Keeping this one short and sweet today. Below are a few folks I follow on LinkedIn to broaden my perspective and keep my thinking fresh - from brand and business strategy to the creator economy to org design and culture. Enjoy!
Less travel.
Less time at the office.
Less eating out.
Less gym visits.
Less live sports.
Christien wondering what life’s about. ;)
More cooking, grilling, smoking and baking.
More zoom calls with toddler squeals a-making.
More cherished family time.
More time at home or long-stints away.
More learning.
More online networking.
Jackie TikTokking away.
This year was not as expected.
’Tis how life goes.
Rory learned to talk well.
And Jackie’s coffee budget rose.
When we looked back at the year,
What did we find?
Less than we feared.
A life full of joy.
Time spent differently
This year.
I recently rediscovered my Tumblr account.
Which led to me rediscovering my wedding website (before wedding websites were a thing).
Which led to me re-sharing “Our Story” here #ontheblog… that isn’t really a blog.
Enjoy!
This is where our story starts.
Narrated by Christien:
I first met Jackie at a Tillman Scholarship dinner during the first week of our freshman year of college. I thought she was pretty nice, but didn’t think much about her beyond that.
We really got to know each other at Camp Carey, where we teamed up for competitions against other business freshmen (we had the best team). Jackie and I had the same friends throughout the year, so we got to hang out quite a bit. Sometimes I felt like she tried to hang out with my guy friends too much (haha), but it allowed us to become really good friends. We started texting over spring break of that year, and came together while studying accounting during the semester. At the end of the school year, we decided that we would try dating when we got back to Tempe as sophomores.
Jackie and I texted and talked on the phone all summer, and really got to know each other. The time spent talking provided a very strong foundation that has lasted over time. Once we got back to school in the Fall, we hit it off. Jackie and I have been best friends ever since. I know that I can talk to her about anything and will always have her support. She knows that it works the other way around as well. I love Jackie, and look forward to spending the rest of my life with her.
Narrated by Jackie:
As Christien mentioned, our story started at a Tillman Scholarship dinner. Tillman played a major role in my decision to attend ASU. It also allowed me to get to know Christien beyond his love for sports and OU football.
We discussed pertinent life topics and philosophical leadership questions in the class portion of our scholarship. I learned rather quickly that Christien is a person of strong conviction with high moral standards and values. He always spoke confidently and authentically about his love for God, his family and his community.
Most importantly, Christien walked the talk. Christien and I both believe in the power of athletics to create positive change. In high school, I was blessed with the opportunity to coach a few basketball teams. Christien has pursued a similar vision, co-founding a high school student outreach program with competitive basketball as the hook. He and his best friend, Braxton Redeagle, have helped many at-risk youth earn both hefty academic and athletic scholarships to attend college.
Throughout our years at ASU, Christien and I pushed each other to be our very best and pursue our passions. We both majored in marketing and teamed up quite well on school projects. I could always count on him to hit me with a quality dose of reality and wisdom when necessary as well.
I knew Christien was the one early on (call me crazy). It was during an event we helped co-facilitate called Basketball Beyond Barriers. The camp hosted 100 elementary school youth in Phoenix for a day of basketball drills, cultural awareness, leadership development and goal setting. At the end of the day, we were having the kids perform fun basketball relay races. As everyone focused in on which team would cross the finish line first, I turned and saw Christien focused on something entirely different. He wasn’t standing on the sidelines. He was on the ground walking like a crab next to another little boy struggling to move across the gym at the pace of the others.
Beyond his dashing good looks, it is this example of Christien’s compassion and love for others that still gets me to this day. No matter the twists and turns life throws at us, with God at the center, I know we will fight to make our relationship last a lifetime.
We have amazing family to look up to for guidance and support as well. Christien and I are so thankful for the opportunity to bring our stories, our families, and our celebration of our love together this July 5, 2014. We are blessed to have you join us on this special day.
See you July 5th!
In no particular order…
Mom; thank you for being our life line. For taking care of Aurora for over six months during the pandemic. For teaching her to fix things with a drill, to play in the sand, to color with chalk, and just be a curious kid.
Casa de Crynes. The home we purchased in Fall of 2019 with a grassy backyard, sandy playground and fruit trees became a sanctuary for more time spent at home.
Flexible jobs. Both CC and I were able to work from anywhere the majority of this year, allowing us to make extended road trips to be with family in other parts of the country.
The Dunkin Donuts a mile from my house. You gave me the extra energy boost and special treat in my day; thanks for always leaving the extra sugar granules at the bottom of my iced coffee.
My mentors. You answered my calls, my texts, my Instagram DMs to help me in my lows and celebrate at my highs as a new business leader.
My team. I work with some of the most incredible and talented humans. They are patient with me, honest with me, and push our influencer marketing agency in ways that ought to make you question why your brand isn’t working with us already.
My clients. Clients that have become true friends and partners. This year in social media and influencer marketing was not for the faint of heart and you not only stood by us but worked through this crazy year with us together.
My Husband. You are my rock. My source of safety. And you make Casa de Crynes run smoothly. You keep our tummies full of delicious food, our daughter giggling, and our laundry clean and stain free.
My ergonomic keyboard and magic mousepad. Thank you Brad for the recommended setup. I was able to curb some early signs of carpal tunnel at the onset of working from home.
