It was 1977. I remember walking into the Casbah (a quaint little head shop that just so happened to sell albums) down in the Old Market and picking up the brand-new album from Steely Dan. "Hmmm, interesting," I thought, "a black album cover with a funky red and white stripe and a simple type treatment. That's pretty cool."  Then I saw it ... that subtle hint of a nose up in the left corner ... and it all came together. "GENIUS," I cried inside my head as I quickly pointed it out to my buddies. It's been my favorite album cover ever since ... the album is no slouch either!

Over the years, I have interviewed dozens of college graduates looking for a job in advertising. Maybe I'm too picky, but it seems like the pool of ideal candidates has all but dried up. Recently I interviewed a person who didn't even bring a resume or portfolio. They just wanted a job in advertising. So I started thinking - what do I want out of a prospective new hire at SKAR? I want someone who didn't get straight A's in college. I want someone who has struggled and worked three jobs to get through school. I want someone who makes me laugh out loud. I want someone who has some kind of musical background. I want someone who has a passion for advertising and would sell his/her soul to get a crack at working at my agency. Not just any agency - SKAR. And they better be able to tell me why. They also better be able to name at least three of our current clients. And for God's sake, they better not tell me they don't care where they work in the agency. I want someone who will turn down $50, 000 to be in account service so they could take a minimum wage job as a copywriter. I want someone who has joined the local ad club. I want someone who is hungry to do great work and try new things. I want someone who will go to the monster truck show or opera with equal enthusiasm. I want someone who can come up with ideas so bizarre, they border on psychotic. I want someone who has several hobbies. I want someone who can quote David Ogilvy and Leo Burnett. I want someone who will come in to work on the weekend without telling me they came in to work on the weekend. I want someone who plays well with others at the agency. I want someone who has a portfolio filled with stuff they created on their own - outside of school. That's what I want. Is that too much to ask?

Advertising balances between the fresh hipness of youth and the wizened perspective of age. Those who can manage to sit at the fulcrum the most comfortably are the shizzle.

A barrier is defined as a structure or object that impedes free movement any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective: "intolerance is a barrier to understanding" anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access In short, barriers keep things out ... or in, depending on your point of view. We put up fences in our minds to protect us from embarrassment, pain or trouble. Both physically and mentally, barriers are all around us. While some are meant to protect, others simply keep us from accomplishing the greatness we deserve to achieve. Many of our barriers are put in place to protect us from failure, but success and excellence grow from the ashes of failure. We all to some degree have an innate fear of doing things wrong or not getting it right. But what often we truly fail at is realizing that for every one good idea you need to have a hundred, or maybe a thousand, bad ideas. The secret to success lies in our ability to break down barriers and let ideas flourish. We need to give ourselves the time and freedom to play with ideas, in order to break through the mediocre and allowing the great ideas to surface. This can only happen when we take the time to identify our barriers and break them down. I challenge you to grab a digital camera and take 12 pictures of barriers. They can be physical barriers, things that divide or surround or they can represent mental barriers of some sort. Print them out, then examine them in your life. Do they protect or inhibit? The ultimate question!

I have been watching the new series on Bravo TV called "Work of Art -- The Next Great Artist," and I am really amazed but often disappointed in some of the artists' work. I admit the show comes up with some very difficult challenges for the artists, but that's what makes it so compelling. I also try to imagine how I would handle the projects if I were in their shoes. It is interesting to watch the artists concept each project and come up with the end result. The show is down to the final three contestants, and of course most of the artists I thought were deserving of the title Next Great Artist have been eliminated. Not sure where the show got these judges, but I usually disagree with all of them. The front-runner is the artist Miles, whom the judges seem to really favor. He could puke on a plate and they would think it is absolute "genius"!   What bothers me most about him is that the artists are given a certain subject matter for the week, and oftentimes Miles disregards the theme and does what he wants. To make matters worse, the judges don't seem to care. I admit the guy can be creative, but most of his art I would never consider viewing in an art gallery, much less buying one of his pieces of crap ... errr ... art. There is only one artist left in the competition who I feel deserves the title of "The Next Great Artist." Abdi is by far my personal favorite. Most of his art is very creative, inspiring and visually interesting (see image below). To find out more about this series and to view some of the artists work, visit http://www.bravotv.com/work-of-art

Football season is my favorite time of the year. And one of the best parts about football season is playing fantasy football. Now I don't get too caught up in player rankings and draft strategies. I would rather spend my time doing something productive. Like coming up with the best team name in my fantasy league. So here's some quick tips to make sure your team name doesn't suck - even if your team does. DO be original. Anyone can Google search "Funny Fantasy Football Names." Respect is something that is earned (so I'm told). People respect originality. DON'T be lame. Ted's All-Stars or Omaha Huskers is neither original nor awesome. Even if you're "not creative", you can always steal a lyric from your favorite song by the Eagles. DO embrace pop culture. Movies, VH1 celebreality shows, music. It's all fair game. And thanks to Twitter and TMZ, we know everything about players and celebrities so you should have no trouble finding inspiration. DON'T try too hard. Everyone thinks they're a comedian. Some people are. Most people aren't. If you have to explain your team name, it probably sucks. DO be corny. Puns are not only acceptable, they're encouraged. Is your favorite player Chiefs rookie Eric Berry? How 'bout The Eric Dingleberrys? DON'T be offensive. This is actually a DO in my league. Just make sure you know your audience. If you're playing with your buddies, nothing should be off limits. Your father-in-law? Might wanna steer clear from sexual innuendo. Think you got a good one? Leave me your ideas in the comments and maybe (just maybe) I will rename my team to the best one.

This was my entry into this year's SKAR-o-ween costume contest. It took me three weeks to make by hand. It cost over $100 in materials. I had to go to five different fabric and craft stores. I sustained burns from a hot glue gun on both hands. The headpiece felt like a neck brace. The judging took all of 37 seconds. And I won JACK SQUAT! I show it to you now because I can't bear to pack it away until more than 43 FRICKING PEOPLE SEE IT! Am I upset at losing? You know what they say, "If you can't beat 'em, SEND THEM TO THE MUD PITS TO MAKE BRICKS FOR YOUR TEMPLE!"

Wondering what to do with those millions you just won from the lottery?   Could I interest you in your own Caribbean island? Yep. For a mere $25,000,000 you could own a 225-acre paradise near the Fiji islands. White sand beaches, 9-hole executive golf course, runway, private villas. Think of the parties you could throw.   Think of all the new friends you would make. Think how jealous your neighbors would be.  What's my point, you ask? I think it's good to dream once in a while. It's good for the soul. It stretches the imagination and enhances creativity. If you'd like to visit my future island, go to: http://www.privateislandsonline.com/katafanga-island-fiji.htm

I just heard it on the radio. SAAB: Move your mind. Really? After being marginalized by GM and disappearing from the auto world, Saab re-emerges with this lame positioning statement? I know ooh-gobs of research, collective expertise, money and mishaps went into coming up w/this but my mind is only moved to wonder just what IS a SAAB these days: the innovative turbocharged vehicle of yore or some pale comparison? Hopefully now that ownership is back in its general region of origin w/Dutch co. Spyker Cars (yes, I had to look that up), SAAB can again become a well-made ride. Maybe then I'll be moved.

In March of 2003, my sophomore year of high school, I was taking a class in mass communication. One of our big assignments was to create a radio show complete with scripted programming, music, the whole enchilada. The best part, though, was getting my friends together to help create these stupid, horribly edited commercials that are probably only funny to me. Wayne Stock 2003 Herbal Essences for Men Dell We got an A on the project (obviously). And I credit that assignment for helping plant the seed in my brain that advertising was the career path I wanted to pursue.

