AllThingsDigitalMarketing Blog

Some SUPERBOWL Ad Resources 2012

2012-02-06T03:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a listing of some interesting sites about Superbowl XLVI ads. Best to copy/paste than to click on link. Enjoy the game. I'm looking forward to viewing this years ads - although we all saw them in advance thanks to digital! As in last year, my favorite is still E-Trade Baby commercials.

-E-Trade BABY Superbowl Commercial 2012 "Speed Dating Baby" - baby giving dad sound financial advice! Great takeaway - babies are smarter than one thinks! LOL http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/05/e-trade-baby-super-bowl-commercial-2012_n_1255353.html
-10 BEST SUPERBOWL COMMERCIALS http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/14261.html-Examiner.com, Best Picks - http://www.examiner.com/commercials-in-national/2011-super-bow-commercials-the-best-picks
- Super Bowl Ads 2012: Here Are The Winners And Losers http://www.businessinsider.com/super-bowl-ads-2012-here-are-the-winners-and-losers-2012-2
-Examiner.com, Super Bowl ads: the definitive top 10 listing of the top 10 lists http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-los-angeles/the-top-10-list-of-super-bowl-ad-top-10-lists

Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg Salary Trumps CEO Mark Zuckerberg

2012-02-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

"The most important career choice you'll make is who you marry."
-- Sheryl Sandberg

Two weeks ago, I was singing "At Last," in memory of the greatest woman's voice who ever lived, Etta James. (Incidentally, this was the song to our first dance at our wedding.)

Today it's "At Last," the highest paid employee at a major corporation, Facebook, is a woman! Second in command, Sheryl Sandberg could become one of the wealthiest self-made women in the world once the company goes public. According to Claudine Zap at Yahoo Shine, "Her salary and stock awards last year were $30.87 million."

According to Facebook's S-1 filing with the SEC on Wednesday, January 31st, Sandberg got $295,833 in salary plus a bonus of $85,133 and stock awards worth $30,491,613 which trumps the $1.49 million that CEO Mark Zuckerberg received (consisting of a salary of$483,333 plus a $220,500 bonus and “other compensation” worth $783,529).

When Facebook goes public Sandberg will become a billionaire; Yet she admits that she can't succeed alone. "We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored." said Sandberg in a commencement address to Barnard College graduates.

More information at the following links:

Meet Sheryl Sandberg: Facebook's Highest-Paid Employee by Claudine Zap, Yahoo Shine, Work + Money http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/meet-sheryl-sandberg-facebooks-highest-paid-employee-203400199.html

WEDDINGS/CELEBRATIONS; Sheryl Sandberg, David Goldberg, April 18, 2004
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/18/style/weddings-celebrations-sheryl-sandberg-david-goldberg.html

Sheryl Sandberg’s Tips that Every Professional Woman Should Hear By Kailei R., Vyne World, Career, Phenomenal Women
http://www.vyneworld.com/2011/12/03/sheryl-sandbergs-tips-that-every-professional-woman-should-hear/

Sheryl Sandberg Was Facebook’s Best-Paid Employee in 2011
http://mashable.com/2012/02/01/facebook-compensation/

NYCapartmentsKD.com Testimonial Video is Finally Here! Yeah, Hoorah!

2012-01-23T16:19:00.000-08:00

Horrah, it's finally here. Our latest and greatest testimonial video all about Kevin Daly, NYS Licensed Real Estate Agent and top performing sales rental agent in NYC. Enjoy this video and see for yourself why Kevin is the consummate professional. His honesty, integrity and dedication to his work is why we keep on getting returning clients. Enjoy and feel free to post your comment. Thanks much.

Happy 90th Pre-B-Day to America's Goldest Sweetheart, Betty White: Born January 17, 2012 ninety years ago! Is 90 really the NEW 60?

2012-01-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, January 17th, America's "GOLDEST" Sweetheart, Betty White, will turn 90 years young. Born Betty Marion White in Oak Park, Illinois on January 17, 1922 -- Betty White is truly "All Things Happening!" Thanks to White, 2012 will prove to be the Year of "America's Greatest, Goldest Sweetheart!" Happy 90th B-DAY again to Betty White -- American actress, comedienne, singer, author, television personality, professional, entrepreneur, etc.

Ninety is indeed the new sixty in all respects for White. What began in the year 1952 was filled with whirlwinds of events that would call for sixtieth anniversary celebrations for White in the year 2012.

Sixty years ago, White (then 30 years old) became an entrepreneur, co-founding Bandy Productions with writer George Tibbles, who wrote every episode of "Life With Elizabeth" and Don Fedderson, a producer.

It was 60 amazing years ago that White had the starring role in "Life With Elizabeth" where she earned her first of six Emmy Awards. The low-budget comedy was produced by and filmed at a local Los Angeles TV station where White and Moore were on the staff (the series was originally a live production on KLAC-TV in 1952). George Tibbles wrote every episode of the series.

Sixty years ago White not only became known as a famous TV Star -- the year 2012 we celebrate White's 60th anniversary of her first commercial TV appearance -- all this while having her very own Radio Show,"The Betty White Show," all this while being a 30 year old in the year 1952!

Over the course of her 70+ year career, working with 200+ leading actors, and 75+ films, White has won seven Emmy Awards (six for acting) and has received 20 Emmy nominations, including being the first woman ever to receive an Emmy for game show hosting (for the short-lived Just Men!). White is still the only female to have an Emmy in all female performing comedic categories. In May 2010, White became the oldest person to guest-host Saturday Night Live, for which she also received a Primetime Emmy Award.

And where does she go from here? Obviously, not just a 90th B-Day celebration that's for sure. On the day before her 90th birthday (January 16th), we can all watch a special preview of Betty White's "Off Their Rockers" (Monday, January 16th 9:30/8:30c at 9:30pm/8:30pm central time) where White and a team of senior citizens pull hidden camera pranks.

So tell me, if you had one question to ask White what would it be? Here's the question I'd ask:
"How does it feel to be young at 90 and have your very own brand new TV show?" Then I would thank her for all she does and for making 90 the new 60 and 60 the new 30! Please share what you would ask Betty in the comments section below. Thanks.

More resources about this amazing and legendary actress can be found at the following links below (my favorite is the video of her singing):

Betty White Leads Saturday Night Live to Monster Ratings
Betty White Filmography
Betty White on Wikepedia
Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Betty White's Young Fans Give Her "SNL" Boost
Betty White Nude Photos Confirm White Is Awesome
Hot Dogs, Potatoes Keep Betty White Young - Video Dailymotion
Betty White Says Her Love of Animals Helps Her Stay Young and Healthy
Betty White sings the 1954 pop ballad 'Nevertheless"

Survival of the Digitalest?" Are we really living in an age of Digital Darwinism?

2011-12-31T20:44:00.000-08:00

"There is no spirit-driven life force, no throbbing, heaving, pullulating, protoplasmic, mystic jelly. Life is just bytes and bytes and bytes of digital information."
-- Richard Dawkins, British evolutionary biologist, science author, TV/Radio personality

For all you digital diggers out there, check out this great article by Brian Solis. Indeed technology is creating deeper connections between brands and consumers and people.

Read and see for yourself if you agree that we really are in an age of Digital Darwinism.

Wishing you all an enjoyable, believeable, and DIGITALLY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Digitally yours,
The team at AllThingsDigitalMarketing

Will Dance For Food Benefit - December 11, 2011: See some of what you missed!

2011-12-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

"some eat and sleep dance, so others can eat and sleep..." -- Will Dance for Food 6th Annual Dance Showcase.

I am so proud of my niece, Mariel, for being a part of the amazing charitable event, it's 6th Annual Dance Showcase, "Will Dance For Food."

I was so excited to see her be a part of this worthy event and she was so happy to be a part of this wonderful experience to help those in need.

It is said that dancing comes from the heart, and indeed it does.

Seeing my niece appear and perform on stage with Mr. Robert Taylor, Jr. of "So You Think You Can Dance" group was truly a moment I will cherish.

It was so wonderful for everyone but I was especially proud and impressed to see her be a part of this amazing event -- it brought tears to my eyes,

I adore her not only because she is a beautiful niece but for her kindness and consideration for others and for her love and appreciation of the arts.

My hope is that all those dedicated artists who eat, sleep and dance so others can eat and sleep continue doing so that someday there will be an end to all this hunger and homelessness!

A full house auience woooooohoooooed the spectacular dancers at the 6th Annual Dance Showcase "Will Dance for Food" Benefit today at The Mary Lou Meese Theatre, Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY.

The dancers represent the best of the most talented Westchesterites and were members of various dance studios throughout Westchester County. Also appearing was special guest Mr. Robert Taylor, Jr. "So You Think You Can Dance" luminary.

The Will Dance for Food performance on Sunday, December 11, 2011 was dedicated to Rosa W. Boone-Morgan, former director of The Westchester Coalition for the Hungry & Homeless, Inc.

Enjoy these "see some what you missed" videos:

Special Guest, Robert Taylor Jr. - Break it Down

FINALE - Groove is in the Heart - The Final Bows

The Will Dance for Food benefit aims to raise awareness and funds for the poor, hungry and homeless.

For more information visit www.foodclothingshelter.org

"some eat and sleep dance, so others can eat and sleep..." -- Will Dance for Food 6th Annual Dance Showcase.

Cloudforce New York - November 30, 2011: You should have been there!

2011-12-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Corporate Overview and the Social Enterprise

See what you missed by viewing opening keynote from Salesforce.com Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff. Benioff opened Cloudforce New York with a corporate overview and an explanation of the social enterprise concept. Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts also appears, offering a birds eye view of the luxury brand's social transformation. Recorded live from New York's Javits Center on November 30, 2011, this is part one of an eight video series.

The INCREDIBLE Dancing Redhead at The LAB in NYC (10/30/2011)

2011-11-13T07:53:00.000-08:00

Wanted to share my digital take while in New York City on 47th street. I passed The LAB (a roger smith collaboration) and found this incredible dancing lady. Wondering who is this incredible, athletic, dancing redhead?

Here's TAKE 1:

Here's TAKE 2:

Amazing how walking down the street in New York City can be so interesting and entertaining. Hope you enjoy!

SMWF - North America, November 1 – 2, 2011: You should have been there!

2011-11-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

See what you missed by reading some highlights of the SMWF (Social Media World Forum) - North America in NYC at The Jacob Javits Conference Center November 1st – 2nd, 2011.

The theme for this year’s SMWF conference was “Engage with the world of Social Media Marketing.”

On Tuesday, November 1st, over 2,500 professionals in all things digital and social media filled the exhibit hall at New York City’s Javits Centre to attend two days of one of the most premiere interactive conferences, SMWF. New to this year's event were panel discussion formats, tweet up panels, on stage interviews, open 'Q&A' portions, audience sourcing debates and break-out group discussions enabling attendees to explore in-depth the key social media platforms, and how they can enhance marketing.

There were over 100 leading social media speakers that read like a who’s who from all things digital marketers, social networks and brands providing a wealth of presentations about brand case studies with intensive workshops and plenty of networking among cutting edge players. The goal of the conference was to inform, interact, inspire and share how deeply social media can assist our businesses in connecting with and engaging customers. Mission accomplished!

"Track highlights included:
• Integrating social media into your marketing plan, and building your social media marketing toolbox
• How Social Media is being used for brand building
• How to engage with customers though Mobile Social Media and social media with mobile apps
• Building your Facebook, Linkedin, & Twitter marketing strategies
• Location based marketing
• Social Shopping - new influencers, voucher offers and real time social shopping
• B2B social media marketing
• Social TV – how social media is changing the way we interact with the TV
• Social CRM – internal social media, community building and management
• Top tips on selecting your Social Media Agency – the role of who does social media within your organisation
• Best practices for delivering PR campaigns across multiple Social Media platforms
• The new buzz word “Social Search”
• The Socialisation of the Internet with the impact of social credits and the open graph approach
• Social Gaming & Virtual Currencies
• Examining the differences between the Social Media market and other parts of the world
• Twitter applications and mash ups examined"

For many businesses, the trick is not just monitoring their social media conversations, but the ability to manage multiple social channels by combining elements of customer service, marketing and PR into a integrated customer and brand centric unit.

Among the booths I stopped by was Badgeville, an innovative social loyalty smart gamification platform. Using Badgeville, brands can reward users with real time achievements and reputation while at the same time driving user behavior, achieving business goals and measuring and optimizing user engagement. Badgeville looks like a fun way to keep customers connected to your brand.

Next up was a presentation by Jane Schactel, Director of Social Media for Bing and Matt Britton, founder and CEO of Mr. Youth.

Jane discussed the importance of two-way communications with users of products and the way users of social media tend to fall into four categories:

► Observers - not engaged but curious - like lurking;
► Fans who follow the brand and interact;
► Evangelists - people who actively post positive reviews/info about the brand, i.e., Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.;
► Ambassadors - often celebrities or public figures and often paid for their endorsement.

The consumer-centric brand requires four things:.
1. Utility - meet a customer need;
2. Entertainment - publish content your users will enjoy but remember this is NOT a commercial;
3. Reward - reward users with coupons, contest prizes, etc.;
4. Recognition - give loyal users badges, a feature on the site, a special offer, etc.

Parting thoughts: Social media can give more relevance to search and search can give more credence to social media.

Lastly, I visited the Meltwater Buzz Booth, a social media monitoring platform. Melanie Zachariades explained how Meltwater Buzz can help you mine your social media mentions and gain insight from them.

So what do you think the long range effects of social media will be on brands? Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and a host of others are changing the ways businesses see and interact with their customers.

Many thanks to SMWF for continuing to provide such informative and exciting conferences!

by Carol Nissen
Writer, AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com
Digital Advertising and Marketing Director, Rhythm Dynamics

For more information visit: SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD FORUM
“Social Media World Forum is the leading social media marketing event that connects marketers, digital brand managers, agencies, monitoring, pr, gaming, tv, mobile and many other practioners and sectors embracing social media marketing. Running in London, New York, Cape Town, Dubai & Singapore, the SWMF event covers key areas such as building your social media marketing plan, social crm, social shopping, social search, monitoring & measurement, B2B social media, location based marketing, social tv, social reputation, community building, crisis management, gaming & virtual currencies, mobile social media and much more. Each social media series event will get right into the nitty gritty of these changes, giving delegates a way to learn, engage, debate and understand the latest in social media marketing. Our aim is to bring together the Social Media community worldwide to debate the hot topics, and network within a free to attend exhibition format. A fully packed agenda looking into how brands can use social media as a marketing tool, the latest tips and tricks, how brands are moderating and measuring their conversations and results, and how the major social networks are positioning themselves within the market.” For more information visit http://www.socialmedia-forum.com/

If You Are Employed You Need Not Apply to this Job Posting! If You Are Employed Read This?

2011-10-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

I read an article in today's Sunday New York Daily News "Gotta have job to get one,” by columnist and author Erin Einhorn about the way companies are advertising their jobs. Companies are including “MUST BE CURRENTLY WORKING FULL TIME” and phrases of this nature on the employment ads.

Is the issue at hand really discrimination or is it the fact that these ads are risking job productivity for companies? Many companies are beginning to realize that there is no basis for discriminatory ads that aim to exclude individuals they label as unemployed. Advertising of this nature is not only offensive to the professional seeking work but the ads are counterproductive for the company, and are an OXYMORON. According to the NY Daily News article, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer’s office found at least 18 New York jobs requesting that “unemployed need not apply.” Stringer wants all discriminatory job ads banned.

Shouldn't the ads really read "If You Are Employed, You Need Not Apply?" Wouldn't this help corporate America stay productive? Searching for a job is a full-time job. Isn't it really a "slap-in-the-face" to a corporation when hiring managers' job postings exclude the unemployed yet promote full time employees? Aren't they suppose to be paid to work and focus on their jobs not looking for another job at work? In terms of costing companies thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars in productivity, I certainly think so.

I have one simple question regarding "unemployed need not apply" job postings: "What defines "unemployed?" An employed person who has nothing else to do on the job but search for another job or a professional that hiring managers punish and label as "unemployed" yet seeking employment is more 24/7 than 9 to 5? Can another valid issue be that there are too many inexperienced or "overemployed workers" in the job market? There is truth to the fact that those unemployed tend to be the ones that really excel at work, and their superior is threatened that they can do their job and for less compensation, so they get let go.

Are hiring managers and human resources that blinded that they don't understand the hard fact that being unemployed is more challenging than full-time employment? Who do we blame – Washington DC or corporate America? How about blaming both?

Why is Washington DC still allowing businesses to post discriminatory ads to the effect that "unemployed need not apply?" This is one monumental time that I believe our government must intervene to end this counterproductive activity. Doesn't corporate America realize that by posting discriminatory ads of this nature, that they are not only hindering opportunities for professionals seeking employment but they are also decreasing corporate productivity? Encouraging full time employees to apply to job postings is not only counter-productive but it questions whether employees on the job are:

►satisfied with their work
►motivated to stay focused
►using time on the job to apply for other jobs
►aware of the consequences of low productivity
►dedicated and skilled to get the job done

According to the NY Daily News article President Obama has included a ban on employment status discrimination in his jobs bill but parties are quarreling over it. Even if this bill goes into effect, how can this be monitored? How do we prevent “we the unemployed” from being discriminated even with a ban on discriminatory job ads?

Why doesn’t the government charge an outrageous fee of $1,000,000 for every discriminatory job ad posted? I'm sure this would end these ads. The proposed million dollar fine would still be less outrageous than the discriminatory slap-in-the-face, baseless, job ads that exist right now. Plus, it would generate some nice chump change and create many jobs? Since 18 ads were identified already for New York (as per the NY Daily News article), that would total $18 million thus far -- just think of all the jobs it would bring and potential impact to the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.

As a senior marketing consultant I can assure you that being unemployed is working 24/7 -- having many jobs and wearing many hats. You are a simultaneous autonomous worker and team player, constantly researching, meeting face-to-face, social networking, writing, joining professional organizations, learning about new trends, industries, business models, etc. All this while going on job interviews, volunteering, taking courses to learn about new fields (related or unrelated to your job), learning about new technologies and software applications, budgeting, managing finances, cash flow, family obligations, etc.

When are Washington DC, human resources and hiring managers going to admit the fact that professionals labeled "unemployed" are essentially the ones with the competitive edge, the best skills and experience, and are constantly challenged -- not full-time employees?

It is about time that Washington DC, corporate America, and hiring managers realize that reinventing yourself costs time, money and deserves respect and appreciation.

Unfortunately the term "reinventing yourself" has evolved into becoming nothing but a negative implication and a huge farce in the business world. Thanks to all those baseless, discriminatory job ads which not only create the wrong messages to the job market but are a tremendous disservice to the culture, communications, productivity and philosophy of their company.

Discriminating against the unemployed not only adds injury to insult (yes, not the other way around) but also illustrates corporate ignorance and total disregard for the true key contributors in Corporate America - the real professionals, the risk takers, the innovators, the marketing professionals, the communicators, the solutions providers, the ones who aren’t afraid to stand up to the issues and speak up when bottom line is compromised, the story tellers, etc. Labeled "unemployed" yet more qualified and more equipped to perform any high level job currently paying $250,000 for half that salary. These inappropriately labeled, professional job seekers are the ones who change jobs, work in different fields, learn new things, are flexible and open to change, and have the incredible business acumen with superior skill set that businesses really need to improve productivity and increase profits. And they do it with accuracy, in half the time and for half the salary.

Many of what "the unemployed" have are what the "the full-time employed" need to have but simply lack. The "we-the-unemployed” are the key contributors and money-makers for Corporate America -- NOT the full-time employees who are at the same company for years, sitting at their desks pretending to be busy (no offense to the full-time workers, I am aware some of you really do work).

Why on earth do you believe there is very low morale among full time workers and why companies need to hire consultants? No it is not just to save money on benefits, that is a bargain mechanism for compensation. It is because their existing full-time employees are overconfident and really do not know what they are doing! Could it be that the employee wants to learn what the consultant does without adequately compensating? Isn't it about time that consultants stop being exploited for the sake of a corporation keeping an incompetent and unskilled full-time employee?

When are Washington DC, human resources and hiring managers going to accept the fact that being in a mid-level management or VP level job for years doesn't equate to doing the job or having the skills and competence to do the job (whether in a job for 1 or 40 years)?

When are human resources and hiring managers going to fess up to the fact that just because one is over 50 years old and not in a permanent position that that does not equate to lack of skill set or experience? Hiring managers and human resources need experienced workers, workers who:
►do the job more effectively and efficiently than existing employees
►identify errors and prevent errors from reoccurring
►provide many solutions to existing problems
►communicate effectively at all corporate levels (hey, somebody has to do it)

I've been on both sides - experienced being a full time employee and a consultant. I still wonder when are human resources and corporate America going to face the fact that it's not the economy's fault that their company’s error rate is highest and the productivity rate is the lowest at their company.

