| Thanks to everyone at Budweiser | | Date Created: Nov 16, 2007, 07:28 AM |
|
[above, L to R: John Harvey (Sponsor Services), Mike Davis (JR Motorsports), driver (unknown), Joe Glynn (Sponsor Services) and finally, your fave flack.]
It has been heartwarming to see so many emails and blog comments asking for updates on my status and the future of fingerprint inc. It's been quite a time lately, and it's heartening to receive the support. It means a lot. Now, another piece of the puzzle has arrived and can be revealed.
I've known for nearly a year that fingerprint inc. would not be involved with Dale Jr. in the future. That knowledge has caused an untold depth of soul-searching and endless analysis. (Much to the dismay of my acquaintances - and I apologize profusely.) But what about my client, Budweiser and Anheuser-Busch? A-B, whose generous offer to hire me in 1999 allowed the creation of fingerprint inc., made an offer to extend our contract for multiple seasons with their new team and driver. And I thank them for that.
But as of this week, I have withdrawn from consideration for that role. I don't know what I'll be doing next, so it's a leap of faith with a blindfold. (I am open to suggestions.) Maybe TV. Maybe radio. Certainly books. Possibly publicity. Maybe music. Or other racing series. Who knows... it could be anything new and exciting. |
 It's nearly impossible to rationally describe all of the reasons I made this choice. (I'm not sure even I comprehend them all right now.) Let's call it a gut feeling, a gnawing deep in my aging heart that says this is the right time to leave the beer and the cash on the table and walk away with pride. I would humbly argue we hit every target and achieved every goal that could have possibly been dreamed when the program began. I would stack Dale Jr's list of "firsts" and groundbreaking media appearances against any other driver in the history of American motorsports, and I'm fiercely proud of the role fingerprint inc. played in that success. I'd like to think we sold some cold beer as well.
The best analogy of my time with Budweiser is like being immersed in a complex video game. You start the game at the lowest point and work hard to move up each level, becoming more honed and skilled, learning more each step up the ladder. (And learning even if you miss a rung or two from time to time.) Each level is more difficult and requires more creativity with no road map, but is ultimately more rewarding to complete. For me, it's as if we've been at the highest level with Budweiser and Dale Jr. for several years. There is little, if anything, left to conquer in that sphere, and to restart the exact same game over again is not the scenario that's best for me right now. So, I'm looking for the next great game.
THANK YOU FRIENDS: I had intended to add a lot of teary eyed "without whoms" and "thank yous" but Mike Davis' eloquent entry at his Infield Parking blog pretty much covers the key people. That Davis kid is a good egg, and I want to thank Mike, who was employee number three in the history of fingerprint inc. Plus kudos to Kristi Boyer, who was employee number two in the "pre-blog" days. She helped get the biz organized and managed to make it work while I was on the road with Junior and writing books at the same time. |
 From Anheuser-Busch, I must single out Tim Schuler, who was the driving force to bring me on-board originally, and who still offers advice and guidance from his new home in Toronto. (Tim is pictured on the right - after Junior's first win at Texas.)
Oh, and that Dale Jr. kid as well. He's done alright for himself and made my job vastly easier (most of the time). Dale Jr... thank you.
The one thing I will promise is the continuation of this blog. It may take a new format and a new look, but it's not going anywhere soon. As for the online media kit and podcasts, those will stay online for at least the rest of the 2007 before being archived deep in the bowels of binary code that will reside in the fingerprint vault as well as my heart.
Stay tuned. Strap in. Hang on. MUCH more to come in the years ahead. |
| Articles in archives (Total Entries: 20) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
All contents of this blog are the sole responsibility and views of the author.
They do not in any way represent the views, beliefs or corporate values of any clients of fingerprint inc.
This includes but is not limited to Anheuser-Busch or any other corporate or personal entities mentioned within.
| |
