February 6th - February 10th
Monday February 6th
Today is the day after the Super Bowl (The Steelers won 21-10) which is a day many people wish would be declared a holiday, so that they can recover from the partying the night before. (The game usually doesn’t end until 10:30PM or so.) Strangely enough, for all the millions of Americans who watch the game, the football itself is not the topic of conversation around the water cooler. The commercials that play during the game are the hot topic. Every newspaper, TV show, radio show and internet outlet in the country was analyzing and rating these 30 second spots, which advertisers paid millions to air. (the investment pays off when people talk about and show your ad without you having to pay for it.) the phrase most commonly used when describing the mindset of advertisers is “Madison Avenue.”
This is an antiquated term that comes from the days when most of the big advertising agencies were located on Madison Avenue in New York City. The commercial icons we love and the jingles we know came from Madison Avenue.
There are very few advertisers located on Madison Avenue anymore, but the idea lives on. If you walk down that street today, you’ll see banners with the inductees into the advertising Hall of Fame. (slogans like “Get a piece of the rock” and characters like Tony the Tiger.)
In honor of American advertising’s biggest day, I’m going to write to two legends of the business.
Donny Deutsch
Currently the host of “The Big Idea” on MSNBC, Donny Deutsch is the founder and chairman of Deutsch, Inc., which became the tenth largest ad agency in the world in just a few years and is worth 2.7 billion dollars. He also wrote a best-selling book, “Often Wrong, Never In Doubt.”
Jerry DellaFemina
Jerry Della Femina was part of a new breed of executives that shook up advertising in the 1960‘s. Wildly creative and eccentric, Della Femina pushed the envelope throughout his career. He used controversy and humor to promote his clients' products and his own agency. His most famous ad campaigns are “Joe Isuzu” and “Meow Mix singing cat.”
Tuesday February 7th
I went to see the Oscar nominated film “Munich” today. (Now I’ve seen all five films nominated for Best Picture.) The subject matter may be controversial, but the film itself is an amazing piece of craftsmanship. At times it has the feel of a documentary, and other times that of a thriller. Steven Spielberg directed it, and was nominated for Best Director for his efforts. The ensemble cast made the material shine, hitting all the right notes. I’m writing to some of the cast members to let them know my thoughts on the film.
Eric Bana
Best known for portraying Bruce Banner, the human alter ego of the Hulk in Ang Lee’s adaptation of the Marvel Comic, this Australian actor has had quite a career, beginning as a stand up comic, and now starring in major Hollywood films like “Troy” and “Black Hawk Down.” His role in “Munich’ as a morally conflicted Israeli assassin was sadly overlooked at Oscar time, but is destined to remain a classic.
Geoffrey Rush
A fellow Australian, Mr. Rush won the best actor Oscar in 1996 as a mentally disabled piano player in “Shine.” in recent years, he’s played roles in films as varied as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Frida.” He won an Emmy last year for his amazing portrayal of film legend Peter Sellers in the HBO biopic.
Daniel Craig
While “Munich” was being filmed, Mr. Craig was announced as the new James Bond (the first blonde haired actor to do so) replacing Pierce Brosnan. I first noticed him as Paul Newman’s weak son in the 2002 Tom Hanks film “Road To Perdition”
Ciaran Hinds
Currently drawing raves for his role as Julius Caesar on HBO’s epic series “Rome”, Hinds is an Irish actor who has starred in films like “Phantom of the Opera”, “Veronica Guerin” and “the Sum of All Fears.”
Wednesday February 8th
The Grammy Awards were handed out today to the best musicians and recording artists in America. I’m not a big music fan (I grew up watching TV and going to movies and plays, not listening to the radio) but I do have my favorites. Today I’m writing to three 2006 Grammy winners, all with diverse backgrounds.
Kelly Clarkson
When her obituary is written years and years from now, Kelly Clarkson will be referred to as “the first American Idol winner.” Though she tries to downplay it now, winning the popular TV show launched her from obscurity to a multi million dollar career. To be fair, she’s gotten far on her own merits and is a terrific singer/songwriter, but she’ll never be able to escape the “Idol” tag. I’m not in her fan demographic, but I enjoy her music nonetheless.
Jimmy Sturr
Known as “The Polka King” Mr. Sturr has dominated the “Best Polka” category of the Grammy’s (yes, there is such a category!) Out of 20 nominations, he’s won 15. You may laugh at polka, but Mr. Sturr and his band regularly sell out venues, including prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Senator Barack Obama
Why is a United States Senator listed on my Grammy day list of letters? No, it’s not an error, Senator Obama won a Grammy tonight for his recording of his 1995 book, “Dreams from my Father.” Senator Obama rose to prominence when he delivered the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention. He is a rising star in the party and considered a future candidate for President.
