From the Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl and FedEx Orange Bowl to the upcoming Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, there is no question that brands have integrated into our National pastime. Better said, brands have really interrupted our National pastime. When you add on the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl and the ever popular Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl, you may as well play in the “Jump the Shark” Bowl.

The way you separate products is with great branding, but the way you separate brands is with great design. If you have any doubt, simply open your Mac, shop in your local Target or stretch at your neighborhood Equinox. Great design, not just products or brands, have justified premium prices and consumers who are proud to pay it.

Some see design as changing the playing field like never before. I see design on the playing field like never before.

Over the last decade, NFL football uniforms have experienced a shift back to old-school style. ”Throw backs” were embraced by teams and fans alike. No longer used just for just special occasions, professional teams like the Jets, Giants, Chargers and others have gone back to their original uniforms to stir up a real purist pride. Teams like the Raiders, Colts, Steelers and Packers never were even tempted to stray from their original brand heritage .

In the battle of gridiron branding, though, colleges are now taking the pros to school. The Oregon Ducks (with the help of a small, caring company called Nike) has proven that one style need not fit all. In fact, every single game is another opportunity to mix things up. The Sun Devils and Fighting Irish are now following suit. They mix colors, combinations, styles and even logos. In Maryland, the Terrapins even mix sides of their body.

Is this brand Hari Kari or pure design genius? I’d say genius. Not just because it looks cool, but more because they understand brand design can drive the overall good of the business:

It earns media. Rather than talking just x’s and o’s, they have given people something more to talk about.
It expands interest.The games are not only covered in the sports pages, but now also on fashion and lifestyle channels.
It connects sponsors. Nike set pace and Under Armour is picking up steam. What can be next? 49ers by Apple? Redskins by Lagerfeld?
It inspires internal pride. The players have the swagger of runway models hand selected by the most esteemed companies in the world.
It drives revenue. 12 different uniforms fill the licensing coffers and retail shelf space around the world.

With all this design power, one has to wonder why Penn State uniforms are still ugly.

I always wanted to change the world. Many years ago, I got the chance to tour with over 100 other like minded (Up With) People to do just that. Since then, I’ve tried to stay on the right side of the law, do more than my fair share and always live life with good intent. All the while appreciating others who do the same.

I recently ran into a group called Common Ground Friends. It was started by a young girl who seems to want people of the world to coexist more peacefully. She thinks that if religion has the power to divide us, than faith can possess an even greater power to unite us. This is the way she introduces the organization:

Unfortunately, people of different faiths don’t always see things eye to eye. This is senseless, as religions are not based on knowledge or certainty, but simply the hope for either.

Common Ground Friends is an idea born out of the belief that one person does not have to be wrong for another to be right…and that inner faith and outward respect can coexist when people find similarities beneath differences.

It is a group of teenagers who understand that having faith, regardless of its origin, is a step in the right direction. Our goal is to express ideas that unite us, feelings we find common and experiences that will make us friends.

I see this group as a step toward a world changed, with the hope that it inspires people to gain a deeper understand and respect for each other. Seeing this reminds me that creating a better humankind may be as simple as being human and being kind.

I wish I had the vision and courage to start this group when I was a teenager. Though, I am more proud that my daughter did.

Dear Mom,  I did not want this Mother’s Day to pass without saying I love you.  I could say it every day, and still wish I said it more.  
I hope your Mother’s Day is all you wish – and all you deserve it to be.   You’ve done an incredible job and every one you touched are still so touched by you.

When I look in the mirror and see the best of me, I always know it is because of you.  You taught me to see the world through a lens of humor and humility and that there was not anything in the world that could not be balanced with laughter.   You taught me that “like” and “love” could be forever connected, yet “fear” and “respect” never had to be.    The Father I will always try to be is the Mother you always were.   

I miss you.  Not in the I don’t see you enough way, but rather in the I won’t see you any more way.  It makes me sad at times, but I find myself laughing about the life much more than crying about the loss.   The people that don’t understand that are simply those who never were blessed to know you.   I hope you, too, are smiling watching as life has continued – different – but onward.  Dad is the best Dad he has ever been after having to re-learn the things you always did for him.   Your kids all love each other and have re-found the adhesive that you always provided.  I am at a loss for words about our children and simply wish you are watching and smiling somewhere – you would be so touched and proud.   I promise that your light, spirit and soul will always be a part of them.

