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Past Events
The Seven Deadly Sins of Negotiation
Dreading the next big negotiation, and hoping they go easy on you? Sick and tired of being pushed around by buyers and purchasing staff?
Learn where business people stumble when negotiating deals, and tactics that help you avoid falling into common negotiating traps. At this program, you will learn to:
- Recognize "players" and defend against their high pressure negotiation tactics
- Negotiate great deals for yourself that are perceived as great deals by the other party
- Prepare properly to optimize the outcome of any negotiation
About the Speaker
Mike Wynn is a Sales Improvement Coach for Sandler Training – Ann Arbor. He helps business owners, professionals, and sales managers to improve profits through effective business development and sales management practices. As an accomplished coach and trainer, he is recognized for his commitment to clients and their success.
Michigan Microbrew Marketing
Event begins at 5:30p
The microbrewery industry has undergone unprecedented growth in the last decade. Michigan now ranks 5th in the nation for number of microbreweries, with about 70 microbreweries and brewpubs throughout the state. The microbrew industry continues to expand, holding 4% of total beer sales currently and aiming for 10% total.
Learn from one of Michigan's favorite microbrews - Arcadia Brewing- as they address questions like: How do microbrews like Arcadia position themselves against mass-market beers? What are some of the marketing challenges in building a brand and maintaining a loyal following? How do microbrews acquire and retain customers in a niche market? To what extent does packaging and promotion differentiate specialty brews from the smothering homogeneity of popular, mass-market beers? Tim Suprise, Founder of Arcadia, will be addressing these questions and more.
Arcadia Brewing Company was established in 1996 as a microbrewery specializing in handcrafted British-style ales. All of their beers are produced in small batches, and their 25 Barrel Peter Austin Brewery and methods originated in England, which allows this style of beer to reflect over 250 years of world class brewing heritage. Arcadia bottles and distributes 12 different beers in eight states throughout the U.S., including Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Kentucky and New Jersey.
We are thrilled to have Arcadia join us for an exciting event.
We Sell Pizza. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Date: 03/25/10
Ann Arbor Spark
- 330 East Liberty Street
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: Free for members, $35 for the public, and $10 for students
5:30 - 7p
Tim McIntyre will discuss not only how Domino's Pizza responded to the infamous YouTube incident of 2009, and what's happened since, but the company's crisis communication philosophies, including lessons on how to prevent a reputational crisis in the first place, and how to respond should one happen to your brand.
ADDYs Gala
Major Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsors here.
Date: 02/19/10
Horace H.Rackham School of Graduate Studies, Assembly Hall
- 914.E. Washington Street
- Fourth Floor
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Venue Website
Price: $50 Member / $60 Non-Member / $25 Students
The event of the year.
Register to Attend the Gala here.
The Ann Arbor Ad Club invites you to a SERIOUSLY STYLISH event celebrating the brightest creative work of the year - 1960's Ad Agency Style.
The ADDY Awards is the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, attracting over 50,000 entries every year across the nation. Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the local Ann Arbor ADDY Awards is the first of a three-tier, national competition.
The Ann Arbor Ad Club ADDY award winners will be honored during a gala on Feb. 19 at the University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School. Proceeds from the ADDY awards help support the organization's educational programs, public service projects and proactive government relations efforts.
All of the Gold and Silver Addy winners will be on display and your vote will help crown the People's Choice Award winner.
This event is open to the public and features music, entertainment, food, beverages, and complimentary valet parking.
Why Attend: * To get inspired * To see and to be seen * To be seriously stylish * To make new connections * To eat, drink and be merry
Exciting Details: * Music/Dancing/Entertainment * Themed Dinner Buffet * Beer and Wine * Complimentary Valet Parking * Dress to Impress - feel free to wear your finest 1959 inspired attire - hats strongly encouraged. * Dress as you favorite MAD MEN character. Prizes awarded for the best look-alikes.