Much of the problem lies in companies’ dysfunctional and inadequate infrastructure and attitude that our company is too big (or too small) to fail and somehow, someway, Uncle Sam will bail us out again. This stigma is what hinders everything and every decision made on behalf of the organization.

It is unfortunate the previous bailout monies did nothing but help the already wealthy, well-connected, the ivy leaguers (and some non-ivy leaguers), the nepotism clan, and other general employees who are vested with the company. The wrong monies in the wrong places is another reason there are not enough jobs out there.

I was debating whether I should post this to my blog. If I do, it will potentially, negatively impact my job search for permanent employment; But then again, somebody has to do it!

LINKS TO OTHER RELATED RESOURCES

The Life Report by David Brooks Whether you are over 70 or in your 20s just starting out, you should read this and the comments. The Life Report is filled with very thought provoking articles and there was one which really made me question are professionals and executives in jobs for years really boring? If you haven't done so already, you should check this out.

Happy 100th B-Day Mary Blair!

2011-10-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

Happy 100th B-Day to Mary Blair, American artist known for producing art and animation for The Walt Disney Company, and drawing concept art for such films as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Song of the South and Cinderella.

After the completion of Peter Pan, Mary resigned from Disney and worked as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, creating advertising campaigns for companies such as Nabisco, Pepsodent, Maxwell House, Beatrice Foods and others. She also illustrated several Golden Books for publisher Simon & Schuster, some of which remain in print today, and designed Christmas and Easter sets for Radio City Music Hall. Several of her illustrated children's books from the 1950s remain in print, such as “I Can Fly” by Ruth Krauss. Blair was honored as a Disney Legend in 1991.

Born Mary Browne Robinson on October 21, 1911, in McAlester, Oklahoma, her family moved to Texas while she was a small child, and later to California. In 1934, she married another artist, Lee Everett Blair (October 1, 1911 – April 19, 1993).

She was the sister-in-law of animator Preston Blair (1908–1994). Mary Blair died of a cerebral hemorrhage on July 26, 1978 at the age of 67.

Today, October 21, 2011 would have been Blair’s 100th birthday, Google paid homage to Blair's life and works with a doodle themed with colorful patterns.

Click here for more information about Mary Blair.

Happy 90th B-Day to Art Clokey - Creator of Gumby

2011-10-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

Happy B-Day to Arthur "Art" Clokey, ) innovative pioneer in stop motion clay animation.

In 1955 Clokey produced Gumbasia, an experimental film about claymation. This film help him and his wife, Ruth,come up with the idea of his clay character, Gumby. Gumby and his horse Pokey became popular on American TV and later they got their own series “The Adventures of Gumby.” In the 1980s American actor and comedian Eddie Murphy parodied Gumby in a skit on Saturday Night Live. In the 1990s Gumby: The Movie was released, sparking even more interest. Born Arthur Charles Farrington in Detroit, Michigan on October 12 , 1921 he died in his sleep on January 8, 2010, at age 88, at his home in Los Osos, California after suffering from a recurrent bladder infection.
On October 12, 2011, which would have been Clokey's 90th birthday, Google paid homage to Clokey's life and works with an interactive logo doodle in the style of his clay animations.

More information about Clokey can be found at the following links:

Art Clokey: How Gumby got his name by Chris Gaylord, Christian Science Monitor
Art Clokey – Wikipedia
Art Clokey: Creator Extraordinaire

OMMA Global New York, September 26 – 27, 2011: You should have been there!

2011-09-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

"It's here. It's everywhere. And it's also all the time. Media has gone hyper-connective." -- OMMA Global New York City

See what you missed by reading some highlights of the OMMA Global New York

On Monday, September 26th, advertisers, agency, online media, and marketing executives gathered at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City for the Bi-Annual OMMA Global Conference. The event proved to be one of the most exciting conferences and provocatively focused on all things digital marketing, media and advertising.

Known by many as being the only, “two-day intensive that combines all of OMMA's single online marketing conferences into one,” the event included extensive overviews and presentations of the hottest trends and technologies in Social Media, Mobile, Display, Direct and Video for the Internet.

Google's workshop, "The Human Factor: Common Sense Ways to Foster Brand Engagement" featured a wealth of information including the following online-marketing-worthy tips:
► inclusion of your brand and message in every frame of your presentation connects the customer to your brand
► mobile advertising sparks even higher rates of interest
► use expansion panels only for extra info, not the main idea of your message

The Global General Sessions during Monday afternoon were top notch and provided innovative approaches and perspectives of our ever-evolving, hyper-connectivity, web-centric, world.

Digital marketing is indeed changing the way it interacts with consumers. Dermott McCormack, EVP Digital Media, MTV Networks, spoke about "The New Rules of Digital Content Currency" and the importance of becoming a trusted source of information by building on knowledge of your audience, content curation, the re-purposing of content for new mediums and the idea of wrapping your content in "value"

The web has a huge effect on advertising and marketing. Next up was Denise Warren, Senior VP and Chief Advertising Officer of the NY Times Media Group. Her talk opened with a description of how TIVO changed the TV landscape forever, giving viewers the power to program TV to their liking. Ms Warren then went on to illustrate how this customer/consumer now drives the innovation at the NY TIMES. They analyze their customer relationships and tailor their offerings to them relatively.

A very interesting point Warren brought up was that the "after hours" usage seemed to be increasing with desktops and laptops being used in the daytime while tablets and smart phones, etc., seemed to be increasing in the evening. Warren also spoke about "interstitial moments." An interstitial space or interstice is an empty space or gap between spaces full of structure or matter- think commute time, standing in line, waiting for the doctor, etc. These "in-between" times are being used by consumers and customers to consult tablets and smart phones.

To tackle the effects the web will have on advertising, marketing, consumer targeting and reach, the Tuesday afternoon presentation included a debate on Social Media sponsored by Webtrends titled, “Is Social Media ROI for Real, or is it a New Oxymoron?"

Topics included a lively debate on the rising importance of Facebook or not, the importance of drilling down into other social networks where your customers might be hanging out and the question "Do 'Likes' translate into Sales?" Participants included Jonathan Bellinger, Digital Strategy Director, JWT, New York; Brandon Evans, CEO, Crowdtap; Mike Germand, President, Carrot Creative; Morgan Simonson, SVP of North American Sales, Efficient Frontier; Michael Lazerzon, CEO, Buddy Media.

Round and round the web goes, where she stops, no one knows. So who do you think will dominate the webosphere? There are quite a few contenders -- Apple, Facebook, Google Android, Microsoft Mobile, and Twitter.

I enjoyed the 2 day conference. I was especially interested in the implications of social media and the new habits and modes of interaction people are starting to use. I came away with some new insights.

By Carol Nissen
Writer, AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com
Digital Advertising and Marketing Director, Rhythm Dynamics

OMMA GLOBAL is the two-day intensive tour de force of all our separate conferences rolled into one. It is for those advertisers, agency executives, brand managers, marketing managers, media planners, buyers, creative directors, sellers and marketing services suppliers who aim to be leaders of the interactive marketing revolution. For more information visit: OMMA GLOBAL NEW YORK

Happy 13th B-Day to Google

2011-09-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Another B-Day surprise!
Did you know that today, September 27th, 2011, Google celebrates being a teen? Happy 13TH B-DAY again! Many of us have already celebrated 23 days earlier (September 4th). Although Google officially became incorporated on September 4th, they decided to have their official B-Day on September 27th. Check out their adorable Doodle, more suitable for a baby shower than for a 13th birthday, but still adorable.
More information including all of Google's past B-Day Doodles can be seen at this SearchEngineWatch article.

Here's my earlier blog celebrating Google's 13th.
Surprise to Google who turned 13 years old today (9/4/2011). And I am surprised that Google didn't post its very own Happy 13 B-Day doodle! Since I couldn't find one on the internet, I thought you'd enjoy my "Google Rocks 13th B-Day" doodle rendition (below).

So let's all celebrate the day Google became a teen. Ever since Google was born (September 4, 1998), there have been whirlwinds of internet momentum, controversary, and innovation. Google rocks and doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

To think it took Larry Page and Sergey Brin less than 2 years to incorporate Google -- in 1996, both were PhD students at Stanford University, working on a research project when Yahoo! and AOL were the major search engines.

Thirteen years later Google has embarked on hundreds, if not thousands of innovations, ventures and acquisitions. Below is a brief timeline of my most notable Google milestones (note clicking on the table below, and then once again, will enlarge for viewing):

This chart will be updated regularly, do bookmark and visit frequently.

For more information visit these links:
Google Turns 13: A History of Google's B-Day Doodles by Danny Goodwin

Happy Birthday Google: Making Sense of the Web for 13 Years by Stephanie Buck, writer at Mashable.com

Facebook Friend List Feature Gets Smart

2011-09-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

"I get by with a little help from my friends." ~ John Lennon, English musician and singer-songwriter, and founding member of The Beatles

Did you know that Facebook added another feature, “Smart Friend List?”

The basis for this latest enhancement is that more and more Facebook users resist sharing content because they are connected to hundreds, if not thousands, of people with different interests. However, a user may be more likely to share more if they could segment their posts by their respective professional, family, friend, and community content. Also, this new feature can motivate visitors to be more engaged in their fellow friends’ respective content -- essentially, providing more of a solution to the existing, hardly-ever-used, “Friends Lists."

According to TechCrunch, Facebook already released this new feature but I just checked my Facebook, and couldn’t find it – I’m surmising it’s either still in Beta or still counter-intuitive. “Smart Friend List,” is conceptually similar to Google+ Circles, but different. “Smart Friend List” automatically builds upon a Facebook user's respective friends' profiles and enables the user to manually sort designated “Smart Friend Lists” or allow Facebook to automatically group. Another element is that “Smart Friend Lists” can be selected within privacy settings.

For example, when you opt in to the “Smart Friend List,” Facebook will automatically create "Smart Friend Lists" based on the demographics/geographics that you designate – e.g., colleges, employers, associations, cities, etc. Users have flexibility to manually edit these lists and also publish and filter to specific lists. Users will also have the ability to manually create 3 relationship levels within privacy settings -- “Close Friends,” “Acquaintances,” and “Restricted.” Connections you place in “Close Friends” will see everything you post; “Acquaintances” functions more like filter for news feed, allowing you to control what type of news feeds you want from a Facebook friend (e.g., new job or wedding announcements, etc.). This solves the issue of overloading your news feeds with excessive mundane posts from friends. “Restricted” are for those connections that you wish to be only allowed to view your public information (can be a competitor, relative, boss, etc.)

So is there really a need for "Smart Friend List?" According to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, there really wasn’t much of a need because categorizing friends is difficult and less than five percent of Facebook's 750 million users, still a significant audience size, utilize the original Friends List tool. Facebook’s enhancement will certainly have plenty of feedback -- about 37 million potential “Smart Friend List” users. It will be interesting to see the growing reactions of “Smart Friend List” posted on Facebook blogs.

Many may choose to not welcome "Smart Friend List" for various reasons including the resistance to expose relationship information to Facebook’s interface. I'm OK with school, neighborhood, company, etc., But why would Facebook users want the world to know who their "Close Friends" are? There are all different sorts of predators on the internet, and this piece of information we can do without. Many more may prefer to leave their settings as is since it is time consuming to set up who should receive what and end up prefering to receive everything and post to everyone.

On the other hand some may have interesting information that would be dull for many of their Facebook friends, but truly amazing for another segment of friends. This new tool just might be the perfect solution to fulfill that communication need.

I have a concern for the children who are still using Facebook without parental permission or adequate parental monitoring their usage. A tool of this nature in the wrong hands may contribute to an already serious Facebook issue. According to an article on ConsumersReports.org on May 2011, there were 7.5 million children under 13 with accounts, violating the site's terms [1].

More information at the following Web sites:
• The Facebook Blog - Improved Friend Lists https://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=10150278932602131
• Facebook Smart Lists Automatically Group Friends With Shared Characteristics for Use With Privacy Settings http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150366908140560
• Inside Facebook http://www.insidefacebook.com/

SEARCH RESULTS STATS
SEARCH TERM EXACT BROAD
smart friend list 13,400 60,200,000

Here's another notable quote about friends:
"Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you." ~ Elbert Hubard, American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher

1. Five million Facebook users are 10 or younger". ConsumerReports.org. May 10, 2011. http://news.consumerreports.org/electronics/2011/05/five-million-facebook-users-are-10-or-younger.html. Retrieved May 15, 2011

September 11th, 2001 – The Day The World Cried. Ten Years Later!

2011-09-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's been 10 years?
Photo below, "The Falling Man," by Richard Drew.

haiku ═ 911 ten ═ years later falling man is ═ still provocative

pin-straight
Falling Man

endless time still shows
the world

our
land, brave and free

by
Gloria
Buono-Daly

Emotionally charged, mixed feelings - 2001 to 2011. From Poet Laureate, Billy Collins' prose commemorating all of the 9/11 victims, "The Names," posted below, to one of the most provocative, unforgettable images by Associated Press photographer Richard Drew, of a man falling from the twin towers, positioned perfectly in the middle. The photo was taken at about 9:41 am on 9/11/01 -- 15 minutes before the 1st building, the South tower, collapsed. Videos would show that the falling man was actually a tumbling man in the air and this is one moment in his time that was captured. Note how perfectly straight, positioned in the middle and parallel to the burning towers the falling man is. The above photo was branded distasteful and voyeuristic -- never to be shown again, yet the incredible "falling man" is still around.

According to many articles and documentaries, there were about 200 people who jumped to their deaths, some were able to be identified only for the victim’s families and to provide closure for them. But there was no time to recover or identify those who were forced to jump prior to the collapse of the towers. We lost almost 3,000 lives that day.

Where were you on 9/11/2001?
I was working on Wall Street( on the corner of Wall and Water Streets). It was a beautiful, clear skied morning. I arrived early as I usually do and was at my desk on the computer when I heard a loud bang and felt rumbling underneath my desk at 8:46 a.m. I shouted "What was that?" Then 15 minutes later another bang, as some fellow employees arrived - initially we thought it was from a missile. Hard to imagine it would be the biggest single attack on American lives. I still keep on asking myself "how could this be?" I was curious and ran outside to see what was happening. As I was walking on Water St. and reached Liberty St., it was at about 10:00 am, I saw large billows of gray smoke, appearing to turn day to night, enveloping hundreds if not thousands of people running for their lives – apparently heading towards the river. I asked some folks what is happening and most were in such shock. With all the commotion, all they could say while they were running was “it’s down, it’s down.” At that moment, I thought another plane came down. I ran back to the office and learned from colleagues that the South tower collapsed (incidentally, this was the 2nd building hit). The North tower (1st building hit) collapsed at about 30 minutes later. And the world would never be the same.

"The Names" poem by Billy Collins posted below:
Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night.
A soft rain stole in, unhelped by any breeze,
And when I saw the silver glaze on the windows,
I started with A, with Ackerman, as it happened,
Then Baxter and Calabro,
Davis and Eberling, names falling into place
As droplets fell through the dark.
Names printed on the ceiling of the night.
Names slipping around a watery bend.
Twenty-six willows on the banks of a stream.
In the morning, I walked out barefoot
Among thousands of flowers
Heavy with dew like the eyes of tears,
And each had a name --
Fiori inscribed on a yellow petal
Then Gonzalez and Han, Ishikawa and Jenkins.
Names written in the air
And stitched into the cloth of the day.
A name under a photograph taped to a mailbox.
Monogram on a torn shirt,
I see you spelled out on storefront windows
And on the bright unfurled awnings of this city.
I say the syllables as I turn a corner --
Kelly and Lee,
Medina, Nardella, and O'Connor.
When I peer into the woods,
I see a thick tangle where letters are hidden
As in a puzzle concocted for children.
Parker and Quigley in the twigs of an ash,
Rizzo, Schubert, Torres, and Upton,
Secrets in the boughs of an ancient maple.
Names written in the pale sky.
Names rising in the updraft amid buildings.
Names silent in stone
Or cried out behind a door.
Names blown over the earth and out to sea.
In the evening -- weakening light, the last swallows.
A boy on a lake lifts his oars.
A woman by a window puts a match to a candle,
And the names are outlined on the rose clouds --
Vanacore and Wallace,
(let X stand, if it can, for the ones unfound)
Then Young and Ziminsky, the final jolt of Z.
Names etched on the head of a pin.
One name spanning a bridge, another undergoing a tunnel.
A blue name needled into the skin.
Names of citizens, workers, mothers and fathers,
The bright-eyed daughter, the quick son.
Alphabet of names in a green field.
Names in the small tracks of birds.
Names lifted from a hat
Or balanced on the tip of the tongue.
Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of memory.
So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart

Additional information at the following links:

║See CBS video, “The Passionate Eye,” http://www.cbc.ca/passionateeyemonday/video_player.html?fallingman&playerType=wmp

║Video “911 The Falling Man”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EFvGuIXIJc&feature=related Images of bodies hanging out of windows, holding on across the steel across windows, leaning out for air.

║Google Blog: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/ten-years-later.html

My two 911 haikus:
║ 911 ten ═ years later falling man is ═ still provocative

║ pin-straight Falling Man ═ endless time still shows the world ═ our land, brave and free

Search engine stats for the term 911
Match type Broad Exact
Google 981,000,000 431,000,000
Yahoo 246,000,000 240,000,000
Bing 245,000,000 242,000,000

Happy 13th B-Day Google - on 9/4/11 Google became a teen!

2011-09-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

Surprise to Google who turned 13 years old today (9/4/2011). And I am surprised that Google didn't post its very own Happy 13 B-Day doodle! Since I couldn't find one on the internet, I thought you'd enjoy my "Google Rocks 13th B-Day" doodle rendition (below).

To think it took Larry Page and Sergey Brin less than 2 years to incorporate Google -- in 1996, both were PhD students at Stanford University, working on a research project when Yahoo! and AOL were the major search engines.

Thirteen years later Google has embarked on hundreds, if not thousands of innovations, ventures and acquisitions. Below is a brief timeline of my most notable Google milestones (note clicking on the table below, and then once again, will enlarge for viewing):

This chart will be updated regularly, do bookmark and visit frequently.

For more information, visit:
Happy Birthday Google: Making Sense of the Web for 13 Years by Stephanie Buck, writer at Mashable.com

HAPPY 40th B-DAY WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY!

2011-08-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

HAPPY B-DAY to you!

Friday, August 26, 2011
The League of Women Voters celebrates the fortieth birthday of "Women's Equality Day."

To think that almost a century ago, exactly 91 years ago, the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitutional was passed and prohibits any United States citizen to be denied the right to vote based on sex. It was ratified on August 18, 1920.

Happy 91st Anniversary Nineteenth Amendment!

The Amendment was drafted by prominent civil rights leader, Susan B. Anthony (pictured left) with assistant, American social activist, Elizabeth Cady Stanton (pictured below).

It took another 51 years to form Women's Equality Day - at the urgent request of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY) -- in 1971 the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.”

For more information visit "League of Women voters recognizes anniverary of 19th Amendment" article by Christine Kneidinger.

In 1869, Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) an organization dedicated to gaining women's suffrage. Anthony insisted that Stanton become president as long as possible; Anthony served as vice-president-at-large until 1892 when she became president. (pictured right, Anthony and Stanton in later years - Stanton seated)

HAPPY 60th B-DAY TO Iconic photo "American Girl in Italy" by Ruth Orkin

2011-08-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Sixty years ago today, Ruth Orkin captured the imaginations across the globe with this iconic photo titled "American Girl in Italy." According to Ninalee Craig (also known at that time as Jinx Allen) , subject woman in the photo, 23 years old at the time, the photo was not a symbol of harassment as many assumed, but an honest portrayal of an American woman having a wonderful time in Italy and enjoying the moment of being admired by 15 Italian men. Ninalee Craig is now a great-grandmother living in Canada. The photographer, Ruth Orkin, who passed away in 1985, also co-wrote and co-directed the 1956 Oscar-nominated film "Little Fugitive." In a telephone interview Craig confirmed on NBC that the photo was not staged and "symbolizes independence and fearlessness not harassment," see Today People article by Laura T. Coffey. More photos by Ruth Orkin at Bulger Gallery.
For more information visit "American Girl in Italy: 60 years later" by Mike Kromboltz of The Lookout.

Did you know that August 6, 2011 the WWW turned 20?

