CK's Blog

Won't You Be My (Really Hot!) Friend?

Today I'm back blogging at "The Fix." I just can't get away from that place. But I'm no longer chatting heavy-metal marketing models (that was yesterday). Nope, today we're talking hot, hard-bodied ones.

I found an interesting marketing strategy that has me equally dismayed...and intrigued. Who needs friends when you can look like you have them? Scratch that. Who needs friends when you can look like you have really HOT ones? Click here for this clever madness.

P.S.: Yes, of course that's me in a bikini. Not.

And the award for best speech goes to...

While not marketing related, I was so impressed--and impressed upon--by Forest Whitaker's Best Actor acceptance speech that I wanted to share. Listen to how he hits on what his reality was, what his new reality is, how it IS possible and his strong need to connect (on my collage survey "connection" was my #1 reason for blogging so the speech especially resonated with me).

RSS readers go here. It's right at 3 minutes. The video is below and the full text of the speech is directly beneath that. Enjoy....

“Thank you. Thank you. Just a second, just a second. OK. Take it. OK. I wrote something down, because I thought if it would happen that I would be a little overwhelmed and I am. So, OK.

When I was a kid, the only way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family's car. At the drive-in. And, it wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible. It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them, and to have them happen.

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I believe exists in all of us. Because acting for me is about believing in that connection and it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a new reality.

So I want to thank my fellow believers in The Last King of Scotland. I want to thank Peter, Jeremy, Andrea, Lisa, Charles, Kevin, James McAvoy, Kerry, Stephen, Fox, DNA, Channel Four. I want to thank the people of Uganda, who helped this film have a spirit. And finally, I want to thank my mom and my dad. I want to thank my wife Keisha, my children, my ancestors, who continue to guide my steps. And God, God who believes in us all. And who's given me this moment, in this lifetime, that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime into the next lifetime. Thank you.”

Bang Your Head (Freely)

Over at "The Fix" I'm talking the Prince of Darkness. Seemed like a good way to shake-up a Monday. OK, you got me, I'm just a metal-head marketer.

Head on over here to learn about some new strategies from an older talent. Maybe an old dog can learn--and teach us--new (marketing) tricks after all.

Is NYC going against brand? Say it ain't so.

The first rule of branding--as you smart marketers know--is to deliver on your brand promise. The second rule? Continue delivering on that promise.

Lately I'm finding a paradox brewing in my city. On the one hand we're giving out free condoms at Grand Central Terminal and on the other, we're closing up shop early. Take this weekend: I had my dear friend in town who was working a convention (Erik you rock, get a blog!). He needed to work until about 10pm. "No problem," say I, "we can grab a bite at 11p or 12a and go out after." He wondered if we could eat that late and I'm like "It's New York silly."

One of the things I fancy about this city is late-night dining. It's a great vibe and I get to eat dinner twice. And hey, it's the city that never sleeps, right?

Um, wrong. I just never got the memo.

I went to three (three!) restaurants in the busy Broadway District last night and couldn't get seated as they stopped seating at 10:45pm. I even called another restaurant in another part of town. The poor hostess at Sushi Zen got the brunt of my anger when I exclaimed, "What has happened to this city? It's a known thing that people go out to eat late. Why is everyone closing so early? My friend is in town to do the whole NYC experience and we're letting him down."

The hostess even admitted she had turned away two other parties. And you'd think in a perishable business like raw fish you'd want to serve customers until inventory is sold not spoiled. I really didn't mean to be rude; I was just astonished (and hungry). At one point during the rant I gasped..."are bars closing early too?" (all good, still open until 4am. phew).

My point is not how I was inconvenienced it was how I was under an impression--an impression formed by the experiences I've had living here for nearly ten years. And how incongruent my experience was this weekend. Yeah, I could eat at earlier hours. But I shouldn't need to. Why? Because it goes against brand.

Alas, if there's one thing we city-dwellers can count on is a slew of Irish bars that all serve food and stay true to their heritage. Those (awesome!) Irish never go dark and never go against brand ;-).

Get your groove back in 4 steps (versus 12)

It occured to me when I finished the 8-point action plan for Jet Blue that the person who really needed a plan was Britney. See, Jet Blue is getting feedback everywhere, Brit's just getting knocked. 

Brit, whether or not you ever want to step foot in a recording studio again believe me when I say you'll want the option. Since you're doing 12 steps to get well; I'm recommending 4 more to help you get your groove back:

#1. Make your bald head meaningful. No kidding. Instead of trying to cover it up with wigs (which just draw more attention to it and, therefore, your really bad idea) wrap it in a scarf that supports a charity. Red might be a good charity or, alternatively, a charity that's not getting as much coverage but really needs the love and prime advertising space.

