the new is now

What's old is new again... Ping Pong

2010-01-03T19:24:00.004-06:00

Within the brief spin of a few hours, I ran across 3 separate articles that mentioned something about Ping Pong. I thought that was odd. For me, Ping Pong harkens back to the 1970's basement or Nixon's Ping Pong detente.

Evidently, table tennis is all the rage among the smart set in NYC. Susan Sarandon, who has been the subject of the gossip rags for the past few days, is an investor in in a Ping Pong club in NYC called Spin. From what I can gather, Spin is like a more affordable, less snobby SOHO house that focuses on the classic table game. Spin's website describes its offering as " strikingly original artistic, athletic and social movement."

A New Take on Boring Butter Ads

2009-12-19T15:20:00.005-06:00

A dance-off for butter? You gotta love it. I saw this delightfully silly, kitchy, entertaining spot last night and actually remembered the next day to look for it on youtube. Proof of its stickiness. I suspect the brief had something in there about saliency and breakthrough to overcome a horribly boring category.

As the choreographer for the music production said, "It's embedded in my head and I just can't get it out." The music director said using music like "Turn the Beat Around" harkens back to the days when popular music could drive story in a TV spot.
This is one of those instances when I wish I was the fly in the room when the agency presented the storyboard. It appears the idea was sparked by the reality dance craze we now see on TV.

I have to admit, I found the previous campaign, "The Buttertons," way to cheesy and unappealing. Bravo Unilever brand management for moving forward with the campaign!

Was the "get" always Megan Mullaly? She certainly would have high appeal and awareness among the "middle age female target" the brand seems to be going after. But the mainstream would know her more for her TV work and less for her Broadway and cabaret gigs. I remember seeing Megan at the Rose Room in the Time Warner Center in NYC, singing a duet with the grand dame of Broadway, Elaine Strich. It was magical. Great choice agency on your talent!

Coke's New Focus: Customer-Centricity

2009-11-23T09:47:00.004-06:00

Today, AdAge writes about Coke's major marketing event where they lay out their vision for the next 10 years to analysts. Yep--they're going to 2020. Coke says they are reinvigorating their strategies by putting the consumer first--essential to making a connection.

"Our view on consumer connection now has to include not only earned media and PR but all the way into the store and shelf," said Wendy Clark, SVP of integrated marketing. "One hundred forty million people watch the top 10 TV shows in the U.S. And there are 140 million people that go into Walmart stores each week. Is Walmart a media channel? Yes. You have to include in-store activation in your connections thinking to create value for them and build brands."

AdAge reports, "Coke pulled out all the stops at the meeting, its first such confab since 1998. There was a dinner designed by Linton Hopkins, named one of 2009's best new chefs by Food & Wine, using Coca-Cola as a key ingredient." (that's an old move, but I guess it still works).

Speaking of pulling out all the stops--Ms.Clark wore a Coke t-shirt to present. What a cool signal to the analysts... wearing your passion.

New Spoof on Kraft's Miracle Whip Campaign

2009-11-20T16:18:00.005-06:00

Colbert sends-up Kraft's Miracle Whip campaign. Snooping on the web, it appears this was a "paid-for" spoof. But how succesful could it be when the code to go viral won't work (I can't embed it!) When I've seen the MW ads on TV, I always thought "Bravo McGarry Bowen for taking the unexpected route to mayo advertising." But when ads get spoofed by comedians, it can be dangerous--even when it's pay-to-play. Remember all the Letterman spoofs on the old Beatrice campaign from the 1980s? I never tell anyone I was involved from a very junior distance on that one.

Anyway, I wondered if Colbert's staff writer, Laura Krafft, had anything to do with writing the send-up. Laura & I worked at Grant Jacoby way back in the late '80s. She left GJ to go on to Second City, Colbert and Emmy awards. Alas, Laura could not have written the segment. She left Colbert last year and is acting and freelance writing. (she was wearing funky glasses before Tina Fey!)

The new "word of the year"

2009-11-17T16:06:00.009-06:00

By now, you may have read that the Oxford Dictionary has selected "unfriend" as the word of the year. The choice was made for it's "lex potential," and cultural currency. But a google image search on the word reveals--nada--nothing pops up! You're probably wondering, "what does this old pix of two old guys have to do with the word of the year?" Read on...

Christine Lindberg, Senior Lexicographer for Oxford said unfriend makes "an interesting choice for Word of the Year. Most “un-” prefixed words are adjectives (unacceptable, unpleasant), and there are certainly some familiar “un-” verbs (uncap, unpack), but “unfriend” is different from the norm. It assumes a verb sense of “friend” that is really not used (at least not since maybe the 17th century!).” There is now a debate raging among social networks whether the word "defriend" may have been the better choice.

For me, there is a runner-up word that I would have preferred to see win: deleb. As in dead celebs. Something that captured our culture voraciously this past summer with so many high profile passings.

Forbes just composed a list of the highest earning delebs over the past 12 months. If you search the word or image for "deleb," very little currently pops up. This is a word I think will continue to seed itself into culture. I would have never guessed in a gazillion years that two Broadway guys would rank #2 on the high rollers deleb list recently compiled by Forbes. As the iconic Broadway composers in the pix, Rodgers & Hammerstein, would sing, "Impossible. Things are happening everyday."

Yves Saint Laurent – $350 million
Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein – $235 million (combined)
Michael Jackson – $90m
Elvis Presley – $55m
J.R.R. Tolkien – $50m
Charles Schulz – $35m
John Lennon – $15m
Dr Seuss (Theodor Geisel) – $15m
Albert Einstein – $10m
Michael Crichton – $9m
Jimi Hendrix – $8m
Aaron Spelling – $8m
Andy Warhol – $6m

Re-Branding America:an Irishman's Perspective

2009-10-19T12:30:00.007-05:00

"We will support the Millennium Development Goals, and approach next year’s summit with a global plan to make them a reality. And we will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.”

These are words that President Obama spoke at the United Nations last month. They inspired Bono to write an op-ed in last Saturday's NYTimes:

"these 36 words are why I believe Mr. Obama could well be a force for peace and prosperity — if the words signal action. "

Bono's insight into our culture is interesting as he cites our fatigue and malaise with the recession and wars. Interesting, the opinion that American can no longer afford to "pay" for the rest of the world, and"our bucks stop here" was voiced by Alec Baldwin on the Bill Mahr show last Friday. I'm amazed how artists are often first to give voice to a growing sentiment. Sometimes, their thoughts and art seem prescient.

Bono goes on to write that America needs to be rebranded, and that he believes Obama and the people who he has surrounded himself are trying to do just that.

"But an America that’s tired of being the world’s policeman, and is too pinched to be the world’s philanthropist, could still be the world’s partner. And you can’t do that without being, well, loved. Here come the letters to the editor, but let me just say it: Americans are like singers — we just a little bit, kind of like to be loved. The British want to be admired; the Russians, feared; the French, envied. (The Irish, we just want to be listened to.) But the idea of America, from the very start, was supposed to be contagious enough to sweep up and enthrall the world. And it is. The world wants to believe in America again because the world needs to believe in America again. We need your ideas — your idea — at a time when the rest of the world is running out of them."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opinion/18bono

The New Century: The One That Crept Up on Us

2009-10-16T13:52:00.006-05:00

I just discovered the musings of David Kamp of Vanity Fair and his provocative article, "The Summer of Death." Kamp asks why we became so involved in the passings of so many iconic figures this past summer. From Ted Kennedy and Walter Cronkite to Michael and Farrah, these were deaths that resonated beyond the mere People magazine cover. Kamp believes they were culturally signficant living links to past glories. The glories of the 20th century. Their passings are a wake-up call for us that time has moved on, as these icons pass from collective memory to wikis to be searched decades later. One of my memorable moments of this past summer is the shock I saw on a client's face when he learned John Hughes death was a leading blog post. He hadn't heard Hughes had died, until I told the story as part of evidence of the trend toward nostalgia. (the client was out of the country when Hughes died).

Kamp raises a very good question: how did it get to be the end of the decade so fast?I'm startled when my favorite radio station has a Saturday morning flashback from 1995. Or seeing a picture of the New Years Eve party I threw in 1999. At first blink, that doesn't seem all that long ago...

Kamp goes on to say the days of big, "shared" cultural moments that united us as a culture are over. He goes on to write that the uncertainties of living in the year 2009 creates the feeling in us all that this new century is on shaky footing. Gore Vidal also riffed and raged about in this territory this past week as well. Vidal says this is the end of the American Century. And when the new Empire, China calls in their loans--that seals the deal. But Vidal thinks we'll be better country, a better people when that day transpires.

Gee. Conjures up wistful feelings and the lyrics of "Twentieth Century Boy." Or to come full circle, how 'bout "Going to the Chapel." The lady in the pix above singing into the mic was Ellie Greenwich, famous songwriter from the bygone Brill Building era of pop hits.

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/10/summer-of-death-200910

"Nowism": trend of the times

2009-10-14T13:22:00.006-05:00

Trendwatching.com has identified a new mega trend, "Nowism." The desire to have it "now," has always been a key need, but technology makes it possible to have it real-time. People are embracing the now as never before. The lust to collect experiences and share them immediately is one manifestation of the trend at work (hello Facebook. hello my blog)

Mega Trend Defined:
NOWISM “Consumers’ ingrained lust for instant gratification is being satisfied by a host of novel, important (offline and online) real-time products, services and experiences.

Urban Dictionary takes a slight different approach to the phenomenon:
"The present, what you are feeling at this exact moment. A life style as well as outlook on life You are reading this right now. This is Nowism. What you do after this is in the future. This is now."

And the CEO of Radar Networks, Nova Spivack (who also created one of the very first Internet portals), blogged about Nowism this past May.

"I think these are just the beginnings of this movement -- a movement towards a subtle but major shift in the orientation of our civilization's collective attention. This is a shift towards the now, in every dimension of our lives. Our personal lives, professional lives, in business, in government, in technology, and even in religion and spirituality.I have a hypothesis that this philosophy -- this worldview that the "now" is more important than the past or the future, may come to characterize this new century we are embarking on."

Some pretty profound thinking by folk of superior intellect. Gee, that was the motivation for me starting this blog one year ago. I was living the trend, and didn't even k=now it!

http://novaspivack.typepad.com/nova_spivacks_weblog/2009/05/nowism-a-theme-for-the-new-era.html

138 Years Ago Tonight: A New Theory on The Great Chicago Fire

2009-10-08T19:58:00.006-05:00

The newest theory on what caused the Great Chicago Fire to start at 9:40 pm on Sunday, October 8th is a meteor shower. Eyewitnesses in the Midwest saw balls of fire falling from the sky that night. A scientist believes a meteor broke up over the vicinity of Lake Michigan, creating the conflagration in Chicago, Peshtigo WI, Port Huron MI and Champagne IL. The Peshtigo fire caused more deaths than any other fire in US history! For a major city, Chicago's casualties (about 200-300) were small in comparison. I like amaze my friends with the ironic fact that the Chicago Firemen Academy is built on the site of the source of the fire, which is the actual address of Mrs. O'Leary's barn (where the meteor fragments hit). One of only five buildings in Chicago to survive the fire is St. Michael's in Old Town (pix). I can see clock tower from my dining room window, which is always a soothing sight.

