the reports of our demise

In response to reading his own obituary, Mark Twain was quoted as saying, "The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated." Now I know how he felt when I saw the title of this mornings keynote speech at the 'Boards Summit, "The Production Company Model is Dead". 

It is being given by Bob Greenberg, a legendary figure in advertising. His words carry weight but to the best of my recollection he never owned a production company. Regardless, I think there are too many speeches connoting death. It is provocative but too easy a proclamation.

If you are a reader of this blog, you know I'm very often critical of the agency model, the production company model and the client marketing model. We are battered and bruised, but dead? I don't know. I made a bunch of commercials this year. And, also a whole lot of other stuff. As far as I can tell, I wasn't alone. 

The production company foundation is still based in talent management, filmmaking and storytelling. Those skills will never go out of style. Do we need to innovate our model? Do we need to adapt to the ever changing business climate? Of course. What business in America today doesn't? 

This afternoon at the summit I'm going to speak directly to the exaggerated reports. I want to provide what I believe is the natural evolution of the production company model as it faces todays challenges. No talk of death only of rebirth. 

As I practiced the speech over the weekend for my wife and our friend Susan Kirshenbaum, Susan suggested I promote my message in a more tangible way. Through her stroke of inspiration, I'm providing a statement of encouragement. A modern day homage to Mark Twain's famous quotation. 

The first 50 people from the production community (and that includes edit and viz efx) who come to my speech will receive a free one of a kind t-shirt. Please see below. 

 

For those of you wondering,  I am not the t-shirt model in the picture. I'm not that buff. That would be John Duffin, my HOP in LA. He took time away from his weekend to get these fabricated on a rush schedule. 

Thank you Susan for your idea. Thank you John for making it happen.  

So come early, get a good seat, receive a free t-shirt and stand up for our community.