NOW READ THIS

Sacha Baron Cohen: A True Genius Artist

2009-04-03T16:04:00.003-04:00

They say great art takes great courage, this guy has it in spades. I think he is now officially my hero. As if his original show in England and on HBO wasn't great enough, along with his monster, "mainstream" hit as Borat, he takes one of my lesser favorite characters and does this:

Barack, it's not political, it's common sense

2009-03-17T12:29:00.007-04:00

"WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, stepping up lobbying for his record $3.5 trillion budget, called on Tuesday for an end to finger-pointing and challenged Congress to offer constructive changes."

Here's a constructive change: How about setting an agenda or political philosophy and sticking to it?

"Nearly two months after taking office, Obama is also trying to distance his economic and budget plans from mounting public anger over costly government bailouts."

Lesson one: Never confuse personal popularity and campaigning with popularity of decision making.

"The American people sent us here to get things done," Obama said. "Let's pass a budget that puts this nation on the road to lasting prosperity."

So, "getting things done" loosely translates to: "Spend as much money as possible, unless it's unpopular then blame others." This doesn't sound like CHANGE. This sounds like politics as usual! Wait a second.

SUMMARY: It's much easier to run a vague campaign as 'Not-Bush' then it is to make the tough choices and take the hits. Also, Barack stop talking for like 10 minutes. You're the President for God sakes. Make what you say important. You've become like a talking Blog.

Obama is reading this blog

2009-03-16T15:18:00.006-04:00

In the, "Finally I've discovered a clue department" comes this:

"WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Monday offered a fresh package of aid to small businesses — "the heart of the American economy" — in an aggressive push to get big banks that got federal bailout money to do more lending to these struggling entrepreneurs.
"You deserve a chance. America needs you to have that chance," Obama told small business owners gathered in the White House East Room as the administration detailed various steps to get credit flowing to small businesses.

With Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner by his side, Obama said the nation has small businesses to thank for many of the new jobs, roughly 70 percent in the last decade. Geithner said as small businesses prosper, the nation does, a critical element to any economic recovery."

Wow. 70%. You're kidding. Thanks for the number to add to this post, as I didn't know the exact statistic. Isn't this like COMMON KNOWLEDGE for anyone in business older that 22. Too bad they already put so much money into everything else. Trillions for the other 30%. A few billion for the 70%. Makes sense.

And the, "You deserve a chance..." line. Gee, thanks Barack. Thanks for the chance. Couldn't do it without the help of our oldest and dearest friend as entrepreneurs — the US Federal Government. Second only in their generous and unabashed support for small business to large banks.

Stay tuned as we discover that healthy businesses don't need tons of loans to survive, and maybe, just maybe, could simply be supported for their success with either less government interference, or help with things like healthcare costs, or maybe some direct incentives for hiring full-time ... or I don't know....how about ANYTHING at all, now that I think about it.

Until then, the ingenious system of government rewards for failure and tax increases for showing a profit will simply continue. Government doing what it does best — inefficiently spending other peoples' money.

Too many reruns of Shotime's 'Weeds!?'

2009-03-13T14:30:00.009-04:00

I'm a huge fan of Shotime's show, 'Weeds' which to me perfectly captures the sense of neo-existential, nihilistic, 'me-first' thinking that has become pervasive in California. Fund your McMansion suburban life by selling drugs. Perfect, distilled capitalism with no ethics or personal responsibility whatsoever.

Well, turns out in the New America, why stop there? Make it public policy!

"Could marijuana be the answer to the economic misery facing California? Democratic State Assembly member Tom Ammiano thinks so. Ammiano introduced legislation last month that would legalize pot and allow the state to regulate and tax its sale - a move that could mean billions for the cash-strapped state. Pot is, after all, California's biggest cash crop, responsible for $14 billion in annual sales, dwarfing the state's second largest agricultural commodity - milk and cream - which brings in $7.3 billion annually, according to the most recent USDA statistics. The state's tax collectors estimate the bill would bring in about $1.3 billion in much-needed revenue a year, offsetting some of the billions in service cuts and spending reductions outlined in the recently approved state budget."

