So far this year, the 2019 NCAA March Madness basketball tournament has gone pretty close to plan, with the higher seeds winning when they should. The only exception has been the annual tradition of at least one 12 seed beating a 5 seed. And in this year’s case, three of the 12 seeds have beat the 5 seeds, and the fourth lost by just 1 point. So close to a clean sweep by the 12 seeds! There have also been some very close calls (Duke vs. UCF!), but that is all they were, close calls. The higher seeds have won all of those close calls. But the excitement of the Cinderella, the giant killers, the game-winning shots by lower seeds just isn’t quite there this year. I guess that means the selection committee got it right this year? Nonetheless, we are drawn to continue watching because we want to be entertained! We want to witness that thrill of an upset or the exhilaration of a game winner. But alas, the first 2 rounds did not deliver on any of that excitement.

So in lieu of the thrilling upsets, we here at Yalo have been paying attention to the promos and commercials. March Madness is kind of like 3 weeks of Super Bowl ads because it is a great place for brands and advertisers to make an impact on a very large number of eyeballs. Because so many people watch the tournament, the stakes are high for brands to perform well by getting noticed and leaving a lasting impression.

Here are some interesting things we found worth noting for their out-of-the-box thinking or their original thinking:

TBS 

TBS did a Drop the Mic promo where they actually dropped a mic on to the floor with the players in the background during a timeout of the game. It was unique because it was done live and because it was done from a low angle showing all the players waiting for a foul shot. Pretty interesting and out of the box to do it live.

AT&T

By now, we are all familiar with the AT&T ‘Just ok is not ok’ commercials that began a few weeks ago. The whole series of them are fantastic and really smart. But one of our favorites is this one about the brakes and the ‘ok’ mechanic.

However, AT&T rolled out a new series of these commercials just for March Madness with a consistent character, Phil. The first one to air was this one “Phil the player.” AT&T continues to push the edge with this campaign for ‘ok is no ok’.

Northwest Mutual

You may have noticed this commercial where a man mowing his lawn is interrupted by the daughter to get a ride to her friends. It’s a Northwest Mutual ad called “Backyard Bliss”. It’s memorable for 2 reasons. 1) Its Flo-rida “My House” theme song! 2) The girl’s reaction when her dad hesitates to take her, classic teenager reaction ‘uuuuuuh’. BUT for March Madness, there was an interesting and nuanced twist to the commercial.  Rather than the ‘uuuuuuh’, the teenager returns to looking at her phone and dancing, still a classic teenager reaction, but one that is more fun, more family friendly. The man still installs the pool and the ad continues to jam more Flo-rida. Here is the new version. Do you think the change was driven by user feedback/testing? Possibly. But memorable either way.

Capital One

If you watch March Madness every year like I do, you would have seen the series Capital One does every year that includes Charles Barkley, Samuel L. Jackson and Spike Lee. They are funny, heady, and self-deprecating. That’s what makes them authentic. This year’s series includes a couple of good ones. One is where Charles has a bird on his shoulder that he has named Larry Bird only to be one upped by the actual Larry Bird walking up with a dog he has named Charles “Bark”ley. However, the best one is where the introduce the Chuck-xedo and being invited to the “Big Nantz” (vs Dance). Clever and witty, showcasing a self-deprecating Charles Barkley makes it authentic.

We hope you enjoyed those examples as much as we did. Best of luck on your brackets!

Oh, and if you want to know how well my brackets look after the first 2 rounds, my situation can be summed up quite simply by saying that my 11-year-old daughter is thoroughly sticking it to me. She outscored me in round 1 and in round 2, and now sits well ahead of me in our poll. Oh well, there is always next year!

#theyreplayingbasketball #bracketlife

And, if you’re looking for ideas on how to be more bold and entertaining in your marketing and communications efforts, check out these other posts:

Whisky, prostitutes, drugs, guns, gambling, fighting, killing and lots of money. If you think those are good ingredients for a TV show, then you’ll like this one.

Peaky Blinders is a masterpiece. This drama follows the exploits of a British crime family in the aftermath of World War I. Their story unfolds in Birmingham, England, where a real gang called the Peaky Blinders were active during that time period. Outside of Tom Hardy (who joins in Season 2) and Adrien Brody (Season 4), you probably won’t recognize the members of this ensemble cast, but they are all remarkably talented. 

Thomas Shelby leads the Peaky Blinders, along with his brothers Arthur and John. They operate and grow their illegal businesses (like fixing horse races) under the watchful eye of the British government, and in competition with rival organized crime enterprises. The balance of humanity and violence is similar to The Sopranos. The storylines are about as complex as the stories on The West Wing, but they are way more fun. Best of all, everything evolves quickly, so you never finish an episode feeling disappointed.

There are four seasons available on Netflix, and Season 5 is expected this Summer 2019. That’s 24 episodes of gripping and entertaining television waiting for you.

When I recommend this show to someone who has already seen it, their response is something like “Ooooh, Peaky Blinders. So good, right? So good.” 

Give this show a chance. By order of the Peaky F____ng Blinders.

