12/19/08: Happy Holidays!
Greetings from D.C.! I have been spending the past week or so helping with the transition team on the ground in D.C. Even though most of the team is out in Chicago, they still need people here to connect and communicate.
While I was here, I caught up with a dear friend, Matt White. Matt is the CEO of a great agency, White and Partners. I knew Matt’s father, Jim White, who started the agency. We met when Jim was asking advice on how to reshape the agency after he bought out the partners. I liek where he took the agency, and where his Matt continues to take it.
I looked up Matt while in town and we went out for drinks. While out, he shared with me this great Christmas video that his team made. I found myself chuckling throughout the video with its ‘Office’ TV show quality.
All the best to everyone and cheers to a great 2009!
While I was here, I caught up with a dear friend, Matt White. Matt is the CEO of a great agency, White and Partners. I knew Matt’s father, Jim White, who started the agency. We met when Jim was asking advice on how to reshape the agency after he bought out the partners. I liek where he took the agency, and where his Matt continues to take it.
I looked up Matt while in town and we went out for drinks. While out, he shared with me this great Christmas video that his team made. I found myself chuckling throughout the video with its ‘Office’ TV show quality.
All the best to everyone and cheers to a great 2009!
One of the greatest pleasures of traveling is being able to try different restaurants. Eager to explore the city prior to Art Basel, I arrived in Miami on Thanksgiving day. Anyone who has been to my condo in Miami knows that it is overflowing with art that I have purchased from prior shows. Art Basel is a great place to see 100s of artists and their work. It is in Miami every year and something I very much enjoy.
A few years ago, I was introduced to musician Kanye West here at a prior Art Basel. It turns out that we both feel in love with art from the Campana brothers and had asked them to join us for dinner that night. Not wanting to offend either one of us, they asked if we would dine together. We had a blast and all kept in touch ever since.
This year, Kanye and I were planning on meeting up prior to the show, but weather delays kept him grounded in LA. I was planning a quiet night at the bar, when, famous artist Ai Weiwei, arrived. In reading up on the exhibitions, I was excited to see that Ai had work here and was eager to see it. When he walked in alone, I simply had to introduce myself.
We hit it off and decided to head out for dinner, but neither had any idea what was open or available. I had recently downloaded OpenTable’s new iPhone application, so I pulled out my iPhone and launched OpenTable.
The application picked up where I was using GPS and proceeded to tell me which restaurants around us had tables available. We agreed upon the Oceanaire Seafood Room and hailed a cab. The evening was great!
OpenTable and Apple made it incredibly easy to use their tools. For anyone with an iPhone, I highly recommend it. If you don’t have an iphone yet, this may be the reason to get one!
A few years ago, I was introduced to musician Kanye West here at a prior Art Basel. It turns out that we both feel in love with art from the Campana brothers and had asked them to join us for dinner that night. Not wanting to offend either one of us, they asked if we would dine together. We had a blast and all kept in touch ever since.
This year, Kanye and I were planning on meeting up prior to the show, but weather delays kept him grounded in LA. I was planning a quiet night at the bar, when, famous artist Ai Weiwei, arrived. In reading up on the exhibitions, I was excited to see that Ai had work here and was eager to see it. When he walked in alone, I simply had to introduce myself.
The application picked up where I was using GPS and proceeded to tell me which restaurants around us had tables available. We agreed upon the Oceanaire Seafood Room and hailed a cab. The evening was great!
OpenTable and Apple made it incredibly easy to use their tools. For anyone with an iPhone, I highly recommend it. If you don’t have an iphone yet, this may be the reason to get one!
11/10/08: A fun way to learn how to be green
Bonjour de la part de Québec
I was invited up for Quebec’s 400th birthday celebration by longtime friend, Laurent Beaudoin. Laurent is the Chairman of Quebec based transportation giant, Bombardier. Laurent and I met many years ago at the Harvard Business Club in Toronto. I was invited to speak there at the same night that Laurent was being recognized with the Canadian Business Leadership award. He politely let me converse in my rusty but passable French and then responded in perfect English!
Being born in Quebec, Laurent was very involved in the 400th anniversary celebration. We went to many celebration dinners and heard a tremendous orchestra. They have a lot of pride and showed their city very well.
At one dinner party, Laurent introduced me to Quebec’s Minister of Energy, Claude Béchard. We started talking about the web and how hard it is to reach their constituents with messages. He wrote the URL http://www.aee.gouv.qc.ca/en/energuy/game/ on his card and asked to talk the next day about it.
