I’m a 23-year-old, born and raised in the later 1990s and into the 2000s. I’m the youngest of four, with three older brothers, and as such, the culture of the ’90s permeated and shaped my existence. I grew up on Harry Potter, was dragged along to Backstreet Boys concerts, and lived inside the world of my Polly Pockets’ mansion. You could argue I’ve been a cultural critic since my early days of stockpiling YA novels and Teen Vogue issues, so it’s no wonder I find myself [Read More]
A lot has gone down since I last wrote one of these. (How’s that for the understatement of the century?) But no need for me to dive into politics or pandemics here — I like to think of this as a safe space or perhaps even an escape for anyone who actually reads it. Instead I’ll just say that I hope everyone is staying saf[Read More]
By Zaar Taha, Minneapolis-based Freelance Copywriter/Creative Director | Copyzaar.com
Now that I have a bit more of it on my hands, I’ve been thinking a lot about time. Since I don’t have to be somewhere between 8:30 am and God-knows-whenever-past-5 pm each day, time just looks different to me now. Unequivocally, hours used to [Read More]
Coming out of school as newly minted designers, we often aspire to the heights of master craftsmanship. We envision ourselves creating expertly designed, meticulously implemented products that inspire awe with their beauty, artistry, and execution.
Then the real world promptly smacks us in the face.
Am I a better writer or a better friend? Just something I’ve contemplated lately (and then contemplated whether it was even worth contemplating, but… here we are). Looking back at my first handful of months as a freelancer, it’s clear I’ve been granted the majority of my opportunities by friends. Some directly and some indirectly. I guess 25 years in the Minneapolis advertising market has a way of getting you all networked up. Unlike others [Read More]
Since my last post earlier this summer, I’d gotten busy. Real busy. So busy that I actually had to say ‘no’ a couple times. And if you know me at all, you know I don’t ever like doing that. It’s just not in my DNA, or if it is, it refuses to play nice with the other strands. So if I do say ‘no’ to a request, know I’m simply not physically able to do it, I haven’t the slightest idea how to do it, or that my wife says I’m not allowed to do it.
In an effort to make his own positive difference, Chris Preston, principal and creative director at Minneapolis-based marketing agency Preston Kelly, is reaching out to the political candidates vying for election in the mid-terms with an open letter arguing for the effects of positivity.
Carol Henderson / Matt Burgess Joins Rise and Shine as Partner and Chief Creative Officer
He’s the real deal. And has a helluva golf swing....[Read More]
Shelley Roth / Better Together: Rise and Shine and Partners Launches Latest Work for Lunds & Byerlys
What is the instrument used in the commercial? It's driving me NUTS! Is it a mandolin?...[Read More]
actionableonbrandideas / “The Free(lance) Life, The Most Valuable Time Isn’t Billable” by Zaar Taha
Yes to this. Yes yes yes yes yeeesssss. Thanks for the warm fuzzies. I conduct my life the same way, having freelanced for 30 of my almost-60 ye...[Read More]
Damian petrou / The Big Wake-Up Call by Jorg Pierach—Founder, Fast Horse
donna / After Reviewing the Press Release About His Promotion to Associate Creative Director, Jonathan Schuster Critiqued the Headline for Being Too Long and the Whole Thing for Just Having Too Much Body Copy That No One is Ever Going to Read
