hazy stars

Additional Streetcar Evidence

Yesterday, the Columbus Dispatch published its last Sunday edition for the year of 2007. In its "Prelude to 2008," Paul Wilson wrote a rather ominous article on the realities of the oil industry.

Gasoline prices are up 75 cents per gallon over last year. And they are not predicted to go down any time soon. In fact, predictions have gas prices at around or above 4 bucks a gallon by Memorial Day.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, this past year in Ohio, gasoline peaked at more than $3.30 a gallon.

What does this mean? Demand for high-efficiency, low-emission vehicles will increase. More people will be seeking out alternative automotive technologies including: all-electric, hybrids, fuel-cells, biofuels, lightweight materials and high-tech aerodynamics.

I think it's further evidence that COLUMBUS NEEDS A STREETCAR. Oh, and the sooner the better.

Thanks.

More Self-Promotion

Here is the full press release:

Contact: Jayme Soulati
             Young Isaac Public Relations
             937-312-1363

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Nov. 28, 2007

YOUNG ISAAC HIRES “PRIVATE EYE” TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE PLANNING TEAM

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Young Isaac, Inc., the innovative marketing communications and advertising firm in Columbus, has snared Ohio State University graduate Ashley Routson, 24, as a “private detective” and associate planner within the firm’s Knowledge Planning group.

           Ashley’s role is to expand Young Isaac’s focus on consumer and marketplace insight gathering as well as keep abreast of trends.  Her 100 percent concentration on market research will contribute to Young Isaac’s ability to develop strengthened partnerships and strategies that pertain directly to client initiatives. 

           “The internet has spawned a plethora of information and Young Isaac is tapping research experts both internally and externally to help pinpoint, dissect and deliver trends and knowledge that benefit both clients and account teams alike,” said Mary Kall, CEO of Young Isaac.  “The addition of Ashley Routson, who brings keen curiosity and managerial skills to the team, enhances our firm’s core capabilities.”

           Ashley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and criminology from The Ohio State University providing her with a solid footprint for work within Young Isaac’s Knowledge Planning group.   

 

About Young Isaac

           Young Isaac impacts consumers’ satisfied buying decisions by helping trustworthy clients execute high-impact creative marketing campaigns. As a 17-year-old Columbus firm, Young Isaac has an uncommon blend of empathy, experience and creativity. Its industry focus is education, health care and the financial sector.

Shameless Self Promotion

Right before Christmas, I recieved my very first Young Isaac press release. It was in the Sunday edition of the Columbus Dispatch. In addition to in house PR efforts, we also use outside resources. Our PR partner, Jayme Soulati prepared a delightful press release announcing me as Young Isaac's newest hire. Unfortunately, the Columbus Dispatch did not publish the entire release. However, I'm just grateful they picked it up to being with!!!

Columbus is Vastly Underrated

What do Budapest, Ontario, Venice, New Orleans, and Columbus have in common? In a recent NY Post article, travel columnist David Landsel listed his five most memorable destinations in 2007. Out of all the places in the world -literally- Columbus found itself nestled into spot number 5.

Of course, I do not read the NY Post. Silly, kids. Reading trashy magazines about paranormal activity and celebrity gossip has never interested me. After seeing the post on the Columbus Underground, I decided some further investigation into the matter was necessary. Afterall, placing Columbus on a list of must see destinations along side of Venice and Budapest is rather intriguing.

The article was very flattering for Columbus, particularly for German Village. Naturally, I could easily give a dozen reasons to visit Columbus. But I live here, so my view of the city is slightly skewed. It is great when out-of-towners visit and are delightfully surprised by Columbus' charm and attractions. It is even better when they write about it. This is what the NY Post had to say:

5) Finding something to love about OHIO

There's a reason why travel is so great. Never was that so clear as the steamy mid-summer evening spent wandering in Columbus' German Village. The name warns of kitsch around the corner, but this actually turns out to be one of the most atmospheric old city neighborhoods in North America. Coastal types pay good money to live in districts that only come close to approaching the charm and scale of this elegant neighborhood crowded with red brick row houses along impossibly well-kept streets. (To top it off, this is the location of a charming guesthouse, perhaps one of the nicest in the Midwest.)

A visit to the North Market, with its artisanal food producers (everything from gelato to hormone free ham loaf!) and lively atmosphere, coupled with a trip up High Street, from the edgy Short North area past the boisterous university district and into the sedate suburb of Worthington (with a stop for ice cream at legendary Ohio churner Graeter's) just sealed the deal -- Columbus is vastly underrated.

How to: A stay at the German Village Guesthouse is your key to the perfect visit. Several carriers, including American offer frequent service from LaGuardia. For more information on the region, see experiencecolumbus.com.

Columbus is a rapidly growing city, complete with all the attractions of a larger city -just at a smaller scale. The more national and international attention it gets, the faster it will grow and the sooner it will get its much needed mass transit system. (See: Columbus needs a Streetcar).

