How digital ruined everything.

Many people have witnessed the transformation in marketing caused by the digital revolution. Not many of those have had the opportunity to witness it from the inside. I certainly have had that opportunity. First by working in advertising and design agencies for over 20 years and then by working at some of the world?s largest Web development firms for much of the past decade.

I get called upon regularly to lecture about marketing and brand development, and recently I decided to compile my thoughts regarding the influence of digital media into a presentation I call "How digital ruined everything." The digital media explosion has indeed changed everything for the better and the worse. The presentation is a bit tongue-and-cheek, but it does make important points about how digital media has both enhanced and degraded the quality of modern marketing.

The presentation begins with a short overview of the digital media explosion followed by a few examples from my personal experience in developing traditional and digital marketing campaigns for Fortune 100 companies. Because I approach these examples form the perspective of a creative director, they are anything but dry case studies. I then end with a bit of hard earned advise for both marketing agencies and their clients.

I have delivered this presentation at Harvard University and Lasell College.

I am very interested in reaching as many audiences as possible, and if you know of anyone who may be interested in scheduling me to present "How digital ruined everything", please contact me.

Classic jazz and classic jazz photographs.

I’ve known Wendy and her mother Jean Germain since the 1970s. A couple of years ago, on a trip to Boston, Jean’s shared with me her jazz photographs. I was impressed by the quality of the images as well as the very interesting the story of how they came to be made. Fortunately, the images have recently been published in hardcover book form. I suggest that if you are a fan of classic jazz, this book is for you. Here is all the info.

Jazz From Row Six: Photographs 1981 - 2007
Jean Germain, photographer/author
Forward by world-renowned pianist, composer arranger Dick Hyman

96-page, 9.5 x 12 book black & white and color photographs of more than 60 jazz musicians.

Rarely does a photographer get an opportunity to follow subjects over an extended period of time. Yet, year-after-year from 1981 to 2007, confined to her seat in row 6, not allowed to use flash, or a tripod, photographer Jean Germain pushed technical and creative limits in order to capture performances by legends of the big band era. When there was not enough stage lighting, Germain pushed the 3200 ASA film, and when she could not hold the camera still enough, she used cokin filters to produce the illusions of movement. This body of work warmly portrays many of the musicians in their 80s and 90s “playing out” the remainder of their lives with tremendous passion and joy. She was also able to grab some tender moments when the legends were playing with and mentoring the “kids” like John Pizzarelli, Diana Krall, Howard Alden and Byron Stripling.

Jazz From Row Six: Photographs 1981 - 2007 received a Next Generation Indie Book gold medal for best Entertainment/Pop Culture book and finalist for best Coffee Table Book. Jazz From Row Six is available on line at: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and eCampus.

Madman across the water.

Charlie Moore refers to himself as "The Mad Fisherman," and if you have ever seen his television program, you know he just may be right. I have never seen anyone get so excited by the idea of fish.

All of my friends know that I am not comfortable in nature. The sight of more than two trees can trigger an anxiety attack for this city rat. That aside, last summer I traveled to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire to spend a day photographing Charlie. I was very pleased with the photos, and Charlie ended up using one of them for the cover of his latest video. The video features classic rocker Ted Nugent. Go figure.