My church. Victory Family Church is a source of spiritual leadership during an unprecedented (yes, I said it) year. Not falling to cultural narratives, you have reminded us to stay close to the Gospel and LOVE others harder than ever.
Arizona temps. This made me laugh because it was Arizona’s HOTTEST summer ever. However, we are heading into paradise like temps the remainder of the year.
Pool time at mom and dad’s house. I always imagined “pool day at Grandma and Grandpa’s” as a wishful thought. To drive over for a fun water day with Rory is special.
Morning routine. With a majority of our clients on the east coast and an adjusted schedule for covid times, I’ve learned to cherish the morning hours before the sun rises to get to work and make things happen.
Connecting with friends over impromptu Facetimes. Thanks for making me feel normal; like a normal mom; a normal friend; a normal-ish human going through this stage of motherhood with a toddler. Thanks for picking up the phone; no make-up in pajamas/sweats and just doing life together.
People that comment on my Instagram stories and posts. Social for me is a place to connect with loved ones and be inspired. You all are the best out there.
Doodling. When I give myself permission to do it I remind myself how fun it is to create, imagine, and use a skill I developed throughout my childhood.
Those that helped with my Dad’s birthday present. If you know, you know. Pulling off a video from folks all over the country was a special treat for my nostalgic father.
Arizona adventures. Whenever we drive by a mountain or park we have visited this year with Aurora, she reminds us “we went on an adventure there.” It’s cool to see we are building meaningful memories with her, even if we are sticking closer to home.
Facebook marketplace - from enhancing my negotiation skills to transforming parts of our house more into home… or even into a productive office space, Facebook marketplace has become a new pastime.
Robot vacuum. Not the smartest, but collects all the crumbs left behind from Rory and leaves perfectly manicured lines in my carpet.
I officially failed to make any 30 under 30 list. Happy 30th birthday to me! And in my own style, rather than wallow in my lack of worldly achievement, I have decided to craft a list of 30 things that have made the greatest positive impact in my life over the last 30 years. So here we go, in no particular order…
Childhood Home (And Backyard)
5 Years Happily Married to CC
Becoming A Mom To Aurora (Our Rainbow Baby)
Living & Moving To/From 4 States: IL, OK, TX, AZ
Getting My Start Under Andrew Bagley At Sitewire
Victory Family Church’s Women In Leadership Small Group
Falling In Love with Food Marketing at Sonic Drive-In
Leading Product Innovation at Cicis Pizza
Monthly Lunch Dates with Sharon in Texas
Running Three Half Marathons
Persevering Through Breaking My Left Arm 3x
Illinois DECA State President in High School
Exploring Industrial & Graphic Design
Road Trips Throughout The U.S. with CC
Living Down The Street from CC’s Grandparents
Coaching Middle School Boys & Girls Basketball
All The Weekend Softball Tournaments
Designing The Smith Family Christmas Card For Years
Choosing To Rejoin Sitewire
Buying Our First Home In AZ
Traveling To Puerto Rico (And Eating All The Food)
Being Introduced To Salted Caramel Anything
Planning My Wedding With My Mom
OU Tailgating & Smoking Meats/Grilling Out
Sledding On The Golf Course
Celebrating Holidays With 23 Cousins
Tamale Making With CC’s Family
Seeing CC Emerge As A Gifted Basketball Coach
Leading Strategy & Creative At August United
30 years. How epic! Thanks to each of you for being a meaningful part of it.
Photo by Thomas Quaritsch on Unsplash
At eight months, Rory is learning new tricks at warp speed. She is sitting, babbling, trying new foods, rocking, waving, and anyday now, we anticipate her rapid roll will transition to a quick crawl.
With all these new skills and change, I can’t help but think about what skills and experiences Rory may have in the future as she grows up.
I’m currently taking a class on the Internet of Things (IoT) through edx.org with Curtin University. The first module provides case studies of IoT at work — one of them being autonomous vehicles. And perhaps, in my own future blindness, I was shocked by the stat that some say by 2040 more than 75% of cars on the road will be autonomous.
Just think how different the milestone of turning 16 years old will be in the year 2034. As less emphasis is placed on the driver, will there be the same level of importance with this manmade milestone of 16 years of age? Perhaps, being able to drive a car (this is clearly a rural, suburban, urban sprawl, never-lived in a big city girl talking) will not be a clear marker of growing up.
Am I starting to sound like an old person, complaining about how kids these days aren’t learning cursive? The lost art of handwriting is now the lost art of driving down a country road, stopping at the stop sign, and reminding oneself to inch out past the corn for greater clearance before taking the turn.
Anyways, my key takeaways here are: (1) we absolutely cannot count the skills we have learned as sacred, (2) there is so much for our future generations (and us) to learn, and (3) cherish the moments that we have, for they may be just a glimmer in time.
Photo by Charity Maurer of Charity Maurer Photography
Dear Friends & Family,
Circa 2014, almost 4 years ago to the day, CC and I tied the knot, flew to AZ, packed up all our belongings and drove to the sooner state to set up shop. Just a few weeks into marriage, CC was digging deep into his accelerated MBA studies, and I made the leap from agency side to client side at Sonic Drive-In.