2011-08-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Twenty years ago on August 6th, Tim Berners-Lee, created the most innovative invention in only 3 months and called it the "world-wide-web" (WWW). So congratulations to Tim Berners-Lee and a BIG Happy BELATED B-Day WWW - 20th B-Day! I'm a big fan of all things digital and just had to share the WWW 20th B-DAY was 8/6th in case you didn't know it. More info including video at this link:

http://www.linkedin.com/share?viewLink=&sid=s516986078&url=http%3A%2F%2Ft%2Eco%2FI9Gtlu7&urlhash=h6be&pk=member-home&pp=4&poster=4656978&uid=5506749028785721344&trk=NUS_UNIU_SHARE-title

Thank you Sarah ElBatanouny for sharing and spreading the news!

Why Are Corporate Blogs By Women Not Supported By Their Constituents?

2011-08-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

"I do not think “real” leaders are the kind of paranoid people that get to the top quickly but fall quickly"
-- Grace Bosworth, President of Global 2 Local Language Solutions

"It's cool to get back up if you fall! But don't let the threatened and insecure -- males and females -- pull you down!" -- Gloria Buono-Daly

Whenever I begin another consulting assignment at a major corporation I observe and research the respective environment and Web site and end up with the same question -- “Why are the leading women's corporate blogs not being supported by women?”

This absence of commentary is a red flag and illustrates a much bigger problem at the company in the form of ineffective communication, counter-productivity, negativity and low morale. It only takes a few minutes to read a corporate blog and write a comment -- especially when the blogs are so interesting, informative and worthy of comments. For the past few years I have noticed that women at major corporations are not supporting fellow corporate women’s blogs.

Recently I contracted at a corporation with over 200,000 employees as a senior product marketing consultant and noticed that there were less than a dozen comments from one of their business unit's blogs yet there was a wealth of blogs on that corporate Web site. This lack of support is mind-boggling and serves no purpose but to breed negativity. How long can employees continue destroying what employers are paying them to build up?

Does this start from the top and trickle down to the bottom? Watch out, your company's stock may be headed for another plummet. I am always so positive and impressed by professionals when I work at a new corporation and learn about the company, especially by reading blogs from the corporate leaders, attending seminars, and navigating the corporate Web site. Yet, I do not understand why these major corporate blogs with the potential of having so many visits and views, do not receive the adequate feedback from fellow employees.

It ceases to amaze me of how the threatened and insecure employees intentionally thwart and insult the professional consultants -- the basis is obviously these employees are afraid that the new consultants will get noticed for their cost saving, productive contributions, and showing interest and support for corporate initiatives including blogs. Unfortunately, the productivity and business success is compromised because of these essentially useless and insecure employees. Yet, senior department heads are in the sand and corporations allow this to go on -- the familiar, AIG-ish, corporate status quo -- "Our government's bail-out money will pay our salaries; we're too big to fail," etc.

As a professional marketing executive who has been contracting for many Fortune 100 corporations and trust me, I get the big picture relatively quickly, I see many issues including lack of support, particularly among women executives. This is compromising the financial health of the corporation on a national and global level.

Negativity of this nature results in not only low employee morale and little or no ROI but dissatisfied customers.

Are professional women still living in the 1980’s when one women has to be thwarted in order for another women to succeed? Why is this sentiment common for women and not men? Could this be why professional women have not advanced as much as men? Have women turned competition into a game of back-stabbing tactics that do nothing but destroy the morale of a corporation? And what about corporate diversity and multi-culturalism -- is it destroying what women are working to achieve?

I believe corporate diversity is indeed compromised. Many top consultants have experienced their work thwarted and being intimidated by corporate employees. Whenever the consultants report the issue, their contract ends. A very common tactic, is when employees use inappropriate language in the form of misleading adjectives towards the consultant to make the consultant feel insignificant and themselves feel powerful and important. And we wonder why so few women make it to the top?

According to Grace Bosworth, President of Global 2 Local Language Solutions, “We wonder why women have not advanced as much as they should, but, when a women gets some kind of control, she acts as if she did it all by herself, and tries to push down anyone that comes near her level. We don’t try to help each other; we make it more difficult for each other. …The only thing I can control in this world is me, and I know that to change the world, I must first change myself. Do I look at a woman who has done well for herself with suspicion? Do I hesitate to spend time on a project that may not put me or my company in the limelight?… I do not think “real” leaders are the kind of paranoid people that get to the top quickly but fall quickly. We as women have to do better. Most of all, I vow to not say negative things about people I really don’t know. If we could all vow just that little thing, I see women taking great strides.”

So tell me do you believe corporate blogs by women are or are not being supported by their constituents? What are your favorite blogs? I’d be delighted to take a read, share my perspective and add them to this list.

Below is a listing of my latest favorite blogs by and about women:

► Women in Business Don’t Support Each Other, and We Are Here to Change That
► Is Eight Enough When It Comes to Success
► Got Me Thinking: Is the Model of Masculinity Changing in America?
► 25 Things a Professional Woman Should Never Wear (I’ll admit my biggest faux pas was putting my then, waist-long-hair back with a schrunchie)
► Women Who Make Us Laugh
► Google Made Her Rich, Facebook Made Her A Legend
► 100 Must Read Blogs by Women
► Why You Should Stop Being A Wimp
► Employers Feel A Talent Shortage
► ClassyCareerGirl Blog
► Making Sure Your Employees Succeed
► Top 100 Websites for Women 2011
► The Importance of Earnest Service, Thoughts from JM Byington & Associates, Inc.

PS This list will change but only with your help. So do send me your favorite blogs, bookmark this one and visit frequently. Thanks!

Do We Really Need One More Social Network?

2011-07-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

According to one of Facebook’s investors, Reid Hoffman, the answer -- yes!

So far, Facebook has more than 500 million users yet FB has limitations which do not enable users to separate friends into different groups (e.g., friends, family, business, acquaintances, etc.) More information at this Forbes.com Tech article by Oliver Chiang.

Many companies are working on social networks including Google’s, Google+ project, a program still in beta testing which will have a lot more bells and whistles than FB and will be ready soon. More information can be found at Google's Official Blog. Isn't this what we've been looking for? Could Google+ (Plus) be the one and only, social media network we need?

*Top 15 Social Networking sites listed in ranking order as of August 2011 are listed as follows:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIN
My Space
Ning
TAGGED
orkut
hi5
myyearbook
meetup
badoo
mylife
friendster
multiply

*For more information regarding these rankings visit eBizMBA.com

Facebook, social networking, networking, media, reid hoffman, investors, Forbes, Oliver Chiang
For more information, visit http://blogs.forbes.com/oliverchiang/2010/09/27/facebook-investor-reid-hoffman-says-one-social-network-is-not-enough-launches-20m-fund/

Did You Know Today is International Museum Day? Happy 34th B Day!

2011-05-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

Today, marks the 34th celebration of International Museum Day, a date originally established by International Council of Museums (ICOM).
Every year International Museum Day is organized worldwide around May 18th. Recently, International Museum Day has been experiencing its highest involvement with almost 30,000 museums with organized activities in more than 100 countries. First celebrated in 1977, the International Museum Day takes in each year a specific theme or a slogan, and purports to give universal meaning in different countries and raise awareness on how important museums are in the development of society. The theme for 2011 is "Museum and memory: the objects tell your story." Many prestigious museums participate in this worldy event including the New York's Metropolitan Museum, the Royal Palace Museum, Luang Prabang, Laos in Asia and the Louvre in Paris, France, Europe.

Interesting Themes of the Past:
2010 - "Museums for social harmony"
2009 - "Museums and tourism"
2008 - "Museums as agents of social change and development"
2007 - "Museums and Universal Heritage"
2006 - "Museums and young people"
2005 - "Museums bridging cultures"
2004 - "Museums and Intangible Heritage"
2003 - "Museums and Friends"
2002 - "Museums and Globalisation"
2001 - "Museums: building community"
2000 - "Museums for Peace and Harmony in Society"
1999 - "Pleasures of discovery"
1998-1997 - "The fight against illicit traffic of cultural property"
1996 - "Collecting today for tomorrow"
1995 - "Response and responsibility"
1994 - "Behind the Scenes in Museums"
1993 - "Museums and Indigenous Peoples"
1992 - "Museums and Environment"

For more information, visit these resources:
http://icom.museum/what-we-do/activities/international-museum-day.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Museum_Day
http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Museum-Day-2011/178953758817864
http://art.broadwayworld.com/article/Frist-Center-Offers-Free-Admission-to-Celebrate-Museum-Day-518-20110517
Twitter hashtag: #musmem

MUSEUM, NYC, INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY, ICOM, CULTURE, GL

Anginette Cookies Easy 1-2-3 Recipe

2011-05-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day, this year is Sunday, May 8th and always a great day to celebrate love, friendship and moms. Did you know that yellow roses indicate joy, gladness, friendship and "I Care?" I wanted to celebrate ahead of time with a beautiful bouquet of 2 dozen yellow roses and share a special recipe from mom. As a child my mother would often bake all sorts of foods, pies, desserts, cakes and cookies. One of my favorite, all time cookies is a famous Italian cookie called "Anginette" (aka Anginetti), in the USA popularly called "Lemon Drop Cookies." The great thing about this cookie is that it is popular all year round and with just a few ingredients, anyone can prepare and bake this great cookie in less than 30 minutes. I use to always enjoy rolling the dough into extra long cigar shapes and coiling the cookie into 2 and 3 tiers high. The sky is the limit in regards to creativity; although anginettes are delightful plain they are lovely and appetizing garnished with frosting and sprinkles. The prep time including rolling the dough into cigar shapes was slightly less than 15 minutes and it baked in 8 minutes. I try to bake these as much as I can. I once baked Anginettes and decided to bring in a tray for an early meeting where I was leading a direct marketing presentation to a group of about 30 people. The cookies were a big hit as was my presentation. Besides adding a personal touch, they were a surprise breakfast treat especially for those sipping coffee and tea.

INGREDIENTS:
► Eggs 6
► Baking Powder 4 - 6 teaspoons max
► Baking Soda 1/2 teaspoon
► Flour 6 cups
► Vanilla 1 - 2 teaspoons
► Sugar 1 - 2 cups (can substitute with alteratives, e.g., splenda, equal, etc.)
► Butter 4 sticks (can substitute with vegetable oil)

OPTIONAL ICING:
► Powdered Sugar (aka Confectioners Sugar) 3 tablespoons
► Milk, Lemon Juice or Water (just a dash, about 1/2 teaspoon)

OPTIONAL OTHER:
► Lemon or Orange Skin (grated or peeled, optional with flour mix)
► Caraway seeds, almonds, walnuts, cream cheese, etc.
► Be Creative

Step 1 : Make Dough (5 min)
► Prepare oven at 375°; In large bowl combine ingredients
► Eggs
► Baking Powder
► Flour (put about half and add the remaining flour while mixing in bowl)
► Vanilla
► Sugar (or alternative, e.g., splenda, equal, etc.)
► Butter

Step 2 : Knead, Cut & Shape Dough (10 min)
► Knead dough when ready divide into amounts enough to roll into long cigars (about 6" to 8 inches); Then create circular coil shapes. Place in baking tray. Makes about 36 cookies or so depending on shape and size of cookies. You can make many more if you use a simple flat, round conventional shape cookie, but then again, it won't have the look and feel as a true, anginette.

Step 3 : Place tray in 375° oven (8 min)
► Depending on your oven, bake anywhere from 8 to 10 minutes, keep watching and when the cookies are golden brown color on the bottom it is done. If you want to have frosting, mix the powdered sugar and milk and keep stirring until paste like. Wait at least 10 minutes for baked cookies to cool and dip cookies into frosting mix, or simply pour a little on each. Should set within 15 minutes. Can serve plain or with the traditional sugar frosting. Be creative, try cutting a few plain ones and adding cream cheese in the middle.
► Wait at least 10 minutes before serving or adding icing and sprinkles.

Total time - 23 Minutes

These cookies are great plain or with icing. There are different textures and styles. The neutral-colored frosting was made using lemon instead of milk with powdered sugar.

“The sweetest sounds to mortals given. Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven” -- William Goldsmith Brown (1902-1982);
Survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Later he wrote a book about his experiences on the ship, and had his story featured in the documentary, Titanic: The Legend Lives On, as well as a children's book about the disaster, Inside the Titanic.

►NYWICI's 41st Annual Matrix Awards ◄

2011-04-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

On Monday, April 11, 2011, over 2,000 women in communications attended NYWICI’s 41st Annual Matrix Awards to celebrate 9 scholarship winners, 7 Matrix Awards Honorees, and 1 very, very, Special Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. For the past several years I have been attending this event, on and off, and a general theme throughout is how meaningful this celebration really is. Highlights included Betty White being presented with NYWICI Lifetime Achievement Award by Valerie Harper. Another delightful surprise was special guest, John Legend, American recording artist, musician and actor and winner of 9 Grammy Awards. Legend's performance was a big surprise and included a big congratulations to all winners including Matrix honoree Cindi Berger who is his pr agent. For those of you who weren’t able to attend, or if you just like to read my blog, I'd like to spread the news and share my photos. I had the opportunity to meet and ask my "question of the day" to a few honorees and presenters -- if you'd like to real all about it, visit my other blog The 41st NYWICI Matrix Awards: Big Effen Deal? You Bet It Was!; If you happen to have missed last years event, report coverage is at this link: The 40th Annual Matrix Awards 2010: Honors Creme de la Creme Women. Kindly feel free to repost on LinkedIn, Facebook, and tweet. Thanks! Here’s a listing of the stellar honorees and esteemed presenters:

◄►Betty White, Actress and Comedian, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, presenter Valerie Harper, Actress and Comedian (via live webcast)

◄►Cindi Berger, Chairman and CEO of PMK*BNC Public Relations, presenter Rosie O’Donnell, Talk Show Host and Comedian

◄►Gwen Ifill, Moderator and Managing Editor “Washington Week”, Sr. Correspondent “The PBS Newsletter,” presenter Paula A. Kerger, President and CEO, PBS

◄►Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook, presenter Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief, The Huffington Post Media Group

◄►Gina Sanders, President and CEO, Fairchild Fashion Group, presenter Evelyn H. Lauder
Senior Corporate Vice President, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

◄►Abbe Raven, President and CEO, AETN – A&E Entertainment Networks presenter Mark Burnett, Producer

◄►Robin Koval, President, The Kaplan/Thayler Group, presenter, Linda Kaplan Thaler, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, The Kaplan Thaler Group

◄►Idina Menzel, Tony-Award Winning Actress, presenter, Dana Tyler, CBS 2 News Correspondent

Next Year, the event will be held on Monday, April 23rd, 2012. See you then. ◄►Interested in my blog? Subscribe to the AllThingsDigitalMarketing RSS Feed link in the right column, top section above.◄►

◄► NYWICI MATRIX AWARDS, 4/11/2011, MATRIX MONDAY ◄►

Every year since 1970, NYWICI has awarded outstanding women in communications the prestigious Matrix Awards. The long list of past winners reads like a who-is-who of exceptional women in the fields of advertising, books, broadcasting, film, magazines, new media, newspapers and public relations and is a true reflection of achievements by women in communications. For more information visit NYWICI.org

The 41st NYWICI Matrix Awards: Big Effen Deal? You Bet It Was!

2011-04-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

“Last thing, for Rosie, if you are ever in your life getting some award and you think: Why me? Just keep moving and say, ‘Why the eff not?’” -- Idina Menzel , star of "Wicked," and Matrix Award Honoree. Menzel was the final honoree, and her closing remarks were an encore and testament to Rosie O'Donnell that despite all of the controversy she has endured, Rosie is truly an inspiration!

So many highlights at NYWICI's Matrix Awards. I just had to get my most memorable moment out right away. I must say the most impressive and inspiring moment at Matrix Awards for me was when I had the opportunity to ask Matrix Awards Honoree Cindi Berger my question of the day. Of course, I also asked permission to ask Rosie O'Donnell, and Cindi graciously approved. This year's Matrix Question of the Day had to do with success and was directed to everyone, attendees, honorees, and presenters:

"OK everyone knows that you've made it, you're a success, when did you know you made it?"

"I knew I made it when Lois Smith took me on,"
-- Rosie O'Donnell

Besides all this, I was so inspired and in awe to meet PR legend and retired celebrity publicist Lois Smith (right photo). Besides work with Rosie O’Donnell, Smith’s career includes many other A-listers from the likes of Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Whitney Houston, Martin Scorsese, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sean Penn, Dick Cavett, Liza Minelli to other iconic entertainment luminaries including Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier. When asked the Matrix question of the day, Smith replied with a happy sigh:

"Oh, I have no idea; I'm still trying to figure this out,"
-- Lois Smith

Stay tuned for more on NYWICI Matrix Awards luncheon by visiting this blog regularly or subscribing to the RSS feed.

Other Related Web Resources
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Every year since 1970, NYWICI has awarded outstanding women in communications the prestigious Matrix Awards. The long list of past winners reads like a who-is-who of exceptional women in the fields of advertising, books, broadcasting, film, magazines, new media, newspapers and public relations and is a true reflection of achievements by women in communications. For more information visit NYWICI.org

My Little Quote for the Little Black Book of Career Advice

2011-03-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

"Business, like life, isn't always fair. Whether on the job, volunteer assignment, whatever, I believe there will be situations when office politics or economic conditions just might attempt to compromise integrity, talent and career potential. Sometimes, we will need to burn those faulty infrastructural bridges in order to build greater ones to redirect your career path. Success is NOT about fitting in, popularity, or having the highest title or salary. Success is all about standing true to yourself and the accomplishments you achieve amidst all those obstacles along the way. So go ahead, change course, and don't forget to enjoy the ride!" -- Gloria Buono-Daly

I would often wonder if I was the only person who ever imagined that directing one's career sometimes required breaking those darn, dysfunctional, ties. Why kid yourself? I quickly learned that many coaches, HR experts and top leaders share this sentiment. We can't all be blinded by that very, old, cliche, intended for the docile masses in the workplace -- "don't burn bridges." I'll leave with where I started, "business, like life is unfair," but goes on. We all win when we continue to redirect and reinvent ourselves even if we happen to burn a few. Share your own career wit and wisdom quote by visiting
◄►Little Black Book◄►

By the way, Dee Dee Myers, the first woman to serve as White House Press Secretary, as well as being the second-youngest press secretary is campaign empowerment ambassador. Myers is also Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair; an analyst for CBS News; popular lecturer on politics, the media and women's issues; and author of the New York Times best selling book Why Women Should Rule the World. To read Myer's celebration of women and to learn more about her visit ◄►Empowerment Journal◄►

You might enjoy reading some career wit & wisdom from many notables including the likes of 2011 Matrix Awards Recipient, Gwen Ifill, and former Matrix Award Honorees and Presenters, Arianna Huffington, and Nora Ephron, etc.

Twitter Turns 5 Today - Happy Birthday to You.

2011-03-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

Would you believe it, today is Twitter's 5th B-Day.

Still no definitive business model or $ profit yet Twitter continues to spread wings and ripple effects! Wishing you many more twitterers, tweets and B-Days!!!

Below is a blog from 2009 all about Twitter

Twitter, a micro-blog with a 140-character-limit blurb known as a “tweet” having potential to create a chain of social media networking events that can lead to exponentially larger alterations of social media networking instances. Twittering appears to have maximized the power of connecting. In less than 4 years, it is estimated that there are over 250 million twitter accounts worldwide.

But if you think that Twitter and the bird’s far reaching effect is enough to make your media campaign a success, try spreading your wings and flying. You just might find yourself in a nose-dive!

Of course, everyone is twittering, with hopes of creating shifts in perspectives that will lead to greater connections, better businesses and stronger communities.

It’s been said that a sea gull’s simple flap of a wing can change weather, and so too a simple tweet can create ripple effects in the customers, employees, friends, colleagues and even those people and entities that you have never known and now suddenly have become your followers.

Why then are there still no analytics for measuring effectiveness, or tried and true processes and marketing solutions from this bird?

Although Twitter’s wide massive appeal has grown so quickly in such a brief time, it is still considered new. Twitter became available to the public in 2006 but really gained momentum in April 2007. According to Wikipedia “The tipping point for Twitter's popularity was the 2007 South by Southwest, SXSW, festival. During the event usage went from 20,000 tweets per day to 60,000.” This all occurring after the Web 2.0 buzz of 2006, which arose 2 years after the first Web 2.0 Oreilly Conference, October 5 – 7, 2004, at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, CA.

Today, there are many factors that contribute to the success of a social networking marketing campaign and Twitter is just one of the many digital integrated marketing tools. Besides having experience, skill and passion about what you are communicating, successful social media marketing requires a well thought out, detailed, marketing plan and timeline. Even with all this, there are still no guarantees; What works for one company or person may not be as effective for another.

