UNCANNY ATTRACTIONS COMBINES PRO WRESTLING AND DRAG QUEENS AT ICONIC AUSTIN VENUE

JULY 2022

AUSTIN, TEXAS, July 1, 2022 – After a brief hiatus from the independent wrestling scene, NYC-bred Uncanny Attractions is rebooting for a Texas-sized debut in Austin at the iconic Mohawk on Red River. November 20, 2022 marks the anticipated return of Drags and Dropkicks featuring a star-studded night of professional wrestling, drag queens, and so much more. In partnership with Equality Texas, the show will be an all-inclusive celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community in Texas and beyond.

With an emphasis on up and coming queer talent in professional wrestling, Uncanny Attractions combines the entertainment prowess of pro wrestlers and drag queens to produce an event unlike any other. There is truly something for everyone at the shows.

Previous talent featured on Uncanny Attractions: Drags and Dropkicks includes Sonny Kiss, Effy, Edith Surreal, Nurse Ratchet, MV Young, Allie Katch, Billy Dixon Eddie McQueen, Roni Nicole, Big Swole, and more.

“There has never been a better time to bring Uncanny Attractions to Austin, Texas. The creative energy of the city paired with the organized chaos of one of our shows is simply meant to be,” says Lynn Frailey, co-founder and booker of the promotion. “We have been dreaming of hosting an event at Mohawk and could not imagine a better space to show Texas what we’re all about.”

The current political landscape of Texas has not gone unnoticed by the team behind Uncanny Attractions. As conservative Texas leaders continue to propose anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, the wrestling promotion reminds the community that people are stronger together, when everyone shows up as their authentic selves.

“In a state like Texas where there are direct attacks on our right to exist, it’s more important than ever to remind everyone that we are here, we have been here, and we’re not going anywhere,” says Devin Carter, a San Antonio-based wrestler debuting at Drags & Dropkicks in November. “Celebrating our talent in the form of professional wrestling, performing drag, or however else we want to show up, is the epitome of the welcoming spirit of Texas that I know and love.”

While no matches have officially been announced, Uncanny Attractions assures that the event will not disappoint. Readers can keep an eye out for updates on social channels (@uncannyatx) or the website www.uncannyattractions.com.

Know the Difference: Microprocessor Knees, Water, and IP Ratings

JUne 2022

We hear about IP ratings across a variety of different products and industries. You may have learned about them if you've ever dropped your smartphone in water (we've all been there). But what do they mean, and how do they impact prosthetic devices? We’re glad you asked!

What is an IP rating?

IP codes/ratings, or Ingress Protection Code, outline the degree to which a device is protected against various intrusions, contact, corrosion, dust, and water. Some other common products that hold IP ratings are electrical sockets, light bulbs, automotive parts, and more. This standard is set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and aims to provide users with a deeper understanding of their devices beyond vague descriptors like "waterproof" and "water-resistant," because there are varying levels within each of those terms.

What do the numbers in an IP rating mean?

The numbers that follow "IP" each have a specific meaning. The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against solid objects like dust and sand. The second digit rates a device's protection against liquids and uses a scale of 0 (no protection) to 9 (high-pressure water from different angles). 

Why do prosthetic devices need an IP rating?

IP ratings are extremely important for prosthetic devices because they become part of everyday human activities that might come into contact with solids, like sand, and different kinds of water. Where a device can go is crucial information in deciding what’s the best option for individuals seeking a prosthetic limb. For example, if a prosthetic user wants to be able to spend time in/around water, the IP rating of a product would be a huge deciding factor.

What options does Ottobock offer when it comes to IP ratings?

Let’s focus on Ottobock’s Microprocessor Knees (MPKs). These are intuitive prosthetic knees for above-knee amputees that have a small microprocessor in them that is always processing data as a user moves. The device must be protected from outside irritants to preserve the data in the microprocessor.

IP68 Rating: Ottobock X3

• The X3 has the highest rating on any MPK on the market. No other MPK has an IP68 rating*

• An IP68 rating means it's protected from dust, sand, dirt, and water

• It is waterproof AND corrosion resistant in salt, fresh, and chlorinated water. Corrosion resistance is a huge benefit because other MPKs may be okay with temporary submersion or contact with water, but there's risk of corrosion. IP68 means the X3 is even protected from that!

