Q&A #Living The Dream: A Delicate Analysis of The Boss…
Hard Work and Good Beer Makes Dreams a Reality.
So, common sense would dictate leaving this section blank, but we care to turn it off when we feel like it. It’s part of the whole “greater good” thing. Everyone at Donehue Direct gets one of these, and we’re all about equal opportunities- not equal results. That’s the pure Conservative ideal in action.
So, meet Wesley. If you know Donehue Direct, he’s the first part of that name-brand, and one part of the dynamic Donehue duo that helps innovate politics on a daily basis. This whole idea which is now quickly becoming a movement is the brainchild of Wes, and it’s getting better than ever.
Born on a political starship somewhere slightly outside the Alpha-quadrant, Wesley has made a career out of energizing campaigns, funding Starbucks, and picking apart the Klingon creation myth piece by piece. Some argue that his homeland of South Carolina can be slightly outside of the Alpha quadrant at times as well, which makes his vision for the future- and his operations all the more successful.
One of the subtle truths is that he’s a natural born worker. Controversy tends to come from many directions, but even his most charged opponents have to respect the work ethic that’s made his vision a reality. Wes has his game face, and also lets the tie undone from time to time. His drive to frame politics as a fun workable hobby is a sharp contrast from the past- and we’re certain that it will be successful in the future. It better be, or we’ll be working down at the Cookout. Yum…
We can have fun, play around, and be creators of the new political dynamic as long as deadlines are met. Sometimes they aren’t, and we experience the Wrath of Khan. But the success generally outpaces the failure, and together we create dreams. It’s all part of the ride.
So, we did get to holler at this busy, busy man and learn a thing or two about what drives him, and we hope you’ll enjoy:
So Wes,
What is your favorite book?
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
What is your favorite song?
Talk on Indolence by The Avett Brothers
(Tunage break)
Who is your favorite politician?
SC Senator Harvey Peeler (I’ll get hurt if I don’t say that)
What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?
I bring in business so that the rest of you jokers can get paid.
Why do you like being a geek?
Because my wife likes geeks.
Best memory working here?
Getting recognized as GOP Innovator of the Year by Campaigns and Elections Magazine. That was an important and meaningful thing for me.
Biggest Screw Up?
I once got busted creating an anonymous hit site on a presidential candidate. Also, texting curse words to Will Folks was not smart.
What makes you love politics?
Our work matters. We change lives.
Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart….
Strobe light.
What does America smell like?
Butter.
Who has been the greatest President in the past three years?
Elizabeth Donehue, The President of My Fan Club.
Well, you certainly are the strobe light to our party. When folks wanna be fun-sponges, you turn up the tech(no) and blast seizure inducing light-rays of political action. Politics is a passion for this office, and Wes is the ultimate enabler. Where this dream will go from here, who knows. But one thing is for certain, the environment is changing and Wes knows it. Donehue Direct is stepping up and making things happen.
Join us if you haven’t already.
Q&A #52: Bryan Ortner and The Funky Bunch
Bryan Ortner Feelin' That Rocky Mountain High
Look at that. That’s a man on the mission of life right there. Bryan Ortner, to be exact.
Bryan comes to us, and leaves us, by always supporting what we do. Recently, he’s had to leave us due to some health complications, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a soldier for the Donehue Direct brand, and always supporting everything we do. That’s a display of loyalty that you can’t just pay for these days.
So, when we could actually track him down at the quarantine chamber, suit up in our protective gear, and get exactly 5 minutes (of non-contact) where we could ask him a few questions, he looked up from his bubble-chamber and told us exactly what we wanted to hear. Between trying to bite us and talking about brains, we got a little confused. But we got what we wanted. Maybe not the secrets to a happy and successful life, but it got our creative juices flowing at least. We’re also happy to say that DHEC finally got a new Director, so the hope of him being released back into the general public looks brighter each day.
So, Bryan, what’s your best quality?
Braiiiiiiins
What is your favorite book?
Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
What is your favorite song?
This is like picking my favorite child, but… “Towers” by Bon Iver
(Tunage Break)
Who is your favorite politician?
John Warner
What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?
I think I can brand with the best of ‘em. I have a strong passion for innovative, well-designed advertisements and campaigns.
Why do you like being a geek?
Being a geek earned me my nickname amongst all of my best friends: The Student
Best memory working here?
Walking into the office for my interview and realizing that the Donehue Direct office is located in a gorgeous loft in Downtown Columbia overlooking the statehouse and Main Street.
Biggest Screw Up?
