In the late 70s I plucked up enough courage to get a tattoo. Stone-cold sober I was, too. I liked the pastel-shaded parrot on my shoulder. It was very hip. For a short time. Pastel tattoos went out of vogue shortly after that and my body has played host to an out-of-date parrot ever since.

A couple of years ago, rather than buying a snazzy new red sports car, I opted for another tattoo to celebrate my midlife crisis. This time I went for a classic. Something that would stand the test of time. I got myself an anchor that's similar to the work of Sailor Jerry Collins, the famed tattoo artist known for a style that says "masculinity." And Popeye. "Wow! You must have gotten that back in the fifties, huh?" people say when they see it, thus adding a couple of decades onto my lifespan. I just can't get my timing right.

Or perhaps I can. Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum is pretty hot right now. Perhaps some of its hip-ness will spill over… Truth be told, spiced rum in general is what's in now. It's not a new category of spirits by any means, but new brands keep hitting the market, and they're being embraced by bartenders all over the country. What surprised me most when I contacted some major restaurants from coast to coast is that each bartender seems to have a favorite brand. And what really delighted me was the fact that they're using spiced rums in so many different ways.

Ted Kilgore is bar manager at Monarch, a fine-dining bistro in Maplewood, Missouri, that features international cuisine and a wine list that boasts over 400 wines by the bottle and almost 30 by the glass. Kilgore sticks to the standards when it comes to choosing spiced rum. As far as he's concerned, Captain Morgan is the name of the game. It's a brand that's been on the market for over 20 years, and it's available as Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum and as a "Private Reserve" version that's issued at a slightly lower proof – 35 percent abv – and offers a mellow palate. Kilgore uses the Original bottling when he makes his Love Jones cocktail, then he lets his imagination go wild by adding passion fruit juice, grenadine and Damiana, a very special liqueur that's flavored with a Mexican herb of the same name. Its Latin name is turnera aphrodisiaca. "The drink was created for St. Valentine's Day," says Kilgore, "I wanted something spicy and lush [and] the ingredients lend themselves to being an aphrodisiac."

Jonny Raglin, the renowned bar maestro at the equally renowned Absinthe Brasserie & Bar in San Francisco, opts for Foursquare Spiced Rum from Barbados, an aged spiced rum flavored with cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg, when he shakes up his Bajan Breeze, a tall, thirst-quenching quaff that's topped with nonalcoholic sparkling cider.

Montecristo, a Guatemalan rum whose Premium Blend White Rum garnered a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition last year (the company won a double-gold for its 12-year-old bottling in 2003), has just issued a spiced rum that quickly attracted the attention of Tim Wilson, director of beverage for the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group. He used it at Puck's Las Vegas out-post to create a Fresh Ginger Mojito, a refreshing mix of mint, ginger, fresh lime juice and ginger ale. The drink will probably help make more than a few visitors to Vegas feel like they're winners, no matter what goes down at the tables.

The flavor options are many when it comes to choosing spiced rum. Bacardi Spice, for instance, offers stone-fruit flavors alongside cinnamon notes and hints of sweet potatoes. And VooDoo Spiced Rum, an aged Virgin Island rum that relies on vanilla from Madagascar as its main flavoring agent, also presents cinnamon and cloves in its well-balanced palate. Then there's Pango Rhum from the renowned Barbancourt distillery in Haiti. This bottling is flavored with fruits as well as spices, and it offers intense pineapple-peach notes alongside some light spice.

Papagayo Organic Spiced Rum from Paraguay presents vanilla and ginger notes, and a very interesting pepperiness. It inspired Colby Spath, "Spiritual Advisor" at LeNell's, a "wine and spirits boutique" in Brooklyn (named Best Liquor Store in New York by New York Magazine this year), to create a Paraguayan Pineapple Punch. He marries the rum with Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, Maraska maraschino, orange and pineapple juices, and a dash of coconut soda. "Garnish it with whatever's handy," he says, adding that, "a neon-colored straw is highly recommended."

Back in San Francisco, Victoria Damato-Moran, a cocktailian whiz who holds forth from behind the mahogany at Joe DiMaggio's Italian Chophouse, makes her own ginger beer to use in her Sailor Jerry spiced rum-based drink. The Star: It's made with fresh ginger, fresh lime juice, sugar, water and star anise. "It was a hot day [when I created The Star], and I began to dream of sand and surf. I decided to go see the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, and when I came home I made the ginger beer from ingredients I had [in the house], made the drink, put a patch over my eye, and fell asleep," she recollected. God bless bartenders who just happen to have star anise in their pantry.

Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum should be taken seriously. At 46 percent abv, it packs a serious punch. Vanilla comes through strong in this bottling, and it's far dryer than most of the other spiced rums I tasted. Perhaps I'll take a tot or two of Sailor Jerry before I get my next tattoo. I'm thinking of one of those Tibetan om signs, or perhaps a dancing Shiva, or a ying-yang symbol. If my past record is anything to go by, I can probably put a halt to the whole New-Age movement in a matter of months.

You're attending Flavor-of-the-Month's gallery exhibit: Cotton Ball Madonna (the Singer).

You look around and think, "Wow, what crap!" But the clove-smoking dilettante whispers, "Brilliant." Like a herd of black-clad sheep, the others murmur in agreement.

"Time to shake things up," says you, unzipping your jacket to display your Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction T-shirt. Suddenly, you're the work of art. Gallery-goers whisper, point, and argue over your shirt's meaning in a post-Baudrillard world.

Yes, you'll spark some spirited debate by wearing one of the tees featuring the work of an indie artist. Adam Wallacavage's "Warrior on the Edge of Time" depicts a gun-toting creature from the future; Kris Chau's "Down the Rabbit Hole" has ethereal line drawings of rabbits and geese. Ben Woodward's "Flock of Pigeons" may change your opinion of the annoying, unclean urban pests.

Though you'll probably still find those inside the gallery just as irritating.

Available online at artintheage.com.

We just wrapped up a contest with our BFF Marisa from Needled.com, the best darn tattoo blog in the world. While we knew we'd have a lot of folks who wanted to win a prize pack from Sailor Jerry we underestimated the creativity and humor of the entries. Damn! Our fans continue to impress us every day!

The prize went to the Needled.com reader who charmed us by finishing off Marisa's own take on the song "Let It Snow":

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But my tattoos are so delightful. Do I cover or let them show? ____________________________

Here's the winning entry, courtesy of Scott Kafarski of Brick, NJ:

Oh, the weather outside is frightful.

But my tattoos are so delightful.

Do I cover or let them show?

Let 'em show, let 'em show, let 'em show!

The mermaid on my arm, she's frozen

Long sleeves I should have chosen.

But as long as I'm inked up so,

Let 'em show, let 'em show, let 'em show!

When the minister sees my skin, how he hates to see all that inking.

But a nice cross upon his chest, might quickly reverse his thinking!

If you've got artwork to share

To the weather don't give a care.

Be it sunny or blinding snow,

Let 'em show, let 'em show, let 'em show!

Read more great entries online at: http://www.needled.com/archives/2006/12/sailor_jerry_contest_winner.php#more

Look for more contests in the coming year!

