IRL

The Red Underwear Story: an “Addy Memory” by Walt Jaschek

Awards, Flashbacks, IRL, Walt a Life

The Advertsing Club of St. Louis asked its members for unusual “Addy Memories,” referring to the club’s annual St. Louis Addy Awards show for advertising and marketing. I have nothing BUT unusual Addy memories, and so I was happy to raise my hand and share a couple of them. Warning: red underwear is involved. Lucky red underwear.

By the way, these intertwined stories are true. I won my first of four “Best of Show” Addys in 1988 for a single sheet of paper, a Microsoft Word doc. The “Warm, Personal Letter” was a one-pager introducing my business to friends and prospects. I guess the judges found it funny: it won a Gold in self-promotion, a Gold in print collateral, then (shockingly to me) that night’s Best of Show. Accepting the latter, I had to wing an unprepared speech in front of 1,500 people at Powell Symphony Hall. The red underwear remark was improv that grew into something… weirder. 

P.S. Thanks, Halski Studio, for shooting this little story. Let’s do a longer director’s cut!

Walt Jaschek is Grateful for These Graceful Recommendations

IRL, Recommendations, Walt a Life

waltjaschek-showing-gratitude

Walt Jaschek has an attitude of gratitude: for many things (like the view from Bryce Canyon, Utah, above) but especially for the kind recommendations for his concepting and copywriting services, as provided on LinkedIn from distinguished professionals and executives in advertising, marketing, design, production and sales. A sampling:

Ramona Kristmann
Creative Director

When I have a client who REALLY needs to differentiate, I call on Walt Jaschek. He’s my “Go To” brand strategist/copywriter. Walt is masterful at helping to position brands and writing copy that communicates a brand or client company’s strategic difference.

Walt writes straight and powerful copy, that’s simple to read. He’s has a knack for making the complex seem simple.

Walt forces you to look at marketing communication through the eyes of a cartoon avatar, who represents your target audience. Then, he invites this cartoon avatar to join your meeting. Soon, you find they are actually sitting right there with you, as you discuss whether a marketing message is resonating. That’s the magic of Walt Jaschek. And, that’s why I partner with him whenever I can.

Bob Mogley
Sales & Marketing Professional

Walt Jaschek is the “Woody Allen of Advertising.” The guy’s in a league of his own. He gets it – and does it all. No matter whether you’ve known him for five years or five minutes: You’ll Want Walt.

Why? Because he gives your message meaning, he gets results and he genuinely loves what he does.

The man pours an incredible amount of passion, wit, creativity and direction into every project he touches…and it shows.

His work stretches across the country and I am no longer taken aback when I run into clients and associates who have either worked with Walt or know his work.

Meet with Walt and you will want him working with you, too.

Mike Whitney
Owner, Whitney Design Works LLC

Walt Jaschek is an extremely thoughtful and creative person. I’ve enjoyed working with him on freelance projects from the Arbor Group, but I’ve actually gotten to know him better through personal channels. He believes in starting at the beginning, which is almost always the best place to start. He feels that a tagline, if handled properly, is the “kernel” or “nugget” of the advertising message. According to him, if you have a great tagline, you’re well on your way to success. I would heartily recommend him for any project that requires a strong tagline, excellent writing, and/or great ideas. He is also a very ethical person, as well as totally likable.

Angie Lawing
Marketing Executive, Film/Video Producer

Walt Jaschek is an imaginative and dedicated storyteller with a keen eye (and hand) for writing comedy. He shared numerous scripts for a short film concept, and gave us plenty of humor in a variety of forms. Once we settled on one of his scripts, Walt helped champion the project in a collaborative, respectful and enthusiastic manner, from storyboards to filming and editing. He is generous with his time and sharp with his wit.

Mike Sneden
Owner, The Arbor Group

Walt Jaschek is a first rate, creative writer providing copy and concepts that are unique but spot-on to strategy. His word craft is second to none and he is a true collaborative spirit. I just wish I had enough projects to employ him continuously.

Mike Behr
Entrepreneur, Strategist, Innovator, Senior Marketing Executive

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Walt Jaschek for several years and on dozens of branding and marketing initiatives. Walt is brilliant as both a brand strategist and copywriter. He can quickly understand a client’s needs and value and package that succinctly into headlines, copy and brand statements.

