Red Cross Urges You To Not Sweat The Small Stuff

American Red Cross 2011 Holiday Campaign

In a new holiday campaign airing this season, Ted Danson and Red Cross encourage you to forget all the "stuff" that stresses you out during the holidays and do something that makes a difference instead.

The :60 animated campaign builds a bit of suspense throughout the ad, leaving you wondering who is talking to you and what message they have to tell.

Finally, the pay off.

"This year, let's take a break from all this stuff and give something that means something. Give the gift of hope, help and compassion to someone who needs it most ... whoever they are." Red Cross.

 

The signature Red Cross red color is used throughout the ad. At its conclusion, the gifts of hope, love and compassion are placed into a box that opens into the American Red Cross red logo. 

An utterly charming campaign, with a heartfelt message.

So, visit American Red Cross this holiday season and make a donation in the name of the people on your list this year. 

Red Cross urges you to offer compassion and help to others.

Froedtert/Medical College of Wisconsin Pioneers Patient-Centered Cancer Care

"You have cancer."

Has your life ever been turned upside down by these three little words?

These words are responsible for phrases like, "Life turns on a dime" and "We have no idea what tomorrow will bring."  One day you're living your life and the next ... your life is hanging in the balance.

According to the American Cancer Society, close to 12 million people in the United States are battling cancer at any one point in time.

12,000,000...

That equates to approximately one in four Baby Boomers.
That's roughly one-fourth of all LinkedIn users.
That's about 3% of what President Obama spent on his 2008 presidential run.
That's the number of suspected aliens living in the United States.

Even though that number is positively staggering, as the recipient of that message, you still feel like you are the only person in the world to ever have to deal with the impact of this diagnosis. You feel like no one could possibly understand what it's like to be living with this hideous creature lurking inside of you.

Intent on helping patients more effectively navigate this daunting cancer journey, Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin made a bold move. They decided to look at cancer from the perspective of the patient, rather than the health care provider, ultimately redefining quality cancer care.

Their philosophy became known as The Hub Model or Patient-Centered Care. Rather than requiring the patient to move from the doctor's office to the testing lab to the place where treatment is administered, this Milwaukee-based healthcare organization had a brilliant idea: why not have all cancer treatment revolve around the patient?

Froedtert/Medical College of Wisconsin Hub Model

In 2005, they made yet another bold decision to begin construction on a new facility that would embody patient-centric care. Within three years, they would be cutting the ribbon on the manifestation of their vision. According to Froedtert's website, "The Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center is the first cancer center in the nation built entirely around patients."

Froedtert/Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center

In retrospect, it looks so logical ... as brilliant ideas often do. Let's not make the patient, who is probably not feeling particularly well, deal with directions, elevators and confusing corridors. Instead, let them focus on what is most important ... getting better.

To ensure the best possible care for their patients, the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center has a specialized team for every kind of cancer from the most prevalent to the most obscure. According to the Center, "This level of focus allows them to be completely up to date on the most effective treatments, even in today's constantly evolving cancer treatment and research environment."

The image of a crane is used throughout the facility to signify the journey a patient goes through when dealing with cancer. It embodies a sense of hope, good health and compassion.

As a 12-year cancer survivor, I cannot think of a more holistic and comforting approach to cancer than the patient-centered model brought to life by The Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center. 

It is a wonderful example of truly understanding your target, assessing where the need gaps lie and then masterfully creating and delivering an offering that fills those gaps.

Bravo. 

Bravo Froedtert and The Medical College of Wisconsin.

Clark Little Takes Ocean Photography By Storm

Recently, I stumbled across a phenomenal photographer by the name of Clark Little. He romanticizes the power of Hawaiian waves ... making us feel their splendor rather than their danger.

Raised in Hawaii, Clark Little was an avid surfer known in many circles for his ability to tackle shorebreak waves head on, with little fear. It wasn't until 2007 that Clark uncovered the artistic wonder of photography, attacking the waves with a camera rather than a surfboard. At times, he puts his own life in danger to capture the unmistakable power of nature, oftentimes from the inside out.

His astounding photographs have changed Clark Little's name to a brand unto itself.

