Curiosity.Seven

Making Information Easy (and Fun)

2010-12-29T14:58:00.000-08:00

We all know that learning and information isn't always fun, particularly when the topic isn't of personal interest. Too bad we can't always think about what we want to. We do know that (most) people remember pictures better than words (think picture superiority effect). To help matters, think about how you can sort and communicate the information so that it can be a bit more visually stimulating so your readers have a chance at recalling the information someday. Some of the years best infographics can be found here.

Monday Music: 8Tracks

2010-12-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

8Tracks- With over 155K mixes to listen to, you'll be sure to find at least one you fancy.

Even a Thanksgiving food hangover can't keep me from getting hungry on this site..

2010-11-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

What can you say about something that's just amazing? That its amazing. I'm not a foodie. Let me just get that on the page now. I have a hard time visualizing food I haven't seen before, which applies to things I have not baked/cooked and things I see on a menu that I've never ordered. Full of images and easy to understand recipes, my pandora's box of food may have just been opened. Betty Crocker Recipes' Photostream on Flikr. I may try to make these puppies tonight ;)

Climate Change = People Change

2010-11-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

DDB's Fun Theory for Volkswagen (2009) hit a home run by seeing the human side of things. Make something fun and interesting and people will (oftentimes) do it. And when people are actually involved, as opposed to just thinking, they are connected and could even... wait for it.... change. But for how long? I would have loved to see how this space looked once the keys were removed. Did behavior revert to pre-key days, or are more people still taking the once-playful stairs that are now boring stairs? Hmmm. If only we did more longitudinal studies.

Monday Music

2010-11-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

Saw these guys last week here in Denver. It changed my life.

Mumford and Sons, Sigh No More album. Get some.

Corn Candy

2010-10-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

To corn candy or not to corn candy, that is the question..

At last month's Planningness conference in Denver, I met Len Kendall, the man behind S.W.O.T. Life. A visit to his tumblr site may not change your life, or your day, but it could change your moment. And if it doesn't, try doing a S.W.O.T. on the site itself.

Overcoming our Biological Limitations...

2010-08-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Below is a great Ted Talks video about human (economic) behavior. The point Laurie Santos (Yale University) makes can be applied across our culture. We humans have biological limitations. Yes its sad but true; we can't fly, we can't filter oxygen to breathe under water, and we can't think in absolute terms very well. Some of these limitations are presumably millions of years old, making them quite ingrained and more importantly, difficult to overcome on our own. What does this mean? Innovation. Because, only when we start to recognize and acknowledge our limitations, can we start using technology, design and the world around us to overcome them...

Monday Music

2010-07-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Justin Bieber phenomenon continues... His video "Baby" has now passed Lady Gaga's Bad Romance as the #1 most viewed video on YouTube. Enjoy.

what bloggers can teach us...

2010-07-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

Like many, I frequently visit a number of blogs relating to my profession looking to get my fill of relevant information. TIME recently shared their picks for "Best Blogs of 2010" and I have to say, I'm quite intrigued. This list of course, is entirely based on subjective information which is exactly what I love about blogging. Blogging is about expressing opinions and sharing ideas- whether it be about photography, random ruminations, hipsters, seeing the world, or unwinding. And what's even better, is that they can all be applied to what we understand about what people want.

( user submitted postcard to www.postsecret.com)
The #2 blog, PostSecret is one of my personal favorites. PostSecret is a community art project where people from across the globe write a previously untold secret on one side of a homemade postcard. Some secrets are funny, some are hopeful, some are heartbreaking, some heal those who write them, and others heal those who identify with them. All are extremely insightful into the human experience. In a world of grey, where little is clearly right or wrong, people want honesty and to not feel they are the only one.

It's risky for anyone to be honest. As market researchers we battle this every time we sit down with someone we've just met. Yet, the most powerful conversations we have with people are those that happen in a space where the walls of personal disclosure have been broken down. These honest conversations that uncover the deepest fears, desires, and hopes we sometimes even keep from ourselves yield the best insights to work from. Its not always easy to connect with strangers and get to this space, but its what we strive to do with each and every person we meet.

This need for honesty also holds true for companies and brands. Just say the word marketing and see how people react. You may have someone look at you as though you've never said an honest word in your life. Consider for a moment how Toyota, Tiger and BP are perceived in the eyes of the public. A little empathy and honesty can go a long way.

Monday Music

2010-07-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

"Cause I need freedom now, And I need to know how, To live my life as it's meant to be..."

Marketing To Women

2010-04-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

Read this article on Retail Customer Experience awhile back but revisited it today. A cognitive anthropoligist, Dr. Bob Deutsh, says that women cycle, men consummate. Men and women were by all means created equal but very differently. Men typically are driven by the need to get things done, to "bring home the bacon" and women are often more conceptual and in tune with relationships. I think we all know men and women are quite different, but Dr.Deutsch hits on 10 difference that are quite valuable to brands. Or your boyfriend/girlfriend.

1. PATTERN, not just point. Recognize that women have the ability to perceive more than the metric of a product attribute or an instance in time; they appreciate the underlying pattern (idea) that gives rise to the fleeting moment.

2. AUTHENTICITY, not just immediate appearance. Recognize that persona, biography (or history), and current contingency must all be factored in, and that universal principles underlie particularities.

3. QUALITY, not just quantity (size). Recognize that for women bigger and more is not necessarily better; and that a steady build is often better than an impulsive response.

4. CONNECTEDNESS, not just individuals. Recognize that communality can reign over dominance. We are all bound together.

5. SOCIETY, not just markets. Recognize that markets are numbers, and that markets can be counted and the goodies duly noted. But numbers are not people. Women are people and people have personal feelings and social intentions.

6. QUALITY OF LIFE, not just accumulation. Recognize that there are material and spiritual needs made up of individual wants and musts, but that are cast in the context of a social matrix.

7. REASONABLENESS, not extremism or absolutism. Recognize that all issues have grays, and exaggerations to one side or the other only cover-up the reality of subtlety and nuance.

Hi Youtubers.

