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Alvin & The Chipmunks Gave Me the Wrong Idea About Ad Agency Pitches
In Alvin & The Chipmunks, we watch Dave Seville navigate a high-stakes client pitch while wrangling the unruly chipmunks. It might seem like a catchy tune for young viewers, but a dash of charm and a bit of last-minute improvisation are all it takes to win clients. But for those of us working in marketing…
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My Inktober Experiment: When Prompts Got in the Way of Creativity
Participating in the Inktober challenge is often celebrated as a way to build consistency, push creativity, and explore new ideas. Founded by artist Jake Parker, Inktober encourages artists to create one ink drawing each day for a month, following a list of prompts. I embarked on this artistic process to dive into structured creativity. However,…
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Invasion of the Ranking Snatchers—Competing for Clicks in the New Era of AI Overviews
Tomorrow, I’m excited to join a panel of SEO experts for the highly anticipated webinar Invasion of the Ranking Snatchers: Competing for Clicks in the New Era of AI Overviews. I’m especially looking forward to working with my former colleague Colt Foutz from TransPerfect, who will lead the panel. Colt and I go way back…
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What I Learned by Completing the Botober Art Challenge in 90 Minutes Using AI
Participating in art challenges is often about dedication, creativity, and pushing your boundaries. But what happens when you take on the challenge of creating art using AI—specifically trying to complete an entire month’s worth of prompts in just 90 minutes? Well, that’s precisely what I did during the Botober 2024 art challenge, and here’s what…
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Embracing the Freedom (and Responsibility) of Life
You Are What You Do—Literally Sartre says it plainly: we are condemned to be free. That sounds paradoxical, but it’s his way of saying we don’t have a pre-determined “essence” or nature that defines who we are before we start making choices. Unlike a rock, which just is, humans have the unsettling burden of deciding…
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Fear, Lies, and Living Through the Spectacle
In 2024, we find ourselves living in a world where anxiety is not just a side effect of modern life but a daily weapon used against us. Fear has become the currency of power—manipulated, exaggerated, and repackaged in ways that amplify the most unsettling aspects of our existence. We are bombarded by stories so extreme…
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Lessons in Wit, Kindness, and Resilience from Dame Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith was more than an iconic actress—she was a master of dialogue, wit, and resilience. Over her seven-decade career, she captivated audiences with her sharp delivery and heartfelt performances. From playing the no-nonsense Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter to the shrewd and witty Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey, her characters often carried a depth…
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What Pete Rose’s Career Teaches Us About Reputation
Pete Rose’s career is like a marketing masterclass in both triumph and disaster. He was the ultimate hustle guy—a scrappy underdog who outperformed expectations and became the all-time MLB hit king, a record that still stands. He branded himself as Charlie Hustle, the embodiment of effort and resilience. But in the end, he tarnished his…
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What Moo Deng the Pygmy Hippo Can Teach Us About Digital Marketing
In a world where attention spans are shrinking, and online competition is fierce, it can be easy to feel like standing out is impossible. But then, along comes Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus from Thailand, to teach us a thing or two about capturing—and holding—public attention. What started as an adorable baby animal in…
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Kris Kristofferson Was the Coolest Old Dude You Never Wanted to Cross
Kris Kristofferson wasn’t just some guy with a guitar and a growl. He was the guy. The kind of guy you hear about in stories, like the time he landed a helicopter in Johnny Cash’s yard to get his attention. Legend. Who else does that? I mean, maybe some unhinged action hero in a movie,…