So, when you read the sign pictured above, what do you see? The first thing I saw was a big fat “LOL” right in the middle of the sign. It is emphasized by a couple of wavy underlines, apparently to shame and ridicule the person in distress as they meet a watery demise. Then the footnote suggests you call 911.

If you turn the calendar back about 10 years (and I think I’m being generous here for the public at large) I think the sign would be interpreted differently. One might actually see a person flailing their arms above their head as they desperately try to tread water and gasp for air.

But over the last few years at least, the term “LOL” which stands for “laugh(ing) out loud” has become so ubiquitous that whether it’s uppercase or lowercase, people know what it means. That’s what struck me about something as simple as this sign. A part of Internet culture has bled into mainstream culture and changed the way we see things.

This type of thing has always fascinated me, and is pretty simple when you get right down to it. Our language – both written and visual – is based on symbols that have a greater meaning. As designers, programmers, marketers and communicators, it’s our job to understand these symbols and apply them properly to achieve the desired outcomes for our clients. Sometimes, that means evaluating what your current messaging is and making sure it still makes sense. Like the sign above.

It’s also about understanding context for things and being able to observe from multiple perspectives. There are plenty of stories about poorly chosen domain names and ads that have unintentionally used the wrong words due to cultural differences in language. Just goes to show that you really do need to pay attention to what’s going on.

If you sign people need any help redesigning your Drowning Signs, hit us up.

Oh – and be sure to call 911 and then see if you can help, should you see someone drowning out in the real world. Laughing out loud at them wouldn’t be cool.

John Rector is the author of a book called The Grove, among others. He hails from Denver but was recently quoted in an article about authors in the Omaha World Herald. The authors were either from Nebraska, had set their novels in Nebraska, or both.

John Rector, author and Omaha resident

John decided to set his novel in Omaha. He even decided to move here at some point. Needless to say his quote in the World Herald came as a bit of a shock. He said:

“As an outsider coming to Nebraska, it’s a pretty grim state, especially in winter.” The big dome sky, the flatness, the fact that it’s gray so much of the year. “It’s kind of easy to imagine grim characters and grim plots in such a desolate state.”

What did we do to deserve that? Has he ever been to upstate New York in the winter? We’re working so hard here to let the rest of the world know that we’re a much cooler place than you’d think and then this public figure makes a public declaration about our grimness. Not helping!

After reading this article I became so incensed that I e-mailed the author to share my opinion of his recent PR foray. His response was admirable if not compassionate:

“Aren’t different perspectives a wonderful thing?  Imagine how dull life would be if we all saw the world the same way?”

Kind of a cop out in my opinion. I can only hope that his fame matches his ability to accurately convey Nebraska. Then at least the collateral damage would be minimal.

I fail to understand why people of note often feel a need to knock Nebraska when it comes up in the course of conversation. Recently a national news program reported that Nebraska had come in number one in a poll for happiest places in Nebraska – financially speaking. What an enormous honor. The perfectly coifed and elegantly attired reporter felt a need to speculate on why that might be. Her speculation went something like this:

“I would guess that Nebraska is such a mundane place that people don’t expect much so the fluctuation with the economy would not cause them any hardship because that’s all they know.”

Really? You call yourself a news reporter?

Come on people! Either do your homework and comment fairly or leave us the hell alone!

This year Bozell is proud to celebrate our 90th year in advertising!  That’s a monumental achievement in any industry, and given the super uber mega competitive nature of advertising, we’re really proud.

Ninety years is a long time, longer than you’d think.  To really put into perspective how long we’ve been in the ad game, here’s just a small sample of some things we’re older than.  You might be surprised.

1. Plutonium – 1934

Ok, well plutonium is probably older than us…but it was discovered only a few years ago.  Before you go grabbing a hefty supply and time traveling in your DeLorean to play lead guitar at your patents Enchantment Under The Sea Dance…just make sure you handle with care. (Back to the Future reference, anyone?)

2. Disney – October 16, 1923

We’ve got Mickey, or Steamboat Willie at the time, by just a little bit. But while we were executing killer marketing strategies, the “Happiest Place On Earth” was still endless swampland and “It’s a Small World” hadn’t been stuck in our heads yet.

3. Nachos – 1943

I was surprised by this. I thought nachos were created by a kiss from the mighty Goddess Athena in 414 B.C., or maybe they just should have been. It’s hard to believe our founders were still motivated to get up in the morning before the best food ever was invented.

4. Television – 1927

Believe it or not, advertising wasn’t always dominated by television. While we’ve certainly had our share of successful television campaigns, the agency’s first assignment was to protect a private energy company from the threat of public power.  Fortunately we’ve branched out from this niche.

5. Keith Richard’s Liver – December 18, 1943

This one is tricky, technically Keith Richard’s liver is only 67 but I’m pretty sure that this liver is medically considered petrified, which through traditional means generally takes a few hundred years. Either way we’ve been making ads before anybody painted it black.

