Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Like They Said

First there was "Rock the Vote." Then, well...I don't remember.

But, I can't recall a PSA more compelling than BET's "Vote" spot.

Dead on...and less than 600 YouTube views since February?

Sigh.

Dick Clark

Yeah...I saw him naked.

But, it's not what you think.

I had the unbelievable opportunity to interview one of the most influential men in the history of American pop culture. I was a junior in college (1975)...and Dick Clark was an alumni of my national fraternity. Through a freak conversation with a National Rep at one of our infamous lounge parties, I found myself jetting to NYC to interview one of my idols.

I was a DJ at the campus radio station and I dreamed of a career in radio. The Rep thought it was a perfect match for the national fraternity magazine. And, I found myself at the ABC Building watching Dick host "$10,000 Pyramid."

They did all 5 shows for each week in one day to maximize the guest stars that appeared each week (I coudn't tell you the male, but Adrienne Barbeau was the female guest that day...and the crew kept fighting with her over how much cleavage she was showing).

Between taping the Tuesday and Wednesday shows, the cast and crew broke for lunch. Dick motioned to me to follow him and we we whisked up to his penthouse apartment where the interview would take place.

He smiled and said, "we don't have much time and I'm going to take a shower and change clothes for the last three shows...do you mind if we start the interview while I clean up?"

And, what was I to say? Of course...it was a much more innocent time. I never gave it another thought. And the interview began as he stripped down and jumped in the shower.

He was the most genuine individual I ever interviewed in my 15 years in the media. And, I interviewed a lot of famous people. Dick was warm, caring, helpful, insightful, compassionate...he was exactly the man that my generation invited into their homes every afternoon...then every morning...and then, every New Year's Eve.

RIP, Dick Clark. While boomers mourn your passing, we so celebrate your life. And, to our Xer and Millennial comrades...the media you enjoy today is thanks to Dick. For, without him, none of this would have happened. At least not how it did.

Hell yeah.

Nailed it Again

Readers of this blog know of our affection and respect for Brad Dean, one of the brightest, most driven Destination Marketing CEOs in the country, if not the world.

In the past four years, he has led the effort to quintuple his budget, donated a kidney to a complete stranger and secured, not one but, three National Presidential Debates for Myrtle Beach SC. The most recent was last night...and, as per usual, it was a huge win for a destination that has seen record successes in the past few years under Brad's leadership.

And, while a lot of rooms were sold to candidate entourages, media from around the world and hopeful attendees during an off-season month that can always use a shot in the arm, the real success came from the visuals during the broadcast and the consistent line, "Live from beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina."

And, of course, making the New York Times, Fox News and countless other sources with pictures of a massive, 525 ton Mount Rushmore-esque sand sculpture of the Republican field?

Priceless.

Brad and his stellar team rocked it again. Congratulations, my friends.

A Holiday Flash Mob

With TV shows like Howie Mandel's Mobbed, the Flash Mob is very close to jumping the shark. But, this one, filmed at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Business is pretty damn cool.

Even cooler? My 80-something Dad sent me the link :)

SNF vs. MNF

Monday Night Football is an icon in American Media. Sunday Night Football is a knock-off.

Except when it comes to hotel demand.

A new study by Sports Business Digest suggests that hotel occupancy is significantly higher for SNF games than MNF events...even when discounting the effects of business travel on Monday nights in host cities.

While Sunday is clearly a more desirable night for leisure travelers than Monday...there is something more at work here, according to the researchers. And, I can't wait to hear their analysis.

Is This Why We Lost Max?

Max Headroom was the bomb. He didn't last long. I never understood why.

Until I stumbled upon this spot in which he endorsed New Coke.

'Nuff said.

Bad career move, dude.

Fear Makes You Stupid

I laughed my ass off when I saw this readerboard the other day.

Really? You think FIVE DOLLARS is an incentive for me to drop my Netflix subscription? That will get me, what...2 videos? And, that's going to motivate me to drop my $7.99 monthly fee with which I can watch unlimited streaming videos and TV episodes each month?

Unlimited...as in 30 videos a month if I watch one a day?

Really?

Knowing your business model is hemorrhaging is hard. But offering $5 to switch is more than stupid...it's insulting.

Breathtaking

While Fridays are reserved for the cool music find on this blog, this video is so much more than music.

From the Australian version of the "X Factor," meet Emmanual Kelly. Born in Iraq, now an Australian citizen...both his story and his voice will move you.

Thanks to my friend Bill Baker for the catch.

Bill Geist to Receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

And I couldn't be more excited. Not that I ever dreamed I'd have my own Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I mean, sure, I was in a couple High School and Community Theatre plays, spent ten years in radio and another ten years in TV. But, to get a Hollywood Star with my name on it?

Thank goodness there's another guy out there named Bill Geist that did all the heavy lifting. And, as you might have guessed...it's really his Star.

But, it still has my name on it.

The ceremony is tomorrow at 11:30 in front of the El Capitan Theatre. If you go, please say "hi" and offer my congratulations to him.

Breaking Through the Clutter

As backhanded compliments go, this one is pretty snarky. But parts of it are also painfully true.

Over the weekend, the Star-Tribune's James Lileks gave kudos to Explore Minnesota Tourism for its innovative new TV campaign...while bashing last year's effort, making fun of tourism ads in general and making up new State slogans.

And here's the line that hurts...because it is so true: "Doesn't matter what the state is, they're all (the TV ads) the same: Sweeping music, Golden Nature Shot, a couple in a hip, urban restaurant laughing over a hip, urban glass of wine, a jazz musician playing a trumpet, a roller coaster, someone fishing and something "retro" to remind you of your childhood vacations, even though your brother threw up when the car passed the sugar beet plant."

Yeah...pretty much.

Except for Michigan (oh, it has many of those visual elements...but it also has sensationaly evocative writing and Tim Allen).

And now, Minnesota.

Congratulations to John Edman and the gang at EMT. Nice job.