‘Tis the season to do some extra good. If you’re not already set on a charitable cause (aside from, say, a sibling with a business idea that’s a Sure Thing), start by checking out Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org). This independent organization is working “to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America’s largest charities.”

What I like about it is how you can explore categories such as Health, Education, the Environment, Arts, Culture and Humanities, etc., zone into a specific city or region, cross-reference results as a function of a comprehensive ratings system (financial ratios on organizational efficiency and capacity), and filter further according to such characteristics as Donor Privacy, CEO Pay and even Mission Statements that have not been simply lifted rote from a website but researched and confirmed in the process of independent evaluation.

Time Magazine named Charity Navigator as one of its “50 Coolest Websites”, and the only one in the Philanthropy category. Good stuff, and if nothing else it makes for an interesting read, especially with all the peripheral data including: “Not-for-Profit theaters contributed more than $1.46 billion to the U.S. economy in 2004 … an oak tree produces about 50,000 acorns in a good season; only a handful actually survive in just the right conditions to grow into trees … [and this one I found a bit startling] one of every six children in America lives in poverty.”

Posted by: Colin Mangham

Honest, I do. It’s a site called We Feel Fine (www.wefeelfine.org), and by blogging here with phrases like “I feel” and “I’m feeling” I’m priming these words to be “harvested” by an app that’s crawling blogs to, well, see how people are feeling and what their feeling about.

The founders, Jonathan Harris and Sep Kamvar, describe this thing better than I can (surprise), so I’ve taken the liberty (and arguably done them a favor) by providing it straight-no-chaser below:

“Since August 2005, We Feel Fine has been harvesting human feelings from a large number of weblogs. Every few minutes, the system searches the world’s newly posted blog entries for occurrences of the phrases “I feel” and “I am feeling”. When it finds such a phrase, it records the full sentence, up to the period, and identifies the “feeling” expressed in that sentence (e.g. sad, happy, depressed, etc.). Because blogs are structured in largely standard ways, the age, gender, and geographical location of the author can often be extracted and saved along with the sentence, as can the local weather conditions at the time the sentence was written. All of this information is saved.

“The result is a database of several million human feelings, increasing by 15,000 – 20,000 new feelings per day. Using a series of playful interfaces, the feelings can be searched and sorted across a number of demographic slices, offering responses to specific questions like: do Europeans feel sad more often than Americans? Do women feel fat more often than men? Does rainy weather affect how we feel? What are the most representative feelings of female New Yorkers in their 20s? What do people feel right now in Baghdad? What were people feeling on Valentine’s Day? Which are the happiest cities in the world? The saddest? And so on.

“The interface to this data is a self-organizing particle system, where each particle represents a single feeling posted by a single individual. The particles’ properties – color, size, shape, opacity – indicate the nature of the feeling inside, and any particle can be clicked to reveal the full sentence or photograph it contains. The particles careen wildly around the screen until asked to self-organize along any number of axes, expressing various pictures of human emotion. We Feel Fine paints these pictures in six formal movements titled: Madness, Murmurs, Montage, Mobs, Metrics, and Mounds.

“At its core, We Feel Fine is an artwork authored by everyone. It will grow and change as we grow and change, reflecting what’s on our blogs, what’s in our hearts, what’s in our minds. We hope it makes the world seem a little smaller, and we hope it helps people see beauty in the everyday ups and downs of life.”

Now, be sure to click to the site and “Open We Feel Fine” — the visual representations of the data are pretty keen, well worth poking around for at least a few minutes.

Posted by: Colin Mangham

WHEREVER YOU ARE, WHOMEVER YOU’RE WITH, WHATEVER YOU DO…
IF IT’S WORTH DOING, DO IT DAILY IN ‘09.

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. The same goes for growing a successful business. To our clients, business partners and other Daily friends, thank you for helping make 2008 a truly amazing year.

Amazing? Really? Absolutely. Sure, there was (is) the whole global economic meltdown thing that’s struck fear in the hearts of some of our start-up clients and yanked the rug from beneath a few of our home run batters mid-swing. But we still managed to hit a bunch of base hits and long balls, mainly by keeping positive, agile and steadfast in our resolve. We even sought and found wealth-building and other strategic opportunities in the shadows of the downturn.

