Bill Weber Media Portfolio

custom media

2007-06-10T10:56:00.002-04:00

It's not easy to get people's attention these days. Marketers can no longer sit back while masses of people gather around the tv to watch their ads. Audiences want to be approached on their own turf and on their own terms.

This makes "non-traditional" media (guerilla marketing, branded content, custom media, promotional marketing, packaging, point-of-purchase displays, theme events and websites) an increasingly important part of the marketing mix.

I have been solving communication and marketing problems in a non-traditional way my entire career. I have created communications vehicles that forward brand strategies, resonate with audiences, and make good business sense.

For example:

internet

RoleModel.TV
Portal and video channel for families
T-Shirt Memorial Park
Microsoft IdeaWins Challenge, 2007
CampusResources.Net
Commercial-watching site to raise funds for schools

long-form broadcast - family

The Nashville Network’s Salute to Quality Children’s Entertainment
Televised salute to AACE award winners, 1996
The Children’s Entertainment Hall of Fame
Museum, educational facility, and annual televised awards special
The Imaginarakis'
Family sitcom
Ingenuity
Science game show for families
Freight
Adult sitcom

long-form broadcast - children

The World of Ambassador Bird
Animated show for pre-schoolers
Home Made Horror
Sci-fi "how-to" show for ages 7-12
Rheostat’s Restaurant
Variety show for pre-schoolers

live events

All-Star Family Festival at Opryland USA
Theme park show, 1996
The Children's Entertainment Awards
The "Oscars" of the children's entertainment industry, 1996
American Academy of Children's Entertainment
Trade association, 1994-1998

design

TrademarksUSA, 2010. Winner of "Best Trademarks of 2010" for five designs for Park Avenue Christian Church, Northeast Region Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), East Coast Construction Company, Metropolitan Theater Company, The Ladies Room.
SnackBots
Award-winner, Welch's Afterschool Snack Competition, 2007
Magic Television-Watching Socks
PBS Sprout promotional giveaway, 2006
Man Reaching Up To God, God Reaching Down to Man
World Trade Center Memorial Competition, 2004
The Denta-Rhythmic Toothbrush
Krups Design Contest, 1989

print - business

Designing Powerful Logos
2011 (scheduled release)
Who's Who In Children's Entertainment
Entertainment industry directory, 1996
Children's Entertainment Business
Trade magazine developed for VNU, 2000
Weber's Internet Sourcebook
Computer industry directory
Corporate Image
Advertising and design magazine for small and mid-sized business

print - consumer

Parents & Kids Directory
New York's first local parenting magazine,
affiliated with the Children's Museum of Manhattan, 1984-1994
ParentAge
Newsletter for new parents over 35, 1992
Parents Datebook & Planner
Day runner for parents, 1992
Children's Music Marketing Project
Cooperative advertising in association with Parenting magazine, 1994
The Native New Yorker
Cartoon book, 1987
Marquee
Theatre program magazine, 1980-82
Citizen
National magazine of community involvement and activism

print - children

The Dinosaur Times
Magazine for kids, 1993
Through Tiger's Eyes
Children's book for hospitals, 2007
Hero's House
Children's architecture book, 1977

Years shown indicate the project's debut or street date.

american academy of children's entertainment

2006-06-22T21:53:00.000-04:00

The American Academy of Children's Entertainment was a trade association formed in the mid-1990s to promote quality children's entertainment. Independent creators of children's entertainment needed support in packaging and promoting their products and increasing attendance and ticket prices at performance venues. Major studios needed help in discovering new talent and new trends. And parents needed help in learning to trust an industry that for too long was considering purveyors of junk.

AACE participated in FCC hearings for the Children's Television Act, launched national publication, marketing and educational programs, and created a theme park and television program to promote the best in children's entertainment.

President and Founder: Bill Weber

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all-star family festival at opryland usa

2006-06-21T23:21:00.000-04:00

The All-Star Family Festival at Opryland USA was created as part of a multi-media promotion for the American Academy of Children's Entertainment and Gaylord Entertainment, owners of The Grand Old Opry, Opryland USA, and The Nashville Network.

Designed to increase theme park attendance among young families, the event was a major success -- show day attendance increased by 30%, wildly exceeding expectations.

Concept creator and Producer: Bill Weber
Opryland Director of Entertainment and Producer: Dave Patton
Opryland Associate Director of Entertainment and Producer: Paul Couch

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CampusResources.Net

2006-06-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

CampusResources.Net was a unique take on the school funding business. It was to take the millions of dollars spent on entertainment advertising each year and channel it to schools by paying families to watch commercials and film trailers on-line.

Schools would register, then use the viral magic of the internet to get friends and relatives -- both local and long distance -- to "earn" a piece of the advertising pie by logging in and viewing.

CampusResources.Net was pitched to the Reader's Digest Association, a major player in the school fundraising business.