Let’s face it. Super Bowl LIII kinda sucked. Unless you’re a Pats fan (duh) or a music fan (no, I don’t mean the halftime show), there wasn’t much that was great. Even this year’s ads have been widely panned as totally unspecial across the board. But with the Big Game in the ATL, our tribe (especially Yalo South) still scored a bunch of memorable moments. Let’s break it down.

The Game

After a season filled with explosive, high-scoring games across conferences and divisions, not to mention BOTH conference championships going into overtime just two short weeks ago, even fans with no dog in the fight at least expected a nail-biting, high-scoring game. Nope. Lowest scoring game in Super Bowl history. Womp. Womp. According to Yalo’s resident Pats fans, Denise and Kevin, the score was exactly perfect.

The Ratings

Touted as the lowest-rated Super Bowl in a decade, broadcasters and advertisers should possibly pause and reflect on whether this one night of the year is the night of the year whose basket they should put all their eggs in. Or maybe the numbers aren’t that clear cut. The official numbers don’t account for the out-of-home viewers (a.k.a. those of you who watched at a bar) or those who watched on non-TV platforms. And let’s not forget that literally the entire city of New Orleans boycotted the broadcast after a controversial call in their championship game sent them home until next season. Yalo’s resident Saints fan, Scott, will not confirm or deny whether or where he watched the game, but is confident ratings would have been up 300% with Drew Brees on the field.

The Ads

Sure, we saw some familiar faces like Budweiser and Pepsi this year, along with a few new ones like The Washington Post and Bubly. But even with all the celebrity endorsements and high production values, there simply weren’t a lot of wow moments and many of the ads just seemed to be trying too hard. According to USA Today’s Ad Meter, the NFL’s own The 100 Year Game might just have been the best part of the game. A few of our favorite spots included

Hyundai: The Elevator

The “painful experiences” theme really resonated with our crew.

Budweiser: Wind Never Felt Better

Dalmation + Clydesdales + Dylan + Green Initiative = Winner

Expensify: 2 Chainz x Adam Scott

Hey, if 2 Chainz likes it, so do we!

Amazon: Not Everything Makes the Cut

Because dogs would order everything!

But one thing we noticed was all the great music. From Lipps, Inc.’s Funky Town in Pringles to Ludacris’ Stand Up in Mercedes, the music was definitely one facet of Sunday’s show that delivered. So, of course we made a playlist. You’re welcome.

The Experience

Finally, another area that did deliver was the experience in Atlanta. Many of us here were able to get downtown to join in the many festivities over the weekend, along with a million of our closest friends. We played at the Super Bowl Experience, hung out in the fan zone at Super Bowl Live and rocked out to Run the Jewels/Foo Fighters, Cardi B and Bruno Mars.

There were celebrity sightings (David Spade, Odell Beckham, DeSean Jackson and Terrell Davis) and the buzz of fighter jets overhead. The energy around town was incredible. Even Pepsi appreciated the Southern hospitality. And one lucky girl got to see her Tom Brady win the game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

So despite a lot that didn’t live up to expectations Super Bowl LIII had some worthy silver linings . . . LIV, we’re looking forward to great things from you next year!

Cleveland Video Production & Marketing Agency, Yalo, shares fascinating facts and titillating trivia about a local film project turned national Christmas classic and holiday treasure.

Here at Yalo, we love to celebrate local projects and events that have turned into national success stories for Cleveland – the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA Championship, yes!  

“A Christmas Story” was a low-budget film created by writer Jean Shepherd that was about a family’s dysfunctional and hilarious mishaps during the holiday season, set in the vintage late 1930s. The funny lines and the relatability to families across America have made it the ultimate holiday classic that keeps fans craving the movie year after year. 

Here are 10 fun facts and trivia about “A Christmas Story” that you probably didn’t know. 

1. “A Christmas Story” is based on Jean Shepherd’s novel, “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.” It was originally created as a radio show that turned into a series of short stories published in Playboy magazine. 

2. Cleveland, Ohio was chosen as the main location to shoot the film after visiting twenty cities. The decision was based on Higbee’s store allowing then crew to film inside the store. Parts of the film were also filmed in Toronto, Canada. 

3. The film now plays for 24 hours straight starting on Christmas Eve and runs through Christmas Day, which started as a promotional stunt by TNT cable network. It is now a tradition. 

4. The actor Jack Nicholson was interested in playing the role of Mr. Parker, AKA “the old man,” but the film’s low budget couldn’t afford him. Darren McGavin ended up landing the iconic role. 

5. One of the funniest scenes – where Ralphie goes to see Santa at the mall – featured characters played by local extras – including Santa, the elves, the wicked witch from “The Wizard of Oz,” and the weird boy standing by Ralphie in line. Writer Shepherd also appeared in the scene – playing a grumpy store customer! 

6. The famous (and excruciating) scene where Flick sticks his tongue to the ice-cold flagpole featured a hidden suction tube to create the illusion that his tongue was frozen to the metal. 

7. There was not enough real snow to film the wintry scenes so potato flakes, firefighters’ foam and nearby ski resorts’ snow were used as supplements. 

