Happy New Year!

In honor of the New Year I found an interesting story to share about champagne . . .

Champagne producer Louis Roederer's latest aging process is going deep - in a cellar that's 50 feet below water on a seabed off the coast of Normandy. The cellar master came up with the idea after realizing that resting the bottles in an area that's about 50 degrees Farenheit, combined with undulating waters and total darkness, would be perfect for aging the wines.

The real test comes in June, when the dozen bottles will be raised from the deep after resting underwater for one year. The champagne will be sipped alongside identical bottles aged in traditional cellars. What's left will be sold at auction with proceeds going to charity.

Have a safe and happy New Year and enjoy your champagne (even if it wasn't aged in an underwater French cellar)!

~ Nicole

h/t Wine Enthusiast

Economic downturn a boon for PR?

This interesting article comes from PR Week . . .

A recent New York Times article about Super Bowl advertising discussed how the bleak economic climate might make high-priced ads and media deals reflect negatively on a company. Like with the Super Bowl, retailers jump start the holiday season with bold and splashy marketing campaigns. This year, some companies are thinking twice about spending bookoo bucks on advertising to hard-hit customers.

With new marketing efforts being hard to justify, public relations is a wise alternative to building lasting relationships with consumers. While consumers may see typical advertising campaigns as insensitive, public relations can place a message in the right context and deliver it in a way that is sensitive to consumers and the economy.



This year, companies that are looking to balance a strong marketing push with a sensitive appeal are relying more heavily on public relations tactics. Some examples:



1. Gap - Web site section features videos of celebrities performing remixed holiday songs



2. Sears - donating $1 to Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit that works to repair homes for low-income Americans, for every gift card purchased



3. Best Buy - launched a holiday campaign - "You, happier," - that focuses on value in terms of price and customer service (FYI - this campaign doesn't seem to be working very well, as Tasha spent a very frustrating two hours on the phone with them this morning b/c they screwed up one of her holiday orders)



4. OfficeMax - hosting its Elf Yourself viral video holiday effort. The site received more than 193 million visits in six weeks last year



~ Nicole

Food for Thought

"There's a reason we were given two ears and only one mouth. So listen twice as much as you talk."

Just something to think about from Catching Flack . . .

~ Nicole

'The Day the Earth Stood Still' to be transmitted into Space

So FOX has come up with a publicity stunt to transmit their new release, “The Day the Earth Stood Still” into space. The plot of the movie is that we are destroying the planet and an alien arrives to save the planet from us, by wiping out the human race!

Does anyone besides me think that beaming a movie like this out into space is not really a good idea? Do we really want to give anyone “out there” any ideas?

Perhaps we should start with something a little more up beat - like a “Benji,” movie or perhaps an old Don Knotts flick. Even the comedy “The Great Outdoors” with John Candy would leave a much better impression.

So if you were going to transmit a movie into outer space with the hope that a much more advanced alien race would see it, and think good, positive things about us, which movie would you pick?

Ken

Top 10 PR Blunders of 2008

Although there's still a few weeks left in 2008, here's who made Fineman PR's list of worst PR moves of the year (reposted from the Daily Dog) . . .

1. AIG All-Expense-Paid Retreats ... Paid By You
Mere days after receiving an $85 billion federal bailout package, American International Group dropped nearly half a million dollars on an executive retreat to the posh St. Regis resort, complete with "spa treatments, banquets and golf outings," according to the Associated Press. Public reaction, as many watched 401(k) and other investments deflate, was heated. AIG compounded the damage when it proceeded with an $86,000 New England hunting retreat. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo promptly launched a fraud probe, saying "our message to AIG today is simple: The party is over."

2. Detroit Three Fly to Washington in Private Jets to Beg for Money
Already reeling from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, consumers, taxpayers and legislators were deeply offended when the leaders of the nation's Big Three automakers — General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli and Ford CEO Alan Mulally — flew to Washington in separate corporate jets to ask Congress for $25 billion ... without a turnaround plan. PR Week reported that, "it made the Big Three appear out of touch, and evoked memories of the AIG retreat controversy." When the execs made their second foray to Washington to further plead their case, they drove there in hybrid vehicles ... and made sure everyone knew it. But Meredith Vieira on "Today" was unimpressed. "They should have carpooled," she said.

3. Department of Veterans Affairs says "Shh!" To Veterans' Problems
In this day of digital justice it's surprising that some federal officials still believe their emails are private, as when messages between top officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs indicated secrets were being kept about appallingly high suicide attempt rates among veterans. According to the Associated Press, Dr. Ira Katz, top-ranking VA mental health official, emailed colleagues that "12,000 veterans a year attempt suicide while ... under [Veterans Affairs] treatment." Katz wasn't pushing for reform but hiding data from CBSNews, even beginning the email with a "Shh!" Everett A. Chasen, chief communications officer for the VA, wrote that, "I don't want to give CBS any more numbers on veterans [sic] suicides or attempts than they already have — it will only lead to more questions." Emails get leaked in most organizations, but the true blunder is the Department's disregard for veterans' wellbeing.

