Archive for August, 2011

5 Outdoor Markets to Hit Before Summer’s End

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Too early to start thinking about long sleeves and jackets? Maybe. But it’s not too early to start your end of summer checklist. While it’s still warm outside, make sure you take a trip to the best outdoor markets in NYC.

NEW AMSTERDAM MARKET

The New Amsterdam Market, located slightly east of the South Street Seaport, is a mix between a green market and a street fair. You’ll find fresh produce, local wines and canned goods in addition to prepared food like lobster rolls, popsicles and even meat pies! Check the website before you go as many times there are themed days (IE Local Wine Weekend or Oyster Fest.) And across the street is the Fulton Street Stall Market which features a smaller selection of prepared goods like jam, coffee and wine.

Hours & Location: Sundays, 11a-4p (except September 4 & November 27) // Fulton Fish Market
Website:  http://www.newamsterdammarket.org // Fulton Stall Market: http://fultonstallmarket.com

HESTER STREET FAIR

The Hester Street Fair is a foodie’s paradise. While nearly 75% of the vendors change each week, some of the regulars include Luke’s Lobster, Mighty Balls, Daisy Duke’s BBQ and The Shaved Ice Shop. You’ll still find some local produce, but the emphasis is much more on the culture of the LES and vendors that encompass that culture than plain produce.

Hours & Location: Saturdays, 10a-6p // Hester St. & Essex St.
Website:  http://www.hesterstreetfair.com/

BROOKLYN FLEA


Brooklyn Flea is best known for the art of thrifting. The hunt is on for unique vintage items – from furniture to clothes, from jewelry to art. Local artists sell their wares for reduced rates and each vendor has amazing stories to tell.

Hours & Location: 10a-5p
Saturdays: 176 Lafayette Ave (Ft Greene)
Sundays: East River Waterfront (Williamsburg)
Website: http://www.brooklynflea.com/

SMORGASBURG

Smorgasburg is run by the same people who run the Brooklyn Flea, but is entirely food focused. My mouth is watering over Speedy Romeo‘s hand-pulled mozzarella topped with salsa verde and seasonal garnishes that Daily Candy featured in their guide to the market. Like the New Amsterdam Market, many Saturdays are themed (ex: Drinks Day & Meatopia) so check the website for favorites and mark your calendars in advance.

Hours & Location: Saturdays 9a-5p // 127 North Street (at the waterfront)
Website: http://brooklynflea.com/smorgasburg/

UNION SQUARE GREENMARKET

If you’re looking to stock up on produce, the Union Square Greenmarket has the largest selection. In addition to loads of fresh-picked veggies and fruits, you’ll also find a great selection of artisanal cheeses & breads, locally produced wine and locally sourced meat. It can be a bit crowded on Saturday, but it’s always worth the chaos.

Hours & Location: 8a-6p Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday // Union Square
Website: http://www.grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket

 

Category: New York, Outdoor & Ambient, Sustainability

#Irene

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

The Saatchi NY team was back in the office yesterday, despite slow subways and slower moving traffic in from the outer boroughs. And despite all the complaining about over-the-top preparations from city and state government, we’re happy that NYC came out relatively unscathed.

What’s more, the place Irene had the biggest impact was in the social media world. The power didn’t go out, and Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube and a half dozen other sites were ablaze with personal accounts and sarcastic jokes (because it wouldn’t be a NY response without a few of those). To celebrate the escape from total weather-related destruction, we’ve put together a few of our favorite stories on #HurricaneIrene for you below:

THE FUNNIEST #IRENE TWEETS FROM HUFF POST:

Some of these are really funny.

HUGE CREATES @IRENE

Huge created and managed the hurricane’s twitter profile.

CROWDSOURCED STORM DAMAGE MAP FROM MASHABLE:

Check it out.

#INSTACANE:

We still don’t like referring to hurricane’s as ‘cane’s.

NY MAG OFFERS THE BEST IRENE YOUTUBE VIDEOS

 Some reminders of how intense things actually got for a bit. (more vids after the jump)

 

Category: Digital & Interactive, New York

7×7 Advertising Week

Monday, August 29th, 2011

We’re happy to announce that this October SaatchiNY will join forces with Advertising Week to bring our fourth installment of 7×7 uptown to BB Kings Times Square. The event will be an official Advertising Week program, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Have a great presenter you’d like to suggest? Give us a shout here. And to get you in the mood for the whole shebang, we’ve embedded a few presentations from our last 7×7 for your viewing pleasure. You can check out more past videos on the H/H Youtube page.

