Thoughtspurs

Guide to social media by Justin Flitter. Recommended.

2012-02-06T15:24:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Depends on your point of view - Breaking Bad POV montage - interesting

2012-01-15T16:25:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Now that's #teamwork

2012-01-09T13:59:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Messing around with painting on iPad - cover idea for a book.

2011-12-13T19:40:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The GFC explained #manonthestreet

2011-12-13T12:00:00.001-08:00

Are we clear?

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

A nice twist on 'The Walk of Shame' by Harvey Nicks

2011-12-07T13:49:00.001-08:00

#walkofshame

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The strangest - possibly most disturbing - ad I've ever seen.

2011-12-06T20:04:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Samsung flexi display technology looks interesting (how fanciful is it?)

2011-12-06T15:31:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The best ad for dairy products-probably ever

2011-12-04T19:50:00.001-08:00

The worst, dreariest ads are the ones that follow them.
You know the sorts of things - car ads with shots on the open road (ah the freedom!), milk ads with slow motion pouring shots (not sure what they - probably some primal connection with breasts), beer ads with dewy bottles (and dewier girls).
This ad for tiny challenger brand Yeo Farms breaks the cliche mould (no pun intended) with their ad for yoghurt.
It is two minutes long, it is a rap…but it is crammed full of cues and information about the brand and is fresh (probably the most compelling reason to choose a milk product).
As a final thought I like how the idea and its media strategy are neatly choreographed.It appeared in the UK edition of The X Factor - it all seems so obvious after the fact.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Animated Gifs - the return

2011-12-04T14:52:00.001-08:00

Remember the early days of the web. Animated do-dads littered the web. You know the kind of thing - flags and puddle effects…
Well, times have changed. Artist Micaël Reynaud has been experimenting with animated Gifs with extraordinary results.

Via Fast Company Co Design

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

My favourite presentation - Interestingness

2011-12-01T21:10:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Meat packs and battling journalists aid in getting to Afghanistan.

2011-12-01T13:47:00.001-08:00

It’s not an easy road being a freelance journalist. When you’re reporting an event overseas, the fee for your work sometimes doesn't even meet the cost of getting to the story. Prize - winning journalist Jon Stephenson is returning to Afghanistan before Christmas 2011 to cover a number of stories, and a bunch of his friends want to give him a bit of support.

To this end that a group of fellow journalists and broadcasters have banded together to create a unique fundraising event: Gone By Xmas, to be held on Tuesday 13th of December and MC-ed by Hard News blogger and media personality Russell Brown. Alongside good music, a silent auction and the ubiquitous meat pack raffle, the event will also host the world’s first “Journalism Idol”. In this brutal and hard-hitting competition TV3 News journalist Mike McRoberts will fight it out with broadcaster Mikey Havoc, comedian Rose Matafeo and fellow TV3 reporter Tova O’Brien to see who can deliver the news under pressure and claim the title of “King Journo”. Of course no talent show is complete without a panel of uncompromising judges, so the trio will be assessed by veteran current affairs journalist and Media7 producer Phil Wallington, Kiwi Fm’s Wammo (Glen Williams), and New Zealand Herald columnist Tracey Barnett.

The silent auction will offer a very special range of items including framed photos taken by Jon in Afghanistan, a special edition of the Phoenix Foundation’s Buffalo with a one-off cover by cartoonist Tom Scott, tickets to Lawrence Arabia’s Town Hall gig, a tour of the TV3 newsroom escorted by Mike McRoberts -followed by a meal with Mike-, and a set of poster art from 95bfm.

If you can’t make it along on the night but would like to bid on any of the items, potential bidders will be able to check out the items on the event website and put in a bid by email.

Capacity is strictly limited at the event so to avoid disappointment early purchasing of tickets is encouraged.

About Jon:

Jon is an Auckland-based journalist who's spent much of the past decade reporting on America's “war on terror” - particularly the 2001 US-led war in Afghanistan and 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the ongoing violence in those countries. He's also reported on the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, and from Gaza, East Timor, and Zimbabwe, as well as on natural disasters such as the 2004 tsunami in Asia-Pacific region, the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and the 2008 earthquake in China's Sichuan Province. His articles and commentary have appeared in publications like the Sunday Star-Times and Metro magazine, and on broadcast media including 3 News, 60 Minutes, TVNZ's Media 7, and Radio New Zealand.

Event details:

Gone by Xmas: A fundraiser for journalist Jon Stephenson

6.30pm - 9pm, Tuesday December 13

The Horse and Trap Bar, 3 Enfield Street, Mt. Eden, Auckland

Tickets: $20 on the door or from:

http ://www .eventfinder .co .nz /2011/gone -by -xmas /auckland /mt -eden

More information: http ://gonebyxmas .tumblr .com

Donations can be made to:

ASB Bank 12 3066 0361128 00

Queries:

José Barbosa

jfbarbosa @gmail .com

021 243 9595

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Radiate your ideas. Influence.

2011-11-28T04:11:00.001-08:00

I have been sharing my thoughts online for ages.
Most people are none the wiser as a result.

In my case blogging has been like shouting into a cave.
But the thing about an echo is that it takes time - the speed of sound - to hit the reflective surface and come back to you.
But it can reflect and deflect infinitely.
Just because you have human lug holes doesn't mean there isn't a more subtle reception device out there.
Think of bats.
Now think of your waxy ears.
Bats.
You.
Bats.
You.
Ok.
You got the point.

The internet is the ultimate listening and detection tool.
The squeaks and roars you protest into the ether never truly disappear.
I'm not only talking about drunk photos of you on your Facebook page.
I'm talking about your musings in social media.
Your Facebook entries.
(Hair on hair contact spreads cooties by the way).
The connections between Twitter and Facebook.
When you begin to use web 2.0 and the cloud you begin to leave a gossamer thread across the sky.
In your own words.
In the words of others.
You as a creator.
You as curator.

It's complex.
My advice (for what it is worth) is simple: be yourself.

Of late many of my remarks have been about politics.
Hey - we had a general election.
I am grateful that I live in a democratic society.
I'm also kind of pissed off that almost most people didn't bother to cast their vote.
A million non-voters in an adult population of maybe 2.5?

That is a disgrace.
The big issue is the subject.
But the point is that I simply express my own thoughts.
I try not to criticize people who disagree with my opinions.
I try to listen - and when I hear things that make sense I adapt my own perspective or ask new questions of myself and the people who influence me.
(Which reminds me of something Emerson said "whoso would be a (man) must first be an independent.
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds).

