To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, our Hispanic/Latinx affinity group, GSDyM, has put together a list of recommendations ranging from hit Netflix shows in Spanish that have become internationally successful to works of literature to authentic places to shop/eat. There is an abundance of Hispanic talent out there…. Please enjoy our recommendations to help support the Hispanic community as you become inspired by our beautiful culture.

Movies

We created a selection based on our favorite award-winning movies and some “classics.” Some of these movies are great for learning Spanish. If the Spanish is too quick for you, we recommend using subtitles to follow along, or simply watch in English and know that you are supporting Hispanic filmmakers. Grab some Takis con salsa and hit play.

TV Shows 

Netflix and other streaming platforms are doing a great job bringing Spanish-language shows to the U.S. AND making them international hits. Here is our list of must-see TV shows:

Literature

Book-lovers, check out these must-read titles in English or Spanish!

Music

Whether you enjoy music for dancing, relaxing, inspiration or nostalgia, these bands and albums have you covered!

Website/Blog/Media outlets

Rejoice, social media hounds and webbies, we’ve got your online entertainment right here.

ATX Restaurants 

Hungry? Restaurants are slowly starting to open back up, but there’s always “para llevar.”

Local Culture

Creators (artists, local craft makers, etc.)

Gift-giving season is right around the corner!

Another 10 days of SXSW madness have come and gone in Austin, Texas, but what’s going to stick around? I talked to GSD&Mers who went head-first into panels, activations and more to learn about what stood out in all the noise this year.

Overall, we saw three themes of success:

  1. Brands should prioritize authenticity over flashiness.
  2. Brands should be different and distinct in a world of experiential sameness.
  3. Usually, the simplest ideas are the best.

Keep reading for more SXSW smarts straight from the experiences of our people.

 

Jay Esteves, experience strategist

What brand activation worked?

The Comcast/NBC Universal house had fun and simple shareable moments that people were happy to wait in line for. From Michael Scott’s desk straight from The Office, to a professional modeling photo experience by Project Runway, people got to interact with shows they know and love.

#1 Takeaway

“Method doesn’t matter. It’s the effect.” Technology is developing and becoming cooler every day, but we can still create immersive experiences in scrappy ways.

 

Tori Ciniglio, jr. writer

What was your favorite panel and why?

In a discussion with venture capitalist, Roger McNamee, on the topic of big corporations and data, he discussed how their business models are a misuse of our trust and will ultimately affect future laws and elections. His most important takeaway was to focus this power on the good that we can do (e.g. birthday donations on Facebook) as a society before it’s too late.

Best musical discovery

Good Heavens—they’re an upbeat, beachy, indie-rock band who put on a lively and super fun show.

 

Harper Biewen, jr. art director

What was your favorite panel and why?

My favorite panel was a discussion between musician Brandi Carlile and actor Elisabeth Moss where they compared and contrasted their creative processes in their respective industries. It made me realize we all have rituals and tools that spark our creativity and allow us to be better storytellers.

#1 Takeaway

SXSW taught me that 1) I know nothing, and 2) women run the world.

 

Elizabeth Thompson, VP, group strategy director

What activation worked?

The Good Omens activation for the new Amazon Prime original show was well thought out and conceptual without feeling complicated. Details like “Heaven” or “Hell” bracelets, puppies labeled as “Hell Hounds in Training” and the Tree of Eden bar gave a sense for the show without making me feel like I was being sold something.

Best musical discovery:

Yola. Tyler Ramsey. Cautious Clay. Novo Amor.

 

Evan Walker, associate media director

What was your favorite panel and why?

“Immersive Marketing: Beyond the Instagram Palace” discussed the importance of creating authentic experiences, like the trend of “fantasy worlds,” because consumers are more prone to feel an emotional connection. In turn, we see social posts happen organically and consumers will capture unique parts of their individual experiences.

#1 Takeaway

Whatever it is, keep it authentic.

 

Valerie Furgerson, JR. strategist

What was your favorite panel and why?

During “Milk Bar: Innovation in Pursuit of the Unexpected,” chef and founder of Milk Bar, Christina Tosi, spoke about remaining relevant without losing authenticity. It’s about trying and failing, trying and iterating and ultimately creating a unique experience that stays true to the brand.

#1 Takeaway

It’s not about “experiential” per se, it’s about doing something different and distinct.

