PIXEL FARM

Everyone knows that you have to be pretty darn creative to write a song. I think the most creative kind of song is a well-crafted Christmas song. Sure, I enjoy the traditional favorites like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells.” I won’t argue that they are both creative and inspiring. But I have to say, some of the more rock and pop based Christmas songs seem to have that extra touch of elfin magic that inspires holiday wonderment.

One example of Christmas lyrical genius comes to us via the Beach Boys Christmas Album. In it the Beach Boys proclaim in five-part harmony: “Christmas comes this time each year.” Wow. I never thought of it that way. When Elton John belts out: “Step into Christmas, the admission is free” it can’t help but conjure up crisp winter evenings by the fire with family and warm cups of holiday cheer. And who can forget how Band Aid changed the world with the non-condescending “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” Sure, half of the African continent is Muslim and doesn’t believe in Christ, but pay attention to the spirit of the lyrics. I particularly like the spiritual guidance, “Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you.”

In my opinion, the most creative thing about Christmas is the music and for the artists who make it so colorful I say, “This Christmas I give you my heart…don’t steal it away the very next day.”

No Comments | In: Moderately Creative Ideas From The Desk Of A Business Person | tags: Africa, Beach Boys, Bob Geldoff, Bono, Christmas, Famine, George Michael, Holidays, Phil Collins, Simon Le Bon, Sting, That Dude From Spandau Ballet. | #

I think some of the most creative marketing out there belongs to the Gyro sandwich. When I walk down the street of a large city like New York or Charlotte, I always see posters in the windows of delis that picture a man or a woman holding stuffed pita bread toward camera with the word written below “GYRO.” It’s a simple message that seems to say, “If you come into this store you will be able to buy a Gyro. The message also seems to say, “You should try a Gyro because they taste delicious.” I like the sentiment and the directness of this campaign. I am a bit confused by the origin of the campaign, however. Who is paying for it? The Greek government? If so, why haven’t other governments followed the lead of this obviously successful strategy? I could easily see a German man holding out a bun with the word “SAUSAGE.” Or perhaps an Irish woman holding out a bowl with the word “STEW.” I just think it’s a missed opportunity is all.

1 Comment | In: Moderately Creative Ideas From The Desk Of A Business Person | tags: gyros, outdoor advertising, pita. | #

I think that there are many creative people in Hollywood…especially those who work in the movie industry. What impresses me most is when they make a sequel to a movie. I remember when I was a kid waiting in line to see Rocky II. I had so many questions. “Would Rocky be a boxer in this movie too?” “Would Rocky have another important boxing match that he needed to win?” Sequels are awesome. Another super creative thing they do in Hollywood is to use characters from different sequels and pit them against each other in battle. I really liked Alien Versus Predator. Freddie Versus Jason was also excellent and creative. If I made a movie, I would take it one step further. I would make a sequel that had the name of another sequel in the title. It would be called E.T-2. The only thing I need to figure out now is how to pit a gentle homesick alien against a robotic killing machine sent back from the future.”

No Comments | In: Moderately Creative Ideas From The Desk Of A Business Person | tags: Alien, Bill Kruse, ET, Freddy, Jason, Predator, Rocky, Terminator. | #

I always thought people who had vanity plates on their cars were super creative. Each time they drive by me on the highway I’m impressed. It’s amazing how much can be accomplished with seven characters and how many creative people there are out there. Like this guy who drove by me in a Chevy Camaro with the license plate “KIKNAS.” At first I was confused. Then it hit me…it’s short for Kicking Ass. I shook my head and smiled. Clever. Another time an old lady drove by me in a red Volkswagen. The license plate said “MYBUG.” I still don’t get that one, but I respect her creativity. It seems like a big competition out there on the highway and I want in. The next time I buy a car, I’m going to get a custom made license plate that says “CAR.”

1 Comment | In: Moderately Creative Ideas From The Desk Of A Business Person | tags: camaro, kicking ass, vanity plates, volkswagen. | #

I always thought it would be a creative idea to open a franchise restaurant called Deli-icious. I thought of it because if you look at the word “Delicious,” the first part of the word is “Deli.” It’s such a coincidence that a “Deli” is a kind of place where you go to get food and “Delicious” is an adjective that can be used to describe food.

The other idea for a restaurant that my business friend had was called “Everything’s Gone F*&%ing Bananas.” In this restaurant you could only order banana food. This is also a creative idea that I like.

No Comments | In: Moderately Creative Ideas From The Desk Of A Business Person | tags: bananas, creativity, restraunteer. | #