While there are no magic bullets that will guarantee the overall success of your campaign, below you will find a listing of some helpful tips to guide you through the process of integrating twittering into your corporate digital marketing programs:

1. Create momentum with effective communications and set up kick-off meetings well in advance of your deliverables

2. Optimal participation is key. Schedule regular (weekly or bi-weekly) meetings (virtual or in person) and involve as many employees/departments in your organization.

3. Ensure that your meeting handouts include guidelines for branding specs, e.g., having company logo included on all tweets, regardless of whether a company is using different blog/tweet names for different products,/themes, etc., appropriate tone, buzzwords, keywords, etc.

4. If your social marketing media campaign calls for multiple bloggers and twitterers, make sure your respective tweet names match respective tweet blogs; This information should all be mapped out (e.g., spreadsheet) and incorporated into your digital marketing plan alongside all of the other marketing tools you will be integrating

5. Use common sense and discuss best practice to ensure employee tweeters know their leaps and bounds when contributing to avoid compromising your blogs/tweets integrity and reputation

6. Tie in tweets with your company’s blogs – an example is how Martha Stewart’s tips, ideas, etc., from her blog into tweets – again, not necessarily coming from someone from her company, but created such a brand following that followers as well as employees include her ideas in their blogs

7. Understand and learn of the importance of following potential customers, existing customers, vendors, suppliers, etc.

8. Incorporate short and simple auto-respond tweets for new followers – assuring real-time reply in the event no one is able to respond immediately; Although the majority of folks recommend not using auto-responds, my suggestion is to test the waters but keep auto-responds short, thanking them for connecting and sharing relevant information. If you feel auto-responding is working against you, simply remove it. At least you can say you gave it a try.

9. Understand the importance of hashtags and other application enhancements and use them carefully. E.g., including hashtags in your tweets, e.g., #followfriday; and applications, Tweet Meme, etc. There are pros and cons to hashtags - some folks feel the short 140-character blurbs get distorted from the #hashtag symbol while others are embracing it. So far, I haven't been incorporating hashtags into my tweets. I plan on giving #hashtags a try soon.

10. If you are interested in following please feel free to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gbdaly

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

Irish Soda Bread Easy 1-2-3 Recipe

2011-03-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Saint Pat's Day!

Like many households on Saint Patrick's Day, in the center of our breakfast table you will find tasty, Irish, soda bread to celebrate the luck and charm of the Irish. I baked this easy Irish soda bread earlier today and just had to share my easy recipe by posting on my blogs. The great thing about this is the prep time was slightly less than 5 minutes and it baked in an hour.

INGREDIENTS:
► Flour 3 1/2 cups
► Sugar 3/4 to 1 cup (or try sugarfree alternatives; e.g., splenda or equal)
► Baking powder 1 tablespoon
► Eggs 2 medium size
► Milk 1 cup
► Melted butter - 1 stick
OPTIONAL:
► Raisins 1 cup
► Caraway seeds 2 tablespoons
► Be imaginative. I used Flax Seeds

Step 1 : Soda Bread Dough (3 min)
► Prepare oven at 375°; In large bowl combine dry ingredients
► Flour
► Sugar
► Baking Powder
► Optional ingredients - I added 1/2 teaspoon Flax seeds
► Add remaining ingredients - Milk, Eggs, Melted Butter

Step 2 : Knead Dough (2 min)
► Knead dough and divide the dough into 2 round loaves
► Sprinkle flour if dough is too moist and sticky
► Using a cake knife, mark the top of each dough loaf with an X

Step 3 : Place loaves in 375° oven (60 min)
► Wait at least 10 minutes before slicing

Total time - 1 Hour and 5 Minutes

“Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old.”
--Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), Irish author and satirist.

By Gloria Buono-Daly, March 2011

Some Superbowl AD RESOURCES

2011-02-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a listing of some interesting sites about Superbowl XLV ads. Best to copy/paste than to click on link. Enjoy the game. I'm looking forward to the E-Trade's latest "Girlfriend" ad, premiering tonight. Love those babies!
-BusinessInsider, Preview Super Bowl Ads XLV http://www.businessinsider.com/super-bowl-commercials-super-bowl-xlv-2011-2#
-Top ads in past 13 years http://superbowl-ads.com/article_archive/
-Examiner.com, Best Picks - http://www.examiner.com/commercials-in-national/2011-super-bow-commercials-the-best-picks
-Los Angeles Times - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/02/super-bowl-ads-that-extra-something-that-makes-the-super-bowl-great.html
-myspace Super Bowl Ads, http://www.myspace.com/superbowlads
-The Washington Post, Live Blogging, Best and Worst Ads http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/02/06/super-bowl-2011-live-blogging-the-best-and-worst-ads/

-Examiner.com, Super Bowl ad voting goes real-time: Facebook Replay joins YouTube AdBlitz,
http://www.examiner.com/technology-in-national/super-bowl-ad-voting-goes-real-time-facebook-replay-joins-youtube-adblitz#ixzz1DE3QnJ1b
-The Wall Street Journal, Super Bowl 2011: Live-Blogging the Best and Worst Ads, http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/02/06/super-bowl-2011-live-blogging-the-best-and-worst-ads/

NYCapartmentsKD.com Video from Gloria Buono-Daly

2010-11-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com presents another video all about: NYCapartmentsKD.com

At one time or another, we all need to find a new place to live. After working as a licensed real estate agent for a very short time with my husband, Kevin Daly, who has been doing this for over 15 years now, I realize how important it is to be there to help apartment seekers and colleagues find a nice place to live and be within budget. This is why we work very hard and are dedicated to helping our clients and customers. We don't just want to rent or sell, we want to walk them through it all and educate them through every step of the process. We want to let everyone know about us so that in the event you or someone you know is looking to find a new place to call home in New York City, we are here for you. This is why we created this video, NYCapartmentsKD.com -- we want to let the world know -- so please spread the word. Thanks!!! Visit NYCapartmentsKD.com

Bios:

Gloria Buono-Daly: Gloria is a native New Yorker and since her childhood years, she has spent countless hours exploring New York City with family and friends. As a corporate publishing and marketing communications professional, she brings extensive creative, administrative and managerial expertise coupled with a unique perspective to real estate.

Kevin Daly: Having come from a family who has been involved in Manhattan Real Estate for over a century, Kevin brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about New York City. As a consistent top performing agent, he rents many BEST DEAL apartments and many are NO FEE to LOW FEE.

Here's our favorite quote about real estate:

Buy land, they're not making it anymore." --Mark Twain (aka Samuel Langhorne Clemens)

Name It. Change It. Press Conference: See What You Missed!

2010-09-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

"When you attack one women, you attack all women!" -- Jehmu Greene, President, WMC.

On Tuesday, August 31st, members and supporters of Women's Media Center (WMC), WCF (formerly Women's Campaign Fund) and Political Parity joined at the Paley Center for Media in New York City for a press conference to announce the national launch of Name It. Change It., the media accountability campaign that addresses sexism in the media against women candidates and whose goal is to stop sexist treatment of women candidates beginning with the upcoming 2010 midterm elections.

The event was also live-stream at www.nameitchangeit.org, www.wcffoundation.org, and http://www.womensmediacenter.com/.

Pictured from left to right: Kerry Healey,
Sam Bennett, Jehmu Greene

Jehmu Greene, WMC President and former advisor to Hillary Clinton, facilitated the conference and was joined by WCF President, Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, and Political Parity Co-Chair and former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Kerry Healey.

"Media surrounds us, and when we don't see women in leadership roles, the mental jump to envision them is that much higher," said Greene who went on to share her favorite quote by the late Shirley Chisholm, NY Congresswoman (1968 to 1983; also first black woman elected to Congress).

"Emotional, sexual and psychological female stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says 'it's a girl'!" -- Shirley Chisholm"

"And today we're launching Name It. Change It., a media accountability project just for that exact reason," added Greene.

Highlights of the press conference included startling statistics pertaining to women in political office, the premiere of the campaign’s online video titled "In Your Face with Mark and Friends," created by Strategic Productions, and a newly created "Egregious Incident Alert System" (aka SAS, Sexist Alert System), "The Pyramid of Egregiousness," etc.).

THE PYRAMID OF EGREGIOUSNESS

The Egregiousness Pyramid

Pyramid of Egregiousness Diagram includes a color-coded system in shades of orange, to identify the three degrees of sexism in media. 1."Just plain sexist" (bottom tier, lightest orange); 2. "Really darn sexist" (middle tier, orange); 3. "Severe misogynist" (third, tier, deep, burnt orange). Note, 50% fall in the "just plain sexist" tier while the remaining 50% fall in the other 2 tiers, "really darn sexist" and "severe misogynist."

The goal of Pyramid of Egregiousness model is to encourage everyone to report any sexist treatment of women in the media and characterize it by the color-coded diagram. When you go to the Pyramid's URL mousing over a tier shows sample phrases (e.g., the"Just plain sexist" tier includes the phrase "high maintenance," etc.). The conference also featured a provocative and interesting Q & A.

STATISTICS AND EGREGIOUS TALES

Unfortunately, there is more than enough of statistics and egregious stories when it comes to sexism in media. Did you know that the U.S. currently ranks 86th in the world for the number of women in Congress and that 51% of Americans are women, yet women hold only 17% of the seats in Congress, and 24% of State Legislature seats? And all indications are that much has to do with sexist treatment by the media and lack of awareness and support.

Greene shared a familiar and compelling statistic with the audience from the Geena Davis Foundation Institute on Gender in Media that had to do with the correlation of hours spent watching TV for girls and boys -- The more hours that girls watch TV the less options they feel they have in life. For males, the more they watch TV the more sexist they feel. More information about the "One on One" session at the Paley Center for Media this past April is at http://bit.ly/GeenaDavis-PaleyCenter4Media.

"Women are singularly responsible for us being here today," added Greene who then introduced Siobhan "Sam" Bennet, President, WCF who is also a former Congressional and Mayoral candidate in Pennsylvania. Bennett faced egregious sets of sexist attacks against her personally while campaigning for office, and she courageously went on to take that experience and turn it into a positive campaign to support all women, regardless of their political party, who are seeking leadership roles in government.

Bennett joined the WCF, the oldest organization (36 years old) in 2009 and has been hard at work in fighting sexism against women candidates. In such a short time, many have witnessed the amazing transformation from a social media standpoint of her work in fighting sexist against women and to bring more women into elective office on all sides of the aisle. "Sam Bennett has marshalled in this campaign in such an aggressive and necessary way," said Greene as she announced Bennett.

"Did you ever have a moment where you're surrounded by luminaries and ask how did I get here?" opened Bennett, as she continued by sharing her impressive thoughts about her fellow colleagues on the panel. "Jehmu is an amazing young woman and it's a real honor to be working with WMC and Kerry Healey, former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, an amazing women, a Republican who is out there on so many issues and she is the co-chair of a historic alliance of women's organizations across this country called Political Parity. To be among this august company is so powerful, such an honor," added Bennett. Bennett also thanked Swanee Hunt, of the Hunt Alternatives Fund, for her energy, insight and experience. Hunt could not be here today but she was surely missed.

Bennett went on to describe how honored and proud she is to be leading the WCF organization and how it has been helping women campaigning for political office for 36 years. "There is not a women of tenure on the hill that did not get a first check from the Women's Campaign Fund. Ask Democrat Barbara Boxer, ask Republican Olympia Snow," said Bennett.

It was compelling to learn how Bennett experienced the most breathtaking misogyny from the media in her own hometown where she's lived for over 30 years. Bennett was a PTA President and founded several civic organizations in her community; but when she ran for mayor she had a taste of sexist treatment by the media.

As Bennett was running for Mayor (which incidentally she lost by only 46 votes) and was doing her first stump speech, she was interrupted by the chair of that meeting who said "Sam I want to ask you a question all the men in this room have been dying to ask you - just what are your measurements?" recalled Bennett. "And there was a reporter who wrote an article about this meeting and didn't even mention it," added Bennett. Bennett went on to describe that when she ran for Congress, that experience paled in comparison to what came her way during her next campaign. "I'm very proud to say I've raised more money but the bottom line is this -- I came away that I want to focus on helping get more women in elected office. My state ranks 46th in the US of women in elected office so something is very wrong," said Bennett.

Bennett introduced Kerry Healey of Political Parity as a visionary who inspires all the women around her. Kerry Healey mentioned experiences throughout her campaign that although they were very humorous they also were so important because it is exactly these types of sexism things that frighten and deter other women into wanting to run for office. Disappointingly, female journalists are just as guilty as male journalists. Healey experienced the most disappointing question as she was on a radio interview by a woman journalist. She was asked if she got elected to office was she going to have twins during her term. The strategy behind this media question was basically due to the fact that her predecessor, also a woman, had twins during her elected office term. "Well obviously, at my age, that would be impossible," said Healey, and the audience laughed. Healey's defeat was actually celebrated and ridiculed in the Boston Globe, caricaturing her as a witch with black hat and all, but with blonde hair.

"Political Parity was an idea because Swanee Hunt of the Hunt Alternatives Fund, started talking about a bipartisan effort to get women elected on both sides of the aisle," said Healey. Another key contributor was unable to attend today's conference, Lauren Emory, an amazing supporter of women causes particularly concerned with the fact that there has never been a women's effort to get women elected on both sides of the table before.

Healey expressed much appreciation and gratitude as she described how she became involved through Political Parity. "The Emory Family Foundation provided the funding and without Lauren Emory, we wouldn't be here today. Lauren is a terrific supporter of women causes," said Healey. Healey continued by reading a statement from Lauren Emory.

"The Political Parity project is a historic and timely initiative for women around the nation of all different backgrounds, cultures and belief systems who are convening and saying it is time is for real change. And we together are going to make it happen. The Emory Family Foundation is honored to be a resource partner for Political Parity's media accountability project headed by WCF, WMC, and Lake Research. We believe the time is now to put our dollars forth in greater numbers for research and find the projects that are in the forefront of this change. The media accountability is one of these projects." -- Lauren Emory, Emory Family Foundation.

Interesting statistics from research pertaining to reasons why few women consider running for office were addressed and the facts why we must examine why this is so.

Did you know women strongly consider running for office 50% less than men? Two important findings were that women feel they already have 2 jobs -- a real paying job and job at home (dishes, laundry, husband, etc.). Women still disproportionately make sure households run well and a main reason women don't go into politics is because they view it as another job. "Why would I sign up for 3 jobs?," said Healey.

Exact statistics will be announced at the next Name It. Change It. Press Conference on September 23rd to be held in Washington DC. In summary, women look at how women candidates are handled by media and that is the direct deterrent for women to run. Male candidates don't worry about the job at home, etc. "How a woman is handled should be no different than how a man is handled," said Healey. Of those 50% women, 30% fewer of them ever run.

Everyone in the audience raised their hand when asked if they believed that women are integral to making sure women bring something important to the table. Kerry Healey mentioned the Rankin File, a campaign which compiles lists of women leaders who should be in Congress and makes sure these names get mentioned when electoral projects are announced or mentioned. The Rankin File program was named after Jeanette Rankin, suffragist, and the first women elected in House of Representatives 1917-1919, running again in 1941-1942.

Before the Q&A segment, Greene mentioned how important this day is and shared a recent conversation she had with Jennifer Posner of Women Media in the News about the sexist comment when Geraldine Ferraro was nominated to be the VP, and Tom Brokaw introduced her as a size 6 along with the sexism in media toward Senator Clinton when she ran for President in 2008.

ON THE NAMING OF "NAME IT. CHANGE IT."

Greene shared how one of WMC's founders, Gloria Steinem, helped with the name, by thinking of different ways of looking about the major issues at hand. From Steinem's first idea, "Name It. Shame It., to Name It. Shame It. Change It., and finally "Name It. Change It." The room was silent as Greene read Gloria Steinem's "Statement on Equality.'

"The most workable definition of equality for journalists is reversibility. Don’t mention her young children unless you would also mention his, or describe her clothes unless you would describe his, or say she’s shrill or attractive unless the same adjectives would be applied to a man. Don’t say she’s had facial surgery unless you say he dyes his hair or has hair plugs….and so on. Don’t say she’s just out of graduate school, but he’s a young Turk or that she’s someone’s protégée but he’s a rising star…
By extension, don’t say someone is a Muslim unless you also identify Christians and Jews, or identify only some people by race, ethnicity or sexuality and not others. However, this does NOT mean being even-handedly positive or negative when only one person or side has done something positive or negative. Equality allows accuracy." -- Gloria Steinem, WMC Cofounder and Board member

Q & A HIGHLIGHTS

A series of questions and answers began with the first question from an audience member directed to Siobhan "Sam" Bennett.

Q: "How did you respond to the question asking for your measurements?"

A: Bennett expressed how she was unprepared. "What I should have said is I'll tell you my measurements if you tell me yours. Instead I stammered my way through it...you don't have a ready response," explained Bennett.

Bennet shared how strategic bridges are creating solutions to these situations. It was interesting to learn that there is research conducted by Celinda Lake of Lake Research that attempts to quantify the electoral effect of sexist type statements and how womens' perceptions change when these statements come out. In an effort to help empower women candidates the research will include sample responses that women can make when they are confronted with such sexist situations and questions. There is not only data but the ability to submit helpful and strategic information about the most effective ways to respond to these questions and situations.

Q: Another question was based on an audience member's opinion that feminism was founded based on pro choice; "So how do you support all women, yet the pink elephant in the room who wears glasses and is from Alaska (Sarah Palin) says she is a feminist yet doesn't represent what true feminism is all about (e.g., pro life vs. pro choice)?" The audience member continued "She says she is a feminist yet doesn't represent what true feminism is all about, she's pro life, feminism is pro chice, how do we treat her as equal?"

A: Healey explained the fact that women are the majority and yet we regard ourselves as the minority due to bipartisanship. She continued mentioning that essentially this is the reason why these attacks come from women as opposed to men -- Because of the partisan underpinning of their hostility toward their candidate through misogyny.

"All women deserve to be treated equally regardless of whether we agree with them, and this is the strength of this entire effort. It does not allow us to be defiant as women," responded Healey. Healey mentioned that she will defend Sarah Palin as needed since all women deserve to be treated in an even-handed way as men whether she agrees with them or doesn't like them will not be a factor.

Bennett mentioned that so much happens because we normalize these kinds of conversations or descriptions about women candidates. "We need to take this off the table to talk about any movement for women," added Bennett.

Q: Another question about Sarah Palin had to do with her stepping down midterm as Governor of Alaska. "Doesn't that mean an admission to a misogynist?" asked an audience member.

A: Healey recounted her experience when she was asked if she was going to have children during her term in office. "All women cannot live up to a perfect standard and can't please all other women by other womens' behaviors... Right now women are being silenced by the fear of being criticized by the media....Sarah Palin has my support whether or not she expresses to have it. This goes to the core belief that everyone be accorded basic standard of respect, and this is what we're trying to accomplish so that they are free to express themselves politically," said Healey.

Greene mentioned John Edwards when he was elected to serve as US Senator and during his first term how he decided to run for President. "Look at the parity, the equality as the goal for this campaign for women and men to be treated fairly by journalists, by bloggers, in the entire media world and that they are judged on the issues, the stances, and vision -- judged as leaders but not because of their judgment, said Greene.

Q: The next question dealt with the way the media addresses Congress as "Congressmen" and never uses a unisex term such as Congress member.

A: Green agreed that this issue needs to be addressed within the media especially women candidates and counterparts with an equal amount of experience. "We must make sure women are being judged and profiled as the same people that our male counterparts have been and continue to be," said Greene.

Q: There was a question pertaining to whether the reach of Name It. Change It. purports to be domestic or global, particularly with the international sexist incident toward France First Lady by the President of Iran, labeling her a "whore" (severe misogyny on the Egregiousness Scale) for her humanitarian effort to the Iranian woman sentenced to being stoned to death.

A: Greene explained that for 2010 the reach is domestic, but long term the program will broaden its reach in as much as possible. "We should all look forward to conversation by Sam and Kerry about how to continue to broaden the reach in the future. Taking a step back from Name It. Change It., the Women's Media Center very much wants to provide opportunities for visibility and action to make sure the situation in Iran and the activists engaged in fighting back have a platform and that their voices are being heard, something we do on a daily basis at WMC," said Greene.

Bennett mentioned Rita Jensen, Editor in Chief at Women's eNews, her work and the importance to start in a domestic platform during the midterm elections. She then explained why our nation needs to be an international leader in how women are regarded so that our domestic work here is preeminently important especially as we need to set the example in how women candidates are treated.

"As per Gloria Steinem, whatever we say about men, say nothing less about women. Women's Campaign Fund and Foundation have an opportunity to encourage women to run at all levels," said Bennett.

Q: There was a question pertaining to whether Name It. Change It. has a specific outcome at the end of this campaign.

