Thursday, December 31, 2015

What's your New Year reSEOlution? Top pick reSEOlutions tips for 2016; 'Evergreen marketing insighter' ▲▲▲by Gloria Buono-Daly


“The success of a page should be measured by one criteria: Does the visitor do what you want them to do?”
~~Aaron Wall – SEObook.com

You’ve tried several years before but this time, come January 1, your New Year reSEOlution © is to be more SEOrganized © , pay more attention to the detail, save on SEM spending and track those milestones once and for all. According to a recent report by WebStrategies, in 2016, the average firm will allocate 30% of their marketing budget to online, this rate is expected to grow to 35% by 2019 and search engine marketing (SEO & SEM) will capture the largest share of online spend with online display (banner ads, online video, etc.) taking the second largest share. Additionally, social media investments will continue to grow as an overall share of online spend, but will only represent about 15% of the total online spend while mobile marketing has grown to a point that it’s no longer tracked in the forecast and it’s presumed to be considered across all channels.

You’ve been ready since it became popular in 2007 but are so busy that you get off track and end up putting it back in the proverbial rainy-day pile for next quarter. Hundreds of rainy days later and you have no idea what your SEO program is let alone the basic concept of relevant keywording, linkbuilding and the latest, MOBILE tail end phrases.

There are probably hundreds to thousands of FREE SEO tips you can incorporate into your internet marketing program. Although previous years listed the top social as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google and Instagram a recent report by Inc.com indicates the top four as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Yet, according to another reliable source eBiz MBA Guide | December 2014, the top 5 of their top 15 most popular social are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google -- which happen to be the 5 most popular social I use most ( Google it's mostly a combination of blogger, Youtube and Google+). Surprisingly Instagram came in at #7 behind Tumbler their 6th. More is at the eBiz MBA Guide site (see link below in the resources section.

A 2015 report by StronView titled "2015 Marketing Trends Survey" still holds true and reveals that of the total 377 business leaders who participated in the survey 54% (204 out of 377) indicated that their digital marketing budgets particularly email and social media marketing will increase and their traditional marketing budgets will continue to decrease; While 40% indicated their budgets will remain the same. A wealth of information including detail is included on StronView's recent Press Release regarding findings from their Annual Market Trends Survey 2015.

I’ve listed below key tips to help jump-start your 2016 New Year reSEOlution. Along the way, I’ve included a few helpful URLs that will provide you with many more SEO tips to choose from.


1. As always (since my first reSEOlution blog December 31, 2009), review your SEO stats for the past 3 years; This is crucial in order to effectively analyze and incorporate SEO strategies and plans. Make sure your existing marketing program is enhanced with MOBILE and REAL-TIME campaigns and consider the mindset logic that mobile is much different than laptop/desktop, phablet, etc. Create a spreadsheet of your SEO program and include timelines, milestones, language, personas, and other relevant items unique to your product/brand. Make sure you update and review this spreadsheet on a daily to weekly basis and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly; Don’t forget to include ALL CAMPAIGNS and leave plenty of space to add on to as you move down this list

2. Real-time networking will also remain a key element for brands to grow, and Twitter will continue to be critical to the success of a marketing plan. According to a recent Forbes post, Real-Time Marketing Analytics will converge Online and Offline Behavior for Richer Lead Scoring and Nurturing in 2016. Twitter is a key mix in helping marketers track their brand particularly in regards to product awareness, competitors and word of mouth. Also, according to Social Technology Review, since 2011, Twitter users are well educated ... "16%+ of their users hold advanced degrees and 30%+ hold 4-year degrees..." This means Twitterers live in higher income areas and have much higher purchasing power than the other social media.

In regards to branding stratgies, Social Technology Review also reported that Twitter users are +68% more likely to follow brands than the social media platform average (e.g.,Social Technology Review reported that 51% of Twitter users follow brands versus the 16% average from the social media spectrum). Also worth noting, Twitter users are more global than the other social networks, which optimizes international consumer potential at the lowest cost.

3. Mobile HAS WON and Worldwide Digital Marketing has replaced the traditional Digital Marketing arena. According to a recent eMarketer post, Mobile Ad Spend will Top $100 Billion Worldwide in 2016, and will reach a milestone of having more than half (at least 51%) being spent on all digital ad expenditures for the first time. eMarketer also predicts that between 2016 and 2019, the last year mobile ad spending will nearly double, hitting $195.55 billion to account for 70.1% of digital ad spend as well as over one-quarter of total media ad spending globally. Besides optimizing web sites for MOBILE webpages and rankings in SERP – user agents for search and bots should go to the same webpage version. Traffic is important but not if drops in conversion rates continue. Relevant messaging and mobile layouts need to be tailored to customers to create engagement and minimize the risk of higher bounce rates. It is also still important to create a map. Make sure web and mobile have consistent (vertically oriented) navigation especially since MOBILE devices have touchscreens. I’m amazed at how many web sites are not optimizing their site maps; Yes you’ve had a site map since the web site was first created but is it optimized to include relevant keyword descriptions, etc?

4. Incorporate keywords in your anchor text; this can take a very long time to determine and complete depending on how many links are on your web site. You may want to segment and delegate this to several on your team and schedule updates on a regular basis. Depending on your product or service, keywords may need to be revised regularly.