Most importantly, we continued to live the Daily mantra by aligning ourselves with likeminded people — accomplished, passionate, often visionary and, most importantly, very good people. Here’s to all of you, and all of us. May we together achieve the successes we envision in 2009.

Be safe. Smile big. Love all.
The Daily Brand Group*

*Colin, Tracy, Jason and our superstar staff, circle of Associates and Board of Advisors, plus the extended Daily family of designers, writers, strategists, producers, broker-dealers, number-crunchers and proverbial Big Picture thinkers in the US, UK and Asia-Pacific.

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

This year we’re once again making charitable donations on behalf of our Daily clients, partners, friends and family to Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of children worldwide. The Workshop launched a learning revolution when it created Sesame Street, and continues to break new ground with children’s media that’s as engaging as it is educational. Find out more at: www.sesameworkshop.org.

Born today. Welcome to the three-ring circus, baby boy!

Posted by: Colin Mangham

I would be a bad dad if I didn’t blog a birthday wish to my cute-as-a-button (and rambunctious as all get-out) Daddy’s Girl, wouldn’t I? She’s two years old today. Happy birthday Phoebe!

Posted by: Colin Mangham

A colleague of mine recently mused that he had lent way more money to “friends” than to family members. I’d never really thought about that, but quickly tallied what I could remember of the past 20 or so years of handouts to buddies and, yes, I actually felt a full spinal shiver. There was a Time magazine article on the topic last year that stated, “Lending money to family and friends is a timeworn tradition–one that probably has worn out more relationships than it has helped.” There is (or rather, was) a unique company called Circle Lending formed specifically to help with these types of sticky-wickets. However, it appears to have been bought by Sir Richard and rebirthed as Virgin Money.

From their website, www.virginmoneyus.com, “Loans and mortgages between family and friends reflect an age-old impulse to lend a helping hand. They’re typically used for big life events: to buy a home, to start a business, to finance an education. But mixing money and relationships can be tricky. That’s where we come in.” Sounds like help is on the way! They go on to say that their goal is to make lending between family and friends (for purposes entrepreneurial and otherwise) “safe and easy.” Anyway, check it out if you need it. Unless you can’t read this blog because you loaned your best bud your PC. (Good luck.)

Posted by: Colin Mangham

One great way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day is to take the day off. How’s that for a novel idea? Another is to read a graphic novel — or three, if it’s Ho Che Anderson’s acclaimed King series.

Comic Book Bin calls it, “an essential edition to any comic book library.” (I suppose they would know, eh?) I simply call it an intriguing approach to biography. I dug into the series when I first discovered it in 2003 shortly after the publishing of Volume 3, though I was decidedly late to the party of insiders who’d been following Anderson since Volume 1 debuted a decade earlier.

If you’re not familiar with graphic novels, these are not at all comic books by the common definition. Anderson underscores this with a dark, moody tone to the imagery and narrative, and what would appear to be a somewhat objective eye on not only the man’s triumphs but also the less flattering details of Dr. King’s life framed in the context of the hard-fought struggles of a man who would be, well, King. It is, however, the artist’s subjective and richly realized visual interpretation of the story we think we know so well that makes the trilogy worth a read or, at the very least, a quick flip-through at the Barnes & Noble.

Posted by: Colin Mangham

MLK, lyrics by U2, The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised.
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, rain down on he.
So let it be.
So let it be.

Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised.
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, let it rain
Rain down on he.

Posted by: Colin Mangham

WHEREVER YOU ARE, WHOMEVER YOU’RE WITH, WHATEVER YOU DO…
IF IT’S WORTH DOING, DO IT DAILY IN ‘08.

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. The same goes for launching and growing a successful business.

To our clients, business partners and other Daily friends, thank you for helping make 2007 a truly amazing year. May we together achieve the successes you envision in 2008.

