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If you've never seen a tilt shift image it's a photographic technique that make an image (best if you use a wide-angle landscape) feel like a small toy train-like toy scene - AKA: "Miniture faking". This is done by progressively blurring out most of the image but a selected location that is in pure focus.
Here are some beautiful examples:
But this post was really inspired by the following video where the tilt-shift technique was combined with a time-lapse constuction video.
Stunning.
Position Title:
Public Relations Manager with Channel Intelligence
Define your business role:
The position description probably has a bunch of HR jargon about “re-conceptualizing synergistic distributed relationships,” but it really boils down to external communications with the media, potential and existing customers, and the financial community.
What do you see as your responsibilities to your clients?
I’m focused on serving internal clients as opposed to our company’s paying customers. My clients are the product managers and sales reps who are out there selling our e-commerce solutions to manufacturers and retailers. The most important thing I can do to move Channel Intelligence forward is spread the word about how we help customers sell more stuff online. For the rest of this year and going into 2011, my primary focus is on telling the success stories of our existing customers.
You recently started a blog did you not? What have you learned blogging so far?
Who told you that? I thought everything I wrote was private!
What continually surprises me is there are a handful of people in the world who actually have an interest in what I write. I regularly hear from people who tell me they like my writing style … they like the way I tell a story. I squirm a little bit at saying that out loud, but it’s nice to hear those comments. A former co-worker commented on a recent post and said it was like sitting down to talk with an old friend. Dude -- that about made me cry. Of course I didn’t ACTUALLY cry, because I’m way too manly for that.
I guess what I’ve learned is that even when I think no one else will give a damn about what I’m writing – I’m probably wrong.
Talk to me about marketing and building a brand around a technology company?
First of all, I think you can remove the word “technology” from that question. I feel like sometimes we all get too carried away with the “gee-whiz” aspect of working for a technology company. The fact is that the basics haven’t changed in the past 20 years. You still need a good product that solves a problem for your customers. Then you build from there. Sure, we work with data instead of widgets on an assembly line. But just like a traditional manufacturing company, we need to deliver our product on time, on budget and with minimal defects. Then we need to communicate that story to the outside world.
It’s a little different for a B-to-B company, because we won’t get a lot of attention from mass media outlets. Our message is targeted at a niche audience, so we’re trying to reach and influence the industry publications and bloggers within that space.
If you had a chunk of cash to sink into a new technology what would it be?
A machine that would hook up to your home television and record TV shows when you aren’t there to watch them. I know, I know, you think I’m on crack because we’ve all had VCRs for years. No, sir. I’m talking about a TAPELESS machine that not only records shows, but allows you to pause and rewind the shows you’re watching in real-time. Trust me – this will revolutionize the way people consume television.
You’ve been involved in a VC .com startup. What has that experience taught you?
I’m fortunate because I’ve had a good VC experience at Channel Intelligence. Our CEO, Rob Wight, has always said that when it comes to investors, you should pick your parents wisely. Your investors need to share your vision, trust you, and give you the space you need to execute your plan. I’ve seen him do that, and it’s been a good lesson. I also learned that frugality is a good thing when you’re spending other people’s money. During the DotCom boom and bust, when start-ups were burning cash on $600 chairs, fancy offices and forgettable TV spots, we were operating lean and working on a business plan.
What are you most proud of in your career?
That I’ve had the opportunity to work with the man, the myth, and the legend … Mr. Justice Mitchell …at not one but TWO companies. And that once, in a land far away, I managed to expense a very expensive phone call you and I made from 37,000 feet to a colleague back in Orlando. A seatback phone, a platinum Visa card and a flying bar – what a dangerous combination.
Beyond that, I’m proud of the annual benefit concerts I organized in the late ‘90s to raise money for The Orlando Sentinel Holiday Fund. Back then it was called Sentinel Santa. I was covering the Orlando music scene at the time for Digital City Orlando, and every year my musician friends would come out and play a show to raise money for the kids. It was always a pretty big effort and required a lot of organization, but it was incredibly satisfying.
I still have a recording of Rob Thomas and Steve Burry singing a duet together at one of those things, and I’m willing to give Rob the master if he’ll come back and do another benefit.
If you weren’t here, you'd be doing?
If I had the chops, I would be a musician. But I suck.
For a long time I had the idea of doing a Web-based series of audio and video features on interesting everyday people.
I would love that! When do we start?
Then one day I heard “This American Life” on NPR and realized Ira Glass was already doing it. I’d still like to do something in that vein, particularly with old people, who have so many amazing stories and experiences to share.
And no joke – I would love to combine that kind of work with running a little farm or orchard. I dig the rural life. But it would be helpful if the rural area has a place with a nice microbrew selection, a great pizza joint, and somewhere I can get a good Cuban sandwich.
And by "little farm" and pizza you mean growing weed in your garage. I gotcha ;)
When do we get flying cars and food pellets?
I’m tired of waiting so I’ve decided to go retro: A burro and salt pork.