I have chosen a site to be dubbed the world's coolest.   As you can imagine, it wasn't an easy decision.   There are thousands of sites that have cool videos or photos or whatever. But there is one site that showcases everything cool - from  design and architecture to gadgets and food. It's called, appropriately, The Cool Hunter. The cool Ads section features unique, unusual and creative ideas from around the world. It's worth a bookmark and a weekly visit. http://www.thecoolhunter.net/ads

Somewhere very near the bottom of the creative spectrum dwells the HACK. The way I see it, the Hack may not write the most egregious, cringe-inducing stuff. Garbage is at least memorable for its stench. Worse than that, the Hack writes the drivel that you just plain tune out bc it's so unoriginal. Don't kid yourself, we've all fallen back on the quick-n-easy, tried-n-true ad concept,  perhaps bc the job was a RUSH or we just didn't realize how lame we were being at the time.  God forbid the banal piece of advertising come back and smack you in the face like a 2 wk. old herring. "Who wrote this drivel???" Ummmmm, you did. That's my professional fear, people -- right here in black and white. And that's why I often throw out my first idea or two. After all, nothing seems worse than being bland and/or overlooked to a girl who used to do cartwheels across the living room floor for company. No, not recently...but I'm considering it.

- Is it just me, or is that Geico guy really annoying? - Is the Internet dead??? - The Omaha Nighthawks' new logo is actually pretty cool. - New iMac -- $1,600 Husker Football Tickets -- $150 New Blog Post -- $0 New Ad Campaign for MasterCard -- Priceless!!

Fifteen years later, it's only a $1.01 more I think the Big Italy pizza at Pizza Hut is just a remake of the far-superior named and marketed Big Foot pizza that was the centerpiece of my ninth birthday. My handwriting is soooo terrible it's almost embarrassing to call myself a writer of some kind. I blame growing up with computers. What did people do before cell phones? Like, you actually had to call people to make plans? And you shared the line with more than one person? That's CRAZY. Did you know there is a difference between there, they're and their? Yeah. Apparently, no one on Facebook does either. Oh. My hair reminds you of Justin Bieber? **** ***. I can't figure out what Geico is going for in their commercials. Do they want me to think the CEO is a moron or that a talking gecko with an English accent is the brains behind the operation? I saw that Procter & Gamble is opening dry cleaning franchises using the Tide name. I know I'm immature but was I the only person who immediately wondered if Trojan will follow suit and open pregnancy clinics?

We see so many interesting or not so interesting posts on the Web these days. Half the time what I really enjoy reading are not even the posts themselves but the comments. The conversations that pop up are anything from hilarious to ridiculous and even down right rude. It's easier for people to be 100 percent candid on the Web. I find it fun to look up the controversial posts and just read people being people. For all you psychology majors out there, there is a plethora of interesting behavior right in the Web's comment section. I decided to share one of my favorite comments here. A comment made on the YouTube video of my favorite old spice commercial. (These commercials rock by the way!) What I find most interesting is when a comment is good other people start posting it, too! Here is the same comment posted by two different users.

Ends up on Facebook?? I'm heading out to Las Vegas this weekend and I am going with some friends who can't go anywhere without their smart phones. So you can find me on someone's Facebook page either drunk, passed out or in my Speedo by the pool with a cocktail in one hand and a bookie sheet in the other. Somehow Vegas just isn't the same.

One of my favorite websites is dontevenreply.com. I always get a kick out of messing with people. Especially on craigslist. A couple months ago, a friend of mine sent me a craigslist listing he thought was hilarious. The link doesn't work any longer but from what I remember it was a woman who needed a car for less than $400 but was willing to make a deal for a free tattoo in exchange for the car. I took the initiative and started correspondence. This is the conversation that followed. (Note: I used a fake name, email address and my grammar is horrible on purpose.) From: ME To: ************@craigslist.org Subject: $200 vechile/tatoo Good mourning. i saw ur listing on Craigs List.com about needing a vechile. i think I may be able too help. I have a 1997 Buick Lesaber that has a little damage to the hood. U sould be able to make it flat with a hammer thou. its a very good car besides the probelm with the hood. i would be willing to trade the car with you for a tatoo. i recently lost a bet with a friend about who would be the first to sleep with a woman and the loser had to get a tatoo of the winners choice. my friend won and wants me to get bbq ribs tatood on my ribs. their needs to be blood and bbq suace that is looking like it is blood. i live in Huxley. please use email to communcait- my trac phone does not text and minutes are limited. thank u for your time- ME ps. i attached pic of the lesaber From: ******* ****** To: ME Subject: Re: $200 vechile/tatoo do the head lights work if so then yea I can do that   I can do the tattoo here at my house I have every thing i need here. as soon as your ready let me know and we will get every thing done. I f you want to call or get to a land line to talk my number is ***-***-****. Do you have the pattern all ready or is this sothing you would like me to drawl up? Any way is fine I can do both. From: ME To: ******* ****** Subject: Re: $200 vechile/tatoo head lights work fine but the left one (drivers left from the inside) is a little crooked. i think I would like the tatoo to be drawn before we go any further. is there a way it could look like roadrunner from the loony toons is eating the ribs and Willy coyote is chasing him? My explaining is not the best sorry. i also have a pretty big mole on my right ribs. will we need to do it on my left side instead? one last thing- are ur needels clean? i have herd of people getting AIDS from needels and Im scared of them no matter what. please send a picture of the tatoo and then we can talk about meeting. thank you- From: ******* ****** To: ME Subject: Re: $200 vechile/tatoo yea every thing is prepackaged and you wil see me take them out I never use     used needles. Ill get it drawn up and send you the pic. From: ME To: ******* ****** Subject: Re: $200 vechile/tatoo hey i was wondering if u wer still interested in the lesaber? I got another person interested but I really need the tatoo so my friend Nick will stop buging me. I hope the tatoo drawling is coming along Ok :) i checked the lights last night to. they work good. I think it might need new belts and maybe a mufler. one of the tires is a donut to. thanks- ME From: ******* ****** To: ME Subject: Re: $200 vechile/tatoo since its been hit in the   front we were wondering if the alignment was bad or rods,just any future problems were concerned about.We dont want what our car has done.I know its not that much for it,but minor fix it myself work is fine, but shop work would suck. if you want the tattoo done then it will take till next week cause of mamorial weekend is here so if your freind cant wait then tell him to call me and i'll tell him I want to do it ,but its the timeing thats conflicting us... From: ME To: ******* ****** Re: $200 vechile/tatoo I dont think the alignment is bad. it kind of pulls to the left but i think that is becuse of the donut tire. its not a big deal. i find that it keeps me more focused on driving (especially after a few beers lol). The inside has a strange smell too from my cat. i am willing to clean that thogh and put some of those tree air fresheners in to. Do you like the Pine one or New car sent? also, REALLY hoping to see a drawling of the tatoo. it doesnt got to be perfect but just want to be sure it looks Ok. thank you- ME From: ME To: ******* ****** Re: $200 vechile/tatoo how is the tatoo drawing coming? when will you be abel to show me a ruff draft? i cleaned the inside of the car this weekend so the smell is pretty much all gone. I hope your hoilday weekend was good. -ME From: ME To: ******* ****** Re: $200 vechile/tatoo still havnt herd from you about the car for tatoo trade. I need to know soon or else I will be having the tatoo done by a pro. Also will be giving the lesaber to a friend to use as a figure 8 car if i dont here from you soon. thanks -ME At this point I gave up. I guess she wasn't as gullible as I had hoped. I really just wanted to see wh...

If you happen to get out to Las Vegas in the near future make sure you check out the Gallery at CityCenter. Dale Chihuly has a very nice show that goes until the end of December. His glasswork is phenomenal as usual, but what really caught my eye were his "basket" paintings. If they weren't $65,000 apiece I would have definitely considered purchasing. Here are some examples.

OMAHA, Neb. -- ConAgra Foods Inc. has removed high fructose corn syrup from its Hunt's brand ketchup. This wonderful news came in May from another wonderful Omaha company and got me thinking. Hummm. If Heinz Ketchup were to remove corn syrup, would it be Heinz 56 sauce?

