How change early on defined us

It's the 26th of November of 2018 and I'm sitting here in my office thinking to myself, 'where has the time gone'?  It's been 11 years now at Mooreshots Direct and a day doesn't go by that I don't think about how we got started.

So here we go.

I never had ambitions of being an advertising agency.  I really didn't.  We started out with an upscale direct mail product called Gloss Pak, and everything evolved from there.  I was working long hours selling the product, producing the product, collecting for the product, and trying to deliver results to clients so they could see the impact.  We were forced to make an executive decision moving forward. It was time to switch gears.

“When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.” —Tuli Kupferberg

Six months into this thing I had 12 agency clients on my lap and we were off and running with Mooreshots.  It was time to embrace what we never had ambitions of doing and run with it.  We didn't have time for Gloss Pak anymore.  We were a full blown advertising agency.

We never looked back.      

As I zoom out now there's plenty that we could have changed along the way.  We focused on all the things we do well and kept things simple.  We tell stories and tell other people's stories.  We compare results of campaigns, some are good, and as always in advertising, some we push under the rug.  One thing remains constant, we work hard every day to gain market share for our clients and partners.  We treat every decision as if it was our own.  We look at every situation as if it was our own business.  I think we make better decisions and are more efficient because of it.

Everyone needs a mentor.

One of our B2B products

All of us have that one person that has been instrumental in our success.  In my case his name is Danny Traffas.  When I was thinking of going out on my own he was the first person I called.  After talking to him I didn't need to talk to anyone else.   He assured me and guided me through the process.  He was a great support system.  Little did I know he would become my friend, my golf buddy, and most importantly,  my mentor.  A few years ago Danny died suddenly and a day doesn't go by when I wish I could pick up the phone and call him.  He was always there for me regardless of the situation, and his positive attitude always got me through the tough times.  He gave me the opportunity to work in many radio and TV markets and help them with their advertising and drive revenue.   It was a nice addition to what I was already doing.  We sold a B2B product all over the country helping TV and Radio groups gain market share.  It was a huge success early on.  We had a great partnership together.  He even called me "Touchdown Tommy".

I miss Danny every day.

As we move into another year,  we continue to grow, learn, and adjust to the changing environment in marketing and advertising.  The strong momentum of digital media is taking a strong hold.  Regardless of what you hear or read, TV continues to be a powerhouse-the 800 lb gorilla, and in our market and the surrounding ones,  radio still serves its purpose.   But one thing remains the same.  The great people of this community and the areas around it make it a very formidable place to be.  It's our clients and partners who play a big role in making it so great.  There is no bigger compliment than you putting your trust in our hands.

We are very thankful for that.

A Saturday to remember

Let's just put it in the books as one of the greatest Saturdays, ever.

No words can explain the atmosphere, beautiful Fall colors, the pageantry of college football, and our beloved Cougs pulling off a win in a jam packed Martin Stadium.

There was a lot to be proud of on this Saturday.  I was worried going in that the distractions of the week would be just too much for these young kids.  Mike Leach might have pulled off his best coaching week as a Cougar, I can't remember a first half that was written any better with Oregon only having one yard of total offense going into their last drive of the first half.  Textbook to say the least.  The Cougars maintained possession most of the first half, keeping Oregon's highly touted Quarterback off the field.  He really wasn't even a factor in this one.

The bus ride up was festive as always, recapping an awesome GameDay segment that I'm sure was special to anyone who has spent anytime in the Pacific Northwest, or in the Pac 8, Pac 10, and Pac 12 for that matter. ESPN put their best foot forward and pulled off a dream show.

There's arguably only 8 to 10 teams in college football that really have a legitimate chance for a national championship, which is another reason why this day was so special.  It's one of those days that will always be remembered.  It will be in the media guide for years to come, there will be pictures hanging on the walls of the Cougar Football Complex, memories saved on smart phones.  Butch and Lee Corso dancing around the set.  People across the country finally learned what it's really like to be a Cougar.  Ol' Crimson made its way back home.

