eROI NYC Interactive Agency

I wanted to share something that happened to me today as it is a culmination of all our hard work. And with the great news, I feel it totally relevant. I walked into a meeting today with a well connected NY guy who used to work at Ogilvy. Before the meeting I printed our case studies of social networks ABC Family and Wacom as he asked to see our work in that area. I was so stoked to print out these beautifully branded pieces and present them with my new business cards. It was a watershed moment. We worked for almost a year to rebrand ourselves and it all came to a head today. Big huge crankers to Sam and the design department for putting in the extra time to make a cohesive brand story. If I felt any apprehension before the meeting it was all erased knowing that I could present such great work. In light of the great news today know that we have made the appropriate steps in all areas to kick some serious ass in our industry. To the eROI family…we have arrived.

I never get tired of good ideas. I don’t think anyone does.

For more on this check it.

By the mystery of fate or fortune I am not sure which, I have been thrust into the richest entrepreneurial landscape in the world…NYC. Entrusted with the duty to set up shop and represent eROI the shear weight of the opportunity beseeches me to honor it. I often wonder how I got here and what it takes to make it…to be truly called a successful entrepreneur.

I got a little closer to my answer this week after a visit from eROI CEO Ryan Buchanan. We worked together for most of the week looking over numbers and brainstorming about our marketing efforts in New York City. After three days it is clearer to me what its all about…a successful entrepreneur is not measured by how many people work for her or how big his office is. A successful entrepreneur is a master at building relationships and trust. Gone are the days of smoke and mirror business and hidden agendas. Success, at least in my mind, should be measured by the health of your business relationships and your integrity. What about the revenue? Given the choice to do business with someone you know and trust vs someone you don’t is a no brainer so it tis my belief that revenue will follow the relationships.

Easier said than done. And the reason its not easy is because the connection does not end after you meet, just knowing someone isn’t enough. Otherwise we would all be doing deals with Kevin Bacon. And solid connections aren’t just about follow through either. My mail lady says hi to me everyday but I still can’t remember her name. What else is it then? Beneficial business connections are a stew of sharing relevant information, consistent honesty, and mutual respect. I know this metaphor has been used only 3 billion times before, but its a soil and when the seed is planted the right combination of light and water will make a perfectly grown Kevin Bacon.

But I digress…..I will be continuing to make the most of the relationships and connections we have out here. Buchanan planted a couple of trees and I know Dylan has some already growing. As always it was great to have a member of the team in the city. Ok pixelnation….off to the garden. Bloggers Unite!

And now…here is episode II…..

As the last tick of the clock fell to Zero on Super Sunday you could hear the cheers of the city echo through our window. Payton’s miracle escape and the even more divine catch by balancing receiver David Tyree was the spark that ignited the excitement of New York City. A short walk down my block was highlighted by yelling fans pouring out of bars and restaurants. hearing remarks on the street like “I think we just won the super bowl”. The thought of that seeming as impossible as winning the NY mega bucks. But no matter, the Giants had won and the celebration began.

The culmination of the win, as is tradition, is the legendary New York City Ticker Tape Parade running from Battery Park up Broadway ending at City Hall. The term originated in New York City after a spontaneous celebration held on October, 1886 during the dedication of the Statue of Liberty and is still most closely associated with New York City. The term ticker-tape referred originally to the use of the paper output of ticker tape machines, which were remotely-driven devices used in brokerages to provide updated stock market quotes [Wikipedia].

On the Tuesday after Super Bowl Sunday we headed down to the parade in the hopes of witnessing and taking part in such a rare tradition. Giants fans were everywhere. From the moment I stepped out the door you knew something was happening today. The subways oozed blue jerseys and echoed with cheers. There were no subway stops open at City Hall due to sheer volume of people so you had to get off at Canal Street. Getting out of the subway sounded like you were in a riot. People were chanting and screaming all headed in the same direction. In the middle of the day in Downtown Manhattan time stopped while people celebrated. Cars were stalled, buses hindered and the crowd was king. We meandered through the blocks surrounding City Hall and zigzagged between road blocks and gangs of cops. Cheering was everywhere and confetti showered the streets from shredders high above. We settled in to admire the power of the masses at the base of a subway stop and just watched. Kids where climbing and people where laughing. The energy was contagious and no matter where you were from if you were in the city on that day you were a New Yorker.