Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

The headline is from T.S. Elliott, an appropriate one to close out the old year. How does web literacy, most of it offered as free information, reshape 21st century knowledge and the media platforms that fuel knowledge? News in the media world has focused on layoffs, newspaper bankruptcies, big box bookstore closings, and on and on. On the last day of 2008, Conde Nast kills more titles (adieu Domino). It's cliche, yet undeniable that the availability of cheap, free information is killing off last century's media model. Last Sunday's NYTimes article about the ability to buy books from online resellers for less than the cost of paper was rattling. How can a publisher and author have a livlihood? Just this week, JWT's trend guru predicts experiential, multi-media platforms as a key trend in 2009 (she references books that suggest music playlists--an idea that has been around for years!) How does one make money--and enough of it-- in the new model of integrated, interactive, participitative media? Perhaps an intellectual property becomes a "free trial" entry to trade-up to a bigger expereience for more dollars (i.e., Radiohead's music experiment, AC/DC's WalMart music/merch deal). Someone has to pay the writers, journalists, photographers, musicians and pundits. Information, news and entertainment always comes with a price tag--but who foots the bill? In the Great Repression of 2008, the pay-to-play media questions become even more intriguing.

What do these guys have in common?

Both of these iconic, gray-haired men were created by the same illustrator. Chicago-based artist, Haddon Sundblom, developed these guys from his office in the Wrigley Building. As the year winds down, I say adieu to the Quaker Man and hello Santa! Hopefully, Santa will be more giving to me than the Q-guy was this year.

Burrata: Oh-so Cheesy Mainstreaming

Last year, Saveur magazine wrote about the "secret" society of fans of this hard-to-find Italian premium cheese. Wrote to some friends in the Italian cheese biz to watch for this to mainstream. This summer, it was menued at Scott Conant's new place in NYC, Scarpetta. My sister just had it at the oh-so-hot Crescent Hts restaurant in San Diego. Now it's on the menu on the new mid-priced Italian mall restaurant that just opened at 900 N. Michigan (Frankie's Scalopini). Expect this cheese to continue to mainstream in 2009. Biggest hurdle will be the capacity of the cheese guys to supply.

Cocooning in Luxury

The renowned luxury Danish jeweler, Georg Jensen, has just restaged its flagship NYC store. The brand experience has been repositioned from "museum quality" to the heritage associated with Danish lifestyle. According to the Financial Times, Jensen’s approach may be a new model for rebranding in a recession, thanks to the company’s twin decisions to alter the store’s aesthetics from those of a “museum” to a “house." This is another great example of the return of "cocooning" as a key trend. Jensen's retailing strategy is considered unique for partnering with other Danish luxury brands who are showcased in the store. It's all about a total Danish style... and lifestyle experience. In the luxury realm, marketers beleive provenance, heritage and storytelling will become increasingly important, particulary as luxury brands begin to stake-out China.

I'll have to check-out the Jensen outpost in the Drake, Chicago to see if they've adopted some of these intriguing retail strategies (and a great excuse to visit an old haunt right next door, The Cape Cod Room, Queen of Restaurant Cocooning).

"Pantry Deloading"

P&G is taking its sales forecasts down, attributing slower growth to a new phenomenom: Pantry Deloading. Folk are depleting their pantry stocks and are not stocking back up. This phrase appears to have been trickling into marketing speak since this past August. However, Gillette may have been the first to coin and use the phrase way back in 2003 during an investors call.

Measuring Corruption (A Page From Marketing)

A favorite marketing newsletter's lead story today originates from Slate: Why is Chicago So Corrupt? The Slate author provides tips on how to measure corruption. Acronyms like ROI, ROE and ROMO come to mind:

1. check the number of convicted local officials (Cgo would rank lower than LA or Miami)

2. check the number of city employees per 1,000 people (bif payrolls = patronage)

3. check to see how long it takes to get a construction permit through (delays = system of bribery)

4. measure constiuent perceptions...if they view corruption as a fact of life, they're more likely to forgive those who trangress

Sources:

SmartBrief on Leadership [leadership@smartbrief.com]

www.slate.com/id/2206364/

Sign of the Times

Clever promotion for those who don't have an office party to go to...'nuff said.