13th Street District Brands Itself as "Midtown Village"

Back when we were all tiny tots, the area around 13th and Chestnut was not pretty! Scary is more like it...enter Tony Goldman of Goldman Properties. The NY firm had already turned around SOHO and South Beach and figured Philadelphia would be the next perfect spot to spruce up. Goldman bought up properties in the area that were empty, rundown and needed a new lease on life. With a healthy infusion of cold hard cash, quality businesses started to rent.

What was once a sordid and seedy area of south of Market, north of Locust, east of Broad and west of 11th Street became a new hotspot. "Over the last 12 months more than 20 new businesses have opened," said James McManaman, owner of Absolute Abstract on 13th. "There is a real sense of unity among the business owners and a true desire to enhance the area for residents, workers and visitors."

The only stumble along the way was the branding of this new little enclave. Every trendy neighborhood needs a name. The first title, B3, bombed. While catchy and urbane, it didn't ring true. (FYI, B3 was for 3 Blocks Below Broad...get it?)

Since nobody was buying the B3 moniker, it was time for a re-branding. Business owners met and, with a democratic vote, decided on the new name of (drum roll please...) Midtown Village. Three other names were presented at the meeting, New City District (huh?), District 13 (Ja Vohl, Herr Komandant) and B3 (stop trying to make B3 happen; it's never going to happen). HX wasn't invited to the meeting, but barring the name Fantabulous Land, we think Midtown Village is fitting.

"Midtown Village connotes exactly what you've got here: a midtown location, a village unto itself," said Andre Stephano. Stephano has sunk a boatload of greenbacks into the area. He turned a long unused office building into the Gramercy condos. Asking price for said condo? $700K. Cha-ching!

Beyond getting a fancy new name, the business leaders in the area are committed to doing co-op advertising, streetlight banners denoting the area and an annual festival featuring arts and entertainment. More than anything else, Midtown Village is a marketing initiative. They will work with Washington Square West Civic Association on neighborhood improvement and police coordination, but the main focus is putting Midtown Village into the spotlight.

Leading the charge is Gyro Worldwide, an internationally known advertising and design firm. Gyro just relocated its entire operation to 13th and Sansom. Gyro CEO Steven Grasse also opened a Sailor Jerry retail store on the ground floor of the Gyro building. "We think it's going to be an awesome location for retail. It's the new center of the city."

A Philadelphia advertising agency is putting its marketing where its money is.

Gyro Worldwide moved its headquarters (and 75 employees) from Society Hill to 13th Street – a neighborhood it then helped christen Midtown Village, with a new logo and advertising campaign.

The name change is part of a changing identity for an area that included newer businesses like Lucky Strike Lanes, Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams home furnishings and Doggie Style Pet Boutique, alongside the street's traditional offering of pornographic bookstores and check-cashing agencies. Much of the block has been renovated by developer Tony Goldman, who is also Gyro's landlord.

"‘B3' is gone," said Gyro CEO and Creative Director Steven Grasse, referring to the neighborhood's former name. B3, which stood for Blocks Below Broad, never caught on, in part because Brown runs north-south and has no "below."

Gyro, which took over a three-story building at 13th and Sansom formerly occupied by a gay-porn theater, seems to fit in well with the nontraditional neighborhood it is trying to help redefine.

The agency, who's tagline is "breaking rules since 1988," represents a range of consumer brands, including RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co.'s Camel and Kool cigarettes, Lee Cooper Jeans, Ecco Shoes, William Grant & Sons Distilled Spirits and Pepsi Co,'s Mountain Dew.

Gyro's offices, which look out onto El Vez restaurant, were designed by Grasse's wife Sonia Kurtz-Grasse who used a mix of modern décor, antiques and even furniture made by Grasse's father. Wallpaper in the lobby features portraits of Lewis & Clark, Thomas Jefferson, Gen. William T. Sherman, Al Gore and others – people whose lives were shaped by tobacco.

"We wanted to not do the whole corny, wacky-tacky thing that ad agencies usually do," said Grasse, who does not smoke. "I hate that [stuff]."

But the move and new neighborhood are not all that's happening at Gyro, which has extended its business beyond advertising into retail, product licensing and film making.

The agency has forged a retail business centered around Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, a real-life tattoo artist (1911-73), who was mandatory late-night stop for sailors in Honolulu during World War II.

Gyro opened a Sailor Jerry store on North 3rd Street to sell T-shirts, pea coats and other Sailor Jerry apparel. Now, that store has been replaced by a larger one on the ground floor of Gyro's headquarters on 13th Street. Sailor Jerry's wholesale and Web operations will move into Gyro's former headquarters, 304 Walnut St.

With one of its clients, William Grant & Sons Distilled Spirits, Gyro licensed its own liquor, Sailor Jerry Rum. This year, the rum is on pace to sell 150,000 cases.

Philadelphia, PA – December 15, 2006 – We've been generating buzz and capturing people's attention since we opened up shop 18 years ago from such publications as The New York Times, Ad Week, Ad Age and all the other important rags and blogs (just Google Gyro Worldwide and see what comes up). But every once in a while we come across some really insightful, inspiring coverage that gets us psyched:

Yonder Ponder, the blog that deals with advertising, art and culture, posted a great article that proves that there are a lot of people out there who "get" what we do. He not only compares us to big boys Weiden Kennedy and Fallon and BBH NY, he says we're better!

THE AGENCY IS THE BLOG (http://www.yonderponder.blogspot.com)

Let's talk about the agency brand for a minute.

I have just a little agency-crush on Gyro Worldwide. For one simple reason: They know their brand. Grasse has a reputation for all kinds of stuff (some of it actually quite good) - but foremost, he has the reputation for building brands that, in turn, build his brand.

In fact, Gyro takes it a step further. They've tapped into a market that makes it easy for them to reinforce their value to their clients by attracting other like-minded clients. All of them a little on the edge.

It's been like that from day one. I believe their first client was Zipperhead, a punk store on South Street in Philly. Now they have a collection of brands, some of them actually extensions of the agency (Hendrick's Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum), others (Camel, Puma, Diesel) just brands with their fingers on the pulse of hip (sorry, sorry, over used).

In addition to doing some provocative work for some high-profile brands, Gyro has built this diamond-hard, diamond-shiny brand of their own. And all that glitter attracts like-minded clients. And the cycle continues.

Some would argue that CPB has done this too - their breadth of clients (Method, Virgin, Volkswagen, Burger King) keeps them from being as compact as Gyro. But their consistently ground-breaking work has galvanized them within the industry (which makes recruiting easier), but more importantly (and former creative golden children Weiden Kennedy and Fallon need to take a lesson from this playbook) galvanized several diverse brands.

What other agency has a good brand? SHS is sure aiming for it. It's hard to pull a Gyro and still remain a humble bunch in Kansas City - but that seems to be exactly what they're doing (and I'm not just saying that because AC recently gave me a link.) I think BBH NY may be on the verge of it, although all their great work still seems more like a one-off success than true cultural movements. And I guess it's that level of depth that really builds your credibility in the industry, in the business, and for all the world. BBH has the advantage of a London birth. And I think London advertising has always been a little more properly embraced. Hopefully Fallon and Wieden can import some of that London greatness and reinvigorate their flagging brands here in the states.

