The Power of "Visual"

One of the first things a news producer thinks about, especially when bringing in someone for a guest segment is "Visual."

Here's a great definition:
"Any element of something that depends on sight; an image; a picture; a graphic; all the visual elements of a multi-media presentation or entertainment, usually in contrast with normal text or audio; a preliminary sketch; related to or affecting the vision."

Now for a great demonstration of using good visuals to communicate a message whether it be on a local or national program.

This week on the 4pm edition of KUSA 9News, the Western Dairy Association had some great ideas about healthy summer drinks for the entire family. To make their point about the huge amounts of sugar in soda drinks they had a 64 oz "Super Cup" on the set. Instead of soda, they poured out the actual amount of sugar you'd consume if you drank one of these monsters. The pile of sugar that came out was enough to put on your cereal for a month!

It was an impressive demonstration, and made a big point......VISUALLY. In this case, a picture was worth well in excess of a thousand words. It made you think.

Kudos to the Western Dairy Association for understanding the power of the picture, the visual, in making their point.

It's also the kind of thing we do in helping you share your news about your product or organization. Talking heads are easy to come by. Good visuals require planning based on experience.

The type of experience we bring to you with 30 years in journalism and corporate communications.

Visual. Always think Visual.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC

Tech evolving faster and faster....jump in quick!

South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce members were hosted today by Best Buy at their Park Meadows Store. Along with a nice breakfast, we were given a detailed briefing on "what's new" in technology.

It was impressive to say the least and I can't imagine any of us not being at least a little bit overwhelmed by it all.

One of the stops was seeing a demonstration of 3D HD Television. Unlike the transition from Standard Def to HD where the technology was in place before the programming, this time programmers like ESPN are driving the evolution with content.

Early adaptors already have forked out a couple of thousand dollars for a set, along with $150 for each set of 3D glasses. (Which require batteries) Then there's more for receivers, video players etc to watch what's available, not the least of which is World Cup Soccer. More programming will come and prices will go down so I'm sitting on the sideline and will watch TV in "good old fashioned" HD!

What did impress me is the incredible networking technology for devices like your PDA, iPad, Laptops, your existing screens and the like. For home or work, the opportunities to integrate all of them seamlessly, and to connect just as easily to friends or customers are endless.

I already use some of the technology, or today learned how to use it to more advantage.

At first glance, it can indeed be overwhelming but the key with all this is not to worry as much about how it works, but rather that it DOES work.

The only limits are your imagination and of course, budget. Regardless of whether you jump in, or simply dip your toe, do it. Embrace it.

Or be left behind.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC

Taking Wing with Wings over the Rockies

Those of you living near Centennial Airport might have heard or seen the distinctive sound and sight of a WWII B-17 Bomber earlier this month during "Denventure 2010." Owned by the Experimental Aircraft Association, "Aluminum Overcast" is a living reminder to all the incredibly brave air crews who flew the B-17, also known as the Flying Fortress, on missions to Germany. Thousands never came back, paying the supreme sacrifice to defeat the evil of the Nazis.

The appearance was hosted by Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. Located at the old Lowry Air Base, it's home to some 3 dozen military and civilian aircraft plus numerous other displays and a fantastic education department dedicated to getting the next generation of pilots interested in flight.

You might be surprised that the museum does all this work and more with just ten full-time employees. It's volunteers who donate thousands of hours of time, simply for the love of aviation and to hang around airplanes who make it all possible.

My contribution for the most part, is capturing their efforts on video. Enjoy this look back at Denventure, some of the fine displays and activities for all ages and of course, Aluminum Overcast.



If you'd like to know more about volunteering, click here.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We get the conversation started about you!"

PR Stuff I learned this week.

I like to learn new things. Lots of fresh stuff this week!

1. Being on the cover of Rolling Stone is cool, IF you're a rock band. Generals? Not so much.
2. There's a time and a place for everything, especially when it comes to yachting.
3. Those who live in glass houses, or even white ones, shouldn't throw stones or hit white balls.
4. It's not a good idea to portray BP as a "victim," especially when you're in the opposition party.
5. When you're a rock" star," don't flip the bird at Mets Games. Good idea to wear clothes as well.

The blog is on vacation the rest of the week. See you Monday!

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We get the conversation started about you!"

Redcoats and a MiG Flyby, etc.

