Advertise like Audi

We've all seen a lot of out-of-the-box ads and campaigns through our endless social media scrolls, TV product placements and print marketing drives. It is truly crazy and also pure genius what some companies can come up with for branding opportunities. Which leads us to today's post! Audi Canada has taken sponsored advertising to the extreme again this year. During the FIS Ski Cross World Cup, which took place March 3 to 5 at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, Ontario, the Audi Canada team engineered a one-of-a-kind ski jump that was embedded with an Audi vehicle. And yes, it looks as amazingly cool as it sounds!

Last year Audi with the help of HornMedia Werbe GmbH conceptualized an idea of how to make a car part of the experience simply by placing it within the course itself. The research and development of the ski jump began in October 2016 with Philipp Von Horn, the project’s engineer and managing director, taking the lead on building the capsule for the Audi R8. It was noted that long hours of detailed planning, coordinating, and on-site control went into realizing the vision. No surprise there! Since this is something that hasn't been done before, we imagine that the time spent creating and executing this feat was exhausting but well worth it in the end.

With agency XMC Sponsorship and Experiential handling the event production, the stunt's purpose was to show the progress of the brand in each and every aspect, and not just with Audi’s cars. The real goal was to create a conversation about the brand. We'd say that goal was met considering the buzz surrounding the final product.

Two years ago, the Audi team executed a similar stunt where alpine downhillers jumped over an Audi TT in Austria. They thought this would demonstrate that an Audi Quattro could be driven safely even in winter conditions. Though this concept was successful, it didn't steal the show quite like incorporating a sports car into a ski jump does!

We give Audi so much credit for coming back year after year with more creative and inventive ideas. They definitely know how to devour the details of their brand! Can't wait to see how Audi advertises next year.

Monday Mashups: Seven Days of St. Patrick's Day at Cask 'n Flagon

Starting to make your St. Patrick's Day plans? Get ahead of the game by kicking off the celebrations today (and all week long) at Cask 'n Flagon in Boston and in Marshfield. For the next seven days, you can enjoy your Irish heritage with themed culinary and cocktail specials and long nights of drinking!

From March 13-19, the Cask kitchens will be serving up a taste of Éire with their traditional Boiled Dinner featuring corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and rutabaga paired with a slice of Irish soda bread. On the liquid side, drink specials come fourfold. Created by Fenway’s resident cocktail man Eric Hecht, drinks that will have revelers green with envy include the Green Flagon with Deep Eddy lemon vodka, a subtle touch of Midori, triple sec and lemon sour that is topped with Sprite and garnished with a lime wedge and the 317 shot with Jameson Irish whiskey, Molly’s Irish Cream and green crème de menthe. Cask ‘n Flagon also will give any draft beer selection a dash of green food dye on request, should you want to bleed green. For those with an Irish temper, there is the Kiss Me, I’m Angry cocktail with Angry Orchard hard cider, Jameson Irish whiskey and amaretto.

 

Aside from being the best spot to toast to tradition on St. Patrick's Day, Cask 'n Flagon is a property with lots of Boston history. The restaurant itself has been a Fenway staple since 1969. As second generation operators, Cask 'n Flagon owners are immensely proud to continue the legacy that their father, guests and employees have built. Certainly much has changed since 1969 but the one thing that has always remained the same are the stories they hear every day about the memories created at the top baseball bar. These stories are what motivate the business to continue the tradition of providing a guest experience like no other.

Wondering the meaning of their name? Well, cask (kask) n. is a sturdy cylindrical container for storing liquids; a barrel and flagon (flag’ en) n. is a large vessel with a handle, spout, and often a lid, used for holding beer or other liquors. When the highlight of your restaurant is the bar, a name like this makes perfect sense! The Cask Boston building was originally a Ford dealership. The original dealerships terrazzo flooring still exists today in their event space and night club area which is located next to the Cask ‘n Flagon Restaurant and Sports Bar.

While their name changed to Cask ‘n Flagon in 1969, homage was paid to another era of the buildings history when they brought back the Oliver’s name for their event and nightclub space created in 2007. Oliver’s was a live music venue in the 1960’s that hosted many now famous musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, and the band Boston. Many of the iconic black and white sports photographs lining the walls of the Cask were taken by famed Boston Globe photographer, Dennis Brearley. He captured Boston sports history beautifully and the legacy of his artistry still lives on in their walls!

The building that is now Cask ‘n Flagon Marshfield was originally built as a roller rink, called Marshfield Family Skateland! An original red staff jacket is on display at the host stand. It was actually given to the restaurant by the family who built the roller rink and is still asked about today!

For more stories and facts just ask anyone if they’ve been to the Cask. We are sure you’ll get a tale or two! So, if you’re visiting either at Cask Boston or Cask Marshfield to enjoy a meal, grab a beer, watch a game, look at the famous black and white sports pictures, do a little dancing, attend a function or meet up with friends, prepare to be considered Cask family. Show off your Irish pride and devour the details of the next seven days celebrating St. Patrick's Day at Cask 'n Flagon. We'll be waiting there with a green beer!

March Madness at City Tap House

The foundation of City Tap House has a long history in Boston. In the 1890s, the grounds of City Tap House Boston were home to the Congress Street Commons. For two years, the MLB called this area home. In 1906, the building that is now City Tap, was built by the Boston Wharf company. By 1920 it had transformed again into a sheet metal warehouse and supplier owned by Arthur C Harvey Co. Some odd years later, craft beer had arrived, officially establishing itself in Boston. And in 2010, with the market for craft brews at an all time high, City Tap House Boston opened its doors for the first time.

It has been said that City Tap House Boston has truly updated the gastropub experience. Minutes from the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Boston Convention Center & Exhibition Center, and more, they are excited to offer guests the best bar and restaurant experience in Boston's Seaport District. Sports fans, casual diners, brewers, beer nuts, and beyond. All are welcome here.

City Tap House Boston offers 60 craft brews on draft (4 on nitro) and 40 by the bottle, from local breweries and their favorites from around the world. With their authentic, brick oven pizzas, hand-made burgers, addictive wings and hushpuppies, City Tap House is working to elevate American pub fare one dish at a time just for us Boston residents, giving them a leg up on other local restaurants. But don't be fooled--the competition is definitely fierce--especially when it comes to the beer being served.

And that's sort of how this idea came to be. City Tap House is kicking off March Madness on March 15th with a friendly competition between four local breweries. The event will feature four kegs of Harpoon’s UFO Twist, Portico’s Fuzzy Logic, Notch’s Session Pils, and Wormtown’s Be Hoppy, and whichever one kicks first will be crowned the honorary March Madness brew for the tournament. In other words, basketball and beer fans will get the chance to vote for their favorite beer with their pint glasses. That's what we like to hear!

“There is nothing quite like the urgency of March Madness, putting it all on the line to capture victory. We thought adding a bit of that element into our draft beer selection could be fun,” said Andy Farrell, City Tap House’s brand director. “We always look to highlight local breweries throughout the NCAA tournament, so throwing this ‘play in’ challenge to Harpoon, Portico, Notch and Wormtown was a natural fit.”

After the event, the winning beer will be available for the remainder of the tournament for $5 a pint. Don't miss your opportunity to participate in the Madness. Devour the details of celebrating your favorite team and beer at City Tap House starting March 15th!