US Attorney General Blogs--Who Knew?

Today--big news in Illinois, and nationally--the arrest of the Gov of Illinois for allegedly "selling" the senate seat vacated by the Pres Elect Obama. Patrick Fitzgerald led the investigation. From all accounts, a good guy. Googling around--he has a blog on blogspot. Guess this means he has a book forthcoming in his future, after his career winds down--after becoming something bigger, like a Supreme Court Justice or US President in 2020. Yes, I'm making that prediction.

Thought it was interesting to take a peak at his profile:

Patrick J. Fitzgerald
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
Zodiac Year: Rat
Industry: Law Enforcement or Security
Occupation: Very Special Counsel
Location: U.S. Attorney On Assignment - WDC : Illinois : United States

Interests
Prosecuting evil doers
rugby
origami
120 hour work weeks. Shouting "Faux Faux Faux
Merry Fitzmas!" as I pass out indictments.

Favorite Music
Jimi Hendrix
Neil Young
Bruce Springsteen
Doors
Frank Zappa
Led Zeppelin
B-52's
Evanescence
Ramones
Grateful Dead
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Beastie Boys
Green Day
Nile Rodgers and CHIC
Al Jolson
Clay Aiken and anything else with a flugelhorn in it.

Group Genius

A new book by Keith Sawyer called "Group Genius" writes that great ideas don't come from lone geniuses--rather they are the outcome of collective creativity. Einstein's famous E=mc squared formula was an idea before Albert started to prove it--and was only proven after another mathemetician fine-tuned the thinking. Teams mimic the complexity of the brain--neurons and synapses all firing creatively together. Now it makes sense why McCartney and Lennon never surpassed the genius of their Fab Four days (Yoko and Linda were no substitutes for the original group dynamic).

www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/07/business/innovate.php

"Looking more and more like 1933"

Today's headline is a quote from Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, interviewed on Countdown. In reaction to today's latest unemployment numbers, Keith Olberman asked if we're heading into Depression. Reich said there is no clear definition for that scary word, but that perahps "mini Depression" might be a better description. Reich also correlated our lame duck White House to the Hoover admin.

If Reich and Olberman had only read my earlier musings, they might have used the word I coined for these times .."Repression."

This cartoon was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in the Depression era.

http://images.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://www.fdic.gov/bank/analytical/firstfifty/idid.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fdic.gov/bank/analytical/firstfifty/chapter3.html&usg

Finally, an Old Idea Brought to Life

Way back at the turn of this century, a team and I came up with the idea of being able to trace the "provenance" of the packaged food account we were working on. We built a very successful ad campaign around that idea, which as far as I can track--we were the first CPG to advertise this idea. But we wanted to go even further and allow the consumer to input the code online to learn about the specific farmer and his family that grew the food. Back then, the client was technically unable--or unwilling--to take that leap. Eight years later, Gold'n Plump chicken has built their communications around this very same idea. By entering the three-digit code on justbarechicken.com, consumers can learn the location of the farm where their chicken was raised. Interestingly, "bare" positioning has been seen in baby food, chilled fruit, beverages, granola...and now chicken.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/12/01/daily9.html

Return to the Donut

I think Jack Donaghy of 30 Rock is onto something. The character recently opined, "We off cupcakes and onto donuts." In our Repression-era, donuts just seem to be a better fit of the times: substantial vs. ephemeral. I just noticed small munchkin-like frozen lovables at Trader Joe's last week. And of course, the Donut Plant in NYC continues to defy donut conventions, with the recent intro of a Creme Brule donut. Brother, can you spare a dime?

