tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26571588129446328472012-01-18T10:02:50.077-08:00The Gurunoreply@blogger.comBlogger111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-21834731313536363672008-09-06T20:40:00.000-07:002008-11-09T13:43:11.590-08:00Dear Diary:<br /><br />Can the end be near? Has this ship taken on water? <br /><br />SK+G has gone through a complete transformation.<br /><br />Lots of pink slips since my last entry, thanks to our inability to keep clients around.<br /><br />MGM Grand at Foxwoods is leaving as of October 2008. <br /><br />The only work taking place seems to be on the Executive Creative Director's portfolio. <br /><br />Yes, Mr. Hack Pack leader himself, Eric Stein Executive Creative Director at SK+G. <br /><br />From his bio, and I quote <span style="font-style:italic;">"Presently you’ll find me in a huge neon petri dish in the desert. Las Vegas. A laboratory for studying consumer behavior hell bent on excess. Lucky me in the lucky town. I advance brands like MGM Grand (FIRED US), Caesars Entertainment (FIRED US), Planet Hollywood Worldwide Resorts (FIRED US), Four Seasons (FIRED US), Trump International (FIRED US) and St. Regis (FIRED US)." </span><br /><br />Petri dish? Advance brands? Yeah, right out the door...<br /><br />Want to see it? <a href="http://www.blackwerk.com">Click here</a><br /><br />Looks like the rest of his pack is doing the same. If you know their names, you know their sites.<br /><br />Overboard!<br /><br />UPDATE! Here is the company that did his website, <a href="http://symplwebdesign.com/work/blackwerk.php">click here</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-2183473131353636367?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-70386360207925666992008-02-27T08:15:00.000-08:002008-11-07T19:04:45.776-08:00Dear Diary:<br /><br />Came across this lawsuit and would love to know more.<br /><br />Appears that SK+G can't seem to do anything right.<br /><br />If you know what this is about, leave a comment.<br /><a href="http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-nvdce/case_no-2:2007cv01041/case_id-55591/"><br />Here is the docket</a><br /><br />Can this mean more firings?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-7038636020792566699?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-90460604552943815882007-12-19T08:14:00.000-08:002008-02-29T14:49:12.396-08:00Dear Diary…<br /><br />Looks like the SVP, Ellen “The Giraffess” Curtis is busy with too many other things then trying to perfume a turd. As the saying goes around here… “it is what it is”…<br /><br />Over 2 weeks have passed and laughably, no new SK+G Weakly updates, as she had threatened.<br /><br />I guess with SK+G “enjoying” a good 60% turnover rate and plenty of client unrest, there isn’t anything really to talk about, (except that John Schadler still enjoys his pink smoothie delivered to him).<br /><br />That video stunt, a few weeks back didn’t help matters, and as you can guess, it appears that SK+G’s brilliant management has failed in every aspect. SOMEBODY SHOOT ME!<br /> <br />Enjoy…<br /><br />---------------------------------<br /><br />From: Ellen Curtis<br />To: All Users<br />Sent: Mon 12/3/2007 11:10 AM<br />Subject: SK+G Weekly Update!<br /><br />Happy Monday everybody. With the launch of Lumiere in St. Louis a mere couple of weeks away, it’s a rush to the finish. Kudos to the entire team for handling an extraordinary workload with grace under pressure. HR is working feverishly on recruitment efforts to fill all open positions. As always, your referrals are welcomed. We are mindful of the stress and strain it places on everyone, and can’t thank you all enough for hanging in there and making it work.<br /><br />We made our oral presentation to the team at Union Park on Friday, and anticipate an answer late this week. We submitted our RFP responses for both Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo last week. We expect to hear from Mandalay by close of business today. And, we make our oral presentation to MGM MIRAGE on Wednesday morning. <br /><br />Louis’s and Louis’s Fish Camp Bar both celebrate grand openings this week. If you haven’t seen the work – you must – it’s fabulous. Great job to everyone on both the ad and PR sides.<br /><br />Don’t forget to RSVP to Andrea for our holiday party next week.<br /><br />Remember – if you have an announcement for TW@SK+G shoot me a note by EOD Friday for the following Monday.<br /><br />Ellen Curtis | SVP/Managing Director | SK+G<br /><br />8912 Spanish Ridge Avenue<br />Las Vegas, Nevada 89148<br />T 702 478 4000 F 702 478 4001<br />skgadv.com<br /><br />---------------------------------<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-9046060455294381588?