Sunday, February 22, 2009

Relay For Life

Heard a great speaker this weekend at a Relay For Life event. She mentioned that some of her friends just don't "get it." They don't "get" why she goes away for the weekend, missing events, missing family stuff, missing friend stuff...There are many times that I feel the same. But, with Relay For Life and those that volunteer for that organization, I feel like I have a mission. There is no way that I will ever be able to find the cure for cancer and prevent my wife or our daughters from ever having cancer. BUT, if I can just take one more moment, one hour, one day or one weekend to spend time and collaborate with others..maybe, just maybe, those moments will help find that cure.

To find out more about Relay For Life, go to: www.relayforlife.org

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

20 million HH

Remember when 20 million sounded like a gigantic number? Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to try to *again* vote to delay the DTV transition. The voucher program ran out of money back near the end of last year and there are approximately 20 million HH (at least that is the current argument) that aren't prepared and/or not hooked in to cable or satellite. In class today, we discussed the implications of those 20 million HH -- do they really matter to marketers? Or the government? Think about the demographics of those HH -- elderly, poor, etc...Now think about current television programming. Any new shows targeted to the elderly or the poor? Does the local television broadcaster actively promote to clients: Hey, we are number one with the 75+ age demo AND we are strong with those with HH Incomes of less than $15,000!

Definitely feeling cynical. Apparently, the White House would go for the delay. Are you in favor or not?

Monday, February 02, 2009

Time and Friends and Technology

E-mail. Social media. Friendships.
It's funny how Twitter, Facebook, cell phones and everything "social media" should give us opportunities to communicate across great distances...renew friendships...cultivate new ones. BUT, isn't it amazing how that these great technologies, like just about every other one before these, have provided wonderful opportunities to communicate with great breadth, but with little depth. What is the courteous way to end a IM Chat? With a friend you've known for decades? With someone you don't know as well? What about a telephone call? Is it just a 42-year old who has changed? Or is it the technology?

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Post Super Bowl Thoughts

Blogging every two years or so....not bad.

Next.

Just thinking about the Super Bowl and how influential it can be. Obviously, people are already talking about their favorite ad. For me, I really enjoyed the "Sweden/Conan O'Brien" ad...but what was it for? Great job getting 'cooler-talk', bad job getting people to have an idea about the brand.

As I'm watching The Office, I'm amazed at how far television has come. Yes, the Super Bowl provides a huge launch for the 'next' show. NBC needs The Office and is probably going to keep growing its audience for the next season or so.

Talk to you soon.