So the hot topic this week is Facebook's purchase or Instagram. Mike Barash from Knock2x Public Relations up Butchershop Creative to be a part of CBS News segment that aired last night. Who better than to talk about photography and marketing than our very own Misha Vladimirskiy.  He discussed about it from a creative/photography point of view in the context of business which is still a little open-ended and unknown to the public. Check out the video of Misha talking to John Blackstone about image rights and the future. How do you feel about the recent acquisition? Will you still use instagram? What do you want facebook to do with it all?

We could tell you more about how small we are and how hard we work, but we'd much rather just tell you to check out the new site and look at all the projects we have been a part of this past year. It truly is a monumental amount of work, and we truly are blessed to have worked with some great companies and clients. We really respect the process and enjoy helping brands achieve their goals no matter how small they may seem. All of it is important and meaningful. So, thanks for looking and we hope to work together one day.

You find yourself in a predicament. A barrel chested behemoth smelling vaguely of stale cigars and cheap liquor grabs a fist full of your hair, holds your head down, and raises a rusty cleaver. He says, "I want to hear a story. Your story. Tell me why you should live."

What do you say?

I could tell you my story. Tell you every place I lived, the degrees I pursued in forensics, psychology and writing. That wouldn't stop the cleaver. It would shake with furry. I would panic. I could tell you I'm a copywriter. I studied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. But I'm still not cutting into the meat of it. I'm making lists. That pendulous implement still poised to strike. Just waiting.

I could weave a fable of my theology, how I think things work, but I don't have one. Impatient, he'd scream for me to say it anyway. This journey has taught me that I'm still discovering my passion and my paradigm. For instance, did you know I like sushi and ambient advertising? I didn't know 'till this year. I've heard that I should go big when I'm small and act small when I'm big. I've also been told to brand myself and present that to the world. I would tell you to not take things too seriously. Be patient. Be persistent.

Grab life like you're larger than it, because you are, and make it tell you a good story. I love advertising because it tells so many stories. I write for advertising because I love telling a good story.

People believe in general that ads are evil, as if some black magic drug dealer was behind it all trying to push a product we don't really want and definitely don't need. I discover more and more how untrue that really is everyday. Done right, advertising tells a story with an unassailable truth in an entertaining way.

My time at Butchershop Creative only solidified this belief. Like a poem or a short story, every aspect, every line, every color, every word we create tells a truth about the company, the product, and the consumer. The only way an ad tells a lie or lies there uninteresting, is if you don't try hard enough or don't keep your patience.

I'm writing you this because the chapter is changing in my life. I'm moving from the academic to the real world. Butchershop ushered me into this next chapter and showed me how the story's going to change. I'm in a predicament. I'm grabbing onto my new life, and I need to hear a good story.

Illustration by Ijul on Deviant Art entitled "Angry to the Core."

I've seen a lot of business cards in my life so this conversation became very relevant when Chris, our intern, showed me his business card and asked me what I thought. It started a larger conversation about the importance of a well designed, simple, strong business card. Here are the Butchershop Creative rules for the business card:

1. Make your cards sturdy by selecting a nice thick card stock. When they gets roughed up a little, they'll still look good.
2. Don’t be kitschy.
3. You don’t have to be original all the time with design, you just have to be good.
4. Make space in your wallet for your cards, keep them stocked, and have it ready at hand when needed.
5. Treat your cards like gold, be proud of it, and always ask for their card before you give yours.
6. Be clear with your intentions (i.e. I would like to work for you.).
7. When you’re small, act big. When you’re big, act small.
8. Giving a card to someone is like dating—you need to pique their interest.

The Jackalope Sessions are designed to create a relaxed yet intentional environment where creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative minds unite. It's all about learning, sharing, and connecting with other free thinkers. There's no agenda, no catch, and no expectations...although we know that amazing things will come from packing a room full of left and right brain juggernauts that don't suck.

Butchershop Creative & our great friend Regan Bach of Irontree Consulting kicked off the Jackalope Session Tuesday, May 10, 2011 and the energy was buzzing. It was a pleasure to have Mike Barash from Knock2x and David Scott co-host this event with us. People enjoyed awesome conversation and introductions while sipping wine and enjoying beer thanks to Hidden Vine Wine Bar and Black Star Beer. In between drinks, people filled up on Golden Boy Pizza from North Beach and Mission Minis cupcakes. Couldn't have hit the spot better than that.

As the evening unfolded, it was apparent we were on to something. Our guests were posting their thoughts and topics for the next Jackalope Session. People seemed intrigued and posted a range of interesting suggestions: "what is prophetic leadership and does it exist?" or "can a successful viral video be scripted?" Questions like these bring up a brainstorm of possibilities that get us excited to put the next event together.

Stay tuned for Jackalope Session 2 in July. If you are interested in attending the next session, please email jackalope@butchershopcreative.com.

Check out Butchershop Creative's Facebook Page for a full gallery of photos from the wonderful evening.