A Halloween Disruption For A Martha Stewart Fan

An avid Martha Stewart fan was super disappointed when she purchased the Halloween issue of Martha Stewart's Living magazine this year.  She was sitting at her kitchen table and noticed something strange about a photo of a chocolate cake titled the Macabre Manse.  She thought she had seen the haunted house-styled confection before, in a previous issue of a Martha Stewart publication so she checked.  What she found was an October 2008 issue of Martha Stewart Living that had the same image.

This fan had also been an editor previously and was shocked they repurposed material.  She checked other issues looking for examples of duplicated content and found many more.  So what is the protocol on this?

I thought maybe this was a new trend, as people are not reading newspapers or magazines as much anymore.  However, repurposing content is something that many magazines and newspapers have been doing a long time - including The New York Times.  However, the publication usually (and should) clearly state it is doing this.  However, in this case there as no such label.  Instead it says Ms. Stewart's food editors are "at it again, dreaming up truly original drinks, snacks and desserts that only look gruesome."  Soon after, a spokesperson from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said that the two to four special editions they create each year only carry about 60 percent of original material and contain about 40 percent repurposed material.  Further, that only about 70 percent of this year's Halloween issue is original.

After our avid fan made many phone calls to Martha Stewart's Living magazine, Martha Stewart and two other reps sent a personal email back thanking her for her interest and apologizing for falling short on material and not communication this duplication matter.  Hopefully that doesn't hurt the special edition sales - the fan responded saying that it's still disappointing because "You're Martha Stewart you don't follow that standard, you set it."

The 2011 Halloween special, pictured, from Martha Stewart reused a cake from 2008.

The cake as pictured in the October 2008 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Executive Vacation During Turmoil? Bad PR Move?

This week as President Obama parks the tour bus and travels to Martha's Vineyard for a break with his family, he is undergoing some criticism. Some question whether the chief executive should be taking a break at all, amid stock market volatility, a "crisis" economy, and dropping poll numbers.

Cheif among the president's critics, of course, are the declared GOP candidates for his job. Newt Gingrich blasted Mr. Obama for taking vacation, as Gingrich himself headed off to Hawaii for a "fundraising" trip. A more credible objection was voiced by the Washing Post columnist Colbert King, who says that the president already enjoys two taxpayer-subsidized residences and should devote his time off to talking with hard=pressed citizens, not rubbing elbows with the elite on Martha's Vineyard.

This "controversy" is probably more about PR than reality. After all, the man's completely accessible, and Congress doesn't get anything done even when it is in session - honestly. Plus, he does have 'vacation' time away from his job. But, it raising an interesting question, should chief executive take time off during rough times? If a company is being downgraded, your customers are losing confidence and your recovery prospects are uncertain do you take a trip or cancel it? Probably not.

Leadership is often conveyed through images. A CEO in crisis shouldn't be photographed in luxury surroundings, but neither should be be seen as desk-bound, beleaguered, or overwhelmed. A strong leader needs to be seen as engaged, committed, but also independent. This says, Rosabeth Kanter in her book Should Leader Vacation?

I think Obama should be able to take a vacation and enjoy time with his family. He is working hard no doubt and he is due for time off. Also, like previously said he is accessible at all times. He never truly tunes out. However, from a PR standpoint, this doesn't look the best and I would advise him to think of a way to do a working vacation in not such a 'wealthy' spot.

PR Dream for Arizona Diamondbacks: Selfless Young Fan Returns Ball to Upset Boy

The play of the week happened last Thursday night at the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks game. A young Arizona fan named Ian easily caught a game ball from Ricki Weeks, of the Brewers - that another younger Brewers fan just missed. He saw on the jumbotron that Nicholas was upset and sad about the ball - to the point of sobbing. Noticing his state of distraught, Ian walked right down and handed the ball over to Nicholas. Amazing.

