David Johnston's Blog

The Happiest Place on Earth

2008-10-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

This year, our family fulfilled a rite of passage by taking a pilgrimage to the happiest place on earth, DisneyWorld. Our girls, who just turned 6 and 4, loved every magical minute. Mom and Dad did too. And while we did our best to single-handedly save the U.S. economy- in a place where consumer confidence is still very high- the memories we brought home were more valuable than any of the souvenirs. A big thanks to our Florida friends who helped make our family vacation truly "priceless."

Rim Rock Revisited

2008-09-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I participated in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to go back in time and relive some of the glory days of my past. Well, not exactly. As an invited member of the KU Alumni Cross Country Team competing at Rim Rock farm (KU's famed home cross country course) against current college athletes, I was not exactly reliving the same experience I had a younger, fitter collegiate runner. My body had aged, but my competitive spirit and love of running hadn't diminished a bit. So, how did it go?

In an earlier blog post (Glory waiting to happen), I described the anticipated event: Regardless of fitness or injury, you can bet I'll be there to run alongside some of the best runners to suit up for Kansas. Just as appealing is the opportunity to run one of the most beautiful- and toughest- cross country courses in America. Add to that a heaping dose of pride, tested against a crop of current, enthusiastic Jayhawks, and I have all the motivation I need to get ready. I have 7 weeks. When I described the experiment to my wife, she said, "well that's an injury waiting to happen." I said, "No dear, the word you're looking for is 'glory.'

So, which would it be? Glory or injury? Believe it or not, a fair amount of both. In the first half-mile of the race, an old injury resurfaced from a workout leading up to the meet. A strained hamstring tightened, but allowed me to continue running. I decided to go with it, benefiting from the knowledge that I didn't have another one of these meets next week, or possibly ever again in my future. I ran easy, winced through the pain, but knew the worst I could do was pull it or tear it. In the meantime, there was a race to be run.

Although I had friends betting I would not break 30 minutes for the 8k race (which is about 4.9 miles), I stuck to my plan. First mile in 5:45, 12 minutes at the two-mile, 18 minutes at the three-mile. Right on 6 minute pace. I started to fatigue, hit the four-mile at 24:30, then passed a few more straggling freshmen from nearby community colleges to cross the line in 30:17. Fortunately, the Alumni Team did not need the services of its oldest member, as Paul Hefferon won the race, and the team placed 2nd behind KU's varsity squad by a mere 3 points.

I attended the post-race tailgate party with my wife and kids, catching up with former teammates and friends, and relishing whatever glory we had achieved. And although an injury had been sustained that day, my pride, at least, was still intact. I would live to run another day. (Photos by Chris Ronan. Top: Colby Wissel finishing. Middle: Joshy Madathil competes for the Alumni Team. Bottom: Chris Jones (right) and the author emerge from the covered bridge. Video by Lori Montgomery.)

Let the games begin

2008-08-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Today's opening ceremonies will usher in one of the most celebrated and controversial events of the new millennium. The Beijing Olympic Games, as IOC President Jacques Rogge has said, will provide an opportunity for the world to gain a better understanding of China, and for China's 1.3 billion people to better understand the rest of the world.

Should China have won the opportunity to host the Games? That's debatable. But I believe in the old adage "be careful what you wish for, because it may come true." China, famous for its strict and oppressive rule, has invited the world to its so-called coming out party. The awe-inspiring show, however, may not generate the intended effect, as China will be demystified before the world and ultimately held more globally accountable. That's a good thing.

In the months leading up to the Olympics, many called on world leaders to boycott the games. But to me, this is not a place for political posturing. (Imagine if Jesse Owens had not competed at the '36 games in Berlin.) The Games, and the spirit of Olympism, are dedicated to the highest ideals, set forth in the Olympic charter:

"Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

The pursuit of excellence. Mutual respect and fairness. Global unity. Let those ideals be the legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

2008 LIVESTRONG Summit

2008-07-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, I was chosen by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to be a delegate to the 2008 LIVESTRONG Summit, which is being held this weekend at the Ohio State University in Columbus. I'm excited to meet other cancer activists from around the country, particularly those from other research universities. Although we'll hear from some famous folks and leading cancer experts, including former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, Senator John McCain and, of course, Lance Armstrong, I think I'm most excited about the workshops.

Sessions will focus on topics like grassroots advocacy, building a volunteer army, organizing community events, engaging voters and holding leaders accountable. I know I'll learn a lot, and I'll be eager to get back to campus to enlist KU students, faculty, staff and members of the Lawrence community in this fight against cancer. There's a lot we can do. Watch this space for more. In the meantime, enjoy this video about the 2008 LIVESTRONG Summit.

KU Fights Cancer

2008-07-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

The University of Kansas is emerging as a leader in the fight against cancer. Last month, KU announced the opening of a Phase I clinical trial for a new ovarian cancer drug, Nanotax, developed by researchers at the KU Cancer Center. The new drug is a reformulation of the common chemotherapy drug, Paclitaxel, which is administered intravenously. Unpleasant side effects have been attributed to the solvent mixed with the drug for delivery.

The development of Nanotax by KU researchers was significant for two reasons. By breaking Paclitaxel to nanopartical form, they were able to mix it with water, allowing the drug to be administered to a patient's abdomen.

"By removing the source of the negative side effects, we believe Nanotax will be a less toxic treatment," said Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Center.

Nanotax is also significant because it is KU's first "bench to bedside" drug, which means it was discovered, tested and brought to clinical trial by KU scientists at the KU Cancer Center. This fact significantly enhances KU's quest to obtain NCI designation for the KU Cancer Center. Kansas City remains the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. not served by an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the university has made attaining the designation it's top priority.

KU has had a lot of big wins this past year, but this news was truly worth celebrating.

Olympic Hero: Eric Shanteau

2008-07-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of Eric Shanteau? If not, you will soon.

Eric Shanteau trained his whole life for a shot at making the U.S. Olympic swim team. Although he was not picked among the favorites to make the team, he qualified for the trials this year, and came in prepared to swim the race of his life. He stunned everyone, save perhaps himself, when he touched the wall in second place, earning a trip to Beijing. Imagine, the weight of preparing your entire life for one short race.

Now imagine the weight of learning, just one week before that race, that you have cancer. Shanteau, diagnosed with testicular cancer just before the trials, used that knowledge to inspire the performance of his life. Then, almost immediately after making the team, he faced an agonizing decision. Skip the Olympics–his lifelong dream–to have surgery to remove the cancer as quickly as possible, or prolong the potentially life-saving procedure to fulfill his Olympic dream.

He chose the Olympics. Cancer would have to wait.

Although doctors will monitor him closely and pull him out if the cancer appears to be spreading to quickly, Shanteau's brave decision will bring national and international attention to a disease affecting 1.4 million Americans. He will not only be swimming for his country, he'll be inspiring cancer survivors worldwide and motivating leaders to join the fight.

Sound familiar? Since starting the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997, the 7-time Tour de France winner–and cancer survivor–has focused the spotlight on a disease that hits 1 in 4 families. Through his celebrity and the popularity of those now ubiquitous LIVESTRONG yellow wrist bands, Armstrong's fight has enlisted other notable cancer activists, such as Elizabeth Edwards, Ted Kennedy and the late Tony Snow. Last night on the ESPY awards, many people probably learned for the first time that ESPN personalities Stuart Scott and Robin Roberts were also recent cancer survivors when they presented the Jimmy V. Award for Perseverance. No one is immune. It's everyone's fight.

Although cancer affects millions worldwide, I am encouraged by the increased visibility the cause is receiving, thanks to those who are brave enough and able to capture the spotlight and keep it focused where it should be, on ending this dreaded disease. I've highlighted the efforts of Lance Armstrong before in my blog, as well as those behind Stand Up To Cancer. At the Olympic Games, Eric Shanteau will make his mark on the world, and his contribution will be greater than gold.

It's Complicated

2008-07-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

To prepare quickly for the Aug 30th cross country race at Rim Rock, I knew I'd have to adjust my regular summer training, consisting of moderately paced runs between 6 and 10 miles. Time to step it up with some interval work. Besides, I remember I used to visit a track near my home. It sounded like a good idea anyway, but, like so many things, my relationship with the track is complicated.

I used to love the track. Back in college, we had a very close relationship. I saw her everyday. We spent a lot of time together- sure there were some rough patches, but we had some great times too. Unfortunately, some time after college, I fell in love with other things, like cheeseburgers, a good beer, and well, we stopped seeing each other.

So I was a little apprehensive visiting the track last night for the first time in years. Would she even remember me? Would she be glad to see me, or not? Maybe, I thought, I could just pick it up where I left off...

No chance. Turns out, the track did remember me, and she wasn't happy about the way I had left her. Now, I found myself pleading for her forgiveness, and mercy. No such luck. She kept reminding me how long it had been, how I was taking things too fast. She said, "take it easy, we've got a lot of catching up to do." She was right. I was jumping the gun, so we slowed things down.

After a long night of getting reacquainted, I think we may be able to patch things up. I don't think I'll ever love her the way I once did, but maybe, one day, we can become friends again. We'll just have to take things very slow. One step at a time.

In defense of logos

2008-07-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, a jury sided with the University of Kansas in its lawsuit against Joe College for selling t-shirts that infringed upon KU's trademarks. This should have been an open and shut case. Still, there are a lot of people out there who just didn't get it and viewed the case as an example of a big, bad university out for profits. How can you own the word "Kansas?" they wondered. How can you own the color blue? Simple. You can. You can within a given context. Put Kansas on a blue t-shirt and sell it in Lawrence, Kansas, then yes, common sense tells you that's a KU t-shirt.

What about letters- can you own a letter? If so, who owns the letter A? Sesame Street? Well, if you're in Oakland, selling green hats with As on them, I'm guessing Major League Baseball will have a problem with that. If you're in Tuscon, Arizona selling navy blue hats with a red letter A on them, the University of Arizona might believe they have the right to do that. In Big 10 country, how important is the letter M to Michigan? Or the word "Wisconsin" printed in white on a red shirt? Now, put Wisconsin on a green shirt and sell it in Florida- not only will no one think it's a Wisconsin University t-shirt, no one will buy it. Why? Context.

Context matters. Now I'm no attorney, but I know that sometimes the letter of the law is what matters. Other times, it's the spirit of the law. Larry Sinks, owner of Joe College sold shirts that clearly were intended to capitalize on a local affinity for the University of Kansas. He would admit as much, so the context here is obvious. But rather than obtain an official license granting him the right to sell KU merchandise, he willfully tried to skirt the system by selling shirts KU would never approve under a licensing agreement. Sure, there's a market for tasteless, inappropriate t-shirts, but this isn't a "free speech" issue. It's commercial.

It's not free speech for me to sell a basketball jersey that says "Jordan" with the number 23 on it. I'm pretty sure Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls and maybe even Nike would have something to say about that. Sinks knew what he was doing, and he foolishly believed he had every right to do it. It reminded me of the man who ran across the street when the light was red and the sign said "Don't Walk." The man argued, "well the sign didn't say anything about running!"

