IN GOD WE TRUST was first used on U.S. paper money in 1957, when it appeared on the one-dollar silver
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Category: Business
Why Can’t We Stop Talking About Donald Trump?
No time in recent American history has one president been regularly talked about online, in the press or at the
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Is LinkedIn the New Facebook?
LinkedIn these days seems to be less about posting “business” content and more around publishing selfies, memes and math puzzles.
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Starbucks’ ‘Race Together’ Campaign Puts Brand in Jeopardy, For the Time Being
A visit to Starbucks’ website makes clear that the company is all in regarding its “Race Together” campaign, which basically gives its baristas the option to engage patrons about conversations on racism in America.
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Tweet TV: How Social Media is Making Television Fun Again
Nearly 37 million people watched the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, down from 44 million last year. Many reasons may have contributed to the viewership drop, everything ranging from the show’s host performance, to the celebrity of the actors themselves, to the types of films that were nominated.
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ALS’ Ice Bucket Challenge Is Raising Awareness, Money Too. But Is It Enough?
Many people have seen videos of family and friends taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which helps raise awareness of
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Take $tock in Mama Mancini’s Meatballs
You may have heard the radio commercials with Dan Mancini touting his homemade meatballs. But did you hear the one
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‘House of Cards’ Stacked Deck for Netflix
Frank Underwood was probably right when he said, “There’s no better way to overpower a trickle of doubt than with
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Reader Beware: More Online News Stories Dubbed as Ads
The line between editorial and advertising has become increasingly blurred, as sorely needed revenues are forcing struggling news organizations to
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LA’s Mayor Goes From Crude to Rude All in One Day
Millions of Americans last Monday night got to hear New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio sing “I Love L.A.”
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The Good and Bad of Phil Mickelson’s Insider Trading Scandal
Phil Mickelson’s squeaky clean image has come under scrutiny as the golf hall of famer is confronted with accusations of
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IndyCar to Drive Fan Interest
Sunday marked the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500, an event billed as the “greatest spectacle in racing.” One can
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NBA’s Strong Arm in Black and White
Just as the dust began to settle last week after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald
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Google Sees Future with Glasses
Google’s one-day sale of its long-awaited Glass, Internet-connected spectacles “for whatever you do, wherever you go, and whoever you are,” was
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Why Candy Lost its ‘Crush’
Nearly 100 million people each day play Candy Crush Saga, the highly addictive online game where players match candies in
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Crisis in a Text: Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday let the world know that its government has to assume Malaysia Airlines flight MH370
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Putin’s $50B Ad Campaign
It’s just a few days until the XXII Olympic Winter Games will come to an end and the world will
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2014: Year of the Woman? Well, Sort of …
The proverbial corporate glass ceiling may soon be officially shattered, at least according to new data from the Pew Research
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Dollars and Sense: It’s going to be a ‘Vaping’ New Year
It’s hard to deny the disruption taking place in the tobacco industry as more smokers are switching to electronic cigarettes.
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Santa Claus Visits Fox News for the Holidays
Fox News Channel’s host Megyn Kelly made national headlines this week when she confirmed that Santa Claus is white, addressing
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The Christmas Holiday Push
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” so goes the 1963 hit Christmas song made popular by the late
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When Social Goes Bad
Martha Stewart can run a successful company, make a mouth-watering meal and redecorate any living room with just the right
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The Power of the Media and the NFL’s ‘Skins’ Game
Sunday’s overtime win against the San Diego Chargers gave the Washington Redskins a reason to celebrate, at least temporarily, as
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Republicans Can Win This Thing
The country breathed a sigh of relief late Wednesday evening last week when Congress struck a debt-ceiling deal, reopening the
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The Tango of Politics and Journalism
It came to no surprise among media pundits that Time Magazine’s Managing Editor Richard Stengelwill be taking a job as
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The Problem with Pakistan
This blogger’s trip to Pakistan was put on hold because of a recent U.S. State Department advisory warning Americans not
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The Rise of the Cyber Athlete
Video gaming isn’t always easy for the average player. Quick hand-eye coordinated skills are needed to properly slay an extraterritorial
Continue readingGolf Picks Up the Pace
The talk of this year’s U.S. Open, one of four coveted annual tournaments including last week’s Open Championship held in
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Will Hedge Fund Advertising Affect Brand Cache?
