Salt and Pepper my Mango

She is so cool.
She is one of Kanye's FreshKids and one of Marc Jacob's muses.

She is an articulate outspoken, politically savvy artist and certainly a thought leader.

M.I.A., born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, makes great music and is now designing a clothing line and record label called NEET. Besides spelling TEEN backwards, it stands for Not In Education, Employment or Training. Essentially, if a Teen drops out, she'll sign 'em up....like her new prodigy Rye Rye. I am still a bit confused about it...but I'll go with it.

She has a style and brand all unto herself, just like this pretty crazy video that showcases her wares. Its out there, but so are most fantastic artists.

Also check out her interview on the Hour for more about her story.

photo: marc jacobs collection

The Black Album

In an incredible effort to mobilize the young African American vote Jay-Z is doing free concerts in Detroit and Miami for adults who register for the democratic party.

In an election where every vote and state counts its fascinating to see how surgerical the tactics are becoming. According to an article in the Washington Post Florida can be won if Obama increases black turnout by 23 percent over 2004 turnout. Same opportunity presents itself for Michigan, another swing state.

HUGE HUGE HUGE!
FUN FUN FUN!

I love when a smart plan comes together.


design by:Deroy Peraza

ESP Update

Three timely updates.

Apple might close iTunes.

Ad Age's thumbs up to the Seinfeld PC ads.

Porter flies to Chicago.

Honestly, what kind of energy are the Mills Chronicles sending out into the blosophere?

Steve Jobs vs. __________

There is alot to like about Apple.

They likely already had the shuffle developed, when they launched the first iPod. They also revolutionalized the music industry by selling the music and owning the hardware. That's just smart, cool and a great business model. (note: interesting iTunes update oct 2)

But that isn't the only story that is changing MBA text books. Steve Jobs had intestinal cancer and continued to be Apple's CEO. The ability for Apple to continue to grow in his absence has been called into question by investors, which has its board of directors putting out rumours while trying to balance the books and develop a succession plan.

But can or should business results and investor confidence be tied directly to the ceo's health? and is it Wall Street's business if you are sick and running a company?

Read and let me know your thoughts.

Bill Gates vs. __________

Microsoft reported a 48% comp growth in July. But despite these incredible results PCs (Microsoft) have been taking a mighty beating in the brand wars from the Mac/Apple folks. And maybe it is with due reason, but I will not speak to the pros/cons... I have both and I am equally technically inept on either system. But I am curious about the direction their advertising is taking.

This year Microsoft hired Crispin Porter + Bogusky as their agency of record. They are a fantastic shop, and despite the Jerry Seinfeld spots (which one day I may consider genius, but still baffle me) they kept the gig. In a Fast Company article Alex Bogusky said the ultimate challenge and victory would be to get folks like him (ad folks) to use PCs... but that it is not about putting down one's iPod.

Microsoft/PC just released a new ad. Does it make you proud to be a PC or thrilled to covet your MAC?

Here it the new Microsoft spot:


And here is a Apple/MAC one for reference:


My thoughts:
Good ad. Nice use of 100 seconds of time. And I heart Tony Parker.
But despite the nice little smile I have on my face, Apple still comes out ahead.

What makes this so juicy is that PC didn't seem to have a choice, they had to define themselves through the lens of MAC. Is that a branding faux-pas or a gold medal? I say faux-pas; to win this thumb war PC will need to sing loud and proud off their own song sheet.

I am curious to see what comes next for PC, they have perhaps painted themselves into their own corner with this one.

...I am no expert on the art of wars. But this reminds me of some good 'ol Cola War ads.

p.s. as a follow up check out this Ad Age article. oct 03/08