Concept creator: Bill Weber
President, Campus Resources, Inc.: Doug Springmann

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the children's entertainment awards

2006-06-20T21:23:00.000-04:00

The Children's Entertainment Awards not only honored -- and encouraged -- the best in children's entertainment, but offered an "evergreen" family television program for sponsors and audiences around the world.

Understanding that families are not interested in watching an evening of adults opening envelopes, the show was to be a musical variety show saluting that year's honorees.

Concept creator and Producer: Bill Weber

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children's entertainment business

2006-06-19T22:05:00.000-04:00

The entertainment publishing division of VNU asked me to develop Children's Entertainment Business, an international trade magazine for the children's entertainment industry. (Children's Entertainment Business was also the name of the newsletter of the American Academy of Children's Entertainment.)

To be launched as an insert in VNU's Backstage, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek, and Shoot, the magazine would have used the company's strengths to take on Kidscreen, the only other successful magazine in the field.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber
VNU Film Group: Scott Berg

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children's entertainment hall of fame

2006-06-18T21:03:00.000-04:00

The mission of the Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame is to honor the creative legends of the past in order to inspire the creation of quality children's media in the future. A proposed performing arts center, museum, and educational facility, CEHOF will provide both entertainment for families and information for the industry.

A former program of the American Academy of Children's Entertainment, CEHOF now exists as a tribute website (www.cehof.org).

Concept creator, designer and writer: Bill Weber

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children's music marketing project

2006-06-17T21:55:00.000-04:00

The Children's Music Marketing Project bought remnant space in magazines from Time Warner's Parenting magazine group as a way to promote independent children's music.

It is an example of how the American Academy of Children's Entertainment built a community among its members.

Concept creator and Producer: Bill Weber

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citizen

2006-06-16T22:04:00.000-04:00

Research shows that when people get older, they don't spend more time on vacation -- they spend more time helping and caring for others. The baby boomer generation that gave us the social protests of the '60s and '70s, and the "me" decades of the 80s and 90s, is making the '00s and '10s the "we" decades.

That is the motivation behind Citizen, the magazine of community involvement and activism.

This magazine proposal was shopped to The Points of Light Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trust, among others.

Here's the one-page pitch:

Citizen

The Magazine of Community Involvement and Activism

Citizen, simply put, is "the magazine of community involvement and activism." It offers practical advice and creative ideas for fund-raising, public relations, marketing, communications, motivation, and the like for people involved in community service and volunteerism.

But just as important, Citizen is about the people who are making a difference -- from great philanthropists to little children who give blankets to the homeless; from Hollywood celebrities to members of civic clubs in middle America; from the boards of our great cultural institutions to the millions of people who care about their fellow citizens, and just need some direction before they get involved.

Even the White House, through the Points of Light Foundation, is asking Americans "to make service central to your life." Certainly, Citizen is an idea whose time has come.

In a recent Gallup poll, nearly 50% of respondents say they're involved in charity work, up from 31% in 1984. There are over 500,000 elected officials sitting on community boards and other government organizations. And there are countless millions of Elks, Lions, Kiwanis, Optimists, Hunger Project members, World Runners, and others in America who are working to make a difference in the community and in the world.

The whole world, in fact, has rediscovered the power of the individual to make a difference -- look at what happened in Poland, China, and the Soviet Union, and what we’d like to have happen in Iraq and the Middle East. And consider the growth of the Internet – a great power for individuals.

When people get older, they don't spend more time on vacation; they spend more time helping and caring for others. The generation that gave us the social protests of the 60s and 70s, and the "me" decades of the 80s and 90s, can make the 00s the "we" decade.

As they retire, they will have even more time to devote to their philanthropic pursuits. And Citizen is the breakthrough magazine to inspire them, and give them the tools that they need.

People are used to business magazines. Citizen will serve as the business magazine for the business that they care most about -- creating a better world by making a personal difference. There are hundreds of special interest charity magazines (each of the major charitable groups listed above has one). But they are mostly narrowly focused, poorly written, newslettery publications about what is happening in local chapters. The magazines for professional fund-raisers (those with MBAs who work for the nation's largest charities) are too technical for the millions of people who just want to lend a hand. And the political commentary magazines (like The Economist, The National Review, etc.) are about the world of politics, not the “roll up your sleeves and help out” world that most people live in.

Just as Fortune, Forbes, Business Week, and SUCCESS serve all business (while there are hundreds of specialized business magazines), so, too, will Citizen serve the service marketplace.

Concept creator and writer: Bill Weber

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corporate image

2006-06-15T12:04:00.000-04:00

Before the term "branding" was ever coined, there was Corporate Image. This printed insert to Crain's New York Business was designed to show business owners the advantages of creative professionals in building image and sales, and to spotlight advertisers from the local creative community. Here's how the media kit put it:

The Message. Design and marketing are powerful forces in the marketplace. It's what sells cars and compact discs. It's what makes a hit movie out of a mediocre one. And it makes household names out of less glamorous products like toothpaste and insurance.

Corporate Image tells New York business executives how it can make a big difference in the selling of their products, too.