Just recently, the SEC lifted its ban on alternative investment vehicles advertising to the general public as amendmentsto Rule 506
Continue readingWhat the %^$#%* is going on with network TV?
The late George Carlin may have said it best during his infamous 1970s monologue, “seven words you can never say
Continue readingFunny Ads Still A Hoot
The “Today” Show was amped last week when it reported on a new Kmart commercial titled, “Ship my pants,” which
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Girls, Spark Plugs and Product Placement
Think “Charlie’s Angels” meets “Motor Week.” That’s what watching an episode of “All Girls Garage” on Velocity is like. Every
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The Downside of Social Media
While social media usage continues to grow here in the U.S. and globally, so do opportunities to reach key audiences
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The President’s Push Fore Daytime TV
President Obama Playing Golf President Obama and Tiger Woods are a lot alike. Both are worldwide icons who have seen
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CBS: No cleavage, no way
Viewers watching tonight’s Grammy Awards will be waiting to see how CBS plans to enforce its “wardrobe advisory” against scantily
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Social Media’s Global Growth
The stats on social media’s global growth are staggering. A graphic recently posted in Mashable.com illustrates how the world consumes
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NRA’s Chance to Fire
Vice President Joe Biden concluded meetings this week with organizations ranging from the NRA to electronic game makers to help
Continue readingVideo: The Next New Thing in Earnings
Communications professionals can’t stress enough the importance of video and its pervasive use in today’s media landscape. Aside from the sharing
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Brand Perception is Vital to Newspaper Success in Today’s Online Media Landscape
The Seattle Times may have comprised its integrity by running ads supporting GOP gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna and a statewide
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AP’s Right ‘Frame’ of Mind
Soon, reporters at the Associated Press will be equipped with smart phones enabling them to simultaneously report news across all
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The Chicken and the Presidency
It’s really not about the chicken. The media firestorm surrounding Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy’s comments against same-sex marriage continues to
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Bankruptcy’s Impact on Brand Perception
San Bernardino this week became the third California city in the last month to seek bankruptcy protection because it could
Continue readingIt’s a Ford, or is it?
Ford Motor Co. recently rolled out its new “Go Further” advertising campaign, featuring slick TV spots of new models, purposely
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When TV Anchors Attack (In the Court of Public Opinion)
It would be hard to miss the headlines these days about Keith Olberman, the former controversial MSNBC talk show host
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‘Chink in the Armor’ Headline Catapults Linsanity to New Heights
New York Knick Jeremy Lin at a press conference. Photo: Courtesy of ESPN. There’s been a lot of media and
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Big Banks Have an Uphill Battle
Consumer outrage at large banks has never been greater. “Bank fatigue” is causing customers at large financial institutions to move
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The Real Deal on Public Relations
New York Times advertising columnist Stuart Elliott may finally have given the public relations industry some needed street credit. His
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Basketball Comes a Little Late This Christmas
Basketball fans are relieved to know that this year’s NBA season will officially begin on December 25, 2011. Players and
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Rock Star CEOs Can Put Brands at Risk
This week Apple, Inc. founder Steve P. Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was 56. While Jobs’ death sparked
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Celebrating Labor Day with a Soured Economy
America this Monday will celebrate its 119th Labor Day, which according to the country’s Department of Labor, is dedicated to
Continue readingVideo’s Value Propostion
There is no doubt that video has become more pervasive within today’s new media landscape, as the Internet continues to
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Bravo TV owns reality television, but will it last?
