Amtrak Rebrand
We wanted to show people that the railroad isn’t an inconvenient way to travel distances. In fact, it’s exciting because it lets us get to see nature across the state. And it’s relaxing, we don’t encounter turbulence. We want to bring back the sense of adventure the railroad has always had while getting the word out that this wasn’t the Amtrak of the past. This is a new, modern Amtrak.
We began with a print ad that showed off Amtrak’s new design language and overall voice and tone.
Alcove MDP Facebook Ad Copy
EXTERIOR COURTYARD AD COPY:
Headline: The courtyard you crave; only at Alcove M.D.P.
Text: Enjoy access to all Wicker Park offers. Benefit from a serene retreat. Contact Alcove M.D.P. today!
Headline: Your urban oasis awaits. Live in luxury.
Text: Contact Alcove M.D.P for more information on the last condo you’ll ever need.
Headline: Finally, a way to escape city traffic.
Text: Discover your next urban retreat with Alcove M.D.P. Get in touch with our agents today!
Headline: A courtyard with everything you need, steps away.
Text: We’re redefining luxury city living. Contact Alcove M.D.P. to explore your next Wicker Park condo.
Headline: A courtyard like no other. In a city like no other.
Text: Contact our agents at Alcove M.D.P. for more information on luxury homes in Wicker Park.
ROOFTOP AD COPY:
Headline: Your rooftop urban escape right in your home.
Text: Escape the bustle of Wicker Park while living in the heart of it all. Visit our sales gallery today!
Headline: Private roof terraces you’ll never want to leave.
Text: Steps from everything. Serene luxury. The last condo you’ll ever need. Contact Alcove M.D.P. today!
Headline: Take a vacation whenever you need.
Text: Enjoy incredible views with our luxury urban rooftop retreat. Find your next home with Alcove M.D.P. Contact our agents today!
Headline: The private terrace you’ve always dreamed of.
Text: Live in Wicker Park and stay in the heart of the action while enjoying private access to an urban rooftop escape. Contact our Alcove M.D.P. agents today and discover your next oasis.
Headline: Escape to your own private rooftop.
Text: Sometimes we all need a little bit of fresh air. Breathe in the luxury of private, modern rooftop terraces. Enjoy a serene urban escape at Alcove M.D.P. Visit our sales gallery today!
Neighborhood Landing Page for Apartment Building
From an intimate steakhouse and Japanese comfort food to boutique shopping, living in River North is all about abundant choices. Our apartments near the Magnificent Mile give you convenient access to the bike paths and beaches along Lake Michigan and chic stores at the Mart for furnishing your new home. You can stroll the neighborhood's galleries to find your next art piece, pop into one of the best new brunch venues, and debate the merits of custom cocktails at the city's hottest bars.
A Vibrant History
Aptly named, River North sits just north of Chicago’s Loop and the Chicago River, and west of the infamous Michigan Avenue. What started as an industrial, warehouse neighborhood is now a cultural hub for everything from eclectic galleries to vibrant bars and eateries.
When many of the warehouses closed down in the 1970s, the spaces became a hip spot for artists and writers looking to hone their craft while drawing influence from these loft and studio spaces.
As more and more artists moved to this burgeoning cultural center, the neighborhood transformed into a bustling, chic neighborhood perfect for young urban professionals and artists alike, all filled with the best antique shops, boutiques, and a high concentration of enticing restaurants.
The Best Things To Do
Living in River North means that you’ll never be bored for lack of things to do. When you’re not enjoying our urban rooftop or coffee bar, venture out to find unique antiques for your new apartment, or shop at any number of specialty home decor stores.
When it comes to grabbing a bite, options are endless, but these are a few of our favorite spots.
Osteria Via Stato
Tanta Chicago
NAHA
Slurping Turtle
The same goes for drinking. These are a few of our favorite local haunts.
