Bill's PurpleCrayon Blog
Bill's PurpleCrayon Blog features riffs galore about advertising, marketing, the Arts and just about anything else that happens to be on my mind at the moment.
Thursday, November 27, 2003
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Elisabeth and I ran around this morning getting things ready to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my side of the family. My brother Joe's wife, Marci, makes an incredible Puerto Rican Thanksgiving feast that you have to see -- and taste! -- to believe. Tomorrow, we travel to Saginaw to visit with Elisabeth's relatives (the ones who aren't in Alaska, that is).
While we dashed off last-minute e-mails and bumped into each other coming and going, I caught a segment on The Today Show that stopped me in my tracks.
It was about two kids, Dan and his sister Betsy, who started a company called Turkeys 4 America . Here's what they wrote on their Web site:
"We started this project in November of 1996 when I was 9 and Betsy was 6. I watched a story on the news one night that the Greater Boston Food Bank was short about 5000 turkeys for the upcoming holiday. I felt it was wrong that many families were going to be without a turkey for Thanksgiving.
"These people, most of them children, have to go to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to get their food. Betsy and I wanted to help them. We knew that if we put our minds to it, we could make a difference in their lives. This is why we started our company. "
What a cool idea!
And get this: Dan and Betsy were able to purchase over 100,000 pounds of turkey for needy families this year.
Check out their Web site. If you have young children, see if they'd like to get involved for next year's Thanksgiving meal. If you don't have young children, why not consider donating money to help Dan and Betsy feed needy families?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Christmas may have more "magic" to it (not to mention plenty of emotion), but I like what Thanksgiving stands for: being thankful.
I am thankful for so many things this year -- not least of which is my beautiful wife Elisabeth who never ceases to put a smile on my face (despite my penchant for metaphorically becoming a Slinky from time to time by allowing my mood to cascade down the stairs), my talented co-laborers, my family members (including my brother Glenn who's spending Thanksgiving alone in St. Louis this year...and Elisabeth's family up in Alaska), our cat Bradbury (who's quirky with a capital "Q"), new friends, old friends, and all of the wonderfully fascinating Artists with whom I've had the pleasure to work over the past six months or so.
Remember the moving scene from the Jimmy Stewart classic It's a Wonderful Life? in which Harry Bailey says, "A toast to my big brother George, the richest man in town"? It never fails to choke me up. Partly because I sometimes forget just how rich I am being surrounded by so many very cool friends and family. And partly because I sometimes forget that my I always derive the most joy in life helping others reach their dreams and goals -- rather than worrying about reaching my own.
The crazy post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy begins tomorrow. But let's not lose sight of what we already have, and who we are -- each of us immeasurably more valuable than any gift we could ever afford to give.
Let's also remember that two young kids were able to feed thousands of people just because they made up their minds to do so.
What could you do this season to make a difference?
Keep purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
Elisabeth and I ran around this morning getting things ready to spend Thanksgiving dinner with my side of the family. My brother Joe's wife, Marci, makes an incredible Puerto Rican Thanksgiving feast that you have to see -- and taste! -- to believe. Tomorrow, we travel to Saginaw to visit with Elisabeth's relatives (the ones who aren't in Alaska, that is).
While we dashed off last-minute e-mails and bumped into each other coming and going, I caught a segment on The Today Show that stopped me in my tracks.
It was about two kids, Dan and his sister Betsy, who started a company called Turkeys 4 America . Here's what they wrote on their Web site:
"We started this project in November of 1996 when I was 9 and Betsy was 6. I watched a story on the news one night that the Greater Boston Food Bank was short about 5000 turkeys for the upcoming holiday. I felt it was wrong that many families were going to be without a turkey for Thanksgiving.
"These people, most of them children, have to go to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to get their food. Betsy and I wanted to help them. We knew that if we put our minds to it, we could make a difference in their lives. This is why we started our company. "
What a cool idea!