Thursday February 9th
As mentioned in my January 3rd post, my father is getting married at home plate in Yankee Stadium (the only person in the eight decade history of the landmark Stadium to be allowed to do so.) on March 10th. The wedding is now a month away, and as his son I think the world should know about it. His life story (a blind man who has worked as a baseball reporter for over 40 years) is so inspiring that I think others might be heartened by it. I’m writing a letter to one of the best sportswriters in the country to ask him if he would write about my dad and the wedding.
Steve Rushin
Steve Rushin joined Sports Illustrated, America’s premiere sports magazine, as a reporter in 1988. By age 25, he became the youngest Senior Writer on the SI staff. He has the honor of being the first column in SI every week, an irreverent look at the world called “Air and Space.” I’ve been a subscriber for a long time, and I look forward to his work. He is also married to basketball legend Rebecca Lobo.
Friday February 10th
The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy opened tonight. Though I’ve never been physically fit enough to compete in an Olympics, I was honored to be chosen to carry the Olympic torch on its way to the 2002 Olympic games in Salt Lake City. In honor of that, I’m sending letters to some of my favorite Olympians and people who have been associated with the Olympic committee.
Bruce Jenner
An Olympic Hall of Famer, Jenner won the Decathlon Gold in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. One of the most famous Olympic athletes ever, Jenner is now appearing on the FOX reality show, “Skating with Celebrities”
Sarah Hughes
An unlikely Gold medal winner, figure skater Sarah Hughes came back from 4th place to win the gold in the 2002 Winter Olympics. She instantly became a national celebrity. She trained in the town next to mine, Hackensack, and they put up a big sign congratulating her. A student at Yale, Sarah doesn’t compete anymore, but her younger sister Emily is an Olympic hopeful.
Peter Ueberroth
Commissioner of baseball from 1984-1989, Ueberroth was directly responsible for the Olympics coming to the USA in 1984. He was named TIME magazine’s “Man of the Year” that year as well. He currently co-owns the Pebble Beach golf course and is head of the USOC.
Mary Lou Retton
People tell my wife candy that she looks like Mary Lou Retton. The darling of the 1984 summer Olympics, the diminutive Retton won a gold medal and several other medals. She was the first female to appear on the cover of a Wheaties box. She is now retired, and makes an occasional appearance on TV.
Today is the day after the Super Bowl (The Steelers won 21-10) which is a day many people wish would be declared a holiday, so that they can recover from the partying the night before. (The game usually doesn’t end until 10:30PM or so.) Strangely enough, for all the millions of Americans who watch the game, the football itself is not the topic of conversation around the water cooler. The commercials that play during the game are the hot topic. Every newspaper, TV show, radio show and internet outlet in the country was analyzing and rating these 30 second spots, which advertisers paid millions to air. (the investment pays off when people talk about and show your ad without you having to pay for it.) the phrase most commonly used when describing the mindset of advertisers is “Madison Avenue.”
This is an antiquated term that comes from the days when most of the big advertising agencies were located on Madison Avenue in New York City. The commercial icons we love and the jingles we know came from Madison Avenue.
There are very few advertisers located on Madison Avenue anymore, but the idea lives on. If you walk down that street today, you’ll see banners with the inductees into the advertising Hall of Fame. (slogans like “Get a piece of the rock” and characters like Tony the Tiger.)
In honor of American advertising’s biggest day, I’m going to write to two legends of the business.
Donny Deutsch
Currently the host of “The Big Idea” on MSNBC, Donny Deutsch is the founder and chairman of Deutsch, Inc., which became the tenth largest ad agency in the world in just a few years and is worth 2.7 billion dollars. He also wrote a best-selling book, “Often Wrong, Never In Doubt.”
Jerry DellaFemina
Jerry Della Femina was part of a new breed of executives that shook up advertising in the 1960‘s. Wildly creative and eccentric, Della Femina pushed the envelope throughout his career. He used controversy and humor to promote his clients' products and his own agency. His most famous ad campaigns are “Joe Isuzu” and “Meow Mix singing cat.”
Tuesday February 7th
I went to see the Oscar nominated film “Munich” today. (Now I’ve seen all five films nominated for Best Picture.) The subject matter may be controversial, but the film itself is an amazing piece of craftsmanship. At times it has the feel of a documentary, and other times that of a thriller. Steven Spielberg directed it, and was nominated for Best Director for his efforts. The ensemble cast made the material shine, hitting all the right notes. I’m writing to some of the cast members to let them know my thoughts on the film.
