AMS Pictures Public Interest

Klein ISD Receives National Recognition for Digital Learning Initiative

David Horwitz — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:24:22 +0000

Congratulations, Klein ISD!

National School Boards Association: Technology Practices that Transform Learning

It gladdens the collective hearts of the AMS Pictures Public Interest team (Yes, sometimes our hearts beat as one) to see our good friends at Klein ISD receive national recognition for their trailblazing digital learning initiative. As proud Texans, we are overjoyed to learn that Klein ISD is one of only four school districts that the National School Boards Association has selected for a 2012 site visit. The theme of this year’s NSBA site visits is Technology Practices that Transform Learning. To put the honor in perspective, this is only the second time in NSBA’s 25 year history of doing site visits that they have selected a school district in Texas.

Many of you may be familiar with Klein ISD’s groundbreaking digital learning initiative through POWER ON TEXAS. AMS Pictures developed POWER ON in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency to explore the ways that administrators and teachers are harnessing technology to boost student achievement and teacher effectiveness. Klein ISD is one of the featured POWER ON districts. Over the past couple of years, it has been our great pleasure to work with Ann McMullan, Klein ISD’s Executive Director of Educational Technology, to spread the word about promising practices in digital learning at conferences and through the POWER ON TEXAS website (www.powerontexas.org).

At the Klein ISD site visit, February 19-21, you’ll be able to drop in on classrooms to get a firsthand look at students using technology in multiple content areas. TEA associate commissioner Anita Givens will give the keynote address, which will cover three major statewide educational technology initiatives, including POWER ON TEXAS. For more information about the NSBA’s site visit at Klien ISD and to register for the event, go to http://www.nsba.org/tlnsitevisits/klein.htm.

Congratulations, Klein ISD! And thanks for everything you do to advance the movement for 21^st Century learning.

Texas State University Student Shadow Day

Kalinda Schoenfeld — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:08:36 +0000

Friday was a day of distinguished guests at AMS Public Interest. For the 2nd year in a row, our Public Interest team hosted two Texas State University Students in-studio and to show them our slice of the creative communications world. Both students were given our standard, magical tour of tour studio space, and were given a chance to spend time with each of our team members in a small group setting. This personal approach allowed let them ask questions and learn about our day-to-day working environment, everything we do from outreach and marketing, to branding and script to screen, to concept, delivery and distribution.

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Because we wanted to give our guests every opportunity to learn, we walked them through the unique creative process we provide to our clients to employ the most innovative strategic communications. We pulled back the curtain on how we develop messages, build branding strategies, and truly create “media that matters.” We talked about the success of many of our past programs and some of the unintended challenges that our team overcame in creating our success. We believe that our honesty and openness will give these up-and-coming stars a chance to see a real-world slice of our industry, as well as give them a chance to better shape their college experience. Planning is a big part of any person’s success, and we hope our time with them will be beneficial in planning for their future endeavors.

As per usual, our guests were engaged and enthusiastic to be here. There can be no question that their curiosity and eagerness energized our team. It also gave us a chance to spend time doing what we love best: helping our community. It’s no small secret that the job market has been tough for the last couple of years, and we want to make sure that we take every opportunity to encourage and help those who want to build a career in strategic communication; be it through digital story-telling or like one of our guests, pursuing her MBA. We can’t predict where these students will end up in their future, but we hope this won’t be the last we hear from them!

After seeing their eagerness in their ability to engage, ask good questions and learn – we know they both are certain to be destined for success! (And, as we remind all of our college shadowing guests (and readers!) we’re always looking for good interns who want to get their foot in the door and learn this industry from the inside out!)

