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.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY MARKET YOUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES?
There's no finer teacher than Chef Seth Godin.
In his new book, Meatball Sundae, Seth serves up another easily-digested morsel that explains how you can succeed in today's over-marketed world.
I use Seth Godin's books as textbooks when I teach university-level courses in advertising, marketing, direct marketing, and permission marketing. The students eat them up, thoroughly enjoying Seth's whip-smart presentation and easy-to-understand advice. His principles often go against the grain of popular thinking in the ad world. But that's okay. What's out there isn't working all that well, anyway.
My advice? The first ingredient in your marketing mix should be any book by Seth Godin, but especially his latest. A steady diet of Seth Godin will surely help your organization stay lean, mean, and remarkably successful.
There's no finer teacher than Chef Seth Godin.
In his new book, Meatball Sundae, Seth serves up another easily-digested morsel that explains how you can succeed in today's over-marketed world.
I use Seth Godin's books as textbooks when I teach university-level courses in advertising, marketing, direct marketing, and permission marketing. The students eat them up, thoroughly enjoying Seth's whip-smart presentation and easy-to-understand advice. His principles often go against the grain of popular thinking in the ad world. But that's okay. What's out there isn't working all that well, anyway.
My advice? The first ingredient in your marketing mix should be any book by Seth Godin, but especially his latest. A steady diet of Seth Godin will surely help your organization stay lean, mean, and remarkably successful.
Friday, January 04, 2008
THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
The downsizing of ad agencies and the rise of marketing/PR concerns has created a glut of former adcats -- especially designers and copywriters -- seeking work. And the "rise" of marketing hasn't been all that great, either; it hasn't amounted to a surplus of jobs, particularly for recent graduates.
And I told my class as much. "There are more people in this class right now than there are marketing jobs available statewide," I announced on the first day. "And I haven't seen an advertising agency seek employees for years." That got their attention.
But I didn't leave my students without hope. I also told them this: The Internet has created a type of worker that requires no job, no office, no agency. "Start your own agencies," I told them. "Do your own thing. Each one of you is as qualified as anyone else to be your own boss."
It's true. I've discovered that copywriters, although not as revered as they once were, are still hard to find. Good ones, that is. Adequate copywriters are just as much a dime a dozen today as they always have been. Stand-out writers are still very much in demand.
For that matter, stand-out marketing strategists are, too.
What I find amazing is that people don't seem to be able to think clearly any more. So someone with a keen strategic mind, coupled with a gift for copywriting, can pretty much write his/her own ticket. Even in today's abysmal economy. Even when "good enough" is good enough to most clients.
"Good enough" has never been good enough for me. Maybe that's why I'm a sought-after copywriter, marketing strategist, university professor, and direct marketing guru.
Talent for writing is partly nature, and partly nurture. I have been blessed with both. I began my career with a love for writing, and a gift for seeing into the heart of the matter. Over the years, I learned from some of the world's best direct marketers, people who built enormous reputations and amassed fortunes because of their talents. I have created departments, lead teams, and achieved goals that many will never reach. I have worked with some of the world's biggest companies. I've had a rewarding career.
But I think what I enjoy most of all is looking into the future to see where my profession is going. Believe me, this is not the era in which to live if one does not embrace change. Because things have changed, and are changing. Rapidly.
Yet, "the more things change, the more they stay the same," as the old saying goes.
And what stays the same is this: There will always be a need for excellence in advertising, marketing, and PR. There will always be a need for bright-eyed, keen-thinking, passionate people to help keep clients in the black -- and the ad industry out of the dumpster.
So, recent grads. Go forth! Conquer the world! Be remarkable!
Above all, have fun. Life is way too short to be taken too seriously.
The downsizing of ad agencies and the rise of marketing/PR concerns has created a glut of former adcats -- especially designers and copywriters -- seeking work. And the "rise" of marketing hasn't been all that great, either; it hasn't amounted to a surplus of jobs, particularly for recent graduates.
