Hi, my name is Liz and I am a late-adopter. I have a tendency to wait for the fanfare to die down on a trend and for it to become part of the mainstream establishment before I conform. In college, I logged on to Facebook long after my friends, I didn’t get my first iPod until last year and I just started shopping for skinny jeans and scarfs. I have more of an “it’s better to show up to the party late, than not at all” mentality. I’m not trying to make any big social or political statement; it just takes me awhile to catch on.
Naturally, this is in direct conflict with my job at an advertising agency, where we pride ourselves on staying current and ahead of the trends. (I loosely consider myself part of that “collective”). This year, with my new iPhone in-hand and the help of those more tech-savvy than I, I vow to stay on top of the trends. The first trend I tackled? Shazam.
Shazam is a mobile music-based service which uses a phone’s microphone to gather a brief sample of music and create an acoustic “fingerprint”. From there, the sample is compared to a database and if a match is found, it will log the music into a database (or Youtube, iTunes, Spotify) on your own phone. Shazam helps you discover and earmark new music. The app can also identify a commercial by the music in the spot, making it “Shazam-able” and directing a user to a specific website or landing page. Think of it as an audio QR code. There are much better explanations and quantifiable research as to which I’m not going to explain, here’s an example. (NOTE: For my purposes Wikipedia is a reliable source.)
Other than checking it off my trend list, why do I care as a consumer? Now that our beloved Packers have been knocked out of Super Bowl contention, there is nothing left to do but watch the Big Game for the commercials. And this year, one-third of all commercials will be Shazam-able, meaning that the commercial is only the start of the user experience. It’s quickly creating a QR code-like experience for the broadcast medium. Shazamable spots could take you to funny content, digital games, giveaways, recipes or contests. While we don’t know which commercials will be Shazam-able (that information will be released Feb. 2nd), I guarantee it will make the experience more interactive than ever before.
For the sake of advertising and my own viewing experience, I hope that Shazam and the new Shazam-able spots are worth all of this year’s media hype. I don’t want to be disappointed in my first “early-adopter” experience!
My current obsession: Pinterest. It’s a love affair that has been going on for several months. What do the two of us have in common?
I love to cook.
I love to decorate.
I somewhat like crafting.
(My Mom is awesome at crafting, so I pin things she can make for me)
I love holiday decorations.
I love gardening.
My dog Herman deserves the best of the best.
Pinterest has replaced all of my bookmarks, and is now my home base for all things awesome – it’s my personal online vision board. And unlike other social networks, there aren’t any haters. People aren’t pinning things that they despise and hate. Or letting you know how crappy of a night of sleep they got. No one is complaining about politics, or the weather or criticizing your posts.
They are posting delicious looking recipes, ways to paint the guest bedroom, different ways to decorate with mason jars, perfect wine and cheese pairings, inspiration quotes, beautiful places to visit, and videos that you laugh at so hard at that you pee your pants.
With recipes, I pin what seems good. I then go home and make it – if it turns out fabulous, I keep the pin, if not, then an unpinning happens.
I’m a pinning fool. I can’t wait to make the Orange Julius recipe. My dog Herman loves his new dog bed. My new Christmas decoration was a bit of a bust (but there is always next year.) I didn’t like the pretzel bites, but the goat cheese rolled in pistachios and dried cranberries was a HUGE success. I cried when I learned how to fold a fitted sheet. My dry goods in the kitchen are in airtight containers and are easy to find.
Oh, Pinterest, how I love thee.
I’m looking forward to my little 4×4 garden again this summer- and Pinterest will be my go to source! I now don’t need to spend time Googling square foot gardening blogs like I did last year – I know there is a fellow pinner that has already done the dirty work for me.
So folks, get pinning. Help me find one more project to do!
400 million years ago, when the first animal popped its head out of the water to breathe sweet oxygen, it did it not by choice. It wasn’t like this organism wanted to finally dry off and build a condo. It was forced out. The oceans, rivers and lakes had receded so much that this animal had to do or die. It was not running TOWARD a comfy dirt bed, but rather running FROM sure extinction.
So, fast-forward to January 2011.
I’m getting into shape. It’s been a process that has varied from hyped-up diligence to screw-this-crap-sleeping-in. Equally as varied has my emotional connection been to improving my health. Fortunately, I’ve been able to do more of the latter which has resulted in much improved numbers on my doctor’s laptop. Good.
But lately, I’ve been asking myself, “Am I running FROM something, or TO something?” It’s not especially important that I answer this philosophical dilemma anytime soon, but it seems insightful and helpful to understand. Sure, at first, there was mounting evidence of my eventual demise that began to creep onto my chart – high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. On the other hand, I’ve always wanted to experience a triathlon, have giant pectoral muscles and the ubiquitous six-pack.
I imagine it was a little from column “A” and a little from column “B.” And since fear seems to be a greater motivator (taught to us first by those Devonian Period species) I would surmise most of my being was running from death.
But as my fitness evolves, I find myself running TO achievement.
I want to improve my triathlon time over last year. I want to feel even better than I do now. I want more of the benefits my better health has rewarded me with. I would imagine, not unlike early tetrapods, that I am no longer running from shrinking oceans, but running to bigger caves, better hunting grounds and 5K Beer Runs. Although at times I still question that motivation.
What are you running from? And what are you running to?
Answering these two questions might make your path easier to walk down, or I should say, run down. It’s connecting the past and the future. More importantly, it’s fully understanding the “NOW.”
When was the last time you didn’t have your smartphone within arm’s reach? How long have you gone without checking your email, posting on Facebook or sending a text message? Have you ever left the house without your phone and turned back to get it – even though it added another 20 minutes to your commute? Have you actually ever officially “checked out”?
Probably not.
Here I am on vacation in the Northwoods writing this blog. I will be on vacation all week and will check my email every day – several times. I will log in to check on client campaigns and meet deadlines that could probably wait a few days. I am not an on-call rescue person, I work in advertising. But we have been conditioned to be connected all the time. What if I miss something? Will work be a bigger shitstorm if I don’t check in all week and come back blind? Or would I enjoy my vacation more and relax if I just shut my phone, laptop and tablet off and just checked out? Honestly, I don’t remember what it even feels like to leave home without my smartphone.
So, tell me – when you go on vacation do you leave it all behind? Let me know and I’ll respond when I get back. (I’m officially checking out now.)
Reflecting on the past, I’m amazed how accurately history repeats itself. Technology and luxury change drastically to fulfill the visions of Tomorrowland, but the essence of what we do is cyclical and will repeat through the generations in years to come.
I remember, as a child, I loved visiting my dad at work. “Channel 41 – WUHQ – Battle Creek/Kalamazoo!”
I remember walls of layouts, all hand cut, rubber cemented, Xeroxed and photographed. Volumes of Letraset clip art binders and dry transfer lettering over hundreds of colors of markers and watercolors. I’d watch him sketch a layout in non-photo blue during the day and see the same graphic that weekend on TV. He’d occasionally put me in commercials and I’d get to see the whole crew in action; it was so neat how they used simple effects like smoke cookies and lens filters to make a backyard look like a Wild West ranch on the Ponderosa.
Thinking back, I now realize as a web designer, I am following directly in his footsteps. Essentially, my father was an artist who took his skills with traditional arts and materials and experimented with the advancing technologies of communication. My Letraset is Shutterstock ( …and Google), my Xerox is Photoshop, my graphics have taken on a third and fourth dimension and the screens I communicate through are of desktop, tablet, and mobile variety.
As I grew, I saw the industry change for my father and I watched his methods change to keep ahead of the game. Eventually the typewriter, photocopier, lens effects, graphics, and editing gear all shrunk down into one little Intel-based box on his desk. No more paper cuts. No more fumes from spray mount and carbon arc lights. It’s almost laughable the difference in size of broadcast cameras from using giant off-board Betacam cartridges to today’s built-in, bite-size memory cards.
It all makes me wonder, what will MY office look like in 30 years? My career is fairly young, and I can certainly joke about how serious I was with Hypercard and 16-bit graphics 15 years ago, but I can’t even fathom what the future holds for the tools of our trade. I just know that like my father, I must adapt to whatever changes may come. I have personally seen tradesmen get left behind in architecture, television, and formal illustration and it’s taught me that time is unstoppable and if you don’t leap headfirst into the future, you will go the way of the vinyl LP.
