CULTURE DUNK: Knicks vs. Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv

Basketball is a sport I genuinely love to watch. I attribute it to the fact that I used to dance for the UofR Spiders SpinnURs dance team at every home basketball game and not to my 6th grade bench sitting days. I loved the energy (even though UofR is a small school) of the game and really felt it as a result of the up close and personal relationship I had with the sport. I was court-side every game, had spirit in the face of major exam crunch times, and got to see and feel the sweet, sweaty determination, competitiveness and camaraderie of the team.

That's why I went to see the Knicks play pre-season. I had NO idea what I was in for. I knew they were playing another country but I obviously had no idea the implications or what that meant.

The game wasn't that good but the atmosphere definitely was. I was completely out of my element which always leaves me inspired and awe-struck. There were more Isreali fans than otherwise and the rabbi that gave a speech during half-time lead the congregation of sports fans in a traditional song. I have never been to synogague and grew up with ZERO Jewish friends so all of this was new to me (Where did I grow up? Think more along the lines of Southern Baptist Small Town Sit on Your Hands and Shut Your Mouth South). The stadium was ready for their consumers and had kosher meals to replace the typical concessions. For perhaps the first time in my life (with perhaps the exception of the symphony/gamer event I went to... maybe), I felt like the minority, the outsider to the odd man out. What an incredible gulp of reality and opportunity to gain empathy and insight.

It made me think about culture and more specifically about creating culture. Some culture is so old, so ingrained, so loved, so big that it cannot be compromised. It is meaningful and a wellspring for identity with true depth and layers. Can we as marketers ever really create that kind of culture? Maybe, I don't know... Is that what the green movement and mentality is inspiring? Or are we just creating trends that at minimum tack themselves onto existing culture and at best help propel it along instead?

Dentyne: So I'm a Little Late...

BUT better late than never to share. I just saw this gum ad from Dentyne that rolled out in 2008 that was striking and that I LOVE. I love it because it makes perfect sense and nods to the relevant culture of technology in a way that makes a statement without making a fuss. It's bold but it's got grace. That's cool.

What's interesting however, is this idea of attaching brands to relevancy. Everything communicates so the ad obviously says something about the brand regardless. The ads that attach themselves to relevant culture stand out, but the question is, to they successful differentiate themselves?

This ad makes me a believer in chewing gum, but I'm not convinced it makes me a believer in chewing Dentyne gum. On the other hand, as I walked to lunch today and saw the enormous point-of-purchase for gum along the check-out line at the local cafeteria/restaurant I find myself eating at way too often, I took notice of Dentyne for the first time in a long time (Trident Cool Colada has been the only object of my gum affection since it's introduction into the market) and thought to myself, "Aw." That "aw", while the frequency and longevity currently unknown, means something worthwhile.

Anyways, here are the ads. Enjoy!

Brandcenter Strategist Brains- Hollaaaa!

Here's an update: 

My fellow classmates Culture Standpoints paper can be viewed HERE. So proud of them all! It looks great and has some really smart, cutting edge ideas, opinions and thinking represented. 

In previous blogs you may remember me mentioning da Vinci Center for Product Design and Innovation. It's what I did in place of my Cultural Standpoint. Here's an update on that: we were invited to present to the Sweedish team. Whoop. I start my first days of work so I can't be there to present but I'm proud of my group and know they will do exceptionally well. If the Sweedish team likes it, there's a chance they'll pick up our innovation idea. So cool! Fingers crossed! Too bad I'm legally bound and can't talk to anyone about it (although, it's completely understandable)... Here's a picture of the product we worked on for a nice tease and eyebrow raise :) It's called the Alfie 500 and I know an absurd and amusing amount of information about this product's design, functionality and market opportunities, the industry it operates in and everything there in between. 

CULTURE DUNK: High Art Society

The Dia: Beacon

Located on the banks of the Hudson River in Beacon, NYC. this museum houses 1960's to the present major collections. I didn't really know I would be going here and it wasn't my idea but it was a great escape from the concrete anyways. My oldest brother was a successful and very talented fine artists (before he opened his own business that dabbled in a separate hobby), so I have an appreciation for the craft and a fascination with the history and concepts that revolve around it all. 

However, in all honesty, I sometimes have a hard time really understanding the kind of art that is more about the process than it is about the piece. It's so important to read the pamphlets at that kind of museum to understand the significance of the work because so much of it is about how it was done. It's a bit easy to make fun of because it stems from such lofty, esoteric ideas but as a philosophy minor in undergrad I suppose I find the mental exercise just enjoyable even if tinged with a bit of, "I could have done that too." I suppose the point is, I didn't do it, huh? 