And I told my class as much. "There are more people in this class right now than there are marketing jobs available statewide," I announced on the first day. "And I haven't seen an advertising agency seek employees for years." That got their attention.
But I didn't leave my students without hope. I also told them this: The Internet has created a type of worker that requires no job, no office, no agency. "Start your own agencies," I told them. "Do your own thing. Each one of you is as qualified as anyone else to be your own boss."
It's true. I've discovered that copywriters, although not as revered as they once were, are still hard to find. Good ones, that is. Adequate copywriters are just as much a dime a dozen today as they always have been. Stand-out writers are still very much in demand.
For that matter, stand-out marketing strategists are, too.
What I find amazing is that people don't seem to be able to think clearly any more. So someone with a keen strategic mind, coupled with a gift for copywriting, can pretty much write his/her own ticket. Even in today's abysmal economy. Even when "good enough" is good enough to most clients.
"Good enough" has never been good enough for me. Maybe that's why I'm a sought-after copywriter, marketing strategist, university professor, and direct marketing guru.
Talent for writing is partly nature, and partly nurture. I have been blessed with both. I began my career with a love for writing, and a gift for seeing into the heart of the matter. Over the years, I learned from some of the world's best direct marketers, people who built enormous reputations and amassed fortunes because of their talents. I have created departments, lead teams, and achieved goals that many will never reach. I have worked with some of the world's biggest companies. I've had a rewarding career.
But I think what I enjoy most of all is looking into the future to see where my profession is going. Believe me, this is not the era in which to live if one does not embrace change. Because things have changed, and are changing. Rapidly.
Yet, "the more things change, the more they stay the same," as the old saying goes.
And what stays the same is this: There will always be a need for excellence in advertising, marketing, and PR. There will always be a need for bright-eyed, keen-thinking, passionate people to help keep clients in the black -- and the ad industry out of the dumpster.
So, recent grads. Go forth! Conquer the world! Be remarkable!
Above all, have fun. Life is way too short to be taken too seriously.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
NIGHTMARE RECORDS NAMES PURPLECRAYON DIRECT
AGENCY OF RECORD, MARKETING
AGENCY OF RECORD, MARKETING
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (USA) -- Minneapolis-based Nightmare Records, one of the fastest-growing independent record labels in the U.S. for melodic, progressive, and power metal bands, today named PurpleCrayon Direct as its agency of record for all marketing communications. This marks the first collaboration between the two companies.
"I'm thrilled to work with Lance King," said PurpleCrayon Direct owner Bill Murphy. "Lance is one of the rare ones in the music industry today. He's not only a label owner, but he's also one of the world's best vocalists. So he knows both sides of the industry. His passion for progressive and power metal is unbelievable. And his stable of artists is truly remarkable."
As agency of record, PurpleCrayon Direct will assist Nightmare Records with all of its marketing communications, including advertising, public relations, strategic direction, and web sites.
Lance King, former vocalist for such bands as Balance of Power and Pyramaze, and current vocalist for Avian and Krucible, said the collaboration between his label and PurpleCrayon Direct came at the right time.
"My label has been growing dramatically," said King. "I've reached the point where I could use the help of someone like Bill Murphy. He's been in the marketing profession for over 15 years, and he's extremely passionate about my bands. He works with the Hungarian progressive metal band Everwood, the legendary British progressive rock band Galahad, and has been named the official interviewer for ProgPower USA in Atlanta three years running. So he knows the music industry as well as the marketing industry."
PurpleCrayon Direct began in 1999 as a general agency, but switched to working solely with artists three years ago.