Perfect! Maybe we could have a giant, government-sponsored world gambling casino that sells guns and liquor with legalized prostitution and neon lights to fund the bailouts.

Wait, that sounds EXACTLY like Las Vegas.

China on Stimulus: We're no AIG!

2009-03-13T10:48:00.008-04:00

Funny how it's different when it's your money. Just ask China:

"Premier Wen Jiabao's message is unlikely to be misunderstood at the White House. It is counting on Beijing to help pay for its stimulus package by buying U.S. bonds. China already is Washington's biggest foreign creditor, with an estimated $1 trillion in U.S. government debt. A weaker dollar would erode the value of those assets."

Anyone with half a financial clue, [like people on Wall Street] ... realize that this is just a farce and even people behind it are starting to back peddle.

"I'm approving it but don't waste it — or else."

"I'm signing it but I'm not behind all the special interest line items."

The problem is for the average American who pays their bills and repays what they borrow, it just defies common sense:

Who spends tons of money when they're losing tons of money?!

How does going into deeper debt fix bad debt?!

How does propping up poorly run companies make them fix anything?!

Isn't this sort of reckless, "borrow against the future" thinking what got us here!? How do you take money from people without jobs, process it through a bureaucracy, then try to help them by returning a fraction of what they put in?! I'm just saying.

I guess China is no AIG.

We are NOT pre-approved for a 30 year mortgage we can't afford at a 60% debt level.

Washington's Economic Self Stimulation

2009-02-14T11:45:00.009-05:00

In a landmark and sweeping wave of the Federal Magic Wand, and despite nearly universal, factual agreement that small business is the catalyst and engine of US growth, the wise policy-makers of Washington have declared themselves as the solution to all things economic.

In this compelling breakdown of the plan, I noticed at least two things missing:

1- A, "US Business" or "US Small Business" line item. Unless you're a supplier of parks and road improvement, government/school consulting or a vague set of "Green Job" creators, good luck, you're on your own trying to grow and create jobs as usual. Literally now even a mention. Nothing. Zero. Nada.

2- A clear, concise vision of the philosophy and approach behind the plan. For example, "This is the New, New Deal." Or, "Americans know their future, and the future of our country includes the following key changes in the way we live and work: X, Y, Z. This plan starts us down that road." Can we get even a modest investor Powerpoint pitch? Or any logical explanation that makes sense to a non bureaucrat? How about just a catchy name? "Stimulus Plan." Sound like a working title at best. Even Bush was able to stutter out, "Axis of Evil." to combat the, "Threat of State Sponsored Terrorism."

I can't wait for more of the, "Mess we inherited" excuses. With 36K invested in debt for every man, woman, and child in the country, one thing is for sure:

Mess or not, successful or not — our children will inherit this, "Stimulus" like it or not.

Will there ever be an America where we don't have to wait from the, "Trickle Down" from billion dollar companies or hope that teachers, government employees and the poor, "Trickle Up" the country?!

I'm calling four more years of polarizing policy, if this effort is exemplary of "Change" in America — the pendulum simply swinging wildly again.

UPDATE: Turns out, I'm not alone in feeling the polarizing effect of this set of decisions.

The US Government: Engine of Economic Growth

2009-02-02T10:08:00.003-05:00

I guess, "change" means relying on that dynamic catalyst for business growth, the Federal Government. A baffling strategy to me.

Signs of Economic Recovery in 2009

2009-01-15T15:29:00.004-05:00

OK, so far, there are not many. Normally I'd be pessimistic but for some reason, I don't feel that way, despite the dearth of depression, gloom and doom news and talk.... and there is one other person on board.

If by some miracle you come across this little blog, join the two of us... a few million more attitude adjustments and optimism could be reality!

Mad about Madoff, McMansions and American Ethics

2008-12-17T11:07:00.006-05:00

From the file of, "Has it really been 200 years since the Puritan notion of American values representing a, 'shining city on a hill for all the world to see?!'" comes the following inspiring examples of modern American ethics:

Ethics? Pride? Family? Values? .... Anyone?

Looking for upbeat economic news? This isn't it.