GameDay finally made it to Pullman.

As Reece Davis said to the crowd prior to the open, "Holy Shit!".

That pretty much sums up this day.

A Saturday to remember.

History to be made Saturday in Pullman

I've been wanting to talk about this Gameday situation in Pullman so here we go.  My phone has been blowing up since it was announced that the crew will be coming to Pullman, I never realized it had this much magnitude.

The most heated debate is who will be the Guest Picker, to me it's a no-brainer.  The main reason they are coming is the years of Ol' Crimson being waved on Gameday for some 200+ games over the years.  I don't have the exact number but who really cares at this point, right?

I can only see one thing happening.  Tom Pounds enters holding the flag and gets his chance to tell the story in front of a nationwide audience.  Lee Corso puts on the Butch hat after he picks the Cougars to win and the rest is history.  ESPN will be greeted like never before, it will be a beautiful fall day in the Palouse, and more importantly it will be a recruiting frenzy for the WSU program.  This will be Mike Leach's biggest year of gathering the best talent in the country.  Young student athletes will get a first hand look at how special it is to be a Cougar. (WSU Cougar, not that other type:)

The best part of this?  Coug fans will be able to hang together like they always do on a Saturday, this time in front of a national stage.  We also get a chance to say goodbye and pay tribute to Bob Robertson, who announced his retirement this week after 52 years covering WSU Football.

Sounds pretty good to me.

A Tribute to Dave Dalthorp, The Statesman

Our community lost a great one this past week.  Dave Dalthorp, nicknamed "The Statesmen" by our close peers passed away and left a lasting legacy behind him.  I first met Dave in 1987 when I joined KNDU TV as Sports Director.  He was genuine from the start, even though I was fresh out of college and I really didn't know what I was getting into.  He always made me feel at ease with his tremendous support, no matter what the circumstances.

Dave was not only a mentor, but a great friend as well.  I always knew I could talk to Dave about anything.  His door was always open and he always listened.  He always had great advice, and his best attribute was his ability to shield his employees from the sometimes harsh things that can happen in the corporate world we live in.  He also never showed the stress he was going through.

Dave made many friends while serving as the Station Manager at KNDU TV.  He was respected by everyone, and admired by all.  He loved the WSU Cougars, and he was a die hard Pasco Bulldog.  He loved to fish, and he loved to talk about fishing.  I remember sharing a Salmon I caught and will never forget the look on his face when I gave it to him.  I will never forget the 11 foot Sturgeon we caught at Hell's Canyon on a team building trip, and how proud he was of the catch, and his team.

He glowed when he talked about his wife Herta, and tears would come to his eyes whenever you talked about something that was dear to his heart.  I miss having "a cold one" with Dave, but more importantly, I will miss the man.

May your wonderful soul rest in peace.   Your family has a lot to be proud of.

RIP Dave Dalthorp, The Statesman.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is more than just that special sweetheart in your life.  It's about the support systems in your life.  We all look forward to that special note, text, letter, e-card, or very rarely anymore, that special phone call from someone telling you how special you are to them.


For those of us that have been through a few of these days, it may not have the meaning it used to, but it's still an important day.  Are you going through health issues?  Maybe trouble at work?  Are you having some challenges with your kids, or maybe a relationship? 


Today is the day to reflect on those support systems in your life that make those difficult days that much better.  The support systems that pick you up when you are down, or maybe center you when you get out of whack.  These are the Valentines that touch our gut when we really need it.  These are the ones that really matter.


It's time to pick up the phone and make someone's day.  Put a smile on their face.  Tell them how much you appreciate them.  Make their day.


You will be glad you did.


Happy Valentine's Day!

Went to a party and a golf tournament broke out

Over 191,000 people attended the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Friday.  I'm guessing 150,000 or so don't even know what a bogey is.


Who cares.