5. Create a schedule for frequency in updating meta tag descriptions regularly; Meta tag description is the snippet that is included with your organic search listing. The more creative and appealing your copy with relevant keywords that match your web site the better chances you have of being indexed more prominently. Review meta tag keywords and make sure a comma is after each keyword and that the max is no more than 250 characters (including spaces); This is a common error that is overlooked, however, this can make or break you organic positioning. Also, don't forget other platforms particular MOBILE. Make sure to incorporate end phrases in mobile campaigns.

6. MARKETING MEMES are integral to spreading word of mouth and increasing brand awareness. Make sure to incorporate hastags, at signs, etc. in every digital marketing platform particularly for Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, etc. Also for websites, review title tags and use 3 to 4 relevant keywords -- repeating them each at least 2X but no more than 3X; Characters should not exceed 150 (including spaces). For example, a jewelry site might have the following title: "AnnHarringtonJewelry.com, discount diamond rings, diamond jewelry, diamond engagement rings, antique jewelry, modern jewelry" – note the web site URL address is 1st, then followed by the use of keywords "diamond" used 3X, "rings" used 2X, and "jewelry" used 3X, all relevant to this web site; All following the SEO industry standard as mentioned in this section (see 1st sentence).

7. Maximize the social networks, e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Equally important is to repeat your posts (e.g., Hoot Suite for repeating Tweets). For more ideas visit these resourceful sites that have plenty of suggestions - seobook.com, searchengineland.com and moz.org (formerly seomoz.org)

8. There is no room for "writer's block" when it comes to blogging. Good web content is more important now than ever before. Make sure to blog regularly and here is a great resource for helping new and experienced bloggers written by David Moth of econsultancy.com titled 14 places to look for blogging inspiration when writer's block strikes.

9. THE AGE OF COGNITIVE COMMERCE IS KEY FOR 2016: An article in Forbes reports that 2016 will be the "age of cognitive commerce" vs. "visual influence" from 2015. A much more deeper level of customer relevancy is required so as to enable marketers to identify patterns to engage consumers. According to many social media periodicals and leading marketers in New York City, Pinterest and Instatram still remain top platforms for lead generation and visual integration. No surprise here that YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Vine will play more prominent roles in digital marketing strategies for brands and products especially as video production and posting videos become more mainstream. However, one of Forbes 2016 predictions is that wearable technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) will pave new ground. This is leading way for virtual and augmented reality including self-driving cars, Facebook's acquisition of Oculus, the Oculus Rift augmented-reality product soon to be launched along with Microsoft's HoloLens and next-generation Google Glass.

10. VIDEO CLOUD and THE AGE OF SOCIAL VIDEO AFICI0NADOS ARE HERE TO STAY: Are you a "social video aficionado?" If you're on FB you definitely are more "videofied" than previous years. Facebook's already doing it for you and the rest of the world for free, with "LookBack" and the latest out just in time for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the New Year with "Your Year." A recent Forbes report titled The Top 7 Online Marketing Trends That Will Dominate 2016 indicates that videos will continue to dominate and apps will gradually replace optimized mobile sites. Although Facebook is winning with Social Videos -- "80 percent said they create videos to keep in touch with friends and family, 72 percent said they use videos as keepsakes ... " according to the Animoto research survey there is an even spread as to where video creators store their videos (who will the new dominant force be for personal video stoage?) -- i.e., 28% of consumers store their photos and videos on their PCs, 21% of consumers store their photos and videos on a USB or external hard drive, and 21% of consumers citing a cloud storage service as the primary place they store their photos and videos.

Brightcove continues to lead the way for powering the Next Generation of Online Video by incorporating HTML5 user interface. Platforms like Video Cloud are key and will enable marketers to expand audience reach, propagate their brand, and engage audiences across devices and platforms.

11. Submit your site to reputable search engines such as Google, Yahoo, DMOZ, Aviva, Business.com, etc.

Remember your "New Year reSEOlution program" is a WIP (work in progress) and the more regularly you review, update and add to your existing SEO program, the more impact your SEO will have to your bottom line.

Wishing you and yours a healthy and prosperous New Year!



Resources (latest trends listed on top)

Mark Zuckerberg Confirms Facebook Has Plans For Augmented Reality, UberGizmo
The Top 7 Online Marketing Trends That Will Dominate 2016, Forbes
MarketWatch 2016 predictions: The six tech trends that will rule, MarketWatch
15 Digital Marketing Trends for 2016 That Could Destroy Your Business, Jeff Bullas,
My Best Posts of 2015|Scott Berkun, ScottBerkun.com
Digital Marketing Trends for 2015
The Importance of Twitter to your Social Media Marketing Strategy
Survey Says Facebook Is Winning Social Video, But A Bigger Trend Looms
eBiz|MBA Guide Top 15 Most Popular Social Networking Sites | December 2014
What Comes Next? 5 Social Media Trends for 2015
Inc. How to Master the 4 Big Social-Media Platforms
10 Digital Marketing Trends for 2015
♦10 interesting digital marketing statistics we've seen this week http://econsultancy.com/blog/64047-10-interesting-digital-marketing-statistics-we-ve-seen-this-week-16
♦10 Simple tips for Effective Mobile SEO, Search Engine Land http://searchengineland.com/10-simple-tips-for-effective-mobile-seo-129100
♦The 3 Worst Ways to use Social Media, Social Media Today http://socialmediatoday.com/fixcourse/793301/3-worst-ways-use-social-media-grow-your-business-and-what-you-should-do-instead#comment-68121
♦5 SEO Tips To Get Mobile Apps Ranked In SERPs, Search Engine Land http://searchengineland.com/5-seo-tips-to-get-mobile-apps-ranked-in-serps-104595




Please bookmark, subscribe and share with your social media and other professional networks. Thanks!

