When Richard Sherman sealed the Seattle Seahawk’s spot in Super Bowl XLVIII in his game-saving play against the San Francisco 49ers, he also sealed his spot as the sports world’s latest “classless” wonder. His adrenaline and aggression were at an all-time high in a post game interview with … “Well, I’m the best corner in the game! When you try …
Having to Say You’re Sorry
In the past year, Lululemon has been under fire not only for the “sheerness” of its yoga pants, but also for the explanations of the brand’s founder, Chip Wilson. “Yoga pants become see-through when women buy sizes that are too small for them.” Backlash from women all across North America registered shock that a company who promotes “quality is at …
And the Golden Globe goes to …
“The present letter is a very long one, simply because I had no leisure to make it shorter,” wrote Blaise Pascal in 1657. Taking the leisure time BEFORE the announcement in a “what if … I win?” kind of way, paid off at The Golden Globes hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler last weekend, with winners who were …
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 …
Struck Out Swinging
Baseball fans may have believed that steroid use was “a thing of the past.” But Milwaukee Brewers’ Left Fielder Ryan Braun threw them a curve ball when he accepted his 65-game suspension for violating the drug program, forfeiting “nearly half of his $8.5 million salary.” After a failed drug test in 2011, Mr. Braun was linked to an anti-aging clinic …