Context is important. The law is important. Certainly there are more important things than logos to defend in the world, but I believe there are two kinds of people. There are those who endeavor to understand and do the right thing, and there are those who will try to get away with things, using whatever justification they can. I believe yesterday's ruling was more than just a legal victory for KU. It was a victory for common sense.

Glory waiting to happen

2008-07-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 2007, Colby Wissel crossed the finish line at the NCAA national cross country championships to end his prolific career as KU's last cross country All-American, and the sport's first back-to-back All-American since 1959. Now, the KU alumnus is forming a team of KU alumni to compete again at Rim Rock Farm in the Bob Timmons Invitational on August 30th.

Regardless of fitness or injury, you can bet I'll be there to run alongside some of the best runners to suit up for Kansas. Just as appealing is the opportunity to run one of the most beautiful- and toughest- cross country courses in America. Add to that a heaping dose of pride, tested against a crop of current, enthusiastic Jayhawks, and I have all the motivation I need to get ready. I have 7 weeks.

When I described the experiment to my wife, she said, "well that's an injury waiting to happen." I said, "No dear, the word you're looking for is 'glory.'" I'll keep you posted.

Kindred Spirits

2008-07-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched one of my favorite movies from my teenage years, The Natural, starring Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs, an aging, journeyman ball player on his quest to become the best who ever played the game. I always loved the movie and was drawn to Hobbs' character for some reason, but I never really understood why until last night, when he uttered the famous line, "God I love baseball."

Roy was no saint, as this espn.com article attests. But what I admired about his character was not his virtue; it was his unapologetic passion for the game. Sadly, it's all too rare to find this characteristic in others, since so few people are willing to wear their loyalty on their sleeve for fear of public scrutiny. If you were to simply ask people "what are you passionate about," many would find the question invasive and awkward. But I recently met someone who, like Roy Hobbs, was so dedicated to her passion that I immediately connected with her.

I met "Tanya" at a training workshop for LeaderShape counselors. LeaderShape is an immersive week-long leadership camp that is a transforming experience for participants. Tanya was the co-lead for our session, and the very first thing she said when introducing herself to us was, "LeaderShape is my favorite thing in the world. I love it." So in the first minute of knowing her, I knew everything I needed to know about her. I knew her passion.

At the conclusion of the camp, she said we had a "kindred spirit," which was flattering. It told me she understood my passion as well. But to those who know me, and even those who have just met me, it's not difficult to figure out what I care about. After all, I'm not a tough nut to crack. I don't care about much, but the things that are important to me, I care deeply about them, and people know that. I find that I relate well to those who are similarly unapologetic about their passions, whether they are educators, politicians, athletes, ...or, apparently, even fictional movie characters.

Independence Day

2008-07-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the birth of our nation this fourth of July weekend, I recall my favorite fourths over the years, which have a familiar routine. Burgers are usually involved after a day at the pool or playing in the yard. Sparklers, Popsicles and fireworks over Lawrence complete the scene. But perhaps my favorite tradition, I'm almost embarrassed to say, is when we go inside at the end of the day to watch "A Capitol Fourth" on PBS. The fireworks over our nation's capitol are a special treat each year, reminding me of the best 4th of July ever, in the summer 1994.

That was the year my brother and I went to D.C. to begin an internship on Capitol Hill for Senator Kassebaum. We took in the show with our friends on the Capitol grounds, brought our own apple pie, and watched the crowds gathered on the mall. It was THE place to be, and if you ever have the chance to celebrate the 4th in Washington, you should go. It was an incredible time to be in Washington, and someday, I hope to take my family back. This year, however, you'll find me playing outside with my girls, or at the grill with a Sam Adams. Here's to a safe, All-American holiday weekend, with all the best to you and yours. Cheers!

Olympic Uniforms Unveiled

2008-07-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today, Nike unveiled the new uniforms designed for the U.S. team competing this summer in Beijing. The design sports the familiar red and contrasting light & dark blue scheme, reminiscent of those worn at the Sydney games of 2000. An additional design feature is a stylized, tattoo-inspired graphic, called "We the People," depicting symbols of America's patriotic and cultural heritage. And then there's the technology.

According to Nike, "Another innovation for the Nike Swift Suit was Aerographics; Nike’s engineered mesh system that was added at the back to increase cooling. Now the suit has a 7% drag reduction over the Nike Swift Suit for Athens, which translates to .02 seconds in the 100m. The new version is made with 100% recycled polyester yarns, fitting into Nike’s Considered design ethos. Now, Nike has combined its fastest ever Nike Swift technology with an environmentally preferred material." All I know is, they look good. All together now, "U S A! ...U S A!"

Must See TV

2008-06-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. I love it not only because I enjoy running outside in the Kansas heat and humidity, but I love being inside too, watching some of my favorite events on TV. Let's start with the Cubs.

With the hottest record in baseball heading into June, the Cubs have one of the best home field advantages in all of sports. Taking in a game at Wrigley Field is a singular experience any time, but in the summer, with a hot dog and an Old Style, there's no better place to be. Especially this summer. After all, it's been exactly 100 years since the Cubs last won it all. It's been 10 years since I lived in Chicago, but- as it turns out- they sell hot dogs and Old Style in Lawrence, Kansas! And thanks to WGN, I can enjoy the friendly confines from my family room. Go Cubs Go!

Meanwhile, heading into the 4th of July weekend, we're also right smack in the middle of Wimbledon. Now, I'm no tennis player, and I'm not even much of a tennis fan 11 months out of the year, but when Wimbledon rolls around, I watch every match- and I mean every match I can. I don't know if it's the all-white rule at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, the strawberries and cream, or maybe its just Maria Sharipova. Whatever it is, Wimbledon is a classic- and a tradition that is not to be missed.

Finally, to top it all off, this is an Olympic year- something I look forward to four years in advance, when sign at the closing ceremonies reads "See you in Beijing!" Currently, the U.S. Olympic Trials are taking place in Eugene, Oregon, the Mecca of running, also known as "track town USA." Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, is the sport's cathedral, so anytime the trials come to Eugene, it's a special event. And by the time 08.08.08 rolls around, I'll be ready to watch the Opening Ceremonies- for the first time in HD.

Throw in the Tour de France plus new episodes of My Boys and Burn Notice, and you can bet I'll be glued to my TV all summer. That is, when I'm not out running... fueled, of course, by hot dogs and Old Style. Ah, summer.

The Girl Effect

2008-06-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

Last month, the Nike Foundation and Peter and Jennifer Buffett announced a $100 million investment in, well, girls. They call it “the girl effect”: the ability of adolescent girls in developing countries to bring unprecedented social and economic change to their families, communities and countries.

As the father of 2 girls, I can assure you there's no more powerful force in the world than the potential of a girl when given a chance. There are a lot of causes out there, approaching the world's challenges from many different angles. This one that makes a heck of a lot of sense to me. Check it out.

Stretching the Brand

2008-06-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

This week, the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and Demand Media announced the launch of LIVESTRONG.com, an online community dedicated to healthy living, built on the brand essence of LIVESTRONG (e.g. health, fitness, nutrition, balance), a brand Nike created and nurtured for the LAF in 2003.

Containing more than 600,000 pages of content, LIVESTRONG.com includes more than 15,000 videos and articles, 50,000 questions and answers, plus personal profiles, photo galleries, discussion groups, personal action plans, recipes, interactive tools and calculators... (whew) let's face it, it's a behemoth. More to the point, it's a stretch.

I get the strategy- it's an evolution of the brand, leveraging it's key attributes. I'm just not sure I buy it. Where does it leave the foundation? I'm looking at my little yellow LIVESTRONG wrist band today, and I'm not sure what to make of it. Yesterday it said I was united in the fight against cancer. Today, however, I think it says a lot more ...and means a lot less. Let's watch- I could always be wrong.

Faster. Cheaper. Better?

2008-06-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

Faster? Yes, please.
Cheaper? Thank you.
Better? Are you kidding?
Apple's announcement yesterday that the revolutionary iPhone would be getting an upgrade surprised few people. Rumors abounded that the new versions would take advantage of the faster 3G (third generation) network with speeds approaching broadband. And while most early iPhone adopters were willing to sacrifice speed for mobility, those days are dwindling. Meanwhile, the biggest obstacle to iPhone purchases, not surprisingly, was price. So Apple announced significant cuts, dropping the 8GB iPhone from $399 to $199. Meaning, you'll start seeing a lot more of them.

But the real surprise (to me anyway) was the announcement of iPhone 2.0. Apple had already revolutionized "smart" phones with a new touch interface and multiple applications that take advantage of OS X's advanced graphical user interface, as well as features like multi-touch, built-in GPS and accelerometer. Developers–like kids in a candy store–are already producing amazing apps, soon to be available at the new "App Store." Apple also threw in support for Microsoft Exchange, catering to enterprise users demanding push email, calendar and contacts, enabling the iPhone to take on (and overtake) the industry leader, Blackberry.

Apple didn't have to make it better. Faster? Yes, please. Cheaper? Thank you. But better? Once again, Apple sets the standard for innovation, while their competitors can barely keep up. Not only will the iPhone become a new standard, much like iPod became the brand standard mp3 player, iPhone 2.0–in my opinion–will become the third major computing platform. Effectively there is now Mac OS X, Windows, and iPhone. And pretty soon, your Blackberry with QWERTY keyboard will be as outdated as a rotary-dial phone.

Have you ever...

2008-06-06T11:55:00.001-07:00

Heard of Brandi Carlile? She was the opening act at last night's Sheryl Crow concert in Kansas City, and she absolutely blew me away. That's why I love opening acts. I love the discovery. And while Carlile is definitely a fresh face, she's hardly new.

She described herself in a 2005 Rolling Stones profile (10 Artists to Watch) saying, "I get all sorts of comparisons but never to one person. It's more like, 'Sheryl Crow meets Patsy Cline,' which makes me feel good. At least there's some originality there."

Carlile skyrocketed to fame last year when the title track of her new album, The Story, was featured on TV's highest rated show, Grey's Anatomy (if you missed it, please watch below). Compilation soundtracks, like those from Grey's, Scrubs or other shows, are a terrific launching pad for many up and coming artists. It seems like I've found most of my favorite artists this way, including Carlile.

The pint-sized country rocker is small, but packs a voice that is, in a single breath, both beautifully melodic and explosive. NPR did a nice interview with her a year ago that showcases her voice, and her Web site offers tracks that are definitely worth hearing, such as Have You Ever, reminiscent of Patsy Cline, or Sarah Mclauchlin singing with Texas crooner Robert Earl Keen. Also check out Turpentine and Until I Die to get a sense of her vocal presence and control. She also does a cover of Radiohead's Creep that'll give you chills.

Last night I watched her cover Patsy Cline and sing on stage with Sheryl Crow, so I can tell you the comparisons are not merely earned. Brandi Carlile stole the show.*

*And I'm not just saying that because Sheryl Crow is a missouri grad.