8. In the Chinese restaurant scene, Ralphie’s mother – played by actress Melinda Dillon – was purposely given the wrong script to capture her real reaction of the cooked duck still having its head! 

9. Three actual leg lamps were made for the movie and all were broken during the filming. 

10.  The “A Christmas Story” house is now a functioning museum for anyone to visit, located in Cleveland’s now-popular Tremont neighborhood. This house was bought by fan Brian Jones, who purchased the house, sight unseen, on EBay for $150,000 in 2004.  

As a Cleveland video production agency – among our many capabilities – Yalo thrives on locations that generate and resonate exciting, meaningful “vibes.” Cleveland, one of our two hometowns and headquarters, had the one-and-only “A Christmas Story” filmed in its beautiful post-industrial splendor. We take this accomplishment and run with it, seeing possibilities for all of our clients to find inspiration and meaning which helps to define new stories that celebrate brands with soul and style.  

Contact us to learn more about what Yalo can do for you as video production marketing professionals! We operate out of Cleveland and Atlanta but we get around and we love to travel! 

This summer, my family and I took a 3 week grand adventure across China and Taiwan. It included 7 planes, 2 boats, 4 long distance buses and 2 cross-country trains. I was in need of a vacation after vacation! While there, we visited Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Taipei, and took a 4 day boat cruise down the Yangtze River. Along the way, we walked/hiked a TON, saw remarkable temples, pagodas, palaces and tombs, chowed down on some of the greatest noodle soups known to mankind (for $3 a bowl), and scoured the street markets for all things interesting and unique. But the 2 major highlights of the grand adventure were hiking the Badaling section of the Great Wall and cruising through the gorges of the Yangtze River. Both were indescribable and overwhelming experiences that further adjectives truly cannot do justice to. And the opportunity to spend 3 weeks with my kids, uninterrupted by work (we were 12 hours ahead, so no one was calling me at 2amET back in the States!) is something I will remember for years to come and likely won’t happen again anytime soon.

But, along the way, there were a number of personal observations that I took away from the trip as well.

Observation 1

Everyone has a smartphone and using it, non-stop. No matter what they were doing…walking, driving, shopping…the phone was in use. If you know much about the Chinese Government, you may know that the Government blocks access to Google, Facebook, Netflix, Amazon and other US companies. This blockage of Amazon has enabled Alibaba to become the Amazon of the Far East, and selling even more diversity than Amazon if you can imagine that. And, can you imagine if Facebook were allowed in China? Facebook could have nearly 4 billion users and Mark Zuckerberg would be the #1 richest person on the planet (even with the hit he took last week!) hands down.

Observation 2

As ubiquitous as the smartphone is, equally ubiquitous are the power banks that charge all these devices. Constantly wired, constantly powering up, constantly providing that glow of the device on faces. The race for power is on, and it is in batteries, not in space, not in weapons. Without juice, your smartphone or any other gadget simply won’t last the day and you’re dead in the water. So whichever country controls the battery engineering and production will hold the keys to the future. Thus making Elon Musk’s acquisition of SolarCity back in 2016 a crafty and brilliant move.

Observation 3

Every gadget you can imagine, and many more that you have never even imagined are all for sale. Speakers, robots, tablets, drones, cameras, projectors, computers, and of course smartphones. Which further supports Observation 2, the continuing, heightened dependence on battery power. I even experienced a taxi ride in Taipei where the taxi driver was watching a movie on his tablet (no joke), had his phone providing GPS coordinates, had a dispatch box from the taxi company squawking pick up instructions, AND had a dashcam recording everything going on in front of the car. Not to mention, he was driving the taxi…talk about device overload!

Observation 4

Nobody and I mean nobody carries any form of money or credit card. It is ALL pay by phone. That means not just at Starbucks or at McDonalds or at one of the finest peking duck houses in Beijing (Quanjude). It means that even the street vendors and corner noodle shops take phone payments too. Pay by phone was such a standard that it bodes well for crypto-currency in China because the younger generation has no idea what physical cash is any longer. 

Observation 5

And while it is such a digital culture, which is all being tracked and controlled, the transportation laws are diametrically the opposite. On the roads, you will see anything with a wheel on it…cars, buses, bicycles, motorcycles, and scooters. This vehicles are moving in what appears to be complete chaos, but operating in total harmony with each other, like a ballet, with nary an accident seen during our 3 weeks. Oh and no one is wearing helmets. Kids on scooters, dangling from their mother’s arm, crossing a 7 lane interchange as buses, cars and motorcycles whiz by…no helmets. Here in the US, DFCS would have a heartache.

Observation 6

The food…oh the food. Amazing, flavorful, spicy, simple, clean, healthy. And that is the street vendors that I am talking about. And like DFCS above, here in the US, DHHS would probably have a field day with these street vendors. Once I blocked that out of my mind, I experienced some of the best meals of my life. Everything is handmade, all made-to-order, and it’s all fresh. 

What a great 3 weeks it was. I experienced so much that it took me a while to process it all. It was truly the thrill of a lifetime, all while experiencing the hustle, bustle, craziness and crowdedness that is China and Taiwan. 