In those days, this was a big global story. Queen Victoria was moved and donated books to build a new library. IThe spirit of the "city that works," our motto, was clearly exemplified by old man Potter Palmer, the richest man in town. His new hotel that had been opened for a mere 13 days, the Palmer House, burned that night. He quickly rebuilt a new Palmer House, shifting Chicago's commerce section from the old Lake Street district to that great street, "State Street."

Somehow I think the Chicago business community will have the same sprited rebound after the disappointment of losing the Olympic bid.

A New Way to Map the Experience

2009-10-06T10:00:00.002-05:00

Something we talk about in meetings all the time--mapping the consumer experience. Lego has developed a simple way to do just that.

The New Way to Exhibit: When Yoko Calls, Answer

2009-10-05T16:38:00.007-05:00

This weekend, I saw "Lennon. The New York Years" at the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame annex in Soho. This engaging, moving and intimate exhibit was created by Yoko, and is one of the most forward-thinking interactive museum experiences I've seen. Yoko's aesthetic imbues the exhibit. Her photo of John's bloody spectacles, shot from their bedroom window high above Central Park, is a chilling reminder of the humanity behind that horrible night. A brown-paper grocery bag containing John's effects, delivered to Yoko weeks after his murder, makes an unforgettable statement about the senselessness of handgun violence. As she wrote in the exhibit, John Lennon was the king of the world, yet he returned to her in this brown paper bag.

As you exit the exhibit, there is a phone with a posting that says if it rings, answer it, it REALLY is Yoko. My friend Sue kept going back and forth past the phone, willing it to ring for her, but it never did. When my friend Nancy passed by the phone, the electronic sensor in her headset began to ring. Nancy then heard a voice that saying, "Allo. Allo, this is Yoko." Nancy thought it was a recording, and didn't respond. We were astonished that she had the opportunity to talk to Yoko, but didn't believe it was real. A missed opportunity (but a great story!)

If you get a chance to see this exhibit in NYC--it's phenomenal. Thank you Yoko for sharing and keeping the things that matter to you and John alive for us to think about and share with others.

New Competition for the Bagel and Pizza

2009-10-05T15:56:00.005-05:00

Here's a new concept that is positioning itself as competition to the bagel, but perhaps it's closest competitor is the pizza and the donut. Yesterday in Manhattan, we noticed 5th Ave was shut down to a stream of people decked out in red and white with Polska flags. It duped us. We knew it wasn't Casmir Pulaski Day, or Polish Constitution Day (which falls on my birthday). October is officially Polish American month (who knew?!?)

In my world, Kolache RULE! These fruity babies look a little on the doughy-side, more like the coffee cake my friends call Pizza Kolache, and less like the delicate pastries Grandma Belanski made (I inherited her recipe and secret). But the brilliant twist on this old-world pastry is the savory versions concocted by these CIA-trained chef/proprietors. They're onto something brilliant and they should seriously think about coming to Chi-town, which boasts the largest population of Pole decedents outside Poland.

Look for Kolache Mama just outside Roosevelt Hotel: 45 E 45th St. NYC

One Year Later: The New is Now Anniversary

2009-10-01T09:55:00.002-05:00

It was one year ago that I started this blog. Of course, the question is, "what have I learned from the experience?" The answer: it's hard to blog frequently. In fact, nearly impossible if you're working hard and trying to get some z's. I guess that's why some of the bloggers that inspired me most to blog (Russell Davies, planner extrodinaire), have dropped frequent blogging from their lives. The pull of other digital platforms, Facebook, Twitter, Delicious, have all taken hold of me in the past year too, making it harder to find time to write. I'm a walking example of Social media fragmentation at its finest!

When I started writing last October 1st, the world was much more dark and uncertain. The market was tailspinning. The election was a month away. The ad industry was painfully morphing into something--well, does anyone really have a fix on that even today? My inspiration was the tale of Gatsby and the green light at the end of the dock. It was my forward vision, my talisman for a hopeful future.

Is it karmic that I happen to be on my way to Gatsby's NY stomping grounds today? I'd like to think so.

Will this blog continue? Yes! But I know I won't be posting everyday. The secret is that I have another blog that's "just for me." Where I throw up pix and video that are interesting, just for laughs, that I want to archive for the future. If you're interested, check that one out on www.bwaygal.blogspot.com.

A Shot of Joie de Vivre: just what we need

2009-09-23T10:15:00.004-05:00

Joy and happiness. We yearn to escape the dark cloud of uncertainty of recession. We strive to fill the void caused by our helplessness with problems facing society. Trendists have been writing about how brands can connect with this emotional territory for several years, but the recession has heightened the need. I suspect the folks at Grand Marnier figured this was fertile territory. These classic French images are the centerpiece of their new digital campaign and special promo package. Love the feeling--Vive La Vie.

Brandweek: Why Grand Marnier Is Pouring More Energy Into Digital Ads, 9/21/09

The Ukulele--just what we need in these times, so says the richest man in the world

2009-09-22T12:20:00.009-05:00

The idea of charity concerts isn't new, but 2 guys from Brooklyn have put an indy twist to the culture of Performance Art + Charity. Their concept is Performance Philanthropy. They held a concert for charity, and all the songs were Beatles covers performed in ukulele. The cash they raised was put in a brown paper sack and delivered to the world's richest man. Warren Buffet said he will use the money to buy ukuleles for girls in Omaha. If you're wondering how they got to Mr. Buffet, one of Warren's sons was involved in the project and sings a Beatles cover in this video (FYI...he's a philanthropist too).

The execution of this causal idea is so lighthearted and authentic, so atypical to what we typically see in social marketing. After watching the video, I just get a feeling of happiness. Context research, who just published their latest on what Americans want to feel in these recessionary times, say consumers are searching for happiness and joy. As we've been hearing this past year from consumers, they want to get back-to-basics and celebrate the simple things.

I feel inspired to pick-up the ukulele. I've been thinking about it for sometime, since it's a favorite of one of my fav rockers, Mr. Todd Rundgren. Who knew? Todd and Warren would have something in common!

http://forthebenefitofmrbuffet.blogspot.com/

Knowing the source.... of your food

2009-09-18T10:36:00.003-05:00

This new initiative from the government is getting the buzz in food circles this week. I worked in this campaign territory way back at the turn of the century (2000). It's a trend that just keeps growing!

If you've been reading my blog posts over the past year, you'll see this is one of my favorite movements in food culture. Now, what will I buy at the Farmer's Market tomorrow morning?

Remembering: the New Jerusalem

2009-09-11T19:38:00.003-05:00

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.

Today, Carly Simon and her children Ben and Sally paid tribute to the memory of the World Trade Center and the victims of 9-11 by singing "Let the River Run." How appropriate. Carly wrote the song (and won an Oscar) for "Working Girl." It's one of my fav movies, and has become more poignant for me as with the scenes of Melanie Griffith crossing the river (Jordan) into the area of the Towers--the new Jerusalem. At the end of the movie, we pull-out from an office window that looks like it's shot from the WTC.

Yesterday, I was looking at "Trend Blend 2009+" map of time and tide. The trendists cited the "fall of US Empire" as a trend. It sent shivers down my spine as I read that. Did the crack start with 9-11-01 and the egg finally break with the fall of Lehman on 9-10-08? Can Humpty Dumpty put us back together again? Sigh.

New Thoughts On Taste: Part II

2009-08-11T10:54:00.007-05:00

Love this new social marketing platform from the Wisconsin Cheese Council. Food porn at its finest. If you get the chance, tune in and listen to the sensual audio copy and the clever tweet copy. Manly yes, but I like it too!

Tweets to share:
When was the last time you truly worked out your jaw muscles?
So you think you're a carnivore, huh?
http://www.cheeseandburger.com/bohemian

New Thoughts on Planning

2009-08-06T17:00:00.011-05:00

If things had been going better in the ad industry, the annual Planner's Conference would have happened this week in San Francisco. The 4A's is trying to make-up for the cancellation with their "Summer of Planning" series. For $35, I could attend a webinar with a guy I worked with 10 years ago (sorry Dr. Cohen--psychologics is interesting, but not new). I wondered, where is the new thinking about planning? So I googled on over to Slideshare, and lo and behold found a presentation Gareth Kay posted last year. Gareth, considered a leading light in the biz, made news last week as he jumps from Modernista to Goodby.

At Element 79, our thinking, our approach is all about getting to an idea that incites interaction. I guess I shouldn't be surprised--but I am--to see Gareth sharing a similar POV. In a nutshell, Gareth writes:

1. Brands need to have a point-of-view on the world…not a position in a category
2. Brands need a social mission--it drives brand energy (Landor’s BAV model states brands with energy fare better financially)
3. Brands need a social idea (vs. an unsocial idea)
4. A distributed identity is about coherency… not consistency
5. Planners should understand what people are interested in and work backwards
6. Planners need to plan for a different outcome (it’s not about awareness, it’s about interaction)
7. We're in the business of creating ideas that solve business problems in a culturally positive way

Gareth's thoughts are inspiring reminders of where we're going. I wish I had said or thought about some of these things first (although I was the first kid on my block to get excited about Landor's model of brand energy).

Why are ideas so important? Ideas drive our economy. In fact, two-thirds of our country’s GDP is driven by ideas.* A nifty soundbite for the next presentation.

*Cited by John Gerzema, author of the Brand Bubble and CIO of Y&R, based on research conducted by Brand Finance.

Getting Sensual: New thoughts on taste

2009-08-05T11:09:00.007-05:00

One of the biggest challenges I've faced in food advertising has been strategizing about "taste." How to portray the benefits of taste while avoiding the cliches. (one of my pet peeves is putting "TASTE" in the headline). Lately, I've been seeing ads that are really doing the whole taste thing in very exciting ways. Now I know you're thinking--mayo ads--exciting? Well I think Hellmans has done something exciting.

The idea of "double whipped" is not only differentiating food news, but supports new thinking from researchers about the impact of sensory stimulus into ad copy. Of course we all know that food ads do impact taste perceptions. However, the article from Journal of Consumer Research reveals ads that use multiple sensory stimulus (language, visuals, sounds)heighten taste perceptions. Like the whisk with the flowery dollop of mayo. Or the icy, breezy motion and sound we "hear and feel" in the ad for 5 gum. Nice, multi-sensory touches!

