The inaugural dispatch from a man with extra time
and very little tolerance for mediocre thinking.

At this point in my career—and life—I’ve reached what you might call creative altitude. The view’s pretty good from up here. I’ve got perspective, pattern recognition, and a track record that suggests I know what I’m doing (or at least know when others don’t). Officially, I’m the founder of Ostrom Creative. Unofficially, I’m the guy you call when your brand needs a point of view, a voice that doesn’t blend in, or six words that stop someone in their tracks.

Which brings us to this new little experiment I’m calling LET’S RANT.

It’s not a blog. Blogs are for banana bread recipes and crafty lifehacks. It’s not a newsletter. I’m not here to whisper sweet nothings to your inbox, and I can’t offer free shipping. It’s a rant. A recurring, lightly caffeinated, sometimes Negroni-fueled dispatch from a guy who simply no longer has any reason to hold back.

I’ve been at this for a while. Long enough to ignore the latest management book and disregard acronyms. Long enough to know when a client needs a breakthrough versus a breakdown. Long enough to know my best work still needs a proofreader—and an editor (Kim).

As a founder and an elder statesman, I get to ration my involvement. I’m able to pick my spots. I can focus on accounts and projects where my thinking is most valuable and applicable. And happily, I get to do some of that thinking from the eastern shore of Blue Lake in Emily, Minnesota—on a deck where the Wi-Fi and the sunsets are equally impressive. It’s a place where ideas can stretch their legs. Where the aperitivo hour begins precisely when I damn well say it does (Unsolicited hot tip: Trader Joe’s Rosemary Marcona Almonds. Dangerous.)

Let’s be clear: I haven’t checked out. I’ve leveled up. I’m still intimately involved in all things strategic. Fortunately, I’m surrounded by a team of very sharp, wildly ambitious Ostronauts. I love the enthusiasm; they still believe naming things is fun. The point is they grind, they manage, and they do a reasonably good job of recording their time. Which means... I’ve got a little time to myself. And just enough mischief left in the tank.

LET’S RANT is where I’ll talk strategy, tone, courage, and creative risk. I’ll throw a few wild hares into the room and see which ones bolt and which ones bite. I’ll champion bold ideas, call out lazy ones, and push buttons. So whether you’re a fellow brand pundit, a curious client, or just someone who enjoys a good double entendre and a liberal use of ellipses... you’re welcome here.

Visit often. Or don’t. I’ll be writing this stuff either way.

— Tom
Free thinking for hire™