A fast-moving, beautifully crafted animation video explains a Salesforce revenue solution.

Agency: First Person

GE launched this groundbreaking introductory campaign for Predix software. The platform provides industrial applications that harness cloud connectivity and advanced data management.

Kudos to First Person for creative direction, design, and stunning illustration and production.

Promotional Headline
MIPCOM Trade Show
Agency: SwartAd

The mountain in the Paramount logo inspired me to explore lines about paths, elevation and mountain tops.

The headline over arches the Paramount brand while presenting new and diverse programming opportunities.

Agency: First Person

Creatives contact me for ideas, scripts, blogs, website text and pretty much anything else that needs smart, creative language. I get focused, work quickly and and deliver what many think is quite awesome.

If you are looking for something above the ordinary, level up and reach out. And since I didn’t clutter this site with popups, signups and other untimely interruptions, just go to “Contact.” You’re there.

READ THE WHOLE PITCH. DONATIONS WELCOME.

Dear Animal Lover,
You see them in parks, on sidewalks, scampering across streets. Frightened, lonely, forgotten creatures whose owners have turned away. Dogs missing a leg. Cats so skinny their bones seem to pop through the skin. Pets with no homes and no place to turn. Dozens in your neighborhood, hundreds in your community, around 70 million nationwide.

Where can they go?
Their chances of survival are worse than slim. The ‘lucky’ ones end up in so-called ‘humane’ shelters. But how humane are they? All too often, if they are not adopted within a few days, they are put to sleep.

MEET PET ADOPTION FUND
Founded in 1983, Pet Adoption Fund has dared to take a stand and treat pets like people. We care for them with love and respect and caring –– working hard to find them good homes.

Don’t pets have rights?
Sadly, no. There is no Bill of Rights or Constitution that protects dogs and cats. But we have three cherished rules that define Pet Adoption Fund:
1. We never kill a pet.
2. We care for every dog and cat as long as needed.
3. We find loving homes for the pets we have saved and nurtured.

Our work is not easy
It’s a big task and we’re pretty much alone. Since we’re not a funded government agency or endowed private institution, we must rely on people like you to keep the welcome mat in place. That’s why we’re calling on you to give from your heart –– to do what these wonderful animals can never do for themselves. Help turn things around and have a second chance.

Give them a chance. A little helps a lot.
Around $100 feeds and cares for a cat or dog for one month. Sometimes it takes more. Be assured that your generosity ends up in the right place, helping dogs and cats recover their health and spirit, and find loving homes.

We donate our time
Our volunteers and staff work for love, not money. They don’t get a single penny for their efforts. They work from their hearts every day of the year to answer the call for pets in need. Does Pet Adoption Fund sound like the kind of place you would want to go if you were a homeless dog or cat? Maybe a better choice than a “pound” where your chances of survival go down every hour?

New life for Chester
He is one of three great cats who gave blood for two years at a local veterinary hospital. And the thanks they received for this commitment of giving? They were summarily dismissed and destined for the pound. We were outraged when we heard this! Without hesitation, we took in all three of these great cats. But instead of giving blood, they are receiving heartfelt care from our tireless volunteers. Chester is happy and healthy now, with painful memories replaced by a completely new experience of love.

Pearl comes out of hiding
You could see the bones of her rib cage. Her tail was tucked all the way under her belly in fear. Pearl wouldn’t even make eye contact and just wanted to hide forever. What would have happened if we hadn’t answered the call?

Family moves without Ian
He is simply is one of the finest dogs you’ll ever meet. We found him on the worst day of his life, when he had been left by a family who moved away without him. So cruel and thoughtless –– and actually lazy. Imagine if your parents had done that to you.

Success story
Thanks to donations from people like you, Ian got his groove back. Our volunteers were with him from day one, and followed him through until he recovered his spirit and was ready to warm the cockles of someone’s heart –– which he did! We could tell you 300 more stories about lovable creatures who are recovering their health and spirit at our shelter.

No pets turned away
We’re not picky around here. Every donation helps and every animal is welcome for as long as it takes. It doesn’t matter if they are missing a tooth, a leg, or a tail. It doesn’t matter if they have been maimed by a hit and run driver, tossed out on the street, or dropped off at our door when their family didn’t care anymore. We don’t play favorites. We welcome them all.

Yes, the results are real
Let me tell you what we’ve done in real numbers. Since 1986 Pet Adoption Fund has rescued, rehabilitated and placed over 16,000 cats and dogs. Imagine if more shelters took notice and changed their ways. The rewards for your efforts are enormous. Your contribution goes to the core of the problem. And you will know deep in in your heart that you are making an impact.