 

Well, you heard it here first straight from our experts. Be genuine and get genuine responses in return, don’t be afraid to stand out and at the end of the day, simplicity wins. We’re beyond lucky to live in the heart of Austin where we can walk outside of our doors, soak up this knowledge and bring it right back in. From how we’re telling stories in First & Only ways to finding room to do good using our strengths in advertising, our people are already activating what SXSW 2019 taught us.

Until next year, SXSW!

Mason

Another year has come and gone, so it felt like the right time to reflect on all of the goodness that came out of GSD&M. 2018 was filled with game-changing work, much-needed conversations, well-deserved celebrations and, of course, so much good music. I somehow managed to narrow down what I believe to be GSD&M’s finest moments to 11 highlights and one playlist. Keep reading for a glimpse into last year.

Harry’s: A Man Like You

Breaking stereotypes and creating a cultural conversation around media’s portrayal of masculinity, the Harry’s short film was a breakthrough way of storytelling for a men’s grooming brand. The work even earned a Cannes Lions for film and a Glass Lion for change.

GSD&M Party at SXSW 2018

We gathered thousands of our closest friends, community members and partners in our backyard for the 8th Annual GSD&M Party featuring White Reaper, Durand Jones & The Indications, Pale Waves and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and we’re ready to do it again!

Time’s Up/Advertising

Alongside 200 female leaders in advertising, GSD&M’s President, Marianne Malina, was a founding member of Time’s Up/Advertising™. GSD&M helped lead the movement of saying “time’s up” on inequality in our industry and fronted a launch event across 14 cities in North America and Canada.

    

Winning Jack Link’s + Retaining U.S. Air Force

We took a break from our desks and gathered in the backyard to celebrate all of the hard work that led to winning our new client, Jack Link’s, and retaining our 17-year client, U.S. Air Force, for another 10 great years.

ITMAD 2018

From futurists to improv teachers and leading chocolate connoisseurs, GSD&M brought in the brightest minds inside and outside of Austin to inspire and discuss what it means to create ideas that make a difference.

Winning Pizza Hut

We welcomed our newest client, Pizza Hut, with champagne, and of course, PIZZA!

GSD&M Presents: Jared & The Mill

Arizona folk rockers, Jared & The Mill, stopped by while on tour to play some acoustic versions of their latest jams.

Free the Bid

In order to continue the mission of creating more diverse and meaningful work, GSD&M pledged to Free the Bid and put more women editors and directors on projects.

Halloween at GSD&M

As an office of creatives, we don’t take Halloween lightly. From The Shining Twins to Guy Fieri, this year’s costume contest was far from overrated.

Popeyes Emotional Support Chicken

The TSA-friendly, emotional support animal you can eat, Popeyes’ Emotional Support Chicken, took the media by storm. Appearing in Cosmopolitan, Delish.com, USA Today and much more, everyone ate it up, quite literally.

GSD&M Holiday Card: Austin Pets Alive!

This year, we used our annual holiday card to give back to our local animal shelter, Austin Pets Alive! Including an 18-foot “wishlist tree”, donations from employees, a GSDM.com takeover, and a card sent to our favorite family, friends and clients, our holiday initiative raised tons of awareness, funds, and shelter necessities, and gave every animal a blanket to keep warm this winter.

And to top it all off, here’s a comprehensive playlist featuring every song from GSD&M’s monthly playlists in 2018.

If last year is any indication of how 2019 will go, I’d say we have a lot to look forward to.

As ACL Fest comes barreling around the corner and Austin prepares for the madness that takes over Zilker Park, we reached out to our in-house festival experts to help guide festival newbies and old hats alike through not one but two of the wildest weekends in ATX. Complete with pro tips and must-see artists, everything you need to survive is right here, including a playlist featuring this year’s artists.

 

Name: Mariah Kline

Years attending ACL: 2

Pro tip: Unless you’re camped out, skip the headliner. You’ll be so far back you’ll just be watching a screen.

Must-see artist: Marian Hill

 

Name: Jacob Stern

Years attending ACL: 11

Pro tip: Get there early and see someone you’ve never heard of. Wander around with open ears and no agenda, and you could stumble onto your new favorite band.

Must-see artists: The National, St. Vincent, Alvvays, Japanese Breakfast, Sweet Spirit

 

Name: Kevin Lane

Years attending ACL: 5

Pro tip: Bring a handkerchief. Tie it around your neck and breathe through it so you don’t die of allergies when the dust gets kicked up.

Must-see artist: Golden Dawn Arkestra. Their feel-good music and theatrics make the perfect festival act.

 

Name: Marie Graw

Years attending ACL: 4

Pro tip: Keep your head up and your eyes open—you never know who you’re going to see out in the crowd.

