Bacon is as Bacon Does

(Video) Paint Drops Reacting To Sound Waves

2010-10-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Saw this work from Dentsu London on PSFK...just made my day.

(Video) Paint Drops Reacting To Sound Waves

Next: The Social Media Restaurant

2010-09-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

Next: The Social Media Restaurant Neat idea. Assuming the food is good. Check that. Assuming the food is outstanding.

The Great Creative Suck

2010-09-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

folks in the industry face all sorts of challenges when it comes to keeping their creative juices flowing. Myopic clients...meddling managers...and people in general who feel the need to finger f*ck a project to death.

But nothing is as daunting, and challenging as....children.

My son Paul just turned a year old...and man, is he awesome. Like any parent, I think my kid is the shiz, and I'm happiest when we're kicking it together, bouncing footballs off the dogs heads, making weird noises and generally having a great time.

But with the good, comes the bad...like sleepless nights, mad rushes to get to day-care before they start the meter and making organic mac-n-cheese while my off-spring stickes odd objects in his mouth. This combo...plus the daily sausage grind that is advertising can suck you dry.

My reading time...both in the trades, blogs and for pleasure...has vanished. Thursday and Friday night ventures to galleries, readings and theaters have been replaced by a bottle of $10-vino and sleep. And as a result...my ability to think conceptually has been replaced by a plodding, linear approach to, well, just about everything.

Any tips out there? Any industry vets that can throw this old dog a bone. There's only so much caffeine a man can take...

cheers.

Swoon: Swimming Cities of Serinissima Fundraiser

2009-04-28T14:16:00.001-07:00

source: Cool Hunting

Swimming Cities of Serenissima, international street and installation artist Swoon's floating art project, is the kind of undertaking that puts it in … more

Airstream x MINI Cooper S Clubman x Republic of Fritz Hansen

2009-04-27T09:31:00.001-07:00

source: Cool Hunting

For someone raised traveling in a converted bus like myself, this new Republic of Fritz Hansen-designed Airstream and coordinating modified MINI Coope… more

Rocawear Mobile RocPopShop

2009-04-15T10:58:00.001-07:00

source: Cool Hunting

by Tamara Warren Taking the temporary retail concept to a mobile level, Jay-Z recently collaborated with architect David Ashen of D-ash on a tricked-o… more

BEST COMPANY EVER

2009-04-09T13:34:00.001-07:00

Great shizzle from my friend(s) at BEST CO EVER.

Boxed Water Is Better

2009-03-20T07:48:00.001-07:00

source: Cool Hunting

With Boxed Water Is Better, the only thing you're really consuming is the water itself. A new brand—and concept—Boxed Water has successfully taken the… more

Sixth Sense from TED

2009-03-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

Three Exceptional Scotches

2009-03-18T09:33:00.001-07:00

source: Cool Hunting

We're not Irish enough to know if it's total sacrilege to drink scotch for St. Patrick's day festivities, but we've had the good fortune of being awas… more

2009-03-13T10:06:00.001-07:00

source: Cool Hunting

http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2009/03/_would_you_live.php

Audi Annual Report

2009-03-10T11:13:00.001-07:00

Caught this over on PSFK.com

http://www.psfk.com/2009/03/audi-posts-record-profits-unleashes-interactive-annual-report.html

2009-03-10T07:37:00.001-07:00

source: Cool Hunting

http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2009/03/formation_iphon.php

Limited-Edition Graphic Levi's 501 Jeans

2009-03-05T13:54:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

Levi's recently released a limited-edition series of four pairs of jeans featuring vibrantly colored graphics. Geometric prints in red, blue, orange a… more

Monterey Bay Shores Eco-Development

2009-02-26T11:52:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

This spectacular design—still in the works—aims to convert a desolate desert, into a thriving environmental preserve and eco-resort. The building inco… more

Europeans are cooler than us

2009-02-24T09:20:00.001-08:00

Well...some will argue that England is not Europe...but you know what I'm talking about.

http://creativity-online.com/work/view?seed=767f67de

The Value of Free

2009-02-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

Is free-dom killing America?

A very good business man once said, "if it's free, it has no value."

I look around at sharing that the Web 2.0 environment has created and I wonder if the "free" exchange of ideas, technology and information is what's killing the economy.

Think about it...back in the day, if you had a great idea, or figured out how to do something better than someone else, you packaged it up and sold it.

Now, people are developing technology, sharing information, providing services...all for free. And as stated above...if it's free, does it have value.

Take Google. I get on Google at work, type in the name of a company I saw over the weekend and get the scoop. I don't click on any ads...I don't buy anything, and the only "cost" is that of my company to the internet provider. Google gets nothing.

I really don't know where I'm going with this yet...but it seems to me that free nature of our economy is currently crashing on itself. and maybe what we need is less 'free-dom'...

sPb

Renzo Rosso: Diesel Planet Store Fifth Avenue

2009-02-18T09:27:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

Fresh off a smoke, Renzo Rosso sat down with us to answer a few questions about Diesel's newest and largest Planet store on swanky Fifth Avenue in NYC… more

LVHRD ARCHDL V

2009-02-17T05:00:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

Pitting two architecture firms against each other in a timed construction duel, LVHRD sets the scene for another one of their infamous creative compet… more

Fastest Weiner in the West

2009-02-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

My boy Ralphie defended is Weiner Dog racing title yesterday. I hope to have some action shots soon...but here he is chilln' pre-race with Lala

New Kicks from Ospop

2009-02-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Just got my new kicks from Ospop...super comfortable, with some pretty basic/clean lines. Dig them...

Cameratruck

2009-02-16T09:27:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

Taking pinhole photography to a whole new scale, photographer Shaun Irving transformed a delivery trucks into the world's largest mobile camera, the C… more

MoMA Atlantic/Pacific

2009-02-11T08:50:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

In a new initiative taking art far outside the museum walls, MoMA sprinkled the Atlantic/Pacific subway station in Brooklyn with 58 reproductions from… more

Remarkable.

2009-02-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

Caught this vid from Seth at TED on the "importance" of being "remarkable". (actually, it was linked to a PSFK article...so go there, too). The purple cow example is not new...but it's still striking, and it confounds me that more marketers, brand managers and product designers don't follow it. why do beer companies think that new secondary packaging will sell more beer when EVERY beer company is always changing their secondary packaging.

a great example was a brain drizzle i was in a few weeks ago and someone asked, "can we tell or show that we're are smarter than the other guys." and the resounding answer was no...we can't. we can show them we're smart...we can show them we're good...but we cannot show them we're smarter. what we need to show them, i argued, is that we're remarkable. we'll see how it goes....

Big News Baby!

2009-02-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

Switch in the news today!

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/workplace/story/E6985C4F9700C725862575500004DF1D?OpenDocument#tp_newCommentAnchor

Love this dood...

2009-02-02T11:19:00.001-08:00

Amazing Tricycle Jump - Watch more Free Videos

http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2007/06/big_agnes_a_cou.php

2009-01-29T08:40:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

Knuckledraggers going stealth

2009-01-27T06:53:00.000-08:00

The Whip by Cheetah Ultra Sports

2009-01-27T06:51:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

If the Navy SEALs were to ever have an official snowboard, it would have to be The Whip F-117, so named because it draws inspiration from the F-117 St… more

The Stash at Killington: Rough Cut and Interview

2009-01-23T14:01:00.001-08:00

source: Cool Hunting

Last week we were invited by our friends at Burton to go up to Killington, VT to try out the new Stash trail which opened early this year. Taking ridi… more

BFD CP&B

2009-01-19T08:18:00.000-08:00

No sour grapes...as those cats in Miami and Boulder do some clever work (my agency isn't even an ad agency). But any organization that employes a hack like Bob Garfield has no biz handing out awards. Like the conversations regarding the MLB Hall of Fame...why does the press decide who wins? Shouldn't it be the clients and their peers? And shouldn't results matter? I mean, clever work and great strategy only matter if it moves the needle. Maybe it is...I haven't eaten at a BK in 5 years...but I see a lot of them around so I'm sure they must be doing something right.

