Michael Druskin’s Post

How do you innovate and affect the lives of millions of people? Great question. #Listen. #Borrow. #Experiment. Such was the approach of Herbert Strauss in 1924. Strauss was the President of Macy's and it was the roaring 20’s. Times were good. They had just expanded their anchor store to an entire city block, over one million square feet. Such growth meant a lot of hiring and the majority of these hires were immigrants from Europe. Loving the sentiment of the #Thanksgiving holiday, these newcomers had embraced their new home and wanted to show pride in their new heritage. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲. Mr. Strauss was all ears. It turns out that Gimbels, a rival of sorts, was already hosting a parade in Philadelphia. Could Macy’s borrow that idea? Could Macy’s best that idea? Why not? How about allowing the employees to march in the parade? Perhaps borrow some animals from the Central Park Zoo? In fact, what about welcoming #SantaClaus at the end of the parade in Herald Square? That first parade was attended by over 250,000 people that saw floats of Mother Goose and Little Red Riding Hood. Those employees? They dressed as clowns, cowboys and knights while bears, elephants and monkeys joined in the procession that included four marching bands. Listen. Borrow. Experiment. #Innovate. #creativity #future #marketing

Did you ever experience restlessness in a role that you just can't shake? I did and after a lot of prayer, time with a counselor, conversations with my family and friends, and discussions with colleagues, I submitted my resignation in mid-January. I had faith that my talents would be used at another organization - I didn’t know when or how. Clarity came after several conversations with recruiters, companies, and those in my network. I accepted a position on the marketing team of The Goddard School, driving the strategic marketing vision of the franchise development program. I’m excited to dive back into franchising and help men and women realize their personal and financial goals through business ownership. When you experience a stirring that won’t go away, you may need to consider ending a season. Here are six items that were helpful for me: 1️⃣ Pay attention. Listen to your body. It’s wonderfully made to give us signs. 2️⃣ Ask for guidance. I prayed, read my Bible, and reached out to a professional counselor and people who know me best.  3️⃣ Grieve what is ending.  4️⃣ Sit in peace knowing there is a plan for how you contribute best to this world.  5️⃣ Be patient and kind with yourself and others as you process realities.  6️⃣ Embrace a new season traveling light - shed any baggage. Here’s to this next chapter!

Ready to elevate your business? 📈 Our summer promotions will help you do just that, but better hurry! These offers are almost gone, so take advantage of them while they last! #ExclusivePromotions #digitalmarketing

“What’s Wrong With A Cowboy Hat And Boots?”: Learning The Ropes In Wyoming When I started in mission advancement back in September, I was told by many to be sure to document my first year in the field. It would be a great way to see my own personal growth. Also it would help me to make the most of my valuable, but fading, outsider perspective. I've see so many thoughtful posts from seasoned professionals in the field everyday. And, of course, I am kept busy driving around the Cowboy State. So it has been slow going to think of something worth sharing and putting pen to paper. However, we all knows how this goes – you’ve got to start somewhere. So here I go! My Three Take-Aways From Three Months On The Job: 1.      Ride For The Brand. I’ll be honest, the hardest decision to make in these past months was what western boots to get – and when. I did not want to seem like I was trying too hard to fit in, but I began to feel a little self-conscious when I was the only one in the room not wearing boots. There’s a strong sense of community here – making the effort to fit in outweighs the potential faux-pas. It’s also not just about the boots – it’s about recognizing the sense of legacy and showing a commitment to embracing and upholding those values. In other words – ride for the brand! 2.     Take Pride In Your Work. I was fortunate to be able to attend the International Catholic Stewardship Conference soon after beginning in this role, and was blessed with the opportunity to hear thoughtful, experienced speakers (like Scott Bucko and Sheila McGirl, CFRE ) break down the fundamentals of development. Questions posed by Aad de Lange were insightful too, as were conversations with Sarah Newman and Benjamin Domingue, M.B.A.. A major theme that I noticed was: “people like to be on a winning team.” As I’ve started to build my network here, the question often on my mind is: “who is the team?.” In a state of this size, individuals have the opportunity to make an outsized impact on life in the state and to promoting its legacy. Likewise, I’ve quickly learned to take pride in the work of our organization ad intra and ad extra. 3.     Talk Less and Say More.  