I encourage you to blog.
Most of us won't attract a big audience - why read my ramblings if you watch a cute cat on YouTube?
But you will be gathering your thoughts.
When I look back at my remarks over three years ago I remember how much I despised Michael Cullen and Helen Clark.
I knew we were in trouble when the New Zealand National Government's best solution to what we now call the GFC was a cycle track proposition and the re-introduction of knighthoods.

But making a record of your thoughts is a good thing.
Even if you change your mind.
Sometimes my old thoughts persuade me to change my mind.

Today I despair.
I'm gutted.
But there is always hope.

There is always tomorrow.
When you're a bit stuffed - you'll look up from your hospital bed (or deathbed - whatever) and you'll see the web you spun.
It will, if you are lucky, say:
'That was some life'.
Live it.
(And don't worry about agreeing with me. I get things wrong all the tome).

ups to Charlottes Web's author for the final thought.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Radio interview with me - Radio live - a while back

2011-11-25T06:32:00.001-08:00

David Macgregor Interview by David Macgregor Listen on Posterous

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

I enjoy watching people sweat the small stuff.

2011-11-22T19:32:00.001-08:00

Novum 11/11 – Making Of Cover from Paperlux on Vimeo.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

You know I cant do your ghost jobs John

2011-11-13T16:55:00.001-08:00

Not sure of the author of this gem. But it has a certain zeitgeist to it.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Small moments - wonderfully observed. Assume the Lotus positon (on the grid)

2011-11-13T16:32:00.001-08:00

Okidokyo: Japan Lotus Day 2011 at Fuji Speedway from Remi Schouten on Vimeo.

I have to confess to being something of a petrolhead. Love this footage of a Lotus Club event at the Fuji race track in Japan.
Guessing it was shot using a DSLR camera. Some nice focus pulling.
And there is something about the Lotus marque that stirs the blood. Colin Chapman was an old-school genius. Part technical whiz - part obsessed fruit-loop. There's been a lot of mention about the late Steve Jobs and his connection with the likes of Thomas Edison, but I think the parallel between Jobs and Chapman should be made also.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Time Management Tips

2011-11-10T13:16:00.001-08:00

I read a book called F**k It and signed up for emails from its author - John Parkin.
I received this edition today. Made me laugh. Some items on the list are comical, but it does leave a feeling that, in principle - he's right.
My copy of the book went west (literally, I loaned it to a friend who took it to France to read on her holiday and it decided to stay there. I've just ordered another copy of F**k It from the excellent Book Depository site - free shipping and low prices).

F**k It Time Management Tips (or as many as I've got time to think up anyway)

I threw a few of these up on Facebook recently (join if you've not already - The F**k It Way) and people all over the world are now doing silly things in order to do less.

1. Make a to do list with most important at the top, most frivolous and fun at the bottom. Then prioritise from the bottom.

2. Put all urgent papers in a box and hide it in the wardrobe, it soon feels like you have absolutely nothing to do.

3. Put a filter on all incoming e-mails so they redirect to 'spam'.

4. The Victorians said that 'procrastination is the thief of time'. But they're all dead. Put off whatever you can and do something more fun and fulfilling.

5. Instead of trying to work out what you can do that's important and meaningful, wonder what you can do that is playful, silly and meaningless.

6. Play with your kids more.

7. Remember the 80:20 rule... 80 divided by 20 makes 4.
No, that's not it... this is it... 20% of what you do creates 80% of your joy, or fulfillment, or rewards, or income. So find that 20% and dump the rest.

8. Watch less porn.

9. Eat less (it saves time and means you need less sleep).

10. Do only what you'd do if you had all the time in the world.

11. Do only what you'd do if you only had a short time left on this planet.

12. Do only what you'll remember fondly when you're old.
(If you're old... well done).

13. Relax more. Always.

14. Be very careful with To Do lists. They're like pain killers - necessary occasionally, but use wisely and only in small doses.

15. Stop reading tips and go play.

F**k It, I'm off to play too,
John

P.S. If you think the list is absurd I recommend you read my mate Linds Redding's blog about living with cancer if you wonder if the things you obsess about are really worth doing.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Fearless Fanboy - Pics of the All Blacks - a snap.

2011-10-20T22:46:00.001-07:00

Hey, it's not the RWC team but my intrepid son Taylor MacGregor wasn't shy about matching a bet that he could have individual pics of the All Blacks.
It helps we live at the Heritage hotel.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Siri Mistake - Apple gives no reason to buy iPhone 4s in New Zealand

2011-10-19T16:56:00.001-07:00

I noticed on the Apple New Zealand website that the page showcasing the new 4s made no mention of Siri - the voice activated personal assisalso tant feature.
In the international material and the press about Steve Job's swansong product the Siri feature was the star - so why no mention of it here in New Zealand?
I asked a staff member at the YouBee store in Auckland's Britomart id the 4s will have Siri? The answer was 'No'.
So, I won't wait for the 4s and a pay a premium. If you are the kind of person who is prone to camping outside a MacStore in anticipation of the new iPhone's release then I suggest you keep your North Face sleeping bag in the wardrobe this time round.
Sure the HD video recording feature and camera look interesting - but the retina display and improved camera on the 4 are probably sufficiently better than my current 3GS. I also hear that the larger capacity (16 gig) 4 will be discontinued - I suppose to give people a logical reason to buy the 4s.
Much as I admire Apple and mourn the passing of Steve Jobs - I am less than impressed by this.
In the words of Benny Hill - "You siri idiots…"

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Don't let anything come between the music and the fan - mobile marketing and music

2011-10-16T17:46:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

A magazine is an iPad that doesn't work.

2011-10-12T19:04:00.001-07:00

Via Alltop

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Here's to the crazy ones - RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T17:37:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

A joke. I think it's funny. You might not…

2011-10-05T03:51:00.001-07:00

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the Blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorised from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."

The Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be right, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Invitation to participate in research about kiwi attitudes and values.

2011-09-27T17:32:00.001-07:00

Dr Carla Houkamou has asked me to pass this invitation on to you:

Tena Koe

My colleague Chris Sibley and I are collecting data for an online questionnaire study. The study is called the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study. The study aims to provide information about how the personality, attitudes and values of different New Zealanders may be changing over time. This is important because we currently know very little about how peoples’ opinions, values and levels of satisfaction with their lives may change gradually over time, and perhaps also change rapidly in response to current events in society.

The study has been running for three years now, and we are trying to get more people involved in the study this year using an online version. If you would like to help out by completing the questionnaire, you can go to the following webpage to fill it out:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/psychology

As a token of appreciation, everyone who completes the questionnaire will be entered into a grocery voucher prize draw. The first prize is $500 of grocery vouchers. The second prize is $300 of grocery vouchers. The third prize is $200 of grocery vouchers.

