Thanks Ris

Over the past two weeks, I have read almost all of the posts about the late Jim Riswold and everything that has been said is 100% true. He wrote like a God. His creative portfolio is unmatched. And there has never been, nor will ever be, another like him.

So why write another post? Well, mainly to say thank you, albeit too late, to the man who shared so much more with people than his advertising genius.

A few of the things Ris taught me.

• Own at least one nice suit. (he actually took me to see his clothier to ensure I bought the right one)
• It doesn't matter what you wear to a client meeting if the work is good. (yes, he did present to a Fortune 500 client wearing a bathrobe)
• Bad days should be celebrated as much as good days (after another Fortune 500 company killed an entire campaign we went and splurged on steak and red wine)
• Fight like hell for work you believe in (maybe why he was asked off Nike so many times...but they did always ask him back)
• "Stupid" stamps can be very motivating (as an account guy, I was regularly motivated)
• It takes research to find a good Bloody Mary (Jake's and The Benson were tops in Portland)
• Live into what makes you, you (Ris never tried to be anyone but himself, and he was 100% Jim Riswold, like him or not)

I'm sure there were times when I didn't like Ris, but I did always love the man and, unfortunately, never told him so. Maybe it's because I never really understood the impact he was having on my life until he wasn't around to respond to a random text anymore.

Speaking of random texts, the last text conversation I had with Ris went as follows (the image I'm referring is Bar in Hotel Scribe by Floyd Davis).

me: "For some reason I feel this is very Riswoldian."

Ris: "I love it! How can I get one?"

me: "National Museum of Art in DC."

Ris: "Steal it for me."

me: "I'll try."

Thank you Jim Riswold!