Of course, Ian was rewarded for his genorsity. He got to visit the announcers booth, tickets to a future game and an autographed bat from his favorite Diamondbacks player, Justin Upton. What a great story to tell and bravo to Ian.

Watch the video here.

Japan win's women's World Cup and helps lift a ravaged nation

Cheers were hear near and far yesterday for Japan's win of the women's World Cup over the US. What a difference from what sadness fell upon them earlier this year after the devastating tsunami and earthquake ravage their nation. Thousands were killed or missing, villages were erased and homes destroyed. The players on Japan's women's World Cup team invoked the slow recovery from the tragedy. True to their word, they brought a gleaming World Cup trophy back on the plane - a sign of hope that can maybe lift some of the gloom for maybe a little while.

"Before we went to the match last night we had some commentary on television and we heard comments on the situation in Japan," coach Norio Sasaki said after Japan upset the Americans for the World Cup title in a riveting final Sunday night, 3-1 on penalty kicks, after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie. "We wanted to use this opportunity to thank the people back home for the support has been given."

This was Japan's fist appearance in the final of a major tournament, and it hadn't beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings, including a pair of 2-0 losses in warm-up games a month before the World Cup. But, the Nadeshiko pushed ahead, playing inspired soccer and hoping their success could provide even a small emotional lift to their nation, where nearly 23,000 people died or were reported missing in the March 11 catastrophe.

Joyous fans wearing Japan jerseys hugged and sang in Tokyo as they watched the players hold the trophy a loft, confetti swirling around them and flecking their hair with gold. Special newspaper editions were printed by the national papers and handed out to pedestrians in Tokyo on Monday morning, while scenes from the game were replayed constantly on television.

It was the first World Cup title won by an Asian country.

Honestly - both Japan and the US are winners. Just one received gold and the other silver. It was a great game, but I'm glad Japan won in the end. I believe sometimes good news can help with healing and will help the Japanese survivors move forward and see there are many good things to hold on to and look forward to.

MN Shutdown Is Tarnishing Image

Right now, the "Minnesota nice" brand is not being upheld.

Not one politician in the Minnesota state legislation lists their primary occupation as advertising or public relations executive. Usually the ad and pr people get a bad rep for spinning the truth or creating an image that is not, but currently I believe our state could really benefit from having one on board. Clearly, current officeholders can't see how deeply damaging the state government shutdown is to MN's brand.

A brand is a set of associations that resides in people's minds. Shutdown stories have been splashed on the front pages of national newspapers. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times opined about it last Wednesday. Cable and network newscasts have routinely run reports and commentary on our dysfunctional democracy. And these-brand damaging stores have been echoed online, as well as on air via local and national talk radio shows.

Adding to the brand insult to injury, Fitch Rating just cut our bond rating from AAA to AA+. And presidential campaign ads from former Governor Tim Pawlenty, boasting that he won in 2005, remind the country that this is our second shutdown in six years.

The job cuts and holds are extremely damaging too as far as trust goes. People may or may not like a brand, but they'll still trust it. An inability for a brand to do its core job at its lowest level is very troubling.

Also, this image projects the idea that Minnesota doesn't have it figured out. We have portrayed this image of having a great quality of life, but this really damages that. Before, people across the country looked to us and thought of our great health care, great education and well balanced living.

Also, the national level may be in a similar situation if they can't resolve its fiscal crises. Wisconsin was similarly used as a framing divide for the national debate over public employee unions when its capitol was convulsed with protests last winter.

In the end, our brand is super important. Beyond the business perceptions, the state's brand is critically important, because it affects tourism and all of the lives in our state. Regardless of what happens to our brand, this entire screw up and inability to negotiate is affecting our state's quality of life. The layoffs will soon affect many more people than just the state workers and they will just need to give in on something. I hope they figure that out soon.

7 Pieces of Good News Not Being Reported

Between watching news of both national and state politics in MN debating budgets and the hearing the verdict of the Casey Anthony case, I've been depressed to turn on the news again. However, some good news isn't being reported. Ever hear the saying, bad news sells? Maybe that's the current case.

