Old Spice Returns in Time for Super Bowl

Old Spice returns. Just in time for the Super Bowl.

Really?

A year ago, the infamous “your man can smell like me” Isaiah Mustafa shattered the viral ceiling with the Old Spice campaign during the Super Bowl. This ingenious advertisement was random, funny and most importantly, got people talking again about Old Spice. What was previously viewed as an “old man’s smell” was reinvented to be young and hip. A marketer’s dream come true.

In the ensuing months, many spin-offs and spoofs littered the YouTube landscape almost to the point of white noise. Today is no exception as we witness the latest installment of the Old Spice saga.

Are We Beating A Dead Horse?

Although the campaign was pure genius last year, this video is a waste. The speech is clumsy, the copy is poor, and the pronunciation of “advertisement” is downright “adverse.” (If you listen closely to the way Mustafa pronounces “advertisement,” it sounds like “adverse – ment.” The last time I checked, something that was adverse was downright bad.)

In a world of YouTube videos fighting for our attention, this one ranks one notch above ‘White Noise,’ carried only by the success of last year’s splendor.

Brainworm™? Not.

At least the Super Bowl is just one week away. I better set my DVR so that I can rewind and rewatch the good commercials.

 

What Ideas are You Harvesting for 2011?

The Holidays are rapidly passing us by. Just as 2010 was a blip in the radar of Life, it’s easy to get consumed in the minutia of our daily routines. Just as we are easily distracted by the noise all around us, it doesn’t change the fact that sometimes we must turn off all outside distractions and focus on the task ahead and reinforce the relationships that matter most.

By week’s end, we will be in the prime of January 2011. As we usher in the New Year, we all entertain the notion that we must incorporate some resolutions to improve our current standing. Many times we’re not happy with where we are presently positioned.

Sometimes, we simply have a desire to improve ourselves, go back to college or perhaps start a charitable foundation. Perhaps we’re business owners looking to focus with laser-like accuracy. Regardless of the reason, we all look ahead and consider our direction in the pursuit of happiness.

Yet, sometimes identifying those targets is not easy. More so, it’s difficult to know the answers when we don’t remotely understand the questions. In nearly every circumstance, we seek the following:

Clarity. Purpose. Calling. The answers are unique to each of us. It summons us to aspire for more.

Therefore, during the course of this “lame duck” week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, there are some steps that we can take to shield ourselves from the distractions. In silence we can refresh our spirit, commune with our Creator, and seek the answers deep within us. Chances are, we’ll find inspiration and epiphany.

Refocus. Retool. Reenergize.

Commit to it this week. Turn off, tune out and unplug for three teeny-tiny hours of quality time of reflection. Get a journal, make notes and let the ideas flow… ideas for your business… ideas for the relationships in your life… ideas for your physical and spiritual health… Whatever the realm, let the ideas develop and flow. Write them down. Harvest and cultivate those ideas for a rich and fulfilling 2011.

Happy New Year!

 

Halloween Candy Everywhere; It’s Remarkable I’m Not Craving It

Monday mornings typically present a gloomy start to a work week—especially after a holiday weekend. Today as I meander towards the coffee machine to pour some caffeine to jump-start my brain cells, I notice a huge basket of Halloween candy on the break room table, leftover from last night’s festivities. As sucker for chocolate, Sweet Tarts and other sugary confections, I would normally succumb to the call of the Sugar Fairy.

But that’s not the case today.

One of the ruins of eating a lot of sugar leads a person like me to crave for more. However, I am fortunate to be void of that desire. How so, one might ask? No, it’s not some miracle shake, green tea or strange pills—nothing to buy as a matter of fact. It just so happens that I have been limiting myself of foods loaded with sugar these past two months in an attempt to reduce my waistline. In addition to having more energy and some moderate weight loss, I have discovered an interesting by product—a loss of craving for the sugar in spite of easy accessibility of the Halloween candy everywhere. It’s not will power. It’s just a simple fact that my body is not craving to replace what it thinks it’s missing.

With the Christmas season rapidly approaching, you may be asking yourself “can I begin something like this today to loss the craving for sugar by Christmas?” If so, there is a way. But getting off of the sugar kick is not easy when starting out. Is there a regiment that will help get this started? Yes, there is.

