Be A Fool
"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." -William Shakespeare
Today is April Fool’s Day, the day when people attempt various ruses to fool one another. It’s all in good fun, but for some, the forced humor can become tiresome. Shakespearean fools, on the other hand, are clever commoners that use their wits to outdo people of higher social standing. These fools we can learn from. These fools we can celebrate. Recast in this light, April Fool’s Day is a time to honor those among us who question authority, challenge dogma, and skewer the powerfully corrupt.
Somos Los Verdes
We watched Austin FC play Seattle Sounders in a 1-1 draw on the first day of Spring. It was our second trip to Q2 Stadium and once again, it was a blast to be part of this scene and this sport.
The team is off to a strong 2-1-1 start in their second season and the fans are eating up every bit of “the beautiful game.”
The pitch is a perfect reflection of Austin—modern and gleaming. The team too is a mirror of the city—young, ambitious, talented, and ready to compete on the big stage.
Notes from My Recent Guest Lecture at UT
Last month, I was invited to speak to undergraduates at the Stan Richards School of Advertising & PR at the University of Texas. The invite came from the Association of National Advertisers in New York City.
The suggested topic for this guest lecture was “My Work as a Creative Director,” plus any tips for graduating seniors seeking work in advertising, media, or marketing.
With the lecture hall as my stage, I brought a strong point of view forward and shared it with the students. One of the things I said is: advertising can solve powerful problems. I then showed how advertising has been used to elect presidents and avert nuclear war.
Why We Walk ‘n’ Talk
The first step in my consulting process is easy and fun. We meet at a designated trailhead and walk for one hour, while you explain to me the details of your customer communications problem and I listen intently. If you live elsewhere, we can conduct this process over the phone.
I ask for the Walk ‘n’ Talk because mental constraints come off when you’re on the trail. As you raise your pulse, your senses and consciousness are equally lifted. This is the proper state for a good introductory discussion. Following the Walk ‘n’ Talk, I provide a written assessment, including potential next steps.
Lagniappe
Courtenay Pollock is a textile artist with a great story to tell.
AOC thinks President Biden got played by Joe Manchin — and that the president’s nostalgia for a bygone era of backroom dealmaking could prove disastrous for Democrats in the midterms.
Have you had tea made from Yaupon yet? Here it is.
Elgin is another fast-growing east-side community (along with Lockhart, Bastrop, and Smithville) open to artists and musicians from Austin and beyond.
The war in Ukraine is another humanitarian disaster. What are we going to do about the Putin problem?
Elizabeth Gilbert puts the concept of “creative geniuses” to bed in this Ted Talk from 2009.
Let’s Chat
I provide marketing solutions to business and community leaders. When you have the need, I’m ready to discuss any marketing-related questions you may have.
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