Dear Diary: A message to my Elon Musk Inspired Gaming Overlord

Dear Diary,

Good morning. Coffee. The elixir of life. Tired. Somewhat relaxed, although I have a ton of things on my plate. Between work, family, finances, etc., I have more things on my to do list than I can ever possibly complete.  It is, and should be, overwhelming...

Yet I am happy.  As I should be.  I will deal with these things step by step and without allowing myself to become overcome by stress.  After all, if Elon Musk is correct, I am merely a simulation - a character living within a complex computer game to entertain and satisfy the whims of my highly advanced future, or perhaps even Alien overlord, the player of the game, the literal master of my universe. 

Are you reading this along with me as I write, or is this something you may or may not ever even discover as you have grown tired of my part of in the game and won’t ever dig deep enough to view the things my SIM(ple) mind may create when you are offline and not watching me?  Or are you sitting there now, controlling and influencing my every action, my every thought, including these words, and the gentle taps on my real to me yet simulated keyboard as I type them (or are you typing - or perhaps thinking - them, and thus pushing these very words out through my feeble, fabricated facade of a mind)?

In any of these cases, what does it matter? If your advanced technology has given me a true sense of consciousness and thus I can feel emotion, love, happiness, sadness, pain, sorrow, angst, anger and countless other feelings that are, to me, quite real, then I am fortunate to exist in your world, and hope (dare I imply that a mere simulation can also hope - despite the fact that in the multilayered, uber realistic world you created for me I have been told by many that "hope is not a strategy") - hope that you will be pleased with the way I am meandering through my so called life. I hope that you will be challenged and entertained by my actions and decisions, presumably made in some sort of concert with your own desires to win this game, or at least enjoy passing time observing it.  

After all, from my role and perspective, while I may have my consciousness and live within the context of a sentient being, I have no visibility into how many “energy hearts” may remain on your dashboard next to the avatar that represents me, nor do I know how close you may have come to losing, or worse, deleting, my character from your world.  So, my unknown highly advanced overlord, my galant gamer, I wish you the best of luck in this game you play. I urge you to play well, win massive amounts of points (or whatever they may be called in your actual advanced world) so that I may continue to… continue.  

Play on, and play well!


Photo Credit: Fotolia  grandeduc

The Future of Marketing? This Morning's Run Was Sponsored By #SauconySunday

See Jeff Run

I do my best to run several days a week.  I am not fast.  My running is more of a tortoise style - slow and steady - but I love the physical and mental benefits of running.  I love getting into "the zone" and letting my mind wander and think.  I love getting lost in podcasts or audio books, the cadence of my steps and breathing in the background lulling me into another world.  I love the portability of running - that I can do it anytime and anywhere.  And, as a geeky member of the Quantified Self Club, I love tracking my running progress with the RunKeeper app.

As a gadget guy and early adopter I've owned and used just about every fitness tracker, from the early, enormous, Garmin GPS Running watches, to FitBits, Fuel and UP bands, and multiple smartwatches.  RunKeeper has been my Running App of choice for a number of years, and I love the way it seamlessly integrates with my Pebble and Android Wear watches.  Today, RunKeeper changed the way I think about marketing too.

Sunday Runday

The other day an in-app alert let me know that today would be #SauconySunday: Anyone who records a 30 minute workout in RunKeeper would be entered in a drawing for one of 10 pairs of Saucony Running Shoes, and everyone who participates would get a coupon code for a 20% discount on Saucony shoes.  I took mental note, and promptly forgot about it.  Then this morning, when I set out on my typical Sunday run and launched RunKeeper a pop-up reminded me that it was #SauconySunday and asked if I wanted to participate.  With one click I was in, and proceeded with my slow and steady 5k.  At the 30 minute mark, a voice in my headphones acknowledged that I had completed the 30 minute challenge, and shortly after I ended my run, an email from RunKeeper confirmed I was eligible for tomorrow's drawing and gave me my 20% discount code.

