Aug 04

Response July: Digital (Focus). Digital (TV). Digital (Creative).

I decided to take a quick Friday break from working up the August and September issues of Response — summer can be a great time to catch up, after all — to recap our recently delivered (and posted) July issue. Along with this month’s cover story — an interview with Tumi/Samsonite C-level executive Charlie Cole — the issue includes features on the shifting market for entertainment content and our annual look at what’s new in the video production space. Let’s dig into how these stories — and other facets of the issue — came together.

  • July’s cover feature got its start in a conference room at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in February. There, at the eTail West event in Palm Desert, Calif., Charlie Cole — then merely chief digital offer for Tumi, who’s since added the title of global chief e-commerce officer for its parent company Samsonite — gave a presentation about his company’s digital marketing and measurement efforts during the past two years. His no-nonsense talk was impressive, and the story it told about Tumi’s efforts was one I wanted to know more about. I reached out to Cole after returning from the event to gauge his interest in a story — and he responded quickly. An open book throughout the process, Cole was one of the more refreshing cove subjects I’ve worked with in recent years. Unsurprisingly, then, the story — just a slice of how Tumi/Samsonite is tackling the great e-commerce revolution — feels like fresh air at a time when marketing and technology teams tend to find themselves at loggerheads more often than necessary. If you missed the link above, here it is once again: Digital Determination
  • What TV will look like three, five — or, god forbid, 10 — years from now is anyone’s guess. Our freelancer Nicole Urso Reed took the assignment for our annual look at marketing in the entertainment space and decided to poke around for answers to that question, as well as what those changes might mean for marketers who’ve long given TV the largest cut of their budgets. From mobile and online video to over-the-top (OTT) and video-on-demand (VOD), the possibilities are exciting. Oh, and Nicole’s headline nod to one of my favorite Dr. Dre songs certainly doesn’t hurt. In case you skipped the link above: The Next Episode
  • Those different possibilities are also driving changes across the video production space, as our freelancer Bridget McCrea continued to learn in her latest look at the production and creative space. Speaking with a half-dozen experts, McCrea finds that different ad lengths — yes, all the way up to a half-hour — still work, depending on the product, the target, and the media outlet. How are producers changing how they do things based on these opportunities? Here’s that story link again: Creative Leverage
  • Our monthly direct response TV and radio media billings enter the 2017 calendar year with a look at first-quarter long-form DRTV results. A market that’s lost ground in nine of the past 10 years started 2017 in similar fashion, dropping nearly 12 percent in comparison to its 1Q 2016 totals. However, the problem doesn’t seem to be availability of half-hour spots but rather the gaining power of the lower-cost broadcast and satellite markets at the cost of the contracting cable network sector. As cable pricing continues to fall to compete, overall spending results continue to dip. For a full look at 1Q 2017 long-form DRTV media billings, click here: Long-Form DRTV Billings Start 2017 on the Wrong Foot
  • The July issue also includes a number of strong submissions in our column well:
  • My Editor’s Note column got its first inspiration from the wide array of music I listen to each day at my desk (currently playing: The Hold Steady‘s “How a Resurrection Really Feels”) and how important great songs (and great songwriting) are in my everyday life. At its essence, great songwriting is great storytelling. Somehow, in fewer than 500 words — with a well-deserved (and, sure, gratuitous) shot at “bro country” included — I get from there to a brief exposition on Response‘s ongoing transition. If you missed the link above, here it is: A Change in Focus Doesn’t Mean a Change in How We Tell Stories

Thanks again for reading and interacting with Response!

Nov 01

#LOTD2013: July Playlist

Clearly, it was a heck of a summer. Just as I am playing catch-up with my Photo-A-Day project right now (the last blog post got us to mid-July), so too am I woefully behind on sharing the monthly #LOTD2013 playlists I’ve been working on. But, the time is now to move ahead! Here are July’s Lyric-of-the-Day Tweets (find the Spotify playlist I’ve created from these lyrics linked at the end of the post or on the clickable image at right), with some brief explanations (in italics) for a number of the lyrics. Remember, if you want to see the lyrics as they pop up daily, just give me a follow on Twitter!