Anyway...i just find odd humor in self-serving industry awards. Although I'm sure I'd have a different POV if I was holding my Lion on the beaches of Cannes with bubbly near by and a bevey of local beauties keeping me company (sorry wife).

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, Jr!

Pac-Man, Astroids and...

2009-01-19T08:09:00.001-08:00

http://www.spaceinvading.com/

Footy-boots.com

2009-01-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

Great video...just in time for the double-derby week for Everton. It's put up or shut up for my Toffees...they can talk Europe all they want, but if they cannot do something in these two trips to Anfield then they will get nowhere on the continent.

Other than seeing that mutant Rooney in here...this is pretty good.

remember this kids...

2009-01-14T11:08:00.000-08:00

...something to remember that posted:

25thestreet

2009-01-13T16:48:00.001-08:00

killer videto

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

Now's the Time

2009-01-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Is it me...or does it strike anyone else in the marketing/design/communications industry that now is the time to make bold moves?

One, no one else is...everyone is hanging onto the "o shyt" handle and being ever so conservative. Consumers are scared shytless...but still spending money like it's going out of business. I got dragged to Target this weekend by my wife, and other than wanting to cut my own head off, I was amazed at the amount of people out and about buying crap. And yes, it's crap...low cost crap...but they're still spending money.

You can quickly ID some recession-proof industries...beer, anything with a little "i" infront of it...but there is a chance for someone somewhere to make a splash. Retail space is available EVERYWHERE, both traditional and non-traditional.

And while banks aren't throwing money to everyone...a smart, disruptive and authentic business plan will standout and give someone a chance to steal thunder that usually takes years to build.

Detriot Don't Git It...

2009-01-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

There's an article on Ad Age's web site discussing the lack of "takers" for a 50MM campaign to save the US Auto Industry. The folks at this "forward thinking" ad agency, made up of a bunch of (you guessed it) guys who used to work on auto biz, feel the problem isnt the quality of the product Detriot is peddling...it's the perception of the auto industry itself. They say the campaign will show Americans how important the auto industry is...

I can't say I disagree with the perception of Detriot...massive 'bonus' structures for executives regardless of profitability, embarrassing innovation, outdated sales structures, and a less than motivated work force supported by less than competitive union puppets.

The bigger issue, that advertising cannot solve, is that the American people aren't interested in saving this Detriot. The American people don't want the American auto industry, as it is, to be saved.

Before you start trying to change perceptions of the auto industry, the entire system, from executives thru mfg and sales need a shake up. Someone with vision needs to take a good look at the future of the industry...honestly assess what the market will bear, both here an abroad, and move forward. Everyone involved with Big Auto needs to reshape that industry with an eye to the future and avoid dragging the past with them.

Robbie...you are a bad mofo...

2009-01-06T07:46:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa55PUwo00E

Flyover Skiing Part II

2009-01-06T07:37:00.001-08:00

Caught this on Thrillist this morning...pretty effing sweet. Not all that confident in the "breaking" it describes...but hell with it...would be awesome if we could just get some effing snow around here...and if someone could lend me $2500 bucks.

Pop Up Film Festival

2008-12-23T08:42:00.001-08:00

Caught this on PSFK...awsome new mini-LED projectors from Castrade. Project your life as you go...

Almost an Ape

2008-12-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

Got these from Coder, who says that between an ape and Bobby Jade, my knuckles are dragging. Good stuff...

Pass along this itch...

2008-12-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

...Contagious' 2008 Best of PDF downloadable here:

http://www.contagiousmagazine.com/pdf/MostContagious2008.pdf

Sad Day.

2008-12-16T09:05:00.001-08:00

Mello cello

2008-12-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

Amazing stuff...can't stop listening to it. Check Nick out here:

http://www.myspace.com/takenobu

Ich komme mit dem auto!

2008-12-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

Considering they created The People's Car (Volkswagon to you non-Eurotrash) and bratwurt, you knew it wouldn't take long for them to get into the pop-up retail game. While I'm not thrilled about about the weight of this "cylindar of selling" it's upside for customization and heavy lifting (includes options for refridgerators, ovens, etc.) makes it unique.

www.bboxx.de

(i'll post pics when blogger gets their shyt together)

My kind of town

2008-12-11T14:24:00.001-08:00

Puma City. I'd live there.

PSFK Meeting

2008-12-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

Not sure how the meeting went...but look at the size of that croissant!! That thing is bigger than that girls head...

28 Minutes Later...

2008-06-02T11:23:00.001-07:00

....from the guys over at Contagious.

Promoting the new Mercedes GLK...
www.mercedes-glk.com

A new take on the sexy car wash from Subie
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vasc8ghyulg or http://sexysubaru.ca

Cool Hunted

2008-03-19T12:08:00.001-07:00

Saw this over on Coolhunting.com...very cool indeed.

Stackable Bottles

2008-03-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

A cool concept...however keep reading the article and see the note about developing product packaging that can then be used for construction.

The idea isn't new (obviously as this article points out)...but in recent times it's be left to artists to muse over.

The whole "shipping container" trend is very similar right now...however this is on a much smaller scale, and honestly, allows much greater flexibility. Interesting...

http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2006/07/heineken-beer-bricks.html

CIA World Fact Book

2008-03-10T20:44:00.001-07:00

Anyone else find this extremely ironic?

SPB

Fly Over Skiing

2008-03-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

This is how we do it in the fly-over States...

Chapter 13

2008-01-31T12:51:00.000-08:00

..."I don't know how it will be in the years to come. There are monstrous changes taking place in the world, forces shaping a future whose face we do not know. Some of these forces seem evil to us, perhaps not in themselves but because their tendency is to eliminate other things we hold good. It is true that two men can lift a bigger stone than one man. A group can build automobiles quicker and better than one man, and bread from a huge factory is cheaper and more uniform. When our food and clothing and housing are all born in the complication of mass production, mass methon is bound to get into our thinking and to eliminate all other thinking. In our time mass or colletive production has entered our economics, our politics, and even our religon, so that some nations have substituted the idea collective for the idea God. This in my time is the danger. There is great tension in the world, tension toward a breaking point, and men are unhappy and confused.

At such a time it seems natural and good to me to ask myself these questions. What do I believe in? What must I fight for and what must I fight against?

Our species is the only creative species, and it has only one crative instrument, the individual mind and spirit of a man. Nothing was ever created by two men. There are no good collaborations, whether in music, in art, in poetry, in mathmatics, in philosophy. Once the miracle of creation has taken place, the group can build and extend it, but the group never invents anything. The preciousness lies in the lonely mind of a man.

And now the forces marshaled around the concept of the grouup have declared a war of extermination on that preciousness, the mind of man. By disparagement, by starvation, by repressions, forced direction, and the stunning hammerblows of conditioning, the free, roving mind is being pursued, roped, blunted, drugged. It is a sad suicidal course our species seems to have taken.

And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or govnernment which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about. I can understand why a system built on a patter must try to destroy the free mind, for that is the one thing which can by inspection destroy such a system. Surely I can understand this, and I hate it and I will fight against it to presever the one thing that separates us from the uncreative beasts. If the glory can be killed, we are all lost.

John Steinbeck, East of Eden (1952)

Brand Sliders

2008-01-30T11:39:00.000-08:00

Just read a great white paper from HUB Magazine that you can pull off their site (www.hubmagazine.com) written by Martin Bishop of Landor Associates (www.Landor.com).

As Brands look to grow, via new services or acquisitions, they must decide that new brand or service falls into their existing brand architecture.

The paper looks at two sides: one umbrella brand or many? It also offers an innovative tool that can help you evaluate which side of the fence you should land on.

SpB

Designboom!

