Blog

What is an ECD?

Have you ever wondered what it is that I do as an Executive Creative Director? I discuss my role and responsibilities. I also share the mystery around my black T-shirts.

Free Year in NYC

Million Dollar Listing realtor Ryan Serhant gave away a free year in NYC recently. He had a call to entry earlier in the year, which I did enter, 28k+ people sent entries and he recently announced the winner.

What I found interesting and I take it as a lesson, is that they chose someone who had a game plan, who is already doing incredible things, who made a real effort.

Much respect to Ryan for this generous give away and best of luck to Sam. Enjoy your free year in NYC!

IGTV is failing

I noticed this week that the IGTV button is gone from the apps home screen and when you upload a new video, it prompts you to upload to IGTV.

If TikTok is anything to go by, it’s clear that there is a demand for video, but in what format. Seems people’s ability to consume long-form video has diminished. But then what’s happening with YouTube?

I’m not equipped to give answers, possibly just a theory on what I think is happening.

I believe that short-form video content is something people prefer to consume on their mobile devices. Quick, fast and effortlessly, if not mindless consumption. While content viewed on YouTube is sought out.

If YouTube content is sought after, then why would IGTV fail? My theory is that you watch it on your phone and people don’t generally have the same attention span on the smaller device. I don’t think people are watching longer YouTube videos on their mobile devices either.

I was considering ditching YouTube at the end of last year, but given the poor uptake of the IGTV app, monetization etc, it’s not looking like IGTV is the right solution, even though more video is being consumed over mobile every day.

My new strategy will be to make short-form video content for mobile and long-form content for YouTube where someday I will be able to monetize my channel and hopefully earn an income sharing my wisdom.

Be sure to check out my YouTube channel and Instagram.

Binge Watching Casey Neistat

Casey Neistat

I needed a good binge watch and I was tired of the old series, so I started watching Casey Neistats vlogs again and it’s incredible that while they represented a day in his life, they tell such a timeless story and offer both entertainment and great words of wisdom. I actually never thought I’d enjoy watching youtube videos again, but I’m thoroughly enjoying his daily vlogs.

I’ve started vlogging

I’ve started a YouTube channel and have been making these little videos. I guess they’re vlogs. I’m learning as I go. I’ve really made a lot of mistakes, but it’s a lot of fun and challenging me. I needed a new project, something out of my comfort zone and creating content in this way seemed right. I have built enough portfolio sites, my first portfolio was done back in 2000 and I’d written my first blog post by 2004, which I’m also tired of doing. Social networks mostly bore me, so becoming a YouTuber seems like a thing to do, well I guess try.

The hardest part for me is capturing footage to tell my story. I’m not one for sticking to a script, so I’d likely not do very well thought out posts and have the level of storytelling like Casey Neistat, the cinematography of Peter McKinnon and I certainly don’t have the adventures of Fun for Louis. Still, I’m much more of a creative thinker, a design leader and I’m me, which if I look back on my time on this planet, I’ve always managed to attract an interesting bunch of people around me. So let us see where this goes.

I’ll likely not blog often, if at all, but I have no intention of pulling this site down anytime soon. However your support is most welcome and I’d appreciate it if you would subscribe, like, share and leave a comment.

My YouTube Channel

Stay cool!