Create a new superpower for yourself:
I am SlickMan. I have a huge ‘50s-style pompadour that I dip in the ocean to soak up oil spills.
Bio and Social Media Links you wish people to connect to at:
Website Address: www.channelintelligence.com
Blog Address: www.talkstoomuch.com
Twitter: JTspeaks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JohnTerry
Linkedin Account: http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmterry
Email Information: john@talkstoomuch.com
Thank you for your time and consideration.
App additions from previous post are:
"Blogs & Magazines" now has the addition of:
App: TED
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: TED is a video bank of speakers from various leaders and in their respective fields.
Cost: Free
Comments: This is wonderful resource is filled with equally wonderful minds, talking on topics from social media, technology to sculpture.
The contents of my "Design Folder" is as follows:
App: What The Font
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This tool allows you to select a unknown fonts from graphics and it will reference it and suggest possible matches.
Cost: Free
Comments: This is a great tool, especially for trying to figure out specialty fonts.
App: Color Expert
Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This versatile tool allows you to make endless color combinations, shoot a photo and isolated a color to the pixel as well as other functions.
Cost: $9.99
Comments: This is totally worth the $10 bucks. I love this app.
App: Alltop - Design
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This is a feeds aggregator for the AllTop.com website specializing in posts about design
Cost: Free
Comments: Solid feed app with very topical information from a diverse array of content providers.
App: Font Combinations
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great little tool that shows various font combinations in basic layouts.
Cost: $1.99
Comments: Starting in design or just need a shot of creative inspiration, this is a good app to have.
App: Vectips
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A decent resource for all things vector graphics related.
Cost: Free
Comments: While I draw from it often I do like to check out Vectips content to stay current and updated.
App: World Grafic Design
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This is a portfolio site that allows you to review a myriad of world-class designers.
Cost: Free
Comments: Good tool for quick reference, inspiration and freelance talent.
App: Typo Junkies
Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great font resource for education, trends and entertainment.
Cost: Free
Comments: Be sure to check out the media resource, great video content for all you font lovers.
App: Workbook
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: Another portfolio site but it also expands to photographers and illustrators as well as other talent.
Cost: Free
Comments: Good tool for quick reference, inspiration and freelance talent.
Who doesn't need a "Shopping & Lifestyle" folder in their iPhone?
App: SnapTell
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This amazing little app allows you to shoot a photo of a product, it then searches the internet for cost comparisons based on the products image.
Cost: Free
Comments: I find this a great tool for videos, books and games. Be sure to shoot the box cover, just shooting a photo of the product will probably render no results.
App: Starbucks Mobile Card
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This app provide a barcode to your online credit account and allows for product purchase.
Cost: Free
Comments: Most Starbucks that are not located in Target stores however do not have the proper scanning devices to make it work. I'm sure this will be resolved over time.
App: Walgreens
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great app for those of us on more meds' than Christmas.
Cost: Free
Comments: Punch in your script' number, select your Walgreens and wah-lah! Done.
App: Target
Rating: ✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: It's Target's products in an app.
Cost: Free
Comments: Not rocket science.
App: Craigslist
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: This is the free [actual] Craigslist app.
Cost: Free
Comments: This app is about as no-frills as the actual Craigslist.
App: CraigsPro+
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A more robust Craigslist app that allows for alerts and additional functionality.
Cost: $.99
Comments: A must have for Craig-junkies.
App: eBay
Rating: ✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: Ebay's website in a non-handy app-like version.
Cost: Free
Comments: It is what it is.
App: Amazon.com
Rating: ✩✩✩✩ (out of 5)
What is it?: A great application representing the endless hole that is one of the web's oldest.
Cost: Free
Comments: A must have if your going to shop with your phone.
So I'm down visiting my parent agency as I do once or more a month, staying at my Hyatt Place that I love, squirreling away my rewards points like a bored chipmunk. As I arrive, I walk through the main lobby and stumble upon a sea of "the quiet people." This wouldn't have been so strange but I looked up and there were kids texting on phones, parents talking in hushed tones, people on laptops and a gaggle of college kids on ipods. None of which were making a peep, it was surreal.
Now, I'm not going to prognosticate that the world is removing itself from vocal communication but it was apparent from just this little microcosm that I was surrounded by three different, seemingly unrelated demos, all of whom were consumed by their technologies to the point of saturation. I think I was most thrown by the table of teens that looked like they were at war with their phones. Flying through feverish patterns with blazingly fast blurry thumbs. Had it been thirty years ago it might have looked like a game of 'Battleship' but again that would still require speaking to one another. Even as I sit here in the lobby and write this I keep waiting for someone to say something other than the receptionist keying in wake-up calls. I think I'm going crazy. Oh well, I'm off to my room where I can be quiet.
"Fear is primal, to really scare someone, you have to tap into those primal instincts that are hard coded into our psyche. It reminds us that we aren't in control of ourselves as much as we think we are." ~ Mike Monello (@mikemonello) Co-Founder & Executive Creative Director @campfirenyc
Friday, September 10, 2010 at 11:36AM