Must-see artists: Brandi Carlile for the sweetest voice, Trampled by Turtles for some Northern Minnesota jammy bluegrass and Sweet Spirit if you’re looking to dance your face off.

 

Name: Karla Macias

Years attending ACL: 5

Pro tip: Organize beforehand. Make a spreadsheet of bands you want to see and the stages they’re on. Don’t forget nondrowsy allergy meds.

Must-see artists: Greta Van Fleet will take you back through time. Golden Dawn Arkestra will get you moving. Sweet Spirit is a must-see local band. Charley Crockett if you like country/blues.

 

Name: Jack Eptseen

Years attending ACL: 5

Pro tip: When you want to recharge, check out the BMI stage. Always great music, always mellow.

Must-see artists: The Nude Party, Ruston Kelly. I also hear that McCartney guy is gonna be huge.

 

Name: Miguel Masso

Years attending ACL: 4

Pro tip: Force yourself to go to the restroom prior to waiting for an artist.

Must-see artist: Khalid

 

Name: Alex King

Years attending ACL: 1

Pro tip: Bring an empty water bottle or Camelbak. Bring a totem if you have a big group, and bring a bandana for sweat, cooling down and as an emergency napkin.

Must-see artists: St. Vincent and Golden Dawn Arkestra

 

Well, the experts have spoken. Let the festival come to you and go with the flow, don’t forget to take allergy precautions and get your dance moves ready for Sweet Spirit. In case you need some help deciding who to see, press play on this playlist featuring a whole bunch of this year’s performers and find your favorites.

We’re a month away from SXSW. Yep, that’s right—the week that fills our streets with music, people and even more booze and food than usual. Deep breaths. For those of us who embrace the madness with open arms, we caught up with both GSD&M’s SXSW vets and new mavens to get the best tips, tricks and tracks for SXSW 2018. Spoiler alert: playlist included.

 

Name: Bill Bayne

Years attending SXSW: 15

Pro tip: When there are a few bands I don’t know on a lineup, I’ll stay in that venue to experience their show versus running all over town with a schedule.

Must-see band: Quiet Slang. More commonly known as Beach Slang, they’re reimagining their Replacements-y gnashed catalog into a softer vibe played with piano and cello.

 

Name: Mason Endres

Years attending SXSW: 5

Pro tip: Never plan for things to go as planned. If you make a schedule, it’s not going to happen.

Must-see band: The Magic Gang, Sunflower Bean and Jared & The Mill.

 

Name: David Rockwood

Years attending SXSW: 25 whole years

Pro tip: Random is way better than planning.

Must-see band: BRONCHO

 

Name: Candi Clem

Years attending SXSW: 1

Pro tip: Stay hydrated. Take advantage of networking opportunities.

Must-see band: My favorite artists at SXSW are the ones I haven’t discovered yet.

 

Name: Jack Epsteen

Years attending SXSW: 8, I think?

Pro tip: Don’t overschedule, let the day and night guide you. And most of all, NO FOMO.

Must-see band: Ratboys!

 

Name: Rye Clifton

Years attending SXSW: 7, I think

Pro tip: Go alone. It is a lot easier to sneak in places when you aren’t part of a group.

Must-see band: The Fantastic Plastics

 

Name: Elizabeth Thompson

Years attending SXSW: At least 12?! How is that possible? Does 10 make me sound younger?

Pro tip: Forego fashion for function when it comes to shoes, and attend the events you love, even if your friends don’t.

Must-see band: The best I can do, so far, is local favorite David Ramirez, Will Varley, Peach Pit, The Yellow Traffic Light, a TBD beautiful crooner at St. David’s church during the Communion Showcase.

 

It seems as though there’s a general consensus that going with the flow of SXSW is the most fun and effective way to make it through the chaos—that, and comfortable shoes. Aside from the tips and tricks, there is a playlist with all of the above musical suggestions and then some.

 

Happy festing!

GSD&M is an agency built on big ideas. These big ideas have a huge impact on our people, our agency, our clients and our community. We pride ourselves on creating ideas that make a difference and fostering an entrepreneurial culture and environment. For some of our entrepreneurs, their ideas have the power to transform our industry and the world. One of our very own, Creative Director, Will Chau, is an example of someone who did exactly that. He turned a vision into action, which is impacting the lives of local Austin students and providing tools to propel them forward.

Will has been part of the GSD&M family for 10 years. Originally from Los Angeles, he credits an old high school teacher for helping him discover his love for advertising and design.