The parody stickers spoofing classic '70s products such as Crust Toothpaste (Crest Toothpaste), Band-Ache (Band-Aid), Cap'n Crud (Cap'n Crunch) and Hostile Thinkies (Hostess Twinkies) are back with a brand new series. I remember when I was a kid, I would love to walk to the corner drug store, pick up a pack and open them on the way home while I chewed on the flavorless gum and laughed at the funny (and sometimes very cheesy) product parodies. I think I was most captivated by the goofy and gross illustrations. Maybe this is what made me get into graphic design. Who'da thunk it??? Check out all the wacky products at http://www.wackypackages.com. There is even a new app for your iPod (which I had to download). Oh, the memories...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A-05wPlQQ4 Tonight, the Huskers will face the Kansas State Wildcats for the final time as conference opponents. So there's really never going to be a better opportunity to show off this AWESOME video. My apologies if you have seen it before - it's at least 3 years old. While I'm on the subject, how much would it cost to buy some cat arms for Willie the Wildcat? The whole hybrid man-cat look kinda freaks me out. I guess it's better than having a blowup doll as your mascot though. My score prediction: Nebraska 30 - Kansas State 14

The receptionist here at SKAR knows I love dogs, especially bulldogs, since I have one of my own. She clipped an ad in a magazine for Brawny paper towels that had the cutest bulldog puppy and gave it to me. The little guy apparently just had an "accident," and the expression on his face is absolutely hilarious! He looks like he just got yelled at and is now feeling very guilty for doing his thing on the kitchen floor. Brawny to the rescue!!! I love this ad so much, I have it posted in my office and whenever I look at it, I get a big grin on my face. Some people might think it's a bit gross, but I think it's potty good.

..at the grocery store on Tuesday. STRANGER: (Looking in my shopping cart) Where's all the frozen stuff? ME: (Confused) I'm sorry? STRANGER: Young guy like you, where are the frozen pizzas and the TV dinners? ME: (Not amused) Oh. They're buried under all the Ramen Noodles. STRANGER: (Looks in my cart again. Does not see Ramen Noodles. Gives me dirty look. Walks away.) I guess we both suck at taking a joke.

Sadly I'm at the age where attending funerals is becoming a more frequent activity.   And I've been noticing some trends of which funeral directors might want to take heed. For instance, have you recently been to a cocktail party in honor of one of your dearly departed? Well, I have -- and while it wasn't at a traditional mortuary, I started wondering why it couldn't be. Or at least why they couldn't begin offering a wider array of nontraditional options for memorial services. Think wedding planners, only for another milestone altogether. They'd arrange for the catering of food and drink; offer display areas, a big screen and a nice sound system; create tasteful and appropriate spaces where people can mill about and collectively celebrate the life of someone they loved. I'm sure I'm not the first to think of this. I just hope it catches on by the time I'm ready to go!

About a month ago I was tired and getting ready for bed one evening and decided to floss my teeth so I wouldn't have to bother with it in the morning. I went about the usual routine when all of the sudden a piece of the floss got stuck between my teeth. It was a cheap brand and it basically shredded between two of my back teeth. What started out to be a short floss job turned into a half-hour of prying, brushing, picking and panicking! With my gums bleeding and in pain, I was finally able to dislodge the dreaded piece of shredded matter out from between my teeth. Now I could finally go to bed. RIGHT! I was so freaked out that it took me over an hour to fall asleep. The next day I decided to get some new dental floss. I went to Walgreens and was just about to buy another off-brand because it was so cheap when I remembered what happened the night before. I opted for the Crest Glide, which cost quite a bit more but I thought what the hell. I used it on my teeth the next morning and WOW, this stuff was like butter!!! It "glides" in and out of your teeth and would never even think about shredding. No more cheap dental floss for me. I almost look forward to flossing now. Almost.

The Back to the Future trilogy is probably my favorite movie series of all time. Last week, to mark the 25th anniversary of the original release, the set was released on Blu-ray with some behind the scenes footage and some other sweet bonus features. The set is currently at the top of my Amazon.com wish list. What I'm still waiting for, though, is all the sweet products that appeared during the future scene in Back to the Future Part II to find their way to the marketplace. When is someone going to invent flying cars? And hoverboards? And when am I going to be able to fuel that flying car with banana peels and skunky beer? I've got plenty of old beer cans with one last swig in them. Get to work, scientists. When you step back and really think about it though, it's actually pretty incredible how some of the products the writers envisioned for 2015 were foreshadowed back in the 1980s. We have the technology to use thumbprints to unlock doors. The crazy little recycle bin that scoots around on it's own is basically a big roomba. Being able to watch six channels at once is pretty much standard on new TVs. And our news updates instantly ? although it's on the Internet and smartphones rather than an actual hard-copy of USA Today. The one thing that I know for a fact will not happen that was foreshadowed in Back to the Future Part II (besides the clothing styles): The Cubs will win a World Series. Good one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRrSp6Pqlz4

There are lots of creative writers in the ad business.  But what separates the good from the bad from the ugly is radio.   I know what you're thinking. Radio? Who gives a damn about radio? I do. Why? It's easy to write but extremely difficult to write well. It takes comedic timing and imagination. It takes experience in casting and directing talent. Try to think of a radio spot you've heard recently that you remember.   (Pause for 10 seconds.) Uh, huh. That's what I thought. Very few in this business possess the talent to crank out great radio spots time after time. I respect those who can -- like Luke Sullivan, who created one of my favorite radio spots for The Dunwoody Institute ten years ago. I still remember it today.   Listen to the sound of creative genius. Dunwoody Radio

Not only did the 1960s and 1970s produce a lot of classic rock music, they also produced a lot of classic bad music, especially what I like to call "Dead Lover" songs. You know, songs where a young couple fall in love and one of them dies in some nifty melodramatic way. Examples include: • (1960) "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinning -- Idiot girlfriend runs back to car stalled on train tracks to get boyfriend's high school ring. Teen Angel becomes teen roadkill. • (1968) "Honey (I Miss You)" by Bobby Goldsboro -- Honey dies of conveniently unnamed disease. • (1974) "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks -- Singer gets Honey's conveniently unnamed disease. • (1974) "Billy Don't Be a Hero" by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods -- Billy doesn't "keep his head down" and it gets blown off by the Vietcong. And my very favorite, the mother of all "Dead Lover" songs, 1975's "Rocky" by Austin Roberts. Click below, grab some Kleenex, and lose yourself in the schlock. Rocky

Stop yelling at me! I've found something to say: THE FUTURE IS ALIVE AND WELL I know this because I had the pleasure of judging the student ADDYs last Saturday, where I saw some truly good work from some truly gifted up-and-comers in the creative field -- all located right here in NE. Since most of the work was design-oriented print or collateral, it was especially refreshing to see the pieces that were driven by a really sound concept incorporating copy. Gasp! (Not that there was an overwhelming number but there were some fine examples.) I can't talk about the experience w/out giving kudos to the organizers at AAF-O and the Creative Center, as well as fellow judges Dave Distephano (AK Marketing Inc.) and Adam Torpin (Oxide Design Co.). We had a groove goin' on. All in all, it's good to know that young blood flows strong here in the Midwest.

If you live under a rock or just don't care enough about local minor league sports, you may have missed the big announcement that came out of Sarpy County earlier this week. The Omaha Royals  ?  Triple-A farm team of the Kansas City Royals ?held a little press conference to show off their new ballpark (pretty sweet) and unveil a new team name: the Omaha Storm Chasers. Some of the initial reaction has been pretty negative so far. It makes me wonder if these people actually attended a game at Rosenblatt last year or they're just another person with a Facebook account and an opinion. Is the name change really going to cause people to stop supporting the team? And why is anyone over the age of 14 outraged about the mascots? They are intended to entertain and pose for pictures with your children. Who cares if it looks like some crazy lovechild of the Philly Phanatic? The Philly Phanatic is pretty awesome. You may recall from 1999-2001 the team was known as the Omaha Golden Spikes ?  a tribute to the rich railroad tradition of the area. In 2002, with the help of your friends at SKAR, the Golden Spikes switched back to the Royals. So why the name change this time? To create a new identity to go along with the new ballpark. Selling merchandise is a big part of minor league baseball too. I don't ever recall seeing someone walking around Omaha rocking an O-Royals shirt, so let's not pretend it was flying off the shelves before. I'll go to my share of games next season because I love sports and want to check out the new ballpark. If they have $1 beers on Thursdays that's an added bonus. I'm not so emotionally invested in Pacific Coast League baseball that I will stop going because of a different name on the jersey. You have to give the Storm Chasers some credit though. There is no way anyone would be talking about this team in the middle of Husker football season if it weren't for the name change.

