BGH studios :: think tank

I’ve been in the middle of a move for the better half of the last 2-3 months, so it has been hard to find time to sit in front of a computer. It’s been a long wait, but the review of  Radical Careering is finally here.
 

Radical Careering by Sally Hogshead is a great motivational tool for anyone that has a career, love, and/or passion for just about anything. Although it may, don’t look for this book to change your life. Don’t look for this book to give you step-by-step information on how to change your career. For me, this book spoke many truths about how to get the best out of life and ones career. The voice of the author speaks from the heart and speaks from experience. You get a lot of “truths” in this book, 100 if I’m not mistaken; truths about how hard times can be, and how to find the strength to rise above the situation. This kind of mentality instills an attitude that doesn’t allow failure. It’s a “put your nose to the grindstone” kind of thinking.
Getting the best out of a bad situation is merely the minimum goal. I think what this book is trying to convey is that the ultimate goal, whether it be in life or your career, is to make the best out of every situation and opportunity. Overall, I really liked the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a little inspiration in his or her career or life in general. I still keep the book handy to remind me of the many funny and real “truths” about life and “radical careering”.

 
In my most recent Blog, I mention how professional athletes can be a great spokesman for businesses and companies. Well, I think we all know that not all professional athletes are good choices for companies to promote their products or services.

 
The most obvious and most recent “Bad Athlete” in the news is Michael Vick, (in my eyes) soon to be former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Nike suspended its contract with him, Reebok stopped selling Vick jerseys and trading card companies such as Donruss and Upper Deck removed Vick’s card from the rest of their 2007 card pack releases. The NFL also pulled all Vick jerseys, autographed items and other memorabilia from its NFL Shop site.
 
The whole Michael Vick story has attracted a circus of negative media and public attention. Companies have forfeited potentially hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars in revenue. Well worth it when companies think about hundreds of picketers outside their company building. Vick, himself, could be out 50 million in endorsement income. Many companies have decided to stay way from using star athletes in their commercials, ads, and products altogether due to the potential liability.  Companies are beginning to think that, “maybe it’s not such a good idea to use these high profile athletes” to endorse or promote their product/service.
 
On the other side of the coin, there are plenty of other star athletes that are potential moneymakers for companies. Peyton Manning and LeBron James, for example, have proven that they have star power with no liabilities attached.
 
Overall, athletes can provide companies with star power behind their products, but companies should be aware of the potential burdens they bring to the table.

As an avid sports fan it’s hard not to notice all of the advertising that goes along with the world of sports. Even if you’re not a sports fan, it would be virtually impossible to miss the plethora of advertising that professional athletes are involved in. Who can forget the McDonalds commercial with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, “Over the backboard, nothing but net.” Or what about the many sports faces placed on a box of Wheaties. All of this stems from a large influence sports has on this country. Companies depend on this influence and hope it will promote their product and/or business.

Influence is a key component in the advertising world. The more a business can influence a customer, the more chance it has at becoming successful. Whether it is an influence from sports figures or from a catchy Tagline, companies continually modify and update their strategies on how best to influence and expand their customer base.

What I like most about using sports and sports athletes in advertising are that it is very successful in two different ways. One is that it is successful in promoting a business, product, or service in a positive and often humorous way. The other is that sports in advertising help promote the sport itself. This form of advertising works out great for both sides. It emphasizes the significance and the role that sports play in the world of advertising, and the role advertising plays in sports.

Here are more great sports advertisements, some old, some new:

1. Tiger bounces golf ball (Nike)
2. Bo knows (Nike)   
     

3. MVP Baseball (EA Sports)
4. Terry Tate, office linebacker (Reebok)
5. 6. Be Like Mike (Gatorade)
6. Yao, Yogi and “Yo” (Visa)
7. Sportscenter Mascot (ESPN)
8. LeBron James Full Court (Powerade)
9. If Bowling were Hockey (Fox Sports)
10. Wii Sports (Nintendo)
11. Three Great Sports Commercials (Nike)

So, I have been engulfed in this job of getting my house ready to sell. I mean I’ve been up to my elbows in paint, covered in dirt and muck, exhausted and sore from moving, lifting and rearranging. I realize how much of the advertising world is involved with this grueling process. I say this because so much goes into selling a house or advertising a product or service. As a home seller, you want to prepare a house with all the fine details such as painting baseboards, installing new light fixtures, and updating the landscaping to create pleasing curb appeal. At the same time you want to make it easy for the potential buyer to imagine his/her belongings scattered throughout the house.