Something to aim for.

We've noticed that Gyro has a cult following amongst the A-list agency set. In fact, when John Butler from Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners was interviewed by Adweek, he had this to say:

"I gravitate towards design firms, shops that break away from the usual advertising. Gyro in Philadelphia [sic] always has good work." -- John Butler

And when asked "What do you think is the most underrated agency?" Jason Peterson from Red Cell said:

"Other than us? Gyro in Philadelphia. The dude who runs it is a little weird, but I like that about him. And I like that he hates award shows because I find award shows completely creepy. It's like the AV nerds from high school getting their revenge. And I like some of Gyro's alternative media ideas."

Yeah, we know we can come across as arrogant. But we've earned it. Ever since the early days with our creative work for MTV, Puma, RCA Records and the other accounts that helped us make headlines, we've been able to do something that's made the other agencies curl up in the fetal position and hide in a corner:

We know how to build brands. And not just for our clients: also for our very own endeavors: clothing company Sailor Jerry, art collective Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction and booze brands Hendrick's Gin and Sailor Jerry Rum. And we continue to attract new business from companies who seek us out specifically for us to work our branding magic, like our latest clients Comcast FEARnet and European denim powerhouse Lee Cooper.

For more information or interviews, please contact Carrie Estok, Gyro Worldwide PR Director at carriee@gyroworldwide.com or 215.805.6872.

About Gyro Worldwide

Gyro has developed innovative branding programs for a select group of discerning international companies since 1988. Gyro clients share a sense of adventure, a disregard for the status quo and an understanding that traditional advertising is only ever a small part of a bigger picture. For more information, visit www.gyroworldwide.com

The latest print, outdoor and lookbook photography for Philadelphia-based Gyro Worldwide's tattoo-intensive Sailor Jerry brand is inspired by "a working-class American cookout," says Gyro CEO/CD Steven Grasse.

"We rounded up some Philly locals and hosted a backyard party. We're taking our authentic rock 'n' roll vibe and portraying it in a different way from last season's raucous punk rock show setting. [Click here for that.] This shoot is just an extension of our commitment to producing American-made products that are true to the legacy of Sailor Jerry himself." Along those lines, the opening image in this PDF features "old-school punk dude" Dennis McHugh, as Grasse calls him — he's also a real-life High Life Man, it seems — and his son, Keith (sporting the blonde mohawk). The other guy is a local new-school punk dude.

Client: Sailor Jerry

Agency: Gyro Worldwide, Philadelphia

Creative Director: Steven Grasse

Art Director: Nick Paparone

Photographer: Michael Dwornik

This is an interesting study in brand creation. Sailor Jerry was a tattoo artist that was at the height of his craft over 50 years ago. He pioneered a certain kind of tattoo style most associated with sailors and military men getting inked. His brand is probably at the height of its success now, over 50 years later. Congrats to the people that master minded its resurgence and stylized the tattoo'ed culture and couture. They even have a Sailor Jerry Rum now, owing allegiance to Rum = Sailors. Very cool brand extension. This brand is an example of staying true to its roots and connecting with a new audience of customers, matching the brands values and design cues with a certain customer base. Check it out at Sailor Jerry Web Store.

As you devour the December 8 issue of US Weekly (c'mon, you know you wait all week for it!) you'll notice that everyone's favorite crotch-flashing has been pop star trailer trash recently seperated from the biggest dork on the planet mom of two is seen smiling ear to ear after leaving a mini-mart. So why does Gyro give a crap? Because she's grinning and bearing it right in front of our gorgeous Camel Wides ad.

Keep smilin' Brit! And keep those pants on!

Get pretty, hear music, and help others. Happy holidays!

Sailor Jerry Opens

What: The new flagship was designed by locals Adam Wallacavage and Kim Montenegro.

Why: Cute vintage goodies and clothing galore.

When: Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.

Where: 116-120 S. 13th St. (215-531-6380)

Everyone's favorite sour pickle blog Philebrity has such a crush on us that they can't resist writing about us every time we do something pressworthy (which, judging from our media coverage in the legitimate press, is pretty often). Let's see what biting commentary Joey Sweeney came up with today:

Who would have ever known that in 2006, Gyro would have not only enough clout to move into the Gayborhood and not be pelted with eggs, but also move into the Gayborhood, change its name, and still not get pelted with eggs? Homos, listen up and listen good: WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED. You're gonna let Mr. Clean and his merry band of UArts kids wander in and call the Gayborhood "MIDTOWN FUCKING VILLAGE?" Oh, honey. That is not right. That is not right at all.

Aww, ain't that cute???

Yeah! We have a winner for our first Sailor Jerry Contest, the start of many Needled contests to come!

We got a lot of fantastic responses and it was not an easy decision--y'all are a creative and funny bunch--but we chose the following because it expressed a love of tattoo while being edgy at the same time.

And the Drinker's Special goes to ... Greg Geez of New Westminster, Canada for his response below:

You're at a party enjoying some delish Sailor Jerry Rum, flashing tattooed sleeves and discussing the true meaning of tattoo couture with other tattooed hotties like ya fine self, when some Paris Hilton wannabe approaches without warning and tells you that the tattoo trend is sooo over and now that everyone has one, you're branded a permanent fashion victim. Instead of spilling your drink on this person -- it's just to good to waste -- you reply ....

"Tattooing is above fashion; it's an intimate commitment people make with themselves. We all grow old and our appearances change -- it's inevitable, unless of course you enjoy having your face pulled back every 5 years to keep looking younger. Perhaps you can't commit to a tattoo because they'll just keep cutting away the design to keep your skin tight. You speak of me being a fashion victim? You've made a commitment to lug around a dog in your purse. At least my tattoos don't shit all over the lawn."

Congrats Greg! And thanks to Sailor Jerry for their support of Needled.

The next Sailor Jerry contest will be up within the next couple of weeks.

Philly has always been known for certain things...Rocky, cheesesteaks, the Liberty Bell. Now, Sailor Jerry is joining them as one of Philly's most famous icons.

Philadelphia Magazine listed our new Nautical Tattoo Pint Glass Set among the top things to buy on their '2007 Holiday Gift Guide'!!!

Boss annoyed that your company mug is always topped off with Stoli? Sailor Jerry's laser-engraved stainless-steel flask offers a way to safely imbibe in the presence of superiors and saves that mug for what belongs in it: a nice Irish coffee.

A long time ago there was an old salt called Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins. Legend has it he was a rough and tumble type who served in the Navy and eventually settled on a career as a tattoo artist. His classic designs have been reborn on these cordial and shot glasses ($36, sailorjerry.com), available in sets of four. We're reasonably sure they're what Sailor Jerry would have used around breakfast time.

Sailor Jerry's Hotsy Totsy

This seasonal cocktail was concocted exclusively for BUST and features Sailor Jerry Rum, a dark and spicy spirit containing hints of cherry, vanilla and caramel. The stuff is 92-proof, though, so it packs a wallop. Pick up a bottle, then invite your mates over to partake in this potent potion. Just be sure to keep 'em away from the gangplank.