Chicago: Candidate City

2008-06-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

With yesterday's selection by the IOC, Chicago went from being an "applicant" city to becoming a candidate city for the 2016 games. Chicago will join Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro as the final four host city candidates and observe the Beijing Olympic Games this summer. A year from now, IOC officials will visit each city, and the final selection will be made October 2, 2009.

Congratulations to one of America's greatest cities and one of the world's greatest sports destinations. As a former Chicago resident, I'm thrilled to see the city get the chance to share its charm with the world. I blogged about Chicago's bid a year ago and will keep you posted on the bid process. And in 2016, you can bet I'll be there.

LIVESTRONG Day 2008

2008-06-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

LIVESTRONG Day 2008 was a huge success, thanks to many of you in the KU community. LIVESTRONG KU hosted a Campus Walk for KU faculty, staff, students and Lawrence community members. Meanwhile, Oread Books held a sale in honor of LIVESTRONG Day, and several sororities purchased LIVESTRONG wristbands for members to wear, in addition to all of you who chose to wear yellow on May 13th in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF).

KU came out in force to support the fight against cancer, and we'll be doing even more in the months ahead. We've already established a local LIVESTRONG Army recognized by the LAF, and Rueben Perez and I have been selected as delegates to the LIVESTRONG Summit in July. Our goal is to position KU as a national leader in the fight against cancer, and for that, we'll need your help. But for now, enjoy this look back at the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTRONG Day 2008.

Historic Milestone

2008-06-04T06:50:00.001-07:00

Last night marked a milestone in this year's presidential election as well as in our nation's history. Barack Obama earned enough delegates to become the presumptive democratic nominee, becoming this country's first black candidate for president representing a major party.

Either way, we knew this would be a historic race, pitting the first black man who would be president against the first woman, but what is most satisfying to me, is how race and gender became secondary. Even though votes seemed separated as much by demography as ideology, the campaigns were primarily issue based.

Race and gender became the focus only for fleeting moments. Obama's association (and disassociation) with an outspoken pastor seemed to indicate more of a cultural divide than a political one. And Hillary's gender only seemed to be an issue when her husband (and his potential impact on her presidency) came into the picture. Despite these instances, both candidates held their own, and proved they were ready for the office. And Americans proved they were ready too.

Hillary will leave a tremendous mark in American politics. Although I would never have voted for her or her policies, she showed an unrelenting commitment to issues and prepared this nation for the inevitability of a truly capable female commander-in-chief. As for Obama, his legacy continues to be his transformational leadership and the movement he started that has swept the country. Could you describe it in one word? Can we elect Barack Obama? By now, I think you know the answers.

Stand Up

2008-05-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

I had lunch today with Jan-Eric Anderson, a good friend of mine at Barkley- the KC agency that has emerged as a leader in the cause marketing movement thanks largely to Mike Swenson, Barkley's EVP, CMO (and KU grad). My visit reminded me of something special that happened last week in the fight against cancer that I thought was worth sharing, and I'm sure the folks at Barkley would agree.

Laura Ziskin, a movie producer and cancer survivor, aggressively launched Stand Up 2 Cancer to help make cancer a national priority, lining up celebrities like Katie Couric and Lance Armstrong as well as partners, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Lee Jeans (a Barkley client) among many others. Perhaps most impressive is that Stand Up 2 Cancer has lined up ABC, CBS and NBC to donate airtime to a special one-hour show on September 5th designed to "educate, inspire and entertain."

I think it's amazing what can be accomplished when we come together and leverage our talents and resources for a common cause. Enjoy this PSA.

What happened?

2008-05-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

I'll tell you what happened. This week, Scott McClellan's new book "What Happened" was in the news. The former White House press secretary writes openly and with candor about how the Bush administration manipulated the media and public perception about a war that he claims should never have been fought.

McClellan certainly has credibility to make such claims, and judging by the eerily consistent reactions to the book coming from the White House (if I had a dime for every time I've heard "that's not the Scott I knew") his point on the administration's ability to hammer home a message is more than plausible.

But let's analyze this? What could have motivated him to write such a book, and why now? Well, I can think of two possible reasons. George W. Bush is probably one of the most unpopular Presidents with incredibly low approval ratings. In other words, there is an incredibly lucrative market and high demand for an anti-Bush expose- especially one from an insider, and especially now, heading into the election. I'm sure it'll have a short shelf-life, but from a marketing standpoint, McClellan published his book at the peak of public interest, suggesting his motive (or at least his publisher's) was profit.

The other possible reason? Perhaps conscience. In any case, the mouth piece for the administration–who would know better than anyone–is accusing the White House of "spinning" out of control. Maybe McClellan had a change of heart, but I also know that he's capable of spinning a yarn himself. It'll be a fascinating read, but we're left to wonder whether McClellan's story is influenced by the public's demand for such a tale, or–just maybe–it is the truth about "what happened."

Relays Weekend

2008-04-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Kansas Relays took place last weekend, and one of my best friends was inducted into the Relays Hall of Fame. Michael Cox came all the way from Florida, and Sean Krider, our good friend and teammate, traveled from California for one fun-filled weekend in Kansas.

The weekend culminated, as you might guess, with a test of fitness- to see who among us could break 60 seconds in a quarter. First up was Mike, who mustered at 63 at his advanced age in borrowed shoes and boxer shorts. Sean stepped up next, the least-likely to be fit among us. Krider crossed the line in 60 seconds flat. I prolonged my embarrassment to the end, crawling to a 67. From the group picture, you can tell which among us ran slowest, fast and fastest based on our tortured expressions of joy and agony.

Earlier that night, I had the honor of being emcee at the Hall of Fame banquet, and I also had the pleasure of introducing Mike, the final inductee. Rather than describe the unique situation it presented, I'll simply include my remarks below:

It’s sounds funny to say, but finishing last is Michael Cox. Competing as a Jayhawk in the early 90’s, Cox won multiple Kansas Relays titles in the Sprint Medley, the Ed Elbel Distance Medley and the Bill Easton Four Mile Relay from 1991 through 1995. Individually, he won the Glenn Cunningham Mile two years in a row, narrowly missing the magical 4 minute barrier in a stiff wind in 95, then redeeming himself with a thrilling sub-four minute victory in 1996. Cox’s clocking of 3:59.2 put him among just a handful of former Jayhawks ever to go under the four-minute mark. During his incredible career, Cox was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Performer in 1992, 1995 and 1996, making him one of only 3 athletes in Kansas Relays history to earn the award 3 or more times. Here to introduce Michael… is me.

Okay, let’s stop and think about this. How many times in life does an opportunity like this come along? My best friend, who beats me my entire career, making a fool out of me in practice and in competition, and now,…well, let’s just say I’ve got a microphone and lots of ammunition.

Actually, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s not so much a matter of quantity- oh I’ve got lots of stories I could tell about Mike- it’s a matter of quality. After all, there may be children in the audience. So, I have to choose carefully… Okay, no problem. I think I’ve got this. I’ll start with 2 words- the best 2 words I can think of to describe Mike. Mike is a “unique talent.”

I learned this the day I met him- we shared a recruiting trip to KU together. I was already aware of his “talent” – both of us were undefeated in high school- but while I was narrowly squeaking out wins in Kansas, Mike was in Hannibal Missouri winning races all alone by incredibly large margins. His times, including a 9:06 2-mile, ranked among the top in the nation. Whatever respect and admiration I had for Mike as a competitor was immediately called into question when in walked this guy with a long, black leather trench coat and a mullet- I almost expected to find a guitar flung around his back like Jon Bon Jovi. Once I got to know Mike more, I learned just how “unique” this talent really was.

Mike is what we like to call a free spirit. Since I’ve known him, he’s lived in 4 time zones, he’s been a professionally sponsored athlete (in track, sure, but would you believe racquetball), he surfs, snowboards, climbs mountains, can fix a harley- and, apparently, my dishwasher. But Mike’s a team player too. I recall in a demonstration of team unity, in 95 Mike in the Sprint Medley relay wearing a pink and blue “unitard.” Mike was also a team leader- several times being named Jayhawk of the Year and he was a co-captain with me, he was always quick to reach out to freshmen and take the underclassmen under his wing. Let me tell you, it made quite an impression on those young ladies.

We all reminisce about our favorite “Mike Moments” both on and off the track. Many recall the year at Big 8’s at Iowa State when we won the 1500 in a four-minute mile equivalent, and then just an hour later ran to a second place finish in the 5,000 in 14:11. I remember running indoor with Mike at Iowa State, watching him come dangerously close to breaking 4 for the first time, winning in 4:02. I got so caught up in the excitement, I forgot I was running in the same race! Luckily, I remembered that lesson at Nebraska, when Mike’s 4:01 effort pulled me through to my best time ever in 4:07.

But in my opinion, Mike’s greatest performance came during the weekend that he broke four minutes for the first time, right here at the Kansas Relays in 1996. Few people know that he woke up the next morning and won the nationally competitive Trolley Run in Kansas City. Even FEWER people are aware of the event that took place between those two runs, at the post-relays party Saturday night. Needless to say, Mike won that “clothing-optional” race as well.

This would be a good time to tell you that Mike and I- for as close as we are- we’re very different. And I’m not just talking about the 10 seconds separating our mile pr’s. A newspaper article during our last cross country season when we were co-captains noted the differences between us, talking about how I wore a suit and tie to my summer internship on capitol hill, while Mike worked at a camp in the Rockies teaching kids to survive living off the land.

With our differences, we went on that season- the most influential time of my life, to become cross country All-Americans- a feat no 2 KU teammates had accomplished 30 years. And that’s where my story ends. The greatest thing I can say about Mike, is that he’s a friend. He’s challenged me in many ways- In my life, I’ve traveled with Mike to Canada and Mexico. I have gone surfing with him in the pacific, and I’ve climbed Long’s peak in Colorado. And we’re just as close today, as we were back then.

He’s a friend, a teammate, a co-captain, an All-American, and Mike- today, it is my honor to welcome you to the Kansas Relays Hall of Fame.

No Place Like Kansas

2008-04-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

Couldn't pass up the chance to share this cartoon, sent to me by a good friend. It ran in the Charlotte Observer April 10th following KU's victory in the NCAA title game. After beating North Carolina in the semifinal, UNC coach (and former KU coach) Roy Williams was shown wearing a Jayhawk sticker and cheering on his former school, much to the disdain of his current employer and carolina fans nationwide. For KU fans, Roy's visible show of support was enough to forgive all sins, and it confirmed the sentiment of one sign spotted at the Alamodome that read "Kansas: Birthplace of North Carolina Basketball."

Deja View?

2008-04-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

How weird is this? The November 20th, 2006 cover of Sports Illustrated featured Julian Wright with Mario Chalmers in the background, peeking just to the right of Julian. The latest SI cover, commemorating KU's championship, features Mario Chalmers on the cover...and if you look closely enough, you'll see Julian Wright, who left school early to join the NBA, peeking to the left of Mario.

