For 15 years, the people behind Xhang Creative have been dedicated to taking the written word and putting it into action. Times and platforms have changed, but our core belief is that words, in all forms, can impact change. Words tell stories, stories that engage and sell, be it for your brand, your product or your passion.
Don’t fret. I’m still around — just in some different places.
Allow me to share.
pdx.am. This is where I do two daily shows of which I am incredibly proud — The Life Portlandic and Exceptional Women NW. There will be an upcoming post on these shows soon.
The World of Z. I love Posterous and my site is a bit of a landing area for things going on in my life and world.
OurPDX. I love Portland and I’m really proud to write for this site, filled with incredibly talented and passionate people.
There is more to share — but consider this your “amuse bouche” to whet your appetite.
Oh boy. Where to begin.
The long and short of it (and I’ll keep it short) is that I’m in the midst of doing what the kids like to call a “massive overhaul.” I don’t really have an exact date as to when this metamorphosis will occur but, suffice to say, it will be a nice change — and I’ll keep everyone apprised of when it all will be happening.
In the meantime, I would like to welcome everyone to follow me on Twitter. You can find me at @zanger. Also, please visit us at pdx.fm, there is all kinds of fun stuff going on there. (I’m doing a daily show called “Mantime” and two music shows: 45 North and Cool Front.)
Thank you all very much for your kind support and I look forward to sharing the new stuff with you.
A few months ago, I was hired as an audio producer for a new Oakley project called “Snowyakkers.”
We spent a couple of days down in SoCal and worked with a very talented team including Colby West, who was the voice talent you hear throughout. This project was a blast and I am proud to have played a part.
A huge thanks to Ken Loh, Rick Zacharias, Marcel Seva, Alfredo Medrano and the rest of the gang at Oakley for the opportunity.
And keep you eyes and ears open for Colby West in the future — you’ll be hearing more from this guy. He’s super talented.
This may be a good idea — or a total waste of time.
However, since I’m in to trying some things out, I’ve decided to start something called The Twitter Story Collaboration. The gist is fairly simple: I would like to see if there is any way to collaboratively create stories using Twitter.
Here’s how (I think) it will work:
There really aren’t any rules per se. I would just ask that you not cluster tweet so that others can participate.
Again, it could be cool. It could be stupid. It could be a complete cluster. I have no idea. But, if you’d like to give it a go, please feel free.
I’ll keep you updated as this bit of whimsy progresses.
We’ve all been there. We get an email (or 40) from someone we just really don’t feel like dealing with. You COULD fire back with a long missive that exhausts time and energy.
Or, you could do the sensible thing and just pretend that you sent it from your iPhone.
We all know that the iPhone is very good for sending quick bursts and shorter messages. Not once have I had anyone send me a message from an iPhone that would be akin to a tax reform position paper. It’s usually, quick, short and to the point. In this case, all you have to do is send a short email from your computer and then type, “Sent from my iPhone” at the end. Bag the email signature (and make sure it’s off — or you’ll get caught) and just be done with it. I also recommend using all lower case and adding a few misspellings and punctuation errors. That seems to be plausible for an iPhone user going at warp speed. If you send a short message, faking the “Sent from my iPhone” and if that person really wants to get hold of you, they’ll call and you can keep the insanity in check. Also, be sure that you have an iPhone or you’ll have to endure the, “wait I thought you had a Blackberry” conversation and then, the jig will be up.
Of course, you could just be on the offensive and just call that person and tell them to leave you the hell alone.
But that’s not nearly as fun.
It’s my favorite time of the year. No, it’s not just football season, it’s Advertising Week and WADV, the radio station covering it all.
This is where we pack up, head to New York and cover sessions and interview all kinds of fun, interesting and cool people. I liken next week to camp: we get to see some old friends and we’ll make some new ones along the way. Stay tuned for more details.