4 oz. Sailor Jerry Rum

1 1/2 tsp. of lemon juice

Lil' bit of water, or as much as you prefer

2 whole sugar cubes

1 pinch of cinnamon

Add rum and lemon juice to a coffee mug. Fill it with hot water. Stir in the sugar cubes. Top with cinnamon.

A young artist in full bloom, Doug Aitken has redefined pop culture and high art with images that are accessible to all- and sublime to those in the know. Working in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art and Creative Time, Aitken is turning Manhattan inside out next month, making our private moments public. Sleepwalkers features seven large-scale projections wrapping the exterior MOMA, infusing the architectural space with the fractured, nonlinear narrative of our lives, the chaos of urban existence. It is a constantly shuffling kaleidoscope, remixing stories featuring characters played by Tilda Swinton, Chan Marshall (Cat Power), Seu Jorge, Ryan Donowho,and Donald Sutherland. The idea came to Aitken five years ago almost like a hallucination: "I was walking down an avenue alone in the early morning, looking up at the skyscrapers, and wanted to see them animated, in conversation with each other." This cinematic wonderland is a transcendent love letter where memory and narrative come together and then apart, with the rhythms of music, and the lyricism of poetry. -A.M. HOMES

Time Out Chicago recently voted Marshall McGearty one of the best spots in town to get a good cuppa joe. Check out what they had to say here:

Winner: Marshall McGearty Tobacco Artisans (Wi-Fi equipped, Open past 9pm, later on weekends) 1553 N Milwaukee Ave (773-772-8410)

This cozy spot has a strong Ralph Lauren vibe: Clusters of antique lamps and distressed leather couches and chairs provide private, peaceful sitting areas. But we found it nearly empty—probably because people mistake this newcomer as a place to smoke (it is) and drink (ditto), not as a spot to sip on top-notch, exotic blends of java.

Coffee quality: 8 Our latte was lovingly crafted and served up in a classy monogrammed mug.

Food: 5 The "highly recommended" spinach-and-cheese croissant was nothing special.

Vibe: 10 We're considering moving in.

Pick-up factor: 8 Because smokes and drinks are offered, it's easy to transition suavely from coffee chatter to a romantic glass of wine.

Music: 7 Good '70s tunes, like the Kinks' "Lola."

Total=38

Extra shots: The barista was so friendly, we think we have a new BFF. And the Wi-Fi is free, to boot. Open till 2am Friday and Saturday.

As the buzz on Sailor Jerry continues to grow, so does our need for space.

In late November Sailor Jerry said goodbye to the infamous red velvet couch, bordello-styled wallpaper and vintage fixtures from our store on N. 3rd Street in Old City Philadelphia and headed over to 13th and Sansom in Philadelphia's hip Midtown Village, where we opened shop just downstairs from the new Gyro Worldwide offices (Sailor Jerry's owner) in the heart of the revamped 13th Street corridor.

The brand is named after Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, a WW2 era tattoo artist who more or less invented modern tattooing. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Sailor Jerry makes a broad range of products including clothing, housewares and 92-proof rum. We also have a licensing deal with Converse to make Sailor Jerry Chuck Tailors.

The new store, designed by Philly-based multi-media underground artist Adam Wallacavage, is meant as a brand showcase. Adam gave the space a vintage South Seas feel to reflect Sailor Jerry's days tattooing the US Navy in the Pacific during WW2 by making his custom octopus chandeliers and embellishing the rustic, curio-inspired interior. Original drapery designs by Philadelphia underground fashion designer Kim Montenegro (who also designs Sailor Jerry's denim) also accent the space.

Among the interiors Wallacavage has designed include the home of pro skater Bam Margera and a custom chandelier for the retail space of jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino. He's shown at the Johnathan LeVine gallery in New York and was a founding member of Philadelphia Arts Collective Space 1026. He is also the author of the book "Monster Size Monsters," published by Gingko Press.

Sailor Jerry had sales that totaled over $16 million last year. The brand has been featured in such publications as Elle, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Lucky and many more.

Sailor Jerry is sold at over 1300 boutiques worldwide as well as online at www.sailorjerry.com but we still maintain a commitment to making small-batch, hand-crafted products that support the local economy. Nearly all of our cotton is grown by American farmers. The majority of our embroidery and silk-screening work is done in Philly (headquarters of Sailor Jerry), and if we can't do it locally, it's kept within the US borders whenever possible. Even our Spiced Rum is made in the US Virgin Islands.

For additional images, interviews or more information please contact Carrie Estok, PR Director, at carrie @ sailorjerry.com or 215.805.6872.

About Sailor Jerry

Based on the original designs of Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, the father of American tattooing, the Sailor Jerry collection features tees, denim, dresses, outerwear, accessories and Spiced Rum. Visit www.sailorjerry.com or select boutiques nationwide for these and more items that are always a good bet for anyone who appreciates authentic tattoo design and a genuine piece of American culture. Remember, all Sailor Jerry products are made within the USA!

Our BFF Marisa from Needled.com writes a weekly column for the Suicide Girls site and gave us a sweet ol' mention in her Holiday Gift Guide. Drink up!

At Needled's anniversary party, the punch I made spiked with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum was the first drink to go, which either means it's pretty tasty stuff or my guests were all alcoholics. Perfect for egg nog or straight from the bottle to forget the holiday blues, the rum can be ordered online for those in the UK. In the US, check for store locations. For ways to spice up your office parties, check out Sailor Jerry's bar tricks.

The late Sailor Jerry, godfather of crass-but-classy American tattooing, launched a CLOTHING LINE some time ago. Now Gyro Worldwide joins forces with them to make the brand, "a working-class American cookout" (we swear the CEO said this), relevant to a new generation.

Designs feature graphics unique to sailor tat subculture: anchors, mermaids, buxom women and even tight-fisted KNUCKLE STATEMENTS on gloves. We like how there's a section marked "RUM STUFF."

The 20 artists who make up the art collective Art in the Age of Mechanical Production pool their creative talents so that you can have insta-indie cred with their line of tees and accessories. Check them out at artintheage.com.

Art in the Age is an artist collective that makes original t-shirts and prints. Based out of Philadelphia, AITA has 20 artists who contribute to the brand. Their website features their creations for sale, AITA artist bios, and everything from video blogs of "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" to photo blogs of obscure vinyl record collector fairs. Artists in the collective include Adam Wallacavage, Chris Duncan, Kris Chau, Roy Miranda and many others. See what it's all about, here:

We LOVE it when other smart people out there "get" what it is that we do over here at Gyro. This guy James (who runs the Yonder Ponder blog which deals with advertising, art, culture and anything else that catches his eye) gave us some serious props. Thanks James! We heart you too.

THE AGENCY IS THE BLOG

Let's talk about the agency brand for a minute.

I have just a little agency-crush on Gyro Worldwide. For one simple reason: They know their brand. Grasse has a reputation for all kinds of stuff (some of it actually quite good) - but foremost, he has the reputation for building brands that, in turn, build his brand.

