The Steve O-Zone

Behold The Power Of Teamwork

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:22:00 +0000

Teamwork - a cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of a group of persons acting together as a team or in the interests of a common cause.

Obviously the word teamwork comes up a lot in our every day lives be it in the context of things like sports and work, to name but a few.

But I want show you a real-life example of a cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of a group of persons acting together as a team or in the interests of a common cause.

And whoever said teamwork had to involve only humans?

Think we can all learn something from our animal friends, don't you?

The Victims In The Penn State Scandal Needed A Few Good Men...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:53:00 +0000

Many people have been asking me to share my opinion on the Penn State catastrophe - and make no mistake about it, this is a catastrophe of epic proportions - and while I won't go into great detail in this post as I am working on reviving the Not So Fab 5 to bring together ALL of our thoughts in one post.

[[Click on the link above to see who the Not So Fab 5 are]]

But today, I want to share something with you that occurred to me driving into work today.

As anyone who knows me knows I am a huge movie fan and I am one prone - like others in the Not So Fab 5 as well - to quote movies literally. I'll throw out lines from movies pretty much at any time of the day. Maybe it's a guy thing?

Anywho... One of my most oft-quoted movies is A Few Good Men. And no, I don't walk around saying "You can't handle the truth!" Hell that's too easy, everybody knows that line.

But today, driving to work, a line from the movie entered my thoughts as I was listening on the radio to the latest news surrounding Penn State.

See, Penn State and those poor victims and their families needed a few good men. Instead they got a few pathetic men. They got a few cowardly men. They got a few deplorable men.

The line was uttered by Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson at the end of the movie. It's the very last line in the clip below and it's a line that collectively Joe Paterno, Mike McQueary, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz should have reverberating in their heads from now until the end of time.... literally.

Here's the clip... watch but listen... then re-listen... and re-listen again to the very last line in the clip:

'Til next time,

Hello My Name Is Jonathan Ass, But You Can Call Me Jack...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:51:00 +0000

You know there are Jackasses and then there are those who so are Jackassed that they are uber Jackasses; they are Jackasses on steroids; Jackasses 3.0.

I am sorry to be vulgar - not normally so profane but today I am a) tired and b) really tired so I am venting; I am taking my lack of sleep out on some true Jackasses, the pride of Jackass Nation (and I don't mean the MTV show).

First I give you the law firm of Steven J. Baum. Last year the Jackasses en masse at this firm near Buffalo decided to have themselves a Halloween office party. Hey, it's America, why not?

So all the Jackasses came adorned in their best costumes with visions of the best costume prize dancing in their heads. So far so good, right?

Well... that is until you consider the fact that the law firm of Steven J. Baum, according to an article in the New York Times, is what is commonly referred to as a “foreclosure mill” firm, meaning it represents banks and mortgage servicers as they attempt to foreclose on homeowners and evict them from their homes.

And this is what the staff at the the law firm of Steven J. Baum thought would make for great costumes and fun decorations...

NOTE: These photos are from last year's party; no photos were available from this year's soiree but really, do you think they would be any different? Course not....

Yes sir, that's true human compassion right there boys and girls. Altogether now, ARE YOU FU%#ING KIDDING ME?

Next on the Jack Ass roll call comes the geniuses who run a Safeway Supermarket in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Seems a family - mother, father & 2-year old daughter, paid them a visit not long ago. The family had just moved to the area from California just two weeks prior so they were still obviously getting to know their way around.

After paying for their grocery order, which came to $50, they suddenly realized they forgot to pay for the sandwiches they had picked up during their time in the store.

The woman, Nicole Leszczynski, had in fact eaten one while shopping because well, she was hungry. She put the other sandwich and the wrapper for the one she ate aside but simply forgot them when they checked out.

Honest mistake for sure...

What happened next was and still is, inexcusable, incorrigible and downright deplorable.

The couple, along with their child, were stopped by a security guard about the unpaid sandwiches. Embarrassed they offered to pay the $5 for them and be on their way.

Um no...

Cue the Jackass part...

According to the AP story:

They were led upstairs, where store managers wouldn't allow them to pay for the sandwiches, Mrs. Leszczynski said. "The security guard said we were being charged with shoplifting."

Four hours later, a police officer arrived and read them their rights. And a woman from the state Child Welfare Services took their 2 year old daughter Zofia away.

Yes, they took their daughter away over $5.

The pregnant mother said she tried to keep her composure until Zofia, who turns 3 in December, left the store. "I didn't want Zofia to be scared because she's never spent a night away from us. She didn't have her stuffed animal. She didn't have her toothbrush."

Can you imagine the damage this did to this poor little girl?

The couple was handcuffed and driven separately to police headquarters a few blocks away, where they were searched, had their mug shots taken and then released after paying bail. A police officer escorted them back to the store — which banned them for a year, Leszczynski said — where they picked up their groceries and walked home just before midnight.

Are you as incredulous about this story as I am?

A Jackass, er spokesperson (same thing) from Safeway named Susan Houghton, had this to say about the incident:

"It was never our intent to separate a mother from her child. That was a very unfortunate consequence to this situation." We understand the outrage. We are concerned about how this was handled."

