We choose to have faith.

After eight years of the worst leadership in the history of the nation, we saw an opening. No, JFK can't run for President, althought that would be sweet. But, maybe we can begin to remind this generation that THIS is what presidential leadership is all about. Inspiring us. Leading us. Making sure that we know the difference between right and wrong. Helping the less fortunate. Instilling in us a sense of national purpose that is based on the Constitution, not a few powerful white, male, rich hawks. These ads have begun running in national magazines - check out the December Advocate. Art Director: Lee Dayvault. Writer: Joe Alexander.

A more perfect union?

We started doing work for AMPU a little over a year ago http://www.rethinkbias.org/. The organization is dedicated to ending bias and creating more tolerance through education. Since 9/11, there has obviously been a considerable amount of profiling aimed and Islam and the Muslim culture in general, We used the old miss-direct in the campaign. We discovered that when the average person saw Arabic type, they felt threatened. The words and phrases we show are actually everyday Western vernacular. The response to the posters has been predictably polarizing. Many Richmonders thought the city was under attack, mistaking the type for subversive messages. Others found them powerful and right on. FOX News even got into the act, featuring the campaign on Hannity and Comes. We will continue to do more for AMPU this year. The hope is to do more print and banners, possibly some TV. It's the kind of work we love to do - work that makes a difference and enters the conversation. The campaign was created at The Martin Agency. Art Director: Mark Brye. Writer: Cedric Giese. Creative Director: Joe Alexander.

A bag of hope.

The innocent plastic bag isn't as innocent as you might think. Billions are used each year and many end up in landfills and waterways. It is estimated that a plastic bag will take a million years to decompose. Humans are finally taking notice. San Franciso recently banned plastic bags. Many stores are now charging customers to use their bags. Actions like this grabbed the interest of small group of women who serve on the conservation committee with the James River Garden Club here in Richmond. Chamie Valentine and Aurelia Lewis have made it their mission to ban plastic bags in the city. The first step? Design a reusable shopping bag. They enlisted the talent of Sarah Rowland, a local graphic designer, who designed a cotton canvas bag, elegant and utilitarian at the same time. The James River Garden Club's anti-plastic bag is made by Enviro-Tote Inc. of New Hampshire. The material is 80 percent recycled cotton and 20 percent recycled soda bottles. Cost: 1 for $8 or 2 for $15 Info: (804) 285-1158.

Had enough?

What can we do to help return respect to the oval office in 2008? Well, for an ad guy like me - you make ads. We created these posters to highlight all that has gone wrong the last 8 years and pose a simple question: "Had enough?" The posters were inspired by a similar campaign created by Rich Silverstein for the Huffington Post. Thanks, Rich, for letting us jump on your coat tails. Art director: Lee Dayvault, David Grindon. Writer: Joe Alexander