2008-12-03T16:09:00.003-05:00

Sequoia Capital on startups and the economic downturn

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: depression recession)

A pretty interesting Point of View. Looks like Venture Capital may finally realized the days of trendy, gimmicky IPO's for ROI may not return and it's time to focus on fundamentals.... like incrementally building business value over time based on real revenue.

Richard Fund gets 300 million for sucking. More evidence bailouts don't work.

2008-10-06T13:08:00.008-04:00

Great. So bailouts don't work. At least it's really expensive long term and looks like it won't be working short term. Good luck to whoever assumes the Oval Office next....

In related news, I welcome any large company to pay me 300-400 million for sucking, like Richard S. Fuld Jr., chief executive officer of Lehman Brothers.

Better ad. But Microsoft sells Windows.

2008-09-18T22:32:00.007-04:00

Better than the Seinfeld ad I lambasted, (decent execution)... so what's the new strategy, ignore our products and sell at the category level? "Maybe someday the Microsoft brand will own the 'computer' category." Oh, wait... we already do... and we don't actually sell PC's. Difficult. Hmmm... creative team... another idea please!

There's just nothing worse than defensive advertising as the market leader. Can't someone at Crispin or MS ask one of the marketing interns to look up brand strategy in one of their old college textbooks?

"We're #1, so we try harder." Not really much of a ring to that.

Sell nothing. STRIKE 1. Sell something else. STRIKE 2. Maybe the next ads will have something to do with Windows?

AIG, Fannie, Freddie, Airlines, welfare and the American Dream

2008-09-17T10:33:00.007-04:00

So we live in the land of opportunity, where anyone with vision can start a successful business.

The American Dream.

But what happens when anyone with a dream becomes anyone with a failed business?

Most people either keep trying or give up and get a job. Unless you are a billion dollar giant corporation defined as crucial to the economy. Or a marginalized, impoverished person defined as irrelevant to society. Then you get bailed out by the government and tax payers.

No worries, small businesses will just keep the tax revenue base going, with zero safety net and families on the line. It's our reward for success.

And people wonder why small business owners hate big government and bureaucracy. I used to be pretty neutral. But now I see that all the idealism is just what you say when you run for office, not what you do once you're there. And either way the outcome is the same. Pay. Maybe someday my company will be giant and worth billions — so I can finally qualify for some assistance from tax payers. Or fail miserably and I can go on welfare and qualify for assistance from taxpayers.

UPDATE 9-29-08: Guess some in Congress are thinking the same thing:

"I don't think the American people should have a financial gun put to their head," said Ted Poe , R- Texas . "If a mom and pop makes a bad financial decision, they go out of business."

"Every American who has played it safe and smart to avoid debt is being asked to spend the rest of his or her life paying off the debts of Washington and Wall Street ," added Rep. Michele Bachmann , R- Minn.

Source of their comments is this article.

Launching a product or brand? Get the 2008 Marketing Plan Template Plan

2008-09-16T12:50:00.003-04:00

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George Michael and Michael Bolton

2008-09-16T10:19:00.003-04:00

This is a joke that never gets old to me for some reason — naming characters in film and television after celebrities. Like George Michael, the goofy son in the excellent sleeper TV series, "Arrested Development." And Michael Bolton, the hapless, nerdy friend in the the movie "Office Space."

Sarah Palin, ObamaBot, McCan't and that other guy

2008-09-12T13:52:00.005-04:00

I'm not particularly political, but the Sarah Palin "event" got me thinking about how politics now faces the same challenge that today's brand managers know all to well — lack of control. From a brand management point of view, the race for me is now between Sarah Palin, ObamaBot, McCan't and that other guy.

In the days pre-web, all you had to do was repeat a particular message often and consistently and it would be considered fact. Today's brands are defined by consumer opinion, speculation and PR and marketing to a degree. Brands have to pass the, "sniff test" to be believable and "real."

Enter the current political race. The gloss job the media is doing for Obama is actually doing him a disservice at this point because he just doesn't feel, "real." What are this guy's problems? What challenges has overcome? What mistakes have he or his family made? Every forray into these areas quickly disappears from the face of the earth. To me he has become the "ObamaBot." Wind him up and he makes you feel good.