Be safe. Smile big. Love all.
The Daily Brand Group*

*Colin, Tracy, Greg, Hilary, Dar, Koan, Kathryn, Mark, Paolo, Tilsia and the extended Daily family of designers, writers, strategists, producers, number-crunchers and proverbial Big Picture thinkers in the US, UK, Vietnam and China.

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Inspired by the documentary film The World According to Sesame Street, and for all of the obvious reasons and more, this year we’re making charitable donations on behalf of our Daily clients, partners, friends and family to Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of children worldwide. The Workshop launched a learning revolution when it created Sesame Street, and continues to break new ground with children’s media that’s as engaging as it is educational. Find out more at: www.sesameworkshop.org.

There, I said it. And though it’s a cliche of cliches to say that it’s often best to avoid the topics of politics and religion, here’s a vote for real peace and loving thy neighbor (and a healthy dose of religious pluralism), as well as a warm invitation for anyone anywhere to elevate your greetings above the over-the-counter generic. Instead, consider wishing well upon others with the full power of whatever faith, worldview, goodwill, physics, totem, spirit, source, mythology, meaning of life, or general sense of the inherent goodness in things that brings you joy, comfort and guidance throughout the year.

So Happy Channukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, yes, Holidays, and all the rest to all of you … plus one thing I think no one can argue with, let’s have a very happy New Year….