Jrnl of Consumer Research, June 2009: The Effects of Ad Copy on Sensory Thoughts and Perceived Taste

Chicago 3rd Largest Twitter Location

2009-07-30T13:20:00.003-05:00

It must be the "O" effect. A report issued on the State of the Twittersphere places Chicago as the 3rd most popular Twitter location ins the world (LA nad London rank higher).

Why would Chicago be placing so high? Well the report does say English speaking cities twitter more. But I think it must also be due to Obama and Oprah, as well as other local media figures like Richard Roeper and Jerry Taft (ABC local weatherman) who started using Twitter earlier this year. Interestingly, David Armano, formerly of Critical Mass here in Cgo, is one of the top 25 Twitterati in Chicago (he sure tweets a lot!).

Letterman Asks Spacey About "The Twitter"

2009-07-22T13:08:00.005-05:00

Letterman's show: 3.7 million viewers of late. Tweeters following Kevin Spacey: 800,000 (including moi). Kevin trying to explain Twitter to Dave... Prioeless.

While Dave scoffs that The Twitter is a waste of time, the number of people following Kevin happens to equal 22% of Dave's nightly audience. 800,000 also happens to be the number of viewers separating Dave's ratings from Conan (now #2 in ratings for late night).

We Knew Where We Were Going Back Then

2009-07-16T19:03:00.007-05:00

9:32 a.m. EDT July 16, 1969. Apollo 11 takes off for the moon.

I was just a little kid, but I knew where our country was going. We were going to the moon. It was just that simple. We knew it was fraught with danger. But we were going for it.

If we asked a kid today where the country was going today, what would they say? Today's kids are focused on the earth and the environment, they're a pretty patriotic bunch, but I don't know what they think about space exploration. My young friend Sam joined the Space Club at his highschool, but he may be unique in his interests (even though he's not facile with science). There's been plenty of recent studies that about the optimism of teens and twentysomethings, but nothing I can find about what kids/tweens are thinking as it relates to the future of the country. Could make a great conversation at the dinner table!

A side note, the Tribune Building's windows feature the newspapers from the days Apollo 11 and a piece of "moon rock." Still amazing to gaze at a piece of the moon!

Moms are Cheeky--When It Come to Little Butt Cheeks

2009-07-15T10:34:00.008-05:00

I've never quite "separated." That's a key psychological stage of mom & child development, and that's how you might describe me as it relates to the new mom target market. I loved working in the new mom market for so many years. So when I see a new campaigns targeting new moms--I get curious. Huggies new multi-platform campaign has caught my attention. It's a wonderful example of interactivity and energy. The cheeky tone of the campaign is a refreshing departure from much of new mom advertising.

It's always amazed me how new moms are such a positive, energized group. When they are in their Mom-centricity mindset, they have a real appreciation for telling it like it is, yet few marketers have taken a playful approach in their communications. When asked to describe life with toddler, one of the biggest refrains I've heard is, "Hilarious." Playfulness is a top 10 trend for 2009 (Mintel), yet June Cleaver, sappy stereotypes continue to abound.

Kudos to Huggies on taking this very cheeky, playful campaign to new moms. It's hilarious!

Generation O: Multiculturism As A New American Value

2009-07-14T17:44:00.008-05:00

Several posts ago, I talked about Levi's new "Go Forth" campaign. I was intrigued with the strategy of equating the values of "pioneer" to the values shared by the Millennial target, and the "find" of Walt Whitman's one-known voice recording reciting his poem "America." That sparked a discussion with my colleague Neal, who was inspired to blog about our core American values (perfect for a July 4th blog on collective-thinking.com). Neal dug up a 1984 paper written by L Robert Kohls called “The Values Americans Live By." Neal and I speculated about how these values have morphed in the past 25 years, and questioned if there was anything new to add to the core list.

Guess the answer is "multiculturism." Evolving from the values of Freedom and Fairness. Everyone knows Millennials are the most multicultural generation in our history. This may be the soft underbelly of the new Levi's work. Some pundits are faulting the new campaign for ignoring this value.

From PSFK's blog: Levi’s and its campaign don’t connect with the great things that are happening in this country, the radiant mix of cultures evolving within it nor the reality of its past. Probably the most appalling ad in the campaign is the one where a young girl runs through a meadow by the words “This Country Was Not Built By Men In Suits”. Now, some of us here (me) didn’t spend a lot of time studying US history but I know that the people who built this country couldn’t even run freely in the fields. Agency Spy spotted graffiti daubed on the ad in New York’s subway which spells out who a little more clearly: “By Slaves”.

Christine Huang, formerly of PSKF, blogs:
I saw one of these ads in NYC’s Spring Street 6 subway station. The copy read, “This country was not built by men in suits” - which someone added to in matching handwritten scrawl: “IT WAS BUILT BY SLAVES”. Up to that point, I hadn’t been able to put my finger on what it was about the campaign that made me feel so uneasy. But with that bit of graffiti, it all came together. Levis (or rather W+K) is glorifying these centuries old American ideals - Optimism! Egoism! Manifest Destiny! - while making paltry gestures towards the reality of American history and what America is today. Besides the few ethnic actors in the video, their print campaign is disappointingly monochromatic and seems almost apologetically alienating. It would have been really amazing to see Levis pay homage to the symbols of true individuality from our past - the freedom riders, abolitionists, suffragists, veterans.”The Frontier” is sexy and all, but how about some real American heroes?

Going Tribal--circa 1969

2009-07-13T09:22:00.007-05:00

This coming August marks the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. The world of pop culture has been inundated with tchotchkes and fashions that pay homage to the times. Macy's has a Summer of Love Fashion section, full of fringed purses and peace scarves. Old Navy's annual 4th of July tshirt was a peace-sign flag. Target has a whole paper party and candle set themed to "Three Days of Peace, Love and Music." The trend pundits have been writing about a return nostalgia in marketing and advertising, as we seek to reconnect with comfort and thoughts of a simpler time. This peace cake just showed up on my Facebook feed--a "sign" of the nostalgia for those days.

I am anxiosuly anticipating Ang Lee's latest movie, "Taking Woodstock." When asked about the biggest challenge making the movie, Lee said, “The extras... policing them with their attitudes and even their pubic hair.” Lee set up “hippie camp” to teach the background tribes in the finer points of non-grooming. According to the producer, "Finding skinny extras who who didn’t have gym sculpted bodies was especially difficult. When you think about it, a generation of people who weren’t fat, who weren’t staring at themselves in the mirror all the time, and not shaving everything off down there—it captures the difference of 40 years right there.”

I just bought an original LP recording of the Broadway musical, Hair, marketed as "The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical." "Under the sponsorship of Michael Butler, a resourceful and adventurous Chicago," the liner notes describe Butler, who I remember from childhood as a local bon vivant and scion of a family that owned most of the land that eventually became Oak Brook. Described as "a pagan ritual, a theatrical be-in, a happening and a scandal," the album lists Diane Keaton as one of the original cast members. Hair launched other famous careers, including Meat Loaf and David Carradine, who's daughter Martha Plimpton was conceived during the show.

Interested in a blast of tribal from the past? The full cast of the Broadway revival of Hair will be on the Tonight Show with Conan tonite. Or, if you're in the vicinity of the Boulevard at Element 79, you may be hearing "Aquarius," or "What a Piece of Work Is Man" wafting down the hallways.

source for Ang Lee interview: Brian D. Johnson, Unscreened, May 17, 2009

A Very Merry Jean Shepard 4th of July

2009-07-02T09:35:00.002-05:00

I've been ruminating about the Fourth of July and why we love this holiday. Freedom, history, pageantry, ritual are the expected thoughts about the holiday. But I wonder if the real resonance about the holiday is the very celebration of our American Ordinariness. There's a lot of hoak mixed with the ordinary for this holiday--the plethora of Kraft recipes made with Cool Whip, Miracle Whip, Philly Cream Cheese (the list is just endless!) And let's not forget the annual special $5 t-shirt from Gap (although I traded-up to the $10 American Flag/Peace Symbol version this year).

Yes. In this year of great economic stress, we return to our backyards, beaches, front porches and parking lots to come together to celebrate and revel in our very American ordinariness. Garrison Keiler has talked about our love of American stories that profile the very ordinariness of our lives. I think Jean Shepherd may have captured this best in PBS' dramatization of his short story, "The Great American Fourth of July and Other Great Disasters." It's not available on DVD (I have a bootleg), but someone posted a nice clip on YouTube. You may recognize a very young Matt Dillon as the protagonist, Ralphie, and his father played by James Broderick (the real-life father of Mathew Broderick).

Happy Fourth!

Generation O: Millennials as Pioneer

2009-06-30T14:04:00.006-05:00

Levi's is breaking its newest campaign from it's new agency W&K on July 4th. The insight for the campaign links the values of Generation "O," (the progressive Millennials who helped tip the youth vote for Obama) to the brand values: America's pioneering spirit and ingenuity. The black and white film imagery is epic (very Terrence Malik's Days of Heaven). Yet the element that's most interesting is the soundtrack. Someone over at W&K had the idea to use the only known recording of Walt Whitman reciting his poem, "America." How did they think of that? A google search on America values? A youtube search? An idea from a long-ago poetry class squirreled away for future use in an ad campaign? I'm curious!

From what I've seen online, there is no reference in the commercial about the poem, the author or the 1890s recording. If one just happened to see the spot in the movie theater this weekend, I wonder what people would think about the track? I found the track on Youtube, along with an animated Whitman spouting the verse (this is not from the campaign). Maybe the agency is thinking "disruption." Maybe they're thinking buzz value (I'm certainly talking about it, but I'm not the target.)

It will be interesting to hear what others have to say about the campaign. I can't think of any contemporary examples of advertising that has used classic poetry. I do suspect that poetry may be considered "cool" among twentysomethings (contemporary songwriters and rappers are considered poets). Poetry always has been cool--yet niche--among that age cohort.

Whitman certainly is an intriguing fellow--iconoclast, poet pioneer, journalist, politically-engaged, humanitarian, nurse, potentially closeted about his sexuality. Can't you just see Anthony Hopkins in the Whitman bio-pic?

A little known fact about me: I learned and recited one of Whitman's most famous poems when I was seven years old. O Captain, My Captain. I can still remember parts of it. I particularly loved reciting the dramatically ghoulish lines, "o hark, hark, hark o those bleeding drops of red, where on the deck my captain lies, fallen, cold and dead."

Scenius: Art Defined by the Social Experience

2009-06-22T15:22:00.007-05:00

Brian Eno has been thinking in a new way about art and culture. Hired as curator of the Luminous Festival in Sydney, this month the city became a living canvas of music, light and performance. The Opera House sails were transformed with changing visual designs set to music. Eno said he has been experimenting with a new way cultural position for art, and has coined a new word, "Scenius," to describe it. Scenius is art tapping into the power of collective intelligence. Unlike the old "Genius" model of art created with via the special intelligence of one person, Eno is intrigued with the power of cumulative intelligence as a methold of creating a new idea or experience. (sound like crowdsourcing?)

