Getting ready for Halloween

BATgirls filling up the loot bags

they die every year...

now you know where print prod keeps the goodies

Jos celebrates 100th day in JWT

Last Friday's Town Hall Meeting marked the hundredth day since Jos first stepped on the 7th floor and waltzed inside his glass encased office with big dreams for JWT- and an even bigger desire to make those dreams happen.

Jos touched on several serious and not-so-serious topics like his first JWT impressions, the global financial crisis, who had the best smile and humor in the office, the challenges we face today as an agency and what to expect for 2009.

To serve as a reminder for employees to continue to strive for growth and prosperity, fortune plants were handed out to everyone.

serious faces

remember to water your money ferns once a day!

Girl Trouble by Alan Navarra

Our bad, we forgot to mention that our uber talented Alan Navarra is quite the heart-wrenching novelist with his first ever publication, Girl Trouble--a book about f*&^$#% relationships - or is it relationsh%@?!

Grab a copy of this bestseller at all leading bookstores nationwide for only P250. Autograph signing will take place during office hours only. Yes, you may approach him anytime. And no, don't bring him food.

To view the book trailers, click here and here.

Jos gives talk alongside Al Ries

Last October 1, Al Ries, the legendary brand strategist and best-selling author of Positioning: The Battle for your Mind, Focus and The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing gave a talk on the newest brand strategies at the Brand Strategy Forum in Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati. Al Ries is the architect behind the groundbreaking marketing tool known as positioning -- the concept of replacing a product and its function with a brand name. Remember the last time you Xeroxed something? Or did you photocopy it? When you sneeze, does someone offer you a Kleenex or a tissue?

Sharing the stage was our very own Jos Ortega, who gave a talk on the Yellow Rubber Duck Strategy. Jos discussed insights on how to create memorable brand stories that will keep customers and make them come back for more.

al ries and a very happy jos

Happy Birthday, Pao!

Our last but definitely not the least birthday celebrant for October is no other than Pao Acosta, or rather, Mr. Red Horse himself! Perhaps now is the best time to see how many cans of birthday beer can this one chug down? Wink, wink! Have a great one, Pao!!

Paper, Scissors, Rock

On October 28 at 8 pm, more than 15 bands will be performing at Mag:net Bar, High Street to raise hospital funds for former JWT employee and 2008 Cannes Young Lions representative JB Bangoy, who suffered a stroke several weeks back.

On a lighter note, Griffey's band Fight Monday will be rockin' it onstage, so that's another good reason for you to come and support!

Tickets are priced at P350. See you guys there!

Happy Birthday, Jakeena!

Barely over a week old at JWT, this hyperactive-naturally-caffeinated-ultra-perky woman has made it clear that making friends at work is not a problem for her. Don't believe us? Try having a conversation with Jakeena and let's see if you don't get hooked by her hyperactive-naturally-caffeinated-ultra-perky stories!

Happy, happy birthday!

Samba your way to the Sandalias Festival!

Come join us as we capture sunny Brazil's famous footwear and the rhythmic beats that make their people's footwork famously fancy! The Sandalias Festival will be from 1 pm onwards on October 25, 2008 at the Glorietta Activity Center!

Learn the samba moves with Steps Dance Studio and parade together with Buganda and Escola de Samba de Manila or treat yourself to free henna tattoos, face paint or key chains! It's also the last day to avail the Buy 3, Take 1 promo where you get an extra pair for every three Ipanema, Grendha and Rider that you buy.

This event is brought to you by JWT Brand Activations! :)

Happy Birthday, Bob!

He's the 3rd to the last birthday celebrant from JWT this month, as well as one of the more makulit guys in the office. Always armed with a funny crack or two or three or four, Bob Cruz turns a year youngah today! Cheers!

A typical briefing scenario

helmet heads at the table

Got some funny office shots to share? Send 'em over and we'll post them here!

Office Beats at JWT London

Check out what some fresh grads at JWT London came up with!

Happy Birthday, Richie!

"So...what do you think of the dress?"

Silent as our birthday boy may appear to be, this guy's got quite a few tricks up his sleeve. For instance, did you know that he was once referred to as a "Bass (guitar) God" back in college? Looks like this rockin' Art Director sure knew how to leave his mark!