Another SI Cover for KU

2008-04-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

National Champions

2008-04-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

The Kansas Jayhawks have won it all. And how’s this for poetry: KU now holds the distinction of having the most wins of any title team in NCAA championship history. And in ‘88, KU won the championship with more losses than any team in history. So KU apparently can claim the best team- and the worst team- ever to win it all.

As Jayhawks celebrate around the world, I thought you would enjoy these images from a remarkable night in Lawrence, Kansas. Downtown was crazy last night, and the crowd was simply amazing. I can think of no better place to be in the world right now than at the University of Kansas.

Okay, so let's get back to football. Bring on mizzou...

Roy Revisited

2008-04-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

So, it's here. The moment we've all anticipated- the moment I have dreaded- when KU will finally face North Carolina and our former coach, Roy Williams. I'm not sure I'm ready for it, but honestly, I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for it. I guess I sort of hoped Roy would retire before ever having to play us. No such luck.

Am I still bitter he left KU? Yeah, I am. Roy's departure hurt. It made us look bad. The greatest coach in America, who had said that there was no better place than Kansas to coach, changed his mind. KU's reputation as the nation's premier basketball institution- including a claim on the game's founder and the country's best coach- was not merely undermined, it was disproven, and by the most credible of sources. Just the symbolism of Roy's departure hurt KU's stature in the basketball world. And it stung the fans, who believed him when he said "I'm stayin'."

Do I blame him for leaving? No, not really. No coach can be blamed for wanting to coach at his alma mater. And Roy, for his part, was always honest about his dual loyalties, even though many of us couldn't understand it. I respect the man, and as a KU fan I'm grateful for everything he did for us during his 15 years as KU's coach. But I won't cheer for him.

Some may think it's petty, but I can't cheer for Roy. It's not personal. I don't cheer for Duke or Syracuse, Arizona, UCLA, Kentucky or any other school besides KU. Particularly rival schools. And North Carolina clearly is a basketball rival of KU's. I guess that's the price he paid for joining a competing program. I certainly hope Roy has a good life, and I wish him all the success in the world- when he's out on the golf course- but as the head coach at North Carolina, I hope he doesn't win another game...

Especially the one against KU.

Do you Hulu?

2008-03-24T08:58:00.001-07:00

Look out YouTube, there's a new Web site looking to capitalize on the popularity of Web-based video. Hulu.com is a new venture born of a partnership between NBC/Universal and Fox, along with several other partners, including Sony Pictures. Unlike YouTube however, which features low-quality user-generated content, Hulu serves up high-quality movies and TV shows on demand, for free (the service is ad supported). A typical 30 minute TV show would include 2 15-second promos at the beginning and end, plus one 30-second spot during the show. Advertisers feel that showing fewer ads will make them that much more memorable.

My take? I don't think Hulu.com will change the way people consume entertainment, but I agree with Entertainment Weekly when it said this will be just "one more way" people consume what Hulu calls "premium" entertainment. My only problem is with the assumption that people will accept the advertising model. When I encounter an ad that blocks me from the content I've tried to access, I view it about as happily as a pop-up. I try to close it or fast forward it, and when I can't, I'm not only less receptive to the message, I suddenly have negative feelings for the advertiser.

In an increasingly on-demand world where we can time-shift virtually any content, advertising that is forced is both unwelcome and increasingly antiquated. Although Hulu will suggest their model is permission-based, I think the industry needs to find new ways to reach (and interact with) audiences. Otherwise, solutions like Hulu will be viewed as somewhat less helpful than a DVR that enables millions of viewers to save programs and fast forward through the ads. Watch the video and make up your own mind.

Academic Differences

2008-03-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

A report released Monday by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports compared graduation rates at the four number 1 seeded schools in the NCAA tournament. The results put UNC heads and shoulders above the rest, graduating 86% of its players compared to KU (45%), UCLA and Memphis (40%). The report, however, measured a period from the '97-98 school year through '00-01. Central Florida's release of such outdated data is misleading, irresponsible and opportunistic.

That's strong language. After all, the data is intended to highlight possible trends. The reason I take offense is simple. Since the time the study was conducted, KU's basketball program has a different Head Coach, a different academic adviser and a different A.D. Do those three positions have an impact on graduation rates or the extent to which they are a priority at a school? Absolutely. Could changing those three positions initiate a renewed committment toward academic progress and even change a trend over the course of 7 or 8 years? No question.

Central Florida's report would almost be irrelevant were it not for the national data that can be drawn from such a study, repeated over time. I guess the thing that gets me is the implication that North Carolina, under Head Coach Roy Williams, demonstrates a stronger commitment to academic progress than Kansas. With all due respect to Coach Williams and his staff, he was at Kansas during the length of the study, along with the program's academic adviser. It's unfair to compare this year's four number 1 seeds- their current coaches, players and athletic departments- using such outdated data. Whether KU fans like it or not, a lot has changed since Roy left, but KU's commitment to academic excellence remains as strong as ever.

Political Humor

2008-03-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

Given that the U.S. is fighting an unpopular war in Iraq, and that Bush's approval rating is embarrassingly low, it would seem the democrats would have a lock on winning the White House. It would seem. However, as previous elections have shown, the dems can often be their own worst enemy. John McCain has been able to save his money and coast to the nomination while Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spend millions attacking one another while trying to secure the nomination. It's almost funny. Enjoy this recent political cartoon.

The Cancer Question

2008-03-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

The role of celebrities in this year's presidential election is interesting to watch, with famous endorsements coming in from all sides. Although it is admirable for stars to leverage their celebrity in support of a particular candidate, I'm more impressed by one who uses his to support a cause.

As I've noted before in this blog, I'm a fan of Lance Armstrong for the way he's used his celebrity to fight for the cause that is near and dear to him: Cancer. Last night, Armstrong appeared on Larry King Live to push for cancer to be a national priority after an unprecedented drop in federal funding for the National Cancer Institute. During his interview, Lance was asked the question "which candidate would do the most in the fight against cancer?" In other words, who would Lance be endorsing as the cancer candidate?

Lance has always contended that cancer is not a partisan issue and he's admirably remained non-partisan in his advocacy. He answered the question by saying that, obviously, every candidate opposes cancer. It is up to us to challenge them on this complex issue by comparing specific policies, such as whether they would support a national smoking ban, following the lead of 23 states that have adopted statewide bans to prevent the single most preventable form of cancer death in America. Where do they stand on early detection programs? Federal funding for drug discovery? Access to clinical trials? Treatment for the uninsured? The list goes on and on.

While other celebrities will support the candidate they believe can change the world, Lance is asking them to support his cause and his fight. To me, this is a tremendous example of leadership on both a public and a personal level, and it is why I admire the man even more than the cyclist. Last August, the Lance Armstrong Foundation hosted the first ever LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum, demanding that each candidate answer what Lance refers to as the "cancer question." I hope you'll watch the video below.

A Tradition of Dominance

2008-03-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

A great player was humbled by a great team. In fact, player-of-the-year candidate Michael Beasley's quiet 39-point performance saved kstate from one of the worst blowouts in the lopsided history of sunflower showdown. With no other wildcat teammate in double figures, it was up to Beasley to deliver on his profoundly arrogant and ill-advised guarantees of victory in Manhattan, Lawrence, Africa or anywhere the two teams would play. He failed, spectacularly.

Before the tipoff, Mike Lickert and his world-class videoboard team delivered one of the most stunning video tributes to Kansas Basketball I've seen- mainly due to the way it took an incredibly amped crowd and sent them into a fever pitch. Not the loudest I've ever heard (not even the loudest this season- a distinction clearly earned by the half-time presentation of the Orange Bowl trophy during the MU game)- but deafening by any standard. This was without a doubt the biggest kstate game I've seen in Allen.

And what to make of it? Although kstate's surprising win in Manhattan may have led some to consider the possibility of ksu sweeping the Jayhawks in basketball, Saturday's victory proved one thing. One victory in 25 years for kstate against the Jayhawks in Manhattan is considered absolutely unacceptable by KU standards. Without kstate having recruited (shockingly) a "player-of-the-year" candidate who poured in 39 points, can you imagine the outcome? A great player was humbled by a greater team, and as the pre-game video showed, KU's is a tradition of dominance. See you in Africa...

Branding Obama

2008-02-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

In this historic presidential race, one thing has become increasingly clear: Barack Obama has become arguably the most well-branded candidate in history. Advertising Age featured an article today attesting to Obama's popularity, and the fact that he's managed to carry a significant demographic: the so-called creative class.

Obviously, every candidate is using the internet, and history has even seen a few internet candidates, such as Howard Dean, who was among the first to capitalize on new media and the grassroots, viral support it could generate. Ironically, Dean's campaign was undone by a media-driven sound byte that overcame his message. Obama's campaign is different and significant for a few reasons.

He has not only leveraged the web, he's refined his message to simple, web-ready language that resonates with online audiences (younger, creative and affluent audiences) while maintaining a strong base off-line using the same message. It's a message, like all great brands, that can be boiled down to one or two words. It's a message of hope and change.

Obama's campaign has spread online largely through free, consumer-generated media, and it's gaining the lion's share of online interest. According to Ad Age, which cited the web-analytics firm, Compete, Obama's content generated triple the "FaceTime" of Clinton's while beating McCain's content on YouTube nearly 36 to 1.

Part of the reason is not merely due to the quantity of Obama's base of support. It's the quality of his support base that is allowing his content to thrive. Mash-ups and viral videos like Will.i.am's "Yes We Can" video (the subject of a previous blog), "Vote Different" (a nod to Apple's famous 1984-themed ad), plus "Hope Changes Everything" (below) and of course "Obama Girl" all have enjoyed tons of play time and rank among the top viral videos on the web.

Perhaps it's because many of these efforts were contributed by creative professionals drawn to Obama. Take Shepard Fairey for instance. From Advertising Age:

"His politics fall perfectly in line with what I do as an artist," said urban artist and guerrilla marketer Shepard Fairey, an Obama fan since 2004 who offered his endorsement via a striking poster series. "In advertising and marketing, things are simplified to accentuate the positive and utilize soundbites that are really powerful; it's about economical communications, and [Barack Obama] is really good at that," said Mr. Fairey. "That type of approach to politics -- when it seems like he really has conviction, too -- is really easy to distill down to marketable images. It felt really easy for me to make a poster for him." (see Fairey's poster above)

The New York Times also weighed-in on the brand-power of Obama February 4th when they compared candidate Web sites, claiming Obama's to be the more Mac-like versus Hillary's PC-like site. Despite Apple's small market share that in political terms could be considered a marginalized group, the comparison makes Obama's site the more creative, easier to use and compelling site, gaining Apple's enviable brand attributes and the rabid support of like-minded Mac fanatics (who make up the majority of the so-called creative class).

Obama's appeal extends to many groups but perhaps the most meaningful group of supporters is this young, affluent, creative class that is carrying his multi-medium message to the masses, and is, in the process, building a tough brand to beat.

