Jill.

Carol Kirby, a dear friend for many years, introduced Jill Jefferson to me, thinking I could help mentor her and offer some guidance as she launches her new law firm JULIAN. Little did I know that Jill would be the one opening my eyes to civil rights and the horrors of "modern lynchings." Now, working with some other new friends, maybe, maybe, we might have a powerful film to help bring awareness to the amazing Jill and her work. (She's pictured here.) Stay tuned. 

The hardest part.

For a year, we haven't seen the girls. That's just not natural, for a parent not to be able to hug their kids. Making it even harder, Shannon got married to Borja. We still haven't seen them, the newly weds. This is crazy. But soon we will head west and enjoy the radiant love. 

It's still me.

Many things have disappeared the last 3 years. Many things I will never get back. But three things will never be taken away: my drive, my talent and my heart. I am always going to work hard. I am always going to create. I am always going to care. In the summer of 2017, I was the top ranked CCO at The One Show. I'm still that guy. A little wiser. A little balder. A little more to prove.

 

265,000 reasons why.

Why do you create things for free? Because if you can save one life, it's worth it. End of story. Covid-19 has killed 265,000 Americans so far. That's a tragedy we have yet to understand. A massive failure of leadership. History will not be kind. Thank you Cecilia Erlich Lopez for making this film with me.

A PSA to help save lives that died.

In May, I created this PSA with my good friend and amazing talent Brian C. May. We used just stock images and music. I funded the out-of-pocket costs myself. We presented the final edit to the Ad Council and they loved it, approving it for digital use on their site and social media. It started getting play but then, without explanation, it was pulled. I will one day tell why, but the reason is troubling at best. We need to be even more aware of just how easy these virus spreads as flu season and cool weather arrive. 

Give blood. And a job.

Cecelia Lopez is a talented motion designer who popped up on my LinkedIn feed this summer. I asked if she wanted to work together on a Red Cross idea and this is what she created. Even better, she got a cool job offer soon after and off she goes. Look out. 

Design for Biden.

Wrote these but then saw Jenna Klein take them to another level with her design. 

Vote for them.

 On the ballot November 3 is so much more than two names. It's two different ways to look at the world. And our future. So a good friend John Zilles and I had this idea: what do the kids think? John shot them over Zoom and they are pretty great. Hoping to get them out and in the world to make a difference. See them all here: https://www.vote4future.com/

Another Ace winner.

Number 8. Mai Xee Lee. Just graduated from Highland Park and is headed to Stanford. Amazing stuff. Congrats, Mai. Best wishes. Here's a little about her ambition: 

"Attending college without financial burden has always been a dream of mine and this scholarship helped make that come true. I am beyond excited go to Stanford. As one of only eight Hmong students admitted this year, I am excited to share my stories and experiences on campus. I hope to major in Public Policy with an emphasis on education. With this degree, I hope to close the opportunity gap by creating and advocating for policies for students from similar backgrounds as me - a first generation low income student of color."

Humor. A remedy.

We are six weeks into the pandemic. The entire globe on lockdown. A lot of messages out there, very serious, straightforward, dry, lacking any originality. But maybe a small campaign can give us some much needed lightness. Thanks Cabell, Sarah, George, Wade, Craig, Jean, Rich and more for your lines as we ask people to "Act like..."

Helpless.

That's how you feel. I've been writing and thinking everyday. How can I use my skills to help? This campaign is for drive though testing. The more we test, the more we know, the more we figure out how to stop this from killing more.

The positive side effects.

The world changed. Every thing changed. And it will never be the same. Let's stick together and we will survive and thrive.

Harvey.

This man is special for so many reasons. His mind. His spirit. His talent. His love. His wisdom. His art. His food. Sarah and I are honored to be his friend and now we are even lucky enough to be working side by side on a pretty cool project together. Cheers, buddy. This is going to be fun.

Mary.

People die of cancer all the time. The last two weeks, this sad reality hit very close to home. First Dean. Now my sister Mary. Cancer sucks. That is the hash tag. It does. Sucks the life out of so many people and all that they were. My sister was so incredibly smart, stubborn, funny, mad, joyous, proud, beautiful, tiny, rebellious and now, gone. I still don't have a grasp on it all. Too fast, too soon. Cancer sucks. I hate you, cancer. I love you, Mary.

Deano.