Have an awesome birthday, Richie!

Tay Guan Hin in the House!

Our regional CD Tay Guan Hin is in town to judge at the Tinta Awards, the local print advertising show. He stopped by the office yesterday to meet up with the wild bunch that is JWT Manila and to give an enlightening talk on Creativity.

Guan has won numerous times at D&AD, Cannes, The One Show, Clios, AdFest, Media and just about every major award show in the world. To his credit, the man remains humble and grounded despite all the accolades. As our ECD Dave Ferrer noted, to Guan, life is more than an award show.

But lest we all forget our mission to create award-winning ideas that the consumer would rather spend time with, Guan shared some insights on how consumer generated content itself, particularly online, might hold a few untapped wells of creative inspiration.

He encouraged us to find the surprising, rather than relying on the formulaic and routine which typically leads to the predictable. And to remember that strong strategy executed in an innovative fashion remains the key to winning big in award shows.

Guan also reminded us that reaching the top is actually the easy part. Staying on top is even tougher.

The Wheat Room Incident

Some strange goings-on in the wee hours of the morning.

Welcome to JWT, Jakeena!

No that's not Kat Moldes' double you're seeing around the office but more like our new Account Manager from Leah's team - Shripati Jakeena Asaari Malli. Quite a mouthful, eh? You can just call her Jakeena don't worry.

She spent the last three years at Lowe, where she handled accounts like Close-Up and Enervon. A self-proclaimed Energizer Bunny, expect this woman to be anything but dull. In fact, expect her to be doing cartwheels around the office. Jakeena was a cheerleader since Grade 1 all the way up till college. Hmmm, do we sense some pom-pom flapping at our upcoming Christmas party?? (Note to the newbies--you're ALL performing!)

Let's all give a big rah-rah welcome to the new Cream Silk and J&J lady on the 7th floor!

Free Wine Class at Fully Booked on Oct. 22

Ever found yourself stumped when it came to choosing the right wine? Well, Fully Booked and Rene Barbier is inviting everyone for a free wine class this coming October 22. The class is on a first come, first served basis so the sooner you reserve your slots the better!

BAT attended last year's class held at Fully Booked High Street. The class was a fun and informative way to learn about the history and various types of wine. It also gave us a chance to sample red, wine and sparkling wines. (And now you know why it was fun!) To top it all off, we each walked away with goodies bags and prizes! Highly recommended! :)

- Cez

Heartbeats Art Exhibit by Ge

This Saturday, drop by the new haven for artists at Cubao X and check out the 2nd solo exhibit of our very own Ge Madriaga-Mapa. Her graphic artworks will be on display at 9 pm at Future Cafe.

Congratulations in advance, Ge!

Happy Birthday, Pritchie!

Here's another October celebrant! One of the youngest (and tallest) girls in the office, Pritchie turns 23 years old today! Happy, happy birthday!

Welcome to JWT, Alan!

Give it up for the guy who officially pushed Ciox and Jojo out of "newbie" status--Alan Navarra, our newly appointed Art Director! Alan previously worked in agencies Creative Juice and Black Pencil.

Why JWT?
Dahil pwedeng mamboso sa Shangri-la. With a certain degree of dignity and sophistication.

Hobbies and interests?
Siguro music. Pwede ring Film. And everything superficial. Yehey!

Name 3 things you want us to know about you.
1. Naniniwala ako sa kapangyarihan ni Batman.
2. I don't eat.
3. I like using big words like "flabbergasted" or "anaerobic" or "panache" because they make me sound educated and laking-aircon.

Nora or Vilma?
Si Vilma na lang. Probably the only one who can put "Darna" and "Mayor" in her resume. And that red costume! Wawawewawoo.

Any hidden talents?
Puwede nating... pag-usapan yan mamaya.

Happy Birthday, Griffey!

It's a special Monday for Mr. Fight Monday. This one goes out to the rocker extraordinaire with the magic stare! Cheers to glaring Griffey on his Birthday!

Check out this trailer for the upcoming movie about his life:

Happy Birthday, Cora, Gelo and Sensei!

The lovely Tita Cora and two of JWT's talented artists/musicians celebrate their birthdays today! Happy birthday!