Same with McCan't. He can't speak publicly. He can't be better than Bush. He can't have an original thought. I'd blame the media, but he's sort of painted his brand into that corner. The only impression I have is the retread war hero story and the campaign speech screech.

So we are left with Sarah Palin, with all her weaknesses, family and faults as the only "real" brand/person that everyday people can actually believe didn't come from "political world." And every attempt to make her look worse, makes her more sympathetic.

Oh yeah, and that other guy Paul Politician... whatever he's about.

Clinton was real. Bush was real. Both maybe a little too real. But they got our votes.

September 11th: Seven Years Later

2008-09-11T13:13:00.003-04:00

It's amazing to me that it's been as long as it has and it still carries the emotional weight it does. My heart goes out to the families of the victims, as I can even imagine the daily struggle they must endure. I'm just starting to be able to consider it in a historical context, and view footage of the day, without profound sadness.

I guess our generation has that defining event we will never forget. Unfortunately.

Seinfeld, Gates & Microsoft: Can we have an idea please?!

2008-09-05T15:03:00.004-04:00

OK, I'm starting with a disclaimer: I hate Seinfeld and Microsoft but I do respect Gates as an entrepreneur. Jerry is a no-talent wank, who only benefited from the genius writing of Larry David, as anyone who has watched Curb Your Enthusiasm knows, and Microsoft, is well... Microsoft.

Which is exactly why they need a new brand/ image campaign.

But this commercial is really not good. And the corporate backpedaling/spin control has already begun. From CNET:

===================
Brad Brooks, Microsoft's vice president of consumer marketing for Windows, said Microsoft's pitches will start to get more concrete in about a month, centering on the notion that "Windows stands for living on your own terms."
===================

Wow. Seriously! And I thought there was no idea behind the execution... turns out there's no strategy either. Crispin is either so full of itself, they believe they are in the entertainment business, or MS is so corporate that they got the campaign they deserved. Either way, my agency can deliver no idea for far less than the gazillion $'s behind this horror show.

So that's what it comes down to. I'm jealous. And I believe I could do better.

Even an obvious idea, repeated over and over would be better:

"Windows Opens Doors"

There 10 seconds... can I have 10 million dollars now. Crispin or M$, give me a call and I'll flesh out the idea for you...

Update: Others are beginning to search for an idea here too... Maybe it's about Kinky Sex.

MassMarketing.org [Beta]

2008-03-10T17:09:00.004-04:00

We've launched the Beta version of the Massachusetts Marketing Organization site at MassMarketing.org, The Open, Independent Online Marketing and Advertising Community.

Our goal is to provide a community that:

And that's just the beginning!

Advertising spend levels

2008-03-07T22:46:00.000-05:00

I've often been asked, "What's the right advertising budget to launch a product or brand properly?" After the uncomfortable pause and the inevitable, "It depends..." the answer is:

A typical annual marketing or advertising spend is between 3-6% of revenue.
So an aggressive spend would be in the 10% range.

That said, I'd absolutely suggest doing a test and roll approach, especially if you're entering unfamiliar waters with audience, category, media, products, price or promotion.

So, for example, develop a functioning marketing model that is repeatable and make your mistakes and learn with smaller, targeted programs until you are confident you've got the right mix.

This will allow less budget to be more repeatable, over longer periods of time... and yield better results.

Here's a link to our comprehensive marketing plan template document we offer that may provide deeper insight for planning a marketing launch.

Big and Tall Clothing Store

2008-02-25T20:06:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for cool Big and Tall Men's Clothing online (or have a friend who might) ... check out DraftHorseClothing.com >>

Online Skate, Surf, Snow Store

2008-01-09T11:27:00.000-05:00

We've decided to launch an e-commerce site: StokeStore.com

We’re stoked [ha.ha.] to offer actions sports [surf, skate, snow] products and more! If you’re looking for creative, interesting and authentic products, check it out.

First out of the gate is a new line of custom skate grip tape, designed by the artists at Spade, featuring FREE USPS SHIPPING. Plus surf, skate and snow calendars for 2008.

Got a product you want to sell online? Contact us, we may be able to help.

Free 2008 Marketing Plan Template

2008-01-01T12:44:00.000-05:00

It's out! If you need a plan, the basic version can be downloaded by registering here:

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