Inc! Issue #11 | The Anniversary Issue
Let's party, plus ABM vs ABX, Paddington and Testimonials from You!!!
Dear beloved readers.
This issue officially marks one year since my first send and I am thankful you joined me on this ride. This is all started as a creative outlet and it has become something I love.
It still baffles me that you actually signed up and remain subscribed. Even if you are too lazy to unsubscribe, it still means a lot to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a part of this project.
As part of this celebration, I’ll be happy to send you an autographed headshot or random gift. Just let me know.
It’s go time!
Surrealism
Sir Ben Kingsley is one of my favorite actors. Gandhi to Sexy Beast to Lucky Number Slevin - he is just sooooo good. So to discover he is playing Dali in the upcoming Daliland movie, has made my year!
In other news, I recently stumbled on the work of Ardhira Putra, an Indonesian based artist that was profiled here: Plug into Ardhira Putra’s immersive, 80s-soaked Super Nintendo simulations. The description had me at hello: “MTV idents, vintage video games and 80s advertisements from Japanese magazines”. Right up my alley.
I’m no art historian, but this works feels beautifully surreal to me. Here is his Instagram, I strongly recommend it, especially since I ‘m also on it.
Interview with a Marketer
I’ve followed Corrina Owens for some time and was drawn in by her reputation as an incredible account-based marketer and her use of voice. She is outspoken on LinkedIn and I felt an instant connection to her commentary for her directness and perspectives on life and marketing. It ultimately led to us swapping messages and this interview.
Please enjoy our 20 min conversation on marketing in general, our least favorite SaaS buzzwords, the difference between ABM and ABX, our fear of heights and much more.
***While we’re on the subject of marketing, I am helping a few great marketers look for new roles. If you are hiring or happen to know of anything, please reply to this email. I appreciate your help!***
Testimonials
If I want to drink too much sparkling water and share some praise for this newsletter…I’m gonna do it! It’s a birthday party!
And Lil’ Inc! is in party mode. Here are some reader testimonials.
.
I think of this newsletter a little bit like a variety pack of doughnuts- there's something for everything, some savory and some sweet, and you just have to find what suits you best. I look forward to it every month and it's always a nice surprise in an overwhelming inbox of messages I don't really want to read. Thank you for being a bright spot, Daniel! - Sue
Inc! is so good it should inspire all of us to have our own personal newsletters. But it's also so good that our newsletters would never be on its level. Every month is a masterfully curated playlist of Daniel's life and I want to press the 🔁 on every issue. - Justin
Inc! is more than a newsletter and a must read. Not only because the writer is a great human (and - great writer) but it’s packed with interesting stories and ideas. Highly recommend 10/10. - Kyle
We’ve all heard it—the screech-honk of the all-too-early alarm, which signals one thing: you have overslept. This was the lightning-sweat realization with which our hero, Daniel, awoke. He would miss an audition for—what seemed at the time a very odd and indie sci-fi film—Starship Troopers. Director Paul Verhoeven would go on to cast Casper Van Dien in the role of Johnny Rico, and history would forever be altered. As Daniel (a.k.a. Inspecta Collecta) looked at the clock and felt both relief and dread at having missed the call time, he drowsily drifted into a state of altered consciousness. And it was during the next 10 minutes and 53 seconds that the chance to star in a cult classic was traded for gold. In that brief moment of post-sleep stupor, our steward of surreal conjured his future. The Gondola Skateboard and The Roman Coliseum Hot Tub would not only be multi-trillion-dollar sales in the years to come, but also the crown jewels of Daniel’s fortunate tangle with the snooze bar, and the foundation for this newsletter. - Dan.
Speaking of the Gondola Skateboard.
Sneaker Feature
One of my favorite brands is the Japanese fashion company BAPE or A Bathing Ape. It’s always represented a blend of Tokyo-cool, hip hop. graphic design and streetwear to me, hence the connection. Bape’s collaborations span far, including Nintendo, Coca Cola and Kanye West. I do love a good collaboration.
I recently bought the pair below, A Bathing Ape Bape Road Sta. My sneaker collection is comprised mostly of Nike’s, Air Jordan’s and Yeezy’s. It’s nice to add a little more diversity.
What sneakers are you wearing?
Related, I want to call out this newsletter from Mike D. Sykes: The Kicks You Wear. I love every issue.
Behind the Lens
Paddington Bear is revered in our household, which means London Paddington Station is a special place - his statue and store, plus the hustle and bustle of Londoners.
The lines and contrast of this photo really stand out for me. The specific time (but also random) of 11:47 stamps the moment. The lack of commuters communicates silence…but not for long.
Consumption
FIRST OF ALL. The final season of Atlanta arrives next month.
And, we have the new trailer for John Wick 4! What a time to be alive.
Books
The Influencer Code: How to Unlock the Power of Influencer Marketing. This is an absolutely fascinating world to me - especially as a micro-micro-micro-micro influencer myself.
Links
We are not talking enough about this. Orioles Closer Felix Bautista’s Epic New Entrance Featuring Omar’s Whistle From ‘The Wire’
The Happy Little Househusbands of Tik Tok (sign me up btw)
The Best Sparkling Waters in the World
10 Tantalizing 'Bob's Burgers' Fan Theories
Never underestimate a vegan hippie chick in a car
Toys 'R' Us is coming back. Soon, it'll be almost everywhere
Damien Hirst to burn thousands of his paintings to show art as ‘currency’
Hershey CEO Warns of Candy Shortage This Halloween
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1
Sports
The F1 Championship is almost decided, but I am still engaged, rooting for a Mercedes win.
The IndyCar season is almost over and it is a close as ever. I’m making a good push in my fantasy league, but I don’t think it will be enough.
And my beloved Manchester United have started the season like they ended the last - with utter disappointment, but then put on a clinic against Liverpool. Who knows where this season goes.
TV
Bob Burger’s never, ever lets me down.
MasterClass: Lewis Hamilton - teaches a winning mindset.
Welcome to Wrexham. Football, Ryan Reynolds and Mac Rob McElhenney. It just needs a cameo from Danny DeVito.
Movies
I recently introduced my 12-year-old to (3) classics:
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead, Weekend at Bernies, and Airplane! The eighties were a special time.
Carter. The body count exceeds the dialogue. Not a complaint. This South Korean movie was 20-min too long but mixed together innovation, video-game like storylines and absurdity so well.
Minions. The Rise of Gru. We took all 3 kids to this. You tell me how it was.
Lightyear. This was just average.
I rewatched Mad Max: Fury Road. If you have time, look through this article on what it was like on set for this movie.
Minnal Murali is Indian superhero action movie featuring the classic tale of good vs. evil. It’s on Netflix and yes, I endorse this film.
Pandora. A South Korean drama about a nuclear plant meltdown? Yes please.
Day Shift. Meh. Even with Snoop Dogg.
Me Time. Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg. Dumb, fun comedy. Best suited for watching on a long flight when you’ve seen almost everything else.
Seoul Vibe. Amazing. Great music, fashion, and pop culture references. It’s like Fast and the Furious meets Baby Driver. But South Korean.
It’s a wrap everyone. Thank you for sticking with me for one year. I would be honored if you helped spread the word on this newsletter. I do a little dance every time I get a new subscriber.
Love, Daniel