The Big Tent

Welcome to 2000Shine

Time for Optimism, Action After a 2008 That Wasn't Always So Great

Posted by Karl Carter on 01.14.09 @ 10:59 AM

Karl Carter

I hope this blog finds you in good spirits; it's been a minute since last we spoke. A lot happened in '08, from massive economic crisis to the history-making moment of Barack Obama's election. I can't say I was a huge fan of 2008; it was way too temperamental. It giveth and it taketh away.

AdColor Awards Unlike Most Other Award Shows

Second Year Draws 400 to Boca Raton

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 11.18.08 @ 12:52 PM

There are a few things the seasoned attendee of ad awards shows notices about the AdColor Awards.

One: The dress code was "sexy black tie" (as I was told by Tiffany R. Warren). I hate wearing ties, but I must say the award show looked like an actual event rather than the large-scale game of "Hipster or Homeless" that usually results when industry creatives and their account execs gather in the same room.

Two: This was the first ad awards show I've ever attended that was started off with a prayer. And I'm not talking moment of silence favored by big-city types made nervous by displays of faith. I'm talking an actual prayer that mentioned God and everything.

Three: Oh yeah, it's an ad industry awards show in which the majority of the 400 gathered were African American. I don't have an actual count, but I'd wager that the second biggest group was Hispanic. Considering the snow-white fields of advertising -- especially at the other award shows -- it was a refreshing change of pace.

You Might Be Racist When ...

Wheaton Wrong About Subway Ad

Posted by Karl Carter on 10.31.08 @ 10:45 AM

As we close in on one of the most historic presidential races of all time, we are constantly reminded that racism is very much alive and kicking in America. I'm not sure if it's the death roll of a system in decline or simply an era where everyone is going for broke. But one thing is clear, the gloves are off. The political tactic has clearly become one of fear-mongering and tapping into the racist undercurrent that runs strong here. Will this actually work? That remains to be seen. I've been listening and gathering thoughts over this last month.

'It's About You'

When Building a Brand, Don't Overlook What You Bring to the Table

Produced by Karl Carter on 08.29.08 @ 12:03 PM

Karl Carter

"It's not about me. It's about you." The most important words Barack Obama said during last night's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. Seeing so many brown faces at Invesco Field and hearing Mr. Obama's words made me think of the future, where children will grow up and never know the limitations of previous generations of color. For them, a black president will be as natural as video-chatting with friends and family around the world.

Fear of a Black Planet?

There Are Two Americas

Posted by Karl Carter on 07.15.08 @ 11:16 AM

Fear of a Black planet isn't just the title of one of Public Enemy's greatest albums, but also the reality gripping America.

Every so often, just when you think the world is changing, something brings you back to reality. Maybe it's the lack of participation in the recent human rights commission meeting by most of the major agencies. Maybe it's the feeling you get when you think of the first black president and then you see this racist New Yorker cover. Then you remember that you are in America. Nothing in America has come easy for people of color. Why do we think that the business world would be any different?

Trying to Make Green the New Black

Bringing Environmental Activism to a New Audience

Posted by Karl Carter on 05.09.08 @ 01:42 PM

Karl Carter

Sometimes you have to live a little life to give voice to the journey. I've been gone a while, going through life's adventures -- some professional, some personal, some good, some hard. All in all its been a mixed bag but never dull. An experience I had in Memphis at the Dream Reborn conference really inspired me to write about people of color's role in the emerging green movement.

Urban Is the New Mainstream

Thoughts on Hipster-Hop and Black Creativity

Posted by Karl Carter on 02.29.08 @ 01:30 PM

Karl Carter

I hope absence makes the heart grow fonder. It's been a while, but I've been trying to make a point of only writing when I something relevant to say. It's 2008 and besides being an election year, this will mark the year that the question of whether urban has gone mainstream will finally be answered. After all, how foreign can our culture be, when America could elect the first black president? Let's not miss the cultural and business impact of that move when it happens.

How to Be Great in 2008

Some Examples ... and Some Guidelines

Posted by Karl Carter on 01.14.08 @ 12:00 PM

Karl Carter

First, let me say Happy New Year! Before the wild partying becomes a distant memory, I wanted to make sure and do some predictions. I also apologize for not posting more, but business comes before blogging (as nutty as that sounds). I'll try to post more in '08.

We Control Our Multicultural Destiny

Some Reflection on the AdColor Awards

Posted by Karl Carter on 11.27.07 @ 11:09 AM

Karl Carter

You have no idea what it takes to blog on a stomach full of turkey. But, I wanted to reach out and talk for a minute about being thankful. Even though we spend a lot of energy pointing out what could be better in this industry (and others), the truth is, I'm sure that the pioneers in marketing and advertising would look at what we're going through as nothing compared with the struggles they faced.

We Have to Lead the Dance

We Can't Just Sit Back and Wait to Be Asked

Posted by Karl Carter on 11.02.07 @ 06:08 PM

Karl Carter

Who says we aren't a marketing force to be reckoned with and catered to?