Back at the hotel, I pulled up the site and was impressed! Using video and a great sense of humor, the site shows residents all the ways to save energy in their home. By (literally) dragging around Energuy, people try to have him find ways to save energy, from changing out light bulbs to replacing refrigerators.
All of this information could have been communicated in a simple brochure or PDF, but the organization decided to involve the user in the experience, and let them explore at their own pace.
As I always tell my Internet Marketing students, the web is a ‘lean forward’ activity. Create opportunities to engage your audience rather than ask them to ‘lean back’ and have the information wash over them.
I was invited up for Quebec’s 400th birthday celebration by longtime friend, Laurent Beaudoin. Laurent is the Chairman of Quebec based transportation giant, Bombardier. Laurent and I met many years ago at the Harvard Business Club in Toronto. I was invited to speak there at the same night that Laurent was being recognized with the Canadian Business Leadership award. He politely let me converse in my rusty but passable French and then responded in perfect English!
Being born in Quebec, Laurent was very involved in the 400th anniversary celebration. We went to many celebration dinners and heard a tremendous orchestra. They have a lot of pride and showed their city very well.
At one dinner party, Laurent introduced me to Quebec’s Minister of Energy, Claude Béchard. We started talking about the web and how hard it is to reach their constituents with messages. He wrote the URL http://www.aee.gouv.qc.ca/en/energuy/game/ on his card and asked to talk the next day about it.
Back at the hotel, I pulled up the site and was impressed! Using video and a great sense of humor, the site shows residents all the ways to save energy in their home. By (literally) dragging around Energuy, people try to have him find ways to save energy, from changing out light bulbs to replacing refrigerators.
All of this information could have been communicated in a simple brochure or PDF, but the organization decided to involve the user in the experience, and let them explore at their own pace.
As I always tell my Internet Marketing students, the web is a ‘lean forward’ activity. Create opportunities to engage your audience rather than ask them to ‘lean back’ and have the information wash over them.
10/27/08: Archer Paintball a Success!
Greetings from Lancaster, Penn! I was in town following my Phighting Phils as a guest of longtime friend, Michael Jack Schmidt. I actually knew Mike while he was an architecture student and I was an adjunct professor at Ohio U. We reconnected recently when he asked for my help in selecting a wine for a charity wine that he was labeling. The wine, 548 Red Zin, is great with Steak and proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 548 is the number of home runs he hit as a Phil.
So I was delighted for the home weekend series in Philly falling on the weekend that the team went out for paintball. Mike Schmidt wouldn't join me, but it was quite a blast. My knees prevented me from joining in, but I took a bunch of pictures of everyone having a good time!
Go Phils - Go Archer!
Go Phils - Go Archer!
10/01/08: The Bailout Rap
In a brief comic diversion, a dear friend of mine is a stockbroker with some questionable musical talent, but a lot of desire. He put together this 'Bailout Rap' which is fun to watch and actually is a good overview of the current financial crisis.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
09/18/08: Smile, you are on Google!
Greetings from Chelyabinsk, Russia! I was joining a longtime friend and hockey great, Sergi Makarov, for a special event back in his hometown here in Chelyabinsk. Despite being over a million people, we couldn't walk ten feet without someone stopping Sergi and asking for an autograph or simply to say hi. Sergi seemed to enjoy every minute of it.
Being a hockey nut, I had known of Sergi when he played for the Moscow team. He was the ‘M’ in the legendary KLM line that scored so many goals and won so many championships. You know you are important when they have to change the rules of a game for you. He came to the NHL in his early 30s and won the Rookie of the year trophy his first year. The next year, the NHL put in the ‘Makarov Rule’ which puts a maximum age on being considered a ‘rookie.’
Sergi and I met when he was playing for the San Jose Sharks a few years later. The Sharks owner, Howard Baldwin and I were childhood friends, so I asked him to set up a dinner with Sergi. We stayed friends ever since.
Sergi heads back to Russia frequently to help hockey players transition to the NHL. He heard of his hometown doing this neat stunt for Google Earth and called to see if I wanted to join him. After hearing the details, I changed my plans and joined him in Chelyabinsk for this great event!
Google Earth is a great tool that allows you to zoom in anywhere in the world with 3-d views and more. Google uses images captured from the ‘Quickbird’ Satellite. Chelyabinsk residents decided to put on a show for the Satellite as it passed over head. The towns people gathered in the center of town and created a oversized Smileyface, using raincoats and other items to create something special! Sergi and I got to be the left eye, if you are able to zoom that close!