Whether you need help with developing or better defining your brand, concepting a campaign, creating copy for broadcast, print or web, a sit down with Walt is the best place to start.

Doug Brooks
Owner, Marketing Management Group

I have used Walt Jaschek several times as a creative catalyst when our creative projects needed a spark. Our last project required us to turnaround creative concepts and final copy in two days. Walt was in our office for a brainstorm within 24 hours of my call. His ideas and execution wowed our client and ultimately helped earn us a new account and ongoing creative business. He was constantly available throughout the process and his work was outstanding. A true professional!

Dan Klein
Partner, Spoke Marketing

Simply put, when I grow up I want to be like Walt. Walt Jaschek is an idea guy… whatever you are thinking, he can turn it upside down and bring something new. Unlike a lot of idea guys though, he is organized… grounded in process… he is able to facilitate any discussion and bring it to a place you can act on the idea. Then – he can act. He will write it up and deliver it on time. If I could use Walt on every project… every project would be better for it.

David Meyer
Partner, Spoke Marketing

WARNING: do not hire Walt Jaschek unless you feel comfortable saying “Damn! I wish I’d thought of that!” While I do miss the mustache, Walt is passionate, creative and brings energy to every meeting; no exceptions.

The only thing I like better than working with Walt…is taking credit for his ideas.

Kristy “Tucc” (Bauer) Tucciarone, Ph.D
Program Chair and Professor, Lindenwood University

Hands down, Walt Jaschek gave the BEST presentation about Advertising Copywriting; In fact, he was the more informative speaker we have had all semester…heck, all year,” shared advertising students at UMSL. As the Professor of Advertising I constantly seek ad professionals who can tap the potential in students and make it come alive. Walt did exactly that. I recommend his presentation “Let Loose the Large” to all students studying advertising!! His work is engaging, fun, and effective.

Julie Taylor
Principal, Taylor Management Group

Walt Jaschek has a unique ability to bring a brand to life. Through the creative process, he uses his ability to bring together many seemingly disparate views into a brand story that creates awareness and increases client revenues.

Gabe Lozano
Founder and CEO, LockerDome

Walt Jaschek is one of top creatives in the marketing industry; he’s clever, original, and a true professional. It’s impossible to turn down a cup of coffee with this guy, as it’s simply fascinating to see his mind go to work.

Rod Patershuk
Owner, Noble Business Development

I recently signed up for the “Perfect Your Pitch” workshop with Walt Jaschek and Mike Behr. Our business is complicated for the common layman or even for the sophisticated investor; so we’ve had trouble switching audiences. Being heavily technical in nature our success has been fair with people who already have a knowledge base in our area. But we wanted more; to be better understood.

First and foremost Walt and Mike are professionals that understand the process. Through a deep conversation that flowed easily, they helped us get to the root of our issue. It wasn’t painful in the least and provided a great deal of clarity. There was no talking down to, or jargon; no preconceived notions or boxes to be put in. They provide a structured format, that’s flexible and can adapt to our needs. Both Mike and Walt are easy to talk to and very bright. They proved to be good listeners that really understand getting to the next steps. They have plenty of skill in taking difficult concepts and relaying them in way that’s more easily understood.

In the end we definitely got more than we bargained for and had a good time getting there. I’d highly recommend spending time with them to help you get to your goals faster.

Jeane Vogel
Executive Director, Webster Community Arts Foundation
Artist, Jeane Vogel Studios

Walt Jaschek is, by far, the most talented person I know. But talent comes at price. Sometimes it’s moodiness or quirkiness or just being hard to work with. The cost of working with Walt? Well, you have to contend with his amazing good humor, dry wit, exceptional creative mind and amazing results. Worst of all, you don’t get want you asked for: you get better!

Walt says: Thank you all, very, very much. I am sincerely grateful for your kind words and recommendations. If you want to add to them, I’ll graciously accept.

And I work every day to be worthy of them.

