John Winsor

Thanks, Ira

I woke up this morning to the news that Victors & Spoils was named as one of the Ad Age Agency A-List: 10 to Watch. What an honor. Thanks to so many wonderful folks on the team, both here at Victors & Spoils and our extended family of 4,200 in our creative department. We’ve also had the honor of working with a lot of fantastic clients.

A special thanks goes out to Ira Bahr, CMO of Dish Network. The day we launched Victors & Spoils and an article about us appeared in the New York Times , Ira reached out to us. Over the past year, Dish has been our most supportive client. Not only has it been an honor to work them, but Ira has taught us a lot.  Ira’s willingness to innovate, coupled with his direct style and honest feedback, helped us figure out how to build and improve this new machine we call Victors & Spoils.

It wouldn't be the same without our partnership. So, thanks, Ira.

Totally Stuck or Having a Blast?

Going up to the Eisenhower Tunnel on any snowy night can be a test of patience. Tonight it was particularly challenging. First, a big snowstorm had rolled into Colorado. We stopped in Silverthorne for dinner hearing the last few miles to the tunnel was a two hour stand still. I've always blamed other drivers not being prepared.

Man, did I learn my lesson tonight.

I drive a Ford E350 Sportsmobile. It's a huge 4x4 van built to take on everything. Well, my two boys and I got back on the highway with the average speed of 5mph and went about 30 minutes when I noticed that the dash lights were dimming. A few minutes later the radio died. The alternator was a goner.

I knew I was in trouble.

Two kids in the car. I got to the right lane and the car completely died. There I sat. I had become the traffic jam. I was humbled that I would get into this kind of jam. Calling 911 the sent tow truck out, which took another 2 hours. These kinds of things usually really frustrate me. But, when I explained what was happening the boys said, "this is so cool." there was a sense of wonder for a new experience that somehow over the years I had forgotten about. So, here I sit on top of a big flatbed tow truck having the time of my life, laughing with the boys as we crawl in bumper to bumper traffic up the pass. What was going to be a long, hard night has become a once in a life time experience.

Who knows what happens next but whatever it is it will be awesome.

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Good to Have the Powder Back

EVC 1.09.11 from john winsor on Vimeo.

I love powder. Deep, thick, choking powder. It's nice to have it back.

Say Hi to The V&S Creative Department

 

Lot's of folks ask about our creative department. Who's in it? What do they do? We now have a community of 3900 very talented folks in the department now. They come from 110 countries with 55% coming from the United States. The average years of experience is 6+ years.They some of the most talented people in every category of job that the advertising industry has to offer from traditional to digital to social.

We are honored to be working with so many fantastic folks.

Are You Trapped?

I'm sure the CEO of American Airlines can see Southwest fly over and sees the need for change. But, he has too many legacy commitments to make it happen.

Would you rather play defense, defending outdated business models, or play offense and create new ones?

You begin to become trapped by your own devices when you hire your first employee, you commit to your first office space. The goal, in the age of abundance, is to become unshackeled from these restrictions.

Easy Riding

 
 

Just before the holidays Buddy Ketchner and the good folks at Sterling-Rice gave us this sweet Captain America helmet. What a great gift. Thanks, guys. It's great to be in the same town with such kindred spirits.