2008-01-25T07:14:00.001-08:00

Yet another great site forwarded on to me by an AD downstaits...

www.designboom.com/eng/

Viva Detroit

2008-01-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

Some great sneak peaks from the Detroit Auto Show from around the Web are out there. This concept vehicle from Jeep caught my eye on the front page of Chicagotribune.com...

I love it when designers make sense.

2008-01-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

So much of our current design culture is design for design sake...or making sexier gadgets so the gadgets we have end up in a landfill on Africa's West Coast. But having spent six and a half years in Chicago, I find this brilliant.

http://www.totes-isotoner.com/category/rain+products/senz+umbrellas.do

Kudos to Urbandaddy for the scoop.

Cheers,
SpB

CES

2008-01-10T18:39:00.000-08:00

I just returned from CES in Las Vegas and will have a full report with pictures up shortly. It will be a fairly topline review, and unfortunately will focus on gadgets, as being short on time I was only able to skim the show floor.

Stay tuned...

New NikeID from CP+B

2007-12-12T13:57:00.000-08:00

doing advertising for mega brands is tough...how many times can you say "just do it" or "this bud's for you" and keep it fresh, exciting, original...and have it reach audiences in different ways?

so it's with a bit of understanding that I trash the new NikeID stuff from Crispin. A lavishly produced spot that, to me, says very little.

Sure, I grasp their position that music fills the motivation need that has been lost through gentrification of society.

But music provides so many different things for different runners and different times or types of runs that I feel the spot is off target...or at least falls short.

cheers. spb.

Really back this time...

2007-12-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

...again, not like anyone is dying to hear what i have to say...but i'm recommitted to posting. Stay tuned...

Cheers,

SPB

I'm Back!

2007-06-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in nearly seven months...not that anyone out there has missed me.

An insane work schedule, along with getting married left little time for blogging. I have a few things on my mind to share...including how we know if marketing on the Internet is working.

Speaking with my aunt this weekend in Chicago, she told me about a speach the CEO of AOL or Yahoo or something gave to a room full of media buyers and sellers.

He noted that Tide (the laundry detergent) recently had a great experience with the Internet on accident. AOL/Yahoo/whatever's ad programming had placed a banner ad of theirs on a vet site knowing, as most do, that Mom's buy the pet food along with their detergent. Anyway, the site became the Internet hub for information on the contaminated pet food issue a few months back. This person giving the speech noted how many "hits" and "visits" Tide got from the pairing of banner ads and Web sites.

What he didn't mention was if Tide sold any detergent because of it. If if Tide was now viewed more favorably (which doesn't mean shit if people don't buy it).

And I've come to start asking these questions of my interactive peers: cool site, awesome interface, good information...are you selling anything because of it? A Web site has become table legs...but what info do we have that links great Web-based activities with sales?

I've always thought some of the big package good companies (General Mills, P&G) have done some good things regarding receipe sharing...but I still don't know if people then purchase the product, or just take the receipe and do their own thing?

Anyone have some info?

Cheers.

A-B Trades Up for Wholesalers

2006-12-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Anheuser-Busch's exclusive wholesaler network raised their collective Budweiser last night and saluted an overseas adversary, InBev, for granting their Christmas wish.

Elsewhere, wholesalers left to peddle Miller, Coors and anything else they can get their hands on must have felt like taking the lump of coal they were just dealt and shoving it up a Clydesdale's arse.

In a move that has been rumored and discussed at length, Belgian brewing giant InBev agreed to allow Anheuser-Busch to distribute their brands in the United States. And while the added volume is but a drop in the leading domestic brewer's overall glass, the move further strengthens their ability to provide a wider spectrum of beverage choices for a wider spectrum of beverage occasions. From Natty in the Carolinas to Stella in Manhattan, Anheuser-Busch can answer your call for suds.

There are some challenges...which will discuss in a moment. But on the positive side, the wholesalers must be ecstatic! Higher margin imports...and a competitive 'green bottle' to challenge Heineken...mean happy days ahead. Take a look at what an A-B wholesaler will be able to offer an account in the coming months: Stella, Becks, Bass, Tiger, Harbin, Kirin, Rolling Rock, Widmer, Goose Island, Grolsch, Red Hook and Kona...not to mention the giant roster of domestic beers, including the Budweiser, Michelob & Busch brand families. Couple this with their Innovation Group, which is has recently introduced two organic beers (Stone Mill Pale Ale, Wild Hop Lager), launched a seasonal program (currently featuring Winter's Bourbon Cask Ale), and a number of malt-based beverages like Spykes & Peels and you're witnessing the revolution of an American company from brewer to global beverage company.

All this is great from a volume stand point, but there are still a few issues. One, we're still living in a spirits culture. August Busch IV has hinted that he's willing to take the spirits and wine manufacturers head-on, either through acquisitions or the development of their own wine & spirits brands. After all...brewing and distilling aren't that different, well, at least the process isn't.

Another issue is managing all these brands and keeping them all top of mind amongst wholesalers. InBev didn't ink this deal so A-B's wholesalers could fall in love with Stella and disregard the others. Much like Busch, Budweiser and Michelob, who have have been in decline since the rise of light beers, InBev's premium beers like Beck's & Bass could suffer from overwhelmed wholesalers and limited funds to market these brands correctly at the local level.

All in all, it's a very impressive move and could elevate A-B to a true global player. AABIV has made his first big splash...lets see if he can keep up the momentum.

Cheers. SPB

Branded Utility

2006-11-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

The on-line folks are once again throwing around buzz words about a "new idea"...making a product or service that is actually worth-while to consumers. I mentioned to trend-extraordinaire Piers Fawkes that I thought what Charmin is doing in Times Square was the ultimate in "branded utility"...actually giving consumers an extremely relevant opportunity to interact with their brands.

He seemed to agree, or at least thought enough of the idea to throw it up for discussion on his Web site. Check it out at www.psfk.com.

Cheers. SPB

KFC Changes Logo...really?

2006-11-13T22:02:00.000-08:00

So, it looks like KFC got a little face lift...but did it? I mean, you wonder how many agencies, executives, focus groups, wives, daughters, sons and household pets it took for Yum Brands to come up with this splendid new logo...which really just looks like their other logos.

Awesome.

SPB

Crash n' Burn

2006-11-13T21:05:00.000-08:00

Nothing worse, or better, than the call from your clients around 3 or 4Pm asking, "hey, do you guys want to work tonight?"

I mean, how do you answer that? Say yes, and every writer, artist, director and production manager hates your guts...despite running for Starbucks, beer, pizza, and anything else those pre madonna's want.

Say no, and how do you face your client the next time you're walking the halls. "Hey, remember last week when you were in a bind and I told you to eat it? Well, me neither...hey, do you have some work we could be doing with you?"

The best is the conflict you hear from management. With one side of their mouths they're muttering about the quality of work that we will deliver in such a short time period or dreaming of shrugging them off, taunting them with the idea that if they would have called us first they'd have great work.

With the other side, they're asking what other agencies are doing working with your clients, and why you're not doing more to keep them out and keep your agency top of mind. Not to mention the numbers & projection questions that come at this time of year.

Well...I'm sitting here, waiting to hear back from the client on this latest round of creative at 11:11PM CST...only then to decide whether to drive the boards to his house about 40 minutes away...or simply meet him at the airport around 5:30 prior to his 7AM flight.

God I love this job.

Cheers. SPB.

I met Satan in Las Vegas

2006-11-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

I was on the first real life hot streak of my brief gambling career. Ten dollar bets had turned into $100 bets and over 12 little black chips sitting next to my Budweiser at the MGM.

Then Satan arrived, wearing a bow tie, a teal vest and name tag that read, "Chen".

Let me start from the beginning.

Following two days of setting up a large event and meeting for some clients, and after one extremely long not out in Vegas sans gambling, I decided to find a nice $10 minimum bet roulette table, throw down $40 and play for awhile. Well, after awhile, I was up an astonishing $375 bucks. I hit three straight numbers...then followed that up with hitting #25 twice...the second time with over $6 bet. For you high rollers, I'm sure this is comedy. For me, I was giddy.