Hasn't art always been about social engagement? Particularly public art? Or does art take on new powers when it can be shared collectively via social groups? Eno is known for creating the concept of "ambient music," yet I wonder if he has heard about the concept "ambient awareness?" Last September, NYTimes writer Clive Thompson wrote about social awareness as the feeling people have of engaging in a kind of omnipresent opinion... online. Thompson wrote:

"This is the paradox of ambient awareness. Each little update — each individual bit of social information — is insignificant on its own, even supremely mundane. But taken together, over time, the little snippets coalesce into a surprisingly sophisticated portrait of your friends’ and family members’ lives, like thousands of dots making a pointillist painting."

I think Clive and Brian have some thinking in common.

A New Twist on "Giving Back"

2009-06-16T09:41:00.007-05:00

I've been reading and talking lately about the "Giving Back" trend. In these recessionary times, consumers still feel it's still important to give back, and want companies to step up and pick up the slack from folk who have cut back due to finances.

Michael Moore's new movie will take an interesting twist on "Giving Back." There's a hillarious line Moore delivers in this teaser, "I already gave at the bail out." According to its release on YouTube, Moore will "explore the root causes of the global economic meltdown and take a comical look at the corporate and political shenanigans that culminated in what Moore described as "the biggest robbery in the history of this country" - the massive transfer of U.S. taxpayer money to private financial institutions."

The lingering anger and mistrust of "fat cats" and big payouts have to be shaping the findings of a study conducted by Boston-based L.E.K. Consulting that was released today. Despite the optimism among some economists and media folk about the economy, U.S. consumers are actually more pessimistic currently than they were in October 2008. Makes sense to me. In depth consumer interviews conducted via ZMET's approach last October revealed the mindset was "greedy people got us here." Stories of greed kept spinning throughout the winter (remember the Wall St bonus blowback?) As Warren Buffet said in a CNBC interview this past March, the economy has changed the very culture of our nation.

Whatever Michael Moore does with the topic, it will surely be provactive.

Laugh Like a Monkey. News on the Origins of Laughter

2009-06-09T08:40:00.006-05:00

Wired writes that new research has discovered that the root of human laughter originates with primates. The research mapped the relationship of how human infants and baby primates laughed in response to tickling, finding that there is continuity in what apes do, and in what humans do. Essentially, laughter has been evolving for 16 million years. "Laughter serves as an emotional contagion,” said biologist Jared Taglialatela. “It serves as a way of getting everyone on the same page." The article goes on to talk about laughter as a way we socially interact as humans. A fun little fact: humans are 30 times more likely to laugh when in the company of other humans.

It makes sense why so many ads go for the funny bone with Superbowl, the one time when homosapiens gather and watch together. Where do we go to laugh in the social media space? YouTube obviously has lots of stuff that makes us laugh. FaceBook and Twitter not so much. Hm mm. Lately,we tend to talk about social media as one thing, lump it all in one bucket. But as I noodle this more, where we socialize online really does gives us very different emotional payoffs.

Source: www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/06/evolutionlaughter/

Is Happiness the Road to Fulfillment?

2009-06-05T09:49:00.005-05:00

What makes us happy? That's the topic in this month's Atlantic. A 72-year longitudinal study of Harvard graduates suggests that fulfillment doesn't necessarily come from happiness, but from the wisdom, resilience and tolerance to stress and life adversity. Dr. George Valiant has been studying these Harvard men, circa class of 1942, over time in terms of how fulfilled they were at the ends of their lives. The study reveals the men who struggled or had something to prove in life tended to be more successful. Relationships, and the connections we make in life, are essential to fulfillment.

According to Dr. George Valiant "It is social aptitude, not intellectual brilliance or parental social class, that leads to successful aging...the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people.” The article goes on to present Valiant's beliefs that positive emotions —awe, love, compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, joy, hope, and trust (or faith)— are more powerful than negative emotions. Positive emotions make us healthier. However, they are more future-oriented and make us more vulnerable and open to risk of heartbreak and rejection. Negative emotions like fear and sadness, serve as psychological protections that insulate us from risk.

Some interesting anecdotes about the Grant study subjects: JFK and Ben Bradlee participated (JFK's file is sealed until 2040). How "normal" a man appeared to be early in life did not always predict a happy middle age or senior life. The lesson: always enjoy where are you now in your life.

www.theatlantic.com/doc/200906/happiness

Hope & Optimism Still Live: 2007-2037

2009-06-04T16:23:00.008-05:00

Way back in 2007, AARP held a YouTube contest asking Millennials to answer the question, "Where do you see yourself when you are 50?" This video is a striking example of the hope and optimism of the Millennial generation. We certainly saw it at work in the Obama campaign. Of course, it was pre-Recession era. However, Yankelovich has identified Hope, Optimism and Responsibility as key values at work in consumer life today, as they track consumer's growing engagement in community, charity and civic life. A coming together for the common good.

A trend that inspires!

Word-of-Mouth Planning: Don't forget the Story

2009-06-03T13:19:00.005-05:00

The Keller Fay group serves up smart questions when thinking about WOM. Story+Influencer+Tools+Impact. When brands don't have a story, they can always invent. Like Zuji, an online travel division of Travelocity.

Any thoughts on a pithy acronym? (SITI probably doesn't stick).

1. What’s your story – why should consumers talk about your product?
2. Who will tell it – who are your influencers?
3. How can you facilitate the conversation – what tools can you create?
4. What’s the impact – does WOM lead to positive outcomes for my brand?

Addendum: AdAge 6/5/09 issue interviews CMO of Mtn Dew, who believes having relationships with the right people are the keys to all brand plans today:

"We clearly have moved from impressions as the primary determinate of whether something's successful to answering the question, 'Are we building relationships with the right group of people?'" Mr. Cooper said. "Whether it's a blogger at these events, influencers talking about it, those are more indicators of whether we're reaching the right consumer."

Word-of-Mouth Hoopla

2009-06-03T09:17:00.006-05:00

Social Marketing. Buzzworthy, both in the ad biz and culture (Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show is spoofing Twitter). It's easy to get caught up in the hoopla but forget that conversation is as old as man. At last month's ESOMAR conference in Europe, Ed Keller (Keller Fay Group)reminded attendees about the basic dynamics of WOM, and the impact traditional media plays.

WOM is mostly face to face
76% of marketing related conversations take place in person and another 16% on the phone.

WOM is mostly positive
65% of brand references by WOM are positive

Traditional media play a big role in driving WOM
48% of brand conversations refer to marketing and media
15% led by TV
11% led by internet
10% print
20% of all WOM include a reference to advertising

Not all consumers are created equal
Influencers account for 1/3 of all WOM(10% of the US pop are influencers)
Influencers are more actively engaged. They talk more than others, having 80% more conversations than average and are more likely to have more brand conversations
Just this month, the Harvard Business Review reports that 10% of Twitterers account for 90% of the Tweets.

Customer Social Value
Targeting a certain customer may be more profitable based on their effect on others, and this remains a key challenge for the analysis in new media environments

Consumers talk about a lot of different categories with food and dining ranking number one.

Interestingly, Isabelle LeRoy, a French media exec, said something that has been bantered about lately among my colleagues:
"Those who understand the full communications process are becoming a rare beasts---there are very few media practitioners these days who have had broad media experience in a full service agency environment. We are in danger of becoming an industry of narrow specialists."

In my mind, being labelled a "narrow specialist" could be almost as bad as the term "dinosaur."

New Role for the Humble Hot Dog

2009-06-02T08:29:00.004-05:00

In an effort to improve relations with Iran, the Obama admin has advised US embassies to invite Iranian government officials to the annual 4th of July parties held at all our embassies. This is the first time since 1979 that Iranian officials will be invited. From news reports, Secretary of State Clinton has been concerned about the growing influence of Iran in countries that are growing in anti-American sentiment, particularly those in South America. Like Venezuela. When I visited that country three years ago, I was told that it was common belief that the Iranians were mining plutonium in the rainforests, under the protection of Chavez.

Can the hot dog be influential in reshaping opinion and policy? What about a "Hot Dog Day" sponsored by the American Embassies on the Fourth? I can see it now: Lil Oscar and national hero Ozzie Guillen, coming together to hand out free hot dogs in Venezuela. Just don't forget the mustard.

Breaking News: Karl Rove says we found WMDs!

2009-05-29T10:12:00.006-05:00

That's one of the more interesting and inflammatory things I heard at last night's Speaker Series held in Chicago. Charlie Rose moderated as Rove and Carville volleyed. Rove didn't come off as diabolical as I expected (or wanted). A lot of discussion was spent talking about Iraq, much of the same old stuff I've been reading for the past six years. Of course Rove continued to justify Bush's rationale for Iraq. Rove said the efforts were productive--as we did turn up Weapons of Mass Destruction! In Libya--with Kadafi. Yeh, Momar was so freaked about our intentions to uncover Sadaam's WMDs, Kadafi voluntarily turned over his WMDs over to us. Carville questioned whether it was worth the trillions of dollars or the 130,000 troops expected to be stationed in Iraq until 2019?

Rove was "generous" to Obama at one point, saying he was happy Obama overturned his campaign promise to pull out of Iraq and keep 50,000 troops in Iraq. What transpired with our Iraq strategy reminds me of that old sign posted in my childhood days of the dimestore: "You touch it, you break it, you bought it, SOLD."

I was most interested to hear Rove, a master strategist speak. Last night gives us clues to where the Republicans are going to go strategically in the next election: Job Loss and Creation. Rove said Obama is behind on his promise to create 5 million new jobs and is keeping tabs on his website. As Carville said, "the guy has only been in office for 140 days!"

The thing that disappointed me was that there was little reference to Chicago, and our city's connection to politics and policy. After all, our new President: Chicago. Mary Matalin, associate to Rove and spouse of Carville: Chicago (a southeast-side girl, daughter of a steelworker, began her career at a beauty parlor!)

New Thoughts on Peonies: Chapter Two

2009-05-28T17:10:00.006-05:00

After seeing the fabulous Cy Twombly Peony Paintings at the Art Institute, I "stumbled" into another artist's work now featured in the lobby of the Prudential building (next door to where I work). Just think--Peony Paintings flank Millenium Park on the south and north! Happenstance or the purposeful juxtaposition of a clever building manager? (or whoever decides to showcase art in building lobbies).

The artist of this painting is Anna Jaap, who simply had to have been inspired by Twombly.