  • “We all live under the same sky/We all will live, we all will die/There is no wrong, there is no right” #Travis “Side” #LOTD2013 7/1
  • “You’re a needle in the hay/The water at the door/You’re a million miles away/Doesn’t matter anymore” #TheNational “Fireproof” #LOTD2013 7/2
  • “This crazy fog surrounds me/You wrap your legs around me/All I can do to try and breathe/Let me…” #Live “The Dolphin’s Cry” #LOTD2013 7/3
  • “This train/Hear steel wheels singin’/This train/Bells of #freedom ringin'” #Springsteen “Land Of Hope And Dreams” #LOTD2013 7/4 #Happy4th
  • “Be the sun that bursts through my clouds/It’s hard enough just living on this ground” #BlackCrowes “She Gave Good Sunflower” #LOTD2013 7/5
  • “You were better to me than I was to myself/For me, there’s you and there ain’t nobody else” #MarvinGaye “How Sweet It Is” #LOTD2013 7/6 (Celebrated the engagement of friends Seggie and Jamie on the Sunset Strip)
  • “Running from the law the press and the parents/Is your name Michael Diamond/No mine’s Clarence”#BeastieBoys “Shake Your Rump” #LOTD2013 7/7
  • “You know the night time, darling/Is the right time/To be with the one you love” #RayCharles “(Night Time Is) The Right Time” #LOTD2013 7/8
  • “Got a revolution behind my eyes/We got to get up and organize” #LoFidelityAllStars “Battleflag” #LOTD2013 7/9
  • “If you hear him comin’, won’t you say for me/That I just don’t want to go” #Coldplay “Death Will Never Conquer”#LOTD2013 7/10
  • “Thinkin’ of a few/Taboos that I ought to kill/Dancin’ on their face/Like a stage on vaudeville” #RHCP “If You Have To Ask” #LOTD2013 7/11
  • “I was crowned with a spike right thru my head/But it’s all right now/In fact it’s a gas” #RollingStones “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” #LOTD2013 7/12
  • “By the time Paul McCartney’s microphone failed/We are all well into the Live Aid groove” #JohnWesleyHarding “July 13th 1985” #LOTD2013 7/13 (The 28th anniversary of the Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia)
  • “First I’m gonna make it/Then I’m gonna break it/Till it falls apart” #EchoAndTheBunnymen “Bring On The Dancing Horses” #LOTD2013 7/14
  • “There’s one in the spotlight/He don’t look right to me/Get him up against the wall!” #PinkFloyd “In The Flesh” #LOTD2013 7/15
  • “Now when I was a little boy/At the age of 5/I had somethin’ in my pocket/Keep a lot of folks alive” #BoDiddley “I’m A Man” #LOTD2013 7/16
  • Must play catch-up for #LOTD2013. Here’s 7/17: “Break me down, got a lovely face/Goin’ to your place” #Buckcherry “Crazy Bitch” #RiverRock (Ah yes, the annual Mississippi River houseboating excursion … and its de facto theme song)
  • “My nerves is wrecked/Heart beatin’/My hands swollen/Thinkin’ of the Gs/I’ll be holdin'” #2PAC “Picture Me Rollin'” #LOTD2013 7/18 #RiverRap
  • “I travel from Maine down to Mexico/To find that girl that loves me so” #TheBlackKeys “Have Love Will Travel” #LOTD2013 7/19 (Sure it was in reverse, but over the course of a few days, starting in California, I was in eight states to make my way to a wedding in Maine the following day)
  • “Hey little sister who is it you’re with?/Hey little sister what’s your vice and wish?” #BillyIdol “White Wedding” #LOTD2013 7/20
  • “Was in the spring/And spring became the summer/Who’d have believed you’d come along?” #NeilDiamond “Sweet Caroline” #LOTD2013 7/21 (Saw five hours of Red Sox-Yankees at Fenway, capped off by a Mike Napoli walk-off HR)
  • “So much for the city/Tell me that you’ll dance to the end/Just tell me that you’ll dance to the end” #TheThrills “Big Sur” #LOTD2013 7/22
  • “Camera got them images/Camera got’em all/Nothing’s shocking/Show me everybody …” #JanesAddiction “Ted, Just Admit It …” #LOTD2013 7/23
  • “It was just a man with something to prove/Slightly bored and severely confused” #ThePostalService “Sleeping In” #LOTD2013 7/24 (Postal Service concert at the Greek Theater in Hollywood)
  • “Promise not to sell your perfumed secrets/There are countless formulas for pressing flowers” #Nirvana “Scentless Apprentice” #LOTD2013 7/25
  • “Straight off the f**kin’ streets of CPT/King of the beats you ride to em in your Fleet” #DrDre #SnoopDogg “The Next Episode” #LOTD2013 7/26 (Back in Palm Springs for a couple nights — will always associate this song with the desert after Coachella 2012)
  • “Don’t come back anytime/I’ve already had your kind/This is your payback” #FitzAndTheTantrums “MoneyGrabber” #LOTD2013 7/27 (Fitz And The Tantrums concert at the Wiltern Theater in L.A.)
  • “You wear a mask/An equatorial haze/Into the past/A colonial maze/Where there’s no more confetti to throw” #Beck “Tropicalia” #LOTD2013 7/28
  • “Do you sometimes lust/For the grace that others have inside/The simple peace they make with life” #Cracker “I See The Light” #LOTD2013 7/29
  • “Even saw the lights of the Goodyear Blimp/And it read, ‘Ice Cube’s a pimp'” #IceCube “It Was A Good Day” #LOTD2013 7/30 (Bumped into Cube outside Dodger Stadium after the Dodgers beat the Yankees and my buddy Danny asked, “Is this a good day?” The response: “Hell yea!)
  • “Oh man, I think the clock is slow/I don’t feel tardy/Class dismissed!” #VanHalen “Hot For Teacher” #LOTD2013 7/31