Prior to working at an agency in L.A. and then joining GSD&M, Will taught at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Although teaching became a strong love for Will, his experience with academia quickly came to a halt when he was rejected from a teaching position because he didn’t have a master’s degree. In response, he decided to create his own vision of what he believed higher education should be in Austin—The Austin Creative Department.

The school’s model offers apprenticeships that help students receive hands-on training, set professional goals and create successful portfolios. In addition, the business model encourages students to take courses à la carte based on what fits them best. It can also help students determine if their passion is to work at an agency, with a specific type of client or brand, or start their own business. Ultimately, The Austin Creative Department’s goal is to help students realize their own purpose through creative problem solving by utilizing real, paying clients with authentic problems that need to be solved.

The first night of class, instructors brief the students on the assignment—here, the clients are present. The students spend the semester working to solve the problem with multiple solutions. Whether it’s a digital or social campaign, tagline write-up or logo design, the work they produce provides them with an in-depth understanding of going from problem to solution. At the end of the semester, the students pitch their work to clients. This experience creates a real-world scenario for the students—except it isn’t just a faux scenario: the clients pay a professional fee to the student(s) whose work is selected.unnamed-1Will’s motivation for teaching was also driven by underprivileged students who were very talented but lacked opportunities that would help them grow and succeed. Each year, one full-ride scholarship is provided to a student with a strong, diverse background and not a lot of opportunity. GSD&M’s Cofounder Tim McClure has been extremely supportive throughout the process, having acted as a mentor and advisor to Will, and offering advice on how to select scholarship recipients. McClure encouraged Will, “Give it to the person who has the most creative potential—not just the person who needs it most.” Because of this advice, the school’s first scholarship student, Elizabeth Perez, graduated from The Austin Creative Department and is now an art director at Leo Burnett in Chicago.

The success rate of The Austin Creative Department’s students has been remarkable. Alumni have started to build amazingly successful careers. Students who have taken two to four courses have gone on to land art director jobs in Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. Other students have gone on to join the internship program here at GSD&M. One alumnus, Victor AbiJaoudi, joined the startup company Primal 7, that was originally a client for his class. A year after joining Primal 7, Victor became its CEO.

“In order for change to happen, it has to be grassroots,” said Chau. “Our goal is not to crank out students in volume, but rather to take small steps, and eventually when students graduate, they’ll help other people—it’s a snowball effect.”

As this snowball effect continues to expand and propel students like Elizabeth Perez and Victor AbiJaoudi forward, the industry will continue to experience growth not only in talent, but also in diversity and inclusion of those entering the industry. Will’s big idea was simple: to create a higher education program that provided creative students with the tools they need to succeed.

It’s with entrepreneurs like Will that GSD&M continues to have the tools it needs to grow and thrive. By creating a space for restless minds to visualize and put these big ideas into action, we’re able to make a difference, and in our own way evolve the industry.

 

It’s been a busy few weeks here in Austin, with SXSW Interactive and the 4A’s Transformation conference taking place back to back. While attending these events and learning about the latest-and-greatest in technology, innovation and creativity, I must admit I did the unthinkable — I let my phone die.

I’ll start by saying that “let” is a loose term. My phone is on its last leg, and perhaps I’m not quite careful enough about charging it. Point being there were dozens of areas around the conferences to plug in and charge back up if I wanted. But I didn’t.

At first, my decision not to recharge seemed questionable.

Oh no, how will I get this free t-shirt if my phone is dead and I can’t tweet about it (the requirement for getting the t-shirt)?

Turns out, the girl running the contest was quite understanding. Since I couldn’t tweet about it we chatted instead, and I ended up “pinky promising” her I would tweet later. Definitely haven’t pinky promised since 2001 (win).

How will I look up the panel information ahead of time?

With no phone, I couldn’t re-read up on the speakers and panels. Instead, I was excited all over again as each speaker and topic was introduced. While other people texted, browsed, or posted throughout the talks, I gave my full attention since I had no distractions. I even took some notes…using a pen and paper.

What time is it?!

Asking strangers for the time may not be an ideal conversation starter, but it led me to meet some interesting people. I wound up meeting a guy who managed to sneak into all the SXSW badge-only events without a badge, and a woman who lived on the same city as my sister.

Ok, so my phone died twice in one week, big deal.

But it was kind of a big deal. At these conferences about interacting and connecting, there is wonderful technology everywhere and a lot of people using it to connect. But for me, disconnecting was an unexpectedly positive experience. In my last panel of the day at SX the speaker stated: “Our cell phones know we are all in this room.”

