As we reach the end of 2012 and look back on all we’ve done, we’re pretty proud of our work, but we’re especially excited about the work recently recognized by not one, but two major award competitions.

First up, the 2012 Davey Awards, a prestigious international awards competition, presided over by leaders from top firms in advertising, marketing and media.  This year, competition was fierce with over 4,000 entries from across the US and around the world.  So, we were more than a little excited to have won gold in the Film and Video Sales category for a piece we produced for MergerMarket.  Using motion graphics, we distilled a complex message about the company’s unique software program into a simple story aimed at potential clients.

In the category of Fundraising, our work landed a silver for a video we produced for the HealthStore Foundation.  Shot on location in Kenya, the film introduces investors to the idea of franchised healthcare clinics.  If successful, this sustainable business model has the potential to deliver life saving medical care to underserved children in Kenya and other parts of the world.

Next up, the 2012 Marcom Awards.  The international creative competition for marketing and communication professionals has become one of the largest of its kind in the world, receiving over 6000 entries this year.  We won the highly coveted platinum award in the category of Government Film for Area I, the first video in a series we’re producing for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  The piece highlights the important work being done by the state’s Center of Innovation for Aerospace .

And, ahem, in the category of Most Ironic, we picked up yet another award – this time a GOLD — for the HealthStore Foundation video, thus proving the Marcom judges just may know a little something the Davey judges don’t!  (Just kidding, we’re proud of all our awards!)

So imagine you’re trying to stay awake in a Monday morning staff meeting when you’re suddenly pretty sure you heard your boss say, “Hey guys, why don’t we shut down the office for a few days and go to the beach?”

It all started last year.  Now it’s an official tradition!  This August  we once again closed-up shop, brought along family and friends and headed down to the sandy beaches of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia.  It was time to lug our boogie boards and sand castle gear down to the beach for some much needed fun in the sun!

We even hit the beach one evening  to catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower.  OK, so it was more of a” light drizzle” than a shower, but still — who can resist a chance to see shooting stars?  Pretty cool.

Sunday we packed up our flip-flops and beach towels and headed home. It was sad to say goodbye to such a lovely long weekend together — but, hey, there’s always next year!

Here’s a cool clip we put together of our Blue Marble team’s recent experience at the 2011 Light The Night Walk in Atlanta.  We raised a total of just over $1,300 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  When the walk commenced at sunset, we were there armed with a Blue Marble banner and each of us carrying an illuminated balloon.  The view around Centennial Olympic Park was awe-inspiring, as thousands of glowing balloons literally “lit up the night.”   We’d definitely recommend participating next year!

About Light The Night Walks and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Each year, in communities all across the United States and Canada teams of families, friends, co-workers and local and national corporations come together to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS’s) Light The Night Walk events and bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers.

Light The Night Walk events are evenings filled with inspiration. During this leisurely walk, walkers carry illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. Thousands of walkers – men, women and children – form a community of caring, bringing light to the dark world of cancer.