The carefree days of summer are over. Well technically summer’s not over for another two weeks, but the way everyone’s crying about it you’d think we just fast forwarded from August to the dead of winter.
Personally, I couldn’t be happier. Because we have just entered the best month of the year. What makes it so great? I’m glad you asked.
Here’s why September is the most awesomest month ever.
- My wife was born in September. (I have to put this first, obviously).
- You can visit just about anywhere in this great …

Everyone dreams of hitting the big game-winning home run. You picture it: Cameras are flashing all throughout the stadium. The crowd is ready to burst with excitement. Every player on both teams is fighting to conceal the mounting pressure they are feeling.
You swing, and send the ball deep, deep, deep over the second basemen’s head. You arrive comfortably at first base with a single. The air goes out of the stadium for a second, but then it builds again as the next player comes up to bat.
This isn’t how the …

I just came back from World Cup in South Africa.
I was also in the last one, in Germany 2006. So, it was impossible to not compare the organization, the marketing buzz and the atmosphere.
Of course, Germany had a better infrastructure.
In cities like Berlin, Munich, Koln and Frankfurt, almost every brand, every shop, every bar were making an invitation for me to live – and buy – the World Cup experience: merchandise, games, interactive gadgets, souvenirs, expos, fantastic places to eat, drink and watch the games.
In South Africa, in some neighborhoods, …

(This was written on June 25th before the US/Ghana game)
I felt bad for the US football/soccer team when their winning goal against Slovenia in their World Cup match was disallowed by a referee undoubtedly related to Helen Keller.
Especially since “footie” is such a goal-challenged sport in the first place. (Unlike the one with the only Cup that really matters.)
Then yesterday I read that BBH had just lost to Fallon their 5-month-old Cadillac account – and that they found out about said loss by reading of it in the press.
Talk about …

Here’s a humbling thought.
It’s the World Cup.
Thousands of people have traveled to South Africa to watch.
Millions more will watch live on television from every corner of the globe.
It is by far the biggest global event at this moment in history, and it’s being ruined for many, by a swarm of vuvuzelas.
Now, obviously, no one tuned in to hear the vuvuzela.
They’re actually only interested in the football.
And right there is the rub.
Most advertising is like a vuvuzela.
It’s loud.
Obnoxious.
It’s not what people tune in for.
If anything, it’s really more of a distraction.
And …

Last week, I wrote about the disaster in the gulf and how it has completely laid waste to both an entire region and any good will created by the BP-Beyond Petroleum ad campaign.
Pretty heavy stuff. So this week I wanted to focus on something a little lighter.
Sports advertising. In particular, hockey advertising. This recent ad by the Boston Bruins brought a smile to my face and reminded me of the simple joy of a funny headline.
http://creativity-online.com/work/boston-bruins-never-date-a-flyers-fan/19942
And I’m a Flyers fan. Perhaps some of the sting is removed by Philly’s historic …

It’s World Cup time.
And in Brazil, the World Cup is a religion.
Every four years we decorate all the streets and houses with green and yellow.
We spend all our money in jerseys, flags, paint, horns, fireworks and brand new TVs.
And we don’t work at game days. It’s like a month with 7 holidays, if we get to the final.
For advertising, it’s time for new ideas to catch people’s attention.
One of the greatest hits of this year is the talking beer.
You go to the bar, ask for a regular can of beer …

By now you’ve most likely seen (or at least heard of) Nike’s Tiger Woods-Dead Dad spot.
Personally, I detest any and all ads that use dead people out of context.
It may be heresy for a creative to say so, but I’ve never liked Apple’s Think Different stuff.
In fact, I loathe it.
“Hey! Ghandi and Einstein et al were great! So buy our computers!”
Talk about borrowed interest.
I wonder what Ghandi and Einstein et al would say?
We can never know because they were never given a choice in the matter and that’s because they’re …

The US Olympic team may not win gold. Or any medal for that matter. But they’ve already proven something that holds true across any team or organization.
Role players are critical.
Some people thrive in the limelight and need to constantly showcase their skills. Others like keeping a low profile, working in the corners, but always ready to make a big play.  And there are those who bring a healthy mix of skill and grit.
It’s great to have all of them on your team. As long as you know the proper mix.
And …

“Great idea! But, they’re never going to buy it.”
I’ve heard that my whole career.
“Trust me. I know this client and they will never buy something like this.”
The final blow sounds something like this:
“Right now, this client isn’t super happy with us. Are you really willing to fall on the sword for this? Are you really willing to jeopardize our account for this idea?”
You probably know how the story ends.
Does anybody have any advice?
In football, we hate it when our team punts. In life, we punt all the time. But, in …