A new "spinner" came rotated in and I didn't like the cut of his jib so I took my winnings met some friends playing video poker at the bar. Being novice gamblers themselves, we awkwardly moved towards a Blackjack table, making sure no one looked too experience as to avoid making complete asses of ourselves (funniest thing about Vegas...you'll drink a liter of vodka and dance naked at a club, but make a stupid bet at a table and you're scared for life).

We all bellied up and started off hot. Keeping it simple, $10 here...$20 there...doubling down and winning a few hands, shortly I was up another couple hundred dollars. Then, my Queen arrived. A young woman from Korea took over and things just got stupid. I couldn't lose...or better yet, the house couldn't win. I was winning on 19, 13, 20, 15...anything. It didn't matter. If i hit, I hit soft. If I stayed, she busted. It was awesome. I went up $300 on three hands in a row. I was flying...tipping the waitress $10 at a time for a bottle of Budweiser. I was slapping guys on the back. I was laughing when I'd lose a $40 hand.

It was not to last.

Satan arrived with a smile and cold laugh. He looked at all the chips on the table...said 'wow'...then stepped on our souls and pocket books. Losing always happens much quicker than winning. Within an hour, I was back down to $500. I placed a $100 bet...landed 11 with the dealer showing 7...of course...Double Down. Satan dropped a 2. I knew he was the devil.

Alas, the dreams of a new iPod...maybe some new shoes and a nice night out with the lady when I got home vanished with quick twist of the dealers wrist and my inability to call it quits.

I still left on top...$200 dollars, after starting with $40. It's a small sum...especially for Vegas. But it was worth the experience, for I have seen the devil, and he wears polyester.

Cheers,

SPB

Man Baiting

2006-09-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Everyone seems to be amazed, hurt, disillusioned with the discovery that Lonelygirl15 seems to be a marketing ploy from a Hollywood Studio.

I'm amazed in this day and age when everything you see is followed up with the statement, "well, if it's real", that people didn't sniff this out earlier.

Let's see...Alarmingly regular posts...seemlingly no change in setting...and the most obvious, the seduction factor. Shut-in media junkies who longingly look for a little cyber affection find a young, beautiful girl who is also lonely, left with her videocamera and computer as her only means of contact with the outside world...then after a few sorrid testimonials tease them with the whole "teacher" thing...I think somewhere a geek just ruined his keyboard.

I have to think that the male human is the easiest creature to lure into looking stupid on the planet. I mean, sex is sex. I can't fault my fellow males for following it to the point of embarrassment...we've all been there. Hell, I followed it to college.

But this isn't even sex...this is the possibility of someone out there...a beautiful female someone...understanding the MySpace junkies and driving them into a frenzy with a few cryptic videos and one sexual reference.

Sure, some will say it was more than the sexual overtones...the Satanic symbols, the odd numbers games...But really, it was all about access to forbidden & subdued sexual energy. Plenty of suckers plugged in.

SPB

Man Goods

2006-09-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

Caught this over on Springwise.

I've yet to to grasp the entire movement to provide men with the same in-depth, over-involved hair care products that women enjoy.

I have a problem paying more for the crap I put in my hair than the hair cut itself. I'm a pomade guy...and I've gone lux with Crew and a few other brands...but there just isn't that much difference between those and the six-dollar varity you can grab and Target.

I guess it's just another trend lost on this Midwesterner.

SPB

Meeting of the Medias

2006-08-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

Boldtype...another venture from the folks at Flavourpill that uses the best parts of the e-newsletter trend to drive you to what is possibly man's greatest acheivement...the printed publication.

I'm registered for around a dozen daily e-newsletters...ranging from my daily dose of PSFK to one from International Living that I just can't get rid of.

Boldtype only arrives in my in-box once a month or so, so much like my resolution to purchase an album each week from a band I've never heard, I have been buying at least one book a month from an author i'm not familar with or on a subject that I'm not really interested in. So far, so great.

Check them out at www.boldtype.com

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Is this Us?

2006-08-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just what we need...another FHM look alike that makes us out to be beer guzzling, panty sniffing assholes.

As part of a project for my pal Piers over at PSFK, I agreed to spend a week or so concentrating on what it means to be a 'modern man'...or my take on my surroundings based on being a modern man.

At first I thought it would be a pretty tame subject, at least for me. I'm a regular guy...like sports & beer, I enjoy new music & art, I have style but don't consider myself "stylish", I live in a rather subdued Midwestern city, and I tend to work my ass off for minimal reward.

But the more I dug, the more I read, and the more I realized what has happened to the American man, the more disturbed I became.

Let's face it, white American men have become the world's punchline. From Dubya down to the "Real Men of Genius", we're pretty much the only group of people left on the planet that you're allowed to stereotype without some organized civil liberties kicking your ass.

And the only people we have to blame for our descent to the bottom of the barrel is ourselves. Just check out the mag rack the next time you're grabbing a Big Gulp and some jerky. Our options are slim...we have porn, seudo-porn, gamer rags, the usual sports titles...and then Esquire.

Being in luck, Esquire used their July issue to take measure of the American male...and according to them, it's a trainwreck. Editor David Granger (or is it Gregor...can't tell from my notes) says there is an "ambition & achievement deficit in young American males."

The magazine goes on to tell us we need Regan's Orange Bitters, The Lewis Ice Bag, WMF Loft Boston shakers and a Rosher bar spoon in our liquor cabinet. Oh, and they provide some not so subtle advice on how to wear your cuffs, collars and knots.

Excuse me, but fuck you! Those douche bags doing their best Rob Lowe in those Ray Ban ads aint me or my buddies...and they sure they hell aren't like anyone I know in New York city or any other city for that matter.

So based on our print meida options, we have some guide lines on how to be an asshole...and well, how to be an asshole.

Where does the real man of today emerge? The simple answer is in the middle somewhere...guys that spend Saturday's in "frat mode" and Saturday nights in "club mode." Guys that go from $250 Italian KCs to $10 Old Navy flops in a heartbeat.

It goes deeper than that. My friend Fritz who has spent his life in academia (lucky bastard) had this to say following a short email discussion:

"I don't know, being a "modern man", or an American one, at least, seems all about actively engaging whatever you do and having more than one identity at one time (professional by day, musician/wannabe cook/etc. by night, climber/hiker/biker/etc. on weekends) instead of linear identities like most of our parents' generation (be defined by work for 30+ years, then retire and figure out who you are)."

I found this really interesting in that our parents and our grandparents let their careers define them. As we have become disenchanted with a corporate environment lacking in any sort of commitment, we search for other things to define us...Multiple things. We have balked at institutions telling us what it is to be successful, or even what success is.

Excuse me Esquire, but some of the most influential and successful people I've ever met prefer flip flops and flower prints to Italian silk.

This "image of success" has been driven by Multiple factors, including the Internet, gaming, hip hop, the NBA and the X-Games. Teenagers with an idea can now be millionaires quicker than the square with an MBA.

Unfortunately, for every success, thousands fall behind...way behind. The dream of bypassing "the man" for green pastures is alluring, but dangerous. And young men who don't know when to pull the rip cord can fall far, fast.

So where is the target for young men? There isn't one. The good and the bad of it is that we are each asked to create are own target, and develop our own path. Society has a problem with this because everyone has shifted to the Right. Choices are bad. Rules are good. Stay in line and don't get hurt.

So far I've watched in amazement as men (and woman) have found and created success in thousands of different ways. An old friend from college, sick of the 9 to 5 started a limo company in Kansas City. My brother has spent seven years teaching ski lessons, going on the road for marketing tours, and just recently settled into an automobile marketing venture...all while living life to its fullest.

After thinking about it, the "state of the modern man" isn't a fair question. The question is "how many states of being does the modern man have?"