3 Reasons This Could Be The Future of Marketing

I loved this campaign and kudos to RunKeeper and Saucony for smartly leveraging smartphone technology to create an effective promotion.  Many "in-app" ads are still very traditional. Click a banner and jump from the app to a mobile web page.  Click a banner and download an add-on, etc.  Instead, the Sunday Runday campaign is truly integrated into the function of the app, which I think is a positive sign of things to come.  I didn't have to "enter" by sending a disingenuous tweet... I simply had to RUN.

Here are three reasons I think this is an example of the future of great marketing:

1. It was relevant to ME.  By linking the campaign to the RunKeeper app, Saucony reached runners.  As a runner, I don't mind learning about running shoes.  I use and need running shoes.  Information about running shoes is content to me, not just advertising. I want to know.

2. It was integrated into MY LIFE.  This is the one that gets me excited.  As someone who is into wearable tech and tracking and measuring everything from steps to calories to sleep, this is an example of what I'd call Quantified Marketing (or Quantified Advertising) - marketing that leverages personal data and behavior in a relevant and meaningful way.  I didn't have to change my behavior to benefit from this campaign. I run. I use RunKeeper when I run.  This promotion was built into RunKeeper on the product level - it tracked my run as always, and, with my opt-in, qualified me based on my running at least 30 minutes today.  I didn't have to do anything differently or disrupt my routine or be disrupted for the campaign to impact me in a positive way.

3. It WORKED for the brand.  I may or may not win a pair of Saucony's tomorrow, and I may or may not use my 20% discount code (but I will go to Saucony.com and take a look).  Regardless, this campaign succeeded in bringing Saucony to the forefront of my thinking, and made me think more highly of the brand, both for their recognized quality and value in running shoes, and for delighting me with a cool promotion.  While I was running today I was thinking about the brand.  I remembered that my very first pair of running shoes, back in my college days, was a pair of Saucony's, and that I have owned and enjoyed several pairs over the years as I've bounced from brand to brand in search of the perfect running shoe for me.  The chances of me trying Saucony again have dramatically increased, thanks to my regular Sunday run today.  That's good for the brand.

There's a lot of debate about the amount of data our mobile phones and wearable devices know about us and our behavior.  Personally, as a consumer, and professionally, as a CMO, I am excited about the creative opportunities apps and wearable tech can present for brands and marketers who are willing to try new ways of bringing immediacy, relevance and a bit of fun into their campaigns.  I look forward to seeing more.

What do you think? Do you think this type of advertising is invasive or effective? Have you seen other examples of campaigns that leverage apps and user data in creative ways?  Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Why A Good Steakhouse Is A Vegan's Best Friend

Food, glorious food.  It is no wonder that was my favorite song from "Oliver."  Like most humans, I love to eat (and, arguably, it shows via the extra fifteen or twenty pounds I can always "stand to lose...")  My love for food notwithstanding, I have been a vegetarian for more than twenty-three years, and a vegan for the past eight or nine of those.  I became a vegetarian after my daughter was born and her mom, a very compassionate animal lover, declared that she was going to adopt a vegetarian diet (along with many pets).  As the dutiful husband (who did not do as much of the cooking as she did) I went along for the ride... and it stuck.  The more I learned about and ate vegetarian, the more I came to believe it was the right choice for me, both for compassionate and health reasons.  When I finally gave up dairy as well and became vegan, my path to becoming a business associate's most hated travel partner was complete.

On The Road Again

Throughout my career I have traveled a lot for business, and from the perspective of many of my business partners and co-workers over the years my choice of a plant based diet has been the object of much frustration.  Dining out is an integral part of business, especially when traveling.  For some reason, everyone I travel with gets overly concerned that wherever they choose to go eat there will be nothing for me on the menu and I will starve (or at least ruin the flow of their dining experience by having an empty plate while they feast on meat, cheese and other contraband).  I always try to assure them...  "Relax," I say. "Let's go wherever you want.  I can always find something to eat.  In fact, why don't we go to that great steakhouse you mentioned."   And I always do find something great (and vegan) to eat.  That's because I have learned how to make a good steakhouse a vegan's best friend...

