So, on April 23rd, a couple hundred of our close Des Moines social media friends as well as some connected through the wonders of technology, gathered to explore “The State Of Now” at the 2012 140 Character Conference Des Moines!

As a marketing and branding professional, I love to create passion with my words, but I was in for a treat on this day.  We had speakers make connections professionally and personally throughout the whole day. As I watched the event roll via Ustream, I was thrilled and honored to be included in this event. For some, it was educational. For some it was entertaining. For most, it was a day of passionate sharing that they’ll never forget.

Some of my favorite speakers include (click to see their video on YouStream):

Michael Libbie, Speaking on Marketing & Social Media ROI (EYE-OPENING) ( Find him on Twitter @MichaelLibbie )

Laura Wynn, Speaking on Bullying through Social Media (HEART-WRENCHING) ( Find her on Twitter @LauraWynn )

Angela Maiers, Speaking on #YouMatter and Education (POWERFUL) ( Find her on Twitter @AngelaMaiers )

Ben Smith, Speaking on the Social connection and the tremendous experienced he’s had in his “New Home.” (MAKES ME PROUD TO LIVE HERE) ( Find him on Twitter @BenASmith )

While I’ve linked to four of the presentations I liked, PLEASE go to the UStream channel and watch others. You’re going to be amazed!

And for those that know me and know about TRUE Branding: Here, in a neat 10-minute nutshell is how TRUE Branding can change your life and your business for ever!

If you’d like to read more about TRUE Branding, click the link here –>  TRUE BRANDING!

Thanks so much to Deb During ( @DebWorks ) for allowing me to experience the event.  I look forward to future ones!

Keep Cooking!
Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef

(please read all of this post…  kinda long, but VERY important.)

I wanted to make sure I invited all of you to this amazing event, the 2012 Business Growth Summit coming up on the 31st of January!

It’s put on by a group started by some associates and myself about 2 months ago called Above The Line America. We’re a networking group like no other – (no fees, no forced referrals, no stupid clapping – unless you feel like clapping…  ).

Above The Line America is focused on building and supporting community first and fostering “Above The Line” business relationships second. It’s geared to bring like-minded leaders and business owners together to change the conversation from “below the line” (blame, denial and irresponsibility) back “Above The Line” (Accountability, Ownership, Respect).

The event is an ALL DAY Business Summit, focused on YOUR business and connecting you with some of the most innovative thought leaders in business and emerging business today.

Tony Brigmon (formerly with Southwest Airlines)
Geoff Wood (Silicon Prairie News)
Jordan Lampe (Dwolla)
Major Sean Quinlan (US Marines Bronze Star recipient)
Angela Maiers (Maiers Education Services) and more!

Learn the process and allow yourself to Dream, Set Goals, Make Plans, and Take Action! Leave the day armed with your overall 2012 Plan and next steps for the first 90 days. Have FUN and connect with 400 of your AboveTheLineAmerica™ partners for success! Eat, drink, plan and CONNECT with the BEST and BRIGHTEST in Business!

Let’s get this out of the way…  1/2 PRICE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE. GO TO REGISTER AND USE THE DISCOUNT CODE “VIP.” (no quotes, of course)

I know this invitation doesn’t give much time to decide and some of you may not be in Des Moines, Iowa for the 31st, but I wanted to send out invites to everyone I thought would be able to get value from this amazing event.

If you can’t attend, PLEASE let me know your thoughts and if you’d be willing to attend another event like this on a regularly scheduled basis. And if you know of someone that SHOULD attend that I haven’t reached, PLEASE forward this on to them!

This is a group and an event that is VERY close to my heart. If you can attend, or are interested in Above The Line America membership (go to www.abovethelineamerica.com for more info on that), I’d be MORE than happy to welcome you with OPEN ARMS!

Thanks for your time!

Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef

(originally posted at: http://TheBrandChef.tumblr.com )

Maybe this will give some of my readers some perspective on how to address the trouble our economy is in.

Democrat? Republican? I don’t care. I think this issue is RELEVANT to us all.

The 12-Step Evolution of a Down Economy (Or… how to rape the economy and propagate slums in our suburbs):

Step1: Residents tire of rural congestion and discover beautiful, virgin territory

Step 2: Residents settle and develop land for suitable family living (“modernize”)
Step 3: Residents draw “new” residents on  shiny object & new opportunities
Step 4: “Community” develops retail and consumer tax base
Step 5: This entices residents into comfort and disillusionment with commercialism and retail tax abatements
Step 6:  Retail and consumer base offer incentives to “stay and grow” in the area with credit and superficial community amenities (that no one really uses)
Step 7:  Big Retail and Consumer tax base lulls residents into lethargic, numb zombie-like state of ignorance about economic cycles and surge growth detriments
Step 8: Zombies extend credit with little or NO reasonable cognitive control
Step 9: Retail and commercial base default on credit as corporate office search “New opportunities” in other beautiful, virgin territories.
Step 10:  Retail and commercial base close down / move away taking job and retail tax base with.
Step 11: Residents default on credit foreclose and lose job opportunities… look for the next shiny object.
Step 12: Original beautiful, virgin territory is left — unkempt, uncared for, unmarketable, uninhabitable and is sold or leased to those that will take ANYTHING to call their own, because that’s the American Dream

Are you living the “American Dream?”

Keep Cooking (TRUE Community – not the one we’re being SOLD)
Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef

Below is a narrative of the post – Kohi’s article driven down to its core – an automated, web-static dramatization of what’s wrong with online illustration (or the lack thereof).

Video…  Feed readers may need to click through to the post to view the video properly.

I know a lot of my readers are artists, or used to be and now find themselves in “The Digital Wonderland.” What say you?  Is this digital age making it harder for Illustrators and artists of all kinds to make a living at their chosen trade, or are we just a bunch of crybabies?

I mean, SOMEONE is working…  why not you?

• Business opportunities
• Professional credibility
• Community ties
• Industry stability
• Economical security

ALL good things, right?

YES!

So why not join the CreateWOW team and grow with us (me)?

If you have a desire to join a nimble, progressive marketing and communications company with a drive to change how companies use media, then I want to hear from you.

CreateWOWmarketing, LLC has brought on a handful of new clients that will require talent and support from:

• Public Relations Professionals
• Media Buyers and Managers
• Account and Marketing Managers
• Creatives and Multi-Channel Graphic Designers

And while I want to “Do It ALL,” I just can’t…

I’M not looking for just anyone. The people that are brought into the CreateWOW culture will need to be inspired by creativity and driven to create WOW for our clients using traditional and emerging marketing tactics.

These positions are to be considered “Internships” until the candidate has proven him / herself in the job.

I do pay my interns.

Don’t throw your resume at me and expect a call. Connect with me on a unique, engaging and relevant level to the position YOU hope to fill. And for God’s sake, be Truthful.

I want the team to reflect CreateWOW. I want the team to GROW CreateWOW.

So, there you have it. The proverbial ball is in your court.

Spread the word. Tweet. FaceBook it… LinkedIn it… GET IT?

And for ever and always…

KEEP COOKING!
Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef

p: 515.257.MKTG
(515.257.6584)

Fx: 866.257.0961

e-mail:
Andrew@createWOWmarketing.com
thebrandchef@gmail.com

Another Web site:
http://www.thebrandchef.com

Feelin’ Social?
Twitter: @TheBrandChef
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/AndrewBClark
FriendFeed: http://friendfeed.com/thebrandchef

This post was originally published Friday, April 8, 2011 at – http://createwowmarketing.com/are-you-prepared-to-create-your-own-wow/