Branding

“Off Camera” enters year three of the best conversations

It’s been a year since I last spoke with the acclaimed photographer and director Sam Jones, who is the publisher, host and editor-in-chief of the Off Camera website, magazine, TV show and podcast. Sam launched his on-camera interview series in 2013 with these words: “…as much as I have tried to create a multi-platform technologically relevant episodic blogpodzine, I am really just using new tools to do the same thing I have always done; which is follow my interests, and try to get in the room with some really interesting people.” Last February, I published a story about Off Camera’s first anniversary, and Sam surprised me with a call to touch-base. That connection with such a respected and accomplished artist inspires me every day.

Over the past 12 months, new print/iPod issues and episodes of Off Camera have appeared with these fascinating guests… all sharing insights from in-depth conversations with Sam, who is their trusted friend: Michael B. Jordan, Sarah Silverman, Matt Damon, Ed Helms, Jackson Browne, Judy Greer, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Goldsmith, Laird Hamilton and Jon Brion. Sam’s thoughtful Off Camera theme builds on his experiences working with high-profile luminaries… where they would regularly discuss various subjects, including their work. The best conversations were happening off-camera, Sam observed… and this passion project is the result.

Read more“Off Camera” enters year three of the best conversations

Sharing secrets: Scion Motivate’s “Visual Identity” panel

I have written in the past about the serious 2013 campaign automotive brand Scion launched to help motivated young professionals scale their careers upward. Those multifaceted efforts included a series of brand films where they convened very bright and successful creative industry achievers to provide spot-on insights about key business imperatives. You can see for yourself that what they created packages the real, proven stuff. In the 10-minute episode embedded above, in order of appearance, you get to meet Justin Thomas Kay of Doubleday & Cartwright, Joshua Prince aka Dust La Rock of Fool’s Gold Records, Cody Hudson of Struggle Inc. and Longman & Eagle, and artist Kenton Parker… and hear their candid responses to these questions:

Read moreSharing secrets: Scion Motivate’s “Visual Identity” panel

Great to know: Allison Dollar

It’s safe to say that the illustrious Allison Dollar has had a huge impact on my professional career, beginning with assignments she gave me in 1993 and 1994 to write the annual Florida Regional Production Guides for the national film and television industry trade magazine “In Motion,” which was published by Phillips Business Information (PBI). Allison and I have kept in-touch over the years, and her unique expertise and first-hand knowledge of cutting-edge innovation across the media landscape is a constant reminder of how lucky I am to know her. Read on for more of Allison’s background, and to learn about a fascinating upcoming panel discussion she is co-hosting on 21 August through the Interactive Television Alliance (ITA), the non-profit she established in 2002 to represent the interests of companies that create, distribute and enable interactive programming.

Read moreGreat to know: Allison Dollar

Marketing Innovation: Under Armour

On July 17, top executives from the world’s major sports marketing companies gathered in New York City to honor the best in sports advertising, design and communications at the first-ever Clio Sports Awards. That night, Steve Battista proudly accepted the Brand Innovation Award on behalf of Under Armour, where he serves as senior VP brand creative. Behind the scenes, I know that many of the companies and talents I have had the privilege to work with are also celebrating this monumental win. For example, global creative agency ATTIK provided key support for Under Armour’s launch of Armour39 (wearable tech that helps you track your workout intensity), as did creative production company Shilo… which also produced many of the epic brand films (including the one above) that have made Under Armour’s YouTube Channel must-see TV for serious athletes.

A story by Austin Siegemund-Broka for The Hollywood Reporter chronicles the brand’s growing success, and offers this insight

Read moreMarketing Innovation: Under Armour

Spotlight on innovation via yours truly and Fast Company

Reviewing the nine-year history of this blog, innovation is one of the most oft-recurring themes. With the main goal of providing you with more information about myself and my business activities, but also seeking to incorporate developments I find illuminating from the fields of marketing, science, technology and entertainment, anything that might provide insight into new thinking or new ways of achieving success in these areas makes it onto my shortlist for universal positive posts.

To me, the above video produced by Fast Company during its 2013 Innovation By Design conference is a perfect example of the type of inside information that really helps us all understand specific ideas and strategies we can adopt to do things differently, and most likely, better. Here is another great story connected to innovation in product design.
. 10 Lessons My Startup Team Learned from a Massive Product Launch

On 14-15 October, Fast Company’s Innovation By Design Awards and Conference will return to NYC’s Metropolitan Pavilion, and advance registration is now open.

Read moreSpotlight on innovation via yours truly and Fast Company

Flavor’s on the rise at Cutters Studios…

It’s been almost 10 months since Cutters Studios rebranded its design and VFX division, which since 1997 had built a solid reputation in Chicago as Sol Design FX. With the addition of executive creative director Brad Tucker and executive producer Darren Jaffe, last August the company opened-up shop in Santa Monica and began life with a new name: Flavor.

At the time, Cutters Studios president and CEO Tim McGuire shared these insights: “Something new and exciting is happening in the design industry and it’s time to refocus our talent and effort to make a statement. Brad and Darren are true leaders in motion design known throughout the industry. They will work closely with all of the Cutters Studios locations.”

Read moreFlavor’s on the rise at Cutters Studios…

Sharing secrets: Know your audience!

When trying to communicate with someone, it is vitally important to understand who that person is, whether or not they speak your language, their age, where they live… and also, factors like what’s on their mind right now, and where they are physically. The point of this article is to emphasize that communication – and marketing – is usually a waste of time if the particulars of the human beings comprising the audience are not taken into account. Personally, I’m shocked at how often people fail to address this mission-critical first step, explained so effectively by Seth Godin in the video presented here.

Effective communicators like Mr. Godin begin their programs by assessing their target audiences, exploring the relevant demographics and/or psychographics, and analyzing data. Indeed, the information we exude into the world is measured and used… whether we know it or not.

Read moreSharing secrets: Know your audience!

Explore brand as possibility with Lippincott

Lippincott is a leading brand strategy and design firm with a 70-year heritage crafting authentic stories, memorable experiences and winning strategies for the world’s most iconic brands. Its expertise spans all aspects of brand building including strategy, design, experience innovation and organizational engagement. Recent clients include 3M, Delta Air Lines, Hyatt, Infiniti, Samsung, Starbucks and Walmart. Lippincott is part of Oliver Wyman, a global professional services organization owned by Marsh & McLennan Companies.

Read moreExplore brand as possibility with Lippincott

WIRED Video

From Silicon Valley to the depths of the ocean, from alien planets to the human brain, WIRED shows you how science and technology are remaking our world.

And now they bring you WIRED on Video. Mr. Know-It-All answers your urgent questions with scientific rigor, John Hodgman and David Rees partner up for a little surveillance comedy,

Read moreWIRED Video

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