I was fortunate to have a family that always kept computers in the house and a school with a decent computer lab. Equally important, however, is that I was able to speak to a few key old folks about how they got where they are. I ran into a few discouraging folks here and there – some bitter about not attaining their dreams, and some just resentful of their own obsolescence. Remembering these things is why I’ve made a certain resolution for the New Year and I encourage others to join me. We can’t predict the future, but, if we remember that it’s fueled by the past, we can certainly guide it. Not just by doing our best at what we do, but by passing on what we have learned and supporting the youth and their education. It is through the youth that the wildest dreams become reality and innovation becomes tradition. As we head into 2012, lets make the time to blog about our experiences or post tutorials on recent work we’ve done. Let’s take every opportunity to speak to youth and encourage them to go beyond and never to be afraid of the new thing. Let’s reflect on the things our mentors taught us and pass along the things we’ve found to be right on. Let’s be sure to support our local schools and ensure that a fully rounded education, including art, music, and accurate history can be attained. I think this is important even if you don’t have kids of your own, because the youth of today will be in charge sooner than you know. The future is here – and some of them are kind of scared – sometimes all they need is to know that we’ve all been there and we’re still standing. Furthermore, be sure to listen to what the youth have to say. We’ve all got some growing to do, at any age, and a fresh perspective can pull you out of a rut.
So, its 2012 and we’ve got our robot maids, video phones and flying cars – but let’s not define ourselves by what we can have, let’s define ourselves by what our community and our children can be. Teach your children well and love thy neighbor. We’re all in this together – Happy New Year!
The past few days have consisted of people saying things like “It just seemed to go by so fast this year!” or “I know it usually goes by fast, but this year it seemed to go by really fast!”
Well this year it seemed to go by faster than both of those overused statements can do justice to. It really never seemed like the Christmas season…until it no longer was. It could be due to the lack of snow, or television airings of Home Alone. Or maybe it’s because of the overuse of the phrase “holiday tree” instead of “Christmas tree.” Either way, it’s now done and over; time to move on.
With the exit of my favorite holiday comes the entrance of one of my least favorite: New Year’s Eve. Yes, as a man I am obligated to say that Valentine’s Day and whatever “Sweetest Day” is are far worse, but NYE is right up there in the top three of horrible holidays in my book. Yea, I get it – I’m going to put up a new calendar that’ll I’ll only ever reference four or five times over the next 365 days. And yes, I’m going to spend the next three weeks mistakenly putting the wrong year on everything I do, I’ve come to terms with that. That’s not what gets to me; it’s the actual “celebrating” of it. Personally, it’s just never lived up to the hype it’s somehow been given. Don’t get me wrong, New Year’s Eve is nowhere near the marketing scam juggernaut that Valentine’s Day is, but it’s getting up there.
Maybe it’s because I’m too old to get excited about staying up past midnight, but too young to get excited about “runnin’ into the ol’ buddies from school.” I really don’t mean to come off as a cynic; I’m actually quite far from it (That is, unless we are talking about anything/anyone associated with “Bravo” or the “E! Network”; See: Chelsea Handler, The Kardashians or the Housewives of Who Cares.) I’m just saying; before you throw down $100 for The Night of Your Life, allow me to drop a little truth-in-advertising bomb on you. Let’s take a closer look at every poster, flyer and Facebook Event you’ve seen over the past couple weeks promoting this “holiday” event.
Join us for the Biggest Event of the Year! Really? No it’s not. I don’t see any presents, baskets of candy or people dressed up as Mario and Luigi here. The real answer to the question, “What are you doing for New Year’s?” is “The same thing I always do, except I’ll be paying twice as much for everything… and maybe I’ll wear some dress shoes and a tie.”
Party All Night Long with Your Friends! All night long? You’re going to kick me out at some point.
My friends? The only reason I ever hang out with that guy is because he’s friends with my friend’s girlfriend. I’ve meet him once, maybe twice. But since we have to “get everyone together for NYE,” I know I’m going to get stuck small talking with this guy for at least a half hour.
Free Beer, Shots & Champagne from 10PM – 1AM! Once you get through the crowd of people posting up at the greatly understaffed bar, you will indeed get free Keystone Light, water-downed Pucker and Roundy’s champagne from a timeframe roughly resembling 10PM – 1AM. So let’s get this straight, as a reward for navigating this maze of sweaty high-fiving guys and caked-up make-up girls you’re giving me these bottom-of-the-barrel drinks? Give me some good beer (cough, cough, Lakefront Fixed Gear, cough) and then I could see that actually paying off. Awful attempt at product placement aside, this “deal” is actually anything but.
All You Can Eat Hors D’oeuvres! I hope you like lukewarm pizza rolls and microwavable jalapeño poppers, because you pretty much just paid $20 for one plate of those.
Live Band Come see the cover band that you’ve never heard of play the songs that you’ve never liked. When they’re not busy playing the most overplayed songs from the past year, they’ll be busy playing the most overplayed songs from the twenty years prior. Expect to hear “Sweet Caroline”, “Don’t Stop Believing” and of course, some Rage Against The Machine.
Live DJ See above, but substitute in: “Boom Boom Pow,” “Party Rock Anthem” and of course, some Kanye West.
Photos of Half-Naked Woman and Shirtless Guys A couple observations here: a.) These people have been heavily PhotoShopped; b.) You can’t just walk around a bar without a shirt on, plus it’s like 14 degrees outside; c.) Don’t get too caught up on the whole PhotoShop or attire argument, because there’s no way people like that would come to this shit-hole you call a bar anyways.
And (drumroll, please) the biggest letdown is…
LIVE COVERAGE of the Times Square Ball Drop! “Ohh look, there’s an oversized disco ball at the top of that pole!”
“Ohh look, now there’s not.”
And that’s what your $100 is going towards: the opportunity to sit in an overcrowded bar, sipping on bad drinks and snacking on worse food, watching this stimulating series of events play out.
Now having said all that… Yeah, of course I’ll be going out, living out all the real life letdowns mentioned above.
Every year, when November 15th rolls around, a reminder in my calendar pops up: START PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS. My first reaction is to laugh and roll my eyes, because I always go overboard with holiday planning. Then I start to remember why I planted a reminder in my calendar each year…and start to panic. That date signals an onslaught of seasonal activities – including holiday cards, decorations, baking, cooking, holiday parties, shopping for gifts, and closing the fiscal year end at work – all smashed into four weeks. Here’s how things have gone so far:
WEEK ONE. I’m feeling good about my time management this year. The kids are another year older. They feed themselves, and dress themselves now, which gives me more time to concentrate on my large “To Do” list. Unfortunately, I then take my youngest son to his doctor’s appointment — where he proudly brags to the doctor how he has had the same pair of underwear on for a whole week because he doesn’t like any of the other underwear in his drawer. After I recover from the embarrassment, I add two new things to my list: 1) buy underwear; and 2) conduct a daily laundry inspection. Sigh.
WEEK TWO. Time to gather everyone up for the holiday card picture. Where’s the dog? Either someone has filmed an episode of Blue’s Clues in our living room, or the dog ate a marker and in the process got it all over his paws. Add carpet cleaning to the “To Do” list…
WEEK THREE. There are a few things checked off of my “To Do” list. I’m feeling better about this. I get into the office, head straight for the coffee pot, and there he is…our office fish in his little bowl outside the conference room, belly up at the top of the bowl. My little buddy. I cleaned his fish bowl for the past 31 weeks. The little trouper lived 216 days. I’m very sad to see him go….but on a selfish note, that’s one less thing on the “To Do” list this week. R.I.P. Conference Room Goldfish!
WEEK FOUR. I am currently in Week Four of my holiday preparations. Shopping, wrapping and cards are now checked off of the list. Everything else is close to complete. Things are on schedule and I am exhausted as I enter a calendar reminder for next year, starting with November 15, 2012. Then I remember the last four weeks – and move the reminder back to October 15, 2012!
The holiday season has arrived and we all know what that means – the office holiday party. For many companies, holiday parties are great fun…but sometimes they’re a bit too much “fun.” Mistakes get made, people fly a little too close to the sun and, in a worst-case scenario, reputations can be ruined.
We all know that advertising and PR industry folks like to party, but wild and crazy behavior runs across industries and/or job categories. According to a recent study, more than half of people in HR departments said they’ve snuck a kiss under the mistletoe, while one third of bankers said they’ve gotten drunk and made fools of themselves at the company holiday party. And one in 10 people who work in travel admit they’ve been totally naked at an office Christmas party! Thankfully, this has not happened at any of the office parties I’ve been too.
Unfortunately (or fortunately?) lavish holiday parties have mostly become a thing of the past. According to a report in Crain’s New York Business, the number of companies hosting holiday parties has reached an all-time low.
However, most companies still have a party of some sort. If your company has decided to host a holiday party, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind.
Don’t bypass the party. Doing so might send the wrong message to your employer.
Enjoy yourself but stay professional. Remember that the annual office holiday party is still a business function. It is wrapped in a social context, but it’s still a business function so keep your cocktail drinking in check. You don’t want to be the person everyone is talking about Monday morning.
