Lisa McGrath's Thoughts and Musings

Brands and connections

2008-10-14T06:04:00.003-04:00

I have been a Caps fan for ... forever. Some of my greatest childhood memories are going to those games out in Landover with my Dad. Now my husband and I go to home games and it's a whole new set of memories. When the SE Championship banner was raised Saturday night, I cried. An emotional pride and adoration for a team, an organization ans a sport that has been a huge part of my life. Now that's brand satying power. A big thank you to Ted Leonsis for leading the organization to this place. It's a beautiful thing to watch.

Follow up to Microsoft Post

2008-10-02T09:24:00.001-04:00

Interesting that the campaign was such a failure initially. I really like the ones now: "I am PC." Why wouldn't they have just gone with that? Jerry couldn't have been cheap!

Happenings

2008-10-02T09:21:00.003-04:00

Between the crazy economic situation and political climate, it's a time of great uncertainty. You have to laugh. Makes things better.

Plus the Red Sox won last night. And hockey season statrts next week. Go CAPS!

Microsoft goes for a makeover

2008-09-09T08:48:00.002-04:00

Saw this article today. Saw the commercial last night. I didn't get it.

Wow.

2008-09-04T08:44:00.002-04:00

Being called sexist, because I question RNC VP Nominee is insane. I am a woman. I am educated. I am relatively informed on issues and politics. I just don't see how being snarky and mocking someone's grass-roots involvement is not working woth the people. More so than an executive anyday. And to read comments from my fellow Americans that say that if I as a woman don't support her, I am anti-woman? NUTS!

Too much

2008-08-27T22:32:00.002-04:00

Too much work. Too much politics. Too much stress. Wow ... do I need to get away. Luckily I am heading out Friday for 4 days of peace & quiet. No facebook. No Twitter. No email. No laptop. No work. Phew! I need it ... adn I can't wait.

And only six weeks till hockey season ... woo-hoo!

Beautiful Illustrations

2008-08-08T15:12:00.003-04:00

Heard from Buzz Feed (on Twitter) about these. Artist Dyna Moe has designed some beautiful, retro-style illustrations based on Mad Men. See photos here.

Great twitter article

2008-08-07T12:06:00.004-04:00

Ian Hall had a great post -- and tweet -- on Twitter and branding. Very interesting. Not sure my comapny's brand is ready for Twitter, but I sure wish it was!

And then I stubled upon this article from Marketing Professionals on branding and twitter. I am pining for an opportunity to do this!

Love it!

2008-08-07T09:53:00.001-04:00

I love the fact that one of my favorite shows, Mad Men, is having such a big impact on our culture (See Ad Age story). It's a brilliant, beautiful show, with real, well-written characters. Plus it's "the good old days" of advertising. What could be better?

What is a team?

2008-08-07T08:20:00.003-04:00

All the media coverage of the Brett Favre situation has made me really try to realize what makes a team. I think he's done a huge disservice to Green Bay (the organization and the community) by simply changing his mind.

I've seen this happen in my professional life too ...changing one's mind can have much wider implications than originally thought.

So what is a team? To me a team is a group of people working toward a common goal. But what if 1 or more of the group is working against that goal? Or is creating discord? It can't be tolerated and it can't happen. It's destructive.

So good for Green Bay that he's gone. I'm glad the frenzy is over, and the folks in WI can move on. I just hope they do.

Countdown's on!

2008-08-06T14:34:00.000-04:00

Only 8 weeks and 3 days until the Capitals' home opener!

Nice Read

2008-07-30T09:53:00.003-04:00

Great story on a "great story."

Fairness

2008-07-30T06:09:00.004-04:00

Really trying to be fair with Cruil & Knol both debuting. I really don't get cruil. Unrelated images ... zero search results. And an awful braind name ... ick! Knol is ok. I like the idea of having to take responsibility for what you post, but have seen a ton of people just reposting existing stuff. Kinda sad. I want to see what the next Twitter, Facebook or Interesting Blog like Ted's Take will be.

