2012 creative leaders to watch

Advertising Age Magazine recently published its impressive annual Women to Watch Special Report honoring the following leaders who are changing the world — along with its prestigious 2012 “Creativity 50” coverage. It’s a pleasure to share news of those accolades, as well as this video for TEDxTeen – Tavi Gevinson: Still Figuring it Out spotlighting … Read more2012 creative leaders to watch

America’s national parks, part 4

As you have seen over the past several weeks, inspired by the epic 2009 PBS documentary from Ken Burns entitled “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” my family and I have taken up the challenge of visiting — and extolling the virtues of — the national treasures which form the heart of the film… and of America itself. This is the final week of our travels, and while our 2012 time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton has ended, like Mark Twain, the experiences are now integral aspects of us all, which we shall each continue to fathom forever. We will actually be making our way through the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, and spending time exploring caves and waterways that form the backdrop of some of Mr. Twain’s most wonderful tales. Entering these adventures, as privileged as I felt, I did not dare hope to experience revelations, but in truth, the knowledge we are gaining of people and places is already priceless to me. To say the least, I encourage you to follow these trails, or those you come across which inspire you the most.

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America’s national parks, part 3

In February of 2009, just as the winter season in Yosemite National Park was winding down, two very special visitors were on-hand at a public meeting in the park. As you can see, the visitors were Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, who presented a first look at their 12-hour documentary on America’s national parks. For more on the project, please visit https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-national-parks/. Below, I’m also embedding North America’s National Park IMAX HD for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

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Motionographer spotlight

Motionographer (pronounced like “oceanographer”) seeks to be a source of inspiration for filmmakers, animators and designers by sharing: . outstanding work from studios, freelancers and students . feature stories that give readers a closer look at influential studios and individuals . commentary that sparks discussion or introspection about the creative process . miscellaneous items that … Read moreMotionographer spotlight

More branding and communications essentials

The Blake Project is a Los Angeles-based brand consultancy that helps companies design, manage and build brands that drive profitable revenue growth through differentiated customer experiences. Publishers of the book Brand Aid, the group also regularly stages Brand Positioning Workshops, and its principals share their considerable knowledge through their Branding Strategy Insider blog and newsletter. … Read moreMore branding and communications essentials

Sharing secrets: Fast Company

When I was an account manager for high-tech PR firm The Terpin Group in Los Angeles back in 1999 and 2000, my colleagues and I constantly set our sights on helping our clients place their stories inside the world’s leading business publications. Many of the media outlets then considered top-tier have come and gone, while one of them has continued rising and shining: Fast Company. Each phenomenal issue of the magazine is an education in itself, while its newsletters offer a steady stream of invaluable insights from world-leading journalists and business leaders. I am especially grateful for the 30 Second MBA series, where lessons like the video above featuring Kevin Prentiss, CEO of Red Rover, are short and always impactful. If you’re ever on-the-spot and trying to decide how to handle some pressing business matter, I highly encourage you visit www.fastcompany/mba to tap into platinum advice from proven leaders on key topics, like those listed below.

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Killer reels: Uniform

Uniform is a strategic, brand communications agency based in Liverpool. “We help our clients create brand stories that deliver measurable results. We believe every brand has a story to tell. We find the random and the relevant, and bring it all together as effective, compelling communication.” For further information, visit www.uniform.net.

Joe Hutto, Passion Pictures and PBS: Thanks for the documentary

Almost eleven years ago, my wife and I moved from Los Angeles to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and the small college town of Boone, North Carolina, which is home to Appalachian State University. Among many new family-focused joys of life we’ve experienced here, this move has truly immersed us in mother nature’s richness. Many species of wild flora and fauna flourish in the sprawling patch of woods right outside our windows. We can view wilderness each day, and when we’re especially lucky, we see wild turkeys.

Until recently, most of what I’d learned about these creatures had come from my personal observations of them; through different seasons over the years, our homestead has been a regular daily stop for flocks (sometimes with dozens of members), as well as the occasional lone wanderer. My basic curiousities were extremely well rewarded when I watched “My Life as a Turkey” late last year on PBS. Produced for the network’s award-winning Nature series, I highly encourage you to watch the complete episode now available online (in the U.S. and its territories), which I have embedded above. I promise you, it is a fascinating window into a secret world.

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Thornberg and Forester does Bob Odenkirk

Last month, Adult Swim aired “Let’s Do This!” — a new live-action comedy pilot created and produced by Bob Odenkirk, Brian Jarvis and Jim Freeman. Among many well-known comedic talents, the show stars Odenkirk as Cal McKenzie-Goldberg, who runs independent movie studio Cal-Gold Pictures from a strip mall in North Hollywood, USA. In the show’s pilot, Cal is contracted by a drug lord in Uganda to make a wizard movie, with hilarious results. By visiting this link, you can watch – and even embed – the entire show.

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Sharing secrets: Protein audience survey 2012

Each year Protein Networks surveys its global publication network of 18-35-year-old cultural innovators and influencers, asking what makes them tick, how they live their lives, and what they expect from their favorite brands. The results appear in the 90-page Protein Audience Survey 2012 report, a must-have resource for brands wanting to understand the behavior of … Read moreSharing secrets: Protein audience survey 2012