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Holiday AKA Vay to the Kay!
Monday, March 23, 2009
It’s 7:22am and the first cuppa has got my mind ticking. One week holiday, starting from now.
I’m not going to lie. The past 2/3 weeks have really taken it out of me, I’ve had quite an emotional kicking. It’s done and I’m feeling stronger and more determined to move forward with The Agenda.
It’s going to be an exciting break. I want to be as productive as possible - sort out my 5,000 strong database for a start (it’s spread across 4 different platforms).
Get this blog sorted - it’s just not good enough at the moment, the formatting is all knackered so iWeb 2009 may help...
Figure out how to get a book deal - I suppose I’ll start by bugging my contacts and see where that leads (sorry Suzanne and Scott, prepare yourselves!)
Beyond that, continue my preparations for World Domination and continue conversations with the Power of Eight team.
The rest of the time, I’m going to start a new game - Fallout 3, read a TON of books which have been piling up, listen to audio books (thanks Si for the Bandler MP3), cook and have a few G&Ts at the Country Club.
I’m hoping the snow has gone and I can get some plants in.
LOTS to do.
Earth’s Greatest Computer Game?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Damn. I’ve found a new addiction. Just what I need.
Google Earth has caught up with my home town, Newcastle. I’ve spent a pleasing hour and half literally (or is that virtually?) traveling down memory lane.
I looked at my old house ‘stood’ 2 ft from the front door. Zipped past a few old haunts. I even checked out the house where I lost my virginity (pictured). TMI! Oh shush, everyone has lost it somewhere...
This has to be the biggest ‘sandbox’ game ever made. I have given myself some missions:
Find two Geordies having a fight (harder than I thought)
Spot a naked woman
Find an old tag of mine (“Sincro”)
Spot any of my mates
FInd a burglar
Should keep me occupied...and you can play too - screen grab the above to win a prize :)
Free Briefs
Friday, March 20, 2009
Not sure if I think this is cheeky, desperate, smart or arrogant.
Fahrenheit 121 are a brand dev agency who apparently will stoop to giving away their valuable wares to any client who has more than 50 million...
Awfully nice of them and a clever way to reframe a new business play.
Creative work takes time effort, skill, experience, love and imagination and therefore has a value.
Why should we give our efforts away to multi-nationals for free when every other chain in the industry charges?
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Dave
Friday, March 20, 2009
Green and Spring, SoHo NYC.
The taste of a new generation of Dave’s.
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Paymon Parsia Picks Up a Pick of Pens
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pens in banks.
Chase has the worst pens in the world, the nib is too far into the casing and you have to write like a drunken manatee.
TD Bank on the other hand have shouted, “damn the recession! Free pens for all!” and provided a big Tub O Pens for Patrons.
Seen here is Cunning geezer Paymon concentrating on adding up some hard sums.
The free pens is a small - but smart - marketing idea - give away the things. So someone steals a branded pen? So what?
Right Here, Right Now
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
This picture is so “right here, right now” it hurts.
The new and unimproved Pepsi logo, the “meh, not bad” levi ad and the ‘we-love-the-planet’ British Petroleum logo (grow some nads and get rid of the ‘bp’ bit).
I love and hate this environment depending on my mood.
Right now, I’d rather be at the Country Club watching deer stroll through the yard...
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Keep Calm
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Beautiful Miss C bought this for me.
I love it. It sums up the best of British thinking - it’s a poster from the second World War. I think the message is a useful one for today.
I’ve now officially bored of the environment and the Recession. I have one incredibly short life and I’m determined to enjoy it and spend it with the most interesting and pleasure giving people I can.
That’s not to say I’m going to bury my head in the sand or start burning piles of tires but I’m done worrying about things I can do little about.
If we destroy ourselves through our collective greed and stupidity the so be it. Bring it on. In the meantime, “Keep Calm and Carry On.”
The world will continue to turn with or without us.
