Does anyone blog anymore?

I know I rarely have the time/make the time to blog. I tweet everyday, just sharing my random thoughts and attempts at humor with 6 or 700 of my closest strangers. But to actually link a few intelligent sentences together about one subject? That’s a commitment. But fortunately, there are talented, thoughtful people out there doing that. Some of them actually do it for reasons other than creating content to help raise their company’s website search results.

Personally, I like the back and forth “conversations” that can occur through Twitter or Facebook. I honestly receive very few comments via this blog. That being said, I’ll ask anyway-do you have a favorite blog or blogger? (Mine is Seth Godin). Please share. OK, that’s done. See you on Twitter!

My “Who cares?” take on the Super Bowl ads

I think that people don’t understand advertising, and that includes many people who make it and pay for it.

This has become a contest over who can be the most outrageous. A handful of the spots were good, but the ones I liked were not necessarily funny. The big ideas is king, but without strategy or a target, it feels like a guy onstage at open mike night to me. A few laughs, a few squirms, a few trips to the rest room hoping its over when I return.

I like the Bridgestone “Reply All” ad as an idea, but it had nothing to do with tires. An example of a great idea in search of a client.

Loved the VW Darth Vader kid. That connected to the targeted audience of young-ish parents. Everyone thinks their kid is the cutest in the world and this played on that idea.

I hate all ads by Doritios and Pepsi. They always have a nasty tone to them. Like the 3 stooges, but the stooges weren’t trying to sell you a product.

No more monkeys or talking babies thank you.

Loved the Cowboys and Aliens trailer. The reason this is a great ad is because I WANT TO BUY THE PRODUCT. And it didn’t even make me laugh. Same with the Sealy ad that used sex in a subtle, believable way.

Lots of car ads = improving economy, so thats a good thing!

I liked the BMW made in America ad more than the Chrysler Imported from Detroit ad. How do rap stars keep their street cred and sell products at the same time? Sort of makes me believe that Rap is over and out and the next thing in music that is going to appeal to the next generation of teens needs to happen now.

Coke simply has too much money. It scares me to wonder what they spend making little movies with their logo at the end.

In the end, its not about which ad people tweet about or discuss over the water cooler, its which products they buy, which brands they relate to. A TV spot is only a small part of the conversation.

Open Minds Open (new) Doors

In June, I will turn 50. I started my own design/ad/whatever-you-want-to-call-it firm over 25 years ago. Half of your life is a long time to do something. But, as long as it is fun, new and rewarding, why stop? Honestly, I never thought I would want to do anything else but run Open Skye. From branding start up software companies, to building e-commerce websites, from TV, radio and print advertising to social media – I was constantly learning new ways to spread ideas. It was a blast. I worked with some good clients (and a handful of great ones.) I hired and helped develop some people who have gone on to do bigger and better things. Overall the rewards and the positive experiences have far outweighed the disappointments of the past few years.

All this being said, this past fall I began to explore my career options. I have always considered myself somewhat of a salmon. While many people work at a large agencies for years and dream of starting their own business, I began swimming the other way. I cut my overhead, and began selling myself more as a freelance creative director than a full service firm. The opportunities that Open Skye had available at that time were frankly quite boring. We “had to” take work that was not challenging just to pay the bills. I felt unmotivated and underappreciated. Freelancing was an opportunity to explore my options, including the chance to work as part of a larger group elsewhere. I landed a freelance assignment at Digitas in late November. All of my prejudices regarding what life at a “big agency” would be like quickly flew out the window. The environment here is open, collaborative and energetic. Everyone is on the same page, and committed to doing the best possible work. The culture is very loose and encourages teamwork based on individual strengths coming together for the best results. As you can guess, I love it at Digitas. I’ve accepted a full time position as an associate creative director.

You can’t work in the same place for 25 years and not build a vast and talented network. Open Skye is still available on a project basis. We remain a core group of creative professionals and a cast of best-of-breed strategic partners. Senior-level talent, without a lot of overhead. Obviously that talent will not always include me, but I will remain as engaged as possible, whether that means managing your project, consulting, being hands on, or handing it off to trusted associates.

At my core, I have always thrived on new opportunities, and mutually beneficial partnerships. I was presented with an opportunity I could not pass up. Thanks for everything! Kevin

Cut marketing? Are you still with us?

During the early stages of this recession, (way back when) we cautioned clients about cutting their marketing dollars. Obviously that is easier said than done. We, like most of you, lost some business due to the deep cuts that many of our clients felt forced to make. I’m sorry to say that not only did we lose their business, but some of these former clients are no longer in business. Obviously many factors figure into why a company fails. One has to wonder if these business simply decided “We need to make our marketing dollar work smarter”, as opposed to “We need to cut marketing”, if they would still be alive. In good times and bad, always be selling – in smarter ways than your competitors.

If you can’t be bothered, then go home.