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-13453028661010001502007-11-27T18:15:00.000-08:002008-02-15T13:51:26.796-08:00Dear Diary…<br /><br />Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse, Eric “little monkey” Stein and his SK+G HACK PACK show you the deepest bowels of suck. Not sure who actually came up with this, but I have never been more embarrassed for so many. GET ME OUT OF HERE!<br /><br />Last week, they went around filming employees and management and produced a pleading video to Mandalay Bay to allow us into the pitch. Then someone decided that it would be a “killer” idea to put it up on You Tube. <br /><br />SK+G’s management definitely needs to stay away from the lens side of a camera.<br /><br />The video was pulled down within 24 hours and SK+G went from being the worst agency in Las Vegas to the laughingstock of Las Vegas.<br /><br />Here is the (now dead) link:<br /><br />http://youtube.com/watch?v=_hOvK4G5gQA<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-1345302866101000150?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-88113042442540105102007-11-26T10:30:00.000-08:002007-12-31T16:35:59.468-08:00Dear Diary...<br /><br />Get me out of here... in a desperate attempt to boost morale (or hide the fact we're sinking), the SVP puts out an email, it goes like this...<br /><br />---------------------------------<br /><br />Good morning. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. This is the first “This Week at SK+G” email – a quick weekly update to advise everyone about major happenings at the shop. <br /><br />New Business: We are incredibly active on the new business front heading into 2008. We have responded to RFPs to retain the MGM MIRAGE Corporate account and to win the Union Park business. We made it to the second round for both of these and will be doing oral presentations at the end of this week for Union Park and on December 5 for MGM MIRAGE.<br /><br />This week we are submitting RFP responses for both The Monte Carlo Resort & Casino and Mandalay Bay.<br /><br />We have just recently successfully secured the Trump International Hotel & Tower account (PR), Montage Beverly Hills account as well as the Montage Residences. In addition, we’re sending a services contract to the Edward Thomas Companies, owners of Shutters, Casa Del Mar (both resorts on the beach in Santa Monica) and Canary (in Santa Barbara).<br /><br />Couple all that action with some big launches for Lumiere, Palms Place, Planet Hollywood and The Water Club, and you can see that we’re heading into the new year with all pistons firing.<br /><br />Holiday Party: Reminder that our annual party will be Thursday, December 13. Invitation to follow this week.<br /><br />Your input: If you have an important announcement to share, please let me know by end of day Friday for the Monday “TW @ SK+G” email.<br /><br />Ellen Curtis | SVP/Managing Director | SK+G<br /><br />8912 Spanish Ridge Avenue<br />Las Vegas, Nevada 89148<br />T 702 478 4000 F 702 478 4001<br />skgadv.com<br /><br />---------------------------------<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-8811304244254010510?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-30610808053243335142007-11-01T20:13:00.000-07:002007-12-31T18:36:13.371-08:00Dear Diary...<br /><br />More "goings away"... Head of our internal retouching studio quit (he's been here since the beginning) as well as 5 AE's, 2 Art Directors and a few designers.<br /><br />Unbelievable...<br /><br />Accounts leaving, no new ones coming in, but the same dreck being sold over and over again...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-3061080805324333514?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-67409272199850223612007-10-15T16:20:00.000-07:002007-12-31T18:39:47.754-08:00Dear Diary…<br /><br />Stuck here for a year otherwise I have to pay back moving expenses. The “creative” department has fallen to an all time low since I got here with more chiefs than Indians, if you know what I mean. Eric “little monkey” Stein still leads the HACK PACK and we have 5 “GCD’s”. All this to oversee 3 art directors and 3 writers. <br /><br />Made a play at some energy drink, but all SK+G could get from it was to rent them office space. <br /><br />Someone please shoot me…<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-6740927219985022361?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-21159067765124085222007-10-01T12:47:00.000-07:002007-10-28T12:50:05.478-07:00Dear Diary:<br /><br />Got some more info and I’m so glad that I upped with a place that is thisclose to going under. Tons of bills going unpaid and a few official looking people serving papers.<br /><br />The latest is a scramble to keep MGM. Apparently they started out with this client but we really haven’t sold them any work in a long time. The guy who heads this off, just under Eric “little monkey” Stein, ECD is an aged hack named Ted. His lips are so firmly pressed to Eric Stein’s flappy ass, I don’t know how he can even breathe.<br /><br />Anyway, looks like this account is almost out the door, as the head guy at MGM doesn’t want to work with Schadler Kramer Group (SK+G), which I can’t blame them.