• by John Gaffney , October 14, 2002

Go Donny, Go Donny: First trade show I ever went to: 1985, National Association of Record Merchandisers. LA. I was just a year removed from college keg parties, I had a very hard time getting my head around the fact that there was a whole floor of record company suites at the Century City Plaza that wanted nothing more than for me to come in and drink with them. Drink for free. The next morning I made it to the opening session, and they had the USC marching band blaring away on stage. I was no longer so impressed with the concept of an open bar. I was very impressed however, with the opening speaker. It was Irving Azoff, who at the time was managing the Eagles and a slew of other acts. He was pissed off. Spoke in an angry tone about the record business having “its head in the sand and a firecracker in its ass.” Heavy stuff for a severely hungover 23-year old. I relate this tale because when I read what Donny Deutsch had to say at the Association of National Advertisers confab last week, I was reminded of Irving Azoff. Said Deutsch last week: “We should have creative business people and business-minded creative people," he said. "If somewhere along the way you're not happy, fire your agency. You should never settle." He leveled a few other point blank criticisms as well. I like what he said. I’m not supporting an ad world where the account base is in endless review. But I love it when somebody gets up there at a predictable event with the idea that they’re gonna rock this joint because every now and then it needs to get rocked. Sounds to me that’s what DD did.

Wake Up Call: I like what CBS is doing with The Early Show. Here are four faces that are not the usual suspects, and just might tap into a need for change among morning viewers. Here’s the wild card: There’s been too many mornings over the last year and a half that have been witness to major news stories. If that trend continues, it may come down to the old “who do you trust?” issue. That would play well for Diane, Charles, Matt and Katie. Give CBS credit for some new faces.

You Wanna Go? I love the EA Sports spots with Ray Lewis, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. If advertising is supposed to rouse emotion, this got me good. I was pretty fired up. That spot is better than most Jet games.