CK's Blog

Comin' up Rosie: a blog begets the real deal

It didn't take coming out to get Rosie O'Donnell to come into her own. Or leaving the spotlight and coming back with a vengeance in recent years. It's her blog. To every (plastic celebrity) trend there is a counter-trend--and that anti-trend's name is Rosie.

Oh Rosie why do I love your blog? Let me count thy ways...and the marketing lessons:

• You focus on us: In her video blogs she centers on reader's questions; so the audience sets the agenda.
• You're brave: You've got opinions and you share them.
• You're real (and real-time): Her segments are anything but rehearsed--she never dolls-up for her video blogs and rarely even wears makeup (many times she's getting her hair done for a show). The pic below is from one of her video blogs.
• You take the rough with the smooth: She addresses the hate mail right alongside the love letters.
• You give us a direct line: There's been a lot of talk in the news about her miffs and tiffs. Instead of hearing it from her publicist, or through third-party accounts, she point us to her blog so we can hear it from her.
• You sing (even though you can't): She's never been a good singer but she has fun with the audience and delights us anyhow (that's why she's hosted The Tonys and performed on Broadway).
• You let us in: She shares her artwork and her family through her blog and videos; it shows us what she values (that's a picture of Rosie and her daughter Viv up above).
• You're NOT all talk: She's given the 9/11 first-responders a much-needed voice...and gave the Katrina kids homes when the government couldn't get creative enough to do so (Rosie figured out how to get kids out of the temporary trailers and into better homes in a couple months with zero architectural experience. FEMA couldn't figure it out with eons of it).

Blogging since September of last year her blog is as authentic as they come: authentic because it aligns with her persona and makes her that much more accessible. She's got a book coming out mid-September called "Celebrity Detox" and it shall be the only celebrity book I read this decade (maybe this lifetime).

What's more? She was the only reason to watch the show Nip/Tuck this season in which she guest starred for only two shows playing a woman who won all the money in the world but lost everything that really mattered (and there was a hilarious sex scene, to boot). The result? Her two-episode supporting role won her a spin-off that I predict will win many hearts and minds next year--along with an Emmy nod (I wrote about it here.).

P.S.: I should note that Rosie runs a very liberal-minded blog (I know, duh!) and she doesn't censor her views on celebrity madness, the war, etc. As she says, it's all about "Blog Freedom." You go, Ro.

Off-blog Qs & As (some even off-topic)

Some of the best stuff about blogging happens off the blog.  Besides getting to meet so many of you great bloggers, I've also had many readers reach out over email to strike up conversations (not everyone is comfortable leaving comments yet and that's cool; this medium is still so new).

It's fun to look back at the many emails I've received over the past year and see some of the common questions I've been asked--along with some of the uncommon ones. So I thought I'd share some of the questions and answers.

Here are some of the common ones...

• I'm thinking about starting a blog, any advice for me? Don't focus on how well your blog is ranked, focus on the relationships you make through blogging. Rankings come and go, but relationships evolve into life-long colleagues and friends.
• What strategies do marketers often overlook? Two things: divergence (create the category you want to own) and counter-trends (to every trend there is an opposite, I wrote on it here). Oh, and many marketers think only to look to marketers for all the answers when we can learn so much through other groups (trust me, we marketers don't know all the clever strategies).
• Do you like living in NYC? Very much. It's a great place and like no other, but far from the only great place to live. I've moved a lot in my life and would have no problem living other places for a few months at a clip.
• What is your favorite part of blogging? Connecting to marketers and other markets (I like that I can connect with the other 97% of the world, too). A collage I created with feedback from me and many others on the value of this great medium is right here.
• Why do you like books so much? As marketers we are our ideas. So it's not the books so much as the ideas--and getting to share them through the Book Club. If you haven't already...you should join in the fun (yep, it's a lot of fun to chat with other bookworms and the authors).

...and here are some of the uncommon ones:

• What's your favorite poem? I have two faves. First, If I Had My Life To Live Over (because it provides a good road map on how to get it right since we only get one go at it!) and, second, To His Coy Mistress (because the guy really worked for it).
• What's your favorite Greek Myth? Pandora's Box, because, as my sister taught me: once Pandora unleashed all the world's evils...at the bottom of the box there still existed hope. People always remember it was a woman who unleashed all the big bads but rarely remember the hope.
• Are you nervous you'll lose readers when you go off-topic on your blog? I mainly stick to marketing but, when a world event or an issue is happening that I need to talk about, I need to blog about it. After all, I started my blog to start conversations and get the views of others ;-).
• Why aren't you married? I work a lot. Or maybe I'm too independent. Nah, let's shift the blame: it's because that prince on a white horse is fashionably late.
• What freaks you out? Heights and sharks. I've no problem with a roller-coaster but you'll never see me on a Ferris Wheel. As far as sharks, Dad thought it a brainy idea to take me to see "Jaws 2" when I was a kid during a rainy day while on vacation--um, we were vacationing at the beach!

Thanks for the conversation folks, you make it all worthwhile (and keep it interesting). I look forward to more of your questions and comments...either on the blog or off of it.

Forget saving the world, just market it already

Earlier this week--in between chatting the battle of bad words and Bush getting his groove on--I told marketers that saving the world rests in their your hands. Now that's a pretty TALL order from one small marketer. And blogging tools make it all too easy for me to wax poetic on the fate of the world.

