This warning was found inside Hanoi's Culi Cafe. Maybe the manager previously worked at the Hanoi Hilton.
I saw this on Flickr.
March 07, 2009
February 11, 2009
Tougher Than Many Marketers: Rocky Zamarra
Back in high school we played football. Tackle. Without any equipment. Against neighborhood groups, organized football squads, and street gangs. (Does anyone know what became of Jungle Jim from the Botany Boys?)
Our guys had qualities a sizable share of marketers lack: Loyalty. Integrity. Courage. On a team of tough guys, Rocky Zamarra was as tough as any of 'em. Last night I interviewed my old pal from Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Perhaps you'll find it inspirational.
As a kid you built yourself up until you were able to bench press close to 300 lbs. What drove you to become big and strong?
My father was someone who stood up for himself. Wasn't afraid of anybody. I wanted to be like that.
You've always been a straight shooter. Why do you prefer to operate that way?
Because I don't like playing guessing games. I don't want to guess what you're thinking and you shouldn't have to guess what I'm thinking. Whenever I say something it's the truth. How do you fight the truth?
Where does self-confidence come from?
From your upbringing. My father came from Italy at 15 or 16. Didn't speak English. Had to prove himself. That took self-confidence. Being able to stand up and be a man comes from within. You can't just grow it. You gotta be it.
What advice do you have for marketers uncomfortable in their own skin?
They have to take a step back and look at themselves. What about you don't you like? Change yourself. Help yourself get better.
As kids we looked out for each other, but in business it's often every man for himself. Why do you think that's wrong?
Because we all have to rely on each other, and watch each other's back. If someone who hung around with us was in trouble, we ran right to him.
Who inspires you, and why?
My father, because of the way he lived his life. And Walter Payton. He didn't let his fame get in the way. At his house he had a separate doorbell for fans. He was a stand-up guy. Wasn't afraid to put himself out there.
You've stayed close to your childhood friends for decades. Why is loyalty important?
Because if I'm not there for guys who were there when I was in trouble, how could I expect my sons to respect me? You get what you give.
Let's roll back the clock to high school. I know you're close friends, but imagine for a moment that it's you and Dominick, mano a mano. Who wins?
Me.
January 09, 2009
Advice for "Insane" Marketers
One popular definition of insanity (attributed to everyone from Albert Einstein to Ben Franklin), is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome each time.
If your business is sinking fast, don't act like the guy who rearranged deck chairs on the Titanic. Try something different.
Tip o' the hat to John Marks for the metaphor.
January 04, 2009
Inspiration for Marketers from the Incomparable Criss Angel
Here are excerpts from illusionist/entertainer/mega-mogul Criss Angel's most recent appearance on Larry King Live:
"I didn’t want to do the typical presentation that people have seen ... I wanted to go and challenge myself and do something that had never been done before.
I am … an artist that utilizes many different vehicles to entertain, to engage an audience, and I try to do that on an emotional level.
I don’t care about how something works, I care about how people feel when they watch it. That connection, that emotional connection, is true magic.
I think everybody wants to escape reality, especially today in this economy … it’s wonderful to have a way to escape and just see that anything is possible when you dream.
My goal is to get rid of the hokey presentations … and create an experience that no one ever had.
I could care less about what critics think. Critics in my opinion are wannabes that will never be.
We’ll be tweaking (the Las Vegas show) for the next ten years because … (we) want to create the best experience possible.
Every day you learn something new and you want to fix it, and you want to grow and you want to evolve.
I wanted to push my boundaries, explore things that I’ve never explored artistically.
Really, what we’ve done is create a new format … in a completely different context.
I love to connect with people. I think when art is truly effective it’s when people have an emotional reaction, whether they cry or they’re excited or they reflect on their own life.
You make lemonade out of lemons. I do it all the time.
I want to use all that I’ve been fortunate to have to help others. I think that’s my calling. I think that I have to be, we have to be, a positive influence in the world. I think that’s really what matters."
September 11, 2008
Palace of Versailles Finally Gets Some New Art
I think Jeff Koons' "Balloon Dog" works at least as well in the Palace of Versailles as I.M. Pei's Louvre Pyramid, but not everyone agrees with me. The National Union of Writers of France, a group devoted to "artistic purity," is protesting.
Maybe they should call in the ultimate "decider" of what belongs in a public museum: Rudy.
See a multimedia slide show here and tell us what you think.
July 26, 2008
Which Hershey Bar is Real?
Is it "A" (the top bar) or "B" (the bottom one)? Add your guess -- and rationale, if you'd like -- to "Comments." I'll share the answer next week, along with a link to the entire "Can you spot the fake product?" quiz. Good luck.
June 16, 2008
Ten Things I Admired About "Big" Tim Russert
1. His family was his top priority.
2. He never forgot his south Buffalo roots.
3. He was passionate.
4. He was prepared.
5. He kept it real.
6. He wrote "Big Russ and Me."
7. He made every day fun.
8. He never let success go to his head.
9. He reinvented himself.
10. He was content.
What did you admire about Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert, who died last Friday of an apparent heart attack at age 58?
January 20, 2008
December 18, 2007
Robert Rosenthal
Mothers of Invention marketing agency founder and president.
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