I’ve been asked by companies in the past on how to take advantage of these super accurate maps available online through Google, Microsoft and others. Target is now placing their signature Red and White Target on the tops of their buildings as a form of guerilla advertising through these mapping sites. Brilliant!
Being a hockey nut, I had known of Sergi when he played for the Moscow team. He was the ‘M’ in the legendary KLM line that scored so many goals and won so many championships. You know you are important when they have to change the rules of a game for you. He came to the NHL in his early 30s and won the Rookie of the year trophy his first year. The next year, the NHL put in the ‘Makarov Rule’ which puts a maximum age on being considered a ‘rookie.’
Sergi and I met when he was playing for the San Jose Sharks a few years later. The Sharks owner, Howard Baldwin and I were childhood friends, so I asked him to set up a dinner with Sergi. We stayed friends ever since.
Sergi heads back to Russia frequently to help hockey players transition to the NHL. He heard of his hometown doing this neat stunt for Google Earth and called to see if I wanted to join him. After hearing the details, I changed my plans and joined him in Chelyabinsk for this great event!
Google Earth is a great tool that allows you to zoom in anywhere in the world with 3-d views and more. Google uses images captured from the ‘Quickbird’ Satellite. Chelyabinsk residents decided to put on a show for the Satellite as it passed over head. The towns people gathered in the center of town and created a oversized Smileyface, using raincoats and other items to create something special! Sergi and I got to be the left eye, if you are able to zoom that close!
I’ve been asked by companies in the past on how to take advantage of these super accurate maps available online through Google, Microsoft and others. Target is now placing their signature Red and White Target on the tops of their buildings as a form of guerilla advertising through these mapping sites. Brilliant!
08/27/08: Not your average Joe!
Greetings from Denver! Many of you know that our headquarters are located in the beautiful city of Wilmington, Delaware. While I travel quite a bit, I love coming to Wilmington to see the team and enjoy the sights. I returned this time to hear about the company’s recognition by Inc Magazine. The Archer Group was ranked #596 of Inc magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies. We raised a glass to the honor and quickly got back to work.
Our offices are a short walk from the train station, which I frequently use to reach NYC or DC. On one of those trips many years ago, I struck up a conversation with Delaware’s Senator Biden, who takes the train daily to DC from his Wilmington home.
This was a trip home, and I had picked up a bottle of wine for the trip. After a few pleasantries, I offered Joe some wine to continue the conversation. While we didn’t agree on every topic, I very much enjoyed the banter. On some positions I even took the other side simply to continue the spirited conversation. We stayed in touch over the years and became great friends, going to Delaware football games together or sharing a tailgate spot at the Point to Point races.
I happened to be at his home when he received the official call to be Vice President. You could see the smile on his face as he accepted. When he hung up the phone, he turned to me and said ‘Bob, time to open another bottle of wine, we are going to Denver’
I am sure happy to see one of Delaware’s own receive such an important nod. I’ll be in the background here in Denver, but smiling all the way!
Our offices are a short walk from the train station, which I frequently use to reach NYC or DC. On one of those trips many years ago, I struck up a conversation with Delaware’s Senator Biden, who takes the train daily to DC from his Wilmington home.
This was a trip home, and I had picked up a bottle of wine for the trip. After a few pleasantries, I offered Joe some wine to continue the conversation. While we didn’t agree on every topic, I very much enjoyed the banter. On some positions I even took the other side simply to continue the spirited conversation. We stayed in touch over the years and became great friends, going to Delaware football games together or sharing a tailgate spot at the Point to Point races.
I happened to be at his home when he received the official call to be Vice President. You could see the smile on his face as he accepted. When he hung up the phone, he turned to me and said ‘Bob, time to open another bottle of wine, we are going to Denver’
I am sure happy to see one of Delaware’s own receive such an important nod. I’ll be in the background here in Denver, but smiling all the way!
Ni hao from Beijing! I’ve been pretty much parked at the Water Cube all week as a guest of Deborah Phelps, longtime friend and mother of the superstar swimmer Michael Phelps. Deborah and I met ten years ago when I was in Baltimore during the Dot Com days of the late nineties.
During those days, I spent a great deal of time helping internet start-ups that my friend had invested in. Looking back, many of the ideas had merit, but were simply ahead of their time.