If food is provided be sure and sample a few items. Select things you can eat neatly and stay away from salty or greasy foods that make you want to drink more. Tip: choosing foods high in starch and protein will help slow down the absorption of alcohol.
Don’t bring a “Date Gone Wild.” Often times, the ruckus at company parties is caused by a guest of an employee. The problems sometimes stem from a guest not understanding the culture at a company. So it’s a good idea to have a chat with your date on what’s acceptable behavior before arriving to the party.
Don’t complain about work. A party is a party, so leave the office at the office and just try and have some fun. But remember, not too much fun!
Follow these tips and I assure you, you won’t be the talk of the office come Monday morning. Happy Holidays!
GUEST BLOGGER ALERT! This week’s post was written by anthropology doctoral candidate and self-proclaimed barefoot running evangelist, Erik Lee Skjon.
I enjoy spending most of my time barefoot. I’m an academic who works alone, so I sit at my desk barefoot. In the summer, I’m mostly barefoot outside. Even in the Midwestern winter, I often BBQ out on the deck and fetch my mail barefoot. But it hadn’t occurred to me to run barefoot. True, I did run barefoot 20 years ago, while studying karate in Japan, but in the martial arts everything is done barefoot. When I stopped training karate, I stopped running barefoot.
Then, in the summer of 2010, soon after returning stateside from a six-and-a-half-year research stint in Mozambique, someone sent me a link to a YouTube video in which Daniel Lieberman, a human evolutionary biologist at Harvard, extolls the virtues of running barefoot. I was extremely intrigued by this new phenomenon. When did they invent YouTube?
I was also intrigued by barefoot running.
So, like all good modern researchers, I immediately googled it. Instead of surrounding myself with dusty books in a library, I soon found myself embraced by a whole community of people, on Facebook, on blogs, on official barefoot running sites. Apparently, the explosion in barefoot running (or “BFR” as insiders have initialized it) can be traced all the way back to … ahem … 2009, when a book called “Born to Run” was published. Many who took up BFR after reading this book refer to themselves, rather self-consciously, as “early adopters,” or “veterans” of the barefoot “movement.”
So who runs barefoot? I’ve identified roughly five demographic niches: (1) people who like to be barefoot, and so when running, run barefoot; (2) runners who have experienced running shoe-induced injuries (shin splints, sore knees, etc.), and have therefore taken up barefoot running as a more natural, less injury-inducing, way of running; (3) thrill-seekers (e.g., ultra-marathon runners), who see doing barefoot whatever it is they do as an extra challenge; (4) people who like to feel “different,” for whom barefoot running serves as a good, overt identity marker; and (5), people who are seeking out a more natural lifestyle in general. For example, a lot of barefoot runners are into the Paleo diet, MovNat functional strength-training, sit-stand workstations and similar health trends.
Now, the first thing that crosses most people’s minds when they think of barefoot running, besides shoes, is stepping on sharp, pointy objects. Glass is everywhere, right? No it is not. The only time I’ve been harmed while barefoot was when I got hookworm in Africa. The local people, some of whom were in-laws, thought that was pretty funny. Why wouldn’t an affluent westerner wear shoes?
Well, for me, shoes are like most things you wear for protection—helmets, condoms, heavy coats—I prefer not to use them unless it’s necessary. And nothing compares to that feeling of feeling the ground, the improved balance, and lack of most foot-related ailments, from athlete’s foot to plantar fasciitis. But that doesn’t stop some marketers, like Invisible Shoes, from endorsing the “broken glass is everywhere” myth as a problem to which they have the solution.
I doubt it’s needed. The fact is, people love shoes, and now they love barefoot running shoes. More than BFR, sales of these shoes – more fittingly called “minimalist shoes”—are exploding. Almost every week a new brand or model is released. It’s just too much fun to buy stuff, and let’s face it, you can only express a market-mediated, pop cultural identity with something you buy, right? Being barefooted can express an identity, but it lacks any detail or nuance as a fashion item. And even if you’re a barefoot purist, there will always be some temps and terrains that make BFR next-to-impossible.
So I encourage you to join the fun, but with two caveats. First, if you go the minimalist route, make sure the shoe has: (1) “zero-drop,” or zero height differential between the heel and the toe; (2) a sole that is no more than 2-8 mm. thick; and (3) no arch support. Second, whether barefoot or minimalist, go slow. It’s easy to underestimate the degree to which our feet have atrophied in the soft casts that are the modern running shoe. A lot of people get injured in the transition phase, before their feet and legs have had a chance to toughen up.
Erik Lee Skjon, is a Ph.D. candidate in linguistics and anthropology at the University of Chicago. He received his B.A. from Lawrence University. He is also an accomplished musician, world traveler, as well as a barefoot running aficionado. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his wife and two young children.
Some of us love it, while others love to hate it. Without fail, this chaotic day creeps up on me even after I remind myself that I will be fully prepared. I will be one with the “early-morning, all afternoon and into the evening” madness. After all, I am a planner – it’s engrained in my DNA to be prepared.
This year…well…this year was different. I’m eight months pregnant.
Nonetheless, just like the work that I do with my clients, I crafted a flawless set of tactics to help me navigate the day. Without these plans – some executed before hand, most completed day of – I would not be here to help guide you for Black Friday 2012.
How did I go about it? Glad you asked.
Research. A savvy shopper should always start on the web when formulating the Black Friday plan. How else will you know who’s open the earliest, who has what you need and who is closest to the nearest coffee shop?
Prioritize. You’ve got your hit list of places that are a “must stop” – now what order do you stop at them in? Location, line projection, location. The info you uncover in item #1 will definitely help with this.
List + Budget = BFF. Money is tight, and the hours in our days are short. Do yourself a favor and make a list of what you’re hunting for – which includes a strict budget – before you’re waiting in line. This makes the beeline to a specific area within a store much more manageable. Stick to these like duct tape.
Plan B. Even the best laid plans can unravel – make sure you have a “Plan B” at your disposal. You never know when you’re going to run into someone who takes this day just a little too seriously and tries to “gain a competitive advantage” by using pepper spray, or a line that is the length of one block.
Gear Check. Be prepared, not scared. Always come equipped with appropriate clothing (seriously, leave the stilettos at home) and remember that hydration is important. Nothing like being stuck outside in a line without a hat, gloves or hot chocolate to keep your innards warm.
Pack the Patience. You’re not the only one who’s out to score a great deal. If your nerves are frayed from the feast the evening before, or you’re not a fan of loud (and often obnoxious) crowds – you’re better off staying home.
Waving the White Flag. I can shop with the best of them, but even I know when to call it quits on a shopping mission. Sometimes, that $2.99 waffle maker isn’t worth the lines or the fisticuffs that are awaiting you. If you’re a little light on item #6, it might be a good idea to whip out your tablet or smartphone from your warm car and purchase that kitchen gadget online.
There you have it, my strategic plan for successfully coming out on top, with sanity in check for shopping on Black Friday. Now that you’ve read my plan, what’s yours? Anything I should consider for next year?
Let’s face it: wine snobs are easy to make fun of. Like the painfully self-absorbed Paul Giamatti character in “Sideways” they are easily portrayed as caricatures — particularly the most elevated of the breed, who actually write reviews for magazines like Wine Spectator or Bon Appetit. In my opinion, these reviews are mostly stunning, Ph.D.-level hooey. One such critic, for example, recently described a Brut champagne as having “an open-knit texture focused by firm acidity while rich notes of leesy bread dough and smoky roast nut add depth to flavors of kumquat, tangy apple, white peach and lemon peel, with an aromatic finish.”
I’m mean, c’mon… Lemon peel and leesy bread dough? Really?? (And what is “leesy” anyway?)
So yeah, I’m kind of a cynic about snooty wine reviews, including wine pairing suggestions. However, I will admit that even a beer-drinking, brat-eating Packer fan like me can appreciate that certain wines really do taste better than others when paired with specific foods. Since the Thanksgiving-through-New Year’s holiday season is a time when lavish meals with wine are de rigeur, here are my unapologetic, somewhat uneducated, but nonetheless strongly felt suggestions on holiday meal and wine pairings.
BIG REDS WITH BEEF: My strongest rec’s come with Christmas-y red meats like prime rib or standing rib roast. For these robust flavors, you gotta have an equally robust wine. Unlike Miles (Giamatti’s character in Sideways) I don’t hate merlot; in fact, I think it rocks, particularly with prime rib. Like Miles, I am a fan of pinot noir, as well as another “big” red, zinfandel. (Don’t confuse that with white zinfandel, which is actually a type of Kool-Aid and should be paired with bologna/white bread sandwiches and Fritos.)