When you say, “Yes, I care!”
Small amounts go a long way in the world of pets. It buys food, medical care and the necessary costs of spaying and neutering. In all, it monthly costs are easily five figures.

Know where your money goes
Give to Pet Adoption with confidence, knowing every donation goes directly to the care, rehabilitation and placement of homeless animals. Your gift will be so appreciated and it’s also tax deductible. Please don’t leave this on the “to do” list any longer.

Take a minute right now!
Join the movement for better care for pets. Use the pledge form to take action today. You’ll know you’re doing your part to help so many wonderful cats and dogs.

Yes, I will help them today!
I am enclosing my tax-deductible contribution to the Pet Adoption Fund. I appreciate a shelter that doesn’t kill or discriminate. One that has the patience to persevere until every cat and dog gets the help they deserve.

$1000__ $500__ $250 __ $100*__ $60__ $50 __ $25__ $15___ $___ Other

Please detach this portion and return it with your check in the enclosed reply envelope. Or contact Pet Adoption Fund for more easy ways to donate.

Most gratefully,
Pet Adoption Fund

PS. Three hundred pets say thank you with a “Rfff!” and “Meow!”

Certainly there are things you have to know when you’re writing medical and pharmaceutical copy. The main thing is not to promise that something “will definitely work.”

Beyond that, if the headline is strategically sound, there is room to be creative. That’s what I do and you can see the results.

I like to say medical doesn’t have to be sterile. But I have not run that by the FDA.

Kids Can Cure Fun Run, LA Cancer Challenge 
Agency:  LITCO

This line won an award in a tagline competition. Here, it works well as a headline. 

Agency: Miller McMillan Copywriting

Concepts, Headlines and Designs

Headlines and ideas come easily to me, which inspired this collection of entertaining concepts.

Concepts have lateral stability that powers creative across every medium. Compare a high-performance sports car to pre-owned and middle of the road with a flat in the trunk.

Scroll down. There are more where these came from.

.

Agency: 121 Marketing Company

Many home buyers don’t really understand “title.” That can be a problem when buying or selling a home. I wrote walk-through articles about three issues that may arise.

The conversation was serious but very easy to read. This content helps reads keep going.

Please click on the URL below the images at left and and go to News and Tips.

Agency: Canyon Road Design

This was “word of mouth” advertising, as you shall understand. The beautiful design inspired light and fun copy that speaks to product benefits.

Scroll down to see integrated banner ads. As usual I wrote many headlines. The best of the crop were harvested.
 

Website Writing

You can bring me in upfront to explore site ideas. Or send wireframes, outlines, layouts and an invitation to chat.

I can jump aboard and gain a quick grasp of your plans and process.

I am supposed to have a call to action here. I invite you to give me a try.

“Confessions of a Former Stockaholic”

https://www.usnews.com/topics/author/miller_mcmillan

Contributed to U.S. News & World Report

Agency: Studio B Films

I jumped aboard on short notice and delivered a draft in one day. The script was then easily wrapped.

So much B2B is boring. Right? Try colorful text worth reading.

Pithy is the soul of sales. Entertaining. Unexpected. Concepts that work like scissors. Cutting through the morass of mundane. Hit me up for all mediums, well done.

The Claramont Group asked me to collaborate on a brand platform. Click the link below the images to see the tagline and a slide presentation About the company. And, be sure to have a look at their inspiring Works.

Client: Best Foundation, Project Alert

Agency: Larry Brown Graphic and Web Design

This campaign launched a multi-year initiative to educate middle-grade teachers about substance abuse. We gave them powerful reasons to make a difference by joining Project Alert.

I wrote 35 headlines and a new tagline. I recall our presentation prompted the client team to stand up and clap.

Agency: Kromka Verrillo & Associates

Seniors need to look before they leap into Medicare. A series of headlines and illustrations dramatize the pitfalls, and body text fills in the gaps.

There were no changes to my first drafts for three mailers. If only health care were so simple.

Agency: Loudmouth

I loved the designer's visual theme and wrapped things up in a festive tone.

On a vacation to Sedona, I had the opportunity to interview Eve Hunter, the founder and owner of an independent bookstore with a twist. The Literate Lizard opened as a real bookstore that embraced community and welcomed authors of books fresh from the press

You can visit The Literate Lizard’s current edition here: https://theliteratelizard.indielite.org/

The store continues its tradition of offering a large selection of carefully selected books just released. In addition to viewing titles on the site, you can see just-added editions and many other books by signing up for emails. They will arrive in your inbox on Tuesdays. Enjoy.

At left is an excerpt from the article I wrote.