#7 The Gulf of Mexico is almost back to it's pre-spill health levels. The Gulf is recovering much faster than anyone expected it to. Further, what was expected to happen didn't.

#6 The good news about AIDS. Today's HIV patients can expect to live a lot longer - even decades past their diagnosis. Further, the the global rate of new HIV infections has declined by 25 percent since 2001.

#5 The Antarctic Ozone hole is shrinking. Despite what you've heard of the Ozone gap growing, the truth is it is actually shrinking every year!

#4 Traffic fatalities are insanely low this now. Despite what you hear on the news each day about car accidents - the truth is that the number of car accidents happen is the lowest it's been since 1949.

#3 Teen pregnancy is actually at a record low. Even with shows like Pregnant and 16 on MTV, just like the news about traffic fatalities - teen pregnancy is the lowest it's been in 70 years.

#2 People get happier as they get older. A recent survey involving 340,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 85 showed that the older you are - the happier you become. The group answered a series of questions about lifestyle and the results were surprising. The older age groups actually reported being happier, less stressed and more in control.

#1 We're all living longer, better. Statistician Hans Rosling has proved that average life expectancy globally has increased greatly since 1810.

For more information on the blog post check out - www.cracked.com for the whole story.

Witty headlines: black and white and dead all over (because of SEO)

I always enjoy reading a good headline, they always make me chuckle. However, with the dawning of SEO, witty headlines are causing to be a problem.

Crafty headlines are just not SEO-friendly. A much better headline would include the keywords and wouldn't have much room for puns or plays on words.

The Atlantic has weight in on this notion with its recent article "Google Doesn't Laugh Saving Witty Headlines in the Age of SEO."

Matthew Crowly, a copy editor for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, has won awards for his on-so-clever headlines. "I understand the shift toward search optimization" he told The Atlantic. "But I think we're losing something when we take the wordplay and surprise out of headline writing."
In many ways, SEO is killing the art of the clever headline in journalism, and it doesn't seem like a trend that will reverse as long as such a huge chunk of Web traffic comes from search engines.

Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post addressed this same issue last summer, and he didn't offer optimism either.

Royal Marketing

Unless you've been living under a rock the last few months - you know that Kate Middleton and Prince William were married last Friday, April 29th. It will probably be the most talked about event of 2011. While us commoners have been interested in what Kate's dress would look like, what the wedding would in tale or where the couple would go on their honeymoon, some companies have been trying to raise revenue around the big day.

Food companies, such as Papa John's commissioned food artists to create the likeness of the prince and his bride's on a pizza that "tastes as good as it looks." This pizza can be purchased any where 'across the pond.' Dunkin' Doughnuts created a Royal Wedding Doughnut just for the occasion. It's a heart shaped glazed, jelly-filled masterpiece created with Will and Kate's favorite flavors in mind.

Companies have been jumped into TV ads too gearing up for the big day. T-Mobile made a wedding day spoof ad that caught fire copying the 2009 video known as JK Wedding Entrance Dance. The ad chose royal lookalikes to dancing down the aisle. Check it out here.

In the UK Kodak's ad agency created a series of print ads. They are a bit gimmicky, but most are puns. The other two are "For richer and not poorer" and "Prints charming."

Personally, I think it's odd that Britain has put the royal family's face on anything and everything for the entirely of it's existence, but this marketing tactic is just funny I think. I'm not sure if it even worked.

What royal wedding marketing tactics have you seen?

5 Social Tips for Women to Increase Media Exposure

Locate and follow journalists and bloggers online.

Most journalists and bloggers have a Twitter handle or another online source to share content and ask questions. Take the time to follow them and read what they are working on. Get to know them on some level and join in the conversation when you can. This will help you build a relationship with them. The key is to think, how can I benefit them rather than how can they benefit me.