"Ransom Notes" Campaign Cancelled

After only 2 weeks of face time, The Child Study Center at New York University has terminated its advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of children’s mental and neurological disorders. The pro bono campaign, created by the advertising agency BBDO, used ransom notes containing ominous messages constructed of newspaper clippings. Each ransom note addressed the effects of critical psychological disorders afflicting today's children. You can see more on my previous blog, We Have YOUR Child.

The ads received an extremely negative reaction from many angry parents and mental health advocates. They feel that the ads reinforced negative stereotypes. Hardworking, caring parents felt the ads insinuated they were not doing enough to help their children.

Despite negative publicity, Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, the Child Study Center’s founder and director, does not think any ground has been lost. In fact he is optimistic about the success of the short-lived campaign.

In an article in the NY Times he commented, “It’s the first time that the issue of children’s mental health has gotten national attention without being precipitated by a shooting at a high school or college."

I'm rather disappointed the campaign did not last any longer. In fact, I was hoping to see the ads while visiting NYC over the holidays. Unfortunately, they had already been cancelled. I still maintain that the campaign was brilliant. This is coming from someone who has suffered from severe depression (one of the illnesses addressed in the campaign). On top of that, I studied psychology as well as taught special education summer school. I think this experience establishes my credibility to critique the campaign.

These psychological and neurological disorders are real. They are severe illnesses. Ignoring them is detrimental to the health and happiness of the children. The objective of the campaign was not to insult anyone. It was merely to raise awareness about an issue that most often goes ignored.

Negative attention. Positive attention. People took notice. That is what matters.

I'm a Blue-Purple-Black

You can find all sorts of fun and interesting things scattered throughout an advertising agency. Not only does Artie have some pretty interesting things, the creative department also provides a lot of intriguing items.

We frequently get samples for other companies. I recently stumbled upon a book sent from Neenah Paper. The title reads "Olive is not drab." Intriguing... the rest says, "Trust me, I'm a blue-green-black. (Or, the Neenah Paper guide to using the Dewey Color System to choose color."

Let's turn the page shall we? The first page says, "Or, how I learned all about myself through my color choices." A personality test? Are you kidding me!!! I live for these things. (Yes, I'm totally a psychology nerd).

The instructions go as follows:
1. Choose the primary color you like best (Red, Blue, Yellow). Then it gives you a little personality blurb. I chose blue: "You are a dreamer and a visionary -- wistful, imaginative and eccentric (ding ding ding). You're preoccupied with the future. Your dreams give you the mental discipline to concentrate and stay on track. You need to justify your life by having a positive influence on the world, even on those you don't know. Your ability to prioritize helps you to be proactive. Blues can fix things before they are broken! Thinking about the future energizes you -- putting forth your ideas and reshaping the world are keys to your happiness."

2. Choose the secondary color you prefer (Green, Orange, Purple). Then it gives you another personality blurb. I chose blue-purple: "You are a visionary. You ponder existence. You need to know why things are. The conclusions you reach allow you to see the big picture, in terms of both creating original ideas and making improvements on others' ideas. By focusing on the future, you consider projects as if they were already completed. This enables you to live in an optimistic way."

3. Chose an achromatic color you prefer (Black, White, Brown). Then it gives you yet another personality blurb. I chose blue, purple, black: "You're the darkest color in the spectrum. Darkness denotes emotional depth. Visualizing possibilities is your greatest talent. You have the ability to picture things clearly in your head, giving you the capability to perform tasks with very few missteps and with minimal risk. When you understand the overall concept, there's nothing you can't do. Use your dramatic flair to venture down new paths and create opportunities."

Pretty damn good. Me likie.

This test is based on the Dewey Color System: "The World's First Validated Color System". The website provides a free color profile, which is more extensive than the simple test I took. It also gives you the option to purchase the entire profile for around $10.

After answering a series of color preference questions, Dewey concluded that,

" You're a Pioneer. You think about why people do what they do. By understanding the motivation of others, you seek to create a better world. Changing the world around you through personal achievements is your everyday challenge. The passionate you is a strong-willed, reflective strategist. You listen to learn why something was done before you act. Others turn you on when they challenge you. You can see all the possibilities."

I would say it is dead on. But, then again I'm a sucker for these things.

"Sometimes you get up in the morning and feel like the most important person in the world."

It's like they know me... creepy.

Check it out ... for fun.

It Was Another Man

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was infamous for his keen wit and humor. He was a man of many hats: humorist, novelist, writer, and lecturer. Some even say that he was the most popular American celebrity of his time.

In his later life, he was a very depressed man. His salience in society declined. He died in May of 1897.

