Some inspiring words from one of my favorite actors. Hopefully it inspires you to work hard and be great as it did me.
May 22, 2011: During a recent, casual afternoon conversation with my father and brother, I was told by both of them that I was “addicted” to my phone. I was shocked when I heard this because I never heard them complain before that I spent way too much time on my phone. As a matter of fact, I was never told that I was addicted to my phone by other family members or close friends. I was starting to think that they were making this accusation up to irritate me on purpose. I am aware that I like to check my phone frequently to see if I received a phone call or text message, but it never ran across my mind that I was even slightly addicted to my phone. However, I did not let them bother me with their criticism of my phone usage
I recently came across an article, in the social media section on http://www.mashable.com, about how to effectively use social media during family vacations. This article caught my attention because my family and I are going on vacation to Washington D.C. over Memorial Weekend. The article began talking about how everyone has that one family member that just can’t detach himself from technology. It also talked about if someone you know tends to spend an entire vacation typing away and staring at backlit screens, it may be time for an intervention. As I started to read the article, I was quickly reminded about how I was so-called,”addicted to my phone,” by my father and brother. Contrary to what they say, I know for a fact that I do not need an intervention from my phone, and can honestly go a whole day without it. When we go on this upcoming vacation, I hope they do not think that my phone will distract me from having fun with the rest of the family. My phone does not control my life at all.
However, the article follows by talking about if you can’t completely disconnect from your phone, your social media proficiency might come in handy when your family is trying to coordinate the trip. There’s a ton of mobile apps that can help improve someones vacation, and that family member is probably just the person to sharpen up their family’s social media game. It talks about how phone applications such as FourSquare, Group messaging services, Hotel Concierge via Twitter, and uploading vacation photos can be a beneficial reason to use social media throughout a vacation.
For example, location-based apps, such as FourSquare, can help people locate nearby attractions, restaurants, nightlife, and shopping centers while on vacation somewhere. This app can also recommend the best entertainment and museums located nearby. Your Hotel Concierge can offer last-minute deals via Twitter and other related social media outlets.
Before we take off to D.C. this weekend, I am going to let my family know ahead of time that if they see me spending a lot of time on my phone, it is only because I am trying to make sure we save money and have the best time possible. Using the article’s suggested social outlets on my phone will help me utilize my connected time for improving my family’s vacation.
This video inspired me!
May 16, 2011: I read an article today about how Facebook recently launched a stand-alone community site (facebook-studio.com) where ad agency creatives can share ideas, comment on campaigns, and learn what it takes to create a successful page for a brand. The community is called “Facebook Studio” and is a platform aimed at agencies, PR firms and media strategy companies.
On this platform, agencies are able to upload and highlight their campaigns for users to view, comment, and like. I think that it is great that Facebook is taking steps to better work with agencies. The tools and products Facebook developed on this platform will encourage brands to further utilize the platform as well as experiment with it. Facebook is an amazing communication tool that can help brands build better relationships with their target audience. I believe this platform will be one of the primary tools that agencies will use in the future for brand word of mouth and communication.
May 10, 2011: Times are definitely tough. I read an article today on the CNN website about how 85% of new college grads are moving in with their parents soon after they receive their diplomas. As a fairly recent college graduate myself, I can surely relate to having to do this. I have been living with my mother since I graduated college in the summer of 2009. It’s crazy to think that the unemployment rate for the under-25 group is near 54%. According to Rick Raymond of the College Parents of America, “Graduates are not the first to be hired when the job markets begins to improve. We’re seeing shocking numbers of people with undergraduates degrees who can’t get work.”
Even though the percentage of new college graduates living with their parents is very high, it doesn’t seem to surprise me. I sure didn’t graduate at the best time. The economy has been pretty terrible the past couple of years. Also, college grads realize that moving back home helps with expenses and paying off student loans.
It is unfortunate that it’s becoming tougher and tougher for young people like me to find a job, even though we are educated and capable of excelling at any job that we obtain. Way back in prehistoric times, when my parents graduated college, graduates were able to quickly find a job with their degree after graduation. If only life was that easy nowadays. However, I believe that more young graduates will be hired once the economy is back on track.
