my last cco post
This will be my last week as Chief Creative Officer of PFD. There's no ill will in this departure. Pixel Farm and I will continue to work together on upcoming projects as strategic partners. I'll just be doing the work out of my own creative shop, which has always been my dream to start.
The last 2 years with Pixel Farm has been an amazing adventure.
I want to thank the leadership team and the President of Pixel Farm, Mohsen Sadeghi, for taking a risk on me. I brought an unorthodox vision on how to re-imagine an agency and you were crazy enough to let me build it. Thank you.
To my PFD team, there's nothing I can write here that can express how much pride and love I have for you. Together we built a company on core principles of honesty, effort, compassion and fearlessness. Good talented people - with cojones. I'm proud to have been a part of your evolution to a great culture and creative shop.
Thanks for the ride.
If you remember only one thing from our time together, let it be the idea that we are capable of so much more than we think. All we have to do is picture it in our head, and with all of our heart, go for it.
Next week, my wife, vertically challenged dog and I will be moving to NYC for an extended sabbatical. If you can, drop by Psycho Suzi Thursday (Dec 15) for our going away shindig. We'll be there from 5:30 onward.
Two Years in a Blink
This month marks my 2 year anniversary at Pixel Farm. I'm not sure I can call myself a beginner anymore. But I still feel like I'm learning. Below is a list of some things I've tried, screwed up and noted from the ride.
The #1 Rule
1) Don't be a shitberg. We make every new employee take the no shitberg oath. It works. For others and for myself. Sure, sometimes hearing criticism on your craft hurts, but the pain doesn't last. Honesty mixed with compassion will always lead to good things - like better work and relationships. Plus it saves so much time and energy.
My Monster Coloring Book App Experience
Below is a hands on (and in my brain) review through 6 monsters I colored using the iPad version of the Monster Coloring Book.
good in, good out
We're pitching tomorrow. I'm not going to Joe-Namath-it and guarantee a victory, but the quality of our work will speak for itself. Our team did an amazing job of keeping it reals and building together. I'm proud to say that our approach shows up in the product. Thanks guys for proving once more that good people can create inspired work... sans BS.
Here's to the shitberg-free chase. Or in the immortal words of Mike Rook, "Let's go."
(I'll update this blog with pitch results once the dust settles.)
Shaqtastic way of life
Shaq retired from playing basketball last week. He's leaving the game he made better by just being himself. I've always been a fan of Shaq. Not so much for his basketball stylings, since watching him play was like watching an Atari 2600 game. Same animation every time. Slam. No, not for his playing. I'm a fan of the way he looks at the world. Simply put:
1) Don't take yourself so seriously.
2) Enjoy the ride.
I have an offer.
PFD is built on an underdog mentality.
It's tough to think of ourselves as "the shit" when we're always striving to fidget with something. We're like this because we're constantly challenging ourselves to stay hungry, raise standards, and innovate.
Our culture is Bad News Bears-like by design, reflected in our recruitment philosophy. We like the outsiders, the ones who never got the shot they deserve because they were undervalued or overlooked. Being an underdog my whole life, I know there are inherent qualities in underdogs that make us click tighter as a team. Maybe we need each other more. Or maybe it's something else that lies between not having a sense of entitlement and having untapped potential.
In any case, here's my offer.
April in 4 pictures
PICTURE #1
Judy Grunstrom (left)
PFD added a rock star to our eccentric family. We're excited to name award-winning brand strategist and syndicated blogger, Judy Grunstrom, as our new Director of Business Development. Besides being as smart & curious as 3x Judies, our Judy is also a straight shooter, which tells me we're going to get along just fine.
what goes around, comes around exponentially
I've always been lucky. Recently, I won a photo & writing contest sponsored by the Center for Living Peace. The prize is a pair of tickets to go see the Dalai Lama speak in Irvine, California on Wednesday. Some good people at PFD kept me from putting work in front of this once in a lifetime opportunity (Sam and KMo). I can't thank them, our clients @ International Market Square (Bud & Julie) or the Center enough. What an amazing chance to see one of my all-time heroes speak. This compassionate, intelligent and good humored man is a shining example of how one person can make a big difference.
my favorite people
are the underdogs that surprise. The ones who want it more.
Now imagine playing on a team of people who all want it more. What couldn't they do?
exclusive sneak peek
Below is an exclusive peek at a branded content piece we did for International Market Square.
Jason Ho, PFD's resident style and toys guru, directed and edited this beautiful story.
- Posted from Minneapolis, MN