Texas Department of Agriculture

Brett Reisman — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:22:07 +0000

As the state’s lead agency for addressing childhood nutrition, the Texas Department of Agriculture has established many programs to ensure that healthy foods are available and easily accessible to kids in need throughout the state. TDA looked to AMS Pictures to increase awareness and expand participation in its Summer Food Service Program, which provides free nutritious meals to children 18 years of age and under through public and private schools, camps, municipal and country agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

A longtime TDA creative media partner, the AMS Pictures Public Interest team eagerly set about creating television and radio spots in both English and Spanish that appeal to young people. Among the biggest creative challenges was to de-stigmatize participation in the program among children who are not getting proper nutrition. This is a classic example of the kind of project that the public interest team enthusiastically embraces. It’s what media that matters is all about.

The creative solution was an imaginatively art-directed, feel-good television spot that celebrates energetic kids and summertime fun. Colorful, rapid-fire motion graphics zoom across the screen from first frame to last, all of it cut to the beat of an edgy music track embedded with messages about healthy eating. Throughout the spot, the imagery and text graphics link Friends, Food and Fun. The spot ends with a rhyming call to action: “Join the Fun…Call 211!” where callers can learn about nearby sites that offer the program. One version of the spots allows ample time at the end tag for a community to insert local contact information.

The summer following the original release of the campaign, TDA asked AMS to incorporate an added element to the spot: a call to action by Dallas Cowboys legend Deion Sanders and TDA Commissioner Todd Staples. The strategy was to engage, inform and motivate parents to take advantage of the program. Commissioner Staples and Deion also appeared on billboards announcing the program in participating communities throughout the state.

Digital Learning Day Deserves Your Support

Peter Murner — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:36:18 +0000

Next month, teachers, administrators and education stakeholders throughout the country will participate in a unique and long-overdue event that affirms the fact that American education has entered an exciting new era. On February 1, 2012, states throughout the country—from Alabama to Wyoming, Oregon to New Jersey—will come together to support and celebrate the first ever Digital Learning Day.

Digital Learning Day is part of a national awareness and information-sharing campaign that was initiated by former West Virginia governor Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. The Alliance is a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization dedicated to elevating the academic performance and college and career readiness of all students. The organization and its partners have created Digital Learning Day because effective use of digital technology in the classroom is is making a significant difference in student engagement and achievement.

“Digital Learning Day is more than just a day,” said Gov. Wise, “it is about building a digital learning movement that provides teachers with better tools to truly provide a quality education for every child. Simply layering on technology alone will not move the education needle very much. Effective technology combined with great teachers and engaged students have the potential to transform the world of learning.”

One of the highlights of Digital Learning Day will be a virtual national town hall that will be broadcast live from Washington, D.C. and linked to several satellite locations. Many states are planning their own statewide celebrations. The event has drawn the support of numerous education-focused organizations such as the National School Boards Association, the National Conference of State Legislators, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Also supporting the event are partners and sponsors, including Google, Intel, SMART Technologies and the Carnegie Foundation. Another sponsor of this groundbreaking national event is AMS Pictures, a Texas-based creative media company whose Public Interest division is a strong advocate for quality public education.

POWER ON TEXAS, a project of the Texas Education Agency developed in collaboration with AMS Pictures, is also lending its support to Digital Learning Day. POWER ON explores the transformative impact of digital technology in seven Texas school districts, large and small, urban and rural. The project includes an hour-long documentary and companion website that showcase best practices and reveal the power of digital learning to engage today’s students, boost academic performance and provide the 21^st Century skills necessary to compete in the global economy. One of the featured POWER ON districts is Klein ISD, which was approached by the organizers of Digital Learning Day to share insights into the planning and implementation of their innovative digital learning initiatives. TEA and AMS Pictures provided footage from the POWER ON documentary that highlights a sampling of the learning strategies developed by the very successful Klein ISD program. A complete rundown of Digital Learning Day events, partnerships, toolkits and showcased digital learning programs can be found at www.digitallearningday.org.

Over the past two decades, technology has revolutionized our society. It has changed the way we communicate, work and play. Digital technology is the foundation of today’s global economy and now it is transforming teaching and learning. Today, innovative teachers are using digital technology to transform classrooms into engaging 21^st Century learning environments that are taking students to new heights.

