Thursday, August 18, 2011


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WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE #1?

Being the best, getting awards and receiving recognition are what all agencies want. Your agency may have already one (or a lot) of those recognitions (best small agency, most innovate, most creative, most interactive, agency of the year…). But is it also globally minded and respected worldwide?

Now you can have both. Introducing the #1 Best International Agency award. And the best part it is weekly! This means that you can have a lot of recognition. Winners earn the right to display this award on their sites. And they'll appear in the most fancy awards annual (maybe). Requirements: sponsor a visa. That's all.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011



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DÍDIMA READS
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by linguistic enthusiast guest blogger Dan Ahern


Everybody loves a European accent. Why do you think we put up with a warp core breach every freakin' episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Because Patrick Steward talks us through it, that's why. Science has proven that listening to soothing, European accents causes our brains to focus better, improves listening skills, calms the nerves and leads to greater satisfaction with life. Actually I just made that up, but it sounds right, right?

Lucky for all of us, Dídima is a Spaniard, and is thus gifted with a Spanish accent. To let this go to waste would be a crime against humanity's ears. And so, we present to you:

Dídima Reads: An Audiobook Series

Please enjoy the first release: Spot Loves His Mommy by Eric Hill







If you have suggestions for new books in the series, don't hesitate to comment with a request!

Update: You can download this audiobook by right-clicking/cmd-clicking here

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LET'S ROLL
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Everyone knows that soccer is the main sport in Spain. And it's is. But maybe you don't know that figure roller skating is a sport there too. Yes, the same thing as figure skating, cheesy music and shiny maillots, but with roller skates (quads). I would say that it's better than on ice. Also you can have your nice color rollers :)

I am back row, far left. Christmas exhibition, 1998

In my young years I trained figure roller skating in Spain, with jumps, figures, exhibitions and broken hands included. And now in my adult times I discovered Sparkles! A roller rink in Atlanta. Sundays is their special Adult night. Our roller skating team (Dan "Blades" Ahern, Stevan "Turtle" Chavez , Mike "Help!" Galluci and Lindsey "Snow White" Gerson and me, Didima "Where am I?" Arrieta Martinez) went there with a clean pair of socks each. In the end of a road, with a full parking lot was there Sparkles, our dream. Here is a video of the awesomess of this place and their skater stars (see man with white hat).


Obviously slightly different from figure roller skating, but it does have music and dance at the same time. And maybe shinier outfits at Sparkles.

Monday, August 15, 2011





I had to leave my country after years of this painful music in Spain. I could say that I am a music refugee. Here is a musical tour of Spain.







Ok, you can say some of them are old. But here is "the song of the summer in 2011". Seriously.



Maybe now you'll get why I want to stay.

Sunday, August 14, 2011



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People with Good Taste Buy Art (Directors)

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A micro-essay polemic by esteemed guest blogger, Daniel J. Ahern, Esq.


Disclaimer: This stunning piece was Photoshopped entirely by Dan. Didima would sooner die.



Though young, my opinion commands attention. My palate is unquestionable. My sensibilities, imitated. In matters of taste, my brain legislates and my mouth pronounces edicts. People look first to me when they want to know what's proper, what's en vogue, what captures the zeitgeist and what truly represents our generation's esprit de corps.


Why, you must wonder, is my stature so great? Why, when men look to me, do they invariably look up? Or perhaps you will have guessed it already:


I am an art buyer.


Yes. I determine value for that which is priceless. I am the world's unerring compass. And to those of you who doubt my claim (heathens!), just ask the Highland Bakery in Atlanta: their cash register drawer is now $40 heavier thanks to my foray into the elite art-buying world. I have acquired one unit of art—a magnificent etching print, number 41 in an ultra-limited run of 1000!—and now all who seek sound guidance would do well to lend me their ears.


"So then, art buyer, what profound teachings do you have for us today?" you ask.


My advice to you is simple: emulate me.


You see, buying art proves your good taste and worth. It brings you to a higher level. It establishes your position in the upper echelon of influential society.


And what's true for art, is true for art directors.


The model of nearly all art director buyers (i.e. ad agencies) is to wait for a pressing need before hiring. They let the market forces push them onto their back foot before they're spurred to action. They wait until work overwhelms them, until they absolutely need another body in the creative department, before going out and acquiring an art director.


Do not be like them. This is a reactive model, and places the emphasis on timing over talent: the exact opposite of what characterizes the preeminent! Nay, be like the art buyer: ahead of the curve, confident in your judgement.


The best art director buyer sees talent, and swoops for it! They know that their agency success hinges on their quality of work. So when they see somebody who can likewise produce the best quality work, they seek to acquire that somebody. Having the talent means they're able to win more work, and execute it better. Hence, they invest in themselves.


People with good taste buy art (directors). You should strive to be like me: at the forefront, setting the bar, proactive in the market.


Of course, it's just my opinion. The opinion of an art buyer.

Saturday, August 13, 2011


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SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

You may realize than you need to acquire an Art Director/Spanish Interpreter. In case that you need some quality services like product label translation, Spanish/English Adobe ability, over-the-phone interpre

tation, in-person interpretation, simultaneous interpretation, voiceovers, foreign film transcriptions, and Mexican food orders (something really really useful in an advertising agency).


With the purchase of this Art Director/Spanish Interpreter

you can get this set of "se habla españ

ol" stickers to place around your

agency. The decals work really well over any kind of surface. (click to view)

If you want to go ahead and print them, click here to download the set.




Friday, August 12, 2011


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BAGEL ADDICTION IS REAL
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What would you do with your life if you realize that you're not going to eat bagels ever again? You're not going to believe it, but there are countries that don't have that amazing creation. Like in my dear Spain, technology and bagelogy are not developed that much. Maybe, one or two places in Madrid, if you're trying to find it really hard. I can't leave this country and say bye to the delicious bagels. I'm not ready for that. Let me stay here, and let's have a breakfast meeting together and cheers with bagels and cream cheese.

I made these designs to have on the walls of my future bagel shop in Spain, that I will be forced to create if I don't get an art director job.

From a bagel lover.