Archives for December 2013

Lessons from an Online Lynch Mob

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Last Friday night, I took a peek at my Twitter feed and noticed that a marketing guy who I follow named Peter Shankman was pleading for some Internet sanity regarding a woman named Justine Sacco.  Said Peter: “Yes [Sacco’s] tweet was awful.  But she’s landing to death threats.  Come on, Twitter, let’s be better than that.”Read More

Blackfish Backlash Continues

The other day, classic rock band REO Speedwagon joined a growing list of musical acts that pulled-out of an upcoming concert series at SeaWorld in Orlando.  The bands are protesting the theme park’s treatment of its killer whales as portrayed in the documentary film Blackfish.  From what I know about orca public relations, I think SeaWorld’s got a big problem.Read More

Long Live Print

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Recently while waiting for a breakfast meeting to start at a café in Miami’s Coconut Grove, I overheard an exchange between a tourist and a local who was reading the daily paper.  “Where can I get a newspaper around here?” asked the visitor.  “Nowhere,” said the local.

Newsstands may still be squeaking out income in larger metro areas, but I honestly don’t know where to buy a daily newspaper in my market.  A convenience store, maybe?Read More

Marketing by Ron Burgundy

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One day soon (it was supposed to be tonight), fictional newsman Ron Burgundy will guest host ESPN’s signature newscast “Sportscenter.”  If you don’t like sports and haven’t seen the 2004 classic comedy “Anchorman,” then you may not know what I’m talking about.  I can guarantee this will change over the next two weeks as the publicity machine for Will Ferrell’s “Anchorman 2” hits full stride in ways that movie marketing has never seen before.  In advance of the movie’s December 18 release, Ferrell and “Anchorman 2” are changing the way movies are publicized by going far beyond action-packed trailers and media tours.Read More