Start cultivating your creativity right now…

Over the past two years, I began a little family tradition which has paid off for me personally with some pretty great dividends. My wife’s family gets together during the year-end holidays in the lovely Isle of Palms area of Charleston, South Carolina. In the nearby town of Mount Pleasant, I have discovered a Goodwill store, and for the past two years, I have shopped in the book section and picked out books for each of those staying with us. Last year, for myself, I selected a water-damaged copy of a book that seemed vaguely familiar, written by Julia Cameron and entitled “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.

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Lessons on professionalism, persistence and “Endurance” from artist Theresa Ortolani


Two years ago, I attended a publishing workshop hosted by Kiki Bauer, senior designer for powerHouse Books, at the powerHouse Arena in Brooklyn. Six of us attended, each eager to discuss our very specific idea for a brilliantly conceived, beautiful and riveting coffee-table book like those famously published by powerHouse. Theresa, Lori, Brad, Debra, John-Michael and I all presented our pet projects to Kiki on that day, and I’ll bet the rest of our classmates are as proud as I am to see that Theresa has persevered in seeing hers through, and getting it into print: “Endurance” published by powerHouse Books, is now available for purchase. In fact, the official launch party is happening at powerHouse Arena on Thurs., Dec. 3. More information on Theresa Ortolani, “Endurance” and this very cool upcoming event follow below.

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Brought to you by deep love and appreciation for local libraries

Growing up in Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida, I am extremely indebted to many local libraries and librarians who helped encourage me to learn and grow as an individual. This week’s posting is short and sweet, inviting you to visit the American Library Association’s great ilovelibraries.org site where you can learn a lot about local libraries … Read moreBrought to you by deep love and appreciation for local libraries

Honorable Murray Silver, on Rev. Martin Luther “Daddy” King, Senior

My dear friend, the Honorable Murray Silver, Esquire, was recorded during a June 2008 presentation for students and faculty of Hilton Head Preparatory School, honoring Rev. Martin Luther “Daddy” King, Senior. A world-famous trial lawyer, former Atlanta Municipal Court Judge and long-serving advisor to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non-Violent Social Change, Mr. Silver had a close personal friendship with Daddy King that lasted for many years, and intertwines their fates to this very day.

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Freeload: WMIG / The FADER Present We Make It Good Mix Vol. 7: Crookers

The filmmakers from creative production company Shilo, together with We Make It Good creative director Clayton Vomero, have partnered with The FADER to release the next editions of their original mix series, and are very proud to announce the We Make It Good / Fader Mix Series Volume 7 release, featuring Italian DJ duo Crookers. … Read moreFreeload: WMIG / The FADER Present We Make It Good Mix Vol. 7: Crookers

Friends, passionistas and influencers… shall we roar?


Some of the most interesting takeaways from this year’s Advertising Week in New York came from a four-hour session presented by Yahoo Inc. and MediaVest introducing us to our Web 2.0-empowered selves as passionistas. The Sept. 26 session entitled “Passionistas: The New Empowered Consumers” was hosted by craigslist founder Craig Newmark, and further propogated by a BusinessWire press release on the new Yahoo/MediaVest study providing in-depth statistics on us in the course of proclaiming us as proverbial apples in marketers’ eyes. Why? Because we are passionate about our interests… and we devote significant amounts of time (much more than most others) to exploring our interests and applying our talents to make impacts and foster change.

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Marketing Case Study: “Shrek 2”

by Roger Darnell ..Challenge.. In hindsight, it’s clear that few films in the history of motion pictures have been as successful as “Shrek 2” from DreamWorks Animation SKG. When development and production began on the film, closely following on the heels of its big green 2001 “Shrek” predecessor, a global marketing workforce was spurred into … Read moreMarketing Case Study: “Shrek 2”

Everybody’s talking ATTIK…

They had hidden cameras, water and Mars bars. It was inspiring, scary, enlightening and stupid (at times). See how it turned out.

Case Study: Endless Noise

Lasted Updated on June 1, 2003: Grammy-Winning Composer Leverages Past Recognition and New Achievements to Successfully Relaunch Commercial Music and Sound Design Company

“Strategic Public Relations Campaign Designed and Executed by The Darnell Works Agency Helps Endless Noise Command Uncommon Success”

Endless Noise: a Hollywood-based commercial music and sound design company serving the global advertising industry’s most prestigious agencies.

Executive Summary
As the PR agency of record for Grammy-winning producer and composer Jeff Elmassian from 2001 to 2003, DWA was charged with successfully relaunching music and sound design company Endless Noise. In 2002, the company earned a Gold Clio Award, an International ANDY Award, an International Monitor Award, AICP Show recognition and the London International Advertising Award for Best Sound Design (to name but a few) for their phenomenal work on Nike “Freestyle,” then went on to earn the 2003 Cannes Lion for Excellence in Music, recapture its second-straight D&AD Silver Award for Use of Music in TV and Cinema Advertising Crafts, and also score an International Andy Award in the TV category and a One Show Awards Bronze — all for their work on Nike “Before.”

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