Somewhere between blunt-force trauma and the mind-numbing creative du jour dished out by other agencies lies the bold, “not-afraid-to-go-where-others-fear-to-tread” point of view that defines everything we do. We call it high impact communications. Once you experience our unique brand of brainpower, you’ll never go back.

The American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth (AAF-Fort Worth) celebrated its monumental 100th birthday on Jan. 14 in a glamorous yet renegade style fitting of Cowtown’s oldest civic organization. Many thanks to AAF-Fort Worth for hosting An Evening with a Mad Man, an event featuring Matthew Weiner, the creator of Mad Men, the critically acclaimed drama set in an ad agency in the 1960s. Through their patronage, the event at Casa Manana Theatre provided numerous advertising practitioners (and those simply interested in advertising and/or Don Draper) with a night full of lively mingling and interesting discussion.

Following a cocktail reception with a bar that would be approved by 1960s Madison Avenue denizens, guests were ushered into the Casa Manana auditorium for a brief look at the history of AAF-Fort Worth. The audience was then treated to the main attraction—Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner’s look into the creative process. The successful writer/producer explained, through the help of anecdotes and clips from his show, his thoughts on creativity, an essential skill in the fields of both advertising and television production.

Weiner certainly produced the series Mad Men creatively. He emphasized that why his show seems so real is because many of the storylines come from real people. Some of the more dramatic and captivating lines and scenes derive from a story told by Weiner’s typist, an experience from his childhood or a comment from someone he sat next to on a flight. His inspired process of piecing together interesting storylines, characters and dialogue creates a masterful mosaic that portrays the complexity of real life.

Both Weiner and his advertising audience had a healthy respect for and interest in the other’s profession. Weiner was certainly knowledgeable about both current advertising and its history, while audience members gave him a more-than-warm welcome and praise at the concluding question-and-answer session. The creator of Mad Men and Fort Worth’s distinguished advertising community went together like gin and tonic.

As you may have noticed, Concussion has completed the campaign for the 2009 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl! Surely you’ve seen the arresting creative that features a familiar, now iconic image of a football emblazoned with the Stars and Stripes. If you haven’t, your wait is over.

The TV spot, outdoor boards and VIP mailer were just a few campaign elements created to generate excitement about the upcoming match up the University of Houston and the United States Air Force Academy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

For tickets, call the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl office at 817/810-0012, or visit www.ArmedForcesBowl.com for more information.

The Dallas Morning News has named Concussion High Impact Communications as one of the “Top 100 Places To Work 2009.” Placing 74^th out of a total 100 companies, Concussion ranked among the top small companies to work for, with 60 employees.

“We are particularly proud of this award,” said Allen Wallach, CEO and partner of Concussion.  “This recognition is because of our employees and without our cadre of like-minded zealots, we wouldn’t be known for producing communications that peg the Richter scale.”

Concussion, a full-service advertising agency based in Fort Worth, is owned and operated by partners Allen Wallach and Andrew Yanez. Wallach and Yanez started Concussion in 2001 and continue operating the agency on the principles of nimbleness, collaboration, creativity and client access to agency decision makers.

“These D-FW companies – large, medium and small – are as good as it gets when it comes to creating workplace environments that nurture and respect employees, and, in the process, make those employees proud to be there,” said columnist Cheryl Hall, lead writer for the Top 100 project.

Employees, not the Dallas Morning News, chose the top workplaces. More than 33,000 employees from all different office settings were given surveys to grade their company’s performance regarding 22 statements. Their responses were compiled, weighted and ranked by the Dallas Morning News’ research partner, Workplace Dynamics LLC.

The winning companies were honored at a luncheon hosted by the Dallas Morning News on Thursday, October 29.  A complete list of winners will be published in the November 8^th edition of the publication as well as on www.dallasnews.com.

The 3^rd Annual Concussion Halloween Contest was a success! Never lacking in creativity, the Concussionites pulled out all the stops to win this year’s coveted costume contest. First Place, and $100 went to Nick Bendian and Charlie Howlett, who portrayed life-like Toy Soldiers, complete with poses. The winner of 2^nd Place and $75 was Celine Hubler, who hand-sewed her orange grenade costume, the Concussion mascot! Rodeo rider Courtney Crummel took 3^rd Place and $50, with the help of her “buckin’ bronco” Kit Kat.

Honorable mentions went to May Rashid for her Aunt Sam get-up, and Anna Routh as Nancy Kerrigan, who committed to the role with rollerblades and mascara stains down her face. Other costume favorites were Max from Where the Wild Things Are, a Boom Box, a Traffic Cop, Nurse, “As Seen on TV” complete with a Snuggie, and a Wal-Mart shopper. We can’t wait to see what next year will bring!

To coincide with their centennial celebration, the Fort Worth Zoo enlisted the help of Concussion to mark this milestone. The Concussion team of Andrew Yanez, Nick Bendian and Alex Arellano has launched a campaign including billboards, print ads, TV and radio commercials, and social media strategies that promote the sharing of memories made over the past century and to help drive traffic to the Zoo to make some new ones.

Each week will feature daily keeper chats, live Wild Wonders stage shows and animal enrichment activities to help the community learn more about the Zoo’s 100-year history as the oldest Zoo in Texas! The Zoo will focus on a different decade, you don’t want to miss this special time in Fort Worth.

Click here for more information on the Fort Worth Zoo’s 100-year celebration activities.