Wow, you're concerned... I bet that makes the Leszczynski feel so much better knowing that you and everyone at Safeway is concerned.

Tell me something, Ms. Houghton, do you have young children? Have you ever made a mistake in your life? How would your children react to what little Zofia had to endure?

Altogether now, ARE YOU FU%#ING KIDDING ME?

Til next time...

Two Heroes...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:44:00 +0000

I know far too often the word "hero" is used these days, especially in the world of sports, but today I want to tell you about two different heroes who are heroes in my eyes anyway, for two very different reasons.

The first is a man named Narayanan Krishnan. He gave up his job, his way of life, to spread love for his fellow man and he now spends his days, every day, feeding the homeless and mentally ill in his hometown in India. Narayanan chose a path of love, while most of us follow paths of hatred, greed, anger, jealousy, obsession and consumption, Narayanan made one simple decision, LOVE.

The second hero I want to bring to your attention is a woman named Erin Carr-Jordan, a child psychologist and mom of four, who has been investigating play areas in fast food restaurants throughout eleven different states. This first video is from back in September.

Now while she may not be a hero in the true sense of the word nor match what others may define as a hero, I think she is because she is bringing to light an extremely important topic - our children's health and really, what is more important than that?

So how did the fast food chains respond to her complaints, to her bringing to light these very dangerous conditions in their restaurants?

By cleaning up their play areas? Please... that would be admitting a problem.

No, it's much easier to just ban her outright, which is precisely what they did.

Yeah, that'll show her! And those like her!

Are you kidding me?

Put your head in the nearest pile of sand and magically the problem will go away.

My wife Terri is always, ALWAYS leery of letting our kids play in a fast-food play area and obviously she had good reason to be...

'Til next time...

Happy Birthday To My Baby Girl...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:49:00 +0000

Twelve years ago today my wife and I welcomed our first child, a daughter, into this world. Since then we also have a son and while there is most assuredly a father-son dynamic my son and I have going on, there is nothing quite like the relationship between a father and his daughter.

Any other fathers out there who have daughters will know precisely what I mean. There is something incredibly emotional that goes on between a father an daughter.

To say the past twelve years have flown by at supersonic, warp speed would be an understatement to say the least. I have seen my little girl change literally in the blink of an eye and in some ways I am thrilled to see her grow, but I am also deeply saddened because sometimes I miss My Baby Girl...

I wrote this poem about 6 months after she was born and the words are just as true today as they were the day I put "pen to paper."

And no matter how old she gets, she will ALWAYS be My Baby Girl...

My Baby Girl is everything to me,

She's the light of my life,

She's my reason to be.

My Baby Girl can ease my pain,

Just by smiling at me,

Again and again.

My Baby Girl is one of a kind,

Don't believe me?

You're out of your mind.

My Baby Girl is as pretty as her mother,

And that's saying a lot,

Cause her Mom's like no other.

My Baby Girl is my whole world,

She's simply the best,

Cause she's My Baby Girl.

Commercial Or Movie?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:36:00 +0000

I have long held the belief that many ad agency creative directors are frustrated filmmakers. Seriously, I think many of them have secret and some not-so-secret desires to make movies... big, theatrical productions on an epic scale.

I think many of these same creative directors prey on the fact that, like them, many of their clients, share the same desire to be "in the movies" or as close to it as possible. Hell, let's face it, we ALL would love to make movies/be in the movies, right?

Hell, I have my hand raised... I want to make movies, write for movies, be in the movies and all that jazz. I have even penned a few scripts and actually had one movie which I co-wrote created and released. It was called 9th & Bay and here's the trailer for it just in case you were curious, I know you were...

But... when it comes to advertising, whose goal I believe, is still to move products off store shelves, in a matter of speaking, I can never understand why so many TV spots are made as if they were being made to be shown in a crowded theater as opposed to your living room.

How else do you explain this?

Jeezus are you kidding me? With its Austin Powers/James Bond look, feel and sound to the repulsive scene of the lead actor pulling the bottle of beer out of his mouth in a moment of one-upsmanship with his fellow prestidigitator to the Pulp Fiction-esque dance scene near the end - hey it reminded me of Pulp Fiction, sue me - someone please explain to me what this has to do with beer and the selling thereof.

That's a minute and 30 seconds of my life I will never get back thank you very much. I can just imagine what the cost was to make it.

Maybe this is just another example of a brand having so much money and so much brand equity that it can pretty much do whatever the hell it wants and if it wants to create a TV spot to enter into Caanes and other award competitions, so be it. If we sell beer, great. If not, oh well... at least we made this rad cool spot.

Oh and for the record, I don't drink beer or any other form of alcohol for that matter but I can assure you that if I did watching this commercial would not make me want to run out and buy a 6-pack.

One last thing... what do you think this guy in the spot does for an encore? Surely his date will be expecting him to raise the bar - no pun intended, next time, right? Wonder how much that spot will cost?

Wish Upon A Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:52:00 +0000

Those that know me know that I love to help people. I truly do... I think we all need to pay it forward as much as we can.

