Taking a Chance on Love

Sometimes, running an ad business can feel more like braille than brilliance and this Halloween, I was confronted with yet another "hold yer nose and jump" situation. See, in the creative industries, it's not so much about stimulating your staff to greatness with cattle prods.  Things managerial at the ad ranch usually feel more like herding cats.

So, one of my favorite young turks, aptly employed as Official Corporate Troublemaker (aka New Business guy,) sidles up to me and says, "Boss, you gotta fly me to the Meadowlands. I want to pitch an idea to the NFL."

Now, I celebrate optimistic thinking and derring do as much as any card-carrying entrepreneurial crazy, but this gambit felt a little speculative, even to me.  Tempted to accuse the boy of thinly-veiled sports lust, I cautiously asked for a little more information.

"You're kidding, right?" I asked with my mentor hat slightly askew.

"No, it's great! The NFL is holding a contest for the Best Superbowl Commercial Ever and I think I've got the winning idea. They're asking fans from all over the country to come and pitch their ideas.  It's just ninety seconds between me and ad glory!"

"Ninety seconds, thousands of people and a rats chance in hell," I thought to myself.

I tried hard to contain my skepticism. Not wanting to quash the man's enthusiasm, but with a sincere desire to box his ears, I relented.

"Pitch me."

He did, complete with a heart-filled rendition of the Boyz II Men sobber, "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye."

I loved it, and so it began. I bought the ticket and threw caution to the wind.   

Yesterday, a banner headline in USA Today announced our guy had won it all.  National recognition,  trips to LA, NY and South Beach,  and a chance to work with the legendary Joe Pytka.

Some things never change. Follow the love. It's the strongest emotion there is.

Comments

[arthur]

Congrats to Gino for winning the NFL Best Superbowl Commercial Ever Contest! Bravo Brenda for having the courage to take the risk of allowing Gino to compete with thousands with the odds 3000-1 for a pitch to win. (imho) very few CEO's would have given Gino a NY minute!

[Nick Ehrman]

I wonder if the NBA will do the same thing?

Brenda, can I get you to talk to my boss? ;-)