IP67 Rating: Ottobock C-Leg 4 and Genium

• The IP67 rating means these two MPKs are protected from dust, sand, dirt, and temporary submersion in freshwater

• These are both water-resistant, but not corrosion resistant

• While many MPKs can say they have an IP67 rating, not all can say that they have helped over 100,000 users walk confidently in the last 25 years the way Ottobock's revolutionary C-Leg has

IP22 Rating: Ottobock Kenevo

• The Kenevo is protected from solid objects greater than 12.5mm in size

• It is not waterproof or corrosion-resistant, but it is protected from dripping water

• This is an MPK designed specifically for lower mobility users

So, why is this important information?

Having accurate and detailed information is key in making an informed decision about which prosthetics device makes sense for a user. Equipping users with a device that can lead them where they want to go with confidence is an important part of the journey.

For more information on IP ratings and Ottobock products, click here.

*Wismer, N., Mileusnic, M., Sreckovic, I., & Hahn, A. (2016).

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2022: PHOTOGRAPHER MASON ENDRES

MARCH 2022

26 year old Mason Endres from Austin, Texas has a strong passion for photography, whether it be shooting gigs, taking photos at a wrestling event, or just anything she finds interesting – she has a real love and drive for it. Other then being engulfed by her obsession with photography, Mason spends her days working in marketing for the North American HQ of a global prosthetics and orthotics company which she really enjoys doing. When she’s not busy working or taking photos she is usually attending a show as a huge music nerd or on a road trip somewhere as she loves to travel.

We are so thrilled to be able to feature Mason this year for Women’s History Month. Check out the interview below!

Tell us how you first got into photography?

Growing up, I remember getting my first Canon point and shoot cameras and setting up Bratz Dolls and Barbies as models (I recently even found those cameras, they don’t work anymore, haha). I had always been a creative kid—I even won “most creative” for my Senior Class (still don’t 100% know why, but I’ll take it).

But no one could have come up with how I really landed in photography until it happened. On March 13, 2014, I was involved in the SXSW incident where a driver broke through barricades on a closed road and drove through the crowd, killing four people and injuring about two dozen, including myself. I had lots of injuries and ended up in the hospital for three weeks. The recovery process was long, and I had to make the tough decision at 18 years old to skip my first semester of college to focus on one more surgery and all of the physical therapy that followed. Needless to say, I fell into a pretty bad depression watching my friends leave town and start their lives post-high school. To facilitate some purpose and give me a hobby, my parents got me my first DSLR – a Canon Rebel T5i. It was game over from there. I took the camera with me everywhere, made my friends model for me, and eventually, people asked to pay me for my work (a wild concept to me!). I eventually upgraded to a Canon 5D Mark III after my first year at college, and one of my best friends held onto the first camera that changed everything for me (shoutout to Drew!). From there, I started shooting shows, more friends, bands, strangers, and anything that would let me point a camera at it in Austin. I took my skills into work while employed at an ad agency and got to shoot for brands like Amstel and Southwest Airlines. Other opportunities allowed me to even shoot Houston Pride for Mac Cosmetics which is still one of the most magical experiences I’ve been able to be a part of. After I was done with school and transitioning into working full time, my kick ass boss at the time encouraged me to take a month off of work and travel. My longtime buds in the band Jared & The Mill (now Wheelwright), were confident enough in my ability to let me hop in their van as they wrapped up a cross-country tour. It is forever the best thing I’ve ever done and I will never be able to thank that crew enough for believing in me since day one.

When the pandemic started, I lost all creative drive and any business that was headed my way. I ended up picking up my dad’s Pentax ME that he passed down and decided it was time to give in to shooting film and it helped me fall in love with photography all over again. At the same time, I started giving in to the inevitable fate of becoming a professional wrestling fan because my partner has been a fan for 15+ years, and it was one of the only forms of entertainment that kept going amidst Covid. I promised myself as soon as events started again, my camera would be coming with me.

And here we are today, I’m slowly but surely taking my talents to the wrestling world. I can confidently say I’ve never been in a community that is so passionate and creative, and it absolutely bleeds into what fuels me to be in that community.

Who are some women photographers who really inspired you?