Anyways, there is one great room with a series of similar (difference caused by contrasting colors) paintings by Warhol (not pictured). There were 4 big smooshy sofas in the middle of this huge, great, open room and I have this fond memory of all the natural light coming in through the ceiling while all the people in the room sunk into the sofas to think about or not think about who knows what. It seemed like soothing place to be quiet, to stop, to hold time still for a couple of minutes and to smell the roses (or just soak in the color and the paintings). Serenity!

The New York City Ballet: Romeo & Juliet

I've danced my entire life and I worked at a ballet company. I love dance. I understand the dedication, the way the body marries itself to the music, the adrenaline, the beauty, the work ethic, the practice, the hours, and everything else in between. I'm fascinated, moved, and enamored by the poetry, the story, and the beauty that takes place on stage- usually to the point of tears. It just moves my soul and I crave dance as corny as that probably sounds.

But the point of this post is that i finally got the chance to see the world renowned New York City Ballet. I've never seen Romeo & Juliet performed and it was spectacular! The Lincoln Center is gorgeous and I loved seeing all the people dressed to the 9's in honor of this art form. The night was clear and it felt like I was in the middle of some fabulous 1950's movie. 

Thinking about the Romeo & Juliet story, I realized for the first time that it must have been so new and so incredibly moving to see it performed back in Shakespeare's day (even if not ballet). It's complex and it's heart-wrenching! And it's amazing that without words, a story, drenched in poetic descriptors and known for its iambic  pentameter can be conveyed in an equally as compelling way without using any words at all and replacing it with expression and movement instead. How cool! That's the power of a good story and I think it says something about the importance of good stories- it doesn't matter how they are told as long as they are.

Anyways, seeing the crowd at both of these places was yet another reminder that while newer, bigger, better, and faster is certainly good and often sought out, there are still people out there that crave history and appreciate the stories of a yesteryear retold from occasion to occasion. I guess some things just never get old!

Feeding the Brain.

In the past week, I've been catching up on entertainment that I've missed out on in the past two years while at school. I'll call it feeding the brain with interest that lay outside of advertising for now. It's important to have a vast set of interests to keep oneself interested and interesting. It's hard sometimes when you're engulfed in one discipline as intensely as Brandcenter kids are for 24 months. Anyways, I'll try to share what I'm doing to stay dynamic here and there and maybe even link it to brand where relevant (lucky, lucky you!).

Anyway... This past week I've feed my brain by watching the following:

The Great American Trailer Park Musical: An off-broadway theater production. A comedy for the sake of comedy. If you grew up watching Married with Children and The Simpsons and find Southpark and Family Guy funny, you'll enjoy this backwoods musical. It's funny if you like that "perpetuation of grossly exaggerated stereotypes for the sake of hilarity" kind of way. The program said it was about community and how we can find commonalities with the people we least expect. I think that it's a bit of a stretch to find seriousness in a play seemingly meant to be pure entertainment. Perhaps the beauty of the play is not found in the larger lesson, but that there really is no larger lesson to be learned.

The Wrestler: Darren Aronofsky, the producer who also did Requiem for a Dream, has some twisted artistic expressions that come from a place dark enough to ignite tears in anyone really paying attention. He's obviously coming from a dark place. I didn't expect to cry as much as I did but this movie was SAD. And, it made me wonder how anyone could support professional wrestling considering the way these people treat themselves and their bodies. It's almost as if you support self destruction when you support them. I'm sure a lot has changed since the days of Randy the The Ram but still.

Planet B-Boy: A 2007 documentary on The Battle of the Year, b-boying, aka break-dancing's, International stage. It follows the stories of some of the young men from Korea, Japan, France and America who partake in the world competition held in Munich. The feelings about dance expressed are so spiritual and so soulful, they will inspire you. It inspired me, but I'm pretty biased given dance is a passion of mine. Nothing too raw or rough around the edges with this documentary. Instead you'll watch an outpouring of passion, soul, thoughtfulness, pride, will and honor. Here are a two of my favorite quotes from guys representing Korea and Japan respectively: "I am not dancing to make money, I want to make money to dance," "The reason I dance is to explode and feel free." 

The Future of Food: A horrifying 2004 documentary on the genetic engineering of food. It will make you angry, it will frighten you to eat certain foods and it might even be the thing effects you so much you promise to only buy all natural and change where you grocery shop forever more. I had NO IDEA what was going on with agriculture, food, science, corporate America, greed, politics and cover up that affects this issue. We have no clue what we are putting in our bodies, scientists have no clue what the long term effects are and researchers have no means to find out. It's a horrible, screwed up system that is sure to make you question just how messed up the world must really be.