“The time has come to ensure that every child has access to the engaging experience that comes with powerful teaching and rigorous content available through digital learning,” said Gov. Wise. “The teachers are here, the technology is everywhere, and the students are ready and able. Now it’s time to put it all together.”

Own Your Own Future: College Readiness App

Brett Reisman — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:55:40 +0000

Getting ready to apply to college? Now there’s an app for that. One that happened to be developed through AMS Pictures’ partnership with the Texas Education Agency’s GEAR UP program as a companion to its Own Your Own Future website. With a little help from this next-generation learning tool, Texas GEAR UP encourages students (many of whom will be first-generation college attendees) to pursue postsecondary education while providing some invaluable help in navigating the tricky college-application process.

Throughout its 12-year partnership with TEA and Texas GEAR UP, AMS Pictures Public Interest has been challenged to develop innovative methods to effectively connect with their target audiences—middle school and high school students, parents and educators. As many teachers and counselors can attest to, one of the hurdles faced when reaching out to young adults in particular is that you run the risk of alienating them at the same time that you are trying to help them with something as important as getting ready for college. Another all too common difficulty is winning teens’ attention away from pervasive technological distractions, including mobile phones, iPads and video games.

With the launch of the free iPhone- and Android-friendly app, students can now learn about college readiness with a tool they probably already have in their pocket. Among a plethora of helpful resources, the app includes a college-prep checklist, videos, quizzes, college profiles, month-by-month topics of focus for seniors, and much more. There are even opportunities for students to earn points by checking in at campus tours, admissions offices and other college-related events.

Other recent projects under the Own Your Own Future umbrella that target this student demographic include the use of interactive kiosks and QR codes to complement the on-campus college-readiness curriculum in a select group of high schools. These new methods allow Texas GEAR UP to present information that engages and entertains students while educating them. It’s also a natural evolution of AMS Pictures Public Interest’s work in the youth-focused educational market as we keep pace with students in the age of 21^st century learning.

Texas Department of Agriculture

Brett Reisman — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:17:54 +0000

AMS Pictures is proud of its Texas roots, so naturally we consider it a privilege to partner with the Texas Department of Agriculture to promote GO TEXAN, the ultimate Texas brand.

What is GO TEXAN? In a nutshell, it’s an innovative “Buy Local” program that promotes a wide variety of Texas-grown and Texas-made products throughout the Lone Star State, as well as nationally and internationally. In our role as a creative media partner for TDA, AMS Pictures has created iconic television and radio spots that build awareness of the GO TEXAN brand and increase consumer demand for not only locally grown foods, but also a vast array of Texas-made products, including leather goods, clothing, jewelry, artwork, home furnishings, baked goods, wines, salsas, herbs, spices and flowers.

TDA looked to AMS to create a signature television spot that not only showcases the cornucopia of GO TEXAN products that are readily available, but also tells an engaging story of the many ways the products touch people’s lives. The TV spot is a fun-to-watch, beautifully art-directed, stop-motion tale of a young couple’s life together beginning with the moment they meet at a farmer’s market. Throughout their years together, GO TEXAN products are an important part of their life. The fast-paced mini-story is cut to a cheerful music track that captures the joy of the couple’s relationship. The companion radio spot is a series of voicemail messages from a husband as he hunts for misplaced GO TEXAN products. AMS Pictures produced English and Spanish versions of the flagship TV and radio spots.

For AMS Pictures, partnering with TDA on GO TEXAN projects is an honor and a delight. All of us at AMS are proud Texans and we always welcome the opportunity to tell the world about the Texas way of life.