Just the same, an advertising campaign has many fine intricate parts and details. It must follow the details of each project and be able to generate a customer who pictures themselves with a particular product or service. This too can be a long process. Depending on the project it could take a few days or a few months to fine tune every detail. Whether it is for a party invitation, a web site, or a radio script, every detail is covered and each person involved strives to achieve that ultimate “curb appeal” and the satisfaction of watching a business succeed.

Jeffery Rodney

            Anyone interested in a little inspiration? Well that’s what I got when I started reading a book called Radical Careering by Sally Hogshead. I haven’t finished it yet, but I was sure to pick up my own copy. This book is great for anyone looking some motivation, not just in advertising, but life in general. It can serve as a coach or just a quick reference manual on how best to summon one’s unique talents or abilities. My feeling is that this is not a book that will clearly define how to change your career or make your current one better. I do not think it will change anyone’s life. My interpretation of the book so far is that it provides a clever and witty way to turn on that internal light bulb of yours, or be that voice saying, “Hello…Mcfly…Anybody home??” When I finish the book, I’ll be sure to write a follow-up blog including a full review of Radical Careering.

Jeffery Rodney

People say that you’re supposed to forget about work when you go on vacation. Well I’m on vacation and I can’t help but be reminded every day about the world of advertising. From the billboards on the highway to the t-shirt shops and souvenir stores all around, it is impossible to get away from advertising. Everywhere you turn, somebody is trying to sell you something. The best advertising is the kind where no matter what the product or the price, the consumer feels good about his or her purchase. This is important in any city, not only vacation spots. In a successful marketing campaign, I wonder, was is it the memorable brochure, the catchy tagline, or the all-expenses-paid vacation? Or perhaps was it a combination of several strategies? This question is best answered by an expert, an advertising agency, like BGH Studios.

Jeffery Rodney

I never thought I would enjoy working for free, but I do, at least for now. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given by BGH Studios. I walked through the doors of BGH with virtually no professional experience in the world of Advertising. My background includes tons of educational experience in Professional Writing and Business Writing. My true love and passion in life revolves around Creative Writing. Now that I am at a place that can harness both my educational skills and creative passion, I am truly excited about the future and the opportunities that come with it.
What I like most is the philosophy behind advertising. I am intrigued by the psychology that is woven into the fabric of the business. I enjoy watching a business succeed and being able to say, “I was a part of that”. I love how the creative process of every job flows through each mind, body and soul here at BGH. There are no doors or walls. Only open space surrounded by windows, enhancing the imaginative and productive energy that is created at BGH Studios.

Jeffery Rodney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blhp9GN858Y

What noose you say? That one you tie around your neck before work everyday. For the life of me I’ve never understood why anybody would feel it necessary to wear a suit and tie everyday. I’ve hated them all my professional life. I’ve always thought how someone dressed has nothing to do with how creative, productive or smart they are on the job. In fact, most of the suit’s I’ve sat in meetings with had no business being in the room other than the fact they had a suit on. I just recently came across this posting from Mark Cuban on his MaverickBlog site about wearing a suit. Mr. Cuban is really smart, really creative and really really rich. And never wears a suit. In fact, while most other professional sports team owners hold court over their teams from giant luxury boxes on the mountain and could pass for look-a-likes of the two old guys from Trading Places, Mr. Cuban sits in the front row, sceaming like any crazed fan all while rocking a t-shirt and jeans. Check out his post  through the link below and while you’re there check out some of the smartest writing about online technology, advertising, marketing and entertainment culture anywhere:

http://www.blogmaverick.com/2007/01/16/why-i-dont-wear-a-suit-and-cant-figure-out-why-anyone-does/ 

Below you’ll find a link to a really inciteful article written by David Bowen for Financial Times. Mr. Bowen is a web site effectiveness consultant for Bowen Craggs & Co. The article wraps up with a very persuasive argument exactly what I preach (to anybody who will listen) and believe wholeheartedly. The Web is still (and will be for a very long time) a secondary medium. It cannot and will not work effectively without traditional media outlets (TV, Radio, Print) pointing people to it. If you’re relying on the web or any interactive component as a sole means to reach your audience…your going to fail. Here’s why:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/191d9a96-a6ec-11db-83e4-0000779e2340.html

Justin Galvin