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Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Patton

“Lead me, follow me or get out of my way.” General George Patton, U.S. Army General Setting the direction and plowing through all obstacles to follow that path can make you unpopular as a leader, but it is often the key to success. Not everyone is loved while they are still playing the game. The value in their steadfastness is often only appreciated in looking back. I love Patton because he makes me look soft and feminine. Rather a tough assignment to give a dead man – but he can handle it.

Art Tuesday Earthy Color

It is Art Tuesday at Elarbee Media! Today’s painting is in my office opposite my desk, and is what I look at every time I look up from my computer. It’s a large canvas about 4 feet wide by 5.5 feet tall. It coincidentally carries all of the colors that I chose for my personal office space (greens, browns, yellows, oranges and teal blues). Colors have meanings and are symbolic to us as people; all of these colors are earthy and centering to me personally. In advertising, colors have symbolic meaning too. Pale pink is a tough sell for a truck ad.

Cocktail Friday the Art of Packaging

It is cocktail Friday again at Elarbee Media. Today’s vintage barware from our office are these cork insulated copper glasses. They keep your drink cool, and keep the glass from sweating. Sweet! Because they are beautiful copper, I paired them with a bottle of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which just happened to be handy. In thinking about Tito’s (which I normally only do longingly) I had to ask myself as an advertising professional, “how much value do you add to the product by slapping the moniker “handmade” on the label?”

Wit & Wisdom Wednesday MacArthur on Quitting

 “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” - Douglas MacArthur In business, it can be difficult to want to keep moving forward. When I am in need of inspiration, I look to people who have suffered and sacrificed far more than I can ever imagine and have come out winners. One of my favorite “go to” guys is Douglas MacArthur. When I am in Manila, I sit at his seat in the Tap Room of the Manila Hotel and think about what it must have been like to make the really tough decisions of leadership. I think about the lessons on fortitude that we have to turn to from such great leaders.

Art Tuesday Blue and White Graphics

It’s Art Tuesday again at Elarbee Media! This week’s picture is a highly textured abstract piece in blue and white. It begs the following questions: Is what we see what really appeals to us? How much of the appeal is in the desire to touch and feel what we see? Is the compulsion to reach out for something more important than the resonance of the message? It might just be.

Happy Holiday it is Labor Day

Elarbee Media wishes you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Throwback Thursday Tony the Tiger

Slogans - as well as images - stand the test of time. Who doesn’t remember sitting down to watch Saturday morning cartoons and hearing Tony the Tiger say “They’re Grrrreat!” Check out how Tony has changed since his early days in the cereal business. He looks different, but the product endorsement (albeit by a large cat for a human food product) was so simple in its inception, it has kept pace with us all. What are some of your favorite ad slogans that have resonated with you throughout the years?

Happy Holiday it is LBJ Day!

Today is Lyndon Baines Johnson Day! It is is a legal state holiday in Texas and falls every year on August 27, to remember the birthday of the former U.S. President.Happy LBJ day to all of Elarbee Media’s friends, clients and colleagues in Texas!

Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Henry Ford on Details

“Paying attention to simple little things that most men neglect makes a few men rich.” Henry Ford Who would not have wanted to sit around the campfire with Ford and Edison? Imagine the conversations. Imagine if American business did not have such great legends to inspire us to keep going. Try. Fail. Edit. Try again. Succeed. Elarbee Media gives a nod to all who try!

Art Tuesday Make Art Matter

It’s Art Tuesday again at Elarbee Media. This painting of a leaf floating over the water is one my Mom painted in the sixties. I have always loved it. As a child, it reminded me of the highly stylized doves that were embroidered on the panels at church. It was always a stretched canvas growing up – unframed. About 7 years ago, I found some vintage framing materials, and had my friend Charles finally frame the painting. Because it is from my mother, and evokes strong memories of my childhood, it brings me a sense of peace and calm at the office. This picture hangs in our reception area, over our couch. What is the business lesson? There isn’t one – except the following. Wherever you are, and whatever adventure you embark on, embrace and keep close those things that bring you peace, calm and remind you of those you love.