If I were wearing a hat right now, I would graciously tip it to Wieden + Kennedy for what I consider to be one of the best television commercials I have seen in a long, long time. In fact, as a matter of implied policy, I tend not to acknowledge other agencies when writing a post.

I have been a member of AAA (the American Automobile Association) since 1997. To my knowledge, I have used there services maybe three times over those 17 years. This past weekend I attempted to use their service for what will be the last time of a relationship that is about to end in an ugly divorce.

Long before Sheldon Cooper showed up, geeks, freaks and nerds were viewed by the general population as curious outsiders; think James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause or Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront. Back in the 50s and 60s, they were troubled tough guys who didn't quite fit in.  Today they are intellectual weaklings who don't quite fit in.

In the spirit of the holiday, I wanted to offer my Top [Pick Your Own #] list of things that are really scaring me this Halloween. 1.  I just learned that Molly Ringwald is 44 years old and singing jazz music in local clubs...

According to a recent Edelman study, "brands that are able to meet these three need states (rational, emotional and societal) can expect a greater inclination on the part of consumers to recommend and share brand content, defend a brand, and purchase from the brand." Yeah, that's why McDonald's has been one of the world's most valuable brands for the past 30 years. Unhealthy, low quality, cheap, fast food...

Three Signs the Great Marketing Apocalypse has begun...  1.  Your agency is offering you marketing "packages" to choose from, like a frozen birthday cake from Dairy Queen that can be personalized with the name of your choice. 2.  Your marketing proposals look more like the menu from Prosperity Dumpling than a viable business document.

In case you missed the major announcement on Tuesday, the "Big 3" soda makers "pledged a 20-percent reduction in beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 2025 by increasing consumer education and aggressive marketing of smaller portion sizes, water, and other no- or lower-calorie beverages." I implore you, please stop, go back and read that again.

Oh yeah, that's right... everything. This won't be much of a blog post, simply because I have so little desire to even talk about Urban Outfitters and their uber lazy approach to marketing. Fortunately, the marketplace will show this faltering retailer why it's a bad idea to hang your hat (or sweatshirt) on a hook with a very sharp end.

Sometimes my brain connects dots in ways that even I do not understand. Summer is quickly coming to an end, a reality that smacked me in the face this morning as the early temperatures barely hit 60 degrees. It is September; in fact, today is the 13th anniversary of 9/11, a date that escapes no one's attention, including mine.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must say that I am not a fan of most drug stores.  This is especially true of CVS and Walgreens.  It is not personal or even rational, it's just a thing with me.