(SLIGHTLY SWEET) WHITES WITH TURKEY: For turkey, go with white. I’m normally a chardonnay guy, particularly with fish, but turkey is a little different deal. For that I prefer something lighter, like sauvignon blanc, or with a touch of sweetness to it, like viognier. Riesling and Gewurztraminer also are popular, but those are just a bit too sweet for my liking. (But, whatever – as long as it’s not white zin…)
HAM GOES EITHER WAY: With ham, either whites or reds can work. For whites, I’d edge a bit toward the sweeter stuff, as noted above (or even a viognier/chardonnay mix.) For reds, I like Beaujolais Nouveau or tempranillo, which are a little lighter than zin, pinot, merlot and the other big boys.
As long as I’m on a roll, here are a few thoughts on food and beer pairings. (Generally, some of the same rules apply as with wine.)
HEAVY FOODS NEED STRONG, HOPPY BEER – Strong, intensely hopped beers, like India Pale Ale (IPA) go great with prime rib and other heavy dishes because their bitter punch and strong flavor stand up to the meat and potatoes.
KEEP IT BASIC WITH FAST FOOD: Let’s face it, the holidays aren’t just about Bon Appetit-inspired feasts – there’s plenty of fast food and pizza in the mix too. For those meals, I’d go with more basic beer styles like lagers, pilsners and wheat beers. Their light, clean taste cuts through the delicious greasiness and just seems to work well in this setting.
DESSERT BEER? – Yes, just as there are dessert wines, there are dessert beers. While you wouldn’t want to session with a double-chocolate stout or Trappist ale, a little bit after dinner can be the perfect nightcap. Also, try having Christmas cookies, cakes and other desserts with malty brews, like amber ales, porters or just about anything from Belgium or Holland. Yum.
Ah, November. The weather is turning cold, Turducken Day is almost here and the NFL season is heating up. College ball, too. Regardless of the NBA mess, it’s an awesome time for sports fans, TV repairmen and grocery/convenience stores – not to mention companies advertising male-targeted products like beer, deodorant and trucks. I mean, think of the programming environment those ads were mainly created for: Are you ready for some football??
This year, the male advertising universe is centered in Wisconsin, thanks to a very good Wisconsin Badger team and a great Green Bay Packers squad. Fittingly, both teams boast some of the most crazy-fun stadiums in the country – but both are sold out well into the next millennium. So where’s the next-best-place to catch the action? With all apologies to you man-cave aficionados, I prefer being above ground when drinking in a dark room. So yes, I think Wisconsin’s sports bars are temporarily the nexus of the sports and advertising worlds. From Madison Ave. to Milwaukee, marketers are cooking up concepts to be viewed in them. And that’s pretty cool. Here’s my take on the best of the bunch:
Milwaukee Any discussion of Brew City watering holes begins with Major Goolsby’s. Located near both the US Cellular Arena and the Bradley Center, Goolsby’s is more than just a convenient pre-game cheeseburger stop. It is frequently visited by college and pro athletes, as well as entrepreneurs selling tickets to basketball games, hockey games and concerts. Just across the river, the Water Street district bustles with sports-centric night spots like Bar Louie, many of which also draw pro and college players. The East Side/North Avenue area features Replay and Hooligan’s, among others, while Fanatics (in the Third Ward) has been voted “Milwaukee’s Best Sports Bar” two years running in the onmilwaukee.com reader poll. It has 42 high-def screens, a “stadium section” with 180-inch video wall and a luxury box. (Seriously.)
Madison Few campuses in America celebrate college football Saturdays like Madison. When 100,000+ fans and students descend upon Camp Randall Stadium, the nearby Regent Street bar district turns into a Midwestern Mardi Gras. Among the most popular watering holes are the Big Ten Pub, Regent Street Retreat and Stadium Bar. Further from the stadium, the State Street barsdraw hundreds of fans, while the Great Dane Brew Pub offers game-day shuttle bus service along with seasonal stouts, ales and an IPA to die for. After the game, fans can hang out with Badger players at the Kollege Club, whose post-game reputation has scored it ink in Sports Illustrated and Playboy. Order a cold one for Coach Bielema.
Green Bay The tailgating at Lambeau Field is legendary, but for ticket-less fans the game action is at several local establishments. Located just west of the stadium, Kroll’s is my favorite. Be sure to get there early, so you can join in “welcoming” the opposing team’s buses as they pull into the Lambeau parking lot. (Remember Randy Moss mooning the crowd? He was getting even with the gang at Kroll’s.) On the other side of the stadium, The Bar on Holmgren Way is a great place to buy or sell tickets. Other Green Bay sports bars worth noting include the aptly named Stadium View Bar and the Titletown Brewing Company (where the gloriously kitschy Don Hutson statue now resides.)
So, there you have it. For a brief shining moment, male Wisconsin sports fans and the bars they patronize are arguably cool, trendy and nationally significant. But that will pass. Soon enough, we’ll be back to coaching Little League, doing yard work and patiently sitting through American Idol. Enjoy this “Ground Zero” experience while you can.
While waiting for my flight on a recent trip to New York, I couldn’t help but crack open the notorious in-flight “advertorial” magazine, Sky Mall. Who can’t resist reading about Fold-And-Go Wooden Jigsaw Tables, Ultraviolet Dental Cleaners, Bug Vacuums and Genuine Turkish Bathrobes? In all seriousness, I will admit there are some interestingly convenient inventions in there, many of which I’d give an A+ to for their copywriting. Often companies forget to focus on their value proposition and give a direct “why you should care” message to their target audience. These companies didn’t.
A couple of the “Products that Make Life Easier” that caught my attention:
1) Product: Stirr Headline: All the tedious stirring is done by this “kitchen assistant!” Copy: Cook custards, sauces and soups without constantly stirring. The innovative Stirr lets you do other prep work while you keep an eye on what’s cooking. Soft, padded “feet” walk around the pot to blend flavors, while a paddle sweeps the bottom to prevent sticking. Safe for nonstick pans. Three speeds. Uses 4 AA batteries. Detachable blades are dishwasher safe.
In this example we’re targeting busy, everyday cooks that are sick of the hassle of stirring a pot while trying to cook everything at once. What could alleviate the tedious stirring and provide a little help? The Stirr. Why do people care about this Stirr product? Forgetting to stir the pot while preparing other food can ruin the meal and your pot. What are the benefits of this product? This product provides convenience to the chef, can stir at different speeds automatically, is safe and easy to clean up. In less than 50 words the creative writers at Sky Mall clearly explained what and why I should buy this product. I want it!
2) Product: Quilted Ironing Mat Headline: “Ironing board” doesn’t use an inch of space. Copy: No room for an ironing board? Don’t want to drag out the big board just to do a quick press? You’ll appreciate how this quilted, heat-reflecting pad instantly turns your dryer into an ironing surface. Strong, sewn-in magnets hold it firmly in place without scratching. At 32 1/2 x 19”, it’s bigger than a narrow ironing board and will never tip over! Use on either side. Roll, folder or hang on a hook.
The picture on this one said it all. They show the pad placed on the top of a clothes dryer with the iron on top. It’s space conscious and it stays in place with magnets… brilliant! How convenient! You don’t need an ironing board, it doesn’t damage your belongings as it stays in place with magnets, it’s durable, it’s a larger surface to iron on, and it’s flexible allowing you to place it on other surfaces other than the dryer. I had to smile as I fully admit that while I completely understand the marketing ploy and persuasive writing of advertorials, I continue to say to myself “I need that!”
Hats off to those creative writers for nailing their value proposition.
Last week, Consumer Reports released its annual auto reliability survey and, as usual, it was picked up by every media outlet on the planet. Unfortunately, the headline in almost all of those stories referenced Ford, whose reliability rating dropped dramatically, from 10th to 20th overall. Since Ford has been steadily climbing in the CR ratings the last few years (and is clearly the most stable domestic car company) many folks were caught off-guard, and a few dour pundits even launched into renewed predictions of gloom for the US auto industry.
I prefer to take the opposite view here. If you take the time to read beyond the headline, you’ll see that Ford’s drop in customer satisfaction was directly related to hiccups with three models that were either new, extensively redesigned or featured new technology. As the CR reporters note, this isn’t surprising: they regularly observe similar reliability issues with other companies’ new models or technologies, which is why they advise readers to wait until the model’s second year before buying. Fair enough advice, I guess, and something I’ll keep in mind next time I look for a new car.
However, from a bigger picture standpoint, I like that Ford is being aggressive in their product and technology development. I think it’s great that they aren’t just doing the same old, safe thing — because that’s what got the U.S. auto industry into trouble in the first place. In fact, the same could be said for the US manufacturing as a whole. If you’re not innovative, you’re quickly irrelevant.