Category: Creative, Digital & Interactive, Events, New York

Saatchinspiration: Links You Should Give A S#*t About

Friday, August 26th, 2011

If you are in New York, we hope you stay dry this weekend!

BOOK CLUB
Similar to Pandora, TrackNewBook gives you recommendations on what to read. In addition to new suggestions, you can also sign up for alerts by author – so you’ll never miss a Chuck Palahniuk book again ;)

PET JELLYFISH

Yes, it’s true. You, too, can have your own pet jellyfish. Or two. The project has passed its goal by nearly $90k, but you still have 18 days left to place your pre-order. [Hey Saatchi-stas - We only need 20 people paying $20 to own one of our own, just saying. Email me if you're interested ;) ]

STOCKING IS THE NEW PLANKING
Our new favorite Tumblr this week is Stocking is the new Planking. In case you were wondering exactly what stocking was and couldn’t figure it out from the image above, stocking is when someone recreates a stock photo image. Think you’ve got what it takes to submit your own? Pick an image from iStock (they’re paying for the licensing, so keep it between 2-5 credits) and get to photographing!

LIVING BOOKS
For those looking for more than what a book offers, a new public library set to open this fall in Surrey, B.C. has said they will offer to lend out human beings as experts. Book-lovers, have no fear, books will still be the largest part of their collection.

SATELLITE COLLECTIONS

After discovering Google Earth, Jenny O’Dell began to put together collages of repeating images that she noticed. We love the above collection of water slides, but she also has 97 Nuclear Cooling Towers, 125 Football Stadiums and more :)

PRINT A FOREST
Sounds contradictory, right? The premise is simple. Print 100 pages and plant a tree. By installing a free computer software and being open to having a small message from a brand across the bottom of the pages you print, you’re helping to fund WeForest.org. Thanks to Elizabeth in Nashville for the tip!

Category: Links

King St. Q&A w/ Robin Erler

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Robin keeping company w/ her travel photos

Robin Erler is an Account Supervisor on a global account at Saatchi NY. She’s also instrumental in many of our True Blue Initiatives in the office and around the city. For more info on her work and world, feel free to checkout her previous mentions on Hudson/Houston or to follow her on Twitter @robinerler. Photos taken by Erin Lyons.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT SAATCHI & SAATCHI?
I collaborate and create.  I’m at my best when I’m barefoot.  It’s a solid life strategy.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I grew up working on a horse farm, pushing wheelbarrows instead of buttons.

WHAT LED YOU ON THE PATH YOU’RE ON TODAY?
I’d like to thank my Finance 3000 college professor.

WHAT ARE YOUR LOVEMARKS?

Nike – Every time I put them on, whether they’re hanging over my shoulder by the laces or on my feet, I have the strength to take over the world.

Google – I can barely do anything, including spelling my name correctly, without Google.  ”Google it” is as versatile as my favorite curse word.  I’ll say it whenever I’m at a loss or need to make friendly conversation.

Levi’s – The answer to my impossible to find a pair of jeans that fits my hips and thighs drama.  If the event requires pants, I’m definitely in Levi’s.

Vita Coco – This is the coconut tree of the concrete jungle.

Pandora – The Erykah Badu and Joe Budden stations never fail me.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE AD (ALL TIME OR CURRENTLY)?
The Levi’s Go Forth Campaign is brilliant.  All of the work brings to life the brand’s values & vision, “We are the embodiment of the energy & events of our times, inspiring people with a pioneering spirit.”  They take risks and it’s beautifully executed.

I love the workshops and

IF YOU NEVER HAD TO WORK AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO DO?

I’d get lost and find myself in a dream, which includes (*but not limited to) traveling the world in search of great storytellers.

FAVORITE PLACE YOU’VE BEEN TO?

New York is my favorite city and Brasil is my favorite country.  The waterfalls seen in Avatar can be found in Lençóis and I could easily live happily ever after in Trindade.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
New York City

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE YOUTUBE VIDEO?