Thank you for your help in conducting this research. Kia ora ano.

Drs. Carla Houkamau and Chris Sibley

University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, New Zealand

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Hippo Racing. King's Cross, Saturday nights. Come Naked

2011-09-21T16:19:00.001-07:00

I don't normally spread web jokes but this - extracted from a colleagues email is very funny.

These were posted on an Australian Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a great sense of humour (not to mention a low tolerance threshold for cretins!)
>
> __________________________________________________
> Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? ( UK ).
>
> A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? ( USA )
>
> A:Depends how much you've been drinking.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden )
>
> A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay ? ( UK )
>
> A: What did your last slave die of?
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia ? ( USA )
>
> A: A-Fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe.
> Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not
> ... Oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:Which direction is North in Australia ? (USA )
>
> A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
> _________________________________________________
>
> Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia ? ( UK )
> A:Why? Just use your fingers like we do...
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? ( USA )
>
> A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is
> Oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia ? ( UK )
> A: You are a British politician, right?
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? ( Germany )
>
> A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers.
> Milk is illegal.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. ( USA )
>
> A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from.
> All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. ( USA )
>
> A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them.
> You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia ? ( USA )
>
> A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q:Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia ? ( France )
>
> A: Only at Christmas.
> __________________________________________________
>
> Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? ( USA )
>
> A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

6 killer apps that made the West predominate

2011-09-21T14:55:00.001-07:00

Interesting talk from Niall Ferguson - history and business administration teacher at Harvard.
I like this quote from his bio: "If a majority of people subscribe to a particular view, it pays to question it. It pays to think: maybe this is wrong."
He may be a little right of centre. But so am I in many ways.
The six killer apps?

Competition (vs uniformity)
Science based on reason ( vs.theocracy)
Property rights and the rule of law
Consumer society
Modern medicine
Work ethic

View then discuss.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

I want a BRD electric bike. Great video.

2011-09-20T15:36:00.001-07:00

BRD RedShift from Sam Erickson on Vimeo.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Some strange stuff going on there... I likey.

2011-09-14T18:32:00.001-07:00

S Y N D R O M E S // M O T H E R from The Golden Filter on Vimeo.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Sofia Coppola - I forgive you for Marie Antoinette

2011-09-05T01:43:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Eric Schmidt of Google on the future of television

2011-09-01T00:01:00.001-07:00

3 key trends

Local
Mobile
Social

Set some time aside to watch.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Itchy feet - Now available in print

2011-08-29T22:35:00.001-07:00

Itchy Feet by David MacGregor

The book I made for son when he was four is now available to buy online. This edition is slightly different to the limited version I made for the LifeWise Trust for my sponsors on the Big SleepOut.
I will donate a dollar to St Johns Ambulance on your behalf for every copy sold (they are doing it tough at the moment and can use all the help we can give them).
Enjoy the preview.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Ira Glass on creative woirk

2011-08-16T21:28:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The Birth of eV

2011-08-15T02:08:00.001-07:00

The BBC just launched a new version of its iPlayer ap for people with a web connected TV.

The Beeb has an enormous store of content and a less restrictive model than most commercial broadcasters. As both content creator and distributor it can decide its own rules. While this might be a unique position in the market and give the broadcaster a slightly unfair first mover advantage it does offer a glimpse of what ‘TV’ might mean in the future that is converging upon us.

Features of the new app:

· on-demand

· advanced search

· playability on multiple platforms - mobile and static,

Audiences have become used to adding layers of experience to television viewing. TV remains a channel with few restrictions on quality based on bandwidth. It is a fire hydrant compared to the relative trickle of the web. In recent years a significant proportion of the viewing audience have also overlaid secondary media to their viewing experience. Laptops, tablets and smartphones mean engaging with a show can aslo mean engaging with other fans in real time to augment the experience. The new BBC iPlayer app targets TV buyers who like:

· interactivity,

· social networking,

· TV on-demand,

· email,

· weather reports

The system can:

· flip between the various BBC TV and radio,

· refine content by category or featured content,

· list favorites.

· Simultaneously browse while watching a selection,

· search content by phrase like Google.

The app is initially only for Sony PS3, but will be rolled out for other platforms.

Still, it is slick and points the way forward to how we will enjoy eV in the future.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Special Deal on We Can Create tickets #wecancreate

2011-08-13T04:16:00.001-07:00

The best conference I have ever attended is Semi Permanent (and I have been to a few), organised by the industrious and innovative design firm The Church. I've attended two of these events and have not been disappointed for one moment. Inspiring and interesting barely does them justice. A half of the kick comes from speakers on the stage and the other half comes from the Aotea centre filled to the gunnals will the more creative people than you encounter at one time anywhere else in New Zealand.

Last year the highlights for me were Storm Thorgerson - legendary graphic designer of some of the most influencial album covers of the last forty years. He staged a shoot involving the entire audience.

If you are interested in attending the event this year - Name has changed from Semi-Permanent to become We Can Create - there is a special deal

Friends of WCC special offer:
Ticket price: $280.00 (Over 10% off!)
THE EDGE Promo code: 5083W22 - redeem via the website:
http://wecancreate.co.nz/#tickets

Hope to see you there on the 26th and 27th of August.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

MacGregor Media

2011-08-04T16:45:00.001-07:00

Been working with talented designer Joanna Alpe from We Love Inc. to create an identity for my new venture.
Rather than confect some wild abstraction I have gone with the eponymous name MacGregor Media.
I specialise in developing media properties. In the past I have created household names like Family Health Diary and Eating Well. More recently I have developed concepts like The Mix and Toyota Showroom for BrandWorld, the company I co-founded in 1997 and sold in 2002, returning three and a half years ago to work on new product development. BrandWorld is now a client of MacGregor Media.
Along the way I also conceived and co-founded Idealog magazine, which has been a great success winning the business magazine of the year every year of its life - 5 times.
The future of media is going to be a wild ride. The conventions of ownership and distribution have gone out the window. New platforms such as on-demand viewing, the rise of the smart phone and tablets mean TV doesn't mean TV as we knew it and magazines as imersive experiences trump paper and ink.
Need to get cracking with the application of the ID - web and social for now.
Standby.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

You will never be this cool.

2011-07-26T17:33:00.001-07:00

Via http://catarino.soup.io/

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Classic Internet Funny - Connecticut apologises.

