New President...New Marketing

As much as I would like to share something utterly profound on this most historic of inauguration days, I must admit that all I can think about is Obama's campaign logos, designs and images. Not only does Sender's ingenious logo invoke hope and change (more on this later), but it's imagery bears a striking resemblance to that of (gasp!) Pepsi, which - like it or not - helps make it even more unforgettable. Now, parties will fervently argue which came first, but the truth of the matter is that less is most definitely more in today's marketing.


And let us not forget Shepard Fairey and his neo-iconic "Progress", "Hope" and "Yes We Did" banners. What started on streets with t-shirts and stickers has now become the quintessential image of Obama, his campaign and the challenges and optimism that lie before our young nation. It has also helped the young "obey" artist, as well as Obama and his campaign design, become a regular name in public conversation. And when was the last time you actually talked about a candidates logo as much as their ideals? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Amato's Closing Scene

Apart from a plane landing in the Hudson and a migrant worker carefully combing his hopeless mustache at my bus stop, I did stumble across an article today that somehow grabbed my attention. Yes, my friends, on May 31, New York's Amato Opera will lower its tattered curtains - and some 60 years of cult-opera - one last time.

With a location on the infamous Bowery, there's now doubt Anthony Amato has seen his fare share of change in an area that has seen legends made (thank you CBGB), legends inspired (thank you CBGD bathrooms), and legends fall (thank you CBGB and surrounding junkies). Sadly, what was once a training ground for "up-and-coming profesionals" has now become another iconic landmark lost to the rising rents and commercialization of one of New York's most infamous streets.

Who needs “La Bohème” with such present-day tragedy?