Jason Gramke

Where is personal responsibilty?

jasongramke — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:30:28 +0000

The struggle between Government, business and society is starting a new round. The FDA is proposing that cigarette companies dedicate 50% of their packaging real estate to grotesque images that is reminiscent of anti-abortion imagery.

My personal belief is that smoking is a harmful habit and it is dangerous to our health. But it’s legal in our country and therefore companies have the right to manufacture, fairly market and sell their product to people who make the choice to consume it. I’m a supporter of anti-smoking campaigns that are conducted by other special interest groups like “the truth” but I’m not a supporter of Government dictating companies to counter-market their own products.

Will this set a precedent to place images of morbidly obese people on cheeseburger wrappers or Kellogg’s cereal boxes? How about horrific crash scenes on beer bottles?

Will the Government allow us to market only products they like regardless to their impact to our health? Or will it nurture a community of free choice and personal responsibility?

16 Things you didn’t know about sleep.

jasongramke — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Fun info graphic. Not mine, of course. Sources and designer can be found at the bottom. Click the image to see the full version.

Via: Psychology Degree

They’ll never get that.

jasongramke — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:54:36 +0000

This week’s tweet from advertising luminary Lee Clow (@leeclowsbeard) reminded and re enforced my personal belief about people: They’re smart. Clow’s tweet simply stated: The dumbest consumer can easily outwit the smartest brand manager. Or creative director. Sigh.

I’ve decided that I’m a champion for people. I believe that the people who are all around me are smarter than the average person — which is statistically impossible but I like it. I can’t count the number of times I’ve debated with clients regarding the intelligence of their customers. Often times they are customers who are well educated and successful.

I think what Clow is saying is that the game is more difficult than it appears. We have to work hard at appealing to the consumer using honesty and simplicity. No proverbial wool is going to be pulled over the eyes of the consumer. And, “simplicity” isn’t another word for “dumb down”. As smart as we think we all are, it’s still our consumer who determines whether or not we get to stay in business. Pretty smart, if you ask me.

In search of leadership

jasongramke — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:52:05 +0000

I’m in favor of strong leadership for our country. Leadership has nothing to do with politics or policies, it has everything to do with strength and character. Unfortunately our President didn’t display either of those things in a public speech this weekend when he swerved off his prepared remarks to manipulate his audience with a poor metaphor. Self pity has no place in the life of the most powerful man on the planet. I would vote that he keeps his personal feelings and frustrations to himself and focus on the task at hand — helping our country out of a bad swing so we can be a strong contributor in the global economy.

Some powerful interests who had been dominating the agenda in Washington for a very long time and they’re not always happy with me. They talk about me like a dog. That’s not in my prepared remarks, but it’s true.

Can you count to ten on your fingers?

jasongramke — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:20:10 +0000

My first job was at construction company. A drywall company more specifically. I was a youngster so I didn’t really do any “constructing”. I was on the clean-up detail, which consisted of driving an old wheat truck with a hydraulic bed to all the job sites to clean up all the crap the real construction workers made. My tools consisted of a large steal coal shovel, a ragged push-broom and the aforementioned wheat truck.

On my first day, I met my partner. He was considerably older than I was at the time (I was 15). I immediately noticed that he had lost an index finger. And he looked at me like I was going to be his comic relief once we left civilization, which is what I called the office. You know, where all the ten-fingered people worked. We jumped in the wheat truck and started bouncing to our first job site. We hadn’t even driven two blocks when Billy Nines starts rummaging through his lunch sack. Figured he had a danish or bagel or something he wanted to gnaw on during our short ride. But instead, he pulled out his mood stabilizer which was a loosely-wrapped baggy of herb. He already had a jay good to go so he pulled it out, and surprisingly, was OK with sharing. It was my first day, so I respectfully declined. But, of course, I acted like I was a burner like him, even though I hadn’t been that close to a bag in my life. I told him, “Nah, I just had breakfast.” He laughed at me and fired it up.

We hauled a bunch of crap before lunch. It was hot. I mean, hot. We jumped into the truck and started off for some place for me to eat my lunch and Billy Nines to finish his bag. We ended up in the parking lot of a neighborhood liquor store. Billy Nines got himself a 40. And in keeping fashion with his generosity, asked me if I wanted anything while he was in there. Geez! I’m already like Brian Johnson when Bender stuffed his wad down his pants in the hallway. Straight-laced, man. So, I ate my “PB&J with the crust cut off” and watched him guzzle 120 oz. of Budweiser and burn the rest of his bud left in his bag.

At the end of the day, we weaved and bounced our way back to civilization. Billy Nines didn’t spend much time in the yard. He fell out of the truck and stumbled into his 1974 Monte. Day one—down.