2011-07-16T18:15:00.001-07:00

And oldy but a goody.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Cool, intimate storytelling - Smith St Tattoo

2011-07-16T17:14:00.001-07:00

I'm thinking of inking. Probably stupid and late in life but stories like this just make me more interested.
I was going to install the video on my BrandView community site but it's a little off-brief. I do like the up-close stroytelling that would be impossible with a bloated commercial crew - or even a traditonal off the shoulder camera rig. My guess is this is DSLR material. Gotta love technology - and traditional crafts.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

You will believe that books can fly - a soaring work of imagination.

2011-07-12T21:51:00.001-07:00

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore iPad App Trailer from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

I just downloaded this incredible interactive book from the iTunes store to play with on my iPad.
If you have children I heartily recommend you do to.
When people tell me that paper and ink books are something special - I'll think of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore and smile knowingly.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Thoughts on Intellectual Property.

2011-07-03T20:33:00.001-07:00

That ideas should freely spread from one to another over the globe, for the moral and mutual instruction of man, and improvement of his condition, seems to have been peculiarly and benevolently designed by nature, when she made them, like fire, expansible over all space, without lessening their density in any point, and like the air in which we breathe, move, and have our physical being, incapable of confinement or exclusive appropriation. Inventions then cannot, in nature, be a subject of property.

Thomas Jefferson to Isaac McPherson
13 Aug. 1813

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Splitscreen movie - divided opinions.

2011-06-29T15:32:00.001-07:00

This is clever. Made on a Nokia phone with a budget of <$5k.
Winner of the Vimeo Nokia Shorts film competition.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Out there. Do stuff that exposes you.

2011-06-25T19:41:00.001-07:00

Come Back Kid.aif Listen on Posterous

I was thinking the other day.
My son's mother, my first wife, died of cancer when she was just 29.
We were separated at the time. I was living in London, she in Auckland.
I wished it was different. Putting 12,000 miles between us was my way of dealing with separation and loss.
I had no idea what was to come.
So. I was sitting and thinking about Megan.
She was a force or nature - like you wouldn't believe - photographer, mother, surf lifeguard - just lovely.
I remembered the finale song from Smoke & Mirrors the hit show from the Auckland Arts Festival.
And I thought I'd give it a go.
Be kind.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Never mind Lovemarks - it's time for Likemarks

2011-06-21T15:26:00.001-07:00

A few years back Saatchi & Saatchi CEO popularised a new take on brands by coining the phrase Lovemarks.
A clever repositioning of his agency that proved popular with clients and staff (and Mr Roberts).

But in the era when brands are scrambling to find meaning in the social media, perhaps Lovemarks is a little bombastic - asking too much?

Facebook's 'Like' is ubiquitous. Commercial pages are deemed successful by the number of 'Likes'.

It is, perhaps, a lazy way of expressing approval - and it certainly can't be extrapolated into the kind of passion for the brand that Lovemarks describes. But the people have spoken.

So - I have created Likemarks™.

More thoughtful essay to follow.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Sell your soul for seats.

2011-06-20T04:51:00.001-07:00

When I practiced advertising for myself (and my clients) one of my favourite clients was Auckland Opera.

My erstwhile business partner and I pitched for the business by professing ignorance about opera. Nothing feigned - we seriously knew absolutely nothing about the art form.

As is so often the case, a couple of things converged and conspired to create the situation.

I had been listening to the BBC World transmission in my car - an immaculate 1975 3.0 csi BMW coupe. (I have always been a young fogey. Even when I had a Mohican haircut and was seriously into The Clash). I heard a story about Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz. According to my interpretation five years or so prior to writing the work he had composed nothing.

For some reason the tale stuck with me.

Until the following day.

In the National Business Review's reports of the travails, scandals and gossip of the advertising industry I read that Auckland Opera were amidst a blazing row with their advertising agency over Carmen's tits.

A billboard had been erected downtown so gratuitously salacious that complaints from the good burghers of Auckland City were sufficiently aroused to demand the removal of said soft porn.

The client, rather reasonably, asked agency to revise the concept. Why not use a photo of the singer in the role, but include her face, as well as her chest.

'No way Jose' said the agency without even bothering to affect a Catalan accent.

Which reminds me of an old joke.
How many art directors does it take to change a lightbulb?
- I'm not changing a fucking thing.

Not letting the truth ever get in the way of a good story - I triangulated the data and made an ad on my ancient (though it was new at the time), black and white Apple Powerbook.

The headline read: We know nothing about opera. But, then again, 5 years before he wrote Symphonie Fantastique Berlioz could write music.

It proceeded to explain that my business partner and I were ignorant of the company's product but had a prodigious capacity to create award winning advertising. We had, we protested, won advertising awards all over the English speaking world…oh, and America.

I made a bromide. Rolled it up, placed it in a cardboard tube and sent it to the Company.

It amused them sufficiently so to invite us for a meeting.

Paul Jeffreys and I rocked up to the opera and charmed them sufficiently to give us their account.

About forty minutes later Paul was sufficiently charmed by Saatchi & Saatchi to take a job with them, leaving me to deal with our clients.

I thought it was ironically operatic - but the show must go on.

We had fun, Auckland Opera and me.

The shows sold well. I have a letter that says "All productions during this period enjoyed season that extended prior to opening night" and another "I believe that the tremendous marketing success of Auckland Opera is in no small measure due to his creative input."

It was a wonderful time. It taught me to not worry about conventions in categories.

In fact - ignore them.

Lead, don't follow.

Have fun with your clients and don't assume they want boilerplate work.

Also. Don't worry if you screw up from time to time.

It's not over until the fat lady sings.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Pitch Ads That Never Saw The Light Of Day

2011-06-16T15:18:00.001-07:00

In advertising there is a time honoured tradition of producing work for clients for free.
It's called the pitch - speculative strutting of one's stuff, to contest for a client's business.
Most agencies do it, sometimes grudgingly and sometimes with ferocious gusto.
Creatives love the process, because - usually - it offers a clean-slate opportunity to show their prowess. Everyone realises the campaigns may never run; of if they do the clients fingerprints will be all over their pristine work as a consequence of mundane details and the anxiety that accompanies spending money on media.

I don't have an ad portfolio. I sent my showreel to a headhunter, who promptly lost it (twerp), and my print samples were turned to pulp when my garage flooded. I had no digital backup versions of either (twerp). But no matter. Other than as a record of how I have been spending my time and attentions for the first part of my career in advertising the material serves no purpose. I don't think my old school style of writing and designing ads would have an currency these days - and, frankly, I am not sure making clever ads is a job worthy of a grown man. I suppose I have moved on.

Or have I?

