Thanks JCPenney!

This JCPenney ad is probably the best ad this season. They communicate both the male and female perspective perfectly. The subtle (or not so subtle) facial movements of the women, the attitude of the men - its genius. I applaud you. No matter what side of the problem you were on - one of us has been there. The call to action should be greater (sorry but Im in account management) but still..I would not have substituted it for the work - so great! See how I am gushing - guess this was my present.

The Car Industry

There is nothing to make me an expert on the car industry...but I am a consumer.

I just have to say at this point in my life - I assumed there would already be flying cars...even if that meant mechanical malfunctions equaled a plane crash, perhaps then people would be less apt to drink and drive. Regardless, I do think innovation on cars has died, maybe not internally since cars are safer today, but the beauty of the car, for me, is dead. This could be because I live in an area that glorifies old cars for their uniqueness or it could be that the only cars in my life have been 4 door sedans that, at the end of the day, look like all other 4 door sedans on the road.

Perhaps those major car companies that are dying today, should have thought of designing different cars, and elite class, like their own ferrari's, or models that didnt fit into the average 4-door. Maybe they should have brought back the look of the old cars, like Ford did with the T-bird, instead of pushing the gas guzzlers no one could afford. The world had been changed over 7 years ago - but did the cars change with it?

Im a huge fan of Seth Godin - and I agree with him. We should facilitate the bankruptcy of the car companies. They are too large and unable to make a shift into a better direction. It's like trying to turn a huge semi-truck around - it will take too long. Perhaps even better innovation of cars will come from the loss of the giants. I guess we will wait on Congress to see the future.

Great old cars - just for fun.

Amish Electric Fireplaces?

Why do the Amish make good electric fireplaces? Im almost positive but the Amish dont even use electricity - so how did they become the experts of it with Heat Surge?
Are the Amish a relevant selling point? Bad ad - interesting product if it works since I am sure running a coffee pot is less electricity than your AC heater. They should've just focused on that since so many people are worried about the rising costs of energy.

Daily Inspiration....

More People videos at 5min.com

It's so simple - make less crap - make better ads and better tv.

I was reading John Windsor's blog about Tough Times Calling for More Innovation - and he is right. We really do need to push creativity forward. After watching the shuttle launch from my backyard (one of the privileges of living here in Cocoa Beach) I could only wonder how this 30 year-old technology is once again making way into space. That is a scary thought, until you realize that the program was created out of a "tough time" and a point where Americans were in fear and in need of big hope.

"The worst thing to do is to get locked up by fear and go into hibernation. If you pull in your horns waiting for things to get better they won’t. They’re going to get better but only for those companies who can but fear out of their mind and move forward aggressively." - John Windsor

I agree - this should be a time again where we step up and give America a big hope. I think this is one of the reasons Obama won the election, but is he enough. I think we need an even bigger monumental change of sorts.

Perhaps even this blogs name should be Cycle of Fear into Ideas.

The death of magazines

So I really don't get all the crap about magazines going out of business...Especially when something like Girls and Corpses is apparently thriving. It is obvious that this is no "mainstream" magazine...but they knows their market. Maybe the problem with these large magazine companies is that they try to keep themselves so current and ahead of the trends that they are not really following what people are looking for. Who knows, but this magazine is certainly doing a very good job of making headway.

I think I need an iPhone now :(

I did fall in love with it when I saw it as a bedside clock. But now they have topped it since I can use it to automate my home. Damn you iPhone - I do love you.

Via ~ Dvice and unplggd

To all my friends and heathen hotties

I could not believe this site Date to Save! In honesty, I've always thought the internet would be the place where the grandest of all whack jobs reside - and here we are.

Personal favorite dating tip:

10. After you dump him...
Tell him that Jesus Christ will never leave or forsaken him

I must admit I love the shirts and the dating advice - but for all the wrong reasons.

Most Annoying Statements Ever?

The top ten most irritating phrases:
1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science

I think this list is missing - "due to the fact that", "the fact being", "that being the fact", and "at this moment in time", but maybe that's because it is from across the pond.

Most Annoying Statements Ever?

Art: Joshua Callaghan

I didnt ask for permission to post art but check out his site - brilliant ideas joshua!

Cluetrain Review

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: web 2.0 cluetrain)

I think this is brilliant and true today. Marketers are out of touch with people and people are creating - but now, in hard financial times, will we find this continues and what sort of things will we people be creating? Will we be moving from abundance into a more of a self-preservation, or will the internet become an even bigger escape for people?

Socotra Island

The Most Alien Place on Earth - I love this title - and I love the pictures. Absolutely wonderful to see such an interesting place still exists on Earth. Can't wait to go.

~Via Dark Roasted Blend

BLOWN AWAY

@ Yahoo! Video

if you feel like getting blown away watch this video by Chris Anderson starting at about -13:41 and you will see the best visual of what is happening with media failing. I agree with him - the market will figure out what is good and bad and the internet has led abundance for media - but I think it could be responsible for abundance in many things - possibly even consumer buying habits.
~Via John Windsor's blog