Cold Fingers

jasongramke — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:45:53 +0000

Sunday morning was crisp and clear. I got to run with my four year old son, Luke. He rode his bike on the sidewalk while I ran out in the street. That way he wouldn’t run over me and cause me to break something, like my pelvis. He did pretty well, we talked a little and slowed down at intersections so he could make it through traffic. When we were finished and in the house drinking hot stuff, I asked him how he liked it. He said, “Good, Dad. But my fingers got cold”. It’s time for riding gloves.

Monday 2km
Time: 12:44
Pace: 6:32 km

Tuesday: 2.39 km
Time: 12:19
Pace: 6:12 km

Wednesday: Recover

Thursday 2KM
Time: 11:59
Pace: 6:01

Friday Golf

Saturday Sleep

Sunday 2km
Time: 13:12
Pace: 6:24

Monday 2km
Time: 12:05
Pace: 6:09

Ow.

jasongramke — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:32:05 +0000

Saturday. Ouch. I’ve gotten four runs in with one recovery day. After meeting for breakfast with a childhood buddy, I grabbed Jake and roped up the dogs and took off. I mapped a new course last night that is a little bit longer and takes me through a different area of the neighborhood. I thought it would be nice scenery to run by the lake that is part of the neighborhood.

This morning was the first time I ran while I could see the sun. And when the sun comes out, so does everything else. 10 things I learned this morning:

1. Lakes attract geese and ducks.
2. My dogs go crazy when they see geese and ducks.
3. It’s difficult to keep pace when you’re tied to an animal that is chasing a goose or a duck.
4. Running later in the morning means most everyone is awake.
5. People with pets let them out in the morning when they wake up.
6. My dogs are very social and love to roll around with other dogs.
7. It’s difficult to keep pace when you’re tied to an animal that is more interested in rolling around with another dog rather than running next to its companion.
8. Fingers and ears get very cold in temperatures under 40° F.
9. It’s fun running with Jake
10. Even with proper warm up and cool down, I hurt.

Friday 1.91km
Time: 12:32
Pace: 6:33 km

Saturday: 2.39 km
Time: 16:42
Pace: 6:58 km

I turned 41 on October 14.

jasongramke — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:44:32 +0000

I grew up during a time when we played every sport. Baseball, basketball, football, soccer and track. We did everything. I spent a little more time playing soccer and reached a pretty fast and competitive level into adulthood. During that time, I’d never imagined that I’d feel the way I do at 41. I always thought I’d be an athlete looking for the next competition. For me, those dreams took a back seat so we could spend a little more time helping our kids realize their dreams, whether on the field, court or music hall. Now, I’m unsatisfied with my fitness. I’m several pounds over my ideal weight and my aerobic fitness is poor. This week I began doing something about it. I leashed up my dogs and plotted a 2 kilometer course in my neighborhood and took off.

Since my dogs love me regardless of how fit I am, I need an accountability partner. So, both of you will be my partner as I chronicle my fitness journey.

I’ve run twice this week and today, Wednesday, is my recovery day. I need it!

Tuesday: 2 km
Time: 13:49
Pace: 6:55 km

Wednesday: 2 km
Time: 12:56
Pace: 6:31 km

Thursday: Slept an extra :30!

Ads I wish I’d Done 6

jasongramke — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:27:02 +0000

My posts titled “Ads I wish I’d done” are ads that I think are really good and are just that, I wish I’d done them. I’m breaking the rule by placing this ad in that category. I don’t wish I made this ad, however, it’s a very good ad. I guess it’s an ad that I wish nobody had made, even though it’s one that needed to be done. I’ve had a front row seat to this addiction and it’s very unattractive, just as the ad depicts. It’s simultaneously 15 years late and right on time.

Advertising Agency: Publicis & Hal Riney, San Francisco
Client: Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Office of National Drug Control Policy

Ethanol. It’s good.

jasongramke — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:50:00 +0000

What if the world worked in perfect balance? ICM believes it can. With a strong market share in the U.S., ICM tirelessly self-improves to uphold its brand promise. It’s an ambitious task, but by offering customers the customized tools and services they need, it can be done. Jajo matched this vision with an innovative print ad campaign – revealing ICM’s pledge to create stability and harmony in its industry. The awareness campaign supports ICM’s reputation as an industry steward, and it’s dedication to transform ideality to reality.

Creative Director: Jason Gramke
Art Director/Illustrator: Dave Hahn
Copywriter: Jason Fortune
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In a perfect world, we’d make energy without making pollution, fill gas tanks without emptying wallets, and feed the hungry without feeding landfills. Together we can make our world a better place. Join us.

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Wouldn’t it be nice to work with a company that provides a solution before there’s a problem? A company that makes your priorities its priorities? A company whose innovations benefit not just our industry, but our world? At ICM, we are working to make this a reality.