To date, Murphy has provided marketing communications for Miami Vice actor Philip Michael Thomas, watercolorist Win Jones, Galahad, Everwood, and numerous bands around the world. In addition, he has interviewed some of the best-known musicians in progressive rock and metal, including Greg Lake (King Crimson/ELP), John Wetton (King Crimson/Uriah Heep/Asia), Ian McDonald (King Crimson/Foreigner), Bill Bruford (King Crimson/Yes/Genesis), Steve Howe (Yes/Asia), Steve Rothery (Marillion), Fish (Marilion), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), Stuart Nicholson (Galahad), Floor Jansen (After Forever), Chris Caffery (Savatage, TSO), Mattias "IA" Eklundh (Freak Kitchen), Jasun Tipton (Zero Hour), Jorn Lande, Zak Stevens (Savatage, Circle II Circle), Olaf Thorsen (Vision Divine), Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Nils K. Rue (Pagan's Mind) and many more.
Nightmare Records was formed in 1990 with the release of Lance's self-titled debut album from Gemini, and is presently home to the some of the best progressive and power metals bands from all points of the globe, including Suspyre, Prototype, Beyond Twilight, Cloudscape, Pyramaze, Katagory V, and Evil Masquerade. He signs 9-10 bands per year and keeps a massive back-catalog of CDs on hand for purchase directly from Nightmare Records’ online store.
"Lance King is a tireless worker on behalf of his bands. He's absolutely dedicated to helping them succeed," said Murphy. "It's a pleasure to work with someone so devoted to his music. I predict great things in store for us."
Given the passion and dedication of these two business owners, how could anyone expect less?
# # #
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bill Murphy, Advertising and Marketing Consultant,
PurpleCrayon Direct
bill@purplecrayondirect.com
Nightmare Records is found on the web at: www.Nightmare-Records.com,
www.myspace.com/nightmarerecords1 (label page), and www.myspace.com/nightmarerecordsmusic (indie distro page).
Also, visit the OFFICIAL NIGHTMARE RECORDS FORUM on ULTIMATE METAL FORUMS
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/nightmare-records-436/
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
THE PERFECT MARRIAGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY
I just watched a video on the Yahoo home page about a start-up company named Kiva in San Francisco's Mission District that helps people all over the world who are in financial need by connecting them with people in other parts of the world who have money (as little as $25) to lend. From the accompanying article:
I just watched a video on the Yahoo home page about a start-up company named Kiva in San Francisco's Mission District that helps people all over the world who are in financial need by connecting them with people in other parts of the world who have money (as little as $25) to lend. From the accompanying article:
Kiva, which means "unity" in Swahili, is a lending organization with a twist: Anyone with a bit of money and an Internet connection can step forward as a microlender to assist struggling third-world entrepreneurs get out of poverty
After logging in, you can scroll through profiles of entrepreneurs, descriptions of their businesses, and the loan amounts they're requesting. Once you've decided who you want to lend to, you choose how much to lend, starting at as little as $25. (Individual lenders can fund an entire loan, but most of Kiva's loans are funded by multiple lenders.)
Funds are distributed to entrepreneurs through local non-profit microfinance partners in specific countries.
The Kiva web site is very cool, easy to use, and fun.
One of the criticisms leveled most often at the Internet is that it has a tendency to foster really ugly self centeredness; that it, in effect, becomes a tool that brings out the narcissist in people, allowing them to blog themselves silly (with words, pictures, or videos), often posting truly pointless, navel-gazing drivel. Sure, it can be used for that. But business ventures such as Kiva prove that the Internet can also be used to touch the lives of people in a truly life-changing way. Kiva is the ultimate marriage of the mind and the heart, of technology and humanity.
Best of all, the idea is so good that people will want to help promote it. Watch and see. The people at Kiva cleverly provide banners for people to cut and paste onto their web sites, as well as e-mail signatures for the same purpose. It's the most savvy -- and meaningful -- marketing I've seen in a long time.
I think conventional businesses could learn a lot from Kiva. For example: If you create a cool product, or if you offer a clever, needed service, people will be so excited that they'll market your products and services for you. Build crap and people will turn away. Build quality and, chances are, they'll beat the proverbial path to your door.
As for me and my house, I choose to build quality.
And, hey, I think I hear someone knocking at my door.