Leave a trail so others can follow you.

We live in a time of digital technology and we want instant answers to our questions. Journalists highly rely on the Internet for resources, and you should watch your own SEO. Make sure you have an online presence and use hyperlinks and other connections online to build your own SEO. This will make it easy for others to find and learn about you. Further, if you're going to build a social media outlet for yourself, make sure it represents yourself well. Think of your overall objective always.

Produce interesting content.

Use your website, blog or social media outlet to showcase some of your best and most interesting work, thoughts, creations, etc. Position yourself in the industry as someone who produces thought-worthy content. This does not mean you should blog or tweet just anything. Try to stay up on the news and trends, then look for unique angle that excites you and provides value. Then, learn basic SEO to try and position yourself better.

Be your best publicist.

Utilize social media releases and pitch yourself with viable story ideas to guest post on blogs with higher visibility traffic. Develop a microblogging strategy that encompasses a combination of publishing and publicity. Look for existing industry groups on social networks to increase your reach by participating in industry chats on Twitter, niche networks and message boards.

Be a resource to reporters.

Instead of pitching yourself, let them come to you with inquiries. Sign up for Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to receive daily email blasts with reporter queries from your local daily to the New York Times. Look for the stories you can serve as an expert resource to or provide helpful information to and respond.

What do you think of the Cheeseburger Bill?

This week, a Minnesota House panel approved legislation that would block consumers from suing fast-food chains and other food companies for weight problems. The Civil Law Committee approved the Personality Responsibility in Food Consumption Act on a voice vote. The proposal is also know as the "cheeseburger bill."

The bill would prevent consumers for suing the food industry for weight gain, obesity and other health problems caused by long-term consumption of fattening foods and non-alcohol drinks such as soda.

The sponsor, Republican Rep. Dean Urdahl of Grove City, says the bill would prevent frivolous lawsuits. Urdahl has been pushing this legislation since 2004. So far, this bill has been passed in 24 states.

I'm a fan of the cheeseburger bill. I think it promotes personal responsibility and I agree, it prevents annoying lawsuits. McDonalds has been brought to court numerous times for being the problem for many consumers obesity, ever since their 2002 New York court case. It is still pending and I think it's silly. Eat something different, don't eat a cheeseburger and french fries everyday!

The Day Has Come, Companies are Finally Giving Something Back to Employees

For the last three years during the 'Great Recession' employees have felt nervous to ask for more from their employers, worrying that their jobs were at stake. But, the day has finally arrived that companies are giving back to hard workers.

Economic analysts say that often when the market resets, some companies' high-potential employees will start looking or new opportunities because they hung in their during tough times and want a fresh start. In order to survive, many companies have cut all of the perks they used to give - pay raises, flexible hours, even free coffee - but more businesses are realizing that if they want to hold on to their best employees they need to give them back the things they enjoy.

FedEx, the St. Paul Hotel, Ford Motor Co., Winnebago and the McKnight Foundation are among many of the companies starting to restore their perks. This is because many of their competitors are sniffing for talent. Another main reason companies are bringing back lost perks is because it's expensive to replace works and in the next decade many of the baby boomer generation will be retiring already.

As the economy recovers, employers are bringing back the goodies. Some are conducting employee surveys, hiring humorists or just bringing back the coffee and cookies that have disappeared. Here are other examples:

Aveda is lifting its ban on employee travel

FedEx and MPR are reinstating 401(K) and 403 (b) matches.

Ford Motor Co., which was thought to be closing soon, actually saw a raise in sales this last year and plans to hire 7,000 U.S. employees

The St. Paul Hotel has said that business has picked back up and they are restoring most of its 275 hourly works to full-time status. Also, they are breaking out the brownies, cookies and popcorn to revive its all-employee meetings

3M Co. froze wages in 2009, but now has reinstated merit pay last year.

Cambria Inc. rehired about 70 laid-off factory workers last year.

