It’s COLAB Time!
To those of you looking for an internship in the advertising world, guess what? COLAB time is here again…
I participated in the inaugural 2008 group – wasn’t sure what to think going in, but it was the best six weeks I’ve spent during a summer – collaborating with some of the most forward thinking, techno-savvy, inspiring people.
Oh and plus you get to spend the summer in Portland. Which, I would have to say, it perhaps the best places in the States to spend a summer.
Anyway, COLAB asked us to create a video talking about our COLAB experience…check it out, then go apply. Now. Do it!
Knights of Steel
God. Austin is seriously one of the best cities. Along with Hallstatt and Queretaro, Austin is def. top three cities I’ve been lucky enough to visit (and now call home!). I really do feel lucky to have ended up here through a random twist of fate… At this point of my life, I don’t think I could have asked for a better situation.
Last night was the Austin tree lighting and holiday stroll. The personality and energy of people in this city is insane. The tree at the capitol was light, there were booths, stores were open late and there was live music /performance everywhere: drum circles, singers, collaborative art wall, bands, cloggers. Nutcracker/Tchaikovsky.
As a musician as well as a patron, I love love love being in the center of a city that is so supportive of music. From an ad. and strategists perspective, I’ve also LOVED observing the power music has to bring people together and push ideas/progress forward to create such an outstanding identity for Austin.
Check out this insanely amazing group from a performing arts high school here in Austin:
wow. wow. wow.
Waiting For Deb Idea Book
Part A: At the beginning of winter term this past year, Max and I really bonded over sitting outside Deb‘s office, waiting for a few minutes to chat…along with every other J. school Ad. kid in Allen.
Part B: We discovered we both always brought our idea books to pass time during the wait.
AHA moment!: We decided to make a project out of it – insert the Waiting for Deb Idea Book! We decided to Velcro a small blank notebook under the chair outside of Deb’s office.
Over the course of the next 2 terms, any student waiting for Deb could contribute to our collaborative book. The kicker – Deb had no idea this was in the works (= A week or so before school concluded, we presented Deb with the book during Ad. Night:
- I’m pretty sure it was a hit (= Between us all, the pages were almost all filled and…you can check it out for yourself, but I think there are some pretty sweet insights within: (=
using jazz as a communication model
I talk a decent amount of my past (d)orchestra life, but I realized I don’t speak much about choir.
Tonight I went to a Genesis concert – Genesis being an outstand jazz group from the Portland area. Back in the day (wow I feel old), I was pretty devoted to choir as well as orch – a few of my friends from jazz choir are now part of Genesis – here’s short clip featuring my good friend Katy:
Now from an advertising/branding perspective…wow, what an amazing model this group…and really jazz music in general is to what we should be striving for in advertising.
instant feedback – after a solo, the audience gives instant feedback – if they liked what the soloist (sender) had to offer, the audience (receiver) makes it known! if not, this is pretty clear as well!
camaraderie/collaboration- immense in this type of group! from the combo, to the tenors, soloist, ensemble, director – it’s takes some pretty powerful chemistry to make this magic happen.
transparency – wow, have you ever heard a good scat solo? There’s something about scatting that is so intimate and telling – stories of passion and meaning are shared from musician to audience member on a level deeper than just words. wow.
neat stuff.