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Have Markers, Will Travel: Ideation Sessions, Messaging Sessions, Brainstorms

Brainstorms, Guest-Speaking, Ideation, IRL

walt-hand-whiteboarding

Let’s put our heads together and our hands to the board.

We can crack your brand messaging, or tackle a tagline, or craft the perfect home page copy, or ideate a luscious live event, or concept a web series, or hurl out a whole lot of headlines. 

Together.

It’s a good change from writing solo and I’ve seen it work spectacularly over the years. I come in, we conjure, you keep the ideas, I go put more money in the parking meter, everybody wins.

I can be engaged to lead ideation sessions, brainstorms and messaging meetings, or to participate in them; from one person to many; from a conference room to a couch in the lobby; from a single hour to a series of meetings strategically scheduled over days.

The highest and best use of sessions like this is brand story development.

Before you launch that new marketing campaign, you need your brand story straight. To do so, perhaps I can bring my “Prospect-Based Messaging” techniques to guide you and your team through strategic ideation. Results: crystalized brand stories, unified messaging that ignites marketing campaigns, turns prospects into customers, and turns customers into brand advocates.

Recently I have led in-depth ideation sessions for Centene Corporation, Nurse Response, World Wide Wadio, Dovetail, 2e Creative, Spoke Marketing, MGM Management Group, Parkside Financial Bank and Trust, the Gateway Interactive Marketing Association, RBO Print Logistix, and for students at Webster University.

I have participated in them for CBS-TV, 20th Century Fox, Grey Goose Vodka, Dewar’s Scotch, SSM Health Care, Hodgson Mill and many, many world-class brands.

I am ready at the whiteboard.

Oh, sure, I might sniff the markers a little.

But that’s part of the fun.

Walt Jaschek invites contact.

Bryce and Zion Canyons: 3 Video Postcards from Walt

IRL, Travels, Videos, Walt a Life

Breaking: Walt Jaschek takes a vacation!

September, 2018: After writing full speed for more than a year — including his busiest summer ever — Walt grabbed his wife Randy and finally escaped St. Louis for a few days. Their mission: to hike their backpacks off, meandering miles of Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon in a state Randy calls “Ut-ahhhhh.” 

The duo sends you these three “Video Postcards” from the trails.

In the first (above,) from the Rim Trail of Bryce Canyon, Walt stops to thank you for the birthday wishes, and tries to figure out if they’re going from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point, or vice versa. “It’s all about the Points,” he says.

In the second, Walt and Randy let the scenery do the talking as they trek among the fantastic fins and hoodoos of the Queen’s Garden Trail in Bryce. Turn audio up for the music, called, appropriately, “Passages.”

Finally, the couple leaves Bryce and heads for Zion Canyon, the mackdaddy of Utah National Parks, where their minds continue to be blown and their walking sticks continue to pound Earth. This music video includes Observation Point, the Emerald Pools, and a cameo by a very thirsty squirrel.

Walt and Randy are back now, for a busy September, but the visions of red rocks, waterfalls and mesas still permeate their imaginations; and blasted blisters are still all over their toes. Badges of honor, really.

Photography and editing: Walt Jaschek. Music: You Tube Music Library. 

Awful Pun, Superhero Hoodie Used for Flu Shot PSA Starring Walt

IRL, Public Service Announcement, Walt a Life

Walt Jaschek posed for this Flu Shot PSA for social media, and wrote the copy. He knows it’s a bad pun. “I’ll see myself out,” he says.

waltjaschek-flushotguy-2018

From Walt himself: “Bad puns aside, I’m a big believer in the flu shot. I got one 11 years out of 12, and the year I didn’t, I got the flu. You don’t want it. Last year when my Dad was in a hospital ER as a result of a Fall, we surrounded by dozens of miserable flu patients: on gurneys, in chairs, against walls, against doors, anywhere they could fit, IVs dangling, many still in robes or PJs, It looked like a war zone.”

He adds: “The shot is covered by most insurance plan, is inexpensive anyway, only takes a few seconds, pricks for a split second, it protects not just you, but others. OTHERS. So in a way, yes, it’s heroic.”

By the way, that is a DC superhero hoodie Walt is wearing, with a rather moody illustration of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. They’re often considered heroes, too, we’re told.