The terms reSEOlution © and SEOrganized © were coined by Gloria Buono-Daly in 2005.

What's your New Year reSEOlution? Top ten reSEOlutions for 2015 is part of the evergreen marketing insighter ▲▲▲ series by Gloria Buono-Daly

Photo above is snapshot of New Year 2015 decorations in New York City with "reSEOlutions" layered over. All photos courtesy of Wikimedia unless otherwise indicated.

This blog has been updated annually to include the latest trends and findings since the original publication on December 31, 2009 on the AllThingsDigitalMarketing "Evergreen Marketing Insighter" blog post.

Please visit this blog frequently and share this with your social media. Thanks.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Happy New Year America!


Click here to enjoy my Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year eCard and "Have a Merry Christmas, Hanukkah and Happy New Year America!"
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Twelve more days until Christmas: Merry Christmas America! Happy New Year too!

Wishing you a very "Charlie Brown Christmas," and The Gift of Silver Bells and Chocolate!



"...When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things -- not the great occasions -- give off the greatest glow of happiness..."
~~ Bob Hope

(May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003)English-born American comedian and actor on Broadway, in vaudeville, movies, television, and radio.

This year, Hanukkah began the evening of Sunday, December 6 and ends the evening of Monday, December 14.

Kwanzaa 2015 begins on Saturday, December 26 and ends on New Year's Day, Friday, January 1.




Like many households during Christmas season, in the center of our table you will find all sorts of desserts --cookies, cakes, Italian pastries, etc.

During the 12 days before Christmas and the 8 lights days of Hanukkah have fun decorating, baking and partying with family and friends.

During the 12 days before Christmas and the 8 lights days of Hanukkah have fun decorating, baking and partying with family and friends.

There are so many other traditions and cultural customs during this festive season. Week-long holiday, Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th through January 1st and symbolizes "fruits of the harvest." Held in the United States since 1966, Kwanzaa honors African heritage in African American culture. Kwanza was created by Maulana Karenga in 1965 and has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). Traditions include baskets full of fruit and gift-giving.

Every once in a while during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I would bring that favorite, rich treat to my family table -- dark, decadent chocolate mousse.



Every once in a while, I would bring that favorite, rich treat -- dark, decadent chocolate mousse.

What makes mousse so unique is the light and airy texture from air bubbles.


Depending on preparation and mix intensity mousse variations range from light and fluffy to creamy and thick and can be sweet, bitter or savory. The great thing about this dessert is the prep time is only six minutes and then all you need do is refrigerate it for an hour.

INGREDIENTS:
[Use numbers in parentheses for larger quantity servings
► 1 (4) teaspoon unflavored gelatin
► 1 (4) tablespoon cold water
► 2 (8) tablespoons boiling water
► 1/2 (4) cup sugar (can substitute with splenda, equal, etc.)
► 1/4 (1) cup cocoa (AT LEAST 60% cocoa concentration for best flavor)
► 1 (4) cup whipping cream (can substitute w yogurt but texture will change
► 1 (4) teaspoon vanilla extract
► chocolate curls

OPTIONAL:
► 2 tablespoons of instant espresso
► Be imaginative. Try something different and share it by commenting on this blog
► I've tried with the usual raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, but also tried cinnamon sticks, walnuts, cranberries, etc.

Step 1 : Gelatin mixture (3 min)
► In a small bowl sprinkle unflavored gelatin over the cold water; let stand 1 minute
►Add the boiling water, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved.


Step 2 : Mousse (3 min)
► In a separate bowl combine the sugar, cocoa, whipping cream, and vanilla; stir to blend
► Beat on medium speed of electric mixer, scraping the bottom of the bowl a few times, until the mixture is stiff
► Add the gelatin mixture and beat until well blended.

Step 3 : Spoon in dish and chill (60 min)
► Spoon the chocolate mousse into dessert dishes or glasses
► Sprinkle mousse with chocolate curls, if desired
►Chill for at least 1 hour before serving makes eight 6oz servings (parenthesis numbers make up to 32 6oz servings


Total time - 1 Hour and 6 Minutes


Click this link to view my eCard and "Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!"

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Happy 200th B-Day to world’s first known computer programmer, Ada Lovelace (b. December 10, 1815) ▲ ▲ ▲
'evergreen marketing insighter' by Gloria Buono-Daly

The analytical engine weaves algebraic equations just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves.”
~~ Ada Lovelace

from notes on Menabrae’s Memoir on the Analytic Engine, 1843

Did you know that the world's first known computer programmer and the founder of computer science was a woman?

IT LEADERSHIP GAP IN POSITIONS FOR WOMEN

In memory of Ada Lovelace, let's celebrate women in math and science. To think even with all the progress women have made and in our world of digital, it's so hard to imagine the first geek was a female, way back in the mid 1800s yet men represent 91% of senior IT management positions.

According to Judith Warner, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress women hold only 9 percent of IT management positions and account for only 14 percent of senior management positions at Silicon Valley startups (as of March 2014).

According to a CNN analysis, "Still Missing: Female Business Leaders," (3/2015) "Only 14.2% of the top five leadership positions at the companies in the S&P 500 are held by women..."


MORE ABOUT ADA LOVELACE
A Big Happy 200th B-Day to Ada Lovelace (10 December 1815 – 27 November 1852). Ada was an English mathematician and writer chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the analytical engine. Her notes on the engine include what is recognized as the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine; thanks to this, she is sometimes considered the world's first computer programmer, founder and prophet of scientific computing and enchantress of numbers.