And of course, I took a few of my favorite bands with me . . .

Yalo, the experiential marketing agency in Atlanta, hits the streets to check out popular music fests in downtown Atlanta that will rock your world! 

Spring is here in Atlanta, Georgia, which means the start of weekends filled with fun activities, festivals, flea markets, camping, parties and concerts suited for all types and ages of people! Atlanta is especially known for having grand music festivals that feature great local musicians as well as national headliners playing in a wide variety of musical styles. These cultural gatherings also present hometown art and cuisine. Thanks to this blog post, you can sample four great festivals ahead of time and decide if you’d like to partake yourself. (HINT – you’ll want to do so!) Get ready for four MUST-EXPERIENCE music festivals in groovy downtown Atlanta! 

1. Atlanta Blues Fest. The Atlanta Blues Scene was a tremendous influence on blues music and culture in the South, reigning supreme in the 1920s and 30s but still continuing today. The Atlanta Blues Fest keeps that spirit alive annually. One of the premier blues events in the South and involving local blues musicians and some famous blues greats, this live concert usually happens in April every year, barring unforeseen cancellations. Expect excellent music, brotherly and sisterly love, tasty concessions, and good drinks! 

2. SweetWater 420 Fest. SweetWater 420 Fest is all about the experience, so you know that Yalo will be there! This festival, presented by SweetWater Brewery, normally takes place around the time of Earth Day each year and is an environmental celebration with an eco- friendly focus. It takes place in Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta – a thrilling and gorgeous site in and of itself and the world’s gathering spot during the Summer Olympics of 1996. The event features live music, comedy, art, food, and Planet 420. Planet 420 is an eco-village area where attendees can learn how to be eco-friendly in their daily lives and become more sustainable in all that they do. It’s a great addition to a really fun festival and folks enjoy learning How-Tos and Whys of a greener lifestyle. Besides many “woke” and “enlightened” performers, there’s also the amazing beer created by SweetWater Brewery to enjoy! 

3. Shaky Knees Music Festival. The Shaky Knees Music Festival is an annual indie rock/indie folk/country/alternative rock concert event featuring more than 60 bands including national, regional, and local favorites. Past participants to this smorgasbord of sonorous sounds include Modest Mouse, The Lumineers, Wilco, Cage the Elephant, Neutral Milk Hotel, Florence and the Machine, Explosions in the Sky … you get the idea! The festival takes place at Central Park in Atlanta – the perfect location to see views of the skyline and explore the best downtown bars and restaurants afterward. The Shaky Knees Festival is truly about the experience. There will be food trucks with all types of food, fun photo booths, official festival merch, and screen prints of your favorite bands, as well as lounges and unique viewing spots. Who could ask for more, right? 

4. Atlanta Jazz Festival. Bring your family downtown to Piedmont Park on Memorial Day weekend each year to the annual Atlanta Jazz Festival – one of the country’s largest and FREE Jazz festivals and such a great time. The festival showcases local and national jazz greats, a neighborhood jazz series, a youth jazz band competition, a kids zone, and many other family-friendly activities. Enjoy the park while checking out some of the city’s finest arts and crafts, food and drinks, and of course, merchandise! Maybe you’ll even get the opportunity to meet a great like John McLaughlin! 

There are of course other excellent musical events throughout the year in Atlanta, as well as art, food, drama and athletic experiences too. We could tell you about every one of them but we think it’s better for YOU to come and find out for yourself. Experiences are better than second-hand information, we’ve found – and our team at Yalo knows a few things about such matters. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau is also an excellent resource for all-things Atlanta. 

While you’re visiting Atlanta and soaking up the sights, sounds, and vibes, perhaps you’d like to consider doing business with one of the rockingest creative agencies in Atlanta? That’s us – Yalo. We’d love to meet you – get the gig started by contacting us here.

During March Madness each year, there are upsets and buzzer beaters that shock the world of college basketball. There is also typically a “Cinderella” story each year, where a lower seeded team continues to win and advances much deeper than anyone expects. That team this year has been the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers.

Beginning the tournament as an 11^th seed going up against a 6^th seed in Miami University (FL), most would think it a foregone conclusion that the highlight of their year was simply making it to the tournament and this would be the loss that ended their season. Yet, that was not the case. Loyola pulled off the upset of Miami (FL) and followed up that shocking victory with more wins over 3^rd seed Tennessee, 7^th seed Nevada and 9^th seed Kansas State – which advanced them to the Final Four. 

Although the team has had this great success on the court thus far, the “star” of the team has not played in one game. Following the first upset victory, Sister Jean arrived on the scene – the national sports scene. Sister Jean is a 98-year-old super fan who leads the team in prayer before each game. While fan is one way to describe her, it’s only one part of what she does. Her team chaplain duties date back to 1994.  Thus, she has witnessed more than a quarter-century of the team’s basketball history as the school’s chaplain.