CI shows how corporate image professionals (graphic, industrial, and interior designers; advertising, public relations, marketing, and direct marketing agencies; writers, printers, photographers, film & video producers; image consultants, etc.) actually save and make money for their clients.

CI's editorial illustrates the relationship between corporate image and profit. And the advertising provides the next step: the names of professionals who are ready, willing and able to help their clients make higher sales a reality.

The Market. Every company needs advertising. Every company needs stationery, business cards, and sales materials. Every company has an office that needs fixing up. But until now, there was no way for small and medium-sized businesses in New York City to be matched up with appropriately-sized corporate image suppliers.

Corporate Image, a free-standing insert in Crain's New York Business, plays matchmaker between corporate image professionals and the business executives who need them.

CI is designed to be noticed, read, and saved by Crain's readers. CI's color printing, glossy paper, and much-needed editorial message ensures that it is referred to again and again.

Most New York companies have heard of Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, but are too small to use them. Most of them have heard of Time-Warner, but are too small to hire them, too.

Corporate Image serves both reader and advertiser by matching the right-size services to the right-size companies.

Concept creator, designer and writer: Bill Weber

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denta-rhythmic toothbrush

2006-06-14T21:27:00.000-04:00

The Denta-Rhythmic toothbrush was designed for the Krups Company, which held a competition for personal hygiene products of the future.

I invented a toothbrush with a drum-beat machine in it (there were no MP3 players yet). The beat could be adjusted to match any background music that the user was listening to at the time.

Radio ads were to play the Denta-Rhythmic Rap:

Brushing my teeth used to be sure a bore
Put my paste through its paces in ten seconds, never more
But then I got the word from my dental hygienist
If you don't brush three minutes, gingivitis is a menace!

Well what she said made sense to me
But three minutes sounded like eternity!

Denta-rhythmic (brush brush)
Denta-rhythmic (brush brush brush brush)

So I got my Denta-Rhythmic and set the beat
to the background track of my MTV
Three minutes flew by like a thunderclap
And now my teeth are grateful for the Denta-Rhythmic rap!

Denta-rhythmic (brush brush)
Denta-rhythmic (brush brush)
Denta-rhythmic (brush brush brush brush)
Denta-rhythmic (brush brush brush brush)

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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the dinosaur times

2006-06-13T21:39:00.000-04:00

The Dinosaur Times was published to take advantage of the mania surrounding the release of the movie Jurassic Park.

Consultant: Bill Weber
Publishers: Les Waldstein and Larry Brill

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e-mail marketing

2006-06-13T19:32:00.003-04:00

Sending "formatted email" (that is, a regularly scheduled email newsletter or e-zine) is the most effective way to stay in touch with your customers and ask for business and referrals.

Using on-line resources like iContact and Constant Contact, we create e-newsletters and e-zines that:

~ build a viral public relations campaign for you
~ deliver useful content to present and potential customers
~ manage your email addresses, opt-ins and opt-outs legally
~ appropriately ask for business

We've created scores of newsletters for non-profit and business clients. Contact Bill Weber today to discuss how formatted email can help you.

freight

2006-06-12T21:20:00.000-04:00

Freight is an adult situation comedy which mines comedy out of the work and romantic relationships of the employees of a low-rent version of FedEx. It is an ensemble comedy that blends the pathos of Taxi with the sexiness of Cheers. The show is saucy, political, and real -- it is based on the true stories of divorce, love, and life at a New Jersey Airborne Express facility.

For a taste of the program, read the Freight format.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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hero's house

2006-06-11T22:02:00.000-04:00

Hero's House introduces simple architectural concepts -- like floorplans, arches, and plumbing -- to young children.

Artist, Writer: Bill Weber

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home made horror

2006-06-10T21:18:00.000-04:00

Remember when you were a child and locked yourself in your room, determined to create an artistic masterpiece with crayons and paint? Remember emerging triumphantly, and receiving rave reviews from your parents and siblings?

Home Made Horror is a television show and website that taps into kids’ natural enthusiasm for creating things and showing them off.
Only instead of crayon drawings, it’s videos. And not just any videos. Ghoulish, gross, bloody, scary, funny, monstrous, horror videos – the kind that kids are naturally drawn to make.

The program is designed to showcase their creativity, educate them about the art and science of movie making, and show how storytelling skills can help them in all areas of their life.

This would be the perfect show for Apple computer to underwrite, since Apple’s imovie software is revolutionizing the way kids create.

Here's the rest of the pitch:

Two young teenagers -- one boy and one girl -- host the show. They sit on director’s chairs in front of a “green-screen” on a soundstage set. The “green-screen” is used as an example of simple movie-making technology, and to inject some humor into the show through the use of interesting and sometimes inappropriate backdrops. (For example, when Boy Host says, “I don’t like roller-coasters,” we can put a roller-coaster ride on the blue screen background.)

The show is made up of two parts:

Home made science fiction videos. Funny, gross, and gory scenes from kids’ home movies are the main features of the program. Prizes (software, creativity-related technology, trips to Hollywood, etc.) will be awarded to the best video. Voting will be done via the internet.