A lot has changed since then. CC graduated. We moved south to Dallas. I shifted from branding drive-ins to pizza buffets. And most importantly, we added to our Crynes crew with the arrival of Miss Aurora Jane earlier this year. And those are just some of the highlights.
So where does that leave this Christmas in July letter? Well, the Crynes crew isn’t slowing down just yet. In fact, things are heating up! Literally.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll be joining back up with the talents of Sitewire Agency as their Director of Strategy. This means a move back to the Valley of the Sun is just around the corner. CC and I are ecstatic to connect back up with the vibrant community of family and friends that continue to thrive in the Western US of A. We have been fortunate the past four years to stretch and grow in tremendous ways -- thanks to many of you reading this today.
For me, it’s time to take the massive firehose worth of client-side branding experience, merge it with the evolving and transformative digital landscape, and put it to the ultimate test with passionate agency folks looking to challenge the status quo and maximize success.
There’s no denying the gratitude we are feeling right now. Be on the lookout for updates. And for those of you that have been following along with our mini series titled Tuesdays with Rory, THANK YOU. It has been such a therapeutic and reflective process -- applying the learnings of motherhood to my role in the workplace. I plan to share new content on this topic soon.
Best,
Jackie Crynes
Photo by Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash
My pregnancy was pretty low key. So much so that we didn’t have our first doctor’s appointment until week 13. I participated in two wedding parties, visited 11 states, and traveled by plane on New Year’s Eve. Easy peasy.
And with that, we settled back into our apartment with a month to spare before my due date – just the right amount of time (in my mind) to efficiently nest and prepare for Baby Aurora’s arrival.
Looking to maximize my time in the office as much as possible, CC reluctantly picked me up from work to usher me into my 34-week check-up. We were ready to run in and out.
That didn’t happen. Instead we were sent next door to the hospital where I was to be on bedrest with monitoring until Miss Rory’s arrival.
I wasn’t ready! In my mind – Rory needed to seriously slow her roll. We didn’t have her nursery setup. I still had projects at work that needed to be closed out. And with how big babies are born these days, we didn’t exactly have newborn (or smaller) clothes at the ready.
Yet, here we were. I was hooked up to an IV and contained in a hospital room. I couldn’t do this by myself. In my weakness, I was going to need to rely on my best friend – to prepare our home for Rory, to select my clothes, to order and deliver food other than red gelatin from outside the hospital walls. And it was hard. So much pride was built up. I didn’t know how to ask for help.
Then the surrender came. And for the first time I was met with a heavy helping of humble pie.
I’m so thankful it did. A week later and Rory would be born via C-section, requiring a whole greater level of recovery time and support from family and friends. And as I learned to ask for help, I found that it wasn’t so hard to find.
People showed up to be a part of our journey. And I’m now learning this help goes beyond the birth and initial care of my child. Learning to ask for help as we navigate life is essential. Whether it’s about a new challenge at work, a potential job opportunity, figuring out how to be a trendy mom, dealing with our insecurities, or figuring out how to communicate with a sibling or spouse, seeking support from friends or mentors that align with our own values enables us to overcome major crux points along the way.
So, this lesson is short and sweet for me. Don’t do life alone. They say raising a child takes a village. I believe this to be true. I also believe this to be true for adults too. So eat your own helping of humble pie and don’t be so worried about asking a question, seeking advice, or raising your hand when you need some help.
During my college years, like Hermione Granger with her time-turner, I would pride myself on the self-perception that I could juggle projects, organizations, jobs and coursework all at once. Highlighted in the top left skills section of my resume would be the words, “keen ability to multi-task.”
Then too many years later and 10-weeks away from the office, Miss Rory provided a heavy dose of “Let’s get real, mom.” AND she hasn’t even learned to talk yet!
I believed maternity leave would equate to many books on innovation read, a refresher brand management course completed on edx.org, and time to get into tiptop shape, all the while, taking care of a perfectly unneedy newborn.
I laugh at delusional myself.
Maternity leave was hard. Harder than hard. A chapter of an innovation book was read. I nearly got my password correct to sign-in to edx.org. My body took on a different shape… more like plip plop. And through many tearful, phone calls with my coach (aka my mom) via speaker phone, I learned to let go of my multi-tasking mask and give my undivided attention to my beautiful daughter. Rory wanted all of me. And when I gave her that, I became a better mom and a better all-around Jackie.
Shooting off emails during a cross functional meeting. Thinking about the next project when a direct report is asking a question. Vertically scrolling through Instagram while listening to a conference call while also going through the drive-thru at Chick-fil-a. Having a side conversation when the agency (or client) is on mute. Guilty. Guilty of doing it all horribly well.
It’s funny. Us humans. We think ourselves master multi-taskers. Yet 1 in 4 car crashes are caused by cellphone use and driving. And, to be honest, I have been on one too many phone calls that “hung up” while un-muting.
Devoting our attention and intention to one thing at a time is key. When we do so, I believe we are more potent and efficient. And as we practice said things, we get swifter at shifting gears from one event to next. There’s even a great NPR podcast about it.
Rather than say we’re good at multi-tasking, perhaps we should take a step back, reframe and be intentional with our time. Let’s let go of the multi-tasker myth, and give our best to each person, moment and transition.