What has worked for me is a diet that’s low in carbohydrates. There are programs out there, like Atkins, for example. Atkins is free, with the exception of buying the paperback book for around $10—probably less on Amazon than the typical book rack. Other programs that might work are Zone and South Beach. Although I have not tried those, Atkins works for me. Basically, Dr. Atkins encouraged his readers and patients to avoid many of the processed foods that are out there—especially sugar and other “bad carbs.” If we ate the less processed, less sugary and fewer mechanically sweetened foods like our ancestors did, we could opt-out of following the obesity trend in our society. Whichever program you choose, it’s important that you educate yourself on “good carbs” versus “bad carbs.”

If you research the programs now, and get started this week, you’ll be prepared to avoid the gluttony by Christmas—possibility even as early as Thanksgiving. When your Holiday feasts are consumed responsibly, you’ll feel even better on New Year’s, a time when many people set weight loss goals. You’ll be ahead of the game.

All three of these plans, Atkins, South Beach and Zone can help you accomplish your goal of getting off of sugar, having more energy and living a healthier and more vibrant life. Check them out!

Happy November 1st—a new day to usher in the Holiday frenzy with sanity and reason.

Here are the Wikipedia links for these three programs:

Atkins:

http://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Atkins_diet

South Beach Diet:

http://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/South_Beach_Diet

Zone:

http://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Zone_diet

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/ecy4

 

Parents Tour New Edgewater High Band Room, Campus

The O.R. Davis Auditorium at the New Edgewater High School

Last night, prior to the Band Parent Organization meeting, parents and several students received a VIP tour of the new Edgewater High School band room and campus. Set to open to the student body on November 15, 2010, the new campus is positioned next door to the existing 58-year old campus in Orlando’s College Park community.

Equipped with state-of-the-art music facilities, the music wing features a large band room, chorus room, orchestra room, and piano/MIDI lab for composing with recording studio software, and an auxiliary room for the majorettes, flag & rifle corps. Plenty of storage space  practice rooms are strategically positioned.

After touring the music areas, a guided tour of the rest of the campus ensued. The new gymnasium, cafeteria, media center, class rooms and auditorium provide a modern world-class learning environment while retaining the school’s long history of excellence.

Photos: http://amplify.com/u/e0i3

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/e0is

 

Once Killed by Nirvana, Saxophones Enjoy a Resurrection

80's Aussie band, Men At Work

The sultry sounds of the saxophone dominated the airwaves in rock music for four decades. King of the killer riff, many a signature hook graced our eardrums from huge hits like “Yakety Yak” by The Coasters, to “Maneater” by Hall and Oates. Without the saxophone, many a 50’s Doo Wop or 80’s New Wave tune probably would not have made their marks. The music gods blessed the curvy tenor horn, until we reached a state of Nirvana.

Nirvana killed the saxophone. No, I am not referring to a state of bliss. I am referring to the baritone vocals and drop-tuned electric guitars made famous by the Seattle band, Nirvana. Their smash hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was the most influential sound in 1993, shaping the recording industry for the next 15 years. The Seattle Sound was such a dominant force it knocked the sexy out of the sax. A death blow, or was it?

Everything is Cyclical

Keytar. Photo: Tommy Gunn Photography

Fast forwarding to 2007, Mutemath’s “Typical” (and similar songs) began a new revival of Keytars, higher-pitched vocals, organic sounding Rhodes pianos and cleaner guitars. With a blend of New Wave, Alternative and Organic Techno, a new 80’s revolution took hold. As other bands began breaking through in 2008 and 2009, the musical flavor began to include a late-60’s/early-70’s electric Rock sound. Displaying an organic sound for sure, these new bands no longer relied on drum machines and digital-sounding synthesizers. Sure, keyboards and computers are still used, but not as a “sound” in itself. The analog keyboards proudly return.

Time to Gang Up

While watching “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” last evening, the guest band was Gayngs. A soprano saxophone immediately graced the airwaves within a few seconds with dulcet tones and ushered in this band’s new song. As soon as the lead singer began to sing with an Auto-tune jarring effect, I was hooked.

