The Other Side of the Booth

"He's late we are going to miss our nap"

"We are so ghetto, they will never know..."

" Do you like American girls?"

" Do you like young girls like us?"

"Are you upset now?"

"Does she wax?"

"I already have a child I don't need to have kids"

"Maybe? Maybe he's different?"

"OMG?"

Wth? Okay the last one was my comment. I was at lunch with a client discussing upcoming projects that I may have the opportunity to bid/work on. We had finished our chips and salsa and we were working on our entrees when I asked what my next blog should be about. We both looked up at the same time and smiled while listening to the comments already mentioned above. That was followed by the title of this blog. I think it's fun and entertaining and yes a little voyeuristic. I know we have all listened to conversations going on close to us. Don't even say that you haven't.

Some of the conversations have been very funny, some sad and some just plain crazy. Today was one of those crazy ones. Well at least to me 'cause I'm not a early twenty something year old girl. They may have been cute but "OMG", like where are their heads at?" was all I could think.

Everything was about "me", not me but the person who was talking. And "like", "like this" and "like that" was almost every other word out of her head. And some of the questions discussed at lunch in a full restaurant "Does she wax?" . This question was asked by a girl to a guy to find out what he liked about her. And those of you who know me know that I am not very conservative but wow... again really?

So what do I say next? My head is still shaking back and forth wondering if it was all true.

After giggling for for a little bit with my friend we got back to work stuff. I was still curious to see what these people looked like. I saw them as they were leaving and I could only think "omg" and "like really". They could have came off the set of "clueless" or straight from the valley. Enough said.

So the next time you are talking with your closest friends, clients, or people you just met remember... Someone could be listening or even writing about what you said. And I know that I will be writing again under the same title and I am already looking forward to it.

What's In It For Me???

Have you ever noticed when looking at an ad in the newspaper or magazine that the companies logo is so huge? Or have you noticed that the logo is at the top of the ad and the first thing you see when reading or glancing at it? Is this right? I don't think so. I was always taught that the benefit to the consumer was to be first.

Sure, I guess if you just want to sell advertising you can get a cute photo of your clients new grandchild put with their logo on top of it and it's sold? Will it get a response? I know people that have done this... it's not right. But they will get phone calls from friends and family saying that they saw the ad. But did it sell any product? I don't think so. Don't get me wrong if the client is selling baby diapers or strollers it might be a good fit.

I try my best to create ads that show the benefit to the consumer first. "Live On The Beach", "Buy Yours and Mom's Dinner is FREE" or "Free Sunsets Daily" are a few ideas benefitting consumers. The reader unless they made it doesn't really care about the logo. I'm not saying the logo doesn't need to be on the ad 'cause it does. You need the name recognition for your brand but your logo being the second or third most prominent item is fine. I would say consumer benefit is first or second behind eye catching graphic or photograph then your logo.

Also you need to have at least basic contact information - address and phone number or all of it address, phone number, web site, email address, tracking #'s. And of course a call to action in the body copy is a good thing too. You can tease your reader with a great offer but if you don't tell them how to get it they might not even try to get it.

Remember that some of the best creative is simple and easy to read. So keep it simple and put your customer first then your business will benefit.

between

Just between you and me I was not sure what I wanted to write about this time.

Of course there is still lots of stuff going on but not a lot that makes me want to write about it. For example I have family members who just up and moved out of state and others thinking about going too, that business is a bit off (but everyone knows this) and also lots of friends are having tough issues that they are dealing with who want and need to talk. I can relate...

Most would say I'm a pretty laid-back guy and I would agree. I have tried getting mad before but nothing good seems to come out of it. Sure you can raise your blood pressure, throw stuff, and even get your adrenaline going by getting angry but all this usually doesn't help with fixing the issue. I usually do one of two things when I get angry, upset, or discouraged.

One being I take a deep breathe, sit down and start to figure a plan to fix the problem. I ask myself "how did this happen?" and move on to the solution and hopefully learn from my mistakes.

Two is not the better solution but one I have used many times. I will walk away so I can cool off and deal with it later. I hate conflict and would rather not be around it. Some say dealing with it straight up is better, I don't really know. You can help me here.

Staying motivated in the world today can be a hard thing. We all need to look for assistance wherever we can find it. You have to have faith and a connection with someone who will not only listen but be there for you when and if you need them. I have used my connection between conferences to talk and get to know some of the Ad3 people. They have helped me during rough times by being a ear for me to vent to when I was feeling down. And I have tried my best to give advice on issues affecting them.

Call, text or email me if you want to know more about me or just want to talk.

Jim-n-i

Jim-n-I

"What is that? What's that all about? Why do you do it?" are a few questions I get when people see my Jim-n-I photos.