I know. I know. I'm seven days late posting my blog. My apologies to the thousands of followers who have angrily, yet patiently waited for my magical, thought-provoking insight. I sincerely apologize for the sleepless nights and nerve-wracking anxiety I have caused. And speaking of distress, it's that time of year when ad agencies are barraged with ad competitions. There are hundreds. Some are specific to TV, radio, outdoor, Web, small agencies... the list goes on and on. Back when I was young and awards-horny, awards meant everything to me. It was something that reaffirmed that I actually belonged in this business. Don't get me wrong, I still like winning awards, and I savor every page of The One Show winners' book. But that euphoric feeling begins to slowly fade away as the years roll by. I'm not sure why. I think some of it has to do with the subjective judging. I've had work that won in the national New York Festivals but not the local Addys. I've judged lots of awards shows and rarely do all the judges agree on which entries are best. I've seen awards go to work that, quite frankly, I would be embarrassed to be associated with. I recently ran across an awards program for the Omaha Artists and Art Directors Club. The year was 1961. A "Distinctive Merit Award" went to Allen & Reynolds (which later became Smith, Kaplan, Allen & Reynolds). I thought about entering it in some of today's award shows just to mess with people and see what happens. Who's with me?

I took a trip to Arizona recently and on the plane ride I started flipping through the latest edition of SkyMall Magazine. I found some very interesting items and thought I would share them with you...Hey, Christmas is just around the corner. Feel free to purchase any of these great gift ideas at SkyMall.com.

One of the weeks most popular trending topics on Twitter has been #why90srocked. I have so many awesome memories of growing up in the 90s I don't even know where to start my list. Lucky for me I'm not limited to 140-characters on the blog. The Styles Acid washed jeans Parachute pants Starter jackets Bowl cuts The Music Weird Al Yankovic MC Hammer Nirvana "Baby Got Back" The Food Return of the McRib Dunk-a-roos Lunchables Gushers The Technology Walkmans Cell phones Napster Websites like this The Big Moments Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky (Oh-la-la) 2Pac vs. Notorious B.I.G. OJ Simpson Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chase history.. and inject steroids The Toys The evolution of Nintendo Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pogs Roller blades The TV Saved By The Bell TGIF on ABC Nickelodeon wasn't stupid yet Seinfeld The Soft Drinks (RIP) Surge (AKA Four-Loko for kids) Crystal Pepsi New Coke A million flavors of Slice The Huskers THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Actually made it to the NCAA Tournament Bring back some memories? What am I forgetting? I could have made an entire post of just movies.

Yes, I'm tardy. Not just for work nearly every day (got that, Bill? I used "every day" correctly) but also for taking my turn at posting on PHS.  So here I sit, under the gun again for a topic, when I see this email from AdWeek blogging about a posting on AdFreak. Hey, if it's good enough for AdWeek to blog about, it's good enough for me. Check out AdFreak's 30 freakiest ads of 2010 @  http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/30-freakiest-ads-of-2010.html WARNING: These commercials are from all around the world, so remember! Those crazy Europeans also use sex to sell -- they just do it more blatantly than we Americans. If you are opposed to images like the one below from Freakiest Ad #30, avoid viewing the European commercials -- or read the review of a spot before choosing to watch. I'm guessing some of you might take my warning as an enticement, though it's not meant as such. Personally, I am just curious about advertising of all kinds from all places. Enjoy!

The folks over at Collateral Damage have put together a pretty spot-on list for the biggest marketing blunders of the last year. BP and Tony Hayward top the list - which should come as a surprise to no one - after the fiasco in the Gulf of Mexico. Here's their top ten: 1.) BP & Tony Hayward 2.) Christine O'Donnell 3.) TIE: Sharron Angle/Alex Sink/Libby Mitchell 4.) Montblanc regrets "honoring" Gandhi with $24K fountain pen 6.) Drake University boasts about being a D+ school 7.) Medal of Honor video game shoots itself in the foot 8.) Sperm Logo Sneakers 9.) Video game lets players bomb illegal immigrants. 10.) Magazine industry spends millions preaching to the choir View the entire list here

For me there's nothing better than finding a cool and unique gift. If you know someone who loves food, here are a few ideas, compliments of Food Network Magazine (have I ever told you I love that magazine?).

Being the hypercritical, prissy snob that I am, my Christmas decorations cannot look like those of the peasants living around me. I won't tolerate icicle lights, inflatable snowmen or those hideous blankets of bulbs you toss over a bush. Instead, I'm having a neon sign made for my front window. The blueprint is shown below. Unique yet understated. Festive yet classy. A brilliant alternative to common seasonal claptrap. Only one problem. I hope people don't mistake it for an "OPEN" sign and knock on my door wanting to see a model home.

This is a reverse view of the cover of my longtime friend's newly published book. Why is it backwards? I don't know (took the shot on PhotoBooth), but perhaps it's appropriate b/c my girlfriend's view of the world is a bit twisted, which is what makes this book of short stories from her life's experiences so amusing. Recently Kristi had a book reading and signing @ the Blue Pomegranate Studio in Benson. If you haven't yet been there, I suggest a trip. The shop is filled w/creations by local artists. I love the colorful art of Linda Hatfield, who illustrated the front of Kristi's book; multimedia works by Anne Nye (Long Road Home shown below consists of wood, paint and glass fusion); and welded sculptures by Diane Mattern, a former Gordman's colleague. I snapped up some small pieces by owner Sondra Gerber, whose multi-media metal work is shown below. I also own some of Kristi's glass fusion plates and coasters. Art makes great gifts -- and what better time of year to show our appreciation for local artists than the holidays? Visit Blue Pomegranate at www.bluepom.com. For more information on Kristi Pederson's work, visit www.adventureinart.net.

My Favorite Color (this time of year) is Grinch Green! Most everyone acquainted with me knows that I am not a big holiday guy. I absolutely hate the dreaded Christmas songs every year. But what gets me the "Grinchiest" are those holiday commercials. It's bad enough they start airing them in October, but when they use Christmas carols and change the words to go along with the products they try to sell, it drives me nuts!!! Please, can we stop with these annoying commercials so I can start watching TV again without changing the channel every 5 minutes? About the only thing I like about Christmas these days is the Grinch character and his slime green color. It's very nontraditional and seems to really stand out. I have a giant Grinch that sits on my kitchen window opening and Grinch-colored lights that line my fireplace. Not to mention a Grinch tie and boxer shorts for those special occasions. Have yourself a Grinchy little Christmas...

I don't know if it's because I have one less chromosome than women do but I cannot figure out how to wrap a gift. I've built coffee tables, cut the turkey on Thanksgiving and landscaped an entire property but can't for the life of me figure out how to fold some flimsy, snowman-covered paper around a box properly. I know I'm not the only guy in this boat. Why can't we figure this thing out? Can anyone explain it to me? Someday I would like to be able to give a present that is not in a taped up Target bagged with a bow on it.

Pickles, pickle juice, Danish foods, humor, Christmas, New Year

Technology and the proliferation of media have resulted in all sorts of curiosities that could never have been fathomed even 10 years ago. Here are some questions that came to my mind when thinking about the year 2010 in review. When did everyone decide they had to post their own (woeful) version of a Glee episode on YouTube? I understand the primal preening and parading of twenty-something single females, but must it be done Snooky-style? Why should I care that you just used your phone app to check in at 24-hour Fitness unless I'm planning on robbing your home while you're out? When will heterosexual guys realize that the only person who's gonna want a sext of their junk is a guy who's not heterosexual? How long until everybody's identity has been stolen? If we're so smart to create all of this social media stuff, how come we're so stupid in using it? And one final curiosity: I heard today that Mel Gibson is doing a movie where he plays a guy who is so disturbed that he expresses himself through a beaver hand puppet...so pleeeeze will Mel get punched in the face by a beaver in 2011?  That would make my new year. Cheers, everyone!