But innovation isn’t always pretty. Look at any paradigm-shattering new product or technology and you’ll likely discover a rocky beginning. Certainly the career of Steve Jobs bears that out – early Macs had problems galore, Pixar and its CGI animation systems nearly went bankrupt prior to “Toy Story” and, more recently, first-generation iPhones had all sorts of issues. Of course, the iPhone’s problems were nothing compared to those of the earliest cellular phones, which were infamous for their limited range, miniscule battery life and god-awful, static-from-outer space reception.
Nevertheless, the companies behind these products – including Apple, Pixar and Motorola – stuck with their troubled-but-still promising technologies and ultimately did well. And it wasn’t because they played it safe.
So, here’s to you Ford. While the new MyFord Touch system or the automated-manual transmission may or may not turn out to be the next iPad, at least you had the cojones to swing for the fences. After all, that’s the only way to hit a home run.
Job-hunting is stressful. There’s a lot of apprehension, a queasy rollercoaster of emotions, and the glimmers of hope that one encounters when searching for the perfect job. As vice president and chief operating officer, I receive multitudes of resumes per day from hopeful job seekers looking for their next place to land. Some are genuinely authentic. Others, well, you can see right through them.
What do I look for when interviewing potential candidates? Character.
In many companies, the person who talks the talk usually ends up landing the position – regardless of whether they actually walk the walk. The skill-set a job candidate must possess, especially for a leadership position, has changed drastically over the years. Far too often I’ve seen confident, fluent employees fall short on the merits of their work.
As the pool of candidates evolves I now place heavier emphasis on character rather than communication skills. You may be able to talk a lady wearing white gloves into buying a melting Popsicle, but that’s not going to get you the job at B+L. I look for somebody who has classic virtues such as integrity, honesty, courage, love and wisdom. In essence, emotional intelligence is more important than cognitive intelligence.
Now, don’t get me wrong, an applicant must also have the necessary experience, professional history and credentials appropriate to the position they are applying for, but if the honest and unpretentious bone in your body is buried beneath the thick layer of “I’m going to tell you what you want to hear,” it’s not likely I’ll be calling you in for an interview.
During the interview process, I’ll want to get to know the real you, the person beyond the interviewing mode you’re operating under. What makes you shine? What’s your “Wow!” factor’? Tell me how you not only reached a set of expectations, but blew them out of the water. How versatile are you – marketing/advertising is a fluid and constantly changing world that requires thick skin and a genuine soul.
Oh hi there, I don’t know if we’ve met before. My name is Honeycrisp and I’m the greatest apple ever. What’s that? You’re not familiar with my work? Well, I don’t like to toot my own horn, but BEEP-BEEP. When I’m not at my day job keeping doctors away, I spend my free time dominating every other apple in the produce aisle.
What’s that, Red Delicious? Did you say something? I can’t quite understand you. Perhaps if you weren’t so mushy in the mouth. Or maybe I just can’t hear you over the sound of how AWESOME I am. Oh, don’t be so bitter Red, you’ve got thick skin. Zing! Besides, you still look great and there’s no accounting for taste – especially if the taste is on par with tree bark. Score! Crisp 1, Red 0.
And how about you, Golden Delicious? You and Red have perhaps the most presumptuous names since that marginally famous wrestler “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorf. Are you trying to compensate for something? Maybe if you spent less time on your names and more time on not sucking, you’d be worthy of the same shelf-space as me. Don’t get me wrong Goldy, you’re a sweet kid. You’d be halfway decent if you could hold up long enough to be eaten before the next grocery trip. Good lord, I’ve never seen so many bruises on an apple. What, were you held hostage by a paint shaker? Sorry Goldy, I shouldn’t judge you by my own standards. Not everyone can hold up in the fridge for FOUR MONTHS with next-to-no-deterioration in mind-blowing excellence. Ga-DOW!
Hey Granny Smith, you’ve been quiet over there. What gives? I thought you were the queen of crunch. You intimidated by the earth-rattling crack people get with every bite out of yours truly? Hey, you’ve still got flavor on your side though, right? Doesn’t everybody like to walk around with a Renee Zellweger-esq pucker on their face after every bite of their used-to-be favorite apple? Don’t worry Smith, you still go great with caramel, while I happen to go great with… ME. Boo-Yah!
Hey, listen up, any of you varieties out there who are itchin’ to go apples-to-apples – BRING. IT. ON. Because the Honeycrisp is ready to upset some apple carts! Rest assured, when I’m in town, I will sell out. I need no special pricing; I need no point-of-purchase displays; I need no circular mentions. The only advertising you’ll hear about moi is word-of-mouth… satisfied mouths. How do ya like them apples?
I’m a borderline technology-gadget hoarder. See, I’ve loved computers, mobile devices and all things-technology from the time I could get my hands on them. Since I have yet to enter a 12-step program, I will point fingers and blame my grade school math teacher Mr. Thompson (actually we called him Mr. T) for getting me hooked. As an enabler, he takes the cake.
He introduced me to my first computer – an Apple. Color me hooked. Such a simple machine fueled my nerdiness – and need for the frequent technological hit – in a ton of ways. On that said Apple, is where I learned my first programming code and started writing simple computer programs, saved to a 7.5-inch floppy disc. I chose to take summer school programming courses rather than playing outside with my friends.
Somewhere along the way though, I got pulled over the “dark” (i.e., PC) side. I enjoyed my time there and got to know the line of Microsoft products fairly well. So well, in fact, that as I grew up I became the go-to tech problem solver for my friends and family. Additionally, I also saw the paychecks I worked so hard to earn be swiped mercilessly from my back pocket by shiny new gadgets. PDA’s? Check. Mp3 players? Check. External CD burners? Check. Scanners? Check. “Big Box” electronics outlets became my local skid-row.
Fast-forward a few decades.
As much as I’ve come full circle – and proud to say that I’m a full Apple devotee – I find myself in quite the conundrum. I love Google. So much so that I fought off purchasing an iPhone as my smartphone of choice ever since they batted their eyes my way. With Google’s extensive collection of applications, tools, brilliant commercials (like this one) that make my tear ducts overflow, and a web browser that I swear by, I still have angst over picking up an iPhone and letting go of my Droid. At this point, I feel like a modern-day Gumby, and say prayers at night that one-day soon Apple & Google will play nice with each other. I can’t live without my GCal – and yes I know I can sync up my email/contacts/calendars/ with an iPhone and use the new G+ app – but it’s. just. not. the same.
I’m very much into the user experience – and I’ve loved every minute of my Droid handset, but as is customary I have the 1½ year itch. I’m on the “it’s a new year, time to get a new smartphone” plan. And Apple has just released a new iPhone version. And 95% of my computer/mobile electronics are Apple. And Steve Jobs’ has just passed away. And I love the Apple experience. So I’m stuck.
Google & Apple have proven to me they’re worthwhile suitors, both in form and function. They’re powerful, addicting, and stable in the technological sphere. Their branding, corporate culture, leadership and visionary is what every company should aim for in life.
The calendar has turned to fall – my favorite season of the year. Despite the daylight growing shorter, fall gives more than it takes away. The first thing I enjoy about fall is cooler weather. It is safe to say I would be one of the few people in the office who are anxious to bid farewell to summer’s heat and humidity. Crisp days and cool nights are a great transition between summer’s heat and winter’s cold.
The second thing I enjoy about fall is the beauty it provides. Fall colors are fantastic, especially in our state. Color is all around, and many people do get in their cars and take rides to enjoy view. Color can also be viewed in local neighborhoods and yards. I have two nice maple trees surrounding my house which provide me with awesome color to look at on a daily basis. As a bean counter I often wonder just how many leaves are raining down on my yard when they start to come down. When you combine my leaves with my neighbor’s that always seem to congregate in my yard it seems like a million when I am out raking.
Lastly, I enjoy the fall season because it is a great time of year for sports. Football season is kicking into high gear, and it is hard to beat a beautiful fall day at either Lambeau Field or Camp Randall Stadium. The baseball playoffs get going and hopefully will involve a long run by our Brewers this year. Hockey’s puck drop is also just a short time away. Get out and enjoy a beautiful time of year. Winter’s cold and snow will grip us all too quickly and hang on all too long.
Like most people, I’m inundated with email every morning. My first order of business is to quickly scroll through them, scanning the “From” and “Subject” fields and deciding whether to hit the delete button or open it up. Most of the time, “delete” wins.
As I was completing this ritual the other morning, I noticed a blog post titled “The Twelve Attributes of a Truly Great Place to Work” in the Harvard Business Review. In it, Tony Schwartz analyzed the findings of more than 100 studies on employee engagement – and discovered that a mere 20 percent felt fully engaged at work. Wow!
