Older blog entries...

Jen

Are you up to the challenge? (09/10/08)

Give my quiz a go... I’m like a younger, nicer Anne Robinson (without the plastic surgery). Email me your answers and I’ll let you know your score. The winner will be announced at 4pm on Friday!

PS – Don’t use the internet to ‘help’ you – that’s just cheating!

1. Who was Amelia Earheart and what happened to her?
2. How did Adolf Hitler die?
3. The only mammal that can fly is...?
4. What do Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison all have in common?
5. The Sugarhill Gang is credited with scoring the first-ever commercial rap hit in 1979. What was the title?
6. Who holds the record for the highest selling album by a pop band in the US?
7. Which highly-paid American sitcom star lends his voice to the character Sideshow Bob in The Simpsons? For an extra point, name the sitcom he’s famous for.
8. Which country is known as ‘The Sugar Bowl of the world’?
9. How many legs do butterflies have?
10. In text-speak, what does LOL stand for?
11. There are 7 words in the English language with no vowels. Name one, or name them all for double points!
12. Which is the smallest country in the world?
13. Which animal is responsible for the most deaths worldwide?
14. What is the most common name in the world?
15. It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky... true or false?

Take the challenge HERE »

Jen

Celebration at the Chippos! (27/08/08)

When we found out we had three nominations at this year’s Chip Shop Awards, we were suitably pleased. The Chip Shop Awards are all about real creativity - celebrating ideas that don’t care about clients, brand guidelines or account handlers.

So when Thursday 21st August rolled around, we packed our bags and jumped on a train to Edinburgh. The city was gripped by festival fever - what an atmosphere! After a quick stop off at the hotel and a few sneaky drinks, we arrived at the ceremony. We grabbed more than our fair share of chips wrapped in newspaper (although as we all agreed, they were more like French fries) and listened to Michael Wolff give an inspiring speech.

As the categories were announced, we crossed our fingers, cheered and then booed as we narrowly missed out on an award for our first nomination. As our second rolled around, we were losing faith as two vinegars were announced... but as the speaker said “we’re not quite finished yet”, we started to squeal and jump around (well, Lisa and I did). Our KitKat ad was described as “so wrong it’s right” and the judges proclaimed “if only KitKat had the balls...” yes, we’d won the chip!!

After scooping a vinegar for the Killer Phones ad too, spirits were high and the drinks were flowing. To compensate for missing out on a legitimate award, I promptly stole a bottle of ketchup to make up the trio. The night that followed is hazy to say the least, but champagne was consumed, it rained a lot and Paul demonstrated some great ‘doorway dancing’. We even commandeered a poor bloke called Mac (nice guy) to hold the coveted chip! All in all, a brilliant night was much enjoyed by the creativejuice creative team, and we’ll be back next year for the Grand Prix! (Black Chip Meetings start Monday).

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Vicky

41 weeks... (11/08/08)

...until guaranteed sunshine! It seems this summer is going to be a wash out like many summers past, yes we’ve had a couple of hot sunny days but a couple of hot sunny days does by no means constitute as a ‘summer’. I’m the sort of person that will take a cardigan to Florida (the air con there seems to be set to arctic) and looks forward to a bit of warm weather over here. So imagine my disappointment when on Saturday I go for a stroll around town (in the pouring rain) and think to myself ‘Its time to swap sandal shopping for Ugg boot shopping in August!’ – I was not very happy.

All hope is not lost though because if it wasn’t for the rain and my (still football injured) boyfriend we wouldn’t have taken shelter in Thomas Cook and booked our honeymoon! 2 weeks in Mexico and only 41 weeks to wait!!! Ok so it’s not until next year but the countdown has already started!

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Paul

My eyebrow has just popped down for a drink (29/07/08)

A moustache (or mustache) is facial hair grown on the upper lip. Often the term implies that the wearer grows only the upper lip hair and chooses to shave the hair on his chin and cheeks, whereas growth of all facial hair would constitute a beard.

I've been told the only way I will be welcome on my friend's last night of freedom is to grow one of the aforementioned things and I'm not looking forward to it. A night out in York looking like an idiot is not my idea of fun, but I don't want to be a party pooper so I have accepted. My major concern now is which style to grow. Sellek, Zappa, Mercury, Chaplin, Hogan, Yosemite Sam,......the list is endless. Your suggestions are welcome and I will try keep you updated with any further developments. A photograph of the finished product will no doubt be posted.