2010-03-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

Michael Welsh, an anthropology professor at Kansas State University, talks about this new form of expression, new forms of community, new forms of identity and new forms of empowerment that YouTube has unveiled. What I really like about his approach is that it focuses on PEOPLE, connecting and linking PEOPLE. To me that's the sweet spot for EVERYTHING. Without that element, no advertisement, no viral video, no brand could ever be important. That's pretty bold, but its how I feel. When media changes, human relationships change, which makes this whole thing even more exciting. And this video of course is all about YouTube but its very valid in thinking about all forms of modern online community- Skype, Facebook, ChatRoulette, Blogs (and its primarily for this participant observation that I blog). Were networked and individualized. Where will WE take this?

If you've not seen this or need a refresher ( and you've got an hour to spare) check this video out.

Friday Fun

2010-03-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

Simple as That.

People are Fascinating.

2010-03-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

A short film by Philip Bloom

Bumper Sticker Wisdom

2010-03-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

Typically car tattoos just make me wonder why someone would do that to their car, however this one made me think twice. It definitely makes me curious to know what her story is. You know she's got a good one.

Monday Music

2010-03-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

Ahh, there's no better way to start a week than with a little John Butler Trio.

( oh and he's coming to Red Rocks this June!)

Wanna Chat?

2010-02-26T19:56:00.000-08:00

By now, you've probably heard about Chatroulette an emerging chat phenomenon that randomly connects chatters with webcams from around the world. Some call it obscene, but others call it revolutionary. Unlike other "social" networks of 2010, you don't have to sign up or fill out a profile to begin, which invites people to be a bit more...creative. You simply need to have a webcam and a desire to be, well be entertained. Matthew Stringer has done an informal, preliminary sociology exploration and its quite interesting to see first hand why people are gravitating to this type of online community. If you're over 18 (not that anyone will stop you if youre not) and if you can handle strangers disconnecting without warning, maybe you should try for yourself...

chat roulette from Casey Neistat on Vimeo.

Monday Music

2010-02-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

"Don't let your eyes refuse to see, don't let your ears refuse to hear"

Ray LaMontagne talks a little bit about our strange world...

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

"There cannot be romance without being romantic; there cannot be love without giving love; and there cannot be anything lasting and genuine without commitment."

A brief article about why we fear commitment and why it's so important that we overcome it.

Everybody Has A Story...

2010-02-13T09:15:00.000-08:00

Its a fun reminder of what you can learn from a 5 year old. Now, go learn something ;)

The South Butt

2010-02-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, If you haven't already heard of this company, you read it right. Unlike the North Face, where people are encouraged to "Never Stop Exploring", The South Butt's founding principle is to "Never Stop Relaxing." And although the company is quite clear about not expecting anyone who is wearing the gear to actually go climb a mountain, its no surprise, The South Butt now finds itself being sued by The North Face, who is seeking to stop the St Louis based company from marketing and selling its parody apparel product line. Now, trademark infringement suits are not uncommon- company x has a strong brand mark that people recognize and respect ( and company x spends a ton of money to make this happen of course) and company y comes in with a slightly different mark or product and hope they are different enough that they can play in the same space without causing harm to company x. These cases seem to end up coming down to this difference between the 1)likelihood of dilution over actually 2)proving injury to the value of a mark. To help prove that the average person knows the difference between a face and a butt, TSB launched what else but a facebook app. How 2010 of them. Of course, there are those who believe this college student in Missouri should be allowed to "follow the American dream" and others, most likely those working in the business of brands, believe he should have simply came up with a different name. Whatever side you're on, the case is moving forward so the jury is still out. Literally.

Monday Music

2010-02-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

"And I don't know how to slow it down"

In light of my second week at the new job and feeling like my head is spinning just a bit, I wanted to share the new Norah Jones, "Chasing Pirates".

deep thoughts at the new office

2010-02-04T11:50:00.001-08:00

I thought spoons would be in the "Utensils" drawer, until I opened it and found no spoons. Only at that time did I see the "Silverware" drawer.

Its funny how you think you've got it all figured out until you discover there's more.

a study in human connection

2010-01-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

Maybe you're one of the million people who have already seen this video from Coke... If not, here it is:

You can get a little background on the "Happiness Machine" in this recent article in today's issue of Fast Company online. The video had over 220,000 views in just 48 hours, and now has over a million. That speaks volumes about the importance for connection and the impact it can have. If this brand-consumer ( or as I like to say people) connection is made in an authentic, uplifting way and is in line with the brand, the idea will catch like wildfire. Or in today's online world, that's over 1MM people, or the city of San Diego, finding time to watch this in less than two weeks.
Many of my readers work ( or should I say live) in the advertising/ branding world; What are you doing to help your brands truly connect with its consumers? And if you say, posting one-way Facebook updates, try again. Think about it honestly and keep this quick lesson in mind as you move forward.

Monday Music

2010-01-25T14:01:00.000-08:00

"Your faith was strong, but you needed proof"

A beautiful, intimate cover of a classic for hopeforhaitinow.org .
Thanks Ashley ( for directing me to the song and for having a heartbeat for the world)

Tweet Tweet

2010-01-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight's Vikings-Saints game made for some, we'll say, entertaining tweets. Its no surprise that good old Brett would hold some of the "trending topics" on Twitter, but what was more interesting was the fact that a misspelled Farve actually had more tweets than Brett Favre. I'd like to report that there was a more optimistic tone coming from those who actually know how the quarterback's name is spelled, but I can't without lying.

What does this say about our need for real-time communication? That we now feel we need to throw our 2¢ into any virtual story, even if we don't know the characters very well? Its more important for some to be a part of the conversation and to be heard ( or read) than to say something that hasn't been said already or that doesn't immediately remove the validity from your statement.

Great Social Media Preso

2010-01-23T16:37:00.000-08:00

From the folks at expresso:

What the F**K is Social Media: One Year Later

View more documents from Marta Kagan.