Last Tuesday, I kicked off week one of a mini thought starter series inspired by my daughter called Tuesdays with Rory. Welcome to week numero dos.
When was the last time you did something for the first time? This question now makes me laugh when I think about the first two months with Rory. Every moment with our baby girl was foreign – from diaper changing to feeding to learning how to hold her with confidence while supporting her neck – it was all new to me.
And in the midst of the rise and fall of hormones, the newness was all-consuming. As I was healing from surgery in the hospital, I remember my husband and I literally staring at her and back to each other in fear – wondering how in the world our hospital heroes were going to let crazy first timers like us walk out of there with such a tiny human.
Hence, now in month four, I can look back and laugh at the struggle.
As we mature in our careers, we can make the mistake of wanting to stick to what we know and focus all efforts on refinement versus opening ourselves to new territory. During my agency days, even asking corporate leaders to draw a picture of the person next to them made most feel queasy and uncomfortable. And while refinement and proliferation of our strengths are important, I believe today’s marketplace is asking more of us – to explore and try something new. To employ a lifelong curiosity. It doesn’t have to be at the level of bringing a baby into this world, but it could look like learning about blockchain, listening to a podcast about storytelling, speaking for the first time at a conference, or testing out a new feature on Instagram. Perhaps it’s outside the cubicle walls – joining a recreational volleyball team, attempting to create Bob Ross happy trees, or diving into a new dish with the help of a meal delivery kit.
Attempting something new isn’t always fun in the beginning, but it has plentiful benefits. Some studies even show a positive correlation between learning and happiness. For me, it provokes new ways of thinking and creativity. It gives me time to clear my head but also get a little bit more comfortable with the idea of imperfection.
So, my challenge to anyone that reads this would be this: Push yourself to have a somewhat recent answer to the question, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”
Once we brought Rory home, we quickly realized we would need to establish a routine to overcome the exhaustion and what seemed like never ending needs of a newborn. Instilling a sleep-eat-wake rotation every three hours was pertinent to establishing a sense of sanity in the chaos of new life. For naptime, we would swaddle her up tight, sing her a soft song, and she would go right to sleep.
Then one day the swaddle and soft song didn’t work quite the same.
Did we need to work on our swaddle technique? Maybe. Did she notice I was singing off key? Always.
Perfecting our swaddle-sing process was not the issue. Our swaddle blankets were no match for Rory’s growing body, desire for free roaming hands and sweet cries. You see, when we were getting used to the process, Rory had already changed. She was on to something else.
How often do we get caught in the same situation? We are so determined to six sigma the crap out of everything. We want to flawlessly follow a new product development cycle, perfect our projections formula, or mass produce our social media content all while the world around us – our competitors, our customers, our promotional channels make moves. Process is really important. Like a newborn, business is chaotic and exhausting without it. But we can’t get caught getting too comfortable. We need to look for cues that it’s time to adjust. Even better, anticipate them.
So lesson one of this Tuesdays with Rory mini series is -- process is necessary, but don't get too comfortable.
Photo by Wim Pauwels on Unsplash
2017 has proven to be a year marked by transition for CC and myself. One notable and happy change for us is the beautiful news that we became pregnant. When we arrived at our first doctor’s visit, our news was made sweeter when we learned we were already one third of the way along (Praise Jesus!) with a healthy #BabyCrynes.
Since the news, Christien and I have begun the process of preparing for our tiny human to enter this world. Christien found the coolest illustrations by Dallas artist Arturo Torres to hang in our office/nursery/guest room hybrid. My mom was able to deliver the bassinet used by my Grandma Sibenaller to cradle her as a newborn that she then used to take care of us in our first months of life. My mother in law has also been so sweet, providing us with Baby Crynes’ first outfits.
One activity we have taken particular care with is naming our growing child. At our 20th appointment we learned #BabyCrynes would be a tenacious baby GIRL. And with every measurement taken during the sonogram of her arms, chambers of her heart, and toes, we were reminded of how incredible of a miracle we are experiencing in this 9-month journey.
So today, I want to take the time to share the name of our daughter: Aurora Jane Navarette Crynes.
Aurora will be her first name. Approved nickname at this time is Rory. Aurora holds much meaning to us. My Grandfather was a lifelong resident of Aurora, Illinois, where he took great time to build community and establish traditions that my family cherishes to this day. One special tradition is the Lehnertz Avenue Christmas Light Display for which he was a founder. For over 60 years, the street my mom grew up on is lit up to tell the Christmas story as festive music plays throughout the drive ending at a simple, yet powerful manger scene with the star of David shining brightly above.
Aurora also represents light of the world. CC and I pray that she will own her name as Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” No matter the what her future holds, we know that God has called her for such a time as this.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jane will be her first middle name. Jane is in memoriam of my Aunt Jane Mason. My Aunt Jane played a large role in my life. Every spring, like clockwork, my family would travel to Arizona for vacation where we would spend time with my Aunt Jane and family. Driving around running errands, she would remind us to appreciate the little things like a clear, sunny day when you can see the humps on Camelback mountain. At her home, she would roll out giant sheets of paper across the entire table so I could doodle over every piece of it. At some point, we would all get together to squeeze fresh lemons to make the very best homemade lemonade. 8 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup fresh lemon juice FYI.