Dean Jarrett was a coworker and friend for over 26 years. He died of cancer last week. I've never known anyone like him. He always looked on the bright side. He always was ready with a smile and a hug. He always swung really hard at the golf ball. Dean was at my side for so many big moments in my career. Cannes juries. Cannes wins. Speaking in Dubai. Winning agency of the year at The One Show. Taking home an Emmy. Every honor I ever received, Dean was probably there with the first handshake. He was the agency PR guy and he was good. One of the best. We owed a lot of our stellar reputation to Dean's stellar reputation. I often found myself over the years just headed to his office for no other reason than to laugh. Man, I will miss you, buddy. Like thousands of others who knew you even better than I did. Please know you were loved and we will do our best to spread good wherever we go, just like you did. Peace.

Taking a golf lesson from Bobby Jones.

Asked to brand a new golf management company named for maybe the most famous golfer in history not named Tiger Woods.

Knighthood.

Some new brand work for a small private school here in Richmond. The Knights of Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School. We discovered knights are very different than the ones chosen by kings and queens. (A lot cuter, too.) The campaign breaks in 2020. Sneak peak at a couple of pages from the recruitment book.

Love.

Love. Also known as Sarah, my wife. She has shown me over and over what love is. Sticking with me when others wouldn't. Believing in me when others didn't. Always showing me with grace how to handle this past two years. But her love extends beyond me to all around her. Her family, partners, peers and so many more. She has always believed that "love makes more love" and I see it all the time with Sarah. Her business is a living, breathing testament to this. She is hitting her stride with wallpaper commissions here and far. How? By being full of love, joy and kindness. Is there a better way to run a business? Or even better, live a life? Nope.

Education unlocks everything.

My father Ace was a lifelong teacher. To him, education wasn't just important, it was necessary. Learning, sharing, watching, listening, participating, studying, reading, playing, all were vital to a successful life. In 2013, I started a small scholarship in my father's name and it has been rewarding to see the winners thrive. The first Ace recipient is now studying at Duke Medical School. This year's winner, Taylor Love, is off to college and I can't wait to see what she does next. Blessed and grateful.

Long copy. Where ya been?

This is a print ad for a small golf apparel brand called Turtleson. They are just getting started and our idea was simple: talk to their audience about a way of life. And maybe buy some clothes along the way. I remember when it was called a "soft sell" approach versus a "hard sell." Seems brands are still debating those two ways to go. Thanks, Cabell, for the work. And words.

The Butter Pecan has landed.

Working on Gelati Celesti has been a blast - all the way to the moon. This is a social post celebrating the moon landing. Caption: One small scoop for man, one giant leap for mankind. Thanks, Cabell, for the opportunity.

10 years and 50 years ago.

50 years ago, man landed on the moon. 10 years later, we did it again. wechoosethemoon.org, a live re-creation of the Apollo moon landing, went live at 9:36 AM, July 16, 2009, exactly 40 years to the second from the actual landing. Maybe the favorite project I ever worked on for the simple reason I was out of my comfort zone from day one. Scary but good scary. Below, a photo of the mission control for the six months it took to make this idea happen. Brian Williams, Wade Alger and the amazing Norma Kwee at the controls. Thank you team. What a ride it was.

Once you taste it, you'll understand.

Gelati Celesti. I am not an ice cream guy, but this product is impossible not to love. How impossible? The lines for the grand opening in Virginia Beach were around the block, hours before the doors opened. Like a new Apple iPhone release. Great fun working on these social posts with Cabell and Work Labs.

Heavenly.

Excited to be working on the most delicious brand in RVA. Will be fun to see the campaign in the world.

Loss.

The yearly Martin Luther King celebration was this past week. On this day, I always reflect on his many famous words. But this year, one of his quotes really struck a cord and filled me with so much sadness. This past year has been the most trying of my life. I lost so much. My job. My reputation. My sense of who I am and what I will become. But the biggest loss by far? My friends. Many who I've known for half my life just disappeared one day and never came back. I know many feel betrayed and fearful. Or maybe, they've just moved on. I wait and I hope for the silence to end.
The hard season won't last forever.

90.

My mom is my hero. Like my father and the namesake of this blog, she has lived her 90 years full of life, love and compassion. No matter what, she has always been there for me and believed in me. Like she said at the outset of this incredibly difficult year: "Joe, you and your God know the truth. That's all that matters." I'm lucky to have married someone who also believes in me - unconditionally. What better gift? There isn't one. Happy birthday, mom. I love you.

Mid-term of a generation.

Does Trump and his style of politics continue? Do the people who support him feel some push back from the rest of us? It was an honor to help and support Abigail Spanberger as she challenged Dave Brat for Congress. Whatever happens today, you have won so many fans. Thank you. If the turnout is high, the turnover will happen. Let's go.