To better engage them, Schwartz suggested that employers shift their focus from “trying to get more out of people, to investing more in them” – including their workspace. He emphasized the importance of designing work environments that are safe, comfortable and appealing, listing ideas from creating areas for downtime and renewal to offering a well-equipped onsite gym and other facilities. While many of these concepts were obviously targeted for organizations much larger than ours, it got me thinking.
Here at B+L, we strive to provide an environment that is safe, comfortable and fosters creativity, because we know that translates into amazing work. While our size precludes an onsite gym, we do have our own “Trimnastics” competition, which many employees are actively engaged in. What does this give back to the agency? Healthy, motivated and creative minds and bodies. Additionally, our office is wide open and spacious, with a large kitchen and gathering area that we frequently use to brainstorm, celebrate and just hang out in. Why is that important? Because it stimulates collaboration and interaction. Some of our best campaign concepts get created over a cup of morning coffee, a company-sponsored lunch, or a late afternoon beer or glass of wine.
In my experience, when employees are happy, clients are happy. Let’s face it – in today’s ever-more-demanding work world, most of our waking hours are spent away from our true homes. As leaders, it’s essential we create a workplace that employees want to come to each day, feel at home in…and can be brilliant in!
So what do you think makes for a great workplace? What ideas have you seen companies’ implement to help engage employees each day? What have you tried that may not have worked out so well, and what were the takeaways? I’m interested to hear your thoughts!
Now five months into my internship at B+L and starting another semester of school, I seem to have split my time in half. One day I’m knee-deep working on some great projects at B+L, and then the next I’m a student designing for class and attending lectures. This pattern has revealed the differences between “real life” graphic design at an advertising agency and the work done at school.
I’ve learned that the design process is much quicker in the real world. A project is often on a tight schedule and needs a fast turnaround. The luxury of having many hours to create, rework, put aside and reopen projects ends when entering an agency. Not to say as a design intern I’m a mindless droid taking orders and leaving all creative and strategic thinking behind. Creative thinking is just condensed and intensified while trusting more in my own design instincts and ideas. There’s no time for skipping through fields of daisies, napping in tall grass, and pondering the meaning of PANTONE 1595.
Both in school and at work projects need approval. Being back in class this semester I was reminded of how simple the approval process can be in school. If my professor likes it – I’m good. I turn it in, receive a grade, the story ends. The ad agency process is more intricate and involves a few more layers. It’s beyond the tried-and-true saying of “two head are better than one,” and more like “twenty eyes are better than two.” From within the agency on through clients, many people take part in the process of approving a project. As a designer, this encourages the need for a very thorough understanding of the client’s needs, message, and goals.
In school, even though I’m surrounded by fellow designers, I’m mainly working as a one-man band. There are no art directors, writers or production artists tackling the same projects. There certainly is not a project manager keeping me on top of my schoolwork (or making sure I eat lunch). School projects often require working with all your limbs in different places; researching, concepting, writing, designing, developing and producing.
There is value in understanding how the process of an entire project is fleshed out and put together. By doing everything, abilities and strengths start to branch out past design. At the same time, there is something great about focusing on design while the pros at B+L make the magic happen.
You have no doubt heard the term branding. This brand. That brand. Everybody wants a brand. We shop brands. We buy brands. We wear brands. Brands define, direct, deter, demand. . .
Brands are often represented by a logo. Make no mistake, a logo is not a brand and a brand is not a logo. As businesses evolve, so does the brand and sometimes a new logo is designed to represent that evolution.
Recently, you may recall The Gap introduced a new logo. It was met by the general public with such rabid discontent that, ultimately, the new logo was scrubbed and the former logo emerged, presumably unscathed.
This example is one among many in recent memory in which the public weighed in, particularly online, to comment on the new logo. Under the guise of an onscreen name, brutal, vitriolic and personal musings were shared, inevitably resulting in the comment by the parent of a would-be art director: “I hope they didn’t pay for that logo. My 5-year-old could have come up with that!”
Comments like these are common in this forum. Why? Because logos are presented out of context, without the full story and, as such, are easy targets. It’s like using your new shoes to represent your entire ensemble. Although stunning and beautiful, the shoes carry little meaning on their own. (Okay, unless they are Manolo Blahnik and then it doesn’t matter what else you are wearing.)
The point is, the strength of a brand is built through significant integration. Print ads, outdoor boards, mobile marketing, public relations, media relations, social media, television spots, radio spots & editorials all support and define the brand. Brand strategy and brand planning serve as a foundation for the brand. As Manpower’s chairman, CEO and president Jeffrey Joerres said when unveiling his company’s new logo: “The overall package is not simply a graphic artist’s exercise.”
There is nothing simple about branding. It takes a lot of time, money, strategy and positioning before a brand becomes familiar. It takes even longer for it to stand on its own and hold meaning…here’s looking at you, Nike Swoosh!
For the past four years of my life at about this time, I would be settling into my dorm, most likely bitching about the cafeteria food, but so happy to be reunited with all my friends and starting another school year. However, this year is different. Having graduated in May, I am feeling rather strange. Thinking that I will not be living with my friends and being free of rules and parents is quite dismal. As my brother put it – I am no longer living in the “glory years.”
Recently I have realized that this year may not be so different from the beginning of each year of college. Upon graduation–-and to my dismay— I began the infamous job search. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, where I was going to live, what career I was going to have, and most importantly was I even ready for this so-called “real world.” Am I a grown-up now?
Almost two months ago I started working at Boelter + Lincoln as the marketing intern and I have found this new venture of my life quite similar to beginning a new year at college. Waking up for work in the morning is just like waking up for class, researching information and writing press releases are just like research papers. Getting to know everyone at the office is just like making new friends within my classes…so what was I so resistant to? Why was I so worried about being part of the real world?
I thought that leaving college behind and “growing-up” would mean that fun would not exist in my life anymore; there would be no more parties and staying up late and then sleeping in, or (even worse) no more excuses to eat junk food. Through getting to know the B+L staff, they have made me realize that my life is just beginning and I still have many fun life experiences ahead of me. From hearing about the new house someone bought to skateboarding with their son, I feel like there is so much more excitement yet to come. I will now have the resources and time to travel, settle into Milwaukee, get married, buy a house, have children…and the list could go on.
I can now say that I am perfectly content with my life for the moment; the right time will come for everything. In the meantime, I can continue to soak up the knowledge of not only the fun times that may lie ahead; but also, the social media, public relations and customer service knowledge I am learning every day.
That being said, I would like to tip my hat to my friends at B+L; thank you for showing me that life can still be fun after college.
Like everyone else in the PR/advertising/marketing business, I’m trying like hell to keep up with the constantly shifting sands of this era’s shiny new toy – social media. And, while it’s frustrating at times to sort through what really needs to be understood and what’s irrelevant (Google Wave, anyone?) on the whole, I love what’s happening. Social media is definitely a game-changer, communication tools that help David compete with Goliath. Not that they can’t help Goliath too; companies large and small are realizing the benefits of honest, two-way communications with customers and constituents. As a PR guy, I also love being able to take my story directly to the audience, without having to rely on editors, news desks and other capricious media gatekeepers.
So, yeah, I’m a social media fan. No question…like punk rock, personal computers and the pill, it has changed the paradigm. It was woken people up. All good.
But now, a criticism. I’ve noticed a tendency among many co-workers to over-rely on social media and e-communications in general, including email and texts. On both an individual- and group communication basis, there is far too much of the “we’ve posted, we’ve tweeted, we’ve sent the email…so now we’re done” attitude.
C’mon people. Get real. First of all, unless there is interaction (be it responses, re-tweets or whatever) you’ve done nothing except shout into the wind. Secondly, even if the communiqué is received, how deep is the understanding? Let’s face it, 140 character tweets don’t have a lot of meat, nor do most text or email messages. But that’s not their function. They are merely a way to start the ball rolling. It’s the follow up communications that really matter.
Which brings me to my quaintly old-school point: the best follow-up tool I’ve ever used—and most efficient social media channel—wasn’t invented by Mark Zuckerberg, the Twitter guys, Steve Jobs or Al Gore. Nope, we’re talking Alexander Graham Bell.
Like it or not, the telephone can be a communicator’s ace in the hole. I love it when email or social campaigns hit and immediately start to hum…but let’s face it, that doesn’t happen every time. Sometimes you’ve got to work a little harder to get the fire lit. I’ve had numerous instances recently where social and “e” initiatives needed to be saved by working the phone. That’s not always easy, nor is it always a solution. But it can be incredibly effective. Think about it—what other tool gives you the opportunity to be completely authentic, transparent, and work in real time? Maybe that’s why people shy away from it. If you aren’t engaging, sure of yourself, and quick on your feet, you’re dead. And if you crumble into dust when someone snarks at you, you’re dead too. But if that’s the case, what are you doing in this business?
