I love seeing stories of big companies thinking like startups.  

And  Chevy Texas did exactly that. Chevy picked 4 guys in Texas to go on a Mancation. 

The rules were to only have a road trip with guys anywhere in Texas with a Chevy vehicle.

Everyone did something different, but my favorite had to be my buddy, Nan Palmero and his pal, Bobby Freeman.

(download)

Click here to download:

how-chevy-runs-deep-with-nanpalmero-and-bobbyfreeman-HsnpctJeJjezexiAGGvF.zip (36 KB)

Putting the MAN in Mancation.

Nan and Bobby took a Chevy Silverado ¾ ton 4x4 to a couple of ranches. During that time they came across the Llano River, countless deer, 3 beavers, turkeys, skunks, armadillos and even a rattlesnake on their truck.

Chevy Mancation from Nan Palmero on Vimeo

The coolest part was that they documented their time like pros. Their video work and production values kicked ass and made me want to jump out of my desk and into the truck with them, and well.... just be manly.  If you have a drop of testosterone in your veins, their video is going to call to you as well.

Bigger and Badder Than The Alcan Run

Not only did these guys have fun, but they went to work for the Bastrop fire victims by working in a less-than-glamorous sorting facility. They took time out of their Mancation to help others. Social good via social media and it wasn’t planned by you.

Excellent vetting, indeed.

A Brand Manager's Dream Come True

While experiments like these certainly have some elements of risk, Nan and Bobby kicked ass when it came to representing the brand exactly as the way the brand should be represented.  They weren't a bunch of weenies driving to the grocery store, the spa,  or church on the streets of San Antonio.  

No... they took it off-road and demonstrated its clear durability and well, its manliness.

These guys embodied the essence of the trip. I want to jump in that damn truck.

If you are reading this post before October 7, be sure to vote for Nan and Bobby by visiting Nan's blog post here.  Details are provided so you can cast your vote.  

You guys are proof that although your company is 100 years old (on November 3^rd), you still have that scrappy startup mentality to think out of the box and get two guys that embody your brand so well to tell the Chevy story through photos and video.

Chevy, indeed, runs deep.

Dina Shore and I salute you both!

I am pleased to be joining FPO's Creative Director, Marcos Hernandez and Salesby5's Chief Inspiration Officer, Nan Palmero as co-panelists at SXSW 2011 / Interactive

The Real Time Revolucion: Latino Culture in America

We'll be speaking at the #140Conf event during SXSW where we'll be speaking about the Latino Market and the real time social Internet.

Here's details on our panel.  Hope you will come join us.

One year ago, the iPad was announced.  

A little over two months later, on April 3, 2010, a bunch of knuckle head friends all convened at some crazy early hour in the morning to make the trek to the Apple Store LaCantera in San Antonio so we could stand in line to buy an iPad.

SalesBy5’s Chief Inspiration Officer, Nan Palmero joined in, as did Wes Wilson, CEO of Upstack and Brandstack, who bought one to do presentations for potential investors and partners.  Ryan Kelly, CEO of Pear Analytics bought one because his company has an app for the iPhone and wanted to explore the idea of replicating it for the iPad.  Rackspace’s Robert Taylor, bought one for his personal use.  He is an Apple fan and thought it was important buy one and be an early adapter.  (note how Mr. Taylor and I are wearing the same Apple Mothership T-Shirt.)

Almost one year later.. I still love my iPad.  

I'm using mine primarily as a content platform to read and keep on my desk to watch my social stream while I work.  I also like it for trade shows and conferences, so I don't have to lug my regular MacBook Pro to the show.  It's great for movies when I am up in the air.

Very Interesting InfoGraphic from OnSwipe

So, how about you?  

Did you buy an iPad?  Waiting for the refresh model?  Maybe getting or got a Samsung or other brand?  Waiting for Honeycomb?

Chime in and leave a comment.  

Greetings from the CES Show in Las Vegas.

Above and beyond the hype of new products, what matters here this year is that there are more people on site taking part in the event.

It was evident when my friend, Nan Palmero, with Sales by 5 from San Antonio and I had to wait 30 minutes in line for a taxi from the airport to get to our hotel.

Last year, getting a taxi was easy.

There just were not as many people.

Last night at the Lenovo / Social Media Jungle party, it was a sea of humanity.

Last year, not so. There's more people. There's a better vibe - all to me which reflect as a leading economic indicator. I am not proposing that you run out and run up your credit cards and spend, spend, spend.

I am just saying that my sense is that things are slowly turning and getting better and that a promising, though I predict slower, rebound is taking hold.