A: Greene explained that if we look back to the 2008 election and notice the level of sexist attacks that candidates Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro faced. WMC was not just monitoring the attacks but developing a campaign to address it. Greene gave examples such as the comments from Chris Matthews who was then CNBC lead anchor. WMC put together a video and through many conversations and many actions did meet with MSNBC President who issued a very big apology. Chris Matthews also issued an apology and his actions resulted in him loosing his MSNBC anchor seat, now Matthews serves as commentator. "Maria Theresa Kumor became a contributor at MSNBC and Rachel Madow got her show so to look back and see that through a little bit of work and activism came outcomes," said Greene.

Q: Another question had to do witth how Name It. Change It. will be measured.

A: Greene mentioned that when we receive national response, we know we're on track, and from Political Parity's standpoint, many projects will allow women to feel more comfortable to enter the political arena and get elected. Measuring by how many more women run for office and be elected to office is the way this campaign will be measured.

Q: The final question from the audience was about the participation of WMC co-founders Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda. "Is Gloria or Jane going to be doing any appearances?"

A: Greene explained that Gloria has been blogging about the launch of this campaign and will continue to do more posts. Also that Jane is engaged in the campaign and very much behind making sure we have resources that are effective.

Greene shared an article from The LA Times (August 30, 2010 issue) which reported that we will probably be seeing our existing ten women House of Representatives and Senate seats and probably loosing the same amount of women seats in this competitive election. "The impact of this campaign is to make sure that we open up the doors and spread and engage more women and that they understand, now more than ever how important it is that we encourage women to run for office," said Greene.

In closing, Greene thanked the live, online, and live-stream audiences as well as her fellow colleagues, Siobhan "Sam" Bennett and Kerry Healey, for being here.

by Gloria Buono Daly

Founder of AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com

Google In Your Backyard: Has the internet gone far beyond mainstream advertising and invasion of privacy?

2010-08-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

From internet cookies to your backyard, what next? Spying in your bathroom?

According to a recent Wall Street Journal investigation, see article by Jessica E. Vascellaro of The Wall Street Journal “Google Agonizes on Privacy As Ad World Vaults Ahead” (Tuesday, August 10, 2010, A1, or see video) Google senior executives are reviewing their confidential “vision statement” assessing how far they should go in monetizing from it’s massive database, which tracks all forms of internet usage patterns from what video you upload on YouTube, your Gmail messages and your physical home address, to your checkout transactions and what websites you visit. All this enables Google to customize the ads you see, a term they call intraspace advertising.

So as you search the web using Google for information, let's say about cars, Google will inundate you with automobile ads which is turning your internet service experience, that you pay for with your own money, for your own personal Web search use, into a plethora of target marketing gimmicks, not only annoying for consumers but essentially invading privacy. This type of internet advertising self dealing has been going on for some time now, but is becoming more rampant as new technologies are added coupled with the use of thousands of third-party businesses. Obviously, in the long run, this is going to do more harm than good.

Statistics from comScore indicate that in the month of June Google had the highest internet usage of all the global web companies with 75% of global Internet users (943.8 million). Included in Google’s vision statement was the admission that while some of their uses of databases are safe, some are “NOT” safe.

Doesn't Google's data-trading marketplace and use of users' personal information from various sources equate to essentially exploiting individuals without their permission? Is the public going to allow Google to essentially cyber-stalk for the sake of target advertising?

Have Google’s aggressions gone far beyond “mainstream advertising” to virtually snooping in backyards? Are Government Officials and Google abusing their power and illegally spying on the U.S. population?

According to Aaron Dyles of Infowars.com (8/2/2010), local government officials in Riverhead, N.Y. are using Google’s satellite technology to snoop in residents backyards and issue fines to those that have pools without permits. All this without the legal protocol of acquiring a search warrant! Is this a violation of our constitutional rights? From internet cookies to your backyard, what next? Spying in your bathroom?

Please answer this LinkedIn poll. Should something be done to prevent Google and other internet companies from invading consumer privacy on the Web?

by Gloria Buono Daly
Founder of AllThingsDigitalMarketing.com

Deal with It: Communicating in a Crisis - How to Navitate the Chaos and Triumph

2010-08-10T06:13:00.000-07:00

Deal with It: Communicating in a Crisis - “How to Navigate the Chaos and Triumph”
written by Gloria Buono Daly, as appeared on NYWICI.org on May 8, 2009

On May 5th, NYWICI members and guests gathered at Burson-Marsteller NY for a panel on how to master crisis management in politics, government, business and non-profit organizations. Panelists addressed the gaps, critical challenges and successes in crisis communications.

The event was moderated by Courtney Hazlett, columnist and celebrity correspondent, MSNBC. The panelists included Cindy Leggett-Flynn, partner, Brunswick Group LLC; Davia Temin, president, Temin & Company; Loretta Ucelli, senior advisor, Gutenberg Communications; and Gail Cohen, Global Chair of Healthcare Practice, Burson-Marsteller NY.

Hazlett started by quoting then Senator John F. Kennedy: “The medium, television, which lends itself to manipulation, exploitation and gimmicks, can be abused by demagogues but appealed to emotion, and prejudice, and ignorance.” She then picked up the threat and addressed the panel: “That was when we only had TV to deal with; now that we got Twitter, the internet, and cable news 24 hours a day, speed is everything! When do you decide to jump on something, and when do you decide to pull back and see what the story is going to be?”

READINESS AND SPEED

Most communications’ crises stem from a gap between what an organization perceives as a problem and what the public thinks is the problem. Ucelli believed that in those cases, speed is everything; crisis managers must be ready to communicate when necessary and be aware of what is going on around them.

MONITORING IS BREAD AND BUTTER

Social media are vital in identifying a developing crisis and have broadened crisis communications. Leggett-Flynn believes that many companies don’t have the tools to take necessary steps, however. Cohen added that there are more voices today than a decade or two ago and that now, “monitoring is bread and butter.”

HERE TODAY, TWEETED AWAY TOMORROW

Twitter users are mostly in their 30s and 40s, while CEOs and company heads are usually older. Temin sees a lot of confusion among managers on the reality of blogs and tweets, given that many celebrities often hire people to tweet for them. “Tweets may be here today — and tweeted away tomorrow.”

TRANSPARENCY, RESPONSIBILITY AND REPUTATION

Communicators face challenges when putting aside personal feelings about a particular corporation, when asked to restore their company’s or client’s reputation. Leggett-Flynn believes that many communicators function as legal representatives. “In media, you’re either evil or a hero; gray areas don’t play well.”

THE DOT AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE

While one of the main elements in crisis management is developing the facts and putting them out fast, Ucelli stressed communicators must know how to end the sentence quickly in almost any crisis situation. Temin shared an experience, where a communications manager and former journalist kept on answering questions when the right strategy would have been to simply say it once and leave it at that.

BRIDGE THE GAPS, CONTROL THE DAMAGE

After Nickelodeon’s failure to address the domestic abuse charges against Chris Brown, many parents wanted to know why the station hadn’t disqualified the singer from its Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. “If Nickelodeon had participated in a public conversation rather than simply wait for Brown to pull out, that would have helped [its] reputation,” explained Cohen.

Q & A HIGHLIGHT

On the failing auto industry, Bernard Madoff, Bear Sterns, AIG and Rod Blagojevich, the consensus was that the car makers committed the biggest blunders in their crisis communications. Ucelli believes the situation had been in their control but management had missed the target for years. “The inability to produce a car that Americans would be driving and the big public relations incident on Capital Hill, didn’t work,” Ucelli concluded. “It’s so ubiquitous, so silent, nothing online,” added Cohen. And Leggett-Flynn believed that there was disconnect from reality — which, by the way, goes for most of those on the list.

written by Gloria Buono Daly

as appeared on NYWICI.org on May 8, 2009

Tarrytown, NY 7.23.10

2010-07-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

Tarrytown, NY 7.23.10

Gloria Buono Daly Introduces www.NYCapartmentsKD.com

2010-07-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Video - Gloria Introduces http://www.nycapartmentskd.com/

To see our latest video (November 2010) about NYCapartmentsKD.com, click here. Thanks for your interest.

Hello and thank you for watching my video. I wanted to let you know of my latest business, NYC real estate. I’m a licensed real estate agent and I work at Prince Real Estate Associates. I work with my husband, Kevin Daly who has over 15 years experience in residential real estate in New York City. We both have a tremendous passion for helping many individuals and families find a place to live in New York City. Let me help you find your next home in NYC by contacting us at 917.312.8643 or emailing us at kevin@nycapartmentskd.com. We would love to hear from you and be of assistance in your search for a home in NYC.

2010 Streaming Media East: Will Online Video become as Ubiquitous as Text?

2010-05-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, May 12th I attended the 13th Annual Streaming Media East show at the Hilton in New York City and was amazed to learn about the latest online video trends and how these innovations are being utilized to impact and enhance user experience online.

The event was filled with so many people, products and services. Professionals in all areas of business, obviously with a passion for online video, attended including video content owners, viral video creators, online marketers, enterprise corporations, broadcast professionals, ad agencies, educators, etc.

Products and services from the latest high speed online video technologies for small mom and pop web site owners to enterprise solutions for major global corporations, Streaming Media East 2010 at the Hilton on Sixth Avenue in New York City was the place to be to learn all about the latest products and participate in discussions about how the various technologies for online video are impacting businesses worldwide.

It’s amazing when I realize how just a few years ago computer users and web site owners, myself included, stayed away from videos on the web due to the inordinate amounts system problems such as computer glitches, sluggish operations and even crashing.

This sentiment has obviously changed, and the web user experience is becoming more exciting and engaging as online video gains momentum now more than ever.

I was glad to have the opportunity to learn more about two products that I feel are well worth mentioning: BrightCove.com, an online video platform for video editing, customization and monetization and Magnify.net, a CVC (Curated Video Content) system platform.

Among the advancements from BrightCove.com are enhancements that enable web site owners to edit video frame/shells with customized background color, company logo in player chrome and loading screens, etc. creating a look and feel consistent with their respective web site themes; managing video inventories, creating playlists, integrating advertising networks and servers for monetization, and universal delivery systems to enable multi-bitrate streaming for multi-platform devices (e.g., iPod, iPad, connected TVs, etc.) intuitively done with simple clicks.

The Magnify.net user interface, has made online editorial video curation attainable for not only the rich and powerful community web sites such as Huffington Post but also for small to mid-sized publishers and web site owners. Magnify.net, “a realtime video curator engine,” offers a free version that enables web site owners to gather videos from across the web and build their own video channel. The free version is limited but there are professional, magazine and events editions that feature more bells and whistles. I feel this product particularly benefits print and magazine publishers offering new web site launches to highlight their expertise for a particular product or service as there are endless ways to engage the user experience.

With all the latest online video technologies, tools and choices for web marketers and magazine publishers, taking their company web sites to the next level will be easier, more tailored and productive, and online video well-positioned to become as prevalent and ubiquitous as what text is on web today.

Do you think that online video will become as ubiquitous as what text is on the internet today? To answer this LinkedIn poll please click this link.

For more information about Streaming Media East, visit streamingmedia.com/east. I’m already looking forward to the next Streaming Media East 2011 show scheduled for May 10-11, same place, Hilton, New York, NY and seeing some of you there.

written by Gloria Buono Daly

The 40th Annual Matrix Awards 2010: Honors Crème de la Crème Women in Communications

2010-04-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

"Don't worry; If you love doing it, you'll really be great at doing it."
-- Jeffrey Garten

"So follow the life of Ina's sweet husband, Jeffrey." -- Brian Williams

On Monday, April 19th, a full house audience of over 1,500 communications professionals gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City to celebrate the 40th Annual New York Women In Communications Inc., (NYWICI) Matrix Awards and honor this year’s crème de la crème of women in communications. Also referred to as the “Oscar of Communications” by many, this prestigious event continues to honor the best of the best, as all honorees continue to accept their awards in person, and to me, says a great deal about New York Women In Communications, Incorporated (NYWICI.org).

This year’s eight honorees included women in all walks, or should I say, talks, of communications from television, newspaper, and books to music and lyrical artistry, internet technology, and philanthropy. Also celebrated were NYWICI Matrix Scholarship winners awarded to young women pursuing careers in communications.

Brian Williams, NBC News Anchor was MC of this year’s Matrix Awards and marked the second time in a row that the Matrix Awards commissioned a "man" to emcee. “As we gather on this sparkling day in New York, and we don’t know what other luncheons are doing for their star power, there is an elephant in the room,” said Williams. The audience cheered early on, as William's sharp intelligence, humor and incredible wit engaged the audience and set the stage. “I don’t know why a man’s husband does lunch. And don’t paint on me because they talk, they yell, and chew up around $200,000 for lunch! I should blame the volcano which we’ll be blaming for a lot of things today,” added Williams referring to his boss, Jeff Zucker, CEO of NBC Universal who was also on stage.

Oprah, adorned in a chic, deep coral, iridescent-like, A-line dress looked stunning as usual, and was the first to present. She shared her fond memories of Matrix honoree, Gayle King, O editor at large and host of The Gayle King Show. “There isn’t enough time for me to really tell you about my friendship with Gayle and what her friendship means to me … The only person in my life who said yes you should go to Chicago and yes you can be Phil Donahue.” Oprah blocked out rumors in the press and in Kitty Kelley's unauthorized tell all book, including the latest tabloid reports of another man claiming to be her biological father. Oprah brushed it off as just another man needing money for home repairs by saying, "Daughter, call me, I just need a new roof." As King came up to the podium she mentioned how great it was to be here and that she had a dream regarding what to wear and yet she still ended up wearing a similar vibrant color as Oprah. "No this wasn't done intentionally," said King. This fashion statement goes to show you how they do tend to think alike and have similar taste. King was inspiring to listen to as we learned about her experiences about motherhood and her career. “I was never the type of person to stay home all day,” said King. The audience laughed so hard when she shared her body slimmer secrets. King shared many more life lessons including her most important belief that one must always be open to what life has to offer. (Incidentally, I was able to personally meet up with Oprah earlier before our Matrix Awards ceremony began, and I was thrilled to have her answer my "question of the day." More on this can be found in this same blog just below the contents of event write up portion.)

Katie Couric, CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor and 60 Minutes correspondent, was presenter to Anne Keating, senior vice president of public relations, special events and corporate philanthropy for Bloomingdales who also earned another title from Couric as "lovely pitbull." “So I’m sitting in the newsroom on a Friday afternoon getting ready to go on the air, the phone rings and they tell me it’s an important call that I have to take. Who is this, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Les Moonves? No. I pick up the phone and it’s Anne Keating,” said Couric. “I was happy to answer the call because Anne always does," continued Couric. It became very obvious Keating shared Couric’s passion for colon cancer awareness. Bloomingdale’s became the very first corporate supporter of Couric’s colon cancer campaign. “And while today we are here with a few network queens, no Brian I’m not talking about you. Anne is the queen of networking,” said Couric. “Women have changed the world so much,” said Keating. “I am humbled to be on the same stage with an exceptional group of people.”

Marissa Mayer, vice president of search product and user experience for Google, was introduced by Maria Bartiromo, anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo, and host and managing editor of Wall Street Journal Report With Maria Bartiromo.” Maria dressed in her usual well-tailored, business attire -- a Wall Streetish navy pin-striped suit, her off-white collared blouse showing a hint of cleavage that revealed a black bra, her signature style. “Marissa was the 20th person hired at Google, and today she is literally, still on her honeymoon,” said Bartiromo who believes that this Matrix award to Marissa is a shout out to so many women in communications. "She is with seven other women who changed the world, because technology, the kind she lives and breathes every day, has changed the world in so many ways and so dramatically," said Bartiromo. Mayer graced the podium in appropriate shout-out chic, wearing a gorgeous, geeky-green dress patterned with swirls of black triangles, rectangles, dashes and parentheses-like shapes. Math and code in everything she does, and at best, an exponential life! Then came a quick snapshot of Bartiromo presenting the Matrix Award to Mayer followed by Mayer's first words at the mike, "I’m Marissa Mayer, and I work for Google and I’m a Geek!” She then described her passion as a geek and how it applied to everything in her life including her wedding plans, specs for her bridal gown, honeymoon, to even setting up the stereo acoustic system in her home. “I’m very happy to accept the award on behalf of women geeks in communications everywhere,” concluded Marissa.

Mariska Hargitay, the star of Law and Order, presented Matrix Award to Grammy Award-winning Singer/Songwriter, Sheryl Crow. Hargitay believes that everyone here has a favorite Sheryl Crow song and shared hers, Out of Our Heads and explained how this song has become her anthem. “Sheryl can see into my soul, how I feel what I know and what I believe. And being a multi-platinum musician doesn’t compete with how she’s a mother and a friend,” said Hargitay. Crow shared her beliefs that a great record is a people art and the importance of her family. “Right now I’m writing at a really interesting time in my life, and it’s a great honor to receive this award. I will accept this award as a challenge to continue and look at the world objectively,” said Crow.

Susan Chira, New York Times foreign editor, received her award from friend and colleague Jill Abramson, managing editor of the New York Times. “Susan Chira represents everything that is still important and vital in journalism,” said Abramson. “She is the soul of integrity. She works herself to the bone to protect her correspondents and promote their gallant work. Her belief is to tell a story objectively. There is no one more deserving of this award,” continued Abramson. “I was lucky enough to work when barriers were falling, said Chira. “In 1969 when I was in sixth grade, girls had to wear dresses and if they wore pants they were sent back home,” said Chira who also shared her belief that women can have both work and family.

Anna Quindlen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist, presented the award to Ina Garten, former White House nuclear policy analyst, host of the Food Network cooking show and specialty food store owner of The Barefoot Contessa. “This introduction, a piece of cake,” said Quindlen as she introduced Ina Garten. “Like Cher or Madonna or Oprah, she’s known by her brand name; Unlike Cher or Madonna or Oprah, she makes the world’s best coconut cupcakes,” continued Quindlen. Garten mentioned her work experiences at the White House and how she would always tell her husband that what she really would love to do was to have parties for friends. “My husband told me to go ahead and do it and not to worry about making money. He said, if you love doing it, you’ll really be great at doing it,” said Garten. This is what motivated her to buy a specialty food store and call it The Barefoot Contessa. "And my father thought you're giving up a White House job to buy a grocery store," said Garten. Little did she know, The Barefoot Contessa would become a household brand. “And who would think that the Food Network, a tiny little network would take off to become such a powerhouse as it is today. I was really lucky, and it’s been a wonderful ride along the way,” added Garten.

Lesley Stahl, CBS News and 60 Minutes correspondent, presented Matrix Honoree, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, historian and political commentator. Stahl opened her presentation with a very insightful and compelling fact about success, to the almost 100% female audience. (Another highlight and take away for me was my opportunity to personally meet Goodwin after the Matrix Awards ceremony, and I was awe-struck to have her answer my "question of the day;" More on this can be found in this same blog just below the contents of event write up portion.) Several years ago Stahl had met Rice University researchers who were conducting research on success, and their findings were that every women they interviewed all said they were lucky. "Not one man said that,” commented Stahl. It became apparent to me the audience was stunned. What's wrong with women having success resulting from ambition, hard work and intelligence? “Women take a lesson. I’m here happily to present Doris Kearns Goodwin, brilliant biographer and historian. Author of one great book after the next including “Team of Rivals” about Abraham Lincoln,” said Stahl. Then she continued with a question regarding what was the title of Goodwin's thesis for her Harvard Ph.D. “Prayer and Reapportionment,” Stahl announced. “Not to make Doris blush but to underscore, she is an expert on I think just about everything,” continued Stahl. According to Stahl, what everyone in TV-Land loves about Goodwin is not only her bright and sharp analysis but also that fact that Doris talks very fast. “Whenever she’s on you get twice as many words,” said Stahl. Newsworthy trivia about Goodwin is the fact that she is the first women to be allowed into the locker room of the Boston Red Sox and this is also one of the Trivial Pursuit questions for Boston. “There is nothing trivial about Doris Kearns Goodwin, and on top of everything else, on top of all her accomplishments she is really, really nice. I am so proud she is my friend,” said Stahl. Goodwin arrived at the podium and described her love of history by praising 2 important childhood experiences. The first influence, her father, and how scorekeeping became a serious art for her. Her father taught her how to keep score for baseball games and she quickly learned the importance of telling a story from beginning to end. “He worked in NYC during the day and asked me to record the history of the baseball games of that afternoon. He would come home at night and he would listen and laugh as I would explain all the detail,” said Goodwin. “My father paid attention and listened for three hours making me realize that I was telling a fabulous story and made me think there’s something about this thing called history,” continued Goodwin. Her second childhood experience, Goodwin explained, traced to her mother’s chronic illness, rheumatic fever which left her with a damaged heart and with the arteries of a 70 year old yet she was only 30 years old. Her mother’s illness meant she would be bedridden all the time and although with only an eighth grade education, she would read books all the time. “Every night she would read to me I somehow became obsessed about the idea of asking about her own childhood,” said Goodwin. Her mother died when she was only 15 years old but those stories and times with her mother kept Goodwin’s memories alive and were part of what made her who she is today.

