...and the spot was TWO MINUTES long. Shaun White snowboarding video game ad- this ran at ~11pm on ESPN, Sportscenter a few minutes ago. Really well done.
18 November, 2008
11 November, 2008
Client is Always Right
Sales is hard work. Most professionals would rather not be "in sales." Which is cool with me, b/c I enjoy it, and I like to think I'm good at it. Having a great motivator like this guy really helps me keep it in perspective, and I love writing proposals for clients.
Part of sales is understanding that every time you present, every time you answer a question is a little test- a hurdle (or, old school "objection") to be overcome. You're always putting yourself out there, you have to be liked and interesting to get through...
I have lost many deals in my career, certainly more than I have won. Losing deals, especially big deals, is crushing. Lost a couple recently that had a lot of myself invested, and here's the thing: I can't get anything more than a "thanks, but no thanks" e-mail from the client- and that's disrespectful. Unprofessional. Damaging.
If you've *asked* me to put together a proposal, the least you can do is tell me what you think if I don't win the business. A lot is invested in pitching these deals. By the time we're a finalist, I think it's fair to expect a client to provide feedback on why we didn't win, and what we could have done better. Specific feedback.
For a small business to be able to invest in ideas on your behalf- which ultimately delivers your best ideas- We must be able to get better at what we do from the experience. Ultimately, only the people we pitch to can tell us the truth about the way we're pitching them.
Part of sales is understanding that every time you present, every time you answer a question is a little test- a hurdle (or, old school "objection") to be overcome. You're always putting yourself out there, you have to be liked and interesting to get through...
I have lost many deals in my career, certainly more than I have won. Losing deals, especially big deals, is crushing. Lost a couple recently that had a lot of myself invested, and here's the thing: I can't get anything more than a "thanks, but no thanks" e-mail from the client- and that's disrespectful. Unprofessional. Damaging.
If you've *asked* me to put together a proposal, the least you can do is tell me what you think if I don't win the business. A lot is invested in pitching these deals. By the time we're a finalist, I think it's fair to expect a client to provide feedback on why we didn't win, and what we could have done better. Specific feedback.
For a small business to be able to invest in ideas on your behalf- which ultimately delivers your best ideas- We must be able to get better at what we do from the experience. Ultimately, only the people we pitch to can tell us the truth about the way we're pitching them.
08 November, 2008
a Saturday
Woke up with Lilie this morning- after a week of being sick and whiney she was uber-cute this morning. Lilie = 21 months
We got up, went down, had some breakfast etc...played, read the paper. Cold, snowing, raining, narsty outside. Decided to take Lilie to the MOA- not to shop- just to run around...and that's what she did.
The place was packed, and got tighter as the morning went on (we're talking shoulder to shoulder...) and Lilie just ran around through all the people, around the entire mall. At one point, a very concerned woman stopped her and asked where her Mommy was...I eventually waved at her and told her Lilie was OK. Then we had lunch at Kokomos...weird place, but we had fun and met Emma.
Whilst miss Lilie was napping off her morning. I went for a bikride, layered in fleece as it was 34 degrees, and listened to KFAN-1130 on their "I Heart Radio" iphone app- very sweet.
Froze my ass off riding, especially my face, but fun and warmish as long as I kept my pace up.
A highlight was stopping to take some pictures by the creek- I noticed the black water during last Saturday's ride (68 degrees)- and wanted to take pix...more of the set highlighted below on my Flickr Photostream
Was a really, really fun day spent with my family.
We got up, went down, had some breakfast etc...played, read the paper. Cold, snowing, raining, narsty outside. Decided to take Lilie to the MOA- not to shop- just to run around...and that's what she did.
The place was packed, and got tighter as the morning went on (we're talking shoulder to shoulder...) and Lilie just ran around through all the people, around the entire mall. At one point, a very concerned woman stopped her and asked where her Mommy was...I eventually waved at her and told her Lilie was OK. Then we had lunch at Kokomos...weird place, but we had fun and met Emma.