Here’s the Spotify playlist if you’d like to listen along: #LOTD2013: July

Dec 31

My 10 Favorite Moments of 2012

Sure, you’ve read your share of 10-best lists of 2012. But most of them are laser-focused: books, movies, music, sports moments, restaurants, etc. Well, this one’s laser-focused, too. But since it’s my blog, that big laser is shining brightly on me — and anyone who knows me realizes that a list of my 10 favorite moments of the year about to pass is going to include a number of different things. So, here they are … my 10 favorite moments of 2012:

Does this look like November to you? It does at Duke's!

Does this look like November to you? It does at Duke’s!

10. Brunch at Duke’s Malibu, November 4: The opportunity to enjoy a Sunday morning on the patio at the Barefoot Bar at Duke’s in Malibu is something anyone — native or tourist — should enjoy as often as possible. This particular November Sunday featured unseasonably warm temperatures tickling the 80-degree mark and great company, as Caitlin’s family was visiting for the weekend. Sunshine, relaxed smiles, tiki drinks and a great buffet made for one of the best mornings of the year.

9. Jack White at the Shrine Auditorium, August 11: As I wrote in my quick-hitting review on the blog on Aug. 12, “There’s nothing better than going into a concert with high expectations and having them met, let alone exceeded. Such was the case with Jack White’s epic performance last night at the Shrine Auditorium near USC.” The moment of moments that night, though, was White’s stinging performance of his White Stripes classic, “Ball and Biscuit.” To grab my Spotify playlist of that night’s setlist, find it here: Jack White Shrine Setlist 8/11/12

One of the most beautiful spots in NYC.

One of the most beautiful spots in NYC.

8. A Sunday in New York City, September 9: In town for the previous night’s USC football game against Syracuse at MetLife Stadium across the river in New Jersey, we had a full day to kill before catching a late flight back to Los Angeles. It’s been a long time since I did a bunch of “touristy” things in NYC, but with glorious weather to wander the city, we set off on just such a journey, with no pressure and no schedule. The day ended up including: a visit to Gray’s Papaya on the Upper West Side for some dogs; a stop by Strawberry Fields in Central Park; a walk across the park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (where we relaxed on the steps and watched the city move by); and, finally, a taxi ride to the Empire State Building where we enjoyed both observation decks. Truly, a perfect day.

7. Dinner at Chicago Chop House, March 10: The company, the city and the celebration would have made this a pretty memorable night no matter what. But, the staff at the Chicago Chop House on this night made it incredible — from the chefs who absolutely nailed the entire meal, to the maitre d’ and servers who made sure the whole experience was smooth, fun and special, there was a high likelihood from the moment this amazing meal ended that it would be my favorite of 2012. Only something incredibly special would be able to push it aside.

6. Christmas Eve at Dad’s, December 24: The most recent entry on this list, last week’s holiday celebration at my dad’s home was among the most relaxed and pleasant we’ve had. After spending last Christmas on the East Coast, it was a pleasure to be back in California for the holiday in 2012. Though the afternoon and evening were still missing a few key pieces, the return of my Aunt Sue to Southern California in 2012 was a massive factor in how great and memorable the day was. It was simply fantastic to have her a part of the family celebration and to see her so happy and relaxed with all of us.