It is with that I tell you about Wish Upon A Hero. They are an organization that helps people be heroes... literally. This is a one of a kind service designed to connect those in need with people that can truly change their lives.

Check out their site to learn all about them but for now, they need your help.

Chase Community Giving, a part of JP Morgan Chase, is giving away away $5.5 million to charities all over the country and Wish Upon A Hero is in the running to receive a portion that.

And with the money, Wish Upon A Hero can grant a lot of wishes for a lot of very special people.

Please click on this link to vote. The deadline is October 5.

Thank you!

Full disclosure: My employer, The Star Group, provides the marketing, advertising and PR for Wish Upon A Hero.

National Coffee Day - Coffee Lovers Rejoice & Unite

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:40:00 +0000

Anyone who knows me or spends no more than 30 seconds in my presence knows I love coffee. I think the word "addict" is applicable. But hey, I don't drink, I don't smoke... anything :) I don't use foul lang... well I don't drink or smoke.

Coffee is my vice of choice... And since today is National Coffee Day, I thought I'd share this infographic with all of you I found on visual.ly.

'Til next time,

Political Advertising, You Can Keep It

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:53:00 +0000

I, in case you don't know, have over 20 years experience in advertising and marketing. I've worked in Fortune 500 companies to companies with less than 10 people and points in between.

I love advertising and marketing. I have a passion for it. I love working on concepts, creatively developing them, flushing them out or flushing them down in some cases. But political advertising?

No thanks... at least not when I see ridiculousness like this...

This first one is from Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry, that is very well produced, the first half is exceptionally well done but unfortunately the second half turns into another example of using fear as a means to get elected into political office. And riding in on a horse? Really?

This next one makes the Rick Perry spot look like an ad for Johnson's Baby Shampoo... meek and mild. It's for someone named Dan Fanelli, a Republican who's running for Congress in the state of Florida.

And Mr. Fanelli is hell bent on taking fear mongering as well as racial profiling to a whole new level...

Til next time,

In Your Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:10:00 +0000

This is a poem I wrote way back in 2002 when my daughter was only 2 years old. I was reminded of it reading 50 Rules for Dads of Daughters, a truly wonderful post by Michael Mitchell.

I wanted to share it with you today and remind myself how fast My Baby Girl is growing up and how I need to slow down and enjoy every minute with her and her brother, AKA The Dude because before my wife Terri and I know it, they'll be grown up and out of our house.

In Your Eyes

This is for my daughter, whose eyes are the windows to my soul…

In your eyes I see beauty like I have never seen before.
I see brilliant sunsets, the kind you can't ignore.

I see a future so alive and so bright,
It's all there, just waiting to take flight.

I see an innocence so pure and so true ,
It's what makes you so special,
It's what makes you… you.

I see you growing up way too fast,
I wish you could stay two forever,
I wish these days could last.

I see the teenage years, when you start to date,
I see my hair falling out cause you're getting home late.

I see you going off to school; and off to learn,
I see you needing my help, you know where to turn.

I see you meeting someone who will make your heart skip a beat,
And the same happens to him. Ain't it neat?

I see a mature young woman, at your feet lies the world,
But never forget, you'll always be My Baby Girl.

I love you,
Daddy

September 11th - Not Just Another Day

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:56:00 +0000

Kramer: What's today?
Newman: It's Thursday.
Kramer: Really? Feels like Tuesday.
Newman: Tuesday has no feel. Monday has a feel, Friday has a feel, Sunday has a feel...

***

Fans of Seinfeld will of course recall this classic exchange. As was the case with most things Seinfeld, this was an example of something we all could relate to. I mean days do have a feel, don’t they?

But it’s not just days of the week that have “feels” associated with them.

How does January 1st feel? Well that probably depends on what you did the night before.

How 'bout April 15th? Tax day. Doesn’t mean much cause you always get your taxes filed early, right? Or perhaps you are an habitual late-filer and this date causes you to break out in hives.

July 4th? Cookouts. Burgers. Dogs. Fireworks. Summer. Any of these ring a bell?

October 31st? Halloween. Costumes. Scary ghost stories. Soon as night falls it takes on a whole new feeling, doesn’t it?

December 24th? Anticipation. Excitement. Expectation.

December 25th? Family. Presents. Children. Santa. Snow. A certain euphoria and sense of family comes over us on this day, doesn’t it?

Your birthday? Your spouse's birthday? Your children's birthday?

ALL of these are special days in our lives each with their own unique feel to them.

These are all Not Just Another Day in our lives and on our calendars and in our blackberries and cell phones.

Well I think we must add September 11th to the list.

Right or Wrong, September 11th will NEVER just be another day. It can't be.

For if we allow it to become just another day, then we will have failed.

We will have failed to honor those lost that tragic day. Their memory will die. And we simply cannot nor should not allow that to happen.

September 11th? Personally it evokes feelings of: Fear. Anger. Outrage. Bewilderment. Disbelief. Revenge. Shock. Sadness. Innocence lost.

September 11th will NEVER just be another day.

Mark it down.

I Hate You...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:22:00 +0000

Those who know me know that it's very hard for me to actually hate someone - my wife tells me all the time that I'm too nice. Not that she goes around hating people per se... She is in fact the most honest, forthright, integrity-laden person I know.