Interviews with film professionals. Film directors and special effects and make-up artists will share their experience, tips, and techniques.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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the imaginarakis'

2006-06-09T21:15:00.000-04:00

There is a most unusual candy store in Manhattan Beach: it sells candy socks, candy ear wax, and other gross, disgusting, and delicious items. It is run by the Imaginarakis family, the most imaginative and inventive family that you'll ever met.

When twins Fred and Sam Imaginarakis fight with their favorite action figures (and their friends), we literally enter their fantasy world and watch knights and superheroes battle. Their experiences in real life help them solve problems in their fantasy world, and vice versa.

The premise behind the show: that invention, imagination, and family love can save the day -- and sometimes the world along with it!

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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ingenuity

2006-06-08T21:13:00.000-04:00

Ingenuity is a science game show for families. Teams compete to figure out what modern devices do, conduct science experiments, and operate robots.

Three exciting segments -- Gadgets & Guesses, Stand-Up Science, and Cyber Challenge -- challenge three parent and child teams to use their powers of observation and deduction to win the game.

It is the perfect play-along game for viewers at home, as the game is about “the figuring out,” not book knowledge.

Figure out more at the Ingenuity pitch.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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magic television-watching socks

2006-06-07T23:04:00.000-04:00

PBS Sprout, an on-demand network from Comcast, gives hundreds of thousands of balloons away at street fairs and school events nationwide. I was asked by their Director of Marketing to come up with a better product that would last longer and remind kids to watch the network.

My solution was the Magic Television-Watching Socks. The socks combine three things that kids love (funny socks, television remote controls, and imaginative play) with three things that children's broadcast executives love (long-lasting name recognition, positive play value, and low cost).

Concept creator and designer: Bill Weber

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man reaching up to god, god reaching down to man

2006-06-07T21:25:00.000-04:00

My entry in the World Trade Center Memorial competition is built around a 70-foot glass obelisk, Man Reaching Up To God, God Reaching Down To Man. It is molded with the handprints of the children of the WTC attack's victims.

I have used simple geometric shapes to convey the power of the site, while at the same time allowing visitors to regulate the intensity of their own experience.

You can see the entire entry here.

Designer and writer: Bill Weber
Original site plan artwork: Studio Daniel Leibskind

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marquee

2006-06-06T22:02:00.000-04:00

Marquee magazine was New Jersey's equivalent of Playbill for two local theatres -- the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival and Pax Amicus Castle Theatre.

Concept creators: Bruce Tauber, Bill Weber
Art Director, Editor: Bill Weber

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nashville network's salute to quality children's entertainment

2006-06-05T21:02:00.000-04:00

The Nashville Network turned over its 90-minute prime time variety program, Music City Tonight, to AACE (American Academy of Children's Entertainment) award winners in a salute to quality children's entertainment. This was the first time the superstars of country music (Tom T. Hall, Eddie Raven) and the superstars of children's music (Shari Lewis, Bob McGrath, Joanie Bartels, Slim Goodbody) shared the same stage.

Executive Producer: Bill Weber
Opryland Director of Entertainment: Dave Patton

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the native new yorker

2006-06-04T22:01:00.000-04:00

This book of cartoons, co-authored with Fern Greene, illustrated how New Yorkers make the best of city situations with intelligence, skill, and quite a bit of good humor.

Some quotes from the book:

The Native New Yorker has mastered the art of getting a tan on a tar beach.
The Native New Yorker can ride the subway without holding on.
The Native New Yorker visits trees in museums.

Artists, Writers: Fern Greene, Bill Weber

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ParentAge

2006-05-30T21:28:00.000-04:00

New parents over the age of 35 have different needs than younger parents. They are concerned with child rearing, yes, but also fast-track careers, finances, and physical limitations. They are dealing with blended families, infertility, and adoptions. They have advantages, experiences, and problems that set them apart from the typical 23-year old embarking on family life.

ParentAge, a monthly newsletter, tackled the realities of mid-life parenting. It was the first, and only, publication that was focused on the experience of the grownups, not the kids.

Consultant: Bill Weber
Publishers: Les Waldstein and Larry Brill
Editor: Anne Adams

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parents & kids directory

2006-05-29T21:42:00.000-04:00

Published from 1984-1994, Parents & Kids Directory was New York's first magazine for families. A glossy, digest-sized magazine, it served as the centerpiece of a caring community of parents, schools, businesses, and civic institutions -- notably as the official membership magazine of the Children's Museum of Manhattan.

The magazine served the city's most affluent and involved parents by informing them of local opportunities for better health, education, and entertainment.

The magazine used many creative strategies to thrive during its lifetime. These included publishing a yearly datebook, being used as a subscriber premium for a national parenting magazine, and binding in premiums (like museum trading cards) for local advertisers.