Yet, as I said in that post, I don't think the world revolves around marketing (or marketers). But I am convinced marketing drives many of the world's decisions.

In that post I was speaking specifically to green initiatives and how I'm certain that, in order to get people to be environmentally responsible, we need to make green practices and products a 'cool' experience that people want to align with--instead of one they feel they have to abide by. Because the guilt play doesn't work. We have enough to feel guilty about (yawn).

Then, luck be a lady (!) another worldly example came my way today. First I'll give you the background and then I'll wax poetic. My colleague and dear friend Neil Vineberg was at The Tribeca Film Festival yesterday. Neil saw Angelina Jolie's new film, A Place in Time, a documentary that, according to Neil, "captures the commonality of the human spirit by filming in many places around the world at the same moment."

The film includes many of Angelina's fellow celebrity friends in places all around the globe like, Colin Farrell (Italy), Jude Law (New Orleans, LA) as well as Neil's friend Natabara Rollosson in China. So being that Neil went to the film with one of the film's participants he had the chance to speak in-depth with Jolie about helping her promote the extreme poverty effort. Neil has a track-record of creating and promoting global peace initiatives (his every-continent Peace Run has been applauded by the United Nations and his latest effort was a peace initiative for the Middle East).

What struck me about Neil's experience? No, it's not that he met Angelina Jolie. It's the strategy he details, of which I'll excerpt a part of his post here: "Why is a film like this needed? Simple. We need to educate children of developed nations who will be the leaders of tomorrow that the global community is also their community. Problems in one part of the global neighborhood are also theirs to solve."

I really like his messaging of "global neighborhood." That word brings us closer because it makes us neighbors. Neighbors have something in common since they share the same territory. One commonality that every single person on this earth shares is the same territory. Face it, we're a heck of a lot more neighborly with Sri Lanka and Nigeria than, say, Saturn or Neptune.

And that got me thinking. We take creative ideas and turn them into BIG, billion-dollar realities everyday (just look at the stock exchange--those all started as ideas). So it stands to reason that we can solve some BIG realities by way of creative ideas. Since we improve businesses by marketing them to the globe it seems logical that we can improve the globe by marketing it to businesses.  In other words, in our quest to "go global," what if we were to take ownership of not only the world's markets...but also the world's problems?

Yeah, that problem just seems too big (and too much to own). 

Much like global warming seems too big (and too much to solve).

But global warming isn't too big to solve when we get more people to own the problem. And how do we do that? By creating incentives for people to want to align themselves with green initiatives (the solution). Because by aligning with green initiatives they're owning the problem...they're just owning it in a positive fashion instead of this death and glacial-destruction messaging. People don't relate to glaciers. They do relate to cool green stuff that other cool people (not glaciers) also relate to.

Now businesses don't relate to the world's problems.

But they do relate to the revenue potential of the world's markets.

Obviously that revenue opportunity seems very long-term and far away right now. But so did the markets of China and India a mere ten-to-fifteen years ago. Heck, so did America some 230+ years ago. Granted our forefathers were fueled by some mighty strong anger when they invested in this market many of us now call home. But it wasn't the anger that sustained them, it was their relentless focus on creating something better: simply stated, they took ownership of their common problem, brainstormed their ideas, created a solution...and got others to align with their efforts (or own the the problem) by way of incentivizing them. The incentives in this case were the "ideas" of freedom, less taxes, more land, etc.

They sure were some great marketers, eh? And that Constitution is arguably the most successful piece of marketing collateral ever written, save maybe the Bible. Both pieces have spread--and continue to spread--important ideas (and yeah, both of them have gone viral).

So just like incentivizing consumers to adopt green initiatives we need to incentivize business and government to invest in underdeveloped markets. What more positive incentive exists than a revenue opportunity? A short-term revenue opportunity, actually. Hmm, I can't help there. But businesses and government sure like to take credit for things...how about taking credit for the creation of new markets or saving the world? That's sure to land press and increase brand equity.

Many argue these regions don't have natural resources worth investing in. Well they sure have a lot of people. If those markets are bolstered, one day those people can buy a lot of soda and sneakers. Others argue that we need to invest more money locally than abroad. I understand that too. All the more reason for businesses (vs. government) to make the bulk of the investment in developing these regions.

About ten years ago I was griping to my friend in saying, "It's just a not-my-problem world." But what if we were to make the world our problem? When it becomes our problem we're focused on solutions--and marketers are especially good at identifying solutions and creating incentives. At the very least it's worth a couple posts and some conversation, eh? Sorry that was long, folks...it's a rather big problem.

The absence of fear (that darn lion!)

Fridays are especially tough for me these days. Friday is usually "TGIF!" But now it marks the day that I got that call. Four Fridays ago to be exact. I've never gone this long without speaking to my mother and yet, years from now this will seem like such a short time I've gone without her voice.

As I've said earlier, loss is a peculiar thing. Peculiar in how you process it both consciously and subconsciously and peculiar in that everyone processes it differently. I believe there exist as many ways to experience loss as there are people on this earth. Sure, now I can reach out to others who have lost someone dear and say "I understand how hard this is." But I can never say "I understand how you feel" or I understand what you're experiencing." It's their experience and theirs alone.

