The "F" Word

Unfortunately, I find myself cursing more than I ever have before. [Well, maybe not really, but definitely more than I have in recent years.] In advertising, people tend to use a lot of four letter words. Cursing is just part of being part of the industry.

I came across this video on how to properly use the "F" word that is quite entertaining (with typos and all). I mean really...if you're going to use the word, you mind as well use it properly even if you can't spell anything else!

Not backing down

Team environments can be difficult to manage at times. Never has this been more true that at the Brandcenter. I was told recently that majority rules within a team and I must agree to go with the majority every time. That I should not try to support my opinion or continually ask clarifying questions so I may too get on board with the majority. I am simply suppose to let the majority rule. Well, I don't operate that way. I don't follow the pack because the meeting has grown long or the team is seeking an easy way out, but knows it could do better.

In almost 14 years of working on team projects whether at business school or in the professional workplace, teams have never felt so much like an ongoing battle as they do now. The battleground is created by those who are not willing to open their minds long enough to consider alternative solutions; by those who do not take the time to request additional explanation to better understand another person's perspective; or by those who don't want to try a compilation of the best ideas as a form of compromise.

I believe that if a person feels so strongly about something that there must be a sound reason for it. Sometimes the reason is based on a misunderstanding and other times it is based on solid thinking. Why should this person's opinion be valued less just because they are in the minority? The supreme court lets the minority express its opinion for the record. So why can't I?

CreateAthon: 31 Hrs Without Sleep & Loved It!

It was one heck of a ride participating in the first ever CreateAthon onCampus event with fellow Brandcenter students & VCU Mass Communication undergrad students.

WHAT IT IS
CreateAthon onCampus (CoC) is a unique opportunity for students to put their skills and talents to use helping local nonprofit organizations. In a 24-hour, work-around the clock creative blitz, students generate advertising services for local nonprofits that have little or no marketing budget.

CoC is an expansion of CreateAthon, a nationwide 24-hour, work-around the clock creative blitz begun in 1998 by RIGGS Advertising in Columbia, SC. As of 2007, CreateAthon has benefited 1,008 nonprofit organizations with 2,143 projects valued at $8.4 million.

MY TEAM
Alexis B. - Brandcenter Communications Strategist
Ted S. - VCU MassComm undergrad
Nick W. - VCU MassComm undergrad

MY CLIENT
Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE)

MY OBJECTIVE
Develop a brand identity

MY TASK
Re-brand the organization and provide a positioning statement and tagline
Design a new logo, business cards, letterhead, and newsletter template
Write a donation request letter

CLIENT RESPONSE
Clients were extremely pleased that we captured the essence of the brand with our brand platform and branding materials that will help create a buzz and expand awareness within the community.

WHAT'S NEXT
The client now has time to review the materials and will let us know any changes that need to be made. On April 18th, there will be a wrap up event that will showcase all the work of all teams and present the final printed materials to the non-profit organizations. Not to keep you waiting, but I'll unveil my team's designs and branding efforts at that time.

For recap of the entire event and pictures, go to VCU CreateAthon onCampus blog.

Copy never made me smile so much...

This picture was taken last semester by a 2nd year for a beauty-focused project. I loved the copy "Waxing has only made me stronger." since it is a Nerissa original. Yes, us business folks can generate a good line every now and then, too.

Paramount Films & Facebook

Paramount is the first of Hollywood studios to give Facebook users free access to content. No, not full films...just clips from favorite movies like Forrest Gump or Boomerang. Paramount is hoping the sense of nostalgia will turn users into buyers.

"My benchmark for success is that people are joining and sending," Paramount SVP of entertainment Derek Broes told The Associated Press.


Since Paramounts Facebook Fan Page launch earlier this year, it has accumulated 2,220 fans - four of which joined while I was checking out the site. As Paramount pursues this new initiative, it must be careful to have someone continually managing it to make certain the Fan Page and all related pages maintain compelling content that interacts with the audience.

The fact that Paramount is also using the page to recruit Interactive Marketing interns is a sign that they too understand publishing the page is just the first step. Keeping the fans entertained for the long-haul is where the real work begins.

Threesomes

A friend's mother recently passed, so did another friend's husband, as did a distant cousin of mine...all in a matter of a few days. I've heard that death happens in threes and this is my first exposure to this belief.

My question to you is why can't life and love happen in threes as well? If you have any experiences of such, please share...I'd definitely love to hear them.

Note: The Love Life Death image above is the work of fellow blogger: LockJaw's Lair

Let's try and get this going...

Last week was the Brandcenter's Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting. Unlike last semester, the first years were able to participate more than listening to names and titles told to them and then being dismissed. So I was happy in this regard.

One of the perks was being able to have face time to speak to BOD in break out sessions. Me being me...I asked my questions. And me being me...I didn't care for how a couple had answered the questions by either changing my question to make it into something that particular person wanted to answer OR assuming that since the question topic wouldn't be resolved until well after I graduated, there was no point in answering what steps the school was planning to take in the meantime. For the gentlemen who answered my questions in this manner, I saw it as a way of taking the easy way out and as a sign that the directors really don't care about what is on the minds of the students.

On a brighter side, I found great favor in the two other BODs speaking to the group. One is why I am writing at 4:04AM when I should be asleep. This BOD stressed the importance of blogging and writing something not matter how small as often as one can. So this is my attempt to get some momentum going on my blogging capabilities. So don't be afraid to touch base every now and then and let me know how I'm doing.