Gayngs’ song “The Gaudy Side of Town” featured about a dozen musicians and singers, also showing a new trend—more musicians, less digital technology. Nevertheless, the overall organic sound and their use of the saxophone is affirmation enough for me to declare that the reedy instrument is here to stay in Rock music.

Click on the photo below to hear Gayngs perform on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” (Be sure to fast forward to 36:22 to the start of the song.)

Gayngs on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"

Click here to visit Gayngs’ Official Myspace page»

For what it’s worth, I welcome back the sax. It’s good to see you again.

 

Chili’s Puts ‘Fun’ in Fundraising and Awareness for Childhood Cancer

Create a Pepper and Help Kids with Cancer

Here’s a new approach to Social Media, merged with creating a buzz for charity fundraising and awareness. Chili’s is encouraging people to draw a chili pepper, colorize it with unique shapes, styles, designs, clip art and colors, and after posting, share the pepper with all of their Facebook friends. The end result is awareness for children’s cancer research in a fun and memorable way.

How did I hear about it? I saw a post from a friend on Facebook who had just posted her own freshly drawn chili pepper. Once clicking on www.CreateAPepper.com, I was hooked like fish… filleted, fried and stuffed in fajita.

After playing with the cute flash-based online tools, I designed my own chili pepper as shown below. I call him “Larry the Licker” because he loves cupcakes. (My wife Janelle makes the best cupcakes and cakes, so this is the motivation to my artwork!)

Join Chili’s in the fight against childhood cancer.

Create a Pepper.

A Chili Pepper Brainworm™

This is a Brainworm™, because it’s cute; it’s fun and memorable. I applaud Chili’s for this truly creative method of raising funds and creating awareness through Social Media and interactivity.

Make one yourself. Go to www.CreateAPepper.com. It’s for a good cause.

 

Will Facebook Outperform Email and Phone Use?

Facebook - You're no longer tied to your desk as long as you have a Smart Phone.

Considering Facebook’s stunning growth and ever-expanding reach, is it conceivable that this information juggernaut will outperform email and phone usage in our daily lives? Before shrugging off this notion, there are a few points to mull over in this installment of Brainworms and The Buzz™.

Facebook is a communications vehicle—albeit an immensely successful one. While analyzing the Facebook model, there are two major things that a communication service must possess in order to succeed—technical innovation and consumer acceptance. Facebook is not only a dynamic communication vehicle that continues to evolve in technology circles, it has singlehandedly forced a paradigm shift by drawing in users whom have never joined a Social Media website and now use it daily. With many grandparents now logging on, Facebook has earned its place in the annals of history.

So why does it appear that Facebook has the potential to outperform email and phone usage? A brief review of the communication trends of the New Millennia will set the stage.

The Email Trend

About twelve years ago, the Internet was all the rage. The race was on for consumers to get an AOL or CompuServe email address. For fun or anonymity, many users had vanity names that were obscure or reflected a hobby or favorite pastime. For a professional impression, business people utilized their first and last name as their personal email handle. Even businesses would have an AOL email address prior to having a website. As the prices of PCs and Windows 95 become affordable, it wasn’t long before everyone was on the web and using email as a dominate form of written communication.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Since 2001, “The Verizon Guy” has become one of the most recognizable advertising personas for cell phone wireless providers. As more and more consumers purchased cell phones early in the decade, the cell phone quickly became a dominate form of instant communication. Today, many consumers have elected to use their cell phone as their “home” phone. Even Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers like Vonage and Magic Jack began to take the place of the traditional land line.

How Do You “Like” Me Now?

It’s no secret that Facebook is the second-most visited website in the world with more than 500 million active members.¹ This juggernaut of real-time collaborate communications has changed the way that people connect and the methods that advertisers use to reach them. From games like Farmville to the rapid distribution of viral information, Facebook has a stickiness that every business envies. Even traditional TV commercials are now directing people to Facebook. Just last night I saw an ad for Kohl’s department stores with the web address, “Facebook.com/Kohls.” Businesses are also putting the “Like” button on their corporate websites, which dynamically connects to Facebook users. As people click the “Like” button for a business, their status is updated and reflected on their friends’ News Feed. Curiously enough, curious friends click on those links. And the viral infection begins, a Brainworm™ for sure.