4. McCain Stands Up Letterman

Presidential candidate John McCain canceled his appearance on CBS's "Late Night with David Letterman," saying that he was suspending his campaign and "racing to the airport" to tackle the impending financial crisis. Midway through the show, however, Letterman learned that McCain was mere blocks away ... sitting down with CBS stablemate Katie Couric. McCain's response, when he did make it onto "Late Night" a couple weeks later, was apt but unapologetic: "I screwed up."

5. Nike Just Blew It
When self-described "good, solid" marathoner and elementary school teacher Arien O'Connell unexpectedly clocked the fastest time in October's San Francisco Women's Marathon, besting her personal record by over 12 minutes, race sponsor Nike had a golden opportunity to support those who "just do it." However, Nike only checked times of those in the allegedly "elite" front-running pack; by the time O'Connell realized she had been fastest, all places had been awarded and Nike would not recognize her victory. Later that week, pressured Nike recanted its initial stance, declaring O'Connell "a winner" but not the winner. The San Francisco Chronicle lamented the tepid ending to "what could have been a lovely Cinderella story." Only after competitor Reebok stepped up to award O'Connell free shoes for a year and a $2,500 donation for her classroom did O'Connell receive her "first place overall" trophy.

6. Merck and Schering-Plough: Profits with Side Effects
Prescription for a Blunder: market cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia with a memorable $100 million plus advertising campaign. Withhold study results showing that the combo doesn't work as claimed ... for 21 months. Watch the drugs pull $5.2 billion in revenue in 2007 alone. Side effects, though, may include widespread consumer backlash, around 140 civil class-action lawsuits, and the unwelcome attentions of Congress, the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 35 state attorneys general, according to the Associated Press. Makers Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. allegedly didn't release the results due to internal scientific concerns.

7. Mark Penn: Spinning Out of Control
Mark Penn found himself dropped from the chief strategist role in Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign when the Wall Street Journal exposed Penn's work on behalf of the government of Colombia, a client for whom Penn was also involved in arranging passage of a controversial trade bill opposed by, among others, Clinton herself. Penn was removed from the helm, although his polling firm, Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, continued to provide services to the campaign. He ultimately admitted to an "error in judgment," but how many of those can one person convincingly admit to? Penn's other unbelievable missteps throughout the year, including praising McCain attack ads and demeaning Clinton supporters, calling them "downscale voters," earn him a seat among serial PR blunderers.

8. Senior Obama Campaigner Makes "a Monster" of a Slip
Sometimes a simple goof can be a major gaffe if committed by an insider. For example, Samantha Power, senior foreign policy advisor to presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, called Sen. Hillary Clinton "a monster" in a March interview with UK newspaper the Scotsman, then realized her error and immediately tried to withdraw her comment, claiming "that is off the record." However, in the dustup to follow, blogger Michael Goldstein of MondayMorningMediaQuarterback.com noted that, "you can't do it. There is no off the record." Many journalists agree, including Gerri Peev, the Scotsman reporter who interviewed Power, who noted that journalists are "not in the business to self-censor ... [they are] in the business to print the truth."

9. Absolut Mistake

Swedish vodka-maker Absolut is famed for its clever, well-executed advertising campaigns, but the company hasn't realized it's a small world after all. According to PR Week, ads for the Mexican market from the company's "Absolut World" campaign showing the western U.S. as Mexican territory "courted animosity" and "stirred up negative sentiment from ... [those] who complain about the porous U.S. border" after appearing on U.S. blogs. Absolut pulled the offending ads and proffered a public apology on its corporate blogs, but competitor Skyy Vodka capitalized on the situation. According to Ken Wheaton's Advertising Age blog, Skyy did "what a marketer should do in a situation like this, [taking] advantage of a competitor's headache" by distributing a humorous press release in which it touts Skyy's U.S. origins and production. Smart opportunistic marketing ... with a twist.

10. Hut, Two, Three, Four, Berkeley Rants Against Our Corps
Berkeley has always been known for an anti-establishment atmosphere, one in which free speech and independent thought are held dear. But when the Berkeley City Council denounced local Marine Corps recruiters as "uninvited and unwelcome intruders" and "sales people known to lie to and seduce minors," it incited yet another nationally covered culture clash depicting Berkeley's leadership as hopelessly out of touch. Although individual members of the Council did admit that they may have acted rashly, no apology was ever issued.

h/t Daily Dog

CA schools are running out of lunch money

Peaceful Playgrounds shared another sign of the dire economic times and the impact of the budget crisis. According to the blog, California schools are set to run out of funds for free and reduced lunch students by January 2009.

