Commentary

'After All, You Created The 21st Century' -- Bono

by Cory Treffiletti , Featured Contributor, August 17, 2011

This has been a rough couple of weeks. The United States government is disappointing in many ways, and the economy is paying the price. If you watch the news, it's very easy to get sucked into the discussion of a "double-dip" recession and all the other negativity that permeates the conversation, but to be honest, it won't help matters much. Listening to pundits and media people express their dissatisfaction and outrage only fuels the fire of fear. That being said, there are two things you can realistically do, and you need to pay attention to them both.

First of all, if you're unhappy with Congress or the President or anyone else in government, then you need to let them know when it comes time to vote. If you don't take the time to vote, then you have no right to complain -- because when it comes to government, that's your only true voice. Elected officials are supposed to mirror your needs and wants -- and if they don't, then you need to let them know. You need to apply accountability to their actions.

The second opportunity you have is to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Our industry is still one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., and we have a unique opportunity to support the economy and drive growth. The digital media landscape is complicated, but thanks to such tools as the ever-present LumaScape, you can demystify the business and identify opportunities available.

Whether you are a marketer, an agency person or en entrepreneur, you sit in a unique position to influence and establish new companies that help improve the strength of our industry, and create jobs that help a lot of people. As Bono said at the last U2 show in Oakland, Calif.: "After all, you guys created the 21^st century!"

He was right. Our efforts in this business are driving new opportunities the world over, and everyone is paying attention. Our business is an inter-connected, global industry quickly providing the basis for economies all over the world, and our hard work is driving that success.

We need jobs in order to spark growth. It's as simple as that. If anyone has ever been in a position to figure things out, it would be us. And by us, I refer to those of you reading this article -- no matter where you are, how old (or young) you are or what you do for a living. If you're reading the Spin, you're involved in the dynamic digital media business, and you‘re in a position to help.

At the risk of sounding like a televangelist, I'll just say that a great chapter is being written right now, and it can end really well, or it can end really poorly. I personally want to create a world where my sons will be happy, healthy and successful. If that means I lose a little sleep and work a little hard, I'm OK with that. What about you?

Of course, beating my chest and yelling from the top of the mountaintop isn't much help without some practical advice, so here are some tips for how you can support the fervor of entrepreneurialism that we need to support the economy and drive growth:

· If you've got an idea, write it out and see if there's a business there. It doesn't mean you have to see it all the way through, but there are always hungry people around you looking for good ideas.

· Support your local entrepreneurs by either investing (if you have the resources) or just taking meetings with them. You can be valuable just by applying a second set of eyes to an idea, and providing good, constructive feedback.

· Be constructive, not dismissive. The more you can provide positive, supportive feedback to someone with an idea, the more you help them be successful.

· Don't start the discussion with "What's in it for me?" Our country wasn't built on a sense of pure selfishness. It was built on a sense of opportunity and on the backs of some dreamers.

· If you're in a position to test out an idea, and push for innovation, give it a shot. The more of your budget you spend with the "usual suspects,",the less you help drive new ideas. Be open to innovation.

I know this might sound a bit too much like patriotic mumbo-jumbo, especially coming from me, but it's not intended to be. I don't care who you vote for, or what side you support. I'm only trying to get people to stop complaining and start doing something about it, and the best way I can see for that to happen is to leverage what we have as an industry: ideas!

Don't you agree?

commentary

9 comments about "'After All, You Created The 21st Century' -- Bono".

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Jack a. Silverman from Bolin Marketing, August 17, 2011 at 1:49 p.m.
Cory,
Thanks for the great post. I couldn't have said it better. I'm going to Tweet this out. Let's help make it better for our children and future generations.
Reply

Narciso Tovar from Big Noise Communications, August 17, 2011 at 1:56 p.m.

It's Always Good to See These Kinds of Posts - Especially in a Place Like MediaPost...Don't Expect It, So It Was a Bit of a Surprise to See It!