Thanksgiving Dinner Costs 6% More Than Last Year

So says the American Farm Bureau, who monitors the average cost of dinner for a family of 10. This year, the average cost will be $44.61, a $2.35 spike compared to the 2007 holdiay's average of $42.26 to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table.Yesterday, I talked to some consumers who are economically challenged. One didn't have a microwave. One shops at Aldi and said trading up to a brand would be a sacrifice for her. And today's news report states more Americans are on food stamps than ever before.

A good reminder to give Thanks tomorrow.

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/content_display/features/beverage/e3iebd6a39896504e5031415c7a61a0e277

The Shift To Thrift

The Tribune interviewed various folk about consumer sentiment in this turbulent economy. Faith Popcorn, trend "oracle" (gag) was interviewed:"Consumers are feeling "nouveau poor," she says, which means it is cool not to spend money and to brag about how little you're shelling out, a practice Popcorn has dubbed "one downsmanship."

The latest Target TV spot for Christmas cleverly embraces this new attitude with a song lyric that says it's not cool to splurge. Someone should do a take-off of the song, "I'm getting nothin' for Christmas," to "I'm getting frugal for Christmas." For fun, try saying the title of this posting several times...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun-thrifty-americansnov16,0,7652072.story

New Wind Blowing in Chicago

Today's NYTimes article speaks to the reinvigorated spotlight on the city, and noted that the term, "Second City," was first coined by the New Yorker in 1952. I've been mulling around the idea that this is a time of renaissance for the city (as I write, Mayor Daley is meeting in Turkey for the Olympic bid.) Austin's renaisssance occured during the Bush admin, so it seems likely that Chicago's cultural capital will grow. Wonder if we'll see movie-folk take up second residences here. From the article:

Scott Turrow:

"It seems like there are eight million people walking around here congratulating each other. Chicagoans are unbelievably proud of Barack and feel of course that he’s ours, because he is.”

Rick Bayless:

“We’re not Little Rock and we’re not Texas...It’s easy to put on your cowboy boots and eat all that barbecue. You can’t do that from Chicago. We’ve got a lot of muscle and it’s far too complex of a place for that.”

Jeff Tweedy:

“I think people really do enjoy the idea that we’re living in the center of the world all of the sudden,” Mr. Tweedy said. “There have been all these prevailing stereotypes, and people don’t know how big and urban Chicago actually is. People think of it as being in a cornfield.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/fashion/20chicago.html?pagewanted=1&em

The New Sexiest Man Alive

Back in 2004 at the Imperial Theater, Hugh revealed to us that he had never been to Chicago! Times sure change mate. About 2 years ago, he was working with Chi-town music producer Richard Marx . Just a few weeks ago, he flew in for Oprah promoting the new movie, Australia. He brought TimmyTams for the audience (now Pepperidge Farm will distribute). Over Halloween, he returned to Richard Marx. When will that album come out? One thinks he may be one of the spokespeople for Baz Luhrman's new ad campaign for Australia tourism. Now he's People's Sexiest, it all looks like well orchestrated PR--but so well-deserved.

Housewifery Secrets from the Past

Jimmy Bannos, of Heaven on 7 fame (and my favorite chef), made a cajun turkey on the Today Show today. The lady hosts horrified about the amount of butter for massaging into skin and cavity (6lbs!). But Jimmy did reveal the secret for getting that great brown look that we only see on the covers of magazines. Kitchen Bouquet. Old brand secrets of our grandmothers like Bar Keepers Friend, Naptha, 20 Muleteam Borax, Kirk's Castile soap. Now add KB to the pantheon of old housewifery brands right for today.

A new word for our culture

The cover of today's Sun Times introduced new language into our culture: Windy City White House. It has a memorable ring, with the alliterative "whi" sounds offering potential for stickiness in our culture.

Perhaps this will become a word-of-the-year for 2008. For the past several years, the American Dialect Society votes upon a word-of-the-year. The words from the recent years are like little time capsules of where culture was going for those given years. Could Windy City White House be a cultural sign post?