See?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS...
...open a chain of lemonade stores and sell franchises.
Living in Michigan is a mixed blessing. We are surrounded by some of the best beaches in the U.S. We experience (some would say endure) four different seasons. And there's plenty of wildlife to see just outside one's window. It's quite beautiful, really. Yet, our state currently boasts the highest unemployment in the U.S. Our airport in Grand Rapids was recently rated the worst in the nation for delays, overcrowded flights, and dissatisfied customers. And I just heard that Forbes magazine recently rated Michigan near the bottom for places in the U.S. in which to start a business.
So what can one do?
Anything one wants to do!
One of my favorite bumper stickers (next to Visualize Whirled Peas) is this one:
The Meaning of Life is to Live It
I like that. It's simple, direct, and profound. The Meaning of Life is to Live It.
I spent nearly 20 years in the professions of advertising, marketing, and PR. When I got in the business in the late '80s, it was a heady time. Copywriters were revered. The World Wide Web didn't exist. And ad agencies were still considered the keepers of All Things Creative.
Times have changed.
Today, as I'll tell my university students this fall, advertising is dead. Marketing guru Seth Godin (one of the most brilliant marketing strategists and industry commentators I've ever had the pleasure to read), predicted its demise back in 1999 with his book Permission Marketing. He, quite rightly, wrote that the public suffers a glut of advertising messages -- in fact, he puts the number around 3,000 messages per day -- and can no longer pay attention to them. In short, the public has tuned out advertising.
Can you blame them? One can't go into a bathroom, walk through a grocery store, drive down the road, turn on the radio or TV, or even open one's mail without being encouraged to buy something. Godin calls such advertising, "Interruption marketing" because it attempts to interrupt one's thoughts and gain one's attention. It doesn't work.
Therefore, in an attempt to break through the clutter, advertisers increased the number of messages, finding ever more "clever" ways to get an ad in front of someone's face. What happened is the public tuned out even more. It's a vicious circle.
Clients, frantic to find the silver bullet that would get the public to buy their products and services, jettisoned ad agencies in search of other agencies. Finally, tiring of having to pay exorbitant sums to agencies with no tangible ROI, clients turned to freelance writers, designers, and PR pros. Agencies responded by thinning their ranks. Or closing their doors.
Years ago, I realized this was a zero sum game. Or, to borrow the words of WOPR, the military computer in the classic 1983 movie WarGames, "The only winning move is not to play." I stopped playing.
Or, more precisely, I learned how to play as I used to. As a kid. I made the decision to -- as corny as it sounds -- pursue my passion: the Arts. Music, theatre, movies, painting, writing, photography, and literature. All of it. Just dive in and let it wash over me.
So, a few years ago, I created PurpleCrayon Direct, which is the perfect way to combine my nearly two decades of experience in advertising, marketing, and PR with my passion for the Arts.
And you know what? I've never been happier. Now I work with people I greatly admire, doing things I truly enjoy doing. Good-by Fortune 500. Hello, starving artist. PurpleCrayon has been a lot of fun.
Ultimately, that's exactly what PurpleCrayon Direct is all about -- allowing me to live my life to the fullest by helping others discover the joy in living theirs.
The Meaning of Life is to Live It.
It doesn't get any simpler than that.
Would I ever return to the advertising world? Maybe. Depends on the opportunity. If I greatly admire the work produced by an agency, I may consider returning to being an adcat. Certain cities are interesting to me, too. Chicago, for example. I think that may be my favorite U.S. city, along with St. Louis, Boston, New York, Denver/Boulder, and Milwaukee. If an opportunity arises from one of those places, I may take a hard look. Until then, nah. I'll stay where I am.
Living life.
...open a chain of lemonade stores and sell franchises.