Even one of my dearest friends, whom I'm very much like and who lost her father four days before I lost my mother, is processing it very differently than I. Not better nor worse, just differently. After losing a loved one some people change their lives, others change their ways. Some open up while others shut down. It doesn't change everyone in nearly the same way but one thing is certain: it does change you.

A lot of people report 'gaining' after they lose a loved one. Some gain a newfound perspective, a new insight or an entirely new interest. For me it's not a gain, I've lost something. This seems to make a whole lotta sense to me being I'm experiencing a loss. The thing I've lost? Fear. I use to expend (precious) time fearing...do I really have what it takes to pull this off? What will people think if they know I'm not strong? What if I fail and (gulp!) fail miserably? What will people say if I don't sound smart? 

Now I don't care about those things, or not nearly as much. After all, fear is so many times most times irrational and powered by internal forces, not external ones. It's just such a waste of time...when time is all we really have.

Sure, I will always care deeply that what I put out there--professionally and personally--is advancing and adds value. That hasn't changed and I'm likely even more committed to it. It's just that I won't let fear hold me back from trying something, doing something, saying something. So now when I'm concerned or hesitant, I ask myself if it's really the thing...or if it's really the fear... that I'm concerned about (psst: 99% of the time it's the fear).

Throughout my life people have remarked that I'm brave and strong. I've always thanked them for such kind, gracious remarks. But I've never seen this. I've never felt it. In fact, I even made it a point to be more courageous this year (hence that lion up there has been my blog's mascot since January 2nd).

Some say failure is "merely the absence of success." I thought that line was a load of bull. But now I better understand that courage isn't something you gain; it's just the absence of fear. So while I may not have an easy time with Fridays at least the days between them aren't filled with nearly as much fear.

P.S.: When we were packing up my mother's house the last thing we found was a book titled "Courage" that my sister gave to my mother years back. I naturally handed it to her to keep and she handed it back to me and said "This is for you being that the lion is your mascot." Wild how much that lion has come full circle, eh? That darn lion ;-).

Customers anyone...anyone?

Folks, for an upcoming piece I'd like to interview a few companies that have Customer Advisory Boards (that would be a board that companies have advising them, made up of customers). You can't believe how hard this is to find. They have Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards aplenty. And they have directors and advisors galore.

Oh, and they all have boardrooms. But no customer boards. Did I make this notion up?

It can be in any industry and be either B2B or B2C, the company can be big or small. I'd appreciate any recommendations or contacts. You can leave it in the comments or email me.

Oh, and that image up there? That's the lochness monster. Being I found that he exists, I'm sure to find myself a customer advisory board (hey, a girl can hope).

Bush gets his groove on (being accessible is the way to be)

I've been so dumbfounded--and yes, delighted--with this footage that I needed to share. For those of you who have not yet seen the clip of President Bush's dance commemorating Malaria Awareness Day, it's worth checking out. And it's worth learning from (video is below, RSS readers go here).

Sure, a lot of the world doesn't like him (I'll keep my political opinions out of this post) and sure, with all that's going on it hardly seems a time to dance...but Bush's interaction with the dance troupe and the accessibility I see in his face and his actions (his dance moves) is not something I've seen since his speech at the last Republican National Convention.

I watch both conventions pretty much start to close and in his speech he didn't dance but there were a few jokes that, beside being actually funny, made him less 'steel', more human. Why?  Because he poked fun at himself (he made fun of the way he "swaggers" saying that Texans call it "walking" and he made fun of the way he pronounces words). I'm not saying that speech won him that election. But it didn't hurt him being he did land the role.

He's getting a lot of positive feedback for getting jiggy yesterday and here's why: in this moment he's accessible to his audience. To be sure, it's a lot more difficult for CEOs and Commanders-in-Chief to be silly on the job. But being accessible doesn't mean being silly; it means being available. And in this moment, I give it to him, he's available (on this day his consultants gave him some good advice, so I give it to them as well).

One child dies every 30 seconds from malaria, but it can be cured for only $8 worth of meds per person. This dance, this accessibility--and the $1.2 billion behind this effort--will do good. It might not improve his image. But it will help many kids. That's reason to dance in my book.

You marketers should save the world already

David Reich had to up and go to Magazine Day and now I'm thinking about the fate of the world. This week is supposed to be my "back to work as usual" week. Now in addition to posting bad words on my blog I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. Damn him.

See, many of the new publications that were unveiled at the magazine show David attended are green-focused. Bravo to Sprig for a great strategy--"convincing 95% of people to be 5% green rather than 5% of people to be 95% green"--and a great name (Spring stands for "Stylish People Are Into Green"), but boo to National Geographic for taking the line-extension route into green (yawn).

Thinking green got me thinking: will the fate of the world--meaning, will it stay green or be very blue with all the ice-caps melting--come down to how well we marketers do in promoting environmentally responsible initiatives?

No, I don't think the world revolves around marketing (or marketers). But I am convinced marketing drives many, if not most, of the world's decisions.

I've been vocal before in saying how we marketers can greatly effect body image and safe sex, so it seems we can do a better job of marketing the very planet that houses our very markets. Because what we've been doing isn't working. At least not well enough.

Since Al Gore went Hollywood, he has done a fine (!) job of amplifying the save-the-world message. But the very words "Global Warming"...as comedy master Bill Maher astutely pointed-out... sound warm and kinda fuzzy. It sounds like a nice initiative that warms the globe's heart. After all, who wants a cold world? (I understand the ice age was a real buzzkill).