NBC Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update anchor, Seth Meyers, presented the Matrix Award to Tina Fey, NBC Saturday Night Live Executive Producer, head writer, and Star NBC's three-time Emmy Award-winning "30 Rock." “Open with an Oprah close with Meyers,” said Meyers. From start to finish, Meyers' brilliant humor throughout his presentation wowed the audience with laughter on top of more laughter. It began with Meyers' appreciation for Matrix Honoree, Anne Keating, which made him reminisce about his experience as a child at Bloomingdales with his mother. He said to Keating “I’ve been thinking about it all day. Jeff Zucker and Brian Williams are up there on stage with you. That day I got lost in Bloomingdales, they were also there. When I got there I inkly remembered,” explained Meyers. Did you know that Meyers’ closest friend is his mother? Well I certainly never knew such a comic genius could also be mama's boy. But can you imagine being the mother of a young son who never stops thinking crazy funny? I don't know about anyone else, but it must have been exhaustive. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one in the audience thinking that maybe his mom had too much of him that day and was kinda' glad to lose him while he was hiding somewhere in women's lingerie, using padded bras and panties as head caps and sneaking in the ladies fitting rooms. Meyers went on to say of his mother “she always said learn good table manners cause you never know when you’re gonna’ eat in front of a thousand women.” Sort of reminded me of Forest Gump's recollection of his mother explaining life with a box of chocolates, "never know what you're going to get till you bite into it." Myers shared his feelings about being here on stage with Brian Williams, “…although I wish you would stop referring to yourself as my wingman today,” poked Meyers. “It is an honor to be here to introduce my good friend Tina Fey but to be honest I have greater jokes for Doris Kearns Goodwin,” Myers added, as he continued to describe his work experience with Fey as well as her successes and how her latest film, Date Night, has made her both TV and movie star. “There’s something in line about Tina Fey having the exact same career that Sarah Palin wishes she had," Meyers went on. “Tina Fey is the hardest working person I have ever worked with. She always looks for a better joke until the minute she says a joke. It’s relentless and anyone that works with her learns a lot and it’s an honor to give her this award today,” said Meyers. Fey was beaming as she reached the podium, in her vivid Dolce & Gabana designer print dress almost identical to fellow honoree Sheryl Crow. Fey implied that Crows' surfer-chic style was more appropriate for her athletic shape, compared to her demure version, accessorized with a black sweater. Yet we all knew their dresses weren't enough to give anyone in the audience diplopia. “It’s an honor to receive this award today and be among these amazing women. I’m really grateful of the generation of women who have worked in communications before me from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s," said Fey. One of Fey's proudest moments was chanting a commercial back when everything was classic, Coke Classic, Kodak Classic, Nike Classic, and the SNL team thought of “Kotex Classic.” "It was really funny, but we realized after several meetings they asked what is it and how we should answer," said Fey. "We answered it’s like a loaf of white bread between your legs," said Fey. “It was very reassuring as I always thought boys could see that thing between my legs and now after all these years I learned they didn’t see it,” Fey continued and the audience couldn’t stop laughing. On a serious note, Fey believes there is scrutiny among women in business that needs to change as it doesn’t apply to men. “Some journalists said to me you work and you’re a mother, how do you juggle it all? You’re really juggling it all, you’re really brilliant right,” said Fey. "Not only are we amazing but we can stand up on unbelievable scrutiny. Congratulations to all of our Matrix winners,” said Fey. Do you think journalists scrutinize working women/moms more than men? We value your opinion, please answer this poll.

Brian Williams was back at the mike and brought on more delightful wit plus a few in-between pokes. “So what have we learned here?" asked Williams. “Tina, I think you said I was your corn, might have been porn? I want to thank you. Is that how you juggle? Some try to be a little bit more like me, um. Unaware, unknown to you the Director said give me a shot and they took Anne Curry. So what do you think of that," continued Williams. “Thank you Gayle for putting the content on body slimmers out there. I can’t name names but there are some men with spanks on the stage today. We need to wait today until Oprah’s plane clears New York Airport," said Williams. “Marissa, I love your speech and your code, and thank you for Google Earth. Anne, you are right to honor Katharine Graham, perhaps the most fascinating women, there’s no one more interesting, mine is No Ordinary Time, the story of the FDR at the White House during WWII by Doris Kearns Goodwin," said Williams.

In closing, Williams continued more insightful delights by reminding us of the “man’s husband,” Jeff Zucker, and reiterated the importance of why we are all here today, to celebrate our scholarship winners. “We have so many young students here today, it’s all about them and we have to remember it,” said Williams. He continued with a quote from honoree Ina Garten's husband, Jeffrey, “Don’t worry if you love doing it, you’ll be great at it." This was an amazing event and tribute to our young scholarship winners. "So follow the life of Ina's sweet husband Jeffrey," said Williams.

Below are some highlights of my personal experiences, before, during and after the event:
Arriving about an hour before the event proved to be the best strategy for me. I got to stake the place out. And I had my “question of the day” all prepared: “What was your most important decision and was it based on your knowledge or a hunch?”

The Waldorf-Astoria was filled with so many exciting people from the exterior’s front façade to the ladies room. I was able to speak to so many attendees from honorees to distinguished guests and presenters before, during and after the event. I couldn’t believe I was wearing such high, stiletto heels, standing around for hours but no way was I going to break this momentum by slipping off my gray Sergio Rossi stilletos for black ballerina flats.

As I was heading toward the reservation desk to find out my table number, “OMG, it’s Oprah,” I shouted to myself as I rushed towards her in my stilettos and all hoping she would answer my question of the day. “Hello Oprah. I love you” I said and then continued “What was the best decision you ever made and was it based on a hunch or knowledge?” Oprah looked gracious as always and replied “My best decision was moving to Chicago and it was based on a hunch.” I’m sure everyone loves Oprah, but seeing and listening to her answer my question, was too profound for words to describe. She is so powerful, yet so approachable.

The elevator ride up to the 3rd floor was anything but normal. Television news journalists and celebrities Ann Curry, Hoda Kotb, Kathy Lee Gifford, and Natalie Morales didn’t seem to mind the crowded elevator. It was apparent, that I along with a few colleagues, really got a surprise ride. Seeing them in person was like having one of Ina's cakes with extra icing. And it was so obvious how happy they were to be at The Matrix Awards to celebrate the honorees.

As I entered the dining hall, I received even more surprises. I was able to ask a diversified group of individuals including luminary television hosts, news anchors, and journalists, my question of the day, and everyone I asked replied! Eleven out of eleven ain't bad.

NBC Today co-anchor and national correspondent, Natalie Morales replied, “I think the most important decisions we make in life is our life partner and then having children and having a family. Of course I made the right decision. It wasn’t just a hunch you just know.”

“Moving to NY was my most important decision and it was based not on my knowledge but just purely, ambition,” said Rachel Shippy, Assistant to the Publisher, Ladies Home Journal, A Meredith Publication.

“My best decision was moving to New York and having a career in Fashion, and it was based on evolution,” said Margo Hasen, Owner at New York City’s Margo Hasen – Fashion Made Easy.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS RD author of The F-Factor Diet and the founder of Tanya Zuckerbrot Nutrition, LLC and www.skinnyandthecity.com mentioned that her most important decision was based on a hunch.

Listening to television news anchor, Hoda Kotb, co-host of NBC Today and Dateline NBC news correspondent, host of syndicated series Your Total Health, and a recipient of numerous awards I learned that being persistent despite repetitive rejection can be a blessing in disguise. “Mine was when I was going on job interviews right after I graduated school and I got in my mom’s car and drove and drove and drove and got rejected everywhere. I received about 27 rejections so when I got to the 28th interview, I almost didn’t go in there because I’ve been rejected so many times. The best decision I probably ever made and I really made it because I was frustrated and tired and just wanted to get it over with and go home. I decided to go on that one more interview when everyone had told me no. I was at a fork in the road, and I could have gone to PR here and TV News here and then there was the News Director, Sam Candrone, standing in the cross road and I almost didn’t go. So that decision to knock on his door was probably the most important decision I have ever made.”

After listening to NBC Today News anchor and journalist, Ann Curry it became clear that her best decision came from a hunch. Curry shared how her humble upbringing and supportive family are what really shaped who she is today. “I came from a poor family, and I was the first to graduate college. My family was very important in my life. My best decision was to attend college and major in Journalism and fulfill my dreams.”

I also noticed Jeanine Pirro, host of her own show, Judge Jeanine Pirro and legal analyst on Fox News and frequent guest to many other shows including FOX News’ On the Record with Greta and CNN’s Larry King Live. I was so thrilled when she graciously took a moment to answer my question as I could tell she was very busy and heading somewhere. Her signature smile and lively spirit came through even with her short, quick answer. “Facts, facts, facts, you know that, it’s always about the facts; I always base my decisions on facts,” said Pirro. She is also a former Judge, prosecutor, and New York State elected official.

Rena Bartos, Matrix Award honoree, 1977, former advertising executive and author of The Moving Target. “My most important decision was based on a hunch,” she said.

Linda Kaplan Thaler, CEO & Chief Creative Officer of Kaplan Thaler Group LLC, NYWICI President Elect, and author of The Big Bang brought more unexpected and exciting moments. “The most important decision I ever made was marrying my husband. Whether it had to do with any expertise or partly based on the fact that I was 36, no just joking. It was just gut feeling because like the first time I met him I felt like I had gone home. I always tell people go with your gut, it has an IQ of 100,000; your working brain has an IQ of about 100."

Before heading home, I was fortunate to notice Matrix Award honoree, Doris Kearns Goodwin, historian, biographer and Pulitzer Prize author at a table at the restaurant in Waldorf-Astoria after the event. She is the most intriguing woman and was so genuine, kind and patient to provide me with her answer which obviously was based on her instinct for making the right decisions. “When I got married and had my kids; I was at that time still teaching. I realized I couldn’t be a professor, and write, and be a mother at the same time," said Goodwin. "So I decided to give up being a professor even though that was my identity for over 10 years. I decided to take a risk to write and that turned out being the right decision. But it really meant that I could write and be with the kids,” added Goodwin.

There were so many lessons and learning experiences from this year’s Matrix Awards event. Initially I was disappointed that I was unable to participate in volunteering at the red carpet, but this negative became a positive for me. I learned a lot including the power of knowledge and intuition and how this is truly a gift. I’m looking forward to next year’s Matrix Awards 2011 to be held on Monday, April 11th and sponsored by Meredith Corporation. I hope to see you all again.
written by Gloria Buono Daly

Below is a listing of the the latest Internet Media Coverage on this year's Matrix
Huffington Post, “Who Was Best Dressed?”
Oprah Winfrey Honors “MSF” Gayle King at NYWICI 2010 Matrix Awards
Oops Tina Fey and Sheryl Crow Wear the Same Dress to the Matrix Awards
Oprah Speaks Out About Kitty Kelley Book: “So-Called Biography”
Lady Newsies [and Brian Williams] Gather for Matrix Awards
Oprah: Norh Robinson, man claiming to be father, just wants “a new roof”
Tina Fey and Sheryl Crow Among Matrix Winners
PIC: Sheryl Crow, Tina Fey Arrive to Event in Same Dress!
The New York Women In Communications 2010 Matrix Awards Red Carpet
The big Life – The Women Who Change The World” Gayle King, Tina Fey and more
Seeing Double: Sheryl Crow and Tina Fey Rock the Same Dress at the Same Event
Tina Fey Honored at Conference
Matrix Awards Lauds Women
People in the News
The Best Dressed: matchy-matchy chic
Oprah Winfrey, Lesley Stahl, Sheryl Crow: Scenes From Women Who Change the World
Breaking News and Gossip - Perez Hilton

Every year since 1970, NYWICI has awarded outstanding women in communications the prestigious Matrix Awards. The long list of past winners reads like a who-is-who of exceptional women in the fields of advertising, books, broadcasting, film, magazines, new media, newspapers and public relations and is a true reflection of achievements by women in communications. For more information visit NYWICI.org

Monday Night at The Paley Center for Media: Guess Who Got Re-Elected?

2010-04-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

On Monday, April 5th, a full house audience of TV, Media and Communications professionals gathered for the evening at The Paley Center for Media for a one-on-one discussion with Academy Award-winning actor, Geena Davis and stellar interviewer, Pat Mitchell, President and CEO, The Paley Center for Media.

“Geena Davis on screen and off! Tonight’s conversation is bound to be inspiring for all” Mitchell praised as she introduced Geena Davis. Besides summarizing Davis’ remarkable career of iconic roles in TV including Buffalo Bill and Commander in Chief, and films Tootsie, Beetle Juice, A League of Their Own, The Accidental Tourist, where she received her Oscar, followed by the iconic Thelma and Louise, where she (with Susan Sarandan) was nominated for a second Oscar for best actress, only a few years after receiving her first Oscar.

Highlights of the evening included a discussion about the impact of Geena Davis' life on winning her first Oscar for The Accidental Tourist to her various iconic roles. Also discussed were barriers in the entertainment industry for women and young girls, particularly the disturbing gender gap of women in media. Davis' goal is to make sure that the awareness of gender gap issues continues to increase and that people continue to see the vast differences of roles for girls and boys in media and become involved.

In 2007 there were only 2.7% female film directors employed. Davis was aware of women parts from amazing women who have paved the way such as Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange, Sally Field and Glenn Close, but it wasn’t until her daughter was about 2 years old and they were watching kids programs that she noticed gender disparity directed at little kids.

The characterizations were so sexualized that she found it disturbing and prompted her to start The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. In a very short time, her organization has compiled the largest research on G-rated films and TV programs made for children. Among her research findings are the many producers, writers, and directors that weren’t aware of gender disparities. Her goal is to reach all movie makers of children’s programs (i.e., writers, producers, directors, casting directors, etc.) and discuss the choices being made right there on the sets.

Her institute has several research projects in the works and they are going to be more qualitative than quantiative and will focus more on the top grossing G-rated movies from 2006 through the present. They will interview the film and TV executives to see if they are aware of the gender disparity issues and learn what they think.

Of great concern to many women is the fact that there aren't enough female action-hero movies, and there is a need for more diverse portrayals of females and males in Film and TV entertainment for children. According to research from The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the ratio of girls to boys of 1:3 has never improved and has been the same since 1946 (a span of 64 years). “It never gets better, the psyche of people in Hollywood believes women will watch men but men won’t watch women,” Davis concludes. According to her research 70% of those interviewed believe female character roles are boring.

Davis feels that it takes consciousness to make changes in gender disparity, and that it's not just about having equal amounts of boys and girls. Davis illustrated this by her recollection of a boat race scene in Stuart Little where the director for casting extras placed the boy extras with the boat remotes in the front and positioned all of the girls behind the boys to watch. “I looked and asked, can you give half of the remotes to the girls?” said Davis. “And he said, yeah,” Davis added.

The alarming issue of hyper-sexuality in film and tv was discussed and the conclusion of how the vast majority of 13 year old girls occupied with watching this is eye candy. "Hot characters in a G-rated movie makes me cringe, what does my daughter think? And that's all 13 year old females can do?" a deeply concerned Davis added. Other findings from her research indicated that the number 1 aspiration by lead female characters in film and tv is romance and that the only two career goals for women were entertainment and royalty. "It's very hard to get jobs in royalty," said Davis. A compelling correlation of hours spent watching TV for girls and boys was discussed. The more hours that girls watch TV the less options they feel they have in life. For males, the more they watch TV the more sexist they feel.

Another alarming trend had to do with the fact that sex-revealing clothes worn by girls in G-rated movies were the same as the clothing worn in R-rated programs. Davis believes that in order to improve children's images in movies and TV, the most impact for girls is going to be in the secondary and tertiary characters. Getting more movies about female characters, taking parts and switching them around so that more females are involved in the action is key to confronting gender disparity in children.

Topics about the importance of having more women portrayed in senior leadership roles on TV and Film were also addressed. “Your iconic TV role as first female President of the United States, Mackenzie Allen, in Commander in Chief, which was #1 until Fox’s American Idol aired. I wonder what was running through your head” a curious Mitchell asked. It was very obvious that Davis had a tremendous fondness for that role and admitted being disappointed about the show’s short run. “I mean you can’t get more iconic than playing that role; What else am I suppose to do? Play a waitress? I’m the President,” said Davis. “Actually I took this role right after playing a parent on The Rosie Show,” Davis added as the audience laughed.

Commander in Chief, was #1 on Tuesday nights until FOX's American Idol aired. Davis provided compelling evidence and statistics of the big impact this show had even with it’s short TV life.

According to a media research study done by The Kaplan Thaler Group, people who didn’t even watch the program and who were just familiar with the show were 58% more likely to vote for a female President. “That was just during our short season and shows how powerful that show really was,” says Davis. “Imagine if we had 2, 3, or 4 seasons, we might have had a female President,” surmised Mitchell.

When Davis was asked if there was anything that we, the consumers could have done to help keep Commander in Chief on the air Davis replied that despite all of the letters and correspondence, it would have been difficult to get the advertisers’ buy in. “Actually I have been trying to get the show back on Cable TV, “an optimistic Davis said. “And here’s the ad -- a silhouette of me and the caption -- Guess who got re-elected?”

The audience viewed an excerpt of her ground breaking movie, The Accidental Tourist, the dog walking scene. “Other than cruelty to animals did you expect that The Accidental Tourist would be the ground-breaking role that would win you the Academy Award?” asked Mitchell. “I read the book and thought how much I want to play that part. I was fairly naive about how things worked in those days, “ replied Davis.

Davis then described how the characters she had been most attracted to were complicated, multidimensional women who were in charge of their own destiny yet couldn't articulate their desires. “I always wanted to play very active parts, and I’m lucky that I wasn’t financially obliged to take parts I didn’t want to,” says Davis.

For many women winning the Oscar actually limited their careers but for Davis it was filled with moments of defying all odds. Winning her first Academy Award was very affirming. She was not sure how much it opened doors for her, instead she felt recognition and relaxation. “Kickback! It gave me a sense that the pressure was off and it actually had a calming effect,” says Davis. Davis mentioned how profoundly educational her Oscar experience was as she personally never appreciated the media and then was struck by how so few opportunities there are that can make you feel this way. “It had a big impact on me and my future choices,” said Davis.

Throughout the provocative discussion, the audience received a lot of take-aways; besides Davis' charm, brilliance and sense of humor the audience witnessed surprise, delightful insights such as knowing one of Davis’ favorite quotes from her films. As the audience viewed an excerpt from the film, Thelma and Louise, the scene where the policeman gets forced into the trunk while pleading with them that he has a wife and kids. Louise (Geena Davis) with gun in hand replies “You’re lucky. You be sweet to them especially to your wife. My husband wasn’t sweet to me, look how I turned out?”

The discussion was followed by a series of Q and A ranging from the recent female ski olympians and hypersexuality in the media (i.e., Sports Illustrated bathing suit issue), perceptions of senior women leaders and executives in media to information on how to access data from her research and if her research is done around the world. Interestingly, her organization researched 30 other countries and found that they shared similar concerns regarding gender disparity and hypersexuality. Surprisingly, 80% of international movies are made in America, and we are responsible for the vast amount of female stereotyping in film all around the world. In Mitchell's closing she shared her thoughts with the audience that Davis' ability to impact the world on this topic is such a big subject that she needs to return. Let's stay tuned for Part II.

This Paley Center for Media One on One program was presented in association with New York Women In Communications, Inc., New York Women in Film and Television, The Paley Center for Media, and The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. For information about findings from her organization's research visit SeeJane.org.

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2010

Is Facebook Safe?: You've Got the Cutest Little Facebook, But is it Safe?

2010-03-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

Is Facebook Safe?: You've Become Social Media Guru, Got the Cutest Little Facebook, But is Your Private Information Private and Safe?

Facebook, that wonderful social media site with the wonderful intention of helping friends stay connected, has recently announced new changes regarding their revised "open site governance" policy which will essentially enable Facebook to automatically share your Facebook user account data with other external sites without the you, Facebook user, ever knowing it and without your permission. This will take effect on April 3, 2010.

When I first joined Facebook, this was not the case and I was assured that only the Facebook user would control who would get to see my private information. And this why I was willing to be part of the social media action. But now it appears Facebook is pulling the "bait and switch" tactic on Facebook account users, and I have a few concerns. Is this ethical? Do you think Facebook is going too far?