Buddah Quote For the Day

2010-01-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

Monday Music

2010-01-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

"I'm always alright"

Punctual as Usual, The Parson Redheads

Awareness >> Action

2010-01-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

Although I know the internet doesn't necessarily need another blog post about the devastation in Haiti, I can't turn my eyes away. The Google Trends data of the past few days shows a steady stream of people searching for information about the latest developments in the catastrophe and the relief efforts that are underway. A few months ago, a colleague of mine went on a humanitarian aid trip to Haiti and in the process has inspired me to open my eyes to the people I share the world with. The people in Haiti have been struggling to survive for years and now they are in the center of the world's hearts. Knowing that thousands of internet users are seeking more information about the horror in Haiti is encouraging, however there is a big difference between being aware and actually doing something in response. Just in case you've been living under a rock, you can send help by contacting any organization on this list from the AP and Haiti needs that. Help.

Many of us here in the brand marketing world are very familiar with the MESSAGE > ATTITUDE CHANGE > BEHAVIOR CHANGE process. But what can organizations do to go beyond awareness and move people to act? Motivation has been studied for years, think Pavlov's dogs or Prelinger's hungry rats. The science has to be applied.
We cannot overlook the power of reinforcement. When the lottery jumps back down to a mere 10 million, its quite reinforcing to know someone won. People are desperate for feedback and want to feel connected and understand the end result of their actions.
There is a sense of diffused responsibility that people too often have. We believe someone else must be acting and, therefore, we don't need to. And when we all make this assumption, action doesn't happen.
When it comes to behavior, its seems the intrinsic motivators work best-- those things that you enjoy just because you do and make you feel that what you're doing matters.
More and more of these organizations are allowing people to donate to specific relief efforts, ie. water, medical supplies, education. Autonomy is key to behavior change.

8 Secrets to Success

2010-01-13T13:49:00.001-08:00

January always seems to be the month of change, aspiration, and cold weather, and this year has been no different. I've blogged about my love for Ted Talks in previous posts, but I'm saying it again. I love these short, inspiring videos. I ran across this 3min video of Richard St. John discussing the 8 secrets to success and inspired me as I look with optimism for the year ahead. The short video confirms my belief that everyone is different, yet everyone is similar. We're all looking for a shortcut, a tip, something to help us along the way. We all have beliefs about the best way to reach our goals. But the path each of us takes to our own personal success is as different as our definition of success itself. So, maybe you have your own set of success secrets or you're in the market to find a few new ideas. I'm just passing a bit of inspiration on to you. Hope you enjoy.

Monday Music

2010-01-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

"Put me in your blue skies or put me in your gray"

It's interesting how many people posted comments about the music ( At The Hop by Devendra Banhart) to this youtube video by NBB. Be careful when connecting your brand to music. It's more important that one might think..

Green DayCare

2010-01-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

I have to admit it, I have a soft spot for the environment. A recent trip through my favorite-ed sustainability websites brought me to an eco-friendly child care facility, Little Green Tree House. Educating with a mixture of the "best in education with an eco-conscious, conservation-based focus," feeding local, organic foods and cleaning with non-toxic solutions, the green day care seeks to bring a worldly consciousness to the young. Once I saw this, I wanted to know a bit more about the movement. It appears these green day cares have been sprouting up all over the country; I'm not a mother so forgive me for not being up to speed with the day care train. You can search for an eco-friendly daycare in your area here. I think its great that the need has been uncovered and that providers are listening to the early adapters. As more and more people begin to not only care about environmental health, but also make decisions that better it, the more products and services will be made available.

(Image glory to ClipArt)

The Hunt For Height

2010-01-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

After 6 years of construction, the world's tallest building has opened in the Gulf Emirate of Dubai. The Burj Khalifa (formerly named Burj Dubai although the building's website remains unchanged) was renamed to honor the Abu Dhabi leader who threw billions of dollars to the financially-struggling country. The building now holds a number of world records, including highest swimming pool, highest observation deck, and elevator with the longest distance traveled. Enjoy your glory day B. Kalifa as I'm certain the world will see a building rise higher than even you. As long as we still have visionary engineers listening to that evolutionary need to construct large buildings (think pyramids in 2500BC), we can rest assured we have taller skyscrapers in our bright futures. As usual, my growing interest drove me to do a quick search. Sure enough, the proposed Nakheel Tower (also in Dubai) would trump the current leader, but the project is on hold due to financial difficulties. Can anyone say broken record? Just kidding. Well, there you have it, one paragraph and one image to get you caught up on our modern day wonders. But will they last 4,500 years?

Monday Music

2010-01-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

Todays Gonna Be A Good Day...

Happy New Year. By now you've most likely seen the concert the BEP put on for Oprah this past fall, but it still makes me feel good to watch it so I thought I'd share. And the group has been nominated for a Grammy in Pop Duo or Group with Vocals, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year. Not too shabby.

2010

2010-01-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Well its finally here. 2010. Whether its pertaining to health, finances, careers, or relationships, a word that's on a lot of minds each January is change. I'm not sure what you would like to see change from a personal or wordly perspective, but if you don't have anything in mind today, check out change.org. The site seeks to raise awareness for a variety of causes ( gay rights, education, sustainable food, health care, etc.)and offers a lot of news and information about each. If you weren't concerned about the status quo, you just might be after snooping around this site for awhile.

Do you Tag?

2009-12-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

This Nike commercial has been one of my favorites for years. It just makes me want to go out and play.

Santa beats out Jesus on holiday blogs

2009-12-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

Although both bearded men are extremely influential in my personal and professional life, this is the first time I will actually write either of their names in my blog. Maybe I'll make Nielsen's BlogPulse with this post ;) And even if I don't, you can find me hunting blog trends on the site anyway.

Monday Music

2009-12-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

"I'm gonna love, I'm gonna overcome"

One Way Road, John Butler Trio

Be Smart. Be Stupid.

2009-12-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching three 2 hour focus groups. Yes, you're correct; that's 6 hours of focus group watching. I'm tired, I can't imagine how the moderator feels. And he has to get rested to do it again tomorrow. Something came to mind early in the first group. How much more could we learn about the world around us if we acted more often like the least intelligent in the room rather than the most? If we'd just spend more time listening, what would we hear? If we asked more questions than we answered, what would we learn? If we followed questions with even more questions, what insights would we uncover?

