King James is coming to South Florida!
Miami’s superstar triumvirate is complete!!
The Miami Heat win the NBA Championship!!!….well not yet. But it’s a given right?
Last week, under the intense glare of the national spotlight, Le Bron James announced his commitment to play for the Miami Heat and join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, thus securing Pat Riley’s triple crown. “There is magic in the number three,” said Wade.
Wade’s claim was later substantiated by School House Rock who issued this statement, “Three is a magic number. Yes it is. It’s a magic number. Somewhere in the ancient, mystic trinity, you get three as a magic number.”
It is indeed magical because, just like that, we were no longer at war, the gulf oil crisis was over, unemployment was a thing of the past, and the iPhone 4 actually worked. All was right with the world… in South Florida at least.
In Cleveland, James was reduced from hometown hero to vile villain. Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert maligned him in the press. Fickle former fans burned his jerseys in the street. Even civil rights activist and former democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson felt compelled to voice his feelings on the situation. Really? Seriously?
Don’t get me wrong. I am sure that James has mad athletic skills. He no doubt knocks the pigskin clean out of the park whenever he tees off. But what I know about James wouldn’t fill one of his size 16 Nikes. But even as a non-sports fan, I am willing to share the excitement South Florida is experiencing in anticipation of the Le Bron’s impact to our area. I am happy for everyone.
In return, I want just a little equality. A little recognition for the creative minds that make us think, laugh, want and act – all within 30 seconds. I want the copy writers, creative directors and art directors of the world to get yearlong appreciation and not just the weeks surrounding the Super Bowl. And let’s face it, even then, do we ever know who conceived of “Whasssssup?” Who wrote “Where’s the Beef?” Who directed the Betty White Snickers commercial? You don’t know do you? I call a foul.
The person who came up with Geico’s Talking Pothole should be revered. People should know his or her name. Where’s the statue? Where’s the justice? Although I was happy to see several online forums devoted to this spot including a Facebook fan page, the most I was able to learn was that the voice belongs to Dayci Brookshire and the agency responsible for this brilliance is the Martin Agency. FYI – a free ringtone is available (OMG!!!)
Have you seen Saab’s New Perspective spot? Who is the creative director who had such a stellar vision? He should be appointed to some national creative task force. (Note to self: Petition for the creation of a National Creative Task Force). I mean this spot is so brilliant it makes me smile even as I weep realizing Electrum Marketing may never have a client with a creative budget even remotely close to Saab’s.
And kudos to the director of AT&T’s Rethink Possible spot where believable special effects of billowing tangerine bolts of fabric illustrate the network’s coverage of 97% of the US. It’s so simple. So beautiful. Even controversial. Oh yeah, this is getting juicy (humor me). Did the creative team rip off famous (humor me again) installation artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude? I vote no. You decide.
We may never know who these unsung geniuses are, but that should not stop us from celebrating exceptional creativity when we see it, letting it inspire us to do our jobs with a little more flair and viewing communication as an art form.
By the way, the new Old Spice campaign is nothing but net. Swoosh!