Bub City
Headquarters River North
Bottlefork
Three Dots and a Dash
Eating and drinking aren’t the only things to do in River North, either. While there’s a good focus on both, the neighborhood caters to much more and often incorporates ways to do a bit of everything in one spot like playing old arcade games while drinking your favorite microbrew at Headquarters River North.
If you’re looking for one place to find modern, elegant home decor and furnishings, the Mart is the place to go. Entertainment is also nearby. Venture out to the Loop and Magnificent Mile for everything from the newest movies at AMC to the best theater at the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre.
Who Else Lives Here?
The residents living in River North reflect the artistic, future-forward essence that we built 3Eleven on. Many of the neighborhood’s residents are new to the area and made up of young professionals and artists looking for a faced paced urban environment with a focus on great food, a vibrant nightlife, and beautiful design.
Are You Ready To Move In Yet?
At 3Eleven, you’ll find a variety of apartments from studios to penthouses all designed with elegant floorplans and high-quality finishes.
Contact us today to find your new pad.
Landing Page: Content Marketing
Content Marketing Services
A digital marketing campaign is only as strong and robust as is the content that backs it. If you’re looking to propel your business to the top, you need quality, curated content. At SoMe Connect, we deliver that content to your site using proven methods that include proper SEO tactics to make you authoritative, visible, and engaging.
Content is no longer the king on the chessboard; it is the chessboard.
Customers want a brand that’s part of the conversation. They rely on quality content to inform them and make the decision on whether or not to invest in you. That’s why it’s so important to have a skilled team develop your content marketing plan and make you a trusted resource.
What is Content Marketing?
Content marketing is the process of creating valuable, well-written content that attracts and engages with your target audience. The goal of content marketing is to use high-quality, valuable content to inform, converse with, and attract people to your brand.
Content marketing takes many forms and here at SoMe Connect, we help you create that content across all platforms and landscapes. Whether you need blog content, banner copy, social media posts, relevant and engaging titles and meta descriptions, or product descriptions.
Overall, content builds relationships between you and your customer base. It’s about starting and maintaining a conversation. With our proven methods we can do just that.
Here at SoMe Connect, we know content marketing. If your business needs content strategy consulting, you’ve come to the right place.
Our Content Marketing Services:
Content Audit
We’ll conduct a thorough content audit of all your existing content. We sift through every word you’ve written from titles and meta descriptions to social media posts to blog posts to landing pages. Then we assess and provide recommendations on how to improve.
Content Marketing Strategy
As we get to know your business, we’ll partner with you to discover your objectives, learn your audience, and develop a strategic plan of execution. Our goal is to provide rich content to your targeted audience that creates an exciting and engaging experience, whether you’re B2B or B2C. And with SoMe Connect, that strategy is fluid. We’ll change and adapt as we move forward to always give you the right tools to succeed.
Content Creation and Development
Buyers are smart, and they can smell bad content immediately. That’s why our in-house content creators work hard always to create unique, compelling copy that’s designed to engage with your audience, not speak at them. Since we take a holistic approach to your marketing campaign, our content team works with every department to create rich, SEO friendly content that boosts your company on all levels. We believe in a research first, creation second approach.
Keyword Research and Implementation
Our writers work with our research department to find the best keywords and phrases to earn you visibility and authority. We don’t throw words at a wall like spaghetti and see what sticks. We use facts and data to determine your best path forward. Then our content creators use that information to create compelling, quality content.
Distribution and Promotion
Great content deserves to be seen. That’s why we help you promote your content across all digital channels efficiently and cost-effectively. We hit the internet from all sides, distributing your amazing content through social media, PPC, SEM, and many other channels.
Measurement and Reporting
We measure and report how well your content marketing initiatives are doing and provide monthly reporting to you. By measuring and reporting, we can learn and adapt our approach to best help your business. Additionally, you’ll learn what your KPI’s are and see what best contributes to your ROI. By actively monitoring your content’s performance we can continually improve your results.
For a full breakdown of our content marketing services, contact us today.