A Good Chef Is Inherently Creative

Here's how I have enjoyed some of the best vegan dishes I've ever had at some of the finest steakhouses in the world.  It is simple, really.  I toss aside the menu and throw myself to the mercy of the chef.  My theory, already proven at countless restaurants all over the globe, is that cooking is a creative pursuit, and great chefs love to be creative and almost always rise to occasion when asked to create a masterpiece meal from limited ingredients.  Based on my own experiences, a great chef at a fine steakhouse is even more inclined to jump at the chance to be more creative than prepping the perfect rare or medium filet mignon, an act they repeat day after day, serving after serving.  So, when it is my turn to order, I put down the menu and simply say "I am vegan.  Please tell the chef they can prepare whatever they want for me, as long is it is vegan, and I will happily enjoy it."

What Happens Next...

Occasionally I will get a question or two.  Are there certain vegetables you don't like?  What about rice, couscous or quinoa?  I always reply, "Whatever the chef wants to prepare is fine.  I'll trust them."  And this simple process has led to absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared and presented off-menu vegan dishes that have delighted my palate and surprised my dining partners time and time again.  Even better, more often than not, the chef themselves will come out from the kitchen and visit my table to see what I thought of their vegan creation, giving me a chance to thank them in person for   a delicious meal (and always impressing the rest of the guests at the table).  Good times.

Some Examples

So there you have it.  That's why I have come to believe that a good steakhouse is a vegan's best friend.  As I've tested this theory during my travels, I often will post a picture of particularly impressive vegan dishes I am served.  In the video below I've compiled all my Instagram "food related" posts from 2014.  Enjoy!

I'd love to hear from other vegetarians and vegans.  If you have similar tips and tricks for getting a great meal from a "regular" restaurant, please share them in the comments.  Bon Appetit!

The Time I Interviewed Robin Williams

Cover of The World According to Garp

When I was 23 years old I was producing a talk show on cable television called "Celebrity."  The hostess was Alison Steele.  Known as "The Nightbird," Alison was a legendary rock DJ on New York City's WNEW-FM and probably the first really famous female rock radio DJ.  She was also a great personality and a classy "Celebrity" in her own right.

Our show was simple.  In each hour long episode we spent the first half interviewing celebrities who were promoting their latest movie, and in the second half of the show Alison interviewed a CEO or high level exec from companies such as Exxon,  British Airways, etc.  The corporate participant paid for their segment, which essentially bankrolled the show.  We got the real celebrity interviews for free.  This was fairly easy to arrange as back then every new movie had a New York premiere and a press junket around the premiere where the studio made all the stars available for interviews.  We'd show up at the appointed hotel at the appointed hour and get our appointed time with the stars.  Often we'd also get to attend the premiere and capture "b-roll" of the event, and of course the studio supplied ample clips from the film.  To keep things lean and efficient, we always shot our interviews with one camera, over Alison's shoulder, and then, at a later time we'd shoot her doing the "asks" in her posh East Side living room.  When edited together, you'd never know it wasn't a seamless two camera shoot done in one sitting.

As you can imagine, at a young age I had the opportunity to meet many, many very well known Hollywood stars.  As you can also imagine, I learned pretty fast that people are people, and just like the rest of the population, the community of famous people is filled with its fair share of nice folks, obnoxious jerks, and complete and total assholes.  The stories about the jerks and assholes will have to wait for another time.  This story is about one of the good guys.  One of the really wonderful, amazing and very special guys...