Concept creator, Publisher, Editor, Design Director: Bill Weber
Concept creator, Publisher: Ann Weber

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parents datebook & planner

2006-05-28T21:47:00.000-04:00

This special edition of Parents & Kids Directory was published for national distribution via school fundraisers. It included babysitter's information pages, child medical record pages, and other forms and lists to help parents get the most out of family life.

Concept creator, Publisher, Editor, Design Director: Bill Weber
Concept creator, Publisher: Ann Weber

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Pasta Doctor

2006-05-28T12:24:00.003-04:00

The Unilever Corporation's Ragu division sponsored a professional product development competition in the spring of 2008 for ways to make pasta meals healthier, heartier, and easier for busy families.

Our entry, Pasta Doctor was chosen from hundreds of ideas to be honored as a top prize winner.

Pasta Doctor is a shelf-stable package of cooked vegetables, meat, and seasonings that simply get mixed into hot pasta and sauce by the consumer. The unique "fold open" package contains prep instructions and suggestions for "doctoring up" simple pasta and sauce into a hearty, healthy family meal.

Bill Weber Studios Home Page

rheostat's restaurant

2006-05-27T21:14:00.000-04:00

Rheostat's Restaurant -- pitched as a live show for the Dollywood theme park -- is a musical variety show for pre-schoolers. Guests from the world of music and art perform and converse with the puppet alien family that runs the restaurant (a cafe in the American Southwest), all with the intention of teaching the customs and musical styles of different cultures.

The music presented is not “kiddie music;” it is “people’s music” from around the world (in America, we call it “country music”).

Get a heapin' helpin' of alien hospitality here.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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RoleModel.TV

2006-05-26T20:59:00.000-04:00

RoleModel.TV is an internet portal and video channel for families. It provides two distinct, yet interconnected, services for children ages 0-16 and their families: The Library (offering how-to, informational, and educational downloads via the internet) and Service Programming for Families (linear, digital television with scheduled interactive programming for families).

As more and more children use the internet for school research, the need for a "search safe" place becomes vitally important. RoleModel.TV tames the wild west of the internet for today's families, while offering service programming to make their lives easier and more rewarding.

For more information, visit RoleModel.TV

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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through tiger's eyes

2006-05-25T21:57:00.000-04:00

Through Tiger's Eyes blends dazzling color and gentle haiku into a beautiful picture book for parents and children to read together.

The book was conceived as a way for hospitalized children and their parents to connect in a gentle, imaginative way.

Concept creator, Designer, Editor: Bill Weber
Illustrator: Edward B. Snyder
Writer: Judy Kamilhor

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SnackBots

2006-05-25T17:06:00.003-04:00

Click on the picture for a larger view.

The Welch's Company, in late 2007, held a competition for product developers to come up with a new snack food product for children. Product developers Ross, Lia and Bill Weber created SnackBots, , which was chosen from hundreds of entries as a top prize winner.

SnackBots is an innovative way to package "trail-mix" type snacks. The soda-can-size container has chambers where healthy nuts and fruit pieces sit side-by side with fun seasonings like nacho cheese and yogurt powder.

Kids use a cardboard "feeding tube" to access the chambers, mix and match snackfood and seasonings, experiment, and have fun. All in an easy-to-use contraption that keeps the mess -- and adult intervention -- to a minimum.

Bill Weber Studios Home Page

t-shirt memorial park

2006-05-24T21:02:00.000-04:00

Microsoft's IdeaWins competition asked for business ideas that would work on the internet, and in a storefront in New York City. Here is my entry's description from the official entry form:

T-shirt cloning at T-Shirt Memorial Park.

Everyone has at least one T-shirt that they are in love with, and cannot let go of. There are an estimated 605 million old fraternity, rock concert, children's character, and summer camp t-shirts hiding in dresser drawers and attics -- too ratty, too out-of-date, too embarrassing, or too small to wear.

T-Shirt Memorial Park is dedicated to giving eternal life to old T-Shirts designs. Using modern art, fabric, and ego restoration methods, we will clone those dearly departed shirts in the proper size.

We will also photograph the shirt and exhibit it on our special memorial website (tshirtmemorialpark.org) for eternity.

For T-Shirt mourners ready to move on, we also sell brand new t-shirts with both classic and up-to-date designs. And the old shirt? Respectfully embalmed, vacuum sealed in heavy plastic, and framed for hanging.

How is this idea different from what is out there?

Nobody is recreating and/or restoring old T-shirts. Lots of people will sell you new ones (and so will we), but our hook is that you can bring in your old, ratty, ill-fitting shirt and have it cloned. We respect people's memories, and offer a dignified service (we won't make fun of that tacky "Camp Cheekawowa" t-shirt with the bearded Indian maiden).

We will also have a tongue-in-cheek "memorial park" theme that extends to store decorations, graphics, verbiage, etc. And only recently has fabric printing and artwork-retouching technology been good enough and cheap enough to use for single orders.

Why should people care?

Because people love their old memories, and t-shirts = memories. With the aging U.S. population, anything that rejuvenates people and makes them happy is popular.