Sister Jean’s involvement and visibility with the team has thrust her into the national media as she has appeared on some of the largest television channels including CNN and ESPN to name a few. Following each game, she is interviewed right away, as fans are interested in what she has to say more than the players or coaching staff. Her involvement with the team is continuing to create buzz around the school, and more and more people are following the school just because of her. Loyola is now creating Sister Jean branded shirts, bobbleheads and socks, and the sales are already surging. 

While the basketball team has had great performances throughout the tournament, Sister Jean is what sets this Cinderella story apart from any other that we have seen. Similarly, while your brand’s performance is key, in order to create buzz and generate demand, you need that differentiator that sets you apart from the rest of the pack. That’s where your marketing comes in. How are you capitalizing on your brand’s unique assets to create your own Cinderella story? 

This Valentines’ Day in order to help you navigate the deluge of dating apps flooding the market, we’ve picked some that you have never heard of, as well as a few that bring a little something unique to the table.  If that wasn’t enough, together with our friends at Mashable and Marie Claire, we’ve brought our expert opinions on accessibility, best intended uses, and everything else in between. Hopefully, your day is filled with more Cupid than Psyche!

Twindog

The dogpark of online apps is Twindog, a new way to judge people based on their preference for dogs (little dogs v. big dogs can be a real dealbreaker). Big perk here is you don’t have to weed out the “dog people” as you do on Tinder, but instead have a sea of fellow canine lovers in your area to go on dark park dates with. This app is sure to keep you out of the Doghouse! 

tastebuds

If you’re one of those people who’s always looking for a concert buddy, cut to the chase with an app that pairs you with the right musical palette. From hunting vinyl to chasing the latest indie artists this app helps you find your jam in your jammies . Tastebuds gives you the option of adding your favorite artists and easy messaging to schedule listening parties for new releases.

Hinge

Known as the “relationship app,” Hinge focuses on “stories, not resumes” and aims for users to develop real relationships that stray from the typical hookup dating apps. No swipes, but it does match you with your extended network…AKA friends of friends. (Always a bonus matching with your best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend!) All jokes aside, this one is really good (so we hear).

How About We

How About We is one of the best ways to actually get off your couch and meet someone. The meet-cute app is designed to help people offer up activities that they’d like to do with other people, including museum nights, comedy hours, and cocktail meet-ups in your area. There’s also a nifty interactive Date Map that lets you track who is else is vibing in the area and wants to chat/get tacos/hang out at a cafe.

Coffee Meet’s Bagel

Is it as ridiculous as it sounds? Probably, but people are using it. Their tagline is, “Meet your everything bagel today,” and that’s all we’re going to say about that. Like most other dating apps, Coffee Meets Bagel connects you to people you share Facebook friends with. The bonus for this one? The app only lets you see people who have liked you, so you don’t have to worry about “the one that got away” (with a bagel).

Cuddli

Trekkies, Potterheads, Whovians, gamers, cosplayers, and shippers of all fandoms.

Those whose dating lives have to make room for their D&D schedules and would rather talk about Westeros politics than Trump’s tweets might not have as much luck on mainstream apps like Tinder. Cuddli lets you geek out without shame. Users choose icons based on their passions, giving you the perfect icebreaker. Love long and prosper!

Bumble

Bold ladies who like to make the first move.

Known as the dating app for feminists, Bumble is the Sadie Hawkins Dance of apps where women make the first move. It’s a humbling experience to be on the other end, and we have to give it up to the app for their new “no ghosting” rule, which deletes an interaction if your guy hasn’t replied to your initial message within 24 hours. #LadiesFirst

Super Bowl LII is in the books. People are doing backflips from the awning of the Ritz Carlton in Philly, whereas Boston is contemplating who will even be on their team next year. Vegas is predicting everyone will be back for the Patriots since they are 5-1 odds to win it all next year.

The Monday after the Super Bowl — most of America called in sick for the day. Blue Monday, as it has been dubbed, is the largest sick day of the year every year with an estimated $3B negative economic impact on businesses this year! All the hype and build up about the game, and the commercials, peaked on Sunday. The reaction, both good and bad, trickled through the social water coolers maybe 24 hours after that. So now what?

Will Amazon get more celebrity voices for Alexa? Will they actually offer it in their product? Will T-Mobile keep running a random baby ad with the xylophone version of “All Apologies”?

What was the plan? And how do you respond to what happened?

Every brand marketer may not be fortunate enough to have over 100 Million pairs of eyes as your key marketing event of the year, but there is your version of the Super Bowl out there. Some major conference, product launch, acquisition that requires a ton of preparation…and then it’s all hands-on deck for the big event. And commonly after that, it is usually a letdown and unfortunately, a missed opportunity.

At Yalo, there are NO BLUE MONDAYS. We execute with a full, 100-yard mentality every time. We prepare and build plans that will execute from start to finish. We take time outs to analyze our plan and make in-game adjustments where necessary to drive down the field for the winning touchdown.

Do you have a complete game plan ready for your Super Bowl moment . . . before, during AND after the big game? If not, let’s talk.

Hut! Hut!

As a video marketing agency in Atlanta, Georgia, we love to hone our skills both in and outside the office. So with camera in tow, we captured five of our fav must-see places for filmmakers, photographers, artists and tourists.  