Jonathan and I were packed up after Pub Politics, leaving the Whig. We were walking up the stairs to the office and I dropped the tupper-ware container that carried all of our equipment’s batteries and back-up batteries. Batteries + flight of stairs + gravity + itern in a sling = disaster
What makes you love politics?
Politics is a major part of one’s culture. The individual has the power to influence their own government and in turn, their culture. And that’s awesome.
Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart.
Duct tape. I hold it together.
What does America smell like?
Gucci by Gucci wearing sweaty cows.
Who has been the greatest President in the past three years?
Elizabeth, of course. But in a close second, University of South Carolina President Pastides
Well, Bryan…thank you for that engaging selection. We hope when you get better, that you’ll keep bringing the heat as you always do. Pinching nerves is always a rough thing to endure, and we would totally suggest doing yoga downstairs. Or, at the Strom Thurmond. One of the benefits of being young and in college. Go get em, tiger, and see us when you’re rested up.
Raise Money, and Rally Your Supporters
Check The Ways Rally Can Tell Your Story.
Regardless of The Issue, Rally Will Make It More Powerful
Social media is changing the way we communicate every day. It’s also changing the breadth and reach of those communications. From Facebook likes to re-tweets to youtube videos, a deep thought, a clever quip (or even an embarrassing moment) can be shared with more people more quickly than ever before.
Social media also has an incredible multiplier effect. With one click of the mouse, a person shares with hundreds or even thousands of others, then those people do the same. Pretty soon, one single communication is cascading across the Web.
What drives this phenomenon? What makes people WANT to share? Though the technology has changed, the answer to this question hasn’t – content. Even though the methods and modes of communication have changed, content is still king.
But that begs the question – what kind of content drives sharing? Sure a pithy quote or a funny video might drive some sharing or lead someone to 15 minutes of internet fame.
What people are really after is something that isn’t just compelling once, they’re looking for something that is compelling on a sustained basis; something that keeps them coming back for more.
What people are looking for, quite simply, is a story.
The best blogs, the best facebook timelines, the best twitter accounts are the ones that tell a story. People not only want to know what’s coming next, they want to see where you’ve been.
Every campaign, every issue, every candidate has a story. Those stories humanize and personalize what in a lot of cases are just facts, disjointed observations, and statistics.
That’s where Rally comes in.
Rally is a new social networking tool being utilized here at Donehue Direct. But Rally is more than simple social networking. It’s much, much more.
Think tumblr, twitter and pay pal all rolled into one.
At its most basic level, a Rally page functions like a blog. So automatically, it’s a great tool for storytelling. But it uses those stories to drive donations, right there from the content. And every new piece of the story is delivered to the audience at large via text, email and video alerts. The stories are shared over social networks as well.
We’re having incredible success with Rally, and getting great feedback from our clients for its simplicity and effectiveness.
It was a creation of the Piryx team. Piryx stormed onto the scene just a couple of years ago, and quickly gained renown as the best donation system for causes on the web. Donehue Direct started working with them during the Congressman Joe Wilson “You Lie!” controversy, and raised literally millions for Wilson online in just a few short days.
But Piryx was just the donation hub. And Congressman Wilson had the advantage of a very public news event to drive donations. In most cases, you need other means to push content, which is where Rally comes in – you can now do that alongside a donations platform.
Simply put, it’s a one stop shop for TELLING THE STORY of your campaign – and even more importantly, getting people invested in what comes next.
Q&A & Coversheets: Jonathan Williams, Motivation, and Too Many TPS Reports
The details guy. Every office has one- and in a setting with such fast paced projects and constant demands, it’s important that the details are paid attention to, and paid attention to well. That’s where Jonathan comes in, and as Director of Research for Donehue Direct, he makes sure every single meticulous detail gets the attention it deserves, and we appreciate him for it.
His relaxed demeanor, personable manner, and willingness to teach makes him the best Lumbergh that one could ask for. Slowly coming by just to chat and remind you of the new hours sheet isn’t a cumbersome undertaking when it’s Jonathan behind the coffee cup. Jonathan is a personnel manager extraordinaire, and connecting is his specialty. He’d rather boost creativity than punish one for their shortcomings, and he serves as a motivator to others. It’s something that other offices and campaigns can take from, because his style is on point.
And, as a bonus, he has never asked anyone to come in on Saturday.
So, when he actually did ask us to come in on Saturday via 15 voicemails, 10 emails, and a smoke signal, we ignored him. But, the following Monday we were able to come in and ask him a few questions about what makes him tick- and we wasn’t even bothered that we didn’t come in on Saturday. That’s just how Jonathan is. So, what makes him go? Well, let’s just see…..