Classic answers, Vivian Maier, Imogen Cunningham

Katrina Barber, Melanie Romero, Jessica Torres, Sofie Vasquez, Lydia Hudgens, Sydney Claire, Britt Von Bossy, Heather Favell, and so many more!

How do you manage your time between a day job and being a photographer?

I stopped forcing myself to be busy all the time making work I didn’t fully believe in. I got really burnt out when I relied on photography for extra income in college and the pandemic provided a break to re-evaluate my relationship with photography. I have stronger boundaries with myself and the work I seek out or accept. I also have a day job that doesn’t leave me creatively drained to the point that I don’t want to take photos. That has allowed for way more creativity and time to focus on things I truly enjoy and care about.

How did you get interested in wrestling photography, how did you get started with that and do you have an end goal?

I spoke to this a little bit in the question about getting into photographer, but to elaborate… My partner, Cameron, has been a longtime wrestling fan and would watch a lot when we first started dating, and I thought it was so silly. Eventually I started asking more questions and we watched GLOW and some other wrestling documentaries that showed the storytelling and creativity that goes on behind the scenes. And something clicked! I was like, oh, okay, I get it. These people are branding, marketing, storytelling, creative geniuses. We had gone to a few indie shows in early 2020, but when the pandemic hit, WWE and AEW were basically our sources of entertainment and I just dove head first into being a fan. I promised myself my camera would be coming with me when we started going to shows again! And that, I did! Cameron has been my biggest fan and encouragement as I’ve gotten into it. He helps me step out of my comfort zone to make cool stuff happen.

I have to give a huge shoutout to the folks at Mission Pro Wrestling based here in Texas for giving me my first shot at ringside photography. They took a chance on me when I was throwing myself out there and I am so excited for the waves they are making in the world of women’s wrestling! I’ve never been in a community where I feel so seen and represented in all aspects of the promotion they have built.

What would you say to young women who wanted to get into wrestling photography?

Please do it. Please share your perspective and creative ability in the industry. We need you and your talents represented and there has never been a better time in wrestling to join. It is a truly transformative time and the future of wrestling—especially women’s wrestling—is so bright!

You’ve said that you also enjoy film photography – what is your favourite photo you have taken on film and what does it mean to you?

This is probably the hardest question you could have asked!

There’s this one photo I took in Salem, MA at Salem Willows. It’s a little, bright blue shack, I think that sells tickets of some sort during busy season, maybe? It’s right next to the beach and a kind of boardwalk-style arcade and food situation. It’s a special place to people I love, and I feel very lucky to know it. The photo is bright and simple and just means a lot to me because of who was with me when I took it.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully still finding new ways of falling in love with taking photos wherever I am at. I hope I still have a career that allows me to do that. I hope by then I’ve travelled to more places that I haven’t crossed off the list yet. I’d like to think I’ll have built a cool house in the next 5 years so I can have my own studio space for all of my little creative endeavors. I hope that the last 8 years of photography was just me getting started.

5 Ways You Can Save With Your HSA During COVID-19

October 2020

This year has forced a lot of us into uncharted territory. Between job changes, financial uncertainty, and the anxiety that comes with a global pandemic, it’s safe to say we’re all feeling a little unsure. To help ease some of those anxieties, we want to share with you how your Health Savings Account (HSA) can support you in ways you maybe didn’t know about! 

5 ways your HSA can make a difference for you during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. You can use your HSA to pay for COVID-19 tests.

While a lot of cities and states have free testing locations and insurance is picking up the tab, you might find that your test has a copay or other associated costs. If you want to get an at-home COVID-19 test instead, it’s absolutely a qualified medical expense! So if your HSA has been sitting unused during all of this, now is the time to use it. Getting tested when you think you might have been exposed to the virus is so important to protect those around you. 

2. If you’ve lost your job, your HSA could help you pay for COBRA coverage.

If COVID-19 has affected your job, and therefore your health insurance, you might be using (or considering using) COBRA to extend the coverage you were receiving. Did you know that you can use your HSA to pay for COBRA premiums? Well, it’s true! If you have HSA funds to use, this is the time. COBRA premiums tend to be more expensive because you’re footing the entire bill without an employer’s help. Take advantage of your hard work and those savings you’ve set aside to take care of your health. Additionally, your HSA can also cover insurance premiums outside of COBRA while you’re receiving state or federal unemployment benefits. Learn more about HSAs and your job from our in-depth guide.