Jack O'Connell, California superintendent of schools, is appealing to the federal government to make up for the state's budget shortfall. Health advocates are also voicing concern that the high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables will result in serving less expensive, and less nutritious, canned fruits and vegetables.

"Without quick action by the governor and the Legislature, districts will be forced to make a series of unacceptable choices to dip further into their own bare-bones budgets, serve less nutritious foods and not comply with California's nationally renowned nutrition standards," Supt. Jack O'Connell said in a statement.

So not only are low-income, school-aged children getting less nutrititious and smaller amounts of food at home due to tough economic times, but now schools won't be of much help either. Sad times for those fighting the good fight for healthy kids.

Twitter and Brand Management: a Case Study

As communications professionals we always try to keep on top of the newest communication tools and how we can use those tools to best serve our clients needs. There’s been lot of conversation in our office lately about Twitter and it seems that we aren’t the only communications agency exploring the best ways to utilize Twitter.

For those unfamiliar with Twitter, it’s an online service enabling users to broadcast short messages (140 characters or less), known as tweets to friends or “followers.” Twitter is a form of microblogging – think of it as a combination of text messaging and blogging. Twitter is a way to engage in intimate, one-on-one communication and is another tool, for those in the world of public relations, to engage in a conversation rather than just letting it happen around you.

Johnson and Johnson recently learned how powerful a communication outlet social networking and media sites like Twitter are becoming. The company posted an ad online for Motrin, which equated carrying a baby in a sling to a painful fashion choice. By the following day, negative reactions appeared on Twitter, bloggers called for a boycott and angry comments filled up online message boards. Some of those offended even created counter ads, which they posted on YouTube. Johnson and Johnson quickly pulled the ad and a company spokesperson noted on its blog that the incident showed “it needed to pay closer attention to the conversations taking place online.”

I applaud Johnson and Johnson for its quick response and the important lesson it learned from the situation. We should all learn from Johnson and Johnson’s mistake – no one can afford to ignore what’s going on online.

~ Nicole

Taking the agony out of choosing a place to eat

I don't know about you, but when I'm out and about and ready for something to eat I'm often paralyzed by the question of just where to go. I love to try out new places but I hate eating bad food, so I usually just end up going to my usual haunts. I just learned about the coolest iPhone application that would make my life so much easier and more fun - Urbanspoon.

Urbanspoon on the iPhone is part Magic 8 Ball and part slot machine. You shake your phone and it finds a restaurant for you that's good and close by. Keep shaking it until it comes back with something you want to try.

The free application uses the iPhone's accelerometers to pick up the "shake", find restaurants near you through GPS and then skew the results towards restaurants that are highly regarded on Urbanspoon. How cool is that?! Now I just need to work on getting that iPhone . . .

~ Nicole

Funny How Some Things Seem to Pop Up

Have even noticed how you can seemingly go your entire life and never hear a particular word or see a symbol until one day sometime happens and BAMM! you notice it everywhere after that.

Well that recently happened to me. A client, Cork Supply, recently received FSC certification for their wine corks. Ever hear of FSC? Probably not. It stands for the Forest Stewardship Council. In short, FSC certified wood products ensure that the wood used in the product was harvested in a environmentally sound and sustainable manner that was fair to the people doing the work. You can read more about it here. FSC

Anyway – after writing up the release I started seeing the FSC logo everywhere. On the bottom of furniture, on wooden yard sticks in the hardware check-out line, on paper products. It seems the darn thing is everywhere – if you look for it.

So where am I going with this. Well... now you've seen it and you can look for the FSC logo on the wood or paper products you intend to buy. You won’t have to settle for less or pay more, but you’ll be helping the world be a better place to live.

Ken

Why wouldn't the president have a Web site?

I just learned today that President-elect Obama is keeping the public apprised of his transition into office via the Web at www.change.gov.

I find this particulary interesting from a communications perspective. Ninety percent of Fortune 500 companies can't decide whether or not to have a corporate blog, but the 44th President of the United States has already launched a site dedicated to keeping his "customers" informed. Not only are most people not surprised that Obama launched this site, but many are taking it for granted that he would have this kind of Web presence.

I'm curious to see how and to what level Obama will incorporate this new style of communication between president and public into his administration.