Lifelong learning

2008-07-25T11:19:00.003-04:00

I have really been trying to dig into the blogosphere and the social media world this week. There is a ton to learn. I feel fortunate that my personal & professional networks offer some great experts!

Keywords

2008-07-23T09:10:00.002-04:00

Transparency - Huge in terms of displaying it as an organization and as an individual. Hidden agendas are for the birds.

Real - do what you say and say what you do. Clearly. Avoid buzzwords and current/trendy terms. And if ytou can't say it in a sentence ... start over.

Find your passion

2008-07-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

Something interesting to think about. Having just had a lightbulb go in my head recently about my career ... I think it has to do with passion. To be happy at work (where you spend the VAST majority of your time), you MUST have passion for what you do, your brand, your function, your work product ... something.

Now I just have to settle in and develop a plan to be able to do just that!

Almost there ...

2007-10-10T14:04:00.000-04:00

Working on finalizing job offer from 3M! Very exccited about that. What's been happening?

1) Lots of job interviews and networking
2) We went to Ireland for vacation ... a wonderful trip!
3) A friend from NYC came down to visit
4) We went to STL to visit my cousins
5) We're headed up to Allentown, PA area this weekend to visit my college roomie

Wind Energy

2007-08-07T13:07:00.001-04:00

Has anyone local in Montgomery County converted to wind power yet? My husband and I are investigating it and are wondering if you've had any issues.

Bourne Change

2007-08-07T12:41:00.001-04:00

My husband and I went to see Bourne Ultimatum this weekend. It was great, escapism fun!

What scares me is the technology and the likelihood that some version of being able to spy on people the way the CIA was here is pretty real/high.

What I love about the movie is how it took a series from the 80's and really modernized it (from cold war to trained assassins). Genius updates.

Now Accepting Job Offers...

2007-08-01T16:46:00.001-04:00

... From smart, savvy organizations that understand the need for marketing & business development.

YOU:
Socially responsible, innovative organization with fresh insight & perspective. Your culture: candid, respectful, open, transparent, and your team(s) really operate like a machine. Your processes are down cold and you see your vision clearly.

ME:
I help you implement your vision with creative writing, ambitious outreach, service-orientation and a huge network, near and far.

Marketing Schmarketing

2007-07-23T15:12:00.000-04:00

... It's hard.

Whether you are marketing a product or service or even yourself, it is tricky. Luckily I feel I've become a very talented marketing/branding/communications professional. But it's never an easy job to write for the audience rather than yourself.

I guess that's what this is for ... so I can write for myself.

Interesting Read

2007-07-19T11:39:00.000-04:00

I recently read Why Business People Speak like Idiots. It was a tremendous read. If one more company uses messaging like "leverage your BI for greater ___________" ... I just may scream.

It's such a true book. We just don't like to admit it. We've all ... myself included" been brainwashed to write the crazy "business speak" that we do. Great to be reminded about the importance of being real in your communications.

What is Sustainability

2007-07-18T08:38:00.000-04:00

There are many thoughts on what sustainability is to a business. I believe it's in line with the "triple bottom line" theory.

People. Making sure your team is taken care of from an ergonomic perspective, but also listening to them, addressing their concerns, and involving them. Create an organization that is transparent and doesn't have politics and "water cooler chat". And if someone isn't working for the organization as a whole ... address the issue.
Planet. recycle, buy recycled paper, switch to wind power if you can, use windows and natural light rather than the energy of electric lighting. Whatever you do, make sure you are working to leave your environment as clean as possible to ensure your work is available in the future.
Profit. You actually can make money by being sustainable. You also protect our future by acting responsibly for your people and your planet. It can also be used for a competitive advantage if you are a first mover in the space.

Having had experience in an organization that really addresses those needs ... it makes for a much more fulfilling experience.