Truth be told I don't hate any one in particular but rather I hate the kind of person some people are, if that makes any sense.

Here's what I mean...

I hate you:

Moms & Dads of younger children who seem to believe they are parents only for the tax deductions. You know the kind, the kind that allow their children - their far-too-young children freedoms not normally afforded at such a young age. They allow their far-too-young children to roam unattended in a world that in case you haven't noticed is filled with some not-so-nice people. Every 40 seconds in the US a child goes missing or is abducted. Every 40 freaking seconds! I see it every single day and I hate them for not doing their job. That's right, this is your job and you will never have a more important one. So get off your freaking ass and do your goddamn job. I would love to be able to fire you from your job but...

I hate you:

People who prey on the helpless and those in need. Hurricane Irene has caused millions of dollars of damage as well as causing an endless amount of heartache and emotional suffering, yet there they are... the scammers, always at the ready to take full advantage of people in their time of need. Online scams, contractor scams and on and on and on... My God, what is wrong with people?

I hate you:

People who have no respect for anyone but themselves, and maybe not even then, either. You know the kind, the kind who take advantage of your niceness (see above) and wait to the last minute to break a commitment, knowing you won't be too upset because you're such a nice guy or girl. People who promise something then don't deliver. I know this is also a major pet peeve of my friend Nick Lanciano. Taking advantage of someone in ANY context is deplorable and this particular one really pisses me off...

I hate you:

People with hidden agendas who are not so hidden. I've come across this more times than I count in my professional life. You know the kind, the kind that look you in the eye, tell you they're your friend - take advantage of your niceness (see above) yet all the while have plans in the works to completely undermine you all for the sake of making themselves look better.

I hate you:

Rude, arrogant, jerkfaced assholes who strut around (yes, they actually strut) as if they're better than you because they make more money than you do, have a nice car, nicer house or these days, have more followers than you, have a higher Klout score or whatever... I may hate these people the most. I don't make a lot of money and yes, I wish I made more because unfortunately the world is money-driven place and while I surely have no aspirations of being the richest man in the world, I do want to be able to provide a little more for my family and to help others in need, which brings me to...

I hate you:

People who are so damned cynical. There are those who would read the line above, the part where I say I want to help others in need and immediately dismiss it as being a load of crap. You know the kind, the kind who think EVERYONE is up to something, no one can be that nice; actually want to help others. Well I happen to take great joy in helping others and that and my niceness (see above) often times has people thinking I must be up to something, no one can that be nice.

And finally... I hate ME:

I hate me for continuing to allow what other people think of me affect me. I'm getting better for sure but my wife, my rock, has told me since the beginning of time that I "...can't please everyone; there are those in the world who will not like you for whatever reason. Move on... the hell with them." And she is of course dead on. I can tell people this same thing, to not worry about what others say and think of you but why can't I practice what I preach? I hate that about me. And I love my wife and always will for believing in me when no one else did.

'Til next time...

20 Things About Me You May Not Know...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:10:00 +0000

So there I was, minding my own damn business when my "friend" Dan Perez shares a link with me.

I use quotes around the word "friend" because as Dan puts it himself we are online friends and they don't really count, right Dan? I kid but Dan knows what I mean and I surely hope to meet and break bread with Mr. Perez in real life some day, maybe when I grow up... which will never happen, sorry Dan.

Anyway, the link shared Dan with me was titled Quid Pro Quo: 20 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me and in his post Dan shares, duh, 20 things people probably didn't know about him. His inspiration for his post came via Amber Naslund who had posted on her blog “What I Wish More People Knew About Me”.

Now in his own post Dan tries, TRIES not be corny, as he refers to it but the part about his wife and his unabashed love and devotion to her is corny as hell and I loved every minute of it and I think more of him now AFTER reading the post, which says a lot caused I liked the guy to begin with.

I told Dan I would scribe my own list of things unknown to others about me, although I am not sure I can get to nor want to get to 20 but nevertheless I told him I would so here goes nothing...

1. When I was younger, I used to be incredibly shy; painfully shy; in-need-of-therapy shy; was a very keep-to-myself kind of person. When I tell people that today, they cannot believe it, seeing how you can't shut me up, but I tell people if it were not for...

2. My Rock, my wife Terri I may very well still be living in my parents' basement, even despite the fact that my father has passed away and my mother doesn't even live in the same house any more; everything and I mean EVERYTHING that I am or will ever be is a result of her coming into my life (Sorry Dan, you told me not to be corny)

3. I have zero tolerance for people who make excuses and, like Dan, for stupid people; would throw in rude, obnoxious and greedy people, too

4. I am the youngest of 6 - 5 boys/1 girl; we grew up in a row home in NE Philly with 3 bedrooms; one for my parents, one for my sister and one for the rest of us; yes, 5 boys in one bedroom; I had a blast...

5. I am a huge sports fan; growing up with 4 older brothers like I had a choice; hell my sister knows more about sports than a lot of guys I know

6. I come from a long line of former & current supermarket workers, many of whom (myself included) met their spouse at where else? a supermarket...

