BSAone – Simplifying

I like simple. I’m sure you do too. Advertising is complex enough as it is, don’t you think?

Over at BuySellAds we thought it’d be a great idea to make things simpler and offer a single point of contact for our ‘one ad per page‘ networks. So we created BSAone.

We are not combining Fusion, Ad Packs and Yoggrt into one network though. Each network has its own place and distinctive brand. They’ll continue to operate separately.

BSAone simply allows us to help explain and market the differences and similarities of each network to prospective advertisers and publishers—something we get asked a lot about.

Now you can just stop by and book an ad ;)

Recent Trip To Boston

I spent a couple days away from my hometown last week and went on a quick trip to Boston, Massachusetts. It was the perfect occasion for me to really test drive the Fuji X10 I got a couple weeks back.

I can now say for sure that I absolutely love this camera. Here are some pictures shot with it and totally over-processed with (the very cool) Analog app.

Boston is such a beautiful (and big) city and the architecture is amazing.

I’ve also took some time to visit the BuySellAds office in Cambridge and met with Todd and Matthew – great times.

Ads and Responsive Web-Design

Since I started working at BuySellAds I’ve been thinking a lot more about advertising and responsive web-design and how the two can actually live together harmoniously.

So, I thought I’d share my thoughts in a blog post—it was just published on the BSA blog:

The important thing to remember is that no matter the technique you use to display, hide, remove or reposition ads on your responsive website, it’s not the technique that matters but the careful planning and thought that went into it.

We’re working on some exciting things at BSA and adaptive web-design is definitely a big part of this. Advertising doesn’t have to be evil and monetizing a website while still providing a great user experience is definitely something that is doable. Go read the full blog post →

Looking Back at 2011

I don’t believe in resolutions. I think most people make them just to alleviate the guilt that comes from not having accomplished last year’s resolutions.

I like to look back and reflect on what I actually accomplished and what happened in the past 12 months though. I generally like to just go with the flow so making New Year’s resolutions just seems silly to me.

Actually, I like the word ‘goals’ better. But then holding off until the New Year to set goals doesn’t make sense either. Anyway, 2011 has been an amazing year for me—somewhat bumpy and life-changing but definitely a great year.

2011 In Review

For me it was the year of stability and setting priorities—or at least trying to find some sort of balance. I think it went pretty well.

Professionally Speaking

While I absolutely love freelancing, am still for hire, and have a bunch of freelance projects lined-up for 2012, I realized that I was lacking stability. I guess that’s something all freelancers face at some point.

Not only that, but I’d also been wanting to work with a team for some time. Working for yourself is great, but it often means working by yourself and on your own. You can learn so much more when you work and exchange ideas with other people.

So when I heard there was an opening at BuySellAds I jumped on the opportunity. The ride has been amazing so far and I’m looking forward to what’s in store for 2012 (stuff like BSA v.3 and new Ad Packs maybe?).

In 2011 I also sold SpyreStudios—I spent about 3 years working on that site and it was time for me to move on. I then co-founded and helped launch the design resource site MediaLoot. Great times.

Creative Outlets

Twenty Eleven was also the year of finding new creative outlets. At some point I fell in love with photography. I definitely still consider myself an amateur and I don’t really aspire becoming a professional photographer, but I love it.

One of my first projects/assignments at BuySellAds was to launch a Photography Ad Pack. On December 1st it went live. It’s been great to connect with photographers and photography bloggers from all around the worlds as well as companies and advertisers in the photography niche.

The experience has made me enjoy and learn about photography even more. Hopefully 2012 gives me the chance to take even more pictures and snap some great moments.

Goodbye Recording Studio

If you’ve been following me on Twitter or have known me for a while you probably know that I’m a guitarist—I have been since 1994.

After almost 6 years, a full-length studio album, interviews, lots of friends made, a riot, over 50 shows and a cross-Canadian tour, I decided it was time to move on.

I quit my band.

I could go and make it all dramatic and say it was the hardest decision but it simply felt like the right thing to do. I wish them the best of luck and I’m looking forward to hearing the new material.

On Writing

This very blog you’re reading right now was launched in 2011. I wanted a place to write. I had no idea what to write about. I’m still not too sure. That’s totally fine.

I find writing on a regular basis to be quite the challenge. Maybe it’s because english isn’t my first language. French is. On the other hand I dislike writing in french, I much prefer the english language to express my thoughts and opinions. It’s more concise and straightforward. Actually, that’s a good idea for a future post.

Here’s an interesting fact: I have more articles saved as drafts on this blog than actual published posts.

Health

In 2011 I quit smoking. That has been the best decision I’ve made my entire life. I feel more energetic, I sleep better, I find it easier to focus and food tastes great.

A couple years ago I tried the nicotine patches and other methods to quit smoking but none of that shit really works. I’d just start smoking again after a month or so.

Cold turkey is the way to go, trust me on this. You’ll feel like crap for 3 days, sleep for 18 hours in a row, turn green-ish and have a weird taste in your mouth for about 2 weeks—but that’s it. It sounds much worse than it actually is.

Looking back I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner.

Hello Twenty Twelve

Like I said, I don’t really believe in resolutions. So instead of making empty promises I probably won’t be able to keep, I’ll just come back to this post next year and see what I’ve accomplished :)

The Icon Handbook

There’s a lot of people I respect in the design community and Jon Hicks is one of them. Not because we share the same first name, but rather because he’s a great designer.

I’ve pre-ordered the paperback edition of Jon’s new book, The Icon Handbook, and I can’t wait to read it.

Jon Hicks’ ‘The Icon Handbook’ will become the go-to book for the modern designer; for uncovering the thought processes, the skills and the reference for designing your own icons. This book is aimed at designers who already have basic vector and bitmap drawing skills. It could be that you want to create a simple, unique favicon, or perhaps you’ve been asked to work on a mobile app that requires them.

You can order it via Five Simple Steps →