The Skinny on Hooters

Now here's a story headline: America's obesity epidemic has finally spread to the Hooters Girls. It's one thing when two-thirds of Americans are overweight, (primarily from eating the kind of food Hooters serves) but if 17,000 Hooters Girls start packing it on, well, this is indeed a national tragedy. Hooters marketing is simple, skinny women and fattening food, but this kind of sell does not come without societal costs.

Hooters is on the hook for alleged weight discrimination. Last week a Michigan judge ruled that two former waitresses filed a weight discrimination case against the restaurant chain could proceed with their cases.

Cassandra Marie Smith, one of the plaintiffs, alleges in her complaint that she began working at a Hooters in 2008. At the time she weight 145 pounds and 5'8'. In a performance evaluation earlier this year, she claims in her complaint, a restaurant manager advised her "to join a gym in order to lose weight and improve her looks so that she would fit better into the extra small-sized uniform." She alleged she was put on a 30-day "weight probation" and resigned. Leeanne Convery at the time was 4'11' and 115 pounds. Convery said in her lawsuit that she lost 15 pounds and was encouraged to take appetite-suppressing drugs, only to be told by a manager that she'd made no improvement. The official uniform for Hooters waitresses, they claim, comes in three sizes: extra extra small, extra small, or small.

Atlanta-based Hooters is dealing with America's obesity problem by putting some Hooters Girls on "weight probation," but turns out you may not be able to do that in Michigan, where a civil-rights law from the 1970s prohibits weight discrimination. The suit cites Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination by employers based on a number of factors. Height and weight discrimination were added in a 1976 amendment by then-state Rep. Thomas Mathieu.

Airlines have long been trying to force large passengers to buy two seats. Medical-equipment makers have had to develop heavy-duty gurneys and extra-large imaging machines. And even little ol' Natural Nails in DeKalb County, GA, recently made news for adding a $5 fat fee to its bills.

Hooters expectations are no different than those set for Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders or the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. "We have an image to uphold," Mr. McNeil said. "We've been upholding it for 27 years. Hopefully, we'll be doing it for another 27 years."

What do you think of this business case?

Threat and Anxiety: Why Negative Political Ads Work

The race for the next Minnesota Governor is underway and has been for about awhile now. The election is over two months away, but the three candidates are already battling it out on TV with negative campaign ads and I'm already sick of it. Negative campaigning has long been a part of politics. This got me to thinking though, why do candidates use negative campaign ads, attacking the other person? Because they work.

Candidates use negative attacks because they work. By threatening voters, by making them anxious, afraid, and fearful, candidates can win elections.

A controversial attack ad now running in Minnesota comes from The Alliance for a Better Minnesota, an independent liberal group. The ad in question is called "Missed Votes" and it's here.

The ad claims that Tom Emmer has missed 142 votes (1 out of every 5 votes) in the state legislature in 2010, and compares it to missing one day of work each week. It's geared to target everyone, not just one party in particular party or its supporters. It aims to anger those who are working hard to keep their jobs by working more hours than usual and upset those who are unemployed, want to work and are looking for work. The ad threatens Minnesotans and makes them fearful of electing Tom Emmer as Governor because he may not do his job.

Threat and anxiety are powerful stuff in political campaigns, and recent research says that these negative emotions are strong predictors of candidate support and voting behavior. It has been found that candidates chosen are more likely to physically threaten the subjects actually lost 65% of the real elections (involving those same candidates).

For the Love of the Fair: The Great Minnesota Get Together is Still Great

I have gone to the Minnesota State Fair every year of my life. Even when I was not even a year old, my parents stuck me in a stroller and carted me around the grounds. It's been a yearly tradition ever since. Before me, both of my parents went - every year. I guess you could say this tradition has run in the family since my great grandparents moved to Minneapolis from Iowa many years ago.

Every year, my day at the fair consists of the same things, it's almost like a 'yearly routine.' This doesn't mean I find it boring, I actually still enjoy it year after year. I find it comforting almost. Through the entrance off Como Avenue. Past the raft ride. Right, to the corn dog stand. Left to the French fries. Back across the street to the Dairy Building for milkshakes. Kitty-corner to the Agriculture Horticulture Building to look at the biggest vegetables. Out the other side to the Food Building, where the cheese curd stand is. Then outside to watch the parade and shop at the Bazaar. Then do the Skyride and Midway...

Nearly 2 million people are expected to attend the fair this year and most like me that keep coming back each year have their own approach.

Some will go for the long day, sopping up enough of the deep-friend, sugar-coated, high-volume, shoulder-rubbing experience to hold them over for another year. Some will visit in several short, four-to six-hour bursts. Some will go early in the day. Others won't show up until late to hit the midway and watch the fireworks.

Regardless of how you 'do the fair,' the event is nice because you don't have to do anything in a specific way. It's a day without rules. You can eat the greasiest food item at 10 in the morning, wear a goofy hat in the shape of a pickle, pig, etc, or watch a concert in the middle of the afternoon, and that's OK. At the fair there are no set meal times. You can do whatever you want.