Texas Workforce Commission

Brett Reisman — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:16:11 +0000

Far too many American students conclude early in their education that Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses are either too boring or too difficult, and that’s too bad. If things don’t change, this generation of students will be ill-prepared to compete for the best-paying, high-demand jobs in a fiercely competitive global economy. That’s why the Texas Workforce Commission launched a student outreach program called “Brain Power” and selected AMS Pictures to create a series of videos to attract young people to STEM coursework. Ultimately, the goal of the videos—and the entire “Brain Power” initiative—is to help students see STEM careers as exciting, cool, accessible and truly rewarding.

For many years AMS Pictures Public Interest has partnered with the Texas Education Agency to develop strategies and outreach tools for programs such as GEAR UP, Own Your Own Future, POWER ON TEXAS and the Texas High School Project, all of which involve STEM education. Our depth of experience with STEM programs gave us a wellspring of knowledge and insights that helped us develop an on-target creative strategy for the “Brain Power” videos.

The primary TWC vehicle for directly reaching, informing and motivating targeted students (ages 14-21) is a specially designed, youth-friendly “Brain Power” website. The website highlights a wide range of STEM careers and the academic requirements that are needed to compete for jobs in fields such as biotechnology, life sciences, aerospace, defense, energy, information and computer technologies. The TWC “Brain Power” team asked AMS Pictures to create an overall branding video for the website, and three sub-page videos that help students understand STEM career paths, degree options, and financial aid opportunities.

A mash-up of live action, comic-book style animation and digital effects, the “Brain Power” branding video establishes the style, look and feel of all the videos, which is reflected throughout the entire website. It instantly captures the attention of tech-savvy kids and delivers a powerful motivational message that encourages them to “Elevate Your Inner Genius” by focusing on STEM courses. The branding video and each of the three sub-page videos feature young people who are leading exciting lives and enjoying fulfilling STEM careers. All the videos combine a fast-paced, fun-to-watch, informative visual style along with highly engaging personal storytelling.

College Readiness Gets the App Treatment

Sara Gauchat — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:34:56 +0000

Getting ready to apply to college? Yep, there’s an app for that. One that happened to be developed through AMS Pictures’ partnership with the Texas Education Agency’s GEAR UP program, to be specific. Students can now learn how to navigate the tricky college-application process with a tool they probably already have in their pocket.

The Own Your Own Future app is available for iPhone and Android—and is completely free to use. Created as a companion to Texas GEAR UP’s college-readiness website for middle-school and high-school students, ownyourownfuture.com, the app offers up a plethora of helpful resources, including a college-prep checklist, videos, quizzes, college profiles, month-by-month topics of focus for seniors, and much more. There are even opportunities for students to earn points by checking in at campus tours, admissions offices and other college-related events. (Because really, who doesn’t love earning points?)

Although the app is now available for download in the iTunes App Store and the Android Market to any student across Texas and beyond, its initial roll-out focus is specifically on a group of high schools in the Corpus Christi area as part of the STAR Senior-Year Plan—a Texas GEAR UP program designed to provide extra support to the class of 2012 as they complete the final stretch of the college application process. QR code posters are spreading the word about the app throughout the school hallways, and the excitement level is officially high.

Today college readiness, tomorrow…? The AMS Pictures creative team is already working with several other clients on potential smartphone and tablet apps to help build and expand communities. (And full disclosure—we’re pretty darn excited about it.) So…sorry, dragon, but we’re proclaiming 2012 the year of the app.

And we wish you a very ‘Appy New Year!

(Apologies—the holidays make us extra punny.)

Buyer Straights – Public Interest Holiday Shopping

Kalinda Schoenfeld — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:06:24 +0000

For the 2011 Holiday season, since I don’t DO New Year’s resolutions, I’ve made myself some Holiday promises…

I planed to start shopping early (this promise feels too familiar)
I planed to work out to make up for those extra cookies (again, déjà vu)
I will budget well
And most importantly, I want to make my gifting go the extra mile

If I stick to any of these holiday resolutions, it’s to have my gifts make a difference not only to the person I give a gift to, but also where I get them from.

Without further ado, I bring to you my to 10 gifts ideas that also give back!