So, Jonathan….what is your favorite book?
The Prince, by Machiavelli.
What is your favorite song?
The Imperial March. It’s sinister.
(tunage break)
Who is your favorite politician?
Senator Palpatine
What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?
My hands
Why do you like being a geek?
Knowledge = power
Best memory working here?
Pub Politics
Biggest Screw Up?
Pub Politics
What makes you love politics?
Meeting new people
Jonathan Ponders Long and Hard....An Important Management Decision Is About To Be Made.
Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart?
Legos. I like building new things and every kids starts with Legos…
What does America smell like?
Gasoline. Don’t know why, but it does.
Who has been the greatest President in the past three years?
Former USC President Andrew Sorenson.
Well, it goes without saying that Jonathan works hard to motivate others to do their work, and his skills are used not in vain. Jonathan has a creative edge that lets him communicate, and socialize with staff effectively. It earns trust, and returns hard work. His style is success, and as Donehue Direct grows, it will be interesting to see how his example is used by others- in house, or in the management field in general.
Q&A #Whatever: Patrick Arnold, Foot-Soldier For Our Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
Hardlegger.
We were going to go with Hardlegger to describe the daily grind of Patrick Arnold, Campaign Director of Donehue Direct….
But then we checked Urban Dictionary and found out it’s actually a bad thing. Hope all the campers we referred to as hardleggers after hiking 10 miles back in the day have forgiven us by now. It seemed real cool at the time.
But, absent of hardlegging- how can we describe the work and actions of Patrick Arnold? His skills, on-the-go approach, and to the point wit deserve a definition of it’s own. Road warrior? Soldier? Supreme Engineer of Campaign Mastery….
That’s better.
Patrick Arnold comes to us with a history of globetrotting and winning- two things our firm is known for doing. His work couldn’t be more appreciated, and it pays off with the product. Since hiring him last month, Donehue Direct has brought in clients, secured campaigns, and found new strategic angles for success. His consulting skills, drive, and wit make him a pleasure to be around. He’s always on the go, but he’s always composed and put together- seemingly free of stress. Think James Bond meets Jedi Master- leader doesn’t even explain the half of it.
So, naturally we wanted to find some time to ask him a few questions and see if we could learn a thing or two in the process. What started as a simple walk down Main St. turned in to an overnight trip to Las Vegas, and somehow ended up with a hotel suite in South Beach. We really don’t know how it happened, but at least we got the answers that we were looking for ( and Wesley has yet to receive the bill.) So things are good, for now at least.
So, let’s start off boring…what is your favorite book?
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams. I’m a habitual hitchhiker, so of course I need a guide to get me through the galaxy of politics.
What is your favorite song?
Charlie Brown theme song.
(Tunage Break)
Who is your favorite politician?
Gov. Bobby Jindal.
What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?
My disarming good looks.
Why do you like being a geek?
Because peaking in high school doesn’t get you a Ferrari.
Best memory working here?
Falling asleep standing. I’ve almost mastered it. Would you believe I’m doing it right now?
Biggest Screw Up?
Don’t worry about that right now. I’d rather break the news to Wesley gently.
What makes you love politics?
Opinions matter.
Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart…
Definitely a Semi-automatic weapon.
What does America smell like?
I’m from LSU, so everything smells like corndogs to me.
Well, while we might not think Corndogs are the smell of America, it’s the value of opinion in politics that certainly makes our country great. We’ve already seen great things from Mr. Arnold, and we only expect continued mastery in the future. He’s changing the game, and it’s easy to understand why he isn’t a Consultant…but a Campaign Engineer. Who knows where this will lead him in the future? To the White House, or to the frozen foods section of Wal-Mart? Your guess is as good as ours. Regardless, innovation happens naturally for Patrick, and we will just have to wait and see the developments that follow. Until next time…..
Q&A #4: Renee, The Connoisseur of Cool, Calm, and Collected
For every sports movie you watched growing up as a kid, there was a reference by some old, cranky coach about how the glue keeps the team together, the bonds that cannot be broken, or something even more obscure. In his attempt to bring the team together, the coach pawned some ridiculous metaphor centered around someone, or something that brought everyone together to win. Maybe it was Air Bud. Maybe it was Henry Rowengartner. There’s some pop culture for you, but in the truest sense, Renee is the bond and the glue of Donehue Direct. She keeps it together, and by doing so keeps us together.
