This week I’m more excited than usual to announce the winner of last weeks Photo Showdown XXIII. That would be because this person has not won in the last 21 showdowns, and I have to hear about it every time he hasn’t won, and listen to him complain about how he thinks his photos suck, and how he shouldn’t submit anymore, and I know this is a run-on sentence. So without further exploiting his sensitivity, I’d like to proudly congratulate Mr. Nick Pipitone on  his second showdown victory. Photo below.

Next week Nick will defend his win in PSXXIV: Trees. See you then.

There is nothing better than working on a brand with a soul—something I’ve come to appreciate about our client Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare while producing their recently launched brand campaign.

At the heart of the campaign is the simple truth—that when someone is sick, hurt, or in need, family and friends rally to do what they can to help. Whether it’s making a meal, sending a card, or a personal visit. As a member of the community, Wheaton does its part—with many convenient locations, expert providers, and the latest technology, as well as by demonstrating compassion and empathy. Beyond that, Wheaton and its associates are involved neck deep with the communities they serve through public service, volunteerism, philanthropy and more.

To cast the television and engage Wheaton’s staff, interviews were videotaped of Wheaton associates telling their personal stories of what they do at work and on their own time to improve the lives of others. The stories were profound and very moving, including mission trips to Guatemala to help patients who are many times left to die, providing primary health care to Milwaukee’s homeless, and acts of kindness as simple as playing music to comfort patients who are afraid.

The campaign—summed up by the theme line Making Our Communities Stronger. Healthier. Better.—includes television and radio spots, print ads and outdoor. A website and social media content was developed that provides visitors with useful tools and information that enables them to “do what they can” to help their family and friends. Original music was composed and recorded with talent including our creative director Nick Pipitone and our client Deb Kozina on vocals.

I’m proud of the work. It’s true to our client and has renewed my faith in the power of humanity.

My daughter went to her high school’s homecoming recently with 20 of her friends – all girls. Us proud parents hung around taking pictures, capturing group shots of the girls looking fantastic in their homecoming outfits.

One of the parents had the idea of having the girls all jump at the same time so we could take a picture of them in midair.

I placed myself in a good spot, adjusted my focus and right before the girls jumped I held down my shutter. Click click click click click click click click click click click.

I went back through the photos and sure enough found the shot that captured the moment at which they were all in midair. I also had about 10 shots that didn’t.

The other parents waited for the girls to jump and attempted to hit the shutter once — at just the right time. Needless to say, their success rate was quite low, and every time the girls jumped, a majority of the parents would just miss the moment, and were disappointed.

For me it was a great example of how quantity gets you to quality. I got the shot they wanted. But I also had 10 shots no one wanted. The others had no shots anyone wanted because they were relying on just getting the one good one.

But you must fail many times before you get the picture – or the idea – that is going to be the one that solves the problem.

So keep your finger on the shutter – you’ll eventually get the shots you want. And as for the ones you don’t want, that’s just part of the normal process of getting to a solution.

In case you aren’t good with roman numerals—yes—this is our 23rd showdown. And just like the rest, it features awesome photos by the gracious contributors of our blog. Last time around Danielle defeated the group and she is going to try do it again with this weeks theme, Texture. Here are our entries:

A. Berry Bumps

B. Each One Unique

C. Fenway

D. Last Dandelions

Vote. Share. Repeat. (except the vote part, I guess you can only do that once, but please continue to share)

WWII FlakDodger on a mission

“On 14 February 1945, Lts. Kingdon Knapp/Robert Spaight in NS554 found their primary covered with cloud, so Knapp flew west of Krefeld, Holland for a target of opportunity without clouds for a photo run.

Spaight: “The pilot actuated the intervalometer set to release one flash bomb every 38 seconds. I gave Knapp our position line and he switched on the intervalometer, starting the photo run. One away…two away…after the ninth flash bomb released, we waited for the tenth.

Suddenly, Knapp reached over to salvo the remaining bomb load. A spit-second after clearing the aircraft there was a brilliant blinding light beneath us and a horrendous explosion that abruptly jolted and violently threw the aircraft about. I was taken completely by surprise and did not have time to realize what had happened. The mental shock of what occurred caused my heart to beat heavily.

Upon gaining control, we gathered our thoughts and quietly returned to Watton. After landing we climbed out and inspected the aircraft. No structural damage was evident, but heat generated from the exploding PFBs scorched off the entire paint covering the Mosquito lower surfaces. Somehow, Knapp knew the 10th flash bomb had partially hung-up and salvoed the entire load. How he deduced something was wrong, I don’t know. I have always said, ‘He saved my life’.”

-U.S. Militaria Forum

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That is the story of how Lt. Kingdon Knapp saved my father’s life during WWII, on Valentine’s Day, 1945. My dad was just 21 years old, and navigating bombers over Europe, including many unfathomably dangerous runs over Nazi Germany. Why am I sharing this here, you may be wondering. How is there a parallel between WWII, Jigsaw, the business of marketing? Well, obviously marketing is not – usually – life and death. (It’s a metaphor…work with me here…)

I’ve heard Jigsaw referred to by others as a place where we all fight the good fight together for our clients and have each others’ backs. I hope – and believe – that we all aspire to live that. Doesn’t everyone want to feel that way at work? I think everyone deserves to feel that way at work.

Like a brand wanting its customers to stand up for it, it requires a key thing: earning trust. Which is not an easy thing to do. Customers and coworkers alike are sometimes skeptical. So it’s a real challenge, day in and day out, in the heat of “battle”, demonstrating to your customers or your coworkers that you’ve got their backs.

But that’s what it takes, is demonstrating. A wise client recently said that “trust is earned via consistent, predictable good behavior over a period of time.” Simple, and so true. You can act in good faith for years, then one wrong move, and *BOOM*, the trust is broken. No one can be sure any more that when the bomb load needs to be salvoed, you’ll have their back.

Just something to think about – and something I’m thinking about – when choosing how to act each day, whether you’re thinking about your brand or your culture.