No matter how old I am, I will always cry good tears from our song:
Whatever I do, you taught me to do. Whatever I know, I learned from you. Whatever I am, you taught me to be. 
I am your child.

I love you so.

I don’t want to discuss Bin Laden. Enough people are on it and I am torn by my sense of confusion on why we cheer a mission to kill. It is not that I wish we did not do it, I just wish that we did not have to; and “eye for an eye” never seems to stop at two eyes. I can take pot shots at Trump, further discredit Sheen, debate why countries that overthrow leaders make me both scared and thrilled, but again, there are plenty of people on it. The truth is, I just want to think about whatever comes into my head and not care if it is social media worthy. So, here is some unthinking thoughts from a coffeehouse on Newbury street – perhaps boring to you, but refreshing to me:

I don’t know how all the stuff works. New technology is supposed to make life easier and smarter, but it has just dumbed me down to where I don’t even know my daughters actual phone number. I don’t have time or constitution to read manuals. The undercurrent of fear that it will all stop working one day without my ability to fix it, makes me feel just plain stupid. #ironic.

That GPS lady makes me crazy. This isn’t a “guys don’t like asking for directions” thing. I just don’t need that many reminders. More, the moment she is turned on is the moment people are unable to just figure stuff out. I believe that “finding your way home” is an important lesson to learn. #literally

Jesus Saves. This is true to some and not to others. Rock on, whatever floats your ark. Just don’t you dare call someone else wrong when you don’t have proof you’re right. Sometimes I think I am the one that is supposed to help stand up for people who are being pressured around organized religion lines. #faithrules

Speaking of saving. Why do computer programs ask me to confirm I saved things that I am sure I did not change every time I exit out? This is unnecessary questioning. And speaking of unnecessary technology, I don’t know why I feel the need to “clear history” so much. I have nothing to hide, but obsessed about being tidy. #ocd

I am tired. It doesn’t seem to change anything or slow me down, but I cannot even remember a time that I wasn’t at least kind of tired. #naps

Making love and peace. To me, being a Dad is the most important way to make the world a better place. In fact, I have become an even better husband because of how much I love what Barbara loves. Life’s happiness is less about making love and more about what is made from love, but don’t tell that to Barbara just yet. #ruse

I have a funny bone. I love making people laugh, but nobody more than Barbara. When I can get her to buckle over it is worth a point in my head. When I get her to actually pee, it is worth a lot more points. Buckle + pee is a jackpot. I have a self directed mission to build up points. #joy.

Now that my coffee is gone, I may be up for a cocktail, as I just heard about the Osamatini – two shots and splash of water.

In just under a month, the new generation royals will exchange vows and the soon to be King will walk with his common bred beauty into a carriage; and they will ride into the sunset. This is not just once upon a time, it is once upon our time.

To little girls, it is the ideal romantic vision. The world misses Diana and what she brought to the table. Her wedding to Charles was the most watched event in the pre-Idol era of television. It gave girl next doors the hope to be a princess. It was magical, but I believe we live in less magical times. We have more to worry about and we are less fooled that British Royalty actually means something. I even thought that Shrek and Fiona lived in the palace now. I am all for the wedding – and will watch it – but not up for a 30 day media countdown.

To British PR folks, it is a career. Despite whether I want to count down or not, the PR folks have been quite brilliant. Every few days, a little more comes out. Will he wear the ring? Who is designing the dress? Will he have a bachelor party? Does Harry feel slighted? Are Kate’s friends embracing the change to their friend? Was there a fight in the catering kitchen that is worthy of another Food Network reality show? Is she getting married because she is showing a Royal bump? Whatever the case, the Doctor’s of English spin are doling out just enough – little by little – to hook the masses into the event. With more media outlets and forms than ever, they are slicing the story into the sauciest details.