John Edwards & Cross Country

2008-02-12T07:28:00.000-08:00

Heading into the Potomac primaries, Obama and Clinton are in a tight race to gain the party's nomination for President. Both have secured over a thousand delegates and are virtually tied while other contenders have dropped out of the race, including John Edwards. Yet, oddly enough, Edwards will be the key to breaking the deadlock.

His situation reminds me of an experience I had running cross country my freshman year in college. I was the fifth best runner on the team. In the race that would determine whether or not we would go to nationals, I felt my role was inconsequential, since the top runners on the team would surely hold our fate. Coming down the stretch, battling to pass one more runner, my teammates cheered like mad. It turned out that I needed to beat one more runner for us to get to nationals, and I was the team's final scorer. I passed the guy, and we qualified for nationals by one point. Although I received the credit, I learned the value of a team that day, and that you don't have to be in the lead to be a leader.

John Edwards no doubt hoped to be his party's nominee, much like I aspired to be our team's top runner. Now, he's the presumptive vice presidential pick whose coveted endorsement will tip the balance, bringing with it a host of delegates earned before he left the race. With Bill Clinton supporting his wife, and Edwards expected to endorse either Obama or Hillary, Al Gore is left as the party's elder statesman, likely not to endorse either candidate before the convention. Therefore, Edwards' endorsement is the prize that will determine who gets the nomination. He won't have won the race, but he's the key to getting his team to the White House.

Perfect Pitch

2008-02-04T13:56:00.000-08:00

On the eve of Super Tuesday, I thought I'd share a video that is novel in this media age of election politics. Barack Obama's Web site posted the following video, combining a speech given during the New Hampshire primaries with celebrity voice-overs set to music. It's inspiring, sure, and no doubt mobilizing. It's also novel.

Although I have yet to use this space to endorse a candidate, I enjoy following the campaigns if only to reconcile the difference between effective campaigning and effective governing. As a marketer by trade, I understand the difference between the product and the pitch, or the steak, if you will, and the sizzle. I firmly believe that process is more important than product, if for no other reason than a good product is rendered meaningless without relevant process. In other words, in electing the best candidate we're effectively identifying the best campaigner.

Obama has proven his relevance by striking a chord (literally in this context) with this content-driven generation through simple, relevant messaging. The relevant "content" in this case, is both the medium and the message, and- with a little help from Hollywood- it sounds pretty good. Granted the Web is a critical part of every candidate's campaign, but I couldn't see Mitt Romney's camp inspiring an effort like this, nor McCain's, Hillary's or Huckabee's for that matter. Does this suggest Obama is the most relevant candidate? The best leader? The most qualified to lead America through change? Who knows, but where there's sizzle, we can assume there's steak. For now, I'm enjoying the heck out of the campaign, as well as the novelty and the beauty of this thoroughly modern message.

Profiles in Leadership: Billy Mills

2008-02-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

In a recent class, several of my students admitted they had not heard the story of Billy Mills (okay, all of them). Mills, who is one of my heroes, is someone every KU student should know about- not only because his story is so inspirational- but also because his story says so much about who we are and what we can accomplish.

Without going into a full biography of Billy Mills, which you can read here, I'll just offer a few of his quotations. The first is one he found in a psychology textbook when he was a student at KU. It said that "the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between reality or imagination." It was that simple message that initiated his vision of winning an Olympic gold medal. Another quotation attributed to Mills is the following:

"Every Passion has its Destiny."

This is something to keep in mind as you develop your own goals and set your own vision. Your will to prepare will help determine your own destiny and whether or not your passion is ultimately realized.

Finally, in response to his winning the 1964 Olympic 10,000 meter gold medal (he remains the only American ever to win the event), in what many consider the greatest Olympic upset in history, Mills simply said this:

"To me it was never an upset. I got myself into great shape, I went over there to win the race, and I did it."

In other words, winning became a self-fulfilling prophecy, as Mills' vision was realized in Tokyo. If you've never seen footage of the race, you absolutely must watch it.

Ouch.

2008-01-31T09:14:00.000-08:00

KU got kicked in the teeth.
The previously undefeated Jayhawks should feel humbled if not ashamed to lose so magnificently to a "rival" so historically bad they barely deserve the label. kstate (which is never capitalized) stole KU's pride in a schoolyard fight after boasting promises/threats of victory, then knocking the Jayhawks to the ground. Does one victory in a quarter century make it a rivalry? Well, it does now.

At the beginning of the school year, if I could have asked for one victory for football and basketball, they would have been wins against mizzou at Arrowhead and kstate at Bramlage. How ironic that KU would ultimately lose both games AND that those supremely damaging losses would be our only ones all year. Hats off to our rivals, who rose to the occasion when it truly mattered, leaving KU with very impressive one-loss seasons, but- oddly enough- no bragging rights.*

*...except, of course, for the bragging rights KU owns in virtually all other areas indicative of institutional excellence.

COMS 201: Intro to Leadership

2008-01-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

Since I'm teaching a class on leadership this semester, it occurs to me that some of my students may be reading my blog. And since one of the assignments is for each student to keep a "journal" throughout the semester, it's likely they might refer to my blog as an example. With that in mind, this entry is written for the benefit of my students.

Your journal entries, especially if you choose to keep a blog like this one, should each be about as long as the paragraphs that follow. In other words, each entry should be long enough to introduce a topic, demonstrate an opinion and form a conclusion. For example, I might throw out a topic like, the recent South Carolina democratic primary, and talk about it from a leadership perspective...

Heading into the South Carolina primaries, Hillary Clinton was suffering some backlash from her husband's involvement in the campaign. While President Clinton's endorsement carries weight, especially given his wide popularity, it should be a given when you consider he's married to the candidate. So, to what extent does his campaigning help Hillary? Or more to the point, to what extent does his campaigning on her behalf undermine her efforts to be seen as a strong and independent leader?

Running as the woman who would be the country's first female President, she is having to overcome issues that more traditional candidates (i.e. old white men) would not, such as the double-edged sword of coming off as strong and assertive. Among male candidates, these traits are often construed as characteristics of a strong leader (positive). However, female candidates displaying the same traits are in contrast often viewed as overly aggressive or antagonistic (negative).

Barack Obama's significant victory in S.C. demonstrates, to me at least, that Hillary has been hindered more than she's been helped by her husband's support. Obama's remark during the New Hampshire debate only added fuel to the fire when he said in reference to the political power couple "I'm not sure who I'm running against." Hillary will need to find a way to become the more high-profile, personable and dynamic half of the Clinton couple. Overshadowing her husband may take some doing, but it will be much easier if and when he decides to play a more supportive role... by providing less support.

(Note: the opinion expressed here is mine, and frankly, is not the point. The point, rather, is to demonstrate how you can frame an opinion on a leadership topic. I do not intend to promote any candidate.)

LeaderShape 2008

2008-01-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

Whenever I see a KU bus, I can't help but feel proud. It used to be that this sense of pride came from my experience helping KU build a new identity system, standardizing colors, logos and whatnot. I was even asked to be on hand to approve the paint color on the first bus when it was made. Now that I've attended LeaderShape, I see KU buses in a whole new way.

On Day 1, these big blue buses dropped off some 60 wide-eyed students to experience LeaderShape, an immersive 6-day leadership camp, for lack of a better description.

By week's end, the group had developed incredibly close relationships through a variety of team-building and vision-sharing exercises. They left the camp with great optimism and enthusiasm, and I'm confident that each one will become a powerful leader in his or her community, engaging others to create positive change. Watching them board the big blue KU buses, I felt pretty good about the things they were going off to accomplish.

So today, my perspective is changed. When I saw a KU bus on campus this morning, I couldn't help but think of the potential inside- the potential I witnessed at LeaderShape- the potential that exists at a place like KU and inside all of us. Now when I see a KU bus, I know those people are going places.

Sweet Victory

2008-01-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

KU's improbable 12-1 season ended with a remarkable victory over #3 ranked Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. The victory is without a doubt KU's biggest football win ever, making this KU's best season in history. Which is also to say, Missouri was able to beat the best team KU's ever had, during a season that witnessed KU's single worst defeat in history. Sweet Orange Bowl victory? Absolutely. Still Bitter? You bet. Here's to a 12-1 season. Let's not forget the one.

Bleeding Kansas

2007-11-27T12:55:00.000-08:00

Saturday's game was so bad, I don't know where to begin. There was nothing good about it, particularly the location. Rather than discuss the value of revenue and national attention, I'm reminded of a lesson I learned at an early age, when someone wanted me to bet on a KU game, looking to profit from my blind loyalty. I told that person what I still believe. Simply, that pride is worth more to me than money. The game was KU's 1984 upset of #2 ranked Oklahoma, arguably our biggest football victory ever. With that in mind, let me try to put Saturday in perspective. My top 5 worst losses in KU history:

#5 - OU clinching the Big 8 hoops title in Allen Fieldhouse, watching Wayman Tisdale cut down our nets.

#4 - mizzou beating KU in Allen Fieldhouse in the late 80's, a match-up of the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the nation.

#3 - kstate's win at Memorial Stadium in 1994 when they tore down our goalposts and began a decade-long winning streak.

#2 - Arizona's surprise upset during the '97 NCAA tournament at Birmingham, defeating a 34-2 team that was arguably KU's best team ever.

#1 - Saturday. By far.

Is Apple Rotten?

2007-10-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Much has been said about the new innovative iPhone, which Apple's rabid fans gobbled up when it was initially released. Now, just a few months later, this core group is turning on Apple, threatening what has become a hallmark of Apple's brand: consumer loyalty.

Apple has relished its role as the underdog computer-maker, but it is now becoming a major player in consumer electronics, fulfilling a promise to make Macs a digital media hub. The iPhone is just the latest entry- albeit a significant one- following the success of the ubiquitous iPod. As customers and investors reacted positively, Apple surprised them by dropping the price $200 only 2 months after it's release. To make matters worse, a recent security update wiped out user-installed apps, which Apple seeks to curb. It's assumed that Apple's strategy was to skim off the cream and drop the price to attract a broader market, while controlling their proprietary software, at least for awhile. Meanwhile, CEO Steve Jobs has been vilified, and Apple has suffered significant backlash.

My take? Steve Jobs is not an enemy of the people, nor has he lost his soul. He's a businessman- and a good one at that. Not only has he understood the market and leveraged consumer trends, he has capitalized on them and even driven the industry. The challenge is that he must deal with the army of followers he has created who demand both greater innovation and near infinite customization.

Apple is at a turning point. The point at which David becomes Goliath. Having stayed true to their brand- like so many of my "Best Brands"- they have grown. Nike faced this turning point years ago, and now they must deal with start-ups like Under Armour who have inspired a new generation. Even though Nike will always stand for "innovation", they can no longer fool anyone into thinking they are anything but the major player in the industry. Apple may not have to dominate market share to be perceived as the industry leader, and they will undoubtedly be faced with upstart competition in the near future, created in their own image. More than ever, Apple must continue to reinforce their brand as delivering the most innovative products consumers demand. If the iPhone is any indication, I think Apple will ripen.