Yes, regulations play their part and yes, companies need to be encouraged (and, many times, forced) to be responsible. But in getting consumers to join the green movement we need less stick more carrot. The death and destruction cries don't do it; people have enough to be guilty about, trust me (I've written about green guilt here).

Watching An Inconvenient Truth, I hated seeing the images of hurricanes and hurt people. And those poor polar bears just made me heartsick. But, statistically speaking, those images aren't affecting people. At least not enough of them. And definitely not for long enough. The best move of Gore's movie? Enlisting Melissa Etheridge to belt her Oscar-winning "I need to wake up" ditty. Why? Because it was cool.

I believe it was in the book The Tipping Point where Gladwell pointed out the reason so many anti-smoking campaigns fell flat was because it was never that "smoking was cool" it was always that "smokers were cool." Marlboro's audience wasn't cowboys (cowboys roll their own cigs). It was city-dwellers and suburbanites who didn't so much long for a horse as they did that cowboy cool. When all the money placed into "smoking kills" ads didn't do the trick, people finally started to understand that featuring non-smoking "cool" role models in films and such works much better.

So it stands to reason that we need to make a greener lifestyle cool. Now we can't outright say it's cool (that wouldn't be too cool), we need to show it--and encourage people to want to experience it. And align themselves with it.

Sure, consumers want to do right by the earth. But primarily, they want to do right by themselves. Maybe these desires need not be mutually exclusive. We need incentives because the cries over of our climate being way out of control isn't incentivizing enough.  Cooler-looking "green stuff' is a good idea (the Prius), cooler messaging is another (the Etheridge song) and mags (like Sprig, possibly) that explore a myriad of cool items like fashion, beauty and tech is a great idea, too. I think these are the right direction. Sure hope so.

Plus, I rather fancy the idea of marketers saving the world...rather than being to blame for all its ills. Hmm, perhaps I should pitch that idea to some movie execs.

P.S.: Should we fail marketers, at least there's the possibility of living here.

Saying you're great isn't so great (it's best left to others).

We can all say we're great. "I'm great!" There, I said it. Hmm, it doesn't seem to have quite the same impact--or anywhere near the credibility--as when other people say it, eh?

In fact, I don't sound great at all (I just sound silly). To that end, here's some buzz on me from people who are not me, were not paid by me, and were not under duress when making these great statements. But they are from people whom I count myself fortunate to have worked and interacted with:

• "CK is one of the smartest marketers we know. Her creativity and energy are unparalleled in creating interest and enthusiasm. We'd hire her in a minute or less." -- Jackie Huba and Ben McConnell, authors of "Citizen Marketers" and "Creating Customer Evangelists"
• "CK's enthusiasm is only surpassed by her creativity and street smarts. You can't ask for a better advocate for your brand." -- Al & Laura Ries, best-selling authors of eleven marketing books
• "CK brings big brains, great ears and immense heart to her work. She is an original thinker and acute listener with a steadfast commitment to the greater good. These are qualities that are absolutely indispensable in today's world--where marketing is a conversation, especially online, and social responsibility is a consumer expectation." -- Katya Andresen, Author of "Robin Hood Marketing" and Vice President/Marketing, Network for Good.
• "What I love about CK is the enthusiasm, creativity and tremendous energy she brings to any job she sets her mind to. She doesn't just believe that any given idea is a good one...she does whatever is necessary to implement it and make it succeed. She gets things done." -- Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer, Marketing Profs
• "CK thinks authentically and different. It's why her voice has such value." -- Drew McLellan, CEO, McLellan Marketing Group
• "CK brought a fresh level of excitement and strategic insight to our marketing efforts in a very short time. Our business is extremely technical and ever-changing; but CK managed to capture an understanding of our market, analyze the opportunities and provide succinct, compelling concepts and creative execution." Keith Ward, Assoc. Director Global Marketing, ISI
• "CK is a brilliant marketing strategist; she's truly at the top of her field. Insightful and incredibly thorough, her business savvy and solid experience make for impressive results...and she always over-delivers." Michele Harris, President, SMARTi Solutions
• "We consider CK one of the leaders in market analysis, strategy and messaging. She consistently delivers award-winning results for emerging and established brands." Neil Vineberg, President, Vineberg Communications
• "CK brings a combination of strategic insight, sound marketing instinct and a process orientation that ensures actionable planning and meaningful results." Lisa Meyer, Marketing Director, FCG
• CK sucks people in with value...she is incredibly insightful and full of ideas. I can't imagine why anybody wouldn't listen to her ideas and implement them." --Joe Reger, JR., CEO, dNeero
• *Bonus*: One of my favorite pieces of feedback is not a testimonial but a testament to the advancing initiatives I hold so dear. Having worked with Al and Laura Ries on a Book Club I created and host, they ended the segment on this note: "And an extra special thanks to CK for all her hard work and dedication to the improvement of marketing minds everywhere." That one got tears (but I promise not to make you cry should you retain me ;-).

Want more info? Here you go:

• My services are here.
• My consultancy is here.
• My bio (in PDF) is here.
• My marketing blog is here.
• I'm reach-able right here.

You've come a long way, baby

Remember when you were compiling your very first post? Remember slaving over the the first ten, fifteen or fifty of them and trying to figure out what the heck to say--and just how to say it?

