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Proof's own Ly Tran named one of AdAge's Women to Watch
In a special edition released today, Ly's leadership in digital strategy and architecture for Proof and our clients is highlighted amongst an impressive list of honorees ranging from brand-side heavy hitters from Sephora, Target, Verizon and more, to big names in the agency and media world.
Read the Ad Age article or in PDF format.
Proof is a 2013 4A's
O'Toole Award finalist
We are excited to be a contender for this most prestigious award, in the category of small agency media. Winners will be announced Tuesday March 12. The Media O'Toole Awards honor agencies that consistently drive media excellence through innovation, transformation and creativity.
Check out our favorite places to check in for SXSW.
Our local digital guru Ly Tran shares some of her favorite Austin haunts with SXSW Interactive visitors.
Turkey, movies and
QR codes make for
an effective
cross-promotion
MobileMarketer explains how we helped Cargill turkey brands and Disney's Wreck-It Ralph reach the "21st Century Mom" on her mobile device. Research shows nearly 40% of moms are more likely to have a smartphone than the general population, so we gave them easy access to a $5 rebate using a QR code.
Opening the
agency kimono
Bryan shares Proof's 2013 agency goals with his entire staff (and the ad world) in this latest entry in AdAge's Small Agency Diary.
Valentine's Day
mobile promotion sees
60% engagement rate
Mobile Marketer covers our successful use of mobile with the current San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau promotion. Our mobile rich media plan targeting men in surrounding cities uses Jumptap's ad platform to achieve unheard of engagement rates.
New York Times profiles our Valentine's campaign
Stuart Eliott of the Times discusses our V-Day campaign for San Antonio tourism, including the "Gentleman's Guide," which helps guys get a clue for the big day.
Socializing with DM News on San Antonio campaign
Case study details the innovative strategy and impressive results behind our "Remember The..." campaign.
UK pub interviews Bryan about the future of advertising
What role do ad agencies play in a consumer-curated digital future? British advertising journal Computer Arts turns to Proof for answers.
Bryan Christian gets morbid with Ad Age
Always thinking ahead, Bryan shares with Small Agency Diary the transition letter he drafted to clients just in case he kicks the bucket.
Proof adds San Francisco and Omaha Subway markets
Continuing a winning streak that includes 11 new markets in the last 12 months, Proof recently added two new markets to their responsibilities for Subway restaurants.
Ly Tran discusses how "Mobile Reshapes the Future"
Are mobile devices going to replace laptops,
TV remotes and more? This article explores how mobile technologies will change our lifestyles and how media will evolve along with it.
AdAge bestows Proof with Silver Small Agency of the Year, Southwest Region
Proof wins big at the fourth annual AdAge Small Agency Conference. Big thanks to our clients, vendors and our employees who helped us reach the pedestal.
Communication Arts laughs at Proof's Moontower ads
Our recent posters for the Paramount Theater's Moontower comedy festival are featured in the daily exhibit. The entire campaign included initial branding, print, web, TV, radio and social media.
MediaPost features Craig Mikes and Ly Tran ideas on "Thinking inside the box"
Most people get into advertising to explore their creative side constantly. This article sheds light on how Proof uses online display advertising for SSFCU to create something unique with that little box on every webpage.
Huawei Device US launches new campaign with Proof driving social media
Huawei debuts with it's "Access Smarter" themed campaign and calls in Proof to lead in social media channels to drive awareness in to new US markets.
We talk to Ad Age about "Inspiration Days"
Proof's President, Bryan Christian, is featured in Advertising Age's Small Agency Diary, talking about the agency's program to give employees a day off to explore whatever inspires them.
Waterloo Gin Print Ad of the Week in Archive
Hand lettered and illustrated battalion flags become the new rally cry for Proof client Waterloo Gin.
New San Antonio campaign launches with help from visitors and locals
You've heard of "Remember the Alamo" but our new campaign for San Antonio invites you to explore all of the other amazing experiences that you will remember from your visit. And the campaign inspiration and images come directly from the "hidden gems" submitted by visitors and locals.
