Kevin Rothermel

No Spoilers.

Brand Strategist
Professor, VCU Brandcenter

No Spoilers.

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Biases Against Podcast Professionalism

May 7, 2018

A note on podcast tonality from Kari Gee(?):

Some podcasts & hosts are almost too podcast-y, you know? The production values are slightly too polished, the voices a little too smooth. It’s like a schtick sometimes, like a schmoozy Rat Pack Vegas number: they hit every single beat you expect them to and leave no room for chance. But my biases against “professionalism” are my own cross to bear, so I barrel through.

Samesies. If it sounds too glossy, and it’s not from the NYTimes or a big media company, I’m out.

I’m not sure why. Are they too self-assured? Faking it instead of making it? It almost feels unprofessional, in the way recent college graduates will show up to their new jobs in shiny dress clothes for the first month or two. They think they appear professional. But they look like newbs to everyone else.

One constant problem you run into when showing ads to people in focus groups is the snap-to-grid tendency. People judge an ad by whether or not it looks and feels like their expectations of an ad.

No one needs an imitation of a radio show.

Just make it good.

Don’t worry so much about making it glossy.

Glossy attracts glossy listeners.

And they’ll want to connect on LinkedIn.

Filed Under: Journal Tagged With: Creative Work, Podcasts

Classified Moto RESTRICTED S1E2 “Call Me Frank”

January 25, 2018

John Ryland left the Martin Agency soon after I started. I didn’t really know him, but I remember the buzz around the agency about the custom motorcycle company he was starting: Classified Moto.

You’ve probably seen his work before:

Daryl Dixon's Moto

They make a lot of cool bikes. And the videos they make about them aren’t half bad either…

Classified Moto RESTRICTED S1E2 “Call Me Frank” – YouTube:

Poor Frank just wants everyone to get along, but it’s not that easy. Come on inside and get to know the controversial Speed Triple we built for Rebel Yell Bourbon.

(You can find out more about the Walking Dead bike here)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Creative Work

Paul Venables on Trust and Being an Independent 

September 16, 2016

From his piece in the Huffington Post:

When you get to choose who you trust, a lot of other good things happen too. There are no workarounds (it’s worth noting that in our business, workarounds are usually people). Politics are kept to an absolute minimum. Egos never get out of control. Policies tend to be generous and lenient. Collaboration runs high. The common goal becomes the only goal. The CFO–this is a big one–actually understands and supports the culture. And work is fun. Not just foosball-and-beer fun, but the work part of work is fun. The grind becomes less so.

I’ve always admired Venebles Bell for their work. And I’ve always heard great things about the culture. I can also say from experience that working at an independent agency has a much different feel.

Though I’ve never worked anywhere that didn’t have an out of control ego stashed somewhere in the building.

Filed Under: Journal Tagged With: advertising, Agencies, Creative Work, Productivity