Blog Post: A Review of Rick and Morty
This is a blog post that I wrote for my personal blog.
—-
“Nothing you think matters, matters.”
-Rick Sanchez
NOTE: This covers the entire third season; spoilers to follow.
Fan theories. Fan backlash. Creator backlash. All these things surround a 20-minute cartoon show that goes for 10 episodes about every two years. What makes this phenomenon so interesting is that the Rick and Morty multiverse, which in a way includes our own reality, has perhaps the most outspoken fans and most dedicated, despite the fact that the show itself is rather aloof. Not even family can permeate the depths of its own psyche. Jerry and Beth are divorced and Beth may be a clone. By the way, she’s totally a clone.
It’s the top-rated cartoon show; it’s easy to see why. What is hard to see is the light at the end of the tunnel. If there is a light at all. There probably isn’t a light. The end of the tunnel is blocked by a pile of identical corpses.
At the end of the first episode of season three, Rick tells Morty that this is going to be the darkest season yet. And it definitely was, both in the context of the show and outside of it. From a failed Szechuan Sauce marketing scheme that totally missed the mark by McDonald’s to an arc that largely related to the divorce of not just Jerry and Beth, but the family as a whole, we became obsessed (again) with a cartoon. And that obsession was a perfectly perpendicular line to the show’s general conceit: Everything is meaningless and you don’t matter.
The show is popular on the internet (specifically Reddit) for its subtle plot hints and hidden meanings, and this season it’s “smartest” fans caused a backlash. From criticizing the creators and doxxing female writers to a ridiculous meme-infested tantrum over limited Szechuan Sauce supplies, they proved that they don’t understand the show at all.
That’s because Rick and Morty isn’t a show that’s ever going to pay lip service to its fans. Not really. See that box of time travel stuff on the shelf? The show is as absent and nihilistic as its hero-villain Rick. We may like to think that we’re the Morty or the Summer to the show’s Rick, but we’re not even Jerry. We haven’t been abandoned or mistreated. Because we never had the kind of love and support we wanted in the first place.
Sure, the show needs fans to stay on the air. But there are most likely enough fans out there who understand the show and it’s co-creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland to keep it going.
I originally wanted to do a summary of the season but quickly got sidetracked by the number of outside forces that have permeated my experience of the show. My thesis for this article has gotten away from me. But I think I’ve formulated a new one which is this (several paragraphs in, lead dutifully buried): Season three of Rick and Morty wasn’t the sounding board many fans wanted it to be.
While I have no empirical proof, other than Reddit posters it would seem that the majority of fans of the show are liberal minded-those who harassed female writers not included. And in our current political and ecological state, a show such as this would seem to be a safe haven. A place in which to put all our fears and righteous anger while getting something in return. But that’s never been the case with this show. The show is Rick. Too smart for its own good and unloving. It doesn’t care about your problems. It doesn’t care about this article. It would rather turn itself into a pickle than sit and listen to us whine about the mundaneness of life.
And that’s what it essentially does in the season finale. It rebukes the country, it blows off America. We are the sex tunnel creatures and it’s tired of cleaning us up.
Toward the end of the finale, we see Rick with a machine gun ready to shoot Jerry as Beth gives a speech about being a clone. No amount of genius can stop Jerry’s “dumb, mediocre, vacuous roots from digging into everything and everyone around you and draining them of any ability to fend you off.” And if that’s not enough, “Nothing you think matters, matters. This isn’t special.”
While it may be hard to find more apt words for how much of a nation feel under our current president, the meaning is a tough one to swallow. I’m a firm believer that TV, and by extension, all forms of entertainment is a necessity. We need escapism from our true lives. It’s why reality TV works. You get to leave your life behind while you mock silly contestants vie for love. You get to watch American Ninja Warriors fail on the first obstacle after so much training. It’s therapeutic to see someone else fail and forget your own failings for a moment. Just as it’s thrilling to watch someone you root for thrive. Because if they do, if they catch the bad guy maybe so can you.