2007 Subprime
2006 Plutoed
2005 Truthiness
2004 Red state, blue state, purple state
2003 Metrosexual
2002 Weapons of mass destruction

A brief return to optimism?

These congratulations signs are posted around City Hall, courtesy of da Mayor. Makes me happy to see them.

Yesterday, I was reflecting how happy I feel about where the country can be going--probably the first solidly optimistic feelings I've had since 9-11. The TV spinmeisters were also alluding to the same thing. Optimism is a defining value of America--something that hasn't been a part of the national psyche for some time.

New President, New Future... just7 floors away

As I walked into the Aon Building this AM, I was followed by about a dozen "men in black." They looked like secret service, but I thought, "what would Obama be doing in this building--his headquarters are right across the street?" The Tribune's cover pix is of Obama in the building. He had a morning meeting at an investment company managed by John Rodgers, who was once married to Desiree Rodgers, who was a high profile advisor to Obama's campaign. Hmmm---says something that one of the first calls as President-elect is to his pals. It will be interesting to see what appointment Desiree gets....

The meeting was held just 7 stories below my office. If any of my associates who avidly worked and canvassed for the campaign saw him in the elevator bank, there would have been faints. Talk about rarified air!

Urban Gardening

Fast Company profiles the trends of a renowned trendist I had never heard of....Lidewij Eldelkoort of Trend Union. One major prediction for the future is Urban Agriculture, where urban landscapes will produce food--perhaps even better food--than rural areas. This is already at work in small scale among some cities of the world. After a trip to Germany, Mayor Daley was inspired during to build bee hives on City Hall in 2003. The Paris Opera also has hives on the roof and a fresh fish pond in the basement.

Today in Chi-town, we can buy "Rooftop Honey" at the Randolph Street Farmer's Market. Just think, honey from flaura in the loop and lake areas. Experts consider the honey to be some of the best in the world, light and delicate in flavor.

Birdseye view on history

=

My office is within steps of all-things Obama. I'm overlooking Millenium Park, where the victory celebration will take place. Helicopters are buzzing, at level with my office window. Did some reconnaisance at the Fairmont Hotel where Biden is staying. Saw a lot of guys in white shirts and suits-- secret service detail. There is defintely a buzz in the city, as we expect to send a son of Illinois to the White House. It's been over a hundred years since Illinois had a Pres in the White House--unless you count Reagan, who was born here but was elected from California.

Return of an art form

Wandered into the Virgin records' Union Square store yesterday, and was surprised to see new album releases merchandised both in CD and vinyl, side-by-side.

The return of vinyl has been in the news as Millenials are discovering and baby boomers are rediscovering the superior experience. I felt a sense of reverence holding the heavy, shrink-wrapped cardboard packages and looking at the fabulous art direction of some of the classics like "Band on the Run." These new vinyl pressings are different from the records from years ago because they are made from virgin vinyl free of impurities. Vinyl Revival writes:

"....many records are pressed on heavier platters of vinyl. These heavier records are noticeably heavier, thicker and stiffer than lightweight records. As you can imagine, the grooves retain their shape better, even with repeated plays. Some even claim that the stiffer vinyl produces a more realistic sound with less distortion than a standard record...the experts pretty much agree: These records truly do sound better than the standard, lightweight records of yesteryear."

http://www.vinylrevinyl.com/2008/08/27/the-best-vinyl-180g-and-200g-virgin-vinyl/

What the flock? Pom's new campaign breaks the rules

This clever campaign is creating buzz with the controversial prhase, "what the flock." Created by the in-house agency for Roll Industries, I think this phrase will work its way into mainstream culture. NYC is the first market, and hope to see some of the out-of-home "live" this weekend. I bet the Anamoly folks are green with envy. (they launched Enviga).

Millenials: Organizing for the future

The Millenials know they will have the power of numbers to create change. Most of them are too young to vote now, but they are beginning to understand their power. Gen We is being marketed as a book and a movement to organize this generation. Howe & Strauss wrote (Millenials Rising) that great generations rise in historical cycles. The Millenials are timed for greatness, and will rise to what appears to be nearly insurmountable challenges.

