The David James Agency

The mission of The David James Agency is to "know technology and know the business of technology." While this is 100% accurate, it could just as easily be "know the people associated with technology."

While this obviously applies to clients and partners in the professional arena, that's not what I'm talking about right now.

I just finished four of the most critical years of my life--the beginning of my career--learning technology and the business of technology. When I came out of school with my (very expensive) degree, I had always envisioned that I would cruise into the workforce, handling consumer accounts and having a great time doing it. Then reality struck, and I couldn't find a job, so I worked at Crespi for a year while continuing to look. Then I caught a break.

David James Rodewald (and Erin) had worked at a large agency with Jennifer Floto, one of my professors (who became one of my references), before splitting off to start their own agency. As they grew from a simple partnership with a handful of clients, they built their business, and in the spring of 2006, they were looking to bring someone on board.

They could have held out for someone with more of that tech-focused experience, but because of that connection, they opted to bring me in for an interview. After a couple meetings and a writing test, they offered me the account executive position--their first hire and my first real PR job.

For the last four years, I have had the privilege of learning the field from Dave, a true professional and a faith-driven family man. He's taught me everything from the proper way to deal with clients and difficult media to the tricks you can use to rearrange your schedule to give yourself more time for work-life balance--that latter of which I am still working on :)

In short, the DJA has been my family for the last four years. I've grown as a professional and an individual under its watch, and I am forever indebted to Dave and Erin.

But new challenges await.

I've lived in southern California my entire life. That is about to change. I've accepted a senior account executive position at Engage PR in Alameda and will be moving to the bay in a week and a half. At Engage, I will start off working with telecommunications and wireless solutions providers--building from the experience I've gotten the last four years.

While it was difficult to pack up and leave the DJA for the last time today, I was reminded of encouragement I'd received about three years ago. "When you have an opportunity, you have to take it." True to his word to his still relatively new employee, Dave has been behind me 100% of the way--a consummate professional and dedicated mentor to the end.

Updates Coming Soon...BIG BIG Updates

But this is all you get for now...sorry. At work and trying not to get fired. I'm still alive, though! Love you guys!

DL

Haiku of the Day

Sorry I have been
Missing in action for months
Life's whipping my ass

Wondering Where in the Hell I've Been?

The answer is here. And here. And here. Aaaaaaaand here.

Taking on the PRSA-YP blog and Twitter account was a great move that's been a lot of fun, but the DL has gotten sacrificed in the process. A number of random things have happened as well. Here is a small sampling.

• Coaching
• Mobile World Congress
• USC Alumni Game
• Visit from Marisa
• Ash Wednesday (hey, that's today!)
• Drinking in preparation for Ash Wednesday (hey, that's over!)
  

Yes, it is now Lent. Yes, I have given up alcohol...again. I realize that this coincides with the beginning of high school baseball season, and there is another trade show (CTIA) and a bachelor party staring me in the face. Furthermore, both are in Vegas. It's gonna be rough, but it is what it is.

Article of the Day - Washington Post on Tebow Ad Controversy

This article gives some rare, lucid commentary on this "controversy," but suffice it to say, this is a macro level example of a micro level problem. People can't get over themselves. No one likes to admit that he or she is wrong. The point, in this context, is that people are so neurotic about being right that they can't process any viewpoint other than their own. I'm right, so everyone else must be wrong.

This controversy isn't about pro-life vs. pro-choice. Roe v. Wade was a groundbreaking piece of legislation that exists and is probably not going away any time soon. Whether you like it or not, that is the fact of the matter. It exists regardless of your beliefs.

So does the first amendment.

I'm as sick of the media fawning over Tim Tebow as anyone else. It's actually made me dislike an otherwise perfectly likable individual who has given his life and his passion to living his faith while competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. My issue here is not with Tebow. It's with the media sycophants constantly kissing his ass and giving him a pass that other players didn't get. It's sickening, but now that they've put him on that pedestal, why is it a problem that he uses that to stand up for what he believes in? Isn't that what this country is all about?

People are trying to shut his ad down before it's even aired. Why? Because you don't like him? Because you can't relate to him? Because he's Mr. Perfect, and he makes you hate yourself a little? Maybe all of the above to an extent, but I think the real issue is that people can't climb out of their own little egocentric viewpoints long enough to realize that the truth only comes from multiple perspectives.

It's called freedom of speech, and it's one of the things that makes this country great. Tim Tebow can say whatever the hell he wants, and the fact that women's rights groups want to shut him down on the grounds of his statements being intolerant is nothing short of hypocritical.

Oh, by the way, it's also illegal.

Per the decision in another landmark supreme court case, Near v. Minnesota, prior restraint is unconstitutional. This commercial hasn't run, therefore tabling it before it does, is a no-no. Bitch and moan all you want, women's groups, but you have no legal basis to do so. You don't like it? Fork out some cash and air your own ad. It's the American way.

This is one post on which I would be very interested to see some comments. I know it's not as much fun as fortune cookies or one of my many bitterness-fueled rants.

Tebow's Super Bowl ad isn't intolerant; its critics are

By Sally Jenkins

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I'll spit this out quick, before the armies of feminism try to gag me and strap electrodes to my forehead: Tim Tebow is one of the better things to happen to young women in some time. I realize this stance won't endear me to the "Dwindling Organizations of Ladies in Lockstep," otherwise known as DOLL, but I'll try to pick up the shards of my shattered feminist credentials and go on. (more)