And You're Right - We're Alot More Part of the 'Solution' Than We Ever Give Ourselves Credit For. This Piece Just Served As a Nice Reminder.

Here's to Cranking the Rest of 2011 to '11'...!

Narciso Tovar
Big Noise Communications
@narciso17

Mike Loomis from Eastco Worldwide, August 17, 2011 at 2:24 p.m.

Great post! Keep hammering this theme of opportunity and initiative, because it's correct! Just don't be so apologetic next time, OK?
;-)

John Fredette from Alcatel-Lucent, August 17, 2011 at 2:25 p.m.

Thanks Cory for having the guts to open yourself up to criticism by expressing your convictions in this way. It is a mystery to me how we ended up with such a dysfunctional government because I don't know anyone who votes who feels that they are being properly represented.

How did the selfish, near-sighted, unimaginative, uninformed and uncooperative people in our midst get so much power?

But putting aside the negativity, you are also right to point out that we are part of an industry that has already changed the world. It is amazing what I can do from the comfort of my home with just a keyboard and an internet connection.

The opportunities are out there let's take our power and make good things happen.

Rick Monihan from None, August 17, 2011 at 2:50 p.m.

I don't view the government as "dysfunctional". If it is, then it has always been so.
In that sense, I suppose I DO think of it as "dysfunctional", mainly because so many people expect it to do things it simply cannot. But, knowing people expect this, politicians will do their best to provide what people seek, even if it means putting everyone's future at risk.

THAT is how we got to where we are now, in terms of government debt.

With regard to the behaviors you've stated - absolutely. Schumpeter was clear that innovation is the key to the health and wealth of economies. If we don't recognize this and empower our innovators, then we are guilty of strangling progress.

But this has little or nothing to do with government. In fact, I'd argue it has nothing at all to do with it. It has more to do with a mindset which, in my opinion, has infected far too many people (including young people today) that money somehow infers "success". How many times has anyone stated their opinion about a particular personality only to hear "well, they have the money and you don't"?
Sure they do. Doesn't mean they are special, though. Just means they figured out a way to make it. Does anyone honestly think Snooki is talented? But I'm sure her tax return makes mine look pitiful. Money = success.

In that sense, it's going to be hard to get past the "what's in it for me" portion. Too many people (of any age) are going to think this way.

But, in general, I agree that the problem isn't going to be solved or even mitigated by the government. We, the individuals, will fix things with the right attitude and hard work.

Mike Patterson from WIP, Inc., August 17, 2011 at 3:25 p.m.

Great article Cory, been loving your positive, larger perspective lately. It's one that we all can adapt if we want this world of ours to evolve. The biggest negative issue in all areas, including government, is self-obsession, aggrandizement and selfishness. We DO need to be thinking about the bigger world surrounding us at all times. Thanks again for coming from this mindset!

Harrison Hand from http://SeeingRedford.com, August 17, 2011 at 3:25 p.m.

Great post, Cory. The greatest asset we have as a nation is our freedom to think and to implement the visions that come from those thoughts. Our creativity can (and I believe will) turn our economy around.

When we expect the government and big corporations to take care of us, politicians give them the power. When we take charge, the politicians will follow.

Paula Lynn from Who Else Unlimited, August 17, 2011 at 8:14 p.m.

Yet....people have started businesses these past couple of years and others plan to do so next year. You didn't vacuum today because ????? your representive did what or didn't do what ??????

Harris Sokoloff, August 17, 2011 at 11:33 p.m.

Very interesting article...

One MAJOR flaw: if you are not happy with the direction your/our elected officials are taking us in, tell them NOW!!! Don't wait until election time. But contact them via email and phone to tell them what you think and why.

Voting is not the main action of citizenship. Rather, it's the middle point in a longer process. and remaining in touch between elections is crucial to democracy.

Don't let the pundits tell people what you think. Tell them yourself.