On the day we were scheduled to interview Robin Williams, Alison had the flu.  It was the only time in my tenure with the show that she had to call in sick and miss an interview.  But there was no way we were going to pass up the chance to get Robin Williams on our tape (yes, back then we used something called videotape.)  So we came up with a plan.  I would interview Robin.  We'd shoot him cheating to the side of where Alison would normally sit, and then when she was feeling better we would shoot her asks as usual.  When we edited it together it would look like Alison had conducted the interview with Robin herself.  All I had to do was to make sure I didn't talk over Robin and make it difficult to edit my voice out.

Needless to say, I was full of nerves and excitement.  Promoting the release of "The World According To Garp" Robin Williams was already a massive star thanks to Mork and Mindy.  If that weren't enough, I was also a big fan of John Irving and had read and loved Garp.  Having the chance to meet and interview Robin Williams was going to be the highlight of my young career thus far.  But I was gun shy...  Not that long before, another big name celebrity had really treated me badly, and made me feel like a young, inexperienced schmuck.  It was a blow to my ego, my confidence, and to the image I had of that particular star.  So I approached Robin Williams with trepidation... and was greeted with a huge smile, a warm and hearty handshake, and the feeling we might have been friends already for a long time.  It felt... genuine.

I think you'll hear a lot of people using that word when describing Robin.  He was genuine.

I explained to him the situation with Alison.  I had brought her head shot with me and, in my own feeble attempt to make him feel comfortable, I put the picture of Alison on what would have been her chair, opposite Robin, and asked him to look at and talk to "her" even though I would be asking him the questions from off to the side.  I explained how we'd shoot and edit her in later.  He made a few quick jokes about the situation, and happily, professionally, wonderfully played along and gave us a great interview.  Throughout it all, he could not have been nicer or more supportive of this young, inexperienced kid who was doing his best to get the job done.  He made me feel great, and more importantly at the time, he made me feel like a professional.  I was then, and always will be enormously grateful for that.

We have lost a true star, an irreplaceable talent, and a wonderful, genuine man...

Bootie Call

My first reaction was denial. A grandfather? Me? In my head I am still 19 years old, and that's certainly too young to be a grandfather. Of course it is also too young to have children who are now in their 20's. In the world outside my head I indeed have three adult kids (Adult kids? Is that an oxymoron?). In the real world my oldest son is soon to be 26, and sooner to be a father himself.

I remember the day Zach was born. Although we had moved to Rockland County we decided to still have "the baby" in Manhattan. I remember speeding down the Palisades Parkway with reckless abandon, hoping I'd get stopped by an eager Trooper just so I could have the satisfaction of pointing to Zach's very pregnant mom in the back seat and continue on my high speed journey citation free... Yes, Zach, one of the first (of many) joys you gave your dad was a valid excuse to put the pedal to the metal...

And now another joy.

But at first I was in denial. Was my son ready to be a dad? How would that change his life? He is just establishing himself in his own career. How would it change my life? Was I ready to be a grandfather? Fortunately I came to my senses enough to realize that it is not about me, it is about my son... And his girlfriend... And their life together.

Still, I just wasn't ready. I am from the school where you get married first, and then have kids, but I realize that social norms are different now, and the path my son is on is not as radical as it first seemed to me. And I know his girlfriend is a wonderful partner and loves my son wholeheartedly, as he does her, and I know she will be a wonderful mother. When Zach had a real scare, she was the one who saved him. I might not be ready, but Zach and Felicia are.

Thanks Mom!

Unlike hesitant me, my own parents were thrilled at the news and instantly embraced it with the same love and excitement that I am sure they will embrace their great-grandson with. It was my mom who finally put some sense in me and helped me paddle my way out of denial and open my eyes to see how exciting it is that our family was entering a new generation, that my son was ready and able to be a dad. I was reminded that they, my parents, were only 22 when I was born.