These start-ups required a great deal of time and energy. To relax I turned to swimming at a nearby swim club called the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Little did I know that the star of that club would turn out to be the World wide star, Michael Phelps. I found myself coming to as many meets as possible to see him swim, and even followed him as much as possible when my work allowed. We got to know Deborah well from sitting in the stands, and I simply couldn't resist her invite to Beijing.
Looking back on those days in Baltimore reminds me of the goals of many firms that I was asked to review. Many had a goal to stay on the user’s desktop, screen saver or home page. Some required a complicated install, which was often a deal killer to reaching the mass market.
While I was hanging out in between heats at the Cube, I was reviewing a project that was almost complete for a major retailer. The solution created a rich desktop application that integrated video, great animations and was being updated via the web. This may not sound special, but I was able to download it and use it fully while disconnected from the web. When the application got a connection to the internet, it was able to update prices, images, news, etc. When it wasn’t connected, it still worked perfectly.
Adobe Air also allows us to break out of the browser to reach customers with a more dynamic experience than going through the browser. Many of limitations due to bandwidth concerns, browser standards and even fonts disappear with Adobe Air.
Enough about Air, back to the Water! Way to go Michael!
During those days, I spent a great deal of time helping internet start-ups that my friend had invested in. Looking back, many of the ideas had merit, but were simply ahead of their time.
These start-ups required a great deal of time and energy. To relax I turned to swimming at a nearby swim club called the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Little did I know that the star of that club would turn out to be the World wide star, Michael Phelps. I found myself coming to as many meets as possible to see him swim, and even followed him as much as possible when my work allowed. We got to know Deborah well from sitting in the stands, and I simply couldn't resist her invite to Beijing.
Looking back on those days in Baltimore reminds me of the goals of many firms that I was asked to review. Many had a goal to stay on the user’s desktop, screen saver or home page. Some required a complicated install, which was often a deal killer to reaching the mass market.
While I was hanging out in between heats at the Cube, I was reviewing a project that was almost complete for a major retailer. The solution created a rich desktop application that integrated video, great animations and was being updated via the web. This may not sound special, but I was able to download it and use it fully while disconnected from the web. When the application got a connection to the internet, it was able to update prices, images, news, etc. When it wasn’t connected, it still worked perfectly.
Adobe Air also allows us to break out of the browser to reach customers with a more dynamic experience than going through the browser. Many of limitations due to bandwidth concerns, browser standards and even fonts disappear with Adobe Air.
Enough about Air, back to the Water! Way to go Michael!
08/06/08: Portugal starts a party
I wanted to make a stop in Portugal to visit an old friend. João Nicolau, who runs the Ramos Pinto Port Winery in Portugal. They make a fantastic Port Wine, and I love stopping down to catch up and sample some of their Port. I’m a fan of their 20 year old port, even more so than the 30+ year old ones we try. We joke that based upon the number of cases I have shipped back, that he wouldn’t have to see me for another 20 years, but every year, I return for more.
We were walking back from a spectacular lunch and this shiny ball stuck to the side of a building caught my eye. It looked like a disco ball had broken loose from a crane and slammed into the side of the building. I asked João what this was all about. He chuckled and took me closer for a look.
It turns out that this was all part of a promotion by Diageo for J&B Scotch Whiskey. When I got back to the office, I went to the site associated with the promotion. The site features J&B’s character, Mirrorball Man in crazy party scenes.
J&B has always been one of those brands that I associated with stodginess, oak panels and cigars. This campaign starts me thinking about as a more interesting, party brand.
That night, I went out with a few other friends and actually ran into Mirrorball man at a party listed on the site. I simply had to see more. While there, I tried a J&Bee Sweet Tea. They tried to tell me what was in it, but between the noise and the language barrier, I couldn't get it. I went to the site to find out, but I am hoping someone cold help me translate what I found.
Kudos to Diageo for surrounding the consumers on all fronts with a creative re-brand campaign!
We were walking back from a spectacular lunch and this shiny ball stuck to the side of a building caught my eye. It looked like a disco ball had broken loose from a crane and slammed into the side of the building. I asked João what this was all about. He chuckled and took me closer for a look.
It turns out that this was all part of a promotion by Diageo for J&B Scotch Whiskey. When I got back to the office, I went to the site associated with the promotion. The site features J&B’s character, Mirrorball Man in crazy party scenes.
J&B has always been one of those brands that I associated with stodginess, oak panels and cigars. This campaign starts me thinking about as a more interesting, party brand.
