A Few Motivational Reminders

Breathe
Deeply.

Walk
With every step a testament of intent, a way down your path.

Work
With organized purpose, and be able to stop.

Rest
As you've earned it. Relax, sleep, but never stop dreaming.
And ...breathe.

Marketing of Pixar's Brave

After taking a bit of an "I'm just busy" hiatus, we're back to bring inspiration along with a hefty dose of SEO, SEM, marketing, social media, and all things geek and tech. This falls into a couple different categeories.

I saw yesterday that Pixar released a new, more expanded version of their upcoming movie Brave. Here it is:



Looks pretty amazing - which is what I say every time a new Pixar movie comes out (exception: Cars2 *shudder*). But then I saw someone else posted Pixar's Japanese version of the trailer (with subtitles):



The difference in content, focus, and tone is remarkable. Obviously the American version is pandering to what the brand of Pixar itself means to the American public, its family-focus, bring the kids, not scary at all, ha-ha funny. It appears the Japanese version focuses more on developing the story and culture and leaving us with a serious linger on mystery and potential danger. And while I think their branding/marketing is spot on for the masses, the Japanese version makes me want to see it more.

What do you think? Are they spot-on with their marketing? Should they have done something different? Which one do you like better?

United Healthcare: Prostitute Message?

Recent commercial from United Healthcare:



This is a great example of an unfortunate (or purposeful) advertising experience. The ad is fine, the message works, but then there's the music behind it; it's Lykke Li's "Get some" and the music at the end applies to the lyrics:

Like the shotgun need an outcome
I'm your prostitute, you gon get some

What?

In its own right, it's a catchy song and Lykke Li a talented artist I've been listening to for a while. But does United Healthcare really want to posture itself with the refrain of a song that includes the word "prostitute?"



Your thoughts and comments are welcome.

Giving Thanks ...for My Life

Back from a wonderful weekend visiting my family up in Cleveland, it's hard not to reflect on giving thanks, as my very life was in danger the whole time.

After almost 500 miles of highway traveling, my wife, daughter, dog, and I got back to Cincinnati safe and sound. I ventured out to Kroger to pick up an easy dinner of pizza rolls and some staples for the house. During a slow turn after a stop, my left front wheel decided to detach from the steering mechanism and point in a direction contrary to my right front tire; I'd lost a tie rod.

Within minutes, seven guys were out of their cars pushing me to the sidewalk (literally linebacker-ing the dead weight - thank goodness it was raining and slick). I called AAA and all was well. But if that had happened at ANY point over the previous 4 days, specifically the drive there and back, my family's life would've been in terrible danger.



Shout-out to Ceiling Cat. I owe you one.

So I'm Back, From Outer Space

July 11th was the last time I posted here. I've been busy. But I've also been just lazy in my time management and my priorities. I know, I know. I understand you're upset. But I'm here. Now. And we'll work this out. Just give me some time. Just a week or two. And we'll get back on just like we used to. It's going to be a cold winter; be good to have someone to curl up and read. Just saying.

So starting tomorrow (or, I guess, today), I'll be posting every weekday, M-F with occasional weekend Gravy. I'll keep it light and insightful, just like it used to be.

Thanks for reading. Be talking to you real soon.

The Future Doesn't Come to the Couch

I was actually think about the future, mulling over my plans for my business, how to better serve my clients when I came across this quote:

When people indulge a little too much in their fantasies about the future, daydreaming rather than thinking about the obstacles that stand in the way of making their desired future actually happen, it saps their motivation and energy. So it's important to not spend too much of your time thinking ONLY about how great the future will be - you've got to couple that with thoughts about how the work will get done.

- social psychologist Heidi Grant Halvorson

Wow! Yes, no only are your thoughts just as important as actions, but the type of thoughts you're having will either help or hinder. Pie-in-the-sky is fine, if you're dedicating time to how to bake and fly. In other words: See the goal, plan the path, take action. If you're continually doing nothing but staring at the goal, the smallest pebbles will become stumbling blocks.

Make it a great week!

Chocolate Sex?

Perhaps you've seen this Hershey's commercial:



Yay! Cute song! Chocolate love! Get me a Hershey's bar right now!

But some (most) of us were around when Modern English released "I Melt With You" and some might even remember the intro lyrics:

Moving forward using all my breath
Making love to you was never second best

Wait, what?

So Hershey's has clearly positioned themselves into a sexual reference.

My question to you: on purpose or by accident? Does the child-like cover of the song make it worse?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.