Tim Tam Win a Wish

Ahhh, how fast a year goes by. Feels like only yesterday when we were talking about this?!

We had the pleasure of working on the promotion for the overarching "Truly Madly Tim Tam" Campaign. Did you catch the massive Tree in Martin Place where Tim Tams grew magically for us to take, share n' eat - crazee, hey?! We loved how this campaign grew out of one consumer's facebook post - show's ideas can come from anyone and anywhere.

Our idea was to extend upon this idea and whoa-la the "Win a Wish" promotion was born. Thousands of prizes to be won, that lived in this magical tree. Prizes ranged from a year's worth of Tim Tams to iPad 3's, movie tickets, cars and holidays - something for absolutely everyone.

 

Yellow Fever

Quite a few of us are following the tour. Gettin' all french, even whipping up a quiche for dinner to get us in the mood. As the tour hits the mountain stages we're getting our french on and bringing out the yellow... cause we're backing Cadel, of course!!!

C'mon fella - you-can-do-it!
For him // For her // For Home

31STHQ Update

We've had a really, really, really (it does deserve 3 reallys!) hectic time at 31STHQ of late. It's literally been one pitch after the other - we're not complaining. Being busy is a blessing!

Thankfully our hard work has paid off, the 4 pitches - we are at a 2 out of 3 result - which is fan-bloody-tastic. So fingers crossed we can win the last one! We celebrated, just a little... over shots.

Go Aussie Go!

We know the TV is going to be overtaken with sport soon, with the London Olympics! The office is divided - some of us are happy to see "more blood, sweat and close finishes". Whilst the other side of the office is like, "all my shows are on hold - damn you sweat n' sport!".

The branding of the London Olympics hasn't wow-ed us. But more so bored us. But this however, makes us a more excited to get out the green n' gold and cheer on our athletes. Best of luck!

Our favourite things in June

1. Mulled wine at our local, The Norfolk
Yep, it's warm. Yep it's spiced. Yep, it's only slightly alcoholic. It's mulled-fricken'-wine! And we lurve it. It's warm, so drinkable and served in teacups. Tres cute! Head down to The Norfolk for a warm mulled wine moment. While you're there have the chilli crinkle cut chips - nom.

2. Yum Cha Saturdays at The Marigold
Start your weekend off with a good dash of soy sauce along with some plump dumplings and a side of chilli (along with a heap of MSG). Then sip some jasmine tea - grab a mango pancake in one hand and a flakey-buttery egg custard tart in the other and hit the weekend head-on.

APMA Awards

It's nice to celebrate and recognise all the great campaigns at the recent APMA Awards which was held at the gorgeous Ivy Ballroom last night.

Although we weren't up for a heap of awards, we did have a finalist up for the in the Young Creative of the Year Award, our lovely designer Theresa. We had our fingers and toes crossed for a win, but alas we were pipped at the post.

Regardless, it was a top night and we were honoured just to have a nomination. Congrats to all the winners and nominees from the night and a big thanks APMA for another great night for agencies, suppliers and clients. Until next year...

For more photos from the night head over to our facebook page (and LIKE us too!).

Pentagram celebrates 40 years

Legendary design powerhouse Pentagram, created this little story to celebrate 40 years in the business. It's cute, simple and most of all draws us in graphically.

Here's hoping that little old 31STHQ get to double digits too...
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Brands & Apps

We've seen this trend of "brands creating apps" to engage their customers grow in the last few years. However, there hasn't been a great app connected to a brand here in Australia as yet - so it is somewhat uncharted territory.

This one is pretty unique and due to the lack of sunshine lately - we might just catch some using this app.

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Etcher Sketcher

If you haven't heard of Kickstarter, get onto it now. It's a way to fund your crazy, ah-mazing, wacky, out-of-this-world or creative ideas. It gathers the world-wide-web community together to help you fund your projects and kickstart your adventure.

We're backing this. A bit of childhood nostalgia combined with the technology of today. Total and utter genius and I think it would keep the kids entertained for hours - mega bonus points.