Check out the Minnesota State Fair here for more information!

Favre Return an Elaborate Publicity Stunt?

As if anyone actually doubted it would happen. Brett Favre reported to camp with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. I'm glad he's back, we really needed him to come back. Also, I never had a problem with his age and debate with retirement. Last season we saw him get beat up a lot - I don't blame him for wanting to consider his options. However, there's part of me that thinks this entire media blitz yesterday (and this entire year since that terrible game January 24th) was just part of an elaborate promotional campaign by the Vikings and the NFL. Do you really think it took sending three players, Jared Allen, Ryan Longwell and Steve Hutchinson to Hattiesburg to get Brett to return? Further, do you think he just suddenly told wife Deanna that he was leaving for Minnesota, you and the kids catch up with me in a few weeks? I don't think so. Without a doubt, the Vikings are better with Favre than without him; everyone knows it. But, there isn't a better way to start the season with hype and drama than this!

Coach Brad Childress has been fine with the timing of everything and the story has kept the NFL at the front of sports headlines throughout the summer. That's worth the salary increase that Minnesota reportedly offered Favre. Truthfully, every team should pitch in some cash for the publicity they got from this.

Regardless, it should be a good season! ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!

Dina Lohan Finds a Way to Blame Judge and Defend Daughter on Today Show

If there was someone that needed media training it was Dina Lohan. Last Friday, Dina Lohan appeared on the "Today" show to set the record straight on what happened during her daughter Lindsay's very public court battle. Her interview did not help Lindsay's case.

During the bizarre interview Dina Lohan repeatedly accused Judge Marsha Revel of "playing hardball" by sentencing Lindsay, 24, to 90 days in jail. Lindsay served 13 days and was released August 2.

"I'm not condoning drinking and driving, but she's still paying the price for what she did in 2007," Dina Lohan said, referencing her daughter's two DUI charges. "She's changed. She's grown up considerably."

Lohan also said "information would be coming out" showing that Revel was forced to remove herself from the case or risk being fired because of alleged wrongdoing in the proceedings.

Matt Lauer, who was interviewing Dina, said that it seems as if Lindsay's family and friends haven't done their part in helping her get out of trouble. Lohan answered that as a parent she had to grand Lindsay some freedom.

"When she went out to Los Angeles, she was 19," Lohan sad. "I had to let her go an fall and fail. Without failure, there is no success."

It's interesting that in Dina's mind, she has found a way to blame everyone else but Lindsay and herself for the things that have occurred. It's no wonder Lindsay feels the way she does. I wonder how her career will do after this entire fiasco. Right after Lindsay got out of jail she posed for Maxim magazine. Do you think Lindsay can still sell? For now, Lindsay will remain in rehab unless the case's new judge, Elden Fox, order her released. We'll see what happens next.

Watch the Today Show video for yourself here.

If You're Going To Quit Your Job, Don't Jump Off A Plane, Quit With Class

People have been buzzing over the epic departure of JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater, who quit his job in a dramatic fashion often reserved for movies and daydreams; just after this flight landed in New York City, he unleashed an expletive-laden tirade over the plane's public address system. He then deployed the inflatable emergency-exit ramp and left for his home in Queens, where he was promptly arrested. (However, I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the late night TV shows in the near future with all the publicity and fame he's getting for this incident.)

With economic recover still stalled, quitting any job requires some serious intestinal fortitude, but the sheer audacity of Slater's departure from his job might serve as a shining example of those tired of being abused or misused in the workplace. However, simply swearing your way out of the office lacks a certain je ne sais quoi.

Here are some ways to quit your job with class:

1. Keep Your Remarks Short: Don't rant your frustrations with the job. Just say what you need to and get out.

2. Make Your Reasons For Leaving Clear: Give your box something to think about so they don't drive away another valuable employee in the future. Whatever it is that is making you quit, be clear about it.

3. Have A Plan: If you're going to quit, at least know what's coming next.

4. Make An Impression: No swearing, no tantrums, no throwing stuff. If you leave respectfully and calmly, this will make a greater impression than lashing out.

5. Get Closure: If there's a way to make your departure more real in your mind, make it so. Don't dwell on your decisions. You're gone; now move on.

About the picture: This is a picture from Steven Slater's MySpace, a flight attendant for Jet Blue Airways Corp., looked pleased and relieved after cursing out a passenger on an airplane public-address system, grabbing some beer from the galley and using an emergency slide to hop off another passenger said Tuesday, August 10th. Steven Slater lost his temper after a passenger accidentally hit him on the head with luggage on the ground at Kennedy Airport on Monday police said.

Better Work Environment = Better Employee Satisfaction

An employee's work environment plays a LARGE role in employee satisfaction. If going to work included casual dress, flexible hours, bringing your pet and playing video games while gathering for drinks and snacks on Friday afternoons, would you mind coming to work five days a week? I don't think so.