Remember how many times you edited your first few posts? You probably don't edit them nearly as much now.

And then remember wondering what OTHER people would think when they read your ramblings? Scary, right? C'mon admit it, it was really exciting but sort of scary to be "out there". What if people found you too (gulp!) novice, too (d'oh!) hard to understand or too (ugh) confident?

You're likely much braver now.

Remember the first time you ever commented on someone else's blog? How many times did you re-read the response before pressing "submit"? Now you might review it once (just to check for spelling errors).

Remember wondering how the heck you would have stuff to say on a regular basis? Now things just happen or hit your radar and you likely say to yourself "that'll be my next post." In fact, your "groove" likely found you.

Remember looking at your traffic stats and being excited that you had at least one other person--or ten whole people (woo-hoo!)--reading your blog besides you?  Think about that feeling for a second. 

Remember when you received your first comment where someone disagreed with you and how you likely wrestled with how to frame your reply? You wanted to hold your position without sounding too high and mighty. Now you probably look forward to the disagreements because they only mean you learn. Heck, many times you even change your mind.

Remember when you were so amazed that someone from a far away country was commenting on your blog and how wild that was? Now you likely don't even think about it. It's just how it is here.

Remember when, in addition to news sites, trade pubs and books, blogs became a regular read of yours? Whatever did you do with all the free time you once had? (Oh yeah, watched TV.)

Remember when all our reading used to be one-way? Now we get mad when we can't comment or ask questions at the end of an article...instead of being amazed that we can so much of the time.

Remember wondering how to explain all your blogging to your colleagues and friends? Now you likely don't need to explain. They'll understand for themselves one day.

The thing is, for many of us, "remember when" was either little over or little under a year or so ago. You've come really far really fast, baby.

(Just want to make sure you guys and girls remember that.)

P.S.: For readers who may not blog yet: If you ever do start, you can always look back on this post a few months ,or a year, after you launch a blog and then you too can "remember when".

Why not focus on innovating instead of banning?

Caution readers (!): Offensive language is included in this post, but only because it's core to this post's subject matter and reports the facts (otherwise I would never use them).

Prominent U.S. hip-hop executive Russell Simmons has recommended eliminating the words "bitch," "ho" and the "n-word" (I just can't bring myself to type that one) from the recording industry, considering them "extreme curse words." Simmons has called for a voluntary restriction on the words and advocates setting up an industry watchdog to recommend guidelines for lyrical and visual standards.

According to Simmons, "Our internal discussions with industry leaders are not about censorship. Our discussions are about the corporate social responsibility of the industry to voluntarily show respect to African Americans and other people of color, African American women and to all women in lyrics and images."

I find the "n-word" completely offensive but, oddly enough, not the other two. Even though I'm female and they are always targeted at my gender, I know they don't apply. I find them to be sensational, not hurtful. But does banning them...even under the category of social responsibility and done so "voluntarily"...make them more powerful and thusly, more popular? By taking them out of songs aren't we encouraging them to be used even more so in language?

Having "explicit language" labels on CDs is a good move. It makes sense for parents who want to screen their children's music, or even for people who prefer their music foul-language free. It's the "guidelines" and these "industry watchdogs" I'm not so sure about. Whenever anyone uses the words "watch" and "dog" it smacks of censorship. I'm just not sure how an industry "voluntarily" agreeing to ban words isn't the exact same thing as censoring them.

But censorship isn't my point. My point is communicating how one wins--and wins big--in the battle of the bad words (or any battle, really). Why not instead of banning aren't we innovating?

Simmons is, after all, an innovative man (hope he reads this post so he remembers how all his success has been in creating, not banning). How about promoting a new genre of music devoid of derogatory language? Remember, these words don't go away because they're banned...but they might get used a lot less if we gave audiences a really compelling (and yes, cool) alternative.

I believe words are powerful and can be very hurtful. But as professionals we choose what we align with and for whom we work. And, as consumers, we decide what we listen to and what we buy, or don't buy (our biggest show of support or lack thereof is the almighty dollar).

After all, if there wasn't a market to support such songs, these songs wouldn't be produced and distributed. So why not create an entirely new market?

Sure, the marketer in me sides with innovation but I also advocate this practice because, in banning we're giving these words more power...but if we focused on creating we're giving entirely new genres of music newfound (market) power. That's how you win on both the socially responsible and the business fronts. Fight fire with fire, not with bans--that practice is for the (watch) dogs. And that dog don't hunt.

I'm not watching, but I am listening (and definitely buying).

The last time I really watched a TV show was when "Six Feet Under" exited the airwaves. Before that, as you regular readers know, it was Buffy (laugh all you want the writing was brilliant; even scholars from Oxford University agree).

During the last six minutes of Six Feet Under they featured a character montage that was so moving and set against such soulful, if haunting, music it moved me to tears. Actually I all-out wept. Four times over two days. As a result, my friends have banned me from ever watching it again as I was such a mess of a host at what was supposed to be our super fun "season finale taco and beer party" (you can see the montage here, but I doubt it will have the same impact unless you regularly watched the show).