While fossicking about in my mothers garage I found a folder of samples and letters of recommendation from the pre-LinkedIn era. I had a moment of nostalgia - some of the stuff wasn't too bad. Sadly the printouts are pretty lo-fi, but clear enough to remind me of some of the fun I used to derive from telling other people's stories. The image that accompanies this post is a pitch ad I made as part of a campaign to woo the Electoral Commission. They weren't impressed, or not sufficiently to offer my colleagues and I a seat at the table. Instead they went with an orange Gumby man.

Such is life. Sometimes orange gumbies win on the day.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

A poem I like by Baudelaire

2011-06-15T23:53:00.001-07:00

Be Drunk

You have to be always drunk.
That's all there is to it—it's the only way.
So as not to feel the horrible burden of time
that breaks your back and bends you to the earth,
you have to be continually drunk.

But on what?
Wine, poetry or virtue,
as you wish.
But be drunk.

And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace
or the green grass of a ditch,
in the mournful solitude of your room,
you wake again,
drunkenness already diminishing or gone,
ask the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock,
everything that is flying,
everything that is groaning,
everything that is rolling,
everything that is singing,
everything that is speaking
. . .ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you:
"It is time to be drunk!
So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk!

On wine,
on poetry
or on virtue

as you wish.

Via mon frère

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand gets sliced and diced by the BBC

2011-05-30T17:00:00.001-07:00

Part 1
Part 2

"I strongly disagree with that…" John Key's weak dismissal or any contrary point of view (even when supported by data).

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Cheers Ears - Mind Control

2011-05-09T15:26:00.001-07:00

Ok. So the idea behind these ears is trivial - but I like the thought that objects can be controlled by one's mind.
Now - if I could just control my thoughts.

Derek Handley speaking at the World Class New Zealanders event

2011-04-24T18:13:00.001-07:00

I recently attended the Kea World Class New Zealanders event. I dodged the glad-handing, back slapping of the award ceremony the evening before because I didn't feel that it would be useful.

The speakers who shared their thoughts the following day were though. I was particularly impressed with Derek Handley of the The Hyperfactory.
He was somewhat laconic. I don't know if that is is personal style, I have never met him in person. But his message resonates with me.

I get very weary hearing folk talk up New Zealand's place in the world. When I have traveled I have noticed there is a benign warmth towards us - but there is very little breathless excitement about us as a nation. Why would there be. We barely register in the grand scheme of things.

Let's face it when did you last have a fascinating discourse with a neighbour about dairy products or lumber?
Nobody is talking about us out there - by the same metric as our beloved 'per head of population' delusion
The trope that we 'punch above our weight', is jingoistic drivel.

We under-perform. Just look at the disparity between Australia's fortunes and our own.
In so many ways we are in a race for the bottom.

I don't say these things to be dis-spiriting of negative but we need a reality check and some real leadership.
By leadership I don't mean rhetoric from politicians of any party but from more people like Derek Handley who will think deeply about the future and position themselves in danger's way to exploit the trends and opportunities they present.
More of the same is not going to work for New Zealand.
At the rate we are regressing we will be a branch of Australia before you know it.
Or a branch of Tasmania.

You may well disagree with me.
I have a dear friend who has an investment theory that pivots on the GOD principle - Gold, Oil and Dairy and, while I can't argue with it's clarity and simplicity I wonder whether the real opportunity for explosive growth and 'insane profits' (to quote Tom Peters) resides somewhere else in the firmament - between your ears.

I've been wrong before, but I believe New Zealand's real future resides in intellectual property and the creative economy will be the one that delivers the prosperity we crave. Sure, primary produce is the 'backbone' of the the current economy, but you don't have to be Einstein to see the challenges we face when our resources are equal to our capacity to supply. Where will growth come from other than the value economy, rather than the volume/commodity economy. How long before Greenpeace start targetting toxic kiwi farming practices, rather than the low hanging fruit of oil exploration?

'What we need is a little less wish-bone and a little more back-bone' - and more clever buggers like Mr Handley who are prepared to speak up.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Addicted to Love

2011-04-09T02:13:00.001-07:00

I saw this clip on a screen in the McDonald's on Queen Street, Auckland.
My daughter need to use the loo.
It reminded me of the 80s. Yes - I was there and I remember some of it.

I half assedly tweeted, 'whatever happened to Robert Palmer?' whilst I waited.

It took but a moment for the answer to flood in.

He died.

Heart attack 'parently.

Been there, felt a twinge and felt I had put my foot in my mouth.

But not before I had a chuckle at one response: 'He died. Apart from that, I hear he's well.', courtesy of ImperatorFish

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Victors and Spoils - Crowded Nouse

2011-04-06T19:49:00.001-07:00

Victors & Spoils from Victors & Spoils on Vimeo.

Listened to a talk by Claudia Batten from Victor and Spoils this morning at Kea event World Class New Zealanders.
Love the concept.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Movie Title Design Montage

2011-04-05T16:28:00.001-07:00

via Idealog (@idealogmag)

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The Shining - Home video - Here's Johnny!

2011-04-04T18:42:00.001-07:00

The Shining.mov Watch on Posterous

"http://www.youtube.com/v/nDhGHU6mbTA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0">"http://www.youtube.com/v/nDhGHU6mbTA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="510">

The light outside my apartment flickered.
Where's my Big Wheel.
Call me Kubrick.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

When technology gets out of the way

2011-04-03T20:36:00.001-07:00

New ad for the Apple iPad to harks back to the down-home sensibility of the 'Think Different' campaign (or maybe it's just the hal Rineyesque voice over.

I like it - it resonates with the humanstic approach the company has always had to designing its products, systems and software.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Come Back For me - iOTA

2011-03-31T02:33:00.001-07:00

Saw this song performed at the Smoke and Mirrors show at the Auckland Festival of the Arts. It blew me away - as did the whole show - simply the best evening in the theatre I have had in the past few years. I'd travel to see it again. Mind you, I would travel at the drop of a hat.

Don't really understand the narrative of the video and think the arm waving wog dad is something of a trope but watch the performance of iOTA as an aging magicians rabbit on YouTube and you'll understand the context in which I view it.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Middle East Uprisings explained in an Angry Birds metaphor

2011-03-30T14:24:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Ready to rise again - Gabrielle

2011-03-29T05:07:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Ready to rise again…

2011-03-29T04:57:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

23 million people cant be wrong - can they?

2011-03-29T04:31:00.001-07:00

I dedicate this to my ex - es.

Thanks.