Tickets: $50 members, $60 non-members, $25 students.
Register to Attend the Gala here.
Life with Print: Cutting-edge print advertising
The event is made possible by Printwell's generous sponsorship. Located in Taylor, Michigan, Printwell specializes in full-color commercial printing and is emerging as one of the most dependable printers in the Midwest. You can learn more about their services by visiting www.printwell.com
Date: 01/14/10
Ann Arbor Spark
- 330 East Liberty Street
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: Free for members, $35 for the public, and $10 for students
Despite all predictions that the 21st century would see print eclipsed by electronic media, it continues to play an essential role in our everyday lives and is more powerful than ever.
We are delighted to host a preeminent guest speaker to provide case studies, creative examples, and hard data on the effectiveness of print in the marketing mix. Daniel Dejan of Sappi Papers (a leading North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising) will discuss the exploding changes in the media landscape and examine how print fits into the picture.
Daniel Dejan will provide a discussion on how the print industry can grow its share by proving its effectiveness as part of the communications mix. Using elements from Sappi’s Life With Print, Direct Mail and Brochures & Catalog campaigns, this discussion will demonstrate the truly unique way print adds value to capturing memories, imagination and attention to build brands, sell goods and deliver corporate messages. See case histories and hear hard data on the advantages of print in reaching consumers and building brands when compared to other media.
Sappi Papers is the preeminent producer of coated fine paper in North America — with a production capacity of 1.3 million tons of paper annually. They are responsible for many industry firsts, such as the first paper coated and calendered on 2 sides, first dull coated paper, and the first mill branded LOE paper.
Holiday Party
Members and non-members alike are cordially invited to attend our Holiday Party at Conor O'Neill's. Come celebrate with us and enjoy 50% off appetizers and $1.50 off drinks. There is no cover-charge to attend.
Join us from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Conor O'Neill's (318 South Main Street). We have a VIP section of the restaurant roped off for us.
Plus, we're delighted to say we have secured the rights to share the submissions for the "Selling Detroit" creative contest. Sponsored by Adcraft Detroit and Time Magazine, "Selling Detroit" is an effort that challenged five agencies to devise an ad campaign to attract and retain creative talent in metro-Detroit. See what some of the brightest minds came up with for their ad campaign for Detroit.
The Ann Arbor Ad Club is the only organization outside of Time and Adcraft to display the original enteries. You certainly don't want to miss this chance to see the winning campaign at our party. (The winner, by the way, gets nearly half a million dollars of free media space in Time Magazine, Fortune, CNNMoney.com and elsewhere). Comment, criticize, and praise the work of the agencies that competed in the contest.
Date: Thursday, December 17th
Time: 4 pm to 7 pm
Cost: No cover charge. Discounts on drinks and food.
We hope to see you there. Thanks for your patronage throughout the year. We look forward to another great year in 2010.
Seasons Greetings,
Chad Wiebesick
President, A2AC
Date: 12/17/09
Connor O'Neils
- 318 South Main
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: No cover charge. Discounts on drinks and food.
Michigan Filmmaking: How Local Marketers Can Profit from Michigan's Money-Making Movie Industry
Ad Club events are 5:30 pm to 7pm.
This event features active networking with food and beverages from 5:30-6:00 pm.
The state of Michigan is building a new industry to rival Hollywood - from creating cars to creating stars. The state offers the biggest film incentives in the nation, up to a 42% tax break for films produced in the state.
The trailblazing incentives are working. Last year over 35 movies were made in Michigan, generating approximately $120 million in revenue for the state. Nearly $60 million went directly to Michigan residents who worked on those films.
On November 12th, the Ann Arbor Ad Club is delighted to host an event on the burgeoning Michigan film business and examine how local marketers can get a slice of the lucrative business.
