espresso is seeking a full-time Web integrator to develop, integrate, and maintain Web sites.

Job Description
The Web integrator develops and updates advertising and communications Web projects.

Job Overview
- Programming Web sites in HTML and CSS
- Updating Web sites
- Ensuring Web sites’ coherence, quality control, and adherence to technical standards
- Using quality control processes/tools in project-related activities

Requirements/Skills
- College or university training in graphic design and multimedia integration, or equivalent experience
- Two years of experience working in a Web environment
- Excellent command of Adobe software (Photoshop and Illustrator) and solid knowledge of Flash
- Strong grasp of Dreamweaver
- Good knowledge of HTML
- Good knowledge of CSS integration
- Basic knowledge of XML
- Ability to work under pressure and with a rapidly changing production calendar
- Openness to change, criticism, and working on various aspects of projects
- Creativity, attention to detail, and team spirit

Assets
- Inclination for natural search engine optimization
- Knowledge of Jquery and Ajax
- Good eye for design
Please send us your résumé and presentation/motivation letter and include links to your portfolio and projects to which you have contributed.

To apply, please fill out the form in the jobs section.

Please note that we will only contact candidates selected for interviews.

Olivier is a two-fold virtuoso of creation: indisputably an idea man, Olivier is also a man of action. No sooner does Olivier get an idea than he turns it into reality. In fact, this trait is likely the reason espresso communication came to be.

Espresso was born (almost) by accident when Olivier tried combining his passion for words with his burning desire to acquire a computer—even if computers were still prehistoric.

Back then, way back when, the government was offering computers to anyone who started a company. Olivier wanted to try his luck! And just like that, Syllabus was born and Olivier finally had his highly coveted computer.

Many days and contracts later, Syllabus began offering copywriting services. The jobs were not only growing in number but they were growing increasingly interesting in the boss’s eyes. Much more interesting.

And that’s how an advertising agency found its way into the world and how one fine day—fifteen years ago—espresso took its first breath.

Back then, espresso consisted of four employees sharing a single computer and doing everything by hand. Today there are eighteen of us with $2 million in annual revenues.

Despite the company’s exponential growth, despite espresso’s rock solid name and reputation, and despite the agency’s rank among the top players in the industry, the man behind this success has remained the same: a simple man of integrity who is brimming with ideas and forever shooting for the moon.

Most of us have been working for the company for close to a decade, which may explain why we’re such a close-knit family (with all the advantages—and disadvantages—that entails).

All for one and one for all . . . it’s so cliché but so true. At espresso, we stand together and look in the same direction, i.e., towards the future (taking a few glances over our shoulder so as not to forget our mistakes).

In any case, once you’re at espresso, you never leave; better get comfortable. One day you’re being hired (telling yourself it’s only temporary), and ten years later you’re still there. It’s a pretty sure sign that you’re happy where you are, and that espresso gives you the freedom and opportunity to follow your dreams.

In any case, working at espresso is both an honour and a privilege. Agencies that allow for career advancement and that value people and families are few and far between.

So let’s raise our glasses to the best agency out there and to fifteen great years!

Not to say that I approve of what they do, but pickpockets have clearly mastered the art of diversion and discretion.

In the face of so much wasted and misused talent, Le Cercle Points publishing house decided to put the art of pickpocketing to good use at Paris’s 2010 Salon du livre.

For five days, pickpockets became putpockets—rather than stealing, the double agents gave items to unsuspecting bookfair attendees! A thousand free books were distributed and the hype attracted 60,000 people to the site.

The idea—which originated in England—is very much in keeping with street marketing and frankly, we are a wee bit jealous that we did not come up with it first—it’s that good!

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

While looking for images is a piece of cake for some, the truth of the matter is that it can be a real nightmare for others. In any event, despite the good intentions of image providers, obtaining image rights is an ordeal for the best of us. We’re often left guessing.

It was surely in an effort to alleviate a few stomach ulcers that the forefathers of the Picture Licensing Universal System (PLUS) decided to market their baby. PLUS makes it possible to acquire, grant, track, and manage image licenses for a huge variety of commercial photos.

Long live PLUS!!

www.useplus.com

In Africa, soccer is more than a sport; it’s a religion. I figured that out the minute I set foot on the continent. What really got me though—aside from the smiles on everyone’s faces of course—was that soccer was everywhere! No joke. Children were laughing, running all over the place, kicking around any old thing. Adios Maurice Richard, hello Ronaldo! No sign of Game Boy, Wiis, or any other battery-powered gadgets.

The kids who play soccer aren’t rich, poor, black, or white—they’re just kids. No more, no less. And unless a flock of tourists turns up with old soccer balls, the kids make do with what they have. They make balls out of odd ends of rope, old plastic bags, and even hardened cow dung—so long as it rolls!

