DP Jim McKee and cameraman Mike Elwell on set with Brian Watt and Division of Labor, founder, Josh Denberg (otherwise known as “me”) staring awkwardly into the monitor.
It almost felt normal inside KQED’s new headquarters. There were lights, cameras, mics, monitors, and random construction noises interrupting things. Oh right, that’s what an in person advertising production looks like. Yes, that’s right. For the first time since the Division of Labor offices went virtual in March 2020 we were shooting advertising again right here in San Francisco.
And, yes, it felt great on so many levels. For starters, it was amazing to finally meet up in person with the KQED crew who we’ve come to know well via Zoom calls, Slack, emails, and texts. And guess what? Our clients looked as good in person as that did on our laptops. And not once during our in-person meetings did anyone’s face become pixelated, nor did their speech become garbled. And, best of all, no one's face froze in an awkward unflattering sort of way. Did we say they looked just as good in person? On second thought, they all presented better.
For two days we worked with a KQED production crew and a gaggle of KQED talent ($100 bucks for using the word “gaggle”) to create a campaign promoting KQED Live; a new series of lectures, concerts, discussions and other live events with entertainers, journalists, politicians, musicians, authors, chefs and others all in KQED’s new public events space.
And, as if actual human interaction wasn’t exciting enough, we also had actual human interaction with a number of local celebrities, including Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal from Forum along with Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos from Political Breakdown not to mention with Priya Clemons, Brian Watt, Olivia Allen-Price, Lily Jamali and Devin Ketayama. (Oh, and If you don’t know who any of these folks are, just nod along and act impressed, otherwise your well-educated liberal friends will pass judgment on you for being ignorant about all things public radio and TV.)
In any case, here are the pictures to prove we showered and left the house. Stay tuned for the campaign launch in August. Oh, and make sure you buy tickets for the gala KQED Live launch event on September 25. It’s live and in-person and the sooner you have tickets, the longer you can casually mention that you’re going to a big KQED gala event. (Yep, that’s a sure fire way to one up your well-educated liberal friends who tried to pass judgement on you for your being ignorant about all things public radio and TV.)
Josh gives Alexis Madrigal direction and tries to convince him that the commercial will indeed be funny.
Priya Clemons and Brian Watt.
Stage Manager Linda Kagan boxing, for some reason, with Priya Clemons.
Iris Lax, Marketing Communications Manager @KQED, Alexis Madrigal, co-host of Forum and guy who has to fill Michael Krasny’s shoes.
Who wore it best? Jim and Josh are dressed by the same designer.
Scott Shafer in one of the best looking sport coats ever.
Producer Carlos Manuel LaRoche runs a top-notch production.
The Division of Labor and KQED crew, including Rebecca Reid back left, who took most of the pictures so she was in few of them and Maria Diokno, Executive Director of Brand and Audience Development, who, along with Iris and Peter Cavagnaro, made it all happen.
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The Small Agency Blog is produced by Division of Labor; a top San Francisco ad agency and digital marketing firm that’s been named Small Agency of the Year twice by Ad Age. The award-winning creative shop services clients on a retainer or project basis. They also offer brand consulting services and hourly engagements for startups and smaller brands. Click here for a free consultation.