3. You can use our HSA to pay for telehealth services

Under the CARES Act passed in March of this year, HDHPs can cover telehealth and other remote care services before participants have met their deductible. Typically, HDHPs can't offer first-dollar coverage beyond preventative health, so this is a great win! Additionally, your insurer may cover more of the cost than normal for telehealth services not related to COVID-19, so your copay is lower and you can still use your HSA to take care of these costs. This includes mental health services like seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist for medication or therapy! Long story long, instead of going straight to the doctor’s office where your chance of COVID-19 exposure is higher, you can take care of yourself virtually right in the comfort of your own home! If you’re not sure where to start when looking for virtual providers, our shop is a great place to start.

4. Home office not cutting it? An HSA could help you get a better set up.

A lot of folks have traded in their commute to the office for new work from home desks during COVID-19, maybe even permanently. Unfortunately, this brings up a lot of physical pain you might not have previously experienced while working from an office. Without solid equipment, previously unknown back problems may occur, leaving you in pain and exhausted from sitting and staring at your screen all day. If it becomes enough of an issue, consult your doctor. They could write a Letter of Medical Necessity for a better office chair or desk. As long as your diagnosis and required equipment is on the letter, you can use HSA dollars to have it covered. 

5. Use your HSA to be prepared for anything!

Now that grocery stores and drugstores are no longer being cleaned out of cold meds and thermometers, it never hurts to be prepared. If you want to have things in line in the event that you or a loved one comes down with COVID-19, your HSA can help. To err on the side of caution, you can purchase thermometers, vaporizers, nasal irrigation tools, over-the-counter medications, and more with your HSA dollars. While none of these are cures or antidotes to COVID-19, they can help ease the discomfort you may feel while sick. Check out what else is HSA-eligible on our comprehensive list.. 

Your HSA is a versatile and important tool for making it through these unprecedented times (tired of hearing that phrase yet?). If money or insurance is a roadblock to you getting the care you need, step back and see if your HSA can help. And even if you don’t have enough money in your HSA to take care of it now, you can save your receipts and be reimbursed for the out-of-pocket expenses in the future. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that literally anything can happen no matter how prepared or unprepared you are. So let’s work on being prepared, together. We got this.

See all First Dollar blog content (written by yours truly) right here.

Expert guides

Best of the best content to help everyday folks navigate different life stages and healthcare needs that come with them.

How to Use Your HSA to Save on Reproductive Healthcare: A comprehensive guide to navigating the rising costs of healthcare as someone with a uterus.

How to Keep Your HSA Forever and Not Switch With Every Job: As a lot of us face job uncertainty, healthcare should not be uncertain. Here’s how an HSA can help.

Planning for a Baby? Here’s How an HSA Can Help You Through It All: Navigating having a child is a daunting, expensive task, but an HSA can be the answer you’re looking for!

The Ultimate Guide to Open Enrollment: Getting through the alphabet soup of health insurance isn’t easy! This is your go-to guide.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: TAKING PRIDE IN AUSTIN’S WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE

Recently, Austin was named one of the top 10 best places for the LGBTQ+ community to live, just in time for Austin Pride this weekend. Ahead of the celebration, we chatted with members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies within the agency about what inclusivity means to them and how creativity can’t thrive without it. Keep reading to learn more about how an inclusive city and work environment makes all the difference.

KIRYA FRANCIS, VP OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

How do you define inclusion?

I like to think of inclusion to be more like a salad. You come together as individuals and you get to stay an individual, but your presence will be missed if you are not there. 

Why is it important for a company to participate in inclusive initiatives? 

A company’s primary responsibility is to be profitable so that it can stay in business and employ talent. Inclusion makes people happier to be there, and happier people make a better product.  

KYLE NGUYEN, MEDIA PLANNER/CAMPAIGN MANAGER

How have you experienced inclusion at GSD&M?

GSD&M’s culture is inherently inclusive with participation in community events like the Allies Diversity Summit and various panels where GSD&Mers share their stories. 

How does an inclusive environment benefit the work that comes out of GSD&M?