The Marsh fitness club in Minnetonka held its first staff party January 7th after a three-year hiatus.

Besides the fun job perks bring, they provide a lot more - employee satisfaction, and when you happy employees they are going to want to stay and create a happy company.

More optimism is buzzing than ever since 2007 and companies see that now that they can afford some perks, they need to give them, especially since turnover costs a lot more. I think is only going to get better from here.

Cool PR/Fundraiser Idea From Minneapolis Based United Way

A new fundraiser website lets donors grin while giving. In a way you can call it a way of "turning that frown upside down."

The Happiness Exchange website shares depressing statistics - "32 percent of people living in poverty are children," and "1 in 5 American adults can't read enough to get by" - and allows donors to replace them with a smiling video or photo of well, you.

I heard about this fundraiser being managed by the United Way of the Greater Twin Cities and thought it was a neat idea. The site, (http://www.happyexchange.org/) allows donors (it's attracted those who are pretty tech savvy) to post a snapshot or snippet of their grinning faces over a sad fact that they are helping change with their gift. Further, the idea is that benefactors can 'look around' and see other fellow givers, resembling the title sequence of the classic show "The Brady Bunch" in which anything but good cheer was frowned upon.

Know of any other neat fundraisers? Please share!

Year's Most Innovative Products from Good Housekeeping

Recently, I read an interesting article from Good Housekeeping, in which they named the 10 most innovative products of 2010. After reviewing 1,650 products, the GH Research Institute chose its winners and I wanted to share them with you below. Can you guess them before taking a look at the list below?

Nikon Coolpix S100PJ Camera, $430
When the gang wants to see the pics you just snapped, it can be a drag to huddle around a teensy camera screen or take the time to upload images to a computer. This point-and-shoot camera is the first to include a built-in projector, capable of casting images that measure up to 40 inches diagonally. Features like 12.1 mega-pixels, 5x wide-angle zoom, and image stabilization (to keep shaky hands and moving objects from ruining the shots) help you capture clear, enlargement-worthy photos. This newfangled technology may bring back the old-fashioned family.

TravelChair and Cocoon Bunk Sack with Insect Shield, $60 and $30, respectively
Whether camping in the wild or sitting on the sidelines of a soccer game, you'll want this portable chair. An insect repellent embedded in the fabric keeps biting bugs from ruining your good time (and is also EPA-registered and appropriate for use by children and pregnant women). The bunk sack has been similarly treated, and can be used by itself or as a sleeping bad cover for a no-itch night under the stars. (Travelchair.com)

Remington Frizz Therapy Straightening Iron, $50
If you've desperately tried to tame your curly coif only to have tendrils spring up at the first hint of humidity, you'll want to try this new flat iron by Remington - the only one that has conditioning polymers covering the plates. These frizz-fighting substances coat and smooth the hair while the heat straightens it. (stylewithremington.com)

Brondell Perfect Flush, $79
This simple system is the first to turn early any toilet into a water-saving dual-flush uit, for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. And it will slash up to $100 per year off your water bill. Installation takes a half hour or less, even for an inexperienced DIYer. The two-sided button sits atop the tan or can be mounted to the side with double-stick tape. Press one side for a small flush, the other for a full flush (or any of 10 increments you can set). (brondell.com)

Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewer, $15 for two
From the why-didn't-they-think-of-that-before? file: THis 27-inch wire skewer makes cooking up kabobs virtually hassle-free. Meat and veggies slide right on, and the whole thing coils to fit easily into a bowl or resealable bag for marinating. Once the grill's going the skewer can be snaked around other food - no need to move burgers in order to make room for long, straight sticks. (amazon.com)

