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Sustainability: Bike Simple

May 8, 2012
Ipswich River Media

Bike lights, big city

Get to know the Slow Bike movement if you care about livable cities and sustainability. Clean-tech innovation is exciting and important. But the beauty of this movement is its elegant simplicity.  Like an iceberg, there’s more to it than you think.

Sure, biking is healthy.  You’ve seen cyclists on open roads with precision touring bikes and flashy outfits. They’re usually in great shape. But city bikers are commuters, shoppers and explorers. They come in all shapes and sizes.  They reduce traffic and noise, cut carbon emissions, spur greater interest in cityscapes and buy locally. A bike is cheap to operate and burns fat; a car costs lots of money to run and creates fat.

Employers are responding with storage areas for bikes. It’s a competitive advantage and keeps healthcare costs in check.

I just got back from the NYC Bike Expo and I’m here to report that New York is gaining on Copenhagen and Amsterdam when it comes to this powerful new movement. It has big political implications; Mayor Bloomberg is firmly committed. There are separate bike lanes on streets and avenues, not to mention paths that circle Manhattan.

There’s further anticipation surrounding the NYC bike-share program. It’s not for tourists, there are rental services for that. Privately funded, it’s a self-service system that offers 10,000 bikes in 600 stations for quick, easy transportation.

One simple definition of sustainability is “improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-systems.” That’s reflected in a city of bike-riders. But sustainability is also a call to action, a task in progress or “journey” and therefore a political process.  This requires the reconciliation of environmental, social and economic demands – the “three pillars” of sustainability.

The Slow Bike Movement may seem as simple as an upright bike. But it means big things for livable cities.

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Bloggable Hours

April 20, 2012

“Don’t ever get your speedometer confused with your clock, like I did once, because the faster you go, the later you think you are.”
― Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

Ipswich River Media and kayaking

And you’re wondering “what’s with the blog here?” I know, every day you stop by, hoping for some new pithy communications bits. But things get busy. Typically, it’s my clients that get all the good thinking. They each have their own blogs, and Twitter feeds and websites that require work. That’s not to mention the media relations and other communications stuff.

For example, yesterday, it was Save Energy Systems that deserved my attention.  This smart cleantech start-up has a very pragmatic approach to energy use – and a promising future.  Mass High Tech agreed. There are also two NY tradeshows this month for another client. A particular marketing strategy for another.

On top of all that, there are 29 hungry minds to be feed.  I enjoy teaching an electronic media class  – one is plenty – at Endicott College to future communications pros.  And I have a blog there too.

Sometimes I even get a few minutes to update the Sustainability Forum blog.  I’m the chairman for that active membership group (you’re invited to join us by the way).

So, it seems I never get enough time to stop here at the IRM blog for illuminating updates. I apologize. I’m sure you understand. If not, catch me on Twitter @ipswichmedia and we can discuss further. Or go for a good kayak run?!

And Free T-shirts, too! (Just wanted to see if you’re still reading).

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Fun video

January 5, 2012

Have I shown you this?  A clever client wanted to do a video because she understands that they make powerful marketing tools. She knows it’s a good way to capture a company’s vision or personality.

So much to say though. Where do you start? One nice approach is to consider a series – even just one or two.  Keep it simple. They make the best ones for watching, sharing and appreciating, anyway.  If you feel really bold and excited to show-off your widgets, or your widget designers, or happy customers — think about a whole bunch of videos. Short, pithy high-definition snippets about your widgets tell a tiny story that gives folks a taste for a little more.

We’ve got plans at Cleverhood for a whole bunch more.  Friend them on Facebook if you’re up for it. I know they’ll appreciate it. By the way, the soundtrack is from the Providence band Deer Tick, which they kindly offered as good Rhode Island buds.

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December 23, 2011

Happy holidays out there!

Essex shipyard at Xmas Dec. 23, 2011Dec. 23, 2011Dec. 23, 2011

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Minds @ Work in Communications

December 15, 2011

Students of CMM220 at EndicottFox News exposed. Net neutrality illuminated. We’ve debated the Doctrine of Cooperation, the failed promises of big media and Newton Minow’s vast wasteland. “Communications professor” is my secret identity; it’s a passionate pastime that keeps me on my toes.

Rest assured, there are 20 new emerging professionals who understand the promise and potential of electronic media.  They can see Facebook and Twitter as a means to greater ends.  They know there’s something bigger than Snookie and the Khardasians.

We’ve gone over the History of Electronic Media in CMM220, looking at the perspectives of McLuhan through our rear-view mirrors to make some sense of where it’s all going. We’ve watched how Afgan Idol is advancing attitudes toward women. We’ve seen YouTube heroics bringing down dictators. We know “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” Tim Wu’s Master Switch and the link between bike rides and 4G smartphones.

Snooie & the ShoreI’m hopeful these Endicott College kids will be better marketers and communications pros  – well informed citizens, too. They understand the privileges of education and probably make a better effort than my generation did. They see some of the Global challenges on our plate. But they’re optimistic about crowd-sourcing, American ingenuity, open broadband initiatives.  They know the ‘bit is it.’

Stay tuned to this generation.  You’ll see some good, new ideas. Of course, we still have the final exam left on Wednesday.

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