(FROM MY 8.10.10 B-METRO COLUMN) I have a Word file entitled “keepers”—where I’ve ranked my favorite records, by year, dating back to 1980. Aside from being critical to maintaining Geek Cred, it’s a handy reference tool I use before making over-the-top claims like this one: Stephanie Finch’s debut album, Cry Tomorrow, is my favorite pop … Read More
Author: Francis
Global Warming: Good Science, Bad Marketing.
Our fine young intern Josh Hedrick recently pointed me to a New York Times article entitled “Climate Fears Turn to Doubts Among Britons” (http://nyti.ms/cy02W1)—which asks, “If the scientific consensus on climate change has not changed, why have so many people turned away from the idea that human activity is warming the planet?” And while the … Read More
Dear World Cup: It’s not you. It’s me.
Despite the best efforts of my 13-year-old son, a monthly subscriber to Soccer America and a devoted fan of English League Football, I’m suffering from a serious interest deficit in this year’s World Cup. And the sad truth is, the American in me is winning-out over my own best efforts to maintain the same level … Read More
Apple: The New Beatles?
June 18, 2010: After months of intense speculation, adoring fans across America are queued-up (some since the night before) to be among the first to own the latest release from Apple. It’s a scenario not uncommon to my generation’s once-upon-a-time frenzy to procure tickets to a Beatles concert. And in many ways, Apple today has … Read More
A Hard Day’s Night For Apple Loyalists.
Note: This column was originally posted on the B-Metro website July 15, a week after the column above, and a couple days after the iPhone 4 “dropped call” problem made headlines. Apparently, Apple Computer is bigger than Jesus. If that intro line made you mad, 1) It should, and 2) The line was a reference … Read More
What Were They Thinking? (Part Two)
Following-up on Monday’s entry (two posts down from this one), the topic is, once again, PR blunders. #2: THIS LITTLE PIGGIE WENT WEEWEEWEE ALL THE WAY TO COURT. The National Pork Board is threatening the makers of Canned Unicorn with a copyright infringement lawsuit. One would assume the Pork Board did not want this issue … Read More
Our First Ad For Baggett.
Baggett Transportation is a privately-owned trucking firm specializing in military equipment and munitions transport. For background, we interviewed several of their drivers. They consistently reported what a good company Baggett is to work with. And how proud they were to be serving the armed forces. Our ad is based entirely on our interview with the … Read More
What Were They Thinking? (Part One)
Our topic is PR blunders, and was inspired by two classic gaffes I discovered just today. NUMBER 1: THAT’S YOUR LAST SHRED OF CREDIBILITY SAILING AWAY. By now, you’ve surely heard that BP CEO Tony “I Want My Life Back” Hayward gloriously reclaimed some of his old life this past weekend by competing in a … Read More
Meet The Newest Harebrain
Erin and Seth recently got a bulldog puppy. Seth brought it to the office last week. While everyone was eww-ing ahh-ing and awwwww-ing, Kathy (our brilliant art director) grabbed her camera and hit the floor. One mark of a great photographer is timing. And luck. Based on the shot below, I think you can reasonably … Read More
First, Do No Harm.
(Theodorick Of York, Medieval Barber, bleeds a patient suffering from “an imbalance of bodily humors”.) A couple of weeks ago (after years of stubborn resistance) I replaced Outlook Express and Microsoft Schedule for Office 97 with the full version of Outlook. Much as I dreaded it, my initial reaction was unexpectedly optimistic. I was pleasantly … Read More