Wish me luck and get those suggestions sent in!

Please comment

Lisa

Dan the man helps Sosobad to 19-9 victory (15/07/08)

Creative Juice resident team Real Sosobad started off with winning ways after a thrilling 19-9 victory over arch rivals Halifax Share Dealing on Monday night. A capacity crowd of 7 (including two dogs) turned up to see the valiant team effort with every man scoring.

Star Man Dan ‘Danno’ Marsden, scored a hat full in the fast paced game. Steameo grabbed the first one after just 2 minutes. Some tricky footwork from Danno confused the Halifax defence, and put the midfielder through on goal.

A couple more goals in quick succession from Danno and Fieldinho and suggested it would be a walkover for Sosobad, but fans were forced to wait another 15 minutes for a goal. The fourth and fifth goals went in with ease for Sosobad and after 23 minutes it was 5-2.

After some nice build up play from Danno and Barberaldo, Halifax caught Sosobad on the break. It was back to 5-5 and getting tight. Danno broke the deadlock to score a pearler for the 6th, closely followed by a second for Steameo. As half time approached Halifax got a couple back and the teams went in for the break at 9-7.

Two goals in quick succession after the break suggested it was going to be Sosobad’s day. A dramatic second half ensued with penalty claims (by James after an excellent save from Barberaldo), Gylo’o throwing himself around after a stint out of the nets, and a fantastic 13th goal by Danno – despite missing an open net, then hitting the bar with a header, he redeemed himself by slotting home 3rd time lucky.

With ten minutes to go, the tiredness started to kick in – Fieldinho missed a sitter and Halifax began shooting like Lampard – high, wide and not so handsome! A bit of rough stuff between Gylo’o and Halifax star man Greg roused the crowd for the final 5 minutes, and 3 minutes later Danno finished the game – some tricky footwork put him one-on-one with the keeper – he kept his nerve and stroked the ball into the net with a classic nutmeg.

Final score 19-9 to Sosobad.

Phil '2 '23 '27 '29 '41 '53

Paul '6 '39

Dan '5 '21 '25 '35 '48 '50 '53 '90

Mike '20 '35

Gyles (GK) '42

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Phil

Quick! Ring Matthew Kelly, I've got a You Bet Challenge! (11/07/08)

Paul challenged me to assemble an IKEA chair in under a minute - I think 53 seconds proves my worth!

(Video misses the first few seconds though!)

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Dan

One new badge and two new challengers (10/07/08)

It's hitting fever pitch in the office. There's a real buzz of excitement and even though it's July, football is the major topic of converstaion. Copies of When Saturday Comes have been bandied round by our resident Sheffield United supporter and even the board room's flip chart has been comondered for tactics.

The reason for all this?

Real Sosobad, the creativejuice 5-a-side team are about to embark on their first challenge - a battle of fitness and determination against the cream of the Halifax Share Dealing team on Monday night at Goals in Leeds.

We were scheduled to take on our first challengers, 9xb from Knaresborough, last night - however, due to the local Yorkshire Show traffic, our opposition decided it was best to postpone the match for two weeks (either that or running scared).

So our preparation time has been extended. Our kit has been designed (thanks Paul), our cheerleaders and match reporters assigned - now all we have to do is make it past half time and i'm sure we've got a chance of getting a result at the end of the day if we put 110% of effort in to it and not let the boys down...

Come on the Juice!

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Paul

Knee deep in slurry... (07/07/08)

...is what crossed my mind when my wife suggested we take the children to Mablethorpe for a beach holiday, but I agrred anyway. So off we went on a Saturday morning, and 3 episodes of Barney later (thanks to the in-car DVD player and my children's fondness for the purple lizzard) we arrived. Surpisingly, the weather was glorious, so after being shown to our Atlas Oasis Super static caravan (nice piece of kit), we got ready for the 'cess pit' which is Mablethorpe Beach. I had packed the wellies but I thought sod it, let's get the flippos on as it's a nice day. When we got to the beach I was amazed...where was the litter? the sewage? and the dog do-do? I could quite honestly say it was one of the nicest and cleanest beaches I've ever been on. You may mock but it's true - don't knock it until you've tried it.