Monday Music

2009-12-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

Many studies have demonstrated that music is a strong memory stimulus. (Here's one article for reference) Music can even enhance the memory of Alzheimer`s, reduce stress, aid relaxation and alleviate depression. Take a look at Billboards Top 100 hits of the decade. Because Mariah Carey took the #1 spot, I won't be posting the top song here. But you go on ahead, take a stroll through memory lane, it may be good for your health.

La Jolla Cove

2009-12-14T08:30:00.000-08:00

I just got home from a weekend trip to San Diego. A few friends and I found a $50 flight to and from the city and booked the flight. May I also add that Denver was under 2' of snow when we snagged the tickets. We didn't have a good reason to go, just a vision of the sea and a craving for fresh seafood. I admit, I can often get stuck in my head. I carefully dissect my every thought, belief, and action-- that is, if I'm not careful. I can turn it off occasionally. And this weekend, I did just that. Thank you "for-no-good-reason-vacation" for allowing me to just be for a few peaceful days and leave the thinking behind.

What Trends are Worth Following?

2009-12-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

Just as the top lists from this year are rolling in, many industry leaders and also those with opinions and a computer are joining in the 2010 trend conversation. I've seen a number of trend forecasts lately, some are more insightful than others. I have truly enjoyed navigating through the following:
10 Crucial Consumer Trends For 2010 by trendwatching.com
10 Web Trends to Watch in 2010 by Mashable CEO, Pete Cashmore
Big Idea's 2010 by Iconoculture

I believe each of these are worth your valuable time.

All this trend hunting and forecasting reminded me of how culture, and trends within it, are evolving all the time. Depending on the kind of information you are hunting, you can find a variety of lists valuable. Think for a minute about how our culture has shifted over the last 50 years, with the every household now not only having a color TV, but having 3 HDTVs. Think also about how our culture has changed over the last 10 years, with those who were teenagers in the early 00's now have graduated from college and have growing disposable income. Consider how our culture has changed over the last year while under massive economic distress, with shopper behaviors undergoing dramatic shifts. Think lastly about how the iphone and real-time communication has effected and will continue to influence the way we communicate.

So consider which trends are worth your time. What information has the potential to influence your company? Which will inspire you to come up with a new product, service or experience? Not all information is equal.

Tiger Woods Wife Outrun

2009-12-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

I don't feel the need to write a whole lot about this Tiger Woods fiasco, however I did need to, at the very least, attempt to outrun his wife. And so did over 1.1MM other people. See for yourself here at break.com.

Top Everything of 2009

2009-12-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

As we close out the year and the... We had the 80s, the 90s, but what were the 00s? The zeros. The onezies. The aughts. The 2Ks. Did we ever come to an agreement on what this decade would be called? At this point, how you choose to refer to this decade in the years to come is apparently up to you. The time has come to begin all the year end lists for 2009 and TIME has recently unveiled their top 10 lists in full, from news, to medicine, to tweets, to music. Take a look. Do you agree with their choices?

One of my favorites would have to be the "Top 10 Viral Videos" list and I am in complete agreement with the top choice. The leader of the pack was a video uploaded by Christoph Rehage. Rehage began his 11 1/2 month walk through China after giving himself a fresh shave, allowing the daily self portraits to tell his journey in both travel and hair growth. Rehage followers can find more information about the walking man himself, his pictures and story on his site The Longest Way. Rehage mentions that he's had many others come forward and ask him for advice about their own travel desires. His response is simple.

"It doesn’t matter what dream you choose to follow, as long as you have one. Go follow your dream, and laugh while you’re doing it!"

The Longest Way has all the makings of a great viral being. It doesn't try to be hip, it just is. It is simple. It is sharable. It is authentic. Finally, it is supplemented by a catchy beat. Take a look for yourself.

The Longest Way 1.0 - one year walk/beard grow time lapse from Christoph Rehage on Vimeo.

Monday Music

2009-12-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

"If you want me, I will be right here."
Hungry for some great ear treats? Here's a great list of "10 Tracks you Have to Hear" by NME.com. One sample embedded below, but its worth your time to check the full list out.

Shopper Psychology

2009-12-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

I recently read an interesting article from SmartMoney that reminded me of how much I like the people side of marketing. I wrote a brief post awhile back simply pushing us all to remember that we market to people. Now that the holiday shopping season is in full swing, I think its a good idea to take a minute to understand how we shop. The article explains a few interesting research findings that I'll summarize here.

Basically, when we try something on or test it out, the "endowment affect" sets in. If we own something, we perceive it has a higher value than before. Furthermore, ownership can begin even when we are only trying something on. Think about how seeing detailed images, videos, and consumer ratings of products online can help you imagine the product as your own.

Also beware of shopping near attractive people. Our evolutionary need to reproduce plays a role in how we communicate the right attributes as we shop. And, whatever you do, don't let anyone touch you while you're shopping.

Lastly, we all know the 99 cent trick where retailers price items at $1.99 rather than $2. I guess our minds are so damn good at simplifying life for us that it's really hard to not pay attention to the leftmost digit.

For more detail about the studies that give light to our shopping minds, check out the article. Knowing these techniques can help persuade you to buy something does not make them all bad. Trying on a pair of shoes or touching a sweater to see if its as soft as it looks can be very beneficial to both the interested and the brand. And if pricing something at 1¢ below the next dollar amount, even if we know it clearly makes us more likely to buy, its better than being priced at 1¢ above. ;)

A Win for the Wii

2009-12-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

Sports Authority apparently knows fit and knows fun. They also know that its cold, the country isn't exactly "fit", its hard to get to the gym, boring to do the same static workout each day, and motivating to do interactive workouts. And from a shopper insight standpoint, fitness gaming can be quite intimidating for anyone who has not experienced it. So, what are they doing with all this obvious but useful insight? The sporting goods retailer will now be carrying the Nintendo Wii and to get some attention, they are giving away a Wii console each day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. To kick off the promotion, the retailer hosted a large PR event in California with Biggest Loser trainer Julian Michaels. Also, 102 Sports Authority stores will have live demos with personal trainers on site to help customers get acquainted with 2009 fitness. Those interested can visit the promotional website to enter the daily drawing, find a local demo (4 in the Denver area), and gain a sense of reality by seeing the names and location of previous winners. I'd say it's a win for the wii and for the Colorado based retailer. I'll check out a demo and let you know how it goes.