Sure, I watch the news regularly. But besides that staple, I now "listen" to TV far more than I "watch" it. For instance, that song (Breathe Me by Sia) playing through the Six Feet Under montage? I bought that goodie right after it aired. In fact my playlists are full of shows I "listen" to, like:

• Grey is annoying, but the music isn't. I don't watch "Grey's Anatomy"--I'm just not drawn to these characters--the lead female gets on my last nerve and that lead Doctor lacks depth and isn't "McDreamy" at all. But the one episode I did watch prompted me to buy a song (Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol). I'll buy more songs from Snow Patrol but not watch any more Grey.
• Well, at least the music didn't sell-out. "Nip/Tuck" used to be TV's bravest series...before selling its soul and every shred of dignity in Season 3. Many thought the show was about ego-heavy plastic surgeons (well, now it is). But Seasons 1-2 chronicled the two primary characters working to better themselves from the inside while everyone else tried to better themselves from the outside, vis-a-vis a lot of breast implants and liposuction (the patients never got better just bigger, or skinnier). But in the Season 4 Finale, they wrapped up the myriad plots vis-a-vis a video featuring a very apt song (Brighter Discontent by The Submarines). I doubt I'll watch the new season but I did buy that song the very next day.
• The only one I don't want whacked is the score. I'm trying to get into "The Sopranos" being it's the final season. But I'm just not feeling it. I am feeling the score, though. Take the song they played the week before last: it was so spot-on and chilling that myself and others are trying to buy it...but can't (Evidently Chickentown by John Cooper Clarke). Either the producers are really smart in trying to build demand for their upcoming "final season score" or really stupid to have overlooked it being available on their site, iTunes, or anywhere else. What's particularly interesting about this song? It's nearly thirty year's old. No worries, it's new to a lot of us who want to buy it, and want to buy it right now.

My point is that music seems to be the best product placement...and the best advertising...when it's done right. When done well the music can either become its own character on the show or give more context, and depth, to the show's existing characters. Move me to listen--heck, move me to tears--and you've moved me to buy. That's advertising I've no problem listening to (and if TV shows improve I might even start watching again).

Hire CK...yep, I'm for "hire" (but cannot be bought)

If you're seeking smarts, energy and creativity you've found the right person. Conversely, if you're seeking someone less passionate and more subdued, I completely respect that (and you), but you should probably seek elsewhere.

I'm particularly good at three things: (1) Ideas + (2) Programs + (3) People. Put those together--or retain ME to put those three together--and you've got an epiphany (or two).

My focus is pretty darn focused: creating value for the companies I work for and even more value for their customers and clients. Value creation is marketing's entire reason-for-being (anyone who tells you differently is singing you a song).

While I have a website for my consultancy, I can be retained for services in five core areas spanning online and offline initiatives:

• Strategy & Planning: Identifying the "who," "what," and "how" to meet your revenue goals and then making a plan to do exactly that.
• Program Development: Developing unique (and clever!) programs that engage people around brands, businesses and causes.
• Social Media (WOM): Leveraging social media tools and technologies to build audiences, create communities and get closer to your markets.
• Writing: Creating pieces that get people and the press talking--and listening.
• Speaking: Conducting dynamic presentations that entertain while educating (hint: if they're laughing it's a sure-fire sign they're listening).

Why would you want to retain me to help you? Here's a few reasons:

• Girl's got range: While people remark on my smarts, I've found my range is most valuable to my clients. I made the decision early on that I would dedicate myself to being a marketing specialist meaning, I would hone my strategic and tactical skills. Whether online or off, your execution has to follow a sound strategy and your strategy isn't worth two cents unless it's well executed.
• Girl's got cred, too: I've worked with the biggies on projects (Fortune 50, not just Fortune 500), I've done the MBA and the multi-million dollar budgets. While terrific experiences, I take the most pride in people far smarter than I investing time in what I have to say.
• I'm audience-approved: Clients often tell me they not only love my work, they love working with me (I love them, too). They keep coming back, and we keep getting results.
• I think and act globally: I travel anywhere for projects. In fact, I fancy different markets, be they big city or emerging region. Plus, I'm only a New York City yellow-cab ride away from three major airports. That said, I hate flying (but I totally deal).

Need more stuff? No problem, I'm armed with stuff. What kind of marketer would I be if I didn't market me?

My consultancy is here.

Don't take my word for it, read what others say about me right here.

My bio (in PDF format) is here.

My marketing blog is here.

I'm reach-able right here.

You marketers sure are silly

Since I posted some oh-so-silly pics from my younger years last Friday (glad you guys enjoyed the bunny suit and big hair!), a few of our colleagues have posted theirs. It's made my day, thanks all.

Just wanted to point you to some great shots where you can go "back in time" with your blogger friends...it really is worth checking these out. Yep, sometimes we just need to be a little silly.

• David Reich shows family pics of his beautiful family (AND one of his "mob family," what a wiseguy!) right here.
• Check out Fritz's photo book (and his spiffy 70s jacket...dude, it's "awesome"!) right here.
• Look at how cute Mario Vellandi is as a little boy with his little suspenders (I swear he's straight out of "The Sound of Music") right here.
• Lewis Green is hollering away with his military buddies right here and then check out Lewis on roller skates right here.
• And a little birdie (yep, the birdie rides a bike) told me that Tim Jackson will be posting some shots soon...and here they are (yep, he was a bike geek then too, go figure!).

Thanks for getting a bit silly with me guys, I needed the break ;-). If anyone else adds "back then" pics, let me know.

CK as a baby, a bunny...and with really BIG hair!

