Musings, Scribbles & Screed
Five things I learned at my first back-to-live event Just home from Las Vegas and the production of a CEO keynote at his company's high-tech conference. I know a lot of us are getting back to live or still looking forward to the opportunity. For me, I was surprised at the depth of the impressions … Continue reading We Are Back, Baby!
In the first weeks after I moved to New York City, I visited the Whitney on the Upper East Side. There was an Edward Hopper exhibit, and who doesn't love Edward Hopper. On a wall leading into the gallery was an inscription of an E.B. White quote that I was not familiar with and which … Continue reading The Gift of Solitude
GATHER: The Business of Coming Together My new book is out, celebrating the fascinating work that goes into creating events for business audiences. In equal parts how-to, manifesto and memoir, the book provides inspiration and strategies for successful design of corporate events, informed by the human needs behind any gathering, whether with family and colleagues, … Continue reading It’s Time to Gather!
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
As before the pandemic, I still don’t want to see or hear your kids. But please bring your dogs, I want to see all the dogs.
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?
Dear Las Vegas, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the things I said about you. I’m sorry for saying how much I dreaded visiting you for work. I’m sorry for what I said about how fake you were, how crowded and expensive you’d become, how uncomfortably hot you were. Yours is a dry heat, and … Continue reading Dear Las Vegas, I am sorry.
Announcer Doug: Welcome to the 2020 Doug & Ruckus Halftime Show, sponsored by “Take Me Out and Shoot Me” now streaming on WhoTF Cares Anymore. Announcer Ruckus: Well, we did not see this coming. At the midway point, 2020 is a total bloody smackdown, a big stinking pile of poo (and you are welcome). It’s … Continue reading Doug & Ruckus: Our 2020 Halftime Show
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!
Binderama 