“And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?” —W.B. Yeats

That’s been a pretty good description of the cloud of fear that has collected around many of us who’ve spent our careers producing printed communications. Since, print has been declared dead in the last couple of years.

Well, the new beast is taking shape, and it’s not so rough after all. In fact, it may turn out to pretty damn sexy and even, gasp, profitable! Witness the latest reincarnation of Gourmet as Gourmet Live to be released for the iPad later this year. The iPad is allowing Conde Nast to pull a Lazarus on this much loved brand. But this new creature will be part magazine, part social media resource with a game component similar to Foursquare. It will feature content from it’s  backlog of recipes as well as new content available for a small fee. (Gourmet Magazine Revived for the iPad)

Wired magazine also shows what the future may hold for publishing with downloads recently exceeding it’s newsstand sales without cannibalizing them. Wired is also breaking new ground and acting as an early leader in establishing conventions for digital publishing. (Introducing WIRED on the iPad)

But this isn’t an Apple love-fest. Adobe is playing a key role in enabling much of this revolution with it’s new software offerings for Creative Suite 5, or if you’re on a first name basis with it like we are—CS5. CS5 is providing powerful new ways for content developers to digitize their content straight from their printed projects while minimizing development costs. Apparently Adobe has been the motor under the hood of Wired magazine’s new digital offering. (Creating Digital Magazines)

In a way, it may be that the website has died a little. As devices like smart phones and tablet computers offer more attractive vehicles for content, the website may grow to be more utilitarian in nature, like the PC itself. Enter Flipboard. Billed as your social media world presented as a magazine experience. A new app for the iPad. Okay, so maybe this is an Apple love fest after all. But this app is a great example of how the website is being transformed by the app. And the exciting new possiblities of presenting and monetizing content. (Flipboard, New “Social” iPad Magazine will be Powered by Semantic Data)

From this spot in the road, we may have to correct, the masterful Yeats’ gloomy vision with the more stylish, if not remotely linguistically comparable Don Draper by way of Balzac — “Our worst fears lie in anticipation.”

Los Angeles-based Grandpoint Bank launched on June 30, featuring a new identity designed by Baker. Prior to the launch, the Baker team worked with the founders to create a platform that reflected not only their deep industry expertise but also their service philosophy of highly personalized banking: helping clients achieve financial success through a spectrum of customized services accessible through one point of contact.

Baker used this platform to build the visual components of the program. In addition to a new logo and tagline, the elements included proprietary brand imagery, stationery, signage, collateral and a website — all for which Baker created a distinct look-and-feel that could extend effectively and consistently across customer touch points.

Read the case study or Grandpoint’s launch press release.

I heard about the “Three E’s” many years ago from author Max Carey, and still find them to be true today. I have adopted my own versions and they are at the core of our client relationship philosophy, actually they’re probably at the core of all relationships.

Empathy, Enthusiasm, and Expertise.

2. Enthusiasm. I’ve never won a new client, or kept a client without truly being excited about the opportunity to help them create and execute.

John Wooden said, “As a leader, you must be filled with energy and eagerness, joy and love for what you do. If you lack Enthusiasm for your job, you cannot perform to the best of your ability. Success is unattainable without Enthusiasm.”

Indeed, it is imperative that a client sees and feels your energy. It comes from within and is expressed in different ways. It’s in the rigor you exert and the depth you go to think about their situation. It’s expressed in your quality of ideas, by your timeliness and sense of urgency aligned with your client to help find the best solution — one that will be a strong and enduring foundation for them to build from.

If it’s not truly there, then move on. You’re not going to satisfy your client if you’re not inspired by their challenge to give it your best. It’s something you simply can’t hide.

At the heart of the creative soul is the desire to do something because you find it deeply rewarding. It must come from a passion and a desire to find the best answer. So if you want to do good work, stay honest with yourself. It will naturally follow.