Anyway, here's my point (which I always like to have). Don't beleive what you hear or read about the British beaches. On a good day they stand up againt the best in the world. To quote an Ordinary Boys song lyric "The seaside needs us more than ever" so get your bucket and spade, your deck chair and your flipos and get down to Mabo, Skego or Cleethorpo for a great holiday...unless it rains, then you should go to Portugal.

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Katie

Blogging 9 to 5! (01/07/08)

The reason as to why we had tickets for Dolly Parton’s recent concert in Manchester is somewhat of a long story - I guess the best way to sum it up is to say that my boyfriend and I have agreed life is full of experiences (good, bad and indifferent) and this was just one of many things we mentioned in passing MIGHT be a fun thing to do. However, when it was announced one evening that we were going, I was slightly skeptical to say the least!

I duly obtained a copy of Dolly’s greatest hits – and in quite a short space of time found myself rather enthusiastically singing along with Dolly (when no one else was in ear shot), so it has to be said I was quite looking forward to seeing her live. Then on Saturday – after a pretty non-eventful journey over the M62 (Saddleworth moor was as bleak as always) we found ourselves just a few rows from the front, with my glitter encrusted cowboy hat on, singing ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Islands in the stream’ (my boyfriend still in shock as to the cost of the said hat – but what is the price to keep a girl happy I say??!) We came away afterwards, after having a complete ball and thinking that Dolly is a true legend!

Katie

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Stella

I’m starting small – here’s my first blog entry... (26/06/08)

So we’re off, we’ve finally managed to organise our staff part-ey… with a social fund that’s been gaining interest more than the ISAs we’ve been writing about all year, we are hitting the Spice Quarter at the Electric press in Leeds (quite an adventure for us Guiseley simpletons).

With the odds on Lisa getting paraletic by 10pm at 2-1 and Carolyn challenging Danny to an ‘eat-off’ it’s guaranteed to be an eventful evening.

Stay tuned for all the gossip!

Stella

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Lisa

Life in the fast lane (26/06/08)

Far less adventurous than Mikey’s Rikshaw but just a s likely to break down, we took the (as yet unnamed) camper on our very own Cornwall Run. 600 miles, three worried passengers, one 33 year old VW...

After successfully making it past Barnsley and Sheffield and all the other lovely places my colleagues suggested I’d be spending a week (well, apart from Wigan – Paul’s geography is about as good as his typing!) we eventually pulled up by the beach in 60 mph winds and driving rain! Perfect! Undeterred, first stop was the local beer garden for a pint in the rain!

The rains died down, the surf was amazing, and the beer tasted much better in the sunshine. The morning swims were cold (even in wetsuits), the cliff top walks were so windy they were probably dangerous and putting up an awning for the first time nearly led to a divorce. Luckily sleeping under the stars and listening to the sound of the waves in our very own Camper made up for it.

A week later we were homeward bound and making good progress. Just past Birmingham we were belting out Bat Out of Hell at the top of our voices, cruising at a top speed of 60! Ironically 5 minutes later we were sitting in a layby on the M5 with our hazards on! The EGR warning light had come on, and we didn’t have a clue what to do. Turning up the radio wasn’t going to stop us noticing the red light staring at us loudly from the dash! We limped slowly to the next services (only 8 miles thankfully) before letting the bus cool for half an hour! We looked in the back – the engine was still there and the exhaust was still attached – that’s about as much mechanical knowledge as we had, so we used the next best thing – Google! Apparently it was a Californian thing (the bus was imported from there after spending her formative years with just one family from new – the tales she could tell!) and nothing to worry about – so we were back on the road. Two miles later the light went off, and Meatloaf was back on! Paradise by the Dashboard Light!

PS. Suggestions welcome for a name... so far we’ve had Lulu (she’s orange and from the 70’s) OJ (Simpson) Annie (ginger), Jemima, Carrie the Camper, and a few more not worth mentioning, so if you have any ideas let me know here.

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Paul

And the winner is... (26/06/08)

It's awards time again and I'm glad to report we've been nominated for three. Click here to go to our "We Rock" section and see what's up for an award. Alternatively go to the Chip Shop Awards site and see who we're up against. The ceremony is on August 21st, so pop back then to see how we've done. Fingers crossed!

