John Nosta: THINKOLOGY The Intersection of Thought, Creativity and Inspiration

The Big Think: Confessions of a Digital Man

What would David Ogilvy think...as we frolic in the new world 100 years after his birth?

Smart phones, digital billboards (he predicted their demise), and the vast social network that define our world today would certainly make red smoke rise from that famous pipe!

The man in the Hathaway shirt might very well be the woman with the Ipad. Or Dove might very well be headed to global domination with their insightful and consumer-centric strategy allowed to florrish in the digital space.

David would love it...but raise an eye with an important concern. He would certainly embrace the innovation and enhance connectivity with the customer. But in the final analysis, he would ask "Does it sell?" But I think that David would have that ipad tucked into his leather brief case and a heafty Klout score!

For me, my confession is simple. Obsession.

I love the vast word that exists at the tips of my fingers and farthest recesses of my mind. I love the connections with my customers and the instant gratification that I recieve. I love my Twitter friends and the banter, RTs, #FF and #MM that is all served up before me with the touch of a button--anywhere and anytime.

But obsession has transformed me in ways that I never expected. In a funny way, I've become more human. More connected. And more responsive in both the real and digital world...and a push of a button has become the shake of a hand and exchange of a smile. It's made me a better marketer, thinker, father and person.

So, thanks David Ogilvy for teaching me to innovate and push boundaries. You would have made a great "digital man" too! Happy 100th birthday.