It breaks down walls. The less time we worry about how others perceive us, the more time we have to focus that energy on actually working by bringing our authentic selves to work.

JOSH ANDREWS, ASSISTANT ACCOUNT MANAGER 

Why is it important for a company to participate in inclusive initiatives?

It’s important for employees to see reflections of themselves and their identities at work. Without a place to be yourself, employees risk losing themselves to the nature of putting up a guard to those around them. 

How have you experienced inclusion in Austin and at GSD&M?

There are LGBTQIA sports teams, book clubs and even Zilker meet-ups. I’m very happy to see the solidarity of GSD&M walking in Austin’s Pride parade, so cheers to that!

ASHLEY DAVIDSON, DIGITAL PRODUCER

How do you define inclusion? 

Inclusion is providing an atmosphere of support and involvement for all people regardless of race, religion, background, abilities, gender or sexual orientation. An inclusive environment empowers, educates and collaborates so an individual’s worth is recognized by all.

Why is it important for a company to participate in inclusive initiatives? 

Inclusivity initiatives that support all groups are important for morale, productivity, safety and community-building. You build a stronger company where people both tolerate and celebrate each other’s differences.

ANA LEEN, ACCOUNT LEADERSHIP

How have you experienced inclusion at GSD&M? 

Through partnering with organizations like ADCOLOR, E4Youth, Time’s Up/Advertising, Austin Pride and more, we’re both impacting and learning from our community that feeds the pipeline of creativity.

How does an inclusive environment benefit the work that comes out of GSD&M? 

We will think beyond the norm. We will come up with ideas and creative that connect with people in new ways. We will give brands the opportunity to do things differently and stand out from the competition.

Companies need to push inclusion initiatives throughout the year, not just during Pride month. While we’re lucky to live in a welcoming city like Austin, we should never take that for granted. We must continuously celebrate and advocate for inclusion to better our community, our industry and the society in which we live. It’s a disservice to creativity and culture at large if we are not including and representing all voices and speaking up for those who aren’t heard. 

Austin-based Game Shows To Go launches virtual game show to build community in time of need

AUSTIN, TX — April 2020 — The Austin-based entertainment company, Game Shows To Go, who specializes in high-production game shows and more, recently launched a first-of-its-kind, highly interactive, virtual game show in the midst of COVID-19 cancelations. The online game show includes a live host interacting with the audience in real-time, customizable trivia content, cash prizes, sponsorship opportunities and more. The unique virtual experience was brought to life by a small team behind Game Shows To Go following the cancellation of almost all 2020 events for the family-owned company.

After being significantly impacted by event cancelations due to the ongoing pandemic, Game Shows To Go was at a crossroads of what was next for the company. They quickly examined the market and adapted to the needs of their clients in the current climate: digital community building. With the help and determination of the small, nimble team, everyone quickly pivoted and both built and executed a fully digital game show, almost overnight. 

The team blasted out the new offering to the client base, and quickly booked their most successful April ever.

“The virtual game show is completely unique and no one has been able to nail it quite like us,” says CJ Johnson, founder of Game Shows To Go. “Our host, Gus, provides the energy as if he’s performing for a live studio audience of 1000 people. After 17 years in the game show business, we’ve really learned how to make a show interactive. You can’t replicate that.”

Since introducing the virtual game show, Game Shows To Go has booked over 75 events, including 54 in April alone. So far, the team has completed 35 shows and given away over $25,000 in prizes across the country. Executing up to five shows in a single day, this offering has quickly become the most popular virtual event in the college market.

With such success in its first few weeks, Game Shows To Go is aiming to expand into the corporate sphere to provide an opportunity for companies to continue building their internal cultures and communities during these trying times. As everyone experiences isolation together, finding ways to stay connected in fun and unique ways is integral to navigating this new digital culture. 

“We’re so looking forward to the future of this experience,” says game show host Gus Davis. “We can see national tournaments between companies and organizations bringing communities together in the name of friendly competition and staying connected.”

The virtual game show experience is completely customizable for brands, companies, themes and more. Each show is hosted on Twitch and receives its own channel for everyone to participate. From start to finish, the audience experiences interaction from all angles: in the game show via the host, in the chat room via moderators and beyond.

Even when everything goes back to normal, the company will continue offering the virtual game show because of the massive success thus far. 