Big. Big. Big.

2007-10-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

How big was Saturday's win in Manhattan? Any game against kstate is a must-win for the Jayhawks. This win was big for several reasons. Heading into the game 4-0, a loss would have had a devastating impact on the season. A win, however, makes KU's 5-0 record more than just legitimate and brings with it a national ranking. Consider the following...

A road win in the Big 12 conference is rare, and this was KU's first road test of the season- arguably in the most hostile stadium in the conference. KU had not won a game in Manhattan since I was in high school. Coach Mangino, like his predecessor, had never won in Manhattan. Jake Sharp's first quarter touchdown was KU's first TD in Manhattan since 1999.

This win was also KU's 3rd in 4 years, which finally gets things back to normal. KU has won more than half of all games in Manhattan, and commands the series overall. For perspective, the Snyder-era "turnaround" that brought 11 consecutive ksu wins fell just 28 wins short of evening the series. In other words, if I was unfortunate enough to live through such as string of losses, I would be 64 when the series would finally be even, or "competitive."

But the main reason I became so invested in this year's edition was because of my involvement with KU's visual identity project. I'm proud to say that KU has never lost to kstate with the new KU logo on our helmets. Let's hope that streak continues. Hats off to a big win for KU.

In Memory of Al Oerter

2007-10-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Al Oerter died today at the age of 71. The 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist can be considered the greatest Olympian of all-time, not only for his incredible come-from-behind Olympic victories spanning 4 Olympiads, or for his numerous Olympic and World Records. Oerter emulated the 3 Olympic ideals of excellence, friendship and respect perhaps better any athlete I know.

I'm fortunate to work in the Adams Alumni Center for the KU Alumni Association, where the All-American Room pays tribute to the greatest KU athletes of all-time in a series of painted murals. Fittingly, Oerter's likeness occupies the symbolic centerpiece above the fireplace, representing the best characteristics exhibited by these famed Jayhawk champions.

On the occasion of Oerter's last visit to the University of Kansas in 2004, I was honored to emcee his induction ceremony to the Kansas Relays Hall of Fame. At that time, I penned a letter to the editor that was published in the Lawrence Journal-World, which appears below, in tribute.

To the editor:

You can tell a lot about a person by his handshake, which begs the question, who has had the strongest grip of anyone I've met? This I can answer with certainty. It was Al Oerter. When I was a boy, my dad took me to the Kansas Relays where I got to meet the former Olympic discus thrower and shake his hand. I vividly remember his giant hand engulfing my 9-year-old mitt. Yet Oerter was a gentle giant who assured you everything was under control.

The handshake of this four-time gold medalist did not merely suggest his strength of character. Oerter's strength was his character, always competing with class, winning with dignity. Arguably the greatest Olympian of all time, he returned this weekend for the first time in 20 years to be inducted into the new Kansas Relays Hall of Fame. Let's all welcome this KU track and field legend and give him a hand.

David Johnston, Lawrence (4/18/2004)

Al Oerter
1936 - 2007

Thought for the Day

2007-10-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

I thought you'd enjoy this cartoon, sent to me by a friend. For the record, I did not run 10 miles today, or last month for that matter. At this point, it might take a bear to get me back in shape. Grrr.

Nike's Air Native

2007-09-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

This week, Nike unveiled the new Air Native N7, a shoe designed and marketed specifically to Native Americans to promote health and wellness issues toward a population affected by high obesity rates. The shoe was designed to have a "culturally specific" fit and look, and it will be distributed solely to those populations through tribal wellness programs and schools at wholesale prices. In some cases, individuals may receive the shoes at no cost.

Niche marketing and cultural segmentation are certainly not new ideas, nor is Nike's approach to giving back to a particular community. But Nike's approach here is not altruistic, nor is it pure public relations. It's good business. I think it leads a trend we'll see that capitalizes on increasing consumer personalization, cultural affinity, and global consciousness. And it's a good thing.

Nike's Sport Culture division has taken these insights into account for the past several years to create trend-forward products appealing to credible "connectors" or "mavens", as Malcolm Gladwell calls them, on the streets of Manhattan or at Miami Beach. I predict Nike's efforts to serve the Native American market will be rewarded with consumer loyalty and commercial success.

Meat Loaf and Me

2007-09-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday, along with my twin brother Peter, and Gwenyth Paltrow, Avril Lavign, Shaun Cassidy and Meat Loaf. Clearly we're in good company. Cheers!

The Future of Advertising

2007-09-24T13:26:00.001-07:00

When I worked in Chicago for Leo Burnett, the discussion around the water cooler was often about advertising trends. The hottest topic: what impact would Tivo (and the like) have on the advertising industry? If consumers could simply fast-forward through the ads, would we all be out of jobs?

My theory at the time- a good 10 years ago- has proven itself, or rather is proving itself today. We would not all be out of jobs. The industry would evolve in a way that would prove to be more challenging and infinitely more rewarding. I give you two words: product placement. Or to coin another cliche, content is king.

I knew we were headed this direction when, during one of the last seasons of Dawson's Creek (which ended in 2003), an episode opened with Joey and Pacey shopping for an iPod inside a conspicuously branded Best Buy. So as not to be missed, this fact was even included in the dialogue.

The funny thing? We all bought it- the context was entirely believable, especially in this era of reality TV where real people are on display- usually consuming real products. This sort of product integration lends a degree of credibility and access that a :30 spot can't deliver, and it has challenged advertisers to be more creative in how they reach potential customers.

Recently, David Peacock, VP of Operations for Anheuser-Busch (Left), and Bob Lachky, Chief Creative Officer, spoke at the University of Kansas. Peacock, a 1990 KU grad, said of the future of advertising: "It’ll be more content-based, whether it’s Internet, whether it’s television. People have DVR and are passing by the commercials. You’ve got to be part of the content of the programming, whether that’s a sporting event, whether that’s a TV show or a movie. You’ve got to be part of the content.”

Leave it to the "King of Beers" to remind us that content is in fact king. Perhaps we should drink to that.

Change is Good

2007-09-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

My blog is back. Over the summer, I had time to reflect while considering a job change. Fortunately, I have landed in a wonderful position after entertaining prospects that would have moved my family to Texas, Florida, the Pacific Northwest or the Rocky Mountains. In each case, I targeted organizations I felt had a strong corporate culture and purpose. Those of you who know me will not be surprised to learn that I ended up at the University of Kansas. Specifically, at the KU Alumni Association, where I'm privileged to work with wonderful people in a beautiful setting. Best of all, there's a shared purpose; to strengthen KU. My view from atop the hill should bring a new perspective to my posts, as my outlook has changed dramatically. Sometimes a change in scenery can do that.

Online Communities

2007-06-11T13:05:00.001-07:00

Online networking is nothing new, but online communities and social networks have exploded in recent years. Depending on your perspective, this either means too much of a good thing, or endless opportunities to make a positive connection. How do we make sense of it?

Simple. When I went off to college, like most kids, I was overwhelmed. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to be a member of the track team and live in a fraternity. Add to that the classmates I had in my major, and I had at least 3 distinct groups of friends- the group I lived with, ran with and went to class with. Throw in a smattering of clubs and other groups, and you can see my point- I was no different than most people in college, with groups of friends defined by common interests and activities. In this way, a large community becomes very small.

The internet community has evolved the same way. The biggest communities (facebook, myspace), like most colleges and universities, provide ways to connect in the broadest sense, around user-generated content, interests, friends or spur of the moment activities. But among these broadbased social communities are a new generation of online communities that represent, in my opinion, an evolved and more specialized state of online networking.

One such advance in online networking is Linkedin.com, built around a simple common interest: professional networking. Think myspace at work. It works because there's relevance in its specificity (connecting employers and employees), asking users "what do you do?" and "who do you know?" (view my page here).

Companies like Nike are ahead of the curve, building communities around innovative products, like Nike Plus, enabling runners to track their workouts and compete against a virtual community of runners. This camaraderie, a critical element in sport, is finding relevance online through social networking, as Nike Plus allows users to share and discuss routes, music playlists and running-related topics.

Universities are following suit as they look to engage alumni and donors through affinity networks, such as inCircle, whose clients include everyone from Stanford University to the University of Phoenix, as well as Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, Georgetown and Kansas. Within a common interest group (university alumni) can live specialized groups (cross country runners, business majors, fraternity members, etc.). Makes sense.

Non-profits are taking advantage too, as communities rally around a cause. Purpose-based groups will use these networks for advocacy and event planning, fostering very real engagement in a virtual environment.

Improving the signal to noise ratio, these affinity, permission-based groups represent the best evolution of the web, and they define, for me at least, the very concept of an online community. Hardly rocket science. The best connections are those allowing for mutually beneficial exchanges and stronger relationships. Proving, as always, the best ideas are usually the simplest.

A long time ago...

2007-06-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last week marked the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, the movie that became a cultural phenomenon and is still relevant today. I'm proud to say that my first movie theater experience was Star Wars, at the age of 6. It was everything you can imagine- the music and sound, the special effects, the characters- and of course, the story. I can think of no better movie for a first movie experience, save perhaps the Wizard of Oz or Harry Potter.

There is much about Star Wars that makes it relevant; George Lucas singlehandedly changed the movie-making business. But the thing I find most relavant was Lucas's decision to get into merchandising. The licensing of Star Wars merchandise created a multi-billion dollar brand and set the stage for ancilary activies that continue to be the norm for movie studios today. I'll confess, my birthday wish every year was that I'd open one of my presents and it would contain the entire Star Wars collection of toys. No such luck.

Blockbusters today become instant franchises. Studios anticipate multi-movie deals before the first installment starts shooting. Product tie-ins are negotiated well-ahead of opening weekend, with toys, video games and apparel only the tip of the iceberg.

I never did receive the entire Star Wars collection (if that's even possible), but have grown to see beyond the hype. The relevance of all that merchandise was driven by the substance of the movie itself. For Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, it's driven by concept and one classic character. Let's face it, a Spiderman nightlight or Shrek toothbrush is no match for a compelling story with great characters and dazzling effects set to a memorable score.

30 years later, I can share the thrill of my first movie experience with my little girls- at home on DVD- and they love it. After all, there's a princess in it!

Guiding Principles

2007-05-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

I admire organizations that have a strong corporate culture, which usually begins with a clear sense of purpose. In some cases, it's a "mission statement." In other cases, it's a statement of values or guiding principles. You might even call it a conscience. Regardless of how it is defined, it is critical. It's certainly no coincidence that the most successful companies infuse these principles into everything they do.

It's hard to believe you can boil a company like Nike down to 2 words, but they can: Nike claims to Bring Inspiration and Innovation to Every Athlete in the World. Meanwhile, the BBC asks potential employees to test their personal values against the company's to determine whether the candidate would fit in (Take the test here). In Kansas City, Sprint promotes its value internally as a "single, ownable idea," while other companies, like Disney, go so far as to implement "service standards," defining not only what they do, but how they do it.