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Tony

Cursed (20/06/08)

I had met the girl of my dreams – she was the real thing, holding hands in public, long kisses and a pent up youthful desire that was going to lead to lots of sex, it was 1978 and I was 18 and she was a vision.

Then it came, a Sunday Dinner invite to meet her Mum and Dad, brilliant - all the pieces were beginning to fall into place. We had chicken, I had borrowed my dad’s car and we had a plan to meet some mates after – but during the main course her mother kept looking at me, well I was a young good-looking art student rockabilly type. (See Fig.1)

Then she said it “ooh Tony, I can’t put my finger on it but you look like somebody off the Telly.”

Well, never being told that before I preened, sat up straight and thought what handsome fellow can she be on about. The conversation took a singular direction – who was this elusive celebrity?

“Ooh, ooh yes that’s it, you’re a dead ringer for that randy Reverend Osborne Whitworth from Poldark – who plays him... ahh yes, Christopher BIGGINS!” The mother of the girl of my dreams had just CURSED me. (See Fig.2)

We didn’t make the week, I was dumped Tuesday after a bad night out on Sunday, when I can still remember having my hand rejected. The girl I was happy to spend the rest of my life with had taken some motherly advice. Not to spend another minute with the lookalike of the campest man in Britain, who also plays one of the most repugnant literary characters ever to be penned.

From that day forward my life changed, I put on 3 stone and grew moobs, a string of broken relationships and marriages lay behind me, girls realise that I look like him yet don’t have his money.

30 years have passed and I get it more than ever - drunks want to punch me for no other reason than I look like him! People will come up to me and tell me that I look like him, with a look of cruel triumph on their smug faces. Even this has happened – “Dad, that man looks like Christopher Biggins” - can you imagine having that shouted at you in the supermarket! I’m a Celebrity was, in fact, hell.

So what joy I experienced the other day when I was likened to the highly creative Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics – what fantastic luck!!! (See Fig.3)

Thanks Jonathon (Lisa Simpson’s husband), you may have just lifted the curse of Christopher Biggins.

Yes I know Christopher’s a nice chap, but I wonder if he’s ever had “Oi Tony yer fat bastard” shouted after him whilst walking down the street?

Tony Stewart Biggins.

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Jen

Caught on camera (20/06/08)

As promised, here are the hilarious/embarrassing photos of the CJ team at the Chester Dragon Boat Race. And to all who have yet to donate, surely these snaps are worth a few bob? Click on http://www.justgiving.com/creativejuice-arc and show your appreciation.

PS. It was only the copywriters who went the whole hog and wore the comedy wigs. True dedication!

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Paul

Oh why didn't I think of that two (19/06/08)

It's time again for the green eyed monster to rear it's head. As though having Lego as a client isn't enough to make me jealous, these guys have come up with some fantastic ads. Again, these seem so simple at first, but what they have managed to do is put you in the mind of a child and realize how their imagination works. Nuff respect due! Anyway I best get back to my next big idea. See Ya!

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Jen

Row, row, row your boat... (17/06/08)

Well, it wasn’t quite as gently down the stream as we would’ve liked, but our jaunt to the Chester Dragon Boat Race was a great success. Despite the 6am start, we were raring to go as we arrived in Chester. And after bacon butties and cheeseburgers for breakfast (sorry veggies!) we hit the water in style, complete with fashionable lifejackets, comedy wigs and 80s visors. As Junior Copywriter, it’s not often I get to do much shouting (Lisa is best at that), so my role as the drummer (keeping the team in time and screaming encouragement/abuse at them) was particularly enjoyable.

It was a tough challenge and we successfully lost all three of our races, but the lovely Ruth from arc kept our spirits up with her encouragement and enthusiasm. We’ve raised over £1,000 for Arthritis Research Campaign so far, so a huge thanks to everyone who took part, all who sponsored us and the team at arc for putting their trust in our sporting abilities in the first place!

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Dan

The gauntlet has been thrown down... but not very hard (17/06/08)

We'd like to think that we're a healthy bunch here at creative juice. There's no-end of nuts, berries, oats and salads filling the office at lunch. Unfortunatly, there's also a plethera of fish & chips, pasties and Mattesons sausages being stuffed into our increasingly chubby faces. So in reality, we should really be increasing our heart rates more than the change of menu at our local did!

So this is our challege to you.