Other Notable Selections:

SPAM (food) – July 5, 1937

SPAM (annoying internet trash) – Mid 1990’s

Chrysler – 1925

Lucky Charms -1964

Betty White – January 17, 1922

Space Flight – October 4, 1957

Hawaii – August 21, 1959

Killer Bees – 1957

Duct Tape – 1942

(This is the first in a series of posts celebrating Bozell’s 90 Yrs in Advertising)

Scott Bishop is the Director of Social Influence at Bozell.  You can read more marketing insights here or get them on our Facebook Page, inquire about speaking opportunities here or follow him on Twitter.

Kevin Hutchison is joining the executive leadership of Omaha-based Bozell, a creative marketing communications company, where he will serve as general manager overseeing new business development, oversight of the Brand Navigation department and overall agency operations.

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Earlier this week I had my first exposure to “funeral Facebook”. A relative passed away and we were sent a link to the funeral home web site where she was being featured. The link took me directly to her page replete with a picture of the deceased, her obituary, a viewing and services schedule as well as a Facebook-type section that enabled visitors to post messages about her to her loved ones. Not surprising when you consider how invasive social media has become in our lives. Some of us can’t have our first cup of coffee in the morning without sharing the experience with hundreds of our closest friends – but I digress.

In the past when extended family or acquaintances have passed away I have either called or Hallmarked the immediate family with a heartfelt sentiment designed to offer any possible comfort to those remaining. These sentiments are extremely personal and carefully considered. People are so vulnerable during these times.

This time I gazed upon her funeral insurance, read a few of the other very personal quotes and contemplated sharing my deeply moving feelings with a sizeable percentage of upstate New York and anyone else who happened upon this site. It felt weird. And creepy. Of course that about sums up the entire macabre experience that has been created by our society in regards to dying and interment – yet another digression.

I dutifully posted my sentiments for public scrutiny whereupon an e-mail arrived with the following message:

Your Life Tributes account has been successfully created and can be used to continue to add to Virginia’s memorial website.

You can also use your Life Tributes account log-in information on any of the hundreds of funeral home websites that are powered by Life Tributes.

Is it me or is this just too weird? Those who know me are aware that I have embraced Facebook and blogging, hell even Twitter but “funeral Facebook” takes voyeurism to a whole new level. I appreciate that the funeral industry is chomping at the bit to get into the mainstream and that they’re trying everything possible to provide moments that affirm the life of lost loved ones but things seem to be going a little too far in my opinion. As much as I don’t want to see a life sized cardboard cutout of the deceased next to his/her coffin, I really don’t want to be part of a fan club for someone who can’t, by virtue of recent occurrences, be interactive.

I guess in closing I should just comment that – I’ve got my Life Tribute account – have you?

I just used half a bottle of body lotion on my hair. By mistake. Which, by the way, is a bitch to wash out. After several hours on an airplane, I just wanted a shower. So rather than unpack, I just grabbed two bottles off the bathroom counter in my hotel room and jumped in the shower. Only after being puzzled as to why I couldn’t seem to rinse my hair clean did I look at the label. Crap.

That’s the first time I’ve made that particular bone-headed move, but I’ve done a couple of other things like that. And it made me realize that I make assumptions about products for a variety of reason.

I assumed that the shampoo would be quasi transparent and the conditioner would be pearl-ish and that the conditioner would be placed adjacent to the shampoo in my hotel room. It wasn’t.

I never read my shampoo or conditioner label at home, I just know by the bottle and packaging (and where I keep them), which is which. I don’t have to read a label at the store, I know what I want to buy and I just grab.

I make assumptions based on package or label color. I once meant to buy Excedrin PM and got home with Tylenol PM instead. The look alike.

I assume that the hottest salsas will use more red in their package design and milder ones will use more green. I gravitate to the red packages.

Just recently I noticed that the half and half I buy had a fat free notation on the package. I’ve been buying the product forever, but I didn’t know that. And when I thought about it, I was puzzled. How can half and half be fat free? That makes no sense to me. And when I  googled it to find out, I was determined to not buy that product anymore.

I’m a voracious reader. I consume books. But obviously I don’t read labels. And I don’t think I’m alone.

But from now on, I’ll read the labels of those little bottles in my hotel room before I use them. The upside is that my hair is really clean and pretty soft.

Bozell copywriter, Bryan Mohr, was recently quoted as an expert in a national marketing publication. Mohr shared his insights on how to write a good tagline.

Mohr explains, ““What a tagline is meant to do is answer the question, ‘What do we want to communicate to our audience every time they come in contact with our brand?’”

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Kim Mickelsen, managing principal with Omaha-based Bozell, a creative marketing communications company, is the recipient of the 2011 Silver Medal Award presented by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Omaha. The Silver Medal Award is given to an AAF Omaha member who has achieved success in his or her career; shown a consistent high degree of creative and original thinking in work endeavors; worked to increase the stature and raise the standards for the advertising profession; and been active in civic groups including the AAF Omaha.

Mickelsen joined Bozell in 1990 as a management supervisor in the account service department, was promoted to vice president in 1992 and to senior vice president in 1994. With a background in strategic planning and direct client service experience, Mickelsen formed the Bozell Interactive Services unit in 1996 to further serve clients in the emerging media categories. In 2001, she became a co-owner of the agency.