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BRANDS: HOW TO EFFECTIVELY INFILTRATE MUSIC FESTIVALS

It’s the aroma of fried food and warm beer, getting the perfect picture in the perfect #ootd and getting the ultimate snap of the wild crowd dancing to this year’s biggest radio hit. It’s the era of music festivals and it’s not slowing down. According to a study conducted by GMR, a whopping 14.7 million millennials attended at least one music festival in 2014. With over 800 music festivals in the U.S. alone today (and a new one was probably just announced as you’re reading this), one can only imagine how the number of festival attendees continues to grow.

Millennials demand authentic, shareable experiences. To garner as much exposure with America’s largest consumer group, brands are infiltrating the music festival industry. As the commercialization of festivals rises, sponsorship spending is on the verge of hitting $1.5 billion—the equivalent of buying 3,000 trips to Mars.

Today, festivals rely on brand sponsorship and brands rely on festivals for unparalleled fan engagement. With all this partnership, it’s critical to ask, “What does a successful brand-festival relationship look like from the eyes of music fans?” As a 21-year-old self-proclaimed festival expert who has attended over 15 music festivals in the last year alone, to me, these are some of the brands that understand their market.

• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen: Teaming up with Coca-Cola at Shaky Knees Music Festival, Popeyes launched its summer campaign in the heart of festival season—summertime. With an activation targeting both festivalgoers and chicken lovers (seemingly, there are a lot), the massive Popeyes drumstick pod, known as the Marinating Machine, had festivalgoers literally lined up to experience a world of flavor.

• Budweiser: Last year at Stagecoach Festival, the iconic beer brand took care of country music fans and beer lovers with its “Country Club”—a three-story, open-air structure that provided a lot of beer, elevated views of the festival and a chance for fans to “live on their own terms.”

• H&M: Understanding fashion is as important as the music at Coachella, the trendy and affordable retailer became a massive sponsor and created a West Coast-inspired line of clothing available in stores, at the festival and seen on all its major fashion influencers.

• Waterloo Records: Austin-based Waterloo Records can be found at some of the biggest festivals like Austin City Limits (ACL), SXSW and Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City because they bring fans what they really want—an intimate opportunity to meet the artists.

Shares, hashtags, selfies and tweets are the currency of the digital age, and these are the brands that get it. Their integrations are thoughtful and meaningful, not plug-and-plays. They combine elevated experiences, pop culture and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to capitalize on millennials’ need to keep sharing moments.

Today’s festival junkies expect impressive brand integrations just as much as they expect good music, because experiences are what make spending hundreds of dollars on a single weekend worth it.

BRONZE LION AND TWO SHORTLISTS HEADING HOME TO AUSTIN FOR POPEYES® “12-HOUR DRIVE-THRU”

CANNES, FRANCE – JUNE 21, 2019 – Austin, Texas-based creatively driven, full-service ad agency, GSD&M, known for its First & Only ideas, announced today it’s bringing home a Lion. Popeyes fans drove across Texas to Louisiana for the 12-Hour Drive-Thru, and now GSD&M is picking up a Bronze Lion win in the Outdoor category for the trip home from France.

“It always means a lot to us to bring a Lion home for Austin, but especially this year for Popeyes,” GSD&M Chief Creative Officer Jay Russell said. “They’re a brand that’s not afraid to have fun, and most importantly, owns what makes them different from everybody else. The 12-Hour Drive-Thru is the epitome of First & Only and why we got into and stay in this business. We work with great brands and have a good time doing it, and every so often, we win a lion for it.”

Designed to speak to both die-hard followers and to ignite a spark in a new generation of fans, the 12-Hour Drive-Thru highlighted Popeyes signature 12-hour marination process in an exciting way by allowing fried chicken lovers to order from a stand-alone menu in Ft. Stockton, Texas, and pick it up exactly 12 hours later at the flagship Popeyes location on Canal Street in New Orleans. Free fried chicken in NOLA sounds like a win for everyone.

“It’s no secret that the brand love for Popeyes runs deep. What other brand’s fans would road trip for a free meal?” Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Chief Marketing Officer Hope Diaz said. “When GSD&M presented the 12-Hour Drive-Thru to us, we knew it was exactly what our fans didn’t know they needed. Watching it come to life and seeing people have so much fun on the journey proved the idea was worth it.”