ADA LOVELACE EXCERPTS FROM WIKIPEDIA
As a young adult, she took an interest in mathematics, and in particular Babbage's work on the analytical engine. Between 1842 and 1843, she translated an article by Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea on the engine, which she supplemented with a set of notes of her own. These notes contain what is considered the first computer program — that is, an algorithm encoded for processing by a machine.

Born Augusta “Ada” Byron on December 10, 1815 to poet George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, and his wife, Anne Isabella "Annabella" Milbanke, Baroness Byron. Byron, and many of those who knew Byron, expected that the baby would be "the glorious boy", and there was some disappointment at the contrary news. As a child, Ada was often ill and when she was eight, she experienced headaches that obscured her vision. She became paralysed in June 1829, from the measles. She was subjected to continuous bed rest and by 1831 she was able to walk with crutches.
At the age of 17 her remarkable mathematical abilities began to emerge, and her interest in mathematics dominated the majority of her adult life.


In a letter to Lady Byron, De Morgan suggested that her daughter's skill in mathematics could lead her to become "an original mathematical investigator, perhaps of first-rate eminence.

On 8 July 1835 she married William King, 8th Baron King, becoming Baroness King. They had three children; Byron born 12 May 1836, Anne Isabella (called Annabella, later Lady Anne Blunt) born 22 September 1837 and Ralph Gordon born 2 July 1839. Immediately after the birth of Annabella, Lady King experienced "a tedious and suffering illness, which took months to cure". In 1838, her husband was created Earl of Lovelace. Thus, she was styled "The Right Honorable the Countess of Lovelace" for most of her married life.

The computer language Ada, created on behalf of the United States Department of Defense, was named after Ada Lovelace. The reference manual for the language was approved on 10 December 1980, and the Department of Defense Military Standard for the language, "MIL-STD-1815", was given the number of the year of her birth. Since 1998, the British Computer Society has awarded a medal in her name and in 2008 initiated an annual competition for women students of computer science.



All photos courtesy of Wikimedia unless otherwise indicated.


Additional resources:
Women's Leadership Gap (PDF Report as of March 7, 2014), Center for American Progress
Google Doodle celebrates Ada Lovelace Washington Post
The Babbage Engine, Computer History
Ada Lovelace, World's First Computer Programmer, Celebrated With Google Doodle, Huffington Post
Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace, SDSC


Please visit this blog frequently and share this with your social media. Thanks.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy 394th Thanksgiving America! November 26, 2015 - Collage of Google Thanksgiving Doodles Over the Years


"My cooking is so bad my kids thought Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor."
~~ Phyllis Diller, American stand-up comedienne, actress, voice artist, and comedienne, best known for her eccentric stage persona and her wild hair and clothes.(b. July 17, 1917 – d. August 20, 2012)


Happy 394th Thanksgiving Day America!

Thanksgiving, referred to by many Americans as "First Thanksgiving" was originally celebrated by the Pilgrims and Colonists after their first harvest in the New World in the year 1621 when they invited the Wamponaog Indians to their autumn harvest feast.
Photo above right of a food decoration for Erntedankfest, a Christian Thanksgiving harvest festival celebrated in Germany courtesy of Wikimedia.org.

AllThingsDigitalMarketing blog would not stand to it's allthingsdigitalmarketing motif without a collage of "Thanksgiving Google Doodles" past and analysis of Google's basic design structure over the years. Besides the Google logo differentiating itself from the other search engines (e.g., Yahoo, Lycos, HotBot, etc.) it symbolizes uniqueness and mold-breaking vision. Below are Google's Thanksgiving doodles from the very first doodle in 1998 through present. (This collage will be updated with the most current Google doodle asap, so bookmark and visit frequently).


The very first Thanksgiving doodle was posted in 1998 (see collage above, lower right). Note how the clean, conservative signature Google logo design breaks all the conventional rules of branding and logo design. Ruth Kedar, graphic designer of Google's doodle, created one of the most recognizable logos (within a few years, Google's logo became as popular as NBC proud peacock and the CBS eye, also known as the "Tiffany Network"). Below are examples of standard branding rules Kedar obviously ignored:
        •   Don't incorporate more than 2 bold colors (Google uses 4 bold colors, playing with colors created a very child-like, playful yet bold design);
        •   Never over-kern letters (Google has excessive, uneven spacing in-between letters. Even though they have made a few changes (the latest in May 2014) the spacing is way off and obvious to the naked eye);
        •   Stay away from simple, elementary fonts (The original choice was the world's most popular typeface -- "Times Roman;" However Google's simple, chisel-style "Catull" typeface was selected for the subtle, sophisticated sans-serif design which incorporated old world writing style (e.g.,chisel and quill) with new age digital.

Google signature brand elements remained unchanged for the first Thanksgiving doodle (1998) with the exception of an exclamation mark and cartoon-like turkey, respectively at the very end of the word Google.

From a market branding perspective, Google doodles illustrate how breaking rules can be very effective -- violating traditional guidelines of logo brand management yet not minimizing Google brand equity. Interestingly, Google's Thanksgiving doodles gradually integrate design motifs within the Google letters (e.g., doodles from 1999 through 2002).

Beginning with 2003 to the present, Google doodle design integration spread to multiple letters with some doodles entirely replacing actual letters -- particularly with the 2008 cornucopia and in 2010 Google doodle's entire letters were replaced with food servings from the design by Food Network's Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.