Who will win

Music Platforms: the next big social thing

Twitter may be getting all the buzz as the new social networking thing...but I think 2009 is the year music platforms take off. I find Last.fm the most engaging of the social nets. Viacom/CBS bought Last.fm in 2007. A mere $280mm. Can't help but think that Viacom will merge this platform with MTV and VH1 and re-revolutionize the music scene.

If you're on Last.fm, check-out my playlists under the user name: bdaycarol. (title of a Todd Rundgren song).

Pondering the Degrees of Connection

Walking home tonight, I saw a large yellow Hummer with two suits in the car. On the side of the car was a magnetic sign that said, "Mark Hanson. Liberal Republican. 5th Congressional District." I've never seen the Liberal Republican term in printed form before, though I have heard the words spoken. No matter what the political persuasion, it made me chuckle that the positioning is rather clever.

Curiously googling, I learned that Horace Greeley was the first national Liberal Republican candidate, who ran for president against Ulysses S. Grant. Greeley was an editor of the NY Times and wrote the famous line, "Go west young man." I've strolled the street of his charming summer home in Chappaqua, just blocks away from the Clintons. As we enter the final week before the elections--I just thought it was interesting how even old historical connections can connect to today, like six degrees of separation....

1.Grant, last President elected from Illinois, who ran against

2.Greeley, who lived in Chappaqua, down the street from

3.Bill Clinton past President, now living in Chappaqua

4.Hillary Clinton, born in Illinois, now living in Chappaqua who vied for the nomination against

5.Barak Obama...the future President from Illinois?

1.7 Million Adult Pirates for Halloween

A year ago, I did a deep dive on pirate culture. I stumbled on evidence in unexpected places, like Adam Morgan's book on how companies can embrace pirate culture (Apple did). Macy's was selling an inexpensive jewelry line. And bespoke pirate fashion was brought to life in the window of a children's boutique in Florence.

Back at home, watching a band set up, it dawned on me that the ultimate pirate is the roadie. Today, pirate culture is still hot. The National Retail Federation predicts adult pirate costumes will outsell devils, cowboys, french maids and zombie costumes combined this Halloween. Today, the NY Times writes about the pirate cultural phenom. The ad next to the editorial features the utlimate pirate: Keith Richards. Arrgh, brilliant positioning Vuitton!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/fashion/26pirates.html?ref=style

Recessionista: Frugal is the new hip

Today's NY Time's Style section word of the day is "Recessionista." The style maven on a budget. She's still shopping, but believes carrying a $1200 purse may send the wrong note in today's repressionary times. (a la Marie Antionnette).

Last November, I splurged on a purse in Florence's Central Market (pix). The owner and I had a nice chat about the purse market. He owned 4 stores in Florence, and was thinking about opening up a store in the US. Florence now imports leather from China, but the design value comes from the Floretine crafstman. I said it would be a mistake to open in the US during these times -- the purse market was following the real estate market. I expected we would be cutting back on pricy purses, but I never thought the meltdown would be... so melty.

Yesterday, this Recessionista heard the siren call of a patent-enevelope clutch in the color of the season (purple) at Target with their Xhilieration brand. Target broke a new spot this week that is celebrating value as a sign of family values. The TV spot even has a scene of a father actually cutting his child's hair at home! Marshall's new campaign,"Shamelessly Shopportunistic," leverages a great insight and hits the Recessionista's sweet spot. Yes, we will still shop, but it's a shift from what fashionistas like Tom Ford encouraged in terms stretching our dollars by mixing high and low. Today, prestige will come from being frugal and not being insensitive to the times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/fashion/26words.html?_r=1&ref=fashion&oref=slogin

Laddering is not new--but I like it

I ran across this chart from research that pointed the way to the winning strategy for the Reagan campaign in '84. Richard Wirthlin, the research strategist, believed the way to win the White House was to link what Reagan stood for to the values of the voters. On the chart, the shaded boxes are benefits uniquely associated with Reagan. His competitor's benefits (the underlined areas) were leading to a "Better America." The Reagan strategists decided to go after the white-space of "Preserving World Peace." It drove the creation of one of the most famous political ads in history: "The Bear in the Woods," created and narrated by Hal Riney. The"Bear" spot is on the link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpwdcmjBgNA

As I write this, I can look out my window at Millenium Park--where David Axelrod may be celebrating his strategic success in just 11 days.