If you haven’t swung by in a bit, Atlanta is a living city full of hip, unique, visually vibrant stops. It’s one of many reasons Hollywood made it a movie shoot destination. Ant Man, Baby Driver, Tyler Perry’s Madea movies are just a few filmed right here. With this Big Screen lens in mind, here is our list of top visual hits to inspire creativity.  

1. Georgia Aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest in the world. Featuring eight exhibits that house thousands of different animals and aquatic life. Capture live interactions at the Ocean Voyager exhibit where people can swim with whale sharks and manta rays. The Cold Ocean Waters gives you a front row seat to the coldest living ocean animals, including sea otters, penguins, harbor seals, and beluga whales. Here’s a preview of the cool hues and camera models you’ll see.   

2. Jackson Street Bridge. Unless you’re living in a post-apocalyptic world, you’ve seen an episode of “The Walking Dead.” The TV series, now in its 10^th season, features the Jackson Street Bridge in its first promotional poster. A prominent part of Atlanta’s downtown skyline, you can visit this iconic locale to become one with the dead via Atlanta Movie Tours’ Big Zombie Tours. 

3. Fox Theatre. One of the most beloved historic Atlanta landmarks is the Fox Theatre. This premiere venue for live entertainment houses approximately 300 shows per year. Take in Broadway, comedy, rock concerts and more. The Dancing with the Stars Live Tour will also be held there this year along with classy Motown legend, Miss Diana Ross. Built in the 1920s as a Shriner Mosque, this architectural apex has domes, minarets, and a faux Arabian sky with stars.  

4. Atlanta Marriott Marquis. If you’re a film buff, you can’t bypass the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Designed by neo-futuristic architect John Portman in 1985, this hotel was built just recently. Known for having the largest atrium in the world, this Marriott became a filming destination for multiple movies, including “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Flight,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Just imagine what a shutterbug or videographer with a creative eye might be able to do in its environs. We personally envision a remake of Metropolis, ourselves. Several members of the Yalo team are vying for the position of Fritz Lang. 

5. Old Fourth Ward and the Atlanta Beltline. Some inspiration kind of creeps up on you. Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward and the Atlanta Beltline neighborhoods nip at your creative side. These hip, colorful residential areas have the best street art around. A bit of a secret with the locals (and maybe Banksy too), we’ll tell you how to get there.  Follow the Eastside Beltline Trail and you’ll encounter life-size murals and graffiti that unveil the vibrant passion of what Atlanta means to its local peeps. The upside-down alligator by muralist ROA and the Tiny Doors along the trail too are definitely something to see now, not later (gator).  

We feel lucky to have these sites at our creative fingertips for video projects, photo shoots and more. See how these visual vistas have inspired our ideas for clients. Did we miss one of your fav Atlanta locales? Give us a shout so we can add it to the list!  

If you’ve been paying attention, you know that our tribe draws inspiration for the work we do from music, sports, art and film. So, coming up with our top picks for horror films seemed like a natural fit for this time of year. Turns out, not all of us are big fans of scary movies! But everyone can name at least one that really made an impression. Check out our creepiest picks for your Yaloween watchlist!

Yalo is an experiential marketing agency in Atlanta that draws from influences and energies firmly rooted in popular music, sports, film, and entertainment in order to create work with soul for our clients. These muses inspire us and help us to create award-winning visuals and marketing campaigns that are “outside of the box” compared to standard fare. We often use the power of Music, in particular, to tap into truths about your brand and your customers. 

Atlanta is a city full of diverse, colorful musical heritage. Visitors to our fair city will understand this upon visiting the Trap Music Museum – a provocative, one-of-a-kind gallery space where you can explore the origins of one of Atlanta’s most unique musical genres you’ve probably never heard of before – Trap music. 

Trap music was inspired by the life of a drug dealer in Atlanta’s poverty-stricken neighborhoods, also known here as in many other urban centers as “The Hood.” The lives of dealers and users were and still are often very desperate, short, and impoverished. These individuals and even families felt “trapped” by their lifestyle, lack of finances, and by addiction – hence the name of the genre itself. 

The Trap Music Museum was founded by Atlanta rapper, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur T.I. He wanted to create an experience that showcased the gritty Atlanta culture and harsh realities of violence and drugs in our world and in our city – and the music that was born out of these realities and struggles. 

When visiting the Trap Music Museum, start your tour at the facsimile of a typical corner convenience store where drug-dealing often occurs. You’ll buy your admission tickets just as addicts purchase their drugs – over the counter – a clever and almost tongue-in-cheek statement about consumerism perhaps.  

As you travel through the museum, you’ll see an exact replica of T.I.’s grandma’s living room with all of her family photos on the wall, as well as images of famous musicians. Next, visit the kitchen, where home-manufactured crack cocaine is cooking on the stove now as then. Take a gander into the gun & ammo-armed walk-in closet – T.I. makes it personal, placing his own assault rifles on display as well as showcasing one of the Grammys he won for Best Rap Performance. Even gain a perspective on what it might feel like to spend time behind jail cell bars at this decidedly gritty and Real cultural mecca that is as educational as it is entertaining. 