~ Nicole

Cardiologists need to unite

If you ever doubted that we need restaurant menu labeling, the Heart Attack Grill makes our case. The Arizona restaurant claims to serve "food worth dying for." And you just may if you finish one of their Quadruple Bypass burgers. Each one has a whopping 8,000 calories.
I hope Heart Attack Grill doesn't expand to my neighborhood. What do you think?








~ Paula

It's Voting Time

Seeing that Election Day is 7 days away, it might serve us well to familiarize ourselves with the propositions that will shape California. Thanks to the Sacramento Bee, they have listed California's ten largest papers' complete list of editorial endorsements with links that work so you can read the propositions. This is where they stand but what's important is that you educate yourself on the issues and vote! See you at the polls.

(Published online as SacBee Webblog on Oct. 28, 2008)

All the newspaper editorials fit to link

Los Angeles Times editorial page endorsements

Proposition 1A
Yes
Proposition 2
No
Proposition 3
Yes
Proposition 4
No
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
Yes

San Francisco Chronicle editorial page endorsements
Proposition 1A
Yes
Proposition 2
No
Proposition 3
Yes
Proposition 4
No
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
Yes

The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial page endorsements
Proposition 1A
No
Proposition 2
Yes
Proposition 3
No
Proposition 4
Yes
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
No

The Sacramento Bee editorial page endorsements

The Bee took the unusual step of announcing its opposition to all the ballot measures - save one - in a single full-page editorial. Read all the endorsements there.

Proposition 1A
No
Proposition 2
No
Proposition 3
No
Proposition 4
No
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
No

Orange County Register editorial page endorsements

Proposition 1A
No
Proposition 2
No
Proposition 3
No
Proposition 4
Yes
Proposition 5
Yes
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
No

The (San Jose) Mercury News editorial page endorsements
Proposition 1A
Yes
Proposition 2
Yes
Proposition 3
Yes
Proposition 4
No
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
Yes

The (Riverside) Press-Enterprise editorial page endorsements
Proposition 1A
No
Proposition 2
No
Proposition 3
No
Proposition 4
No
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
Yes

Bay Area MediaNews (Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune, among others) editorial page endorsements
Proposition 1A
No
Proposition 2
Yes
Proposition 3
Yes
Proposition 4
No
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
Yes

The Fresno Bee editorial page endorsements
Proposition 1A
Yes
Proposition 2
No
Proposition 3
Yes
Proposition 4
No editorial found
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
Yes

Los Angeles Daily News
Proposition 1A
No
Proposition 2
Yes
Proposition 3
No
Proposition 4
No
Proposition 5
No
Proposition 6
No
Proposition 7
No
Proposition 8
No
Proposition 9
No
Proposition 10
No
Proposition 11
Yes
Proposition 12
Yes

~ Muriel

What consumers really think of green

(Reposted from Catching Flack)

Here’s a quiz for anyone interested in environmental issues:

Which of the following environmental terms resonates most strongly with consumers?
a) Conservation
b) Green
c) Energy Efficiency
d) Sustainable

If you said "b) Green" are you surprised to learn that you're wrong? The right answer is "c) Energy Efficiency," according to

Suzanne Shelton of Shelton Group, who conducts annual surveys of consumer attitudes toward environmental issues.

Shelton’s research indicates that only 61.5 percent of consumers have a positive association with the word “green,” 63.5 percent feel positively about “sustainable,” 74 percent feel positively about “conservation” and a whopping 88.2 percent feel positively about “energy efficiency.”

Why is "energy efficiency" more popular among consumers than "green?" Turns out "energy efficiency" is a term people can understand. To consumers, "energy efficienty" means turning off the lights, lowering the thermostat, buying a hybrid car, planting a tree and so on — things consumers can actually do. But what does “green” mean? It can be all things to all people, Shelton says, and consumers already see through the hype — that “green” is mostly a marketing buzzword designed to boost sales.

This should remind all of us that just because a word or phrase appears to be popular, we should really take a moment to consider if it communicates effectively with the audience we are trying to reach rather than leaping onto the buzzword bandwagon without a second thought.

~ Nicole

Voter Empowerment - What Would you do if you Were Turned Away?

I've been seeing report after report online where voters are getting turned away from polling places or receiving mysterious letters saying they aren't eligible to vote. This kind of stuff is really starting to freak me out. My worst fear is showing up at my polling place next week and being told, "Sorry, you can't vote." I did a little digging and found a Voter Empowerment Card put together by the ACLU.

Here are your rights as a California voter:

PROBLEMS AT THE POLLS

What if I go to the wrong polling place?
Go to the right polling place. You can ask a poll worker to help you find the polling place where you’re registered, or you can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE for assistance. If you can’t figure out where you’re registered, go to the polling place that you think is most likely to be the right one, and if you’re not on the registration rolls at that polling place, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if you’re not at the right polling place.

