In his debut memoir, Already Home, adopted son, Howard Frederick Ibach, invites readers on an inspiring journey that ultimately debunks the widespread notion that adoption is an automatic ticket to suffering and abandonment.
As the son of a physician father and a scientist mother, Howard rarely questions his status as adoptee in a family that includes both an adoptive sister and his parents’ biological children. That’s because growing up in early 1960s-Wisconsin, he was afforded a life of love, security, and boyhood adventures.
But in 2015 at the age of fifty-eight, his story takes an unexpected turn. Amid the turmoil of a faltering relationship, he stumbles upon research that concludes most, if not all, adoptees will experience trauma.
Two years later, Ibach decides to trace his biological lineage. Armed with his adoption records, he learns the identity of his birth mother and unravels the captivating and dramatic narrative of his biological family.
Howard’s discovery reveals not just the joy of his newfound connections, but also reaffirms the love he has for the family who adopted him.
Already Home is an inspiring memoir that disputes presumptive ideas about adoption and reveals what it really means to have a family…or two.
Most creative briefs are a crime against creativity. Bloated, buzzword-packed, and about as inspiring as a spreadsheet.
How To Write An Inspired Creative Brief, 3rd Edition is your antidote.
This isn’t theory. It’s a field manual — graphic, fast, no-fluff — built from decades in the trenches as a copywriter, creative director, and teacher. You’ll learn how to write briefs that actually light a fire under creatives. Briefs that don’t just check boxes but open doors.
Inside, I break down the anatomy of a great brief, expose common sins, and show you how to turn brand babble into real human language. You’ll get fresh examples, updated strategies, and a no-nonsense guide to crafting that elusive single-minded proposition — the heart of every inspiring idea.
If you’re ready to ditch the corporate jargon and write briefs that make creative teams want to hug you (or at least buy you coffee), you’re in the right place.
Read it. Use it. Write briefs worth building campaigns around.
What is a single-minded proposition? If you know Nike, you know the answer: Just Do It. This is the iconic line known and loved by Nike users worldwide that began its life as a single-minded proposition on a creative brief. Most SMPs don’t become this famous. That’s because they are exceedingly hard to write. But when they’re done well, sometimes they reach this exalted status.
From the author of the critically acclaimed How To Write An Inspired Creative Brief 3rd Edition comes a new critically acclaimed graphic text devoted exclusively to this small collection of words on the creative brief: How To Write A Single-Minded Proposition: Five insights on advertising’s most difficult sentence. Plus two new approaches.
In a step-by-step process, Howard demonstrates how five key ingredients on every creative brief work together to produce the single-minded proposition (SMP), the singular message that explains your brand’s promise. He interviewed over 30 advertising and marketing professionals all over the globe for their thoughts on this one key line. Then he introduces you to two thought leaders who offer alternative ideas on where the creative brief can go.
This neat package of thought-provoking ideas, easy-to-do practical exercises, and fun graphics fit together in a concise and compelling 100 pages. A quick read that you’ll return to regularly for its clear explanations and valuable examples.
Remembering Stanley Holden: Seven seconds the ballet world will never forget is a captivating exploration of the life and influence of a revered figure in the ballet world. The narrative begins in 1998, when Howard Ibach, then unaware of Holden’s illustrious past, meets him as a ballet teacher in Los Angeles. Holden, a former principal character dancer with the Royal Ballet, was celebrated for his comic roles and had been retired for nearly three decades. His commitment to a new choreographers’ showcase in Los Angeles marked the start of a deep friendship and collaboration.
Holden was known for his masterful performances and iconic roles, such as the Widow Simone in “La Fille mal gardée.” Ibach chronicles Holden’s journey from a talented young tap dancer to a ballet legend with detail and affection. The author delves into Holden’s early life, his initial disinterest in ballet, and his eventual devotion to the art form, revealing a man of depth and complexity.
Ibach makes a fascinating discovery about a previously unnoticed improvisation by Holden in “La Fille mal gardée.” This improvisation, a seven-second act that became a permanent part of the ballet, showcases Holden’s ability to think on his feet and his contribution to the enduring charm of the ballet. Interviews with contemporaries and successors, like Phillip Mosley, offer a comprehensive view of Holden’s lasting influence on ballet and character portrayal.
Holden’s character evolution is also explored, from his early days with Sadler’s Wells Ballet to his iconic performances with the Royal Ballet. His ability to bring characters to life, his humor, and his improvisational skills are celebrated. Ibach’s personal and found anecdotes provide a touching perspective on Holden’s personality and his passion for ballet, both as a performer and a teacher.
This biographical sketch concludes with reflections on Holden’s passing in 2007 and the enduring legacy he left behind. It serves as a fitting tribute to a man who was not just a ballet legend but a cherished friend and mentor.