In 1971, when I was 10 years old, I saw the 7-Up billboard pictured below in a part of town called Benson. It blew my little mind. I was obsessed by it. The shapes, the colors, the illustration, the entire concept. Not only did I love it, I had to possess it. So one chilly Saturday morning, I made my dad drive me to the billboard so I could sketch it. It was one of those old boards that was at street level, only a couple of feet off the ground, so I could see every part of it. Dad opened a thermos of coffee and contently read the newspaper while I sat drawing the fabulous 7-Up city. When I asked my father who had created the billboard, he said "an advertising agency." From that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for a living. The other day, about 40 years later, I stumbled across the billboard while surfing the Web. Where's my sketchpad?

Social media may be the way of the future, but when you're an advertising creative in search of inspiration, it's a dry hole. Let's face it, looking at Facebook pictures of your idiot neighbor's Idaho vacation or having to read tweets from Ashton Kutcher about his pecs hardly get the creative juices flowing. When I need to bitch slap my little gray cells, I go back to the classics -- the work of Doyle Dane Bernbach, the 1960's agency that invented advertising's Creative Revolution. These people taught everyone else how to do it. They were incredible. Their work had a potent, ingenious simplicity that takes your breath away. Take, for instance, the ad above. Using just four words and a doodle by the art director (the illustration is actually taken straight from the thumbnail they presented to the client), the creative team makes a case for Volkswagen's fuel efficiency that's more powerful than any corporate web site. That gives me an idea. Talk to you later.

Patience is one virtue I have never owned.   I am the guy standing in front of the microwave saying, "C'mon. Hurry up, dammit." I can't stand sitting at red lights. I dread sitting in a doctor's waiting room and I've even walked out if I've been sitting longer than a half-hour. Long lines for anything make me itch. I love speed. Fast cars. Drive-thru restaurants. High-speed Internet access. One of my favorite moments in life was flying in an F-16 at 550 mph -- only 500 feet above the ground. The notion that faster is better is not new. But in order to compete, companies today focus on the younger generation's craving for immediacy. If your mobile device takes five seconds longer to download than mine, your technology is archaic. If it takes you more than 10 seconds to send a text, you're ready for the retirement home. It's important to understand this mindset when developing marketing materials. Consumers don't have the time or patience to wade through copy-heavy ads or sites. They want the benefit now. If you don't get to the point quickly, they are gone. It's best to keep paragraphs short and use bullet points. Also, especially in Web copy, keep it conversational. The old way of over-the-top sales messages and corporate chest pounding are poison to today's consumer. Bugatti Veyron: 267 mph, 0-60 in 2.5 secs. 8 Liter W16 Engine with 1200 hp. Base price is $1,700,000.

That's what Putney Swope renames the ad agency he finds himself in charge of in the 1969 cult film by Robert Downey Sr. (titled Putney Swope). To watch it, you've gotta be in the mood & have your remote in hand to fast-forward at will, but you'll pick up a few gems like this: You can't change nothin' with rhetoric and slogans because if a man's really carrying the truth in his pocket, he hangs it out on a shingle where everybody can see it. When I see things that ain't fresh I get butterflies in my ulcers, so from now on ya gotta come up with completely original fantasies. So carry the truth in your pocket, people -- and check out the freshly re-released movie on DVD with special commentary by writer/director Downey. P.S. Don't watch it with the kids.

Last weekend I was out and about with my brother doing some grocery shopping, and we decided to stop for lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. This was the first time I have eaten there, and I had heard people raving about it. It's a very casual and somewhat LOUD eating establishment. We sat down to eat our juicy, extra large burgers when all of the sudden a guy walks in wearing his flannel pajamas AND slippers and orders his food like nothing is wrong with his overly casual attire. Is this a growing trend in today's society? I'm surprised the guy didn't bring his teddy bear along for the ride. Just a month before, I had stopped at the grocery store and the guy in front of me had on the same type of flannel PJs and slippers. Are people getting so lazy that they can't even throw on a pair of jeans and tennis shoes to go out in public? Is this asking too much??? Don't get me wrong. I love my flannel pajamas and I admit I sometimes go outside in them to get the paper or run out to my truck for something, but that is as far as it goes. May I suggest a drive-thru for those too lazy to put on a pair of pants! Speaking of pants, what's with those new pajama jeans anyway?

It's been more than a month since the Big Ten Conference unveiled their new logo to a nationwide chorus of hisses and snide comments. I'll admit, I wasn't crazy about the logo at first but after reading this article about the process I've come to appreciate it. The website Mycroburst.com must think the Big Ten can do better though. They're sponsoring a contest for the best redesign. Winner takes home a cool $500. So far there are over 700 entries. Some are OK but most are just.. well.. take a look for yourself and I think you'll know what I mean. The deadline to submit entries appears to be Jan. 24th in case you're interested.

The 14th Annual  Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation gala will be Feb. 26, and as usual it will be a big night. Every year JDRF wraps the event around a theme and carries it through with the invitation and throughout the evening at the fundraiser. I've been helping with the graphics for the past several years, and I'm excited to show you this year's look. The theme, "Big Dreams...Big Hearts, A Real Hope for a Cure," is based on the fact that children with juvenile diabetes can have the same dream as any other kid and become anything they want to be. With the thousands of dollars raised annually  at this event, a real hope for a cure could be more than just a dream. For more information on the event call 402-397-2873 or e-mail omaha@jdrf.org.

Thanks to a family connection, I had the amazing opportunity to tour Clint Eastwood's development, Tehama, while on vacation in California. This wasn't just any tour -- it was with the architect and developer of the 2,000-acre property in the hills above Carmel. He and Clint have worked together for more than 25 years, but this is their premier project. (http://www.tehama-carmel.com/) Tenets of the development are to promote architecture and craftsmanship and to balance the natural environment with the man-made environment. For instance, the Tehama Golf Clubhouse is constructed of stone excavated from the ground on which it's built. Parking is subterrain. Every detail is carefully and environmentally planned, right down to the fire hydrants. When I asked my genius tour guide where he gets his ideas and inspiration, his reply was, "You just have to listen to the land."

As a copywriter, there's no worse feeling than the dreaded writer's block. It's an unavoidable monster that will back you into a corner at the most inopportune times. Luckily there are plenty of ways to turn the tables on this ugly beast and get yourself back in the groove. Here are the five that work best for me. Shut Up - Distractions are everywhere and they are super annoying. Shut the door or put on some headphones, close out your e-mail application, turn off your cell phone and stay off the Internet. It's important to not let your mind wander too far, and constantly checking your inbox when a new message arrives can make it almost impossible to stay focused on the task at hand. Stay Late or Take It Home - Sometimes I just can't get it done during regular business hours. Staying late can be relaxing because of the peace and quiet, and you know as soon as you finish your day is seemingly over. Other times I just need a change of scenery to find my voice so I take my work to the comfort of my pajama pants and home turf. Exercise Your Brain - Anything that can stimulate your mind can really help get your writing stroke back. Whether it's a few games of Sudoku, a crossword puzzle or getting lost staring at art, putting your mind to work helps get you to focus, analyze situations and think critically. Get Social - If you're really struggling for some inspiration, jump onto Facebook or Twitter or just head over to the water cooler and find someone to talk to. You never know who or what kind of conversations will spur an idea, and with all the random content your friends post online there's bound to be something that can trigger an idea... unless your friends are really boring. Walk Away - When all else fails and I just can't seem to get it together, I have always found the best thing to do is just walk away. Weekends are great because you just free your mind and focus on everything but what you're trying to write. Coming back to it fresh and rejuvenated can really put things in perspective and help get your writing back on track.

