A good advertisement is one which sells the product without drawing attention to itself. – David Ogilvy
Why is Tim Siedell so damn funny?
Tim Siedell, creative director and co-founder of Fusebox, has received a lot of attention—from Fast Company to NPR—for his humorous Tweets as badbanana. He has been re-tweeted, plagiarized and sited in numerous “best of” lists. He’s not funny in a-man-walked-into-a-bar kind of way, but in a David Sedaris kind of way (think demented Larry Tate mixed with your Uncle who drinks a little too much at Thanksgiving and always says something he shouldn’t).
Donuts, time machines and bucket lists.
Effective communicators have a distinct point of view. The image of David Ogilvy and the gray flannel suit material on badbanana’s Twitter page tells us all we need to know about the tone of his Tweets—advertising’s most brilliant executive mixed with the disaffected Man in the Gray Flannel Suit. As the phenomenon of Tweeting has exploded in popularity, many Tweeters have been nailed for ghost Tweeting – not badbanana. Only one author could give voice to an obsession with donuts, time machines and bucket lists.
Viral and verbal loop-de-loos.
Badbanana’s stats are a testament to the viral power of authentically great writing. For someone headquartered in Lincoln Nebraska, the account statistics on twittercounter are impressive. At the beginning of last month (October, 2009) badbanana had 44,682 followers, by the end of last month: 142,327 and at this second. Take that Britney.
Being a really great sport, Tim Siedell has generously answered a few probing questions for this blog.
PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
Tim Siedell (@badbanana on Twitter)
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The simple life. A cabin. A pond. As long as there’s free Wi-Fi, I’m good.
What is your greatest fear?
Getting too stuffed on bread before the meal arrives.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Everything. But if I had to pick one, my self loathing.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Being my landlord.
Which living person do you most admire?
The oldest. The hottest. The most dangerous. But it’s rare for one person to hold all three titles simultaneously.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I splurge and buy only the finest brands of aerosol cheese.
What is your current state of mind?
Nebraska. Believe me, it’s a state of mind.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Willingness to wear a towel while walking around in the locker room.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Recklessly wanting to make a boyfriend jealous.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I tend to say “Not guilty, your honor” a little too often.
When and where were you happiest?
Pondering my answer two questions ago.
Who are your favorite writers?
Lawyers. Ever read their stuff? Hilarious.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to heal the sick and feed the hungry. Either that, or drawing.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
The happy writer.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Morning people. They make my coffee and smile so I don’t have to.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Winning the Nobel Peace Prize for inventing time travel. Trust me on this one.
Where would you like to live?
The Saturday after payday.
What is your most treasured possession?
Earlier this year, I converted my stock portfolio into a Subway footlong. I’m holding on to that baby for retirement.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Two and a Half Men.
What do you most value in your friends?
A willingness to help out at any hour, dig deep holes, and not ask many questions.
What are your favorite names?
If I had a band, I’d name it either Filthy Congress or Feature Creep.
What is it that you most dislike?
I don’t like lactose intolerant people. I’m lactose intolerant intolerant.
What is your greatest regret?
I sometimes wonder if my lack of wealth and power may be holding me back.
How would you like to die?
Crushed beneath a pile of cheerleaders.
What is your motto?
Seize the Donut.