Like a British postcard - a pint, taxi and The Guardian (sitting in Covent Garden a couple of years ago).

A couple of years ago, I was quoted in a Guardian story about ArtBabble – and although I was pretty proud of that, I was more honored to have made it into The Guardian (because it features the Football section I had come to adore). I’ve been loyally following their coverage for a good 10 years now.

Outside of match reports and general coverage. I quickly fell in love with The Fiver – “Football’s most tea-timely email brought to you by the Guardian’s team of hacks”. Imagine sport reporting brought to you by a team of comedians, surrealists and potentially drunk or hungover journalists.

But importantly, despite the tongue-in-cheek commentary at times, I quickly built a strong connection to the writer’s – Amy Lawrence, Louise Taylor, Barry Glendenning, even David James (who thought a goalkeeper could write so well?). The minute-by-minute match reports are usually better than watching the real thing. An example of Mr. Glendenning’s match coverage from England’s recent match against Sweden.

Despite having already had to change out of a blood-stained shirt and have a cotton wool bung stuffed up each nostril, Sweden midfielder Pontus Wernbloom is still gushing blood from his nose. He sticks out a tongue, licks some claret from his top lip and smiles. If anyone on the pitch is a vampire, I think it might be him.

As someone that regularly works with motorsports journalists – I really do appreciate good sports writing. It can be elusive.

It’s possible to get completely lost in the Guardian Football site for hours each day, while at work (I did in a past job). There is so much to discover, all ping ponging between credibility and hilarity – The Gallery, YouTube Classics, The Rumour Mill, The Knowledge, The Secret Footballer and much more. Including Our Favourite Things of the Week – a scan of what other football websites are up to. I’m still hoping my Perfect Penalty Kick makes it one day.

Their transition from a paper publication into the digital realm has been impressive. And nothing makes this point clearer than their Chalkboards feature. It takes game analysis to the next level. Here’s an example – Blackburn Rovers vs. Queens Park Rangers on October 15 of this year, analyzing the number of tackles. No surprise, it was a hard fought 1-0 win for Blackburn (and probably boring). See below.

 by Guardian Chalkboards

It’s impressive to say the least, and smart use of technology. What I love about The Guardian, is that they surround useful technology with exceptional content. It’s a model everyone should follow. It always comes down to the quality of the content, the story and writers. Adding in bells and whistles, only works when it points back to this. It’s something I’m trying to emulate at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

So – whether you love or hate The Beautiful Game, at least take a look at Guardian Football. You’ll at least see how to operate successfully in the digital space.

They’ve scored (sorry about that pun).

I repeated that process in 2009. Denied again.

In 2010, I had no intention of reapplying.

Then I got an e-mail from British American Project Fellows Jordan Shields and Kathleen Houlihan Motzenbecker urging to me to apply again. I did.

Here’s a pic of me on my way to the British American Project Conference in Philadelphia this past weekend. I made it in as a delegate, third times a charm and all that stuff.

US Airways - window seat

I spent 5 days in Philadelphia with new delegates and fellows from the US and UK. What is the British America Project? It’s a coming together of Brits and Americans at an annual conference to discuss issues related to both countries. It’s been going on for 25 years. It’s Wiki page, states “The British-American Project is a fellowship of some 600 leaders and opinion formers from a broad spectrum of occupations, backgrounds and political viewpoints, drawn in equal numbers from the United States and Great Britain.” No surprise it took me three attempts.

Andy Beckett writes an interesting interpretation of BAP in The Guardian. And Joel Silver in the Los Angeles Times wrote Changing the World a drink at at time. And here’s BAP’s official web description. You can be the judge. All are worth a read. All might be true. I’m not really sure.

I attended breakfasts, sessions, lunches, informal and formal meetings and four consecutive dinners (one black tie). There were some very late nights – actually all of them were. It was exhausting on many levels. I met filmmakers, lawyers, thinkers, writers, a TV exec, a mayor, educators, diplomats, an MP, a NYPD detective, CEO’s, VP, a Managing Director and I roomed with a DJ/Broadcaster/Presenter. Somehow it all made sense. And I discovered a new favorite show, The Inbetweeners.

Me and roomie - Nihal Arthanyake

I arrived home today and I need a lot of time to process the entire experience. My immediate reaction has been one of slight sadness. I made genuine connections over this weekend and met people I would never have met otherwise – based on location or social status or religion or political beliefs. Like I said, it all seemed to fit together and I already miss the experience. It was worth 3 applications.

I met some people I’ll never talk to again. Some were boring (as I’m sure I was to them). Some were hilarious. Some were utterly brilliant. Many made me think. A few were eccentric. Most made me feel welcome and an integral part of the BAP delegation and conference. And a few people became friends for life.