It’s In The Bag
Saturday, March 14, 2009
I despise junk mail with a passion. It’s nearly always shite. I hate it because the potential of this “communications channel” is very seldom realized.
Why this is the case is lost to me. Perhaps it’s because a great deal of business is staffed by soulless half-wits who simply do not care about what they do.
Perhaps it’s because doing something interesting and useful costs time, effort and money.
This Cooperative Bank direct mail piece can teach business how it can be done well.
My Grand Parents have never really like my decision to use the Co Op Bank. They’ve always liked the “proper” banks and have been suspicious of the “hippy” values of the Co-Op.
This single piece of direct mail has made them reappraise the bank. More than that, they use the bag all the time - advertising the business and its sustainable values.
I couldn’t imagine pitching the idea of “posting a bag” to clients. They expect more elaborate work from Cunning.
This makes me think the simplest idea can be powerful.
Grandparent’s Garden
Saturday, March 14, 2009
My short trip back home was a mixed bag of emotions. Virtual tears looking at my ruined stuff in the storage place.
An enjoyable client pitch followed by two days in the North.
In truth, I was terrified of visiting the grandparents this time - I feared the worse for their health. Ironically, I’ve never seen them fitter. Arguing about politics, cooking tasty meals and getting down-right angry if I suggested help.
This is the back garden. Very beautiful and full of life and color. A blackbird’s nest hidden and the scent of plants and soil adding to the feel of life beginning to spring into action again.
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Cryptic Bus Stop
Saturday, March 14, 2009
I enjoyed my evening stroll along the stunning quayside in Newcastle. It has to be the most beautiful riverside anywhere.
I could have taken some great pictures (if I had a cam not an iPhone) but chose to post this in any case.
I have no idea if this is art or promotion but the lack of text or context appeals.
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Loo Sticker
Saturday, March 14, 2009
I love this sticker. Spotted it in the men’s loo at the Cluny bar in Newcastle.
Don’t know if it’s a local thing, a promotion or something famous. It’s odd not being fully plugged into your country’s culture - is it a band, a fashion label, a drink, a skateboard shop or just one person doing it for fun?
If anyone knows, drop me a comment,
The Cluny was one of my favourite spots on this short trip. Nice beer and atmosphere but also home to two ex-colleagues who I realize I quite miss!
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Prefab 77
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Cheeky little sticker at South Gosforth Metro station in my home town Newcastle.
Promoting the art store Electric Sheep, a spot well worth checking out if you’re ever in the area.
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The Tyranny of Things
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Weird trip to the UK.
First up (after a pleasant flight on Virgin) a pitch for a festival in Sri Lanka. Went well. It had been a fab process from beginning to end and I was happy with the ideas and the way Lady Chelsea had put them together.
Learning about Sri Lanka during the process revealed a whole world I didn’t know existed. I hope to get a chance to go there one day soon. My heart also goes out to the poor populace who are struggling for peace and to move forward to a happy state...
Feeling tripped out from lack of sleep I head off for mission 2 - check on the ‘water damaged’ storage unit in Finchely.
As I unpacked the soaked boxes, I began to feel a huge sadness as I sifted through the “me” of summers gone, 5 years ago...
All my records were ruined - all those special Moving Shadow 12s, 2 boxes of books, many signed, destroyed. Worse, 5 packs of photos - I hope the negs still work. Press clippings. Keepsakes. Clothes I’m sure I cannot fit into anymore...
It’s upsetting to say the least. Maybe it’s time to let go of the past eh?
Aye well. Onto the train for the next mission in the UK - check on the folks. The train ticket was the same price as my flight from New York. I don’t exaggerate.
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Part 2
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The video of last weeks seal-suit wearing, Stephen Harper impersonating, IFAW-supporting activity is now available!
It’s short but sweet. Check it out. It’s for an excellent cause so it would be appreciated if you sent a link on to some friends.
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Old Cunning
Press Clip