What if someone challenges my right to vote?
A poll worker will ask you some questions and rule on the challenge. Cal. Elec. Code §§14243-14247.

What if someone tries to intimidate or harass me?
Tell a poll worker right away. If the poll worker is the problem, tell a poll watcher, call your county elections office, call one of the election hotline numbers listed at the end of this card, or make a complaint online at http://www.votingrights.org/.

What if I’m not on the voter list?
First, ask a pollworker to check the list again and to confirm that you’re at the right polling place. If you’re at the right polling place but your name isn’t on the voter list, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if your name isn’t on the voter list, as long as you’re willing to swear that you believe you’re registered to vote. Cal. Elec. Code §14310.

What if I make a mistake on my ballot or the voting machine malfunctions?
Tell a poll worker before you cast your vote. If you spoil a paper ballot, you have the right to up to two replacement ballots as long as you catch your mistake before you cast your ballot. If your voting machine malfunctions, you can request a different machine. Cal. Elec. Code §14288.

How do I make a complaint?
First, ask for an election supervisor at your polling place. He or she can handle most routine complaints that arise on Election Day. Candidates, political parties, and nonprofit groups may also have poll watchers at your polling place who might be able to assist you. In the alternative, you can call 1-866-OURVOTE to report any problems you encountered. If any of those people ask you who you voted for, or if they can’t resolve your complaint, call your county elections office or the California Secretary of State.

TIPS FOR AVOIDING PROBLEMS

• Check your voter registration status at least 15 days before the election.


• Vote before Election Day, using a vote-by-mail ballot.


• If you plan to vote at the polls, locate your polling place at least 15 days before the election.


• Vote early in the day to avoid the last-minute rush.


• Bring some form of identification even if it’s not required.


• Read all instructions carefully.


• Ask for help if you need it.


• Take your time. You have up to ten minutes to complete your ballot.

What ever your political leanings, everyone should go vote and no one should be turned away!

~ Nicole

Food for thought . . .

"In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature's way of forcing change - breaking down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place."

- Susan L. Taylor, Essence editor

An interesting perspective to keep in mind when dealing with any crisis, especially one in business.

~ Nicole

BMC takes to the race track

One day each year, BMC has a play day. It's our chance to celebrate another anniversary (21 years on the 17th!) and spend some time doing all important team building. The day ususally involves getting some, if not all, of us out of our comfort zone and having a great meal to celebrate that we all survived. In past years we've sailed on the bay, climbed up a giant rock wall and taken a cooking class.

This year we went GoKart Racing! Although there was a minor fender bender (and by minor I mean Ken got t-boned by both Tasha and Sharron after spinning out on the track) , a couple of us crashed into the wall and one of us barely made it through the race after a breakfast of spicy beans and a latte, I'm happy to announce that everyone survived.

In case you were taking bets, here are the results of the BMC Grand Prix . . .

1. Mike "Green Around the Gills" Miller - 32.54 Avg. Lap Time

2. Tasha "T-bone" Rassuli - 32.77 Avg. Lap Time

3. Nicole Stivers - 34.12 Avg. Lap Time

4. Ken "I Brought my own Helmet" Freeze - 36.30 Avg. Lap Time

5. Muriel Miller - 37.44 Avg. Lap Time

6. Sharron Faaborg - 44.70 Avg. Lap Time

And thanks to Paula for braving the noxious gasoline fumes to document our exploits on the track.

~ Nicole

P.S. You would NOT believe how sore GoKart racing makes you!

An amazing tale of the human mind

I recently read the most incredible story about the powers of the human mind - a shining example of technological advances, as well as determined survival.

Following a serious car accident, Erik Ramsey suffered a stroke in his brain stem. Now 25-years-old, Erik has been suffering from a rare and permanent condition known as locked-in syndrome for the past nine years. Erik is completely paralyzed - the only thing he can control is the up and down movement of his eyes. A speech therapist realized that Erik could use these eye movements to answer yes or no questions - up for yes and down for no.

It's hard to imagine what type of life Erik can lead, but thanks to breaking edge computer technology, determined researchers and an even more determined individual, Erik could one day make his thoughts audible. That's right - he could speak through a computer using only his thoughts.

Erik is working with Dr. Philip Kennedy, a pioneer in the field of brain-computer interface research who is on the fore-front of developing technology to generate speech through brain activity. Kennedy worked with neurosurgeons to thread thin wires into the speech center of Erik's brain. While these wires are hooked into a computer, Erik thinks about making vowel sounds. As he does, the vowel sound comes out of the speaker. The next step is developing the technology to allow Erik to form consonants. The team's goal is for Erik to "speak" full sentences within five years.

