It seems like the Web 2.0 world and hyper integrated world of marketing and advertising today, there’s a lot of over-thinking going on.

Sure, dynamic content, super-segmented messaging and ideas that meet hundreds of marketing criteria have a very valuable place in the whole corporation to consumer conversation but…

What about an idea that’s just freakin’ cool?

Every once and awhile, as a creative, I think you’ve just got to take a step back and have some fun every once and awhile if you find yourself trying to think about how you can get a 23 year-old African American male who just graduated college and likes to read books about the French Foreign Legion to convert while playing an online game and buy a roll of toilet paper.

Ideas in today’s creative marketplace get looked at through countless filters. Is it politically correct enough? Is it segmented enough? Is it extendable enough? Can it go viral? Does it further a conversation between consumers?

Next time you come up with ideas, try applying the fun filter and see how many of your ideas live after that.

Hopefully you don’t discover you’re too boring.

Thoughts | 4 Comments »

So, you’ve been holed up in your little cubby of an office for the past few months tapping away on a laptop. Or, maybe you’ve been clutching your electronic illustration tablet and stylus for so long your hands are starting to resemble and old crone’s.

Whatever your craft, practicing it too much can actually be detrimental to your health as a creative.

The creative minds that get the most pub are able to reach across disciplines and connect things that have never been connected before. If you don’t believe me, just ask lonelygirl15 or Steve Jobs.

Sure, having a niche and being amazingly good at something is essential to carve out your niche and thrive. But your edge and abiliity to evolve with the market will slowly die if you make yourself a one-trick pony.

It’s equally important to try new things. Some writers direct movies. Some painters try their hand at computer illustration. And musicians are constantly trying to act or design fashions (whether they’re successful or not).

Trying your hand at something you’ve never done before regularly will keep you fresh. It doesn’t matter if you fail. It doesn’t matter if you succeed. What matters is that you just do. It doesn’t have to be creative. You can travel to a country you’ve never been to before.

Some of the events that have spawned the most inspiration have been when I’ve been completely out of my element. You should try it to.

How to Be Creative | 1 Comment »

Thanks to Tasha for tipping me off to this quick, funny site for Huh Corp.

My guess is, pretty much anyone who’s ever done work on an extended basis for a client, or worked in advertising will find this company’s description of what they do is pretty accurate.

While you’re at it, be sure to check out Duh. The sister company that all you techies will appreciate.

Funnies | 1 Comment »

I’m a writer by profession - I work at an ad agency in Chicago as a “content strategist.” But I write quite a bit too.

So naturally, you’d think my writing would be out there over all our client’s websites. I’d have tons of words live and being read by internet users around the globe.

Nope. Not a single word that I’ve written has seen the light of day. It’s merely the nature of the business. Complex projects don’t get done over night, so my last 6 or 7 months in Chicago has been planning, writing, rewriting and honing everything to be as good as it can be.

You might think I’d be frustrated. But if you’re a writer, you’ve probably got to get used to this. Getting a novel published takes 2 years, usually. Films, even longer. Unless you roll your own blog, website or films, you’ve got a long time where you’re slogging away with no one reading what you’ve written.

It can get depressing at times. But cheer up, it comes with the territory. That’s why it makes it all the more important to love what you do.

How to Be Creative | No Comments »

Sorry again folks, the 65-hour workweek and the joy of summer weekends hit me hard. After that last false start, hopefully things will pick up again in terms of posting.

In the meantime, definitely check out Midwestern Gothic if you’re a writer and want to submit something. I’m one of the regular contributors over there, and the publisher will post anything you send him.

Anything. So go ahead and enjoy the work of other fellow writers.

Announcements | 3 Comments »