First reaction – WOW! I have been editing with Premiere Pro for over six years, and have to say with this release, Adobe not only listened to the professional editor, they have also brought Premiere to the forefront of software-based editing applications.

A completely redesigned user interface eliminates desktop clutter, allowing an editor to focus on the job at hand. New keyboard shortcuts will make many Final Cut Pro editors who are transitioning to Premiere Pro CS6 feel right at home. The ability to stabilize shaky footage from within PPro is a real timesaver. The feature I have found very useful is the ability of PPro to keep playing the timeline while you move around in or out of the application. Nice touch Adobe.

The audio mixer display has been redesigned as well as the timeline VU meters – they give real-time update of levels as the timeline plays, so you can readily see how your levels change across playback. Very nice for creating great mixes!

The introduction of adjustment layers into PPro gives users the ability to set up effect layers without having to add effects to individual clips. This is a huge timesaver in previewing how different effects may look. Add multiple adjustment layers with various effect combinations and toggle the layers off and on during real-time playback —excellent for quickly previewing looks with an Art Director looking over your shoulder.

The addition of Speed Grade to the CS6 suite brings high-end color correction to the desktop. Not only can you achieve an initial first pass technical grade quickly, you can also apply or create custom looks that mimic those found on the big screen or primetime television. This alone is worth the price of the suite upgrade. Color correction is what makes a great edit into an award winner — having this integrated into the Adobe CS6 Suite is a real step toward a complete finishing package.

The CS6 Media Encoder has a completely redesigned interface that is easy to navigate and includes presets for broadcast, web and personal device video. Also, you can apply multiple presets to a single video source — again a huge timesaver. Did I mention background rendering? Not new to Media Encoder, however, being able to edit, work in

After Effects, Photoshop and background render is something I have come to expect from my edit system of choice — and Adobe keeps making the choice easier with each new release of its software.

For a full list of changes to the software, please visit: http://success.adobe.com/assets/en/downloads/guides/Pr_CS6_WN_Reveal.pdf

These days all businesses are cutting budgets in some way, shape, or form, including meetings and events. While these types of expenses can be viewed as ancillary and unnecessary, national sales meetings serve as a time to train, inform, engage, and energize a team of people who rarely are all together in one place but need to be like-minded in reaching a common goal. Team building activities that foster networking, teamwork, and trust among colleagues are key to developing relationships that cannot be formed remotely.

This March, First Generation had the privilege of once again planning and producing the national sales meetings for Crayola and the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF), both taking place in Florida earlier this month. Both Crayola and MTF chose to rally their sales and marketing teams and refresh their outlooks and goals for 2012. Here is a look back at how FG assisted them in positively positioning their companies and motivating their workforces.

Snapshot #1: Crayola

To spark the enthusiasm of the Crayola team, First Generation created the “Ignite” theme! Using an Olympic torch graphic and Olympic spirit throughout the meeting messaging, videos, collateral, and activities, “Ignite” proved to be just the inspiration Crayola needed to return to their day-to-day responsibilities invigorated and ready to reach their 2012 goals, united as a team going for the gold.

Snapshot #2: MTF

MTF wanted to remind their sales and marketing teams that throughout its 25 years in business, it has experienced much growth and transformation that shaped the company into what it is today. The FG team delivered the “Evolve” theme, using a forward-looking font type and color spectrum. Using differently colored PowerPoint templates and changing stage lighting between sessions, the “Evolve” theme was executed throughout the meeting, showing constant change. The MTF team left the meeting armed with new strategies, ready to tackle 2012.

Both Crayola and MTF understood the value in maintaining contact and communication with their sales and marketing employees, planning for success in 2012. First Gen is proud to partner with our clients for national sales meetings. Need help planning one for your company? Just e-mail FG President Alex Shade at ashade@firstgencom.com to get started!

Apple launched new iPad product marketing last week and, surprise, it’s better than ever!

The most newsworthy feature that places it ahead of its’ protégés iPad 1 and iPad 2 is screen resolution. According to Apple’s website, the screen resolution on the iPad 3 is 44% greater in color saturation and offers 3.1 million pixels on their 9.7” screen. Most images currently on the web are 72 ppi (pixels per inch), while the new iPad screens offer 264 ppi.

For the technically challenged, this “geek speak” means that the new iPad screens offer better resolution when viewing all web images, reading articles or playing games.

You may think this will only effect the way iPad users view web-based applications, but based upon Apple’s track record, they won’t create this amazing screen resolution for just one product.

How does this affect you?

If you have a website or microsite, create applications or publish web-based articles, you’ll need to rethink the revisions of current and the creation of future web-based marketing tools. The best way to cater to all users is to create two versions of your images and apps. One version can be viewable on current computer and tablet screens, while the second version should be viewable on the new iPad screens and future high-resolution screens.

If two versions of the images are created, the user’s web browser will choose which version to show the based upon the tool (New iPad or current resolution screen) being used.

Need help figuring all of this out? Give us a call at 610-437-4300! First Generation stays at the forefront of the technical world so you don’t have to!

Last night’s ADDY Awards Gala brought out the best of the best in Lehigh Valley’s advertising scene. Representatives from agencies and organizations across the Lehigh Valley came together to celebrate the creative spirit of advertising at this year’s awards ceremony and reception at the Hotel Bethlehem, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Ad Club and sponsored by First Generation.

The ADDY Awards are the nation’s largest awards competition, awarding excellence in advertising through over 200 American Advertising Federation member clubs across the country.

