Alright, get it out of your system, I’ll wait. The name of our new and exciting organization is getting quite a reaction. Actually, it kind of took me by surprise that we are using the name ‘Stroke’ even though I’m the one who came up with it. I’ll explain.
So, about three months ago I knew I had to finally launch an organization for and about the visual artists of South Jersey. I’ve been talking about it for several years. It was time. So I came up with a name and details and had someone start putting together a website. It was really coming together.
Then about a month ago I was talking with David Todd McCarty. David is great at branding and marketing so I thought I would run some ideas by him.
Conversation went something like this.
Me: “So, I’m finally ready to start that artist organization I was telling you about. Pretty excited about this.”
David: “What’s it called?” 
Me: ” The Creative Coalition of South Jersey”
David: ” No it’s not. That sucks. It’s a description, not a name.”
Me: ” Aw man, it took me hours to come up with that. ‘
David: ” Too bad, it sucks. ”
Me: “Yeah, you made that clear. What do you suggest?”
David: ” Should be one or two words, then you can add a description as sub text. Give me a word, any word.”
Me: ” Really? Now? Ok, How about, Four Eyes? Visual Eyes? Splatter? Brushstroke? Stroke?”
David: “Keep thinking. Gotta go, we’ll talk in a few days.”
The next day when I got home from a video shoot I saw an email from David. It was a whole branding kit with logos, ads, treatments and it was for ‘Stroke’. Beautiful stuff. I called him to thank him and also ask, “Are you sure about the name?” His reply, “It’ll work. Own it.” I was pretty sure it was already ‘owned’ by some medical crisis hotline or an obscure men’s magazine, but I understood what he meant.
It’s a ‘Stroke of Genius’. Too soon? Actually, not soon enough. Welcome to Stroke and the Visual Artists of South Jersey.
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