For ripping off Minor Threat:
Nike Skateboarding sincerely apologizes for the creation of a tour poster inspired by Minor Threat’s album cover. Despite rumors being circulated, Wieden & Kennedy and Odopod had nothing to do with the creation of this tour poster and should not be held accountable. To set the record straight, Nike Skateboarding’s “Major Threat” Tour poster was designed, executed and promoted by skateboarders, for skateboarders. All of Nike employees responsible for the creation of the tour flyer are fans of both Minor Threat and Dischord Records and have nothing but respect for both. Continue reading…
June 29th, 2005
In savvy marketing news, VW has a slick new strategy to target influencers–the “Alpha Driver” program. The manufacturer is rolling this out for the Passat redesign launch, with www.newpassatinfo.com (could have worked on that URL a little). They’re pretty specific about what they want from you, the loyal member of the VW family. Len Hunt, director of sales and marketing explains: “Here’s how it works. We bring you, the most loyal VW drivers, behind the scenes for a look into the VW brand. Show you around a little. Share with you what’s new. Bring you into our world. It’s then our hope that you’ll be so excited, you’ll go out and tell the world. Maybe not the whole world–but at least friends, neighbors, co-workers. Kind of becoming a volkswagen advocate.”
It’s a great strategy. When you sign-up, you have to answer survey questions which provide valuable data. For example, are there a few unexpected regions in the country that have a high number of VW loyalists? But the real power lies in targeting specific types of individuals who will share the far fig newton gospel for some special marketing materials and maybe a little schwag. If it sounds like they’re basically working for VW for free you’d be correct.
VW probably got the program name from the book The Anatomy of Buzz, which defines Alphas as “Powerful influencers, not because of the money they spend but because of the weight of their influence. They are typically independent, confident, opinionated, and curious. Alphas are driven by a hunger for stimulation, a disregard for convention, and an urge to take risks.”
June 24th, 2005
It’s really starting to sink in: we’re moving. House rented. Truck reserved. In one month Sarah and I will be living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
North Carolina has long been our radar as a place we’d like be. It’s much, much closer to both of our families and we can easily take weekend trips to Kentucky. My dad is from North Carolina and I have a lot of great memories of visiting the state when I was younger. Much like Austin, the Research Triangle area is consistently ranked as a top place to live for entrepreneurs, schools, quality-of-life, etc. Anway, Sarah was offered a post-doc at the University of North Carolina so we decided to go sooner rather than later. She’ll work in a lab for about a year-and-a-half to two years before considering whether to stay in academia as a professor or going into the private sector (”industry” as academic types seem to call it).
As for me, my boss and I are discussing a scenario where I would continue to work remotely. I think it will work out nicely. Needless to say, it will be bittersweet leaving Austin. I hung out with someone recently who moved to the SF Bay area and returned for a short time. His message: don’t know what you got till it’s gone. Barton Springs and Smitty’s BBQ just aren’t replaceable. But clearly we will miss the great friends we have made most of all.
June 15th, 2005
Dean’s a fighter. He’s bringing new energy to the party. He’s mobilizing the grassroots. And the DNC Chairman has already raised in $12 million from ordinary voters this year. Unfortunately, however, he’s all but assuring Republican victories.
Last Sunday I reflected on how astonishing it is that many leaders and activists don’t understand very simple concepts about selling their ideas and attracting new converts. They get emotional, exaggerate, and don’t craft their message to their audience. I was remiss not to spotlight Dean. As Chairman, Dean is charged with, one would think, revitalizing the Democratic party on all levels–national to local. He should inspire new Democrats and remind those who are considering other options why they should stay in the camp. In other words, beyond raising money, Dean should figure out how to get Democrats winning again.
So why, after clumsily appealing to Southern Evangelicals, would Dean dismissively say that the GOP is “a pretty monolithic party . . . they all behave the same and they all look the same and they all — you know, it’s pretty much a white, Christian party”? Dude. Most of this country is white. And Christian. Perhaps you should borrow from the evangelical playbook and evangelize–you know, seek converts, rather than foolishly turning people away.
A writer to the Austin-American Statesman asks, “He also apparently hates that same 40 percent of Hispanic Bush voters, because he recently said he ‘hates Republicans and everything they stand for.’” A stretch? Maybe. Was his “I hate Republicans” quote taken out of context? Sure, a little bit. But the point is that his role is to grow and strengthen the Democratic Party so that they can ultimately win again. The doctor needs to take the word “hate” out of his vocabulary.
Being aggressive and outspoken is a reasonable tactical approach. But it’s what you’re fighting for that matters. We still don’t know what that is. It’s worth repeating: It’s not what you’re against, it’s what you’re for! A comment to a blog post said it best, “They aren’t saying ‘Vote Democrat because’ … they are saying “Vote against Republicans because …”
“So far, I think he’s probably helped us more than he has them.”
- Dick Cheney
June 13th, 2005
Earlier Posts »
Turns out Nike didn’t even clear the 
