St. Patrick's Day

There are several beloved traditions, like St. Patrick's Day, that we continue to celebrate without knowing the purpose or meaning behind. Born in 387 A.D, Saint Patrick served as a Roman-British Christian missionary in the 5th century and continues to represent the Irish nation in more ways than one. He is not only known as the “Apostle of Ireland” but is the official patron saint of Ireland as well.

Here’s a look at a few of the most iconic traditions we continue for the luck of the Irish.

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage: As a substitute for bacon, the Irish-American immigrants used corned beef in the late 19th century as a variant of the Irish dish for bacon and cabbage.

2. Leprechauns: Unlike the adorable redhead who has graced the Lucky Charms cereal for decades, leprechauns, or “lobaircins,” are actually male fairies from Irish mythology who are said to have inhabited the nation before the Celts arrived. They serve as cobblers or shoemakers who are notorious for mischief, and according to legend, if you hold eye-contact with him, he cannot escape your presence until the gaze is broken.

3. Shamrocks: Commonly referred to as three-leafed clovers that are native to Ireland. Therefore, it was chosen as the national emblem because St. Patrick used the emblem to represent the doctrine of the biblical Trinity.

4. The Pinching: Did you forget your green shirt or accessory on March 17th, only to find yourself being pinched all day at work? Well, this tradition originated from the Irish immigrants who believed that wearing green made you invisible to leprechauns, who would pinch anyone they could see. So pinching those who weren’t wearing green would remind them the leprechauns might sneak up on them!

So until next St. Paddy’s Day, “May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.”

It's Spring Break!

We all know it’s the time of year when college students around the country flock to tropical locations for sunburns, partying with strangers, and forget about their impending finals. After seven months of all-nighters, twenty-somethings are ready to let loose and get down (and maybe become MTV famous) at iconic spring break destinations across the country.

Wait, is this really only for college kids? I mean, we’ve been working hard too. College students aren't the only ones benefiting from spring break though. Advertisers know how to follow this generation (all that buying power and brand alliance is too sweet) and have come up with some interesting ways to reach them.

This is a promotion's paradise; planes fly with aerial banners and brands sponsor everything from frisbees to oxygen bars across the beach. We promote our products, our services, and our discounts. Everyone's favorite word is “FREE,” so advertisers put it in the sky to get the most attention possible from beach-goers.

Seriously, could anyone turn down “FREE”?

MTV isn’t the only brand sponsoring spring break anymore; millennial products are fighting for space to put their logos. Advertising is everywhere, from sponsoring events to putting ads on pillowcases being passed through the crowd. They're reaching their 18-24 year old target in positive and fun ways, putting their brand right into those memories (not all of them are hazy, hopefully).

So no, students aren’t the only ones going on spring break anymore; their favorite brands are going with them (and spending a wopping $75 million on average).

Let’s just hope everyone is remembering sunscreen.

Groupies In Space

Scott Kelly returned this week from his year in space and it got the groupies thinking, that's 8160 hours in space! Scott Kelley spent a lot of his 340 days in space doing biology experiments but he also floated around in a gorilla suit and created water ping pong. He even appeared on Jimmy Fallon, making him our new favorite astronaut.

So we asked our groupies, what would you do with your year in space?

AnnaLee is going to run NASA's cutest set of experiments yet.

“I would totally have to experiment on a bunch of cute fuzzy kittens and how they play with catnip laden crocheted mice and balls of yarn and how they react in space… can they still jump nimbly from space tree to space tree? I foresee lots of cuteness uploaded to the youtube featuring space kittens.” 

Brooke needs to make sure she stays busy.

“I’d probably end up going crazy like Jack Nicholson in The Shining. “All work and no play, makes Brooke a dull girl.””

Crystal is going to make some new friends.

"I am not much of a reader but I guess with all that time on my hands, I could be now. I am also a talker so I would need to find a loved object and carry one long in depth conversations with it to keep me sane (kinda like a Wilson).” 

Expect some mail from Rebecca.

“I’d probably do a lot of catching up with friends via email. Ha!…They do have email out there, right? 

Okay, I just looked it up to be sure. We’re good, guys! (*Friends and family beware.)"

Kaci is taking lessons from Mark Watney.

“I would probably grow some potatoes and teach myself how to ration properly and maybe learn some handicrafts.”

Pam is doing the peoples choice, binging Netflix.

“If I had a year in space and no terribly demanding science jobs I would read and watch all the movies I never seem to have time to do here on earth!!!”

Tj is going to become Youtube famous and eat a lot of M&Ms.

"I would spend a lot of time playing my guitar and making a YouTube channel of song covers, Chris Hadfield style. I would avoid alcohol at all costs because the idea of getting drunk in space sounds terrifying. I would probably end up spending most of my time catching M&Ms in my mouth in zero gravity."

And Natalia really has her priorities straight.

"If I had a year to myself I would probably sleep A LOT.  I would also do some flips since I’ve never been able to do that on land or trampoline."

Shell Yeah!

It’s National Pistachio Day and at The Price Group we are going nuts. We’re so excited about it, we’ve been cracking down on work so we can celebrate like we’ve got Saturday nut fever. To honor the Pistachio in all its glory, we have picked some of the nuttiest pistachio commercials that will leave you saying, “SHELL YEAH!” So sit back, pull out a bag of pistachios, and enjoy these videos, because nut-thing goes with advertising more than America’s favorite tiny, green nut.

Meet Our New Interns

It’s springtime and you know what that means; we’ve added some new faces to the group! We have an awesome bunch of interns this semester who are eager to learn about the industry. You met Jeff & Sarah last semester, so let's meet the new Groupies!