New Thoughts on Peonies: Chapter One

2009-05-28T12:39:00.008-05:00

Last week's big opening of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago featured a mind-blowing exhibit of Cy Twombly's Peony Paintings. Perfect timing, as it is indeed peony season in Chicago. In one painting, Twombly riffed on the writings of Takarai Kikaku, who wrote a poem inspired by the 14-century samurai Kusunoki:
AH! The Peonies
For which
Kusonoki
Took off his Armour

Tyombly scratched the word and "Amour" into the wet paint and then squeezed in an "r" to create a delightful pun and tension between what we expect of a warrior (his armour) and what we don't expect (amour). The word "lyrical" came to my mind as a way to describe the power of this work, how the sounds of these words married to the visuals makes such a powerful use of visuals and language.

Seeing these Twombly works reminded me once again of the power of art to move, inspire, shake the soul with a moment of truth. It may sound like artsy BS, but it's truth. (I once witnessed a women with "super-Stendahl who fell to her knees when she saw the Vatican painting of St. John the Baptist beheaded, but that's another story).Who would have thought truth could be found in such lovely, deligtful and friendly flowers like peonies.

The Zeitgeist Now?

2009-05-20T09:45:00.003-05:00

This wonderful video retrospective by Slate shows how GM tapped into the zeitgeist through the years of its advertising. GM's latest campaign shifted to what Yankelovich has defined as a key, defining value of our times: "Civic Renewal." Consumers coming together for the collective good. A new focus on community life and civic re-engagement. A time where we re-prioritize what's important. A new context for how we consume and give back.

The Millenial generation is on the cutting edge of this new value realignment. Yesterday, I read that most of the 2009 graduates who worked on the Harvard Crimson have decided not to enter journalism, a major shift from previous classes. These grads know journalism is in flux, Many are deciding to "wait it out," by enrolling in civic programs like Teach for America. For these kids, it's not all about altruism. For the very few who have decided to enter journalism, they are keeping it quiet among their peers because they don't want their peers to consider them "schmucks." And for those who are choosing community goodwill, they see this as a productive way to ride out the recession.
Source; Slatev.com, GM The Telltale Heart of America

Obama Logo: the Tell All Story

2009-05-13T15:50:00.002-05:00

I love stories about ideas that get left behind and the ones that move forward. This is probably one of the greatest design successes of our time.David Axelrod the design team two weeks to develop the Obama campaign logo. Sol Sender, one of the designers, talks about what inspired the design and the surprise in creating something that then consumers began to mash-up.

The new design: Visualizing Data

2009-05-13T09:31:00.010-05:00

In the age of powerpoint, I've found it challenging (ok--blasted difficult) to visualize info in new and interesting ways. I've bought the Edward Tufte books...too complex for my little brain. For inspiration, I try to tear out the graphic maps that appear in the Sunday NYTimes. Just last month, I felt I had a breakthrough when I used a cloud tag to microencapsulate findings from consumer ethnographies.

Last week, Michael Cannel wrote for Fast Company that visualization of data is the next frontier of design. "It reflects the complexity of the world in simple terms. It is a window onto the world, in all its digital complexity." The article and folks commenting on it provided some helpful resources, including "Wordle," which I used to create the cloud tag (above) from mom interviews about feeding the kids. Cool.

www.wordle.net/create
NYTimes visualization lab: http://vizlab.nytimes.com/

IBM's Many Eyes public graphic tool: http://manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/

MIT's open source tool: http://www.simile-widgets.org/exhibit/

Sources

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/michael-cannell/cannell/visualization-new-frontier-design

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=101&aid=161675

The Color of the Year: Mimosa Yellow

2009-05-06T16:03:00.007-05:00

Pantone’s color for 2009 is mimosa yellow, which showed up in various shades throughout the Kitchen and Bath show held in Atlanta over the weekend ."The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance. Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation" according to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Mimosa showed up in various shades throughout the show. Sunbeam calls it “yellow pepper,” while Fiesta Dinnerware has “marigold," and added lemongrass, inspired by Michelle Obama’s inauguration dress. Others in the home industry note a new source of inspiration for color: HDTV and its vivid colors.“ Pantone chose the color because of these sobering times, believing yellow helps generate feelings of hope and optimism.

No wonder I've been seeing "yellow" on the covers of home mags and Pottery Barn. I thought it was a daring choice to go yellow for my boudoir last year. Guess that makes me "pre-trend."

Food in Bits

2009-05-06T11:10:00.005-05:00

FoodTV has just launched (softly) another online food channel targeting younger cooks who are less skilled but nonetheless foodies. The future "celeb chefs" are all twentysomethings, like the dynamic duo of Kelsey & Spike. Or Man Kitchen hosted by The video how-to's are made to order for the Millenial generation. Bit-sized. Fast-cuts. Fast talk. Short ingredient lists. Cheap to make. I have to believe part of the marketing plan is do to some social apps. The network is already signed up as a user with last.fm, flickr and of course twitter (1796 followers as of now).

Last summer, I had the pleasure of talking to Ken Obel (of Cgo's famous specialty retailer Fox & Obel). I told him social networking was still ripe territory for the foodie world since it hadn't reached its full social potential (he scribbled notes as I talked). I think Food2.com has the potential to change the game, just like FoodTV revolutionized food culture back in the 1990s.

Strange Times on Fifth

2009-05-05T16:51:00.008-05:00

There's something magical about the streets between 55th and 57th on Fifth in NYC. A microcosm of fashionistas, celebrity, business elite and the wealthy. Before you think me elite, this is also a big stage for the hoi polloi, those of athletic-shoe-touristas taking pix with the doorman at Trump Tower. There's been an energy on the sidewalks from 55th to 57th that I haven't really felt duplicated anywhere else in the world. Red-carpeted stairs of the Plaza. The Revolving Golden Doors at Trump Tower. Harry Winston's windows. The Apple Store and FAO Schwartz.

This weekend, there were whispers and twisted smiles among sales people on these streets. Just by chance, sales ladies from three different stores mentioned to me, in low tones, how concerned about whether their stores can make it through the recession. Bendel's has already made the decision to change their model. No more apparel. Downsized footprint. Accessories and cosmetics only.

I feel like the Millennium version of Edith Wharton--observing the changing of the guard of the last Gilded Age. I swear, I was just window shopping (just like Holly Golightly).

Love the Bubble

2009-04-29T17:22:00.009-05:00

A German design firm has created temporary design space that is a plastic, inflatable bubble. This is just one of Raumlabor of Berlin's new strategies for coming together in an urban environment. The firm's mantra is "No Trust. No City." Mintel reports that a bubble has already made it to a Manhattan event. We're sure to see more bubbles in unexpected places (Right next to or under Cgo's Bean would be fab).

Reminds me of the planning conference several years ago, when Adam Morgan (Eat Big Fish) presented the idea of brand pulsing. His idea: brands can own a "pulse" or differentiate from the prevailing pulse of the category leader. "Bubble" was one of the pulses he spoke about, relevant for categories where protection is the key benefit (baby food, insurance). Or for brands where bubble is a key attribute (effervescent beverages). Something I have always wanted to play with for a brand.... I'm sure there's a bubble waiting somewhere in my future.

Foto: (c) Rainer Schlautmann

Time Out: Today's Working Girls and Guys

2009-04-24T17:39:00.008-05:00

MOMA is having a retrospective of Mike Nichol's movies. I know "The Graduate" will go down as one of his masterpieces, but I would put "Working Girl" right at the top too. Both movies are perfect time capsules of 20somethings "going to work" cultures that were in a state of flux. Maybe it's the perfect time for Nichols to write and direct a new movie that captures (for posterity) the culture of today's 20somethings. It could be a Nichols' 20something trifecta I would label: Drop Out, Break Out, Time Out.

Clearly, there's another cultural flux and the meaning of work going on with 20somethings today. This week, Yankelovich announced it is fielding a new study on Millenials and the impact of the recession. Today, Richard Roeper tweeted from the U of Illinois that he wanted to yell out, "There are no jobs!" And this afternoon, I bid goodbye to Matt, a 20something art director , who resigned to go biking in Europe (Jenny, another 20something, took off in January for a New Zealand sabbatical). A headline what's going on with 20somethings today? How about "Time Out."

But, for fun, let's time travel back to the the 1980's with Working Girl (video trailer). Ladies climbing the ladder of the go-go era of biz to "Break Out." Then go back to the 1960s and "Drop Out." Following is an excerpt from the NYTimes interview with Mr. Nichols that tells a cool story about the ending of "The Graduate."

Mr. Nichols is a great believer in the single big idea, the controlling metaphor or idea that defines a picture — the notion that Benjamin in “The Graduate,” for example, is on a conveyor belt, just like his suitcase. But he is also like a psychoanalyst in that he trusts a lot in the unconscious. The point of all the preparation, he said, is to get to the point where you’re surprised. And, he added, “You want to keep doing it until you get to the thing nobody could have planned.The famous ending of “The Graduate,” for example, came about because as it came time to film the scene where Dustin Hoffman and Katharine Ross get on the bus, Mr. Nichols found himself growing unaccountably irritable.

“I told Dustin and Katharine, ‘Look, we’ve got traffic blocked for 20 blocks, we’ve got a police escort, we can’t do this over and over. Get on the bus and laugh, God damn it.’ I remember thinking, What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve gone nuts. The next day I looked at what we’d shot and went, ‘Oh my God, here’s the end of the movie: they’re terrified.’ My unconscious did that. I learned it as it happened.”

Source: Mike Nichols, Master of Invisibility By CHARLES McGRATH, NYTimes April 10, 2009

Dump those old segmentation studies right now

2009-04-24T14:42:00.005-05:00

John Quelch, professor at Harvard Business, believes marketers need a new lens to view their customer segments. That traditional segmentation studies should be considered obsolete for the times.

Why? The length and depth of this recession. It's changing buying behaviors in ways that were not seen in previous downturns. Quelch believes a more relevant way to segment for these times should be based on emotions and behaviors related to the recession. His study at Harvard revealed four consumer types for today:

Slam on the Breaks: These consumers are devastated by recession, a lost job, or know someone who has lost job. They saw the meltdown of their 401K, and are now buying nothing but the necessities.

Pained but Patient: These are the optimists, looking to the longer-term, they are adjusting short-term buying behaviors. They look at the essentials, like basic food products and toothpaste, and ask if there’s a way to save a little money. They are the folks moving from organics to non-organics or to private labels. They may decide to indulge less in treats (in less quantity or frequency). When it comes to postbonables (durables), they are hiring someone to repair to get another year or two of use. (just read that cobblers are seeing big increases in biz). They are cutting back on expandables (like vacations).

Live for Todays: Skewed to young, urban singles, they haven’t saved much money yet so they haven’t lost much. They will carry on with fun-oriented lifestyles, unless they lose their job.

Comfortably Well: They have a financial cushion to see them through recession, carrying on as normal but not exhibiting (or hiding) their ostentatious consumption to avoid the label of “well-off.”