So why are businesses flocking to Facebook for marketing? It’s very simple. That’s where the people are.

SPAMALOT and the New Way to Reach Out and Touch Someone

My 13-year-old email address is pummeled with hundreds of SPAM messages daily. In fact, I rarely use it for instant communications. Although I check my email a couple of times a day, less than 1% of the messages require my reading and/or response. As more and more SPAMMERS acquire my address, it has become an ineffective means of communication. However, there is a new way to reach out and touch someone—a new way to contact me instantly—Facebook message mail. (Not to be confused with Facebook Chat.)

When visiting a friend’s Facebook profile, there is a “message” link under his or her profile photo. Operating similar to email, the messages stay within Facebook and are typically between people who have already connected as friends. Since Facebook friends are connected with a two-way permission method, the chance of SPAM is very unlikely, especially compared to an email address that is open to the world. In a nutshell, when people Facebook message me, I get a notification to my iPhone. As more and more people get iPhones and other smart phones, I believe that this trend can continue—opt-in friend message capabilities.

“Smarty Phones”

Detectives Dan Stark and Jack Bailey from "The Good Guys." Photo: Fox Broadcasting

“Smarty phones”—as called by Detective Dan Stark on Fox’s “The Good Guys”—are rapidly growing in prominence. In this time of a supposed recession, Apple has sold more than 4 million units of the new iPhone 4.² How is something of this magnitude accomplished? After all, how are so many smart phones are being sold in an era when people are walking away from their homes? It’s simple. The smarty-phones allow people to connect and browse the web without the need of a desktop or laptop computer. The iPad can do the same as evidenced with more than 3 million units sold to date.³

The Threshold of Need

There is a common element for every communication and technology trend—from emails to smarty-phones. It’s a convergence of falling technology prices meeting a consumer’s threshold of need. When PC prices fell, consumers jumped onto the web. As iPhones hold at just $200 with a 2-year AT&T service agreement, consumers snatch them up. With the Facebook smart phone app, it’s easier than ever to connect on Facebook. Make no mistake of it. Marketers have already identified Facebook as the 800-pound gorilla. It’s here to stay.

The Verdict

If you haven’t guessed by now, I predict that Facebook will claim the title of “Communication Champ” over the long-admired email and telephone technologies. Old high school friends and distant relatives have found each other on Facebook. Coworkers, bosses and clients are now connected with transparency. Conversations abound around issues, topics, YouTube Clips, photos and other Facebook posts with real-time regularity. Advertisers are using TV to point people to their respective Facebook pages. Facebook messages are sent between friends, generally void of outside SPAM (with the exception of a friend’s hacked account). Connectivity and commonality brings people together.

Here is a glimpse of the Smart Phone usage in the Weeden household:

• We have no land line.
• We have a family of four using AT&T with iPhones.
• We will never reach our minutes on our wireless talk plan.
• We use the “smart” part of the smart phones many hours a day.
• We can update our Facebook status with just a few taps on the screen.
• We can send text messages with close friends and family members for immediate access.

For those outside our immediate circle, Facebook is a phenomenal way to connect on our Wall or via private message.

Facebook is here to stay.

1. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/facebook
2. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/iphone_4
3. http://ipadinsider.com/tag/ipad-sales-figures

 

TV Game Shows No More, Shazam can ‘Name That Tune’

Shazam on the iPhone

When I was a young boy growing up during the late 70’s, I remember a TV game show, called “Name That Tune.” The basic premise of this prime-time Saturday night show featured the playing of songs with contestants trying to guess the titles with the fewest notes possible. Although I loved music, I could never guess the names of the songs with the same expertise and prowess as these music geniuses.

Today, few things amaze me anymore. But this “name that tune” iPhone application just blows me away.

It’s called Shazam.

Jackson Bostwick as Captain Marvel, from the television show Shazam! produced by Filmation.

Not to be confused with the other 70’s TV show called “Shazam”—you know, that cheesy superhero wearing the red spandex with a white and gold cape. Dubbed the “World’s Mightiest Mortal,” Captain Marvel would travel in an RV and help distressed citizens in this Saturday morning children’s show. Whenever Captain Marvel needed guidance, he would summon an Oracle named Shazam, through a two-way communication box. Albeit a cheesy program, at least the lightning bolt emblem on Captain Marvel’s chest was pretty rad.