1. For your favorite smart phone user

Women’s Red Wool Echo Touch Gloves

Not your boring ol’ isotoners, these will keep her fingers toasty AND allow her full access to her touch screen device. Pretty much negating those silly fingerless gloves.–form and fashion, my fave! Plus, all proceeds go directly back to the Museum of Modern Art. Celebrating form and function in the coolest of ways.

2. For Dad, or any other dapper guy in your life

Susan G. Komen, navy blue Vineyard Vines® Tie

Vineyard Vines and all that is preppy is back. Subtle enough to not scream logos, this is perfect for the dad, brother or sig-o who doesn’t just love ta-tas, he’s looking to find a cure for a cancer that affects 1 in 8 women.

3. For the friend who has it all and wants for nothing

Handcrafted Piggy Bank

It’s the cutest way to loan money these days! With a gift of $20 or more to a microloan with MicroPlace, your recipient receives this adorable piggy bank and the knowledge that they have provided start up funds to an under-served area’s local business. (Not only that, you will eventually get your loan paid back…which gives you another chance to give again!) Microloans are clearly the new black, people.

4. For your fashionista to your tree hugging aunt

FEED reusable tote

The most fashion-forward, eco-friendly and do-gooder purse, gym bag, grocery tote you can think of. Plus, Each FEED 2 bag sold feeds 2 children in school for an entire year through the United Nations World Food Programme. Now THAT’S something that will never go out of style.

5. For those who protect our freedom and democracy before most of us get out of bed

Care packages to a solider

What better way to support our troops, show them we’re thinking about them, and provide those little things we take for granted, like hand wipes, chap stick and sunscreen. I can’t think of anything I’d rather gift or a better recipient.

6. For the art lover in your life

Time Travel Poster

Geek is chic! Accent your living space with one of these posters and you’ll also be supporting education programs for kids in the LA area.

7. For your furry BFF

World Wildlife’s Collapsible bowl, collar and leash set

Show that every member of your family helps protect the future of nature with these stylish pet collars and leashes. Sky blue color with embroidered WWF panda logos, your pet will show its support on the street or at the dog park.

8. For your boss

A Goat! No, I’m not “kid-ding” either!

From Oxfam America Unwrapped’s section, this gift is an invaluable resource for rural communities. A hardy goat is the gift of sustainability, which means fertilizer and food for families. And perhaps you’d like to get a little more “outside of the box?” Other gifting options include, manure (Organic manure increases crop yields and is cheaper, greener, and safer than chemical fertilizers.) So, show your boss that you really do “give a $%@#.”

9. For your coolest niece or nephew

MoMA’s Otamatone Musical Instrument

This one goes to show you that you CAN still give your sibling’s kids a gift that makes noise (Hello, favorite aunt!), without it having to be the most obnoxious gift of Christmas morning.

Shaped like a musical note, Otamatone is an easy-to-play electronic musical. Simply push on the stem to play a note, slide your fingers up and down the stem to change the pitch, and squeeze the cute wittle face for vibrato.

10. So you can keep gifting year round

Adorable cards for all occasions!

These quirky note cards featuring rescue pets are a great snag for you to continue to gift year round!

Have more ideas? Please share with us in the comment section!

American Red Cross of Central Texas

Brett Reisman — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:41:10 +0000

Explaining what you do, the true value and impact of your efforts, and the lives you help change is at the heart of every nonprofit’s outreach efforts. So when the American Red Cross of Central Texas approached AMS Pictures Public Interest to help communicate these points to the greater Austin area, we were thrilled to partner up.

Working with the strategic-minded leadership of the local Red Cross chapter, we developed a visual approach that would deliver their key messages in an impactful and memorable fashion. The resulting visual style is designed to focus the viewer’s attention directly on our subjects and their powerful stories. Coupling poignant interviews with an intimate and personal photography style, the resulting video succeeds in delivering the required messaging by tugging firmly on heartstrings.