Almost Famous Person of The Year

So yesterday I thought I was going to an Ad Club lunch to watch Roy present our popular TFCU Buck The Norm campaign.  And instead, I found out it was all an elaborate scheme.  That I was actually being presented the OKC Ad Club 2009 Advertising Person of the Year award. Whatcha-what? 

This picture is me back at the office afterwards, trying to be humble and humorously anonymous (while still showing off). What's funny is that someone who doesn't have a problem showing off, art director Kathleen, is snapping the pic and simultaneously making model-eyes at the camera, which you can see if you take a second look at the reflection in the plaque.

Anyway, back to me.  That's our CEO and founder, Roy presenting me the award.  Okay, mock presenting me the award.  We had to recreate it on the stage after the luncheon, because everyone was having so much fun at my flabbergasted expense at the "trickery" they played on me.  That, and Roy, who is such a heartfelt and inspiring speaker gave the best speech ever, so everyone was too focused and dramatically hushed to do anything else.  

Afterwards, I had attendees coming up and saying "wow, he doesn't like you at all does he?" (but sarcastically, of course).  Or coming up and saying "I almost cried," or "you sure are lucky to have such a great boss" (not sarcastically those times).  And, yes, I am.

I also have really fantastic coworkers and friends.  Back at the office that afternoon the champagne cork was popped and the embarrassingly nice and funny and poignant comments started flowing.  They were all captured in this neat little flipbook with everyone's pictures and and respective quote about me.  This was one of the funniest remarks (especially since I love this movie scene):

"You know that scene in 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' where the bad guy has a villager all chained up and he reaches in and pulls out the dude's still-beating heart and holds it in his hand?  That's what Tara does when I need her help.  My random, shapeless concepts are the metaphorical shirtless chest of the hapless villager and Tara's laser-accurate, strategic, creative brain is the metaphorical magic, still-beating-heart-removing hand of the bad guy."

- Brian

The cover of the book is appropriately titled to go with a hardcore comment like that one – but there were also other simply sincere and memorable words from people who don't always have a chance to say them, since I'm usually walking really fast through the office, or scowling at my computer screen, or talking too fast for anyone to get a word in otherwise.

So thank you Karla, Holly, Mickie, Jentry, Kriste, Brian, Kathleen, Liz, Brett, Phillip, Daniel, Lynn, Pam, Caroline, Kande, Felina, Hallie, Amanda, Jamie and Misty.

Roy, I don't mention you again, because it would be ridiculously redundant.  I thank you for Third Degree's existence, which is such a big part of what defines mine.

Congrats Beyond a Cookie Bouquet

So, have you ever sent a basket full of sugar cookie teddy bears with sticks up their bottoms to let someone know you're happy for them?  Guilty. But when Mary Olson, VP of marketing at Delta Community Credit Union, was awarded the Hall Of Fame recognition from the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council earlier this month, we thought we'd send her something just a little less edible and a little more indelible.

On Mary's bio for this prestigious credit union marketing achievement it said her secret life ambition was to sing in a cabaret.  We think we know Mary pretty, well too, (I have  been known to geek out with her about our favorite Broadway musicals) so we had some fun creating this caricature of her.

"Here's to 30 years of belting it out for credit unions.  The night is young Mary.  And we think you can do just about anything you set your mind to.  So keep reaching for the stars – but know you are already a shining example to all those around you."

We actually started creating these neat little tributes when our executive vice president here at Third Degree, Mickie, was recognized as one of the Journal Record's Achievers 40 under 40.  We had to create an ad to congratulate her in their program, so we had some fun showing her on the go in some Jackie O meets Ann Taylor inspired plaid coat.  Oh so Mickie.

"She serves it up every day with an energy and passion that has clients coming back for more... and that's just before breakfast."

This is Amanda's, who received the same Achievers 40 under 40 recognition a few years later, and has her ad framed behind her desk.   Who else would have that sassy pose and that wild hair?

"Worked with Amanda Spencer? Then you've been served."

Mary called me from Delta Community yesterday having gotten her shelf-ready framed copy from us in the mail.  She was so excited about it, and said she is just going to treasure it.  So that's really cool!  Take that sugar cookie bears!  Although, granted, one of those little suckers could probably last on a shelf for years, but it would still probably be just as hard to bite into as the first day you got it.  Can you tell I have cookie bouquet issues?