The power of Twitter is unparalleled especially when the “news” is filled with high stakes and lots of drama, such
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Category: Pop Culture
Facebook’s Image Problem
Now may be a good time for friends and families to rekindle their broken Facebook relationships since it appears Russia
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Media Are People, Too
Americans and the press always seemed to have a love-hate relationship. Despite much of the anti-media rhetoric at play within
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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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Memorial Day Marketing: A Risk Worth Taking?
While Memorial Day is sort of the unofficial start of summer, the holiday is a solemn one, established to honor
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Is Being Too Polished a Public Speaker Bad?
Some are born with it. Others practice a lot. Establishing a visceral connection with an intended audience is paramount to the success of any public speaker.
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For The Love of Polling
Media love polls. Data sets help identify trends that can be turned into stories or support or debunk a particular
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Everything is Awesome, Not
Just type the word awesome into a Google search and about 1,300,000,000 results will appear. The word is so ingrained
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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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Come on America, Let’s Vote
Yesterday’s 50th anniversary commemoration of the historic civil rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma comes at a
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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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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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Power to the People
Civil unrest in the Ukraine was escalated this week by a Putin-backed Russian invasion, less than two weeks after the
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Putin’s $50B Ad Campaign
It’s just a few days until the XXII Olympic Winter Games will come to an end and the world will
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2014: Year of the Woman? Well, Sort of …
The proverbial corporate glass ceiling may soon be officially shattered, at least according to new data from the Pew Research
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Dollars and Sense: It’s going to be a ‘Vaping’ New Year
It’s hard to deny the disruption taking place in the tobacco industry as more smokers are switching to electronic cigarettes.
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Santa Claus Visits Fox News for the Holidays
Fox News Channel’s host Megyn Kelly made national headlines this week when she confirmed that Santa Claus is white, addressing
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The Christmas Holiday Push
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” so goes the 1963 hit Christmas song made popular by the late
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When Social Goes Bad
Martha Stewart can run a successful company, make a mouth-watering meal and redecorate any living room with just the right
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The Power of the Media and the NFL’s ‘Skins’ Game
Sunday’s overtime win against the San Diego Chargers gave the Washington Redskins a reason to celebrate, at least temporarily, as
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The Rise of the Cyber Athlete
Video gaming isn’t always easy for the average player. Quick hand-eye coordinated skills are needed to properly slay an extraterritorial
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Soon-to-Be Short-lived Downfall of TV Host Paula Deen
It happens time and again. A celebrity, actor, athlete or journalist, does or says something bad or politically incorrect and
Continue readingWhat the %^$#%* 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
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The Smoke About Mary Jane
Green is good. Not because it’s the color of money, well, sort of, rather, it’s the color of cannabis, which
Continue readingPrint Media’s Comeback? Well, Sort of …
President Obama gave kudos to print media this past Saturday evening during his speech at the annual White House Correspondents’
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 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
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Anatomy of a Tragedy in Newtown
Tearful President Obama Speaking on the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting Masacare Eyes across America, and the world for that
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Fiscal Armageddon for the Holidays
Two things can happen in the next couple of weeks. One, we may go off the fiscal cliff if the
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It’s All Well and Good Until Someone Loses a Bet
Aside from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the media buzz this week focused on a bet waged by New York
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Mitt Romney Should Learn from the NFL
The national media spotlight turned on the NFL this week as replacement referees botched a call on “Monday Night Football,”
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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
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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Tragedy Still Drives News to No Surprise
Two news stories still making national headlines are rooted in murder. Whether it’s the civil courts or a U.S. military
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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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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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Human interest and regal fashion, main news drivers of royal wedding
About one billion people worldwide tuned in this Friday to watch the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
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Think Before Sending
Time and again people underestimate the power of the Internet. Social media and the pervasive use of video make it
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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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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
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Rhetoric doesn’t kill, but it certainly sells advertising
The media spin around the tragic shooting in Tucson last week was that the actions of alleged gunman Jared Loughner
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Santa’s Public Relations Machine Ramped Up This Holiday
Santa Claus is coming to town, really. Recent studies say holiday online spending is up 12 percent over last year.
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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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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Can the lessons of 1860 help Republicans this November?
Tea Party-backed candidate Christine O’Donnell caused a national stir this week after she beat out nine-term GOP congressman Mike Castle
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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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Is Malcolm X to blame for Islam’s image problem?
The literal meaning of Islam is peace. That message obviously has not resonated with many Americans, especially post 9-11. Islam
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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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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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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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Good Thing for Vuvuzelas at the 2010 World Cup
The big news out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa wasn’t rivalry, it was horn blowing. Tens of
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Anti-government and Pro-gun Groups Should Stay Away from April 19
April 19 is a dichotomy of symbolism. It’s the date of the Oklahoma City bombing, which claimed 168 lives in
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2010 Census Needs To Do More Than Better Mail Response Rates
News last year of a dead U.S. Census worker found hung from a tree near a Kentucky cemetery rocked most
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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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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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Florida Mom Must Know Twitter is Open Book
The Florida mom, who tweeted about her son’s accidental drowning, now wants the media to leave her family alone. Blogger
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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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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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Obama’s Peace Prize Win is Aspirational, Not by Deeds
President Barack Obama yesterday was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, after only seven months in office and under a
Continue readingSocialism did not Create National Parks, Just Good Government
Ken Burns’ six-part series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” concluded its premier broadcast on PBS last week, although some
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Knee-Jerk Hollywood Must Be Wary of Polanski
Much has been reported over the past three decades about the infamous director Roman Polanski, who pleaded guilty in a
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Democracy Loses as New York’s City Council and Mayor Bloomberg Swindle Voters
This November third voters in New York City will get a chance to elect eight-year incumbent Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg,
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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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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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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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No Way Out for South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford
So. Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford No longer are voters putting politicians on pedestals. The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal first demonstrated the Country’s
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Does Miss USA Need a Makeover?
There is such as thing as bad publicity. Bad is bad. It’s that simple. There are some rare exceptions however,
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