Eric Bana
Best known for portraying Bruce Banner, the human alter ego of the Hulk in Ang Lee’s adaptation of the Marvel Comic, this Australian actor has had quite a career, beginning as a stand up comic, and now starring in major Hollywood films like “Troy” and “Black Hawk Down.” His role in “Munich’ as a morally conflicted Israeli assassin was sadly overlooked at Oscar time, but is destined to remain a classic.
Geoffrey Rush
A fellow Australian, Mr. Rush won the best actor Oscar in 1996 as a mentally disabled piano player in “Shine.” in recent years, he’s played roles in films as varied as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Frida.” He won an Emmy last year for his amazing portrayal of film legend Peter Sellers in the HBO biopic.
Daniel Craig
While “Munich” was being filmed, Mr. Craig was announced as the new James Bond (the first blonde haired actor to do so) replacing Pierce Brosnan. I first noticed him as Paul Newman’s weak son in the 2002 Tom Hanks film “Road To Perdition”
Ciaran Hinds
Currently drawing raves for his role as Julius Caesar on HBO’s epic series “Rome”, Hinds is an Irish actor who has starred in films like “Phantom of the Opera”, “Veronica Guerin” and “the Sum of All Fears.”
Wednesday February 8th
The Grammy Awards were handed out today to the best musicians and recording artists in America. I’m not a big music fan (I grew up watching TV and going to movies and plays, not listening to the radio) but I do have my favorites. Today I’m writing to three 2006 Grammy winners, all with diverse backgrounds.
Kelly Clarkson
When her obituary is written years and years from now, Kelly Clarkson will be referred to as “the first American Idol winner.” Though she tries to downplay it now, winning the popular TV show launched her from obscurity to a multi million dollar career. To be fair, she’s gotten far on her own merits and is a terrific singer/songwriter, but she’ll never be able to escape the “Idol” tag. I’m not in her fan demographic, but I enjoy her music nonetheless.
Jimmy Sturr
Known as “The Polka King” Mr. Sturr has dominated the “Best Polka” category of the Grammy’s (yes, there is such a category!) Out of 20 nominations, he’s won 15. You may laugh at polka, but Mr. Sturr and his band regularly sell out venues, including prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Senator Barack Obama
Why is a United States Senator listed on my Grammy day list of letters? No, it’s not an error, Senator Obama won a Grammy tonight for his recording of his 1995 book, “Dreams from my Father.” Senator Obama rose to prominence when he delivered the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention. He is a rising star in the party and considered a future candidate for President.
Thursday February 9th
As mentioned in my January 3rd post, my father is getting married at home plate in Yankee Stadium (the only person in the eight decade history of the landmark Stadium to be allowed to do so.) on March 10th. The wedding is now a month away, and as his son I think the world should know about it. His life story (a blind man who has worked as a baseball reporter for over 40 years) is so inspiring that I think others might be heartened by it. I’m writing a letter to one of the best sportswriters in the country to ask him if he would write about my dad and the wedding.
Steve Rushin
Steve Rushin joined Sports Illustrated, America’s premiere sports magazine, as a reporter in 1988. By age 25, he became the youngest Senior Writer on the SI staff. He has the honor of being the first column in SI every week, an irreverent look at the world called “Air and Space.” I’ve been a subscriber for a long time, and I look forward to his work. He is also married to basketball legend Rebecca Lobo.
Friday February 10th
The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy opened tonight. Though I’ve never been physically fit enough to compete in an Olympics, I was honored to be chosen to carry the Olympic torch on its way to the 2002 Olympic games in Salt Lake City. In honor of that, I’m sending letters to some of my favorite Olympians and people who have been associated with the Olympic committee.
Bruce Jenner
An Olympic Hall of Famer, Jenner won the Decathlon Gold in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. One of the most famous Olympic athletes ever, Jenner is now appearing on the FOX reality show, “Skating with Celebrities”
Sarah Hughes
An unlikely Gold medal winner, figure skater Sarah Hughes came back from 4th place to win the gold in the 2002 Winter Olympics. She instantly became a national celebrity. She trained in the town next to mine, Hackensack, and they put up a big sign congratulating her. A student at Yale, Sarah doesn’t compete anymore, but her younger sister Emily is an Olympic hopeful.
Peter Ueberroth
Commissioner of baseball from 1984-1989, Ueberroth was directly responsible for the Olympics coming to the USA in 1984. He was named TIME magazine’s “Man of the Year” that year as well. He currently co-owns the Pebble Beach golf course and is head of the USOC.
Mary Lou Retton
People tell my wife candy that she looks like Mary Lou Retton. The darling of the 1984 summer Olympics, the diminutive Retton won a gold medal and several other medals. She was the first female to appear on the cover of a Wheaties box. She is now retired, and makes an occasional appearance on TV.
posted by Chris Lucas | 2:07 AM
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