Plus all those spouses who are tired of seeing that ratty old t-shirt hanging in the closet with want to buy a t-shirt clone as a gift!

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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weber's internet sourcebook

2006-05-23T21:49:00.000-04:00

Weber's Internet Sourcebook is "Everything you need to build, manage, and market your website." It is a pocket-sized directory where webmasters and small business owners look to see what’s new, what’s necessary, and what’s possible for their websites.

Webmasters have a strong need to know the kinds of products and technologies that are available to make their websites work. They need to know what’s necessary (copyright law rulings, privacy requirements, spam-blocking technology, sales tax software, etc.) and what’s possible (custom animation, games, music and video; drop-ship retailing; chat and bulletin board software, new functionalities, etc.) They also need competent web designers, computer servicemen, and other vendors in their local area.

Weber's Internet Sourcebook would provide a major retail chain or electronics reseller (CDW was pitched) with a great way to build gratitude and loyalty among customers.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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who's who in children's entertainment

2006-05-21T21:51:00.000-04:00

Who's Who In Children's Entertainment was the first directory of children's entertainment professionals for the entertainment industry at large. It provided entertainment studios, retailers, theme parks, and other venues with the names of entertainers, writers, producers, educational consultants, and other specialists, for their projects.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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the world of ambassador bird

2006-05-20T21:11:00.004-04:00

The World of Ambassador Bird, starring Ambassador Avery bird and a cast of colorful characters, introduces international culture to pre-schoolers. The show is a tour of the world, using as entry points those areas of life that young children can identify with: food, family, music, and art.

There is an old saying, “Nobody is born a bigot.” By teaching respect and celebration of different cultures and points of view, Ambassador Bird also empowers children to express themselves and participate in life.

For the past few years, "Increase The Peace" buttons and stickers have been sold on-line to children across the U.S. Most customers buy large quantities to start peace clubs in their schools. This is an example of the popularity and potential of the character.

Download the official illustrated show bible.

Visit the official Ambassador Bird website.

Concept creator, Designer, Writer: Bill Weber

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Send

2006-05-05T18:53:00.000-04:00

Characters

2006-05-05T18:39:00.000-04:00

Ambassador Bird at Governor's Island Fest

2005-07-09T17:44:00.000-04:00

Figment* - Imagination Island, a giant celebration of art and creative culture, took place on New York's historic Governor's Island on Sunday, July 8. Superheros, artists, sculptors, and hula-hoopers converged to share their art. Our own superhero artist (and a sculpture himself!) Ambassador Avery Bird participated with the hula-hoopers (see photo above) and enrolled some people into sharing a big birdbath (see photo below.)

Figment*, and Ambassador Avery, will be back next year.

"Give Peace A Chance" says Ambassador Bird

2005-07-09T12:04:00.000-04:00

For children’s cartoon characters to make it in the world of toy and product licensing, they have to either be part of a big broadcaster’s stable (think of Nickelodeon’s “Fairly Odd Parents”) or have an attitude (think of the sarcastic “Happy Bunny”) that makes them stand out from the crowd.

A New York artist and writer, Bill Weber, is trying to go against this trend. He brings his character to Licensing International, the giant marketplace of licensing being held at the Javits Center from June 20-23, with a different strategy: peace.

Weber’s character is called “Ambassador Bird,” and he is the white dove of peace, re-imagined as a heroic character for pre-school children.

“The dove has represented peace, friendship, and bravery ever since Noah sent one out on a special mission to find land,” says Weber. “With the state of the world, I believe it’s time for peace and global awareness to land into children’s entertainment.”

For the past three years, Ambassador Bird “Increase The Peace” buttons and stickers have been sold via the internet to children across the country. “Children have been forming ‘peace clubs’ in their schools,” says Weber, “and using Ambassador Bird as a symbol of their wish for peace.”

Ambassador Bird and his four traveling companions celebrate the lifestyles, culture, and cuisine of children around the world.

Ambassador Avery travels with a multi-species group of animals. Stockholm May, a fussy, crabby, seagull and Luchow, his tiny stray kitten, are foodies. They run a truck stop in America, and cause chaos whenever they visit a foreign kitchen because they want to do things their way. Ricotta Van Cheddars is the “McGyver” of the group. She’s super-organized, keeping the travelers on schedule and creatively fixing things when they break down. Rosalia, a beautiful bird of paradise, is the group’s conscience. She makes sure that everyone is thinking and working together. Finally, there is Avery, who is Ambassador Bird himself. He is the leader of the group, making sure that everyone participates and is heard.

Weber explains that “Ambassador Bird is not about adult concerns like war and politics and terrorism. The characters teach tolerance and understanding through simple concepts like getting to know your neighbor, trying new things, and loving one another. The characters empower children to speak up and take care of themselves and their families.”

Avery "Hobnobs with His Fellow Wizards" at Licensing International

2005-07-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

Avery, Rosalia, Ricotta, Luchow and Stockholm May have just returned from Licensing International, the giant licensing industry trade show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. Besides diligently working his booth, Avery made time to confer, confab, and consult with his fellow stars.