What this new policy change means is that external web sites that you are not even aware of exist all over the world, will now be awarded the priviledge of having access to all of your Facebook account information including your photos, friends, birthday, etc., and other personal information you have on Facebook. All this without your permission! And to cover itself, Facebook recently changed its open site governance policy to accommodate this new strategy which appears to benefit Facebook and compromise Facebook account members/users all over the globe.

According to Barry Schnitt, Sr. Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Policy at Facebook in an email to ReadWriteWeb.com, "the right way to think about this is not like a new experience but as making the [Facebook] Connect experience even better and more seamless." I beg to differ. Facebook believes with the advent of social media and blogging, etc., the world is less concerned about privacy and more concerned about making it easier to connect with other sites. But wait a minute, who is Facebook to speak for you and me? Is all this worth compromising the pricacy and security of Facebook users? What this new change could mean is that Facebook users will now have to be more cautious and spend more time on Facebook opting-out instead of opting-in. Apparently they will be adding tools which will enable you to "opt-out."

According to Marshall Kirkpatrick Vice President of Content Development at ReadWriteWeb.com's article Facebook May Share User Data With External Sites Automatically "That sounds downright creepy. It's nice to have one-click access to your Facebook info if you decide to share it with other sites - that's what Facebook Connect does - but the prospect of having that information automatically shared when you show up on another website seems like an idea that won't be well received by users. There's a big difference between opt-in and opt-out "data portability"."

My chief concern is that Facebook cannot guarantee that private information can be kept safe especially if you include those additional Facebook applications. So I'm not adding any Facebook applications to my Facebook account and will continue keeping it simple; Be conscientious, cautious, and don't put too much private information on Facebook as there may be big sorry tomorrows. There is an interesting video I viewed from BBC which explains how malicious Facebook applications could steal the personal details of all your friends, not just your own details. Click here to view it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coczh-f9r_4

How do you feel about Facebook's latest policy change? Your opinion is valuable, please answer this poll at http://bit.ly/Facebook_Issue

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2010

Vice President's Open Mic Expletive - Big Effing Deal, No Big Effing Deal?

2010-03-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

Big Effing Deal, No Big Effing Deal? You be the Judge.

On Tuesday, March 23rd, our Vice President Joe Biden was heard saying "This is a big (bleeping) deal" to President Obama before a historic healthcare bill signing. Do you think Biden should publicly apologize? Your opinion is valuable. Be a judge and answer this poll at http://polls.linkedin.com/p/82596/yhtia

Surprise Nominee for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize

2010-03-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

Guess Who Has Been Nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize?

According to an article today by "The Wall Street Journal" the "Internet!" Originally nominated by the Italian version of Wired magazine and already eleven backers with two including the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Shirin Ebadi and Nicholas Negroponte, founder of One Laptop Per Child, the internet as contender appears to have growing momentum worthy of consideration.

Who would accept the prize if the Internet happened to be the winner? questions CNN SciTechBlog. Suggestions include LOLcats and Al Gore.

Besides bridging gaps and serving the world as a communications catalyst for many events particularly major disasters, many supporters, including Internet For Peace, believe the internet is more like a "web of people" than just a tool.

Among the many issues is whether a tool (communications medium) can be eligible for this nomination. I guess that it will be up to the Nobel Peace Prize to decide. Read more about it at the WSJ's The Internet: a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize article.

Do you think the Net can be nominated? Answer this poll at: http://bit.ly/Poll-NobelPeacePrize2010

Below video: "Internet for Peace Manifesto" video.

Another specialty video: Think Deep and Grow Rich

2010-02-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

ZENWAY = ZEN TRAINING + WARREN'S WAY! Another specialty video by Gloria Buono-Daly and Maria Benevenga for client Zenway.com. Financial IQ Training for Parents and Children. Zenway Group provides financial IQ tutoring for kids and coaching for parents. "Merging time-tested Zen mind IQ training into the proven Warren Buffett Way, we developed a system of unique practices and strategies to think deep and grow rich,"says founder Brian Zen.

Google Search Results and Winter Olympians on Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit Issue: Are the Feminists or the Beauties Making It More Exciting than the Olympics? by Gloria Buono Daly

2010-02-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

Google search results and SEOlympics: Are the Feminists or the Beauties Making It More Exciting than the Olympics, and is this an OxyMoron?

From last month to a few days ago, the 2010 Winter Olympics received less than a few hundred thousand Google search results and as of today (February 10th) received 4,350,000 Google search results, less than 24 hours after the release of Tuesdays, Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue featuring bikini-clad Olympian beauties Lindsey Vonn, Hannah Teter, Clair Bidez and Lacy Schnoor. See Google exact search engine results spreadsheet below for detail information of all 32 swimsuit models; this total includes the "fab 4 Olympians." Interesting to note a total of 22,708,040 Google Exact hits for ALL 32 swimsuit models in the 2010 issue with 8.34% coming from the Fab 4 Olympians:

Feminists appear clawing, complaining for attention about Sports Illustrated’s famous Swimsuit Issue (Tuesday, February 8th issue, and on newsstands now) as being sexist due to the treatment of 4 accomplished Olympian beauties posing in what they describe as sexual positions wearing bikini-clad swimwear and half-nude wear. Feminists’ main issue, besides the sexist poses, is why are these Olympians not being recognized for their athleticism instead of their beauty? Is the way SI treats women athletes sexist? Is the sky blue? If these 4 beauties choose to pose, isn't it their choice, their bodies? Wouldn't this net out the "sexist" part since they're getting something out of it too?

No matter how they pose, from Lindsey posing in a tuck-stance downhill ski position in SI’s Preview Issue, Thursday, February 4th issue, (the cover photo feminists refer to as a "doggy style sexual position"), to others photographed with crossed legs, lying down, legs opened, etc., there will always be criticism and celebration. OK, I admit, this photo (see left photo) might accent her derriere a bit. Of course SI photographers were having a ball but I’m certain these beauties were also enjoying every moment of their photo shoots. To all feminists, myself included, “isn’t feminism about choice?” These young women are accomplished Olympians, feminists and mold breakers, who have made their own choices. Why can’t they celebrate being both beautiful as well as being one of the best skiers in the world any way they choose to?

From a marketing and communications perspective, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues have been around for decades and every year this issue brings about controversy, media frenzy, and with all the attention, big money, advertisers, web presence, etc. that comes with it. Yes, feminists and afeminists all know “Sexy Sells.” We cannot ignore the marketing aspect and realize that this is overriding the Winter Olympic Event (regardless of feminists protesting the Winter Olympics). Real feminists know that freedom of choice matters most and that feministic double standards have been downhill since the eighties.

But Now I’m wondering, in light of our tough economic conditions, are more and more feminists speaking out simply to be a part of the action and media frenzy to draw attention to themselves and their causes? In essence doing exactly what they complain the media and Sports Illustrated are doing? Isn't it about time we reach that plateau where feminism means never having to say you're feminist, never having to say your opinion is better than someone who has a different feminine viewpoint? Why does it seem that so many feminists still believe that to be a true feminist you must be a liberal elitist, graduate magna or summa cum laude, read tons of feminist literature, etc.?

Below are some quotable quotes from comments by these Olympians on posing for Sports Illustrated. Since I’m not sure which of the 4 said what I’ve put my guess in parentheses. If anyone knows for sure, please reply and I will correct accordingly. Thanks.:
- “It’s fun to be sexy. Growing up in Vermont in the woods always covered I never dreamed of being half-naked being risqué.” (Clair Bidez?)
- “To pose topless wasn’t that hard cause I was always covered up. I was a little bit nervous though.” (Lacy Schnoor?)
- “We work hard on these bodies and are always covered up in helmets and ski suits…” (Hannah Teter?)
- “I enjoyed the opportunity to be in Sports Illustrated without my helmet and my ski clothes." (Lindsey Vonn?)

For NBC, sponsor of this years Winter Olympics, there was disappointing news. After NBC Today's Matt Lauer interviewed Lindsey Vonn yesterday morning (Tuesday, February 9th) we learned that she may not be able to compete in the Olympics due to a deep contusion to her shin (deep muscle bruise). According to Lindsey, it is excruciatingly painful for her to even put on her boot. According to Chris Chase of Fourth-Place Medal, “this news is just as bad for NBC, which has built a huge marketing campaign around Vonn and her quest to become the Michael Phelps of Vancouver.” The Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver begins Friday, February 12th. Chase also believes that NBC will lose money on Olympics and will not ever broadcast another? (Blog, Fourth-Place Medal, Chris Chase January 11, 2010.)

P.S. For those curious, here's the sexiest pose of me on the slopes, back in 2002 at Lake Tahoe.

Presenting Another Specialty Video: AnnHarringtonJewelry

2010-01-28T07:12:00.000-08:00

Another Specialty Video by Gloria Buono Daly, Marketing and Creative Director and Maria Benevenga, Graphic Design, Genius, and Production

Back by Popular Demand, Twitter and The Ripple Effect: More Than Spreading Your Wings and Flying

2010-01-18T09:45:00.001-08:00

Twitter, a micro-blog with a 140-character-limit blurb known as a “tweet” having potential to create a chain of social media networking events that can lead to exponentially larger alterations of social media networking instances. Twittering appears to have maximized the power of connecting. In less than 4 years, it is estimated that there are over 250 million twitter accounts worldwide.

But if you think that Twitter and the bird’s far reaching effect is enough to make your media campaign a success, try spreading your wings and flying. You just might find yourself in a nose-dive!

Of course, everyone is twittering, with hopes of creating shifts in perspectives that will lead to greater connections, better businesses and stronger communities.

It’s been said that a sea gull’s simple flap of a wing can change weather, and so too a simple tweet can create ripple effects in the customers, employees, friends, colleagues and even those people and entities that you have never known and now suddenly have become your followers.

Why then are there still no analytics for measuring effectiveness, or tried and true processes and marketing solutions from this bird?

Although Twitter’s wide massive appeal has grown so quickly in such a brief time, it is still considered new. Twitter became available to the public in 2006 but really gained momentum in April 2007. According to Wikipedia “The tipping point for Twitter's popularity was the 2007 South by Southwest, SXSW, festival. During the event usage went from 20,000 tweets per day to 60,000.” This all occurring after the Web 2.0 buzz of 2006, which arose 2 years after the first Web 2.0 Oreilly Conference, October 5 – 7, 2004, at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, CA.

Today, there are many factors that contribute to the success of a social networking marketing campaign and Twitter is just one of the many digital integrated marketing tools. Besides having experience, skill and passion about what you are communicating, successful social media marketing requires a well thought out, detailed, marketing plan and timeline. Even with all this, there are still no guarantees; What works for one company or person may not be as effective for another.

While there are no magic bullets that will guarantee the overall success of your campaign, below you will find a listing of some helpful tips to guide you through the process of integrating twittering into your corporate digital marketing programs:

1. Create momentum with effective communications and set up kick-off meetings well in advance of your deliverables

2. Optimal participation is key. Schedule regular (weekly or bi-weekly) meetings (virtual or in person) and involve as many employees/departments in your organization.

3. Ensure that your meeting handouts include guidelines for branding specs, e.g., having company logo included on all tweets, regardless of whether a company is using different blog/tweet names for different products,/themes, etc., appropriate tone, buzzwords, keywords, etc.

4. If your social marketing media campaign calls for multiple bloggers and twitterers, make sure your respective tweet names match respective tweet blogs; This information should all be mapped out (e.g., spreadsheet) and incorporated into your digital marketing plan alongside all of the other marketing tools you will be integrating

5. Use common sense and discuss best practice to ensure employee tweeters know their leaps and bounds when contributing to avoid compromising your blogs/tweets integrity and reputation

6. Tie in tweets with your company’s blogs – an example is how Martha Stewart’s tips, ideas, etc., from her blog into tweets – again, not necessarily coming from someone from her company, but created such a brand following that followers as well as employees include her ideas in their blogs

7. Understand and learn of the importance of following potential customers, existing customers, vendors, suppliers, etc.

8. Incorporate short and simple auto-respond tweets for new followers – assuring real-time reply in the event no one is able to respond immediately; Although the majority of folks recommend not using auto-responds, my suggestion is to test the waters but keep auto-responds short, thanking them for connecting and sharing relevant information. If you feel auto-responding is working against you, simply remove it. At least you can say you gave it a try.

9. Understand the importance of hashtags and other application enhancements and use them carefully. E.g., including hashtags in your tweets, e.g., #followfriday; and applications, Tweet Meme, etc. There are pros and cons to hashtags - some folks feel the short 140-character blurbs get distorted from the #hashtag symbol while others are embracing it. So far, I haven't been incorporating hashtags into my tweets. I plan on giving #hashtags a try soon.

10. If you are interested in following please feel free to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gbdaly

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

The Black Eyed Peas - I Got A Feeling on Oprah Chicago

2010-01-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

If every one at this concert donated $10 to Haiti (Red Cross, whatever), this would make a big difference. If this video isn't enough to make you want to dance nothing will. It's aerobics on steroids! The sync of Audience, Awesome; the Stage, Amazing; and Oprah, Oprah! Suddenly I'm feeling half my age (a teenager, haha lol, yeah). Donate $10 and Dance to this video! There are 2 to choose from.

The Old Network - If I Only Had A Brain display at Web2Expo NYC 11182009

2010-01-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

GeekCrow Rendition of If I Only Had a Brain: One of the highlights at the Web 2.0 Expo in NYC (Nov 2009) was a large glass cube display of technology monitors, wires, copper, etc., dating back from 1969 to 2000 piled on top of each other like a bonfire. This was quite an attraction and brought many chuckles I wanted to share.

When Next is NOW: My Promo Multimedia Video Gets Completed

2010-01-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

All things about allthingsdigitalmarketing.com. My "next" project finally my "NOW" video!

Special thanks to Graphic Design Specialist, Maria Benevenga and to Gail Blanke author of "Throw Out Fifty Things Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life" for helping me make my "next" to "NOW" happen.

What's Your New Year reSEOlution: Top Ten reSEOlutions for 2010

2009-12-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

You’ve tried several years before but this time, come January 1, 2010 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. You’ve been ready since January 2007 but are so busy that you get off track and end up putting it back in the 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 and linkbuilding. There are probably hundreds to thousands of FREE SEO tips you can incorporate into your internet marketing program. I’ve listed below a top ten list to help jump-start your 2010 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. Review your SEO stats for the past 3 years, if possible, and analyze and incorporate SEO strategies and plans accordingly

2. Create a spreadsheet of your SEO program and include timelines, milestones and all the other relevant items. Make sure you update and review this sheet on a daily to weekly basis and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly; Don’t forget to leave plenty of space to add on to as you move down this list

3. 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

4. Incorporate keywords in your anchor text; this can take a very long time to 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

5. Update meta tag descriptions regularly, and make sure the characters do not exceed 200 (including spaces); 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

6. Review title tags and make sure you 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 the 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. For ideas on how, visit these 2 resourceful sites that have plenty of suggestions - searchengineland.com and seomoz.org

8. If you have many images, make sure you are incorporating image tags into your code otherwise you risk spiders and crawlers ignoring your site

9. Optimize your site map; 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?

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

Remember your 2010 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 2010!

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

Tiger Woods vs Slutty Women vs Charitable Organizations: Their World According to Google Search Results

2009-12-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

What is our world coming to? During this time of giving and celebration, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc., the world according to Google search results (see tables below), is more concerned with Tiger, Elin and the other women instead of charitable organizations and giving. Thank you media! Why does our world always want to see the big guy fall down?

Photo above: The Woods Family in better times. As appeared on sun-sentinel.com, Getty Images Feb 17,2009

I’m truly hoping that Elin and Tiger Woods pull through this. I’m also hoping that Tiger decides to donate monies to charities instead of to all those “what would you call them, they deny they are prostitutes, hummm hellooo!” (Oops, one exception - Jamie Junger who emphasizes she did not receive money from Tiger). Do we really care about kiss and tell stories by these slutty women who appear to act like prostitutes? At this point, the issue is out, and if I were Tiger, screw the gold-digging slutty women and donate to charity instead of paying them off to not speak. Why place money on those sluts to only encourage more to come out and try to get rich off of you? Feed the poor; Not those filthy, sluts! I'm also disappointed in Gloria Allred, Esq. In my opinion paying someone to keep their mouth shut is also a form of prostitution. Hilarious that suddenly these sluts want to come off as being saints, dugh! I'm hoping that we the people all try searching for some charitable organizations and think about volunteering, doing some good, donating to the poor and hungry, etc. Here are a few popular charitable organizations: United Way, Catholic Charities, City of Hope, Make A Wish Foundation, American Red Cross, United States Golf Association, National Christian Foundation, Salvation Army (oops almost forgot this one, not on the list below). And let's light a candle for Elin and Tiger's children, instead of reading all that sensational crap out there online, on tv and in print.

Below is a brief summary snapshot of my findings from Google exact searches as of 12/14/2009. The analysis below illustrates all things Tiger, Elin and other women represent almost nine-tenths (87.762%) of the total Google exact search results while only about an eighth, 12.38%, exact search results coming from some of the most popular charitable organizations.

Below are descriptions of exact search from which the summary totals above were derived.

Source: Google Exact Search, 12/14/2009

Interesting web crawling service at Web 2 Expo in NYC

2009-11-21T11:34:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, November 18th while at the Web 2.0 Conference at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, I found an interesting web crawling service provider, 80legs. Their product is a service platform for web crawling which provides their customers (web site owners) the ability to design their own crawls and the power to crawl up to 2 billion pages per day. What this means is that web crawler technology is now affordable for smaller companies and individuals -- clients will pay for only what they use (e.g., $2.00 / million pages, $.03 per CPU hour, etc.). Although there is much controversy in regards to the future of Web becoming more real time centric vs. indexed searches, many industry experts, including 80legs CEO Shion Deysarkar, believe indexed crawlers will be around for a long time as there is so much data compiled vs. a smaller amount of relevant real time populations.

Deysarkar actually got into web crawling because he felt it was one of the best use cases for the grid computing platform provided by his sister company, Plura Processing. "We initially thought of building specific tools that took advantage of web crawling, but we ultimately felt that providing a platform for web crawling would be more powerful and interesting," says Deysarkar.

When asked where he thinks Web 3.0 will be going versus Web 2.0, Deysarkar believes that Web 3.0 is all about turning the unstructured content (e.g., information retrieval from keyword searches via google, yahoo, etc.) on the web into structured data (e.g., databases from query html forms, flickr, etc.) . “At 80legs we can really help with web 3.0 because we can throw a whole lot of bandwidth and compute-power towards those big barriers to solve the web 3.0 problems,” says Deysarkar.

To view Web 2.0 Facebook Album go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=122609&id=794796434&l=87f2b2fa43

For more information go to: http:80legs.com, http://80legs.wordpress.com/, or http://twitter.com/80legs

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

Look at the social media tool I found at Web 2 Expo in New York City

2009-11-19T07:55:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, November 18th while at the Web 2.0 Conference at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, I found a social media tool at exhibitor booth, The Social Collective. This company was involved with the hosted social networking and scheduling software that powered the SXSW and Oracle OpenWorld conferences. Their newest product, CrowdCampaign, is a social tool that aids businesses, non-profits and any person interested in building its brand and reaching its target demographic through the use of Twitter.

Clinton Bonner of The Social Collective, got involved in social media networking while working with a company called Topcoder, Inc. “They have a 200,000 person community of software developers and they host global competition. They use marketing proliferation and the know-how-of-the-crowd to get things done. And that’s how I ended up in social media marketing and crowdsourcing,” says Bonner.

When asked where he thinks Web 3.0 will be going versus Web 2.0, Bonner believes it is all about sensors integrated with social media networks. “They call it the Web of things, the sensors telling humans how to do things more efficiently and better and that’s what the next version will bring,” Bonner adds.

As an online marketer specializing in all things digital marketing and volunteer for many non-profit events where budgets are tight, I can envision “CrowdCampaign,” a valuable social tool for building a community while building brands and increasing activity 24/7. For more information call Clinton Bonner at 860-608-9074 or go to: http:crowdcampaign.com, http://twitter.com/crowdcampaign

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

Social Networking Your Way to a Job

2009-11-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

On November 16th, students and professionals gathered at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus in New York City for a discussion on the social networking challenges and opportunities. The panelists addressed various aspects ranging from basic networking and promoting your personal brand to integrating Web 2.0 technology into career networking.

The panel was moderated by Eileen Sharaga, President, Career Resources. The speakers included Donna Sweidan, Founder, CareerFolk, LLC, Ronna Lichtenberg, CEO/Co-Founder,Videotrope, and Tonia Mattu, Career Coach and Consultant, Mercury Group.

