You Had Me at Hello

A potential Jerry Maguire manifesto mission for this newsletter, but please don’t hold me to that

This past week, one of my favorite columnists and podcasters came back from a five week vacation (I wish I had that kind of job. Well, to be fair, I wish I had any kind of job.)

Bill Simmons is known as the Sports Guy who became big by writing as a fan from the stands. He’s a Boston sports fan which I think is a prerequisite to be a sports personality, unfortunately. He started on something called AOL.

By the way, companies like AOL and Yahoo should be case studies on how companies fail because they refuse to innovate. Kudos to our new overlords Jeff Bezos and the guys at Google for not selling out. Btw, always take equity in any company worth its wait. There’s a successful c-store company that did in 2007, and I’ve tried to take stock in gaining that advice.

Back to Simmons, he wrote and wrote and wrote until his fingers hurt. He was hired as a freelance writer for a column entitled “Clemens is the antichrist.” Again, he was a Boston sports guy. If only he knew what Johnny Damon would do a few years later. Also, If he only know what the year 2004 would be like after the devastation of 2003.

Simmons became popular because he brought a new style of writing to the market. He was a disruptor. In similar ways, companies like the Athletic or the Dispatch or even news aggregation sites like Drudge Report have done the same.

What are the most powerful ads you’ve seen? it’s Coke’s “I’d like to teach the world to sing” or Apple’s “Think Different” to that new crypto ad featuring Matt Damon talking about great times in history.

It brings me back to where I’m from where I was and what’s my purpose. If you read any of my pieces, you know I’m kinda a mess right now, and that’s okay.

However, a conversation with a wise man (even if he is originally from East Texas) questioned the need for why I should go to law school if I already have knowledge. Just do it. Then it hit me. I constantly see clickbaity journalism especially in concho valley area. I see local publishers getting in fights with social media influencers. I see once great news organizations that have become a shell of themselves under large subsidiaries. I see a need for better, unique News coverage not just in this area, but in all of Texas and the country. I like the spurs. I can’t watch them unless I have cable or DIRECTV. I like the astros. I can’t watch them because apparently I’m closer to Dallas which means I have to watch an okay team but not a great one with which my family has deep love and appreciation.

I’ve talked about how this area has grown since I last lived here full time. I went from playing in an antiquated Y to a new state of the art one. We are going to have two chipotles!!! A few years ago, there was actually a proxy way between two large brands to build in this area. Yet, still people refer to the university here as San Angelo State or this city is seen as an oasis. We have had two local news stations here owned by the same company! That’s crazy to me.

Now I’m not saying all of this will come to be. I am simply starting this newsletter as a way to write and also talk about things that interest me. However, I’ve boosted my tweets with what little money I’ve had. I’m working on a business plan/proposal to show with investors and I’m taking meetings with potential partners on website design and digital brand companies.

My cousin Osi likes to go on interviews to learn about companies.

My brother in law Garrett is a civic leader. My brother works for a large marketing/lobbying agency.

I like to watch Shark tank and come up with new ideas that could potentially get a mark Cuban offer but have a component of giving back to the community. Suffice to say, this is my Jerry Maguire manifesto moment.

I’ve listened to several pitches this week from various people. From friends from high school to former college athletes to others. I love to hear their pitches. And I let them give their spiel. But, I’ve had one response to that:

“You Had me at Hello”

• High school football started again. Congrats to the tribe from the north side, lake view chiefs on defeating Lamesa

• Ran into the Colorado State Pueblo volleyball team at a deli yesterday. They beat Texas A&I. Sorry, Gene Upshaw

• Was thinking about the Southwest Conference and it’s really a shame that couldn’t continue. I know Texas and that school from college station had to take that deal. It’s too bad egos got in the way of a once great deal. Imagine the Pony Excess (I mean express) in today’s Wild West.

• As restitution for this move, I think that the Texas tech system should get in on that PUF money. I’m not just saying that because Angelo state would benefit. Okay, maybe I am. I’m sure the tortilla throwers from 806 would agree if they would stop being mad about Chris beard leaving to go to his alma mater.

• The trinity tigers are off to a roaring start. Fun fact: the tigers are named after the Detroit Tigers who held training camp at their Waxahachie  campus.

• Speaking of that, I love hearing non-Texans try to pronounce Texas towns or terms. Eldorado, Mexia, bexar.

• I’m currently getting press credentials for different sporting events around Texas. If you’ve read this far, I’ve had the basketball team from San Antonio and the football team from Dallas. Thanks to that sports columnist from the financial newspaper in nyc named after that street about a wall for such good advice in getting press passes. If you read this far, send some suggestions.

Hope you have a great weekend. I’m off to walk the dogs