Chris Abraham » Firebrand TV

Firebrand is Dead, Long Live Firemedia Partners

Chris Abraham — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:45:36 +0000

Firebrand was a client of mine. I got to hang out with Firebrand’s CJ Lauren and tour the Firebrand studios. My CEO, Mark Harrison, and I eagerly watched Firebrand from Berlin — until the house went dark and Firebrand was forced into bankruptcy when all their investors bailed on them — and us! Well, like a Phoenix, Firebrand has risen from the ashes in the form of Firemedia Partners. Good luck, guys! Here’s the Press Release I just received in my INBOX from Shari F. Leventhal:

FIREMEDIA PARTNERS TO LAUNCH ADVANCED CREATIVE AND MEDIA SOLUTIONS FOR TV, WEB AND MOBILE

Former Firebrand Executives form New Media Company Designed to Deliver Integrated Marketing, Creative and Media Services

New York (June 9, 2008) – Just over two months since the doors were abruptly closed at Firebrand headquarters in Lower Manhattan, former Firebrand executives have joined forces to form Firemedia Partners, designed to provide brands with integrated solutions for marketing across today’s emerging media

Firebrand, the world’s first synchronous multi-platform brand experience, launched across TV, web and mobile platforms in late November and closed in early March.

Firebrand’s former CMO, Shari F. Leventhal says, “The knowledge we gained from our Firebrand experience was invaluable, beginning with the streaming video website, the downloadable playlists, the nightly TV show and of course, the launch marketing campaign. The integrated effort, which combined traditional media with search marketing and social media networking, garnered over 2 million television viewers per week, generated over 250,000 unique visitors, and saw over 100,000 playlist downloads — all in just 90 days. We only scratched the surface in responding to the consumer appetite for great creative advertising. Now, we are tapping the creative talents of our Firebrand “A” team, to deliver entertaining and relevant content to consumers across all new media platforms on behalf of our clients.”

Firemedia services will include multi-platform strategy, branding, advertising, design, web development, production, promotions, social media networking and search engine marketing. Former Firebrand executives include: CMO Shari F. Leventhal, Creative Director Stacy Van Wickler, Brand Designer Patrick McDonough. Roman Vinoly, Firebrand’s co-founder, will serve as Creative Advisor.

More information on Firemedia Partners can be found at www.firemediapartners.com.

Press Contact: pr@firemediapartners.com

PR Contact
Nikki Marconi
#954 673-4164
pr@firemediapartners.com

Press can access images and further information at: Firemediapartners.com/press

Hopefully, a check will be forthcoming, too! Anyway, here’s the email she sent along with the news release:

If you have been wondering what’s next for Firebrand…the home of only the world’s best commercials across TV, web and mobile. Firebrand’s offices in lower Manhattan were abruptly closed a few months ago when our investors decided to stop funding the venture. But in its short though illustrious history, Firebrand’s efforts confirmed today’s consumer interest and appetite for the best in creative advertising across all platforms. And many of us involved with Firebrand still share that passion and believe that the journey has just begun. Enter Firemedia Partners.
(see attached RELEASE)

If you would like to share your insights as we continue on this journey, we invite you to join us via our Firemedia community on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19270015177

Also, feel free to contact us if you would like further information.

Shari F. Leventhal
Firemedia Partner
shari@firemediapartners.com

What an Awesome Ferrari Ad from Shell!

Chris Abraham — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:29:07 +0000

I am a huge fan of watching cars buzz through cities. Well, I like to keep Firebrand running sometimes in its “broadcast mode” which just plays and plays through 30-second spots. Well, I heard the sweetest little buzz of the Ferrari and ALT-TABBED to see what was playing. Well, it was this commercial:

The best video until this Shell ad came out was the video of a Ferrari 275 GTB buzzing through Paris at 140+ mpg:

I Saw Juno and I Really Liked this Simple Film

Chris Abraham — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:06:00 +0000

I don’t know I can say about Juno: great simple film and excellent sound track. Of course, I said the same thing about Garden State, Lost in Translation, Shopgirl, and Broken Flowers, so Juno is in excellent company

Chris Abraham with Firebrand CJ Lauren

Chris Abraham — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:20:37 +0000

Chris Abraham with Firebrand CJ Lauren, originally uploaded by Chris Abraham.

Here’s CJ Lauren from Firebrand and she’s posing with me in my new Firebrand hat (sweet!). To the left is a reflective neutral gray fabric seamless draped behind the CJs. To the right is a simple reflector — simply some foam core or even cardboard. “Marks” are taped to the floor. This is the cool reality behind modern video production. I am super surprised how teeny-weeny Lauren is — such a petite woman. However, I am also enormous, so she might be normal-sized.

Behind the Scenes in the Firebrand Studio

Chris Abraham — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:04:55 +0000

Behind the Scenes in the Firebrand Studio, originally uploaded by Chris Abraham.

