local interest « Hyperquake Blog

Buckeyes!

November 8th, 2010 by Julie Hill

People here in Ohio are obsessed with buckeyes, which can be found in our state nickname, tree, and assorted fervent sports teams. I will refrain from pointing out that an inanimate nut is a pretty lame sports mascot. OH OOPS.

Anyway, buckeyes are the nuts from our state tree (the Ohio Buckeye Tree, obvs), pictured above and so named because they resemble the eye of a deer. (Which I guess makes what I’m about to say a little gross, sooooo forget about the deer eyeball thing!) Ohio has also invented the best treat ever, of course modeled after the beloved buckeye: buckeyes.

They are made out of peanut butter and chocolate and love and happiness. They are always the first to disappear from the holiday cookie assortment plates. Make them and never regret! Here is the traditional recipe, and here is a retooled, lighter version by Smitten Kitchen. Enjoy!

Tags: food, local interest

Posted in Uncategorized | 224 Comments »

Once Again, New Evidence That Cincinnati Is Awesome

August 25th, 2010 by Chris Strong

What might that evidence be you ask?

Well, apparently the next Superman comic is going to be set in none other than The Queen City according to the crew over at Cincinnati.com.

In addition to deciding once and for all, who is the chili king, Skyline or Goldstar, Superman will also be partaking in all that is Cincinnati from a run in the 2011 Flying Pig, to enjoying a burger at the legendary Zip’s.

It’s unknown at present whether he’ll be taking up residency on the West or East side, but whatever his choice is, it’s certain that there will be quite a stir caused.

So again, if you haven’t realized it yet, Cincinnati truly is pretty much the coolest place on earth. First ever professional baseball team; check, we got that covered. Flying pigs. Yep, we’re good there. Ties to the entertainment industry? Um, what other city can claim that one of the best movies ever was set in it (yes, I’m talking Airborne)? I still say it’s a travesty that it didn’t get an Oscar!

A Cincinnati Original

So again, I’m telling you Cincinnati rules. We didn’t need Superman coming here to prove it, but hey, it doesn’t hurt.

Tags: awesome, local interest, News

Posted in News | 203 Comments »

BYOF

July 23rd, 2010 by Julie Hill

I am one of those people who really likes the idea of eating locally grown fruits and veggies. l seek out restaurants and markets that specialize in them. So, I was really excited to catch an article on a new expression of this, in, of all things, an airline magazine. (I know, if I care this much about transporting foods I really should confine my travel to mule or paddle boat or something, but I don’t.)

Farmers’ markets have long been frequented by chefs as a source for amazing local in-season produce. Now, there are restaurants popping up all over the US that actually encourage patrons to share the best of their own backyards. Foraging is not a new idea, my dogs do this all the time. They scour the back yard for the best sticks and bugs my neighborhood has to offer. But, now restaurants are creating their own foraging culture.

Localvore “Foraging” ranges from chef’s literally exploring the land near their restaurants for useful edible items to sending out harvest calls for crops from home gardens. The resulting daily specials with true “just picked” flavors sound positively delightful.

Tomatoes from community farm Johnson’s Backyard Garden in Austin

Eating local is a great idea however it comes to fruition, but I must admit the idea of bringing something from my garden to be transformed by a food virtuoso into something both imaginative and delectable sounds absolutely dreamy to me.

Tags: food, local interest, sustainability

Posted in Thinking | 211 Comments »

Pianos Takeover Cities

July 6th, 2010 by Chris Strong

Apparently 60 pianos were scattered all around New York City from 6/21/10 – 7/5/10 as part of a unique art installation brought to the city by the organization Sing for Hope. The installation was a joint venture with a British artist, Luke Jerram, and was named “Play Me, I’m Yours”.

All types of art installations are popping up around cities across the world of late it seems, but to me this one seemed genuine and inspiring. In a sea of cars, trains and hectic, frantic people rushing everywhere, 60 pianos were able to dot the landscape and connect with people in the city in a new/unique way. Whether you sat down to play it, or whether you just saw it and wondered why it was there, there was still some level of connection made. Pretty cool if you ask me.