Communincation Arts Features Austin Tourism Posters
Austin is know for its music, but Proof's poster showcase many other things to do in "the Live Music Capital of the World"
Security Service Federal Credit Union
They know it's a long name.
This Texas based Credit Union knows they have a long name. Their employees know it too, and two such employees have taken it upon themselves to do something about it in a new multi-media campaign from Proof Advertising in Austin.
In addition to 5 TV spots, there's also outdoor that mimics the TV, a radio campaign talking about other mischief plus online games and microsite that continues the well-intentioned duos name altering gags.
San Antonio’s City Council votes to give tourism ad contract to Austin’s Proof
City Council has voted 8-2 to award San Antonio’s tourism advertising contract to Proof Advertising, says the Austin-based agency’s Bryan Christian.
Austin ad agency gets S.A. tourism contract
Bromley Communications employees wore matching maroon shirts that read “I am a job” as they tried to persuade the City Council to save a lucrative advertising contract Thursday with the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.
San Antonio CVB eyes Proof Advertising for new tourism contract
Casandra Matej, executive director of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, has confirmed that city staff is expected to recommend to Mayor Julián Castro and council members on Sept. 1 that Proof Advertising, an Austin-based agency, get the next contract to market the city’s lucrative hospitality industry.
Austin firm tops list for CVB contract
City staff likely will recommend granting the lucrative Convention and Visitors Bureau advertising contract to an Austin-based firm, ending the decade-long tenure of a local company, Bromley Communications.
Proof Advertising ranked highest in the field of seven firms that submitted proposals for the $7.5 million, three-year contract, according to a scoring matrix obtained by the San Antonio Express-News.
Austin Agency Proof Wins Subway Job in L.A.
Proof Advertising was named agency of record for the Los Angeles franchisee group of Subway restaurants. The agency will handle strategic planning, creative development and media planning and buying for the group's 1,100 restaurants.
Austin American Statesman
QSRweb
Proof Whistles Out a New Campaign for Subway Restaurants
In an effort to promote their ever-growing number of low fat values across their menu, SUBWAY® restaurants have released "Walk and Talk," a series of TV and radio commercials created by Proof Advertising in Austin. SHOOTonline
Coloribus Health, Value | Advertolog Health, Value | Bestadsontv Health, Value| World News Health, Value | Scaryideas Health, Value
Journal Profile of Proof Advertising's President
Bryan Christian, president of Proof Advertising, draws inspiration from all sorts of places. Sometimes people who excel in their field motivate him. Other times, it’s a teeth-grinding riff from a metal rock band. For Christian, seeing creatives excel with good ideas is inspiring. And it’s something he can relate to. His ad agency, formerly known as Kolar Advertising until he acquired the company in September and merged with Craig Mikes’ firm SJ&J, churns out great ideas for Subway, the U.S. Army, Samuel’s Jewelers, 3M, the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau and Baylor University.
Proof Advertising Lands $11M Subway Deal
Proof Advertising has picked up four additional Subway restaurant markets, which will add more than $11 million in billings to the agency.
Former McCann Exec Acquires Leading, National, Mid-Size Ad Agency
Kolar Advertising & Marketing – one of the country’s top, mid-size, national ad agencies -- has been acquired by the agency’s general manager and former McCann Worldgroup senior executive, Bryan Christian.
PRWeb
Advertisement Journal
Austin Business Journal
ABJ Entrepreneure
Austin American Statesman
Innovative new Web site launches for San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
visitsanantonio.com is a frequent first stop for those who've never been to the Alamo City.
Proof is proud to have partnered with the city of San Antonio to give it a new design that went live just in time for National Travel & Tourism Week.
"It's the first impression and it has to be the best reflection of the city," said Ly Tran, our Director of Digital Strategy. The new site is now mobile device-friendly. And it’s the first travel & tourism site to be designed around social platforms. When visitors log into to Facebook, for example, the site becomes tailored to the user's interests based on their "likes." Visitors can also plan itineraries based on interests and get feedback by linking directly to Trip Advisor.
"We've been working on this actually for more than a year to come up with something that would be new innovative and inspirational to potential visitors," said Casandra Matej, executive director of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. Even locals can learn a thing or two from the website. "They can explore their own city and really find out all the unique things there are to see and do in their own backyard."
