Inspired by Jason Smith and his Oxy project (which I've donated to), I decided to share the Personal Statement portion of my rejected Berkman Center Fellowship Application from January 2013. I have edited it slightly to remove references to client work.

You can secure your status as an innovator by being the first brand to explore new media. Whether that means experimenting with new products and technology, or building presence on an emerging social channel, you can surprise and delight consumers by being where they are digitally before they are even there.

We get attached to numbers so easily. “How MANY comments did we get?” “How MANY followers do you have?” It’s important to remember to step back from the numbers and look for the big story. “What are we saying that resonates with our audience?” “What are our customers trying to tell us?”

When Oprah and Modern Family are throwing flash mobs into their show for the sake of throwing flash mobs into their show… it’s not clever any more. There’s a time and place for a flashmob and it was once: for this T-Mobile commercial. It has become a cop out for creative thinking.

This time of year always rehashes the old “Best of” lists and we begin to amass 2011 predictions. The advertising world is no exception to the trend. From Ad Age’s “Biggest Stories of 2010” to Twitter’s “Year in Review: Trends” there is no lack of pats on the back.

‘Tis the season to say “thank you.” Thanksgiving brings the spirit of gratitude to the forefront as Americans gather around the dinner table and share what they’re thankful for.