Love is a wonderful/pathetic thing.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Let Me Finish…(The Trip…genius)

2011-03-28T02:27:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Down is just the other side of up

2011-03-28T01:29:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Don't buy petrol

2011-03-08T19:38:00.001-08:00

There was an error processing the HTML in this post. Please resave this post and try again. If this problem persists, please email us at help@posterous.com and we'll fix it.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Charlie Booker on Gaddafi - classic

2011-03-07T20:17:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Moments - thoughts on the Christchurch earthquake

2011-02-23T00:57:00.001-08:00

I feel terrible for the people of Christchurch and surrounds.
I feel terrible for the country.
This is an enormous setback - not only in morale, but also for the economic recovery.
Does that sound cynical? I hope not.
I was sitting in an all-day seminar today with Tom Peters speaking.
On any other day I would have been happy as a pig in poo.
But this morning I felt somehow that I should be doing something 'useful'.
The sense of helplessness is an obvious human response, as is empathy and concern for those affected directly.
When Megan, my wife and mother of my son, died of cancer (she was just 29) I thought the world would end.
Friends and family consoled me.
Their words were muffled by my grief at the time.
But time passed.
Today I look back with objectivity.
The sadness never leaves.
But grief does.
The Christchurch quake is raw and proximaly close to us - even in Auckland.
It is right that we connect as a community; especially one so small as New Zealand.
It is right that we grieve.
But it is wrong that life should grind to a halt.
The best way to honour the dead is to pull your life a little closer.
Embrace it and savour the moments.
There is magic in the mundus.
Enjoy the glint in your children's eyes.
The happy banter in the office and pleasure in a colleagues' success.
KIss your lover and be happy their life is entwined with yours.
And know that it is all just for now.
The horror of Canterbury could happen to us tomorrow.
But the greatest respect we can offer to the dead is to drink in our own moments.
Notice the tiny things - start with your own breath (it means you are alive).
Work out from there.

So, returning to the economy.
My dread fear is that this event will discourage people from coming or make them afraid and want to leave.
I don't want to promulgate a 'blitz' trope.
But we need to go on.
It is life.
And life should be lived.
Even in the face of terrible loss.

Especially in the face of terrible loss.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Latest column for Idealog magazine

2011-02-20T23:29:00.001-08:00

People who speak with force and certainty have my undying admiration.

No vague, prosaic terms for them. Often they are exemplars of the ‘my way or the wighway’ school of thought; if, indeed, that sort of approach to life could be considered educated—or thoughtful.

By comparison, my personal inclination is towards doubt. When presented with a case for which there is no possible alternative I tend to look for the alternative. Though I cannot be sure it is there, residing quietly in some corner of the realm of possibility, in all probability … it is.

I love science. Not because I have any great affinity for dissection or calculation and algorithms (one turns my stomach and the others are simply beyond my ken), but because I like scientific method—the process of discovery through hypothesis (what if?) and experimentation (how?), and then the rigorous examination of method and results in order to test and replicate the results.

So, when I am told of absolute truths in my area of daily enquiry I am often sceptical—even when the glossy oratory and polemic remind me of David Ogilvy’s remark, “When Aeschines spoke they said, ‘How well he speaks’—but when Demosthenes spoke they said, ‘Let us march against Philip!’”

In recent months I have been told, in no uncertain terms, that advertising, as we know it, is dead. Social media is now the way the truth and the light.

Forgive me if I am sceptical. Much as I agree that social media is a wonderful thing—I assiduously monitor my Klout.com score as often as the next fellow—and that harnessing the power of people via web technology has enormous value and even more potential, I cannot abandon my open-mind policy in frantic, fanatic belief. Beliefs are anathematic to scientific method and, dare I say it, thinking.

Likewise I doubt the conservative view—that advertising (as we know it) is stronger than ever before and social media is simply a flash in the pan. This view seems akin to Marie Antoinette’s naive ‘let them eat cake’ assumption that the proletariat were simply hungry for brioche rather than a shift of the paradigm.

When I taught design research methods at Massey University my ‘thing’ was to always look for bias in my student’s research proposals. “If you already know the answer,” I would say, adopting my best donnish pose, “why not save yourself the energy required for the charade and take a walk on the beach. You will return refreshed and I shall be spared the effort of consoling you when you fail.”

The obvious bias of the social media gang is that they have been given the tools to connect and engage without patent or the obligation to pay for the privilege. Meanwhile, traditional media owners (remember when we Internet pioneers used to dismiss them as ‘legacy media’) lament the burden of capital and debt that will be geriatric long before it is ready to retire.

Likewise those who trade in media time and space, the agents of the media who fill the gaps to flog products and services, plaintively argue that more people are watching television than ever before—though that graph looks like the beginners’ slope, while the number of people gossiping about #ApprenticeNZ via Twitter as the show airs looks like the north face of K2.

It has become a war. Sadly the first casualty of war is the truth. I can only resile myself to hypothesising about ways of harnessing the power of the technologies at our disposal to create outcomes for our client’s products and services.

Rather than being partisan defenders of one particular faith, let’s be open-minded and remember the starting point for successful marketing communications is the end: The Objective.

Let's Talk…

Agree/Disagree - what is your opinion?

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Practically Radical - Entrepreneurs Effectual Reasoning

2011-02-19T14:27:00.001-08:00

I reviewed Practically Radical for Idealog Magazine.
It is a brilliant book.
If you are in business, thinking of starting a business or just interested in business I heartily recommend it.

Fishpond sell it
So does the Book Depository in the UK - but they don't charge for shipping.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

It's a book. You remember books.

2011-02-18T19:28:00.001-08:00

The nicest book I have read in a long time.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Happy 50th E-Type.

2011-02-13T17:14:00.001-08:00

Hope I look as good when I'm your age.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Love and other drugs

2011-02-11T23:39:00.001-08:00

Beautiful day for a walk on Waiheke. Headlands sculpture trail. Great event.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The mundus of Moleskin

2011-02-10T16:38:00.001-08:00

Richard Dawkins introduced me to the idea of the 'mundus' - the everyday, the mundane (and how the appreciation of it - being in the moment gentles our condition as humans).

Perhaps nothing is more mundane than the humble, or should I say the fabulous, Moleskin notebook?

I always have a notebook with me. When I am flush it will be a Moleskin, for they are expensive.

But everyday observations, notes and drawings contained - or set free on the luxurious, creamy pages of these little serialised tomes take on a character of their own. I love them - I am certain they are Lovemarks (if I might grudgingly apply Kevin Robert's nomenclature).

This little movie is a delight. (thank you Idealog magazine )

It, too, is mundane. In the most delightful sense of the word.

