Think Inside The Box

Big fears and small corruptions: The fifth anniversary of my (attempted) flight from Egypt

John Armato — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:57:14 +0000

THE 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 Year

John Armato — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:43:46 +0000

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

What will YOU do for 12on11?

John Armato — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:42:29 +0000

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 Scher

John Armato — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:28:41 +0000

I’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 Habit

John Armato — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 03:26:15 +0000

I’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 knees

John Armato — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:29:18 +0000

THE “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 Illustrated

John Armato — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:37:09 +0000

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 Sail

John Armato — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:10:37 +0000

ONE 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 Bath

John Armato — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:48:07 +0000

CELEBRITIES 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?

John Armato — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:16:36 +0000

OUR LOOK INTO A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PR CONTINUES. Installment No. 3 asks “What the heck IS a midge anyway?