Living in Michigan is a mixed blessing. We are surrounded by some of the best beaches in the U.S. We experience (some would say endure) four different seasons. And there's plenty of wildlife to see just outside one's window. It's quite beautiful, really. Yet, our state currently boasts the highest unemployment in the U.S. Our airport in Grand Rapids was recently rated the worst in the nation for delays, overcrowded flights, and dissatisfied customers. And I just heard that Forbes magazine recently rated Michigan near the bottom for places in the U.S. in which to start a business.
So what can one do?
Anything one wants to do!
One of my favorite bumper stickers (next to Visualize Whirled Peas) is this one:
The Meaning of Life is to Live It
I like that. It's simple, direct, and profound. The Meaning of Life is to Live It.
I spent nearly 20 years in the professions of advertising, marketing, and PR. When I got in the business in the late '80s, it was a heady time. Copywriters were revered. The World Wide Web didn't exist. And ad agencies were still considered the keepers of All Things Creative.
Times have changed.
Today, as I'll tell my university students this fall, advertising is dead. Marketing guru Seth Godin (one of the most brilliant marketing strategists and industry commentators I've ever had the pleasure to read), predicted its demise back in 1999 with his book Permission Marketing. He, quite rightly, wrote that the public suffers a glut of advertising messages -- in fact, he puts the number around 3,000 messages per day -- and can no longer pay attention to them. In short, the public has tuned out advertising.
Can you blame them? One can't go into a bathroom, walk through a grocery store, drive down the road, turn on the radio or TV, or even open one's mail without being encouraged to buy something. Godin calls such advertising, "Interruption marketing" because it attempts to interrupt one's thoughts and gain one's attention. It doesn't work.
Therefore, in an attempt to break through the clutter, advertisers increased the number of messages, finding ever more "clever" ways to get an ad in front of someone's face. What happened is the public tuned out even more. It's a vicious circle.
Clients, frantic to find the silver bullet that would get the public to buy their products and services, jettisoned ad agencies in search of other agencies. Finally, tiring of having to pay exorbitant sums to agencies with no tangible ROI, clients turned to freelance writers, designers, and PR pros. Agencies responded by thinning their ranks. Or closing their doors.
Years ago, I realized this was a zero sum game. Or, to borrow the words of WOPR, the military computer in the classic 1983 movie WarGames, "The only winning move is not to play." I stopped playing.
Or, more precisely, I learned how to play as I used to. As a kid. I made the decision to -- as corny as it sounds -- pursue my passion: the Arts. Music, theatre, movies, painting, writing, photography, and literature. All of it. Just dive in and let it wash over me.
So, a few years ago, I created PurpleCrayon Direct, which is the perfect way to combine my nearly two decades of experience in advertising, marketing, and PR with my passion for the Arts.
And you know what? I've never been happier. Now I work with people I greatly admire, doing things I truly enjoy doing. Good-by Fortune 500. Hello, starving artist. PurpleCrayon has been a lot of fun.
Ultimately, that's exactly what PurpleCrayon Direct is all about -- allowing me to live my life to the fullest by helping others discover the joy in living theirs.
The Meaning of Life is to Live It.
It doesn't get any simpler than that.
Would I ever return to the advertising world? Maybe. Depends on the opportunity. If I greatly admire the work produced by an agency, I may consider returning to being an adcat. Certain cities are interesting to me, too. Chicago, for example. I think that may be my favorite U.S. city, along with St. Louis, Boston, New York, Denver/Boulder, and Milwaukee. If an opportunity arises from one of those places, I may take a hard look. Until then, nah. I'll stay where I am.
Living life.
Monday, July 16, 2007
ANNOUNCING A VERY SPECIAL PROJECT: PHILIP MICHAEL THOMAS' AUTOBIOGRAPHY!
During the course of my work with Mr. Thomas regarding his official web site, I realized that the information I was collecting could be used for the Miami Vice co-star's official life story as well. So I posed the possibility to him. After thinking it over, he agreed. Enthusiastically.
So he and I are are now working on two projects together: His official web site, and his autobiography.