Whilst miss Lilie was napping off her morning. I went for a bikride, layered in fleece as it was 34 degrees, and listened to KFAN-1130 on their "I Heart Radio" iphone app- very sweet.
Froze my ass off riding, especially my face, but fun and warmish as long as I kept my pace up.
A highlight was stopping to take some pictures by the creek- I noticed the black water during last Saturday's ride (68 degrees)- and wanted to take pix...more of the set highlighted below on my Flickr Photostream
Was a really, really fun day spent with my family.
Mr. President, elect
Barack looked exhausted, for the first time ever, the night of the election. First time I've felt it, as he has always given off such energy. I always expected he would have to exhale, and post-election-pre-inauguration seems like a good time to take a very deep breath.
Today's first news conference, while having to be deferential to W, seemed appropriately somber and direct. Barack's eyes, on his notes, are telling of the enormity of the challenges we have ahead.
His answers to reporters questions, command of the topics and subject lines said volumes about his readiness to lead.
Challenging, without question.
Today's first news conference, while having to be deferential to W, seemed appropriately somber and direct. Barack's eyes, on his notes, are telling of the enormity of the challenges we have ahead.
His answers to reporters questions, command of the topics and subject lines said volumes about his readiness to lead.
Challenging, without question.
07 November, 2008
Superbowl, homeboy.
Well, tonight I've got no excuses. Cable is dead, my DVR box is fried. Down to music and the Interwebz, and both are delivering just fine...the (lovely) wife went to bed a little while ago.
So what's a homeboy to do with no sports on TV and old-time lonesome music on two perfectly centered channels...but long for the good 'ol days when Randy Moss was making the rest of the NFL look silly, as he ran by in a purple haze, flippin the bird to the league...
For those less familair, "SuperBowl, homeboy." was an infamous Randy Moss answer to some reporters question about his career goals, back in the day...
I loved every minute of it, and I still get chills watching him in his prime. Say what you want about his attitude, I think it's mostly fair. But he's the best I've seen...and I'll still take time out to watch these highlights, however sketchy the video might be.
So what's a homeboy to do with no sports on TV and old-time lonesome music on two perfectly centered channels...but long for the good 'ol days when Randy Moss was making the rest of the NFL look silly, as he ran by in a purple haze, flippin the bird to the league...
For those less familair, "SuperBowl, homeboy." was an infamous Randy Moss answer to some reporters question about his career goals, back in the day...
I loved every minute of it, and I still get chills watching him in his prime. Say what you want about his attitude, I think it's mostly fair. But he's the best I've seen...and I'll still take time out to watch these highlights, however sketchy the video might be.
06 November, 2008
Local "Digital" Revenue Decline
Cory Bergman @ LostRemote refers to the latest Borrell & Associates Report stating that the "big local slowdown has begun." Local "digital" advertising revenue growth estimates slashed from 40% to 8% for 2009.
Gordon Borrell is known in the local TV world for his aggressive growth estimates. Huge growth has been projected each year, fueling unrealistic expectations for station sales teams, with low levels of investment and even lower levels of buy-in to the online transformation at the TV exec level.
Local TV sales management has consistently chafed at corporate expectations set on the basis of Borrell's projections, and it appears, rightly so...
Ultimately, a significant portion of TV execs allowed themselves to deliver "digital" revenue as bundled (value add) package components, no matter how it might be positioned. An unfortunate truth, and as business drags, the reality will come out. Who really has product and talent positioned to engage local advertisers? Can local business owners make it through this recession without focusing on marketing that can be 100% accountable and transparent?
TV sales management teams have been re-trenching against the "core" biz for at least a year- the current downturn has been a relentless reality in local TV for nearly two years. A smart move, and a necessary one for these tough, smart TV managers who need to hold on. Ultimately, this is playing defense against a better, faster team.
Cory's post also shares a Belo Corp letter sent to shareholders. The letter addresses the 75% drop in Belo's stick price, and suggests that the company is preparing for the storm. Here's the thing...storms pass.
What happens if (when) results don't rebound after '09? Tough times will continue to push the migration toward purely accountable, digital solutions, and away from TV. I would never suggest that TV is dead or even dying, but I will suggest that we've just begun to see the re-alignment of ad spending and local media (especially TV) will look vastly different the 20teens...