With football fever sort of in the air, we're looking to ease our dissapointment of not being in the Euros (bloody McLaren) with a friendly game of 5-A-Side. So if you're a Client, other Agency, or simply fancy giving a bunch of wannabe Jan Molbys a good hiding, then get in touch and we'll set it up!

Please comment!

Mike

The finale to an epic Indian tale (16/06/08)

Hello all...!

And we've only gone and finished! Horrayy!

Well we finally got down to Pondi yesterday evening, after possibly the worst days driving so far, but in true rickshaw run style this was inevitble. The scots finally had their first major breakdown less than 20km from the finishline, (blown piston) the rest of us were very happy about this, as they were so smug about their lack of misfortune. So the 120km journey that was surpossed to take 4 hours actually took all day and well into the night. And as I have mentioned before night driving in India is just not cricket, even the locals stay away from the big roads at night.

But we made it none the less, 5612km in 15 days, on a lawnmower. The party was great and went on well into the night, tall stoies from each team were told and retold, exagerated and re-exagerated. Only 12 of the original 69 teams didnt make the finish, these teams either got fed up and left their machines at the side of the road, or wrote them off down revines or into trucks, scars were compaired and Kingfisher was drunk.

The prize giving during the party was great, four main prizes were given, of which 'Bombay Backphire' came second in the 'best team name' and first in the 'Best Paint job' catagories (slightly unfair having a graphic designer in the team). We went up on stage and accepted our gerka knife prizes and mumbled some drunken rubbish that i cant remember. But it was a good result.

Saying goodbye to our rickshaw was horrible, we left her in a dark empty wharehouse in the outskirts of Pondicherry, she doe'snt like the darkness.... She will be used again in about four months by some other adventurers, but hopefully for them, after every nut and bolt, piston and valve has hopefully been changed, coz she was in a bad way by the end.

Now we are off up north to Mallumparam for a night and then to Madras, and then home. Not too sure how to get about now as 'our wheels' are gone. We might even have to jump aboard one of the rickshaws arch enemies, the dreaded indian bus, the ruler of the indian highway thats main occupation in life is to scare the crap out of other drivers and run rickshaws off their roads. I hate busses.

So that is that folks. Rickshaw Run completed and my quota for adventure full... till next year and the 'London to Cape Town on a Pedalow Rally'.

See you soon

Rickshaw Mike

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Mike

Tut-tut for the Tuk-Tuk (13/06/08)

Hello people

I am now in a small fishing village 300km North of Madras having spent the last three days in the middle of the desert south of Hyrdabad with a Tuk-Tuk about as useful as a paper weight. We have had major trauma after major trauma since leaving three days or so back. First our spark plugs began melting, then she just stopped... in the desert.... with no one about! After using all my mechanical knowledge to try and figure out the problem (this was to check the mirrors were still reflecting, check the number of wheels and the indicators) we strapped our rickshaw to our Scottish buddies and they towed us on the death road to a little town called something beginning with J, where we had to spend two days with a blind mechanic taking the whole engine apart, changing out piston which had a massive hole in it, finding spare parts, commissioning the manufacture of the parts we couldn’t find and then traveling very slowly south.

We have been staying in some very questionable places this last week, from brothels (we didn’t know till afterwards) to some of the worst rooms I have ever imagined, you get big creepy crawlies here let me tell you, and no air-con at night is a devil. The fact that most of these places have no electricity let alone internet is why we have been silent for a while, so sorry for that guys.

Apart from that I am fine and having a ball, the food is amazing, the people are the friendliest I have ever come across, the Imodium is strong and the beer is cold. The hotel we are staying in now has a pool so that is where I will be for the rest of the night.

Our set backs have left us a few days behind schedule but hopefully, Shiva willing, we will get to Pondicherry for the 15th, but it will be close as we are now traveling at half pace, more or less limping our way down India. Happy Days!

Right people, see you soon.

Hindi Mike

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Mike

Latest news from our intrepid adventurer... (09/06/08)

Hello people,

Greetings from Hyderabad, in central India. That’s right we have made it half way with only a few scratches and are still sort of loving the experience. I will now endeavor to tell you in a much simplified version what’s happened so far on the ‘Bombay Backphire’ trip.