( photo from Shoppingblog.com)

Where In the World Are American Travelers?

2009-12-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

After revisiting Italy by means of iphoto, I recently caught a mild case of the travel bug. I got to thinking about the world's top travel destinations. I couldn't seem to find a user-friendly snapshot of the entire world's travel patterns, but I did stumble across a list of top destinations for Americans. According to a September 2009 post on ForbesTraveler.com, American's travel most to our neighbors to the south and north. While the majority of countries unsurprisingly saw a decrease in number of travelers, Columbia saw a 21% increase. Presumably the increase can be attributed to a mixture of heightened security, cultural variety, and beautiful landscapes speckled with coffee plantations. Italy, on the other hand, saw the biggest decrease (down 18%) from the previous year. Could be one negative side effect to having a "strong" currency. While I don't feel the need to dissect every possible culprit for changes in travel, I am interested in seeing what travel looked like in 2009 for the millions of broke, swine flu fighting Americans. I'll stay on the lookout.

Top 10:
Mexico
Canada
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Germany
Japan (tied)
Jamaica
People's Republic of China
Spain

Monday Music

2009-11-30T21:12:00.000-08:00

" I want your everything, as long as its free."
Well, here it is folks, the most viewed YouTube video for the month of November; unless of course, the Muppets' Bohemian Rhapsody ends up with an additional 17MM views in the next 3 hours. Lady Gaga's Bad Romance had over 25 million views during the month of November. That's more than the entire population of Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter. In case you missed it and want to know what the people who have time are doing, here it is in all it's glory.

( previous had been removed by user)

Stumped by Starbucks Facebook Fans

2009-11-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

After realizing Starbucks had over 5MM fans on Facebook, I also became a fan. Not to get the goods from the brand but to observe how people are interacting with them in the space. I was stumped when I saw that over 10K people had said they liked Starbucks' "Happy Thanksgiving" message. Plus, over a thousand people commented back to the brand. Now, its so surprising to me that this many people wanted to join in the Thanksgiving happiness conversation. I guess when you love a brand enough to friend ( thanks Facebook for making friend a verb) them, you want to feel connected. So, that's what you do. You thank them for being open. You express how "yummy" they are. You let them know you stopped by your local cafe to pick up your favorite treat. You use the opportunity to wish them an early Merry Christmas. And lastly, you use exclamation points because that's what you do in the social media world when you wish to yell. Unless of course you work there. That appears to be a different story.

Subaru Snuggles Up with the Great Outdoors

2009-11-28T23:18:00.000-08:00

To support the Canadian launch of the new 2010 Outback sedan, Subaru's creative agency DDB Toronto leveraged a simple insight that people are spending a lot of time indoors. Why you may ask? Thanks to Snuggie, they can now hold the remote, read a book, and answer the phone without getting tangled in an all-annoying blanket. Subaru and Snuggie, leaders in the out/indoors respectively (and both brands made the list of "America's Hottest Brands" by AdAge) have "united" to create this witty and disruptive campaign for fun-loving, outdoor enthusiasts. Despite the fact that the automotive category has been hit extremely hard over the last 18 months, Subaru has managed to pull in positive numbers. I give the brand a hand for not only selling a high quality product( yes, I own a Forrester), but also staying true to who they are and having a little bit of fun while they do it. If you don't agree, maybe you should get out more. ;)

Buddah Quote For the Day

2009-11-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world"

Monday Wisdom

2009-11-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

I'm trading in the music this morning in lieu of some simple wisdom. Think about it.

Top 100 English Words.

2009-11-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

Can you name the most commonly used words in the English language? Click here to try; you'll have 12 minutes to guess the top 100. These words are all quite simple and frankly, I was embarrassed by my performance after I saw the comprehensive list.
This could be in interesting way to warm up your team's brains the next time you're idea hunting. Not only is it very simple to execute, it also reminds us of the power of simplicity.

Monday Music

2009-11-16T08:35:00.000-08:00

"Just don't know what's for real anymore."
I'm lucky enough to have tickets to see Ray LaMontagne at the Ellie Caulkin Opera House here in Denver on Wednesday. Here's a clip of him playing Forever My Friend on Letterman.

Fulfill Your Maximus Potential...

2009-11-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Reebok,

Like many, I have seen your new campaign for EasyTone and have a few questions for you.

Understandably, many women would like to tone up but often don't have the time to do it. That's where the EasyTone sweet spot lies. What I'm interested in knowing is, did you have any women on your creative team? No doubt a fit, minimally clothed body will catch anyone's attention, but I'm curious if talking breasts, naked silhouettes, and butt close ups are the best means to engage with women.

Kudos for keeping up your brand vision of originality and creativity on this campaign, but are you really asking me to, in your own words, "celebrate individuality" through a common sexual campaign theme? Also, according to your site, the Reebok brand purpose is to help underprivileged, underserved youth around the world fulfill their potential and live healthy, active lives. Do you feel this campaign fits within Reebok's empowering voice?

The EasyTone website states, 88% of men are speechless, 76% of women jealous. Presumably this is all fluff, but I'm still curious; Where did this information come from?

You are surely getting media attention from this campaign which is generally a win for your brand. Its not as though you partnered with KY or that Victoria's Secret doesn't have success selling sex to women.I don't claim you don't need emotional appeal, but do you think you may have slightly neglected the need to talk about the innovative product in more detail? You had an ex-NASA scientist on the product development team and its design is quite unique.

All that said, I'm about 83% sure the controversial campaign should not overshadow the product itself. People will always be interested in products like EasyTone that make fitness easier, if you can find the right way to speak to them.
Curious to hear your answers,
Ashlee

Summit on the Summit

2009-11-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

In January 2010, five celebrity activists will leave Hollywood to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world's highest freestanding mountain, to bring attention to the global clean water crisis. Kenna, Jessica Biel, Isabel Lucas, Lupe Fiasco, and Alexandra Cousteau will climb the 19,340' peak alongside photographers, climbing guides, aquavists, and a handful of HP notebooks.