This story just blows my mind. The perseverance of the human spirit and the ingenuity of the human mind never ceases to amaze me.

~ Nicole

Cheers!

As consumers, is there a point when we cross the dependency line?

I think I found it.

My best friend Gmail, a glorious email service brought to us by my other best friend Google, recently introduced the new feature Mail Goggles

To prevent users from regretting sending those messages that Pinot Noir encouraged, Mail Goggles offers guidance that some friends can't. Once installed on your computer, the application alters its settings to prevent users from sending any email without first having to complete a series of math questions. By default, the application activates on Friday and Saturday nights, but you can customize it if you need more. Oh and have no fear. You can also choose your difficulty level.

I'm sure after the sixth, seventh or maybe 20th time of using this application, the program tends to lose its purpose. And wouldn't you agree that this application would be most useful if you could install it on your phone?

I'm willing to bet that next year at this time the new IPhone will have a wingman feature.

-Tasha

NYC Health Dept. Ad Campaign Supporting Menu Labeling

One of the arguments we heard over the last two years in our drive to get calories onto menu boards, is that the menu boards won't make a difference if people don't even know their daily calorie requirements.

The New York Health Department launched an educational campaign today to make sure people know what those requirements are and how fast food meals fit in. The ad campaign, which is simple and straight forward, runs through January. This is definitely something California's Health Department should do.

~ Nicole

(H/t to John Del Signore at the Gothamist)

2008 Ig Noble Prize Winners Announced

The Annals of Improbable Research magazine has announced the winners of this year's Ig Noble Prize, given for oddball but often surprisingly practical scientific achievements. I'm all for scientific advancements and creativity but these are pretty funny . . .

• Nutrition: Massimiliano Zampini and Charles Spence for demonstrating that food tastes better when it sounds better (report from The Guardian).
  

• Peace: The Swiss Federal Ethics Committee on Non-Human Biotechnology and the citizens of Switzerland for adopting the legal principle that plants have dignity.
  

• Archaeology: Astolfo Gomes de Mello Araujo and Jose Carlos Marcelino for showing armadillos can scramble the contents of an archaeological dig (report from Natural History).
  

• Biology: Marie-Christine Cadiergues, Christel Joubert and Michel Franc for discovering that fleas that live on a dog can jump higher than fleas that live on a cat.
  

• Medicine: Dan Ariely for demonstrating that expensive fake medicine is more effective than cheap fake medicine (report in Stanford GSB News).
  

• Cognitive science: Toshiyuki Nakagaki, Hiroyasu Yamada, Ryo Kobayashi, Atsushi Tero, Akio Ishiguro and Agota Toth for discovering that slime molds can solve puzzles (report in Math in the Media).
  

• Economics: Geoffrey Miller, Joshua Tyber and Brent Jordan for discovering that exotic dancers earn more when at peak fertility.
  

• Physics: Dorian Raymer and Douglas Smith for proving that heaps of string or hair will inevitably tangle.
  

• Chemistry: Sheree Umpierre, Joseph Hill and Deborah Anderson for discovering that Coca-Cola is an effective spermicide, and C.Y. Hong, C.C. Shieh, P. Wu and B.N. Chiang for proving it is not (report at Snopes.com). Another fact that makes me question if we should really be drinking this stuff.
  

• Literature: David Sims for his study “You Bastard: A Narrative Exploration of the Experience of Indignation within Organizations” (report from The Boston Globe).

~ Nicole

The Tipping Point Tipped!

You push, and push and push, and suddenly the whole house of cards comes tumbling down.

With Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature yesterday, California became the first state in the nation to require fast food chains to post calorie information on their menu boards. Huge victory for health and consumer information advocates!

Ah but then today we learn that Yum Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC), seeing the way the winds are blowing, is going to extend the mandate and post calorie counts on menu boards in their restaurants all over the nation. For their sudden concern for consumer rights and health, Yum Brands was rewarded with an immediate 21% jump in their stock! 21% admist one of the greatest stock market turmoils in history!

Hard to imagine McDs, Jack and the Burger King will let Yum Brands hold on to that highly marketable distinction for long. I expect, within a year, it will be common place to find calorie counts on menu boards in every state in the nation. I'm Loving It!

Mike

Who wants a simple tool to help them build a healthy diet?

I just read about a recent survey of 1,019 adults in the United States that indicates public health campaigns should focus on the total nutrient value of food.

The survey (commissioned by Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition) showed that 61 percent of respondents were interested in learning about both the positive nutrients and the nutrients they should limit when they are trying to select healthy foods. And, 78 percent of survey participants said they are looking for a simple, practical tool that would help them build a healthy diet based on getting the most nutrients from their food choices.