It all starts with a clear understanding of WHAT the organization does- and better yet, WHY it matters. This is where the company finds its value. I'm always suprised by how many organizations get by without a clear sense of purpose. Instead of empowering employees to be creative and collaborative, purpose-less organizations breed employees who are often risk-averse, siloed and territorial. Yet, for those with a clear and well-articulated purpose, the best organizations go a step further by not only defining the WHAT and the WHY, they also articulate HOW their mission will be manifested. This permeates all levels from the chief executive to the entry-level hourly.

Fortune Magazine annually lists the 100 Best Companies to Work For, including Google (this year's no. 1) and Kansas City's very own American Century Investments (no. 15). A common thread? Every company on the list provides its employees with a clear purpose, and they are rewarded with loyalty and productivity- which is just as good for morale as it is for the bottom line.

Graduation Speech

2007-05-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I was invited to give the graduation address at Ellinwood High School, in Central Kansas. The principal there invited me after hearing me speak at a Kansas Honors Banquet. It was humbling, especially when I discovered one of the student speakers I had to follow was a 6-time state champion in forensics (i.e. public speaking). A tough act to follow.

Speaking to this generation is tough. Their sense of history is very different from mine. For instance, they've known nothing but war in their lifetimes, being born into the Gulf War. I struggled to think of the most significant events of the past ten years that were not tragedies- there were only a few. Still, this group brings more hope and optimism for change than the generations that preceded them. Expectations for the Class of 2007 are high. An excerpt from the opening of my speech is below:

And now seniors, the class of 2007, I want to address you for a while. After all, today is about you- and all about what’s next. But I’ve got news for you- yesterday was all about you too. And tomorrow… well, I’ll get to that in a minute.

It’s a lot to take in, with families in attendance, you’re sitting there with your friends, you’ve got after-parties to think about. I recognize the important role of the commencement speech- in that it will be forgotten as soon as I leave the stage. With apologies to Abraham Lincoln, who stated at Gettysburg: “The world will little note nor long remember what we say here.” Still, “it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”

Or perhaps it would be just as meaningful to quote another influential figure of modern history. As Ferris Bueller said, on the occasion of his momentous “Day Off:” “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”

Members of the graduating class, I implore you- on this day- to stop, and look around. Life does move pretty fast. And you don’t want to miss what’s next.

To read the entire speech, click here.

LIVESTRONG DAY 2007

2007-05-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today was LIVESTRONG DAY, when the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) mobilizes thousands of cancer survivorship advocates throughout the country. Delegates from every state met with elected officials in Washington D.C., while hundreds of local events took place across the country- all organized by volunteers.

A quick glance on the LAF web site showed there were no events organized in my community, so I immediately thought of what I could do. Surely I could do something. Anything. At the very least, I could hand out LIVESTRONG wrist bands and tell local school children about Lance Armstrong's amazing story.

Sure, cancer is a weighty subject for kids, yet it affects 3 out of every 4 families in America. How do you talk about cancer with kids? At least Armstrong's story provides an optimistic- even inspiring- way to look at the disease, so I attempted- after reading one too many Dr. Seuss books- to tell it in verse. Here's an excerpt:

Lance finally got better, but it took awhile
When he was all better he just had to smile

The doctor said "Wait, I want you to know
Your cancer could always come back tomorrow."

Lance said, "Okay, there’s just one thing to do:
We’ll have to fight cancer, but I’ll need your help too."

(Read entire story here)

After reading to my daughter's class of 4 and 5-year-olds, I showed them a video sent by the LAF, then collected penny donations from the class to help fight cancer. Everyone who donated will receive a yellow LIVESTRONG wrist band from the LAF. It's not much, but it's something. And who knows, maybe one of these kids will cure cancer one day.

Mac or PC?

2007-05-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

"Hello, I'm a Mac."
"...And I'm a PC."
Apple's brilliant ad campaign, which starts with this simple exchange between two actors, attempts to assign personality traits to both Apple's core products (no pun intended) and their competitors' products, such as a Microsoft's recently-released Vista operating system.

It works for two reasons. Apple exploits what has been a foundation of the brand since its inception- it has personality. In fact, Apple's brand essence is so easily defined, practically anyone could tell you. Apple computers are fun, easy to use, well-designed and powerful. That's all they've ever been. That's why they are one of my "Best Brands." In fact, they have so successfully branded themselves in the industry, that they have defined it- bringing me to my next point.

Quick- name another industry that defines itself by whether you have the minority market-shareholder product vs. everything else? I can't do it. Do you use Skippy or peanut butter? Do you drive a Honda or a car? Perhaps in an industry with a dominant leader in terms of mindshare (Harley Davidson?) this is possible, but Apple has done what few companies could ever dream of doing- differentiating themselves to the point of defining the category for consumers. Try to purchase software, a computer game or a peripheral and odds are the first question you'll get asked is "Mac or PC?"

In reality, a computer from Apple is still a PC (remember, that's a personal computer), it just doesn't run Windows (well, except that it can), nor is it a UNIX box, nor can it run Linux, etc. (well...). Anyway, by now you get the point. Macs are different. Apple is different. And they're for people who are different. Which of course begs the question- are you different or are you just like everybody else?

Starbucks: A best Brand

2007-05-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading Joseph Michelli's book "The Starbucks Experience" to gain insights on how such a well-branded company carefully crafted its image. Michelli wondered too, and when he approached Starbucks about his idea, he was surprised to receive full support and unfettered access at all levels. Such openness may be suprising at first glance, but that alone tells you everything you need to know about Starbucks' success; Everyone from the CEO to the baristas behind the counter embody the brand with clarity, consistency and passion.

Wait a minute here, I thought we were just talking about coffee? Exactly. Passion is critical, whether you're curing cancer or just making a cup of coffee. Communicating passion, however, is easier said than done. That's why I am enjoying this book. Filled with nuggets on employee empowerment strategies, complete with great anecdotes, one statistic jumped off the page. Long considered one of the nation's best employers, with an employee (Starbucks calls them "partners") satisfaction rate at an unheard of 82%, Michelli writes:

"But the treatment that partners receive at Starbucks goes well beyond stock options and health insurance. For example, partners are given extensive training in product knowledge, guiding principles for success, personal empowerment, and the importance of creating warm customer experiences. In stunning contrast to most Fortune 500 companies, Starbucks consistently spends more on training than it does advertising" (page 8).

Makes sense. The most effective marketing is a positive customer experience, which in this case goes beyond just premium coffee. That is why Starbucks remains a dominant market leader despite new competition from unlikely sources like McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts. While taste tests may induce trial, it's the "Starbucks Experience" that has solidified their market position and makes Starbucks a Best Brand.

First 5k

2007-04-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

I remember my first 5k- I was 10 years old, and my childhood friend/rival (he came from a big Mizzou family) called me at 6am one Saturday, basically to dare me to run a 5k he was doing that morning with his mom. Naturally, I begged my mom and dad to take me, only to get beat by one second. The frustration of that loss probably fueled my entire running career.

So I didn't take it lightly when my oldest daughter, Sydney, asked to do the "Hilltop Hustle", a benefit for her child development center, with me this year. Since I still try to be competitive, I've been fortunate to win this particular 5k a few times- my favorite moment coming the year that Sydney (only 2 at the time) broke away from her mom to run after me at the finish- we crossed the line together, sharing the thrill of victory.

Now at age 4, she'll be going into kindergarten next fall, so she's in her last year of preschool at Hilltop. Frankly, I thought this was the perfect first 5k for her to try. Plus, I reasoned, once she tried and failed, it would give her a greater appreciation for the accomplishment once she was old enough to actually finish the entire distance. I figured the biggest challenge would be holding her interest, assuming she would want to go home after a mile or two.

Well, surprise surprise. Sydney was geared up and ready to go, running the first 3/4 of a mile before slowing to a walk. She then ran off and on, pointing out familiar landmarks on the KU campus ("There's Phog Allen's statue dad- is that really him?"). I almost lost her to the Chi-O fountain, filled with soap bubbles, but after multiple offers to stop and go home, she said she wanted to finish- even quoting a favorite storybook character, Madeline, from a recent movie who said "I can do anything."

She did, sprinting down the stretch after spotting her mom, sister Sophia and schoolmates, and once again, we crossed the finish line together. It took about one-hour, but she did it all herself. And she has the medal, and the memories, to prove it.

Web 2.0?

2007-04-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Advertising Age had a good article recently on the web's rapid evolution (or devolution according to author Simon Dumenco) toward social networks that you should read. Written from the perspective of the advertising media industry, it wonders why- in an era where content is king- "new" content is becoming less meaningful but still relevant, and laments how myspace, twitter, etc. have actually suppressed the advancement of online technologies by adding noise rather than improved content delivery mechanisms. Thought provoking. Read the article here.

Idol Charity

2007-04-26T06:31:00.002-07:00

American Idol is America's most watched TV show, but I've never been a fan. It has to do with the show's tendency to degrade and berate performers, which is all part of the schtick. Frankly, it's a sad commentary on our increasingly judgemental and image conscious society. I worry about the impact shows like Idol have on bullying and the further alienation of kids who are "different," but that's a different topic for a different day.

Today I'm writing about American Idol bccause of this week's "charity" special, which raised $30 million for impoverished young people in Africa and the United States. The show's sponsors- Coke, Ford and AT&T- each pledged an undisclosed donation for each vote cast by viewers. Once votes reached 50 million, News Corp (which owns the Fox Television Network) chipped in another $5 million. Even stars like Bono, Madonna and Ellen lent their voices to the cause.

The show was unique- perhaps mainly becuase it got me to watch- but it demonstrates how the growing trend of cause marketing has reached a mainstream pinnacle of sorts. It used to be that advertisers asked "what more can we be doing" to stand out, but the inevitable pressure of keeping up has caused even the most vain show in America to rethink it's image, asking itself "why aren't we doing that?"

It makes sense that we should give back once we've attained a certain level. Idol's foray into cause marketing is genuinely laudable, but perhaps it's also a testament to the increasing relevance of cause marketing when adopted by one of the slickest and most commercially successful shows of all time.

Thoughts on the Kansas Relays

2007-04-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

The past weekend marked the 80th running of the Kansas Relays, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious track and field events, along with the Penn Relays, Drake Relays and Texas Relays. I've been attending for at least 25 years, which means I've been coming since I was a little boy.

I've been a fan, a competitor, a volunteer and thankfully a champion, both in high school and in college, earning a coveted Kansas Relays watch. I always admired my father's, which he earned as a manager in 1956, so I was thrilled to eventually earn one for myself and proudly gave my second watch to my mother in 1994.

Sure, you could say it's just a track meet, but the Relays are special. It was my father's first exposure to the University of Kansas as a schoolboy, and it continues to provide a impression of KU to thousands of high school students who compete here each year. I still cherish my Relays watch and show it off with pride whenever someone asks me for the time.