7. My father was almost in the FBI... almost. If he had joined them (the FBI as he was recruited to do) after WWII, who knows where I would be today. I often wonder What If?

8. I have retained more useless knowledge (trivia) than you can possibly imagine; my whole family is like this...

9. I am so bad I actually co-wrote a TV/Movie trivia book with a few friends of mine years back. I am so bad I will often infuse movie quotes into my day-to-day conversations wherever I see fit... "What do you wanna discuss now? My favorite color?"

10. I have an incredibly varied taste in music; I like everything from Motown to Sinatra to Hall & Oates to Bruce to Disco to even some music actually made in the past 25 years... :)

11. My favorite movie of all time is Close Encounters of the Third Kind

12. I drink waaay too much coffee...

13. I have learned one of the hardest things to do in life is change people's perceptions of you; not that I care what everyone thinks of me mind you, but it has been a constant struggle, even after all these years, to change my family & friends' perception of me

14. I have written several movie screenplays, television pilots and have so many ideas for movies/TV/Books/Short Stories I have lost count...

15. One of the movies I wrote (co-wrote) was actually made into a real, living, breathing entity; the indie movie 9th & Bay with my good friend Nick Lanciano and I co-wrote & appeared in a movie about Philadelphia Eagles fans (yes that's me at the :35 second mark of this clip)

16. I have probably over 500 baseball hats/caps; started collecting in my early teens and have never stopped; wear a hat most days, too...

17. I... like... to... use... an... ellipsis... when... I... write...

18. My favorite meal is my wife's spaghetti & meatballs (used to be mom's - nothing like an Italian mother - but she doesn't cook much these days)

19. I am huge dog lover; can't believe it's been 18 months or so since we had put to our "crocodile" down...

20. There is an old family legend that we are related to the famous author Joseph Conrad of Heart of Darkness fame which may explain why I am a writer for I have never taken a writing course in my life; in fact I didn't even start to write until I was in my early thirties when I absolutely, unequivocally received an epiphany to write...

The Number of Devices Connected To the Internet Outnumber the Number of Human Beings

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:23:00 +0000

I apologize for that verbose title to this post but after reading an article on allthingsd.com I could not think of a better, more apt title.

According to Cisco, as of 2008, the number of devices connected to the Internet through any number of apparatus: PC, phone, tablet and on on... now outnumber the number of human beings on the planet Earth.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it... Holy Moses.

What in the name of Al Gore is going on here?

What's going on here is the most-significant shift in communications since Steve Gutenberg invented the printing press and movable type. Oh wait, I always get them confused. Steve Guttenberg (with two Ts) was in the Police Academy movies, Johannes Gutenberg (with one T) was the inventor.

For those of you into charts and infographics - and really who doesn't love a nice infographic. There's nothing like it. Except for a nice MLT: a mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe. They're so perky, I love that.

But I digress...

Here's the chart... take a close look at this and you will see just how staggering the numbers really are and are going to be in the years to come.

'Til next time...

Feeling Patriotic Today...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:49:00 +0000

I know, I know... we're not supposed to share these kinds of sentiments on non-holidays, right?

I mean we're supposed to only wave our flag on our lawns and our cars and our lapels on days like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Flag Day, Veterans Day or September 11th, right?

Isn't that what many of us do? We get the flags out of the garage or shed or wherever and put them on our lawns as we enjoy a day off from work then we put them back again when the day is over.

C'mon admit it, you do this... I have my hand raised.

Lord knows America has its problems, not the least of which is our current political system, well maybe it's not the system but rather those at the controls but... this is, the last time I checked, the greatest goddamned country in the world, yes?

I think far too many of us take a lot of things we have in this country for granted each and every day of our lives, myself included.

So yes, I admit it here and now, I take for granted the freedoms we enjoy. I take for granted all that comes with being an American. I will try not to do that, at least as much, in the future.

But every now and then, it's always good to remember who we are...

“The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

What is the #1 issue/challenge facing marketers today?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:33:00 +0000

Do People Fear Being The Best?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:42:00 +0000

Everyone wants to be the best at something, right?

Aren't we conditioned this way? Isn't it wired into our "mother board" to always strive to the best?

The best parent
The best student
The best worker
The best spouse
The best _______________

But, there's a price to pay for being the best, isn't there?

I mean if you're the best at something doesn't that mean you NEVER make a mistake? You NEVER not come through or deliver?

You're the best so the bar is set extremely high and you have to live up to those standards at ALL times, right?

Lord knows I am no psychologist but I am one who's constantly fascinated by human nature. Why people do things... What makes people tick and so on...

And I am just wondering aloud if in fact some people fear being the best for the reasons I mentioned above?

Are some people afraid to be labeled the best of something for fear of not being able to live up to what they perceive to be unreachable and unattainable goals which they cannot possibly consistently meet?

Personally I want to be the best dad, best husband, best friend, best writer, best worker and on and on and I have no problem saying that. I'm not worried about trying to live up to preconceived ideas of what being the best really means in others' eyes.

I know damn well no one bats a thousand, no one hits a home run every time up. See I realized that by "doing my best" means "I am the best."

What about you?

Do you consider yourself the best at something?