Along with organizing cards, one of my "momma action points" has been organizing and scanning many of the pictures she saved. So guess what? You get to have some fun at my expense! Sorry kids, there will be no marketing today; but there will be fun: Here's CK around three (or four)...at twelve..and at twenty (maybe nineteen). Click on the pics to view them (gulp!) larger.

The youngest picture of me on the left features my favorite stuffed animal. As with everything else when I was younger, I grew allergic to it (ah-choo!) so mom made me a new one with artificial, non-allergic stuffing, instead of cotton. It didn't work. He wasn't soft and cuddly anymore, he was more like a sponge. We tried for two weeks to adjust to it--two weeks is a very, very long time for a three year-old--and then I just ultimately gave it back explaining, "He's not right now." Imitation stuffing was just not true to my stuffed animal (these days I guess I'd say he was no longer authentic).

As "playboy bunny" for Halloween at twelve, you can see my oh-so-sexy pose on the right. Did I think I was trying out for Marching Band? Or worse...did I really think this pose was sexy? And of course all playboy bunnies wear big turtlenecks ('twas cold at Halloween) and wear their ears so they look more like an airplane propeller than a bunny (Mom, why didn't you fix my ears?). During these years I spent a lot of time singing and dancing with my friends (actually, I still do).

In the pic below, I'm having my official sorority shot taken. Man did I have big hair! Laugh all you want at my sorority days and I've talked them before. To be clear, mine was a great group of supportive, rockin' females, not a snobby, elitist group (ick!). Plus, had the members not elected me "Membership Chair" I wouldn't have found my calling (I didn't really know what I was to do when they said "market us!"). In fact, I was going to become a lawyer...yeah, me doing tax law I can see it now (Not!). I remember getting perms every 8 weeks; amazing I kept my hair with all the hairspray I used. Btw, we sorority girls didn't really wear pearls all the time. And this "gown" I'm wearing in the pic? It's just a mock shirt they give you so the picture looks all pristine. I think I was wearing jeans when this was taken.

As for the awkward teenage years? Those pics are better left in scrapbooks. Just trust me on that one.

If you like me in bunny ears, here's one as of me in Mickey Ears. How far back is this one?  Um, January...of THIS year! It was for a good cause and a tremendous colleague, that story is here. Mostly I include this shot because it helps me remember I haven't lost my silly streak--even in my 30s and even after clocking time in business school and the corporate world. Marketing is important and I delight in all sorts of methodologies and revenue objectives but silliness is important, too...yes, my smart momma taught me that :-).

Funny Bunny Idea: I think it would be oh-so-silly fun if some of YOU good marketers would post some funny pics with silly stories from "back then". Heck, Lewis Green already has posted a pic from his younger days with his military buddies (no, he's not wearing a bunny suit). After all, who we WERE has made us who we ARE. Enjoy the weekend and, for the love of marketing, don't forget to be silly.

To address this rumor

Insofar as the rumor that I will be in a bunny suit on this blog tomorrow...I'd like to say that it's not exactly true. But then again, it's not tomorrow.

Today we stick to my favorite subject of marketing (and today I need to get a lot of work done). For an excellent topic/debate, head on over to Mack's place. It doesn't involve bunnies (sigh) but it does involve bloggers and major companies. It's really got me thinking (always a dangerous thing).

You rock my world (yup, literally)

Just making sure we're taking note (listen up!) because THIS is what the "conversation" is about. To be sure, it's about connecting--but connecting myriad viewpoints--from all over the globe--is what gives our conversations balance. And that can only happen when we smart marketers get together in one place. Actually the blogosphere isn't in one place, but work with me, k?

Take note of a post earlier this week discussing a really touchy subject (gun control laws). Issue and opinions aside, what is remarkable is where the commenters are from...being none of them are from the same place. Well, they are from Earth, but keep working with me, k?

In the course of but one thread we have commenters from various countries with various laws, various histories and various experiences sharing (various) views. That convo spanned insight from: my favorite bloke from Down Under (Gavin), my newfound friend from the U.K.(John), my graphical pal from Canada (Mark), our Bello from Italia (Gianandrea, or "G") and my Red, White and Blue buddies David, Paul, Cam, Mario and Mack--who span the northern, southern and western states of the U.S (which are sort of like different countries as each region has its own influences and flavors).

Let's face it, being American I'm biased. In fact I'm ignorant as to the other 97% of the world. But I'm becoming less ignorant. And far more open. Why? Because I've been listening to people from all over the world, and learning a heck of a lot in the process. And the thing is, it's become so darn natural to all of us for our conversations to span so many different countries...that we hardly even give it thought.

It should be noted that I do not get this range of insight from my so-called "world" newscast. It gives me info. on America and Iraq (because we're there). But I get world views here and on your blogs. Yeah, you smarties rock my world.

P.S. Speaking of newscasts a great post is here. Actually, it's probably David's best so far; it's definitely his most moving.

How to tell a story (dogs don't hurt, either)

While I'd just love to take credit for it (but can't)...Matt Dickman's Techno//Marketer blog just keeps getting better. His posts are becoming more dynamic and this one on Google stalking him is a great example.

Matt could have explained the various points with bullets. But instead he gives us a blow-by-blow (or, uh, hour-by-hour) play, complete with pics. That's some good marketing, my friend. I love how more bloggers are letting us into their lives via pics and videos. It gets the point across and we get to know the person to boot. Net/net: it's show plus tell.