To top it all off, Cincinnati will be hosting the Play Me, I’m Yours exhibition in August this year, so keep an eye out!

Tags: installation, local interest, music, NYC

Posted in News | 157 Comments »

Hyperquake lands Buffalo Wings & Rings franchise business, filling stomachs in process.

June 22nd, 2010 by Andy Brownell

BWR-HQ

HQ recently had the opportunity to leverage our digital marketing and brand design strengths to pitch and ultimately win the agency of record assignment for the Cincinnati based, Buffalo Wings and Rings restaurant chain. What’s even better is the fact that we will continue to leverage our passion for all things food to help build this nation-wide, 54 restaurant business (and who doesn’t like wings?).

For 2010, our efforts will be focused on developing an integrated campaign utilizing social media, loyalty, customer advocacy as well as both traditional and non-traditional media launching later this summer. Our recent return from the Buffalo Wings & Rings annual franchisee meeting in New Orleans, LA gave us a great chance to hear directly from the dedicated front line teams of owners throughout the US.

“Buffalo Wings & Rings is a different kind of restaurant brand centered on catching up and connecting,” says Roger David, CEO of BWR. “Families and friends choose us because of the unique BWR experience. We want our marketing to reflect and build on that experience and sense of engagement. As a leader in experiential marketing, consumer connection and new media technologies, HyperQuake is well positioned to help us.”

Thanks Roger and the entire Buffalo Wings & Rings team. We look forward to helping build your business and our own knowledge of your 45 wing sauce/heat combos in the future.

Tags: advertising, branding, food, interactive technology, local interest, News

Posted in Design, News, Thinking | 165 Comments »

The Honeymoon Is Over

May 28th, 2010 by Julie Hill

Making a nice clean wall for the vandals

Since March of this year, Shepard Fairey has been installing murals all over town, and I, like many artsy people my age, think it’s great, as greater Cincinnati is sorely lacking in much public art, plus, well, his stuff is cool. I even got one in my neighborhood.

But as is probably not unexpected, the subject matter of Fairey’s pieces have been pretty seriously divisive here in the middle Midwest. Some responses have been positive and thoughtful:

“Many people, when they saw [the Silverton mural] and we talked about what it meant, thought it was beautiful,” Wade said. “We talked about how depicting disturbing images is not the same as condoning them.” Source

Shepard Fairey Silverton Mural
Fairey’s Silverton mural, pre-paintover

Other responses have been with outrage and paint. Both the Pike Street and Madisonville murals have now been covered over with white paint. Amusingly, while the Pike Street removal was carried out by the owners of the building the mural is on, the Madisonville mural was NOT authorized to be painted over, and the incident is being referred to as vandalism against the mural. So, wait…is Shepard a vandal, or are the people painting over his work the vandals?

“I think adults will see [the Pike Street mural] as a commentary on war, but kids will see it as a school kid carrying a big rifle,” [one local resident] said. “On the other hand, I think its removal is a travesty. It’s an awful commentary on the lack of tolerance in our society.” Source

Shepard Fairey Pike Street Mural
Pike Street mural, pre-paintover

Tags: art, graffiti, local interest

Posted in Thinking | 126 Comments »

Attention all Lawn Nerds!

May 7th, 2010 by Chris Strong

So you say you are on an unspoken quest to one-up the neighbors; specifically their lawns?

Well, lucky for you, Scotts has released its MLB Authentic Collection. What’s that mean? Well, basically that you need to completely destroy and kill-off your existing lawn and start over planting the seed blend of your favorite MLB ballpark. Talk about bragging rights with Larry next door when that grass grows in!

Great American Ball Park Grass Seed by Scotts

“What’s that Larry? You’ve used a basic fescue seed mix?! Ha! My lawn is straight out of Great American Ballpark! Look at that deep emerald green!”

Oh, and it’s important to share that Scotts only selected 5 stadiums for the MLB Authentic Collection. The turf of the Cincinnati Reds stands strong with other prestigious stadiums like Wrigley and Fenway.