Check it out. Behind-the-scenes access to the magic behind the super-high-tech Firebrand world. You can see the video screen and the teleprompter. Her name is Lauren because I can read it there. I will find out what the lady’s name is who is doing the magic because she deserves some serious kudos.

Check out the screen — you can see better how the entire thing works. In the foreground is a soft white light — needed to make sure there aren’t that many shadows thrown onto the “green screen” which is actually neutral gray with a mono-directional reflector. This allows the camera to work with an LED-bejeweled ringlight fit with either blue or a green LED lights allowing more flexibility when it comes to the costuming of the CJs. Super cool.

As you’ll see, the studio is super small but that doesn’t matter, eh! It is super super close and when you throw the CJs into the Magical World of Firebrand, you have an entire universe!

Watching Firebrand Thursday on ION at 11 Again

Chris Abraham — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:19:13 +0000

Live Blogging Firebrand Thursday, originally uploaded by Chris Abraham.

I caught Firebrand on ION last night. Again, laughed my ass off. What I like most about Firebrand is that they treat commercials like little movies. The CJs discuss the directors, the actors, the agencies, and the outcomes of the ads. For any of you who are in the industry, it is a great education.

Actually, Firebrand is interesting for anyone interested in products, services, or television and the way things work. It also allows me to do come comparative studies since Firebrand isn’t jingoistic and offers access to commercials from around the world, especially online.

And, of course, cute CJs. Oh, and while Firebrand is and has been my client, the truth is is that they continue retaining me because I am a super fan.

The Firebrand Studio Undressed

Chris Abraham — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:35:49 +0000

The Firebrand Studio Undressed, originally uploaded by Chris Abraham.

I got to visit the Firebrand offices yesterday. I was an hour late because some guys from New York decided to win a Very Important Sporting Event and there was a ticker tape parade help. Well, when I arrived, I met Shari and Dawn, grabbed some za, and get to visit the Firebrand studio. Here it is. All the magic is super high-tech. Lauren, the CJ, is standing in front of a neutral density gray seamless with an interesting reflector component that “takes” the color of an LED rimlight around the lens: blue, green — whatever! And, the CJs need to learn how to interact with the Firebrand.com and ION UI. I had a lot of fun — it was great. What a great bunch of people. Very cool.

Hanging with a Beautiful Firebrand CJ!

Chris Abraham — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:14:58 +0000

Hanging with a Beautiful Firebrand CJ!, originally uploaded by Chris Abraham.

I grabbed a meeting over at the Firebrand studios today and got to meet one of the Firebrand CJs, Lauren. I think that’s her name. I hope it’s her name. She was super great. They also gifted me that smashing hipster stocking cap. Sporting it, yo yo.

Today is Firebrand Monday! International Super Bowl Commercials Day

Chris Abraham — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:10:21 +0000

MON Feb 4th: It’s Firebrand Monday, the day after the Super Bowl – celebrate the holiest day in advertising with Reebok Office Linebacker, Terry Tate, heartbreaker Carmen Elektra and classic Super Bowl commercials!

The Road to Firebrand Monday
Promo Schedule

You’ve already seen all of the Firebrand Monday Spots. Now check out the blogger exclusive, The Road to Firebrand Monday, where only the greatest commercials get to play. Just tune in to the best Super Bowl commercials all this week on ION TV at 11PM/10C.

TUE Jan 29th: “Big Budget Productions”
WED Jan 30th: “Chicks in Charge”
THU Jan 31st: “Big Time Celebrities”
FRI Feb 1st: “Big Time Brands”
SUNDAY is the Super Bowl!
MON Feb 4th: It’s Firebrand Monday, the day after the Super Bowl – celebrate the holiest day in advertising with Reebok Office Linebacker, Terry Tate, heartbreaker Carmen Elektra and classic Super Bowl commercials!

For schedule information or for your local ION station, check out the Firebrand page on TV Guide. Or use your Zip code to find ION on your TV. Don’t forget to visit Firebrand online.

What is Firebrand Monday?

“The Super Bowl has always been the holy grail of advertising and Firebrand celebrates that,” says Shari F. Leventhal, Chief Marketing Officer. “Most people watch the Super Bowl with hopes of seeing the best, most creative commercials the ad industry can serve up. The greatest commercials get to play every day at Firebrand. So the Firebrand Monday campaign is our way of saluting the best of these commercials, past and present, as well as the famous icons that make commercials so memorable, and in many cases, a part of pop culture.

Lots and Lots of Folks Blogged Firebrand Monday

Chris Abraham — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:05:58 +0000

You have just under 24-hours until you can watch all of the very best commercials of the year — the Super Bowl commercials — on ION! Or, you can see the commercials all morning tomorrow on Firebrand.com. Why? Well, in case you were under a rock, tomorrow is Firebrand Monday! Check out all the best Super Bowl ads tomorrow night at 11/10C on ION TV.