To me, it is a media fiasco that is headed for bangers and mash (yes, I realize that is not the right usage, but you have to admit that it fits!) I will probably tune in, but I am already tired of it. We chose to avoid Monarchy for a reason – it is interesting and full of pomp, but not our reality. Perhaps more critical, the absolute focus – so far out – is a great disrespect to the real Global news stories in Libya, The Ivory Coast and the ongoing threats in Japan. Yet, more money, time and budgets will go across the pond than it deserves. The sad reality is that they only do it because it sells and this is the only “global news” that comes with advertising dollars built in. The wedding issues will be the Superbowl of the magazine and newspaper world – at a time when they really need the cash and a life support to survive.

What on earth is next? Prince William exclaiming “I’m taking Kate to Disney World on the new direct service from Virgin America offering gratis iPad 2’s with internet service sponsored by Google.”

At that point, we will be royally screwed.

They say the greatest gift of all is to live with the perspective to appreciate blessings while you are still blessed. Barbara and I embrace this daily gift and never take it for granted. Regardless of what we may do, what we may earn or what we may have, our greatest asset is – and will always be – our party of five. That is, the moments we are together with our three daughters around a table – be it eating, talking, laughing or just living. It is our little nest in the world. Just like at a restaurant when the waiter asks you about dessert for the third time, we realize that our time at the table is limited. Here is a bit of “daughter math”:

We have 28 months before Emily and Carly go off to college and our core table is forever changed. That is a total of 840 days.

Let us immediately remove summer camp to reveal we are already down to 720. A few school related field trips get us to 690, a couple friend related road trips will get us to 680 and an occasional visit to the kids from camp get us to 660. Some East coast pre-college tours and our base to work with reaches 650.

This was the easy math. The balance gets more complicated.

Parents are simply not allowed on dates. With fair projection, that reduces us to 600 and further to 550 if you add in the sleeping late the next day and 500 if you add the roll over lunches with friends. There will easily be 50 sleepovers to bring us to 450. Even assuming good health, there are certain sick days that keep people apart. I subtract more to get us to 400.

Being realistic with school and work pressures, weekdays are 70% less valuable than weekends. That reduces the net value of days to 180. Lets face it, “lady cycle” days are out for Dads so I am reduced out of an additional 48 and we are down to 132.

We can limit prom dress shopping time if we commit to on-line purchasing, but that is more than offset by college essay writing days. Add in some “boys are stupid/heartbreak” days for Carly (and a few more for Emily) and I would say we are safely down to less than 100. Remove a very fair reality of them not wanting to spend every waking moment left with their parents and I think we may only have two Saturday night dinners and one more bagel lunch left as our party of five

Regardless of what time is left under our roof, our wish is to simply make their lives as wonderful as they have made ours. To help them gain compassion, to feel love, to embrace tolerance, to believe in themselves, to work for the change they wish to see and to always know that they are, in the end, our very best attempt at changing the world for the better.

(Don’t go.)

Perhaps the only thing that lasted longer than Colin Firth’s award winning movie was CP+B’s hold on the Burger King account. In my humble opinion, I think both went on a touch too long.

Clearly, the award judges did not agree, but I would suggest that a slightly shorter movie would have sold more tickets and a shorter run with the King would have sold more burgers, to more people, for more money. Think about it, Burger King has the very best tasting burger, yet trails the leader and many upstarts in most every way that you can count. They have slid into an essential tie with Wendy’s for a distant third when McDonald’s has never been stronger and the burger has never had a bigger hey day in our society – from gourmet to sliders.

The ad industry is in a flurry. Some are trying to use this as a platform to stand up for the art of what we do (read: kissing Crispin’s butt.) Some are jumping on the band wagon to kick them as they show a rare wound (read: shame on you Groupon CEO.) The rest are just scrambling to put together their retail/QSR credentials for a quick send off to Miami (read: no consultant review.)

