Denver :: September 28, 2006 :: Today Andy Bosselman, a Denver-based writer, PR guy and creative consultant, announced the launch of Blog AB.

"Blog AB is about agencies, designers, the industry and the work," Bosselman said. "I say what I think and I talk about what's going on in the advertising and design community, especially in Colorado."

The blog includes:

• Examples of the best work by ad agencies and design firms (sometimes terrible work is criticized, too)
• Profiles of commercial photographers, illustrators, filmmakers and editors in the area
• Industry news
• Book reviews

Blog AB comes at a time when Colorado's creative industry is growing in size and notoriety.

"Until recently, the work of Colorado's agencies and designers was rarely recognized outside the state," Bosselman said. "Few national awards were won. Most of Colorado's big companies sent their advertising work out of state, including Qwest, Quizno's and Frontier Airlines." But recently things have started to change.

• In April, Chipotle chose Boulder-based TDA Advertising and Design as agency of record for its $3.6 million account.
• Earlier this year, Crispin Porter + Boguski of Miami, the hottest ad agency in the world, opened an office in Boulder, the company's second. The arrival of the $700 million agency brought national clients like Volkswagen, Burger King and Sprite.
• Denver's FL2, an interactive agency, has been recognized in Communication Arts Magazine twice this year. Such notice from the prestigious international publication is considered one of the industry's highest honors.

"Five years from now, the Front Range may achieve a reputation as an 'ad town' -- like Minneapolis or Portland," Bosselman said. "With this blog, people are comparing the best work in Colorado with their own. I think that will trigger more competitive work. And that will help to attract more business to the entire community."

Bosselman sees the blog as a resource for people who work within the industry and those who hire creative professionals. "When you see the quality of work done by specific firms and freelancers, you can get an idea if you want to hire them or become their employee," he said.

The blog was started in late 2005 but has not been announced until now. "We spent a few months figuring out what subject matter to cover and if the community would be interested in something like this," Bosselman said. "Our early success in both feedback and traffic suggests that there is real interest."

Blog AB broke a story surrounding poorly designed welcome signs that were proposed to replace the vintage wood signs at Colorado's border crossings. Throughout the controversy that started late last year, Blog AB kept journalists and politicians focused on the issue.

In January, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens asked the legislature for $19 million for tourism advertising. If he got the money, Owens promised, "I'll cancel plans for those new 'Welcome to Colorado' signs.'" When the legislature passed the advertising budget last spring, Blog AB was the first to point out that the vintage signs would stay.

To visit Blog AB, go to:
http://andybosselman.blogspot.com/

Contact and submissions:
Andy Bosselman
303.861.0161
andy@andybosselman.com

About Andy Bosselman:
Andy Bosselman is a Denver-based writer, PR guy and creative consultant. With more than ten years experience in advertising and design, Bosselman's practice serves clients ranging from award-winning ad agencies and design firms to nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies. For more information contact him directly at andy@andybosselman.com or visit the website of his practice at http://www.andybosselman.com/.

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