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of the Modern Man.

Add Budweiser & Judy and I'm Set

2006-08-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

Thrillist points us to BAMN, a Jetson's themed eatery where good food is panned at the press of a button. The food looks decent...and if they can work in a beer-by-the-dime tap, some recommended 1-900 numbers and maybe a flat screen, the institution of marriage is not long for this world.

www.bamnfood.com

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Mario Killed the Fist Fight

2006-08-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

I should have seen it coming ten years ago.

In an effort to "toughen up" my younger brother, who was half my age at 10 years old, I was ragging on his soccer skills...beating him every way from Tuesday...and really giving him no shot at all. Finally, following an embarrassing nutmeg, he turned and said, "Yeah, well, I bet I can beat you at Mortal Combat."

And thus, the right-of-passage when two brothers square off in a physical battle only one can win...but builds character in the other...was killed by Super Mario...and ironically, his brother.

Video games aren't new...but they are far more prevalent today than at any time in history. In my day, getting four quarters to go down to Velvet Freeze and a chance at Tron was a big deal. Today, college kids are forsaking the kegger for all-night Madden-fests.

If video games where limited to teenagers and a few hold-overs from the Dungeon & Dragons days, we wouldn't be discussing this. The fact is, gaming is now a multi-billion dollar business attracting consumers...mainly men...from the ages of 6 to 60. In a recent article, Chuck Klosterman of Esquire compared the gaming revolution to that of Rock n' Roll. It's that important...or so say the gamers.

And maybe so. In the article, Chuck searches for the meaning behind games, and why there are no real critics of gaming...not critics of the hows and whats...but the whys. He says we need to understand the "significance of potentiality". The meaning behind games. In the article, Henry Jenkins of MIT is quoted as saying "Gaming Designers are asking themselves questions about how a game should look and what it should do, but not about what the game is supposed to mean." (more about this later)

My buddy Fritz in Minny shared some insight from Dennis Trinkle, the CIO at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Trinkle argues that video games will become the primary tool which history, values, and culture is communicated. He notes that the verbal, or storytelling culture died with the printing press...and that books lost their primary foothold with the development of television and eventually motion pictures. Now, our children will learn about the Civil War, Middle East conflict, and the do's and don'ts of society (thank you GTA) via a console plugged into the TV. And it's not a terrible thing. Would a middle school student rather read Red Badge of Courage or learn about the battle of Gettysburg via fighting in it while playing a video game? And if they learn...does it matter how? My mother, a teacher of 25 years is feeling ill somewhere.

But, I digress. I could spend a year pointing out all the ups and downs of video games...but for this post, I'm focusing on one. The "pussy factor."

Kids...and thus men...are getting softer because of video games. We're launching a generation of wimps into the world. Men who's understanding of the world resides in fantasy and their ability to use their thumbs.

Despite Chuck's desire to find someone who can pull 'meaning' from video games...The fact is, video games are anti-meaning. It's 100% escapism. It's people fleeing from meaning, consequence and responsibilities. It's people taking a break from their crappy existence to be an NFL star, a car-stealing pimp, a magical warrior or a made-up creature with amazing leaping ability. What does it mean? Nothing.

And without meaning, we have a bunch of guys who's only recourse when "times get tough" is to dive into a world ruled by megabytes. Don't look at McDonalds & Coke as to why we have fat kids...parents should to look to the permanent indentation that their child has left on their living room couch.

But isn't just about kids either.

Men, fellas 18-36, represent the bulk of the gamers, and giving their buying power, they are the target of many new titles. I asked three friends...all 30 years old, all married, all working-stiffs, all in different parts of the States, what they were doing tonight. One was unpacking from a recent trip to Croatia. One was heading to the tavern to drink his fill and play some darts...and the other? Madden, all weekend, all the time.

I personally never got into video games...I don't know if it was athletics or all the hiking and camping I did as a teen...but it's just not something that ever became a part of me. But gaming isn't like a lot of technology...I'm embarrassed that I have no idea how a DVR works...even if I don't watch enough TV to own one. I can't believe when I have to educate peers on their "first iPod". But I have no shame in telling someone that I don't know how to play EA Sports FIFA '07. Just not my thing. But why is it so many others?

I argued to my Madden-loving pal in LA that the overall development of the home...DVRs, home theater systems, Whole Foods, the Internet...has made it so a man can be fully entertained without leaving his home. I also argued that the tennis/golf/raquetball clubs of our fathers are either outdated or outpriced for the regular joe...thus, the only escape comes virtually.

But Ben shot back that while his ability to have four-star food delivered to his door and all his media needs piped into his home via three screens makes living much easier than our folks had it...it still comes down to the three hours he'll spend tonight in suspended reality playing a video game and doing his best John Gruden.

But, back to the point. What does this mean for society? It means I'm interviewing people with the inability to function in the real world. People who have little to no communication skills beyond IMs. It means that 25 people will show up for our agency's NFL Fantasy draft this weekend...but I can't get 11 guys who want to play soccer on Thursday nights. It means I'm seeing people more comfortable in front of a monitor than in front of each other.

It means we are becoming weak. Hey, Chuck...I think I found your meaning.

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Energy Drinks Jump the Shark

2006-08-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have to say, I'm not a huge energy drink guy...but I think I'm the only one.

I fully understand their purpose...and hell, even a few of them taste good (180 is like Orange Drink from Mickie D's...it puts me in a happy place). But they have officially jumped the shark with this crap.

http://www.goldenpicklejuice.com/

God knows I'll be mixing it with new Dill flavored vodka from Smirnoff at the latest hot spot shortly...

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man

BS for Guys

2006-08-24T07:43:00.000-07:00

Even though I don't live in Gothem, I do make my way there every now and again, so I try to stay up to speed on what's cool, what's not...cause God forbid I find a restaurant I like in Midtown.

Anway, Urbandaddy is my new hook for what's hot. And not only is it what's hot...it's what's hot for guys. It's like Thrillist without the fart jokes.

Check it out at www.urbanddaddy.com

SPB

This post has been written has part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Nice Try CMJ..

2006-08-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

...but I was all over North Atlantic...AND Tapes n' Tapes.

Getting my CMJ New Music Monthy is like someone telling me Chirstmas is coming, and will happen between December 1st and December 31st...but if it doesn't, it will at least happen next month.

I disregard the sporatic delivery for the amazing content, the comp CD and my ability to respond to my music-snob pals on the coasts with, "yeah, I've heard about them."

Anyway, NMM is my ambilical cord to the music scene. The Lou is often skipped over by many of the up-and-coming bands, although a glut of good shows just popped up with the arrival of the fall semester at SLU & Wash U (Built to Spill, Futureheads, Wolfmother, Death Cab, Toyko Police Club).

This month however, I was ahead of the curve. In the magazine's "On the Verge" section they highlight the band "The North Atlantic," a trio out of San Diego that recently had its album Wires In The Walls given a proper release. Check them out at www.thenorthatlantic.com

It just so happens that I was up late two weeks ago, doing some work at home and listening to a local indie/college Internet radio station and caught some North Atlantic licks. The next day at lunch I found the album on the Web, and BANG!...I'm in the loop!

It really is the little things.

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Sicko in St. Lou

2006-08-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

While there was no direct connect between the above "protest" and the new Michael Moore documentary targeting the American healthcare system, the timing seems all too coincidental.

A team of folks...mix of young, old, black, white, rolled up "Truth"-style in front of our building today in downtown St. Louis and created these "crime scenes." The document in the middle noted that the company that owns & manages the building (our shop just leases the space) does not provide proper health insurance for the custodial staff, and that upwards of 200,000 workers in the St. Louis area are employed without medical benefits...of which, 2% will die due to lack of proper medical treatment.

As a marketing agency, we were all a bit jaded by the oft-discussed "Truth" tactics...but for what was obviously a small guerrilla effort, I found it impactful...especailly given the fact that a few suits from the large BlueCross/BlueSheild next door were anxiously taking notice.

