Are these 2 Videos Marketing at its Best or is Summers Eve and K-Swiss Selling Out?

2011
07.21

Creating shock like Kenny Powers K-Swiss Commercial and now Summers Eve commercials appears to be the marketing norm, but is this selling out? Is this just a new form of infomercials? Can topics and campaigns like these sustain the brand or just feed a quick spike in traffic?

With so many funny and shocking one-liners sprinkled in to both K-Swiss and Summers Eve videos their brands are guaranteed a spot in pop culture and bar room conversation for months to come. Is pop culture slang really these brands goal? One-liners like “Hail to the V” or “I killed you Dog” will those have any meaning to the brand in 12 months or even 3 months? I believe adding to pop culture slag can be powerful, ask the don’t worry be happy guys in the 90′s, but does someone who likes cat’s want to say they agree with killing lions? Does a women want her husband to think her V is her most powerful atribute? Are men ready to admit they only fight for….

What happened to socially responsible entrepreneurs like Tom who created Tom’s Shoes? When you wear a pair of Tom’s shoes its telling the people around you, “I’m a charitable person who cares about fashion and helping people”, what are you saying when wear K-Swiss or use Summers Eve?

Check out both video’s here and let me know your thoughts.

Let The Beer Making Hobby Begin

2011
07.14

Since going saltwater fishing in Dallas is out of the question I’ve decided to start a new hobby, home brewed beer. I’m starting with the Coopers Beer brewing kit thanks to a personal recommendation from my friend and IgniteDallas organize Chris Bond. Let me know if you home brew and I will post how my venture is going.


Marketers Are Getting Smarter, Now My Kids Like Metallica

2011
07.08

I was listing to XM Radio in my truck with my kids the other day and the song One by Metallic came on. Shortly after the opening world famous guitar riff my kid yells out,

“Hey, That Song came From Guitar Hero!” in great surprise I responded, “No that song was created by Metallica”.

This made me realize two things, first I am old, and second those geniuses at Guitar Hero are re-marketing some of my favorite songs to my kids and its working!

To put this in perspective that Mario Brother’s monotone song (including the mushroom growing and coin (bling) sounds) are forever etched into my brain.

Old Press Release for My First VC Raise – $1.65 million

2011
06.30

I found this gem while checking my search stats on my About.me page. Its amazing how long ago 2003 is from a technology and personal perspective.

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08/21/2003

Stonehenge Capital Corporation Invests $1.65 million in Rocky Mountain Portable Storage, LLC
Stonehenge Capital Corporation announced today that it has made a $1.65 million equity investment in Rocky Mountain Portable Storage, LLC (RMPS), a start-up portable moving and storage company that provides both residential and small business customers with a convenient alternative to traditional storage solutions. The Company operates as a “Portable on Demand Storage” (PODS) franchise that delivers containers to a customer’s location using a hydraulic lift system to move the containers on and off the trucks without disturbing the contents. RMPS offers customers the ability to store the container on site or have it picked up and stored at the company’s climate controlled warehouse facility. The investment by Stonehenge supports the startup expenses of the business, including the hiring of up to 18 new employees.

“We think that Colorado is a perfect market for our unique moving and storage solution,” said Chris Walters, President of Rocky Mountain Portable Storage. “We had our first PODS container rented before we even had a chance to advertise.” Walters, who had been working on bringing the PODS concept to Colorado for two years, supports Stonehenge’s focus on rural Colorado. “We couldn’t have done it without Stonehenge and the CAPCO program in Colorado,” says Walters.

“We have big expectations for this start up company,” said Andrew Aye, Director of Stonehenge Capital. “We think that Rocky Mountain Portable Storage will be a solid and long time contributor to the Colorado economy and employment base.”

Stonehenge Capital Corporation is a private equity firm providing equity, mezzanine and debt financing for growth oriented companies. Stonehenge Capital manages approximately $500 million in capital through its offices in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Verizon Wireless Interview at the Social Media Club of Dallas Event

2011
06.24

Here is the latest video interview Verizon Wireless posted of me. Enjoy.