Lenovo recently launched a new spot featuring an authentic Doer, Raymond Li. “When Do Gets Done” first aired last week (above). Raymond Li had a dream of flight since he was a young kid. He spent years crafting a water-powered jetpack, and he used his Lenovo ThinkPad to do it.
“The Jetpack: A Lenovo ThinkPad Story”:
Ray was always on the move as he developed the JetLev getting guidance from other engineers and marketing the jetpack to potential investors. Ray needed full desktop power wherever he went, which he got from his Lenovo. The ThinkPad W700ds is a powerful computer with dual screens that dwarfs an average ThinkPad. This machine empowered Ray to bring his dream to life and the mystery of flight to everyone- not just sci-fi superheroes.
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.
Aisha (2nd from left) at her recent fundraiser for the Amy Biehl Foundation
Aisha Washington is an AAE on Lenovo at SaatchiNY. You may recognize her from recent posts on H/H, including her thoughts on an Amy Biehl Foundation fundraiser (photo above) and her contribution to Saatchi Eats with Travis Lau. For more info on Aisha, feel free to check her out on LinkedIn or follow her on twitter @aishaemerald.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT SAATCHI & SAATCHI?
Certified brand builder! Specifically, I work on the Lenovo account team here at Saatchi to strengthen our client’s global brand presence.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I did a lot of babysitting when I was young, but my first real job was as a hostess in a restaurant. It was there that I realized I didn’t actually want to be a chef.
WHAT LED YOU ON THE PATH YOU’RE ON TODAY?
I took an advertising class in college that led to a major and made a visit to New York City that led to a move and here we are.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE AD (ALL TIME OR CURRENTLY)?
A Nike ad from a few years ago, “Before.” The spot does a genius job linking such a powerful feeling to a brand.
IF YOU NEVER HAD TO WORK AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO DO?
To start I’d want to travel the world, learn more about sustainable farming and learn to surf.
FAVORITE PLACE YOU’VE BEEN TO?
Not to sound cliché, but Atlanta … it’s home for me. I love exploring new places but nothing beats touching down at Hartsfield-Jackson on a Thursday night and grabbing scattered & covered hash browns and coffee at Waffle House with my mom and best friend.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
An original Thriller album that I now have framed in my room. It was my mom’s but became mine at about age 3.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE YOUTUBE VIDEO?
Difficult question… Pogo is pretty amazing though:
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU MAKE REALLY WELL?
Banana bread.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WARM-WEATHER NYC ACTIVITY?
I’d say it’s a tie between people watching during sidewalk brunches and enjoying a Brooklyn Summer on my roof while the sun sets.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHTIME SPOT NEAR THE OFFICE?
There are plenty of fantastic spots in the area, but what I look forward to most is Chipotle with my team on Fridays.
WHAT’S YOUR GO TO KARAOKE SONG? (COME ON, WE KNOW YOU HAVE ONE). Thriller. Or really any song on the Thriller album. If it isn’t already apparent, I’m a huge Michael fan. I’ve been searching for the perfect white suit and stuffed tiger for Halloween for years now. When it finally happens, that night will definitely include karaoke.
WHAT’S THE BEST MEAL YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Oysters, a gruyere burger and truffle parmesan fries at 6th Street Kitchen last winter. My best friend was visiting me here in NY for the first time. The restaurant burned down the next day so the fact that we can’t recreate it if we tried makes the memory a bit magical.
IF YOU COULD BE THE WORLD RECORD HOLDER OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Most energized human being on the least amount of sleep.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CREATIVE PURSUIT?
Living in NY and engaging in all that this city has to offer.
WHAT’S THE LAST GREAT EVENT YOU WENT TO?
The Amy Biehl Foundation charity event at Canal Room and Empire of the Sun at Governor’s Ball
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
To be honest with myself and make decisions based on internal cues.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE STORY?
I was placed in an accelerated chemistry class in high school that I thought I thought would be the death of me. I was always an A/B student and got my first C ever the first semester of the class. I worked so hard for a B second semester, going in early and getting extra help, but I didn’t think I’d done it. The teacher came around and put little squares of paper on our desks with our name and final grade before formal reports were issued. To this day, I have the scrap of paper in her green handwriting that says “Aisha 81” up on my corkboard and it still makes me smile when I notice it.
Saatchi.org is a regular feature where the SaatchiNY team shares the charities and non-profit organizations that really hit them on a gut level. We’ve asked the entire agency to tell us about where they volunteer, why it’s such a worthwhile cause and how you can get involved to help out.This week, SaatchiNY AAE Aisha Washington takes a look at a fundraiser she’s planning for the Amy Biehl Foundation.
THE CHARITY: AMY BIEHL FOUNDATION
The Amy Biehl foundation is a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Cape Town, South Africa. The organization is named after a Stanford graduate, Fulbright Scholar, and anti-apartheid activist who was murdered during the final days of apartheid. Amy’s killers were later pardoned during the Truth and Reconciliation committee at the urging of her parents–an event that became fundamental to the economic and racial integration of post apartheid South Africa. Today, the foundation continues to support Amy’s vision by reaching out to thousands of children in South Africa’s townships through after school programs. The programs not only keep youth off the streets, but also help them develop the necessary skills to thrive as productive members of post-apartheid South African society. For more information about the Amy Biehl Foundation please visit: http://www.amybiehl.org/.
HOW TO HELP
Come out for a night of dancing, drinks and live 80s music in support of the Amy Biehl Foundation. On Thursday, June 23rd from 8pm until midnight the ABF will host its first inaugural NY fundraising event at Canal Room. Rubix Kube, the “ultimate 80s tribute band,” will be performing and there will be a top shelf open bar, hors d’oeuvres, door prizes and a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the foundation and help to continue the important work being done for the children of South Africa.
