Point of order

First, a confession, I loved the tv show Fame.

There, I said it.

Call me a 'big girl's blouse' if you will, but there it is.

Loved the show about the high school for the gifted and talented urban artistic kids, all of whom went into the performing arts and travelled the world, singing, dancing, acting, and following their muses.
My fandom was  probably because I was from a humble rural high school that fed our local 2 year agricultural college and factories. It was big news when one of us went 'to the big city'.

In fact, I do not personally recall any high minded artistic kids in our high school- they were probably busy listening to their muses and  practicing their craft.

Shamefully, I was at a tractor pull, mud bogging, or working in a greasy spoon.

Following no muse at all.

That said, I was taken aback recently when one of my favorite clients was showing me the contents of their 'swag closet'.

Do I need to define it, really? Swag?

SWAG- stuff we all get, has become an increasing passion with me, and not merely as swagmongering helps feed my family, but as it fascinates me- seeing when it is used to elegantly help strengthen relationships and connections.
And it also fascinates me to see it used poorly.

A process I have begun calling swag malpractice.

I was looking at the swag closet of this client, who happens to be the closest thing to 'Fame' that my untalented carcass has ever set foot in. The client is the our state's best school for arts and humanities. It is so good, they even call it that- the SCGSAH, and I hope that some day my kids will be able to attend. Or even talented enough to apply.

But you can't buy your way in, it is audition only, and they take only the best in the state.

This small handful of students are the best in the state- and the energy is incredible.

So inside the swag cabinet, I saw thousands of small Frisbees.

Crazy small, like 3 inches wide. Too small to fly well at all, but ok in a food fight, I guess.

'We only gave those out to prospective students once!' My client said. 'Can you imagine an auditorium full of jr high kids, darkened slightly for dramatic effect, when someone decided to throw the first Frisbee? It didn't take long for hundreds more to come down on us. It was a disaster!'

A swag disaster. Nice.

'Now we use them as coasters.'

Oh well, so much for the high- minded artsy students.

But they probably were not involved in the 3'' Frisbee tossing anyway. They were busy listening to their muse.
Who would have sold such an item for such an application, to such a client?!
Out of the swag gene pool- you have committed swag malpractice!

Not the client's fault-they paid for advice and a product.

They got coasters. And Frisbee pelted.

It's on, folks. it is on. Swagclub now officially has legs. Like Ricky said to Luci- I got some splainin' to do, so bear with me-but here are the rules, most of 'em.

#1. You don't talk about swagclub.

#2. You don't talk about swagclub. Unless you need great swag.

#3. The search for great swag is over only when you say 'Wow- that nails it!'

#4. Only two guys to a fight. Unless we need help, then we bring in the big guns.

#5. One swag project at a time.

#6. We work with no ties or socks. Even on Sundays-always workin', but never stressin' the work.

#7. The quest for great swag goes on as long as it needs to. Gonna take some questions, as a perfect fit beats fast answers.

#8. First projects are often the start of a great relationship.

Or the end of a bad one.

#9. Great advice @swagclub is always free. Always.

goto twitter and check out @swagclub

Come join the club. Join the fight.

It's on.

--
A. Kamran Popkin
Creative Director



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