In fact, Gyro takes it a step further. They've tapped into a market that makes it easy for them to reinforce their value to their clients by attracting other like-minded clients. All of them a little on the edge.

It's been like that from day one. I believe their first client was Zipperhead, a punk store on South Street in Philly. Now they have a collection of brands, some of them actually extensions of the agency (Hendrick's Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum), others (Camel, Puma, Diesel) just brands with their fingers on the pulse of hip (sorry, sorry, over used).

In addition to doing some provocative work for some high-profile brands, Gyro has built this diamond-hard, diamond-shiny brand of their own. And all that glitter attracts like-minded clients. And the cycle continues.

Some would argue that CPB has done this too - their breadth of clients (Method, Virgin, Volkswagen, Burger King) keeps them from being as compact as Gyro. But their consistently ground-breaking work has galvanized them within the industry (which makes recruiting easier), but more importantly (and former creative golden children Weiden Kennedy and Fallon need to take a lesson from this playbook) galvanized several diverse brands.

What other agency has a good brand?

SHS is sure aiming for it. It's hard to pull a Gyro and still remain a humble bunch in Kansas City - but that seems to be exactly what they're doing (and I'm not just saying that because AC recently gave me a link.) I think BBH NY may be on the verge of it, although all their great work still seems more like a one-off success than true cultural movements. And I guess it's that level of depth that really builds your credibility in the industry, in the business, and for all the world. BBH has the advantage of a London birth. And I think London advertising has always been a little more properly embraced. Hopefully Fallon and Wieden can import some of that London greatness and reinvigorate their flagging brands here in the states.

Others?

A lot of agencies are doing great work for one or two of their clients. Some are doing great work for most of their clients. But very few are doing great work for all of their clients in a way that reinforces their agency's brand (whatever that may be).

Something to aim for.

Playgirl Magazine just finished their ultra sexy gift spectacular. It's full of vintage vampy items and giftable goodies for the year's end. Our Limited Edition Swallow Corset is among these goodies. Here's what they said.

"Help her get back a killer hourglass shape with this gorgeous, high-quality Swallow Tattoo limited-edition corset from Sailor Jerry, $300, www.sailorjerry.com ".

Yo Yo Yo! Check out Gyro's new crib!

We're movin' out of our rat's nest on Walnut Street (after 16 years of fun) to our brand spankin' new office on 13th Street in Philly. Join Steven Grasse on a behind-the-scenes peek of "where the magic happens."

GYRO on MTV Cribs!

Gyro has been instrumental in bringing FEARnet, a new horror channel from Comcast Cable, to life. Gyro has lined up interviews with musicians who embody the "Horror Lifestyle," such as the band Tool. The contribution is modeled after the highly successful music program we developed for our own brand, Sailor Jerry.

Check out what USA Today has to say about FEARnet:

There's nothing frightening about horror this Halloween, at least not for entertainment executives.

The genre rose from the dead, generating a record $1 billion in 2005 box office sales, up nearly 15% from 2004 and 78% from 2003. And it's still on a tear, based on the buzz for this weekend's Saw III and recent successes including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, The Wicker Man and The Grudge 2.

Now, Comcast, Sony and independent studio Lionsgate hope to scare up more cash with the Oct. 31 launch of FearNet. The three-way venture targets 18- to 34-year-olds with films and other attractions on an on-demand TV channel, website and cellphones.

"We said, 'Let's do this in a way that nobody's ever done before,' and it's got everybody excited," says Steve Mosko, president of Sony Pictures Television.

FearNet will offer Comcast digital customers horror shorts and trailers and about 70 hours of movies a month from the studios' combined libraries, which include Poltergeist, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Carrie, Ghoulies, Night of the Living Dead, The Howling and the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Sony and Lionsgate have more than 1,000 horror titles, about half of the total from major studios.

Comcast won't charge for the films. They'll be supported by ads appearing from time to time on part of the screen during the movie and during intermissions that may feature interviews with directors and stars.

Comcast also will offer FearNet to other cable operators, for a fee.

"The revenue side is more unknown than a traditional cable channel, but the cost side is more limited," says Jeff Shell, president of Comcast's programming group. He expects FearNet to break even within five years.

The website will offer 50 movies for sale or rent and other flicks streamed for free, as well as clips, games and a horror database. "You can search through key words like 'ax murderer,' " says Diane Robina, president of Comcast's Emerging Networks.

There'll also be a MySpace-like service for users to share thoughts.

Horror attracts "a coveted audience (that's) tech savvy and equally balanced between male and female," says Robina. "It's no longer just scary guys in their basement."

To keep things fresh, FearNet is seeking input from celebrities who are part of what it calls the "horror lifestyle."For example, Comcast has been interviewing rock bands including Tool and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Initially, users with Web-enabled cellphones can download text. Future plans include some video and ring tones, possibly including Bernard Herrmann's theme from the famous Psycho shower scene.

Needled.com, one of our very favorite sites, posted this interview with tattoo artist Joe Capobianco of New Haven, CT's Hope Gallery. He gives the master of American tattooing, Sailor Jerry, big props:

"I put pictures on skin."

A Needled.com interview by Marisa DiMattia

Quite a humble explanation of one's work, especially if you're considered one of America's rockstars of tattooing. But Joe Capobianco's focus is on art, not fame, and his down-to-earth straight talk made him one of the most enjoyable interviews I've done for Suicide Girls.

Joe and I found one of the rare quiet corners in the London Tattoo Convention and talked about his gorgeous new art book and sketchbook that were recently released.

The books are a collection of work amassed from over 15 years of Joe's illustration and tattooing career, with a focus on classic pin-up art, and can be purchased online.

Because the interview was for SG, we spoke a great deal about pin-up art's influences on Joe's tattoo work. Here's a taste:

MDM: What is it about cheesecake that makes people want to tattoo it on their skin?

JC: You know what, I honestly believe that it's like that old Sailor Jerry stuff, it's never going to die. There's something about a pretty girl that everyone can appreciate, whether it be male or female, young or old.Sailor Jerry pin-up girls have been around since the thirties and there have been pin-ups even before him, obviously, and this is just the next incantation of that. And you have other artists take these same types of ideas and designs and doing them their own way. People will never get tired of it, I don't think. It's one of those things that will continue to live on and it will never become old hat.

We are pretty sure we have created the world's greatest hoodie right here. Heavyweight, hooded, zip-up sweaters. All embroidery is done by hand in Philly. The antique washing is done here too. The sweatshirts themselves are made in the US. We predict you're going to see paparazzi pictures of movie stars in this sweatshirt. Available in Navy Price: 65.00 USD

We came across this story about a stadium in Fresno, CA banning alcohol at sporting events. We all know that for every rule there's a rulebreaker, and Fresno State student Fernando Santillan was no exception; he wanted his Sailor Jerry Rum so badly that he smuggled it into the game.

Sorry you got caught, Fernando. But keep on drinking Sailor Jerry Rum!

So TOOL rolled into town and we decided to hook up our buddy Maynard (the singer... stupid) with some of our finest wears.