In an office where stress and personality dominate, Renee’s calm and careful demeanor provides an example for the men in the house to follow. Ever proper, her attention to detail, consistency, and dedication to this office make her example one to follow. Her personality allows her to organize, and to also read between the details of her work- something that the men often rely on her to spot before a final submission.
So, while she had a free moment we caught up with her and asked her a few questions. We published the appropriate ones, and filed the other ones in the back of our minds. What would you ask her? Well, we covered all the bases and I’m sure you’ll agree:
So Renee, what is your favorite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s the first book I ever read that made me think about what I was reading. The experience of “reflective” reading started with this book and then inspired me to eventually study English in college.
What is your favorite song?
Good by Better Than Ezra
(Tunage Break)
Who is your favorite politician?
Vaclev Havel*
*B.A. of International Politics didn’t know who this was either. World Renowned intellectual, anti-Soviet dissident, and first President of the free Czech Republic. Dedicated his life to freeing and Westernizing the Iron Curtain. Rock on, Havel.
What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?
Based on the questions I get, it seems that it would be my mad grammar skills. I have a degree in English, and someone’s always got a question about singular v. plural.
Why do you like being a geek?
Because I was home schooled
Best memory working here?
Anytime that my cheeks hurt from laughter. Someone is always cutting up or telling a joke.
Biggest Screw Up?
Ha! I’ll summarize as: working too quickly. And that’s why I’m calm.
What makes you love politics?
AMERICA! (Author’s note: not calm for this one)
Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart?
Anything
What does America smell like?
Teen spirit?
Well, while America might not smell like teen spirit these days, Donehue Direct smells like team spirit. And Renee is someone who makes this dream a reality. She’s always working hard, and always doing her best to make sure that every loose end gets tied up. We appreciate her for it, and we love the example she sets for the entire office. Hopefully, her work and her example will only grow from here, and she will continue to be the flag-bearer for others to follow.
Until next time….
Responsiveness: Not Just Limited To Email and Phone Anymore.
- Are you responsive?
Responsiveness.
People, especially clients are always looking for a smooth and swift response.
But the word “responsiveness” has taken on a new – and ever-evolving – meaning in the digital age.
We now carry phones in our pockets with enough processing power to make the desktop computers of even a dozen years ago look like abacuses by comparison.
Not only has the speed with which we connect and communicate increased exponentially, but so has the number of ways we do so. Now with desktops, laptops, smart phones, tablets, and even gaming console-based browsers, the tools we have for communicating anytime, anywhere are seemingly endless.
Unfortunately, Web design has not always kept up with our desire to consume information quickly and on our own terms. With the first smart phones, it could take minutes to download even the simplest Web pages. Then came the advent of mobile sites, but with them often came a loss of features and functionality present when viewing the site in a traditional browser. Now smart phones are equipped with full-featured browsers capable of handling more complex page designs, but cramming all of that information onto a 3.5 inch screen and having to resize and zoom repeatedly is cumbersome and inconvenient
Now, Donehue Direct is bringing its clients a cutting-edge solution that combines the speed and convenience of on-the-go Web browsing with the functionality of a full-featured browser – Responsive Web sites.
In a nutshell, Responsive Web sites “morph” themselves into the browser window of whatever device the user happens to be surfing the internet from, and does so without reverting to a less-functional, scaled-back “mobile” version of the site for tablets and smart-phones. See the image above? Mobile sites are great- but what if you want to have every function that the “desktop” version of the site has? Now you can.
Now, you can truly use a single Web design to reach all of your customers and readers at once, while maintaining not just the functionality, but the branding of your site as well.
Check out one of the sites we designed using this technology, www.patmccrory.com
If you’ve got an IPad, you can endorse him, donate, volunteer, follow him on Facebook, Twitter- the options are almost unlimited. Ease and Convenience, right there.
Oh, no IPad? Well, learn more about him from your mobile phone or volunteer- a few less options, but a number of ways to interact with the campaign:
We lied! We’ve made it so that you can donate, volunteer, endorse, follow, friend, or Youtube him from a mobile phone as well. These are just different zoom and pan angles of the exact same website:
And, you have a tablet other than an IPad? No worries. It’s all the same:
See the difference? When time is an asset, sites like these are optimized to be accommodating to those who might not be able to hear your message otherwise. Mobile sites don’t offer the functionality of responsive web design, and when time is money, you’ve got to ask yourself if you’re providing the most efficient way for someone to spend their time. The answers are clear: a responsive website will produce better results, and maintain your following by providing the same benefits of the fully functioning website.