Gordon Borrell is known in the local TV world for his aggressive growth estimates. Huge growth has been projected each year, fueling unrealistic expectations for station sales teams, with low levels of investment and even lower levels of buy-in to the online transformation at the TV exec level.
Local TV sales management has consistently chafed at corporate expectations set on the basis of Borrell's projections, and it appears, rightly so...
Ultimately, a significant portion of TV execs allowed themselves to deliver "digital" revenue as bundled (value add) package components, no matter how it might be positioned. An unfortunate truth, and as business drags, the reality will come out. Who really has product and talent positioned to engage local advertisers? Can local business owners make it through this recession without focusing on marketing that can be 100% accountable and transparent?
TV sales management teams have been re-trenching against the "core" biz for at least a year- the current downturn has been a relentless reality in local TV for nearly two years. A smart move, and a necessary one for these tough, smart TV managers who need to hold on. Ultimately, this is playing defense against a better, faster team.
Cory's post also shares a Belo Corp letter sent to shareholders. The letter addresses the 75% drop in Belo's stick price, and suggests that the company is preparing for the storm. Here's the thing...storms pass.
What happens if (when) results don't rebound after '09? Tough times will continue to push the migration toward purely accountable, digital solutions, and away from TV. I would never suggest that TV is dead or even dying, but I will suggest that we've just begun to see the re-alignment of ad spending and local media (especially TV) will look vastly different the 20teens...
05 November, 2008
Brand
We've been working hard a racking our brains about what the Ciceron brand can and should mean. In every conceivable way. How do we humanize what we do, and attract the *right* customers who want to work with us?
I'm wondering tonight if our positioning might be more like Room and Board: sleek, comfortable, quality. Soft browns and grays. Thorough and authentic. There is a feeling of confidence and certainly that I like about the way they position themselves. You're always going to feel good when you sit down.
I'm wondering tonight if our positioning might be more like Room and Board: sleek, comfortable, quality. Soft browns and grays. Thorough and authentic. There is a feeling of confidence and certainly that I like about the way they position themselves. You're always going to feel good when you sit down.
Yeah, the Obama speech...
I've seen it now twice, and I believe this one will go down in history. Amazing oratory, truly a lost art. Nice to see it alive and well. Wanted to note the moment and the thought, just like everyone else...with a nod to the power of speech and words to really move things forward.
Obama was ridiculed early on for "soaring oratory" without concrete plans. On the contrary, concrete plans *articulated* with soaring oratory is a multiplier.
Obama was ridiculed early on for "soaring oratory" without concrete plans. On the contrary, concrete plans *articulated* with soaring oratory is a multiplier.
01 November, 2008
Bachmann
I know that the topic of political advertising has been beaten to death. Of course, I will also acknowledge generally liberal political POV. That being said...
...I just saw a Michelle Bachmann (D-MN) TV spot that really bothers me. Not because she made any kind of accusations or untruths, or made any harsh attacks.
This spot simply makes no sense.Feels like a bunch of awkward sound bites strung together. Her presentation sounds like bad memorization. I believe that a member of congress should not allow herself to be presented in this fashion. The production values of the spot itself also bother me, and in my opinion, reflect a strategy that is out of touch with the way American consumers interact with media, and the way they want their leaders to speak to them.
I was psyched to see their video, especially (I think) this brand new spot, easy to find and easy to embed and distribute.
...I just saw a Michelle Bachmann (D-MN) TV spot that really bothers me. Not because she made any kind of accusations or untruths, or made any harsh attacks.
This spot simply makes no sense.Feels like a bunch of awkward sound bites strung together. Her presentation sounds like bad memorization. I believe that a member of congress should not allow herself to be presented in this fashion. The production values of the spot itself also bother me, and in my opinion, reflect a strategy that is out of touch with the way American consumers interact with media, and the way they want their leaders to speak to them.
I was psyched to see their video, especially (I think) this brand new spot, easy to find and easy to embed and distribute.
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