Her greatest influence on me however was during my college years. I decided to leave the comforts of my home state and attend Arizona State University. During those years, her home became my home. About once a month I would find my way to her house and fall asleep in the corner of her sofa from the pure exhaustion of my go-go-go nature. She was a nurturer, an encourager, and loved by people from all walks of life. Later in my college years, I saw her fight cancer with magnificent faith and an upbeat spirit. Despite the tremendous pain I know she felt, she would always put others’ needs before her own. She passed away just two months before our wedding day. Thanks be to God she got to see me in my wedding dress before the big day. I know she is smiling down on us today. CC and I are thankful her vigor for life and legacy will carry on with our little girl.
Navarette is Aurora’s second middle name. It is a name that is carried down from CC’s Grandma Sanchez, his mom and his sister Victoria. Family is incredibly important to us and the opportunity to honor our family through names is super special. Navarette is CC’s Grandma’s maiden name. His mom and sister hold it as a middle name, so we decided to carry it on as a tradition. This name comes with a tall order for baby Aurora. Christien’s Grandma Maggie is a feeler, caregiver, and knows how to cook from the depths of her heart and soul. The smell and taste of homemade enchiladas (more spicy that you can ever plan for), warm tortillas, refried beans, and Christien’s favorite menudo are all wrapped up in this name that carries heritage and the strength of an amazing family that comes to the rescue whenever someone is in need.
Aurora Jane Navarette we are so excited to meet you. Whether you fall in love with basketball or art or something your dad and I know nothing about, we are giddy and nervous to welcome you into this world in a few short months. It’s not always a pretty world. There are guys with an orange tan that like to yell constantly in 140 characters, there is more opportunity to show love and care for others different from you, technology continues to develop so rapidly that the email address and Instagram account I plan to secure for you will mean nothing by the time you know how to write, but man, are we lucky for you to join us. No one knows what the future holds, but we are dang excited to get to do it with you alongside our family, friends, and community. #CrynesLove
This past week, I had the pleasure of speaking to brilliant W. P. Carey marketing students at Arizona State University about my career path since graduating in 2012.
Reminiscing about how much I loved these types of events as a student, I wasn't going to just show up and drop luscious wisdom. I took this pretty seriously, folks. And so, I decided to do some reflection. There were many ideas, pieces of advice I received from mentors, experiences from agency and corporate life, even lessons learned seeking to bridge the gap between traditional and integrated marketing strategies. The process helped me recognize that I am so very #blessed for the opportunities I have had thus far. For real.
Once I had my plethora of thoughts in front of me, I was able to organize them into key themes. And before I knew it, I had cultivated five career tips from yours truly. Below are my five. They take inspiration from helicopters... aka hummingbirds that I usually watch from my husband's grandparents' back porch. We can learn lot from these little birds.
Hummingbirds are able to fly forward, backward, side to side, and even upside down. I know this because I have seen it firsthand AND because I have the San Diego Zoo as a source. A hummingbird's nimbleness allows it to navigate unlike any other bird. In many ways, I have learned that careers are not straight paths either. We move side to side and we may go deep in a particular area. We develop a nimble, diverse skill set through these ebbs and flows.
I credit two of my bosses from SONIC with this advice. They would tell me, "Early in your career, take time to become interesting." Hummingbirds live in a variety of habitats. We should too. We can stretch ourselves in many ways. Don't be afraid to physically move yourself to a new location, role or even project outside or within your organization. Seek after opportunities that energize you and, perhaps, build upon each other in non obvious ways.
Fearless. Hummingbirds, unless taken by surprise, outmaneuver anyone and anything. As a young professional, you don't have to be a the top of the corporate pyramid or have a manager or director level title to lead. Always do your homework, come prepared, and have a point of view at the ready.
Also, run your own race. We only see a small section of the puzzle and not all the outside pieces are in place. Totally disorienting. Other people will get promoted (when you don't think it makes sense), receive fancier titles (with less years of experience), or get to go to the conference you wanted to attend. But just like Facebook has been coined "the highlight reel," your LinkedIn tends to be too. Instead of focusing on what others are doing, focus on being a better you. Beat your own PR. It will take your far.
A hummingbird's appetite is HUGE. In proportion, they eat 77x more than the average human. Have a big appetite for learning and growing in your career. Seek understanding by setting up 1-on-1's with people you admire. Build a RSS feed of blogs, articles and inspiration beyond just your industry. You can see mine here. Inquire about projects that interest you outside your current responsibilities. Feed and nourish yourself. As noted by Tip #1, we all ebb and flow throughout our career. Not every step in the journey will be one you absolutely adore, but if you apply Tip #4, you'll discover growth.
This is the most important tip. The skill of being nice is super underrated. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Like a hummingbird, go about and pollinate others with encouragement. This includes yourself. Your attitude is a powerful tool. The head of my agency always told us that everyone wants to know that they matter and that someone cares about them. Be that person that cares. I believe fruit will come of it.
So there's my five. Looking back at your career thus far, what advice would you share with your younger self? Be sure to share!
Fireworks build. Ideas collide. Connections form. Each week, I go outside my industry bubble to seek inspiration and draw newfound connections to my work. This practice helps expand my thinking, keeps me curious, and ignites my creative muscles.