My recommendation to Matt (cuz you know I can't help but give out at least one)...send this gem over to Google--actually, some it to some technology trade publications. I say strike up a relationship out of it; it's a terrific piece for a trade pub.

P.S.: I understand from Matt that no dogs were hurt in the compiling of the post. Yeah, you'll need to go over there to understand...enjoy!

Update (8pm/same day): Matt's piece WILL (!) run in a trade journal...but he can tell you about that when it airs as that's truly his news to share. Congrats Matt ;-).

Wishing you normal again

I don't pretend to even begin to understand what the students, faculty, administration and community of VA Tech are experiencing. But I wholly empathize with the hollow, distant stares I'm seeing in the student's faces. It conjures up the fragility, discomfort, distrust and complete disorientation after 9/11. All of us--certainly not just New Yorkers--were (and still are) hurt, angry and without balance after the attacks.

Those vacant stares are the result of a BIG question mark namely, how could this happen, why would it happen and when, if ever, will things resemble normal again? That question looms long after the news crews leave and the investigations cease.

I sure know that need for normal...and how desperately valuable it becomes in times like these. College is supposed to be the best years of our life (as we all know high school ain't) and for these kids it's turning out to be the most real time. That will never be right. It will always just be.

It's beyond me how they'll get through this semester...but they will. For many months we wondered how NYC would get its groove back...but it did. And, after a hard-won fight, we're surely not the same, but things have become normal again. They will for you, too.

If there was one thing I could say to the students, it's this: Try to have faith that one day normal will return. That day is far, far away right now. But all you need to know right now is that it's one day closer.

If there's one thing I could say to everyone else, it's this: I think what the VA Tech Community--most especially the kids--will need from the world in the coming months is not a lot of talk but a whole lot of listening. This is not "their 9/11," "the College Columbine," or "the Biggest College Massacre in U.S. History," it's their tragedy and their tragedy alone. They are the only ones who can tell us what they need. Let's just be sure we're listening.

No lead too big (or too small)

Having awoke to 7,000 return-to-sender e-mails in my inbox has been um, interesting. At first I thought...were supporters of less gun control this angry with me? Alas I'm just not that important.

Nope, it's the SPAMmers who have hijacked not one but two of my domains. I mean, why go for one when you can deliver a two-fisted punch? So, apparently, in addition to marketing services, people spanning both Americas, Europe and Asia think that my consultancy now sells products that enlarge the male organ and cure obesity. And I believe you can be smaller--or bigger--overnight. Quite a value proposition, actually.

True, I do work in a lot of markets but not these two...at least not officially. A few things for readers and pesky SPAMmers:

Be patient, I've got a war going on: If it's taking me a while to return e-mails, please understand that I am back at work--I'm just having to delete like crazy while my ISP continues to wage the war on SPAM...which I think is going a little bit better than the war on drugs (wait, do we still even have a War on Drugs?).

Your timing rots: My inbox is already backed-up from being away on personal matters needing my attention and now it's just a circus in there. Then again, it has taken my mind off of things.

Oh...and I'm winning the war: I've had a few people reply to me with some nasty words to "my" nasty e-mails. But MY CHARM trumps your SPAM you pesky little novices. I've explained to these infuriated people that I find them neither too BIG (obese) nor too SMALL (organs). In fact, it wasn't really "me" who contacted them. And now they're my new friends (and work for some decent-sized co's). So thanks for sending some biz potentials my way. I'm no victim....but it's so cute you mistook me for an amateur ;-).

Well at least guns don't kill people

Horrific and senseless are about all I can come up with for the massacre at Virginia Tech. There aren't enough prayers but let's keep saying them. Unconscionable seems to fit the bill, too. Now obviously we've learned that "guns don't kill people, people kill people." But as soon as I found out about this tragedy I wondered what, if anything, the NRA had to say. Here's their response:

"The National Rifle Association joins the entire country in expressing our deepest condolences to the families of Virginia Tech University and everyone else affected by this horrible tragedy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.

We will not have further comment until all the facts are known."

Andrew Arulanandam
Director of Public Affairs
National Rifle Association

Here's a question, marketers:  Can the NRA, should the NRA, say something once "all the facts are known"? Notice the careful wording, kids...because the "facts" won't be known for at least a year, maybe six months.

Politics and personal leanings aside, I'm (really) asking from a business standpoint: Should they be saying or publicly doing anything? What would you advise the NRA if this were your client or employer? I can only imagine the 'round the clock meetings brimming with lobbyists and consultants they're holding to prepare for damage control.

I understand we're to be objective when it comes to business. That was very clearly communicated to me in all my business school classes. But I'm just not sure how we can be objective when the business or organization itself supports the very weapons that those people--the ones who kill other people--use against one another.

Sorry to be a bit frank but I'm still confounded that many think we need to spend less time on gun control than, say, regulating adult porn. I guess there are things I'll just never understand. Fortunately I'll never work for such organizations so I'll never have to face such decisions...or have to give them marketing advice. Yeah, in addition to many prayers, my support will be to identify a good organization or effort promoting change. One that works to make it A LOT harder to get guns (or at least bullets).

P.S.: Btw, was it a group like the NRA that came up with the famed "people kill people" saying? If so that was a darn good messaging strategy. Sigh.