Bravo TV is reality television. A look at today‘s schedule on Bravo shows every program is reality-based, ranging from “The
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Donald Trump, like Sarah Palin, Share Same Course to Presidency
A look at this morning’s interview on CNN’s “State of the Union with Candy Crowley,” one can get a glimpse
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Local TV is right on when it comes to the weather, sort of
Ever watch the local weather report? Long gone are the quirky weathermen now being replaced by voluptuous bombshells. Not taking
Continue readingCharlie Sheen Makes News … and YouTube
Conflict, controversy and human interest are three main drivers news. Charlie Sheen’s saga combines all of them. Media have
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Too much brand power at the top is dangerous for Two and a Half Men
Too much brand power at the top is dangerous. Apple, Inc. is a good example. The stock recently dropped after
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Don’t use the word Super Bowl
More than 100 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLV, not to mention the snazzy, eye-catching commercials. No doubt the Super
Continue readingStarbucks Now ‘Barbucks’ as it Shifts Brand Strategy Offering Booze
It’s hard to imagine the brand that revolutionized the coffee industry will be forty next year. Starbucks has become a
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Conflict and Controversy Still Main Drivers of News
Fox News is number one. Well, at least in ratings. Rupert Murdoch’s news channel continues to lead all time slots
Continue readingHiring people with disabilities makes good business sense
Ever see the TV commercial of the woman in the wheelchair who points out some of her colleagues’ shortcomings? Like
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Wall Street Gives Itself a Pay Raise with little Backlash
Wall Street gave itself another raise this year to the tune of $144 billion in compensation and benefits, according to
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CNN Cans another reporter with an opinion, distinguishing itself from rival networks
CNN canned yet another reporter in less than 90 days. This time it was Rick Sanchez for his remarks last
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Axe is a Guy’s Guy Brand, Leaving out Everything in Between
Axe got it. At least with men ages 16 to 25. The brand strategy for its deodorant, shower gel and
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Grandpa on Facebook, Hugh?
More people these days seem to be getting “younger” as they get older. Seventy is the “new” sixty. Sixty is
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CNBC’s Mark Haines Doesn’t like the “Blog” Word
Mark Haines doesn’t like the “blog” word. For those in the know, Haines is co-host to CNBC’s “Squawk on the
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JetBlue’s Blog about Attendant’s Emergency Chute Exit May Be Only Option for the Moment
JetBlue Airways always has been an airline of firsts. The JFK-based company was the first airliner to offer 24 channels
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HP Hits another PR Snag, So Does its Stock
This past weekend, HP’s head honcho Mark Hurd abruptly resigned as CEO of the world’s largest technology firm, amid a
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Hamsterdam Avenue may be Kia’s Own Demise
Call it marketing genius or branding suicide. Kia Motors’ “hamster” campaign for its 2010 Soul certainly is getting lots of
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New and Traditional Media Don’t Mix at CNN
The line between new and traditional media has tightened, at least for the moment. CNN’s Octavia Nasr made headlines after
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The Trump Network: A McDonald’s Brand in the Making?
Donald Trump’s net worth as a billionaire always seemed to be in question. Real estate mogul turned network TV star
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BP is Right to Apologize, Obama is Wrong to Criticize
It’s no surprise that last week’s off-putting remarks by BP top gun Tony Hayward, who ‘wanted his life back,’ prompted
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Big Oil Needs to Grow Up
It’s hard not to cringe when visuals of 3.5 million gallons of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico are
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Republicans May Finally Be Getting it Right, Thanks to Goldman
Last week the American public got a glimpse of how the other half lives. Seven executives from Goldman Sachs including
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Milk-aholic Lindsay Needs to Let Go
More than 90 million people this year watching the Super Bowl saw an outrageously funny E-Trade commercial that featured a
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The Academy Awards? That’s Entertainment
Just imagine the drama setting upon the Academy Awards in 1939 when three great films were among the nominees for
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FAA Is Right to Chastise Controller, Albeit Better Late Than Never
It’s hard not to smile when listening to the audio of a 10-year-old boy radioing instructions to pilots at New
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Shamu Brand Tainted, This Time for Good?
