge for our agency, the team…and, frankly, for me as the Account Supervisor on this project. If I was a bitter person, I could go on a rampage now and throw a fit about the lack of acknowledgment of the efforts, cleverness, enthusiasm, persistence, experience, vision, diligence, excitement, strategic thinking, you name it, that we contribute to selling excellent creative ideas. (Can I get an “Amen” from all you other Client Service peeps out there?) But luckily, I am not bitter. I am a very gracious person who will remain humble and stoked about being part of such an amazing creative team here at Hal Riney. (Insert: Dominic Goldman, I miss you and your endless endeavors to push our creative product to the most highest level!Love always!)

Griffin’s a star at Yahoo! April 2, 2008

So, the super-cute Griffin has made his mark on the world with a debut on the Yahoo! homepage. He has a scene in a video shot here at Dogster about dissing laptops during meetings.

Off at SXSW this weekend March 9, 2008

I’ll be coming home tomorrow night, but I’ve been at SXSW all weekend. It’s a huge festival in Austin, TX. They have film and music arms, but for the Interactive section that I’m at, it’s pretty much the biggest thing we’ve got going on each year. It’s been a pretty amazing experience so far. There’s people, there’s sessions, panels, parties, more people, it’s amazing. I’m honored to have met such cool people here and I just hope that I’m able to keep up with them when I get back to SF. Really looking forward to next year already. Love it!

I’ve been missing my baby though, see you soon honey!

Missing My Baby… February 19, 2008

Although, traveling to L.A. for a photo shoot is fun, being away from my husband for several days kinda sucks.

Traveling to Chicago and entering another climate zone (ice!) AND being away from my husband for several days really blows.

Honey, I’ll be back on Thursday night - It’ll be late and I’ll be exhausted but it’s Date Night and I can’t wait to be back home with you and the furry monster.

By The Way… February 15, 2008

…Griffin and I got that empty office. Which means, I can continue to bring him into the office while Paul and I are working hard to train him not to bark.

Thank you, Jesus!

Griffin’s Not Appreciated In The Office February 14, 2008

I was just called into the office of our head of HR. No, unfortunately not to get a promotion or pay rise. Apparently, several people had complained about Griffin being too much trouble in the office. Although, I had asked around so many times, no one was honest enough to tell me into my face that Griffin was annoying and distracting.

My co-workers have complained about his barking, him running around off leash, the smell, etc.

I really don’t get it (or maybe don’t want to get it). I have been trying very hard to avoid any complaints by putting him on a leash when I took him somewhere, lighting a scented candle which according to feedback everyone liked, took him out every hour (!) so he didn’t even have to use his pee pads, brought him in only three days a week. I’ve been asking around a lot to figure out if I had to make any further changes or try harder. Why did no one have the guts to be frank and tell me that Griffin is indeed a problem?

Thankfully, HR offered me to discuss the option of moving me back into another empty office. I’ll find out today if that will work. If not, we’ll have to bite the bullet and invest in expensive doggy day care. At least, once or twice a week.

I totally understand that our little furry monster can be a hand full sometimes. But, seriously, is it too much to expect the folks around your office to be honest with you so you can react before you’re being called to HR?! Guess, I’ll have to work on my expectations (again). :-)

To Charlotte… January 31, 2008

So, here’s what I have decided and no, you won’t have a choice here. Because recently you started making very bad decisions. Such as leaving Riney. So no choice for you here.

People like to say “Hey, let’s stay in touch!” or “No, really, I mean it, let’s definitely catch up soon!”. Then, months later you stumble across that last goodbye email to groupEveryone with their private email address and exactly those words.

And? Did you stay in touch? How often did you actually connect? Any plans made to meet up for lunch? How often did you pick up the phone to just say “Hi, it’s me. What’s new?”

Yeah, exactly.

But I’m not that kind of people, you know? I value solid relationships. Especially, those mentor-style relationships. ‘Cause that’s what you are to me. An inspiration. Or as per definition of the modern use of the word mentor: a trusted friend, counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person (=older). Basically, someone I can look up to. Someone I want to be accountable to. Someone who has values and sticks to them. No matter what.

Someone like you, Charlotte. That’s why I have decided that we will stay connected.

“Suddenly, I see, this is what I wanna be. Suddenly, I see, why the hell you mean so much to me.” (KT Tunstall)

Stay young & sexy & in touch! Your kids and husband can be proud to have such an amazing mom and wife.

All my love and dedication,

-Wiebke

Today In The Office… December 21, 2007

…someone said, ‘Oh, well, 2007 is almost over. The new year can only get better. This past year really sucked’.

And I responded, ‘I really think 2007 was a beautiful year and I’m not sure how much better 2008 can get. I got married to the love of my life, my sister got engaged and we became dog parents. For me, this year was the best year of my life so far.’

Obviously, God has more amazing things for our little family in store but I just want to be thankful for the gifts He gave me all through the year 2007.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

-Wiebke

The Best Work Place In The World… June 29, 2007

(…besides Dogster, Inc.)

This is me and Beane working like dogs.