INTEGRATE

While the internet is increasingly crucial for career networking, Sweidan believes that to be most effective, integrating social networking is the key to building your brand. “LinkedIn is like an online resume. The Professional Process is also valuable on Facebook,” says Sweidan. “Twitter is huge for professionals,” she added.

KNOW YOURSELF

While social networks are powerful, Lichtenberg recommends that you be very clear about why a hiring manager should hire you. “Know your differentiation and know what makes you stand out,” says Lichtenberg. “Like Seth Godin’s Purple Cow,” she added.

BEING OUT THERE

While it is important to spend time on your computer, social networking can be a distraction. “You can’t be in your pajamas all day on the computer,” says Mattu. “Get out of the house and your energy will come off differently,” added Mattu.

Q&A

On what it takes to become an advocate on social media, has a lot to do with knowing what you want and identifying the tools and knowledge. “I’m naturally curious and I like to read great blogs from all over the world. You can visit my Twitter account and see who I’m following to understand,” says Sweidan.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR CAREER NETWORKING:
• Make sure you are on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter
• Start and Comment on discussions
• Know your brand, what sets you apart
• Speak in Present Tense when describing yourself
• Be prudent in asking and providing endorsements

This seminar, produced by Center for Communication, is part of their 2009 Fall Seminar Series and appears as a weekly television series, Media City on NYC TV. This program is also video-streamed on the CenCom Website.

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

The New Web 3.0 vs Web 2.0: The Impact of Web 3.0 on Digital Marketing

2009-11-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

According to OpenInnovators.net, at the Seoul Digital Forum 2009 (this past May), Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt was asked to define the term Web 3.0 and here’s what he said: “Well, the Web 2.0 is a marketing term, and I think you’ve just invented Web 3.0″ - Eric Schmidt

His response went on to describe the various aspects of technology driving Web 3.0 from building to combining applications and multi-platform devices, to social networks, blogs, micro-blogs, emails, etc.

All of the technologies have been around in Web 2.0, so it’s not necessarily advancements in technologies but advancements in creativity, innovations, new engine launches and how the new Web 3.0 is going to be utilized. Digital marketers will be required to revise strategies, media and marketing plans accordingly and quickly. Major differences have to do with the way search engines will customize searches more intelligently, intuitively, relevantly and most importantly, in real-time (e.g., social networks merged with indexed searches, etc.) as well as how companies will need to manage information more efficiently. The latest application to help businesses for the new Web 3.0 is Twitter’s launch of CoTweet; For more information go to Wall Street Journal’s November 9, 2009 article, "Twitter Start-Up CoTweet Launches Paid Service" by Andrew LaVallee, Reporter. When Web 3.0 becomes mainstream, the entire strategy, research and analytics will need to change. Existing marketing and media plans that are successful for Web 2.0 will not have any impact in Web 3.0. For more on the basics of understanding these differences, I highly recommend reading “Web 3.0 -- Intuitive World Live Web69” by Benjimester.

Below is a listing of three helpful tips for all digital marketing executives to consider incorporating into their media and marketing plan as Web 3.0 becomes mainstream:

When Web 3.0 becomes mainstream, the most important challenge will be that search engine algorithms will be relying more heavily on customized, relevant, real-time responses particularly with the wide array of applications, devices, multi-platforms, and how companies and digital marketers will need to react. More applications e.g., Twitter’s CoTweet, will be offering their own pay per click programs, and indexed search results will no longer have impact as it did in Web 2.0. Therefore, the existing advertising and marketing strategies and campaign spending used today to leverage SEO in Web 2.0 will no longer apply in the new world of Web 3.0.
Anticipate implementing innovative new strategies and understand that most of the metrics you utilize today will most likely not be relevant with the new Web 3.0 search engine marketing and optimization algorithm.
Stay on top of new applications (e.g., CoTweet), optimization and marketing trends and learn all you can about how these changes in search engine algorithms will impact your internet marketing SERP (search engine results pages) and revise your marketing and media plans accordingly.

There's a lot more to come and that will have to go into the Web 3.0 digital marketing strategy. Stay tuned for more information and helpful tips by bookmarking this blog and visiting more often.

Also I would love your opinion; please answer this poll about Web 3.0 vs. Web 2.0 Thanks!

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

Twitter’s Business Model: Will figuring the figures shift the social networking paradigm?

2009-09-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

A recent article by Jessica E. Vascellaro and Michael Corkery of The Wall Street Journal “Twitter Lines Up Additional Funding” (Friday, September 25, 2009, Corporate News, B3) has sparked my interest and prompted me to share my thoughts on the latest funding fury. Twitter is in negotiations to receive up to $100 million to enable them more time to determine an appropriate business model they can transfer into economic value. According to the article, the business model may include the implementation of a database of twitterers segmented by keyword content from tweets which I believe may result in altering Twitter and the social networking media paradigm.

Many corporations believe that like RSS feed concerns back in 2005, Twitter is creating more risk of compromising ad spending since internet users are able to create their own PR buzz and get the information they want for free, and may push Twitter to incorporate a pay per click (PPC) program. When and if this occurs, I see Twitter becoming a “micro-search engine marketing” program, competing for dollars with the Googles, Yahoos, and MSNs of the world.

RSS and Twitter are almost identical systems which is why I believe a smart move for Twitter, besides due diligence, would be to model their business after Real Simple Syndication (RSS) as well as the leading search engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN). RSS feeds, initially developed in 1999, became mainstream in 2005 and have been successfully and effectively publishing many updated periodicals in real time in an open free environment ever since. Anyone with a web site or blog can add the RSS icon to their site and get subscribers for free.

Although RSS and Twitter are different, both share the identical process:

• a user clicks on an RSS icon (twitterer’s icon) to subscribe (follow) to a feed (tweet)

• Twitter is limited to 140 characters, RSS is not and can be as long as it needs to be

• RSS feeds are used for publishing blog entries, news, audio, video, etc. and users can bookmark the feed; Twitter users are still new and are not yet using Twitter to it’s full potential the way others are using RSS

• Users add RSS onto their blog and submit their blogs to submitter sites or directories to increase the chances that people subscribe to their RSS feed much the same way twitterers follow others to get followed and post their Twitter links

• A big difference is that with Twitter, users post information about a new web site they have, include a link to it, write brief promo copy to attract other Twitterers to visit their site or follow, something we are unable to do with RSS

When used creatively, Twitter, like RSS feeds, can add hype and increase the chances of creating various internet revenue streams. RSS has been enabling many companies and individuals with the potential for additional revenue streams and affiliate programs on the internet; All this for free. Why then would anyone want to pay for Twitter should they create a database when we are able to have the entire Twitter universe now for free?

Below is a listing of some factors that I believe would need to be considered before developing and implementing a business model for Twitter:

1. “Twitter Narcissists”: How do you weed out “Twitter narcissists?” There are individuals doing up to 100 tweets per day to get thousands of followers so they can brag about it. And then what, do you sell a “Twitter Narcissist” list to a corporation for them to post an online ad? That just might happen and prove to be phenomenal.

2. Revealing Identities: Twitter and other social networks enable users to create profiles where they can include all personal things about themselves including age, gender, geographical area, hobbies, interests, join business groups, etc., along with all other types of content

3. Privacy: Some folks are putting personal things about themselves for the world to look at without ever realizing what they are doing, e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, etc. Issues are going to arise such as invasion of privacy, etc. prompting the FTC to intervene and incorporate more compliance laws. Our economy is strapped enough and now more government spending due to Twitter. Can our government afford this?

4. “What’s in it for me?”: Twitter is still so new. Individuals are still learning and do not want to post without a clear reason and direction; There is no way to determine what twitterers are tweeting for their employers vs. who is tweeting individually, etc. Why would individuals continue to create buzz about something if Twitter is capitalizing on it without anything in it for the Twitterers making the buzz?

5. Identity-Centric Database: People are following other tweeters because of interests and the feeling of freedom associated with Twitter. Some even end up meeting them at events to discuss their passions, becoming colleagues, etc. Commercializing databases of Twitterers who originally participate for the uniqueness and freedom of Twitter may possibly hinder the uniqueness of the original intention of the social and professional networking media paradigm.

6. I’ve been tweeting for the fun of it and to let folks know what concerts, professional events, fundraisers, other places, etc. I’m attending or have attended, as well as topics I’m interested in, blogs I’ve written, etc. I'm not utilizing all of the tool enhancements out there that can add thousands of followers to my Twitter account in one simple click. I’m Twittering to learn of groups that have similar interests similar to how I use my LinkedIn account. Every now and then I llike to announce my new web site http://allthingsdigitalmarketing.com (which is still not up yet) but I will continue to include it and mention the status of this project. I’m also thinking about ways to capitalize (e.g., Adsense, etc.).

7. Twitter Account Segments: Corporate, Non-Profit, News Media, Non-News Media, Political Media, Non-Political Media, Individual Twitter Account – Segmenting corporate twitterers is going to be a very subjective and difficult task. Currently, many companies and individuals have multiple Twitter accounts. There is risk that many will opt out if they are forced to pay for accounts, posting links to their company site, blog, etc.

8. Assessing Twitter Analytics: Many experts are looking way too deep into the shallow stats and believe that they can judge the effectiveness of twitter by analyzing Twitter percentage rates of people's tweets (aka Twitter rate %) . All a Twitter rate % means is that that people are tweeting back and forth to each other. I’m not sure how a company can justify spend advertising dollars based on a Twitter account % rate. People talk back and forth on the phone, back and forth via email, via blogs, etc. Does that make your telephone wire or email more successful than another persons? It is going to be very difficult to measure which tweets are effective and which are not especially when attempting to base on the amount of tweets going back and forth to one person. There are also those of us who use the auto-responds, purchase software to get additional followers, etc.

9. Compromising Corporate Productivity: With all of the Twitter buzz lately, I still believe that anyone spending inordinate amounts of time Twittering at work is doing a big disservice, wasting valuable time and compromising corporate productivity; Eventually ending up with our country having more corporations going under and being bailed out at our (we the taxpayers) expense

10. Twitter is simply one of the many internet tools (i.e., RSS, email, podcasting, webcasts, micro-blogs, social and professional networks, etc.) used to integrate into a marketing program. There are many other social networks that can be used. Changing or adding on to Twitter other than what it currently is, may shift Twitter into an entirely new product, like a “micro-search engine,” or risk losing uniqueness, and tweeted into oblivion by becoming another friendster, lifestream, linkedin, facebook, flickr, etc.

written by Gloria Buono Daly (c) 2009

Web to Web 2.0 Timeline: Just in Time for Blogger's Big 010 !

2009-09-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Blogger! Would you believe it, already Blogger celebrating it's 10th? This is great news and amazing how since Web 2.0, bloggers have been springing up everywhere. Only thing is, we still do not have the exact birthday date. Maybe we could make that day "BLOG DAY an official holiday? Was it in August or in September? I’m certain many of us would love to know when the candles were blown out so that could have all joined in to sing "O Happy B Day Blogger...!" Blogger Buzz please keep us all posted on news about your BIG 010!

In 2007, Jonathan Adler of the Wall Street Journal reported an estimated 22.6 million bloggers in the US with less than a quarter of 1%, only .02% (452,000) using blogging as their primary source of income, illustrating that writers with their primary source of income from blogs are not a significant indication of the overall blogging population in the US. Interestingly the US internet users were estimated at 108.1 million in 2000 and as of June 2009 is reported at 251.7 million, an increase of 133% from 9 years ago with a country ranking of 3 at 15.1% of the 1.6 billion world internet user population with Asia ranking 1st at 42% of total 1.6 billion world internet users and Europe 2nd at 24.2%. Latin America/Caribbean ranks 4th at 10.5%. For a detailed chart of internet world stats go to Internet World Stats.

Below please find a brief Web to Web 2.0 timeline of newsworthy milestones which purport to provide a basic historical and informational chronology from a marketing perspective:

• 1994 – In January, Jerry Yang and David Filo create "Jerry's Guide to the WWW" while studying at Stanford University and renames it Yahoo in April

• 1995 – Yahoo is incorporated in March

• 1995 – Amazon is launched

• 1995 – Search engines are launched

• 1999 – Although bookmarking was around earlier, bookmarking became popular in businesses and mainstream during this period

• 2000 – Sites are optimized for search engines that were being catalogued on the Web

• 1996 to 1999 – Search engines are launched with pay per click programs, Open Text in 1996 and GoTo.com in 1998

• 1997 – The first blog goes online, known as “weblog” originally used as a niche for geeks; Weblog was coined in December 1997 by Jorn Barger

• 1997 – The phrase “search engine optimization” is mostly likely coined during this period, according to Danny Sullivan of The New York Times

• 1998 – Google is founded by Stanford University graduate students Larry Page and Sergey Brin and files for incorporation in California on September 7th

• 1999 – The first version of RSS feed is created in March by Romanathan V. Guha for use on the My.Netscape.com portal (RSS 0.9)

• 1999 – Blogger is launched. Evan Williams and Megan Hourihan of Pyra Labs, originally created this software with the intention of being an in-house application to integrate project management, contact management and task lists. Blogger becomes available to the public in August but does not become mainstream until later

• 2000 – Google reaches the first billion-URL index and earns the reputation of being the largest search engine in the world; Adwords program is launched offering internet pay per click programs; Yahoo selects Google as it's default search results provider

• 2001 – GoTo.com changes their name to Overture (purchased by Yahoo later)

• 2001 – According to MediaPost on August 9, 2001, Jupiter research predicted spending on digital marketing US ad spending would reach $19 billion by 2006

• 2001 – Wikipedia is available but is not yet mainstream
• 2001 – Danny Sullivan of The New York Times coins the term “Search Engine Marketing”

• 2002 – Search Engine Marketing US advertising spending reaches approximately $1.3 billion

• 2002 – Blogger is completely rewritten at Prya Labs for licensure for other countries, with Globo company of Brazil becoming the first licensee recipient

• 2002 – Blogs gain momentum

• 2002 – Consumer Reports WebWatch files a report about the controversy and issues on search engine paid advertising

• 2002 - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issues communications about the importance of paid advertising on search engines in response to a complaint from Consumer Advocacy Group, affiliated with Ralph Nader

• 2003 – Google purchases Blogger in February

• 2003 – Yahoo purchases the Overture pay per click (PPC) program and offers paid online advertising

• 2003 – Del.icio.us, initially known as a passive bookmark function launches; Later on del.icio.us becomes very popular with the launch of Friendster (2007); Users are able to let other users see what they are bookmarking; Social bookmarking gained popularity with the launch of del.icio.us.

• 2003 – The second US 3G (3rd generation cellular wireless) Verizon Wireless network operation launches; The first US Monet Mobile Wireless launched and shut down shortly afterwards; Japan, May 2001 and Korea, May 2002, were the first 2 countries to launch 3G operation networks

• 2003 - The Can Spam Act is signed into law on December 16th by President George W. Bush to regulate commercial email and is enforced by the FTC

• 2004 - Yahoo launches its own web-crawling algorithm in February, using its own site index phasing out Google's search results system it has used since May 2000

• 2004 -Google launches Gmail; In April Amazon partnered with Google using it' search results system

• 2004 - The first Annual Advertising Week Conference begins in September in New York City

• 2004 - Web 2.0 O’Reilly Conference is held on October 5 – 7, 2004 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, CA. Although about16 years into Web 0.0 and 5 years into Web 2.0, we still do not know where it is going; Transformational elements are unknown as Web-Web2.0 are still new and the industry has no idea of what infrastructures will go away. Many innovations with no ads, no subscription feeds, free to the end user, are floating on venture capital. Big issue is these innovations lack business models and it is predicted that many of these web innovations probably will not survive unless purchased, merged, with a larger company, etc.

Wikipedia and Blogs become mainstream; Momentum is largely attributable to the announcement of Web 2.0
February 2004 Flickr (image tag base navigation becomes available)
February 2004 - it is estimated that Facebook has over 10 billion photos from over 125 million users by the end of 2004 (Facebook & Flickr become the biggest privacy disasters)

• 2005 – National Governments all over the world embrace Web 2.0 and create official blogs; Israel is the first country to have a government blog, IsraelPolitik

• 2005 - February 2005 – YouTube

• 2005 – August 2005 - Library Thing

• 2005 – Search Engine Marketing advertising spending is at approximately $5.8 billion (a 363% increase from 2002)

• 2005 – Google begins personalizing search results by users dependent upon user’s previous search history

• 2005 – In December, Microsoft and the Outlook team announce they are using the RSS feed icon which was first used in the Mozilla Firefox Browser

• 2006 - $18.7 billion on internet ads was invested worldwide in 2006

• 2006 – Twitter is launched in October and evolves into a virtual water cooler experience having the power to hold social groups; Users can chat away about what they're doing and if anyone is interested in knowing, they can read, or watch what you’re doing and reply, follow, etc.; E.g., discuss iPhone feature, communicate with people in different parts of the world separated in space and time; Although it is not the same as face to face it is similar enough to feel some kind of connection to people using twitter, Facebook or Youtube

• 2006 – Search Engine Marketing takes the lead in advertising and grows much faster than traditional advertising and other online marketing channels; US SEM advertising spending reaches approximately $9.4 billion, (a 62% increase over 2005 US spending); Worldwide, US 2006 ad spending had a 38% marketshare of total global internet ad spending calculated at $24.9 billion internet ads invested worldwide in 2006 (an increase of 33% from the previous year’s worldwide ad spending); Interesting to note that Jupiter’s estimate back in August 2001 was off by almost $10.0 billion less than actual of $9.4 billion

• 2006 – Google acquires YouTube, an internet video sharing service

• 2007 – October 2007 FriendFeed is created by former Google employees (known as the first lifestreaming service integrating all of your internet activity in your friendfeed nework, can have messages from twitter pulled into friendfeed which generates a lot of discussion in friendfeed and social networking feedback which can lead you to discover other sources of friends with similar interests; If you are traveling and you are in the same location as someone else in your friendfeed network, this can be a useful tool in knowing who in your network is nearby; all different internet activities are funneled into a single place and has a personal view; has the highest level of discussion, can get a huge amount of interaction in friendfeed more than from blogs; can create a room and pull entries from different sources that can create an RSS feed, audio podcasts, etc. used by science publishers, libarians, etc. create customized feeds that can come to you, the individual, on what type of information you want to have delivered to you)

• 2007 – pay-per-click programs become primary money-makers for search engines

• 2007 – Google announces a campaign against “paid links” that transfer page rank and many urls are suspended and banned from the Web

• 2007 – China's launch of 3G network is delayed in September 2007; A total of 190 3G networks are operating in 40 countries by December 2007

• 2008 – Google Chrome is released on September 4th and celebrates it's 10th year on September 7th

• 2008 – Sprint NOW 3G Network (3rd generation of cellular wireless) is launched in December

• 2008 – Web 2008 World of Social Networking: private information becomes public

Blogs, wikis, RSS, bookmarking, image tagging, multimedia, search, etc.

• 2008 – US internet ad spending reaches $27.5 billion

• 2008 – The Dow's biggest one-day drop on September 29, 2008 of 778 points (surpassing the first trading day loss after 9/11), after the rejection of the House bailout plan; According to CNN Money, this drop represents an approximate value loss of $1.2 trillion

• 2009 – Google takes measures to mitigate the effects of PageRank sculpting by use of nofollow attribute on links

• 2009 – The future of blogging is customization and life relevancy; After 16 years after inception, LifeStream is all the buzz as the next generation of social media. Back in the mid 1990’s, the term LifeStream was originally coined by Eric Freeman and David Gelertner at Yale University to describe a cyber diary of one’s life, streaming all of internet activities in one cohesive lifestream. Now about 15 years later, LifeStreaming, an innovative cyber platform combines all of a individual’s internet activities and information onto a unified platform known as a stream. Addins and plugins are created to help the user to “stream his/her life” and are listed as follows:

SimpleLife Wordpress plugin to add to your lifestream as a widget or webpage
RSS Stream Wordpress plugin
Sweetcron

• 2009 - Advertising Week celebrates it's fifth annual event September 21st - 25th at the Nokia Theatre in New York City

• 2009 - Blogger is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary by adding lots of features requested by it's users; Wonder what day was the actual birthday and who blew out the candles? Any belated birthday blog celebrations besides mine which comes with cake and all? Perhaps Blogger's celebration will be at the next Web 2.0 Summitt?

• October 2009 - Web 2.0 Summit, Co-produced by TechWeb and O’Reilly Media Inc. is being held on October 20 - 22, 2009 in San Francisco, CA at the Westin San Francisco Market Street

• If you are interested in following please feel free to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gbdaly

If you have any comments about Blogger's Big 010, don't hesitate to post your comments. Thanks for visiting and again, "Happy Blog Day to you Blogger!"

Twitter and the Ripple Effect: More than spreading your wings and tweeting!

2009-09-22T13:16:00.000-07:00