After an intense staring match... Maynard stole (our reporter friend) Broncho's helmet and got all sexy.

P.S. Tool was awesome!

Sailor Jerry's tattoos are emblazoned on items from T-shirts to accessories, and now Philadelphia is getting a revamped and enlarged store for the brand.

The artistry of Sailor Jerry, whose real name was Norman Collins, danced on the forearms of sailors in Hawaii in the Forties. It is now embroidered on jeans and printed on nylon stockings, a development that might have made Collins, who died in 1973, cringe.

His imagery lives on courtesy of Gyro Worldwide, and adveritising and marketing company based in Philadelphia that bought the rights to the flash art, as the oeuvre is called, from Collin's estate in 1989. The company last year sold $16 million worth of Sailor Jerry merchandise, stamping the bold, retro-looking tattoos on fashion, jewelry, footwear, handbags, accessories, tabletop and liquor.

'Our customer is someone who's into fashion and likes Seventies rock'n'roll,' said Steven Grasse, chief executive officer at Gyro.

Although many Sailor Jerry fans sport their own body art, plenty of customers prefer to wear their tattoos on their sleeves rather than their skin. 'Our customers range in age from 16-38, but some are as old as 70,' Grasse said. 'They're very loyal.'

The merchandise is sold in 1,300 wholesale accounts worldwide, including Planet Funk and Serious in Los Angeles and Cheap Thrills in San Francisco.

Gyro on Oct. 15 will open a 2,500-square-foot Sailor Jerry store on 13th Street in Philadelphia, replacing the label's 500-square-foot shop in the Old City neighborhood. The store will have a South Seas, World War II flavor with octopus-shaped chadeliers and mounted fish.

The range of products will include dresses, pencil skirts and made-to-order corsets with hand embroidered designs for $300; limited-edition Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers with eagle tattoo appliqués and etched stars, $100, and necklaces with silver charms, $145, and belt buckles, $975. They are produced in partnership with King Baby Studio, a Los Angeles jewelry company.

'The store is a brand showcase,' Grasse said. 'If it does really well, we want to quickly open up stores in New York and L.A.'

Under a licensing agreement with Urban Outfitters, Gyro will design and Urban will manufacture a Sailor Jerry collection, which will carry the label: Sailor Jerry for Urban Renewal. There are deals for outerwear and snowboards in the works, Grasse said.

Tattoos have been enjoying a fashion moment. For a segment of the population, they've become an indispensable fashion accessory. Former Von Dutch designer Christian Audigier has a licensing agreement with tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy, a younger contemporary of Sailor Jerry. Alexander McQueen put skull prints on scarves, and Kaufman Franco designed a jacket with a rebel tattoo.

'We try really hard to ignore the fact that tattoos are a fashion accessory,' Grasse said. 'We don't want to be part of that wave, because the wave will be over. We're not trendy. We focus on the nautical aspect of Jerry's stuff more than skulls."

Since we're in total cleaning mode for next week's move to our swank new offices on 13th Street we've been digging around in the Gyro archives. We came across an article from 1990 (complete with retro photo of a dashing, younger Steven Grasse). Check it out:

Steven Grasse: Settling down & taking off

How do you satisfy a desire for travel and establish an enviable creative pedigree by the time you're 25? Get on a plane and go: Bozell in Thailand, to Ogilvy & Mather in Hong Kong, to TBWA in London, to Saatchi & Saatchi in New Zealand.

And so you don't appear to be shunning your homeland, spend summers during college interning at Young & Rubicam in New York and, later, working a year and a half at Beber Silverstein McCabe in Miami. By the end of that, you'll fell like Steven Grasse—ready to settle into your own business in Philadelphia. And plow through the conservative creative guard with a brash new style of advertising called Gyro Conceptual Engineers, which opened in May. "We are not an agency." He said. "We work with agencies. Creative is all we do." Grasse has a core staff of creative talent at gyro, and a network of handpicked freelance talent from New Zealand, Miami and New York.

By being a "pain in the ass," he plans on elbowing his company into the Philadelphia market. This year he won six out of 12 categories for which he was nominated in the Philadelphia Art Directors Club Awards competition. His theory for success? " Advertising should be outrageous…although it doesn't always have to be. The key is a twist." Like work he did in Miami. A PSA targeted to young people, sponsored by Admen Against Ignorance, gave perverse perspective to a deadly concern: "Thank God it's only syphilis. With a disease like AIDS around, catching anything else would almost be a blessing. Don't take chances. Always use a condom."

Grasse has one regret, however, as he launches his latest endeavor: "I wish Divine hadn't died. I could have used him/her," he said, adding that the filmmaker John Waters has been a big influence on his style.

Another influence on his style: traveling. " That makes the ads we do unique. Everyone we work with comes from broad background. We don't rely on the shopping mall or Brady Bunch reruns. We have a lot more to pull from."

Eschewing the usual high faluting style most European brands adopt when marketing their fashions, European denim company Lee Cooper, with help from Gyro Worldwide, is launching its brand in the U.S. with a decidedly more playful, working class approach. Oh yes, the sex and hotness are still there but not in that GQ-like style. Take a look at the print ads here.

Eschewing the usual high faluting style most European brands adopt when marketing their fashions, European denim company Lee Cooper, with help from Gyro Worldwide, is launching its brand in the U.S. with a decidedly more playful, working class approach. Oh yes, the sex and hotness are still there but not in that GQ-like style. Take a look at the print ads here.

When Bam Margera's not skating, jumping off of things or assaulting his father, he enjoys his tea time with Sailor Jerry.

We love you too, Bam!

Bam's MTV Cribs clip

Holiday gifts we're getting our paws on now

We got a sneaky peek at Sailor Jerry's holiday collection, and want all of it under our tree/menorah/whatever this year. Jerry's locally made Hold Fast anchor tote will be perfect for lugging our gym stuff around town (too bad it won't motivate us to actually go to the gym); we'll use the tattoo pencil cases for our makeup; and when we tire of our good-girl quilted Chanel wallet, we'll switch over to a Cowgirl Tattoo Chain one, with one of Jerry's rarely seen pirate ship designs emblazoned atop 100 percent black leather. The best part of all of this: The folks at Sailor Jerry know better than to make you wait another three months to dig into holiday goodies — everything's available online or at the store right now.

38 North 3rd Street, 215-923-6980; sailorjerry.com.

The U.K.'s Lee Cooper, which goes back to 1908 and bills itself as "The Original European Denim Company," seemingly nods to the glory days of punk proletarianism with a new autumn/winter multimedia campaign created by Gyro.

"European brands don't usually celebrate the working class; most are faux aristocratic and aspirational or play on American street culture," says Gyro CEO/CD Steven Grasse. But Lee Cooper, "born of the Industrial Revolution" and a supplier to British working-class youth, "celebrates working-class values," claims Grasse. A series of outdoor, print and POS ads, seen initially in France, are complemented by a viral video featuring the Rifles — a Jam-like British band that Grasse claims "totally kicks ass and is going to be huge. Music is the backbone of working-class culture, from the Clash to Mike Skinner," he adds. "Everything we love about Britain comes out of tough working-class neighborhoods, and music and fashion are Britain's most successful exports."