Or did he? Actually, Mark Twain died on April 21, 1910. Ironically, for a man whose life centered around satire, Mark Twain received notice of a premature obituary. He responded to this rumor by sending The New York Journal this note:

"James Ross Clemens, a cousin of mine, was seriously ill two or three weeks ago and is well now. The report of my illness grew from his illness, the report of my death was an exaggeration." -Mark Twain

In November of 1897 Twain sent this note to friend Frank E. Bliss:

"It has been reported that I was seriously ill--it was another man; dying--it was another man; dead--the other man again...As far as I can see, nothing remains to be reported, except that I have become a foreigner. When you hear it, don't you believe it. And don't take the trouble to deny it. Merely just raise the American flag on our house in Hartford and let it talk."

November 15, 1902, Harper's Bazaar published Mark Twain's short story entitled, "Amended Obituaries."

How did it all really go down? He wrote in 1909, "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it." And so he did. Halley's comet can be seen in the Earth's skies once every 75-76 years. It was visible on November 1835, when Mark Twain was born and was also visible on April 1910, when he died.

Mark Twain has not been the only man to witness his own obituary. Alfred Nobel read in his obituary that he created the Nobel Prize in order to redeem himself. In it he was called “the merchant of death." On two separate occasions pre-written obituaries of entertainer Bob Hope were accidentally released on news web sites. Along with his wife, Ernest Hemmingway was declared dead after being involved in an African plane crash in 1954. They both were very much alive. Wikipedia has a list here.

My People Collection

Almost everyone collects something. Stamps and coins are old favorites. Movies. Boardgames. Shoes. Cars. If you can name it, I bet someone collects it.

I collect people. I also collect knowledge. Lucky for me, they are strongly correlated. The more (intelligent) people I collect, the more knowledge I recieve. Works for me.

Knowledge is a result of learning and understanding information.

For myself, learning happens in two ways. Information can either be self-taught or teacher-taught. Knowledge, expertise, and experience make the most excellent teachers. As much as I love to teach myself, I most often prefer to play the student. Learning from others is vital to my knowledge development. This is why people are very important to me. Hence my people collection.

While learning can come from others, understanding always comes from within.

People are excellent learning tools. The knowledge of others never ceases to amaze me. My mission is to surround myself everyday with intelligent people who can teach me intelligent things.

My own intelligence comes from two sources: nature and nurture. I'm both a product of my genes and of my environment. My DNA is only the foundation, though. Naturally, it is critical to have a strong foundation. BUT the foundation is useless unless it is built upon.

In my endless pursuit of knowledge, surrounding myself with intelligent people is imperitive.

My collection requirements? I require all my people to have the "I" attributes: Intelligent. Interesting. Inspirational. Is that too much to ask for?

On a side note. I refer to my people collection as my Knights of the Round Table. (This in no way implies grandiosity. I do not think I'm King Arthur).

What do you collect?

Lesson 7: Do Not Waste A Person's Time

Connecting and networking is valuable, but only when you have something of value to add to the relationship. People are busy. Time is sacred. Making a connection is more than just meeting a new person and shooting the breeze. The other person needs to know you have an agenda and will not be wasting their time.

Before connecting with someone new it is helpful to do research on the person. Where does he work? What position does she hold in the company? What is his educational background? Where is she from? Hobbies? Family?

The more information you can learn about a person, the more likely you are to find commonalities. People like people who are like themselves. It creates a sense of connectedness and trust.

The next time you meet someone new, be an over-achiever. Go above and beyond to learn everything about that person. Prepare questions and create a (mental) agenda of topics you wish to cover. This assures you will not waste the person's time as well as impress and flatter him or her.

This also goes for business meeting ettiquette. Respect the time of your colleagues. Show up prepared and organized!!! It helps everyone in the long run!!!

"Garden" State Legislature

Like many other New Yorkers, I enjoy a good Jersey joke.

New Jersey is no joke. At least not today.

Today, Governer Jon S. Corzine signed into law a measure abolishing New Jersey’s death penalty. The makes New Jersy the first state to legislatively abolish the death penalty since 1976, when the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment. The measure replaces executions with life in prison without parole. The last states to eliminate the death penalty were Iowa and West Virginia in 1965.

"This is a day of progress for us and for the millions of people across our nation and around the globe who reject the death penalty as a moral or practical response to the grievous, even heinous, crime of murder," Corzine said.

New Jersey has not executed anyone since 1963. There were eight people on death row when this bill was passed. Each death sentence was changed to life in prison without chance of parole. Jesse Timmendaquas, a repeat sex offender who murdered 7-year-old Megan Kanka in 1994, is one of the inmates whose life has been spared. His heinous crime resulted in the passage of Megan's Law, which authorizes local law enforcement agencies to notify the public about convicted sex offenders living, working or visiting their communities.

The families of the victims fought hard against the law.

The bill passed with alarming speed. December 10th the Senate passed the bill. On December 13th it went through the Assembly. And on December 17th the Gov. sealed the deal. (You can thank Governor Corzine here).

Human rights activists against the death penalty hail this as a victory. Many hope that this is the beginning of a national trend.

Time will tell.