Seems like every day I’m bombarded with media.  Facebook, Twitter, television, radio, magazine ads, junk mail, and in the words of the King in the Broadway musical Anna and the King, “etcetera, etcetera, etcetera”.  I’ve become jaded with all this advertising. I start thinking to myself, “Do these advertisers really mean it? Yea, right!  What’s the bottom line? How can they sell something for 80% off and still stay in business?” And the funny part is….I’m in the business!  I sell things.  I advertise.  I think that’s why it is so important to me that I do something truly outrageous and radical when I advertise.  I talk to my clients. Transparency.  Real, honest, gut wrenching truths.  Roy Williams, a great marketing mentor of mine (not the football player) told me one time, “Never tell someone you’re honest.  Just say things that only an honest person would say.”  That advice has stuck with me for many years.  I’ve had many people stop to talk to me about my ads.  They tell me that the things I have said struck a chord with them.  Some people even quote them back to me. Occasionally I even have someone pop their head in the door just to put a face with a name.  They want to know what the voice of Occasions looks like.   Of course, there’s always the few that grumble, but usually there’s a hint of sarcasm in their voice and a smile on their face.  Over the last 15 years Occasions has stayed constant in its pursuit of the Truth.  It’s our North Star.  Sometimes we are serious in our comments celebrating the special moments in all our lives.  Other times we are silly, like this Christmas when I actually sung on my Simplicity commercial. And by the way, that wasn’t planned.  But mostly, I just want to connect with the listener.  I want them to know that whenever they need a jeweler, Occasions is there for them. And aside from our promise we made all those years ago to always make you feel welcome in our store,  I want to make you another promise.   If I say it, I mean it.  Thank you Permian Basin, for  allowing us to be your jeweler and believing in us.