HP is bringing its technology expertise and fully integrated marketing muscle ( TV, online and social media) to the team. HP's latest 'Computer Is Personal Again' commercial features climbers Kenna, Fiasco and Cousteau and the new notebook. A series of boot camp web films were released on Facebook. An interactive website allows readers to learn more, read bios, see the climb routes, and chip in to support the cause. The climbers plan to tweet and share the experience with the masses throughout the 10 day hike. What a great way to use technology to inspire actionism and fully shed light on the billions of people living with empty water glasses.

Monday Music

2009-11-09T21:45:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine sent me this link a few days ago. According to Flash Fiction, the linked songs have hidden writing inspiration.

Although my ear jury is still out, I like the idea of having my own little writing playlist that inspires me. So here we go:

Monday Music

2009-11-02T21:47:00.000-08:00

"One. Two. Wait, hold on. One. Two. Three. Four". I may try this to kick off my next team briefing.
The "punkgrass" brother band out of Charlotte, NC trading in their beat stomping and banjo string popping ways for a seemingly more subdued gondola ride. Happy Monday.

So, you remembered to "fall back"...

2009-11-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

... but did you actually get around to resetting your clocks?
Thank goodness for my best friend blackberry, for automatically resetting to the correct time so that I could once again procrastinate my way through the bi-yearly clock resetting tour. I'm so rarely without my cell phone in hand's reach. Along with the all important clock, I have immediate access to the morning news headlines, weather forecast, my schedule, numbers of everyone I want to speak to ( or avoid speaking to for that matter), a camera, music, my bank account, my email, and everything else on the web. Actually speaking to someone is probably what I do LEAST with my "phone". And I'm not the first to make this connection of course. I'm just waiting for an app that will update all my clocks automatically. Or maybe I just need to hang smart phones around my house.

Photography Gallery to Check Out

2009-10-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

Good evening lonely readers. As many of you presumably know ( being as though you most likely know me if you're following the blog), I spend my days in an office filled with busy marketers, but spend the occasional evening with a family portrait photographer who gives me the privilege of shooting candids of his family subjects in between frames. I have a passion for photography in both the capture-the-moment-and-tell-a-story sort of way and the take-a-moment-and-create-art-from-it. I recently learned of Irene L and quickly became a follower. It seems she has combined the precise amount of realism and romanticism to make each shot a masterpiece. It makes me feel like I could step right into this beautiful world she has created and leave the world as I know it behind. Keeping with the spirit of the curious and random nature of my blog, I thought I'd share. Enjoy ;)

http://www.fubiz.net/galleries/set/irene-l/

Flight crew overshoots Minneapolis landing

2009-10-23T09:30:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday evening, two airline pilots flew 150 miles past their Minneapolis destination before reconnecting with flight controllers and eventually landing in MSP. The pilots claimed a heated conversation about airline policy had been the distraction. Of course, officials are now looking into fatigue as a culprit. The full article can be read here.

According to the reports, no one aboard the plane was hurt. No one knew they had bypassed their destination either. WHAT? No one checked their ticket after being in the air for over 3:30 hours? No one noticed the glow from the city below as they passed over? Come on folks, the midwest is dark at night. After Denver, what city en route would give off any kind of light, Sioux Falls? Fargo? It makes me want to grab a video camera and plane ticket and observe what's going on 35K miles above the ground. Something tells me that passengers noticed something seemed off, but didn't say anything. Why? Or did they, and I simply didn't find that article? Until I can process more, my prediction is simple. No one departing San Diego really wants to arrive in Minneapolis in late October anyway.

top 10 holiday trends

2009-10-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

With the help of BIGresearch, NRF shares their prediction for the top 10 holiday shopping trends in a recent blog entry. I'll trust you will review the full list if you'd like rather than repeating it here. As you'd expect, the weak economy is having a huge impact on what people plan to buy, where they plan to buy, and how they plan to save some extra dough when they buy. I found it interesting that 11% of people surveyed said they planned to purchase something from a thrift store or resale shop. This is the first year the thrift category was included so its not clear how this compares to 2008. I think this simply goes to show just how impactful the giving spirit/ consumerism is in the holiday season. People would rather give something used than give nothing at all.

And what do people want most? The only category that saw an increase this year was the gift cards, which is often seen as too impersonal. Maybe people need to buy necessities or would just like to treat themselves to something they really want after being frugal all year.

Here's a 3 minute video of what shoppers told EXPO about their holiday shopping plans. One women mentions that she's interested in online stores that offer layaway programs, and goes on to say that some of the "store stores" offer layaway as well. What? Have online retailers now become the stores we think of first and all others with actual people inside get the double noun?

Based on this video, it appears we to have shifted into a community of strong savers when it comes to the holidays. I'd like to check back in with these folks in December once the holiday season marketing has arrived.

a movie of unhidden truths

2009-10-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

I saw the film The Invention of Lying over the snowy weekend and found myself utterly enthralled by the honest insights pouring out of the lie-less world. From the woman who orders a caesar salad because she doesn't want to gain weight but feels she deserves something that tastes good, to the waiter who becomes more embarrassed of his profession when the customer is beautiful, and the man who returns the bottle of wine not because he doesn't like it but because he wants to appear revered, these characters simply tell it how it is. Although the writers poke fun at advertising ( but I have to say I smiled when I read "Pepsi- for when they don't have Coke"), our evolutionary instincts and religion, its a very funny movie and just a trip for insight-hunters.

You're Never Too Old...

2009-10-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

What does TV looks in 2009? I'm thinking it looks a lot like this. Evian's Live Young campaign includes this clever (and only slightly creepy) dancing babies commercial which I found, where else, but on YouTube. Once there, a number of "Making Of" videos and spoofs of the spot itself are easily found on the related videos sidebar. Viewer dialog is open and seemingly managed well by its participants. Furthermore, all Evian videos include the brand website in its description. The easy-to-navigate site then allows baby lovers to find even more of the creepy content, including music, casting, teasers, a facebook link, and more. This high level of baby subject matter is a bit much for me and my baby avoidance behavior; nonetheless I can't help but think it's a great use of interactive media to engage with those who want it.

Want to enhance your creativity? Remember your childhood.