It’s hard not to be affected by the tragedy at SeaWorld Orlando this past week, when trainer Dawn Brancheau was
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Pepsi’s Absence in Super Bowl No Big Deal
Pepsi’s Super Bowl streak came to end this year, after advertising in the last 24 big games. Instead, the Purchase,
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Toyota Redux, Quality Issues Still Plague Company
Japanese products have come a long way over the past several decades, dramatically improving their reputation in the United States.
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General Motors, Good for America?
That’s what self-appointed CEO Edward Whitacre Jr. is saying about the automotive giant, as it emerges from bankruptcy and looks
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GEICO Still Gets It 10 Years Later
Ever wonder how a gecko became synonymous with car insurance? It actually happened by accident. GEICO introduced the popular little
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Audi’s Spending Approach is Right for Success
Most automobile manufacturers have taken big financial hits as The Great Recession continues to curtail consumer spending worldwide. Two of
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Sarah Palin has Gone Rogue
“Going Rogue” has gone gangbusters. Sales of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s new book surpassed 300,000 copies on its
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Hugh Hefner May Need to Hang Up the PJs
Hugh Hefner still has it at 83-years old. Well, he still controls 70% of Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA),
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Starbucks Can Suffer in an Instant
A few weeks have passed since Starbucks VIA™Ready Brew, the company’s new instant coffee, made its North American debut. Starbucks
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TV Cable News Is All Theater
It’s no surprise to anyone that CNN is the least watched station among cable networks during prime time. Most viewers
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Wall Street Repays the Taxpayer with Layoffs and Record Bonuses
There’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that the American taxpayer saved Wall Street. Only several months ago the Dow Jones
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Toyota Floor Mat Recall Gets Shagged
Toyota Motors is in trouble. Safety experts are taking a closer look at the company’s claims that faulty carpet caused
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David Letterman’s Sexual Conduct Gets Late Night Laughs
Mystery still surrounds the extortion case of David Letterman by veteran CBS producer Robert Halderman, who allegedly tried to blackmail
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Tiger Alone Cannot Save Golf, PGA Must Find Personalities
Tiger Woods brings the drama. No question the world’s best golfer positively impacts the game. Television ratings increase as more people
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Movies for a Buck: Good for Consumers, Bad for Hollywood?
Hollywood is up in arms. Kiosk chain Redbox is threatening DVD sales by offering movie rentals for $1. Even though
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Obama’s Speech on Financial Reform hit its Mark, Albeit Grudgingly
President Obama today delivered sort of a lecture on financial reform to a mixed Wall Street crowd of fund managers,
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Hulk and Spiderman Lose Their Powers
The Incredible Hulk meets Mickey Mouse coming to a theater near you? Not likely. While Disney’s purchase of Marvel Entertainment
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Budweiser’s New College Color Campaign Gets Canned for Back to School
Budweiser’s new marketing campaign of painting Bud Light cans with college-team colors has come under intense scrutiny not only by the
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Steve Jobs Back at Work and so is Apple Stock
Apple Inc’s (APPL: NYSE) stock has been on a tear recently up 100% since March. Despite a slow economic recovery,
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New Ford Taurus Hopes to Sell Like a Hot Potato
Few probably thought Ford Motor Company (F: NYSE) would be trading at $8 a share so soon after the auto
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NFL Star Michael Vick Gets the Slip
Former Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick was reinstated last week by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after serving a 23-month sentence
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Is Budweiser now un-American?
Anheuser-Busch this week finally accepted a sweetened $52 billion takeover offer by InBev since it was first approached by the
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Michael Jackson May Be Worth More Dead than Alive
Michael Jackson The reality is that Michael Jackson’s untimely death has reignited interest in his music and art as the
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More Rivalries are Just What the NBA Needs
Everyone likes a good rivalry. Coke vs. Pepsi. Chevy vs. Ford. Ali vs. Frazier. It creates excitement within a particular
Continue readingGreed Can Be a Dirty Word for GM Bond Holders
Much can be said from Gordon Gekko’s signature line in the 1987 film Wall Street, “Greed, for lack of a
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