Dolby Volume from Dolby, price varies
Annoyed by blaring commercials, deafening movie action sequences, or hushed dialogue that's impossible to decipher? Stop fiddling with the remote and listen up: Using complicated computer engineering, the folks at Dolby have developed a way to even out sound levels and eliminate your TV noise complaints for good. The Dolby Volume technology is currently built into most Toshiba Regza television ($1,300 to $2,400), but it's expected to become the standard in home entertainment audio (along with versions from competitors SRS Labs and Audyssey). We like the sound of that. (dolby.com)
Carbona 2 in 1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner, $8
Grimy oven racks are a pain to wash (especially because you can't leave them in place during most oven's self-cleaning cycles). And, after a season of barbecues, grill grates can be even worse. This simple kit lets you ditch the scrub brush and soak away the burned-on crud. The oversize plastic bag is roomy enough for two racks or grates - put them in, pour in the cleaner, and let sit overnight. Any residue that hasn't dissolved by that point can be sloughed right off with a scrubby sponge. (carbona.com)

HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web All-in-One Printer, $399
Passive printers are so passe. This new HP doesn't need a computer to tell it what to do: Using a wireless Internet connection, it can access a variety of specially designed Web applications (such as Google Maps, weather, and USA Today) through its own touchscreen control panel. Once you find the info you need (say, grocery coupons or movie tickets), just print and go. This machine also copies, scans, faxes, and produces high-quality photos... and, of course, speedily prints documents from a computer. (hp.com)

LG Steam Dishwashers, $1,049-$1,399
Do you run separate cycles for crusty pots and pans (which need powerful cleaning) and delicate glasses you want to protect from chipping? Or run a full wash cycle for stored dishes that are more dusty than dirty? Machines in this new LG line are the only ones that let you select different water-spray settings for the top and bottom racks. They're also the first to have a short steam-powered freshening cycle for quickly and gently cleansing china of dust and film - while using less than one-third the water of even the quick wash cycle. (lge.com)
Procter & Gamble Swiffer Sweeper, $11 for a starter kit and $4.79 for refills
A GoodHousekeeping.com poll asked readers: Which product has stood the test of time and made a significant improvement in your daily life? The SwifferSweeper came out on top - and we're not surprised. It truly changed the way we clean. The cloth whisks up dust and hair better and faster than any broom bristles can, and which less hassle than hauling out the vacuum requires. Used with wet cloths, it's even an efficient mop stand-in. Plus, the low-profile head ducks under furniture. How did we live without it? (swiffer.com)

Hey, John Boehner: Quit Crying

Is there a difference in how crying is seen between men and women? I say yes. John Boehner, the incoming Speaker of the House, the most powerful Republican in Washington, and a man who is a matter of days will be second in line for the presidency, has twice had an opportunity to introduce himself to the American people. And, on both of these occasions, has cried a lot.

There is a tradition of politics crying in American and it often ends with getting beat at the polls. However, already some of the incoming speaker's supporters are getting worried that the Ohio Republican's penchant for showing his emotions makes him look weak. On the other hand, others have champtioned Boehner for his willingness to be real.

Some have suggested there is a double standard. When Republicans cry, they are "compassionate conservatives" but crying women and Democrats furthers the stereotype that they're weak. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic woman who Boehner will replace has never cried in public. "For men, it is a sign of compassion. For women, it's a sign of weakness. it's the double standard that worries me," said Democratic strategist and ABC news consultant Donna Brazile. When Hillary Clinton cried briefly at a campaign stop in New Hampshire in 2008, she was criticized for manufacturing the tears as a way to appeal to women voters.

Regardless, it's something to think about. I believe that anyone can cry and should cry to work through stressful times or to deal with sadness. I think it's ok for even leaders to show emotion and compassion during a hard time. However, in a professional situation, you need to keep it together most of the time. You can't start crying all the time otherwise people are going to wonder why you're in control.

The Early Show Makes Drastic Change: CBS Fires Whole Team

Last week every single member of the CBS Early Show was let go. Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez are out, even the weatherman Dave Price. The decision was made after the announcement that the morning show again placed last in the rankings, coming in third behind the number one spot the Today Show and second place Good Morning America.