We've assembled an illustrious panel of Michigan film industry people, including:
- Jim Burnstein - head of Screenwriting at University of Michigan and a main architect of Michigan's tax incentives for the film industry. Wrote the movie Renaissance Man starring Danny DaVito. Appointed to the board of the state Michigan Film Office Advisory Council (Michael Moore is a fellow appointee, among other well-known influential industry insiders). Jim is one of the few Hollywood movie screenwriters living in Michigan.
- Chris Aliapoulios - Chris was a Ford executive for 20 years and left his job when he saw a growing business opportunity. He is the Founder and Editor of Michigan Movie Magazine, a bi-monthly publication devoted exclusively to the growing Michigan film making industry. The magazine sells on the newsstand (and at Borders) for $4.95 and this month's cover features Drew Barrymore (who filmed here in Michigan). Find out what Chris did right to break into this new field.
- Tina Heaton - local Detroit-area freelance / independent PR professional who was hired as the publicist for "Youth in Revolt", a feature film partially filmed in Ann Arbor - the film stars Michael Cera, the main actor from Juno and Superbad. Learn from Tina how you can land business in the film industry.
We've also selected an esteemed moderator to oversee the panel discussion:
- Ron Dewey - 20-year veteran reporter from WWJ 950 Newsradio with an interest in the subject matter. He recently covered a story about the filming of "Red Dawn" in Royal Oak.
We will have a lively discussion around how the growing Michigan film industry directly impacts marketing communication professionals. For instance, how can local marketers expect to benefit from movies made here?
We'd like to convey our heartfelt thanks to the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for sponsoring our November program. Their generous contribution made the event possible.
You do not need to a PayPal Account. We will have a help section shortly. Once you click on the ‘Add to Cart’, click on the PayPal button on the lower left to get the cart into PayPal and use your credit card.
Please email with questions info@a2ac.org
Date: 11/12/09
Ann Arbor Spark
- 330 East Liberty Street
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: Free for members, $35 for the public, and $10 for students
Due to area construction, here are some suggested parking options near the Ann Arbor Spark venue:
- 5th and William
- 4th and William
- 4th and Washington
- 324 Maynard (between East Liberty and East William)
Pure Michigan Campaign: Inside the Client's Strategy
Date: 10/08/09
Ann Arbor Spark
- 330 East Liberty Street
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: Free for members, $35 for the public, and $10 for students
The Ann Arbor Ad Club welcomes David Lorenz as their guest speaker on Thursday, October 8. Lorenz is the Manager of Public and Industry Relations for Travel Michigan, the state bureau responsible for one of the most popular advertising campaigns in the state of Michigan. The award-winning “Pure Michigan” campaign received national attention last year when Governor Granholm approved $45 million in additional funding for the campaign – an unprecedented tourism budget for the state.
Lorenz will provide client insight into what makes the campaign so successful, including Forbes ranking it as one of the all-time best tourism campaigns. Lorenz will speak on the creative strategy, research, objectives, and brand statement for the campaign including their effective use of integrating TV, radio, outdoor, print, interactive and social media. Its website has been named the nation’s best for the second straight year, particularly for its effective use of social media including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and others.
The event will be held Thursday, October 8th at Ann Arbor Spark, 330 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, beginning with active networking and refreshments at 5:30 p.m. The program runs from 6-7 p.m. Members attend for free, while non–members pay $35, and students pay $10 to attend. Register at www.a2ac.org.
Tourism is Michigan’s third largest industry, bringing in an estimated $18 billion a year to the state and employing approximately 200,000 people. Lorenz says, "Michigan is a special place because of the unique combination of experiences travelers can enjoy, from awesome views from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to the world class collection at the Detroit Institute of Art. In the past, we relied on the in-state traveler to support the industry. Today, it is critical that we make "out of state" travelers aware of our world-class attractions and destinations.”
Special thanks to DesignHub, a creative services and marketing firm headquartered in Saline, Michigan, for sponsoring this event. DesignHub proudly celebrates their 10th year in business.