That night, I went out with a few other friends and actually ran into Mirrorball man at a party listed on the site. I simply had to see more. While there, I tried a J&Bee Sweet Tea. They tried to tell me what was in it, but between the noise and the language barrier, I couldn't get it. I went to the site to find out, but I am hoping someone cold help me translate what I found.
Kudos to Diageo for surrounding the consumers on all fronts with a creative re-brand campaign!
07/29/08: Studio Archer - Havana Day Dreaming
Havana is one of those spots that is certainly stuck in time. While it takes quite a bit of paperwork to get there, I always feel that it is worth the trouble. I particularly enjoy seeing the classic cars on the streets. While I was taking my ‘Taxista’ from the airport, I snapped a picture of looked exactly like the old family ’58 Plymouth Savoy!
Unfortunately the rest of Cuba is also stuck in the pre-embargo era, making it tough to connect to the cloud via my laptop or shiny new iphone. I’m down here for some relaxation and to visit my dear friend and photographer Carlos Garaicoa.
Carlos is helping me work on some photography inspired by the upcoming Studio Archer art exhibition. While I might not be able to get something back in time for the show, Carlos is a great coach. For those who don’t know Carlos, he is a tremendous phtographer in Cuba who has been featured in the Guggenheim.
Studio Archer will be this Friday August 1st. We will be featuring artwork from employees and close friends. The offices will be a major part of the Lower Market (LOMA) Design District’s summer art loop. When I do get internet access, I’ve been able to see some great work being produced for the night. The team continues to impress me with their abilities and creativity.
One afternoon on a photo shoot in Havana, Carlos pointed to a bar called ‘El Floridita’ where Hemingway discovered the Daiquiri. Of course, having my summer drink quest, I put down the camera and ushered Carlos in to explore.
Apparently, Hemingway was such a regular that they modified their normal Daiquiri for his tastes, creating what the regulars know as a ‘Hemingway Daiquiri’, which has no sugar in it. I got the bartender to write down the recipe, which Carlos translated.
Hemingway Daiquiri
2 ounces Bacardi
1 Teaspoonful Grape Fruit Juice
1 Teaspoonful Marraschino
The juice of 1/2 lemon (sic)
Frappe ice
Shake well and serve frappe.
Carlos and I had one (to start) and a couple of ‘Fritas’ which are a Cuban version of a traditional Hamburger. Both the drink and the sandwich were awesome. Needless to say, we continued sampling the menu and put our afternoon photo shoot on siesta.
I hope to see everyone at Studio Archer this Friday to celebrate the creativity of the team and enjoy some food, fun and friends!
Unfortunately the rest of Cuba is also stuck in the pre-embargo era, making it tough to connect to the cloud via my laptop or shiny new iphone. I’m down here for some relaxation and to visit my dear friend and photographer Carlos Garaicoa.
Carlos is helping me work on some photography inspired by the upcoming Studio Archer art exhibition. While I might not be able to get something back in time for the show, Carlos is a great coach. For those who don’t know Carlos, he is a tremendous phtographer in Cuba who has been featured in the Guggenheim.
Studio Archer will be this Friday August 1st. We will be featuring artwork from employees and close friends. The offices will be a major part of the Lower Market (LOMA) Design District’s summer art loop. When I do get internet access, I’ve been able to see some great work being produced for the night. The team continues to impress me with their abilities and creativity.
One afternoon on a photo shoot in Havana, Carlos pointed to a bar called ‘El Floridita’ where Hemingway discovered the Daiquiri. Of course, having my summer drink quest, I put down the camera and ushered Carlos in to explore.
Apparently, Hemingway was such a regular that they modified their normal Daiquiri for his tastes, creating what the regulars know as a ‘Hemingway Daiquiri’, which has no sugar in it. I got the bartender to write down the recipe, which Carlos translated.
Hemingway Daiquiri
2 ounces Bacardi
1 Teaspoonful Grape Fruit Juice
1 Teaspoonful Marraschino
The juice of 1/2 lemon (sic)
Frappe ice
Shake well and serve frappe.
Carlos and I had one (to start) and a couple of ‘Fritas’ which are a Cuban version of a traditional Hamburger. Both the drink and the sandwich were awesome. Needless to say, we continued sampling the menu and put our afternoon photo shoot on siesta.
I hope to see everyone at Studio Archer this Friday to celebrate the creativity of the team and enjoy some food, fun and friends!