I enjoyed watching a simple task being performed with care. It reminded me of a conversation with Hamish Keith just the other day about the joy of artistry in art and the idea of 'teknos' or know-how versus dilettantism or post-modern ideas that anything is art if you want to be (thank you duchamp).

An excellent example of how brands are using storytelling to, um, tell their stories.

I have written about Moleskine before on my Thoughtspurs blog.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Half baked will kill even the best idea.

2011-02-10T04:14:00.001-08:00

S'a funny thing.
In the past few years:…
My wife died (the gloriously laid back Megan, surf club captain, photographer, Mother of Taylor - our son)
I remarried and divorced - but produced the perfect companion sibling for Taylor - Zoe - wild child, smart, funny…how many adoring adjectives can a man express before the audience evacuates?
I've done things.
Started things (good things - like BrandWorld- Biggest advertiser on NZ TV and Idealog Magazine - winner of business magazine of the the year EVERY year of its existence - since '06).
I'm plainly a proud father.
I am.
I'm ready to build and grow.
If you have a great idea and want to make it happen - let me know.
We'll find the cash.
I hear a lot of 'Ideas are dime a dozen' - but the real point is ideas need vetting - and not by suits.
Creative direction is the next big skill.
Ideas need to be worked up.
They need to be thought through… packaged and pitched.
Half baked will kill even the best idea.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Embarrassing noises - JoeGreenz schings

2011-02-09T01:19:00.001-08:00

Download now or listen on posterous

Rain Hone tuwhare As A Song (of Sorts).aif (2394 KB)

When I was a kid… intermediate school, I was picked as a soloist to sing a Mozart song at a school concert.

I didn't show up on opening night.

Silence.

I couldn't deal with doing Fred Dagg impersonations during the day with my mates, then performing a suck, poncy singspiel of an evening.

At 12, insecurity had a secure hold.

Since then I have never even sung Happy Birthday.

I was muted.

A lovely friend gave me her iPhone recently - a perfectly good G3S - when she upgraded to the 4.

I have become app-crazy.

I found an app recently that encouraged me to sing (or something like it). It's called LaDiDa

I love the poem Rain by Hone Tuwhare.

Would make and exshellent song thought I.

So…here is my interpretation…

One take…an iPhone and maybe a little more unhappiness and chardonnay than is good for a man.

(Please be gentle in your criticism…I have dainty hands).

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Never let ad people stuff about with something original - Glee Ad for Chevrolet

2011-02-08T02:37:00.001-08:00

What a mess.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

I don't know WTF H.E.B. is but I kind of like this branded content.

2011-02-06T13:49:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Black Magic Woman

2011-02-06T04:49:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Everybody says she's lookin' good - and the lady know's it's understood…Strutter

2011-02-06T04:14:00.001-08:00

Live in '75…Kiss…
How it comes back to haunt me.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Get your geek on. Das ist gut

2011-02-05T20:36:00.001-08:00

Via Greig Buckley

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Do not adjust your mind…

2011-02-05T13:56:00.001-08:00

Is it just me, or does this video have a common thread with a Vodafone NZ ad

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Home is where ever I'm with you

2011-02-05T00:14:00.001-08:00

I'm such a pushover for simple, down home sentiment.

Having a daughter is the most wonderful gift…(sons are good too - but different).

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Geoff Ross - Good Sport

2011-02-02T23:06:00.001-08:00

I love this shot by the inimitable Alistair Guthrie for a story in the launch issue of Idealog magazine about interesting creators and what they do when at leisure.

Geoff was more than happy to play along. Good on them both.

I'm very proud of the first few issues of the magazine where I was hands on as creative director and art director. Some parts were a bit ropey because we had no in-house mac production team and put the thing to bed at the last minute - work being that thing that takes the available time (and there is never enough time).

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

These are not the droids you're looking for…

2011-02-02T19:06:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Rubber Ducky On The Move

2011-02-02T18:46:00.001-08:00

A shot from my colleague Racheal the producer from our balcony in the office.
Am I obsessing?
Maybe a little…

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

ViaDuck

2011-02-02T13:55:00.001-08:00

Surreal promotion for Channel 4 relaunch. The bill must have been huge.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Check out the numbers behind FourSquare's check-ins

2011-01-30T22:40:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

I Promise…nice insight in a fast food world.

2011-01-25T16:50:00.001-08:00

From McCanns London.

Truth Well Told.

Love it.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The World Air Kazoo Orchestra is borned!

2011-01-25T01:24:00.001-08:00

If you think Twitter is some kind of time wasting abstraction, a second, third or…(you get the point) life…well - in the words of Jeremy Clarkson…"You'd be wrong".

The most fun I have had with Twitter has been actually meeting the people with @ in front of theri names.

For me it began with lunch at the Auckland restaurant Chow (fusion Asian food - good). To begin with it was, if I remember correctly (never guaranteed) with @Jayson–Bryant. Of course, back then he was @thewinevault then @winevaulttv. Multiple personality disoorders aside we became firm friends. Since then we have established a firmament of wonderful friends who joined us for food and conversations. The thing got big and the lunches at Chow got unsustainable - if I might use that term (characterised by the fact that the check was getting huge and we were rolling out from lunch at 6 in the evening!). We coined the term The Usual Suspects and it stuck and is in place today - moved to breakfast and a whole new crew - I don't eat breakfast, so I rarely attend.

At one lunch, I think the venue had moved by then to Pastis (corner of Victoria and Nelson, opposite TVNZ) I was with Jayson and Jason Brown (@brownspeak) and, fuelled by Kronnenburg 1664, we began Air Kazooing La Marseillaise. Of course I claim the initiative. But the lads were superb (silent b).

Air Kazoo is a wonderful instrument. It's hard to describe (if you want lessons - inexpensive and fun)…like creme brulee meets The Song Remains The Same.

This is an enigmatic post.

But Justin Brown, author, musician, broadcaster, funny and lovely man has kept the dream alive and so…now…the moment you've all been waiting for…

The…World…Air…Kazoo…Orchestra is (soon to be) live.

In the meantime follw us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@WAirKO

If you Tweet then sweet - go with @WAirKO

Think of the orchestra as a way of conecting with people who dig music all around the world - many (or most) of whom have no talent whatsoever - like me.

If I can do it...so…can...you.

Hold my hand.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Here's a demo of how easy it is to post to posterous.

2011-01-19T14:28:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Lunch with my little rock chick

2011-01-15T00:11:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

2011-01-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

I boast about my atheism.

For me I need no God/Gods.

This week I have been to two funerals.