Shortly after having that conversation with my mom I was in NY for the holidays and walking through the Christmas shops setup for the season in Bryant Park. It was a cold but beautiful day, the kind where you can walk around with a cup of hot coffee or tea or cider and the cold smoke of your breath competes with the rising steam of the drink, a drink you count on to warm your hands as much as your innards. Through wind-teared eyes I spotted them inside one of the crafty pop-up shops, the booties. When was the last time baby booties caught my eye? Never? But I had to have them. Hand made from thick organic wool they were perfect, and the perfect first gift for me to buy for my grandson.  My grandson...

As I paid for the booties, I was suddenly struck with a wave - no a tsunami - of emotion.  I was suddenly and unexpectedly overwhelmed with the realization my son was going to have a son, and I was going to be a grandfather.  The cute little booties had finally made it real, made the tears start streaming down my face, and the lump of welled up feelings rise up in my throat.  Finally, I was ready.

Being Gramps...

But I was not yet ready for enormity of the real thing.  I had no idea how excited I would become as the due date approached.  As I write this I am on a plane to North Carolina, where Zach and Felicia live.  Where my grandson will be born, maybe even right now, while I am in the air, or later tonight, or sometime tomorrow.  But I am not leaving North Carolina until I meet the little bugger, and hold him in my arms, and put those little booties on his feet.

To be continued...

UPDATE:  My grandson, Liam David Sass, was born on April 10, 2014 at 11:36 pm.  He entered this world weighing 9 lbs 3 oz, 21 amazing inches long.  As someone who loves to write, and leans toward the verbose, I cannot find the words to fully and fairly describe the deep love, pride and joy I have for my son, for Felicia, and for my grandson.  I was in awe as I watched Zach step up into his role as dad and partner, and wonderfully coach and support Felicia (who was amazing in her own right) through a long and uncomfortable labor.  Even more indescribable is the instant love, bond and deep connection I feel to Liam, a bond I felt in the deepest corners of my being the moment our eyes connected for the very first time.

He is a special little boy, and I am so very blessed to be his grandfather. I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time in North Carolina.  I miss him beyond words already.

Zach and Liam...

(This post originally appeared on Dadomatic.com) 

Three Words: Focus, Focus, Focus.

Focus.  It is so important, and so much harder than ever to manage. Our lives are filled with so many distractions that -- sorry, that was a text from my daughter.  Where was I?  Oy, yeah, our lives are filled with so many distractions that it has become almost --- cool.  Someone just re-tweeted me.  Umm, what was I saying?  Oh, right, that with so many distractions it has become almost impossible to spend more than a fleeting moment on ---- email.  Just had to see what that email was because my Pebble watch was vibrating.  Now, as I was saying... Focus.  Damn, it's hard.  That's why focus is all three of my words for 2014.

Attention Deficit...

Attention Deficit is no longer a disorder.  Frankly, it is the norm.  I am as guilty as anyone of having a hard time sticking to any one task for more than a few minutes without taking some sort of digital detour.  I know it is bad.  I know I do my best work when I zone everything else out and stay FOCUSED on one thing for thirty minutes or more, but the times I actually do that are few and far between.  At least far less frequent than they should be.  The truth is, at least for me, the distractions that the Internet and our "always connected" lives have introduced only serve to exacerbate a problem I have always had.  I've always tended to commit to too many things at once and, as one of my High School teachers once warned me, "spread myself too thin..."  This, combined with a propensity to procrastinate makes distraction where the action is.  But no more...

Focus, Focus, Focus...

My "three words" for 2014 are Focus, Focus, and Focus.  I guess, my three words are really only one word: Focus.  (See, already I am more focused, putting my full attention on one theme word rather than three!)  Better focus is something I can strive for in all aspects of my life, from family, to fitness, to business, and I intend to approach all of them in a more focused way, being mindful of the moment and committed to what I am doing at any given time.  At least that's the plan.  It will be up to me to stay focused and carry it out. Wish me luck (but don't be upset if I don't respond right away... I may be focused on something else...)

What do you think of my newfound focus?  Do you have three words for 2014?


Photo Credit: © aaabbc - Fotolia