Admittedly, email, Facebook and Twitter correspondence all allow one to show personality, counter objections and delve into individualized areas of interest. However, I’d argue that none of them does it as effectively, or with as much nuance, as the phone. (Sorry—exclamation points, words in caps and emoticons are just not the same as reading someone’s voice.)
So next time you’re organizing an event, working a press release, clarifying something with a client or following up with the girl you met last night, don’t rely solely on social media or e-communications—pick up the damn phone!
MILWAUKEE (August 30, 2011) – Boelter + Lincoln Marketing Communications has promoted Garth Cramer to associate creative director. He was previously a senior copywriter and producer at the agency.
As associate creative director, Cramer will be responsible for generating and inspiring creativity and innovative thinking among B + L employees and developing and overseeing production of creative concepts for clients.
Cramer is heavily involved in a variety of agency accounts, including the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, North Shore Bank, Ministry Healthcare and Lakefront Brewery.
Boelter + Lincoln is a full-service marketing communications firm with more than 30 years of award-winning experience.
MILWAUKEE – Boelter + Lincoln has been hired by Rite-Hite to provide public relations and social media services.
“We’re very excited to work with Rite-Hite,” said Boelter + Lincoln President Jill Brzeski. “They are an industry leader with international distribution, great new products in the pipeline and a tremendous potential for growth.”
Comprised of seven separate corporations, Rite-Hite was founded in 1965 by Arthur K. White, father of Rite-Hite’s current owner and chairman, Michael White. Rite-Hite is a world leader in the manufacture and sale of loading dock equipment, industrial doors, safety barriers and high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) industrial fans – all designed to improve safety, productivity, and energy consumption. Rite-Hite’s brand portfolio includes Frommelt and Zoneworks, as well as Rite-Hite Fans, Rite-Hite Doors and Rite-Hite Products, among others. The company’s continuing emphasis on research and development has led to the ongoing creation of new products that have pioneered their respective industry segments.
Boelter + Lincoln is a full-service marketing communications firm with more than 30 years of award-winning experience.
SITUATION
The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest, continuously operating auto racing facility in the world. It offers a combination of state-of-the-art facilities, urban proximity and racing history that is unmatched. During the track’s 100th anniversary, NASCAR brought its popular Busch and Craftsman Truck Series to town.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
- Maintain ticket sales and attendance level from the previous year for the NASCAR Busch Series event
- Sell-out the Gear Garden (Grandstand rows 1-8)
- Increase NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ticket sales and attendance by 15 percent
- Maximize exposure for the NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck Series nighttime events
IMPLEMENTATION
Boelter + Lincoln developed a campaign to establish NASCAR as the racing event of the summer, including two television spots: one designed to generate overall excitement and awareness, the other to promote the Gear Garden. B+L also developed print to support the general awareness/excitement objective.
RESULTS
- 30% increase in Craftsman Truck Series attendance
- Sold out the Gear Garden for the Busch Series
- 10% increased in Busch Series ticket sales – a sell-out
- The highest one-day attendance level in The Milwaukee Mile’s 100-year history
Wikipedia says “insanity” is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. These are behaviors that violate social norms. But what if the “norms” weren’t so normal?
Answer me this: When the fish in my TapFish game app on my phone died, why did I get so sad? Why did I feel the weight of loss and suffering when my tanks of virtual fish went belly up? I felt like I let my daughter down (although she stopped playing with the app weeks ago). I’m haunted by the idea of my poor fish starving in their unkempt tanks.
I had built an emotional connection based on the humanization of animated pets.
Well, good for you, Gameview Studios (the creators of TapFish), you got me. I recall other such virtual pet experiences in my past and they get me every time. It’s really not unlike the heartbreak of outliving a real pet. Maybe it’s a good lesson.
A few weeks ago I was discussing social media with a client, and we were wondering what defines a “connection?” Sure there are tweets and retweets and responses and direct messages, but when does a real “connection” begin? Does the tweet need to be responded to? Does there need to be a two-way conversation? My answer was no. And this answer was based on another bit of emotional insanity:
My personal relationship with Danny DeVito.
No, I don’t know Mr. DeVito personally. I’ve never met the man, but I follow him on Twitter (@DannyDeVito). And simply paying attention to his tweets has built emotional equity between the two of us – although it’s only one-sided.
Still, I know of his hatred for dentists, his love of the word “bitches” and what his foot looks like (he posts lots of pictures of his foot – dubbed “Troll Foot” – with a variety of objects). In other words, I’m connected. And when talking about Danny DeVito I mention these facts. When I see a promo for his hit show, “It’s always sunny…” I take notice. Hell, I’ve even watched it several times.
It’s because I’m human. Because the fact is, we empower others with control of our actions and emotions. We choose to give them the power to make us cry, to make us show up to work at a certain time and to make us pull the trigger on purchases. The importance of the relationship and emotional connection is by permission only.
Call us a bunch of suckers, but that’s why I love storytelling. That’s why I love advertising. You can fish for hearts and pull in some big ones with just a :30 second commercial. And those are REAL fish. Not some crappy, no good, virtual fish…
I’m sorry to have to say it but, yes, this is another wedding blog. This time, however, you’re not hearing it from the nervous groom or the coordinating bridesmaid; I’m the bride. And I’m here to talk about one of the single most important aspects of the wedding. The one thing us bride-to-be’s have been dreaming of since we saw our first Disney movie. (Or maybe it’s just me.) It’s more important than the cake, the venue, the flowers, and even on occasion, the groom. Yes ladies, I am talking about…THE DRESS!
As much as we like to let our significant others feel “included” in our special day, you’ve got to admit that this day is really all about us, the brides. And because of this, we need to stand out as much as possible. Our dress has to be unique like us and show off our individual personality. There are, of course, always rules when purchasing your dress to make the process as smooth and as stress free as possible. Now I know what you’re thinking – how is all of this going to come back around to be a clever metaphor for advertising? Well, your brand’s appearance is just as important as a bride’s on her wedding day, so use your head when creating that incredibly important image.
Knowing where you are getting married and what type of wedding you’re going to have — just like knowing the audience for your advertisement – will easily narrow down your selections. If you’re getting married in an old fashioned Roman Catholic Church, you’re not going to buy a deep V-neck, figure-squeezing, modern day ruffled short skirt wedding dress. But if you’re having a salsa theme, go for it! In the same way that no media buyer would put an ad about lowering your mortgage payment on the Disney-for- Kids website, context is everything!
Asking too many people for advice you on your dress is one of the biggest wedding no-no’s a bride can make. Hearing a multitude of opinions can dilute the bride’s vision and will only leave everyone feeling frustrated. Overanalyzing your approach can bring just as many mixed signals, as well. Remember, you cannot please everyone. If you decide to go the “advisory board” route, you’ll have to be willing to compromise. Ask yourself: is this really about what everybody else wants, or what YOU want? How much are you really going to let others influence your decision? Asking other people’s opinions is always a great idea, but I suggest limiting it to the opinions of a significant few that you trust.
The last, and perhaps most important, piece of advice is to keep your expectations in line with your budget. If you have a $1,000 budget for your wedding dress, don’t go trying on $10,000 beaded couture dresses with layers and layers of fabric. You’ll end up setting the standard too high and will feel disappointed in the end. By the same token, if you are a small company just starting out, don’t feel like you must have fancy website animation and special effects, or ad placements across the country; you’re going to fall short in either cash or quality. And if you absolutely MUST have that, be ready to look for some extra loans and/or call in some favors, because it’s not going to be cheap!
Having the right information on hand when on your search — whether it be for that perfect ad concept, or that perfect dress — will make the whole process that much smoother. Even if you’ve been dreaming of that dress since you were a little girl, a little compromising will always lead you to that perfect one that you’ll be anxious to show off to the rest of the world on your wedding day, and will make you stand out above the rest.
I’ve heard of wedding season, but it has become wedding year for me. Within a year, three of my best friends got engaged and began planning their weddings. I was honored when all three asked me to be a bridesmaid and be part of the wedding fun! What could be more fun than being part of your best friend’s special day?!
When my first engaged friend asked me to be a bridesmaid I gladly accepted…and quickly Googled “bridesmaid duties.” (Hey, I’ve never done this before!) I quickly learned that being a bridesmaid doesn’t just mean you get to go wedding dress shopping with the bride and do a funny dance when you enter the reception hall. The search yielded a long list of typical duties, including scouting wedding venues, writing out invitations, planning the bridal shower/bachelorette party and preparing for potential challenges during the wedding. Basically, the bride should be able to depend on me and her other bridesmaids for any and everything she may need leading up to and during her wedding. Luckily for me, working with clients on a daily basis has primed me with the skills I need to be efficient and successful at this whole bridesmaid thing. Coordinating, managing and being proactive are just a few things that our clients depend on us for – and they’re exactly what a bride needs.