Keynote Speech by Social Media & iPhone Maven Who Furthered President Obama's Campaign - Raven Zachary
Date: 09/17/09
Michigan League
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: Free for members, $35 for the public, and $10 for students
Event is 7pm to 9pm
Sponsor Bob Foran Photography 
Are you interested in social media, mobile marketing, iPhones, or cutting-edge technology? Then you defintely don't want to miss this event!
The brains behind the team that developed President Obama’s official iPhone application for his presidential campaign – Raven Zachary – is at the top of an industry that never existed up until two years ago. Zachary will travel to Ann Arbor in September, to inspire Michigan residents to reinvent and innovate. Ann Arbor Ad Club, in coordination with University of Michigan American Advertising Federation Student Chapter, is honored to introduce this luminary on Thursday, September 17 from 7-9 p.m., at the Michigan League. Active networking, refreshments and cash bar are available. Raven spoke at Advertising Age’s Creativity and Technology Conference in New York where tickets where $395/person. Entry into this event is free for members, $35 for the public, and $10 for students. Register at www.a2ac.org.
Last year, Raven Zachary’s iPhone application generated hundreds of nationwide news stories and was quickly named among Apple’s coveted Top 10 List. His application furthered President Obama’s successful social media initiatives, which helped seal his Presidency. Marketing pundits attribute social media’s instrumental role in helping President Obama communicate with his supporters. Raven will discuss reinvention and innovation - themes that touch the heart of Michiganders - from automotive companies to Detroit's drive to rejuvenate the city.
Today, as President of Small Society, Zachary works with big brands, established companies, investors, and startups on iPhone strategy and product development. He’s impacted Whole Foods Market, Zipcar, Clif Bar, and Air New Zealand, and founded iPhoneDevCamp, a not-for-profit iPhone developer conference. Raven’s iPhone app for Whole Foods is featured in Apple’s “There’s an App for That” TV commercials. As Contributing Analyst with The 451 Group, an IT industry analyst firm, he works with O'Reilly Media on iPhone and mobile technology events and coverage. Regularly quoted by media, he is a frequent speaker.
A special thanks goes to Bob Foran Photography for graciously sponsoring and helping make the event possible.
Tweet Up - A2AC August Member Mixer
A2AC Program Committee Meetinf
"The Nothing Speech"
Date: 05/14/09
Ann Arbor Spark
- 330 East Liberty Street
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: member Free, non-member $35, student $10
The speech about “nothing” is truly about creativity. JoBe believes that the goal of creativity is to do what no one has ever done before and to look for opportunities where nothing exists. Look deeply into where there are no answers…yet. Be prepared to go on a journey that will make you laugh, use your imagination and quite possibly even make you cry. A real “gut” check. Don’t miss this one.
JoBe Cerny, is a voice-over personality and character actor, best known as the voice of Pillsbury Doughboy and as Procter & Gamble's silent spokesman, The Cheer Man. In addition to appearing in advertising spots and commercials, Cerny has appeared in numerous films, including Legally Blonde 2 (2003), Road to Perdition (2002), and My Best Friend's Wedding (1997). Cerny has also been featured in televised series and talk shows including Chicago Hope and Oprah, as well as appearing in numerous theatrical performances. Cerny is also the founder and president of Cerny/American Creative, a Chicago-based production company which offers creative services catering to film companies and advertising agencies.
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The Corporate Culture Impact of Social Media - Internal and External Obstacles
Date: 04/09/09
Ann Arbor Spark
- 330 East Liberty Street
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: member Free, non-member $35, student $10
Shannon Paul currently works in New Media with the NHL Detroit Red Wings as a creator of web-based content and digital marketing strategy.
She is responsible for fostering relationships across the social web for the organization and the team.
Shannon began her career as an intern with the NBA Detroit Pistons Community Relations department before making her way back into the sports industry in her current position.
Her professional background is in traditional public relations but her interest in social media communication dates back to her time as a student when she created an independent study program aimed at building and exploring the impact of blogs on mass communication.
