Peter Levitan & Co.

The New Business of Advertising

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Made In America: Made Movement: American Innovation At Work

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This might be a bit off topic, but…

Made Movement is a Boulder “marketing agency” (built by guys from Crispin Porter) that has positioned themselves as being dedicated to, as they say: “We propel brands that make things in America with business-solving, needle-moving strategy and marketing.” I love that they’ve actually manged to find a business niche that delivers some resonance. Most agencies do not have a brand positioning that is remotely different from all their competitors despite the fact that this is what they say they do for their clients.”

They are also in the eCommerce business via their flash-sale site Made Collection. This site sells made in America goods – like shirts made by folks in the Oregon prison system. Made Movement is hoping to build on research that Americans think that goods made here are superior and also build on a bit of patriotism. The site is well-designed, easy-to-use and cool, its in that 2012 hipster style that’s ruling right now. It is an interesting proof-of-concept for the marketing agency pitch.

OK. Why am I blabbing about this? Made Movement has done a couple of the smart / idea / innovative / envelope pushing things that I think we all need / should / could / have to do… If we want to keep the brain juices flowing.  In their case, they are taking the very (very) moribund ad agency concept and are adding a very new twist, a way to position themselves differently and, via consumer insight, to deliver very fresh ideas.

Fresh is good. Being fresh is a good strategy. Works for all of us.

Bill Clinton, Tom Brokaw, Baby Boomers — Who Is The Greatest Generation?

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So, tonight, regardless of your political persuasion, you will probably watch some, if not all, of Bill Clinton’s speech. I don’t do politics here. But I do do Boomer stuff.

Bill is the quintessential Baby Boomer – based on my definition. As I write below, “We, on the other hand, have been an action generation that challenged the status quo, believes deeply in personal choice, the idea that change is good and delivered on the dream of the American Century.”

I have been rereading Tom Brokaw’s book, The Greatest Generation. Rereading it because I see an idea in it that might be my next book. Here is a bit from my take on The Greatest Generation from Boomercide: from Woodstock To Suicide…

“I have always been somewhat disheartened that this pampered Baby Boomer image has dogged us for years despite the fact that we have dutifully trudged off to our jobs, reinvented industries, raised super Gen-X and Y kids and are now caring for our aging parents. In fact, I bristle when I see Tom Brokaw’s book The Greatest Generation.”While the book is kind to our parents, it makes me ask what isn’t to love about Baby Boomers? It is my sense that the “Greatest” are the enduring generation having lived through the depression and two wars. Our folks had to deal with tough times and successfully played the hand they were dealt. We, on the other hand, have been an action generation that challenged the status quo, believes deeply in personal choice, the idea that change is good and delivered on the dream of the American Century. And, as they say in New Jersey, not f’nuthin, but we also had major things to endure like Lawrence Welk and Swanson TV dinners.”

The idea? Who is telling our story?

[Also thinking that Bill will do a better old-white-guy pitch than Clint.]