I'm thrilled to be part of this extraordinary man's life. I'm honored I was chosen to help him write his life story in book form. And I'm awed by the spiritual and emotional insights working with him has brought to me. He's a remarkably talented man, and I can't wait to give the world a peek into his highly creative mind.
Or, as PMT would say, "'I'm having Fun with a capital F!"
I'll post updates from time to time. Watch this web site, as well as the entertaining Miami-Vice fan site, for news.
During the course of my work with Mr. Thomas regarding his official web site, I realized that the information I was collecting could be used for the Miami Vice co-star's official life story as well. So I posed the possibility to him. After thinking it over, he agreed. Enthusiastically.
So he and I are are now working on two projects together: His official web site, and his autobiography.
I'm thrilled to be part of this extraordinary man's life. I'm honored I was chosen to help him write his life story in book form. And I'm awed by the spiritual and emotional insights working with him has brought to me. He's a remarkably talented man, and I can't wait to give the world a peek into his highly creative mind.
Or, as PMT would say, "'I'm having Fun with a capital F!"
I'll post updates from time to time. Watch this web site, as well as the entertaining Miami-Vice fan site, for news.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
UPDATES
I am still hard at work with actor/musician/producer Philip Michael Thomas to create his official web site. His production of the enchanting musical Sacha on Broadway opened last month in Florida. By all accounts it was an unforgettable, magical, uplifting experience.
Currently, Mr. Thomas and I are contacting people that I need to interview from his 40+ years in the entertainment business. We're also working to assemble an exclusive collection of photos, interviews, and other memorabilia that will the talk of the town.
My goal with Mr. Thomas' web site is to create something that mirrors his personality. He's a very energetic, uplifting guy. He loves people and is enthusiastic about life. Therefore, my strategy is to create a site that's simple, elegant, interactive, loaded with exclusive content, and brimming over with enthusiasm. So the web site's design is secondary to its content.
Depending on how quickly content can come together, I hope to have the site launched by early Fall.
In other news...
Everwood, the highly-regarded Hungarian progressive metal band, has hired me to be their North American Marketing & Promotions Manager. Part of my job will be to help them land a new record contract, seek greater distribution, suggest edits for their web site and MySpace page, edit their marketing communications, and make inroads for them in the U.S.
Koncz "Balu" Balázs, Everwood's lead singer, is a very nice guy. And the band is one of the most talented I've encountered in a while. They have a bright future ahead of them. I'm honored to be part of it.
In other news...
I am writing two screenplays -- one is a romantic comedy with a supernatural twist, and the other is an adaptation of my favorite childhood books -- affectionately known as the "Trick Books" -- written by the late Scott Corbett. I'm taking the title of my movie from the first book in the series: The Lemonade Trick. I hope to have that script completed by this Fall.
In other news...
I am in the process of transcribing and editing my interviews for the Atlanta music festival ProgPower USA. Last year, for ProgPower USA VII, I interviewed all the bands appearing at the world-famous music fest and posted the interviews on Notes From The Other Side. This year, for PPUSA VIII, I will post my interviews on Dark Rhapsody. I created both sites just for my ProgPower interviews.
This has been an extremely busy time for me and PurpleCrayon Direct!
I am still hard at work with actor/musician/producer Philip Michael Thomas to create his official web site. His production of the enchanting musical Sacha on Broadway opened last month in Florida. By all accounts it was an unforgettable, magical, uplifting experience.
Currently, Mr. Thomas and I are contacting people that I need to interview from his 40+ years in the entertainment business. We're also working to assemble an exclusive collection of photos, interviews, and other memorabilia that will the talk of the town.
My goal with Mr. Thomas' web site is to create something that mirrors his personality. He's a very energetic, uplifting guy. He loves people and is enthusiastic about life. Therefore, my strategy is to create a site that's simple, elegant, interactive, loaded with exclusive content, and brimming over with enthusiasm. So the web site's design is secondary to its content.
Depending on how quickly content can come together, I hope to have the site launched by early Fall.
In other news...