Can you think of other brands who have broken the rules with their logos and still maintained their brand?

Do you think breaking the rules for logos would work for other brands.

The 2015 Thanksgiving Google doodle is not animated. Here's the 2014 animated Thanksgiving doodle. Isn't is adorable? Enjoy!

To view the 2013 animated Thanksgiving doodle, click here!


Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. Although Thanksgiving is celebrated by many in religion and cultural traditions, it is also a world-wide (non-religious) celebration.
Photo right miniature pumpkins by Gloria Buono-Daly (taken at Stew Leonards, Yonkers, NY, October 2013).

Our 16th President of the U.S.A., Abraham Lincoln, declared Thanksgiving Day a national holiday to be held annually in November during the Civil War (1863). Although New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday in 1817.

Not surprising, many Native Americans as well as other individuals disagree with the way Thanksgiving is mentioned historically particularly in text books, school classrooms and other periodicals. They believe millions of deaths resulted from the long and bloody war between Native Americans and European settlers and call Thanksgiving a "day of mourning." A History.com posting, reports that since 1970, protesters have gathered on Thanksgiving Day at the top of Cole’s Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Rock, to commemorate a “National Day of Mourning.” Similar events are held in other parts of the country.

Photo below left of Black Friday sale courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.
This Thanksgiving for sure many will eat, drink, and sleep while others will shop till they drop for many things especially electronics, smart phones and iPhones.
Samsung usually advertises their new products and for sure many will consider the latest Samsung Notebook 4 (released in mid October).

So be on the lookout for discounts if you are interested. Not surprising, iPhones will not have discounts.

Phone companies offer no-finance monthly plans with a slight discount if you lock yourself into a 2 year plan. Since many are not opting for cell phone lock-ins, you may find great deals for comparative, non-Apple products.

What will you be doing this Thanksgiving Day?

If you plan on being in New York City, there's always the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, this is the 89th year.

This year, there are many performers including Mariah Carey, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, and Trey Songz. Click here to view the complete line-up for this year.

There are plenty of things to do on Thanksgiving -- see links below in the "Resources" section.

Thanksgiving Day (Jour de l'Action de grâce in Canadian French) is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations.

Resources:

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2014 R, TimeOut
NEEDTOBREATHE to Play at 88th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade , Urban Christian News
Ruth Kedar On Designing the Google Logo Google BlogoScoped
10 Reasons Not To Spend Thanksgiving with your Family, Babble by Disney
5 Tips for Viewing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade , LuxeAdventureTraveler
How to do Thanksgiving without Family, Elephant


Please remember to check out the links in the resource section above and share this on your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks you enjoy! Thanks!

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org unless otherwise indicated.


Visiting this blog frequently and sharing this with your social media and professional network is much appreciated. Thanks.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Happy Veterans Day America, November 11, 2015 and Thank You Veterans and Families


Happy Veterans Day America!

Veterans Day honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th.

Veterans Day coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Thank you to all of our Veterans and families.

The United States originally observed Armistice Day and it was renamed to Veterans Day holiday in 1954.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day as November 11, 1919.

Seven years later, the United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution (June 4, 1926), and requested that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11th.
Photo right of soldier with folded American flag courtesy of wikimedia.



I was fortunate to receive this interesting article from one of my dearest cousins about my late father and his 3 brothers(total 7 brothers, 1 sister) who served during World War II.

Coincidentally, major hostilities of World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.


Do you plan on doing anything this Veterans Day?


Many celebrate with family and friends, and there are so many special ways to celebrate.

For example, sharing photos of loved ones who have served in the armed forces (I've just done that via the photo above), posting to your social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, blogs, etc. Also the traditional VD Parades, especially in New York City.
Photo below right of bald eagle courtesy of wikimedia.

Parades are wonderful especially for children. Being creative with children is also an excellent way to help them learn about history and Veterans Day. Have them read various periodicals (e.g., books, newspapers, magazines, internet, photos of soldiers, etc.) and ask them to draw pictures of various images that remind them of Veterans Day such as our American flag, relatives in uniform, Veterans Day Memorials, and our national emblem, the bald eagle. And you can also enjoy the parade at home with family by watching it on TV ~ America's Parade to Air on PIX11 .

If you happen to be in New York City, there's always the Veterans Day Parade, this year, the theme is “Honor and Remember, Home of the Brave” commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II and the 25th Anniversary of Desert Shield. Organized in New York since 1929 by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC) this parade is the largest Veterans Day event in the nation with over 25,000 parade participants, and this year marks the 85th year.



The wreath laying ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Eternal Flame in Madison Square Park (located in the Flat Iron district of New York City) and the parade begins at 11:25 a.m. and ends 3:30 p.m.


Photo below left of Aviation High School at Madison Square Park during the NYC Veterans Day Parade courtesy of wikimedia.


The parade goes up Fifth Avenue, from 26th to 52nd Street. The route is 1.3 miles (approx. a 35 minute walk).

The United States Navy is this year’s featured military branch. The Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard are also represented.

If you can't be there, you can still see the parade live at PIX11 ~ America's Parade to Air on PIX11



Resources:
▼   Visit this link and share the 2015 Veterans Day Teaser Poster http://americasparade.org/share-the-2015-teaser-poster/
▼   America's Parade to Air on PIX11 http://americasparade.org/pix11-to-air-americas-parade/
▼   Veterans Day 2014: Deals on meals for military personnel, New York Daily News,
▼   Veterans Day Parade in New York City,About Travel,
▼   America's Parade in New York City,About Travel
▼   Veterans Day Parade information on Wikipedia
▼   Office of Public Affairs http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

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Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy 104th Halloween America ▲ Pick a Witch with Google's Doodle



"Double, double toil and trouble;
fire burn and cauldron bubble."

