My website isn’t the only one you should be visiting regularly. Ian Barrie is a very creative person. I’m so excited to see what he does this year and am so honored to call him a friend.
Click to visit ianbarrie.us
And now, an excerpt from his “MEET” page, on ianbarrie.us, to introduce the man himself:
“I began my career as a graphic designer and I’ve created a lot of advertising in the past 25 years. In the process, I discovered that I really love what I do.
I’ve worked with big corporations to help build their brands and small businesses that just needed a logo. And in my experience, it all comes down to one thing, the work. Like making something simpler to make it more effective, shaping a brand then giving it a voice, taking a little idea, and making it a monster.
My work has been widely published and has received numerous design awards. I’d like to convince anyone wanting to build their brand to be more visionary and embrace design as the most powerful component to distinguish a successful brand.”
I’m making EASTER my BAMF of the Day. Why? I’ve never had a more eventful Easter. It was awesome. There’s only one thing you need remember: ”Easter starts at Midnight.”
April 24th (Easter Eve) was quite a day itself, and knowing that background will give you insight on this crazy Easter I had. (That and the added fact that I was biking everywhere that day–except for my trip to and from Allendale.)
Easter started at 12:00 a.m., on April 24th. At that time, I had just returned to Grand Rapids from recording my last song for the EP with Travis, in Allendale. My landing spot was at Jeff Barrett’s house. There, I learned about this dope shit at Grooveshark, and I proceeded to “DJ” the little get-together he had going on. After stopping by the office to turn off the lights and grab my bag, I headed home–arriving at 2:30 a.m. Home was boring. I just knitted a little quilt and read a book until 4:30 a.m.
Then, Easter Day began. I woke up around 10 a.m., and finished reading that book I started the night before. Kevin came over, and I made our weekly Sunday breakfast–complete with a protein shake to wash down the Scott’s Scramble we just finished. Then Rob called me and invited me to this Easter Egg Hunt that Barrett and some friends were having:
Kevin and I had to put on Chapstick daintily, so we were a few minutes late. In the end the men won the Hunt (which was a sort of boring capture the flag, with eggs.) The most fun was taking all of the eggs and trying to make a shot into the nearby trashcan. We all said goodbye. As the cool kids went to the after-hangout spot, Kevin and I headed for Rockford. That is where he would drop me off to spend time with my family (who are way too cool for Rockford.)
I spent the day with the family. We had a delicious Easter meal and that made me tired, so I took a glorious nap on the couch. Kevin nabbed me around 9:30, and we returned to the Dragon’s Lair (my home with Jimmy.)
I absolutely couldn’t wait to show him this awesome location down on the West side. We grabbed our jacket and cardigan and headed out the door. Then my mind was blown, because only halfway through daintily applying more chapstick, Kevin and I ran into my old friend and co-worker Dan. The motherfucker had been living in the house around the corner from mine–literally the entire time I had been staying there. Crazy.
So that dude invited us in for some of the good shit. Much obliged, my friend. We talked about art, scotch and fine wine for like a half an hour. That was fun. From there, Kevin and I embarked on our quest to find this really cool location. Once we got there, we discussed camera angles and movement for shots to use. I’m going to use this spot for a Due Diligence music video for sure.
We rounded out the remainder of the day by stopping at the Holiday and having a beer. Dan and his friend Seth were there, and I ran into this asshole too. That was fun. The few blocks we had to walk home were spent swapping stories of how fun the Holiday was. ”Easter,” today’s BAMF of the Day.
Would you leave your job to start your own company? Not many have the balls. Jeff Barrett does, and that’s why he’s my first BAMF of the Day. (And on 4/20, of all days!)
What Jeff lacks in good hair style, he makes up for with hard work. The dude is always moving. Ever since I met him at GRnow.com’s 3rd Birthday Party at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids, I’ve been inspired by him. We get to do a lot of cool shit together, and recently he’s given me some pointers in the gym.
When it comes to a person with an honest desire to help others, few can match Jeff’s love for community. The guy was a big player in that Walmart thing. He’s just leaving a job with Heart of West Michigan United Way, where he did so much to help the community–ever hear of the United Way SuperFriendz? Yeah, it’s due in large part to Jeff.
Now he’s taking his skills at building a brand’s exposure online to the market, with Barrett Media & Design. I’m so excited for him, and sure I’m a little biased–I’m a happy client :)
So here’s giving credit where credit is due: to Jeff Barrett, BAMF. (And if you’re confused by this term, I direct you here: BAMF.)
Welcome to the official website of Scott Erickson, a recognized leader in entertainment and the Executive Producer of The Grand Rapids LipDub Video--called "The Greatest Music Video ever made," by the late Roger Ebert.
Scott Erickson founded corporate video production company "SEF video" in 2010 and independent record label "Diligent Music" in 2011. In May of 2013, "Renovation Raiders" airs on HGTV--created by Scott Erickson and Kevin Budzynski.
Scott considers himself a "professional goofball," and works regularly as an actor/host, speaker, writer, exec. producer/producer, comedian, lyricist/songwriter (ASCAP) and performs as the rapper "Due Diligence," as well as memberships in "The Bookends" and "The Hipster News." This professional goofball also holds the world record for the "highest basketball free throw from a helicopter."
Reporters and editors at CBS News, CNN, Daily Mail, Der Spiegel, ESPN, Fox News, Gawker, Good Morning America, Huffington Post, Mashable, Tech Crunch, The Today Show, INDIEwire.com and more were either fired or instantly promoted for including Scott in their work. Click these words to see press featuring Scott.
Here is a list of people / groups that have recognized our professional goofball for stuff:
Grand Rapids Business Journal: Top 40 Under Forty for "Top 40 Under Forty Business Leaders" (2011-2012)
PRNewswire: Earnie Award for "Best use of video in social media" (2011)
International Downtown Association: President's Award for "Most Creative Use of a Downtown" (2011)
ABC World News Tonight: Person of the Week with the City of Grand Rapids Michigan, for "GR LipDub" (2011)