Advertising during a live sports broadcast on TV can be a goldmine -- and it's not limited to just throwing up a 30-second commercial between quarters. There are tons of fun and creative ways that companies can get their brand some extra face time on the screen. Take a look at some of these examples. Allstate has been a major sponsor for college football for years. Every time a field goal or extra point is kicked, you can see their logo promineintly displayed in the net that catches the ball. I've always thought this was a great use of their message "You're in good hands with Allstate." During a Big East basketball game at Seton Hall last week, Gatorade purchased the first few rows of each section stretching the length of the court then covered them with tarps displaying their trademark 'G'. BONUS: It's pretty tough to miss the rotating signage at the scorers table showing Prudential's logo at this particular moment. McDonald's covered the STAIRS with golden arches at a recent University of Minnesota basketball game. Also at the University of Minnesota, Arby's shows off a giant logo beneath the hanging scoreboard at mid-court. Clearly fast food chains love to advertise at University of Minnesota basketball games because here's ANOTHER one -- Dairy Queen displays the DQ lips on the padding at the bottom of each basket. Photos courtesy of Tim Cohn and @darrenrovell.

That's what happened a few days ago in Egypt, causing total chaos and a huge wave of uncertainty around the world. Reverberations are especially strong in the U.S. due to our ties with reviled Egyptian president Mubarak (his image defiled in poster shown above) and our dependence on Middle Eastern crude. You can read about this anywhere and probably didn't come to Purple Hot Sauce for a dose of world politics. I bring it up because in the past I've railed a bit on the downsides of "the proliferation of media." Social media is the Wild West of our time and with that comes an open range of possibilities -- even spontaneous anarchy. Wow. That's POWERFUL. And that's empowering, which makes all of these possibilities before us truly amazing, mind-blowing, incredibly inspiring, occasionally tragic and sometimes really stupid. Ain't it grand?

I admit it. I have a fascination with writing utensils. I probably won't notice your new Gucci suit or $200 tie. I could care less about your new diamond ring or Rolex watch.   But my interest will be piqued if you are holding a cool pen.   To be clear, I'm not talking about a pen that has an LED that flashes or a clunky flag for a cap. I'm talking about applying creativity to the very thing that has given birth to great ideas for thousands of years. I can tell a lot about a person by the kind of pen they are using. There's the nervous type with the plastic cap of their pen chewed to shreds. There's the freebie king  -- writing with one of their many corporate logo pens. There's the sophisticate who uses an expensive but unglamorous pen.  Personally, I prefer my Simpsons "Homer Peel" pen from Acme Studio. http://www.acmestudio.com/acme_products/designer-accessories.htm

A buddy and I stopped into the Lewis Art Gallery here in Omaha last week with no intention to buy but just to take a look around. The two-story gallery had hundreds of pieces displayed on the walls and floor with all kinds of price ranges. After taking a look at all the pieces on the first floor we took the elevator up to the second floor. The doors opened and up high on the facing wall was this 12" x 12" acrylic painting surrounded by all these other large pieces. For some reason it caught both of our eyes and we both went immediately to it. "Hmmm. A red cow. Interesting," I thought. We looked around the second floor for a while and saw quite a few nice piece. Eventually we decided to leave so we headed to the elevator. There it was, staring me in the face ... that little red cow painting! With perfect timing, as if he knew I was interested, the gallery owner approached us and asked if we had any questions. "What the heck," I thought, and then proceeded to ask him the cost of the little red cow. It was in my price range!  And with a little coaxing from my buddy I took the damn thing. I wasn't expecting to buy anything, I wasn't really in the market for a little red cow painting, but every time I see it in my kitchen it brings a smile to my face ... just what good artwork is supposed to do.

I love words. That's no surprise coming from a copywriter. For years I've received wordsmith.org's A-Word-A-Day e-mail and have saved a file of my favorites. Halcyon is literally at the top of the list. It's an adjective that means, 1. Peaceful; tranquil. 2. Carefree; joyful. 3. Golden; prosperous. Apparently there's a mythological bird known as a halcyon that had the power to charm the wind and calm the sea. Here's what the rest of the title means: • inveterate (in-VET-ehr-it) adjective Firmly established; habitual. [From Middle English, from Latin inveteratus, past participle of inveterare (to grow old), in-, + vetus, stem of veter- (old). Ultimately from Indo-European root wet- (year) that is also the source of such words as veteran, veal (in the sense of yearling), and veterinary (relating to the beasts of burden, perhaps alluding to old cattle).] • oniomania (O-nee-uh-MAY-nee-uh, -MAYN-yuh) noun Compulsive shopping; excessive, uncontrollable desire to buy things. [From Latin, from Greek xnios (for sale), from onos (price) + -mania.] • archipelago (ahr-kuh-PEL-uh-go) noun A large group of islands. [From Italian arcipelago (the Aegean Sea), from Latin Egeopelagus, from arkhi- (chief) + pelagos (sea). Ultimately from the Indo-European root plak- (to be flat) which is also the source of words such as flake, flaw, placate, plead, please, and plank. Originally the term referred to the Aegean Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Turkey) that has numerous islands.] Yes, this seasoned shopaholic would love to find herself on a tranquil chain of tropical islands in the middle of nowhere...I just hope there's a gift shop nearby!

I watched the Super Bowl last Sunday for the same reason as everyone else in America -- because football is awesome. The fact that there's a bunch of commercials that aren't for boner pills and cell phones is just an added bonus. For me, one of the most intriguing things to watch when it comes to Super Bowl advertising is the crowd-sourced spots for Doritos and Pepsi Max's Crash the Super Bowl contest. In case you aren't familiar with the concept, anyone with a video camera and an idea can produce a spot for either brand, upload it to the contest website and beg people to vote for it. If enough people vote for the video, it gets aired during the game. The crazy thing is of the six spots that aired during the game (Pug Attack, House Sitting, The Best Part, Love Hurts, Torpedo Cooler, First Date), five ranked in the top seven of Ad Ages "most recalled commercials." Only the man eating soap and his girlfriend knocking out a helpless jogger didn't make the list. Those are the kind of numbers brands want to see. While the ideas behind many of these spots -- violent shots to the head, nuts, etc., or men are dumb and only think about sex -- is nothing new, it's obviously what people remember. And with the continuing influx of social media into advertising, it begs the question: Is this idea of "consumer created content" on the biggest of stages the new way to advertise? I have my doubts, but it's a compelling thing to consider based on the results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvT5hjnR9js&feature=player_embedded Technically it's 2:24 but if you missed the game or don't have time to watch 61 commercials in one sitting, this tightly edited montage (courtesy of AdWeek) let's you relive the timeouts and quarter breaks of Super Bowl Sunday in about the same amount of time as a single commercial break. I've already written a little about the Doritos and Pepsi Max spots, but what jumped out at you? Any classics? Total flops? Are the commercials "just not what they used to be?"

SKAR is: Todd Sanning: Guitar Joleen David: Lead vocals Trish Haniszewski: Keyboards and background vocals Mike Duman: Bass guitar and background vocals Mark "Sticks" Carpenter: Drums

It's Fashion Week in NYC, the kick-off a worldwide runway tour. While I'm not obsessed, I love catching glimpses of what's on the style scene for the coming seasons. For me, advertising and fashion have always been closely aligned. Both are about presentation. A person's style is his or her branding statement. And both have helped define our nation's pop culture. So it's no surprise that I had a double major in college of Adv & Fashion Merch or that my advertising career began in retail. This combination allows a form of creative expression that is just natural to me. I was born this way. Yep -- genetic studies are constantly proving that nearly every trait we exhibit goes directly past tastes, talents and influences to our DNA. I invite you to dip your toe into the Ruser gene pool and gander at a few family fashion heirlooms. Krystal looks fetching in this hat Dad bought for Mom in 1942 for $25 (a fortune for him at the time). Welcome to the Age of Plastics! Grandma's circa '63 purse - embellished satin covered entirely in plastic. Purse detail: bejeweled hard plastic top with yellow reflections bouncing off the clear plastic covering. This gold & Austrian crystal set looked stunning on mama Maxine. A personal fav is my Grandma's crystal bracelet.