Read more coverage here.
First consumer-generated tourism campaign
Our new campaign for San Antonio tourism, called "Remember the…" uses photos that are entirely generated by those who love the city best, its residents and those who travel to the city for leisure and business.
Because the campaign is based on consumer-generated content collected through a series of Facebook contests, we not only collected the stories and images that powered the campaign, we also grew brand advocates through "likes," increasing our Facebook fanbase by over 800%. San Antonio travelers supplied over 4,000 images, enough that we never ran the same ad twice.
Proof Launches Austin’s First Comedy Fest
Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre was looking to develop a new source of revenue by creating a multi-day event that would draw attendees throughout Texas and beyond. Austin already had a number of large music and film festivals, but Proof worked with Paramount to create the city’s first comedy festival.
Proof was involved in every stage. We named the festival and created the logo and identity. We developed the festival’s website, mobile site and social media presences. And we created a print, broadcast and digital campaign to spur badge sales in advance of the festival and ticket sales during the event.
Creating a distinctly Texan brand of gin.
Proof was approached by Treaty Oak distillery to help launch the first all-Texas gin. Waterloo Gin is craft distilled in Austin, with all Texas ingredients including rosemary, juniper, and lavender together with South Texas Citrus. Instead of the traditional almonds, Waterloo features Texas pecans and of course is distilled with Texas spring water. Waterloo Gin is named for the original capital of Texas, Waterloo.
Proof worked with Treaty Oak to design the mark and packaging for the new gin. Proof the worked with an antique reproduction flag maker to hearken back to historical Texas battle flags and give the campaign an authentic Texan look and attitude.
Johanna Arellano
COO
Johanna Arellano is a 20+ year advertising executive. After starting her career in San Diego, she joined the New York office of McCann Erickson, where she spent 13 years managing national/global work. While at McCann, Johanna helped develop brand positioning, effective advertising and fully integrated marketing programs for several Fortune 500 companies including Sprint, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Kohl’s Department Stores. Her national experience on these accounts helped hone her marketing prowess and her ability to organize, manage and motivate large teams. Johanna joined Proof Advertising in 2011 to serve as COO. In addition to COO duties, she also leads two of Proof’s key accounts, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau and Honeywell Aerospace.
Emily Gary
Account Supervisor
Emily joins Proof after serving as a freelance marketing consultant with Launch Advertising and other boutique agencies in Colorado on brands within the non-profit, medical and planned community industries. Emily first started her advertising career at D'Arcy St. Louis on the account team for Trans World Airlines. From there she traveled west to Denver, CO where she joined Thomas & Perkins Advertising and managed brands like Pentax Cameras, Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers.
Scott Staab
Digital Creative Director
Scott joins Proof coming off a year freelancing as Creative Director for the American Achievement Corporation. Prior, Staab was Group Creative Director at digital independent agency, T3, working out of its Austin headquarters and taking lead on the JCPenney, UPS and Department of Education accounts. Before joining T3, Staab held the Creative Director / Manager post at Schematic (now functioning under WPP unit, Possible Worldwide), where he was charged with opening and running the shop's Austin office, an operation which he grew to 77 employees in under 6 months. Staab also spent 3 years at GSD&M's Ideacity as Sr. Interactive Art Director. Throughout his career, which includes brand work for the likes of BMW, Dell, Norwegian Cruise Line and the Air Force, Staab's digital campaigns have been honored by the Effie, Addy, Webby and Pixel Awards.
Rob Story
Associate Creative Director
Rob comes to Proof from Austin-based advertising agency, Sanders\Wingo, where he held posts as both Associate Creative Director and Art Director. Prior, he worked as an Art Director at agencies including McGarrah-Jessee, GSD&M and DDB Needham. His work on brands like McDonald's, State Farm, Land Rover, Miller Lite and Hyatt, has been recognized across the industry award circuit by the Clios, One Show, Addy's and more. Story also freelances as a concert poster designer and illustrator, having turned out work for Maxim Magazine and Live Nation, and designing for bands and musicians like Motorhead, the Pixies and Ritchie Blackmore.