Musings, Scribbles & Screed
I started designing personal Christmas cards the year I moved to NYC, 1994. Back then, I'd take a floppy to Kinko's to use their color printer, and then I'd cut each out and glue it into one of those photo-frame cards. Ugly. These days the process is much more polished and professional but the brain-wracking … Continue reading Life in Christmas Cards
Close of kids saying grace while having Thanksgiving dinner with their family at dining table. It’s the grandpappy of all gathering days: THANKSGIVING! Here’s a fun exercise you can deploy during this most sacred of holidays that might inspire even more emotional and meaning into your corporate events. You know, those moments that make your … Continue reading Learning from Thanks
...then bring all those emotions, excitement and empathy to your event programs. Our plans for the summer include travel and exploration, a few visits to the shows and fairs that roll through town, and meet-ups with family, friends, neighbors and long-ago schoolmates. Along the way, I know we'll savor moments that I want to deliver … Continue reading Enjoy Your Summer Gatherings!…
The music was still ringing in Marty’s ears as he headed from the ballroom towards the elevator and his room. He was riding a post-show high, having closed out a big night with the anthemic “The Future is Now!” jingle performed by members of Styx and Mötley Crüe, fronted by that guy from Sugar Ray. … Continue reading Back to the Future! Events Edition
Snaking our way into the Ralph’s market in Santa Barbara that Thursday I realized the world was changing. It was chaos. Stressed employees shouted orders at frantic shoppers pressed shoulder to shoulder in checkout lines that meandered in every direction. For the first time I saw entire aisles of empty shelves – my introduction to … Continue reading The Last Weekend
I am so ready to get back on the road. It'll be weird but it will be the best kind of weird. Here are a few things on my back-to-travel bucket list: Arrive at the airport five hours early, making time for breakfast, shopping, a few hours in the bookstore, and lunch before my flight.Check … Continue reading Ten Things I Will Do When I Travel Again
I’m rarely at a loss for words. That’s changed during this, um, “time” we’re in. Know what I mean? Since last spring, whenever the topic of, er, “this situation” arises in conversation with clients and colleagues, I find myself grasping for the right – polite -- term to use. In my mind’s eye I can … Continue reading What Do We Call It?
Disruption, Transformation and especially Innovation: words that should elicit goosebumps reduced to nickel notions. As marketers and communicators, we spent the last few decades tossing these terms like confetti in order to glorify minimal, incremental upgrades and to flog feel-good platitudes. I’ve spent as much time trying to convince clients and colleagues to reserve usage … Continue reading Disruption: I Finally Get It!
Look for new ways to engage and “touch” audiences and communities. Ironically, that’s more important now than ever.
Nearly every year since 1994 I've scribbled out a Christmas card that attempts to convey my situation and mindset at the time. Planning begins in the early fall, and I typically go through several complete iterations, along with hours of panic, hopelessness and renewed focus. Since 2006, Mary has served as partner and editor, and … Continue reading ART!: A Christmas Tradition
Binderama 