OUR ADS ARE SPREADING.

Today, TED announced our Intel “The Chase” viral film as an “Ad Worth Spreading.”  Lucy Farey-Jones, partner and head of strategy, VB&P, was on hand to receive the award at the invitation only event that attracted luminaries like Bill Gates (Microsoft), Dave Brooks (columnist for The New York Times), Roger Ebert (film critic) and Jason Mraz (musician). We’re proud to say TED chose our film as one of ten finalists out of 1,000 submissions. It has been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube and shared more than 60,000 times on social networks like Twitter and Facebook. To see the film on TED’s site, visit here.

AD MAN OF THE YEAR.

This weekend our agency’s namesake, Paul Venables, was honored as “Ad Person of the Year,” an award presented to an outstanding person each year in recognition of their accomplishments and unique service to the San Francisco ad community. In comments at the show, Paul’s former boss, Jeff Goodby, said, “Paul would be among the very smallest group – of the best creative people – ever to pass through here. He had a way of making clients love him, coming up with the best imaginable work, and still combining a lovability that makes him a great leader of the next generation of creative work in this city. Everything he has done since he left Goodby, Silverstein & Partners has only made us more sure of all of this. And, of course, it has totally pissed us off.” The award recognized Paul for growing VB&P from a start-up to the 171-person agency it is today, as well as for bringing major accounts to the San Francisco Bay area and for the nationally acclaimed, award-winning advertising the agency produces. Read about the news in The SF Egotist.

TIS BETTER TO RECEIVE THAN GIVE.

That’s what 23% of young adults told VB&P in a survey that revealed younger shoppers 18-34 are purchasing and expecting more this holiday.

“Overall, this group seems less phased by the economy than other consumers,” said Lucy Farey-Jones, partner and head of strategy, VB&P. “In fact, 15% are expecting more gifts this year (vs. the study average of 6%) and 24% expect to spend more on gifts (vs. 13.4% study average).”

More young adults are also likely to say it’s better to receive than give and are less likely to be happy with a re-gift. While 91.4% of the general survey said “giving” is better, 23.4% of young adults think “receiving” is better. 86% would be fine with a re-gift, compared to 90% of the general population. Additionally, 57% are more likely to buy something for themselves while out holiday shopping in contrast to the 42% survey average.

When it comes to what’s dictating young adult holiday shopping lists, marketers should note that 23% of young adults are more influenced by advertising vs.14% of the general population. They are most influenced by a person’s wish list, but also twice as likely to be influenced by friends’ shopping lists. The top three brands that come to mind most for young consumers are Target, Walmart and Best Buy, though Best Buy ranks 11th on the survey’s overall list.

Given this group’s love for Best Buy, it should come as no surprise that they are also the most technologically advanced, with 20% reporting they’ve bought something on their mobile phone (vs. 12% average). 23% (vs. 10.2%) plan to use their mobile phones this year to research prices and 13% (vs. 6%) plan to use them to shop this holiday season.

These savvy shoppers are also into making their own presents. Over a third (35%) of young adults plan to create gifts, like gourmet foods, T-shirts and digital photos.

For more information on the study, or to schedule an interview with Lucy Farey-Jones, please contact Meredith Vellines at meredith.vellines@venablesbell.com.

BE FEARLESS.

That’s just one of the many tips our client Scott Keogh, CMO of Audi, and Paul Venables shared at the ANA Creativity Conference in New York last week. In their presentation, The ROI of Being Brave, Paul and Scott unveiled the secrets behind their successful relationship that’s helped Audi gain 45% market share in the past two years. According to Scott, “Agencies can be tedious yes-men, saying and promoting only what the client wants to hear,” giving VB&P credit for fearlessly challenging Audi’s marketing approach in the U.S. Paul also provided advice like, “You can’t educate Americans. You have to excite, not educate.” To read more about the event and other advice speakers provided at the conference, please visit Yahoo!’s blog here.