And get this: Dan and Betsy were able to purchase over 100,000 pounds of turkey for needy families this year.
Check out their Web site. If you have young children, see if they'd like to get involved for next year's Thanksgiving meal. If you don't have young children, why not consider donating money to help Dan and Betsy feed needy families?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Christmas may have more "magic" to it (not to mention plenty of emotion), but I like what Thanksgiving stands for: being thankful.
I am thankful for so many things this year -- not least of which is my beautiful wife Elisabeth who never ceases to put a smile on my face (despite my penchant for metaphorically becoming a Slinky from time to time by allowing my mood to cascade down the stairs), my talented co-laborers, my family members (including my brother Glenn who's spending Thanksgiving alone in St. Louis this year...and Elisabeth's family up in Alaska), our cat Bradbury (who's quirky with a capital "Q"), new friends, old friends, and all of the wonderfully fascinating Artists with whom I've had the pleasure to work over the past six months or so.
Remember the moving scene from the Jimmy Stewart classic It's a Wonderful Life? in which Harry Bailey says, "A toast to my big brother George, the richest man in town"? It never fails to choke me up. Partly because I sometimes forget just how rich I am being surrounded by so many very cool friends and family. And partly because I sometimes forget that my I always derive the most joy in life helping others reach their dreams and goals -- rather than worrying about reaching my own.
The crazy post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy begins tomorrow. But let's not lose sight of what we already have, and who we are -- each of us immeasurably more valuable than any gift we could ever afford to give.
Let's also remember that two young kids were able to feed thousands of people just because they made up their minds to do so.
What could you do this season to make a difference?
Keep purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
Monday, November 24, 2003
25 DAYS AND COUNTING...
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve and Other Stories show will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in just 25 days!
I've said it many times, but it bears repeating: Please don't miss this magical experience. TSO is touring throughout the U.S., so check their Web site to see where they'll be in your state.
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve and Other Stories show will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in just 25 days!
I've said it many times, but it bears repeating: Please don't miss this magical experience. TSO is touring throughout the U.S., so check their Web site to see where they'll be in your state.
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
COOL! BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME?
We hear this a lot. Artists check out our lavender-hued home on the Web and tell us, “Really cool site. Easy to move around in. Who designed it? And what do your Services mean? I’m a(n) ______________. What can you do for me?”
Great questions. In this installment of Bill’s Blog, I’d like to answer them.
Our Services include...
Strategic Planning
Direct Marketing
Branding
Public Relations
e-Solutions
Advertising
Basically, our list of Services tells you that we know our craft inside and out. So we can help you promote yourself better than just about anyone around.
It all starts with Strategic Planning, which means we'll spend time talking to you about your Art, your goals, your competition, and your budget. From there, we'll suggest one of many possible tactics to help you reach your goals.
Possible tactics may include
Ads
Radio spots
Brochures
Business cards
Logo design
Direct mail
E-mail marketing
Web site building
Writing articles for (or calling) key publications
CD booklet design
Photography (for Web sites, brochures, press kits, posters and flyers, and booth graphics for Art fairs)
In other words, we do what you need (but probably can't do yourself) to help get your Art in front of the people who need to see it.
Who do we work with? Anyone who makes his or her living (or would like to) as an Artist. That means you could be...
An actor
A painter
A sculptor
An author
A musician
A dancer
A singer
A poet
A screenwriter
A playwrite
Or just about anything else that falls under the category of Artist.
Feel free to Contact us. We'll be happy to discuss your unique situation and suggest ways we may be able to help.
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
We hear this a lot. Artists check out our lavender-hued home on the Web and tell us, “Really cool site. Easy to move around in. Who designed it? And what do your Services mean? I’m a(n) ______________. What can you do for me?”
Great questions. In this installment of Bill’s Blog, I’d like to answer them.
Our Services include...