Besides the Trap Museum, you can also experience the Escape Room 

Escapes rooms have been growing in popularity for a few years now but the Trap Music Museum again takes a clever tongue-in-cheek angle with its escape room. Visitors can consume alcohol while trying to escape the room, just as denizens of The Hood often rely on alcohol to help them “escape” The hood. A hybrid art gallery and interactive exhibit displaying realistic scenes that symbolize the sounds and lifestyles that originated in Atlanta, The Trap Music Museum Escape Room is very popular and needs to be reserved ahead of time. Bring some friends to enjoy a night you will never forget. 

Sip & Trap  

You can also schedule a private tour of the museum. Get 2-for-1 drinks and a glass of champagne while exploring the Trap music genre. Very Hip-Hop. 

Giving Back 

The Trap Music Museum is not “just” a cultural education space about the people who grew up on the westside of Atlanta. The museum also finds ways to give back and to help its community. TTMM allows rising artists to record music in their two studio booths, and employees also hit the streets to help mend conditions in the neighborhood on a regular basis – part of T.I.’s vision for his institution. 

Plan Your Visit 

Many artists and musicians have led lives of pain and struggle in order to create their art. The Trap Music Museum is a brisk face slap for visitors about the realities of life that have shaped Trap music as well as much of Rap music in-general. Much as the Blues originated in the lives of destitute African-Americans looking for a better way – and has been celebrated in countless novels, films, paintings, recordings and documentaries – the Trap Music Museum serves as a potent reminder of the pain, desperation and struggle that birthed Trap music in the South in the late Nineties. 

Today, Trap music is known and celebrated internationally and has even been adopted and co-opted by the EDM movement. Visit this local Atlanta locale where the music is truly about Atlanta’s underprivileged neighborhoods and see where it all began in a very interesting cultural setting. 

Our Promotional Plug 

If you are interested in learning about how Yalo can Translate and Transform your business’s product & service offerings into an experience that clients and would-be customers will not soon forget, contact our experiential marketing agency and we’ll be delighted to discuss concepts and ideas with you that will really POP and ROCK your world. It’s just what we do here at Yalo. Please reach-out to Yalo. Want to know more about us first? Take a look at our eclectic portfolio of client marketing, design and promotional projects. 

Summer usually brings some down time, but not for our team. Constantly in search of inspiration and learning new things, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite reads from the Summer.

1. Startup: A Novel – Doree Shafrir
   Capturing the world of crack-of-dawn juice-fueled raves before work and debaucherous SXSW pilgrimages, while exposing our collective obsession with technology. Breezy & Easy!
2. Living With A Seal – Jesse Itzler
   A buddy movie if it starred the Fresh Prince of Bel- Air…and Rambo – that ultimately shows you the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone!
3. Awaken The Giant Within – Tony Robbins
   Not my guru, but definitely the guy that will enable you to discover your true purpose, take control of your life, and harness the forces that shape your destiny.
4. Originals – Adam Grant
   How to reject conformity and improve the status quo by generating creative and original ideas. Make a difference being different!
5. Shoe Dog – Phil Knight
   A true master – Phil Knight and his entrepreneurial journey of how he built his startup Nike into the global brand it is today. Just Read It!!
6. #AskGaryVee – Gary Vaynerchuck
   The inspiring and unconventional entrepreneur who introduced us to the concept of crush it—knows how to get things done, have fun, and be massively successful. Google It Already!!
7. The Power Of Broke – Daymond John
   Starting a business with limited resources is a competitive advantage, not a liability. Desperation breeds innovation!
8. Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
   A new way to look at the two cognitive systems that shape the judgments and decisions we make in our everyday lives. Are you judging me?

What made your reading list this summer?

We’d love to know and add it to our Fall list! Happy Reading!

As we near the end of the 3rd straight NBA finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, we are likely looking forward to the same matchup next season.  Last summer, people criticized the league saying that the NBA Finals’ teams were already a lock and there was nothing new this season- and they were right. This upcoming season however, does have something new for fans to see – marketing on NBA jerseys. That’s right, get ready to see logos representing some of the biggest companies join the jersey along with the team name, player number and Nike logo, as Nike takes over as the NBA’s official outfitter.

When most of us hear “jersey sponsorship” we immediately think of soccer where the jersey sponsor logo is larger than the team name.

As of now this is not the case as sponsors will only have about a 2.5 square inch of space on the front shoulder opposite the Nike Logo. The NBA jersey sponsorships will start as part of a three-year pilot program beginning in the 2017-18 season. Teams are responsible for selling their own jersey sponsorships. Good news for those not in favor of the decision is the sponsor patch will not appear on the retail versions of the player jerseys. Yet, teams will have the option to sell the jerseys with sponsor patches in their own retail outlets.

There have been rumors about this possibility the past few years as the NBA has already added logos to D-League jerseys and All-Star Game jerseys.