Insurance, something no one thinks about until they don't have any or enough...what's your take on the American healthcare situation given the graying of our nation?

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man

EPL is Here!

2006-08-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

American football fans haven't had much to cheer about this summer. Watching our lads get pounded in Germany (a litteral term for poor Brian McBride) was a bit disheartening. And the MLS, is well, crap.

So, it's with much joy that the English Premire League kicked off this weekend, with my Toffees (Everton) getting three points on the table vs. the recently upgraded Watford. While the recently un-relegated (not sure if that's the term they use over there) showed good spirit and caught a tough break with a bad call at the end of the game, it was the boys from Goodison Park that got the win.

New comer Andrew Johnson got on the board quickly, hoping to end Everton's drought of scoring from last season. As expected, James Beattie served up that first mark, and Tim Cahill played well, showing his form from his World Cup experience.

We didn't see much from Jolean Lescott or the 18-year-old Nigerian Victor Anichebe, but it's a long season.

On the other side of the pitch, young American defender Jay DeMerit saw his first EPL action. A lot of Yankee eyes will be on him as we begin to look towards 2010 in South Africa.

I didn't see any other matches...but I did see that Man U put a hurting on someone yesterday. Ouch.

I read this was Everton's frist opening home win in 10 years...I guess good things come to those who wait!

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival Of Modern Man

Bud Branded Content: BDF

2006-08-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

The marketing e-newsletters were all a buzz this morning with news of Anheuser-Busch launching "a new production department" that will create branded sitcoms and spoofs to be used on the Web and on mobile devices (http://adage.com/article?article_id=111379).

More over, folks who work for hundreds of advertising agencies, marketing shops, production companies and post shops were sheepishly laughing that "A-B can't do this...they'll screw it up and come calling us to fix it."

People "close" to the situation were saying that putting AB creative-guru Jim Schumacker in charge was a sign that AB "meant business."

Actually, people who know anything about A-B were saying, "BFD."

Here's the deal...the real deal. Anheuser-Busch has had an in-house television/broadcast production group in place for a long time. It's called BSN (Busch satellite Network). This group of producers, camera men, editors, etc. spend their days producing original content about upcoming marketing efforts, company news, new products, that is then broadcast to their 500+ wholesalers around the country. It has a complete run of schedule that also includes video highlights from sponsored events as well as presentations from Sr Management.

BSN has been underfunded and misused. The fact that A-B is realizing where the group's value truly lies was only a matter of time. Anheuser-Busch didn't get to their position overnight...and they're not going to jump a marketing trend without considerable research and understanding.

Jim "Schu" Schumacker will do a great job with this group...but my biggest question is planning. While A-B does all their own media buying...I don't think they do their own planning...or any planning at all.

Great content in places where no one cares is useless content. Their ability to get this content in the hands of the elusive 21-27 year-old male is key to the success of this group. Anheuser-Busch has stayed clear of community network sites such as YouTube & MySpace due to the lack of age restraints. Will they drive people to a unique site? Or are partnerships in the works with media mainstays like Sports Illustrated, Maxim and Rolling Stone?

As for competitors who are hoping to gain marketshare from A-Bs plunge into "film making", this will be an interesting play to watch. A-B has consistently led the marketing war, often times out-spending their competition if not out-thinking it. Will this be move that once again pushes A-B back into the forefront of the domestic beer battle, or will this be another distraction like the theme parks, Eagle snacks, etc?

I wouldn't be surpised to see a rash of "partnerships" between spirits companies, brewers and companies that provide exclusive content...let's face it, we usually follow the leader.

Thoughts? Please share...

SPB

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man

The Death of a Blog

2006-08-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a near-death experience for this blog...between work, a recent engagement and more work, I just haven't had the time to spend here that I would like.

On the plus side, there was the last minute trip to Germany for the World Cup (see pic...and for more, visit me on Flickr @ flickr.com/photos/raybacon), a few events in New York (including my first Hamptons experience) and a promotion.

On the down side, new responsibilities in the office and at home haven't allowed me to explore the Net and comment on all the comings and goings as much as I would have liked to.

So...I'm re-dedicating myself to the blogsphere. Look for more in the coming days and weeks...

SpB

Goooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaal

2006-06-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

Ahh...the World Cup.

While I'm slightly bitter because my long-developed plans to attend "the world's event" this summer was derailed buy the need for a mortage and my own plunge into engagement...I'm ready to burst with excitement.

First, can you just imagine the party that's going on in Germany right now? Hell, the beer and food alone in Germany is reason enough to visit...add world class soccer, international babes, and the occiasional drunken-futbol-brawl, and, well ...damn I wish I was there.

Ok...so here are my pics to win...and while none of these teams winning would be a "shock", i think everyone will be a little shocked if Brazil doesn't walk away with yet another World Cup trophy.

1. England: Lets face it...they're due. The founders of the game haven't celebrated a Cup win since the '60s. In that win, England beat the Germans at home on two good goals...and one goal that wasn't a goal at all. But I digress.

Wayne Rooney is healthy...maybe not at 100%...and not game fit just yet...but he's healthy enough to give just about every backline fits. Mr. Gerrard is listed at 50/50 to play on Saturday...but if I were a betting man (and I am, because I bet on England) I'd put my money on him playing.

St. George's warriors have excellent defense with Cole on the backline...an amazing midfield, and with a healthy Rooney...the most dynamic player in this tournament.

2. Holland: I love the orange unis. I love Ruud. And I love that they're playing in mainland Europe where they're probably draw the most fans from any nation. I feel they'll stave off another choke job and push through to at least the Final Four...and from there, ANYTHING can happen.

3. Czech Republic: I know nothing about this team other than their keeper, a one Petr Czech is around 9 feet tall with the wingspan of a Goddamn condor. They got trouble written all over them...which is bad news for the Americans, the Italians, the, er Ganhans, and anyone who dosen't like cigarette smoke when watching games with their fans.

Enjoy!

Booze Hound

2006-06-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks...I've been on the road for work and pleasure for what seems to be weeks on end. First was a quick one-nighter to NYC for a meeting a FCB (great offices by the way).

Then, it was down to Charlotte for some racing and a photo shoot, and then a long-ass flight out to Vegas for an event there.

All in all, I saw a lot of good, bad, and ugly.

But most of all, I saw a lot of booze. I mean, what's a business trip without a few benders mixed in? This brings me to one of the topics today...why do travelers feel compelled to drink at airport bars regardless of the time of day?

Back in February, I was on my way down to Daytona for that big autorace, and we had an hour layover in Atlanta...at around 8AM. So, of course, me and my buddy proceed to the bar...which is PACKED. We order up a few Buds only to have a recently returning soldier purchase the bar a round of Jack. Ouch.

I'm usually a latte guy in the morning...but for whatever reason, I find it perfectly acceptable to drink first thing in the morning when i'm traveling. When I drive past some of the Bosnian bars in my neighborhood going to work in the mornings I pity the poor souls in there at that hour...yet, when I see a suit cuddled up to Scotch at dawn in an airport I pull up a stool and ask if he needs another one.

Just weird...not sure where this code of conduct comes from...or why it's so widely accepted. Any thoughts welcome...just don't make me put down my Bud heavy.

SPB

Jack Drinks Coke & More

2006-04-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

Caught wind of this over on Brand New and thought I'd keep the wave going...a new Coke spot featuring Jack White of the White Stripes (who are getting sued by their old producer...but that's another story). Check it out...

/watch?v=owoLu_Hvbbw

Also on Brand New, found a link to a site within the WPP Group focused on brands, and the power they carry. Pretty interesting...and man would I love a gig sitting around coming up with this stuff...o'well...back to figuring out which client I want to be yelled at by first...

www.insidewpp.com/brandz2

One more thing of note...everyone seems to be worked up about this VW campaign from CP+B. Yesterday some guys were pretty fired up on Adrants (www.adrants.com) over the whole deal...drawing their ire for saying Crispen's average work is usually better than most.

