So end(ed)s my formal training

To my one sole follower, I'm touched you actually took the time to read this. Or even if not to read this, just to take the time to subscribe. My training at the Creative Circus came to a close back in September, 1 week before I was scheduled to present to my panel and move on to my 8th and final quarter. I left of my own accord, but there were indicators that the ad world wasn't quite for me.

In some cases, I felt the deck was stacked against me. I felt in some cases there was favoritism and bias. But then a lot of that I brought upon myself. Considering I don't drink, don't party, don't smoke, don't medicate, it was hard to find people to work with. I felt a lot of my work was discredited because it didn't fall in "normal" creativity, that it was too intellectual and therefore wasn't valuable. I always chased after the hard projects, but they never panned out or got the support I wanted.

When I came to my last week, I was running about 3 hours of sleep a night and a single meal a day. I decided that my overall health was more important than finishing at the circus, that it was more important than joining a career field I learned I wasn't cut out for. I still have a lot of respect for the creative minds, for Dan, Heddy, Don, Rita, Amber, etc and especially Norm. I have no regrets about going to the Circus or leaving when I did, for I learn much and met many great minds. I have no plans of going back and completing. I don't think I'd gain much more than what I have now.

This is not of the end of my blog. This is not the end of the randomness. It's merely a time for transformation. Within the coming weeks, I hope to upload my past work, my half baked ideas, my scribbles (both old and new). As I implied, I'm not pursuing a creative career anymore, but that does not mean I will stop being creative. I want to have at least 5 ideas a day, even if they are terrible ones. I am an innovator. I may not be valued as an ad man, nor do I want to be, but I want to be valued as an idea man. That is who I am. Screw subjectivity of creativity. I am creative. You are creative. Creativity can not be qualified be critics.

I end this rant with a simple test of my Qik cam. I will not stop writing or experimenting or creating, even if it's absolute shit.

Microtransactions (XM-Sirus teaser)

Something that's been really hanging on my mind lately is the whole XM-Sirus bankruptcy issue. What can make them profitable? I got some ideas for it, so if anyone is looking for a SuperTeams project, hit me up and I'll let you in.

*edit* 5/28/09
Well, nevermind then. Looks like they solved that whole issue the iPhone app. Lesson to be learned: If you have an idea, don't sit on it. Someone might be you to it.

Don't be afraid to embarrass yourself in front of your peers

It's taken me this long to embrace being here in Atlanta. Small town to big city lifestyle lag wasn't pretty and to some extent still isn't. Going from home to work and back again doesn't benefit the spirit.

On point of the post, I'm not sure where I heard, but one of the big ad agencies makes their people choose from a list of things to do that are rather embarrassing. The concept is that once you make a fool out of yourself, anything else stupid you do won't be as embarrassing. I don't know what was on the list, but I think walking around in public with your pants around your ankles might be on there.

I am an introvert. Not a serious one, but probably enough that it hurts my professional career. I've held out from going to parties, thinking that I could get more work done, realizing just recently the events I was missing was where partnerships formed. Quite akin to the golf course business deals I suppose. Well, our beloved Andrew Harper snagged a job and a party was going down in his honor. I figured it was time to the make the scene.

Made the party and hung on the wall. Lame, lame, lame. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed people dancing to some music. I've had a little bit of experience, but never the guts. Now was the time. I got out there and danced. I don't know if it was good or bad (betting on bad as no one was on the dance floor when I was done, like I cursed it), but it was one of my more embarrassing moments.

And while I didn't come out of the party with new partnership, I got a sense of whatever I do now can't be as bad as what I did that night.

If you want this to be your job, treat it like such

If you want this job, you've got to be willing to sacrifice for it. Weird eating habits and bedtimes are part of the process. If you're living like it's summer break, you're in the wrong place.

They can't all be winners

One of the hardest things for me to come to terms with here at ad school is finding out that most of my work is sh*t. But you have to understand that when you get out there in the real ad world, alot of your stuff is going to be shot down for numerous reasons. What ad school does is that it prepares for you reality, builds up your resilience and helps you take critiques and failures with grace before royally screwing up out there where it really matters.

Fight for what you believe in

Advertising isn't for the meek. That being said, don't think that you can be an overly aggressive and pompous ass either. What you need to do is stick by your work, listen intently to everything that'ss said and take it in stride. If you can defend your work from a calm and logical standpoint, you're more likely to make an convincing argument. Don't sulk as you won't survive.

Strategy? What's that?

Some people might be confused about what a strategy is. I know I am. I've heard a lot of back and forth at the school, but I think this link offers pretty good insight. Thanks StumbleUpon!

Familiar Strangers: 17 Strategies to Killer Ads