Sean McManus, the president of CBS News said it was important that the network do something 'dramatic.' So instead they brought in the team hosting the show the other part of the week, Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, who are on "The Early Show" on Saturday. CBS doesn't think the change will make viewers want to check out the new guys, but it will start something different.

Broadcast television is a business built on habit - no more so than in the morning, when viewers mindlessly flip the television on with their first cup of coffee. The inertia is profound and cuts both ways. An object in motion, in this case the Today show, with nearly twice the viewers of The Early Show will remain in motion. It will get the hot bookings, the big guests and the tune-ins.

My question though, is if CBS wants to do something different, why keep the show the same and just change the players? If broadcast behavior is built on habit, CBS will need to do something bigger because I'm not sure this change will do any good. Here are some great ideas from a reporter at the New York Times for the producers at CBS:

Make a show for people who have not reproduced. Instead of running after the other networks and going after the American housewife on the verge of her impossibly busy day, why not try a show for young, new viewers. Something that showcases young talent and goes beyond family issues.

Move around. Where is it written that the three morning shows aim at Middle America must emanate from the same 10 blocks around Times Square? Booking traditional guests might be a problem in Chicago, but The Early Show is not getting that worm as it is. Look at Oprah.

Take a lesson from failing sports teams and hoard your draft picks and plan for the future. Make something truly Webby. "ABC New Now is a test project for a network that is trying on some digital and social media approaches to news, albeit with not many resources.

Create a more hybrid version of a morning show, something that is more portable, more adaptable to the Web and mobile devices. This would be a nice muscle to develop going forward.

Oh Farve...

In the two to three months since Brett Favre has decided to play another season on the Vikings, he has gone from hero to zero, making the PR buzz Minnesota football and the NFL had going become a PR nightmare. The word going around now is that Favre's devotion to his self-glorifying consecutive games-played streak is stronger than his devotion to this teammates and to winning a game - that he is keeping the Vikings back from their full potential.

Many football fanatics will still argue that Brett Favre is one of the best QBs in history, but I hope for his sake this isn't the way he goes into retirement. Who wants to be remembered for leaving their all-star athlete career by being hauled off the field, having a broken ankle, throwing numerous interceptions and just being looked at as the 'old' guy on the field?

From a PR standpoint, it's hard to say what should be done or said. I don't want Favre to play because he looks like he is in so much pain and I feel like he could get hurt severely at any time. However, the entire idea of his coming back has been blown so out of proportion that I feel he must play for the rest of the season and just keep saying he's giving it all he's got.

I'm sad to say I don't like to watch Vikings games anymore - they're too painful. I really like the team overall, even Favre, but they aren't playing well together. After yesterday's loss, putting them at 2-5, I'm not sure if they're even eligible to be in the playoffs. Every week it's a back and forth debate whether or not Favre will play the following week. I feel like this summer never ended because all we heard on the news in sports was whether or not Favre was coming back for another season. Don't worry though - next weekend's status is already clear because Favre made a statement, he'll be back next week to play against the cardinals. "I'm ready for next week's game, no body knows my body like I do. I think I'll be alright, ready to play next week. I'm shocked I was able to play and move around the way I was. ...my prayers were answered I expect to play (all season). I made my decision to come back, and I feel like this team is close."

Bieber Takes a Stand on Bullying

Justin Bieber is ready to stand up against bullies after a incident in which is was targeted with anti-gay slur at a laser tag center in Canada this weekend.

Justin is ready to stand up against homophobia after realizing how hurtful it can be to be bullies, regardless of his own sexuality. Bieber is straight, but understands how what is is like to be on the receiving end.

The incident is suppose to go public sometime this week and Justin hopes this brings more support to his anti-bullying campaign. Word is that Bieber's team wanted the incident to remain quiet, but Justin wants to be open about the episode. He thinks it is important to face the issue head on.

