Where’s Waldo?
March 22nd, 2010
I had dinner with my mentor last night, Walt Roberts, founder of Roberts Communications, one of upstate’s more successful advertising agencies. Walt’s in his 80s and has aged like a great cheddar — sharp with a satisfying, nutty flavor. He loves people, philosophy, political debate, journalism, linguistics, marketing and good thinking. Walt squinted and asked me what I am trying to accomplish with this blog. “What do you want to happen?” he asked.
I mumbled something that sounded lame and unfocused even to me. This is the most basic of marketing questions, and I — his protege and 20-year CEO of his company, the guy he handed the keys to — was making a hash of it.
After a restless night, here’s respectable clarity about this website’s mission and goals:
- For my grandkids’ sake I want to join with other citizens to force dramatic nonpartisan reform upon New York State’s governance in this new decade. To make it more responsive to the will of all the people, as well as to long term strategic planning and innovation (corporate best practices) that will improve quality of life for upstaters, downstaters, everyone…but especially for the paying customers — taxpayers.
- I want to help arouse the citizenry to obtain legislative “circuit breakers” — primarily an early constitutional convention (well before 2018) and voter initiative (the public’s right and ability to put consitutional amendments up for vote in November elections). Also to gain nonpartisan re-districting, rules reform to restore legislative integrity, and fiscal prudence.
- I want to use modern marketing strategies and communications tools (advertising, PR, web, social networking) to create passionate grassroots customers for these key changes and provide an easy avenue for their occasional energized political action. In other words, I want to help unionize and activate the common sense silent majority on a non-partisan basis and war against entrenched partisan, political Albany intransigence.
If you agree, wish me luck. And join in!
Enjoy your day.
Paul Hudson
If Walt Roberts is in than Im in too! I work for the State and I can tell you it is completely messed up!!!! If my little view of the waste is multiplied 1000s of times all across the various departments of State Gov’t we are in trouble!!!
Paul, a dear friend of mine sent me your link. I’m in advertising as well. What do you need?
Your blog has struck a cord. I’m so friggin’ sick of what’s become of my home state, much less the country, that I’m beside myself.
When asked my party affiliation, I tend to say “republican, because its the party I disagree with the least.” No PARTY can fix this, but I’m convinced responsible and passionate citizens CAN. So again I ask, “What do you need?”
Sincerely
R
Ray, THANKS! You get what we’re trying to do. We will have design needs I’m sure. Currently–what can we do to juice up our web site? By the way–where do you work?
Paul