There is this pressure to put your head down, move as linear as possible, and get things done fast and efficiently. However, I assure you, the time that I take to reset and push outside of my assigned lane, is where I am able to deliver my best contributions. It is also a LOT of fun.
One of the easiest ways to do this is by scrolling through my RSS feed of favorite subscriptions. Today, I'm sharing my top 11 in hopes that it will also add bounce to your steps in 2017.
Started in 2005, Swissmiss is Tina's personal visual archive. Her posts are the equivalent of me eating Dove Chocolates while watching Leave It To Beaver. Each one shares a sweet optimism through the lens of design. And each provides its own little life lesson - whether it be through a simple quote, emotional video, or new product on display.
TrendWatching delivers a free monthly trend briefing that pushes me to think (1) consumer-first and (2) forward. Briefings are rich with well examined and explained consumer trends met with real business application. Their latest, 5 Consumer Trends for 2017, is da bomb. Note, their content is less snackable more hearty entree. You will need to carve out some time to enjoy.
Facts. Real Facts. Facts that are not manipulated by marketing bias. Pew Research shares "issues, attitudes, and trends shaping America and the world" in the most factual, straightforward manner. You'll find me here when I want to better understand the country's thoughts on a subject (religion, fake news, etc.) or the proliferation of social media by the numbers. Here's their latest social media update for all you marketers out there.
When I was a junior in college at Arizona State, I was lucky enough to have Jay Baer speak to my classmates and I in a digital marketing 101 class and hear him present at BOLO 2011. Jay is a non-glitzy, smart marketing dude. He has written some of my favorite marketing books and shares a unique POV on happenings in the social/digital marketing space that both beginners and veterans can seriously appreciate.
Brand New, straight from the source, is "opinions on corporate and brand identity work." If you want a perspective or backstory on a brand's new logo (and more), Brand New is your place. Sometimes I agree with their opinions, sometimes I don't, but I sure do appreciate that someone takes the time to cultivate thought behind such things.
Ads of the World brings us ads across mediums: print, digital, and television. It's incredible to see how agencies and brands team up to deliver a message, especially in a country with a culture much different from my own. By scrolling through their content, you'll not only be introduced to a variety of ads, but a variety of brands and industries. Here's one of my favs from the past year.
Tom is a no-nonsense data guy that specializes in consumer behavior. He has coauthored books with Jay Baer and other notable marketing celebs. He frames up data in the digital space so well, and he leads the charge on data quality. When I'm struggling with an unanswered business problem or am unsatisfied with the answers at hand, I seek out his blog for direction on how to ask better questions. Here's a great example of what I'm talking about.
This is where examples of creativity, culture and commerce meet. Some of it is heavy on the brand self-promotion side of things, but all in all, Fast Company provides a healthy helping of inspiration that any marketer should be consuming on a daily or weekly basis. They'll cover topics like virtually reality, ads pushing boundaries, the future of chatbots, and more.
Here's another one by Fast Company. I have been following Co.Design since my early college days when I attempted to pursue a double major in Industrial Design and Marketing. End result: graduated with a marketing major and design studies minor. Co.Design provides the best illustration of design thinking at work. It's where business and design meet (my happy place) and provides imagery that will make you delightfully drool.
@Issue puts design thinking to work. They finely curate content with a refreshing POV that's part business and part design... really a hybrid of both, which is what make's it magic. Their posts are uplifting and engaging similar to SwissMiss.
I put PSFK last, because it requires a membership. I always try to be frugal and find the free articles, but PSFK shares content worthy of investment. PSFK provides insights on innovation for creatives. Their trend reports are wonderful and will make you think so much more in the future. If you want to be a thought leader on the bleeding edge of innovation, it's a good gift to yourself.
I hope you enjoy my top 11. I use The Old Reader as my RSS Reader (free version) to keep these and a few more in one place to enjoy. I was easily able to import all my subscriptions when Google discontinued its RSS service in 2013. If you have a recommended RSS tool besides The Old Reader, a favorite blog or subscription, or find one of my top 11 useful, please share. It's the sharing of ideas that is oh so powerful and make this world and our work more fun!
2016 has been a heck of a year. Here's 25 curated moments to prove it.
1. Started and completed #CrynesClosetGoals. 50 unique outfits (50 selfies) over 10 weeks.
2. Dressed up in a full Yoda costume for work. #WorkYourSpirit
3. Made Sonoran-style hot dogs for Christien's 26th birthday.
4. Played lots of softball. Gained new friends and one giant watermelon welt on my right thigh.
5. Traveled to San Francisco for a 2-day video shoot for the famous SONIC #SquareShakes.
6. Was lucky enough to attend SXSW Interactive in Austin, TX. Enjoyed quality time with the Morley Bunch and this guy.
7. Ran my second Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon sans training. My body paid for it.
8. Picked up an old passion – began painting and drawing again.
9. Made many trips to SONIC Happy Hour with the hubs. #ThisIsHowISONIC #GoDevils
10. Witnessed Hillary Bach become Hillary Nelson at the Desert Botanical Gardens. #GlendonsGotBach
11. Saw CC hone his coaching skills working with BTR Basketball and joining the coaching staff at Oklahoma Christian University.