From left to right, top row: finding out what it takes to be a classic from Curious George, discussing flying with C3PO, rooting out evildoers with Batman, and comparing tricks with Felix the Cat.

Second row: comparing game strategy with Mario, being the chip on R2D2's shoulder, and getting carried away by Betty Boop.

Third row: sharing big dreams with Clifford the Big Red Dog, discussing creativity with Jim Benton, and getting pointers from Freddy Krueger.

Fourth row: crooning with Elvis, bending the ear of Ox (one of the Uglydolls), clowning around with Larry Harmon, and getting to know one of the birds from England's women's soccer team.

Bottom row: having an electric conversation with Pikachu, discussing design with Craig Yoe, palling around with Maya & Miguel's Paco, and a photograph of the Ambassador Bird booth at the Licensing Show.

Avery The ArtistThe Story of Ambassador Bird

2005-07-09T11:55:00.001-04:00

FADE IN ON

THE NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE. A BRIGHT AFTERNOON IN LATE NOVEMBER.
The dazzling colors of the autumn leaves reflect off glass-covered buildings.

AVERY BIRD, an adolescent male dove, is flying among the skyscrapers.

CUT TO

AVERY’S P.O.V. A thrilling roller-coaster ride around, over, and between skyscrapers. We circle some of New York's landmarks: the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and the United Nations. We dive-bomb over the East River, drag race the Roosevelt Island Tram, and swoop low through the trees in United Nations Park. As we fly, the reflections of the leaves deceive us; are we heading towards a collision with a glass wall, or a soft landing in a tree high up on a terrace?

ANGLE ON

AVERY on a high terrace. He pulls a crayon out of his pocket, then flies to the side of the office tower. He draws an ugly face in the center of a window.

CUT TO

THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT WINDOW. A YOUNG WOMAN, arms full of paper, enters an office. Scared by the face in the window, she shrieks and sends the papers flying.

CUT TO

A PARTY ON A TERRACE. While a waiter's back is turned, Avery draws giant cockroaches on the glass wall behind the buffet. As he races away, we hear SCREAMS and see a giant grin on Avery's face.

CUT TO

Avery, drawing giant ants marching down the side of the building. Not watching where he is going, he bumps into the head of the WINDOW WASHER on a scaffold.

The Window Washer grimaces, looking up at the graffiti-covered wall that he now has to clean again.

CUT TO

THE SIDE CORNER OF ANOTHER OFFICE TOWER. Avery is hurriedly drawing on the glass.

He hears A HELICOPTER approach, and zips away.

CUT TO

THE HELICOPTER PILOT. He can’t believe what he’s seeing -- a flying saucer! Even though it’s only a drawing of a flying saucer, he panics.

The helicopter twists and turns, taking evasive action. It narrowly misses hitting some buildings. The PASSENGERS scream.

FADE TO

THE QUEENSBORO BRIDGE ENTRANCE PLAZA. LONG SHOT. Cars and trucks are facing in crazy directions in a massive, noisy traffic jam. The cause: conflicting arrows drawn on the pavement and towers!

TILT UP TO REVEAL

AVERY, standing on a bridge tower, laughing.

The sun begins to set.

AVERY

(sighing to himself)

Gotta go home.

CUT TO

UNITED NATIONS PARK. Avery heads towards a nest in a tree in the middle of the park. Giving in to temptation, he flies over to the park’s “Welcome” sign and starts to draw on it.

A group of U.N. DIPLOMATS, in native costume, catch Avery red-handed. They point their fingers up at him, shouting angrily.

Avery quickly turns to flee, but flies -- head-on -- into the WINDOW WASHER! The Window Washer grabs Avery by the scruff of his neck.

WINDOW WASHER

(as Avery twists and turns)

I think you've been very busy today. If you really want to draw, why don't you just ask for permission?

Avery wrestles himself free only to fly -- head on -- into his FATHER!

FADE TO

OUTSIDE THE BIRD NEST. LATER THAT NIGHT. Father Bird, and an exhausted Avery, fly inside.

CUT TO

THE LIVING ROOM. The nest is woven from scraps of newspaper with writing in many languages. Snippets of words like “WAR,” “HUNGER,” and “DANGER” can be seen. MOTHER is waiting.

Avery drags himself into his room and closes the door.

FATHER

Well, I think he’s learned his lesson. He just spent three hours scrubbing walls.

MOTHER

He’s so talented. I wish he would use his art in a more positive way.

CUT TO

AVERY listening in his bed.

FATHER (OFF SCREEN)

I know. I told him that art can make a positive difference in the world when used to tell a story or to solve a problem.

Avery rolls his eyes.

MOTHER (OFF SCREEN)

Just look at this place! News of war, poverty, and hunger. No wonder he’s confused! Kids shouldn’t grow up in this environment!

Avery looks around his room, also made from newspaper headlines.

CUT TO

THE LIVING ROOM.