Quelch's segmentation framework categorized types of purchases into: essentials (food and personal goods), treats, postponables (eg, durable goods) and expandables (eg, vacations).
Danger for marketers: the longer the recession, the longer time consumers have to create new, habitual buying behaviors and not revert back to their old buying patterns.

Source: Harvard Business Review, April 2009 and video interview with Professor John Quelch (illustration from HBS website).

Edible Advertising

2009-04-21T15:24:00.005-05:00

Made entirely of chocolate, this London outdoor sign bills itself as the world's first chocolate billboard. It was consumed by passersby in just three hours. Great example of a marketing trend that's been talked-up a lot in the past couple of years: Synesthesia.

Don't wash, Swash

2009-04-20T10:41:00.009-05:00

P&G is test-marketing Swash, a line of clothing "fresher-uppers." The line was developed to capitalize on behavior predominantly seen among the college crowd: pull some dirty clothes out of the laundry and wear them. Swash promises to freshen, deodorize and take out the wrinkles.Packaging is reminiscent of energy drinks. There's a mainstream opportunity to ride the trends of the trendy bed and bath market too. Imagine the merchandising potential at unexpected places like the Pottery Barn, Anthropoligie and Williams Sonoma home.

www.swashitout.com/swash/en_US/index.html#/home

New media concept: Statusphere

2009-04-11T21:57:00.008-05:00

Brian Sollis, Silicon Valley PR principal, believes media behaviors are being reshaped by the bit-sized, real time status updates of Twitter, Facebook et al. Statusphere (shorthanded from Status Update Sphere) is driving behavior that favors the micro response vs. long form conversation (i.e., blogs). I can relate! I haven't written my blog in days, yet I've been tweeting and updating my FaceBook status everyday! The impact of Twitter in particular is mind boggling. My colleague, Stephen Riley, attended this year's SXSWi and said it's amazing to stop and think that Twitter wasn't even talked up at the conference just the year before.

Sollis writes:

"As the social Web and new services continue the migration and permeation into everything we do online, attention is not scalable. Many refer to this dilemma as attention scarcity or continuous partial attention (CPA) - an increasingly thinning state of focus. It’s affecting how and what we consume, when, and more importantly, how we react, participate and share. That something is forever vying for our attention and relentlessly pushing us to do more with less driven by the omnipresent fear of potentially missing what’s next. We are learning to publish and react to content in “Twitter time” and I’d argue that many of us are spending less time blogging, commenting directly on blogs, or writing blogs in response to blog sources because of our active participation in micro communities."

Source: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/10/are-blogs-losing-their-authority-to-the-statusphere/

Digital Natives: Squeezing 23 hours out of every day

2009-04-03T19:14:00.009-05:00

New research from the UK on youth and their digital lives reveal that the act of communicating, in and of itself becomes a form of entertainment or "commutainment." Research found that technology is "invisible" to young people, who are not even comfortable using mainstream tech terms we marketers take for granted, such as "widgets." Even though the study is among UK youth, there are similarities to what we see in the US.

But here's what the researchers say that's so very Jack Bauer:

"Today's restless young person manages to indulge in 23 cumulative hours of activity in every 24 hour day - engaging in up to five activities simultaneously. While this degree of multitasking is only made possible by digital technology, the implication is that (counter to current thinking) a single integrated device with one screen is probably insufficient to meet their complex communications needs - which could entail watching clips, talking, texting and surfing the internet simultaneously."

For more, go to http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/keeping-real-offline-communications-key-connecting-digital-genera

Engaging Moms in the Great Repression

2009-03-29T16:07:00.012-05:00

About 3 years ago, AdAge reported that Renatta McCann (media guru at Starcom), would not approve a media plan to go out of the big house without an online ad strategy. It's an understatement to say times have changed. Today, it seems to make sense that every media plan should have an engagement strategy. Alas, many don't...or won't.

J&J has always been an online pioneer. They just launched a social media initiative targeting moms via MySpace and YouTube. Big-time mommy bloggers and celebs were hired to help spread the news. What's really interesting is the recession message overlay that encourages voluntary acts for the collective good. J Walker Smith (Yankelovich) identified the return to civic life as a "watch-for" trend for 2009. This is one of the first CPG initiatives I've seen that embraces this trend. It's smart to tap into the deep generosity and creativity of new moms.

Excerpt from AdAge:

"The recession aspect is a bit more subtle. The YouTube contest aims to provide new opportunities for moms to use social media to supplement their income. The MySpace program looks to let women who may be out of work remain active by volunteering for causes important to them and enable working women to help out charities whose coffers have been depleted by the recession. "

BTW: the videos on the brand's Youtube channel are darn cute. Every repression needs some cute to uplift us!

Irish Industry...

2009-03-28T10:09:00.008-05:00

Since middle March was so hectic, I just didn't get my full Irish on. So today, I'm cooking Irish. I'm re-inspired by yesterday's post about crowdsourcing Ireland's economy. Perusing the "Ballymaloe House" cookbook for inspiration, the author and proprietress wrote this story as an intro to a humble mushroom recipe. Food and memory always makes wonderful stories, yet it makes me wonder... do we have this kind of resilience to overcome the "struggles" today?

"My husband Ivan, first started to grow mushrooms in 1937. He was already growing apples in the fields, and tomatoes and cucumbers in greenhouses. We were coming toward the end of a period when, in addition to the world Depression, Ireland was locked into the "Economic War" with England, and ordinary farming was in a disastrous state, as we could not sell our produce. At the same time the government, led by Eamon De Valera, was encouraging Irish industry, including the infant greenhouse industry, and mushroom growing was smiled on also...With a continuous supply of mushrooms, my husband took gifts of them to friends and relations he visited. In 9142, I had finished school and decided to leave home, intending to return a year later to settle down to marriage. First, I went to Northern Ireland to work in a hostel for old people who had been bombed out or otherwise dislodged from their homes by war. It was my job to clean the hostel, collect the milk from the nearest farm, , prepare the vegetables, and wash up. When Ivan came to visit me, he brought me a present of button mushrooms." Myrtle Allen

Can Crowdsourcing Save a Country?

2009-03-27T17:45:00.003-05:00

Can an online grassroots initiative turn around a country's economy? That's the idea behind "The Ideas Campaign." The brainchild of one of Ireland's leading online agencies, the campaign hopes to inform the Irish about the real state of their economy, and tap into the collective intelligence to foster conversation about how the country can regain its competitiveness. It's just a one-month campaign, but it was able to gain awareness with the backing of Ireland's leading media outlets (I'm assuming for free).

The initiative taps into the best of the Irish spirit and pride of the Celtic Tiger. From the Ideas campaign: "we’re an entrepreneurial race, ranking second in the world for business start-ups. No, we didn’t make that one up. That’s what the think-tank, the OECD, no less says."

Have you ever known an Irishman who wasn't proud? When I was in Ireland at the height of the Tiger, I spoke to many young Irish who were proud of what had been accomplished. Back then, the young Irish felt they needed to "give back" and help other European countries out (like Poland). It will be interesting to see if that spirit of "giving" will be focused on their own turf.
www.ideascampaign.ie

Knowing the source...just got more important

2009-03-26T09:43:00.004-05:00

I've been writing for the past week about knowing the source of your food as a macro trend that just keeps going and going. What I didn't know is that the government has been looking closely at this too--from a public safety perspective. Today, tne NYTimes reports that the Obama admin is concerned about the ability to trace food back to its source, What has been a marketing advantage now becomes a heightened safety issue and a future hurdle for many food manufacturers who have been missing the boat! I'm somewhat incredulous that many food suppliers are not able to trace their supply chain. Yikes!

Excerpt from NYTimes article:
"federal investigators bought 40 products — including tomatoes, oatmeal and yogurt — from retail stores and Washington and tried to trace them to farms or to the border. Investigators successfully traced the source for only 5 of the 40 products, the report stated. Three of the traced products were egg cartons whose supply chain included only a farm and a retailer. For a tomato, a bag of ice, a bottle of fruit juice and a bottle of water, investigators were not able to even guess the product’s supply chain. For 31 other products, investigators were able to identify only the likely suppliers.

The investigators contacted 220 food facilities to ask about their supplier records....(Among) 118 firms, 70 failed to provide investigators with required information about suppliers or customers, with 6 of the companies failing to provide any information at all...According to an estimate from a manager at a grain storage facility, if grain from one farm were contaminated, millions of bags of flour would be at risk and might have to be removed from retail shelves,”

Source: New York Times: Investigators Find Source of Many Foods Untraceable, GARDINER HARRIS,March 25, 2009

Knowing the source... of your jam

2009-03-25T17:47:00.008-05:00

An Australian jam company has executed an idea that a gaggle of us had way back in 2000 for an US food brand. Today, trendwatching.com cited Beerenberg Jam's Provenance Pathway as noteworthy. Their online tool allows one to input the code from the jar cap to track what's inside right back to the orchard. Back in a web 1.0 world, the US company I was working with said they just didn't have the capability to set-up a system like this online. Ooh--it was such a good idea then--and it still is now, particularly as these kinds of applications move to smart phones.

It conjures up those feelings we've all felt when the big ones get away. The regret when a really great idea doesn't move forward. (yes, I'm feeling a little maudlin today).

It could have been "us"

2009-03-25T05:38:00.005-05:00

Today, a writer for Newsweek answers the question I've been mulling for the past week. Why do we care so much about the Natasha Richardson story? Today in a meeting, one of my colleagues said, "It could have been me." Just three weeks ago, this father was skiing bunny runs, yet his wife insisted he wear a helmet (even though he admitted it felt a little geeky).

Here are excerpts from "When a Young Mother Dies" by Susanna Schrobsdorff, writing the Society column for Newsweek:
"Her passing from something as capricious and random as a minor fall on the gentlest of ski slopes was so jarring that we couldn't stop talking about the how and the why. It could have been any of us. And when we learned that she waved away an initial offer of medical care after her fall, we understood. I'm sure that if one of Richardson's children had bumped his head she would gone to an emergency room immediately, and stayed for as long as it took to be absolutely sure that the boy was fine. But how many parents, if we'd taken a small tumble, would have looked at the day's plans and said, "No, I don't want to ruin everyone's vacation only to spend hours at the hospital over a minor bump. We don't have time. I'll be fine."
Source: Susanna Schrobsdorff | Newsweek Web Exclusive Mar 24, 2009

Knowing the source...of your beer

2009-03-24T17:34:00.010-05:00

Having lived and marketed through the "natural ingredient-nothing added-knowing the source of your food" trend since the mid-1990s, I was surprised to see a beer now taking this approach. The "green" plants in Michelob's spot, which turns out be be hops, fist caught my attention. (I had no idea what hops look like. "Man from Munich" showcases the guy who sources hops in Germany. I even remembered the tagline after just one exposure, no small feat(Crafting a Better Beer). It gets me interested in the brand again (even if I'm not the target...last time I saw a 6-pack of Mich was at grandpa's).