12. Took CC indoor rock climbing for the first time. He was a natural. Thanks, Groupon.
13. Was gifted a lifetime's worth of wisdom from the brilliant women in my VFC Women in Leadership Small Group.
14. Visited St. Louis, MO for the first time – enjoyed Ted Drewe's delicious custard and an Italian meal on The Hill with family and friends.
15. Christien authored the Surprise Me blog. It captures our most audacious food adventures. Those are cinnamon roll pancakes FTW.
16. Celebrate the 4th of July Weekend in Illinois. Visited Chicago with my Mom and CC. It was the most beautiful summer day.
17. Traveled to Okarche, OK to try the best fried chicken at Eischen's Bar, the oldest bar in Oklahoma.
18. Shook things up at work. Went from Assistant Digital Marketing Manager to Segment Marketing Manager. #WorkYourSpirit
19. I made a new friend. She moved to Oklahoma from Kansas. We share a window between our cubes at work. It's cute.
20. Hosted a tailgate during a torrential rainstorm. #Boomer #NeverAgain
21. Discovered my favorite pizza place in Oklahoma. It's called Sam & Ella's Chicken Palace in Tahlequah.
22. Experienced the one and only Branson, Mo with CC and my in-laws. We mastered the kiddie rides at Silver Dollar City.
23. The Cubs WON the World Series! I watched from my hotel room in Atlanta, GA while chowing down on my first room service order.
24. Convinced my family to run a 5K Turkey Trot. I'm hoping it will become a family tradition.
25. I was spoiled rotten for my birthday. I flew to AZ and was met by friends and family. When I arrived home to Oklahoma, I experienced more love, even in the shape of a homemade deep dish pizza.
2016's 25 Top Moments were full of great food, great company (old and new), travel, a happy job, and hobbies that continue to grow and challenge me. Thank you for being a part of my wonderful 2016. The sum of its parts makes my heart burst with gratitude. Cheers to a great year and a happy new year to come!
Just under a year ago, I joined a new organization with a role in brand marketing. Before taking this leap of faith, I worked for two years as a Digital Strategist and Strategic Planner -- helping brands discover opportunities to best communicate their value prop by leveraging digital channels and tools.
When I interviewed for the Assistant Brand Manager position, I was asked "Why brand?" That's what I'm here to answer for myself with greater clarity for where I am in my career today.
When I worked at my agency I was responsible for identifying consumer values, macro and micro trends, and developing meaningful insights that would help my team create amazing creative and digital strategies. My teammates and supervisor would challenge me to dig deep and understand "Why?" Why was this an important opportunity for my client? Why was this their objective? Why were customers acting the way they were? Why... it was basically the inception of Why.
And many times, despite many practical tools, I was unsatisfied with the answers I received. While I loved bringing digital experiences to life, there was a golden strategic nugget I desired to unearth. I wanted to understand the ins and outs of mining and building brand strategy from the ground up -- making me a better marketer and digital strategist.
During my time at the agency, I also did my fair share of pitching to current and prospective clients about the future of marketing and how our services (of course) would help them meander and conquer the ever-changing marketing landscape. I would speak on the convergence of screens, consumption patterns of new and traditional media, and customer journeys.
It became clear to me that customers don't break up their experiences the way organizations departmentalize and silo their marketing functions or the way a majority of marketing professionals observed the customers' experiences with their brands.
In years to come, there won't be a digital. This is not the death of digital. It will be the expectation that marketing professionals of all types are competent in first and foremost marketing fundamentals and the various channels (including digital tools) they ought to utilize to create exchanges with their customers.
In the same vein, with my heavy digital background, I felt a heavy natural bias towards digital mediums to solve my clients challenges. While experimenting with these channels is applauded, it may not be the lever to always pull -- what is deemed traditional media (TV broadcast, radio, even print) still remain effective tools with the right audience and depending on the marketing goal.
I desired a role that would challenge my thinking, break down silos, and help me better understand all the levers I could pull to activate upon a marketing objective and strategy. And you better believe I will not leave my digital expertise at the door.
I love design. I love creative. I love color. I love visual layouts and storytelling. If you subscribe to the left-brain, right-brain dominance theory, I would sit heavily in the left-brain camp. However, I also subscribe to the "pretotype" manifesto that data beats opinion, and believe great design utilizes insights from data. Data mining, number crunching, and blue/analytical thinking is not my preferred state of being. I knew a leap into the brand management world would challenge and develop this area. And oh has it rocked my world! Just like lifting weights or learning a new move, the more reps you do, the better and more confident you become. Watch out friends, this woman did get an A in Calc 1 and 2.
I am fascinated with innovation, what makes companies standout for innovation and how innovative leaders think and act differently from other leaders. While many of my new tasks challenge my abilities of execution, I am able to ask more questions about all different parts of the business and our consumers. I'm able to look at legacy processes and identify both 10% and profound 10X improvements. I'm able to test of my hypotheses in real-world settings and then adapt and scale them. How cool is that? There is a beautiful balance of managing today with tomorrow, and getting to be a part of both stories. I'm able to see the direct impact of my decisions and actions on the business while also considering what the future looks like. As I ease into year two of my adventure, I'm excited to develop new innovator-based skills and put them into practice.
By the end of this, it's a toss up whether my roll as a digital strategist taught me more about brand marketing or vice versa. No matter the case, it's important to build upon and learn from every experience we are blessed to have -- both at work and in our personal lives.