If so, do you feel a pressure to maintain the level of being the best, however you define "being the best" really means?

Are you afraid of being labeled the best at something because of the societal-induced baggage and pressure that comes with it?

'Til next time...

Is The Customer Always Right?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:20:00 +0000

I need your help... I need you to tell me if I was in the wrong.

This past weekend my wife, our two kids (ages 6 & 11) and my mother-in-law went out to eat at a local pizza parlor, Bella Pizza in Bensalem, PA. It was around 4:30PM and there exactly 3 people in the place which holds probably upwards of 40-50.

So to say it was a tad slow would be an understatement...

Upon entering the establishment my wife inquired if we could partake of a larger booth located toward the back. She was initially told yes by one employee then no by another. I was lagging a few seconds behind the others and came in to see my wife, kids and mother-in-law seated at a table/booth which was a bit cramped shall I say? It was then my wife told me of the yes/no larger booth discussion.

I then went to inquire of the owner (at least I think he was the owner) as to why we could not sit in the larger booth. Truth be told, I am 6'3", 250 lbs and my wife is 5'11"...so we are not small people by any means.

I was told by the man in charge that the larger booth was for parties of 6 or more people and he couldn't let us use it because "it's going to get crowded soon," a reference I assume to the dinner rush which was about to ensue at any moment.

Keep in mind there were 5 in my party and there were 3 people in the entire place not counting the employees.

I responded to the owner: "That doesn't make any sense... we're here now. And no one else is here. Why would you not take care of the customers you already have as opposed to those who might come in later?

"That's our policy... has been for the past 10 years," came the very belligerent reply.

It immediately reminded me of a story my brother Michael once told me. He wanted to buy his employees digital cameras as holiday gifts. He went to the nearest Best Buy, found one he liked and told the salesperson he wanted to buy 10 digital cameras.

"No, you can't buy 10," said the salesperson.

"Why not?"

"Because then I won't have any left for customers who may come in later."

True story...

***

So, was I right or wrong in thinking we should have been able to sit wherever we wanted? Or should I have appreciated and respected the policy of the pizza parlor?

Just so you know... we left without eating a thing; went to an Applebee's, (also in Bensalem) were seated in a large booth, no questions asked, and were treated to excellent customer service in addition to a pretty darn good meal.

'Til next time...

Image Source: www.p2pnet.net

Consumocracy...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:42:00 +0000

Watch the video below for my take on Valentine's Day and look closely for a brand new word that my good friend & co-worker Isaac Segal coined... Consumocracy.

And check back in the near future because I've asked Isaac to elaborate on his new found word... Trust me, you don't want to miss that...

'Til next time...

What Makes A TV Commercial Memorable?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:16:00 +0000

The Super Bowl is almost upon us.... supposedly a football game will be played or something. I don't know, with my Eagles out of contention, again... I kind of lost track of who's still in contention.

Sarcasm aside, the Super Bowl is also known as much for what goes on the field as it is for what happens off it... and more specifically in your living room, on your computer, on your phone or whatever screen you happen to watch it on.

I am referring of course to the cattle call of TV advertising as companies both large and not-so-large show off their (and their ad agency's) best and in most cases, their newest :30 spot - which this year will cost on average $3 million just to air.

Add in the creative, production and media costs and you're looking at one very large investment.

And those forking over all that cash will surely want a nice return on their investment.

The key of course will be to create something that will resonate with the nearly 90 million viewers who will be tuned in to watch; to leave the viewer entertained yet also informed at the same time; to leave them wanting to buy your product, service or ware.

That's a lot of pressure to come up with something that will last all of thirty seconds. As one who has worked on a Super Bowl spot, I know full the well the kinds of pressure I refer to...

So, with that in mind, I wanted to throw this query out there...

What makes a TV commercial memorable?

And as a follow up, is it the commercial itself you remember or the product or both?

Image Source: toprankblog.com

Why does it take death to remind us to keep things in perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:40:00 +0000

perspective — n

1. a way of regarding situations, facts, etc, and judging their relative importance
2. the proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it; objectivity

The other day I came across a situation that forced me to keep things in perspective that I would like to share with you...

It involves, unfortunately, something that causes all of us to keep things in perspective... death. We are all guilty at one time or another of NOT putting things in their proper perspective until AFTER someone dies, be it someone we know personally or when we hear of a heartbreaking, tragic situation.

It is the latter which caused yours truly to look at my world and to judge their relative importance for that they really are... EVERYTHING.

I recently heard of a story of a woman who received a call in the middle of the night telling her that her brother had died had of a heart attack.

Her and her husband naturally jumped out of bed to get changed and go to be by their now widowed sister-in-law's side. However in the process of getting changed, her own husband suffered a heart attack... and he too, died.

Within the span of 15 minutes, one woman lost her brother and her husband.

How can ANYONE put something like this in perspective and what does it do to your perspective after reading it?

I can tell you I simply cannot put this into perspective on any level other than to say it was their time but I can tell you it forced me to put my life in perspective. And my wife's life and our kids... it forced me to remember to keep an accurate point of view of what is truly important.