Adweek just reported on the top 15 campaigns Crispin did for Burger King in the last 7 years. Chickens, Virgins, Freak-outs et al. It was really some memorable work. More amazing though was how many more did not make the list – from the original office series to the strange little Mexican dude to the Coq Rock band to the odd salad fashion sacks. When you add these to the numerous product introductions, one can easily count closer to 35 campaigns in that same period – and that is conservative. All clever, perhaps, but nothing consistent. When you compare that to the intense focus of a McDonald’s and Papa John’s – big growth in same time – one has to wonder if the last 7 years was the clearest case of “Art > Commerce” that the industry has ever seen.

To the many that will claim I don’t appreciate great work, I would argue that great work has to work great – or it isn’t that great after all. Let’s look beyond the surface of the BK work for a moment:

• People speak of the commercials and viral campaigns, but no longer speak of the food.
• The burger is the broadest appeal platform, yet the so called “social anthropologists” simply created limitations.
• The goal appeared to be more about making us talk instead of making us hungry.
• BK is more slave to their value menu than ever before and far more than McDonald’s who invented the concept.
• The King was creepy from the beginning. Cool teens could not buy enough video games to offset the loss of young kids and families.

I love art, but art must serve commerce or it ends up simply framed on the wall of a building that can’t pay its rent. Let this be a wake up call for all of us. To Burger King, focus on addressing the real drivers of what makes a QSR successful. To the industry, never lose sight of not just what we really do for a living, but why we do it. To CP+B, remember that the Crispin brand should never outshine the brands of their clients — and to allow the K-k-k-king to #RIP.

Every single day, there are blessings that appear before our eyes. My greatest wish for people is that they simply have the perspective to realize they are blessed while they still are – and that no measure of this precious life is taken for granted.

At the same time though, tragedies happen across the world at the very same pace. We watch in small windows of amazement as we see buildings fall, hurricanes pound, terrorists strike, Dictators act and even tsunamis crash. Because of the speed of communication and the clarity of HD, we have never been closer to what pains the world. Why then are we no closer to what heals it?

I would propose that in a world that measures data in zettabytes (yes, bigger than terabytes) and debt in quintillions (yes, more than trillions), the belief that a single voice can be heard above the noise has never been lower. Think about it, we sing out for Africa and there is still famine. We all share the philosophy of Livestrong, yet so many are still weakened by cancer. We text aid to Haiti and there appears no aid in sight. We’ve been giving to Jerry’s kids since I was a kid, yet the power chair business for people with MD is one of the growth areas of the healthcare business.

Perhaps it was my time with Up With People that taught me that everyone has a song for the world. It can certainly be a helping hand to those in need, but it can also just be talent, a concern or an expression of love that moves people. To face each other. To understanding each other. To take even a small step towards each other. Person to person, song to song, one to one.

One to one, we change the world by giving to another,
A helping hand along the way
A simple act of love is what changes are made of
So, one to one we change the world

Audio

Singing this song alone may not change the world, but why stop singing if it just might? Most likely, if you sing loud enough, others will hear it and be interested in singing along with you. That’s when all the little notes add up to a big difference – and blessed harmony can drown out any tragic melody that happens to be playing.

As I type this, my 10-year-old daughter is coincidently singing an old John Lennon song on karaoke in the other room. Regardless of the volume or what Simon would say if he heard it, I chose to believe that she is sharing her song for the world and I’m going to sing along. Join us and the world just might live as one…

What is your song for the world?

I just had Lasik surgery done on both eyes. Good news? Perhaps, but the better news is I got the first one for 25% off and the second one for close to 65% off. More, Dr. Burnyak allowed me to finance it with no money down and no interest. My vision is still a tad fuzzy, but it was such a good deal, I could not resist.

Far fetched? Not really if you consume any media at all. In response to the economic pressures, retailers in almost every sector are dropping their pants and taking discounting to a new level. If you buy one tire at full price, you can get three free. If you buy one burger, you can get the second for a penny. If you need a suit, you can get two, with two ties, two shirts and two pocket squares for less than $200. Stroll the mall and it is like a clash of the % signs. 40% off, 60% off and even 70% off! How can that be? How can something really be 70% off? One of only four things happen:

1. The retailer is in a spiral of death and doesn’t realize it
2. They overly inflate original prices enough to make shoppers sick, which will lead to #1 above
3. They are training consumers to never pay real prices again, which will again lead to #1 above
4. They are pouring onto the anti-trust movement in society, which will soon enough lead to #1 above

How can so many retailers be so blinded by their own paranoia that they fail to see the better model right under their nose? If you look at the most successful retail brands, not one of them drop their pants. Instead, they build undeniable and unwavering value in their brands, in their store experiences and in their trust. Think about it:

There are too many computers to chose from, yet Apple demands a premium without apology and people stand in line to get into the store to talk to a Genius.