Jeff Martinez, Sarah Bohannon, Gwen Wright, Bethany Alexander, and Kristine Jones

Gwen Wright

Hometown: I grew up in a military family so I actually have like 10 hometowns. My favorite hometown has definitely been Hawaii.

Major: Advertising

Plans after graduation: Get a job! I would love to go into copywriting or account services. I’m not really picky about where I live, I just want to enjoy what I do.

What you like about TPG: I love the atmosphere here. Everyone is so helpful and relaxed and it makes for such a great learning environment. I’m excited to have an agency play day so I can spend time getting to know the employees better.

Fun Fact: I’m an expert hula hooper.

Favorite Class: Ad Team, I’ve learned so much and it’s really helped me put myself out there and get involved in the world of advertising.

What are you currently watching on Netflix? I’m currently binge-watching friends while I wait for the new season of OITNB to come on.

Waffles or Pancakes? Pancakes. Everytime.

Bethany Ann Alexander

Hometown: Cowtown (aka Fort Worth, Texas)

Major: Public Relations

Plans after graduation: Get a "big girl job" in Lubbock and pursue my Master's Degree online

What you like about TPG: The atmosphere, employees and clients. For me, those are the most important things in the workplace. 

Fun Fact: I don't know how, but I've never broken a bone 

Favorite Class: Ever? Intimate Relationships my Sophomore year

What are you currently watching on Netflix? Currently, nothing. I typically just stick to my Friends and Sex and the City re-runs, but I've been meaning to watch Making a Murderer after all this Steve Avery-talk

Waffles or Pancakes? That's a tough one. I'm going to have to go with both. My Aunt Jolene's famous homemade waffles and the sweet potato pancakes from the Pancake Pantry in Nashville. Neither are on my diet...

Kristine Jones 

Hometown: Rockwall, Texas 

Major: Advertising 

Plans after graduation: My goal is to go to graduate school to get my MBA, and then eventually work at large ad agency in a big city as an account manager. 

What you like about TPG: Other then the fact that their logo is a dog, I love the fun filled environment. I have met some of the most friendly people, who are encouraging and motivating to each others success. 

Fun Fact: I am obsessed with criminal investigation shows. I am convinced I was actually born to be Olivia Benson from Law & Order.  

Favorite Class: Mass Communication Law & Advertising and Society     

What are you currently watching on Netflix? Criminal Minds, of course.
Waffles or Pancakes? Pancakes, because they have the best gluten free option 

Meet the Interns (Part 2)

Last week you got a chance to meet our Account Service Interns, so this week we want to introduce you to our two stellar design interns!

Tj Vining, Senior Advertising Major from Allen, TX

After Graduation:

After graduation, I hope to become an Art Director at one of those big, hip advertising agencies with beer carts and bean-bag chairs. If that doesn't work out, I think I would make a pretty awesome Uber driver.

What I like about TPG:

​The culture of the agency is what makes TPG a fun place to work at. Sure, there are days when work is piling up and we are cramming to finish pieces before a deadline, but it is all overshadowed by good people, great discussion, and killer work. Also, how many times have you had the chance to have a Nerf gun war in the office with you coworkers? 

The work experience is nice too.

Favorite Campaign: 

​My all-time favorite spot is Audi's 2013 Superbowl ad. VB&P had viewers vote on their favorite version of 3 spots in the week leading up to the Superbowl. Check out the spot (it's dope)

Another ad that I absolutely love (strangely enough, it's also a car ad) is Honda's "The Other Side." 

Fun Fact:

​Outside of school, I like to play the guitar, piano, and drums - but I mostly just sit alone in my room and play Wonderwall. I'm also big into snow-skiing and scuba diving, however there is rarely enough snow and not nearly enough water in Lubbock to do those things.

Breanna Velasquez, Sophomore Disgn Communications Major from the city with horrible weather also known as Lubbock, TX

After Graduation:
I’ve delved a little into various fields in the graphic design world, and I can say that I honestly don’t know where I’ll end up, but I do know that I want to be some place where things happen on a grander scale for my career. Small places kill me, so I’ll most likely end up somewhere like New York or Washington, perhaps even California. I’d like to work in an environment where there’s a ton of creativity and other individuals that understand my struggle with fonts and other graphic design problems.
What I like about TPG:
Oh man, I love everything about this place! Being around other people in this industry means that they understand a lot about what you do, so we can sit around and talk about how amazing some design is, how aesthetically pleasing one font is, or even how awesome a certain paper is (I realize how bizarre that might sound.) It’s great getting to be around people who care about kerning and other designer related things. I also love how creativity is everywhere, and how something so simple can evolve into something amazing when a bunch of imaginative people get together to brainstorm. Everyone is passionate here, and it’s something that I find enticing to witness. They inspire me, and have really helped me grow as a designer, which is what I set out to do when I first started working here.
Favorite Campaign:
How could I possibly decide on one? I usually love the ones that integrate 2 images together, because they’re usually incredibly clever, but I have one that resonates with me: The Duracell lightsaber ad that shows Darth Vader trying to power his lightsaber with the battery and it’s the, “Most powerful battery in the universe."
Fun Fact:
I once was trapped in a caffeine cocoon and emerged as a high strung sleep deprived espresso addicted butterfly. What I’m trying to say is that I love coffee.

Superpower: Witty/ridiculous answers to questions that I’m asked.

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Our interns, they keep us young. Interested in becoming a Price Group Intern? Send a resume and cover letter to brooke.blackwell@pricegroupinc.com