Grasshorse Wins Big at the ADDYS!

At the American Advertising Federation: Cedar Rapids-Iowa City ADDY Awards Gala Celebration held February 20, 2010, Grasshorse, won eight gold ADDYs for the highest level of creative excellence as determined by a panel of judges based on the quality of work in respective categories.  Over 350 entries were entered in competition across all categories.

The awards were given by the AAF to recognize talented people and to reward excellence in the art of advertising with the goal of enhancing advertising through various programs that benefit public service, internships, advertising, education and consumer awareness.

Receiving eight gold and one silver awards for the Grasshorse team effort was Kathy Buxton, CEO, and Stephen Jennings, COO  of the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa-based Company and IMPA members.  Grasshorse focuses on animation and visual effects content for film, television and new media production.

The awards were given for the Grasshorse teams work on Jeep Treasure and Skelanimals internet and television projects.  Jeep Treasure is an eye-catching and quirky take on extreme driving for the 2010 Jeep Rubicon-so extreme that it was shot in the bottom of an aquarium using Grasshorse’s new proprietary technology, Protomotion™. 

Protomotion was developed by Grasshorse Technologies, Inc. and then commercialized in 2009 through an award from the Iowa Department of Economic Development.  Protomotion greatly enhances the quality and efficiency of animation development.

The Grasshorse ADDYs were given in the categories of cinematography, photography, special effects for internet and film, self promotion broadcasting, regional/national TV consumer products, internet commercials and webisodes.

If you would like to see the Jeep spot, check it out at http://grasshorse.com/movies/jeep.html. Join them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/grasshorse and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/GrasshorseIA.

Help Get Amemendments Added to SF2319

SSB 3206, which calls for the suspension of the Film, Television and Video Promotion Program until July 1, 2011, has moved to the Senate Ways and Means committee and is now titled SF 2319.

IMPA, our lobbyists and other industry supporters are working to add two amendments to the bill that would:

1. Change the reinstate date to January 1, 2011, instead of July 1, 2011.
2. Formalize an industry task force or committee to monitor the program for ROI and work on ways to revamp the program during the suspension.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee can make these changes prior to the bill going to a vote on the floor, which is much easier to do than on the senate floor.

We need your help in order to get these two points added. Please contact your Senator and all of the Senators on the Ways and Means Committee and ask them to add the requested amendments to SF 2319. A template is provided below for your use. Also, please forward this message to your contacts and encourage them to do the same.

Click here to find the e-mails and phone numbers for the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and visit the Iowa General Assembly website, to determine who your legislative representatives are and to obtain their e-mail addresses.

Please attend a public forum if you are able to. Click here to view an updated schedule.

Updated Local Legislative Forums Schedule - 2.18.10

Click here to view an updated forums schedule.

Full Court Press - Legislative Advocacy Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 17, is Cultural Advocacy Day at the Capitol, followed by the Iowa Cultural Coalition legislative reception at the state historical building from 5-7pm. We would like to produce a strong response from our members and friends to try to save the film promotion program.  Current proposed legislation will extend the suspension of the program through 7/1/2011 (SF 2319) or end the program (SSB 3121 & SF 2118).

The legislators are under the impression that there will still be production activity in Iowa during the suspension. We disagree, and feel there will be little to no production.  This is why we believe that it is preferable to revise and launch a new program while continuing to expedite the investigation and filing any appropriate charges; and also processing the tax credits for productions that played by the rules.

IMPA will have a booth in the Capitol Rotunda of the capitol from 10am-2pm playing trailers from feature films produced in Iowa and distributing our talking points which can be downloaded here.  We will then be at the State Historical Building for the Iowa Cultural Coalition's legislative Reception from 5-7pm. Robert Bluestone, the event's keynote speaker, will make some specific remarks about the multiple benefits of an effective film promotion program such as New Mexico's.

Please contact your legislators again with this latest information and attend the Cultural Day at the Capitol from 10 am - 2 pm and the legislative reception from 5-7pm if you are able. This is our last chance to try to save the program from being suspended until 7/1/2011!

Updated Local Legislative Forums Schedule

Click here to view February's Local Legislative Forums Schedule.