The wins don’t stop there. Alongside the Bronze Lion, the 12-hour Drive-Thru earned a shortlist in the Brand Experience & Activation category for brand-owned activations, and a second shortlist in the Direct category for the creative use of outdoor messaging.

“It takes a lot of dedication to marinate chicken for 12 hours, and an absolute obsession for fans to drive that far for it,” GSD&M Group Creative Director Tom Hamling said. “When most people could simply go to a drive-thru, real-life customers hopped in their cars and drove from way-out in West Texas all the way to New Orleans out of pure love for this fried chicken. Only a Popeyes fan would do that.”

Featured in publications like US Weekly, Food + Wine, The Takeout, Adweek and more, GSD&M’s take on Popeyes 12-hour marination reinforced the world’s love for authentic fried chicken. Along with this win for the 12-Hour Drive-Thru, GSD&M’s First & Only mission has racked up eight Cannes Lions wins since 2014.

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The Violin Monster to Appear at SXSW

It’s not every day that someone comes across a 494-year-old werewolf that plays violin, but with South By Southwest just around the corner, don’t be surprised when the Violin Monster takes over the streets of Austin — with or without a full moon.

The man behind the myth, whose real name he refuses to disclose, has been playing the violin since he was seven. Since his early days he has morphed into the Violin Monster he is today. He resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan for seven months out of the year, but travels and performs throughout the country for the other five. He says he’s been “perceived really well” in Austin, and considers it a home away from home.

The Violin Monster plays anything, from traditional Irish and fiddle music to the Star Wars and Game of Thrones theme songs. “I think it’s cool a lot of these songs have been passed down and played for hundreds of years,” he says referring to to his Irish and fiddle music. “It’s upholding the tradition.” One of his favorite things to do is randomly play “Happy Birthday” and catch reactions of unsuspecting bystanders. “When it’s someone’s birthday and I’m playing it, they’ll be like, ‘How did you know?’”

The Violin Monster doesn’t currently write his own music, but he does have his own way of playing and interpreting songs. “I kind of have a rough, monster style,” he says.

Of course, such an outrageous character is bound to generate some strong reactions.  The Violin Monster says his favorite responses come from children who see him. He does his best to make them feel comfortable, and by playing songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” kids  switch from frightened to friendly. “I’ve had numerous parents tell me that their two-year-old requests to watch videos of me on YouTube,” he says. “They’re really intrigued by the whole thing.” Recently, the Violin Monster has been interacting with dogs. While playing the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, a frightened puppy approached him. “At one point, it actually peed a little bit,” he says. “By the end of it, it was actually licking my face.”

The Violin Monster is no SXSW newbie. This will be his fourth year at the festival, and he hopes something extraordinary will happen. In previous years, he’s been featured on the SXSW website, approached by Jimmy Kimmel’s producers and appeared in Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations.” “There’s always random articles that I pop up in, or like different bands’ music videos. I think I’m in some metal band’s music video,” he says. A band called American Fangs even approached him about joining them onstage at one of their showcases. “I wasn’t even plugged in, I was just there rocking out onstage,” he says.

After working for years as a street performer, the Violin Monster is aware of the ordinances that could negatively affect his livelihood, specifically in Austin. “It’s always a concern, what places are going to be friendly or not toward it,” he says. Police have stopped him during SXSW in previous years, and with a simple phone call to the station, he’s proven himself to not be in the wrong by by any means. “Cities can pass ordinances that they will put into law, but it’s unconstitutional,” he says. “What I’m doing is guaranteed by the constitution if I’m on public property.”

The Violin Monster encourages other street performers to be informed on local laws so they can react appropriately in situations dealing with authorities. At the end of the day, he’s chosen this “crazy lifestyle” for himself, and says he accepts all the risks that come with it. “I am prepared to go as far as being arrested one day,” he says.

The Violin Monster says being on the road for five months of the year is both exhilarating and exhausting. While his ultimate goal is to travel the world, he hasn’t been outside the U.S. yet. “I’m working toward next winter going to Central or South America,” he says. Hopefully, with the help of a “Violin Monster Van,” he can expand his audience and frighten listeners across the globe.