Life

It was inevitable, really.

December 13, 2008

I will probably be posting quite a bit less often with this latest development.  I wanted to share the news with you as soon as it was made public.  (feed and e-mail readers, please click on the headline to see the video)

You know there are very few things that would take me away from the blog….but come on!

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The perfect stocking stuffer and I’m giving them away for FREE!

December 5, 2008

I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit freaked out that it’s the gift giving season again.  But…I’m bucking it up and spending much of the weekend shopping.  You?

I can help you cross one thing off your list.  My good friend Mitch Matthews and his wife Mel created a game a few years ago that is really gaining national traction.

Much like the iPod, this game is the perfect blend of form and function. 

Cool looking and a blast to play….Do You Q Friends and Do You Q Dates (two different versions with completely different questions) are perfect for family gatherings, work parties (at MMG, we play it via e-mail at work) or just about anywhere.

It’s a thought-provoking, laughter ensuing game that helps you connect.  It really is the perfect stocking stuffer.  It’s also an excellent way to open staff meetings, freak out an interviewee or toss in your briefcase as you board a plane. 

Now, you can buy one online or you can win one of five FREE games that I have to give away.  To be entered into the drawing…just leave a comment below.  That’s it. 

I’ll randomly pick five numbers and voila, we’ll have our winners. 

Because I want to get these mailed to you before the end of the holiday season….we’ll announce winners on Thursday morning.

Update:  You bet — we’ll mail it to anywhere on the globe.  So don’t think you’re not eligible if you’re not in the States!

Update #2:  The contest is closed.  I asked my daughter to pick 5 random numbers and as a result the winners are:  Justin Brady, Jill Konrath, Ed Moriarty, Karin and Monica.  I will be in touch to find out which version of the game you’d like.

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Indulging in my own gratitude (2008)

November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!  Even if you’re not in the states — why not take a moment today and remember some of the blessings you have in your life?

I try very hard to make every post in this blog about you.  I want to infuse value, insights and fresh ideas in every post.

So I hope you’ll forgive me this annual self-indulgent post. 

What I would love is to have you add to it with your own self-indulgent gratitude.  That would make me feel better.  (Does that make this post even more self-centered?)

Anyway…enough prelude.

In 2006 at the Balanced Life Center blog, Nneka created the Season of Gratitude.  She invited other bloggers to share “a gratitude moment” and I couldn’t resist joining in back then and I can’t resist making this my annual Thanksgiving post.

Rather than create a laundry list of the incredible and plentiful blessings that I am surrounded with every day, I decided to narrow my focus to my greatest gift. 

My daughter.  She is quite simply the best part of me. 

Her questions force me to find my own clarity.  Her humor is the perfect salve for a stressful day. Her fears remind me of my own humanity and her teen-induced insecurities keep my heart tender. 

Her zest for life’s delights feeds my spirit and her need to re-charge urges me to slow down now and then. Her laughter triggers my own (sometimes in the most inappropriate places and times) and her tears show me the depth of my own vulnerability.

Her drive to succeed tempers my own so we can talk about balance and her sense of discovery (both academic and of self) lets me indulge in the same. 

Her need to learn about the responsibilities that come along with being given a good life allows me to share my talents unselfishly and take her along for the ride.

Her presence gives me purpose.  Her future gives me hope.  And her faith in me inspires me to be a better person.   

She is my Jiminy Cricket.  She is my legacy.  And she is, every single day, my season of gratitude.

How about you….will you take a moment and share your season of gratitude with us?

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Do you make time to refuel?

November 25, 2008

Okay, I can see my co-workers, clients and the many people who receive e-mail from me at 2 am rolling their eyes as they read the headline.  I’m sure someone is muttering something about a pot or a kettle.

But ignore them and hear me out.  I admit it…I work too much, too hard and burn the midnight oil too often.  But come on now — so do you.  True?

The truth of the matter is…we’re all working too hard, too long and too much.  Which means that it’s even more important for us to re-fill the tank now and then.  We can’t possibly keep up the pace if we don’t pull in for a pit stop now and then.

If you’ve read this blog for more than a week or two, you know that I am a bit of a Disneyophile. 

For me, there is no more relaxing, rejuvenating, refreshing and utterly peaceful place to be than in the middle of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom with 20,000 of my fellow human beings. 

I literally stand on that hallowed ground and take one of the deepest, most cleansing breaths of the year.  And then it’s play time.

But have no fear…I have lined up a stellar cast of guest bloggers who are going to keep you thinking, wondering, planning and hopefully talking.  Please give them a Marketing Minute welcome and jump into their conversations.