Damn shame something like this forced me to do all that... Shouldn't have to be that way. Shouldn't need the proverbial safe to drop on my head to remind me what is really important.

Right now my brothers, sister & I are going through a difficult stage in our mother's life as we are helpless to watch as she begins the transition into nursing home care.

Meanwhile my father-in-law continues to beat cancer, again, regain his strength and get back on his feet.

Yet these two things, these two VERY personal things did not cause me to keep things in perspective.

No, it was hearing the story of the poor woman, whom I have never met, lose both her husband and brother in 15 minutes.

What's wrong with me?

Is it because my mother and father-in-law are alive and these two faceless, nameless men are dead?

If that's the case, that's downright pathetic and I am ashamed of myself.

Nothing against the two men, but this is my mother and father-in-law here, two people I love dearly.

Why does it take death to remind us to keep things in perspective?

When you get right down to it, why do we need ANY reminder to keep things in perspective?

Shouldn't just the sight of your child be sufficient?

Shouldn't the warmth of your spouse's arms as they just give you a hug for the hell of it do the trick?

Shouldn't the morning sun or evening glow get the job done?

Unfortunately for the majority of us, it's not enough.

I can tell you of one person who all the above is all the reminder she needs to keep things in perspective... my wife, Terri.

I don't know how she does it but she does it. She manages to keep things in their proper perspective... most of the time. She is human after all.

But by and large she knows what is truly important in her life and what is simply meaningless white noise in the grand scheme.

So, how about you?

Do you keep things in perspective for the most part?

Or do you find life getting in the way causing you to need some reminder to keep things in perspective?

'Til next time...

My lone prediction for 2011 (and it scares the hell out of me)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:13:00 +0000

I am, by nature, a very sociable person. Love to meet new people, engage in conversation, debate a given topic, etc. (NOTE: I wasn't always this way. No, I used to be quite shy and reserved. You can blame my wife for creating the incessant rambling and babbling person I am today.")

I wanted to preface my lone prediction for 2011 by saying all that because my lone prediction for 2011 (and beyond actually) is I fear we will continue to move away from interacting with people.... from actually speaking to and with people... real, live people.

I just read an article entitled: "Citibank’s Bank Of The Future."

"... the bank features state of the art technologies such as interactive touchscreens that detail the bank’s services, a 24/7 video chat station to interact with customer service reps."

And it just reinforced my fears...

Why talk to and engage with a live teller when a video screen will do?

Hey, I'm all for progress and technological advances and all that good stuff... I really am.

But at what price?

Where will it end?

I have a 6 year old son and 11 year old daughter. I'm starting to think they're the last of a generation that will be taught in school by actual live teachers. Hell, by the time they're in college, they may be taught by Rosie the Robot or Max Headroom.

Technology is like life. It cannot be stopped. I get that. And I anxiously and eagerly await the latest breakthrough designed to make our lives easier and more convenient.

But can we factor into the algorithms and blueprints and wireframes and all that jazz the human being factor?

So, that's my prediction for 2011.

I am quite certain it will come to fruition, sadly.

But hey, if anyone wants to grab a cup of coffee and actually have a discussion face to face, count me in!

'Til next time...

The Long A.A.R.M of Steve O...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:39:00 +0000

MORE...
Aimless
Assemblage of
Rambling
Musings of an over-caffeinated, slightly ajar yet well-meaning writer.

Before I get to my post, I wanted to make reference to the title. For those of you who have been here before know I sometimes bring out the Long AARM just to get things off my chest.

The title is not exactly (understatement) for SEO purposes and folks like @MackCollier would probably question why I would choose such a title but... hey, this is my blog and I'll do what I want, right?

It's why we live in America... freedom of blog titles or something like that.

Anywho, today I want to touch on a topic that is very much a passion of mine: Advertising. I have an undeniable love and passion for it; its varied mediums, its role in American society and so on.

Here's some recent "stuff" I've come across re: Advertising and my take on it...

MY NAME IS WILLIAM BOARD, BUT YOU CAN CALL ME BILL...
Have written more than my fair share of billboards in my time and I am never at a loss for the sheer ineptitude many "creatives" & advertisers alike display when it comes to outdoor advertising.

Take this one for example... (NOTE: The image is blurry as I snapped the pic while driving on Interstate 95 in Philly. I added in the text so you can read it clearly)

See how big and bold and in ALL CAPS the line about the Corolla is?

See how small the line about the Cruze is?

And see how small the Chevy logo is?

Now factor in the fact that this billboard is on an extremely busy highway with folks traveling at speeds well into the 70s, 80s and higher and what impression do you think the majority of them will take from seeing this?

You got it... they will think it's a billboard for a Corolla. Why in the world would you ever give more weight and prominence to your competitor?!?!?!

My all-time favorite billboard offenders are those who insist on cramming everything they possibly can...

Yeah good luck reading this baby going 75...

Of course not all billboard advertising is bad. On the same Interstate 95, albeit going the other direction, are two billboards for the new movie Little Fockers that are perfect... in every way.

The first one below (Stiller) is on the right side of the highway, the second (DeNiro) is on the left, just seconds after the first.