From the ad maestro: passion for the new

A lot of the talk in the ad world today is about "the big idea." New buzz about an old topic that the digital revolution has reinvigorated. This week, AdAge talked to one of the old masters of advertising, George Lois, who's written a new book about the big idea.

George's ideas didn't come in a bolt of ligthening, but from his deep love for culture, particularly literature and old movies. The iconic shot of little Andy in a big can of Campbell's was inspired by a scene from Hitchcock's "North By Northwest." In one shot, Cary Grant and Yvette Mimiuex are visually subsumed by a giant "nose" of one of the Presidents as they escape the villains across Mount Rushmore. Lois said the juxtaposition of little and big was the inspiration. (side note: Grant's character was a "heroic" ad man)

When asked if he liked this month's 75th anniversary issue cover of Esquire (with the world's first e-ink flashing cover), George said "gimmicky." He said the key to big ideas was the continued pursuit of knowledge, experiences and a passion for new things. (hello, it's the gist of this blog).

The Museum of Contemporary Art (NYC) is now exhibiting a retrospective of George's famous Esquire covers. Seeing original transparencies like the one of Muhammed Ali, with red grease-pencil markings for the retouchers to know where to hand-paint the arrows...a relic of the ad biz... a la Cary Grant as the ad guy...is still inspiring.

The next "new" flavors?

The Hartman group predicts that these exotic flavors popping up at restaurants are likely candidates for new food products at supermarket. Hartman talks about how snacks seem to be an ideal entry point for new flavor profiles.

Which reminds me of a recent Rick Bayless TV episode, where he used his own flavor-infused oil, lightly brushed over store-bought tortilla chips and then baked in the oven. What an easy, yet customized trade-up from chips straight from the bag. This wreaks of a new product opportunity...

Perkonomics

Ad Age today reports on AC/DC's icconclastic strategy of focusing on brick & mortar retail over digital, online music distribution. For their new album, the band cut a deal with WalMart, who gets the exlusive rights to the cd. This is a great example of the "Perkonomics" Trend at work, one that Trendwatching has been writing about for some time. And one that will continue to have momentum in our recession, as consumers continue to crave status and an experience, even as they cut-back on spending.

WalMart has had exlusive deals with other aritsts in the past (I remember standing at a WalMart in Fremont MI, watching the Hanson's perform in an an exlusive, live concert broadcast in WalMart stores, feeling I was seeing the future unfold). Nearly ten years later, the retailer has really kicked-up the promotion behind this offering, with TV ads and 3,500 pop-up retailing mini-boutiques selling all things AC/DC. WalMart believes they have built an "entertainment destination."

Trendwatching says that perks can make boring offerings interesting. Can WalMart be more interesting? In these times, absolutely.

Mindless Labor Good for the Brain

New research suggests that "working" hands activate areas of the brain and stimulate new cell growth. Meaningful hand movement, like scrubbing, knitting and kneading trigger the "effect-driven reward circuit" of the brain. The more this circuit is activated, the greater our sense of psychological well-being. Rewards like this are more difficult to achieve in a world less reliant on physical labor, and as a result, our modern psyche has been impacted. The researchers point out that rates of depression have grown as we've made the transition from a labor workforce to a knowledge workforce.

Puts a whole new persepctive on house cleaning, cooking, baking, knitting, car-washing...

(from Scientific-American Mind's article, "Depressingly Easy," Kelly Lambert, August/September 2008)