BEVO Blog: What's the spread?

I belong to a fun football pool, fun because our team won it last year and we're quickly making our way back to the top after a dismal first week.

It's all about the spread. Although it's not a "pool rule" itself, a certain member of our team doesn't allow voting against Texas, regardless of the spread which Texas often times has a difficult time beating. Last week was a nice exception. This week the spread is 15 1/2 over visiting UCLA which I think the 'Horns will beat. Their defense is awesome and UCLA coach Ricki Neuheisal is a weasel. The "Weasel" factor means a lot. Really.

Other games of interest include the match-up between Air Force and Wyoming in Laramie, specifically Jonas Field at War Memorial Stadium presented by Taco John's or something along those lines. It's always a great game and full of tradition. Air Force has been riding high, if not in the win column but they're taking on some big teams and fighting them hard. Wyoming in a word, stinks. Their coach agrees. But something tells me that Wyoming will beat the 12 1/2 point spread, and might even win.

Another team that just could be surprised is Boise State. While they're playing in the blue, blue fields of home, Oregon State is my pick to beat the spread if not win. It would be a huge upset and at the same time be of great relief to the yahoos that run the BCS.

One final note: I just found out today that John Hamm who brilliantly plays Don Draper in the AMC Series "Madmen" is a Texas-Ex! He also played football in his native Missouri. Yet another reason to love Madmen.

When, where and who is YOUR team playing? Click here.

So...

HOOK'EM HORNS!
GO WYO!
WAR EAGLE! HEY!

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Mad about Madmen

Finally got see the premier of the new season of Madmen last night via DVR. The show hasn't lost a step, in fact it's picked up it's pace.

Don Draper and associates still drink and smoke too much, ex-wife Betty is Mommy Dearest and women in the office are s-l-o-w-y starting to take their spots in the office hierarchy.

So much for the obvious. What remains fascinating is seeing business being conducted on dial phones, in the office or in phone booths, typewriters and watching Sky King on a black and white television set. In standard def for Pete's sake!

What remains the constant, and link between then and now, is that good marketing works and bad marketing doesn't. Say what you want about the Draper character (ably played by Jon Hamm) he knows advertising. Spoiler alert here, but he was absolutely right in his pitch to the conservative Jantzen swimsuit company. They wanted to market their product, not as a bikini but as a two-piece.

Don's pitch included just that, but with a little sass. No different than what you see in today's famous Old Spice spots. The overly stodgy Jantzen folks didn't like his idea so Don told them to get out. Immediately if not sooner. Good for Don. Never waste time on people who don't get it, even when you're doing exactly what they asked you to do.

His job is to tell people what his clients need to hear, not what they want to hear. It worked then and it works now.

One reason why I'm mad about Madmen.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"