If you want to live vicariously with me as I stroll down Main Street, check out my free e-book, Marketing Lessons From Walt Disney.

And do me a favor….take a little time for yourself over the next few days and re-fill your tank.  I want you to be ready to jump right back in when I get home in a week or so.

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Thank you.

November 10, 2008

(E-mail and RSS feed subscribers — click on the headline to view the video)

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Muzzle that man!

August 16, 2008

By weird happenstance, my posts were popping up all over at the tail of this week.  Rumor has it, the blogosphere is searching high and low for a Drew muzzle.  Until they can catch me and shut me up….I thought you might enjoy these posts.

Bloggers, unlike journalists, are sort of hanging out there on their own, when they write about companies and business practices.  Are they particularly at risk for law suits?  Read about this $20 million dollar suit and see if you’re at risk too.  (at Marketing Profs Daily Fix)

Like it or not, you are a salesperson.  All too often, we ask ourselves the wrong questions when we approach a sale, whether we’re selling an idea to our boss or selling a service to a prospect.  How should you approach a potential sale?  (Small Business Branding)

Just because you can change your name, should you?  FedEx Kinkos is now becoming FedExOffice.  Good idea or bad?  How valuable is name equity and when does it make sense to make a shift?  (IowaBiz.com)

And for fun….vanity plates tell quite a bit about a person’s passions.  If you could have any vanity plate in the world, what would you choose?  Want to see mine?  (IowaMoms.com)

So, if you’re looking for a whole lot of Drew thought, here’s more than any one person could possibly absorb.  Why not join me in conversations all over the web?

P.S.  On a sort of unrelated note…if you ever have to search for a muzzle image…but sure that safe search is on.  Trust me.

Photo courtesy of the Mastiff Breed Supplies.

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Where can you find Drew hiding?

July 29, 2008

Every once in awhile, the planets align and I end up showing up all over the place.  I’m not so sure if that’s a good or bad thing.  Either way, I thought you might enjoy some of these posts.

IowaBiz:  Check out my post on brochure do’s and don’t.  For most companies, brochures are a marketing staple.  So let’s do them well, eh?

IowaMoms (and Dads!):  This is my inaugural post that coincides nicely with my post yesterday about being a dad.

Dell/Small Business:  Dell decided to highlight a post I wrote over at Small Business Branding on the importance of saying thanks to your employees.

And of course….keep your eyes peeled right here for more marketing and branding chat.

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And now a word from our sponsor

July 28, 2008

I work hard here at Drew’s Marketing Minute and with our clients at McLellan Marketing Group, to infuse a passion for marketing and branding.  I know it matters.

But every once in awhile, I need to pause and remind myself and you….that it isn’t brain surgery and no one’s life is going to be ruined by a bad ad.

So, if you will indulge me and let me pause for a :30 message from my heart.  Because this is my life’s passion and this does truly change lives.

If you only remember one thing about me or get one takeaway from this blog, I hope it’s this. (Feed readers and e-mail subscribers, click on the headline to view this please)

I believe being a good dad is my most important job.  Nothing else I will ever do will matter so much.

I’m blessed with a dad who showed up at my games, sat in the dark and watched storms with me from the porch, and to this day, is a confidante and incredible supporter.  I know it made a difference. 

How about you?

Hat tip to CK for sharing this on Twitter.

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What’s so funny about a font?

July 27, 2008

You know how we talk about personifying brands?  Well, this brief video brings fonts to life and the results are very funny.  (RSS reader and e-mail subscribers, click on the headline to view)

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Wear your support for Iowa

July 12, 2008

If you’ve been looking for a way to help Iowa and show your support, here’s an option.  A recent college grad and blogger Andy Drish and some friends have created t-shirts and all the proceeds (about $9 per shirt) will be given to the Red Cross’ flood relief efforts.

You can check out and order the t-shirts here.  (Note…the shirts are white, not blue like they are shown in the pix to the right and on the site.)

I know the Iowans who have lost their homes and businesses are grateful for everyone’s prayers, support and kindness.  On behalf of all of them, thanks.

Note:  I am sure there are many efforts like this one.  I’m comfortable sharing this one with you because I know Andy and his integrity.  I know every penny will get to the Red Cross.

If you’d like to forgo the t-shirt and just make a donation, please give to the Embrace Iowa fund.

On a related note…want to see some incredible citizen journalism?  Check out IowaFloods.com.  This site was launched by Des Moine’s Andy Brudtkuhl.  He’s been getting lots of kudos on the site and rightly so.

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