Each year the Kansas Relays presents 800+ awards, each one representing a positive- sometimes life changing- experience that is attached to the University of Kansas. For some, it's validation for all of their hard work. For others, it represents the first taste of the excellence they knew they had inside of them all along. Not a bad impression for KU to make, particularly in such a beautiful setting in April at the foot of Mount Oread. It is indeed difficult to overstate the impact the Relays have had in my life, and the lives of countless others.

Daughters and Avril Lavigne

2007-04-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

How is it that my 4-year-old knows who Avril Lavigne is and likes her music? Actually, I can probably answer that. Admittedly, my wife and I are both fans of the punk princess, so our two daughters were exposed to her music at an early age. Our musical tastes are unapologetically varied, including artists like Ben Folds, Blue October and James Blunt (the last 3 concerts we attended). And yes, we even saw Avril Lavigne live (conveniently escorting our 15-year-old niece).

I suppose it's inevitable that little girls grow up faster than we'd prefer, but I'm surprisingly okay with that. Especially given the growing number of female role models they'll have to choose from. Heck, even I include a girl among my own 2 favorite sports heroes; Michelle Kwan, who handles herself always with grace and dignity, and Lance Armstrong is the other. It's not that I have a secret desire for my girls to be world-class figure skaters or cyclists (besides, my 4-year-old would rather be tennis champ Maria Sharapova anyway). I'm more concerned with HOW they do things, and whether they do it the right way. Which leads me back to Avril Lavigne.

Despite the inevitable criticism that she's a "poser," sold out and become a corporate-driven, teeny-bop music machine, Avril became famous for being real. The "punk princess" label may describe her look as much as her sound, but her songs are more compelling than catchy. Few may be aware that the powerful vocalist writes her own music and even plays guitar, keyboard and drums during each of her concerts. She's truly a unique talent. Avril works hard, loves what she does- and it shows. If my little girls want to bob their heads along, I say rock on, sweethearts.

Thoughts on Tragedy

2007-04-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Writing a blog can be therapeutic I've found, particularly when struggling with bad news, as we all do. Yesterday's horrific tragedy at Virginia Tech University leaves us with more questions than answers. Although at this point we still have not learned what motivated the shootings, I won't wait for the answer. It won't satisfy my need to rationalize or explain what happened. It never does.

But I do want to share my reaction, because it is the same reaction I have anytime I learn of a tragedy like this, which occurs all too often. I wonder how I would react. Would I lie down and "play dead" in the hope of survival and self-preservation? Would I risk my life and attempt to step in and stop it? None can be blamed for running and hiding in the face of immenent danger, yet I think of the bravery of those students who held their bodies against the door with a gunman on the other side trying to get in.

This haunting question is one I cannot answer, nor do I ever hope to, but I think of it every time I'm reminded of 9/11, Columbine and now Virginia Tech. I'd like to think I would be willing to do whatever it took to save the lives of others, despite all that I have to live for. I just don't know. My thoughts and prayers are with the Virginia Tech University community and the families of the victims.

It's Chicago!

2007-04-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Today, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) selected Chicago over Los Angeles to be the U.S. entry in the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) bid process for the 2016 Olympic Games. The official bid launches September 15, 2007 and the host city will be determined in October 2009 from among the most likely candidates: Madrid, Tokyo, Rio deJaneiro, Rome, Prague and Chicago.

This is great win for a great sports city. L.A., which held the Olympics in 1932 and 1984, would have brought a new style of glitz and glamour to the games, still struggling to keep commercialism at arms length since the 84 games turned a profit and bribery scandals (linked the bid process) ensued.

Meanwhile, Chicago, known as a hardworking city- "the city that works"- with midwestern values, will bring a renewed spirit of ingenuity, integrity and sportsmanship to the games. The city's diverse, rich culture and proud tradition make it the best choice for the U.S., which will have gone 20 years since hosting the centennial games in 1996. Also, Chicago's plan for new facilities tied to urban development- including a "temporary" Olympic Stadium that will be converted to park land after the games- will help Chicago win the bid.

No South American or African city has ever hosted the games, but even though Rio may be the sentimental favorite, it will be overburdened hosting the 2014 World Cup. Meanwhile, Africa is expected to take its time presenting a solid bid for 2020, making 2016 America's best shot in years. Every American should be excited about the prospect of the Olympics coming to the heart of America.

I worked in Chicago from 1997-98 at Leo Burnett and lived just a block away from Wrigley, spending most of my summer nights with a hot dog and an Old Style in the bleachers. Despite that fact, my marathon p.r. was set in Chicago (2:46). Besides Chicago's world class sports, with the Magnificent mile, Sears tower, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, there's always something to do- and the "El" makes it so convenient to get around.

I think it's great that the world may get a chance to experience an American Olympic Games in one of its greatest cities- Chicago. You can bet I'll be there.

The Aging Demo

2007-04-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

A new comedy aired on ABC last week called "Notes from the Underbelly", which follows 30-something couples and singles in the throes of "mommy mania." The show is hilarious- perhaps only because I'm in its target audience, but that in and of itself makes the show significant.

The coveted 18-34 demographic for advertisers is becoming more segmented, splitting virtually in half as saavy advertisers seek to grab increasingly younger audiences (e.g. "tweeners") worth billions in discretionary consumer spending. At the other end of the demographic lies the aging Gen Xers like myself (at age 35). More and more we are seeing content targeted to the upper end of the 18-34's, like "Notes from the Underbelly", which gets its material from new parent concepts such as maternity underwear and becoming minivan people.

Expect to see more shows like it. "Notes from the Underbelly" is a homerun for Disney-owned ABC, which has shown in the past it can score well with this demographic (e.g. the critically acclaimed Once and Again, Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives), doing so this time with a true family comedy. If you have kids or expect to have kids one day, check it out on Wednesdays at 7:30c on ABC.

Patagonia: a Best Brand

2007-04-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, I will try to feature what I refer to as a "Best Brand", companies or organizations that have built indelible relationships with their customers or even the public at large. Inevitably, they do this over time by placing their values at the forefront.

Last week's Fortune magazine (April 2, 2007) featured an article on Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and his Ventura, California-based outdoor clothing and equipment business. An accomplished climber and outdoor enthusiast, Chouinard had always hoped to combine work and play in his career, and to that end he has succeeded more than most.

He focuses the company's efforts on environmental stewardship more than profits, constantly assessing product materials to find more recyclable fibers. Etched in glass on the front door of their headquarters is the timeless quote of legendary Sierra Club executive director David Brower; "There is no business to be done on a dead planet."

But its hardly doom and gloom- this is a fun company. When surf's up, many of the 350 employees head out the door for 3 or 4 hours, knowing the work will be there when they get back. Patagonia's current brand awareness campaign (advertising typically accounts just 1% of their operating budget) is focused on donating your underwear to be recycled- and people are doing it!

Chouinard knows what others are learning- that having a conscience is good for business, and good for branding. It matters less what you believe in than THAT you believe in something. For Nike, it's innovation and attitude. At Starbucks, it's not coffee, it's the coffee experience. And this is articulated throughout these organizations so that every employee is empowered to deliver the brand promise. After all, brands are all about relationships, and people like to know where you stand.

Newsweek features LIVESTRONG

2007-04-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

The ubiquitous yellow LIVESTRONG wristband- a symbol of the fight against cancer- made its way onto the cover of Newsweek last week for the magazine’s coverage of Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow’s recent recurrence. More than 10 million cancer survivors nationwide were instantly reminded of the courage it took to overcome the dreaded diagnosis, and the fear of recurrence they live with everyday.

Of course it shouldn’t take a Newsweek article to remind us that cancer is an ever-present threat (1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime), but I want to focus on the power of symbols and storytelling in driving public awareness and interest. In higher education particularly, we focus on the value of the scientific research being done in the laboratory- which is essential- but the human story can get lost. Perhaps more importantly, the relevance is not understood.

Stories that resonate deal with real people and real life- those are the most compelling. So are the ones that hit close to home (3 out of 4 families will care for a family member with cancer). Lance Armstrong has become a powerful poster boy for survivorship by not merely surviving, but by living life to the fullest, and staying dedicated to the fight that affects so many Americans. People naturally draw inspiration from his story. I also draw inspiration from the way he’s managed to leverage that attention. After all, it wasn't Lance's picture that appeared on the cover of Newsweek.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, but the yellow wristband is just 3 years old. Not since Lou Gehrig has a major athlete or celebrity been so linked to a cause. Still, Armstrong’s foundation has benefited even more by nurturing and leveraging the LIVESTRONG brand. Following Armstrong's retirement from cycling in 2005, the foundation is stronger than ever, thanks to its successful branding. The Newsweek cover just underscores the relevance of the LIVESTRONG brand today. It is at once a message, a cause, a color and a symbol- seamlessly tied to Lance’s story of survival and triumph- bringing hope and raising awareness millions of times a day. This powerful combination gives the LAF what I consider to be a “Best Brand.”

Thoughts on branding

2007-04-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

For centuries, man has relied on symbols to tell stories, represent ownership and invoke emotion. In the modern business world, this concept has become known as branding, taken from the common practice of ranchers who branded their livestock to denote ownership.

Over time, businesses learned to develop brands as a means to differentiate themselves from one another. This practice has become so ubiquitous, it can now conjure an entire experience, sensation or story from a simple color (What can brown do for you?), letterform (the golden arches) or graphic element (the swoosh). As a result, a brand is not merely a symbol or logo, but a complete set of perceptions held by consumers that define their expectations of the brand, and in the best cases, their relationship with it.

Though brands were embraced by the corporate world, higher education viewed itself as a public service, practically immune to the pressures of commerce and public scrutiny. That all changed in the last 20 years, as competition for the best and brightest students intensified, funding sources tightened and calls for accountability soared. The colleges and universities that thrived were the ones that had compelling stories to tell, and could make a singular, lasting impression with their audiences.

Unfortunately, the natural decentralization within institutions of higher education has led to a dizzying array of disparate logos and messages as departments have succeeded in differentiating themselves from one another instead of uniting behind the institution’s mission. In many cases, the success of a unit’s brand identity has come at the expense of the institution’s image and reputation.

For this reason, the most progressive institutions- including the University of Kansas- have sought to unify their identities by strategically positioning themselves and defining their brands. Although this requires discipline from all participants and the support of institutional leadership, the result will enhance the university’s long-term image and reputation, while improving the bottom line.

Ultimately, an institution and all of its departments will function more cohesively given the proper communication tools and the context within which they can tell their compelling stories. When audiences can make an immediate and lasting association with a brand, it is the first step toward building a long-term relationship that is based on trust and the shared values a brand communicates.

Blogging a start

2007-04-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

Don't get me started. Or rather, where to begin? Today I am starting a blog and confronted with the prospect of blogging a start. It brings to mind a Star Wars opening crawl, Charles Dickens or some other epic beginning, but the point is not how to start. The point is to get going. After all, as Chinese philosopher Lau Tsu said, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." We'll worry about the destination later. For now, let's enjoy the journey.