Did you know? Your bi-weekly dose of useless knowledge. The famous "Uncle Sam" recruitment poster "I Want YOU" for U.S. Army," designed by James Montgomery Flagg, was actually an adaptation of the British poster by Alfred Leete.

Whatever Happened To My White Space? Once upon a time, at an ancient educational facility where I first became a designer, there was a silly little thing known as white space. I was often encouraged to use it in my layouts to provide interest, readability and cleanliness. I realize in today's "information age" it is hard to be able to use it effectively anymore, what with all the social media icons and website/email information that needs to be included on everything these days. Have you seen a business card lately??? But this story has a happy ending. I've decided to get "medieval" and use a little white space so I can once again experience a layout that is actually clean, simple and somewhat eye-catching.

Wise Words I've been around the business long enough to have accumulated a healthy list of favorite clients, co-workers, ads, accomplishments, etc. Stored somewhere in the back of my brain, you'll also find a list of my favorite quotes that pertain to the ad business. First and foremost -- a quote that creatives everywhere will relate to: "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds," from Albert Einstein. These prophetic words, although not specific to the advertising industry, explain the difference between great work and yawner wallpaper. To me, mediocre minds have no place in this business -- and I've seen my share. Many times great ideas are extinguished by the words "the client will never go for that." There are times when a client will say, "I love that idea! But we could never do it." As a creative, I detest the word "can't" and prefer the words "how can we make this work?"  Too often, great ideas are killed quickly and mercilessly by people who are comforted by "business as usual" or a "don't rock the boat" mentality. Think about it. What if someone said that the Budweiser frogs had nothing to do with selling beer? What if someone would have killed the Burger King Subservient Chicken because it was a goofy idea and a waste of money? Take a look at the most famous ad of all time -- Apple's Macintosh commercial 1984. Did someone say, "This is a terrible concept. Where are the happy people using a computer? In fact, where is there a shot of computer at all?"  These examples represent creative thinking that was fresh, innovative and unexpected. That is what gets attention and builds a brand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R706isyDrqI

SKAR has designed a new ad to promote the  Nebraska Lottery's lotto game Mega Millions ®. The creative was inspired by an old postcard we ran across that shows a tractor hauling a giant ear of corn. We thought the concept would convey the idea of the mega jackpots you could win by playing the game. Look for the ad in the April issue of Huskers Illustrated.

In college one of our first projects in Graphic Design 101 was to redesign a gum package that was poorly executed to begin with. Looking back, my design was pretty crappy. Back then we had to render our layouts with markers and "greek in" type with black lines. Oh, how things have changed!

I work in advertising so I like to believe the messages we create are always hitting home with the people we reach. But I'm not naive. As a digital savvy consumer myself, I know there are more factors that go into making a purchase than a witty headline or jaw-dropping TV commercial. My cell phone is home to damn near a dozen apps that let me compare prices, find deals and -- most important to me -- read customer reviews all while I'm standing in the aisle at the store. Here's an exercise to try: Type in a brand or product name with the word review in Google right now. What are people saying? Are they telling anyone who will listen how durable the product is or are they saying it's the biggest piece of crap they've ever bought? Are the people checking in at businesses on foursquare or writing reviews on Yelp beside themselves for how delicious the lunch special is or how terrible the service can be? Do the businesses and brands even care what's being said? They should. Honest feedback has always been important. And in this new-age society where word-of-mouth advertising is constantly at our fingertips, it's more important than ever. Consumers like to hear from people who have already been in their shoes. Here's a couple personal examples: Last week I was digging through the Internet trying to find information on these sweet Super Mario decals for the wall in my office. All the reviews I read had nothing but good things to say so I knew the product was quality. If they had said the decals didn't stick or they were way smaller than they thought, I wouldn't have taken the plunge. If I buy shoes or clothes online, I always check out the user reviews to see what other peoples' experiences were with the sizing or how the item holds up after washing. When I was at Target looking at covers for my cell phone, I scanned the barcode of the one I wanted to see if Amazon has a better price AND see what others thought of the product. Nearly every purchase I make involves some type of research, and I'm not going to the corporate website to find it. This isn't to say brands should focus all their attention on customer feedback and ignore advertising. Far from it. Advertising will always have a prominent place in our everyday lives, but a cute talking oven mitt can only do so much for your brand. At some point, you've got to rely on quality products that satisfy consumers' wants and needs. And the best way to make sure you're doing that is to see what they're saying behind your back -- because the rest of us are listening.

Let me begin by admitting that I am not an avid book reader. I read newspapers, trade journals, blogs, a handful of my favorite websites and a few select magazines. I have a dozen books scattered about that I started but can't seem to finish. But there is one that I'm actually rereading. And if you truly love the business of advertising, it's a book that will give you insight into a world rarely seen outside of agency walls. To me, quite frankly, it should be required reading in every college advertising/marketing program. It's called Where the Suckers Moon, by Randall Rothenberg. It was published in 1994 but the story is still informative, fascinating and relevant to advertising today. The Subaru Story Rothenberg was a former advertising columnist for the New York Times who had unprecedented access to the agency review process for the Subaru account. Several chapters are dedicated to the history of the car company -- which is incredible on its own -- but the thing that stands out to me is how Weiden and Kennedy won the account as an enormous underdog. They were up against the biggest and best agencies of that time. They weren't flashy. They weren't very big. They wore jeans and sport coats to the presentation. But what made the difference in the end were ideas. The others came in with the same research. The same tired ideas. The same expected strategies. But W&K stood out because they dared to break the mold and offer a fresh approach.  It's this philosophy that propelled W&K into becoming one of the top agencies in the world. And, quite simply, it's really the true core of what this business is all about. Shut up. Really? I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. The first three people who leave the comment "Gimme, gimme, gimme" will receive a free copy of the book. After leaving your comment, e-mail your mailing address to gahrens@skar.com. Sorry, SKAR employees are not eligible.

From the annals of Quirky Corporate Icons comes a specimen located deep in the heart of East Texas: the extremely large bust of Bo Pilgrim, founder of Pilgrim's Pride chicken in Pittsburg. As if that's not enough, this replica of Mr. Pilgrim is elevated over what appears to be a little break area for employees, complete with picnic tables. Upon closer inspection, you see it holds yet another tribute. There on one of the benches is a bronze statue of Mr. Pilgrim sitting, buckled hat on one side, chicken on the other. It is a sight to behold and I'm pleased to say I have. On a sad note, the fate of the giant head is up in the air as the company has recently been sold. ***Late breaking news: the Ex Dir. at the Pittsburg/Camp County Chamber of Commerce says there are no plans to move the head!

At Wieden + Kennedy out in Portland, there's a mural on the wall (made from more than 100,000 thumbtacks) with that says this. And for advertising creatives everywhere, these two words couldn't be more true. Being a successful creative in this industry takes a certain level of confidence. You've got to have thick skin and you've got to be a student of your trade. Understand that not every idea you have is the greatest one ever. Face the reality that sometimes what you think just isn't going to work. Come to grips with the fact that sometimes the project you spent hours working on is nothing more than a pile of hot garbage. And don't throw a tantrum or break into tears when someone tells you as much. Learn from it. Get better. Ask why. Discover new things. Fail harder. There's only so much you can learn in a book. Oftentimes the most effective learning experiences come from doing it wrong, understanding why it's wrong and fixing it. It's a simple philosophy that can be translated to nearly any situation. But in the world of collaboration, creativity and communicating with the masses, it's more than a philosophy. It's a rule to live by.