~~ William Shakespeare, “Macbeth, 1611

English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". (1564-1616)






















Google Doodle celebrates Halloween with the Global Candy Cup 2015 interactive contest doodle.

Red witch, green witch, yellow witch, blue witch ~ Are you a blue, red, yellow or green witch? Pick a Witch with Google's Halloween Candy Cup Contest doodle and BoooOooH ha ha ha to witches and broomsticks :)

The "Choose a team and grab that candy" Google Doodle is a global interactive competition of four witches who race to collect the most candy before the end of Halloween. Pick a witch and keep playing throughout the day to add to your team’s score. Only one team will go home with the Cup — will it be yours?

You can concoct your own witches brew potion with this innovative witches brew interactive doodle.

Using combinations of apple, bone, skull or tonic by clicking on the icon will stir up different witch brews.

Are you a kind sparkling, good witch or a mean green, bad witch?

Much more than a just a Google doodle, today many internet surfers enjoyed spooky, interactive, search results instead of Google’s customary and “I’m Feeling Lucky” search options.

Fifteen Halloween's ago, Google posted it's very first Halloween Google Doodle.

Photo right, screen capture of Google's first Halloween Doodle, October 31, 1999.

Internationally, Halloween's first celebration traces back to 1895 in Scotland and for North America the first Halloween was celebrated in 1911.




































Enjoy this collage of Halloween Google Doodles above or to experience Google Doodles of Halloween's past, visit the following links:

Halloween Global Candy Cup 2015
Favorite Monsters Google Doodle 2014
Google Halloween 2013 doodle.
Google Halloween 2012 doodle
Google's 2011 carving pumpkin doodle celebrating 100 Halloween years
Google Halloween 2010 doodle
Google Halloween 2009 doodle
Google Halloween 2008 doodle
Google Halloween 2007 doodle
Google Halloween 2006 doodle
Google Halloween 2005 doodle
Google Halloween 2004 doodle
Google Halloween 2003 doodle
Google Halloween 2002 doodle
Google Halloween 2001 doodle
Google Halloween 2000 doodle
Google Halloween 1999 doodle

Happy Halloween to you and yours!



What do you think of Google’s Halloween doodle today?

ABOUT HALLOWEEN AND HISTORY

Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of "All Hallows' Evening"), also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows (or All Saints) and the day initiating the triduum of Hallowmas.

Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" refers to "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given.

According to Frank Leslie's popular monthly, (Volume 40, November 1895, p. 540-543) in Scotland and Ireland, guising – children disguised in costume going from door to door for food or coins – is a traditional Halloween custom, and was recorded in Scotland at Halloween as far back as 1895 where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visited homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit and money.

The practice of Guising at Halloween in North America was first recorded in 1911, where a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario reported children going "guising" around the neighborhood was first noted by Rogers, Nicholas, "Coming Over: Halloween in North America". Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night. p.76. Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 0-19-514691-3.

American historian and author Ruth Edna Kelley of Massachusetts wrote the first book length history of Halloween in the US; The Book of Hallowe'en (1919), and references souling in the chapter "Hallowe'en in America":

"The taste in Hallowe'en festivities now is to study old traditions, and hold a Scotch party, using Burn's poem Hallowe'en as a guide; or to go a-souling as the English used. In short, no custom that was once honored at Hallowe'en is out of fashion now."

OTHER RESOURCES

▲ Google's Halloween doodle turns you into a witch, CNET, http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57610125-93/googles-halloween-doodle-turns-you-into-a-witch/
▲ The wizards behind Google's doodles, CNET, http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57573307-93/the-wizards-behind-googles-doodles/
▲ Halloween witch: The real history behind Google's doodle, The Christian Monitor, http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2013/1031/Halloween-witch-The-real-history-behind-Google-s-doodle
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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health hosts 21st annual black tie & sneakers gala in NYC


     “Our 21st annual gala is a milestone occasion and we are honored to celebrate it by honoring the legacy of our founder Arthur Ashe - the late tennis champion and humanitarian.
      Like Arthur, each of our honorees is a trailblazer and they exemplify his commitment to making the world a healthier and more equitable place.”
~~ Ruth C. Browne, SD, MPP, MPH, CEO of The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health.

"See what you missed" photos of The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health have been uploaded onto FACEBOOK. Enjoy!

The "see what you missed" video of the event is up and running on Youtube. Enjoy!


Photo below L-R, Susan Lucci, Tim Morehouse; Courtesy James Grant Public Relations (JGPR)
The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health hosted its 21st annual black tie & sneakers gala on Wednesday, October 21st at Guastavino's, 409 East 59th Street in New York City.

The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health honored:


Susan Lucci, star of “Devious Maids,” Emmy® award-winner for “All My Children,” New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur.
Tim Morehouse, Olympic Medalist in Fencing, and Founder, Fencing in the Schools.
Dr. Gary A. Puckrein, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Minority Quality Forum.
Ivan D. Smith, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.
Dr. John F. Williams, President, SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
AstraZeneca, a biopharmaceutical company honored for their global commitment to health and well-being.

