If you don't want to be mistaken for a banker, don't dress like a banker.

There was an article yesterday in the Chicago Tribune about an influx of black youth from the South and West sides heading into Boys Town to party. Problem is they tend to get mistaken for the thugs who go there to cause problems. Naturally this brings up the thought 'if you don't want to be mistaken for a thug, don't dress like a thug.'

It's an old cliche and a problem often thrown around, why do we as a culture idolize criminals at the worst and athletes at the best? Obviously they're not roll models. But who is a roll model? I don't think anyone has been bragging about being a banker or working for a Wall St. firm the last couple years. (Not that we're anywhere close to a revolution, but if we were, the bankers tend to be the first to be killed off, unless of course there's royalty to be killed).

So, who should young people see as roll models and how should they dress? Keep in mind that most good roll models dress tragically lame. And youth will never go for that. At least not en masse.

Intel

Sorry, I know it's been a little advertising intense today. But I'm geeking out a little.

Intel has maybe the best campaign out there. Few brands go out of there way to show they 'get' their consumers.

Congrats to Venebles Bell (I know it's an old campaign, but they just released some new work)

Stupid never rests.

3 Tennessee freshmen football players were arrested yesterday for armed robbery. To be that stupid is one thing. To be that stupid in season is entirely different.

Maybe if a booster had them in the back pocket this never would have happened.

Victors and Spoils

Victorsandspoils.com

Pure evil genius.

But they're downfall might be what makes them successful. This is the only place where decent creatives might be willing to work for free because of their connection to Crispin Porter.

Their first project (creating their logo) had 1,118 entries. And after browsing them, quite a few were awesome. 5 people got paid. So 1,113 entries went unpaid (most designers entered more than once I imagine). One person got a measly $100. And the winner got $1,000 still probably less than they would have been paid in a regular gig.

So the question is, how long will people be willing to work like this? If you work on five projects and never see a dime, or very little money, will you work on a sixth? Especially against such stiff competition. Eventually, and I think soon, the numbers and quality will diminish.

I imagine there will always be ad school and design students who figure they're not getting paid anyways, but how long can you survive on student labor?

Good luck guys, but I have a hard time seeing how this can survive for the long - haul.

Looking for a new cult

I'm looking for a new cult leader to work with to hone my marketing skills.

I'd be happy to give references but the last group set their ocean side mansion on fire during the Perseids. There were no survivors. They're all on a spaceship to galaxy NGC 6494. I hear it's nice there. Mission was a total success.

I can build you a small but very loyal following. I'm willing to do this work on a pro-bono basis. I only ask that if you are planning a doomsday cult please find a more creative way to indicate the end of times. These mansions are not easy to come by. They are beautiful and deserve a little more respect than to be burnt to the ground.

Thank you.

Fancy some grave dancing?

New product idea #1:

Six foot by 3 foot portable dance floor.

Just the right size for your standard grave site. (extra large options are available)

Handy for when that special someone you wish never was alive - isn't.

The best part? It's reusable.

Only 2 guaranteed ways to fight the signs of aging.

1: Die young.

2: Live a life so boring you may as well have died young.