They are perfectly placed and they capitalize on the now-established brand of this movie series. There's no need to have any more verbiage, none.

Obviously every advertiser will not have the luxury of having such a well-known brand where the image can essentially tell the whole story but... even the least-known advertiser needs to realize you're dealing with a very limited window here... 4,5 seconds tops as they speed down the road.

PLUS, in today's uber digital world, drivers, AKA your customers, will not only be concentrating on driving (I hope), their attentions will also be diverted via their omnipresent mobile phone.

Pick a city, any city and choose any main highway, interstate etc and the following happens every single day over and over and over...

Your cruising along at 70... your phone rings, beeps whatever. While you know you shoudn't, you divert your attention to driving AND your phone. While all this is going on, your being deluged by one billboard after another. Your attention is now being sliced in thirds and we, as advertisers, want you to notice our billboard AND remember it.

And for our next trick...

So how bout you?

If you're in advertising, what are your thoughts re: billboards/outdoor?

And if you're not in advertising yet operate a motorized vehicle, what do you think?

Do you notice billboards?

Do you ever remember what you see on them?

Do they ever serve as the impetus to make a purchase?

The other ad I wanted to briefly touch on were TV spots Alec Baldwin recently did for Wegman's supermarkets.

While I think the spots are very well made, I just don't understand why Alec Baldwin?

Does Alec Baldwin conjure up home cooked meals, the holidays and families?

Um, no...

'Til next time...

Inspired by music... again

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:55:00 +0000

It's becoming quite obvious that when I am in need of some divine intervention and true inspiration, the Good Lord delivers to me a song. Not to get all biblical and spiritual on you but I truly believe in a higher power and that said deity delivers his or her message via various channels and mediums...

Mine just happens to be music... and I think for a long time I never made the connection. Hey, I am half Polish after all. Sorry, but it's not insulting if you do it to yourself. (and a gold star if you can guess what the other half of me is)...

Back in August I wrote a post which was inspired by Howard Jones' song called New Song... The video for your viewing pleasure...

And just a few weeks ago I wrote a post which was inspired by the Joe Jackson song "You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)"... video for your viewing pleasure...

And today you ask?

Well today my post is inspired by a song a little more recent... it's called Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.

It's lyrics, which were co-written by Danielle Brisebois (do you know who she is? see below...) are amazingly inspirational.

I've added some comments in RED...

I am unwritten
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined

Aren't we ALL unwritten? Don't we ALL have new stories to write and tell?
And not sure about you but I
am absolutely undefined... just ask my wife :)

I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned

I am about to start on a new (professional) beginning in my life,
the pen is firmly in my hand and I have no idea
where this will lead and I love it...

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find

I have to get some Windex, sorry 'bout that dirty window...

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin

"There is something awe-inspiring in one who has lost all inhibitions."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald

No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips

You have a crappy job, you don't like your boss... boo hoo

Do something about it...

Stop blaming others...

You and you alone are ultimately responsible
for where life takes you...

Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

The first line in that stanza is particularly powerful in the context of social media...

My translation is "Be yourself; create your own voice, style and personality...

Don't use others words... use yours and everything else will take care of itself

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines

I won't be happy until ALL of my tries are outside the lines... :)

We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way, no

This one perhaps resonated the most with me...

Hell yes I make mistakes, find me someone who hasn't

I am so damn tired of people trying to live up to
standards that are simply not realistic

So there you have it... another musically-inspired post.

I do hope you liked it, got something from it... if not, that's cool.

Here's the video for Unwritten...

Oh yeah, Danielle Brisebois... some of you may remember her as Stephanie from All in the Family...

While others may remember her as a member of the New Radicals...

'Til next time,

In appreciation of a MUCH better half...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Olenski...) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:40:00 +0000

Let me preface this by saying I have not done anything wrong, I am not trying to get on my wife's good side or anything of the kind...

I am saying all this because there are many of you - men and women alike, who will automatically think I must have some hidden agenda or something for writing what I am about to write...

And it's a damn shame so many are so cynical but sorry to burst your bubble but I am only doing this out of love and respect...

I am never at a loss to be amazed by my wife.

Not only does she put up with her 3 kids (yes that includes me) but she gives so much to our kids school; so much of her time, especially this week. She's been at their school every night this week 'til late into the night getting ready for their Fall Festival which is tomorrow & Saturday...

She volunteers her time throughout the entire school year in fact and she does it because she loves our kids and she loves to help others... period. I can honestly tell you I don't know how she does it... seriously. I surely know I could not...

Now I am quite certain there will be those in attendance at the Festival who find something, anything to complain about.

We all know the type. They live to complain.

Mind you these are the same people who wouldn't volunteer a drink of water to a dying man (or woman). But oh how they love to complain.

When I hear these people or of them I get angry... I want to say to them "How dare you? What have you done to help? Did you stay out 'til God knows when volunteering YOUR time to help YOUR kids' school? No, your ass was home watching TV or in bed.

And one of these times, and it may be this weekend, I'm gonna get all American President and Andrew Shepherd on their ass...

[[paraphrasing]]
"You want a volunteer debate? You better stick with me, 'cause Terri Olenski is way out of your league."

'Til next time,