The "Industry, Strength, Life, Work" theme is a cyclical "coming together of work, late nights spent in backstreet pubs, weekend gigs and then back to work on Monday morning," and he believes it will play globally. Photography by Michael Dwornik, www.michaeldwornik.com. As for the subjects of these photographs, Grasse says "the pretty people are models and the ugly people are band members. The scary bald dude in the video is a scary bald dude we found in the street." See www.leecooperuk.com and www.therifles.co.uk for more.

Philadelphia, PA – September 21, 2006 – There is a time and a place where great minds collide. At this moment it happens to be Abe Lincoln and John F Kennedy on a brown zip-up hoodie. Get a piece of history while you still can.

Designed by Print Liberation, the Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction ABE/JFK brown screen-printed hoodie is available in S, M, L & XL. It retails for $70.00.

For samples, images or more information contact Carrie Estok, Public Relations Director, Gyro Worldwide, at 215.805.6872 or carriee@gyroworldwide.com.

About Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction

Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction, which takes its name from Walter Benjamin's landmark 1934 essay, is a clothing company that truly collaborates with actual artists rather than of just telling them what to do. Our artists work on a freelance basis and so they give us their "real" work and not just something they think can sell. Our artist / collaborators see our company as a way of delivering an original and thought-provoking message to a public who is tired of being spoon-fed slop by nameless corporations.

MR Marketplace, a leading men's trade publication, picked up the photos from the recent Sailor Jerry / Lee Cooper party in Vegas where the legendary Buzzcocks played.Check out the slideshow on the site.

Sailor Jerry Rum is top notch. Not only does it taste awesome, but it is 92 proof. Ooh! A lot of Sunday mornings have been painful because of the Sailor. The rum was created by a protege of old school Hawaiian tattoo artist Sailor Jerry Collins. Sailor Jerry traveled the world on a ship at age 19. He honed his style of art from watching classic Southeast Asian masters. His first tattoo shop was in Honolulu's Chinatown district. A part of the proceeds from every bottle sold goes to the descendants of Sailor Jerry Collins.

Motion design and production collective Lightborne recently created a multi-pronged campaign for Lee Cooper Jeans via ad agency Gyro. The campaign, which includes a long-format viral film, four TV commercials, moving video on European billboards and a large print component, was directed by Scott Fredette and edited by Tom Acito of Lightborne.

The ambitious campaign marks the first project for Acito since joining the company recently. Featuring The Rifles, an up-and-coming punk rock band based in the UK, the three-minute viral piece follows a lone tomcat wandering around London and encountering beautiful girls along the way. This footage is interspersed with frenetic shots of the band performing in a local pub with fans going wild.

"Tom's edit was so good we didn't need to embellish the spot with a load of superfluous graphics," remarks Chris Gliebe, Lightborne Creative Director. "We let the footage speak for itself, maintaining the raw feel that Lee Cooper was going for."

"The Lee Cooper project was the first collaboration with our new editor Tom Acito," says Molly Gray, Lightborne Executive Producer. "The project was well received by our client and we were so grateful to not only have an editor who can add his editorial skill, but one that brings experience with it!"

The concept behind the image campaign is to launch Lee Cooper jeans in the US. Lightborne wrote the treatment for the viral film and spots based on style frames provided by the client, and Director Scott Fredette and Executive Producer Scott Durban traveled to London for the several-day shoot at Filthy McNasty's Pub and sites in and around the city. Fredette chose to shoot on Varicam HD citing its portability, and off-speed/frame-rate ability. He also shot on Super 8 to create a gritty and low-art feel to the film.

"Our task was to capture the vibe of Lee Cooper jeans, which is a workingman's/East Londoner's brand," explains Scott Durban. "We had to find the thread of a storyline that wasn't too salesy, had a narrative flow and also maintained its energy throughout the piece."

"We went for a dirty, punk rock take on the viral piece," adds Scott Fredette. "This is a re-branding campaign for Lee Cooper and by using The Rifles, the idea was to position the brand at the forefront of groundbreaking. This underground approach pushes a band that hasn't quite broken out yet but is on the cusp of making it big." The Rifles were recently signed to the Right Hook/Red Ink label, which is part of Universal Publishing. For the shoot, Fredette and his team used very loose story threads - mainly filming the models in different scenarios and creating day-in-the-life types of vignettes. One challenge was that the live-action shoot also had to coincide with the efforts of a still photographer on the campaign.

With the 8 hours of footage and basic story outlines from Fredette, Editor Tom Acito then spent several days reviewing the materials. "Once we knew wanted to focus on this tomcat and his escapades around London, then it became a lot easier to mold the narrative," comments Acito. "I cut several vignettes of 10 or so different settings such as the band performing and the models walking on the streets. I was then able to assemble these story chunks and start developing the story."

For the band's show, Fredette and Acito had to make the venue appear as though it were filled with people, which they achieved through clever shots and frenetic edits. Acito also treated the HD footage using Sapphire plug-ins for color correction and adding graininess and flicker to the film.

"Ultimately, the client wanted something that was unlike anything seen before," concludes Fredette. "It couldn't feel like a commercial and it couldn't be over-branded. This was about the conjunction of Lee Cooper and The Rifles, and setting the tone for this highly visual and dynamic campaign."

In addition to the three-minute viral piece, the Lightborne team was responsible for creating five different commercials from the footage.

Client: Lee Cooper

Advertising Agency: Gyro Worldwide/Philadelphia, PA

Creative Director/Art Director: Ron Pushkar

Executive Creative Director: Steven Grasse

Producer: Cindi Blair

Production Company: Lightborne / Cincinnati, OH

Director: Lightborne

DP: Scott Fredette

Executive Producer: Scott Durban

Producer: Amy Schaefer

Where Shot: Filthy McNasty's Pub and various locations around London, UK

Editorial Company: Lightborne/Cincinnati, OH

Editor: Tom Acito

Assistant Editor: Brad Trimble

Postproduction Company: Lightborne/Cincinnati, OH

Online Editor: Tom Acito

VFX Company: Lightborne/Cincinnati,OH

Graphics/Animation: Kyle Shoup

Sound Design Company: Lightborne/Cincinnati, OH

Sound Designers: Tom Acito, Ryan Limke

OK guys. Listen up: Looser dress codes mean that it may be acceptable to wear T-shirts more often than not. But there's one caveat: Those sad, out-of-shape tops that come in three packs don't count. Instead, try sporting the ever-so-stylish graphic tee. Shirt designers are becoming inspired by everything from nature to rock'n'roll, creating a wide variety of tees that exude retro cool. An added bonus: these affordable finds will leave money in your pockets for hitting the town to show off your new style.

OK guys. Listen up: Looser dress codes mean that it may be acceptable to wear T-shirts more often than not. But there's one caveat: Those sad, out-of-shape tops that come in three packs don't count. Instead, try sporting the ever-so-stylish graphic tee. Shirt designers are becoming inspired by everything from nature to rock'n'roll, creating a wide variety of tees that exude retro cool. An added bonus: these affordable finds will leave money in your pockets for hitting the town to show off your new style.