This just proved my point that most agency-types, including myself, are pretty childish when it comes to piling on other agencies for doing work we either aren't thrilled with or dislike.

The fact remains that an agencies best efforts can become undone by a meddling client or a poor director...and all of this coming from a VW spot I rather enjoyed.

Ok, rambling...sorry.

Cheers, SPB

This and That

2006-04-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

Music Blogs

2006-04-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm a total music blog novice. I mean, read or hear about bands then hit the net to find out what they're all about...but I've been blown away by the amount of great info, insight...and well, music...on some of the blogs out there.

I consider myself to be a mid-waver. That is, I'm not riding on top of the wave, hearing everything and everything that's going on out there then letting people know what I think. Just no time for that and work...which sucks.

But I do tend to hear about the better bands that get the thumbs up from the music nazis around the world before those acts go mainstream.

Anyway, here are three sites that need to be checked out if you have any kind of new music interest.

cheers.

elbo.ws
Hype Machine (google it...sorry, lazy today)
MPR.com

Look at his package!

2006-04-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

There is not much better than good packaging. I mean, as an ad guy I'd love to say our creative content drives people to purchase more often than not...but that's not true. As a self proclaimed "marketers dream," great packaging will always drive me to buy.

So, I was stoked when I saw this on PSFK.com this morning. While I'm over the whole "fancy bottled water" thing (Figi has enough of my money), this is pretty cool...including the Starbucks-coffee carrier thing...really cool.

Check it...

www.seiwater.com

Miss Moneycrappy

2006-03-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

Ok...so the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has invited regular joes...and janes...to cover the St. Louis nightlife scene. A buddy of mine and I submitted our names to write for the paper...letting them know if they picked someone lame we'd call them out on it.

Well, the chick covering "nightlife" IS lame...lame as hell...and when I posted a response on the blog they edited it. Go ahead and remove it...but don't edit someone's blog post.

What a disgrace. If Miss Moneycrappy can't stand up to critisizm then get off the pot cuse' your shit stinks!!!!!!!!

spb

Clients aren't that dumb...they just like to act like it

2006-03-23T16:20:00.000-08:00

I haven't had anything to rant about in some time. I've been busy doing some pretty cool things here at the office, traveling and doing some new biz thinking...

Anyway...caught wind of a co-worker's sorrows this afternoon and something totally set me off.

Here are some basic truths in the ad/marketing biz:

1. Clients never have enough money
2. Agencies are all ways too expensive
3. The work needs to be done yesterday

Here's where I get pissed. You can't have it both ways.

If we (agency) ask for a budget and/or a timeline and you (client) tell us, "don't know, just get it done" then guess what...we're just going to get it done, and we're going to do it well (because God knows if the comp images aren't hi-res you'll be pissed). Clients forfeit their right to bitch about agency prices when this happens because a) you had the chance to give us a budget to work with and b) we're probably saving your ass.

I know this is a crazy fast business and I know there is a basic understanding of how much some things cost...but someone before me wrote...just because a print ad can be designed and emailed to a client in an hour doesn't mean the creative thinking to make it good can be squeezed into the same timeframe.

I'm out...SPB

Total PSFK rip-off

2006-03-21T12:44:00.000-08:00

Piers and the folks over at PSFK let some "copy n' pasters" have it for simply ripping material off their wonderfully informative site. While this isn't a total rip off, I was really inspired by three different articles I found there today...so, I'm ripping them off!!!

First, the Aquabumps site....how cool. Something about surfers puts me in total awe...and I hate it. I don't hate them...I just hate how envious I am of their talent, of their lifestyle, of their attitudes...of their world!!! To me, surfers are like jet pilots...full of attitude, a self-confidence that boarders...or is...arrogance, and the look in their eye that they've experienced something in this world that we can only dream about. I hate them for that...and I want to be them for that.

The site (www.aquabumps.com) is kickass and more inspiration & inspiration than fluff. Plus, it's snowing on the second day of Spring, so the images will warm you from your desktop.

Second, Deus ex Machina. I've never been a bike guy...but if I was, this is the kind of bike guy I'd be. As the PSFK.com article says...it's not the black leather-Sturgis-badass-you don't understand-bull shit you get from most cycle makers. This is a passion for motorcycles from a different era. There is something far more pure and exciting about these types of bikes. The love and technique that goes into making them, riding them and celebrating them makes me want to throw down some plastic, pick one up and head to the French countryside.

Here's the site...www.deusexmachina.com.au...check it, don't wreck it.

Third, something for the display & event builders in my life...light from concrete. Pretty effn' cool....www.chromastone.com

I'm getting sick and working too hard again so I'm not sure when i'll get back...but enjoy.

sb

Great Quote

2006-03-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

This from Rupert Murdoch, pulled from collaboratemarketing.com:

"Companies that expect a glorious past to shield them from the forces of change driven by advancing technology will fail and fall."

Well said.

spb

Wash Post on Blogging

2006-03-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

New York Magazine covered it better and dug deeper, but it's still an interesting article about big business using and investing more to understand blogs, and thus, their consumers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/02/AR2006030201829.html

spb

Corporate Blogging

2006-03-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

I've recently had some conversations regarding corporate blogging...and how in the wrong hands it can reek more havoc than any good could undo. Yet it's so damn intriguing and, when done right, is an incredible tool tying consumers and brands together.

Anyway, I came across a great quote on Johnnie Moore's blog from some other lad that I found interesting...enjoy.

"At the end, the lesson is one of a paradox. As the power shifts increasingly towards community, the corporation loses its grip on the traditional means of control. Yet, by letting go of control, the corporation creates an environment where the community willingly creates its own switching costs. Such changing market behavior, which is structural and permanent for any industry being usurped by the Internet, must be met with a corresponding shift in corporate mindset. "

word!

spb

NASCARtech

2006-02-22T16:12:00.000-08:00

New media is dropping the hammer on NASCAR fans. From Nextel's little do-dads that allow fans at the race to watch, listen and scan coverage of the race to Budwesier announcing that they will have a live Webcast of a One Night Stand event with Dale Jr on March 9th, it's obvious that whatever you thought about the NASCAR demo is wrong...dead wrong. Now git er done!

spb

Here's the the C-List Baby!!

2006-02-21T17:12:00.000-08:00

Great read on blogging from The New Yorker that has been on, well, every goddamn blog there is to find. And even though I found it via an "A-list" site, I'm breaking my "C-list" mold and claiming it as my own.

I will say the discussion on power-law distribution is very interesting...

http://newyorkmetro.com/news/media/15967/index.html

Tough Clients? Read this...

2006-02-21T16:29:00.000-08:00

Got this bit from Johnnie Moore's blog. Ross Dawson (www.rossdawsonblog.com) talks about the sophistication of professional services clients...which of course are the sophisticated consumers we're trying to buy the crap we market...

sb

MegaTrend One: Client Sophistication

What do you prefer? A sophisticated client, or an unsophisticated one? It’s an interesting issue to debate with professionals. Some say they like unsophisticated clients, because, as they usually express a little more euphemistically, they can take advantage of them (for a little while, anyway). Others prefer sophisticated clients, as they know what to expect, they know how to work effectively with professionals, the professionals can learn from their clients (as they must to keep ahead!), and usually the opportunities are far larger.

Irrespective of what professionals want, the reality is that professional services clients are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The rubes off the street that you can awe into silence and charge like a wounded bull without protest are rather thin on the ground these days.
The drive to greater client sophistication has in turn been created by other broad shifts in the business environment. The most powerful is the ever-increasing pressure on corporations to reduce costs. Whenever business conditions turn down, the edict goes out to cut expenses. In order to cut supplier costs, companies need to understand what they’re buying. In 1992 DuPont established its “DuPont Legal Model”, which consolidated its legal suppliers from 350 to 35, and established clear processes for how its law firms would work for the corporation. This program established a precedent that has been copied by many other companies, and is highly innovative in how aligns the objectives of the company and its service providers. However the initiative was initially driven by the then-chairman’s drive to cut $1 billion from DuPont’s costs.