Strategic Planning
Direct Marketing
Branding
Public Relations
e-Solutions
Advertising
Basically, our list of Services tells you that we know our craft inside and out. So we can help you promote yourself better than just about anyone around.
It all starts with Strategic Planning, which means we'll spend time talking to you about your Art, your goals, your competition, and your budget. From there, we'll suggest one of many possible tactics to help you reach your goals.
Possible tactics may include
Ads
Radio spots
Brochures
Business cards
Logo design
Direct mail
E-mail marketing
Web site building
Writing articles for (or calling) key publications
CD booklet design
Photography (for Web sites, brochures, press kits, posters and flyers, and booth graphics for Art fairs)
In other words, we do what you need (but probably can't do yourself) to help get your Art in front of the people who need to see it.
Who do we work with? Anyone who makes his or her living (or would like to) as an Artist. That means you could be...
An actor
A painter
A sculptor
An author
A musician
A dancer
A singer
A poet
A screenwriter
A playwrite
Or just about anything else that falls under the category of Artist.
Feel free to Contact us. We'll be happy to discuss your unique situation and suggest ways we may be able to help.
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
THE MAGIC OF STORYTELLING
I really enjoy these serendipitous meetings with fascinating people...
Last night, I crossed paths with a vivacious young woman named Ariel. During the course of our delightful chat, she told me she's a storyteller. And a maker of upscale wool clothing. And a volunteer in a local hospital's Pediatric Oncology Department. And a student at Grand Valley State University.
The more Ariel talked, the more I knew I was in the presence of someone magical. She just exuded it. I could picture her holding a group of children enthralled with her tales.
Which is precisely what she does, and has been doing for two and a half years.
Ariel tells stories.
Folk stories, to be exact.
She has a tiny stage with silk curtains and little gnome puppets that she uses to weave her spells. While she talked, I could tell she enjoyed telling stories as much as her audience enjoyed hearing them.
Ariel describes herself as a "peaceful and gentle" person who's "just awesome with kids...and I have references to prove it!"
I can believe it.
She has more passion and enthusiasm than most people I've met. She knows who she is and what she'd like to do with her life. And she has the most disarming, put-one-at-ease personality I've ever encountered. There's no telling what Ariel is going to accomplish in life.
I heartily recommend that you give Ariel a call at 616.887.5128 to book her children's storytelling services. I suspect her schedule will fill up quickly, so please don't wait too long.
While you're at it, why not ask her about her planned line of wool clothing. It's in the works and should be available soon.
Just think. Someday we'll be able to say, "Gee, we knew Ariel when..."
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
I really enjoy these serendipitous meetings with fascinating people...
Last night, I crossed paths with a vivacious young woman named Ariel. During the course of our delightful chat, she told me she's a storyteller. And a maker of upscale wool clothing. And a volunteer in a local hospital's Pediatric Oncology Department. And a student at Grand Valley State University.
The more Ariel talked, the more I knew I was in the presence of someone magical. She just exuded it. I could picture her holding a group of children enthralled with her tales.
Which is precisely what she does, and has been doing for two and a half years.
Ariel tells stories.
Folk stories, to be exact.
She has a tiny stage with silk curtains and little gnome puppets that she uses to weave her spells. While she talked, I could tell she enjoyed telling stories as much as her audience enjoyed hearing them.
Ariel describes herself as a "peaceful and gentle" person who's "just awesome with kids...and I have references to prove it!"
I can believe it.
She has more passion and enthusiasm than most people I've met. She knows who she is and what she'd like to do with her life. And she has the most disarming, put-one-at-ease personality I've ever encountered. There's no telling what Ariel is going to accomplish in life.
I heartily recommend that you give Ariel a call at 616.887.5128 to book her children's storytelling services. I suspect her schedule will fill up quickly, so please don't wait too long.
While you're at it, why not ask her about her planned line of wool clothing. It's in the works and should be available soon.
Just think. Someday we'll be able to say, "Gee, we knew Ariel when..."
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayon Direct.
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