Everwood, the highly-regarded Hungarian progressive metal band, has hired me to be their North American Marketing & Promotions Manager. Part of my job will be to help them land a new record contract, seek greater distribution, suggest edits for their web site and MySpace page, edit their marketing communications, and make inroads for them in the U.S.
Koncz "Balu" Balázs, Everwood's lead singer, is a very nice guy. And the band is one of the most talented I've encountered in a while. They have a bright future ahead of them. I'm honored to be part of it.
In other news...
I am writing two screenplays -- one is a romantic comedy with a supernatural twist, and the other is an adaptation of my favorite childhood books -- affectionately known as the "Trick Books" -- written by the late Scott Corbett. I'm taking the title of my movie from the first book in the series: The Lemonade Trick. I hope to have that script completed by this Fall.
In other news...
I am in the process of transcribing and editing my interviews for the Atlanta music festival ProgPower USA. Last year, for ProgPower USA VII, I interviewed all the bands appearing at the world-famous music fest and posted the interviews on Notes From The Other Side. This year, for PPUSA VIII, I will post my interviews on Dark Rhapsody. I created both sites just for my ProgPower interviews.
This has been an extremely busy time for me and PurpleCrayon Direct!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
PURPLECRAYON DIRECT GRANTED PERMISSION TO CREATE MIAMI VICE CO-STAR'S OFFICIAL WEB SITE
I doubt there's a person alive who doesn't remember the groundbreaking TV show Miami Vice.
For five seasons, Sonny Crockett (Golden Globe winner Don Johnson) and Rico Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) ruled the airwaves with cars, clothes, music, and attitudes cooler than cool.
I was -- and still am -- a big fan of the show.
So I am pleased to announce that I have just been granted permission to create the official Philip Michael Thomas web site!
I kid you not. Mr. Thomas' manager called me last night. She told me he is thrilled with my request to create his official web site. She also told he'll be calling me soon to chat about it. There may even be an in-person meeting in the offing.
I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Few shows have ever been as cool as Miami Vice. And few actors were ever more suave than Philip Michael Thomas. He and Don Johnson ate up the screen during their tenure as Miami's hippest vice cops. I've been a fan of Mr. Thomas' for over 20 years.
I don't really know what else to say other than, "Wow." This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm assuming it'll take a couple of months to get his site up and running. But I'll be sure to let everyone know when it's done.
Philip Michael Thomas. Rico Tubbs himself. Man. Somebody pinch me.
I doubt there's a person alive who doesn't remember the groundbreaking TV show Miami Vice.
For five seasons, Sonny Crockett (Golden Globe winner Don Johnson) and Rico Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) ruled the airwaves with cars, clothes, music, and attitudes cooler than cool.
I was -- and still am -- a big fan of the show.
So I am pleased to announce that I have just been granted permission to create the official Philip Michael Thomas web site!
I kid you not. Mr. Thomas' manager called me last night. She told me he is thrilled with my request to create his official web site. She also told he'll be calling me soon to chat about it. There may even be an in-person meeting in the offing.
I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Few shows have ever been as cool as Miami Vice. And few actors were ever more suave than Philip Michael Thomas. He and Don Johnson ate up the screen during their tenure as Miami's hippest vice cops. I've been a fan of Mr. Thomas' for over 20 years.
I don't really know what else to say other than, "Wow." This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I'm assuming it'll take a couple of months to get his site up and running. But I'll be sure to let everyone know when it's done.
Philip Michael Thomas. Rico Tubbs himself. Man. Somebody pinch me.
Friday, February 02, 2007
RETURN TO PROGPOWER USA
It's official!
I've just been granted permission to again be the official behind-the-scenes reporter for ProgPower USA in Atlanta, October 4-6.
Last year, it took me six months to create a web site, interview all of the bands appearing at PPUSA VII, transcribe the interviews, and post them. But it was a joy.