In the past, the Radio Advertising Bureau helped out (in fact, they kick-started the whole thing for us). This year, Clear Channel has picked up where the RAB left off and we’re very pleased with the way things are turning out. None of this would (or could) happen without the support of Matt Scheckner, Lance Pillersdorf and Jillian Mellone of Stillwell Partners — the folks responsible for it all. We can’t thank all of these people enough for making this a vital, fun project.
If you’re in New York, come by The Times Center and say hello.
Bread. Butter. Bacon.
That’s all we pretty much need in this world at times. When we visited New Zealand, this was the de rigeur in the form of what is called a “Bacon Butty.” This was one of the tastiest morsels after a hike and its simplicity makes it even more delicious. This weekend, we were among some parent friends of ours and the hosts (from Scotland and New Zealand) broke out the bacon butty in a big way. Fresh buttered bread and bacon. That’s it.
My wife asked me how many I ate and I sheepishly said, “4.” Yes, I ate four bacon sandwiches. Cut me a little slack — we had just come from a rather strenuous workout and I needed to recharge.
I’m not a drinker but, if you enjoy a little of the grain, the bacon butty apparently cures a hangover. I don’t know much about that, but I do know that if you want pure delicious, you can’t go wrong with a bacon butty.
Oh, and don’t forget: if you are in Portland, you must visit Baconfest, brought to us by our friends at The Meat Show, on October 3rd. It will be a hoot — and filled with bacon, bacon and more bacon.
I received a LinkedIn message from a University of Oregon student this week. I spoke down there in 2007 (and will be teaching there this fall) to a class in the School Of Journalism and Communications. He was just reaching out but reminded me of something I said when I was down there: “We’re wired to want to please people, but great things come from your own convictions.”
I did one of those Scooby Doo double-takes when I read it. Did I really say that? I must of. It sounds like something I would say and it is definitely something that I believe. But, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why I felt so conflicted. I think it was partly because I haven’t felt as though I have actually been doing the second part of that thought as much as I would like. The “wired to please people” thing? Definitely. And I’m OK with that to a point (more on that in a minute). But, have I really created anything “great?” Really good and effective for sure — but maybe not great.
This was a thunderbolt and revelation. It actually shook me up in a good way. It reminded me that what we say really can matter to people sometimes. I was flattered that this student had found it inspirational, but now I feel an even greater responsibility to live up to it. (maybe a Catholic guilt thing)
The first part of the thought has been part of my DNA for a long time. I do like pleasing people. It makes me feel good when other people feel good about things — especially work-related. It means that I am doing a good job. Good clients recognize that and are grateful and appreciative. I like getting feedback, even the bad stuff, because it’s productive and when it all clicks, it can be channeled into a good place.
But when one’s conviction slides in, it takes it from just “good” to truly “great.” When a client recognizes that your core beliefs work in tandem with their goals and lets you run with them, then that client goes from “good” to “great.” Great client recognize that, are grateful and appreciative — and it makes me want to do even more for them because at that point, it becomes really fun. We all strive to make work life fun, but it can be fleeting because plenty of other things get in the way. But when you really do latch on to a “great” client, you’ll know. Because the first thing that you’ll do when working with them — is smile. I have a few clients like that and it makes me very happy to work with them every day.
All it takes is a little conviction and an unending commitment to what you believe in.
Now, I will say that it is very nice of her and her husband to donate the proceeds to Ride 2 Recovery. But, I’m not terribly clear about what will be left after the next shopping spree at Neiman Marcus at The Mall Of America. The bidding, for dinner with Sarah Palin and husband Todd, starts at $25K. So, if you are of that ilk, have at it.
Your other option is to have lunch with Karl Rove starting at $7,500. For $7,500 I would much rather have lunch with someone less polarizing — like the Rev. Al Sharpton. Or, I would pay to have David Cross go to lunch with Rove — and film it. It would be classic.
To the “winners” of these auctions I will just give you a big thumbs up for having your priorities squarely in order and I hope that life on your little planet is going well.
Travel geeks like articles about stuff like this: a way to save fuel and lower noise over Seattle.
Travel nerds unite!!