From the "Etc" File:

Have you seen the Dodge Commercial with the Redcoats readying for an attack by American Revolutionaries? A runner warns the Brits of the impending attack, they get into firing position then are run off by a bunch of patriots in Dodge Chargers, one of them driven by George Washington. The theme is America got a couple of things right, freedom and building cars.

(It crossed my mind about the timing of this spot what with the whole BP mess in the Gulf)

Here's the spot:



Maybe we could add a third skill to the list, making great commercials. No, it didn't get me to go out and buy a Dodge because I just bought a Ford Escape Hybrid. At the very least I'll never look at a Charger the same way again!


Candy Airplanes and a MiG Fly-by:

Spent a fun Saturday at the Boulder Airport for the airshow there. I was volunteering with Wings over the Rockies and we had over 300 kids stop by to make balsa gliders and candy airplanes and "fly" on the museum's flight simulators. Candy airplanes are a fun and easy activity for kids. All you need is Lifesavers, a rubber band, a stick of Wrigley's gum and a roll of Smarties. The picture shows you everything you need to know about making one.



I was able to get out to the flight line for a few minutes and caught this fly-by of a MiG fighter plane. The MiG by the way, is of Soviet design. Proof I guess, the Cold War truly is over.



Hope you all had a great weekend. Time to get to get some "Conversations Started!"

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters, LLC
"We get the conversation started about you"

Marketing 101 from....Kids!

On my way to a South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce event, some kids in our neighborhood set up a lemonade stand. I know, you're saying to yourself, "Self, so what?"

Well these kids passed the "So what?" test with flying colors. First, they had stands on both sides of the street. They also were using hand held signs like you see along roads advertising for tax services etc. They were hustling for business, they had a marketing plan and were executing it.

These kids had product and a sales strategy. I think they'll do well in business as they grow older!

It reminded me of another young future business leader I met a few years ago. My wife and I were driving home from the airport and stopped at a burger place. When we tried to order, a clerk said their computerized cash register had crashed and he couldn't take our order.

We responded that we had cash, pointed to the back where the grills were working and still got a "Please come back later."

Then a voice piped up from the back. "Wait, I'll handle this for you." A young man came to the counter, took our order, accepted the cash, made change and provided a hand-written receipt. He then went back and cooked our burgers to perfection.

I called the chain the next day and told them to put this kid on a fast track. My guess is he's graduated from business school and well on his way to success.

It's refreshing to see hustle and enthusiasm from the next generation of entrepreneurs!

Have a good weekend everyone. I'm going to get myself a lemonade.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We get the conversation started about you"

Perception is Reality-The "Oops" Factor

"I'd like my life back"-Tony Hayward, BP CEO

Oops.

"We care about the small people"-BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg.

Oops Part Deux

Of all the thousands of words spoken by both men, these are the quotes that have stuck, especially along the Gulf Coast. Adding additional oil to the wound is Hayward's British Accent and Svanberg's Swedish Accent. I've lived, worked and vacationed many times on the Gulf Coast and believe me, they want information straight and in an accent like their own. It's just the way it is.

I honestly believe that neither man meant anything malicious by what they said. As the saying goes, words got "Lost in translation." Svanberg likely speaks other languages besides his native Swedish and English. Good for him. But that doesn't matter. It's the perception of what they said.

As one of the best media consultants around, Frank Magid Associates once taught me me, "Perception is reality."

This is a classic case that skilled executives can, and let me be blunt, really suck at PR. Some, like Warren Buffet and Charlie Ergen are good at it.*Hayward and Svanberg aren't and should never have been allowed in front of a microphone unless asked to do so by Congress or the Courts.

Hayward testifies in front of Congress as I'm writing this. He'll be under oath, he'll have legal counsel at his side, and at the end of the day it will be one slip of the tongue that will be the lead quote in every news, information and especially mis-information pipeline. The politicians on the panel will do everything they can to goad them into a verbal faux pas.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking sides in this issue, just commenting on what happens when things get lost in translation, when an innocent remark becomes the sound byte heard 'round the world.

It's unlikely your company or organization will ever find yourself in the position that BP is. This is a catastrophe of huge proportions. A disaster that keeps on giving.

But bad things happen to good people. It's important to have a crisis plan in place and identify people on your team who are best equipped to speak about it. Or the right partner to do so on your behalf. Your crisis plan should also be reviewed on a regular basis, not stuffed in a drawer.

Perception is indeed reality. The key is making that perception positive.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We get the conversation started about you"

* Disclaimer: I own Berkshire-Hathaway and Echostar Stock. I'm also a DISH Network Customer.