One was a mate, a fellow I worked with who lived an exemplarary life. An over-achiever. Top of his game (and and important one at that).

The other the brother of a mate.

Never met him.

I attended the funeral to support my dear friend, who mentored me when I was young in advertising (and who taught me loads of things about family that I apply to this day).

But let me circle back.

As an atheist life is about THIS life.

Not the promise of an afterlife.

This is it.

The two lives I celebrated this week were spectacular in their own ways.

When you wake on any given day make the most of it.

This is it.

This is what we have.

Lift your friends up - you can do it.
Be kind to strangers - that's how you make friends.
Be kind to your self.
You are great.
We love you and want you to express your humanity in whatever way works for you: gay, straight, accountant, artist…

Two funerals in a week.

It never rains…it pours.

My beautiful first wife Megan died from cancer when she was 29.

In that moment my life twisted.

Nothing would ever be the same again.

I realised that if 'it' was ever going to be, it was up to me.
How would I raise a 4 year old boy alone? (( did BTW and he's a winner)

Say it:
"Of it's going to be…ot's up to me".

But I went into a serious trough that day.
I railed against the Universe.
How could it have been so cruel?
How could it be so artbitrary?

The truth is that every day above ground is a good one.

And the folk I have mourned with their famlies and friends have made that thesis clear to me and reminded me that I have strength and courage to share.

Whether you are a king of media, the top of your game in advertising…or a humble man who details cars for delivery…in the end you are the same.

The measure of your life is how you served others.

I want you to think about that.

How do you serve others: your family, your community?…

My partner tells me she want's me to be the best me I can be.

Isn't that the ultimate expression of love?

To lift others up?

Folks.
Please.
Today, when you engage with family, friends, colleagues…lift them up.
Just an inch.
A millimeter will do.

And when you are done here your family and friends will remember you.
Not as the person who climbed over others.
But as the one who lifted their sights
Lifted us.
Love that: Us…

who imagined a little more was possible

…encouraged others.

The embodiment of Megan, Robert, Roger and Clive…
or the dear friend you lost,

Live in the moment my friends.

It's the only one we have.

The First Concert I Ever Went To - A Rock Celebration

2010-12-24T11:08:00.001-08:00

Rory Gallagher rocked my world when I was 18. So much so that I left my hospital bed (where I was recovering from splitting my kidney in two - I suppose I have three?).

I snuck away from the ward.

Limped to the Town Hall in Auckland (actually I didn't limp - there were nothing wrong with' my legs…but I'm making the point). Across Grafton bridge, down Queen Street to the venue. I was front and centre.

My only problem was my sensitivity. When the band kicked in - all bets were off.

And I learned then you have to suffer a little for the things you love.

Here's Colin Hogg's review:

A rock celebration.
Rory Galagher at the Town Hall last night.
Imagine for a moment, fellow dreamers, that rock and roll is a world full of architects.
At one level, up in the clouds, are the likes of Genesis and their ilk building candyfloss fairy grottos,
And at the other is is Rory Gallagher and his blast furnace.
And last night every member of the capacity Town Hall Audience felt the hot breath of the fiery Irishman's particular brand of rock.
In a ridiculously energetic show with more peaks than the Himalayas, Gallagher assorted guitars and a very powerful rhythm section turned his 140 minute performance into a celebration rather than a demonstration of mere skill.
Defiantly unfashionable in battered jeans, lumberjack shirt and long, scraggy hair, Gallagher must have come dangerously close to raising blisters on the ears of the front row last night with his full-frontal musical assault.
Tacking a wide selection of his own no-holds-barred rock and blues, Gallagher etched his guitar star virtuosity over virtually every song, stretching, bending and twisting solo after stunning solo out of his battered guitar.
From a breakneck Last of the Independents through the slow tough Brute force and Ignorance, a bluesy Calling card and soaring Million Miles Away, Gallagher had the crowd with him every decibel of the way, even wandering into the crowd at one stage while tossing off a searing slide guitar break.
The only pause for breath came during a brief acoustic interlude, and then he actually looked relieved to be up and flying again with the energy level back up.
Tremendous. I can't hear myself typing this so it must have been good. - Colin Hogg

Then I crawled home to my hospital bed and listened to a cassette on my Sony Walkman of Rory Gallagher's live Irish Tour until the pain went away.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

The lads share a glass of something pink on Radio Wammo

2010-12-23T19:52:00.001-08:00

"http://www.youtube.com/v/g-zghfvkgvg?fs=1&hl=en_US">"http://www.youtube.com/v/g-zghfvkgvg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="1280" height="745">

An end of year gas with me old Twitter mate Jayson Bryant and Glenn Williams - aka @radioWammo
Long conversation followed at cafe across the road, whereupon I was introduced to the delights of re-cut movie trailers, inter alia.

As for the pink bubbly.
Unremarkable - made Heineken seem like something exquisite, rather than cooking beer.

As for my palate - either underdeveloped (not linked to my inner random adjective engine) or ruined by the bad taste left by too many over-sold wines that under-delivered.

…just call me the park bench parvenue.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Mere Kirihimete

2010-12-22T01:15:00.001-08:00

"http://www.youtube.com/v/WDKwlFmnYR8?fs=1&hl=en_US">"http://www.youtube.com/v/WDKwlFmnYR8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="1280" height="745">

Enjoy this Christmas Gift from Auckland creative legend Simon Shatky (look out for his Hitchcockian cameo).
Absolutely lovely.
Feels like a neighbourhood.
Feels like Christmas (and I am a wizened old atheist).
I guess it was paid for, but that's ok, the deft, light touch makes it ok and, as you must know by now I have a soft spot for well made branded content and this seems as good as it gets locally.
Congratulations to the team who pulled it together.
Share it with your friends.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Trend Projections for 2011 - must see TV

2010-12-21T12:18:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

'You know it's viral when you get it from your Mommy.'

2010-12-21T01:27:00.001-08:00

It's official. YouTube Trends…from YouTube

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Everything's better with bacon…apparently

2010-12-13T19:56:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

What's not to like about hamsters?

2010-12-13T19:33:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

I thought my daughter invented 'PunchDub'. Now I know better.

2010-12-13T19:14:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

A book from my childhood - Real Science

2010-12-13T17:47:00.001-08:00

Download now or preview on posterous

Real Science.pdf (1214 KB)

I love this little book.
Remember when you ordered books from a catalog at school?
Got this in 1968, the year before the lunar landing.
Charming - delightful language and illustrations.
Happy times.

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous

Mad Movie Title Design - love it.

2010-12-12T12:58:00.001-08:00

Posted via email from davidmacgregor's posterous