It is not surprising that this decision has been made, because it creates an additional revenue stream for teams. What is surprising is the fact that the 16-17 regular season has already concluded and there are currently only 6 teams that have inked jersey sponsorship deals. One reason is that most teams are looking to do deals with companies with headquarters or ties to the state that the team plays in. With 30 teams in the NBA, and some states having several teams (4 in California, 2 in NY…), a lot of prospective companies have reduced chances of getting a partnership with an NBA team.

It is also difficult to place an accurate valuation on this sponsorship as different teams’ success as well different markets provide very different exposure. For example, the first team to sign a deal was the Philadelphia 76ers who has been at the bottom of the league for several years now. The price to sponsor jerseys for a team like Philadelphia, with no All-Star players and very little national television exposure, will be a lot different than that of the Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers. Similarly, a team in a huge market who is not performing well currently like the LA Lakers still may have a higher valuation than a small market team that is performing well like the Utah Jazz. As teams continue to figure this out, we will see more deals closed this summer leading into the 17-18 season. 

With additional revenue being the reason behind the decision, when will enough be enough as more companies will want to join after seeing the ROI from this type of marketing from the pilot program? Hopefully, the commissioner will know when to say when and we are not headed here in the future.

As the song goes, Christmas just ain’t Christmas without the one you love. It also ain’t the holidays without some rockin’ holiday music. Check out some of our team’s favorite tunes to accompany your last-minute shopping, decorating and merry making. Or take the playlist with you on Spotify. Hope everyone has a happy, safe and soulful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s . . . and whatever else you may be celebrating at this time of year!

Arnold — Christmas In Hollis by Run DMC Because I know for a fact that Santa wears Shell Toe Adidas.

Lance — O Holy Night or What Child Is This?  As long as I am not singing those songs – they are awesome!!!!

Angie — The Heat Miser Song from The Year Without Santa Claus It’s one of my faves because my longest friend and I watch it every year together and know all the words . . . just reminds me of long ago childhood fun.

Scott — Please Come Home for Christmas by Aaron Neville Being from Louisiana, Aaron Neville was always on the rotation of our Christmas music growing up, along with Harry Connick Jr. But I have to give the nod to Aaron here because of that unmistakably awesome voice! I will also usually attempt to impersonate his version of O Holy Night at least once every Christmas. 

Aysha — St. Brick Intro by Gucci Mane Because Christmas isn’t complete without Gucci Mane

Brandon — Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande Because it’s Ariana Grande and she’s the new Mariah Carey. Thank me later.

Denise —Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby & David Bowie because awesome. ( :  #iconsDenise

Rachel — I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Kay Starr The nostalgic big band sound reminds me of my grandfather . . . but with a modern twist.

Kristin — Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2  Bono’s plea is so passionate, I always think if I belt it out, too, maybe she will come home.

Pete — All I Want for Christmas Is You from Love Actually. It’s great because the little kid learned to play the drums to take a big-league swing at the girl of is dreams. A special scene from a special movie.

Anne —Wonderful Christmas Time by Paul McCartney Because it’s one of my favorites and every time it comes on it reminds you it’s a wonderful time of year! The catchy tune doesn’t hurt either

Jayna – Baby It’s Cold Outside Because it makes me think of blankets and hot chocolate and being warm and cozy.

Brian – Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano mostly because it’s a different sound than most Christmas songs. 

As you can tell, we have a pretty diverse, funky and unique tribe, but one thing we can all agree on is we wish you a very happy and safe holiday season!

We gotta admit: the Yalo Tribe is one lucky crew. With a great year of accomplishments already behind us as a company, we also wanted to share a few of the things we’re most thankful for individually this year. We hope you’re feeling just as fortunate as we roll into the holiday season.

At the head of our Thanksgiving table is our chief tribe member, Arnold Huffman. 

From all of the zesty, thirsty, unified, funky tribe at Yalo, we hope you and yours have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

We’re still basking the glow of the recent, fantastic Olympics in August, when we had the opportunity to witness a lot of greatness, which required the willingness and commitment to being great. Incredible feats of human physical capabilities were combined with incredible drive to not only win, but to accomplish things that no others had before, to be truly different. 

Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are two athletes we won’t see the likes of for many years to come. And not just because they won, but they won big, they won a lot, and they won consistently for years. But maybe more importantly, they won with gumption; they won with attitude; they won with confidence. The combination of their abilities (their product) as well as their personas (their brand) made them must-see-TV. 

Let’s think about Usain Bolt. He is brash. He is bold. He is himself. That is his brand and it makes him entertaining and infectious, while not being cocky. He dares to stand-out, to be different, to be unique. Considering the sprinters for years leading up to Usain Bolt, none of them smiled. They all growled. Usain was a breath of fresh air. He smiled. He was actually enjoying the competition, proving you can win and have fun at the same time. But he also didn’t challenge, belittle, or criticize the others. He simply puts his brand out there to see if anyone could keep up. It is a fine line to walk to be confident in your product AND to let people know it, but to do it in a way that stands out and draws customers in. 

So compare your brand to Bolt. Are you doing it differently versus your competitors? Are you unique? Are you doing it consistently? If not, you should consider this: Be Brash. Be Bold. Be Bolt!