We could use a little Demolition Derby

It's a challenge on this blog to write about new and different consumer escapes. Last week we were editing a new television commercial for the Detroit Red Wings. In the edit there's a shot of a vicious body check by Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall. I commented that it reminded me of a demolition derby. One of the young creative team members gave me that "what you talking about old guy" look. I fondly recall watching the demolition derby as a kid. Now that was an escape. I fantasized that by the time I got my license I'd be able to give it a try. Unfortunately I never got my chance. Now with ESC, ABS, GPS, nine airbags and fiberglass bumpers I don't think it would be as much fun. Yet from time-to-time - when a driver on his phone does the jerk pass in the right hand lane at a stoplight - I wish I had a well-used V-nosed 1972 Pontiac Catalina to take him out demolition style.

Pseudo Experts in Social Media

When I go skiing with my family we don't go down the black diamond trails. Why? Because we barely ski once a year and don't qualify as "experts." So why is that so many people in my industry portray themselves as an expert in something they've barely begun to do. I'm talking about the writers who have had an iPad for one month versus the Detroit Symphony Orchestra musician with 10,000+ hours of practice. (Malcolm Gladwell "Outliers" reference.) I've grown tired of the social media expert who tweeted three times, the blog expert with a blog that's still a "green banana", the YouTube expert whose video has been viewed 42 times, and the social media repurposers without an original thought. Admit it people you belong on the groomed blue trails of social media. You're learning along with the rest of us and are at best an intermediate. So stop teaching (and preaching to me via email) and start catching more edges in the snow. I'll see you by the fire in the lodge when you've mastered your craft.

Buying a new pair of pants

Yesterday my wife and I ventured to Kohl's, the king of Dockers, to buy some clothes.  Had I seen this spot first we may have both considered shopping elsewhere.

Changes in the "Detroit ad scene"

Thanks to the Adcraft Club for including me in a discussion of the organization and the state of advertising in Detroit at a session held with Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh this past Monday.

Here's a link to the article from Saturday's Free Press.

Enjoyed it, even if the big agency guys hogged all the quotes. More "good news" to come.

Shopping for Jewelry

"Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising."
 - Mark Twain

Mr. Twain must have seen the Internet coming, specifically as it applies to trying to buy jewelry online. 
By my own account I'm a pretty good husband and father, but a lousy jewelry buyer. I wish I could say it's because gold is at an all-time high. That has nothing to do with it. Then I realized that it's the industry's fault. The online jewelers take small items and make them look gigantic. I don't know carat weights and millimeters and so I have no idea what they're selling. And no confidence hitting the buy button.

So I ventured off to the mall to see some jewelry in person. Jewelry stores have everything in glass cases pretending that it's all about security, when they know perfectly well it's so you have to interact with the salespeople. The salespeople unfurl a tiny tag to decipher the code so as to give you a price. They present every price as if it's the greatest bargain in history. I see an item the size of a pencil eraser that costs more than my first car. It's a huge disconnect.

Thankfully the fine folks at Tapper's jewelry, a family-owned chain in Michigan chose to educate me instead of sell me, like many of their competitors. So how can I safely post this weeks ahead of a milestone wedding anniversary? Because there's no surprise to be ruined. I was encouraged to finish the shopping process with my wife. She knew basically what she was getting and now she can help ensure I get the right piece, the right size and even the right price.

As long as I get the credit for "buying" the perfect gift.

Consumer Escapes - List of Lists

My hand-written To Do list says "blog post" every day. Most days I get to it. On many others it gets shoved to the next day. That's my own list. Lately in perusing the web and print publications I've noticed an explosion of lists: Top 5 ways to get the best airplane seat, Top 100 Beatles songs, Top 100 Wines, etc...

In a blatant ploy for more readers my Labor Day aha was to create a list of the best lists. Sorry if this takes you back to a 1977 bestseller, but here goes:

10. Money Magazine's Top Places to Live
9.  Alexa Top U.S. Websites
8. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Safe Picks
7. AFI Top 100 Greatest Movies
6. New York Times 31 Places to Go in 2010
5. Top found grocery lists (funny stuff)
4. Maxim Hot 100 (not all of my Internet time is productive)
3. Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century
2. Car and Driver 10 Best
and at #1 considering I have a high school sophomore and junior and college dominates all conversation U.S. News and World Report College Ranking

Consumer Escapes - Running while Seated

I love to run, I love good music, and I love new things that make you go, "wow." Point your Google Chrome browser to The Wilderness Downtown and enjoy all of those coming together from the comfort of your favorite chair. Or couch. I won't pretend to understand the technology behind this experiment. But I'll bet we'll be seeing more things like it soon. Enjoy.