Some interesting statistics to keep in mind, especially with Yum! Brand's announcement of putting calorie-labeled menu boards up in all their U.S. restaurants and not just California. Hooray for change not taking place at a snail's pace for once!

~ Nicole

California Leads Nation with Passage of Menu Labeling Law

California became the first state in the nation to require nutritional menu labeling, following Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature of SB 1420 (Padilla) this morning. The landmark legislation requires some 17,000 California chain and fast- food restaurants to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards, part of an effort to address the state’s growing obesity epidemic.

“This is a huge victory for Californians working to make healthier decisions when they eat out,” declared SB 1420 co-sponsor Dr. Harold Goldstein of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. “The days of chain restaurants marketing a calorie-laden sandwich as “lite, guiltless or healthy” are over in California. When Californians walk into a chain or fast-food restaurant, the calorie information they need to make healthier decisions will be right in front of them.”

We're excited here at BMC to have led the media activities for this campaign and to have worked with CCPHA and an army of hardworking advocates to make a real impact on the health of Californians. Click here to learn more about SB 1420.

Mike

Yes - You Can Be "Over Trained" for an Interview

Now this guy had a message and he sure is determined to get it across.

The front of the ship fell off, and that's not suppose to happen!

The front of the Greek tanker vessel Kirki fell off dumping 20,000 tonnes of light crude oil into the sea off the coast of Western Australia

This is an interview of Australian Parliamentary Senator Collins responding to questions concerning the incident.

The video speaks for itself.

- Ken

It's Not You, It's Me

I understand that, as a society, we all have become very dependent on electronics. Whether it be the phone, the Internet or MP3 players, we find ourselves drawn to these devices due to anything from entertainment to work. But when I read this morning that these handy-dandy tools might actually be the competition in our interpersonal relationships I had to stop, re-evaluate myself and make sure that the important things in my life did not need to be charged or battery operated.

A new study by Sheraton Hotels found that 35 percent of BlackBerry and PDA users would choose their device over their spouse. Yes, I said spouse...not mouse.


Some highlights from the study:


--Eighty-seven percent of those polled said they bring their devices into the bedroom


--Another 84 percent check their emails just before they go to sleep


--Sixty-four percent said that they love their Blackberry and it makes life more productive


Call me a hopeless romantic if you may, but what happened to your spouse being the first person you want to see when you wake up and the last person you look at before you go to sleep?

-Tasha

Social Networking is Numero Uno on the Internet

Well – I just heard that social networking has surpassed porn as the number one reason people surf the Web. That means that the number one reason to buy a computer and connect to the Internet is no longer to look for nude photos of your favorite celebrity. The reason now is to tell the world what you had for lunch, or that your baby said her first words, or even what you think of your boss.

Perhaps there is hope after all.

-Ken

Is encouraging drug production really a good PR move?

I just read about Cedra Clinical Research, an overnight clinical research company, that luanched a campaign meant to build awareness about patient recruitment for clinical trials. Okay, I'm cool with recruiting people for clinical trials - medical advancement is important.

The company launched www.getyourdrugon.com, inviting users to invent drugs to prescribe and send to friends. The site in itself is pretty cool and funny, but I find the overall message really disturbing and insidious. Does anyone else take issue with the fact that someone thought creating drug cocktails and pushing them on friends was a brilliant campaign piece?

No? Well, how would you feel if your kids turned this into the next Facebook?

~ Nicole

Bill Gate Hits Hard Times

I guess times are tough for everyone. Even Bill Gates has taken to doing his own commercials.

Yeah, I guess when you're down to your last $30 or $40 billion it's time to economize.

Bill - I know you aren't used to it, so here's a few more tips:

• Get your clothes at Good Will; you’ll can save a bundle.
• Eat out less. Mac and Cheese is easy to fix and cheap.
• Don’t be an energy hog. Turn lights out, winterize your home and turn your computer off when you aren’t using it. Plus - it’s good for the environment as well.

Hang in there buddy! I'm sure things will turn around for you soon.

- Ken

An Online Community With the Right Palate

I knew social networking was becoming quite the bandwagon trend, but I always thought my greatest love of all would be safe from it. Until now.

When a friend of mine introduced me to CookEatShare.com, I was hesitant and frightened to see "the world's largest kitchen" on my computer screen. Three visits later, I was a returning visitor wondering why I had no friend requests.

This global, online community is a haven for foodies, especially if they've been introduced to Facebook, Myspace or LinkedIn. It's a network that allows chefs -- whether you're Bobby Flay or Bob down the street -- to share recipes, ideas and stories while connecting with others around the world who are also passionate about food. The array of choices might seem overwhelming at first, but in no time will you be cooking up sweet treats like Chocolate Cabernet Sauvignon Fondue.