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The Paperless Post

At 31STHQ, we are finding that we are throwing away the paper and doing most things digitally (don't worry the trusty notebook still gets a workout).

We love this site Paperless Post. Send anything from a save the date card to a happy birthday message or a random 'you're' tops' card. And the designs make that dodgey e-card look like a thing of the past.

Some of our favourites are below. By the way, quite a few of the cards are free, thanks Paperless Post! So, start sending peeps!

Would you or wouldn't you?

We are suckers for not-just-good but totally fantastic packaging. It makes us firstly, put it in out shopping baskets. Then contemplate even using the product (just to preserve the beauty of the object in it's full entirety). Then if we do open it, we keep the packaging, as-you-do. Just in case you want to look at it again. Weird. Yes.

Our question to you, is would you open and use this?
Our answer, nup.

If you are scratching your heads going - what on earth is it? They are hot chocolate sticks, designed to go into a hot cup of milk, then melt away.

Thinking Caps On!

The other week our whole-entire-team stepped away from our brand new desks (and our computers) to embark on 31st Second's first, ever conference! Cue: Applause.

It wasn't a holiday but we did get a chance to get away from bustling Sydney and stay at the magnificent Bora Bora House in Cottage Point. If you haven't been there, it's well worth a visit and only 50 minutes from the CBD - a little piece of paradise. And a perfect spot to do a whole lotta business planning, projections, set some goals, manage our growth and determine how we all wanted the company to move forward in the future.

It took a lot of brain cells but it was essential to the future of 31st Second. Here's a sneak peak of what we got up to. To see all the action head over to our Facebook page and 'like' us too!

A little tape and a lot of love

We'd love this to be our meeting room, totally amazing and what a clever concept (minus the man-power!). For our lovely email subscribers click here

Our Favourite Things in May

1. The Grounds
Sydney's newest cafe slash coffee grinder with a whopping garden, stocked with chickens, strawberries, herbs and the works. Making an impression with foodies from get-go this is one place to watch. We hear an outdoor woodfired pizza oven, outdoor bar and sunday spit roast are on the cards - how good is that?!?!

 
2. MCA
Free - yep. Water views - double yes. Rooftop cafe with the ultimate view of Sydneytown - triple-YES!!! Definitely check out the multi-million dollar reno and chow down on some food while you're there too.

3. Friday cheese platters and pixtos n' paella at Bocata
Our local downstairs Spanish joint serves up a mean paella on fridays for only ten buckerunnies! Ka-ching! And you get a pixtos to start too - score. Then after lunch we encourage a large cheese platter with a fresh crisp white to get you in the mood for the weekend. Well, that's how we spend our Friday arvos - what about you?

Shopping meets Social Media

Hmmmm, not sure we'd like this. But it'll be interesting to see if this phenomena takes off. May help those indecisive peeps or on the other hand, help us choose the hot ticket items. Our ticket is that Sportsgirl may trial this technology!


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Identity love: Icon Face

Hello, graphic identity.
Oh how this makes us swoon.
Black and white with pops of colour, overlay, geometric, bold, eyecatching.
Total 'oh yeah!'.

Social Media Moves On From Words

Social media is moving into more visual forms. The rise of pinterest and the heavily used Instagram are two of the most used 'visual social media'.

Why? It's simple. Taking pictures is easy, everyone gets to be the 'photographer' with the help of iphones & smartphones and we can take a snap at any time and at any place. Better still language is no barrier. We are able to capture, share and then create conversations via these visual social media platforms.

If you need a daily challenge (and there's no prize involved) just the feeling of accomplishment get involved in the photo a day challenge put together by blogger Fat Mum Slim. Just use the list as inspiration and definitely have a heap of fun - if you miss a day - don't fret just move on!

No rules, the skies the limit just remember to hashtag #photoadayapril. The list is below and see some of the photos already added to this month's challenge. So are you gonna join get on this bandwagon?