Friends of Dave #108: #AngelosBachelorParty
Welcome to 2019: where anyone can gain fame for no reason at all.
Three day weekend + long intro last week = short preamble this week.
First up, thanks for the great response from last week's intro about how everyone thinks their marketing sucks. If you missed it, feel free stop now and go back and read. We'll wait for you.....Despite what some of you may have believed, I say "You're so vain." No, that preamble was not about you or your company! Honestly, it was a hybrid collection of observations and experiences from across a number of companies and conversations I have had over 20+ years. But as they say, if the shoe fits....we should probably talk!
Now on to this week -- if you are not familiar with the story behind the subject of this week's email, I suggest you skip all of the way down to the "Last Word" section and learn about Will Novak and his weird trek that is bringing him to a random person's bachelor party in Vermont this weekend.
This story has it all: an Average Joe protagonist, a quirky cross country adventure, the viral power of the internet and social media, the utter weirdness of Millennials and their love for the "ironic", over-the-top shameless opportunistic marketing, the reality that trusty old news publications have completely transformed into click bait machines, and crowdfunding for one of the craziest causes ever. I swear, this could have been an Onion article in the past...
Aside from that gem, there are a lot of other great selections for you to check out this long, wintry weekend. So stay warm where ever you are, stay safe, and read up when you have a chance!
XOXO
Dave
Serious Pick of The Week
Facebook's '10 Year Challenge' Is Just a Harmless Meme—Right?
The 2009 vs. 2019 profile picture trend may or may not have been a data collection ruse to train its facial recognition algorithm. But we can't afford to blithely play along.
Think About These...
REPORT: Nail and waxing salons are among the lucky few that will survive the retail apocalypse — www.axios.com
If Main Street is going to be saved, enduring American vanity will be among the primary reasons. There are a number of companion articles and graphics in this comprehensive report. Very insightful regarding where retail is headed.
Investors pour $20m+ into virtual influencers
The rise of life like, technology created influencers on social media called "avastars" or "synthetic celebrities" is becoming more intriguing to investors....and it is kinda freaky....
3 For Your Day Job...
Why Open Secrets Exist in Organizations
When multiple individuals know about an issue, each of them experiences a diffusion of responsibility or the sense that they need not personally take on any costs or burden associated with speaking up. They feel that others are equally knowledgeable and, hence, capable of raising the issue with top management.
Good, relatively quick read on how to encourage leadership in an organization when things go astray.
Cutco Knives and why everyone needs to learn how to sell
Those crazy jobs you had in high school and college can actually come in handy down the road....if you remember Cutco knives you will appreciate this one.
Managers are more important than ever.
Far from making them obsolete, the flatter business organizations of today need managers more than ever but in new ways. Long one, but some excellent food for thought about the notion and usefulness of "bossless companies."
Real Stories You'd Swear Came from The Onion...
Majority Of Coffee Species Threatened With Extinction
And in related news, Starbucks declares it no longer wants to be known as a premium coffee shop, but as a beverage distribution platform....
A German mint just released a coin commemorating 70 years of currywurst, and it’s unspeakably ugly
Proper etiquette says don't ever tell a country that their coin is ugly...
The Boston Molasses Flood Is Worth Taking Seriously
In 1919, a viscous 40-foot wave of molasses slammed into Boston's North End, killing 21 people. "Oh my go-ahd, it was wicked hahrrible, bro," I'm sure someone said at the time...
And The Last Word....Again, NOT from The Onion
A typo landed him an invite to a bachelor party halfway across the country. Naturally, he’s going. — www.washingtonpost.com
If you haven't been following this bizarre story, read and then go to Twitter or Instagram and search #AngelosBachelorParty to see how it is playing out in real time......this too could have easily been a story in The Onion 15 years ago. But it is real (or least seems real?). Guaranteed to make many of you shake your heads and go "I...just...don't understand..."
NOTE: if this story is behind a paywall for you, try this link.