Across every professional sector, clients have consistently been hiring the best professionals from their suppliers so they know how to deal with them. Consultants, lawyers, investment bankers, accountants, advertising creatives, and consulting engineers all find themselves across the table from their former peers, who know all the tricks of the trade. Specialist firms are frequently brought in to assist clients in getting the best from their professionals.

The downside of increasing client sophistication is that you can’t fleece your clients, and you can’t survive your whole career on what you learned in college. The upside is that sophisticated clients help you to develop your own capabilities, they understand what rewards they need to provide to get the best, and they know how to work with you so you can do your best. Investment bank ABN Amro runs a training program for its fund manager clients that gets them to play the roles of banker and fund manager in order to teach them trading techniques, how to use their high-value research, and even how to use ABN Amro’s proprietary trading models. The advantage for ABN Amro is that their clients understand better how their bankers work, and in turn what it takes to get great service from them.

Traveling!!!

2006-02-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't posted in some time because work keeps getting in the way.

I ventured down south for a NASCAR baptisim in Daytona. I have to say, I loved it. Nextel has done an increadible job making that venue, and thus the entire sport, very approachable for the novice.

I was also in Chicago...my favorite city in the US...for a couple days and hit a few of my old mainstays, including Club Lago on the corner of Orleans & Superior. If you're looking for some real Italian food, there is no better place than this family run corner joint owned by Guido & GianCarlo Nardini. If you pop in, tell them I sent you, and order the veal or eggplant parm (although the chicken piccante is my favorite).

There's a ton of cool stuff that's come across my desk and I hope to share it and give my thoughts on it as soon as I get a break...or at least an hour for lunch.

SB

Coachella Line-Up Annoucned!!!

2006-02-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

With all this damn work I nearly forgot about the Coachella line-up being announced.

While I'm not uber-thirlled about headliners Depeche Mode & Tool, the undercard more than makes up for it. The best part of it all, as always, there are tons of bands in the line-up that I know NOTHING about...can't wait to check them out.

Some highlights from Saturday's line up:

Franz
Sigur Ros
My Morning Jacket
CYHSH
Animal Collective
Imogen Heap
Zutons
Living Things

Some hightlights from Sunday's line up:

Massive Attack (new!)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Bloc Party
PO
Sleater-Kinney
Ted Leo
Dungen

Check it all out, including how to get tix and camping passes at www.coachella.com (the site has come such a long way from three & four years ago!!!).

spb

The Cool Hunter

2006-02-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

Here's an interview with Josh Rubin from CoolHunting (one of our favorites). Josh will be appearing at the Future Marketing Summit (www.futuremarketingsummit.com) presented by IF! (http://if.psfk.com) in New York City on February 23rd.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from the details. I believe there are no new ideas, just great executions.

What is the biggest but most ignored trend you see?

If it's a trend then it's not being ignored, is it?

Are new wave trend spotters a competitive or complementary to the established trend firms?

Both. The traditional trending firms tend to have a longer term focus and less frequent deliverables to their clients—this works for many large corporations. For smaller or more nimble organizations, and those with rapid product development, the 'new wave' is more valuable. Consumer demand is changing more frequently these days, making it harder to keep up using traditional methods which means there will be more competition (or collaboration) between models in the near future.

You've just started to produce video content What sort of content are you covering? Should all online publications move into video?

We launched video for two reasons: 1. the technology is just getting to a point where people can easily consume video content distributed through untraditional conduits. 2. there are lots of things we cover on CH that are better served by audio and video over words and pictures. And that's the first requirement for what we will do a video on. The second requirement, just like the site, is wide open—it simply has to capture our interest. The videos are 1 - 3 minutes because that's what we think is the optimal length for mobile, and even web-based, viewing.

Next week we’ll feature an interview with David Carson, CEO of Heavy.com who will also be appearing at the FMS later this month.

Bacon Ringtones...it could happen!!

2006-02-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

This from Chris Jobst...the king "web dude" at my shop. Pretty sweet...

Here's a company that has not only created software for you to create your own Ringtones out of MP3's, Wav's, etc. but, they have also created an online store so you can host and sell your ringtones.

This is a great solution for future clients who want us to create and offer ring tones to consumers. We could create the ringtone here and then create an online store that would allow the consumer to call a number and download the tone to the phone. This will eliminate us having to build all the expensive telephone network stuff to offer ringtones to cell phones.

The Ringtone hosting plans run from Free to $49.99 with revenue sharing!

Check it out.
http://www.xingtone.com/

Blog Bitch-fest

2006-02-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the United States celebrated the first great Holiday of the year...the Super Bowl. And, as has been the case for many years, there is more buzz about the commercials than the game itself.

But as I surfed between Web sites, emails and blogs, I noticed something that I found rather surprising...the large amount of bitching, whining and general discontent streaming out of the blogsphere.

We ALL know that the days of throwing a :30 or :60 ad on one of the big three networks and watching it work are long gone...but what amazes me is how many people don't understand that the Super Bowl is an anomaly.

Advertising on the Super Bowl isn't about branding, or loyalty, or engagement...like the game itself, it's about sheer entertainment. Aligning with the Super Bowl is like sponsoring Christmas...It's simply brands piggy-backing on a great time being had by EVERYONE IN THE WORLD.

Sure, there were probably a few malcontents blogging, bitching, and pouting about the commercialization of the big game, how big companies "just don't get it" and how the new consumer wants a voice in the marketing conversation, blah blah blah blah. Not on Super Sunday.

This is a day when the everyday joe...the men and women who work their asses of during the week, want to kick back and just be entertained. We spend our lives respsonding to emails, returning calls on our cell phones and shooting pins and ins to friends, family, clients and co-workers...but for these four to five hours, it's nothing but simple entertainment.

And please don't spout about how Madison Ave doesn't understand how to use the Internet. Madison Ave doesn't have to use the Internet because everyone else does. The sheer size of the event makes EVERY ad viral...I've received 57 separate emails today with links to sites running all the Super Bowl ads and even links to sites running ads that didn't make the cut. Do you know how many of these sites were paid for by the advertisers or made by marketers? One. That's viral marketing at its best.

So while all you self-proclaimed 'new marketers' out there don your favorite black turtlenecks and moan about big agencies over your lattes, I'm going to sit back and do what I did yesterday...be entertained.

Cheers.

Bud TV

2006-02-02T15:13:00.000-08:00

The concept of brands providing content directly to consumers is nothing new…if you’ve been paying attention to the marketing world for the past year or two.

Anheuser-Busch has decided to throw their hat in the ring and they’re either going to change the way marketers and sponsors do things…or they’re going to fail miserably.

A-B is in a unique position amongst brands going direct to consumer. Their buying power in the Sports and Entertainment world could result in concerts, games and events being aired…or broadcast…or whatever it will be called…exclusively on Bud TV. That is HUGE. Either they’ll be the HBO of brands…flipping an industry on its ear…or they’ll be conservative and ruin a once-in-an-existence chance to be innovative.

This from Adrants.com:
Anheuser-Busch will use its Super Bowl commercial time to launch a direct-to-consumer network called "The Bud Screen." The network will offer all manner of programming, branded content and advertising delivered to the desktop or an iPod. The brewer intends the network to be long-lived and to eventually be named "Bud TV." We've said it before and we'll say it again, the middleman - the networks - just aren't needed any longer. When a brand or program producer can deliver content directly to the consumer, there's no need for the current TV network set up. Oh sure, big changes are years away but it's happening and it will continue to happen faster and faster as more brands and content producers realize they can have their own channel of distribution.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=39353&Nid=18157&p=117792