We thought it wise to join make a ‘convoy’ of three rickshaws, called team British Iles, they are made up of me and Bub in ‘Bombay Backphire’, Irish Dr Tom Burke and his two daughters in ‘Pysco-cycle’ and two Glaswegians Dave and Neil in ‘Ding-Dang-Do’. This decision was made because we had no idea of where we were going or how to fix an engine, Tom is a doctor, and the Scottish lads had a map of Nepal at the time. Also safety in numbers! This was a good decision.

And were off! Bob, or Bub as the Indians call him, took the first stint through the Himalayan foothills; this was both the scariest and most fantastic thing ever! Pictures to follow. The first day of the race through Nepal was made even better by the introduction of us Europeans, yanks and Aussies to the Nepalese truck drivers and their MENTAL driving skills which are only to be outdone by their Indian counterparts, and the shortage of fuel that had suddenly become a major problem for all the teams. We managed to pay through the nose for 20 liters of ‘black market’ tractor fuel before we left Katmandu and were glad for it when everyone else was dropping like flies in the middle of no-where!

We crossed the border to India on the second day, it took 4 hours and umpteen bribes. Oh and this all took place in 45 degrees C temps and no shade. Rickshaw Mike was not a happy racer.

Since then we have meandered down though various towns and cities, dodging holy cows, snakes, wild bore, drunk men, 12 tonne lorries, goats, potholes and car crashes. We have stayed in hotels and guest houses that have ranged from 2 quid a night to 15 quid all inclusive health spas. We wake up early 6am, drive 250 – 300km for about 9 hours and then start all over again, which sound boring but in reality driving a rickshaw through India is like playing a computer game, it is fun… only you can come a little too close to game over than you might like sometimes.

Our travels so far have taken us to Kathmandu – Muggly – some place beginning with B – Seoni – Gorackpore – Varanasi – Pench (tiger safari, with no tigers) – some other place beginning with P – Nagpur – and now I am in a castle in Hyderabad for the night.

No major probs with the rickshaw so far but the trip is still only half way done and we are getting quite good at fixing the old beauty when ever she does break down.

Anyway I will try and type away again in a few days or so.

Namastey...

Rickshaw Mike

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Jen

Mike’s on his travels! (02/06/08)

My desk is feeling a bit lonely at the moment, as my neighbour and general partner in crime Mike is off on his travels. But unlike the rest of us who would be satisfied with a week comatose on a beach in Spain, Mike’s gone to the Indian Subcontinent to race a rickshaw (Bombay Backphire!) across thousands of miles with no real route. Sounds... interesting! He’s doing it all for charity and has already raised more than £1,000. So, we at creativejuice are keeping our fingers crossed that Mike makes it back in one piece, preferably without a contagious tropical disease. We’ll post his email updates here so you can follow his progress too. Good luck Mikey!

If you’d like to donate to Mike’s cause, follow this link: www.willwemakeit.com/fundraiser/bombaybackphire

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Dan

Thoughts of ice cream, shorts and picnics turns soggy... (28/05/08)

I was looking forward to the end of May as generally, the skies brighten, the weather is warm enough to wear shorts to work and Phil usually pops out to get us all ice cream... today's grim scene makes this seem like it'll be months before we have a freezer full of Soleros!

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Jen

Football according to Me! (23/05/08)

I’m not a fan of football. The beautiful sport has always baffled me, and even if England did make it to Euro 2008 (which I’m told they didn’t), I probably wouldn’t watch it. So this blog is my contribution to the many football discussions in the office – enjoy.

“Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” Joe Theismann

"If you can't stand the heat in the dressing room, get out of the kitchen" Terry Venables

“I never predict anything, and I never will.” Paul Gascoigne

“I always used to put my right boot on first, and then obviously my right sock.” Barry Venison

“All that remains is for a few dots and commas to be crossed.” Mitchell Thomas

“I couldn't settle in Italy - it was like living in a foreign country.” Ian Rush

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Phil

Sun, Sea and Speedos! (23/05/08)

Rugby has finished for me 'til next season, so I can now be found grunting around the office and taking all my pent up aggression out on Gyles - see www.creativejuice.co.uk/contact - let me know what you think of the tackle.

With the help of Danny, our Digital Producer, I am in the process of producing a content managed website for Baildon Rugby Club. The general standard of Rugby Club websites at present is very poor and we are hoping to build an award winning website that can then be 're-skinned' and rolled out throughout the RFU membership.