He has appeared on television shows like Good Morning America, has been exhibited at museums as prestigious as the Smithsonian, has been printed in magazines like National Geographic, has won countless awards and has commercialized his photography with the likes of Nike, Nikon, HP, Anheuser Busch, Lockheed Martin, Verizon and XS Energy Drink.

Some may say he has sold out his talent by going commercial. But, I believe it would be a shame to only offer this seldom seen beauty to a niche audience.

Take a look at a few of his incredibly powerful photographs.

Clark Little orange hued wave

Clark Little sunlit wave

Clark Little artistic waves

Dr. Dre Ad Splashes Color (and Best Buy)!

Blue Beats By Dr. Dre

Up until a few weeks ago, I had never heard of Dr. Dre headphones. But lately, they seem to be popping up all over the place: on Twitter, on TV and on the heads of celebrities.

Of greatest note, is a holiday campaign for their new Studio line of headphones, offered in a "spectrum of candy colors good enough to eat."

From the moment this ad began, I was hooked. Splashes of color explode as they hit people, in brilliant hues of blue, orange, pink, purple and red. The ad is entertaining, engaging and just plain fun to watch.

I must admit that, at first, I thought this was a SONY Bravia ad, which are famous for their use of vibrant splashes of color. But, I enjoyed this ad far more than any SONY ad I've ever seen.

There was one surprise that surreptitiously appeared on the sleeve of one of the actors partway through the ad - a Best Buy logo. Cool co-branding campaign ... it was done so smoothly that I almost didn't notice it.

Color Beats By Dr. Dre and Best Buy Partnership

Too bad my Christmas list has already been delivered ... this would have been an excellent addition!

Orange Beats By Dr. Dre

Purple Beats By Dr. Dre

Red Beats By Dr. Dre

Brooks Brothers Asks You To "Share The Sheep"

How can you not be pulled into a commercial that has seven adorable, fluffy sheep singing Jingle Bells in childlike voices? As much as I wanted to turn away from this ad, I just couldn't do it...especially when the little guy with the blue scarf timidly stepped towards the front of the herd to shyly and hesitantly sing a solo. (He kind of reminded me of Rudolph when he was trying to hide his shiny nose.)

The ad is on the front page of the Brooks Brothers website where they encourage you to "SHARE the  SHEEP" with a friend:

Brooks Brothers Share The Sheep

This whole campaign is brilliant for a number of reasons:

- How can anyone resist singing sheep?
- Who doesn't like hearing a lively Christmas tune to help get in the holiday mood?
- Who can resist the urge to share a cute ad with friends? (Case in point, the Office Max Elf Yourself)

Plus, it's a great way to increase awareness of Brooks Brothers and to add to their prospective customer database.

Jingle bells
Jingle bells
Jingle all the way
... to the bank

Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" Has Jumped The Cow

Wendy's "Where's The Beef?" 1984 ad

In 1984, Wendy's launched a campaign designed to get people to notice that their hamburgers were full-sized, unlike some of the other fast food chains selling burgers.

The campaign, dubbed the "Where's the beef?" campaign ran for what seemed like years (but was probably only months). It featured little white-haired ladies cackling out the words, "Where's the beef? Where's the beef?" Their tinny voices wormed their way into your ears, leaving you begging for a reprieve.

In a word, the campaign was annoying. The little old ladies were annoying.

But, just like Wisk's "Ring Around The Collar" campaign, it appeared to do its job and to do it well. People parroted the words back, successfully making Wendy's ad campaign part of pop culture.

Now, 27 years later, Wendy's is at it again. This time, though, they are using a younger, hipper, social media savvy man to spread the news that Wendy's is revamping their single, double and triple burgers.

Is it just me or does this campaign feel like an idea past its prime? Why take something that had become an icon back in 1984 and try to force fit into 2011? Or is Wendy's trying to tell us that their hamburgers are about as fresh as their advertising?

It feels like Wendy's has jumped the shark ... or is that the cow?

Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" Facebook Campaign

Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" New Spokesman

Wendy's "Where's The Beef?" 2011 Ad