Culture
![Kobe Bryant](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F22a947461fa095bac06982fa9219f6c4b0e44e41-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
In 2009, Traction was hired to launch Alibaba.com in the US. A few of us had the honor of being invited to see Kobe Bryant be interviewed about leadership by Jack Ma.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2Fd95f752926d35cbd4510c862171937edf9056073-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Here comes the Amazing Crap-O-Matic Gift Generator: ’Murica Edition—just in time to celebrate our nation’s independence.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2Fceadc6347a408e815c5f837a2084ea5edc0861a0-400x400.jpg%3Frect%3D66%2C0%2C283%2C273%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
2018 has been such a tremendous year of human drama, that the Merriam-Webster dictionary added “dumpster fire” to their next edition.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F41586a11e8d58449da766900675407fd8c3cba81-400x400.jpg%3Frect%3D54%2C0%2C287%2C291%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
With the current polarizing political climate and midterms approaching quickly, everyone is talking about the future of our nation—but so far, it’s been mostly that: talk.
![Rooftops in Cartagena](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F925befa9d6ae5eb7fcbcf6f4ee0d5b2793a1cb95-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Last week, I had the honor and good fortune to be invited to speak at the +CTG Latin American Summit (a.k.a. "Mas Cartagena").
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F57e056a45d764dae45975e03129b43c3efb854e2-400x400.jpg%3Frect%3D51%2C0%2C308%2C302%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Adam has a chat with Bob Purcell, former CEO of Dunkin' Donuts, Noah's Bagels, E-LOAN, and 100% Pure (just to name a few).
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F546131b3b0bf4307b64a8ed0433e360161eaf41a-400x400.jpg%3Frect%3D54%2C0%2C307%2C302%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Jenn Maer of IDEO talks about her background as a story/copywriter, IDEO's "design thinking" approach, and the big "oh shit" questions that they strive to answer.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2Fb039f04913fa49ffa82118c51a80c0a2df1a2517-400x400.jpg%3Frect%3D0%2C22%2C400%2C256%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F18c3c3563bd7423c92b8760cfb7cd687aa73bceb-400x400.jpg%3Frect%3D0%2C0%2C400%2C282%26fit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Comic books and graphic novels are enjoying a boom, with August 2016 hitting a 15-year distribution high since December 1996.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F31cc558ba0664702716b085ed2c97cdacb0f359c-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Last week, Traction celebrated 15 years of history. When we started the agency in 2001, we were very humble in our ambitions.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F1d86c442d2ea5604dfdb508508545c5c4a33869c-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Until recently I didn’t know what vexillology was.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F8b3f93a62431e2e335b7ad1603843dab39b65ab4-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Back by Popular Demand: The Amazing Crap-O-Matic Gift Generator.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2Fd5e3d78a60731afcdbb1ff4670a6b0470e6a1be0-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Here at Traction we pride ourselves on making the most of art and technology for our clients. We dig a little deeper. We look for opportunities for interaction where people don't normally look. Hold music for instance.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2Fbb1c59948fa23b1f73568ffc101f32748666b899-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Barbecue, cantankerous felines, food trucks, Al Gore, the fear of missing out, and the word "innovate" - Adweek breaks down the data on SXSW with this convenient infographic, including a quote from our very own Adam Kleinberg.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F129e50a0bb62f9b45c0a8883894afc198a906378-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Yes, it is true that we have been having some fun with SXSW and cat memes of late.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F342387895bf8088ca93342c5c9683151ada10108-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
With the Mayan Calendar predicting an eminent galactic alignment signifying the possible end of days, Traction has created Apocalymas: a 12 day counting down to the end of the world... or maybe not.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F723f5054c56fd440b94408aeb18214a628fcac33-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F723f5054c56fd440b94408aeb18214a628fcac33-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
This is a response to Adam Kleinberg's post Why We Have A Burning Man Policy. After six consecutive burns I planned to skip this one. I was going to backpack through India! Or ride AIDS Lifecycle! Or apply for grad school! Or visit friends in Europe! Honestly, I didn't really have a plan aside from wanting a Big Important Adventure that involved running water, flushable toilets, and wearing pants.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F342387895bf8088ca93342c5c9683151ada10108-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
In the era before mobile devices, computers, and television; advertising was an art form dominated by the printing press and the paint brush.
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F342387895bf8088ca93342c5c9683151ada10108-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
On page 10 of Traction's employee handbook, right in between the sections on "Voting Leave" and "Military Leave," is a little section called "The Burning Man Policy."
![](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fk6j3wor3%2Fproduction%2F342387895bf8088ca93342c5c9683151ada10108-400x400.jpg%3Ffit%3Dmax%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
Last night, Traction celebrated our 10th birthday. Hands down, the craziest party we've thrown.