Throughout her career, Mickelsen has worked with clients involved in energy production and delivery, biotechnology, computers, banking and financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, architectural and industrial products, retail and food service. She continues to work with Bozell’s interactive team, helping clients strategically integrate online communications into their overall marketing plans. She is active in social media and the development of innovative technical and creative solutions, content platforms and emerging technologies to succeed in today’s evolving communications environment.

Prior to joining Bozell & Jacobs, Mickelsen was vice president of marketing and director of account services for G&N Communications and had previously spent four years in account service at another Omaha agency.  Her client-side experience includes five years as advertising director for a regional seed corn company.

A frequent speaker locally and regionally at professional trade group sessions as well as colleges and seminars, Mickelsen teaches integrated marketing at Creighton University as an adjunct professor and has taught classes at several other universities. She is currently on the executive committee of the United Way of the Midlands Board, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nebraska Shakespeare and on the Friends of Jacobs Place Advisory Board at The Omaha Home for Boys.

Mickelsen has served as president of the American Marketing Association of Omaha, on the board of the Omaha Federation of Advertising, the MidAmerica Alzheimer’s Association as well as the YWCA of Omaha, and Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. A Nebraska native, Mickelsen graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and political science.

Mickelsen was honored at the 18th Annual Nebraska ADDY^® Awards Banquet and Show in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday.

About Bozell
Bozell is a creative marketing communications company with offices in Omaha, Nebraska and Overland Park, Kansas. Bozell combines qualitative and quantitative methodology to get close to its clients’ customers. Bozell then uses advertising, digital marketing, dialogue relations, technology and innovative creative to provide targeted solutions for local, regional and national clients. For more information, visit www.bozell.com.

(Sung to the tune of any misc. children’s song.) Blog blog it’s time to blog, la la la, la di daaa, it’s time to blog. My desk is stacked. My brain is whacked and YAY It’s time to blog! Clear the mind, release the bind and YAY! it’s time to blog. Blog blog, it’s time to blog…blog blog bloooog.

Ok. Whew. Let’s see. I am coming off of a couple of months of truly the most intense points ever in the last couple of years. Stressed, strapped, stretched and inhaled is the running theme for me and I am sure for more than a few others. It was a crazy time for the team. Needless to say, the hours being what they were…what was I exposed to that was new, cool, inspiring and blog-worthy? Usually there are cool design/art functions to blog about or really cool happenings, but the only thing happening was the party at my desk.

Whatever it was had to stream through my headphones. So I would like to bring you – nothing visual this time – but purely sound inspiration. Here is a list of the most amazing CD’s to listen to while you have to crank on that impending stack of projects; or if you can’t leave your desk and need to get your groove on chair-dancing; or if you are bored and simply want an inspiring and energizing distraction.

Cut Copy

1. Cut Copy – latest release Zonoscope
This electro pop band from Melbourne’s latest cd is full of rhythmic and hypnotic offerings. The sound is very reminiscent of bands of the 80’s era…pop-driven melodies that climb and build to climaxes that leave your feet stomping. Many of the songs remind me of waking up on a Saturday morning, the sun is coming up, the birds are chirping, you put on a strong pot of coffee and crank the tunes. Pure caffeinated sunshine full of energy. That’s what this CD is. Keep your eyes out for the official release on February 8th.

Cee Lo

2. Cee Lo – latest release Ladykiller
The song “Wildflower” is amazing. As my coworker Tony said (which was perfect) the song reminded him of Diana Ross circa early 1970’s spinning around and around in Central Park while autumn leaves fall down around her in slow motion. YES! It is uplifting and just takes your heart out of your chest and soars with it high above the office, the building and the city you are sitting within….please please give this a listen. If you are having a bad day, this will release you from the demons!

On a more introspective note, the song titled “No One’s Gonna Love You” is gorgeous and makes me wilt in its presence. Cee Lo’s voice is fan-freakin-tastic and he has to be one of the best vocalists of our time. He takes me back to the Motown years – but a modern take on it.

Deadmau5

3. Deadmau5 – latest release 4×4=12
This CD is not for the faint at heart. It is electronica and reminds me of the raves that we used to hit up in the wee hours of the morn. It’s the kind of thumping, droning, hypnotic sound that can help launch you through a project without getting distracted. It transcends you to another planet. So it’s all about you, the dark space surrounding and the heavy beats that draw you into new parts of your mind. “Raise your Weapon” is intense and relevant for the current state of the world. Provocative to say the least.

I am going to end it here with the C’s and D’s, because if I try to digest too much music at a time, I lose interest in all of it. So definitely have a listen, especially if you have some long desk hours ahead. This music will inspire you through those hours and into the weekend with a smile on your face – maybe even enough to blog about it.

As Media Director, Karissa Armstrong will present our online focus and strategy as an agency to the employees of Yahoo! She will share her insights on the topics of how online can fit into companies’ overall mix, best practices and our agency process.