This is the beginning...

This is the beginning. I'm taking the plunge. So please bear with me as I figure out exactly what I want to say and how I want to say it. The blogosphere can be a big scary space for a newbie but I don’t plan on being one for long.

As I'm writing this, friends of mine are headed out to Talladega Super Speedway for the NASCAR race. Not me. I'm sitting here at the airport waiting for the flight back to PA. I was at the track yesterday. When Will Ferrell said "Gentlemen, start your engines," Mother Nature took that as a signal to turn on the faucet. They did two laps behind the pace car, then parked 'em, covered 'em and in the end the race was postponed until today. Bummer.

NASCAR races are an interesting event. There are the diehard fans decked out in full regalia. There are the corporate types in their matching logo golf shirts. There are families. There are groups of guys moving in packs with their six packs. Then there are people like me who follow the sport but aren't fanatics. Yes I have a favorite driver but I really attend races for the fun of being with friends and the spectator sport of watching other NASCAR fans. Unless you've been to a race you won't understand what I mean.

It's all perception. What do you think of when you hear the word NASCAR? Bubbas, Budweiser, bump drafting, feuds, tits and tires? Okay, true. Million dollar sponsorships, huge TV deals, merchandising and corporate entertainment. Also true. The fascinating thing to me is how NASCAR has protected its heritage and still found a way to embrace the corporate investment it needs to keep the sport growing. NASCAR fans are loyal to a fault and advertisers know it. (I'll admit it is a little odd to have seen cars with the logos of Cheerios, Jim Beam, M&M’s and Viagra all racing at the same.) There's even a guy who job it is to make sure the right beverage is sitting on top of the car and the right hat is on the driver's head when all those photographs are taken in the winner's circle. (nascar.com)

By the way, NASCAR isn't just the good ole boys anymore. Women make up a growing number in the fan ranks. I can prove this by observation. NASCAR races are the only event I've ever been to where there is always a line for the men's room and never one for the ladies' room, but now that is starting to change too.

Perception. It makes the world go 'round. It's why we pay more for stuff. It's why we do stuff. At least that's the prevailing thought. I would argue that the opposite is true. It is the breaking of perceptions that really makes the difference. Or, better said, creating new ones.

Nothing fascinates me more than listening to two people talk about the same product, company or event and wondering if they are talking about the same thing. Tons of money and time are spent by organizations in an attempt to "drive the message home" about their product. But it still gets filtered by perception.

Who are we kidding? With so many filters, is it even possible to have a unified message to drive home at all? And since this is what I do for a living, do I need to constantly be worried my ideas aren't coming out right? Not really. The challenge of it is why I love what I do.

What forms our filters? Are there really generational differences – or is that just a perception? Is technology and innovation that much more prevalent or do we just think it is? Where is the next trend (spingwise.com) coming from? Why?

I truly believe some people become overwhelmed, purposely put up filters and stop listening. Others let it all in to the point where it's just noise and they can't hear. I'm somewhere in between. I have enough experience to recognize when something new is really new and enough intellectual curiosity to ask what it means. Of course I'm well aware that my background, education, location, etc. all play a role in that activity. My awareness is my edge. Yes, there is an overwhelming amount of information out there but I refuse to put up filters – instead I ascribe to the "open door" philosophy of life (a topic for another day). To me, there is never just one facet to an issue. It means I get incredibly frustrated with people who aren't open to exploring options.

I also get frustrated with people who jump from one idea to the next, or become ardent defenders of the latest book on marketing theory, or those who dismiss an idea they deem old news. I believe this only leads to inaction – no matter how busy they think they are.

I guess this all leads back to why I'm doing this blog. If I'm to be perceived as tech savvy, marketing smart and ahead of the curve in clients' eyes I need to do this. But I'm finding that I'm fascinated with the process and hope to get conversations started. I'm willing to learn so send me your suggestions, criticisms, thoughts catherine@cdscreative.com.


On to the next!
Catherine