And when the world looks grim—when war breaks out or nature unleashes its wrath—that’s when soccer becomes really important. It helps  the locals take their minds off the harsh times. Unfortunately, humanitarian organizations such as Oxfam and Red Cross (my apologies to all the others but what can I do, I have a soft spot for these two), already have their hands full; between taking care of people, distributing food, water, and survival kits, they can’t really be expected to give out soccer balls as well! Not to mention that balls take up a lot of space.

However, a Korean design agency came up with a very clever solution: creating packaging for these aid boxes that can be turned into . . .  balls. Oh yes! Simply pull on the tabs and weave to assemble. It’s just brilliant: a way for family to get a ball without requiring any extra space in humanitarian convoys.

So when exactly will this amazing concept become reality? For the sake of all those kids, I sure hope its sooner than later! Who knows, maybe Right to Play—an organization dedicated to sports and games in developing countries—would be interested in this project.

The Background

We’re seeing an increase in the number of interior decorators who are not the end users of the furniture they recommend or buy. While it originated in North America, the trend has started popping up in Europe as well.

Increasingly taking on the role of advisor, these individuals represent—directly or indirectly—an interesting new target market, forcing brands to promote—in addition to the value of their product offering, their status, and creativity—all the benefits for those who recommend them.

The Objectives

The main objective was to turn Roche Bobois into a household name among these targeted professionals, and to give them access to the entire line of Roche Bobois’s highly customized products. It was also imperative to promote the scope and creativity of the Roche Bobois line.

In short we needed to provide professionals with new communications tools that would make them develop the “Roche Bobois reflex,” conditioning them to always think of RB when making recommendations to their clients.

Our Solution

We presented Roche Bobois with a communications strategy geared towards interior design professionals that is a riff on the traditional Roche Bobois communications strategy.

From the outset, the proposal focused on a variation on the Roche Bobois signature dedicated to professionals: Roche Bobois id.

“Id.” (for idea and identity) enhances the Roche Bobois signature without detracting from it.

The signature is universal; in other words, it reads perfectly in all the languages in which Roche Bobois intends to use the service. Furthermore, the notions of “identity” and “idea” are intrinsic to the DNA of an interior decorator or architect.

Creativity (idea) and personal relationships (identity) are the two main selling points of the Roche Bobois id. program, and the two axes around which we suggested the signature’s reputation be built.

In terms of communications, the bulk of the actions (taken and to be taken) revolve around a unique and universal communications platform: the Roche Bobois id. Web site.

The first version of the site (“Do you have your id.?”) was launched on June 9. www.rochebobois-id.com

Everyone is welcome to come in and look around; however access is limited. Some pages are reserved for professionals who have signed up as members. The site mirrors the Roche Bobois image—simple and efficient—to optimize the member process for professionals on one hand, and to encourage repeat visits on the other.

The main objective of the site—to be deployed in upcoming months in Europe—is to build the first virtual community of professionals around the Roche Bobois brand.

Subsequently, various actions are planned to strike up virtual and real conversations with these professionals, using (among others) the Roche Bobois store network as a meeting spot.

To be continued . . .

All night long, we were guided by over 2,500 luminaries, each bearing a message of love and hope. The lights warmed our hearts and aching bodies alike. That night, we thought hard, we questioned things, and we encouraged one other. We got to know each other better. It was an amazing night! We felt like we were part of something much bigger. But don’t go thinking that all we did was cry—not even close! As the fatigue started to set in, we started to laugh. And by five o’clock in the morning,  when it started to rain, our laughter couldn’t be suppressed. Maybe it was because the sky was starting to brighten and we knew we were approaching the finish line.

Twelve hours. Twelve hours is nothing in a lifetime. Nothing! Nothing compared to what those who face cancer and who struggle every single day go through. But for the Canadian Cancer Society, the twelve hours dedicated to the Relay for Life at Maisonneuve Park meant raising $380,000—$1,350 of which was raised by espresso, who rose to the challenge. Congratulations to everyone who walked and a big thanks to all the generous donors.

Standing at the start line: Back row (L-R): Stéphanie Grivotet, Renée Beaudet, Julie Sigouin, Annie Harvey, Guillaume Catusse, Karine Falco, Émile, and Marie-Ève Beaudet. Front row (L-R): Anik Lachance and Sabrina Leblond-Murphy. Missing from photo: Loïc Dambrine, who joined the group later.

Espresso was given the mandate to design a series of documents relating to mental health for Acti-Menu, and to design and produce the 2009-2010 Annual Report for CHUM’s (Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal) Users Committee.

We also welcomed aboard a new media strategy intern, Loïc Dambrine, and—on a lighter note—we created a blog all about the 2010 FIFA World Cup.