Losing Contacts: The Open Network

A couple years ago, I considered moving out of the Las Vegas market after being approached by a Fortune 500 company. The offer was nearly perfect until they tossed one question that was a deal breaker in my book. It was about my "book" or what was once called a Rolodex. "How many media contacts do you have in your Rolodex?Seriously? A tech company even using the term seemed suspect enough, Fortune 500 or not. But the...

Advertising Laughs: Kraft Lightens Up

Years ago, before video had become a mainstream component for social media, we considered advertainment would eventually become a key ingredient for online campaigns. There have been several attempts, including the failed Bud TV concept. But the one who might have the right just under-the-radar mix is Kraft. It recently tapped stay-at-home mom turned comedian Anita Renfroe to weave Kraft products into her routine for...

Looking For Quality: Consumers Shed Frugality

A new study from the latest from The Futures Company notes a new shift in consumer attitudes. The priority placed on price during the global recession is weakening. "While these changes are small, they are nevertheless notable, for they signal the start of a long awaited reversal in attitudes," says J. Walker Smith, executive chairman of The Futures Company. "It's easy to lose sight of the fact that just because consumers...

Knowing Zip: Fresh Content Project

There is an old saying that the more you know, the more you realize you really know nothing at all. If you want a great communicator or marketer or social media expert, pay careful attention to those who ascend beyond that point. They tend to be more modest, but not for lack of confidence. They know that they don't know. Because communication tends to overlap psychology and sociology, and we know very little about those...

Drinking Kool-Aid: Palms Resort Guzzles Klout

The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas had set itself out to be the party place in Las Vegas when most resort owners were overly concerned with themes. It has always been that way, even back in 2002 when developer George Maloof Jr. opened the property. "If anything, Las Vegas is a party place and it will always be a party place. We (The Palms) will strive to be party central," Maloof told me a few days before he opened...

Banning Books: Words Want To Be Free

In the last nine years, there were 4,312 challenges to books in libraries and classrooms. The American Library Association defines a challenge as a formal, written complaint filed with a library or school, and requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. The association estimates five times as many complaints are submitted, but are never made formal.Most the challenges are due to “sexually...