Words are powerful -- especially when used to abuse  others. That was one of the messages delivered by the pertinacious (purposeful, unyielding) chanteuse (songstress) Lady GaGa during her 2+ hour Monster Ball show that hit Omaha last week. Asking the crowd, "Were you ever bullied?," the Lady assailed (condemned) the perpetrators of such invidious (unjust, offensive or hateful) deportment (behavior),and told how her mother coerced her into going to school by saying she'd rise to the top one day and prove them all wrong. Guess MaMa GaGa was veracious (accurate).

Almost every time I go to the grocery store, I can't resist playing the crane machine game as I am heading out the door with my groceries in hand. I know this is an addicting game for kids who want their parents to spend their last 50 cents on a piece-of-crap stuffed toy. Regardless, I too find myself spending my last bit of change trying to win one of these cheapo things.

Last month, I bought an iPhone ... and the freakin' thing won't leave me alone. It's constantly beeping, vibrating and farting like that little dipshit robot in Star Wars. Every time I get an email, it bongs so loud people come running from two rooms away. I know, I know ... I should turn off the sound effects. Easier said than done. It's got so many ridiculous buttons and functions, half the time I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. The other day I tried to turn down the ringer volume and I think I accidentally shut off some guy's heart monitor in Des Moines. And another thing ... do I really need all these idiot applications? There's one button labeled "Maps." When you push it, it tells you where you are. I don't think there's been a single moment in my life when I haven't known where I was. I'm either going to have to get shipwrecked or kidnapped to use the stupid thing. Then there's the "Game Center." When am I supposed to have time to play games? It takes me twenty minutes to enter my passcode. Now let's talk ergonomics. This thing is not necessarily designed to fit the human hand. It's thick, awkwardly rectangular and slippery -- like trying to carry around a subway tile. And the keyboard is so tiny, my text messages all come out like "Meatt yuu hat the bark/" Smart phone my ass.

Inspiration comes from all over. In this case it's my boss, Greg Ahrens, and the things he chooses to display in his office. Here's a glimpse inside Greg's world --and mind. It starts before you even open the door Invite poster for The Last Stupor, his final billiard tournament It's in the genes. My very fav thing in Greg's office is the life-like chimp head, mostly b/c it's a gift from his mother. It is motorized w/life-like chimp sounds, too -- but I couldn't get the video to upload. You'll have to take my word for it. Chilean miner's rig: part of winning SKAR-o-ween costume Simpson's Pezes - one among many Simpson's collections Sushi stapler hanging on drum stick inside trophy with candy cane next to oversized Honeyland license plate Battery powered Stooges hit each other w/clubs. Altoid tin collection More cowbell

Collaboration is a big part of advertising culture. Whether it's a copywriter and an art director working together on a billboard idea or a whole slew of people sitting down to hammer out the details for a massive campaign, you've got to be able to work well with others. For some it's simple and comes like second nature. For others it can be a daunting task. So I'm here to help. I've come up with four simple things to keep in mind for the next time you need to collaborate with others to ensure the process runs smoothly and no one ends up with black eye. Limit the amount of hands in the cookie jar. The more people involved in a project, the more likely it will lack direction. It's essential that people know their roles in the early stages and have a designated area to concentrate on. Leaders should be involved in each aspect to make sure things stay on a clear path. But don't ask every team member to contribute in a million different ways. You need to... Let the specialists specialize. I'm not a pastry chef so I don't tell the people that are how to make creme brulee. Could I figure it out? Maybe. But just because I have a recipe from Better Homes and Garden, that doesn't make me an expert. These people have dedicated their profession to understanding their trade. Trust that they know what they're doing and... Don't be an armchair quarterback. That's not to say if you're not directly involved that all your feedback needs to be positive. It's great to ask questions and provide insight. But there's a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. If it's something you are really concerned about, do it one-on-one. You're more likely to get a genuine response and engage in a serious discussion. Even if your personal contributions are limited, you've got to... Be a team player. It's not all about you and your interests. Sometimes your ideas and desires need to take a backseat to what is best for the project. Encourage those around you to do their best, recognize them when they do a good job and step up to the plate when your help is needed. Unity and trust are what makes teams and collaborations successful. Without it, you're the 2007 Nebraska football team. A terrible, embarrassing, directionless mess.

What does an advertising copywriter read in his spare time? Marketing reports? Ad Age? Customer behavior research? Bah. I read Doc Savage books! Who in the world is Doc Savage? He was a character created in the 1930s by a pulp magazine writer from Missouri named Lester Dent. The character's full name was Clark Savage Jr., but everyone called him Doc, or "the Man of Bronze" because he had bronze-colored hair, skin and eyes. He was a combination of Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan, Einstein and Jim Thorpe. From his headquarters on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, Doc Savage and his five ingenious aids (Monk, Ham, Renny, Johnny and Long Tom) waged a worldwide crusade against evil. Every book featured a deliciously wicked villain who wielded his own unique death machine. My favorite was an evil genius named ARK, who developed a red snow that broke down the molecular structure of anything it fell on. What makes these books so fun is that they were written 80 years ago, so they feature zeppelins, cars with running boards, biplanes, killers in fedoras and women in silk stockings. But what makes these books EVEN MORE fun, is that they were reprinted in the 1970s with cover paintings by the famous artist James Bama. As you can see in the examples above, these cover paintings were the coolest thing EVER! They used to sell the Doc Savage series at Waldenbooks, and at 12 years old, I would camp outside the store whenever a new one was about to be delivered, then stare at the cover for hours. Sadly, I misplaced my entire collection when our family moved and I never saw them again. However, recently I discovered a trove of Doc Savage paperbacks (with the cool 1970s covers) on a used book website and bought the entire 88-volume set. They're incredibly fun to read and take me back to a golden childhood ... or should I say, a bronze one.

21-piece collection sells for $40.00 Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates make a unique gift for the holidays. They not only taste fantastic, but every single piece is a work of art. With flavors like Bananas Foster, Orange Pekoe Tea and Balsamic Caramel, how can you go wrong? You can find gift boxes from four-piece to 42-piece as well as luxury boxes that have a variety of items like coffee, chocolate bars and toffee. Order online at http://www.elbowchocolates.com. Try not to drool!

While I was out of town this past weekend visiting a friend, he took me to a local restaurant that he claimed had "the best" deep-fried cauliflower I would ever eat. I tried it, and sure enough it was probably the best I had ever eaten. Then I thought to myself, "Self, what are some things you have tried over the years that you would consider to be "the best"? I decided to share with you some recommendations over the next few months that I would call "Bobbo's Best."

I was in the post office the other day (yes, I was waiting in line) and I ran across something cool.  You can buy large prints of certain stamps framed as artwork. I went online to USPS.com and found some fun images. Good for gifts or if you just want something unique.  Check these out.

I appreciate creativity in anything. Restaurants and food are no exception. I recently came across a new experience in dining when a buddy and I went to Kansas City for a weekend. Walking through the Plaza looking for something kind of different but manly enough to satisfy two pretty good-sized, meat-eating males, we happened upon Fogo de Chao, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse. Perfect! I went in with some pretty high expectations, considering the asking price was $42.00 a person. It didn't disappoint. It's a different but simple eating concept. First off they encourage you to start with a trip to their salad bar. I said, "Sure, no problem." Wrong! Probably the best freaking salad bar I've ever laid eyes on. I did my best to hold back. After finishing the salad I was ready for the meat, and they weren't @*%#ing around. Each of us had a two-sided disc next to his plate. One side is red, the other green. When the red side was up they left you alone. When the green side was revealed they came at you with skewers of 15 different meats ranging from lamb chops to filet mignon to their specialty, Parmesan-encrusted pork loins. You pretty much tell them how much you want and how well done you prefer. I got to control the speed at which they would bring food over by flipping my personal two-sided disc from red to green...and that was pretty freakin' cool. All said and done, I managed to taste nine of the 15 tasty skewers. There were side dishes and desserts involved too, but I wanted to make sure I got the full meat experience, so I passed. It was so good I resisted leaving, figuring I could find some room in my aching stomach after a bit. No such luck. I left very satisfied, not just from the great food but also from the great new eating experience. Way to go, Fogo de Chao!