2009-10-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

Psychology research out of North Dakota State University suggests remembering what life was like as a child can enhance adults' creativity. Graduate student, Darya Zabelina and colleagues asked 76 students to write either about their typical day as a 7-year-old or as an adult. After a few minutes, students then took the Torrance test, which scores the originality of pictures people make out of shapes and scribbles. Those students who imagined life as a 7-year-old scored significantly higher than those who thought about their current lives. I'm excited to try this simple technique with my creative team or maybe I'll just do it today and impress everyone with my out of the box thinking.

Its summer. I wake up to a combination of a hot Iowa sun coming through the window, toasting me like the poptart that I'll most likely grab on the way out the door and a welsh corgi who's canine smeller must have caught wind of a waking playmate and has come pounding up the steps. If I didn't know better, I'd think I lived 3 stories up based on the prolonged thunder of the short-legged pooch. I walk past my sister's room to see if she is up yet, but she's still under her covers because her room is on west side. Everyone knows the west side bedroom sleepers sleep in later. I make my way to the bathroom. Nothing to report here, as I've surely disappointed you now. What can I say, I'm eager to get outside. When the door opens, the corgi takes off, and nearly takes flight with its oversized ears. My playground is 8 green acres filled with trees to climb on, horses to ride, an old silo with the absolute best acoustics to sing in, and a barn filled with talking pigeons. In addition to the corn crib being part of my at-home softball team, I've also made a small concession stand near one of the ends. And that's where I'm headed- The horses must be hungry, of course. I serve old corn cobs. That's it. Remember, I'm on a farm in Iowa. What did you expect, sushi? If you're feeling frisky, I'll add a little mud on the top to give the cob something even more special. I sit here, hoping, like I do most days, that one of the nearby horses will come order one. They're too busy eating the morning dew off the grass. But wait, who's this? A make believe person who is hungry for a muddy corn cob at 8am? Yep. And so it goes, another morning as a 7-year-old.

Okay, now let's go be creative!

We are talking about people. People.

2009-10-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about our brand's audience this afternoon, because that's what I do. I think about our audience at work. And sometimes after work. And sometimes before work. And sometimes when I drink. I'm kidding. Not really, I work on a beer account. Anyway, you get the point. Today, I got the feeling that when we call people "consumers" or "shoppers" or "customers" or fill in the blank, we tend to think of them as something else, as though because people are shopping or consuming (the actual product or our messaging) they've suddenly undergone a confusion causing transformation. And these all illusive "shoppers" are a big code to crack. What is it they really want? What need do they have that has gone unmet? What insights do we have into their decision motivations that can help us strategically place our brand into their lives? As any brief says, the list of questions goes on. And it's not that I don't love these questions, I do. I just want to take a moment to think about who it is we are talking about. People. People who are not all that different from you and I. They are not overly involved with every decision they make. Are you? Do you make some decisions very quickly and take days, weeks, or even months to make others? I'm not trying to say that people are not complex, WE ARE. And we all have underlying motivations behind our behaviors and an understanding of this is crucial to any good advertising strategy. I'm just reminding myself and any of you lonely readers (insert echo) to occasionally remove the marketing and "shopper" lens and take a different look through the people lens. After all, I believe a good product can connect with a real person who has a real life.

Shoppers don't necessarily inspire me, but people do.

Supply Chain Transparency

2009-10-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Want to see how green or ungreen the products you buy are?

Sourcemap.com is an online social networking site that maps business supply chains ( currently in beta testing). Check out this map of a can of Coca-Cola that illustrates how Hong Kong, Iowa, Columbia and Canada are connected to the Atlanta, Georgia plant. Those companies that have incorporated sustainability into their business models will quickly begin to reap the benefits of this online conversation. The dismal companies who continue to ignore sustainable opportunities in exchange for the status quo run the risk of having the conversation started for them. If the site itself is not incentive enough for these companies the fact that anyone can join in on the discussion should be.

Getting Started with Open Supply Chains from Matthew Hockenberry on Vimeo.

Monday Morning Music...

2009-10-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

" I fall on the floor and I'm laughing."
Cecilia by the Local Natives

My favorite member of this group stands farthest back, playing the branches of a tree.

Rocky Mountain National Park

2009-10-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Riding solo?

2009-09-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

Carticipate is a social transportation experiment available via an iphone app and, hold on, you won't believe it, wait for it.... facebook. Carticipants enter where and when they plan to travel and the location-aware mobile software matches you up to others who are going the same way. I admire the effort to not only reduce emissions but also rush hour road rage. Eventually, I see the potential for retailers that are on someone's path to jump in on the game. Stay tuned over the next few months to see where this goes and how many carpooling carticipants sign up!

What is a Moment?

2009-09-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

a little library love

2009-09-28T07:04:00.000-07:00

I'm reading Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior by Geoffrey Miller and wanted to give a quick shout out to public libraries across the world. Although I wish I could afford to have a room full of the words of the greats, the inspirational, the provocative, the rule breakers, and the story tellers of today. But alas, I work in advertising and can't afford much more than this computer and have given up on this dream for the time being. Instead, I'm in a committed relationship with my public library.

Im helplessly devoted to the pages of Spent and am intrigued by the study of how people are driven to acquire more and more even though research has clearly shown that stuff won't make us happy. Like many of the books I've borrowed over the last few years, I've already reserved the next read and I'm only about 90 pages into this one.

My curiosity drove me to look for some statistics about library cards: how many have one, who is most likely to, how often they are used, etc. I found a site that was helpful in answering these questions ( apologies for not looking longer for more recent). If you don't have one, go get one. I guarantee you'll find something you like ;)

A little bit is better than nada...

2009-09-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I saw what could very well have been the smallest product display on earth located above 10,000' in Leadville, Colorado. I could have been tempted had the product itself been a bit more enticing.

What Would You Do?-- With 6 seconds

2009-09-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

This Retail Merchandiser article says the average section in a store gets only 5 or 6 seconds of exposure from the shopper. Five seconds! What can possibly be going on in our mind in these few fleeting seconds? We could and oftentimes do hours and hours of research to see what messages and visuals resonate best, in an attempt to feel secure OUR message will be of the few that is heard within this short window. We can also brush up on our understanding of cognitive biases-- which are basically adaptive- or maladaptive- mental shortcuts we all use to make decisions quickly.

