gary vaynerchuk crushes brand flakes for breakfast
Maybe you know Gary Vaynerchuk for his immensely popular Wine Library TV show. Maybe you're a fan because of his Today Show appearances. Or perhaps you've seen one of his countless keynote speeches at conferences across the globe.
Well, Gary's got a new book called Crush It! that's all the rage in the social media universe, and he wants to spend just a couple of minutes telling you about it. In true Gary V style, he recorded a video just for Brand Flakes readers!
While we still love our brand flakes with whole milk, we appreciate that he even drinks wine with his breakfast. Thanks, Gary!
Labels: books, creativeinspiration, publishing, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:47 AM
2 comments
Thursday, April 16, 2009
100 abandoned houses
Since the mid-90's, Kevin Bauman has been photographing abandoned houses in Detroit. What started as a hobby is now a full blown project.
100 Abandoned Houses is a stunning collection of 100 photos. Of abandoned houses. Seem like a lot? According to Kevin, the actual number of abandoned homes in Detroit is more like 12,000.
You can buy prints of the photographs for $35, and a good piece of that goes to some great causes. From Urban Outfitters.
Labels: architecture, books, photography
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 AM
0 comments
Monday, April 06, 2009
because you're a doer, not a thinker
Brand Flakes best buddy Bill Green over at Make the Logo Bigger has contributed to a new book titled Connect: Marketing in the Social Media Area. The book features 400 words by 100 people.
We say buy it:
+ Because you can expense anything with the words "social media."
+ Because the proceeds go to a great cause.
+ Because there are other really cool people that contributed too, and we really like them, but don't want to name some without naming others. And 100 is too many to name.
+ Because Bill Green has just trademarked a new term: Thought Doers. Yep - go tell your favorite Thought Leader to put his PowerPoint slides away. Anyone can think. Only the best do.
Labels: adindustry, books, social media
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:49 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
the king of madison avenue: the i didn't read it review
People who love BrandFlakes send us books, for review. We love reading, but spend most of that time on the intertubes rather than in books. But every once in a while, there comes a book that's worthy of a review anyway. So here's my "I didn't read this" review of the brand new book The King of Madison Avenue, by Kenneth Roman, former Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather:
Cover design:
Meh. It's not going to make you look cool while reading this on the plane. The Annie Leibovitz (!) photo of the late David Ogilvy makes him look a little pissed. Or maybe he's just being badass. Most people won't recognize him, as his name is more famous than his face.
Heft:
Good heft will leave you feeling accomplished after reading. 282 pages feels good, without feeling like a project.
Design:
Photos on the inside are a nice bonus! Toward the back of the book, there are transcripts of actual memos from the legendary Ogilvy.
Description on the back cover:
Nothing entirely inspiring. This book might have benefited from some more prominent positioning of David Ogilvy's name. That's the one reason I'm actually considering reading this. For real.
Should you read it:
I love everything that I've ever read about David Ogilvy, and admire his teachings, so I'd read this on his reputation alone. Read it for the king of Mad Ave, Mr. Ogilvy.
Labels: adindustry, books, publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:18 AM
1 comments
Friday, May 02, 2008
accidental branding: the "i didn't read it" review
Here's the thing. Publishers send us books all the time, for review on BrandFlakes. But I've sadly given up books for everything internet. There are some really, really hot books out there. Worthy of reviews. But there's only 24 hours in a day. And at least a few have to be devoted to sleep, for now.
So here's an attempt at a review, for a book that I haven't had time to read. I'll highlight the things that you might find helpful, if you're considering purchasing Accidental Branding.
But let me be clear: I didn't read this.
(All ratings are based on a 1 - 10 basis, 10 being "excellent.")
The book's concept: 9
How a handful of really cool people have built some very successful brands. Each chapter is devoted to another personality. Really, really cool people that you'd like to know more about - Craig Newmark (Craigslist), Gary Erickson (Clif Bar), Roxanne Quimby (Burt's Bees), and other super influential business people.
Cover design: 3
This one won't pop off the shelf. You've got to look for it. I would have given this a "2", but I'm in a good mood today.
Font size/typography: 6
Nothing uber creative, but nothing annoying or intimidating either. Clean layout, clean type, done well.
Pictures/info graphics: 0
No photos. No sexy info graphics. I think that's ok, given the subject matter. It's about the people, and their stories.
How it feels in your hands: 8
There are three kinds of books:
a) The kind that your English teacher assigns you to read, and is about 900 pages too long, and 43 pounds too heavy.
b) The pamphlet that's trying to pass as a book, but really isn't a book at all. It's a brochure.
Accidental Branding isn't either of these - it's a appropriately sized. Like a good book should be. The kind of book that feels good in your hands, after you've bought it. Your messenger bag will accept it, and it will feel just right to open, on a long train ride.
Other reviews that I would believe:
Greg Verdino
The Marketing Spot
ToddAnd
Scale of "I'd like to read it": 8
We can learn so much from others. Accidental Branding is chocked full of stories from people that you can't help to admire for their business and brand success. I swear that I intend to read this one. I just need a free weekend. Or a couple of nights...
Labels: books, branding, publishing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:39 AM
7 comments