Juvenile yet hilarious Seamen jokes aside, did you hear the one about tattoo legend Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins? Actually, there isn't a joke, we just needed an excuse to say the word Seamen. For those who don't know, he's like Popeye, but add way more tattoos and replace the spinach with rum. Known for his iconographic Americana imagery, Jerry's got a new online store featuring tattoo-inspired clothing, tote bags and housewares. The proof is in the pudding. Or rather in his tasty Spiced Rum, which is strong enough to cauterize wounds. Drop anchor at www.sailorjerry.com.

Philadelphia, PA – September 12, 2006 – ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so kick it old school style with some classic cocktails from Sailor Jerry Rum.

We're talking 92-proof stuff here, so it's not for the faint of heart. It's 750 mL of dark and spicy goodness, with hints of cherry, vanilla and caramel that goes down smooth but packs a wallop!

Based on an original recipe inspired by the rough and tumble world of old school sailors, Sailor Jerry Rum makes the perfect holiday gift for anyone who appreciates a little something different. Even the bottles themselves are a work of art!

Drink it straight up or enjoy some of our favorite classic drinks (and don't forget the Sailor Jerry shot and pint glasses!):

Sailor Jerry Classic Egg Nog

1 oz. Sailor Jerry spiced rum

4 oz. eggnog

1 pinch nutmeg

Pour rum into a small highball glass, and add egg nog. Stir together, top with nutmeg, and serve.

Sailor Jerry Spiced Cider

2 oz. Sailor Jerry spiced rum

8 oz apple cider

Crushed ice

Pour spiced rum over ice into glass, fill with apple cider, stir.

Sailor Jerry Holiday Grog

2 oz. Sailor Jerry Rum

2 oz. hot water

2/3 oz. lime juice

1 tsp. brown sugar

1 cinnamon stick

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat until brown sugar is dissolved and pour into a sturdy mug.

Pick some up at select stores and watering holes nationwide, visit www.sailorjerry.com or stop by our boutique at 38 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia.

For more information or additional images, please contact Carrie Estok, PR Director, at carrie at sailorjerry dot com or 215.805.6872.

About Sailor Jerry

Sailor Jerry is a complete line of clothing and accessories for men and women (and even a few things for the kiddies, too) that feature the original designs of American tattoo master Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins. Shop online at www.sailorjerry.com or in select boutiques around the world for the entire Sailor Jerry collection. Each and every Sailor Jerry item is made in the USA. Wear them with pride and do your part to make the world a more authentic place.

Philadelphia, PA - September 12, 2006 - Here's a whole new way to enjoy the ass kicking, 92 proof premium goodness that is Sailor Jerry Rum.

We've just sold our 2 millionth bottle of Sailor Jerry Rum and in the spirit of showing off, we've embroidered it onto a kick-ass work jacket. When we started this company, everyone said we were crazy. But we believed in Sailor Jerry's work and we believed there were other people like us who would be our customers. So, to all the asswipes who said we couldn't do it, read the back of this jacket and kiss our asses.

Suck it up and spend the $180. Not only is it a collector's item, but think of how handsome you'll look in it. (The ladies love Sailor Jerry). It's available in Charcoal Grey and comes in M, L, XL & XXL.

We've also launched our Sailor Jerry Rum clothing collection, where you can buy tee shirts, flasks, belt buckles, shot glasses and zippos.

While most liquor brands concentrate on giving away a bunch of crap that nobody really wants, we're busy developing the Sailor Jerry brand with lots of TLC. Just take a look at our website and you'll see the quality and effort that we put into all the Sailor Jerry shit we sell.

And if you haven't already tried the rum, then this is as good a time as any to get off your ass and start drinking. Sailor Jerry Rum achieves being upscale in a totally different way than those other rums on the market. It's small batch, hand crafted, old school authentic rum that's full of dark and spicy goodness, with hints of cherry, vanilla and caramel that goes down smooth and delights the palate. Sailor Jerry Rum is available in our impeccably designed 750 mL and flask size bottles both in the United States and the UK. A portion of each bottle sold goes right back into the Sailor Jerry estate.

Shop online at www.sailorjerry.com or in select boutiques around the world for more off the beaten path items, such as the entire Sailor Jerry clothing collection featuring tees, thermals, hoodies, denim, outerwear and accessories for men, women & children as well as glassware, stationary and more. Each and every Sailor Jerry item is made in the USA. Wear them with pride and do your part to make the world a more authentic place.

For additional images, samples or more information please contact Carrie Estok, PR Director, at carrie@sailorjerry.com or 215.805.6872.

We've hit it big this time!! Rolling Stone Magazine featured our tattooed Chucks as one of this year's must-haves. Check out what they wrote.

"Chuck Taylor - All Star Sailor Jerry. World War II-era tattoo artist Sailor Jerry tattooed homesick navy lads with anchors and buxom babes. These limited-edition sneakers offer a much less permanent way of getting inked by a master."

Britain's sexiest magazine, Loaded, just published their top ten "Must Haves" for this month. Our King Baby Anchor ring is featured in that group. The essential collection includes the sweetest new gear, grooming products and accessories to get a hold of this month. Of coure our new jewelry would have to be a part of that!

Philadelphia, PA – September 11, 2005 – That "oh crap, it's the holidays" time is upon us. But don't worry – Sailor Jerry's got your back. There's something for everyone this season:

• Mother Swallow Tattoo Pencil Case

This case is lovely, tough and true. For your lipstick, your hair spray, your eye shadow, or your stash. Canvas case. Zip close. $20.

• Mother Swallow Reversible Bag

Hand-sewn & silk-screened by a local Philadelphia designer. Each bag is reversible and comes with a zip close coin purse. Cotton dish cloth fabric with a 1950's floral oil cloth inside. Handles are tortoise or black plastic. Multiple colors. $64.

• Sailor Jerry Frame Coin Purse

Beautifully crafted coin purse that's expertly embossed with powerful seagoing Sailor Jerry symbols. Black. 100% leather with a silver frame. $58.00

• Hold Fast Tote Bag

Hand-sewn, pigment-dyed, screen-printed and antique-washed here in Philly. Silk-screened by hand in Philly and North Carolina. Brown canvas. Inside zippered pocket. $64.00

• Skull Dice Tattoo Chuck Taylors

Our signature limited edition canvas Chucks are covered head to toe with traditional Sailor Jerry flash. There are tattoos inside the shoe and under the tongue. Available for a limited time only! Unisex Sizes 3 through 13. $50.00

• Cowgirl Tattoo Chain Wallet

The cowgirl is one of the Sailor Jerry's rarely seen designs. But it's one of our favorites. Black. 100% Leather. $48.00

• Revenge Tattoo Leather Cuff

Raise hell, hoist pints and shoot pool wearing this beautifully crafted embossed wristband. Black. 100% Leather. $20.00

• Sailor Jerry Rum Bifold Wallet

The kind of rugged, old-school wallet that will make an indelible mark on your ass pocket that you can be proud of. Black. 100% Leather. $30.00.