From a strictly television-based point of view, the third season of Rick and Morty was a huge success. It raised the stakes over the previous two seasons all the while bringing witty one-liners and off-color, sometimes too-close-to-home jokes. It even found the plot and moved it forward. Each and every episode relating to the last and setting up the next.
From a therapeutic point of view, which a lot of people seemed to turn to it for, it didn’t fail. It was never there for that. Rick and Morty has never been South Park. It never set out to criticize and satirize our current world. And somewhere along the way, a lot of us forgot that. Take the president for example. The president in their universe isn’t Trump, by any stretch. Sure, he has an ego but he’s not the orange megalomaniac that a show like South Park would create.
Sometimes, a TV show is just a TV show. Another way to tell a story. Something to take from it what you will and apply it how you will to your life. But it doesn’t owe you anything. Because at the end of the day, what you think matters doesn’t matter.
Luciano Barbera Landing Page
A True Gentleman
Luciano Barbera is a true gentleman known for his grace and style, and that comes forth in the craftsmanship of his clothes. During a discussion with Scott Schuman, known for his website The Sartorialist, Luciano explained that his clothes are for the man who wants to experience them, not just wear them. They have to make him feel comfortable and natural in this style. We feature iconic outerwear and cashmere vests, in addition to knitwear, and sweaters from the Barbera brand. Each year we hold two trunk shows featuring items with an individual style that’s always ahead of the game. We look forward to receiving iconic Barbera houndstooth, and herringbone patterns, which give outerwear style, detail, and precision. There is never a question in the sartorial dedication in the craftsmanship and comfortability, which is why men keep coming back to Barbera year after year for clothes that have to be worn to believe.
Quality Is In The Thread
To Luciano Barbera, wool is a living thing. It breathes, and it performs. It lives on your body and creates a scene. “If your suit is not performing well, it’s like being in a car where you can feel every little bump in the road. If a suit is performing well, it’s as though you drive right over the bumps and you feel nothing,” Barbera says.
Creating some of the best yarns and fabrications across all of Italy, all Barbara fabrics are stored in an underground warehouse which is kept naturally cool and humid from a creek running below its floors. Thus, the mill is a key source of luxury products. It is not just a warehouse for Luciano though, for him it's a spa for fabrics. Once each spool is dyed, it rests in the mill for around six months where it breathes in the moisture from the air until 20 percent of its weight is from water. From there, the fabric undergoes a special 15--step process that Luciano has never disclosed to anyone not involved in the curating of the fabrics.
The History
Carlo Barbera’s company has been around for generations. The mill was opened in 1949 in Biella, Italy where his vision of caring for wools and cashmere in a way that would create exceptional designs was born. Barbera was soon known for creating artistic yarns, translating to glen plaid and mini check design shirts. A constant style in men’s fashion. Following his father’s vision, in 1971 Luciano Barbera began producing men’s garments under the Luciano Barbera brand. His philosophy:"Clothing for people who believe in individuality and intelligence".
Morris & Sons is proud to have built a wonderful friendship with Barbera, and his brand, and it is because of this close relationship that we can provide our clientele with another exceptional brand of menswear. We want the Morris & Son’s customer to feel confident and stylish and feel as if the clothes weren’t just tailored to you, but made for you.
FAQ Landing Page
An FAQ page for a car dealership.
FAQ: Acura of Berlin
Here at Acura of Berlin, we specialize in providing drivers in the Berlin, CT area with an amazing selection of new Acura models for sale. But that's not all we do. We also provide excellent Acura service and parts. So you can keep your car running smoothly for years to come. Since we strive to be more than just your Acura dealership, we wanted to answer some frequently asked questions we know a lot of people have.
You can check out our frequently asked questions section below for answers to our most common questions. However, if you don’t see your question below, feel free to contact Acura of Berlin online or by phone at (877) 621-6916 and we’ll be happy to help.
