E Pluribus Unum*

I spotted this billboard while driving in the Pocono mountains over the holiday weekend.

America, we have a lot of work to do...



*(Out of many, one.)

American Idol

“I’ve always thought that each person invented himself… that we are each a figment of our own imagination. And some people have a greater ability to imagine than others.” - David Geffen

If a hero is one admired for his exploits, David Geffen is one of my American Heroes.

With a relentless desire to succeed and laser precise focus, Geffen influenced American popular culture.

His is an American success story.

DVR Alert - American Masters: Inventing David Geffen, premieres nationally on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 on PBS (check local listings).

If you are interested in reading up on David Geffen, I recommend the following books:

The Operator, Tom King, Random House
The Rise and Rise of David Geffen, Stephen Singular, Birch Lane Press
Arts and Letters, Edmund White, Cleiss Press
The Men Who Would Be King, Nicole Laporte, HMH

MLK "Sell-a-bration"

I had a conversation with a fellow advertiser and we veered into a discussion about the appropriateness of using the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National holiday as a catalyst for a sale or special.

Given the issues of equality that the civil rights icon fought, and ultimately died for, I am of the opinion that it is not only inappropriate, but offensive and crass.

While there is a prevalent belief among some that we now live in a "post-racial" society, nothing could be further from the truth.  

In some respect, that is why I am opposed to using Dr. King's name and or likeness as a convenient means of creating a sales or retail event.

This hasn't prevented retailers, to varying degrees, like Sears, local car dealers or a surf shop in Laguna Beach from creating MLK "Sell-a-brations."

This special holiday has also become an opportunity for satire.

Another friend commented when I asked her what she thought, "It has become a retail holiday, especially when big brands like Sears participate in the process."

That may be true, but does that make it right?