Summer’s Here! Hoping the only sparks we see in NYC are creative ones. Here’s to: 🌞 Igniting Your Creativity 🌆Tapping New Possibilities! 🌿Unleashing Fresh Marketing Magic 🌟 Transforming Sunshine into Creative Brilliance 🌺 Crafting Unforgettable Campaigns in NYC's Heat 🌞 I see summer as a catalyst for creativity and innovation. It’s about infusing our work with the vibrancy and spontaneity that this season brings. Summer’s state of mind," propels us in the advertising world, to elevate our strategies. Embrace the longer days to fuel our creative processes, Drawing inspiration from the city's vibrant pulse and the natural beauty around us. Heres to creating marketing magic that resonates with the joy and freedom of summer. Here's to a summer filled with innovation, passion, and a touch of that vacation spirit. Let's lead with enthusiasm and make this season our most creative yet. How will you infuse your work with the essence of summer? Share your thoughts and let's inspire each other! #SummerInNYC #CreativeMarketing #Innovation #Leadership #MarketingStrategy #SummerVibes #Inspiration #StoriedWork

Every year, me and my partner watch all the Christmas ads we can find. I find it useful because: 1. I get to put my planning hat on 2. She offers the 'real people' view I can't help but wonder if we should do more of this stuff as a standard. Sure, ask what the ECDs and CSOs and people around Boxpark think... ... but also make sure you add the views of someone from Bolton. Someone once asked me about what the future of the industry is. I keep going back to one word. Perspective. Inner perspective (why are we here), but also outer (who is this for). I'm not big on new year wishes, but perhaps this is one to consider. How do you bring perspective to your life and work? Ps. my fave is probably Tesco. Hers is Coke.

Celebrating Our February Employee of the Month: Alt Webb We are thrilled to highlight Alt Webb as our Employee of the Month for February. Alt's significant contributions to our Creative Department have not only propelled us forward but have also played a pivotal role in our achievement of four prestigious American Advertising Awards this year. Two of these accolades were directly attributed to Alt's dedication and innovative work on our brand guidelines—a testament to their excellence and commitment. Here's a glimpse into the impact Alt has made, through the words of their coworkers: "They have demonstrated accountability AND connectivity by ensuring that they completed their tasks on time and was proactive in preparing to be away for their vacation." "They have been steadily making positive changes to the creative department. And they are constantly learning. They deserve to be recognized." "They deserve recognition for all the hard work and effort put into everything they do. I feel they are very connected to what Starfish represents, and their passion shines through their commitment." "They have worked incredibly hard over the past year to connect our brand message with our branding and holding the creative department accountable." Congrats to Alt Webb. We appreciate everything you do, and your impact here cannot be overstated. #employeeofthemonth #creative #leadership #connectivity #accountability #transparency

As an industry we often talk about what creates a positive culture within a company. Traditions like these give you insight into what builds culture here at Champion.

Ever wonder what Newfield grads are doing out in the world after they’ve completed the program? Check out the Newfield Grad Spotlight. In this spotlight, we’re shining the light on Ashish Kothari, who graduated from Newfield in 2019. Ashish is an executive coach, author, consultant, and founder of Happiness Squad. His mission is to “launch a happiness revolution touching a billion+ lives over the next 20 years and help them live with more joy, health, love, and meaning. Watch the full interview!

Today, after seeing a picture of a Facebook memory, I want to pause and reflect on a pivotal chapter of my professional journey: my time working as an associate at Pier 1 Imports, a brand that, regrettably, no longer exists in Puerto Rico. This experience, along with my tenure at Kmart, marked the foundational steps of my career development. It was during this period that I learned to appreciate the true value of hard work and the significance of serving our customers—who are, at the end of the day, the backbone of our income. These roles taught me crucial lessons about resilience and growth. They underscored the importance of not allowing negativity or setbacks to diminish my drive or dull my aspirations. Each professional phase, with its unique challenges and triumphs, has contributed significantly to my growth. I cherish these memories and the people I met along the way. Though I miss many, I recognize how each experience has equipped me with invaluable tools for the next step in my career. Sometimes, the full impact of these lessons is not immediately apparent, but I firmly believe that what we learn on our journey remains with us, shaping our future in profound ways. Embrace and love every stage of your professional life, focusing on the positive takeaways. The knowledge and skills acquired are enduring, empowering us to ascend to greater heights. BTW, I’m the one at the bottom-left of the picture. I barely look like I do today, but rest assured it’s me 😄…