It's February and 80 degrees in Phoenix.  White pants for women are in, and you don't have to know anything about golf to have a good time at this event.  To go from ski boots and layers to shorts and flip flops.  Nobody was complaining here. 

This was the second time I've attended this event and each one was a memorable one.  We were fortunate to have passes to a corporate tent that lines the 18th fairway.  Only the water hazard on the left side of the fairway separated us from the golfers.  The scoreboard was straight across from us so we knew how everyone was doing.

We had our choice of all the food and drink we wanted, we even had access to Jello Shooters.  They had a selfie station with different contraptions you could use in the photo op.  Young, beautiful women were there to deliver drinks, you could learn a lesson on customer service here.

How big is it?  The wait for the Uber ride only took an hour, people were throwing up in line, there were fights, we even got to watch movies and listen to music while we stood in line.  I don't like rap but it didn't matter on this day.  What a great weekend to celebrate the Super Bowl.

Every year they set records for attendance.  It's not hard to figure out why.  Add this to your bucket list.

This is the Waste Management Phoenix Open. 

The Healing Begins for the Cougar Nation

The first text came in from a close friend and I couldn't believe it.  "I'm getting word that Tyler Hilinski committed suicide today".  My heart dropped.  Not only in disbelief, but these are the texts that just don't come across my phone.  Moments later my iPhone started blowing up.  Texts were coming in from all over the country.  People don't realize the nature of being a Cougar.  It's a very small nation, and a tight one.  I really can't recall anything that has gone so viral in such a short amount of time.


The next four hours literally dropped me to my knees.  My close Cougar friends banter back and forth via text about a lot of things.  Mike Leach and his no-run offense, coaching changes across the country, even predictions on what's going to happen next year.  When are we going to name a new Athletic Director.
People are so excited about a versatile quarterback leading the troops next year.  What an extra element Tyler Hilinski will bring to this offense.   The future is bright.  This tragedy was not supposed to be part of the equation.


Little did we know how much #3 was hurting.  I lost my best friend to suicide years ago and I still have trouble processing it.   I do know he did share with me the demons he was facing, but he was such a gregarious, positive guy that I didn't think it was that serious.  I knew he was getting help, I would visit him at a halfway house frequently.  I still wonder if I was still in town if I could have helped him.  Unfortunately I would have to find out the hard way.  I received a phone call that I lost my best friend.


There is something positive we can take from all of this.  This will undoubtedly  bring the whole Cougar Nation closer, specifically the football team and those close to it.  It's so important that we all focus on the ' here and now', we just don't know when our time will come.


Tyler Hilinski's time came much too early.  And the whole Cougar Nation is mourning because of it. 


RIP #3


-TM

Overcoming our fears in 2018

People laugh at me but I like watching the Hallmark Channel.  During the Christmas season I swear I watched a Christmas movie almost every night.  Maybe it's because both my parents are gone and I'm living through these movies, I don't know.  But one thing is true, there's always inspiring stories about people's passions, goals, values, and of course the sappy thing we call falling in love.

Last night I got excited because the movie this time was on the slopes.  Love on the Slopes was all about people following their passions.  Katrina Bowden (who plays Alex) a young aspiring writer trying to fulfill her life long dream.  There's obviously something romantic about falling in love on the slopes but the message here was a lot deeper than that.  Thomas Beaudoin (Cole) played an accomplished photographer fighting through his own fears. He was a shy, unassuming introvert who had problems opening himself up to people and doing the things important for his business, and his own personal growth.  Both helped each other get out of their comfort zones and overcome their fears.  In the meantime, they fell in love.

As we enter 2018, what are you doing to get out of your comfort zone and overcome your fears?  Maybe something you've never done before but have always wanted to?  Is it time to attack that fear that both of these actors were able to do with the help of each other?

Often times it takes another person we become close with who can help recognize our fears and help us get over them.  Wishing you the presence of mind to achieve this in 2018.

Happy New Year!