Upcoming Events

All QCAF events are open to members and non-members alike. Don’t hesitate to drop by and bring a friend! If you have questions about any of the programs or have ideas for additional events, please contact Ghazala Irshad.

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April 9th, 2008

Arbor Village Clubhouse - 890 43rd Street, Moline

Simplify Then Amplify: Communicating In A World That Won't Wait

John Besmer, Principal, Creative Director
Planet Propaganda, a multimedia design firm

Life is accelerating and, with it, client and consumer expectations.  
Come see how Planet Propaganda, a print, motion, and interactive firm, has reconfigured itself to deliver integrated, cutting-edge creative in today's accelerated business and cultural environment.  
Expect a mix of process and work, along with a few unintentionally random musings for good measure.

John Besmer has been writing almost as long as he’s been fishing, which is to say, forever. A degree in journalism/advertising at the University of Wisconsin-Madison led to a number of prolific years on the ad agency circuit, which sharpened his chops and also his longing for something more. In 1995, he bid the agency world goodbye and joined Planet as writer and creative director. Later that year, Besmer joined Planet founders Dana Lytle and Kevin Wade as Planet’s third principal.

Besmer has served as creative director on numerous Planet accounts including JanSport, Polaris Snowmobiles, and Target. These days, Besmer is focused on overseeing Planet’s motion efforts, which include all film, video, motion graphics, and animation. He also drives Planet’s film division, P Star Pictures. Besmer’s short film “Lifelike” has screened at festivals around the country and was awarded Best Narrative Short at the Wisconsin Film Festival, as well as the Platinum Remi at Houston’s Worldfest. His screenplays have been recognized in numerous national and international competitions.

In his spare time, Besmer’s obsessions include fishing and making his two sons laugh until they have to lean against the wall to keep from falling down.