Think Inside The Boxhttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/en-US2012-02-14T02:56:31ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Big fears and small corruptions: The fifth anniversary of my (attempted) flight from Egypthttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2011/1/29/big-fears-and-small-corruptions-the-fifth-anniversary-of-my.htmlJohn Armato2011-01-29T20:57:14ZEgypt Language john armato think inside the box travelTHE HISTORIC, HEROIC, AND SOMETIMES HORRIFIC EVENTS UNFOLDING IN EGYPT this week come almost exactly five years after my own harrowing (but in retrospect mostly humorous) experiences on the ground in Cairo. In fact, it was my efforts to get off the ground that seared that week into my memory.

It’s February 2006, and I’ve just spent a week in Egypt on business. After seven educational, inspirational and exhausting days of pyramids and people, tombs and temples, marketplaces and museums, resorts and river cruises in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Sharm El Sheik, I’m beyond tired and ready for a calm, relaxing and peaceful trip home. Ten hours on a plane to sleep is all I want. All I have to do is get up in time to grab a cab to the airport.

Instead …

]]>Merry Swingin' Christmas and a Hip and Happy New Yearhttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/12/11/merry-swingin-christmas-and-a-hip-and-happy-new-year.htmlJohn Armato2010-12-11T18:43:46ZMerry Christmas Misc. john armato think inside the box

I hope you’re enjoying some creative fun in the spirit of the holidays as well!

]]>What will YOU do for 12on11?http://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/12/4/what-will-you-do-for-12on11.htmlJohn Armato2010-12-04T17:42:29Z12 hours of quirky globall goodness 12on11 Creativity Tom Giovagnoli advertising guru big ideas creativity john armato think inside the box

TOM GIOVAGNOLI IS ALL ABOUT BIG. He’s a small guy (if you squint really hard he looks a little like the cartoon guy on the left), but comes from a big family, creates big ideas, and has a big heart. … When Tom sees need, humor, or quirkiness, he responds creatively. The other day he sent me a link to his latest big idea: 12on11. The concept: Dedicate the 12 hours from 11:11:11 a.m. to 11:11:11 p.m. on 11-11-11 to simple goodness. ]]>Discovered: "Brain Pickings" and the Brilliance of Paula Scherhttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/11/21/discovered-brain-pickings-and-the-brilliance-of-paula-scher.htmlJohn Armato2010-11-21T19:28:41ZBrain Pickings Combinatorial Creativity Creativity Maria Popova Paula Scher combinatorial play design john armato think inside the box typographyI’LL KEEP THIS SHORT. Thanks to a friend’s Facebook post I’ve just now stumbled on to a fantastic blog and in particular, a wonderful, kindred post. If you don’t know “Brain Pickings” just go. ]]>The 22-Minute Idea Habithttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/10/22/the-22-minute-idea-habit.htmlJohn Armato2010-10-23T03:26:15ZBrainstorm Creativity Thinking Tips and Techniques creative process exercise john armato think inside the box walkingI’M TRYING TO MOVE A LOT OF NUMBERS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. Weight down, bank account up, cholesterol down, sleep hours up, blood pressure down, age — well, I wish my age would just keep still for awhile. I live about a mile from the office and two weeks ago I somehow managed to turn my self-loathing from weight gain into a productive new habit: walking to work. So far, I’m down almost four pounds. But I’m up unexpectedly in another area: Ideas. ]]>PR at pant level: "Who knew that was PR?" gets down on hands and kneeshttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/10/5/pr-at-pant-level-who-knew-that-was-pr-gets-down-on-hands-and.htmlJohn Armato2010-10-05T15:29:18ZThe "Who Knew That Was PR?" Files day in the life of PR duct tape ed asner john armato problem solvingTHE “WHO KNEW THAT WAS PR?” FILES CONTINUE. Sometimes the oddities of a day in PR aren’t so much about the assignment as the are the personality. PR people are used to being problem solvers. In fact, that might be one of the best descriptions of our daily activities you can come up with. It’s just that you never know when you might be summoned to solve problems for people you wouldn’t expect to have an issue with, say, keeping their pants from dragging the ground.

]]>The Creative Process Illustratedhttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/8/12/the-creative-process-illustrated.htmlJohn Armato2010-08-13T03:37:09ZCreativity Thinking advertising creative process illustrated deb morrison john armato university of oregon

I’M JUST BACK FROM EUGENE, OR, where I spent Wednesday with the comms Ducks of my client, the University of Oregon. In the morning I presented a professional development session called “Anatomy of a Plan,” which deals with the fundamental vocabulary of goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics. For the bulk the day I facilitated a strategic planning session and brainstorm for the office of communications.

And in between I bonded with Deb Morrison … ]]>Brainstorm It and Rent It: "Who Knew That Was PR?" Sets Sailhttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/7/12/brainstorm-it-and-rent-it-who-knew-that-was-pr-sets-sail.htmlJohn Armato2010-07-12T20:10:37ZBrainstorm PR PR The "Who Knew That Was PR?" Files imagine john armato sail tall ship think inside the boxONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT PR is that we tend to think if we can imagine it, it exists somewhere, someone specializes in it, there’s an organization for it, or it can be made for you. Case in point for the latest installment of our “Who Knew That Was PR?” series. Someone in a brainstorm had to have said “I know! Let’s rent a Tall Ship!” ]]>Voila! "Who Knew That Was PR?" Loves a Good Milk Bathhttp://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/6/28/voila-who-knew-that-was-pr-loves-a-good-milk-bath.htmlJohn Armato2010-06-28T15:48:07ZPR PR Paris The "Who Knew That Was PR?" Files celebrities john armato milk think inside the boxCELEBRITIES ARE PART AND PARCEL OF MANY BRANCHES OF PR. It wasn’t long in my own career before I was carrying Henry Bloch’s suitcase around New York City, having dinner with Frank “Catch me if You Can” Abagnale, and pissing off Martha Stewart. ]]>"Who Knew That Was PR?" Heck, Who Knew That Was a Midge?http://www.thinkinside.biz/blog/2010/6/21/who-knew-that-was-pr-heck-who-knew-that-was-a-midge.htmlJohn Armato2010-06-21T22:16:36ZPR PR The "Who Knew That Was PR?" Files jjohn armato midge public relations think inside the boxOUR LOOK INTO A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PR CONTINUES. Installment No. 3 asks “What the heck IS a midge anyway? ]]>