I just went to a retailer to purchase a replacement pair of shoes that I have worn out after a few years. Very happy with the product. The salesperson addressed me before I even got close to the display. “Yes, I’d like to pick up another pair of these” I said, lifting my foot. “Oh. We don’t have those in the store”. (Then silence). “We’ll can I find them on your website?”. “I don’t know….can I help you with anything else?”.

This is type of thing that can drive customers away. That can send them to the web to complain. That can give us a story to tell 10 friends. I just don’t get it. I would rather he ignored me and give me the opportunity to perhaps find something else I would have liked. Instead, I couldn’t find exit soon enough. Everyone has a bad day or moment. I have always been pleased with this retailer and will continue to shop there. (Or at least on their website). This is why I am not spiLLing the Beans on who it is. The important thing to ask is-do we let this let this happen at the point of interaction with our own customers? If so, how many friends do they tell?

Conan, Leno, News or Snooze?

I am very happy to have Conan back on, and even more so that his show starts at 11. I can’t stand the local news, and although I love to read, most nights I like to go to sleep after a laugh. Our local Fox channel used to run Seinfeld at 11, but now they run the same local news at 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11PM. I really think that Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel do a great job on late night TV. They are just on too late for me. Letterman is very good, but there’s a routine to his show that has started to turn me off. Leno can’t get cancelled fast enough for me. He’s no longer funny, and he has been exposed as such a phony that I can’t look at him. Anyway, I thought Conan’s last show on NBC was great. I had an idea that the new show should open with him and his band just finishing the Free Bird performance that closed out his Tonight Show run. (Sadly, no one asked for me ideas). I thought the opening segment was great, as was his stand up. The only disappointment were his boring guests. Perhaps Conan should do some shows without any guests? Use more of his short films, etc. I find Conan comes across as a regular guy, a modern day Ed Sullivan. Unlike Ed, O’Brien looks like he’s having a great time. I hope this works out well. If not, I’ll need to try and get to sleep earlier, which may be a good thing. What do you think?

What does Nike stand for now?

Growing up, I always purchased Nike branded shoes and clothing. Their advertising that featured weekend warriors and other amateurs resonated with me. I felt that using Nike products would enhance my own athletic performance. As I type this today, these words seem almost laughable. We’ve digressed from simple endorsements to what? Big cultural statements? Any PR is good PR? It seems to me that Nike is more of a talent agency for jocks than a clothing and footwear brand. Sign a big name. Try and help make them an icon, then show loyalty when they behave badly. Produce advertising that helps propel the controversy, as opposed to conversation. Be the story. OK. We all talk about it, blog about it, post links to the videos, I get it. I just don’t see how that helps me run up and down the court or field more effectively. Maybe that’s why I’ve been wearing And1 basketball shoes for the past 5 years…

TGIF or ONIF?

Are you the type of person that counts the days until Friday each week? Mentally push that clock hand to quitting time and yabba dabba doo out the door? Or, like so many workaholics, are you always trying to squeeze more work in and can’t believe another week has flown by? “Oh No It’s Friday!” I didn’t finish the plan, the layout, the big idea, the…thing. I have never had a 9 to 5 job, so the boundaries between work and life have always been a bit fuzzy to me. As I have matured, my priorities have become more clear. I see that a happy work-life balance is essential to a happy life. I try to live in the moment, make the most of each day, and see time as the most valuable gift we have. I guess I’m more of a “TFT” (Thanks For Today) type.

Think Positive-ish

This is a mantra I came up with some time ago. Yes, it is meant to be somewhat ironic, but mostly sincere. Times are tough. Our business has been impacted in ways I would never have imagined. I’m guessing yours has too. When things look bleak, just take notice of the negative people you see everyday. Do you want to be like that? Me either. It’s not productive, and it can spread. Go for a walk. Go see your family. Go bowling. Whatever it takes to put a smile on your face. In the great film Manhattan, Woody Allen made a list of the things that make life worth living. Make your own list. In fact, share your list here in the comments section! Print it out and tack it up near your workspace. Now, let’s dig in and get things done.

Attention Clients: People Care About Your Design

Before Open Skye helps rebrand a company or product, we ask a lot of questions. The biggest one is usually “Why?”  That’s the word that keeps popping into my head as I explore with great interest the online conversation regarding the new GAP logo. I, like everyone else it seems, don’t understand why a change is needed. As part of any rebranding effort, we always encourage clients to live with new designs before making final decisions. People fundamentality reject change, so the client had better be sold on a new or updated identity before showing it off to the world. Is the Gap taking a page out of the New Coke playbook? Testing the market to discover how much love is really out there for their brand/logo/product? If we take this away from you, will you miss it? Google search New Gap Logo and read the posts. You’ll see the answer is a resounding yes.

 

Of course I am not privy to whether this is all some part of a larger strategy or social media stunt. My interest as a designer is really about how consumers connect with brands.  This proves once again how passionate people are about the brands they engage with. These connections should not be taken lightly. Logos and identities are simply too valuable to be created via crowd sourcing or by your niece who happens to be good at art.