Afrikaans – Geseende Kerfees en ‘n gelukkige nuwe jaar
Albanian РG̩zuar Krishlindjet Vitin e Ri!
Amharic – Melkam Yelidet Beaal
Arabic – I’D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida
Aramaic- Edo bri’cho o rish d’shato brich’to!
Argentine – Feliz Navidad
Armenian – Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Aromunian РCṛciunu ḥriosu shi unu anu ṇu, bunu!
Azeri – Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia – Selamat Hari Natal
Basque – Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali – Shuvo Baro Din – Shuvo Nabo Barsho
Bohemian – Vesele Vanoce
Brazilian – Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Breton – Nedeleg laouen na bloav ezh mat
Bulgarian – Vasel Koleda; Tchestita nova godina!
Catalan РBon nadal i feli̤ any nou!
Cantonese -Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok
Chile – Feliz Navidad
Chinese (Cantonese) – Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun
Choctaw – Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Cornish -Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsican – Bon Natale e Bon capu d’ annu
Crazanian – Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree – Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Creek – Afvcke Nettvcakorakko
Czech – Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Croatian – Sretan BozicCzech – Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish – Glædelig Jul og godt nytÃ¥r
Duri – Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch – Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Egyptian – Colo sana wintom tiebeen
Egyptian Colo sana wintom tiebeen
English – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Eskimo – Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto – Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian – Rõõmsaid jõulupühi
Euskera – Zorionak eta Urte Berri On
Faeroese – Gledhilig jól og eydnurikt n?ggjár!
Farsi – Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish – Hyvää Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua
Flemish – Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French – Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!
Frisian – Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Friulian – Bon Nadâl e Bon An Gnûf
Gaelic – Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur!
Galician – Bon Nadal e Bo Ani Novo
German – Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!
Greek – Kala Christougenna Kieftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos
Greenlandic – Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit
Hausa – Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian – Mele Kalikimaka (MC) Hauoli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year)
Hebrew – Mo’adim Lesimkha. Shana Tova
Hindi – Shub Naya Baras
Hungarian -Hungarian -Merry Christmas=Kellemes karacsonyi unnepeket
happy new year = Kellemes karacsonyi unnepeket es boldog uj evet
Icelandic – Gleileg Jól og Farsaelt Komandi ár!
Indonesian -Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi – Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish -Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Italian – Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
Japanese -Merry Christmas=MERII KURISUMASU …and if you like: SHINNEN AKEMASHITE OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU
J̬rriais РBouan Nou̩ et Bouanne Ann̩e
Karelian – Rastawanke Sinun, Uvven Vuvenke Sinun
Korean – Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Krio – Appi Krismes en Appi Niu Yaa
Kurdish – Seva piroz sahibe u sersala te piroz be
Ladin – Bon Nadel y Bon Ann Nuef
Lappic – Buorit Juovllat ja Buorre Oddajahki
Latin – Natale hilare et Annum Nuovo!
Latvian – Prieci’gus Ziemsve’tkus un Laimi’gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian – Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lithuanian – Linksmu Kaledu ir laimingu Nauju metu
Livian – Riiemlizi Talspividi ja pagin vonno udaigastos
Low Saxon – Heughliche Winachten un ‘n moi Nijaar
Luxemburgish – Schéi Krëschtdeeg an e Schéint Néi Joer
Macedonian – Streken Bozhik
Malay – Selamat Hari Natal
Malayalam – Puthuvalsara Aashamsakal
Maltese – Nixtieklek Milied tajjeb u is-sena t-tabja!
Mandarin – Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Manx – Nollick ghennal as blein vie noaMaori -Meri Kirihimete
Marathi – Shub Naya Varsh
Maori – Meri Kirihimete
Mongolian – Zul saryn bolon shine ony mend devshuulye
Monogasque – Festusu Natale e Bona ana noeva
Norwegian -God Jul og Godt Nyttår
Occitan -Polit nadal e bona annada
Oriya -Sukhamaya christmass ebang khusibhara naba barsa
Papiamento РBon Pasco y un Feliz A̱a Nobo
Papua New Guinea – Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Philippines – Maligayang Pasco at Manigong Bagong Taon
Pashto – De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha.
Pennsylvania German – En frehlicher Grischtdaag unen hallich Nei Yaahr!
Polish – Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portuguese – Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo
Punjabi – Nave sal di mubaraka
Pushto – Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Raeto-Ramance – Bella Festas da zNadal ed in Ventiravel Onn Nov
Rapa-Nui – Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian – Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche – Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Romani (GYPSY) – Bachtalo krecunu Thaj Bachtalo Nevo Bers
Romanian – Hristos s-a Nascut si Anul Nou Fericit
Russian – Pozdravlyau s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i c Novym Godom
Sami – Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan – La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardian – Felize Nadale e Bonu Cabuannu
Sardinian – Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Scots Gaelic – Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serbian – Hristos se rodi
Surinamese (SRANANTONGO) – Wan Santa Bedaki
Croatian – Sretan BozicCzech – Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Singhalese – Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Sorbian – Wjesole hody a strowe Nowe leto.
Somali – ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican.
Slovakian – Vesele Vianoce a stastny novy rok
Slovak – Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene – Vesele bozicne praznike in srecno novo leto
Sorbian – Wjesole hody a strowe Nowe leto
Spanish – Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Swahili – ºKrismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpyaº
Swedish – God Jul och Gott Nytt Ã…r and S Rozhdestvom Kristovym
Serbian – HRISTOS SE RODI! SRECNA NOVA GODINA!
Sudanese – Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal
Tagalog – Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
Tamil – Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Thai – Suksan Wan Christmas lae Sawadee Pee Mai
Tok Pisin – Meri Krismas & Hepi Nu Yia
Tongan – Kilisimasi Fiefia & Ta’u fo’ou monu ia
Trukeese – Neekirissimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Tswana – Keresemose o monate le masego a ngwaga o montsha
Turkish – Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian – Veseloho Vam Rizdva i Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku!
Urdu – Naya Saal Mubarak Ho Vanina Bon Natale a Tutti
Vepsi – Rastvoidenke i Udenke Vodenke
Vietnamese – Chuc Mung Giang Sinh – Chuc Mung Tan Nien
Welsh – Nadolig LLawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Xhosa – Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi EmnandI Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo Namathamsanqa
Yayeya – Krisema
Yiddish – Gute Vaynakhtn un a Gut Nay Yor
Yoruba – E ku odun, e hu iye’ dun!
Zulu – Sinifesela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Onempumelelo

Posted by: Colin Mangham
Translations courtesy of Natalie Bewernitz and Marek Goldowski (I yanked it all from their Seasons Greetings email), thanks! I think we both hope there’s accuracy throughout, but where there’s not, please forgive and embrace that it’s the thought that counts.