Image provided by Karsh Hagan

Information’s a gift and a curse, especially when there’s a lot of it. Enter Ad 2. We’re here to bring the information to you… and take some of the weight off your shoulders. 

Below we’ve gathered some resources that make us feel empowered and prepared, and it’s our hope that they’ll help you feel (1) less alone, (2) less overwhelmed, (3) altogether less crappy. Have a recommendation? Comment below or drop us a line!

Let’s start light with some Instagram accounts.

• Good News Movement (@goodnews_movement): Like its name, it’s good news, all the time.
• Parks Project (@parksproject): A collection of park-related products that directly fund backlogged projects in our nation’s parks.
• United by Blue (@unitedbyblue): A sustainability brand that removes 1 pound of trash from our waterways for every 1 pound of products purchased.
• The Muse (@themuse): An endless pit of professional knowledge, recommendations, and inspiration.
• Adweek (@adweek): An advertising and marketing resource that covers creativity, client-agency relationships, global advertising, accounts in review, and new campaigns.
• Adam Ellis (@adamtots): A hilarious, witty, and oftentimes inappropriate comic.
• Kayden Hines (@kaydenhines): A witty, hits-home comic.
• Jimmy Craig (@theycantalkcomics): A comic that says the things animals ~might~ be thinking.
• The Good Advice Cupcake (@thegoodadvicecupcake): A sweet lil’ cupcake that gives surprisingly poignant advice.
• Strange Planet (@nathanwpylesstrangeplanet): If you know, you know.
• Mies & Moof (@miesthecat): Just a wholesome account about two very lorge, fluffy cattos.

Keeping it lighter, all while assisting with productivity and wellbeing…

• Stay Home, Take Care: A virtual social distancing care package by Girls’ Night In. (Highly recommended!)
• Staying Busy While Staying Home: A community-built resource guide for movies, books, music, podcasts, exercise, and more! Created by the outdoor brand, Osprey.
• 10 Ways to Sleep Better When You’re Stressed Out: An article that lists 10 (easy) ways to wind down and create a conducive sleep environment when you’re feeling anxious. Written by the online food and supplement retailer, Vitacost.
• Reflections in an Age of Anxiety: A few creative prompts à la TEDxMileHigh.
• Camp Gladiator: An exercise resource that includes hundreds of workouts by professional trainers. The deal? Six weeks for $39! (Highly recommended!)
• Ad Bodz: From local ad agency, LRXD, hop on Zoom for live (and free!) workouts with a certified trainer! M-F at 7:30 a.m. MST.

Okay, let’s dive deeper. Here are some ad-industry-related resources culled by both local and national companies. The list includes local COVID-19 campaigns (a club favorite), CDC-approved campaign toolkits, as well as other helpful articles and links.

• Cactus Inc.: Their Thecureis.US campaign! Think free graphics and messaging, as well as a list of national organizations that could use our support.
• Karsh Hagan: Their #StayHomeColorado campaign! Think re-imagination of Colorado’s iconic state sign on Interstate 70, with free (killer!) graphics and Zoom backgrounds.
• AdCouncil: AdCouncil created a COVID-19 campaign toolkit with CDC-approved messaging, graphics, videos, and other assets! (Highly recommended!)
• AAF Louisville: Louisville’s chapter created a COVID-19 resource list that includes information on things like brand communications, content strategy, and small business grant information.
• The Muse: A few helpful articles, like…
  • Laid Off Due to Coronavirus? Here’s What You Can Do Now.
  • What Does the Coronavirus Pandemic Mean for Your Job Search?
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn also has their very own COVID-19 resource hub, plus they have a LinkedIn for Small Business page that posts and links to other relevant resources.

How about reusable masks? Some of them are pre-orders, but it couldn’t hurt to buy them in case (1) this lasts longer than we think it will, or (2) there’s a second wave in the future. P.S. Masks are like undies, you gotta wash them after each use!

• WHO: Mask usage instructions
• Knotty Tie: Reusable mask ($25+) *They’re local!
• Elum Designs: Reusable mask ($30, copper-infused)
• Buck Mason: Reusable masks (5 for $20, anti-microbial)
• Mile High WorkShop: Reusable masks (1 for $10 / 10 for $100) *They’re local! And they’re our Public Service partner this year! You can email craig@milehighworkshop.org to order.

Lastly, some additional COVID-19 resources from both local and national companies. These might be listed last, but that doesn’t make them any less useful! Trust us on this one. The list includes recommendations for organizations that could use our financial support, apps to help you navigate COVID-19, as well as other useful links.

• Heinrich Marketing: A few local organizations that could use our support, like Food Bank of the Rockies, Metro Caring, Denver Food Rescue, and Gov. Polis’ Relief Fund.
• Philosophy Communication: Is the service industry near and dear to your heart? Hop on board and support the Independent Restaurant Coalition.
• Ad Club Colorado: Big-league resources from Colorado state, the CDC, and Johns Hopkins University (creators of the COVID-19 map).
• How We Feel: A website and app that lets you self-report your health status to help scientists track the virus, plus it lets you check in and see how other people are doing near you. And for every new signup, HWF will donate a meal to people in need! (Highly recommended!)
• Apple: While it comes as no surprise, Apple created their very own COVID-19 App!

Missing a pivotal resource?! Hit us up below.