<br /><br />Would be a huge blow as they would be following a ton that are either gone or going to be gone.<br /><br />Here’s the list:<br /><br />Yoga Works<br />Bank Of Nevada<br />Four Seasons<br />Miracle Mile Shops<br />Ethel’s Chocolate<br />Cable Beach Resorts<br />Baha Mar<br />Altantis<br />Diamond Resorts<br />Nevada Public Radio<br /><br />Rumblings of across the board firings, but some have already put in their 2 weeks.<br /><br />more to come...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-2115906776512408522?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-58145351763254333562007-09-28T08:35:00.000-07:002007-10-28T12:52:10.022-07:00Dear Diary,<br /><br />What a place! I can't believe anyone would pay for what goes on here. Today I've seen the same ad sold to two different clients. The little monkey, aka Eric Stein, "ECD", walks around here like he is some genius, I guess he is, because he drives a porsche and fools the few remaining clients SK+G has not to mention the robot, aka John Schadler.<br /><br />Went to lunch with a group of SK+G employees, some are ready to put in their resignations and everyone I have met is looking for a new job someplace else, anywhere else. <br /><br />There have been at least 5 people in the last month who are gone and the few they replaced are nothing more than robots.<br /><br />I'm looking, but the way they work you here, there is no time to even care for my cat, let alone be on the look out for a new job.<br /><br />One thing I will say, the human resources department is growing. The head HR person, her name is Kim, really knows how to party, in a big way. Lounge is every Friday (free beer and wine in the kitchen), and she isn't happy until she gets at least one person sick drunk. What a place.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-5814535176325433356?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-32262685729640231692007-09-25T20:35:00.001-07:002007-10-28T13:16:55.165-07:00Dear Diary:<br /><br />Since I’ve gotten to Schadler Kramer Group, nothing but late nights and weekends. Have to eat lunch at my desk and then today we get an agency wide email:<br /><br />----------------------<br />From: Kim Nasuta<br />To: All Users<br />Sent: Tue 9/25/2007 5:11 PM<br />Subject:  Business Hours Reminder!<br /><br />To All Employees:<br /> You were hired to be an important part of a team. Your role on the team is vital to the success of your department, and our company as an effective, profitable business.  Failure to report to work on time and/or not showing up, either for a scheduled shift or returning from breaks or lunch late, puts an unfair burden on other employees. These actions may affect the team’s ability to provide our clients with the highest level of service.  Our business hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. <br /><br />Kim Nasuta  |  Director of Human Resources  |  SK+G

8912 Spanish Ridge Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89148
T 702 478 4041  F 702 478 4341<br />skgadv.com<br />----------------------<br /><br />Whatever.... I’m still here at 8:33pm<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-3226268572964023169?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2657158812944632847.post-19920063579858463872007-09-22T14:34:00.000-07:002007-10-28T12:53:24.490-07:00Dear Diary,<br /><br />I did the dumbest thing and took a job at a sweat shop called SK+G. It used to be known as Schadler Kramer Group, but I guess they figured an acronymn would hide the fact that they produce really bad work. The owner's name is John, his partner is some hippie from the 60's, and he is more like a robot. He basically oversees/ ruins everything and has a little monkey for an ECD. A guy named Eric Stein, who claims to have some super dooper background, but just steals from whatever ad book is around and sneaks off to play golf.<br /><br />They moved into a new building, I've heard around March, and it is still not done. Too many whispers of hard times here and the bill collectors have been calling, or so I've heard ; )<br /><br />They've lost a ton of accounts, thanks to the robot and his little monkey. All the accounts they said they had when I interviewed are all gone! Bank of Nevada, Yogawerks, Four Seasons, Atlantis, etc. all that is left is a few casino's and 2 are threatening to leave.<br /><br />The work is scary bad. Bad lines written by old guys who think the 80's are still around. The little monkey though seems to have a thing for photographs, but I don't think he can see straight, he's got one of them super crazy. lazy eyes.. never know which one to look at when he talks to me. <br /><br />more to come...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2657158812944632847-1992006357985846387?l=thegurusez.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>The Gurunoreply@blogger.com1