Having worked all hours in the last couple of weeks ensuring all our clients' creative is produced on schedule and budget for print, I am now going to take a well earned rest in Menorca with my wife, our 2 young boys and the in-laws.

Menorcan weather forecasts for next week seem to show that I'd be best staying in the UK. However, I'm hoping that it gets into the 80s then I can don my handkerchief and speedos and head for the beach to have a cracking break!

Anyway, I hope the Bank Holiday Monday will be good for you all and see you in a couple of weeks, with tan!

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Steve

A quizzical start to the week (19/05/08)

It seems to be my turn to amuse and entertain you on the creativejuice blog. So for your edification and delight I’ve put together a cunning picture quiz. Just email your answers to me at steve@creativejuice.co.uk. There’s no actual prize, just the warm fuzzy feeling of a job well done [and time well wasted] Plus you may notice a hidden theme. But I’ll let you work that one out for yourselves.

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Gyles

Thinking outside the box, onto a bus and anything else that works (16/05/08)

It’s refreshing to see things that are different, looking at creativity from a different perspective and blending it into everyday objects. Indeed objects that usually make up the mix of daily life can be subtly camouflaged with a dose of creativity. The formula is simple, take an object from your life, look at the situation, then bring it to life with some clever thinking and creative know how…take a look here:

Similar but not commercially minded the master of portraying a message using real life scenarios and places is Banksy, a well-known pseudo-anonymous English graffiti artist. His artworks are often-satirical pieces of art on topics such as politics, culture, and ethics. Whilst being renowned throughout the world Banksy does not sell photos of street graffiti or mount exhibitions of screen prints in commercial galleries instead preferring to remain anonymous and let his work do the speaking. Take a look at www.banksy.co.uk

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Paul

Only the punkiest, Blakiest rock band... (14/05/08)

It's been a long time since a new band has made me sit up and take notice (not since the Libertines released "Up The Bracket") but this new band from Seattle called The Blakes are awsome. They have such diverse sounds, one minute they sound like The Bronx and the next The Beach Boys. Click here to go to their myspace page and enjoy. Love peace and hair grease. Paul x

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Mike

The raging debate (08/05/08)

New visitors to creativejuice HQ are lucky in two respects, firstly they are met by the beaming, youthful faces of some of Guiseley’s, no, the Universe’s top professionals, and secondly after their extremely productive meeting they are permitted to leave.

If the visitor were to dwell too long within the high walls of Harman House they would soon become aware of a dense fog of conflict, and make out the hissing whispers of treachery, lies and scandal. Little do visitors know, creativejuice is held within the rancid grip of war. A war between a Chicken, a Sausage, and their suitability and right to freedom on a plate together.

I have a dream that one day these two food groups should be allowed to accompany each other whenever possible to produce one big merry meat party, but others (usually of the copywriting persuasion) bitterly contest the hog-hen mixture.

My freedom fighters and I have tried to prove our point by highlighting the historical blend of banger and fowl in Cajun Gumbo, Spanish Paella, and Jambalaya from the United States, need we even mention the presence of ‘pigs-in-blankets’ complementing chicken’s closest cousins at Christmas.

Unfortunately our ideals of meat and happiness are still scorned and the war rages on. The question is, on who’s side are you…?

Please comment!

Paul

Why didn't I think of that!? (02/05/08)

I once said "A good idea is one that hits others with a bolt of envy", I can't remember if I made it up or ripped it off of someone else. Anyway, when I saw this ambient advertising campaign that's exactly how I felt. It's promoting a 12x optical zoom camera, so what better way to demonstrate it than show the zoom in action. It's such a simple but clever idea.....DAMN I wish I'd had thought of it first! PF signing off for now....over and out!

Click the images for a better view

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Dan

Got Milk? Website Recommendation (02/05/08)

We all know that the internet can throw up some gems, and some times it just throws up. Fortunately, this site created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners I found on the FWA pages, falls in to the first category. A brilliant use of flash animation to create a very interactive and engaging experience. Take a look here. Dan.

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Jen

A little bit of car trouble (28/04/08)

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not the best driver in the world. And before you start with the ‘blonde woman driver’ jokes, I’ve heard them all before. But, lack of driving skills taken into account, I didn’t expect to come a cropper on my way to work...

