The New Way to Exhibit: When Yoko Calls, Answer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.