This macro trend about knowing the ingredients and the source of the food continues to be oh-so relevant, and continues to pick-up steam as Michelle Obama makes this even more topical. I saw how connecting a brand to this food movement grew Gerber share 10+ points. Smart move for a beer brand to occupy this territory.

How we do things matters more than ever

2009-03-23T10:13:00.005-05:00

Writing about last week's storm over AIG bonuses, Thomas Friedman's op-ed served up a great question. Why? Why at this time of great crisis is it politics as usual? Friedman believes Obama missed the opportunity to inspire and lead with a come-to-Jesus moment with the American people (instead he appeared on Jay Leno). Friedman ascribes to the idea served up by Dov Seidman: how we do things matters more than ever. Dov,the author of "How" believes "how we behave and interact with others is the ultimate differentiator," whether it be business, politics or life. The Golden Rule not only matters, it can inspire.

From Fridman's op-ed:
“There is nothing more powerful than inspirational leadership that unleashes principled behavior for a great cause,” said Dov Seidman, the C.E.O. of LRN, which helps companies build ethical cultures, and the author of the book “How." It is when its employees or citizens are propelled by values and principles to do the right things, no matter how difficult the situation,” said Seidman. “Laws tell you what you can do. Values inspire in you what you should do. It’s a leader’s job to inspire in us those values.”

www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/opinion/22friedman.html?_r=2

America: The Great ReSet

2009-03-19T00:30:00.007-05:00

If you haven't read the March issue of the Atlantic: How the Crash Will Reshape America--listen to the author. Richard Florida, writer and theorist, was interviewed recently on NPR about how the global economic crash will reshape America. Highlights:

As America continues to move to mega regions, geographic corridors of economic vitality, cities that anchor mega regions, are the future. We simply cannot afford the expansion of suburbs, not because of money but the cost of time. Strategy: connect declining cities to mega regions (i.e., Detroit can become connected to Chicago and Toronto with high-speed rail).

Solution to economic recovery? Make housing and transportation cheaper. To thrive in the new knowledge economy? Stay competitive with a global geographic structure? Become less costly in time and economic resources. A reset of our economy will come from a new way of living. Suburbanization is the old model, fueled by the old industrial society (we bought cars, houses, refrigerators, based on this model.

Demand for new consumption in mega regions will come from high density mega regions, built on a new American Dream. Right now people are spending 50% of income for housing and transportation, when the mix should be 31-38% of income. The single family home is a privilege and a dream of the past. Renting will be the new economic reality, with a workforce that is flexible to be able to move where the jobs are--untethered by mortgages.

The world is not flat(aka Thomas Friedman). It's Spikey. These spikey regions account for 20% of world pop but represent 40% of GDP... and 9 out of 10 innovations.

Chicago is a mega region that will thrive. In the new era, "ChiPit"—runs0geographically from Chicago-Detroit-Cleveland-to Pittsburgh. Pittsburg is considered by Florida as a model, where it took a generation of civic and corporate vision and investment to bring the old industrial economy back. What about Detroit? Fabulous universities, Wayne State and U of Michigan—it will take a generation to rebuild assets. Back in the 1940's, Detroit was a top 5 US City. Today, it can’t has to reposition, and its great U's will be instrumental. Detroit has to connect with it’s mega-region hubs, like Chicago and Toronto. It will become a suburb to the metropolis, just like Wash DC has become a suburb or NYC. News and media from NYC relocated because it was affordable and easily connected to NYC, reigniting DC.

The future is now. Talented people who are mobile are going to geographic centers like Chicago—regional centers of the new knowledge-driven economy. I'm so thankful I'm a Chicagoan and urbanista! Yet I know as an ad guy, I helped fuel the last twenty years of consumerism. So where does that leave us, the ad industry, in terms of the Great ReSet?

Before everything changed

2009-03-18T23:12:00.005-05:00

I'm breaking the rules of my blog, writing about something that took place pre-9-11, pre depression, the world was heady and it was New York baby. It was the second week of January 2001 when my sister and I were enjoying a lovely dinner at Cafe Luxembourg on the upper west side NYC. Seated in a tiny booth for 2 at the front, only inches separated us from the next booth. At dessert, the booth became occupied by--well, two amazing actresses of two generations. Lauren Bacall and Natasha Richardson. Since I'm the pop culture afficionado, and uncertain whether my sister knew who these 2 ladies were--I somehow signaled, "act cool." Lauren Bacall, in true grand dame fashion, silently siganled, "Don't even." Yes, even after moi had read BOTH her biographies, including the one she wrote in long-hand on yellow legal pads.

Both were lively and kissed each other Happy New Year. Natahsa was bubbly and bright, and ordered a "wine spritzer." Lauren announced 2000 had been one lousy year and asked in a gravelly voice, "double vodka." I knew Lauren's ex and the father of her son Sam, Jason Robards, had just passed just two weeks prior. Double vodka made sense to me. Made sense to Natasha too, who changed her drink order to something more serious.

Can't help think of that time, when everything seemed hopeful, golden, happening, happy. I can attest that these two ladies lit up the room, and the electricity within 6 inches of their booth is a great memory. Who knew our worlds would change so dramatcally in the new Millenium? So it was bittersweet to see on the news tonight that Laruen visited Natasha in the hospital today. Somehow, that's comforting. God speed Natasha.

Got Pie?

2009-03-18T12:18:00.008-05:00

All my trend attenae are shouting, it's time to return to pie. This week, Time Out Chicago writes about Hoosier Mama Pie opening in West Town. The owner, a former pastry chef from some of the most well-heeled joints in Cgo, decided to go back to her Indiana roots and return to pie. Yesterday, a group of colleagues decended on the counter at Apple Pan in LA. Magnificent burgers. Amazing Pie. Chunky layers of banana and whipped-from-scratch cream! Sitting at the counter, I felt we were channeling that famous painting, Nighthawks. Even the sound of the slamming screen door at the front of the restaurant just seemed "right." There's something so comforting, so retro about pie in these times!

Side-note: both of these pie restaurants trace their food culture back to Indiana pie traditions.

Redefining a Generation: xY = Z

2009-03-06T20:02:00.006-06:00

Marc Gobe, visionary and creative thinker on brands and consumer motivations was the speaker at a webinar on how to connect emotionally with consumers in this time of crisis. I've been a fan of Mr. Gobe's since 2002, and have found him to be ahead of the rest of us when thinking about brand experiences. He makes a very compelling case for redefining Generation X and Y as a new cohort that embraces the same dreams, aspiraitons and values. He calls them Generation Z and believes they were the defining influence in Obama's win. As a campaign, Obama was more about generational values than ideology. Mr. Gobe sees hope as the resonant value of Z, even as they grapple with the mess Baby Boomers have left in their wake.

"Particularly right now where people need so much information, there is an expression of trust that needs to be redesigned or reinvented. I think the baby boomers have told us trust looked like Greek columns in front of a kind of temple-like buildings. What we’ve been experiencing, there is a new visual vocabulary, there’s a new image that can be created by industries that want to show they are much more futuristic and a much more up-to-date kind of industry.” Marc Gobe

www-waa-akam.thomson-webcast.net/us/dispatching/?event_id=867ae387b8a664a45bfd67b451f558f3&portal_id=70f1891ac5234c5c09b4b4e0a4e96d32

"Social Media Watchers Are Becoming Their Own Cliche"

2009-03-05T18:49:00.011-06:00

This week's ad industry buzz about the Skittles.com foray into social media made me curious. I went to the site and low and behold, 2 of the 6 featured pix of "Skittle friends" were actually 2 of my FaceBook friends. It made me wonder, is there a secret algorithim that matched my FBook to Skittles FBook? My social network expert said, "not likely."

It just seems so improbable! Two of my friends pictured out of 600,000+ registered fans just when I choose to visit? These friends happen to be ad folk, which made me think: Are ad people, as social media watchers and chasers of all things cool, actually heightening Skittles' buzz? Then it hit me--ad agency folk have become the "chattering class" of social media. We are not only watchers, but participants and pushers. We are our own target.

Have we become our own cliche? That's the provocative question from the socialmediainsider @ Mediapost.com. In the write-up, "Hey Who Stole My Twittles? I Mean Skittles?" the author concludes that the chatter has been less about Skittles brand, and more about what their campaign signals for the future of social media. Did the client and agency team recognize that the chattering class of ad people could be relied on to "push" the buzz out to the non-ad world? Just how many ad folk are on FBook and Twitter anyway? (me thinks, a great percent).

So is the Skittles "spider" going to pick-up the conversation from this blog and add it to the evidence of buzz created? Today, you can call me "pusher."

Keep Reading the Label

2009-02-26T18:06:00.004-06:00

For years, we continue to see data and hear consumers say they are reading the label. Häagen-Dazs Five brings a new itteration to an old trend with it's new, all-natural ice cream crafted with only five ingredients: skim milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks and natural flavor. Healthy positioning that doesn't sacrifice the promise of indulgent flavor--smart!

Although--I do think that Subway now owns "5" ($5 footlong....)

Inspiration

2009-02-26T13:50:00.008-06:00

"To see what is in front of one's nose

needs a constant struggle."

George Orwell

Recipe Culture Goes Viral

2009-01-28T12:18:00.003-06:00

Back in the olden days (circa 1999), I thought it would be cool to work on a branded recipe that would take food culture by storm. You know, those recipes that suddenly seem to sweep every Mother's Day or 4th of July party, like so many of those 1970 classics: Hello Dolly Bars, Seven Layer Salad, Tater Tot Casserole. Today's story from the NYTimes conjures up ginormous portions of Oscar Meyer on the outside with tons of Johnsonville on the inside. The "Bacon Explosion" recipe is reportedly taking the digital world by storm. Evidence that America's food porn passion is going digital.

These two guys from KC posted the recipe just days before Christmas-- placing it for full viral potential. Their goal was to get ad revenue to support their BBQ championship hobby, but can a stint on the FoodNetwork and a big brand sponsorship be far behind? Is this the first big viral recipe in digital history? Wonder if we'll be seeing this at my friend Ralph's SupaBowl party (he's a sucker for the odd or novel recipe).

Link to the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/dining/28bacon.html?scp=1&sq=take%20bacon%20sausage%20blog&st=cse

It used to be 100 Days

2009-01-24T14:42:00.008-06:00

The thinking used to be: give the new guy a 100 days before his administration is fairly assessed by the press. Today's top story on Yahoo is headlined, "The First 100 Hours." A shift in how we look at administrations, now driven by our country in CRISIS. And the Obama administration wanted it this way--to juxtapose its style to that of the Bushies. Last night, Suze Orman reflected to Larry King that our new President has described our economic circumstances as "dire." When I woke-up this morning, I wondered if our new President would be working today, beyond the usual Saturday radio address? (Probably yes). He wants to keep his job, just like the rest of us.