Of course there is a difference between professional time and playtime, but I think a company should provide perks when possible. The more you consider your employees feelings and wants, the better work they'll do for you and your cause. Makes sense, but the word 'fun' is often forgotten by management.

When a company creates an environment where employees want to hang out, they will work longer hours and will produce better results. A happy, engaged employee = better work turnaround.

If you're in management, think about how you can implement fun into your workplace. Start by considering your company's mission and see if your mission to customers also considers your employees. If it doesn't you have a problem. If you start to stream your mission throughout the workplace, the more your employees will 'live' your brand and mission. Further, the more they will 'enjoy' being at work and doing their work.

Check out the places that have gotten it right by looking the Best Places to Work for 2010 released by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston: Is All Publicity Good Publicity?

I love celebrity gossip, but I'm tired of wannabe celebrities, such as Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston, being stupid and getting press for it. There should have been no shock or awe yesterday when Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston broke up (again). The only surprise was that their reunion lasted as long as it did! There are many reasons why I knew this relationship wouldn't last and there would be no happy ending for this pair. However, I don't think it was suppose to work, I think it was just another attempt to gain fame. I think everything has been for an attempt at fame.

First, the last thing you want to hear is that your fiance knocked up another woman, even if you had been on a "break." The National Enquirer printed the rumor that Levi impregnated his ex girlfriend (Bristol's old BFF,) but the girl in question denied the rumors. Palin is now saying that Levi himself told her on July 14th (the same day they went public with their second engagement) that he may have gotten another girl pregnant. Yuck.

Second, it's hard to believe that Sarah Palin would ever support this marriage because of all the things Levi said and did after the couple broke up the first time.

Third, Bristol said tearfully that Levi is "just obsessed with the limelight and I got played." I can't believe she didn't figure this out before. I guess she didn't pick that up, after the Playgirl spread, the Pistachio nut ads and the hanging out with Kathy Griffin... need I say more?

Fourth, Levi has always mocked the Palin family and still continues to do so. Bristol told People, "The final straw was him flying to Hollywood for what he told me was to see some hunting show, but come to find out it was that music video mocking my family."

Lastly, the two had reportedly tried to sell a reality show about their relationship. One wonders if they just got back together to sell their stories and photos to tabloids and maybe get a reality TV series out of the deal. Was it all just an act to drum up interest and drama?

I don't mean to be a Debby Downer, but would you get married if you were in this relationship, even with a kid involved? Hell no!

I believe somewhat that bad publicity is still publicity, but I don't believe that you can build a fame career on always being stupid. I'm sure someday (or at least I hope) they will finally fall off the radar just like all the other no-name, wannabe celebrities. Hey, remember: Paris Hilton, Jamie Lynn Spears, Carrot Top, Jack Osbourne, Tara Reid or Kevin Federline? Barely.

What do you think? Was their reunion for real or just for fame and fortune?

Take Advantage of Increased Time Spent on Social Networking

The small business I currently work for has started using social media marketing and all I have to say is that it's about time! A new Nielsen study titled "What Americans Do Online" shows that Americans spend a growing percentage of their time online visiting social networking sites. Businesses need to be aware of trends like this in order to focus marketing efforts where the target audience spends its time.

Social networking and other next-generation Web tools and services are changing the face of the Internet. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are growing exponentially - Facebook just passed 500 million users, and Twitter just sent it's 20 billionth tweet. Companies need to grasp how to take advantage of these platforms to effectively communicate with customers.

The Nielsen study tracked the online activity of 200,000 uses -comparing to June 2010 against June 2009. What Nielsen found is that the portion of online time invested on social networking sites grew nearly 50 percent, from 16 percent to 23 percent, and that social gaming surpassed 3-mail to take the number two position.

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that the Nielsen study also revealed that the use of Web portals is on the decline - dropping from 5.5 percent to 4.4 percent of online time. Ironically, Yahoo beat out both Google and Microsoft to be the captain of that sinking ship, as well as the leader in both e-mail and instant messaging.

It is also worth noting that the social network audience is getting more mature, and culturally diverse as well. Nielsen found that twice as many uses over the age of 50 are using social networks than uses under age 18. For businesses looking to use social networks as a marketing platform, these types of demographic details are important.

The only other area that saw growth from 2009 to 2010 was the viewing of online video such as YouTube. It is a different type of platform than Facebook or Twitter, but still social in nature. Just look at how Old Spice managed to combine YouTube videos with social network messaging to create an Internet marketing sensation overnight.

Companies still spend lots of dollars paying for placement in the Yellow Pages. (You know - it's that giant stack of paper that a random stranger litters your porch with, until you eventually throw it in the recycling bin?)

If your customers are spending more time online, and most of the time is spent on social networks, then that is where the marketing and advertising budget should be spent.