But wait…If you’re not convinced, check out the “Before, During, and After” reactivity of a responsive website:
Large Size Screen:
And a medium sized screen:
And, a smaller sized screen:
These images have been sized the same way, but they represent different sized screenshots. Notice how each size screenshots contains an entirely different interface. This makes viewing at any screensize possible. The use of this technology means that websites can adapt easier, and are more user friendly. In the future, this will be huge. Do you want your organization or campaign to be left behind? Or will you take advantage of this technology while it’s still in its’ infancy?
Q&A #3: Channelling The Bro With Coard Miller
Every office has the bro. Coard Miller, Media Manager and Graphic Design whiz-kid takes the word and innovates it to actually mean something positive. Coard has worked for Donehue Direct for a while now, and his knowledge of communication and imagery has made his skills an asset that everyone appreciates. In other words, he is a rock-star and we’re just a small group of fans in need of an autograph.
But there’s more to just being a geek than coolness. Behind the Wayfarers is complexity, a sort of specimen that some would even suggest is too weird to live, too rare to die. The special skills, caring, and talent just cannot simply be matched in this modern world. Such is the duality of Mr. Coard Miller- design pro, aficionado of life, and key Ace in the deck of Donehue Direct. We’re smart, so we will certainly hold on to him and use his designs in the future (and for the greater good of the world)
Recently, we were able to get about 17 seconds of this man’s precious time, and as he stepped into the limo, he answered a few questions. Whether we made the answers up in lieu of an autograph, you can decide- but regardless, this is Coard Miller: Unfiltered.
What is your favorite book?
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
What is your favorite song?
A-Punk by Vampire Weekend
(Tunes and Jams)
Who is your favorite politician?
Joe Wilson. Stands up for his beliefs and makes himself heard.
What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?
I design awesome stuff and learn new techniques and styles every day
Why do you like being a geek?
I wouldn’t know. Wink wink.
Best memory working here?
Every time someone shares one of my images because it shows people care about what I made and that it affected someone.
Biggest Screw Up?
When I was so tired I accidentally put the photo of one politician on the background for another and used the first’s logo with the second’s tagline. That was bad.
What makes you love politics?
Something new every day, and we have a chance to push the boundaries and really break out of the shell that has been typical campaigns.
Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart
A box of chocolates – “ya never know whatcha gon’ get”
What does America smell like?
Victory.
Who has been the greatest President in the past three years?
I’d say the president of my own fan club, too. But I doubt that it exists.
Well Coard, it does exist. We’re patiently awaiting the membership forms. Let us know. We’ll surround ourselves in your graphic and media mastery until then. Keep bringing the noise!
Q&A #2: JearBear, Reba, and Endless Insights
Inside every office filled with booming personality is the spunk that holds it together. Jarrett Edwards, who recently assumed his position as Social Media Manager (from starting as an intern, you rock Jarrett!) keeps the office entertained with his unique insight, and ever-constant worry- but his careful attention and almost fatherly care for his work and everyone around him shows the beauty and depth of his character. He’s an asset, and I assure you- there’s only one Jarrett in this world and the next.
Jearbear, as some have grown to call him, is the butter to the bread of Donehue Direct. He adds a little extra flavor that brings the stress level down at least 10 notches. Meeting up with him earlier this week and asking him some questions was an experience in itself, and we learned a thing or two about the man who motivates, inspires, and leaves one pondering: “hmm, what’s going on up there at this very moment?”
So, we got to know a little more, and I think we’re better people because of it:
So Jarrett, what is your favorite book?
The Baptist Hymnal, I used to be an Associate Music Leader at my small country church. I’m from the middle of nowhere.
What is your favorite song?
Might as well learn this about me now, I’m a Reba Fanatic. So any song of hers will always do the trick.
*Tunage Break
Who is your favorite politician?
Margaret Thatcher
What do you think is your biggest asset to our work?
My relentless determination, to always do the best.
Why do you like being a geek?
Who are you calling a geek?
Best memory working here?
Being treated to lunch on my birthday! Such a cool thing for a boss to do.
Biggest Screw Up?
I might as well confess, I mixed up addresses and sent Wes to the wrong DC coffee shop for a very important meeting. I felt like the earth opened up and sucked me in, it’s something I will never forget and makes me much more careful in my work.
What makes you love politics?
Politics touches all aspects of life, so to be even a small part of the process is very humbling.
Describe yourself. As something you can buy at Wal-Mart:
An inexpensive yet refreshing bottle of wine, it gets the job done!
What does America smell like?
Apples and Cinnamon
Who has been the greatest President in the past three years?
My mother, the President and so far only member of my fan club! (Not True)