What a Day!

2009-01-20T21:36:00.005-06:00

Historical. The first African American President. The first President from Chicago. But media history was made too, with the live Facebook/cnn feed. Starbucks made ad history with a :60 video ad on the feed that promoted service to community. Clever to tie-in their brand value of community with the President's call-up--and the environment made it memorable. FBook was "on" my desk all day, although I tuned in and out (lots o' work). For the oath-taking, I joined coworkers in a conf room. I felt I had to be in a live group setting for such a momentous occasion.

BTW--if you read the earlier post about Obama merchandise, cnbc is projecting sales to total $2 billion. That's no chump change.

The idea of Obama and Rebranding America

2009-01-19T23:59:00.008-06:00

Have you noticed all the Obama merchandise? It seems like an explosion of goods and music. The ladies of the View today visited a DC shop chock-full of Obama stuff. Ralph Lauren's ad in Sunday's NYTimes style section was an homage to the new Presidency, featuring a little African-American boy outfitted in full Lauren Americana of suspenders and straw boater! Today, Oprah offered "America's Song," created by will.i.am and David Foster as a free download. Foster said that it only took 1 week from idea to execution--amazing speed for a collaborative creative project with big name artists (top pix).

It made me laugh to think back to 2004, my pal Alanna's friend, Stacey, was part of a group of young Republicans who had the back-porch idea to create and sell "W" ketchup as a response to the Kerry-Heinz campaign. It seems so quaint to think back to an idea like that, a mere 4 years ago, when the digital revolution was in the cradle and more traditional media drove buzz.

There's something bigger going on here today. It's not only the optimism and hope of the new presidency. It's the speed by which ideas and products can be created and spread into culture.
President Obama--on your inauguration day, the marketer in me toasts you...with Jones cola. To the spread of new ideas! To change and the transformation of the American brand! Yes We Can!

Lessons from the New Chairman of the Board

2009-01-13T09:46:00.007-06:00

As Bono looks to the New, uncertain Year...and the fears, he reflects on Sinatra's view of life and jazz as the metaphor for life in these times. There's a great quote from Sinatra" "Being modern's not about the future, it's about the present."

A Magnificent Manifesto for the Moment, from the new chairman. The Now is the New.

By BONO
Dublin, January 9, 2009

Once upon a couple of weeks ago ...
I’m in a crush in a Dublin pub around New Year’s. Glasses clinking clicking, clashing crashing in Gaelic revelry: swinging doors, sweethearts falling in and out of the season’s blessings, family feuds subsumed or resumed. Malt joy and ginger despair are all in the queue to be served on this, the quarter-of-a-millennium mark since Arthur Guinness first put velvety blackness in a pint glass.
Interesting mood. The new Irish money has been gambled and lost; the Celtic Tiger’s tail is between its legs as builders and bankers laugh uneasy and hard at the last year, and swallow uneasy and hard at the new. There’s a voice on the speakers that wakes everyone out of the moment: it’s Frank Sinatra singing “My Way.” His ode to defiance is four decades old this year and everyone sings along for a lifetime of reasons. I am struck by the one quality his voice lacks: Sentimentality.
Is this knotted fist of a voice a clue to the next year? In the mist of uncertainty in your business life, your love life, your life life, why is Sinatra’s voice such a foghorn — such confidence in nervous times allowing you romance but knocking your rose-tinted glasses off your nose, if you get too carried away. A call to believability. A voice that says, “Don’t lie to me now.” That says, “Baby, if there’s someone else, tell me now.” Fabulous, not fabulist. Honesty to hang your hat on.
As the year rolls over (and with it many carousers), the emotion in the room tussles between hope and fear, expectation and trepidation. Wherever you end up, his voice takes you by the hand.
Now I’m back in my own house in Dublin, uncorking some nice wine, ready for the vinegar it can turn to when families and friends overindulge, as I am about to. Right by the hole-in-the-wall cellar, I look up to see a vision in yellow: a painting Frank sent to me after I sang “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” with him on the 1993 “Duets” album. One from his own hand. A mad yellow canvas of violent concentric circles gyrating across a desert plain. Francis Albert Sinatra, painter, modernista. We had spent some time in his house in Palm Springs, which was a thrill — looking out onto the desert and hills, no gingham for miles. Plenty of miles, though, Miles Davis. And plenty of talk of jazz. That’s when he showed me the painting. I was thinking the circles were like the diameter of a horn, the bell of a trumpet, so I said so.

“The painting is called ‘Jazz’ and you can have it.”I said I had heard he was one of Miles Davis’s biggest influences.
Little pithy replies:
“I don’t usually hang with men who wear earrings.”
“Miles Davis never wasted a note, kid — or a word on a fool.”
“Jazz is about the moment you’re in. Being modern’s not about the future, it’s about the present.”

I think about this now, in this new year. The Big Bang of pop music telling me it’s all about the moment, a fresh canvas and never overworking the paint. I wonder what he would have thought of the time it’s taken me and my bandmates to finish albums, he with his famous impatience for directors, producers — anyone, really — fussing about. I’m sure he’s right. Fully inhabiting the moment during that tiny dot of time after you’ve pressed “record” is what makes it eternal. If, like Frank, you sing it like you’ll never sing it again. If, like Frank, you sing it like you never have before.

If.
If you want to hear the least sentimental voice in the history of pop music finally crack, though — shhhh — find the version of Frank’s ode to insomnia, “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road),” hidden on “Duets.” Listen through to the end and you will hear the great man break as he truly sobs on the line, “It’s a long, long, long road.” I kid you not.
Like Bob Dylan’s, Nina Simone’s, Pavarotti’s, Sinatra’s voice is improved by age, by years spent fermenting in cracked and whiskeyed oak barrels. As a communicator, hitting the notes is only part of the story, of course.Singers, more than other musicians, depend on what they know — as opposed to what they don’t want to know about the world. While there is a danger in this — the loss of naïveté, for instance, which holds its own certain power — interpretive skills generally gain in the course of a life well abused.
Want an example? Here’s an example. Take two of the versions of Sinatra singing “My Way.”
The first was recorded in 1969 when the Chairman of the Board said to Paul Anka, who wrote the song for him: “I’m quitting the business. I’m sick of it. I’m getting the hell out.” In this reading, the song is a boast — more kiss-off than send-off — embodying all the machismo a man can muster about the mistakes he’s made on the way from here to everywhere.
In the later recording, Frank is 78. The Nelson Riddle arrangement is the same, the words and melody are exactly the same, but this time the song has become a heart-stopping, heartbreaking song of defeat. The singer’s hubris is out the door. (This singer, i.e. me, is in a puddle.) The song has become an apology.
To what end? Duality, complexity. I was lucky to duet with a man who understood duality, who had the talent to hear two opposing ideas in a single song, and the wisdom to know which side to reveal at which moment.
This is our moment. What do we hear?
In the pub, on the occasion of this new year, as the room rises in a deafening chorus — “I did it my way” — I and this full house of Irish rabble-rousers hear in this staple of the American songbook both sides of the singer and the song, hubris and humility, blue eyes and red.

A version of this article appeared in print on January 11, 2009, on page WK12 of the New York edition.

Published: January 9, 2009

new_york_times:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/opinion/11bono.htmlif (acm.cc) acm.cc.write();

The cost: $175,000 per person

2009-01-11T10:02:00.004-06:00

That's the cost of our national debt. To pay it off today, every man, woman and child in the US owes $175,000. Back in the 1920's depression, my grandparents stuggled like most. Grandpa's job was cut to half-time, and he confronted staggering medical bills for a son who subsequently died of a brain tumor. If they were with us today and saw the numbers being tossed out by the press, they would cry out,"Jesus, Mary and Jospeph!"

Benjamin Button: The Future of Film & Video

2009-01-06T13:31:00.005-06:00

The scene towards the end of the movie, "Benjamin Button," where Benjamin/Brad appears at the dance studio as a twentysomething is breathtaking--gasps were heard in the audience. Got me curious about how the digital effects were created, so I searched. The guy who created Apple QuickTime and Web TV, Steve Perlman, created the Countur Reality Capture system. Genius. Phosphorecent powder makeup captures the subtle details of facial movement (green lady above). The actor is filmed simulataneously with 2 digital cameras in a dark-sealed room that captures performance with high-speed, pulsing light imperceptible to the human eye. In Benjamin Button's scenes, Brad's various digitized "faces" were cg'd onto other actors bodies. The commerical film industry believes that this technology will be as big and impactful as the launch of the steadicam.

Calling Aunt Bee: We've Gone Fishing

2009-01-03T14:42:00.007-06:00

It's official: our leisure time is shrinking. The Harris Poll, tracking leisure since 1973, reports that in 2008, leisure hours dropped by 20%--to an all-time low of 16 hours/week. (vs. 1973: 26 hours).

Last year, Americans increased the work week by one hour. As our economy crashed, more reported spending time "just checking in" online. Looking at the top leisure activities, computer activities are reported as equal to fishing. There's an interesting theory that computer time is a netherland--perceived neither as work nor leisure.

Top Leisure Activities in 2008
#1 Reading (30%)
#2 TV (24%)
#3 Time with family (17%)
#4 Exercise (8%)
#5 Computer activity (7%)
#6 Fishing (7%)
#7 Going to movies (6%)
#8 Golf (6%)
#9 Walking (5%)
#10 Gardening (5%)

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

2008-12-31T11:51:00.008-06:00

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?

2008-12-23T10:18:00.004-06:00

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

2008-12-21T15:01:00.005-06:00

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

2008-12-16T10:03:00.003-06:00

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"

2008-12-15T21:44:00.005-06:00

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)

2008-12-10T10:00:00.004-06:00

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

2008-12-10T09:45:00.001-06:00

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

US Attorney General Blogs--Who Knew?

2008-12-09T22:28:00.006-06:00

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

2008-12-08T09:27:00.008-06:00

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"

2008-12-05T22:08:00.009-06:00

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

2008-12-02T09:35:00.004-06:00

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

2008-12-01T10:53:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-26T10:45:00.004-06:00

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

2008-11-21T16:56:00.005-06:00

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

2008-11-21T15:36:00.005-06:00

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

2008-11-19T21:36:00.004-06:00

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

2008-11-18T22:05:00.006-06:00

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

2008-11-07T16:40:00.008-06:00

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?

2008-11-06T09:32:00.003-06:00

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

2008-11-05T17:14:00.006-06:00

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

2008-11-05T15:43:00.005-06:00

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

2008-11-04T13:40:00.010-06:00

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

2008-11-03T18:30:00.006-06:00

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

2008-10-29T16:38:00.000-05:00

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).

What the flock? Love it or hate it. You vote. ( polls)

Millenials: Organizing for the future

2008-10-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

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.