First Gen truly represented itself as a creative force to be reckoned with at this years ADDYs,  not only sponsoring the event, but arriving with a total of 19 attendees (all looking quite sharp, I might add), providing our A/V services through our Hotel Bethlehem A/V partnership, and leaving with a total of 11 awards – including 2 Gold!

I wouldn’t expect any less from the amazing team at First Generation. As Creative Director, I’m proud to represent such a talented and committed group who consistently puts forth an incredible effort to create award-winning work for our clients.

First Generation congratulates all of this year’s winners, and sends out a big thank you to the Lehigh Valley Ad Club for hosting the event. We also thank all of our clients, who know that working with us is a “win-win” situation!

Check out our winning entries:

GOLD Winner: New World Aviation 'Go' Mailer

GOLD Winner: Carpenter Knife Box

B|Braun Perifix Video

MTF Biologics.org Launch Campaign

Olympus Dealer Sales Kit and Catalog

B|Braun Infusion Systems Space Pump Video

Carpenter 'Natures Energy' 2012 Calendar

B|Braun 'Changing Lives, Saving Lives' Video

Olympus TruePic VI Video

Carpenter 'Tactical Advantage' Video

First Generation '1G for Good' Video

For over 20 years, First Generation has partnered with Victaulic to produce high-quality videos for various Web, trade show, and corporate video needs. While these videos have always proven valuable, the most recent video shoots and end products have shown the effectiveness of using video for engaging storytelling and how it can be useful for many audiences.

For example, after installing truss and a suspended drop ceiling in the studio, FG shot the installation of AquaFlex® braided sprinkler drops by a professional pipe fitter, as well as the  installation using the traditional hard pipe method, showing the reduced installation time when using AquaFlex. While this video was created for internal uses, the Victaulic sales team was able to gain knowledge about professional pipe fitters, the product itself, and how to position the product better over the competition and may potentially use it as an external sales tool.

On another shoot, FG shot a sales training video to explain how Victaulic’s new Vic-Press™ pipe clamping system works, simulating a 2” pipe installation. In addition, First Gen is editing the video for use as a promotional tool for the sales team to promote the efficiency of the installation process to their clients.

“The video work we do with FG has armed our sales force with compelling evidence that our products work as advertised,” says Scott Frey, Marketing Communications Manager at Victaulic. “This is especially critical with the specifying engineers that we call on. FG’s ability to respond to our demanding schedules has helped us meet very tight deadlines.”

Well-produced and edited video is a very captivating, storytelling tool for many First Gen clients. We’re very pleased that our videos provide multipurpose use at Victaulic. Being able to tell a story to many viewers with one video is very cost effective and strategic. Is there a video project you need help with? Just drop First Generation a line and learn how digital storytelling may work for your company!

Last Friday evening, creative professionals gathered at the 2011 Addy Awards gala to recognize the best of the best in Lehigh Valley advertising. The event, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Ad Club and proudly sponsored by First Generation, saw an impressive turnout and showcased a variety of oustanding creative work. Work was awarded throughout categories in print, web, interactive, video, and non-traditional media. First Generation took home a total of 9 awards – gold, silver, and bronze – for our work in 2010 throughout these categories.

“We are incredibly excited to share this success with our clients and are proud to have made such a mark on this year’s ADDY awards, ” remarked Sara Lorenz, Creative Director for First Generation. “First Generation’s recognition at this year’s ADDYs continues a tradition of excellence, and I am proud to be a part of a team that consistently produces such high-caliber work.”

We congratulate all the recipients of the 2011 ADDY awards and thank the Lehigh Valley Ad club for putting together a spectacular event.

Below are First Generation’s winning entries.

GOLD: Crayola Solar Farm video

SILVER: Coordinated Health Art of Medicine TV Program, Olympus SP-800 UZ video

BRONZE: Inky the Inkblot (fginkblot.com), Crayola 2011 Products Catalog, Sprinters Edge website (sprintersedge.com), Crayola On the Go Brochure, First Gen Brain Trust Brochure, Crayola Green Products Ad

In case you weren’t one of the people caught in traffic on I-78, check out our new FG billboard, located on 78E at Lehigh Street!

It might look like we had a doctor in the house, but that really wasn’t the case. Instead, Jim Tobin with Aesculap, Inc. stood in and endured the lights to help us produce a short training video on the use of a topical skin adhesive called Histoacryl. Basically, it’s “super glue” for the skin and is used to close wounds and surgical incisions. The demos for the video didn’t require real wounds either. Slabs of fake skin (aka colored foam rubber) replaced the real thing, so we can’t be accused of running afoul of any OSHA, PETA or AMA rules. The final training product will be real enough, though. And the next time you have a wound or incision closed with glue instead of stitches, the doctor or physician’s assistant might have been trained with our video.

Chris M.

Inky, the newest addition to the FG team, has more to contribute than just his vast knowledge of viral marketing. Inky’s incredible ability to change form and personality has led him to another passion, and he shines on screen as the star of the short film series What Do You See, created and produced by FG’s talented staff. Our film crew set out during Bethlehem’s popular 9-day festival, Musikfest, to interview real people and see how they responded to Inky. Inky did an amazing job during the many hours of shooting in 90 degree heat, never once faltering in his ability to quickly jump into character and engage festival-goers to answer the question “What do you see?”. Each passerby was instantly drawn to his unique charm and we were able to collect enough footage for 6 short films. Though Inky became a bit demanding during the final stages of editing (he is quite the perfectionist), the team pulled together to successfully finish the process and all were pleased with the results. You can view the first in Inky’s series of short films below. The rest of the films will follow in the upcoming weeks on Inky’s YouTube channel. More information about Inky can be found at FGinkblot.com, as well as on his Facebook and Twitter pages.

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