Why am I sharing that point you ask? Well, it’s another reminder that Cincinnati is pretty awesome. Heck, I’m a New Yorker, born and raised, but I don’t see Yankee Stadium included in this mix.

So come check out a Reds game and visit HQ. Then go home and grow your own GABP lawn.

Tags: local interest, sports

Posted in Uncategorized | 156 Comments »

What do you get when you mix Cupcakes + T-Shirts + Suitcases?

April 21st, 2010 by Chris Strong

cupcake_suitcase

Well, The Johnny Cupcakes Suitcase Tour.

And the good news for all you Cincinnati folks out there, Good ole’ Johnny is coming to our fair city to sling some gear.

For any JC newbies out there, we’re really not talking ‘cupcakes’ in the literal sense here, we’re talking about cupcakes that are the trademark of a clothing line, spearheaded by a guy only known as ‘Johnny.’ That means, cool t-shirt design, hats, sweatshirts, ties, etc., all emblazoned with Johnny’s signature skull and crossbones cupcake logo, somewhere in the design.

If you haven’t read Johnny’s story before, with regards to how this whole t-shirt w/ cupcakes on them, thing got started, the concept of the owner, driving around the country selling shirts out of his car at random shops in different cities might sound a little foreign.

In reality, it isn’t though, because this is how the business got started. It’s pretty fascinating and you can read up on it here:

Story of Johnny Cupcakes

Bottom line, Johnny’s stuff is sweet, his story is inspiring and it’s awesome to see him going back to his roots for his fans. The guy loves his brand and loves finding new ways to connect with, inspire and show his fans some love and this Suitcase Tour is evidence of that.

So, if you want some limited edition JC gear, want to meet Johnny, or just want to hang out at what is sure to be a party, make sure to check out the details about the Cincinnati stopover on May 2.

Tags: apparel, exhibit, local interest

Posted in Design | 184 Comments »

I Challenge You To A Cincinnati Chili Throwdown!

April 20th, 2010 by Chris Strong

The Classic Three-Way

So our little city is well-known for its chili. (We love it here at HQ.) To many folks, it’s not really chili, but that’s a whole other story.

The thing about chili in Cincinnati is there are factions of fans here that almost religiously support one establishment, never setting foot in a competitor. This has made for an interesting competition between the two main players, Skyline and Goldstar.

It looks like someone is trying to take that rivalry to the next level and settle once and for all, who the true Cincinnati chili champion is.

I’d like to go on record and state that I’m biased on the topic, but am psyched to see that people are lobbying for the Travel Channel’s ‘Food Wars’ to come to Cincinnati for a throwdown, Cincinnati Chili Style. Apparently, there were more requests on the “Food Wars” website for a Cincinnati Chili episode than for any other city or any other type of food, according to a story on Cincinnati.com.

Our city is becoming quite well known for its culinary delights, as Food Network’s “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives” with Guy Fieri was recently in town, and tiny OTR diner Tucker’s was named one of the best diners in the country by GQ Magazine (March 2009 issue).

We keep trying to tell you, there is fun stuff going on in Cincinnati. Come visit, you’ve always got a place to stay at HyperQuake.

Tags: food, local interest, tv

Posted in Uncategorized | 248 Comments »

A Bicycle Post

April 19th, 2010 by Julie Hill

We’ve been having some lovely weather here in Cincinnati lately, and the bikes are starting to come out. It never feels more like spring than when you hear the first clickclickclickclick of a bike rolling into the office, and those of us who live close enough tend to take advantage of the chance to leave the car at home (this is a fitness-minded place, don’t even get me started on those crazy marathon people we have).

Not only is it great exercise, but riding a bike out in the wild is way better than spinning in a gym; I always have interesting encounters or notice new things on the same old commute when I’m out on two wheels. (Plus the City of Cincinnati is rolling out a new bike plan soon to make the city easier to traverse.)

If you’re more of a weekend biker, check out some local spots to trail ride.

Still not inspired? Is it the thought of spandex bike shorts? I KNOW right? Well never fear, you can be stylish AND a biker; behold Cycle Chic:

Copenhagen