Welcome to the idea graveyard, where (some) good ideas live on even after being killed off.
First Date Proposal
The concept of this show was simple: go on dates with girls I met online and propose while filming it. It got me my first advertising job at Goodby Silverstein and then an executive at MTV wanted to turn it into a show they could run. I ended up trying to do both and failing. I still think about it sometimes.
Orphan Survivor
This was the video that got me blacklisted from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. I thought it would be funny to pitch a tv show idea about orphans competing to be adopted to a bunch of the female executives. It made its debut at an all agency meeting and I definitely made some enemies that day. Good story though.
Decka
Decka was an app for writers that were terrible designers but still wanted to sell their ideas using beautifully designed decks. So we automated the design process and made it impossible to mess up. Just select the page style, add your copy and upload a photo. The idea got us accepted into Y Combinator Startup School (W18) and at one point Alex Bogusky was interested in investing. I still think it’s a great idea if anyone wants to give me a bunch of money to make the next version.
Google Home View
Anyone who has bought a home knows how easy it is to get catfished by terribly deceptive photography. And when you think about it Google is already mapping streets all over the world, so why can’t they also map your home? Not only would you get an accurate look and feel of the house, but you’d also allow for a seamless neighborhood walkthrough experience without having to travel. Seemed like a no-brainer to me, but Google wasn’t interested.
Wang Wear
I don’t feel like this one needs much of an explanation. But the idea was to create awareness to testicular cancer by having Alexander Wang design a clothing line for your Johnson. Surprisingly, we never heard from him. But I’d like to believe that he’s secretly working on the idea.
Data Scholarship
Imagine being able to donate all your unused data at the end of every month and it would be gifted to a child in need. was a scholarship where you can donate. Sounds awesome, I know. But unfortunately this was the same year unlimited streaming became a thing. Totally got data blocked.
Autotunes
It’s Shazam, but for identifying problems with your car. A great idea in theory, but creating something that actually works would have taken a lot more time and money than the client wanted to invest.
Special Olympic Drinks
The idea was to create a variety pack of Coke’s in all different shapes, sizes and colors with a message around how now matter what it looks like a Coke is a Coke. It’s a message about compassion and unity, celebrating both our differences and our similarities. We’re all human after all.
Summer of George
Adding this one just because I love Seinfeld. In this bizarro world George is now a successful architect, has hair and is dating Marisa Tomei…so naturally he’s driving a Jeep, right? This was actually really close to being made, until Bruce Springsteen agreed to be in a commercial. Though he later got a DUI and they pulled the spot.