These GMC motorhomes were produced by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for the 1973 through 1978 model years in Pontiac, Michigan. It was the only complete motorhome built by a major manufacturer producing what GMC hoped would be their halo vehicle. Part of the reason this vehicle is so different from other motor homes of the era is that it was not conceived as just a "camper," but as a vehicle for comfortable travel as well. The design was radical for the day with front-wheel drive and a low profile, fully integrated body. We met this group of four motorhomes in the Upper Peninsula en-route from Vancouver to Texas via Newfoundland; a three month tour.

I’ve called this blog entry “Brand Love Management” because of the fellow laying under the 1^st coach. He’s far more than a mechanic. His knowledge and enthusiasm enables all the others in this group to travel across North America with confidence despite the fact that these four vehicles are between 34 and 39 years old (in 2012). With-out him the initial “love affairs” would have soured shortly after the vehicle’s short warranty period ended.

I'm 57 now and have been driving since I was 16. While I still love to drive I miss a lot when I do.

Take these two monsters marching towards Toronto with a giant storm in tow. I don't get to see this kind of stuff when I'm driving. As a creative director it's important that I do and the open road is the best place to open your eyes, mind and soul to let the universe in and all the stale old bull-shit out.

As a Manager you're into control and manipulation because you need to make your numbers.

As a Director you need to help your organization and the stakeholders see the big picture. 

Let go of the wheel hand it over to someone else and look down the road - or up into the sky.

Be still.   Listen.   Learn.

Nestor Falls is one of the many places I look forward to seeing when we drive to Winnipeg on business, to see family and friends. This old Beech is owned and operated by Northwestflying.com, a commercial air charter that has been in operation since the 60’s and offer a variety of short and longer terms fly-in camping and fishing trips from June to September. 1-800-461-2126

Here's why this picture of my friends' daughter doing paddle-board-yoga should matter to you and the brands you care for.

What products are designed for and used for are two very different things.

Utility can differ dramatically by all sorts of variables you've never dreamed of.

Product attitudes can change incredibly fast - like those towards paddle boards (and yoga).

This picture is worth 1,000 words on the subject of monitoring those who love your brand.

My very best friend Enid Reiley was born in Nottingham, England to Lois and Jack Reiley on May 4th, 1937 and died in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on April 22nd 2012. In between she lived in a variety of places including England, Canada, the South Pacific and New Zealand. She raised two families, cared for three husbands, at least as many dogs, and devoted most of her career to medical office administration.

I met Enid on a hot Sunday afternoon in July 1988 when I was between the pool and the lounge and she was between husbands. That Sunday was the start of a very unique, incredibly close and enduring friendship that was unaffected by time, gender and distance. Enid was the most considerate and least judgmental person in my life.

Early on she tried to teach me the difference between self-worth and other worth, and then spent the next 24 years encouraging me to focus on the former and to ignore the latter.

When my wife and I moved to Winnipeg to care for Michelle’s dying father, Enid was the first to call - from New Zealand - to find out how the move to Winnipeg went, and to lend me her moral support. Two years later when Michelle and I moved back to Toronto to restart our lives and careers there - and to care for my declining mother, Enid was the first to call, find out how the trip back to Toronto went, and to lend me her moral support.

After Enid moved to New zealand, she and I typically talked for about an hour each week. Over the years the range of our conversations became epic - maybe even theraputic. There is no personal nook or cranny that has not been explored with genuine curiosity, trust, care and respect. All that was found was honored and seen as fundamental to the unique person I am and the friendship that we treasured and shared.

I am a far better man for having shared so much of myself with my best friend Enid.

Many years ago, when I was going through a tough patch Enid shared this poem, by Rod McKuen (1967), with me. It became our anthem.

Clouds

Clouds are not the cheeks of angels you know,
they’re only clouds.
Friendly sometimes,
but you can never be sure.
If I had longer arms I’d push the clouds away
or make them hang above the water somewhere else.
but I’m just a man who needs and wants,
mostly things he’ll never have.
Looking for that thing that’s hardest to find.

I’ve been going a long time now
and along the way I’ve learned some things.
You have to make the good times yourself,
take the little times and make them into big times
and save the times that are all right
for the ones that aren’t so good.

I’ve never been able
to push the clouds away by myself.

Help me.

Please.

When I pulled this off of Rod McKuen’s web site, his home page featured this quote:

“It doesn’t matter who you love, or how you love, but that you love” – Rod McKuen

Favorite lesson from her mother (Lois) on relationships:

::  “If you play too hard to get, you might not get got.”

Favorite lesson from her father (Jack) on holidays:

::  “Make the most of the high-holidays and vacation days because there are so many normal days in between.”

The last thing Enid always said to me at the end of a visit - or a call:

::  “Who loves you baby?  I do.”

Ditto Enid. Ditto.