FATHER

(Arms around Mother)

Don’t worry. Tomorrow we’ll cover all this bad news with beautiful Christmas cards. We’ll surround him with messages of peace and love. Art can make a difference, you know.

Mother rolls her eyes.

FADE TO

AVERY, sitting up in bed. He gets a piece of paper and a crayon and makes a Christmas card. When he is finished, he looks out his window towards the United Nations building. All is quiet and still in the moonlight. A lone window washer is at work high on a scaffold.

A grin spreads across Avery's face.

He scrunches up the Christmas card, then darts out of frame as the card falls silently to the floor.

SLOW FADE TO

UNITED NATIONS PARK.
THE NEXT MORNING.

The same diplomats who caught Avery defacing the “Welcome” sign are gathered again. They are pointing up at the sky and shouting. But they are not angry this time
-- they are happy!

CIRCLE AROUND TO REVEAL

THE UNITED NATIONS BUILDING. Its entire surface is covered with Keith Haring-like drawings depicting peace and love.

Spread across the General Assembly building: a chain of people, birds, and animals holding hands.

On top of the office tower: the sun, moon, and planets holding hands, showering hearts and stars down below.

On the lower half of the tower, scenes of families singing, working, and celebrating with abundance and joy.

For his signature, Avery has drawn himself in a little blue tuxedo, like a diplomat.

In front of the "signature" is Avery, perched on the end of the squeegee of his new friend, the Window Washer.

Father and Mother Bird watch proudly from their nest.

EVERYONE

Hooray! Hooray!

PERSON IN CROWD #1

Wow! Who did that?

DIPLOMAT

That little bird! I think he wants to be a diplomat, too!

PERSON IN CROWD #2

He wants to be an ambassador bird!

EVERYONE

Hooray for Ambassador Bird! Hooray!

ANGLE ON

AVERY, taking bows.

FADE OUT

THE END

Ambassador Avery Bird is the international symbol of peace – the dove – presented as a hero for young children.

“Avery the Artist” is the first step on Avery’s path to becoming hailed as the famous diplomat.

As “the children’s ambassador,” Ambassador Bird listens to kids, represents them by voicing their concerns, and empowers them to speak out and stand up for what they believe in. He believes that every child can be a leader in their own life, and encourages children to do what’s right for themselves, their families, and their world.

Ambassador Bird is an international citizen, and wears the costume of native diplomats. In Western nations, he wears a sky blue tuxedo. In the Middle East, he wears flowing robes. In Africa, he is dressed in tribal fashion. In the Far East, he wears silk robes.

Client Attraction Inner Circle At The Top!

2005-07-01T14:33:00.000-04:00

Five ambitious, client-attractive members of the Client Attraction Inner Circle met at a Union Square penthouse on Tuesday, July 11.

Mary Lou Minard, Mary "Van" van de Wiel, Bill Weber, Lisa Zaslow, and Jessica Horstman Sabatini shared experiences, strategies, and joie de vivre on a rooftop overlooking Union Square Park (looks like old Paree, non?).

2005-06-01T10:57:00.000-04:00

Free Online Games By : http://www.myfreegamespot.com

Bill Weber Studios helps Archive Magazine get Subscribers and Press!

2005-05-01T15:32:00.000-04:00

From the December 2007 issue of Advantages magazine:

Click on the photo to enlarge it

Magazine Soaks up Responses from Sponge Mailing
by Jennifer Zorger

How does a magazine that showcases print ad campaigns and TV commercials promote itself to the management and creative directors at U.S. advertising agencies? With a promotional product, naturally.

Lakpa Sherpa, general manager of Lürzer’s ARCHIVE, was looking for a way to increase brand awareness and sell subscriptions to the magazine. He met with Bill Weber of Bill Weber Studios, a designer and promo products distributor, to define their approach.

“We needed to create a direct-mail piece that: 1. people would open,” Sherpa says, “2. reinforced the concept that ARCHIVE is the ultimate creative idea generator for advertising agency creatives; 3. appealed to creative people who have seen it all; 4. redirected people to the Web site to learn more about the publication; and 5. kept the brand in the customer’s mind for a long time.”

That’s a tall task, but they decided to mail an expandable sponge in the shape of a light bulb. The easily recognized shape quickly identified ARCHIVE with generating ideas, and the item was flat and lightweight for easy mailing. Putting it in a clear envelope ensured that recipients knew the product was inside before they even opened it.

Sherpa describes the mailing as a big success. “Ad agency people are very hard to impress and have short attention spans. The sponge broke through. We have been getting calls from agencies who not only love the sponge but want to use them for their own promotions.”

TUJ Winter Solstice Concert 2007

2005-04-15T15:50:00.000-04:00

The first Temple of Universal Judaism Winter Solstice Service and Concert was a huge success! Over 125 people attended the service, led by Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor, the concert of local musicians, and the reception in honor of TUJ member Bill Weber's 50th birthday.

11th Annual Heschel-King Interfaith Service

2005-04-14T13:29:00.000-04:00