For ProgPower USA VIII, I'm creating a new web site for this year's band interviews and photos (on-stage and backstage). Once the first interview is posted, I'll post the link to it. Right now, it's just a shell that I'm slowly adding to.
I love ProgPower USA. The line-up of bands is always outstanding. This year is no exception:
Sonata Arctica (Finland)
After Forever (Holland)
Pagan's Mind (Norway)
Redemption (U.S.)
Virgin Steele (U.S.)
Raintime (Italy)
Primal Fear (Germany)
Threshold (United Kingdom)
Firewind Greece)
Communic (Norway)
Vanden Plas (Germany)
Freak Kitchen (Sweden)
What that list represents is literally the finest bands in the genre from around the world.
If you're into music of that kind, there's truly no finer music festival in the U.S., perhaps in the world. Glenn Harveston, the festival's organizer, does a first-class job all the way. The venue is great. The bands are remarkable. And the people you meet along the way are some of the coolest around.
Tickets go on sale in a month or so. Keep your eye on the ProgPower USA web site as well as Ticketmaster.
It's official!
I've just been granted permission to again be the official behind-the-scenes reporter for ProgPower USA in Atlanta, October 4-6.
Last year, it took me six months to create a web site, interview all of the bands appearing at PPUSA VII, transcribe the interviews, and post them. But it was a joy.
For ProgPower USA VIII, I'm creating a new web site for this year's band interviews and photos (on-stage and backstage). Once the first interview is posted, I'll post the link to it. Right now, it's just a shell that I'm slowly adding to.
I love ProgPower USA. The line-up of bands is always outstanding. This year is no exception:
Sonata Arctica (Finland)
After Forever (Holland)
Pagan's Mind (Norway)
Redemption (U.S.)
Virgin Steele (U.S.)
Raintime (Italy)
Primal Fear (Germany)
Threshold (United Kingdom)
Firewind Greece)
Communic (Norway)
Vanden Plas (Germany)
Freak Kitchen (Sweden)
What that list represents is literally the finest bands in the genre from around the world.
If you're into music of that kind, there's truly no finer music festival in the U.S., perhaps in the world. Glenn Harveston, the festival's organizer, does a first-class job all the way. The venue is great. The bands are remarkable. And the people you meet along the way are some of the coolest around.
Tickets go on sale in a month or so. Keep your eye on the ProgPower USA web site as well as Ticketmaster.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
PURPLECRAYON WEB SITE TO FEATURE PODCASTS
Watch for a major update soon to the PurpleCrayon web site! I'm excited to announce that I'll be adding podcasts that feature advertising/marketing news, book reviews, interviews, etc.
Also, watch for new blog posts this week, including the Top 10 questions to ask and answer before going into business...or before contacting PurpleCrayonDirect.com.
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayonDirect.
Watch for a major update soon to the PurpleCrayon web site! I'm excited to announce that I'll be adding podcasts that feature advertising/marketing news, book reviews, interviews, etc.
Also, watch for new blog posts this week, including the Top 10 questions to ask and answer before going into business...or before contacting PurpleCrayonDirect.com.
Keep Purple!
Back to PurpleCrayonDirect.
Archives
06/01/2003 - 07/01/2003 07/01/2003 - 08/01/2003 08/01/2003 - 09/01/2003 09/01/2003 - 10/01/2003 10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003 11/01/2003 - 12/01/2003 12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004 02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004 06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004 07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004 08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004 09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004 10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004 12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005 02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005 06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005 10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005 11/01/2005 - 12/01/2005 12/01/2005 - 01/01/2006 01/01/2006 - 02/01/2006 02/01/2006 - 03/01/2006 03/01/2006 - 04/01/2006 04/01/2006 - 05/01/2006 05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006 08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006 10/01/2006 - 11/01/2006 02/01/2007 - 03/01/2007 03/01/2007 - 04/01/2007 07/01/2007 - 08/01/2007 08/01/2007 - 09/01/2007 10/01/2007 - 11/01/2007 01/01/2008 - 02/01/2008
