Link to the podcast, as I can’t get their embed code to work.

Thanks for having me on Mark!

Link to the sound file, in case the embedded player above doesn’t work.

Thank you so much guys for having us on. We heard ourselves on the radio this morning. Ella is over the moon about this!

KWMU’s Spring Membership Campaign is on. St. Louis Public Radio Spring Membership Drive is on. Go here to provide support.

This is Ella upon hearing herself on the radio

Sorry the camera sometimes focuses on my mouth instead of my face. Terrible camera guy.

Drive around St. Louis, and you’ll find these Cavalia billboards EVERYWHERE. It’s horses on billboards absolutely everywhere you look. There are instances where two billboards are stacked one on top of each other, and Cavalia bought both of them (see below). They must have spent a fortune. But what are they getting for it?

I’m not a huge proponent of outdoor media, but I have to admit – they’re successfully increasing awareness and visibility for their upcoming run of shows. They have some pretty robust social media channels, but they’re not talking to St. Louisans too much yet. The show is still in Seattle, so they’re spending time on social media talking to Seattle. The billboards list their website address, but it’s very small (just Google it, right?). It’s possible they’re doing radio or TV, but I haven’t seen it. So how are they supposed to sell tickets? They’re a one-trick pony (killer pun yo) – it’s 200+ billboards all over the metro area.

And I think it’s working. My wife bought $400 in tickets for her family. I will be stuck at home babysitting, so I will miss the equine extravaganza. Funny, now I want to see what all the fuss is about.

Cavalia travels around the country, so their marketing campaign here in St. Louis is not something new or experimental for them. It’s not their first rodeo (I’ll be here all week!). The remarkable thing here is the sheer number of billboards they are using. I like doing remarkable things, because when you’re trying to increase awareness and visibility, it’s a good idea to 1.) have an awesome product, and 2.) do something to stand out. From what I understand, they have the former. And their “Shock and Awe” billboard bombing campaign is standing out to me. Job well done.

Greg Edwards’ article on Cavalia in the St. Louis Business Journal.

RATHER AWESOME POSTSCRIPT:

@RizzoTees Just read your blogpost. Glad you like the Billboards! Our White Big Top is up near the Busch Stadium: robrains.com/whats-up-with-…

— Cavalia (@Cavalia) March 9, 2012

Example from CA, courtesy of jasoninhollywood.blogspot.com

Note the first and third billboard. I'm sure they wanted the second one.

And they're online!

Playing the role of Internet DJ, here are three great blog posts worth reading.

1.) Pinterest is sweeping the nation. The two words or phrases people have used to describe their feelings towards it are “addicted to” and “obsessed with.” Inc. Magazine has a nice take on why Pinterest should matter to you. As a man, I’d be failing you if I didn’t tell you to also check out male-dominated upstarts Manteresting and Gentlemint.

2.) On November 19, 2004, the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons brawled in what is now known as “The Malice at the Palace.” Ron Artest, now inexplicably known as Metta World Peace, took the fight into the stands. It was one of the darkest days the NBA has ever seen, and Grantland.com has a thorough and brilliant oral history of what happened that day straight from the mouths of the participants.

3.) The Hollywood Reporter has a wonderful interview and article on Ted Turner. He revolutionized cable television, was once the largest landowner in the United States, and misses Jane Fonda. Worth the read.

My friend Mike Tomko used to have an alert on his phone that would remind him to “Do Something Awesome” every day. Clearly, these fellas are thinking the same way.

People have always done unique things, expressed themselves… but the Internet makes it easier for all of us to enjoy their expression.

In this video below, all the guy is doing is maximizing windows from his OS X dock – in perfect choreographed order. Brilliant.

As the video’s description states, we should actually not make fun of Bryant and Katie. The Internet was so new to all of us at the time. In 1994, I had just started using email, and probably didn’t visit a website until late 1995 or 1996? Anyway, enjoy this previously unaired Today Show blast from the past.

“What is the Internet, anyway?”