This video shows how supermarkets use research to fight back and keep people in stores longer.

It's You, Or Y!ou, Or Ylou?

2009-09-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

Next week, Yahoo! will launch its new $100 million dollar global marketing campaign, "Its Y!ou" right here in the U.S. of A. The campaign's focus will be on the personification of the homepage and its products. WIth Google's shares rising 50% in the last 6 months despite the country's recession, I give the company the best of luck with the new adventure. But... With all this effort to reinvent the brand, it begs the question, "why is the CEO seemingly bringing about bad PR?"

virtual barbershop

2009-09-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

http://ccgi.bluerabbit.plus.com/virtualbarbershop/

You just have to do this. With headphones.

don't forget to be awesome

2009-09-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

YouTube has tapped into its philanthropic users to ask them to put their video skills to good use. YTVideoVolunteers recognizes the need for those who make a difference by actually going out into this "hyper physical medium called real life", but are extending opportunities for creative video heads to bring attention to the organizations they support.
What a great way to use this enormous space that has universal usage ( every minute, 10 hours of video are uploaded- YouTubeFacts) to bring some attention to those who need it.

puma to the rescue

2009-09-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Tough economy dragging you down? Puma is taking some of the weight off... or should I say clothes? In support the recent launch of the company's athletic undergarment line, Puma "bodywear", Puma has stepped beyond traditional advertising to develop an iphone app that links the rise and fall of the stock market to models putting on or taking off their clothes. The app is called the Puma Index, as the stock market goes down, the index goes up.

I wish I could get my hands on this project's brief.

Advice to those who still have jobs...

2009-09-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Take Recess.

Although the research in this NYT health blog leaves a little to be desired from a scientific validity standpoint, the results support the fact that the human brain can see great benefits from aerobic exercise. I wont surprise anyone by saying exercise is beneficial to our mind's health, but this article explains that activities like swimming, brisk walking, running, and cycling ( I'm sure some of you can think of other things to do to keep your heart rate up) may actually allow the brain to recall more information than anaerobic activities like walking, pleasure jogging, or weightlifting. So, if you want to keep your brain in shape, find something that works for you to make you pant and puff each day. Oh, and don't forget to read.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/what-sort-of-exercise-can-make-you-smarter/

Art helping science tell the story of our earth's future

2009-09-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Using a team of time-lapsed cameras, James Balog and the Extreme Ice Survey are addressing the tragedy of our world's rapidly disappearing ice in a very impactful way. The project is a great example of how powerful a story can be when both science and art are allowed to write. I'm hopeful efforts like this will not only keep our eyes open to the world around us but also to challenge us all to consider both the emotional and rational side of our tales.

New Webster Words Illustrate Where We Are

2009-09-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

I sporadically visit the Webster website in a weak attempt to keep my language colorful and recently noticed this page that highlighted a few of the new words incorporated into Webster for 2009. Its interesting how even in this abbreviated list, the language we use is a good indication of what our world finds important enough to create words to express. ( and how mother Mac's tenacity to add that red dotted line will never cease to amaze me)

Sharing Via the Web:
fan fiction, vlog, webisodes

Environmentalism:
carbon footprint, locavore, green collar

Physical Medicine:
cardioprotective, naproxen, pharmacogenetics...

advice to myself

2009-09-10T18:45:00.001-07:00

A recent commute had me listening to callers expressing advice to their younger selves. To my surprise, most of the advice centered around a missed opportunity rather than encouragement. After some thought, I decided to give myself some of my own advice now before I wake up in 20 years calling into a morning talk show to share my life's regrets. I gave myself 2 minutes to write down my thoughts ( note the "slow down" advice) and made it into a word cloud. Although I should spend more than 2 minutes on something with this much importance, its still a very clear representation of my life's call to arms. I challenge you to match my thoughtful 2 minutes by going here and creating your own http://www.wordle.net/

Inspiration in the everyday

2009-09-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

When Brazillian designer Jarbas Agnelli saw a photo in the local newspaper of birds perched on 5 electrical wires, he saw something special-- he saw music. He mentions that he was "just curious to hear what melody the birds were creating." Another fantastic reminder that organic creativity and inspiration are all around you and all you have to do is read the news (Ha!)-- Simply keep your eyes open and your mind free. Its out there.

Doodle But Don't Daydream

2009-09-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

( at least when you need to be listening...)

According to a study in Applied Cognitive Psychology doodling while listening can actually help you remember details as it may keep you from daydreaming and losing focus. http://www.physorg.com/news154937903.html

My Inspiration

2009-09-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

I'm interested in the community, identity, and empowerment that the online world allows. This idea of participant observation is key. In order to more completely understand how bloggers feel about exposing different levels of themselves to a keyboard or a webcam, I want to do it first hand. Hope to see you again along the ride ;)

"Design Something That Solves A Problem"

2009-09-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

What a novel idea, right? I work in advertising, where its easy to get caught up in the day to day of our designs and the belief its going to soar miles above the rest and engage with people on unexplored levels ( okay, maybe a stretch here). The James Dyson Award is a design competition that not only inspires young engineers but also remains true to its problem-solving roots. I think a spoonful of reality soup is always a good treatment for over-active advertising execs (like myself). Here are a few examples from the competition.

http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/Default.aspx

Curiosity Killed the.. well boredom

2009-09-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

Curious.Seven was borne out of my endless search to find the "right fit" while studying at Iowa State University. After seven majors in only 4 years, I walked away with a great understanding of human nature, and the ability to not only find the interesting angle of a story but also put that vision into words on paper- Journalism and Psychology. Since leaving the university about three and a half years ago, I've grown to accept that its not as easy beyond those walls to change your mind. There is no Dean's Office I can simply go to and explain my plan and within thirty minutes, I'm back out the door with a new path. I now understand I have my entire life to learn, not four years. And that's exactly what I plan to do.
For this blog, I envision it being primarily about what inspires me, thoughts I have about people ( and how that relates to business), and interesting things I find while pursuing this life of learning. I'm also open to letting the blog evolve into what it feels like.
Let's see where we go, and maybe, just maybe you'll even learn something new while you're on the ride.