The gala was hosted by Cheryl Wills, award-winning NY1 News Anchor and best-selling author, and by Dean Meminger, NY1 News Reporter.

VIP attendees included: Ruth C. Browne, CEO of The Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health; Susan Lucci, Emmy® Award-winning star of the hit series “Devious Maids” (which was just renewed for Season #4), host of Deadly Affairs, and New York Times best-selling author; Tim Morehouse, U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist, Fencing, CEO & Founder, Fencing in the Schools; Dr. Gary A. Puckrein, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Minority Quality Forum; Ivan D. Smith, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP; Dr. John F. Williams, President, SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Prince Amukamara, NFL Cornerback for the New York Giants; Steve Weatherford, former Punter for the New York Giants; Liza Huber, Founder & CEO of Sage Spoonfuls; Rich “Big Daddy” Salgado, President of Coastal Advisors LLC, and Fayrene May; Cal Ramsey, former NBA Small Forward for the New York Knicks; Kym Hampton, former WNBA Center for the New York Liberty; Mike Woods, Meteorologist, Fox 5’s “Good Day New York,” and People Magazine’s “Sexiest Anchor Alive;” Cheryl Wills, award-winning NY1 News Anchor and best-selling author; Dean Meminger, NY1 News Host; Walter T. Mosley, New York State Assemblyman; Rachael Kun Morehouse, Six-time Emmy® Award- winning Associate Producer, CBS News “60 Minutes”.

About The Event

The funds raised at Sports Ball support the Institute’s innovative community health education programs and research initiatives.  Arthur Ashe founded the Institute in 1992, in partnership with SUNY Downstate Medical Center, just two months before his death from AIDS and in response to the disproportionate amount of illness and death in urban communities from preventable causes.  Arthur knew that many diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, are the result of inadequate health care delivery, late detection and insufficient health education. Leading sponsors for Sports Ball 2015 included American Benefits Consulting, American Express, AstraZeneca, BET, BMW, BNY Mellon, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Gilead Sciences, GNYHA Ventures, Healthfirst, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Korn Ferry, Macy’s, Maimonides Medical Center, MetLife, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, USTA, Vladeck Raskin & Clark PC and Wyckoff Medical Center. Each guest received a pair of Reebok sneakers compliments of the Institute. The evening included interactive games, dinner, dancing, entertainment, an awards ceremony, and a silent auction.

For media information about the Sportsball or the important ongoing work and programs the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health provides, please contact Paul Nugent or Matt Flynn at JGPR: paul@jamesgrantpr.com, matt@jamesgrantpr.com  or (917) 626-1300.

JGPR- James Grant Public Relations provides marketing, publicity, and press for clients who are serious about strategizing and targeting mainstream media. The company currently has clients based in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and other cities. Whether it is a global corporation, film studio, national non-profit organization, personality, awards gala or an A-List charity event, JGPR specializes in getting the message out effectively to television, online and social media, print, and radio. We exclusively tailor a specific tactical blueprint for each client in order to achieve their marketing and media objectives. JamesGrantPR on Facebook, JamesGrantPR on Twitter, JamesGrantPR on YouTube.

The “See What You Missed” video of the event will be here soon so stay tuned. Watch, see what you missed and please share with your social media and professional networks. Thanks.

Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, James Grant PR, Susan Lucci, Cheryl Wills NY1, Mike Woods – Meteorologist & Reporter, Dean Meminger, Health and Wellness,

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Happy 164th to Herman Melville’s classic Moby Dick



“There she blows!-there she blows! A hump like a snow-hill! It is Moby Dick!”
~~ Herman Melville, American author, quote taken from his book, Moby Dick, chapter 133: The Chase -- First Day (b. August 1, 1819 – d. September 28, 1891)


Hard to believe, Herman Melville’s classic, "Moby Dick," was not well received 164 years ago (1851) by British reviewers and bombed big time. Who would think that it was a native New Yorker author, Herman Melville coined "There she blows ~ There she blows ..." Image above screenshot taken from Google doodle, celebrating Moby Dick's 161st as posted on October 18, 2012 at Google.com.

Classified as American Romanticism, in Britain it was first published by Richard Bentley in London on October 18, 1851 and on November 14, 1851 in the U.S.

"Moby Dick" sold only 500 copies in the United Kingdom, compared to 6,700 for Melville's first book, "Typee."

According to The Christian Science Monitor“shortly after Melville's death in 1891, his publisher reprinted several of his novels, including "Moby Dick."

These new editions excited New York's literary scene. Like long-smoldering embers, this underground movement kept Melville's name alive.

Eventually, the flame spread. So much discussion surrounded "Moby Dick" that many people gave the book a second chance.”






Other Resources
The Christian Science Monitor, Herman Melville books: At first, 'Moby Dick' was a total flop
Moby Dick on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby-Dick

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

Saturday Night Live reaches "over the hill" status: Premiered 40 years ago today (10/11/15) HAPPY 40TH SNL


"Talk about a live show! It's nice to see you, welcome, and thanks for joining us -- live. I’m kinda glad that we’re on at night so that we’re not competing with all the football and baseball games. So many man … Football represents something we are. We are Europe Junior....What was the Europe Game?.... Let's take their land away from them...Football is a ground acquisition game... " ~~ George Carlin, (5/12/37 – 6/22/08) Comedy Icon, activist, actor, and author. Quote from opening line of George Carlin where he hosted the first “Saturday Night Live,” broadcast 10/11/1975. Photo SNL information courtesy of Wikipedia.org; Video below embedded from hulu; SNL 1st Season, 1st Episode; Video George Carlin opening skit, http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/george-carlin-monologue-1/n8596; SNL monologue script at http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75a.phtml
First SNL broadcast, 10/11/75, featuring first host, George Carlin video



Happy 40th SNL! SNL may be over the hill but this skit-driven variety show is still going strong 40 years later making live audiences and TV viewers laugh hard as ever. American late-night live TV sketch comedy/variety, SNL, premiered 40 years ago (10/11/75) on NBC.