I am not saying that there is anything wrong with moving back in with the parents after graduation. I honestly enjoy my mom’s cooking, saving money, and not having to worry about paying rent. However, I am slightly concerned about the unemployment rate being so high, and that goes for college graduates and other people. I have heard that the economy is beginning to improve, so hopefully that is a good sign for the many people trying to find work. I truly do believe that America’s economic future is bright, even though many unemployed people are going through stressful times right now.
May 9, 2011: I read an interesting article today about how Starbucks has passed Burger King and Wendy’s to become the number 3 U.S. restaurant chain in the nation. Now Starbucks is surpassed only by McDonald’s and No. 2 Subway. I find this very interesting in that Starbucks is not known for their food, but for their coffee. When was the last time you bought food from Starbucks?…exactly. However, I love how Starbucks has branded themselves over the years as not only a regular coffee shop, but also a place away from home. Sort of like a second home.
People experience comfort and relaxation when they go to Starbucks, just like at home. Starbucks is more than just a place that sells amazing coffee, but a place where you can get away from the stresses of life. It’s a place where you can take a break from your job or rest from your busy day.
I personally like Dunkin Donuts better, but kudos to Starbucks for doing such a great job of providing such an inviting experience to customers.
May 9, 2011: Yesterday, my favorite team, the Dallas Mavericks, swept the 2-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Even though I knew the Mavs had a chance to beat the Lakers this series, if someone would’ve told me that they would sweep them I wouldn’t believe them!!..And not only did they sweep them, but they straight DOMINATED them the whole series. Yesterday, they beat them by about 30 points!!…The Lakers were so pissed that the Mavs were dominating and embarrassing them so bad, they decided to start hard fouling Mavs players. In the 4th quarter, Andrew Bynum of the Lakers did a sore loser move when he hit JJ Barea of the Mavs as he drove to the hole on a play. This almost resulted in JJ getting seriously hurt.
I was really excited to see the Mavericks do so well. I believe the main reason for their recent success has to do with the improvements they have made on defense. The addition of Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood to the team has really improved their defense, which has struggled the past few years. I was also very excited to see the Mavericks’ bench step up and hit big shots. Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, JJ Barea, and Peja Stojakovic have also played exceptional.
The Mavericks will have a long rest before they play the first game of the
Western Conference Finals against OKC or Memphis. I hope they don’t get too much rest and are rusty the first game. I doubt that they will be rusty though. Hopefully, the Mavericks can keep up the great work and bring their first NBA championship to Dallas!!
GO MAVS!!
May 6, 2011: Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Lincoln Steffens, who is the founder of The Marcus Graham Project. I helped him pick up donated furniture and drop them off at his loft in downtown Dallas. The Marcus Graham Project is a national network of diverse professionals that have purposed themselves in developing the next generation of thought leadership within the advertising, media and marketing industry. They strive to mentor young advertising professionals, and provide more ethnic diversity within advertising agencies.
In recent past, Mr. Steffens has been successful in working with some big name people in the advertising industry. I hope to gain a lot of knowledge from him in the near future.
May 8, 2011 My very first blog:
After a long time of procrastination, I am finally going to start blogging my life away. I will devote time to doing this on a daily basis from now on. I can see this becoming a fun and educational activity for me. The goal of my blogs are to not only share my daily thoughts and activities, but also immerse myself in advertising culture. I plan to stay on top of advertising updates regarding agency news, social media, research, insights, trending topics, new technologies, etc.
Short bio: My name is Mike Smith, but you can call me “Smitty.” I am from Texas, but I don’t ride horses or wear cowboy boots. I am a recent Account Planning bootcamp graduate from Miami Advertising School. While at Miami Ad School, I had a wonderful experience meeting so many interesting and intelligent people from all different educational backgrounds. I also learned a lot about what it takes to become a successful Account Planner. While there, I not only networked with a lot of people, but also gained many friendships that will last a lifetime.
I am a music fanatic, sports addict, part-time comedian, and very outgoing guy. I am also a history nerd. I love to work in teams and bounce ideas off each individual on my team. As a team player, I hope to provide beneficial, innovative insights to my entire squad. Advertising is a great outlet for me to express my creativity.
Welcome to my adventures…
Just Call Me Smitty 