Cars
Q: Do you offer vehicle financing?
A: We offer several types of vehicle financing on both new and used Acura models for sale. Our expert staff will be happy to assist you in determining your best options based on your budget. We offer everything from car loans to leasing options. We also have an online car payment calculator so you can get an estimate of your monthly payments. Visit our Acura Finance Center for more details.
Q: What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned?
A: Our used inventory consists of all kinds of makes, models, and years. Our certified pre-owned inventory includes thoroughly inspected and tested Acura models. These models are typically lightly-used and newer. Both options are a fantastic way for you to get a great deal on your next vehicle.
Service and Parts
Q: How often should I bring in my vehicle for maintenance?
A: A general rule of thumb for routine maintenance, such as an oil change and tire rotation, is to bring in your vehicle twice a year. Models built after 2005 need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 - 8,000 miles, which most drivers typically reach twice a year. During your checkups, we’ll also be able to inspect the rest of your vehicle. During this inspection, we will ensure that everything from the battery to the brakes is in proper working order. Visit our Acura service and parts section today for all your needs.
Q: Do you offer service and parts specials?
A: Here at Acura Berlin, we want our customers to keep their vehicle in proper working order so they can enjoy it for years to come. That’s why we’re constantly offering both service and parts specials for you to take advantage of. We offer deals on everything from oil changes to cleaning specials. We want you to have a trusted place where you know you’ll get expert service at a great deal.
Finance
Q: How can I see what I might pay for my new car?
A: Our finance team will sit down with you and help you go over your budget and compare it to any models you’re looking at. From there, they will assess an estimated payment. However, you can also use our Payment Calculator right on our website.
Q: Can I fill out a Finance Application online?
A: You can! We offer an online Finance Application which you can find under our Finance Center tab right from the homepage.
General
Q: What are your dealership hours?
A: Acura of Berlin is open seven days a week! Our hours are 9:00am - 8:00pm Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 6:00pm Friday and Saturday, and 11:00am - 4:00pm on Sunday.
Q: Why should I choose Acura of Berlin?
A: Here at Acura of Berlin, we understand how involved the car buying process is. It’s our mission to make that as easy as possible. We’re dedicated to serving as your go-to Acura dealership for the Berlin, Manchester, and Hartford, CT areas. We aim to do this by offering a great selection of vehicles as well as excellent service brought to you by our friendly and trained staff. Buying a new vehicle shouldn’t be hard, it’s our job to make it as easy as possible.
Theatre Y Promo Video
This is a short video I filmed and edited for Theatre Y, a small theatre company in Chicago. The video was made to raise awareness for the theatre and the show they were putting up.
How to Not Suck at Fantasy Football
This is an infographic I made back in 2014. It was about fantasy football, something I still know very little about to this day.
Power Rankings: Chicago's Most Luxurious Condos
Power Rankings: Chicago's Most Expensive Condos
In honor of March Madness and with the spring market about to drop on all of us with the fervor of a recent mid-March snowstorm, we decided to make a little bracket of our own pitting 16 of Chicago’s highest priced, luxury condo buildings against one another.
Buildings were judged on a few criteria:
- Location
- Attractiveness
- Prestige
- Amenities
- And whatever reason came up to justify a subjective opinion of one building beating out another.
In the spirit of keeping this from becoming a ridiculously long(er) read, we’re going to highlight the first three rounds.
Round 1: Gold Coast VS the Rest of the World
The entire western conference (which is only west because it’s on the left side of the bracket) is made up of contenders from the Gold Coast. This doesn’t exactly bode well for the east, but when your condo is situated in the heart of Chicago’s fashion, food, and lifestyle culture you’ve probably got some game.
The Results in the West
30 W. Oak beats the Waldorf Astoria. It was close, but Oak just has a look and feel that’s more in line with what’s currently popular: clean, minimal.
Park Tower beats 50 E. Chestnut. Park Tower is just more versatile with its floor plans.
