@NATSECWONK, the mysterious snarky Twitter voice on all things national security, has disappeared from the Twittersphere. After 2 years of leaking internal administration information and tormenting the foreign policy community, the anonymous individual behind @NATSECWONK has been revealed: Jofi Joseph. On the verge of a leading job at the Pentagon, the Georgetown and Princeton graduate was fired and put under investigation …
Stepping Out of Bounds
Miami Dolphins’ Richie Incognito didn’t stay disguised as a “team player” long enough to avoid indefinite suspension by the Miami Dolphins when his racist bullying was exposed. The target of his cruelty, Stanford-educated rookie linebacker, Jonathan Martin reportedly paid $15,000 for a player trip to Las Vegas under pressure from Mr. Incognito, an apparently standard-operating procedure by veteran players. …
Never Say Never
Here is a message to all the high-profile businessmen and women in the world of constantly adapting technology: Never Say Never! Steve Ballmer, has announced that he will be stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, whose operating system monopoly has fallen behind Apple and Google in mobile devices, tablets, and smart phone technology. Perhaps because of lack …
Media Mistakes Not to Make
Some 2,000 dollar bills fluttered from the fifth-floor balcony of the Hart Senate Office Building last week, falling upon activists who shouted “Monsanto Money!” while tossing piles of cash in the air and making snow angels in pools of the bills. Although it may be hard to believe, even the media makes mistakes. The Associated Press misidentified the protest …
Trying to “Satisfry” the Customer
From “Home of the Whopper” to “Home of the Satisfries,” Burger King has changed their brand name “temporarily,” from Burger King to Fries King, and created some negative social media buzz. The fast food chain tweeted the following: “And you thought we were bluffing. Long live the #FriesKing!” According to Ad Week, consumers expressed their confusion of the chain’s new …
What’s in a Name?
The “Redskins,” Washington DC’s NFL team has been in existence for almost a century. And now some in the media are refusing to use the term, citing a racial slur against Native Americans. Here, the media is more than the messenger. The journalists are playing the role of conscience-minding mentor, who can make the choice of the words they use, …
Hats Off … to a very Ready John Putnam
Watch the segment here. Recent client, Putnam Accessory Group/Chuck Originals’ John Putnam gave a “textbook” performance on the KTLA Morning News, hosted by Mark Kriski and Frank Buckley . “You can’t hate a guy who makes hats,” he began. As seen here, Mr. Putnam avoided the biggest mistake most executives make of not naming the brand! He branded perfectly, both …
Fore…
“Fore” is the warning shout golfers use when there is a chance that a wild ball may hit other players or spectators. NBC’s Golf Channel hit fans and players alike with a shout heard ’round the Twittersphere: The tweet landed them in the rough. The Golf Channel’s hasty retraction … “Our earlier tweet was inappropriate. The intent was to celebrate …
The Tweet Heard ‘Round the World
In preparation for an upcoming show on teen sex and drinking, The Dr. Phil Show posted a question on twitter, asking “If a girl is drunk, is it OK to have sex with her? Reply yes or no to @drphil #teensaccused.” The question was interpreted as a statement, and instead of answers, disapproving tweets circled the twittersphere expressing anger at …
Not READY, AIM, FIRE!
During a tense conference call meant to rally 1,000 employees, AOL Chief Tim Armstrong publically fired the Creative Director of AOL Patch.com, Abel Lenz, as he began to record the meeting, part of Mr. Lenz’s job description. It was a particularly sensitive moment, as the CEO was announcing the reduction of the number of Patch sites in its local news …