The Design Symphony Experience

The Best Creative Money Can't Buy

The interesting thing about the the video from will.i.am in my recent post is that it was created without any input, direction, or request from the Obama campaign.

As will.i.am tells it:

"I was sitting in my recording studio watching the debates...
Torn between the candidates...I was never really big on politics...
and actually I’m still not big on politics...

And then came New Hampshire... And i was captivated... Inspired...

I began making this song...
I came up with the idea to turn his speech into a song...
I wanted the inspiration that was bubbling inside me to take over...

so I called my friends...
and they called their friends...
in a matter of 2 days...
We made the song and video...

Usually this process would take months...
a bunch of record company people figuring out strategies and release dates...
interviews...
all that stuff...
but this time i took it in my own hands...
so i called my friends sarah pantera, mike jurkovac, fred goldring, and jesse dylan to help make it happen...
and they called their friends..
and we did it together in 48 hours...
and instead of putting it in the hands of profit we put it in the hands of inspiration...

You know you're delivering an impressive brand experience when your fans start creating their own ways to refer more business to you and promote your goals/dream/agenda.

After I sent out the video, my good friend and work colleague Berit sent me the following images created by Shepard Fairey - a well known artists of "Obey Giant" fame who specializes in the prolific stickering and flyposting of propaganda-style images.

Not only are these beautiful posters with powerful imagery, but once again, they were created by a "fan" who wanted to lend his own creativity to the cause. As he tells it:

"I first became interested in him [Obama] in 2004, after his speech at the Democratic convention and have been impressed with him ever since. I think I'm a pretty good judge of character and my feeling about Barack is he stuck his neck out by being against the war, he always seems to speak his mind whether it's the popular position or not and he just seems like he follows what he believes in, which impresses me. So I decided I'd support him and put up my own money to do so. Some people asked me why I don't wait until he's got the Democratic nomination, but if you want a candidate to win, why not try your best to ensure he actually gets the nomination? "

So here's the ultimate question: How many of your customers, supporters, donors, etc. would put their own time and money into creating amazingly creative campaigns to promote your cause?

If you struggle to answer that question, maybe you should start by thinking about how much you inspire them? Just a thought...

P.S. While the posters are sold out and there are no plans to print more, you can download a B/W version from Obey Giant here.

Yes We Can

Friends:

As many of you know, I grew up in a family full of politicians - so as you might imagine, I've been around this stuff for almost 35 years now... But I must confess, today is different from all the other days.

It's "Super Tuesday" and many believe that today has the potential to decide the next four years. I believe that today has the potential to decide the course of history for our planet...

I'm writing today to ask you to take 4 minutes to view this video:

Once you've watched, ask yourself this:
Do you believe that we can do better? As a people? As a country? As a planet? As individuals?
Do you believe that our country isn't as divided as people claim?
Do you believe that the differences between Republicans, and Democrats, and Independents, and those who don't even want to be labeled, aren't really that far apart?

The main think to ask: Do you believe?

I do.

I believe we can change.

I believe the time is now.

I believe Barack Obama is the best person to lead us.

I believe Barack Obama is the best person to inspire us.

I believe Barack Obama is the best person to help us believe again.

You may not live in a Super Tuesday primary state, but I imagine you know someone who does...

Call them.

Email them.

Right now - there is still time. (you can even forward this email if that makes it easier for you...)

Ask them to support Senator Obama for President.

Ask them to go vote today - or in the coming days if their state hasn't had a primary yet.

Ask them to believe.

To paraphrase, "I'm not just asking you to believe in Senator Obama's ability to bring about real change in Washington... I'm asking you to believe in yours..."

If not now, when will it happen?

If not you, who will do it?

Years from now, people will have the chance to look back on this election and say,

Today was when America changed the course of human history...

Today was when people started to believe again...

Today was the day that made all the difference...

Thanks for your time... Thanks for your optimism... Thanks for your hope... Thanks for believing that yes we can...

Joey

Turning $10 into $10,000 in 10 Days

I'm asking an interesting question in the next few days... How hard is it to turn $10 into $10,000 in 10 days?

Kevin Bacon is famous for his acting - and for being the subject of a game called Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon where you try to link any actor to Kevin based on movies they've been in. Building on this game, Kevin has decided to use the process of connecting to people to help raise money for worthy causes.

Between now and March 31st, the Network for Good is tracking the number of people who make a minimum donation of $10 to causes identified by individuals using badges like this:

The six badges with the most donations (number of donors - not size of donations) will receive a matching award from Kevin - up to $10,000.

I'm trying an experiment using the group I sing with (The Washington Men's Camerata) and our NEA-supported effort called The Demetrius Project. The Project is creating a global library for choral music - collecting and preserving the music for generations to come. We also offer pieces on loan to choruses and scholars around the world and are recording a series of CDs using music arrangements found in the collection's archives.

Can it be done? Time will tell... At the very least it's a fascinating study in viral marketing, social marketing, and the behavior of crowds!

Feel free to do you part and donate to the cause (feel free to give more than $10 if you like too!) by clicking the orange "Donate" button on the badge above or by clicking here. If you could ask friends and family to help out too - that would be even more fantastic (remember it's the number of donors we're trying to maximize!)

P.S. After you donate, send me an email (there's an ecard option when you process the donation) and I'll send you a special gift from The Demetrius Project!

The Kid Beyond Experience

Last night, Kid Beyond took the stage at the 9:30 Club here in Washington, DC and epitomized three key elements of creating an amazing customer experience.

Surprise Me
Who would have thought that someone could replicate an entire band using only their voice, a looping machine, and a microphone. Kid Beyond is a master at "beatboxing" - the art of creating beats, rhythms, and melodies using the human mouth. The sounds he could make and the energy he brought to his performance were completely unexpected. He was the opening act for the person I went to see (Imogen Heap) and his performance was every bit as entertaining and impressive as hers - enough so that I purchased his LP and signed up for his mailing list at the show and visited his website the next day.

Thank Me
From the minute he stepped on stage, Kid Beyond was gracious to the audience. Between songs he kept thanking us for coming out to support him and his art and noted more than once that, "This is for you - everything I am doing up here is for you - you paid good money to see this show and I want to make sure you have a wonderful time tonight."

Connect With Me
I had heard of beatboxing and had seen it in videos, but had never witnessed an expert perform live. Kid Beyond did a great job of explaining the tools of his trade and then demonstrating how it all worked. In between songs he explained things - especially his process - something that was entirely fascinating because it was both new and unexpected. Kid Beyond made everyone in the audience feel like they were witnessing a special performance just for them. To top it all off, when the show ended and we all filed out of the Club we walked by the merchandise table to see... Kid Beyond - sitting on the table, shaking hands, thanking people for coming, and ready with a Sharpie marker to personalize your copy of his CD when you purchased it. I've seen many a show and I've never witnessed a performer so eager to get out among the audience and give them something extra.

It's that simple: suprise me, thank me, and connect with me. And figure out how to be there to sign autographs and ask me to sign up for your mailing list - AFTER you've impressed me with your capabilties and sincere appreciation for spending my valuable time and money with you.