OK, it probably wasn’t deadly, but we saw this on our walk tonight and luckily Christina had her iPhone on her. I’m not a huge snake fan, AKA, yeah I’m scared of them, so I got as close as I felt comfortable…AKA…I got close enough that if it charged me, I could run like crazy away from it safely. Risking my life for your blogging enjoyment, people, that’s what I’m here for.
Lessons from McDonald’s Golden Arches
I’m not a huge fan of the quality of McDonald’s food. However, the golden arches have a tractor beam that pulls me in with a seemingly irresistible force. Part of why I still like McDonald’s is the nostalgia. I now prefer burgers from Fudruckers or Five Guys, but I noticed my son Tyler started recognizing company brands wherever we went.
I’m loyal to Safeway because I work for the company. Therefore, Tyler quickly learned to recognize Safeway and its trucks as we passed them on the highway. I have always loved Starbucks since I was introduced to coffee in college, and Tyler knows that brand because I go there a lot. As I am raising Tyler, what is interesting is what companies are, and are not, doing regarding marketing to children.
I have taken particular interest in McDonald’s marketing strategy because they are masters of marketing to youth. I’m a big fan of ice cream, so on a nice hot day a McDonald’s shake hits the spot. Not to mention the Shamrock Shakes around St. Patrick’s Day, but I digress.
How is your company’s marketing to younger demographics? McDonald’s is a master of marketing to children, their happy meals and “Play Places” are brilliant. Whether you are a retailer, technology company, church, or politician, you can’t forget about youth if you want to compete and stay relevant long term.
What are some other strategies you’ve seen, and what other ideas do you have?
Children learn to recognize logos and associate them with experiences
Engage both children and parents in your business environment
Today’s children are tomorrow’s adult customers and employees
And then there was the Firebird, oh how I loved that car. I worked really hard for that car, really hard. Try going from the Firebird to a Honda Civic. You know what, though? I actually like my Civic. I wouldn’t ever trade my little family for anything, of course, but oh what a car it was. The good news is I enjoyed that car like you wouldn’t believe and only one speeding ticket if you can believe it (but yes, pulled over twice). OK, thanks for going down memory lane with me.
As long as we are going down memory lane, here she is. 
My all-time favorite band was one my parents forbade me from purchasing because of their controversial name. This was back in the cassette tape era, long before digital music formats like MP3s or streaming services existed. Since I couldn’t buy their music directly, I found a workaround — I would visit my best friend Rob who lived across the street and listen to the band at his house instead. Looking back, I felt like such a rebellious teenager for finding this simple way to enjoy the music my parents didn’t approve of.
Oh, and yes we listened to Poison too, I still love me some Poison. Hi Mom…you’re the best.
When I bought the CD after “growing up” and was able to listen to whatever I wanted, I literally played it so many times it stopped working. Every night, after getting off work, I would drive home with that CD in.
Those were the days of physical media — cassette tapes with two sides, carefully crafted mixtapes, and parents who could actually monitor what music you were buying.
Oh, and I had a Ford Probe as my second car. Unfortunate name for a car, but I upgraded the speakers, put in a killer amp, and oh it was just amazing. I sometimes miss that car.
1970s – 1990s
1990s – 2000s
2000s – 2010s
2010s – Present
Isn’t it amazing how a song can instantly transport you back to specific moments in your life? The music we loved in our youth often remains with us as a powerful emotional touchstone throughout our lives.
“Do you know why a car’s windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small? Because our past is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.”
— Unknown
Took a quick trip into the city for lunch today before Uncle Mike’s doctor’s appointment for an hour. As always I had my trusty camera with us.
We went with Uncle Mike went to the doctor to get a check-up and wow that hospital campus has quite a view. It was a great day today Uncle Mike!
Just ordered mine! The Holstee Manifesto is something I really resonate with:
THIS IS YOUR LIFE.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND DO IT OFTEN.
IF YOU DON’T LIKE SOMETHING, CHANGE IT.
IF YOU DON’T LIKE YOUR JOB, QUIT.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME, STOP WATCHING TV.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, STOP; THEY WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WHEN YOU START DOING THINGS YOU LOVE.
STOP OVER ANALYZING, LIFE IS SIMPLE. ALL EMOTIONS ARE BEAUTIFUL. WHEN YOU EAT, APPRECIATE EVERY LAST BITE.
OPEN YOUR MIND, ARMS, AND HEART TO NEW THINGS AND PEOPLE, WE ARE UNITED IN OUR DIFFERENCES.
ASK THE NEXT PERSON YOU SEE WHAT THEIR PASSION IS, AND SHARE YOUR INSPIRING DREAM WITH THEM.
TRAVEL OFTEN; GETTING LOST WILL HELP YOU FIND YOURSELF.
SOME OPPORTUNITIES ONLY COME ONCE, SEIZE THEM.
LIFE IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET, AND THE THINGS YOU CREATE WITH THEM SO GO OUT AND START CREATING.
LIFE IS SHORT. LIVE YOUR DREAM AND SHARE YOUR PASSION.
