Author: Mark

It Just Seems So Obvious

“If the United States and its partners bought all of Afghanistan’s opium, a major source of corruption in Afghanistan would disappear, violence in Taliban-affected areas would fall, world supplies of heroin would crash, and a global shortage of morphine — a source of much hidden suffering — could be alleviated.”

Over 5 billion people worldwide have ‘low to nonexistent access’ to opioid painkillers. As of April 17, 2012 over 1,800 members of the US military have died in Afghanistan. 

Both these statistics are unacceptable. I do not know what it is like to loose a loved one to war. I do know first hand what it is like to it to watch a loved one suffer a death from cancer. If it was not for the brilliant and dedicated professionals at the hospice and their ability and expertise to administer morphine I cannot imagine witnessing her death. 

And that is the problem, those who have the power to make a difference to so many do not know first hand what those who’ve lost a love one to war or to terminal illness and death. Let alone those who are dying. Otherwise these statistics would be fixed.

http://tiny.cc/mzs2cw

Adults, learning, and online: They are connected.

Old news that deserves to be revisited: Pew Research Center ‘The Social Life of Health Information, 2011’ I would venture not much has changed in a year. This is just a sample of the data rich survey and report. 

Of the 74% of adults who use the internet:

  • 80% have looked online
  • 34% have read someone else’s commentary 
  • 25% of internet users, or 19% of adults, have watched an online video about health or medical issues
  • 23% of social network site users, or 11% of adults, have followed their friends’ personal health experiences or updates on the site.

 Adults using online resources are seeking a solution to a problem. Do you know the problem they want to solve as it relates to your brand or service? Do you understand where they are in there learning? What are you doing to ensure your brand or service is presenting a problem-centric message to those seeking solutions? Brand-centric messages do not connect with the deep needs of a someone seeking to learn. It does not connect an adult to you and your brand. And least we not forget social media is not an add on after thought if you are going to include it make sure it is tied to and part of your strategy. 

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Social-Life-of-Health-Info.aspx

Have you thanked a typeface today?

There is something reassuring about type. It has a feel, a personality. Type whispers right into the ear of the reader the soft context of the words. This love is a result of being married to a graphic designer for 30 years and gifting her early on with antique type books. Did you know:

“The most common ligature is the “&” (ampersand). This was originally a combination of the letters “e” and “t”, et, the Latin for “and”. However, the ampersand is generally no longer considered to be a ligature — but that’s how it started out.”  http://ilovetypography.com/

Just imagine sitting down and designing a font. I can’t.