Agency: Smith Junger Wellman

Time abandons its rigid protocol as the Coachella Valley reveals a rare, unspoiled beauty. Jagged peaks, steep canyons and endless valleys echo the lives of the Cahuilla Indians. The desert was a rich palette where their proud traditions were born. Intricately woven baskets and masterfully shaped pottery honor their industry and invention, and pictographs are a permanent diary of their lives …

Blue Sky Utah

Agency: Stabins Design

In 2004, a vision for Blue Sky Utah was imagined in vivid detail. Emerging from an early morning fog, the Rocky Mountains were framed by pure blue sky. The perspective was more than inspiring. Blue Sky would become a metaphor for an expanding vision where adventures would unfold, and luxury would reach a new elevation.

The setting was America’s untamed West in a remote area of Utah. Years previous, the Winter Games had put a popular neighbor on the map. Park City had become a vibrant ski destination, drawing guests from around the world.

So here, just a few miles from Park City, the groundwork was laid for Blue Sky. It honored the land and found its own path. Well beyond a typical ski or dude ranch experience, Blue Sky would chart new territory, with trail markers leading to discoveries and opportunity.

Such is the nature of inspiration: Luxury with wild abandon.

Agency: Smith Junger Wellman

I love writing real estate and travel. Here’s a project for very upscale residences in Studio City, CA. Read the copy:

Rich is the heritage of Mediterranean architecture. Distinctive the clock tower that crowns the main entrance. Graceful are the arched windows and doorways. Proud are those who call it home.

L’Estancia is for people who negotiate life without compromise. Authentic European craftsmanship, state of the art amenities and lush landscaping make a dramatic and memorable statement.

A wide range of customized floorplans include charming studios, spacious one and two bedroom residences, and magnificent penthouse suites with cathedral ceilings.

When you have arrived, L’Estancia welcomes you home.

Agency: Stabins Design

I renamed Hanover Mall to reflect a new visitor experience. Hanover Crossing traverses the area waterways, history and culture. On a deeper level, it’s a bridge to the future.

You don’t need to hire a naming company and spend a million bucks. Reach out to me first. Bookmark this page.

This concept positions iHerb as a lifestyle brand that supports and affirms healthy lives.

I am a conceptual partner to companies seeking dynamic branding.

Agency: Miller McMillan Copywriting

iHerb quality standards are exceptionally high. We found creative ways to express the message, supported by strong calls to action. Though these ads have not run, this is powerful retail advertising that can work in all mediums.

Agency: Stabins Design
 

Excerpt:

Phillips Edison & Company pursues a well defined mission. We purchase under-performing community-based shopping centers and maximize their value through hands on leasing, management and development. We choose properties anchored by grocery stores and follow strict guidelines for success. Since our founding in 1990, our mission has become a template for success. Building on strong and consistent growth, we are moving beyond our regional success and applying proven strategies to our national expansion.

Agency: James Robie Design Associates

Concepts have power beyond headlines and visuals. They tell a story in an instant and may inspire whole campaigns.

Here are a few we developed for this project.

Agency: Levine & CO

Fun headlines for a series of ads and “BART boards” in San Francisco. 

Agency: Loudmouth

The art director/writer collaboration lives.

Agency: BBDO

BBDO called me onsite to help concept this campaign. It was branding before anybody talked about branding. The creative is organic, inspired by the logo itself.

Agency: Larry Brown Graphic and Web Design
 

Excerpt:

Substance abuse prevention is one of the biggest challenges facing teens today. They are bombarded with messages from the media, not to mention tempting offers from friends and other peers. In fact, many teens have adopted a mindset that says drugs are okay. (Everybody uses them—why not me?) Given all the pressures teens face, how can they develop the skills they need to resist drugs?

A solution

Project ALERT is a school-based, middle-grade substance abuse prevention program that is proven to help reduce the onset and continued use of drugs . . .

Agency: Levine & CO

I often work backwards from existing images. The logo inspired the tagline.

Agency: Yellobee Studio

Sleep Buddy is a complete sleep system that teaches kids when to stay in bed. And when kids stay in bed, parents can get some sleep. 

PICKPOCKETS  Keep Wall Street Out of your Pocket and End Up With More

Book Editing

Two investment pros had written several dozen nice blog articles. They decided to turn them into a book, and hired me to help with the content organization. Along the way I worked with them to develop the book’s title, table of contents, preface and sales messages. Then I offered to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. You can find the book on Amazon.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Be prepared. This style of investing will not fire up the adrenal glands, trigger manic trading, fuel your need for daily entertainment, or support the illusion of having a crystal ball. But it just might change your investment habits and redefine your retirement years for the better."

Meet one of my company founders and outspoken board members in days past. He kept his claws sharp and his eyes peeled while I hammered away on deadlines. Today I use a mechanical shredder and security software. Big Boy was lower maintenance and a lot more fun.