Unnamed sources have said that the episode went down at Planet Lazer, a laser tag chain that has a location in Richmond, British Columbia. Bieber was targeted by an overzealous laser tag participant who lobbed an anti-gay slur at the teen idol. When the 12-year-old stuck his hand out toward Bieber, the pop sensation apparently batted it away and then left the center.

Right now is a busy time for the pop star. Bieber announced Friday that his buzzed-about 3-D flick "Never Say Never" will be released in February. His illustrated memoir, "Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story," just hit shelves. His char-topping music continues to make an impact and the singer is up for four American Music Award trophies.

I think this is a great idea for Justin. Right now, this is a hot button issue. I think he will get a lot of good press for his campaign and help the younger generation see homophobia as a bad thing. I don't see any cons with him going public about the incident.

Pink Booze Marketing is Hard to Swallow

You've likely noticed a lot of pink popping up this month. Consumers who want to support breast cancer research through shopping can choose pink T-shirts, lip gloss, bags of potato chips, bagels in ribbon shapes, even certain airplanes are painted pink this month! These marketing campaigns help promote breast cancer research and awareness and promote the brands of companies who do the promotion. However, some people, including cancer survivors and physicians in women's health, say alcohol beverage companies have taken this too far. They say the it's hypocritical to raise money for research while selling a product that contributes to the disease.

Both the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute say even moderate drinking increases breast cancer risk.

Mike's Hard Lemonade now comes in a pink variety. Pink wines sport pink ribbons, and Chambord, which markets pink vodka and liqueurs urges people to "pink their drink," saying that "by adding a splash of Chambord to any cocktail, "you're supporting breast cancer awareness year-round."

Mike's Hard Lemonade donated half a million dollars over the past two years to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Chambord's website states that the Pink Your Drink campaign has raised more than $50,000 in donations for the Breast Cancer Network of Strength and other patient groups.

In many cases cause-related marketing is not for the charity. Even if there is passion and good intentions involved while carrying out the tactic, remember all marketing is done to sell product in some way. At least breast cancer charities are benefiting in a big way from alcohol-related gifts. I think unless cancer foundations are going to do something about it, like implement donation applications, complaints should remain silent.

Google Takes on Facebook

"Google to launch Facebook competitor very soon" tweeted Kevin Rose, the tech entrepreneur who founded the content-sharing site Digg. The message that the online world that we all have come to love may drastically change sent a shiver up most social media enthusiast's spines.

Search engine giant, Google, is going to take on social networking powerhouse Facebook with a service reportedly called "Google Me," but hasn't disclosed yet how it will be different. This of course leaves all of us in the blogosphere wondering. Will it integrate Google's existing social networking services like, Orkut or Buzz? Will it build onto Google Profiles?

Just recently my friend and I tried out Google's newest innovation: A Gmail feature that allows you to place a phone call through your computer. The service is free in the US and Canada for at least the rest of this year and costs as little as two cents a minute to dial countries such as Germany and Japan.

However, the most radical idea of the year was Google's jump into social gaming. (Currently, Facebook is the most important platform for this kind of game.) Google has already taken steps onto 'Facebook's turf.' In August, Google announced that they were buying Slide for $228 million, a start-up that makes apps for social networking. Also, Google recently invested in Zynga, the company behind the popular Facebook game, FarmVille.

So, why is Google doing this? Google wants your time. Networking and playing games takes more of your time than searching, and time is money.

According to Nielsen Co. report, Americans spend 22.7 percent of their online time on social networks and blogs, compared with 3.5 percent on search-engine sites. Further, social networking sites have boomed more than any other category that Nielsen tracks for share of US Internet time; they were up 43 percent in June of this year compared to June 2009. In contrast, search engines only edged ahead one percent.

Facebook is definitely enjoying its glory days, but will they last forever? I'm not sure. I do believe that if any other company is to take on Facebook, it should be Google. It will be interesting to see how they differentiate their social networking site. I predict that this element will be the key factor to the site's success or failure.

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?