CULTURE DUNK: Gamer Enthusiasm

For me gaming was something that I did when I was 8 years old in my brothers room on a bean bag in front of his play-station. It was my sole goal in life to beat Sonic the Hedgehog and I must admit, I wanted to be Chun Li. In fact she made her way into my third grade novel where a prince had to choose between a princess and Chun Li. He picked Chun Li. Obviously. But that's another story. 

Since the 6th grade or so my only interaction with gaming was buying Christmas presents in the form of video games for my 30 year old brother. I neither understood nor empathized. 

That's why, when I heard the Richmond Symphony was playing a special show of only video games called Video Games Live, I jumped at the opportunity to attend and understand once and for all the fascination. Its original intent was to attract a different audience, including young kids, to help them appreciate the symphony. As a person who already appreciates the symphony, my intent was to appreciate gaming and gamers instead. They are an important segment and gaming is an important, growing, media channel. 

The crowd was full of children, pre-pubescent boys, and also, a lot of other more middle aged couples. The show was a bit interactive. There were projectors that showed the video games, a chorus and the symphony that played popular scores. I have NEVER seen the Landmark Theater so packed in all the different shows I've attended. 

I've actually never been around such an energetic, enthusiastic, participatory crowd. I had no idea what was going on but there was humor and drama and stories and nostalgia and innovation. I enjoyed the music and the energy from the crowd was infectious. I actually almost cried once. It was really incredible. 

I won't be a gamer anytime soon but I will be able to appreciate this important segment a bit more. 

Culture Dunk.

In the creative industry you always hear how important it is to stay on top of culture. To engage in, to immerse yourself in, or to simply observe culture. 

I think it's best to do that with culture outside the one that you call your own. To make yourself uncomfortable in one situation just to learn how to be more comfortable in all situations is an incredible exercise in developing and cultivating empathy, a must for strategists. 

I've decided to include culture dives, immersions and observations I conduct like the aforementioned in this blog in a series called Culture Dunk. 

Be on the lookout!

Oceans, Circuses, American Idol and more: A Look at Culture, Remixed

From the article: Ad Age March 31, 2009, Rethinking 'Blue Ocean Strategy' in a Down Economy.

"Value innovation was defined as creating a leap in value for consumers while lowering costs and increasing revenue for the company. [...] A prime example was Cirque du Soleil, which took traditional circus acts and infused them with Broadway-style creative productions to increase customer value and ticket prices, while simultaneously cutting the largest cost item of the circus: the animals. Cirque du Soleil reinvented the circus and today maintains its dominance in a largely uncontested market space."

That article excerpt got me thinking a about remix culture. (My friends Ben Alter and Katie Fitz at Brandcenter also just recently wrote and published an article that touches on one aspect of the topic. View it here.) 

Cirque du Soleil is AMAZING but at the heart of their reinvention is taking something old, and remixing it with current culture to make it something fresh, exciting and new. To invent for them was to REinvent and that meant to remix, not start from scratch. Poof, a new relevant cultural obsession was born from an old concept given new meaning, execution and production.

Thinking about it that way, I concluded once and for all that Adam Lambert (the LA 26 year old) will win American Idol this season. I'm not a regular American Idol viewer at all. In fact, I've never watched any other season before but I started hearing so much buzz about this one contestant and his innovative ability with music. I started watching JUST to see what he'll do next. He blew my mind with his Middle Eastern version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" (which I've obviously already downloaded from iTunes). He's taking old songs, remixing them and making them into something modern and amazing. Look him up on iTunes or watch here. He's reinventing the wheel through remix.

This got me thinking about brands of course. Right now, there's a lot of talk about creating culture as a way to build equity and engage consumers. It's so sexy to say, "let's create culture," but what does that really even mean? I'm not convinced any of us have it figured out exactly quite yet. Creating something cool works, yes, but it's pretty hard to predict what's will be cool and what consumers will latch onto. 

Perhaps brands could take a cue from Blue Ocean Strategy, Cirque du Soliel, and Adam Lambert. Maybe creating culture isn't pulling consumers completely away from the old (sounds a bit like shock therapy if you ask me). That tactic seems to lack a reference point and even an emotional pull. Maybe instead, one of the best practices in creating culture is taking what's familiar to consumers and giving it a new twist, easing them slowly, but safely into unchartered territory.