Thanks for reflecting with me, folks!
2014 will be remembered as the year of adventure.
“An adventure is an exciting or unusual experience. It may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome.”
In 2014, I got married. Said adios to my first dream job for the unknown of a second. I moved from the 48th state in the USA to the 46th. I played in at least four slow pitch softball leagues during a single season. I experienced the deep loss of loved ones. I served on a nonprofit board. I swam in the Atlantic Ocean. I wore red lipstick for the first time. And I gained three pounds.
This adventure has been one of change. It has been nonstop. Yet in the midst of what felt like utter, unending chaos, I was blessed with moments that seemed to freeze time, allowing me to step back and recognize one of greatest gifts God has given me this year -- your friendship.
I am so thankful for you. For your friendship. Through the emotional ups and downs this year, you have all played a significant and powerful role. Whether it be a Skype date, a coffee chat, a walk through the neighborhood, a friendly and encouraging email, a day of window shopping, a home cooked meal, a wedding celebration, a game of Chinese checkers, fashion advice, or a chat over pizza telling me it's okay to go forth and try new things -- I am changed and better because of you. You helped me take a deep breadth and realize how truly blessed I am.
So in 2015, I hope to return the love and support you have so unselfishly shared with me.
“You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call and I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend.”
Happy New Year!
It has been just over two months since Christien and I made our promises to God and said, “I do” with our family and friends as witnesses. As I reflect on the day, I can’t picture it any other way. It was a beautiful summer day, our dearest friends and family surrounded us, we devoured our delicious food and we danced like there was no tomorrow.
Since that day, Christien and I have experienced a whirlwind of changes. We moved from the comforts of the desert to a new terrain that Christien likes to call “God’s Country.” I began my new job and Christien dove headfirst into his MBA studies.
The changes have been challenging and have resulted in a fair share of tears, yet what I continue to meditate on is how my heart feels so full. I feel so loved. I am captivated with a childlike wonder at the pure generosity by the people around us.
“My heart feels so full. I feel so loved. I am captivated with a childlike wonder at the pure generosity by the people around us. ”
The lengths my family, friends, coworkers, and partners have gone to help Christien and I start our marriage on the best foot possible is not humanly comprehendible.
They traveled to our wedding and spent the entire day celebrating with us. They showered us with gifts that have made our new house feel like a home, more so than a college dorm room. They shared prayers, well wishes, and advice we will hold onto with great care.
Packing for our move to Oklahoma was emotionally taxing, my mom and our close friends helped carry the burden. When we arrived at our new address, we walked into a house full of smiling faces ready to unpack, new home essentials and gently worn furniture.
As I started my new job, I became acquainted with my new coworkers – people with great character, a desire to help, and amazing talent. I felt (and still do) like I joined Michael Jordan just as he was hitting his prime.
And with the change, my Sitewire family has continued to share words of affirmation and encouragement. Friends have invited us to dinner. We have shared meals with family. My car battery died, I was able to borrow a vehicle and when I returned home the car and battery were as good as new. And lastly but certainly not least, on Labor Day weekend, Christien and I were blessed with our final wedding celebration. Christien’s Grandma Maggie hosted a splendid wedding shower at her home. My parents and brother even drove down from Illinois for the occasion.
I know this is an exhaustive gratitude list. I share all this because I want you to experience the same love God has shown us. Even when we are least deserving, He shows up through our friends, family, coworkers, and community. This brings me to one of my favorite passages in the Matthew 6:25-34.
“Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I started #CrynesLove as a way to capture moments on our wedding day. As I reflect on the past two months and the days ahead, I realize #CrynesLove is more than an event hashtag, but something that will continue for days to come.
Dear Friends, Family and Colleagues,
I am excited to share a few updates with you!
Saturday, July 5, Christien and I celebrated our marriage in my hometown of Elburn, Illinois. The ceremony took place at St. Gall Catholic Church, and the reception followed at Acquaviva Winery. Friends and family traveled from near and far to attend and make the big day special. Our furthest guests visited from Panama!
Just Married Thumbs Up by Breanne at Red Poppy Photo
This Saturday, July 12, Christien and I will be moving from Phoenix, Arizona to Norman, Oklahoma. Christien has received a full-tuition scholarship to pursue his MBA at the University of Oklahoma. While the Sun Devils will always have my heart (and his), you may hear me cheer "Boomer Sooner!" this football season.
Sooner Magic Engagement Photo by Charity at Charity Maurer Photography
The relocation to Oklahoma also provides a new career move. I recently accepted an offer as an Assistant Brand Manager from Sonic Drive-In at their headquarters in Oklahoma City. It was a difficult, yet super exciting decision, and I will miss my brilliant colleagues and clients at Sitewire.
Over the past 2+ years, Sitewire has provided me a strong foundation in business and digital marketing strategy. I have worked with fantastic organizations, such as: Kroger, Golf Channel, Aetna, Insight, Irvine Company, Google, and Bonneville Communications. I also learned from and collaborated with the brightest and most creative digital minds.
Christien and I are excited for life's changes, and we are extremely grateful for the support role you have played over the years. We both would not be where we are today if it weren't for your support through mentorship, friendship, teaching, and coaching. Thank you for opening doors for us to fail, learn and succeed.
Best,
Jackie Crynes