It's safe to say that all of us at BMC consider cooking and eating delicious food one of life's greatest achievements that we can repeat over and over.

Now if Alton Brown would just be my friend...


-Tasha

THE solution for curbing teen pregnancy

Teen pregnancy is back on the news crawl with the recent announcement of Sarah Palin's pregnant teen daughter.



Sadly, this isn't an isolated event. One of our clients, The Center for Research on Adolescent Health and Development at the Public Health Institute, released a report in the spring that shows the rising teen birth rates are costing California taxpayers $1.7 billion dollars a year, levying an average taxpayer cost per county of more than $29 million.



The public is looking for a solution to this "growing" issue and I think India may have the secret! The country's latest effort to combat unsafe sex is a Gates Foundation sponsored cell phone ringtone that sings a reminder every time you get a phone call. Yeah, it's a little crazy but with over 200 million cell phone users in India a catchy jingle just might become all the rage. Maybe we should try it right here in California where teens can't be more than 10 inches from their cell phones.



~ Nicole



(Hat tip to sWell's Rahul K. Parikh for sharing this song)

Newspaper misprint leads to stock crash

I'm sure you've all heard the complaints that newspaper readership is declining at a rapid pace, but after I picked up on this story my faith in newspaper readership was slightly bolstered. Unfortunately, my faith in responsible and accurate reporting took a nosedive.

The price of United Airline's stock fell by 75% after the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported the airline's bankruptcy. Bloomberg picked up the report, setting of an internet frenzy that pushed the stock of a cliff and actually led to a halt in trading. Too bad the story is actually six years old and someone at the newspaper simply put the wrong dateline. What the heck are those reporters, editors and copy editors actually doing at the Sentinel?! Someone should really be held accountable.

~ Nicole

(Hat tip to Peter Himler at The Flack)

Putting information right where you need it

Even though California lawmakers are struggling to reach a compromise with the state budget, they were able to agree on an important public health issue -- menu labeling.

Earlier this week, legislators sent SB 1420 to the Governor's desk. Once the governor signs SB 1420 into law (yes, I'm taking the optimist role here) all chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in California will be required to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards by 2011.

While it may not change waistlines overnight, it certainly is a step in the right direction in fighting our country's rampant obesity epidemic.

~ Nicole

The demise of the printed word

Jon Stewart let the media have it with both barrels for essentially being idiots. This is a worth read. Essentially, he’s trying to point out how, in their desperate effort to emulate CNN and the internet, print media has surrendered their only point of distinction and the only reason any one subscribes to them. Especially telling in light of the Sacramento Bee’s decision to become a collection of cute little snippet articles.

If newspapers fail, it’s totally of their own doing! They desperately need to understand marketing and differentiation.

Mike

Community Outreach Goes Viral

How do you change an entire community’s expectations and behaviors? That was the challenge faced by California’s Monterey County Health Department when it launched a campaign to improve the health of its Latino community, which makes up 70 percent of its population. The answer was the development of a multi-tiered communications campaign aimed at changing not only Latino behaviors but the broader community (media, restaurants, churches, policymakers, schools and retailers) that fosters those behaviors. With partners on board from literally every sector, the Salinas campaign contributed to a remarkable12 percent increase in healthy weight of Salinas Latinos. Check out the ads that came out of this winning campaign that brought the coveted PRSA Silver Anvil to BMC.

Wine Spectator honors a fictional restaurant

Restaurants live and die by ratings, such as the highly coveted Wine Spectator Awards. You can imagine the shock when it was revealed that a fictional restaurant won. Reporter Robin Goldstein submitted an application for a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for a restaurant he named “Osteria L’Intrepido.” Goldstein submitted the fee ($250), a cover letter, a copy of the menu which he decribes as "a fun amalgamation of somewhat bumbling nouvelle-Italian recipes" ) and a wine list that, ironically, includes a number of wines that had scored poorly in the Wine Spectator magazine

Osteria L’Intrepido won the Award of Excellence, as published in print in the August 2008 issue of Wine Spectator. (Not surprisingly, the Osteria’s listing has since been removed from Wine Spectator’s Web site.)

The hoax brings up several questions. How could this happen? And, how often does this happen? The magazine's executive editor, Thomas Matthews, writes that this has never happened before and that 45,000 wine lists have been reviewed during the competition's 27-year history.

Take it as you will. My advice? Follow your palate not just what you read.

Motivational Monday!

I'm sure you've seen those motivational posters in various office. Well, here are some that you probably haven't seen . . .

Happy chuckling!

~Nicole