Wal-Mart doesn’t have to create fake discounts because we already trust they always have low prices.

Try asking for two burgers for the price of one at Five Guys. All five guys will laugh at you.

Mercedes will charge you $360 for a “Service A” oil change that you feel good about when sipping a latte from their Benz Bistro.

If you want a pizza delivered, you will not get “Papa in the House” unless you value better ingredients and more than saving a buck on some new, “still cardboard-like” substance.

You need to access your credit line to buy the shirt off the naked dude’s back at Abercrombie just because we believe we will get interest from the opposite sex (or with whomever you’re into.)

No matter how much things change, they always stay the same in retail. Value has never been about price alone no matter how many fools try and prove it wrong. Consumers will always spend what is necessary when they find worth – be it physical, intellectual or emotional. There is nothing for consumers to do except buy with your eyes wide open. If retailers give you true value for less, that is not your problem. As brand marketers, our responsibility is much greater. We have to guide them to better business practices and, as much as we advise them to respect the consumer, it is as valuable to make sure they respect themselves.

As much as I could go on, I need to get to the Urologist by close of business, as he just email blasted me an opportunity I could not refuse.

Previous Super Bowl Winners:

Apple “1984”

This was the shot heard around the world. It was the breaking point when commercials hit prime time and became as important as the game itself. It was bold and powerful statement. While others in the ad business will speak of Ridley Scott, the great cinematography, the iconic representation of the Orwell book and such, I respect it for two reasons. The basic reason is that it translated into over a billion dollars of sales volume. More, it opened up a new segment of the industry, gave birth to the creative class and paved a way for Apple to be the most successful brand and retailer of our time – selling more sales per square foot than any retailer ever thought possible. What you may not know is that consumers hated the spot in pre-testing. After trying to sell off the space before the game, Apple trusted their instincts and history was made. Lesson? Trust your gut.

Google “Paris”

Last years’ spot was a perfect, emotionally crafted story about how relevant Google is in our daily lives. It was the spot that made people realize Google is not just a noun, but can also be used as a verb. I applaud them for not just talking about the features and benefits of the company, but rather depicted how important it is as consumers/shoppers in our society. Lesson? Become vital. Position yourself not just as something nice to have, but rather a need to have and the value will always take care of itself.

Previous Super Bowl losers:

Denny’s “Free Breakfast”

Some say the spot was funny. Maybe it was, but who cares? Most say that it drove an unprecedented amount of people into Denny’s. Maybe so, but who cares if the company could not operationalize the brand? What happened was that the actual restaurants were not able to handle the traffic and ran out of product. The good deed went punished, as the very same people who they motivated to go to Denny’s are the same people (because of a negative experience) that will never come back. So, it turned into a huge investment with little chance of return visitation. Lesson? ROI must be your friend, as Denny’s has already learned- they pulled out this year.

Lions, Tigers, Frogs, Lizards, Hamsters, oh my!

Most every single take on cute animals have historically served little purpose beyond driving awareness. I have news for you; you can pick up the business section of the paper and see companies with high awareness going out of business. The reality is that – because of that awareness – everybody knows, but nobody really cares. Lesson? Cash never lies.

All this attention calls for greater responsibility. The downside of the bright lights and big stage is that many abuse the moment with irresponsible acts. The ad business often likes to forget that we are in business to help clients sell things. The more they sell, the more they make and in turn, the more agencies get to grow. Reckless spending is one of the main reasons so many don’t stay around too long and the trust rating of our industry remains so low. Yet, on any blank sheet of paper, your ad could be the ad other ads smell like. Make the most of it.

Enjoy the show.