And when I asked total strangers if they have had their Jim-n-I picture yet their response is usually "what is It?" or "I'm not a Gemini" or "no". When they answer "what is it?" I say "look here", referring to my camera and take the picture. When they answer "no" I say "good, that's great, look here". And lastly when they answer " no, I'm a something other than Gemini" I say "good I'm a Taurus. Look here". Any way they answer the answer is right and I have the opportunity to take the picture. Sometimes their friends even do the introduction for me saying "you have to do it. It's fun" and the ice is broken even easier.

What is it? That's simple it's just a picture of me and you that I take by stretching my arm with the camera facing us.

What's it all about? It's about a couple of things. First, it's an icebreaker, my way of meeting total strangers. Second, it's fun and since I am a shy guy (I know what you are thinking but it's true) it makes me smile and get over my shyness. Three, it's a simple self promotion, me branding me. Not for the money but for the fun and friends I make along the way.

Why do I do it? Well it started when I was asked to be historian for the 4th District of the American Advertising Federation. I was tasked to take photos of conference attendees and then put a little fun video/slide wrap-up presentation together to show at end of conference. And like I said I am a shy guy and meeting strangers was a little stressful. Don't get me wrong when you get to know me you can't shut me up but whatever. So I had to think of a way to introduce myself and leave an impression so all the people I met would be comfortable with me taking pictures of them. This was what I came up with... ask a question, take a picture, and have fun doing it. So Jim-n-I came to be and I have taken over 1000 pictures of me with people like you.

If you know me you most likely have had a Jim-n-I pictures taken. If you haven't... what the heck? Let's get one now! Smile!

Realationships > Real + Relationships

How do you start writing about relationships that are real? I believe you have experience things before you can talk about them and have someone believe it or at least listen. It has to be part of your reality or learned through someone else's experiences.

We all have been involved in relationships with loved ones, family, co-workers, friends and even people we interact with during the course of the our day. In these relationships the more real or true we are the more we will get out of them.

I guess it all depends on what we want from these relationships and sometimes what we are willing to do to get what we want. Treat people like you want to be treated. Try not to judge because we don't know who people really are by just outer appearances or current jobs... get to know people.

I know it sounds a little bit weird but we all have needs. Some of us (me) just need a hug from time to time, others want someone to hang out with when they are alone, someone to talk to, and others are looking for something that is missing in their lives. I know people who are very successful in their careers but their personal lives are out of sync right now. I also know some who are in love so much that they are not focusing on work... blinded by it. We all need balance. I'm still working on this too.

I tend to talk to random people when out in public (and by random meaning I hadn't met them before) and I like to listen to what they are into at this time in their lives. Some people talk about how the kids are growing up so quickly, others are looking for a place to met girls/guys to party with, and even others talk about the rough times they are having in their relationships including love, sex and the way they roll. How or why do we talk to total strangers about things that are so personal? I've done it before online chatting to people I have never met in real life. I guess we figure that we will never met them and we are looking for someone to listen and might even get some good advice. But do remember that those online people are real people and they can become real life friends, so keep it real don't blow things out of proportion or lie.

When it comes to giving advice to people I usually think about what's in it for both people involved. I may have been told what one side of the relationship needed but then I think about what the other person may have wanted. Sometimes the problem sticks out there like a sore thumb but since we are involved in relationship so deeply (emotionally, physically, whatever) we tend to be blinded by it. Love is a crazy mofo (motivator) that will make us do things we thought we would have never even considered in the past. I know I have done some crazy stuff... well we don't need to go there again. And I am NOT a doctor or have a degree in psychology so my advice is only a Jim-ology (thanks Jessi). My take on it from my point of view.

All of us from time to time need someone to listen to us vent and maybe even give us advice on how to handle a relationship issue. Be there for your friends and even if the people who are not your friends ask to talk... listen. Karma is another thing that maintains that every act done, no matter how insignificant, will eventually return to the doer with equal impact.

Be good to people, all people, listen, love, have your heart broken... do it again 'cause no one's perfect, and we all have needs.

work. play. passion.

the beginning...

Ad 3 has been alive and kicking since 1992.

What is it? We are a group of individuals who like to have a good time in everything we do. AND with that said we also take care of each other and business. Taking care of each other... most of the time is easy... taking care of business gets hard sometimes after a late night of good times.

One of our requirements is to attend conference meetings after a late night. Most of us are in the advertising/marketing fields, some of us are clients, some of us don't know what we are doing but have a great time doing it. Over the past couple of years others across the U.S. have joined in our quest.

Meeting at conferences AD3 groups have been formed in California, Wisconson, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee. Membership is gained by refferal only... one of our representatives meets you at a conference, invites you to participate in our activities, then if you can hang AND make to the meetings in the morning... you may be in.