I arrived in Philly a lucky delegate. I returned home a BAP Fellow (whatever that means ).

Delegate

Thank you to everyone involved in this year’s conference. Thank you to everyone I met. And thank you for allowing me to play Gordon Ramsay in the Delegate Revue Monday evening. Dreams do come true.

I’ll hopefully see all of you and the new delegates in London next year. Chatham House Rules.

On the roof of the IMA

I’ve been so lucky to work on some ground breaking digital projects that have helped place the IMA on a global map – the IMA (or the Indianapolis in IMA) is now more than ‘south Chicago’ or a ‘suburb of Chicago’. It’s been especially rewarding to see how well perceived the museum is in places likes NYC and overseas. I’m glad I could help with that.

This is more than just a going away announcement. My favorite part of the job has been the projects and travel, so with that in mind, I thought I would write a couple of top-5 lists, in no particular order.

PROJECTS

Roman Art from the Louvre Webisodes – 11 short HD videos, on location in Paris and Rome, hours and hours of footage and interviews, award winning, blend of education, marketing and an authentic voice, funny, edgy and I got a private showing of the Mona Lisa. It’s a project I never thought would happen…but it did. And – a perfect example of what can happen if an organization is willing to trust staff. My favorite video below…

The IMA Blog – Produces more digital content than any other IMA project, features the perspectives from a variety of departments including technology, education, curatorial and conservation, some pretty cool guest bloggers that have included Dan Wheldon, Adrianne Curry and author Patrick Smith. It’s one of the best out there.

Nature Holds My Camera – What happens when a museum (especially Director and CEO Maxwell Anderson) allows staff from education and new media to develop a major exhibition? Well, success for one. Fun, second. And the opportunity to work with video artist Sam Easterson, animals, great exhibition design, interactivity and the chance for a museum to reveal it’s fun side.

ArtBabble – it’s been called the YouTube for arts. It’s also been one of the biggest projects I’ve ever worked on; from actually producing videos, to developing the site, to the branding, to the content, to the partner relations, to the marketing. Babble On. Award winning and got me a quote in my favorite newspaper, The Guardian.

Play Art Loud - ArtBabble

Video, Video, Video – Ok, it’s not one project, but it’s been four years of hard work and evolution. When it comes down to it, my colleagues Dan Dark and Danny Beyer have turned the IMA into one of the world’s leading museum video producers. Not bad. Videos range from marketing trailers, to kind-of-boring lectures, to engaging artist interviews, interpretive and educational pieces and major documentaries. One of my favorite videos below.

Those are just 5 projects. It does not include 2 major web redesigns, an iPod Touch tour, the Davis LAB gallery space, exhibition web sites, podcasts, Flickr projects, marketing campaigns, side blogs, creative solutions and so on (I didn’t want to bore you).

TRAVEL

Before I list 5, let me say that this is almost impossible. I love traveling and every destination, so don’t hold me to just these 5.

Martha’s Vineyard – yes, I once actually went there for work for a weekend-long meeting to discuss a major educational project. A summer meeting on Martha’s Vineyard? Yes please.

House on MV

Havana, Cuba – yeah I got in. It’s a stunning country and a place I would visit again in a heartbeat. It triggered my love for good rum, cigars and cuban music.  Here’s some video I shot (and actually edited!).

Walla Walla, Washington – it might just be the name. It might be the gorgeous 4 hour drive from Seattle. I don’t really care. It’s a beautiful area filled with vineyards. Call it the Tuscany of NW.

Lovely Walla Walla

Singapore – exotic, hot, AMAZING food, beautiful people – you name it. I was lucky to travel with my best friend Despi Ross and also snuck in a trip to Malaysia. I also got stuck in Japan on the way back. Why, thank you.

Hindu temple in Singapore

London, England – it’s where my heart is and it was a dream come true to visit on business (and then visit my family). I would move to London in a heart beat – if they could afford me. Pubs, football, amazing clouds and the britishness – I’ll queue up for that!

Millenium Bridge

So, 5 destinations. It doesn’t include New York City, Tijuana, Rome, Atlanta, Paris, Madrid, Wellington, Sydney, Toronto and much more. I’ve loved them all and it’s been a real honor to visit them.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll begin my next professional challenge as a Producer, Online Media and Strategies at the IMS, where I’ll be responsible for developing Online Media strategies including Social Media for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series. It’s an amazing opportunity for me both personally and professionally, I have a million ideas for this new position and a lot to learn.

Who knows what the next five years will be like?