After enjoying a leisurely drive to our old office in Yeadon (basically a straight line from my front door), the move to Guiseley threw me. Suddenly I was competing with winding country lanes and pot holes every 10 yards. My little Fiesta battled along over every bump and dip, and for a few months flying along the ‘Death Road’ at 60 mph was quite enjoyable.

However, as I sped home one evening (I was rushing to make sure I didn’t miss the beginning of Watch Dog) I heard the horrible crunch of ‘a problem’. I pulled over and got out to inspect the damage. The sight of a wheel in the road initially terrified me, but a quick check ensured all four of mine were still in place. After re-attaching the metal ‘flap’ that was dragging along underneath my car, I jumped back in and took it slightly slower, thinking there had been no harm done (and I didn’t miss Watch Dog either).

It was only when I told the tale to my family that it became clear I really needed to read my car handbook more often. Turns out that wheel in the road did belong to me... it was my spare, handily (?!) held underneath my car by the curious metal flap.

I take it steady over the Death Road now, and always keep my eye open for a random wheel at the side of the road. The new office may be great, but getting to it isn’t easy!

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Vicky

Back to work... (23/04/08)

I’m now back at work after having a week’s holiday. Usually when I have holiday I’m jetting off somewhere hot and sunny – no such luck this time though! Instead my week consisted of stripping wallpaper from my living room and cleaning the house (oh and making time to meet my friend Lisa for a Banyan Burger - the best bloomin' burgers in Harrogate!). But now I’m back and ready to start packing up and sending out the next batch of new business mailings – along with loads of other things of course!

The guys are off to the pub to watch the football and celebrate St. George's Day (as all English folk should), unfortunately i'll be at home nursing my boyfriend's football-injured knee!

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Lisa

The joke’s on me – again (15/04/08)

And we all thought art directors were meant to be creative! I know it’s not nice to be mean about my own team mate, but c’mon, have you seen Paul’s blog entry? OK, OK, so he can be creative when he wants to be. The latest Alliance Trust work is great, and yeah, OK, those Chip Shop awards went down a treat, but do I really look like a jaundiced, spiky haired, saxophonist?

So my name’s Lisa Simpson. It’s not a name-a-like, it’s a look-a-like. And to be honest I’ve been here more than 2 years now – the joke’s starting to wear a bit thin.

So, I’m using my right of reply to ask all you would be creatives, frustrated art-directors and any of you with a talent for look-a-likes to beat Paul at his own game and find me a better look-a-like! Simply use the comments button at the bottom of this entry, and don’t worry, I can take the rough with the smooth – anything’s better than Lisa Simpson!

PS. Maybe those 1960’s Mad Men have got it right after all (if you’re not already a fan, take a look at how it was when copywriters ruled the waves, Sunday, BBC 4, 10pm)

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Paul

The agency of the stars!!! (09/04/08)

Last friday, after a particularly busy week, I was taking some time out on the famous orange sofa. I was looking around the office and suddenly it hit me... I realised that every member of the CJ team had an uncanny resemblance to someone famous. It was just like being at Madame Tussauds only it didn't cost me 15 chuffing quid to get in and the models move and talk. Click this link and I'm sure you will agree. I've called it separated at birth.

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James

Getting it up (31/03/08)

Well. Halle – flaming – lujah!! Finally our new website is up and running. Having moved into our new home some weeks ago, we now have a website to go with it. I think we’ve had a bad case of ‘Builder’s House Syndrome’, ours has taken forever to finish because we’ve been so busy building everyone else’s. Still I hope you’ll all agree that the wait has been worth it, despite 3 re-designs, 1 re-shoot, 2 re-writes and nasty case of double chins on some of the footage, we’ve managed to get it up at last. Ahem.

Dan, our digital designer has performed minor miracles in pulling together not only the footage (thanks to the directorial skills of Senior Art Director Paul), but the content from lagging behinds (most notably my own) and the copy (courtesy of Jen and Lisa) into a cohesive, clean and creative site that showcases our client work, our ‘have-a-laugh’ attitude and our determination to be a success.

Big thanks to all concerned in the making of this site and finally a big thanks to all our clients for trusting us with your work. Long may it continue. No members of staff were hurt or abused (OK, maybe a little) in the making of the website!

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