Monday, June 29, 2009

Priceless Legacy to Produce and Air an Infomerical

Priceless Legacy Chooses Planned Reaction to Create Infomercial

The Priceless Legacy Company Chooses Planned Reaction, Inc. to Produce a Television Infomercial

Dallas, Texas –June 29, 2009. The Priceless Legacy Company announced that after a thorough search, it had chosen Planned Reaction, Inc. of Sugar Land, Texas to produce its new television infomercial.

The Priceless Legacy Company is in the business of turning “regular people” into published and polished biography authors. The company does this by working a Life Story creation process that turns a two hour interview and up to one hundred photographs into a beautiful hard-bound biography package.

Planned Reaction is one of the nation’s premier creators of direct-response commercials and infomercials.

“Every minute, five Americans die” said Peter A. Gudmundsson, CEO and Founder of Priceless Legacy. “Most do nothing to preserve their personal histories and that is an omission we are driven to address. By partnering with Planned Reaction, we will be able to create an entertaining and effective piece of television programming to remind people about the importance of life story preservation. Peter Vogt and his team have a vast track record of creative and business success in this realm. We have high expectations for the project. ”

“This is a wonderful product; a new way to capture and pass on personal memories that would otherwise fade away and be lost forever,” said Peter Vogt, Planned Reaction President. “We are extremely proud to have been chosen to tell the Priceless Legacy story. We think this infomercial will have a lot of people reaching for their handkerchiefs – and their phones.”

The production will air nationally during late September, 2009.

About Planned Reaction, inc. (www.plannedreaction.com ):

Planned Reaction, Inc. is an award-winning, but more importantly, results delivering Direct Response advertising agency. Operating for the last sixteen years in Sugar Land, Texas, and prior to that in New York City, the company counts many well-known Fortune 500 names among its client roster, and is responsible for some of the highest performing television spots and infomercials ever created.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson & Farrah Fawcett teach us

We should use the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett to serve as reminders for the importance of approaching life story preservation with a sense of urgency. In the midst of superstar mortality, Baby Boomers are discovering that they and their parents will not live forever.

The deaths so close together of such popular generational icons should serve as a ‘wake-up call’ reminder. We cannot delay taking steps to preserve our heritage and legacy without risking the severe disappointment of our loved ones who will survive us.

Fawcett and Jackson represent to two primary kinds of death experiences not just of celebrities but of regular people too. Fawcett’s was a long expected death as a result of terminal illness. Jackson’s was unexpected and shocking. Both losses are comparable tragedies, but it is sobering to consider how many regular people and families, faced with the same expectations, fail to act in preparation for either scenario.

Our parents and grandparents are the real celebrities of our lives. High profile entertainers like Fawcett and Jackson have been well documented. But what will our grandchildren know of our parents and grandparents if we do not act today?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

FamilyNet Mornings Show


I was pleased to be featured on the Mornings Show at FamilyNet TV (and Sirius Radio 161) on June 18. The twelve minute segment can be viewed on our homepage.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Old Couples Bickering but in love

An old couple lovingly bickering is one of life's great joys. Check this NPR post for a wonderful example.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Top Five Lessons from Seniors

The Priceless Legacy Company released today the results of its research study into the Top Five Life Lessons of Seniors.

The Priceless Legacy Company is in the business of turning “regular people” into published authors. The company does this by working a Life Story creation process that turns a two hour interview and up to one hundred photographs into a beautiful hard-bound biography.

Each quarter, the company publishes the results of an anecdotal review of many of its published stories. These “life lessons” are drawn from specific Life Stories but enjoy universal applicability.

This list includes the following five observations from Life Story writers from age 65 to 104.

1. The simple things matter most.
2. Humor and time cure most pains
3. There is more satisfaction in giving than getting. Service to others is the most satisfying activity.
4. Choose your spouse carefully. It will be your most important decision.
5. Work hard and in a field or role that you enjoy.

“Of course, there are other themes too” said Peter A. Gudmundsson, CEO and Founder of Priceless Legacy. “But these are the topics that emerge time and time again.”

The company will continue to mine this rich vein of narrative stories for similar nuggets of wisdom.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Taking Chance


Last night I watched a movie that will stay with me for a long time.