This view of the Eiffel Tower at night was simply stunning.

This view of the Eiffel Tower at night was simply stunning.

5. Viewing the Eiffel Tower Light Show from atop the Arc de Triomphe, October 5: The early fall trip to London and Paris was full of amazing and memorable moments — one of which ranks slightly higher on this very list. However, from the perspective of having a purely “Paris moment,” nothing was better than our climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe on a Friday night. The views were stunning 360 degrees around, but our timing was perfect — we arrived just 10 minutes prior to the 9 p.m. version of the hourly light show on the Eiffel Tower. What happened next can only be the magic of the City of Light.

Compton and Long Beach got back together at Coachella with incredible results, including this great t-shirt.

Compton and Long Beach got back together at Coachella with incredible results, including this great t-shirt.

4. Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg Live at Coachella, April 15: My first Coachella was a truly fantastic experience, one that I summed up with one of my longer blog posts of the year. But the highlight of highlights was the event’s closing performance by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. With “The Chronic” being a major part of the soundtrack of my college years, my hopes were incredibly hight, but as I wrote on April 25: “… to say they lived up to those hopes would fall short. An unbelievable 75 minutes that featured a bevy of SoCal hip-hop greatest hits; cameos by Wiz Khalifa, Warren G., Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Eminem; and the much-discussed Tupac ‘hologram’ – what more could you ask for?” Dre & Snoop grabbed the crowd by the throat, opening with their classic “The Next Episode” and showed the 80,000 in attendance that night one helluva great time. To grab my Spotify playlist of that night’s setlist, find it here: Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg Coachella Set List 4/15/12

3. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Perform “Jungleland,” December 4: It took 27 years and nearly 20 Springsteen shows before it finally happened: I got to see the epic “Jungleland” performed live. That it happened as the third of a four-song arc that also included “Badlands,” “Thunder Road” and “Born to Run” — even better. That, two songs later, I also saw my first live performance ever of the band’s version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” — wow. And all of this was at the tail end of a show that had spent its first two hours and 45 minutes being one of the best Springsteen shows I’d seen in more than a decade. It was one great night.

This menu was simply beyond reproach!

This menu was simply beyond reproach!

2. Dinner at L’Ami Jean, Paris, October 4: I got the idea to possibly visit this bistro during our Paris journey from a short piece I read on BonAppetit.com. When we arrived in town, we had our hotel book a reservation for us. What happened when we showed up is one of the greatest dining experiences of my life. Chef Stephane Jego’s food — advertised at seven courses for $75 Euro, but in reality closer to 10 courses — was beyond creative. I’d have never imagined eating foie gras with smoked eel in a herring bouillabaisse — let alone thinking it was one of the most delectable things I’ve ever tasted. Each course built on the last and was simply spectacular, finishing with the best duck I’ve ever had. For dessert, the restaurant’s famous rice pudding was as good as advertised. Beyond the food, the atmosphere in the tiny (maybe 40 seats) location was so alive. There was great service and great conversation with the folks sitting so close to you that you felt you were at — almost — a communal dinner. The entertainment of Jego finishing each dish for delivery to each table just outside the kitchen was also worth more than the price we paid. If you’re ever in Paris, trust the menu and do not miss this place.

Just minutes after the best moment of 2012, this was captured by the best person of 2012.

Just minutes after the best moment of 2012, this was captured by the best person of 2012.

1. The Kings Win the Stanley Cup, June 11: Yes, certainly the moment of victory was the best. But it was the two months — not to mention the 33 years since my first Kings game in 1979 — leading up to the final seconds ticking away in the 6-1 Game 6 win over New Jersey that made this so sweet. Committing to getting to one game per round prior to the playoffs didn’t seem like such a big thing, considering the Kings were the No. 8 seed in the West. But as they upset Vancouver in round one, thumped St. Louis in round two and put away Phoenix to reach the Stanley Cup Final, those pilgrimages to Staples Center became more and more enjoyable (and expensive). I thought we’d peaked out by attending the Kings’ 4-0 win in Game 3 of the Final, one of the great sports experiences I’ve ever had. But, no … at midnight the night before Game 6, I was about to shut down my computer for the night and head to bed when I decided to jump on Ticketmaster.com to see if anything might have been released for the “sold out” game. When those Premier level seats popped up for face value, I was stunned. Seventeen hours later, we were in the building. And four hours after that, we saw THIS. Go Kings Go, indeed!

All the best for a great 2013!