With the wedding quickly approaching, the first item on our to-do list was to find the bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses. Surprisingly, this happened fairly quickly and easily. The next big items on the list were the bridal shower and bachelorette party, which will both be on the same day. This is where coordinating client film/photo shoots and other projects in the past will be helpful because I recognize the insane amount of planning that needs to happen for everything to go smoothly. So let the planning puzzle begin! Where do we start?
Since I’ve never done this before, I approached it the same way I would a new project at work – by setting up a meeting. The maid of honor and I kicked off the planning process by sitting down with the bride’s family members to discuss budget, venues, invitations, menu and other logistics. After that was all nailed down, we got into the really fun stuff, splitting up tasks such as requesting quotes from various vendors, ordering decorations and researching games, just to name a few. I gladly assigned deadlines for these tasks. (What can I say? I like deadlines.) After numerous meetings and multiple drafts of party agendas, everything came together nicely. The entire day – including pre-bridal shower and post-bachelorette party – was planned to the hour. By using the approach I would for a client project, the planning of these events was seamless and efficient.
I’m happy to report that the very first bridal shower and bachelorette party occurred this weekend and was a success! Though the guest of honor didn’t completely stick to the agenda, it was her special night out, so I didn’t make too much of a fuss over it. The wedding will take place in Jamaica in November and I know this weekend’s events were just the beginning. As for the other two weddings, I’m about to start nailing down an even more intensive project – a joint bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Stay tuned!
Seven months ago, my husband and I brought home an eight week old puppy – our “trial-child.” I had visions of the puppy lying on my feet as I read by the fire, while my husband pictured the puppy fetching him a beer from the fridge. Less than a month in and several pairs of shoes later, we realized perception and reality were two very different things. As this 14 lb. pup started packing on the weight, we decided we needed obedience training immediately! So every week for months, we schlepped the puppy and all his paraphernalia to puppy kindergarten.
Perhaps it was the fumes from the cleaning products as I cleaned up countless accidents or the numerous middle-of-the-night potty breaks that led to my observations, but I started to see a parallel between canine obedience training and my role as project manager/traffic manager of the creative department. I offer the following tips for training your household pet – and/or your creative department:
Keep it short and concise
• When giving your dog a command, use one word statements to alleviate confusion. For example, use “sit” instead of “please don’t jump on people, I’d prefer you sit over there in the corner and pretend like you’re a good dog.”
• When opening a job brief, please answer each question in a short and concise manner. Additionally, please read through and highlight all supplemental material. Do not give me piles of information the creative team might find “helpful” if they have an extra ten hours to read and review.
Be Firm
• Be firm when giving commands; the dog needs to know who’s “Alpha.” Dogs are happy when they can please their owner and are given a task they can easily complete. They are also more at ease when they know their place in a pack and can easily identify the pack leader.
• A project manager must be firm when managing timelines and setting expectations. The creative department works best when given a “to-do” list outlining necessary tasks, calendar announcements, and a few “how are you doing?” conversations. (For a girl who loves post-its, this is a dream job!)
Reward them for their good work
• When the dog has done well, offer them a treat or praise so they know they should continue their good behavior. When the dog has done something for the first time or exceptionally well, “jack-pot” them by offering numerous treats at the same time. (Note: When the dog has your favorite shoe and is running down the hallway, no amount of treats will stop him.)
• Remember to offer the creative department lots of praise. Designers are constantly getting revisions, so a few kind words are always appreciated. “Jack-potting” should always include baked goods, beer, or both.
Do not leave the puppy or the creative department unsupervised
• This is self-explanatory.
Short “play breaks” increase productivity
• Break up training with short play sessions to keep the puppy interested. Training is mentally taxing for a young puppy and one way to reward him or offer them a break is by playing. Suggestions – fetch or tug
• Do not freak out if the department is taking a short break to chat on a busy day. (It helps to repeat this mantra quietly to yourself.) They too need to recharge their batteries and will work harder once they return to work. Suggestions – conversations about food carts or bacon
Relax at the end of the long day
• A happy puppy is one that has been exercised both physically and mentally and is basking in the sun at the end of the day. Let him enjoy it!
• A happy creative department member is one who has completed his or her work and is basking in their 4:30 beer with the record player playing. Let them enjoy it!
As of June, we have passed puppy kindergarten and will be returning in the fall for the next round of classes! The puppy now weighs 75 pounds and the creative department 1,700 respectively – I’m happy to report both are happy and healthy…and I like to think, they both view me as Alpha.
When I was growing up, there was one rule: My rule was be nice to everyone. This comes with the territory of being the youngest sibling to three brothers. From the get-go, I was nice – but slowly I realized that I had to be nice to survive. Would Dad ground me if after my brother punched me and I punched him in return? You bet he would. I’ve been tripped, kicked, punched, stabbed in the stomach with a pencil, driven over by a bicycle…you name it and I survived it. You dish it, I’ll take it. Grin and bear it, baby. I’ll survive.
Around age seven, I added another rule. No soda by the computer.
Fast forward to today, and my rules are aimed for a nice work environment and for a nice household. Luckily, most of the specifications go hand-in-hand.
Trim: At work – We all know that a 4 x 4 ad really doesn’t look great when it needs to be 10 x 12. Hmmmm…I need to talk with the art director about a redesign.
At home – All the furniture that fit into my one bedroom apartment doesn’t fill my 3-bedroom house. Uggh, am I going to survive my husband’s response once I tell him I need to go shopping??
Live Area: At work – I’ll make sure your logo, contact info, headline and copy stay in the live area and won’t get lopped off once the magazine is trimmed down to size. Hmmm…did it get lopped off?? Time to call the printer, I followed their specs.
At home – I’ll make sure that our bills are covered in our monthly income. Hmmm…living outside our means? Crap, I have no one to call to fix it – it’s up to us. Breathe, we will survive. Repeat, we will survive.
Material Submission: At work – I need to know what version of software you want it in, when you need it by and how I should submit it — upload, email, overnight or ground?
At home – We moved into our house the night we signed the papers. I immediately invited my family over for Christmas, because who doesn’t like the challenge of hosting dinner without appliances?? Somehow we did survive — with a full belly, too
Proofs: At work – This is the last chance to catch any typos or mistakes, even though there shouldn’t be any since it routed to the entire team. But, just in case- you better comb through that proof like a crazy lady.
At home – Even when I Photoshop what the room can look like once it’s painted, that proof never matches up. Blue opal now looks like a baby boy blue. Aaargh! Now I’m a crazy lady obsessing over the paint color in our office. Repaint and – viola! – I’ve survived another room makeover.
Archive the project off the server: Once that final piece is in my hands, I always page through it, and there is a bit of relief once its all said and done. Time to archive the job and move onto the next project. The same goes looking back on my life with my brothers. All the bruises and tears are archived off in my mind; these boys are going to be by my side for the rest of my life. The hits still come from time to time, but at least now I can fight them back and my Dad can’t ground me. Lets just hope my husband can handle my brothers.
So, you can see that by just doing some prep work and understanding the specs you will survive and you will save yourself time, money, and a few tears and trees. Nice, right?
After a few weeks of Google+ envy, I received an invite from a colleague last week. The last thing I need is another social network to figure out but that’s the business we are in, right? So I logged in and started setting up my circles. Back to that in a minute.
We all know that the social media landscape is changing so fast that it’s hard to keep up. And as marketing professionals we have no choice but to check them all out. Think about how many networks/platforms you have created profiles for but never even used. Friendfeed ring a bell? And I still have no clue why I signed up for Plaxo. Right now, I have a nice little thing going between Facebook and Twitter. So the bar was set pretty high for Google+ to give me something that neither of these is.
Unfortunately, right now, they are not. On the outset Google+ is a cleaner version of Facebook. You can group your connections into tidy circles – friends, family, acquaintances, and those you are just following. There are no busy sidebars or ads. (Let’s take a bet on how long it takes for Adwords campaigns to show up.) But since Google+ is not open to the public, not a lot of people I know are part of it. As I was building my circles I felt like I was just duplicating my Facebook and Twitter connections. We all know the reason for Google+ – Google wants to do everything they can to keep you within their platform when you’re online. They want to create a one stop shop for email, chat, search and social networking.
Not everything that Google does turns to gold (i.e. Google Wave, Buzz). But I am sure they will do their best to give Facebook a run for their money. As a general consumer, I know I don’t have time for both. As a marketing professional, I will give it more time. Give me something different, make me feel even more efficient with my social media time and I will become a believer.