Kevin Bacon starred as a Marine Lieutenant Colonel who is escorting a fallen Marine from Dover, Delaware to the young man's final resting place in Colorado. The film is a brilliant achievement of humility, understatement and simplicity. As a former Marine officer myself, I identified with the sense of duty and emotional conflict of the Bacon character.

The film reminded me of the importance of life story capture and celebration, even among the young.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Wisdom from George Patton's Family

One of our Legacy Consultants, Nancy Gale, sent us a great article from the June issue of Smithsonian Magazine by Benjamin Patton (General George Patton's grandson) contains this gem. The whole article is worth reading.

Every family has a story, and every member's story is worth preserving—certainly for the living family, but even more so for future generations. Experiencing history through the lens of another person's life can offer unexpected insight into your own. It gets you to think: What sort of mark will I make? How will I be remembered?

The key is to start now, whether with a tape recorder or video camera. In her wonderful book The Writing Life, Annie Dillard tells of a note found in Michelangelo's studio after he died. I have a copy pinned up in my office. Scribbled by the elderly artist to an apprentice, it reads: "Draw, Antonio, draw, Antonio, draw and do not waste time."

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Stories from Iowa

Some very poignant video histories on Media Storm called Stories from Iowa. I particularly liked Harry and Helen.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Holy Scrap Batman!

Some images from the Great American Scrapbook Show in Arlington, Texas. A lot of interest in Life Stories!






Our own Mary Kerr closes on yet another client!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Great American Scrapbook Show




The Priceless Legacy Company will be exhibiting at the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington, Texas from June 4 to 6, 2009

Dallas, Texas – June 2, 2009 - The Priceless Legacy Company will be exhibiting at the Great American Scrapbook Convention at the Arlington Convention Center, Texas from June 4 to 6. Hours and details are available at the show website: www.greatamericanscrapbook.com. The company will occupy booth 204.

Priceless Legacy is dedicated to helping older people preserve their life stories for the benefit of this and future generations. The company publishes beautiful Life Story packages that include hardcover color books and audio/visual DVDs. The company is deploying work-from-home part-time Legacy Consultants who sell the engagements, interview the subjects, organize their photos and manage the draft review process. Priceless Legacy has devised a custom publishing system that creates a one-of-a-kind personal biography that is not dependent on the writing skill of the subject.

Almost everyone has had the experience of either regret at not having taken the steps to preserve a life story or the strong sense that it should be done and they don’t know how to get started and finished. Using our process, our Legacy Consultants can help anyone preserve the life stories of their loved ones while there is still time to do it.

“Scrapbookers intuitively understand the mission of Priceless Legacy” said PLC CEO Peter A. Gudmundsson. People who understand the importance of preserving, honoring and celebrating the past have a natural affinity for our offering both through service as Legacy Consultants and as clients for our Life Stories.”

The company is offering a “Show Special” as $25 off a Legacy Consultant Starter Kit and $25 off a Life Story package.

“Scrapbooking is a large and vibrant hobby and industry” continued Gudmundsson. Many recognize that the next evolution is professionally published Life Story books that preserve actual stories and facts in addition to images.

About The Priceless Legacy Company (www.pricelesslegacy.com)

Based in Dallas, Texas, The Priceless Legacy Company is a privately held custom book publishing company dedicated to helping people preserve their life legacies for the benefit of future generations. The company serves people through its fast expanding network of Legacy Consultants. Currently active in twenty-one states, PLC’s Legacy Consultants help people record their life stories and personal history. Services include interviewing, photo organizing and scanning and the production of beautiful heirloom quality Life Story books.

Contact: Peter A. Gudmundsson, CEO& Founder
214.272.2363 (work)
pgud@pricelesslegacy.com

Monday, June 1, 2009

Nine Questions for Dad

Father's Day and the anniversary of my father's death have me thinking about some questions that everyone should ask their father (if they still have that luxury).

Nine Questions for Dad

1. What did you enjoy most about being a Dad? Least?
2. Are there things you wish you had done differently as a father?
3. In what ways are we alike and in what ways are we different?
4. Why did you marry my mother?
5. Is there anything you every wanted to tell us (me) but have not?
6. What is the secret to raising good kids?
7. Is there anything you regret not having asked your parents?
8. Do you think today’s fathers have it harder, easier or just different?
9. What do you want to make sure that my children and grandchildren will remember about you?



Ivar Gudmundsson (January 19, 1912- to June 2, 1996)