Category Archives: Uncategorized

Johnny Carson is dead. He is survived by voyeuristic reality shows, self-indulgent celebrities and news-as-entertainment. Instead of basking in the spotlight after leaving The Tonight Show in 2002, he politely shunned attention, choosing a retirement that will be remembered for its dignity and integrity. He didn’t come back, cash in, comment or carouse – heContinue reading “Johnny Carson: The Death of Class”

Jay Rosen makes a good point in a blog entry about the Armstrong Williams corruption case. He wonders why most PR bloggers went quiet about Armstrong and his $240,000 payment by agency giant Ketchum to promote the Bush Administration’s No Child Left Behind Act. I have a theory – because it’s easier to assign blameContinue reading “The Armstrong Williams Blame Game — PR Needs to Stand Up”

The last time I fell in love with a machine was back in the ’90s, when Borg-babe “Seven of Nine” joined the crew of Star Trek:Voyager. I shuddered to think what our kids would look like, but other than that I was in nerd nirvana (I believe the Klingons call it Stovalkor, but that’s anotherContinue reading “I’m Having a Mac Attack”

Today is the birthday of Moofeus, a bovine who helped change the world of online-driven advocacy. My business partner and I published an article about Moofeus and his friends from The Meatrix last year; she has posted a copy on her ZNetlady blog, and it’s worth another read if you missed the original Marketing ProfsContinue reading “A “Modern Media” Classic”

Being Jewish, I never had the opportunity to go to confession — we just get one day a year to atone for our sins, and the rest of the time we keep our guilt to ourselves, which accounts for the near-constant kvetching. Blogs allow you to confess every day, as often as you want. AndContinue reading “PR’s Comeuppance”

I’m not surprised that mega PR firm MWW Group this week announced a weblog marketing practice (called “Blog 360”). I am surprised, however, that it took management this long to see blogs as a new way to make a buck. I’m not knocking the need for PR agencies to help their clients understand and participateContinue reading “Blog 360 Should do a 180”

I used to cringe when my former journalism colleagues painted PR and marketing communications people with the same broad, insulting brush. After all, it seemed hypocritical to call us manipulative and accuse us of “spin” when later they would ask me if there were any openings at my agency. Self-righteousness only goes so far, andContinue reading “Lose a Little Control”