Originally called "Saturday Night, the opening sketch roughly 5 minutes begins with a special celebrity guest host performing and ends with the signature catchphrase, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!

Wolverines segment with John Belushi, aired 10/11/1975


Created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Eberson, SNL is one of the longest-running network television programs in the United States. The show is broadcast from Studio 8H at NBC's headquarters in the Comcast Building.


In 1977 the show changed its name to Saturday Night Live (apparently there was a name conflict "Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell" which debuted on ABC 9/20/75, was cancelled two months later).

Performed live in front of a studio audience, SNL immediately established a reputation for being cutting-edge and unpredictable. It became a vehicle for launching the careers of some of the most successful comedians in the United States.

Throughout four decades on air, Saturday Night Live has received a number of awards, including 36 Primetime Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and three Writers Guild of America Awards. In 2000, it was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

It was ranked tenth in TV Guide‍‍ '​‍s "50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time" list, and in 2007 it was listed as one of Time magazine's "100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME". As of 2012, it has received 156 Emmy nominations, the most received by any TV show. The live aspect of the show has resulted in several controversies and acts of censorship, with mistakes and intentional acts of sabotage by performers as well as guests.


RESOURCES
▲   First season of SNL, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live_(season_1)
▲   Tickets to see SNL, http://www.nbc.com/tickets-and-nbc-studio-tour
▲   SNL Season 1, Episode 1, http://www.tv.com/shows/saturday-night-live/george-carlin-janis-ian-and-billy-preston-98658/
▲   SNL on Wikipedia,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live
▲   SCHILLER'S REEL, "Don't Look Back In Anger" skit with John Belushi, https://screen.yahoo.com/dont-look-back-anger-000000945.html
▲   28 'SNL' catchphrases that have kept us laughing for 40 years, Mashable, http://mashable.com/2015/02/13/snl-catchphrases/#1y.mCQ_Id5qC
▲   The 35 best SNL Skits of All Time, HuffPost, http://www.aoltv.com/2010/10/14/best-saturday-night-live-skits/
▲   The Killer Bees: Home Invasion, NBC, http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/the-killer-bees/n8622
▲   SNL 1st Season, 1st Episode, George Carlin Monologue on NBC video link at http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/george-carlin-monologue-1/n8596;



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Friday, October 2, 2015

Happy 65th BDay Peanuts: Did you know that Americas most beloved, pop culture comic strip turns 65 today? October 2, 1950


“My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right?” ~~ Charles M. Schulz, aka “Sparky, most influential “American cartoonist, “Peanuts” creator, Charlie Brown protagonist, based on his life as a child.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org
Sixty five years ago today, "Peanuts," known by many as the most influential popular culture comic strip, premiered (October 2, 1950), in nine newspapers:

The Washington Post,
The Chicago Tribune,
The Minneapolis Tribune,
The Allentown Call-Chronicle,
The Bethlehem Globe-Times,
The Denver Post,
The Seattle Times,
The New York World-Telegram & Sun,
and The Boston Globe.
Trials, tribulations and life lessons of 8-year-old Charlie Brown with subtle racial and gender equality issues, and dashes of politics were celebrated throughout this cherished, American comic series which appeared in print for over five decades, and quickly finding the way to TV, Theater, Film and later on, Digital.

Originally a daily comic strip -- the first strip was only four panels long.

Charlie Brown is shown walking by two other friends, Shermy and Patty. Shermy greets Charlie Brown as he walks by, but then tells Patty how he “hates him.”
Photo of first comic strip above, courtesy of Wikimedia.org


This marked the ultimate precedent -- the first time ever (1950s) where comic strips depicted a child expressing hatred for others.

Another early famous character in the strip, Snoopy, Charlie Brown's pet dog with uncanny mind abilities, first appeared in the third strip, which ran on October 4.

The first Peanut Sunday strip appeared January 6, 1952, in the half-page format.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org

The final daily original Peanuts comic strip was published on January 3, 2000.


The last Peanuts strip to run in papers was on February 13, 2000, the day following Schulz's passing.

The strip began with Charlie Brown answering the phone with someone on the end presumably asking for Snoopy.

Charlie Brown was the only character to appear in both the first strip in 1950 and the last in 2000.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first prime-time animated TV special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It was produced and directed by former Warner Bros. and UPA animator Bill Melendez, who also supplied the voice for the character of Snoopy.

Initially sponsored by Coca-Cola, the special debuted on CBS in 1965, and has been aired in the USA during the Christmas season every year since -- on CBS through 2000, and on ABC since 2001.

The story touches on the over-commercialization and secularism of Christmas, and serves to remind viewers of the true meaning of Christmas (the birth of Jesus Christ).

Today the animated Christmas special is shown at least twice during the weeks leading up to Christmas. The special has been honored with both an Emmy and Peabody Award.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org
RESOURCES
▲   Peanuts Official Web Site http://www.peanuts.com/
▲   Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz Museum, History of Peanuts, http://www.peanuts.com/museum/
▲   Charlie Brown on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Brown



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