HAPPY NEW YEAR. Let's Rock 2012 with Passion.

I have said often in my lectures there's something you can't teach... PASSION. It needs to be nurtured, it needs to be inspired and it needs to honest.

My love and passion for advertising is 24/7/365... and I love a leap year (hey, isn't 2012 is a leap year). Yup, that's one extra day to be passionate about the greatest biz in the world. The legendary (and one of the original "Mad Men") Jerry Della Famina said it best, "I honestly believe that advertising is the most fun you can have with your clothes on". (Read more great Della Famina quotes)

I'm not saying you can't have other interests outside of advertising, G-d knows I have too many, but you gotta love "it". If you're a student reading this you need to shift your mindset from "advertising student" to that of "Student of Advertising". That simple shift will inspire you to learn, love and build the passion that is needed to day.

Add to your reading an amazing view of what the future trends are ahead for the ad business by TBWA\ChiatDay CCO Rob Schwartz on his Forbes blog "Metal Potential" titled "5 Places To Strike Gold in 2012". Yes, we have all been blinded by all the bright shinny objects that are digital and spend our every waking moments wrapped into the world of Social Media. This year there are new places to discover and own. I am truly inspired by change and adopting.

So here's to 2012. Make yours. Rock it. Be awesome.

After all, only you can/will author your future.

I remind my students everyday of my personal mantra. It's pretty simple, 10 words, 2 letters each.

IF IT IS TO BE. IT IS UP TO ME.

Happy 2012. Make it yours, 24/7/366.

Mad Men Returns for Season Three

Okay, a small personal passion and vice... Mad Men retruns finally. US cable network AMC has announced that it will be premiering the third season of Mad Men on Sun., Aug. 16 at 10PM ET. I am looking for details if AMC Canada will offer it at the same time.

The premiere will be presented with limited commercial interruptions.

Leading up to the new season will be a Season 2 marathon starting Monday Aug. 10, from 7AM to 8PM. Sadly, bad timing for me, I will spending my time on beach that day in Ocean City New Jersey at the shore house... pray for rain? Nah, the DVD of season tow will be released July 14th.

Side note, if you are new to Mad Men, the pilot episode from Season 1, "Smoke Gets in Your

Eyes," can be viewed online at amctv.com

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