This is my all-time favorite.  I’m pretty sure I’m responsible for 3,425,223 of the hits:

-and-

I want to be Karmin’s best friend:

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU MAKE REALLY WELL?
Cereal.  I make a mean bowl of cereal with real milk from happy cows.  I don’t mess around with skim, soy, or 1%, blah.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WARM-WEATHER NYC ACTIVITY?
Central Park Summerstage It’s the best free New York you can get, hands down.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHTIME SPOT NEAR THE OFFICE?
Sanpanino.  #1 toasted with salt, oatmeal cookie, and fresh lemonade.  Enjoy tastebuds.

WHAT’S YOUR GO TO KARAOKE SONG? (COME ON, WE KNOW YOU HAVE ONE).
No Doubt – Spider Webs.  I’m really bad at signing, but really good at yelling, “Sorry I’m not home right now. I’m walking into spider webs, leave a message and I’ll call you back.”  It’s best when performed with Jomo and Brett.

WHAT’S THE BEST MEAL YOU’VE EVER HAD?
The best part of a meal is the company you share it with, so the best meal ever happens every time I sit down with loved ones.

IF YOU COULD BE THE WORLD RECORD HOLDER OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’d be able to exhale better than an accomplished yogi.  I’m over the days when hearing a group of people collectively moan freaked me out.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CREATIVE PURSUIT?
A face-to-face conversation (shared language is not required)

WHAT BLOGS/MAGAZINES/BOOKS/PAPERS/WEBSITES CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Google, TED, The Economist, Pandora, Creativity, Hulu, and Twitter.

WHAT’S THE LAST GREAT EVENT YOU WENT TO?
My grandmother’s 90th birthday party

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Pack light

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE STORY?

Life:  The time I spent living in South America.  And by living, I mean waking up in a new city/village every day for 5 months.

Saatchi NY:  Being part of the team that organized the first agency volunteer day with New York Cares.

Category: King St. Q&A

Saatchi Eats: The Mussel Pot

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

This week our ‘Saatchi Eats’ adventure took us a few blocks east to Bleeker Street.  There we discovered the Mussel Pot, known for its unique mussel pots, with variations broken down by region: American, Asian, Spanish, French, Italian and Mexican.  The vibe was mellow and we sat at a table on the garden patio which was perfect for a late August evening.  The menu is great for sharing which is exactly what we did.  Between three of us we ordered a bottle of wine, two appetizers and two mussel pots which wound up being the perfect amount of food.

To start we had the tuna tartare, which was served on a bed of guacamole with potato chips on the side, an interesting twist that made for easy sharing.  Following the tuna we had the cheese plate which came with four cheeses, honeycomb, grapes and fig chutney.  As a main course we split two pots: the Louisiana mussel pot with Andouille sausage, shrimp, scallions and fried okra and the Provencal mussel pot, complete with white wine, shallots, cherry tomatoes, garlic and basil.

The entire meal was delicious and the Provencal pot was a surprise hit- simple yet so delicious.  My one critique was that the fried okra in the Louisiana pot was a little chewy, but this comes from an okra-loving Southerner so the judgment might be a bit critical.  Overall, the experience was great and with a Scoutmob deal we even received $25 off our bill (http://scoutmob.com/new-york/deal/1140.)  By the end of the evening we were all discussing which pots to try on the next visit!

Where it’s At:  174 Bleeker St. (between MacDougal & Sullivan)

Average Appetizer Price (Dinner): $12

Average Mussel Pot Price (Dinner):  $20

Insider tip:  Ask for a seat in the outdoor garden while the weather is still nice.

Category: Saatchi Eats

The Black Keys

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Our resident music tastemaker Ryan Fitch hosted a listening party in our offices on Monday giving SaatchiNY-ers the chance to sit down at lunch and listen to some of the highly anticipated upcoming album from The Black Keys. It was awesome. The new album is out this December, but in the meantime amuse yourselves with this “sell-out off” between the Black Keys and Vampire Weekend (they’re bit of the sketch starts around the 4:20 mark).

 

Category: Music, Our People

Con & The Kutch

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Con Williamson, our Chief Creative Officer and fearless leader was recently interviewed by Business Insider. The video, wherein he discusses celebrity vs. non-celebrity endorsements, Windell from the High Life campaigns & Ashton Kutcher went live yesterday, and we’ve embedded it here for your viewing pleasure. Happy monday!

Category: Creative, Film & Television, Our People