Make My Logo Bigger with Special Guest Suzanne Morrison

On this week’s episode of Make My Logo Bigger we welcome, the Admissions and Marketing Director at Armbrae Academy, a long term JIVE partner, and my wife, Suzanne Morrison.

Suzanne is a proud Cape Bretoner and even prouder Xavierian. A graduate of St. F.X. University with her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science, she has spent most of her career in communications. She has worked for Tourism Nova Scotia and several advertising agencies in Halifax, and spent years partnering with her sister in an event management company - Offspring Productions. Offspring produced an annual event in the HRM which was a four-day activity-driven family weekend with a large exhibition component. Suzanne has also been a partner with us here at JIVE Photographic Productions for over 20 years!

During this time, she has cultivated ideas and strategies for JIVE and also became a certified Make-Up Artist to assist with the family business. On the home front, Suzanne and I have three sons, Hogan, Redford, and North, the eldest who graduated from Armbrae in 2016. Her strong passion for the school (developed during Hogan's time at Armbrae) combined with her sales and marketing experience, made her a great fit for the role of Admissions and Marketing Director at Armbrae, a position she has now held since 2017. Responsible for the popular quotes on the Armbrae sign, her motto is "Do what you love, love what you do.”.

Be sure to tune in to hear Suzanne share insights from her dynamic career and her journey in independent school marketing - where her passions have truly aligned - you don’t want to miss it!

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Listen to MMLB on:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Learn more about Suzanne:

Suzanne on LinkedIn

Armbrae Academy

Let us know what you think of this episode:

A moment of reflection: Halifax Commercial Photography in the 2000s

Cleaning out my office has been a long overdue task, spanning years of neglect. Why bother the collection of odds and ends? Alas, the time came, and I recently took on the overwhelming ask. In doing so, I was gifted with a meaningful walk down memory lane. 

As I sit there amidst the remnants of memories, dusting off old relics from my office, I find myself transported back to a different era in photography. Among them, a treasure trove of black and white behind-the-scenes photos from a shoot in early September 2001 highlighting the analog days that defined my craft.

This particular shoot for what was at the time Bell Aliant, holds a special place in my heart, a milestone in my fledgling career. Organized through Cossette Atlantic, with the talented Paul Douglas as Creative Director and Cindy Douglas overseeing set decoration, it was a defining moment for me—a chance to step up to the plate and prove myself in the industry. (Paul and Cindy now own Melon, a Design and Branding Agency).

The preparation for the shoot was meticulous, from constructing temporary sets to fine-tuning wardrobe selections. Before the film could even touch the camera, we embarked on a journey of trial and error, capturing countless Polaroids to perfect our lighting and composition. Each Polaroid took a leisurely 90 seconds to develop, quite different from today’s necessary standards.

Once satisfied with our Polaroid previews, we dove into the heart of the matter, loading rolls of 120 transparency film into the hungry jaws of the Hasselblad. What stands out most vividly in my memory is the intricate dance of loading film into the Hasselblad 500CM—a ritualistic process that demanded precision and patience.

Astia 120, with its exquisite rendering of skin tones, was our weapon of choice, capturing moments with a depth and richness that digital sensors could only dream of.

With the shoot wrapped, the real work began. A pilgrimage to the local camera store marked the first step in the journey of film development. Clip tests were conducted, tweaking development times to achieve the desired contrast and exposure. It was a delicate balancing act, a dance between artistry and science, culminating in a meticulously curated selection of slides.

The final act involved presenting these slides to the Creative Director, armed with nothing but a loop and a portable light table. Their discerning eye would dictate the fate of each image, guiding them through the labyrinth of Photoshop and beyond.

As I reflect on those days, I can't help but marvel at the evolution of my craft. Digital technology has revolutionized the way we work, offering speed, precision, and an unparalleled level of control. No longer do we languish in the darkroom, waiting for the mysteries of film to reveal themselves. Instead, we shoot wirelessly to iPads, basking in the glow of instant feedback.

Has anything been lost in the transition from analog to digital? In my opinion, no. The future has ushered in a new era of possibilities, enhancing our workflow and expanding our creative horizons. 

While I cherish the memories of my analog roots, I embrace the digital age with open arms, eager to explore the boundless potential it offers.

As I pack away the remnants of my past, I do so with a sense of gratitude for the journey that brought me here. The analog days may be behind me, but their legacy lives on in every frame I capture, a testament to the enduring power of photography.

Make My Logo Bigger Special Edition: JIVE TEAM!

Today, we have a very special episode of Make My Logo Bigger! We're turning the mic on the JIVE team!

Guest hosted by our good friend from National PR, Jon Richard, we set off to deep dive into the workings of JIVE. With our hosts turned guests, James Ingram (Owner and Director) and his two right hand men; Mark, and Rix, this episode offers valuable insight into processes, beliefs and values of this team.

JIVE is the leading Advertising Production Company in Nova Scotia and now we get to pull back the curtain and see why. Sit back, kick your feet up, and get to know the JIVE team a bit better with this must listen episode!!

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Learn more about the JIVE team:

JIVE Website

JIVE LinkedIn

JIVE Instagram

JIVE Facebook

Listen to MMLB on:

Spotify

Apple

Bayleigh Pelham, friend of JIVE, WINS BIG BROTHER CANADA!

Recently, JIVE’s friend and Halifax native, Bayleigh Pelham has won Season 12 of Big Brother Canada!

Photo Property of Big Brother Canada

Bayleigh Pelham currently spends her time split between her home in Halifax NS, and Toronto ON. Before her appearance on this season, she was a trained actor, online personality, and personal trainer.

The JIVE team has had the honour of working with Bayleigh on video projects in the past - and are not shocked at all by her success on Canada’s version of the esteemed reality competition show “Big Brother”. The authenticity she holds in front of, and away from the camera have served her well - making her the first female winner in 6 years, the first LGBTQIA+ female winner, the first to break the “first in, first out” curse.

We are so proud of our friend Bayleigh! Check out the below video, a fictional scene filmed and directed by JIVE, with actors Bayleigh Pelham and Samantha Gracie.

Congrats, Bayleigh!!

Make My Logo Bigger with Special Guest Jon Richard

On today's episode, we're deep diving into the world of advertising creativity with a true maestro in the field, Jon Richard. Jon isn't just another creative mind; he's a seasoned Advertising Creative with over a decade of experience in decoding the essence of both people and brands. Currently with National PR, Jon brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to the table.

With insightful conversations around empathy in advertising, the art of pivoting, and the difference between a steak and a great hamburger, it's an episode you won't want to miss. 

A creative leader who doesn’t just talk the talk, but walks the walk; Jon has built spirited teams, secured pitch wins, and turned a kaleidoscope of ideas into tangible successes across every type of media you can think of.

He’s not just about crafting compelling narratives; he's about unraveling the very fabric of human emotion that lies at the core of successful advertising. This is what sets Jon apart, his relentless pursuit of understanding. This empathetic mindset doesn't just lead to insights—it creates campaigns that strike a chord with the very human heart of the market. Because for Jon, the magic happens when a campaign truly resonates with the person on the other side.

Learn more about Jon Richard:

Jon Richard on LinkedIn

National PR

Listen to MMLB on:

Spotify

Apple