Everyone’s did except for mine. Because it was dead. Which turns out was, actually, kind of cool.

photo

I’ve nearly always been a planner, relished sketching out the blow-by-blow for any given day, vacation or event, seeking the best way to optimize my enjoyment of the experience at hand. Then I had kids. And yes, I still do a lot of planning for things directly related to my job of course and select household projects, but my energy and thrill for strict insistence on planning for everything seems to have faded on multiple levels over the last several years.

Cut scene to my second-ever SXSW conference today. In my defense, I was given my formal registration late…as in…Thursday. I kept meaning to glance over the panels and different events before arriving at the Convention Center Saturday morning…but well, I chose to put out my fires at work and then play with my kids when I was home instead. So it felt almost alien to arrive for badge pickup and truly have no idea where I was heading after I tossed it round my neck. Those who have always been carefree souls will laugh at my discomfort as I tried to follow in their footsteps nonchalantly, pretending that this knot of anxiety and uncertainty had not suddenly welled up in my belly. And then I suddenly decided, “!*%& it, where will the day take me?” Cut to anyone who has known me for many years crying “Scandal!”

And I started strolling around the convention center, relishing all the people watching, accents and energy already in motion. I casually passed the PBSAnywhere Lounge hosting…Cookie Monster. So I went in and kissed Cookie Monster. (Call me a hussy.) I started toward a panel I was mildly interested in, feeling pangs of guilt about not jumping right in, but then realized I should save my brain for the panels that really leapt out at me and that I was really hungry. So I stopped and ate at this awesome BBQ stand that seemed to just materialize beside me, my anxiety lessening with the assistance of berry cobbler.

The remainder of the day passed in a similarly fluid manner. I attended a responsive design discussion, and though the hosts were entertaining, I was most engaged by the nice woman who let me take the open seat beside her before everything began. I chose to chat with her beforehand instead of Googling the panelists’ bios. I wandered downtown observing visitors and the various installations that had popped up for the event. I went with the flow.

I scanned the afternoon schedule and was intrigued by the Girl Power(ed) panel due to the onslaught of media coverage of late about the gender gaps in the high-tech sector. I followed my instincts and am so glad I did. The panel discussion was lively and featured three women openly sharing their passion for their respective tech fields and the particular challenges they have navigated. When Girl Power(ed) closed, I stood to leave but noticed the next session in the room was She’s a C-Word! Lessons from Tech’s C-Suite Women. How can you not attend a panel with ovaries enough to craft a title like that? So in the zone of the women in tech topic, I sat right back down. Moderated by Re/Code’s Kara Swisher and filled with female executives steeped in the rigors of life in Silicone Valley, the discussion that unfolded about mentorship, female leadership and the critical importance of diversity to a company’s ultimate bottom line was one of best panels I’ve ever seen. Ultimately, I think my interest in the gender diversity challenge of tech is rooted in reality of the witnessing the diversity gaps that exist in advertising and marketing as well. Many industries suffer from a “disease of homogeneity” for lack of more eloquence, and I am happy about the attention shining on our sisters in tech because I think these high-profile discussions will inform our own domain.

What I am most happy about though, is how for at least today, I threw my hands up in the air and let the SXSW wind take me where it may. It was liberating, and I think more true to what the spirit of SXSW was years ago. Much better than my previous festival attendance certainly, and I plan to do the same thing again…tomorrow.

A perfect SXSW day to each and all!

Earlier this morning, GSD&M celebrated Austin’s 175th birthday by unveiling a new logo for the city.

When faced with the daunting task of consolidating all of Austin into a logo, you begin by asking yourself some questions:

When you celebrate 175 years of Austin, what are you celebrating?

What represents Austin?

Is it a place, like Barton Springs? Or an event, like a music festival? 

Is it an attitude, like keeping weird? Maybe a bat? Bats are weird. 

(more…)

GSDM Daniel Johnston Mural FinalsmOne of the great things about the holiday season is surprises, especially surprises for the kick-ass city you get to call home. When we were thinking about what to do for our holiday card this year, we decided we wanted to give back to Austin. We wanted to play Santa. So we gifted the city of Austin a custom Daniel Johnston mural, kicking off the season of giving with a bang. Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell formally accepted the mural, located at Austin institution Nau’s Enfield Drug on West Lynn, in a spiffy ceremony alongside Austin art (and hamburger! And milkshake!) aficionados and our own CEO Duff Stewart.

(more…)