77 E. Walton went up against 1430 Lake Shore Drive, and the Astor-Banks was facing 1500 Lake Shore Drive. Both LSD condos won, mostly due to astonishing views of the lake.
The Results in the East
Much like the NBA, the east seems to have its…troubles. You’ve got a few high-profile players, but it’s just not the same.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences went up against another Lake Shore Drive powerhouse, 840 N Lakeshore Drive. But unlike in the west, stunning lake views just couldn’t cut it here. Why? Because when you live at the Ritz you live at the Ritz! And you get everything that the hotel patrons enjoy like a butler. Yes, butlers beat the lake.
The Legacy beat Lincoln Park 2550 largely due to its proximity to Millennium Park, underground access to the University Club, and ability to rent out your unit with no restrictions. Sorry, Lincoln Park, you only had two entries into this cutthroat tournament and you were nearly ousted in the first round.
The Grant beat the Montgomery due to its parkland and ease of access to the museums. In addition, we awarded The Grant this round because it’s very family-oriented, and it provides an inclusive environment without sacrificing luxury.
Finally, SoNo went up against the very modern, very pretty Skybridge. However, SoNo won because it too has modern class and its ability to carry such a high price in a neighborhood that’s still on the come up is impressive.
Round 2: Names VS Numbers
Round two saw the battle of the few numbered condos struggling to stay afloat amongst the sea of big names.
The Results in the West
30 W. Oak had a fighting chance for a while, but the breadth of Park Place’s design, luxurious style, and unbeatable locale claimed the win.
Then we had a battle of two brothers, 1430 Lake Shore Drive and 1500 Lake Shore Drive. Perhaps it was evil to pit these two against each other so early, but rankings were done by median sales prices.
Results in the East
The Ritz beat the Legacy because the Ritz seems to offer just a little bit more floor space to play with, and while it’s still in a high traffic area you won’t have to deal with people asking you about the Bean.
The Grant beat out SoNo because it has lake views, parkland views, and it’s close to the museums. It’s also extremely sleek, luxurious, and is your best option for all these perks without going over a million dollars.
Round 3: Uptown VS Downtown
Round three saw two Mag Mile condos going up against the downtown powerhouse, The Grant, and Lincoln Park’s 1430 Lake Shore Drive. The Uptown Funk of condos.
Results in the West
Park tower took the win here crushing 1430 LSD’s charming, though slightly antiquated vibes. Park Tower condos just have a refreshing style and some are even smart homes. That’s going to be hard to beat.
Results in the East
The battle between The Ritz and The Grant was much closer. But the Ritz just continues to advance due to its unique floor plans, and ability to marry modern luxury with just the right amount of vintage charm. Not to mention entertaining guests is a breeze when you live in a hotel. And once again, butler service.
The Final Round: Duel at Mag Mile
Park Tower is literally across from the Water Tower. You can see both the Hancock building and the lake from it. It has beautiful high ceilings, clean lines, striking yet inviting colors and lush hardwood floors. It’s smart home-ready and its open floor plans and timeless quality are the perfect canvas for decorating your condo any way you wish. From a Victorian visage to high-class downtown minimalism, it’s all there.
Ritz-Carlton is an internationally known, prestigious name. And that prestige, the air of greatness, and timeless class pour into every inch of the residences. From arched entryways and lush architectural detail to being treated like you’re American royalty, you’ll have it all at the Ritz.
But this is a competition and when it comes to being the classiest, most desirable condo in Chicago, there’s only one winner. Sorry, but not everyone gets a trophy. So it’s through this very thorough vetting process that Park Tower arises from the ashes and crumbled stone of its adversaries as the victor.
It encompasses so much of every other building's positive features, while staying unique, that it makes for a high class, highly desirable, and highly luxurious place to live.
So congratulations, Park Tower, may you stand tall for many years glistening in the sun as an emblem of luxury Chicago living.