In 2008 she launched the Very Official Blog where she continues to write about social media for professional communicators.
Sponsored by
Protecting Your Brand Online and Offline - Copyright Law & Intellectual Properties
Date: 03/12/09
Ann Arbor Spark
- 330 East Liberty Street
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: member Free, non-member $35, student $10
Joan Lowenstein, Jaffee Raitt Heuer & Wiess, has been recognized as one of the best intellectual property attorneys in Michigan for 2008 by Super Lawyers magazine.
Copyright, trademarks, patents and trade secrets…. We all need protection for the work we create. Joan Lowenstein, of Jaffee Raitt Heuer & Weiss will bring us up to date on the application of legal protections as they apply to the Internet and to Advertising.
Come prepared with questions!
Event Starts at 5:00 and runs till 7:00
*raffle for $100 gas card!
The Addy Gala
Date: 02/13/09
Horace H.Rackham School of Graduate Studies, Assembly Hall
- 914.E. Washington Street
- Fourth Floor
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Venue Website
Price: $50 Members, $60 Non-Members, $25 Students
Change your luck on Friday, February 13th. You’re invited to attend our 13th annual Addy ® Award celebration to see if you are a winner.
Horace H.Rackham School of Graduate Studies, Assembly Hall On the campus of the University of Michigan 914.E. Washington Street, Fourth Floor, Ann Arbor, Michigan
6:30-10:00 p.m.Google Ann Arbor Update and Using Google Applications in Various Marketing Strategies
Date: 01/08/09
Kensington Court Hotel
- 610 Hilton Blvd
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: member Free, non-member $35, student $10
With Google since 2005, Jen has worked in the Product Development and AdWords organizations within Google. Prior to joining Google, Jen was a technical writer in the satellite communications industry. She now manages the East/Midwest Education sales and account services team at Google's Ann Arbor, MI office.
Jen received her BA from the University of California Santa Barbara in Literature, and received her Master's in English Literature from San Francisco State University
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Changing your Channel: Gossip, Media and the Law of Attraction
Date: 11/13/08
Kensington Court Hotel
- 610 Hilton Blvd
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: member Free, non-member $35, student $10
Media Secrets & The Law of Attraction" Five-time EMMY® Award winning media guru Shawne Duperon of ShawneTV takes you into the newsroom like no one else.
Where’s your level of cynicism when it comes to media?
How do you really feel about TV news and reporters in general?
If you think reporters are out to get you, are only looking for “bad” stories, and are difficult to reach, the Law of Attraction says that’s exactly what you will attract!
Shawne takes you on a compelling journey that will have you rethink your media beliefs and allow you to create deep reporter relationships and produce media coverage that will catapult your business. After this session, you will never see media the same again. Guaranteed.
You will become a media magnet that reporters, producers and editors clamor to interview and profile in their stories.
Colette Chandler - "Bring out the green in your business"
Date: 10/02/08
Kensington Court Hotel
- 610 Hilton Blvd
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: member Free, non-member $35, student $10
Joe Kelly - "CFO's view of advertising"
Date: 09/11/08
Kensington Court Hotel
- 610 Hilton Blvd
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: member Free, non-member $35, student $10
Improving your net worth through your network
Date: 05/15/08
Connor O'Neils
- 318 South Main
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: $30 non-members, free for members
Camp Creativity
Date: 04/14/08
Kensington Court Hotel
- 610 Hilton Blvd
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: $35 members, $45 nonmembers
The 2008 Addys
John Colasanti - from Carmichael Lynch-Minneapolis
Date: 01/17/08
Connor O'Neils
- 318 South Main
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: free members, $30 non members, $10 students
Marta Dapena-Baron
Date: 11/15/07
Kensington Court Hotel
- 610 Hilton Blvd
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Venue Website
Price: free members, $30 non members, $10 students