Today in Smartphone Land, the Shazam application does not fight crime, nor wear a cape, but is an all-knowing Oracle that can “name that tune” with exceptional results. With the application running, simply hold up your smart phone in the direction of the music being played and Shazam will tell you the name of the tune and tell you the artist and album name. Shazam makes it possible to even purchase the song or album though iTunes, which is pure marketing genius.

On Saturday, my wife Janelle and I were at a Subway restaurant in New Smyrna Beach. I heard a song playing through the overhead speakers. I asked Janelle if she knew anything about this particular song or artist. Although she had never heard the song before, she thought it was catchy. So amidst the noise of this busy sandwich shop, I started the application, pressed the “tag now” button and positioned the phone’s mic towards the ceiling. With three-to-five seconds, the results were in. My song was correctly listed as “According To You” by Orianthi.

Geolocation

As a true social media tool, Shazam will ask you if it can use your current location, using your phone’s GPS, similar to Foursquare. This way you can chronicle where you were when you heard “that” song. Plus, the geolocation tool will allow you to see when your favorite bands will be in your area.

Two Pricing Models

Shazam has two versions, the limited free version and a full-featured subscription. The free version allows tagging of five songs per month, whereas the full version offers unlimited tagging. The premium version is available for a one-time charge of $4.99 through the App Store.

Hear song and don’t know who sings it? Shazam.

Want to buy that song or album? Shazam.

Want to fight crime while wearing a cape and leotard? Sorry; can’t help you there.

Author’s note: This is not a sponsored article or Tweet. I am a proud user of Shazam and wanted to share my experience. To learn more, visit Shazam.com.

 

Groundhog Day – Is there a day you would love to relive?

Prior to 1993, Groundhog Day was just a day when the infamous groundhog would predict winter’s end. These cute prognosticators of the weather—Punxsutawney Phil, being the most famous—would bring tens of thousands of people to towns like Punxsutawney, PA in celebration. Legend has it that if a groundhog sees his shadow, winter will last for six more weeks.

So what happened in 1993 that gave an additional significance to February 2nd? Groundhog Day, the Bill Murray movie.

Bill Murray’s character, Phil Conners is trapped in a time loop when February 2nd repeats itself every day, relentlessly without end. Conners, a Pittsburg weatherman, and his team—producer Rita, played by Andie MacDowell and cameraman Larry played by Chris Elliott—are on location in Punxsutawney, PA to cover the Groundhog Day celebration.

Phil Conners is trapped in a Groundhog Day time loop. Every day is February 2nd, with the events around him beginning and ending the same way. Each morning he wakes up to Sonny & Cher’s I’ve Got You Babe on the clock radio. He comes across the same conversations by the same people at the hotel in Punxsutawney. He encounters an old high school acquaintance who tries to sell him life insurance. He can anticipate a crash of dishes at the local diner, because he heard them fall so many times before. Although the movie never reveals the number of days he is trapped, it’s feasible to believe that it’s in the hundreds.

The realization of this type of purgatory sends Conners into every form of emotion, angst, frustration, and manipulation. As the movie progresses, the self-absorbed Conners discovers opportunities to improve himself by caring about those around him. First as a way to prevent boredom, Conners finds joy, value and purpose in the relationships. He even finds himself in a timeless moment with Rita, with whom he has fallen in love.

In your life, is there a day that you would love to live over again? Is there moment in time that you’d wish would never end? Is there a special someone in your life that you cherish that day you first met, or of a family member that you miss? Reminisce on this as you venture through your Groundhog Day.

 

Looking Like a Fool with Your Pants on the Ground

(Originally posted Jan. 14, 2010)

American Idol certainly knows how to get a buzz about its program. Last night was no exception. 62-year old General Larry Platt steals the night with his original song called: Pants on the Ground.

Obviously, Platt is too old to audition, by at least 34 years. But the Idol producers know how to create a buzz and get people talking about their program.

Back in the 90′s “must see TV” was discussed the next day at the water cooler. Today, it is done instantly via Twitter and Facebook.

Kudos to American Idol. This is a Brainworm™.