#2. Love those who've loved you. This is critical. Of all my recommendations this gives you the best chance at a bounceback. Get your crew on fan duty. Big time. I'm not talking about those who have over the years downloaded a song of yours, I'm talking about those who have downloaded every single one. You need them and you need to take care of them. Those in your fan club should be getting special treatment like early access to any videos, apologetic emails and journal entries.

#3. Love the one you're NO longer with. Time for a peace treaty. No matter how much you need to bite your lip or take time-outs, strike a truce with K-Fed. Get those kids in a healthy, no-drama environment. If you're marriage wasn't a growth experience make your divorce one. Maybe one day you two can go on Dr. Phil (note that I'm not recommending Oprah for you) and you can talk to how to manage a drama-free divorce and say, "Hey if we could do it, anyone can." Maybe there should even be a duet on your forthcoming album celebrating what you created (your kids) instead of the careers you destroyed.

#4. Start a charity whereas kids are taken care of when mommies need rehab. Make a difference, really. There are enough rehab centers sponsored by stars (in fact you've spent a day at several). The rehab side is taken care of; the daycare side is where you can really help. Many moms on the brink can't leave their children with a full staff and so they never clean up. Be thankful you had the support and show that gratitude by giving to or starting this effort.

Just remember to give back once you've gotten well (and remember your underpants).

P.S.: I intentionally chose a pic from your brighter (less-bald) days. The current look scared my blog too much.

A true blue solution: 8 ways to move from clean-up to commitment

There exist many people in this world to envy...and then there are several people that I'm really thankful I'm not right about now. The current front-runners? Bald and not-so-beautiful Britney Spears (who gives new meaning to bad hair day) and Jet Blue's CEO David Neelman (who gives new meaning to bad travel day).

There have been many great posts on the Jet Blue fiasco, please do check them out. As I've said before--and I'll likely say it much more--there exist myriad opportunities in mishaps (if we see them as such). So I'm focusing this post on an 8-point plan for shaking the blues:

1. Give some heaven. If you haven't already, award each of the grounded passengers free flights for a year. Yep, a year. Wait, there's more: give them a 4-day vacation to their choice of, say, 3 places so as to "give them a bit of heaven since you put them through hell." Yes, I advise using that copy.

2. Engage (front-line) advisors. Go and meet with 20 of the customers that sat on your plane. C'mon, you're likely meeting with enough consultants that didn't sit on your plane. Ask them to be on a newly formed "Customer Advisory Board" whereas they fly free forever so long as they meet with Jet Blue either once a quarter or twice a year (you might divide these into 2-4 groups so you're meeting with groups each month). To be sure this is not a focus group--we all know how I feel about those--this is a customer advisory board. What's the catch? Just one: they need to be honest with their feedback be it good, bad or indifferent.

3. Keep it real. Implore five of these customers to tape a few seconds of "I'm giving Jet Blue another chance...won't you?". Compile the actual people saying this into a commercial (and if you get one with a mom and her baby, even better). Explain that these customers sit on your advisory board and you're thankful for their time--and be upfront with viewers that they've been given free flights to accomodate their woes. Get this on broadcast TV and on YouTube.

4. Go on Oprah. Have an epiphany (and please mean it) that this fiasco actually opened your eyes to new opportunities on just what it means to be customer-focused and explain how you're leading the charge for all companies to take better care of customers. Then give everyone in the audience free flights and other items (maybe even give point #6).

5. Give goodies. Print up some kind of in-flight goodie that says "thanks for being True Blue". Maybe it's gum or a salty treat. Not sure exactly what it should be. Something fun and enjoyable.

6. Share the blunders and best practices. Write a book on managing a customer-focused brand through ups and downs. You can employ a team of writers, self-publish and get it to market within 100 days. And give the eBook away for FREE--this way everyone can learn how to better treat people because, after all, your mission is not planes it's people. Ensure it's sent to all of the Fortune 500. If you raise the bar you can continue to set the bar.

7. Honor others. Begin a "True Blue" award series wherein each year you identify, say, 3 customer-focused companies in any industry that exemplify customer service. After all, customer service is not just limited to the sky. It's Jet Blue's legacy to influence other leaders and other industries to focus on delighting customers (at least that's what you told Oprah, better make good on it).

8. Get Social. Launch a blog, much like Microsoft and Dell, that allows and encourages people to give you feedback. (If you have one already, pardon me I couldn't find it). Apart from customers reading your blog it's really more for the media, analyst and business communities to monitor your ongoing commitment.

Alternatively you can blow your budget on a barrage of thirty-second "I'm sorry" TV spots, NYT ads and billboards but in following the above advice you underscore and advance the very mission of your brand. And this route actually saves you money. Plus you'll look even better because you're not solely doing clean-up but coming through on your commitment.

And hey, this way you get to be the Comeback Kid :-).

P.S.: If you do publish a book I've got just the forum for you to connect with other marketers, a Book Club that has already increased its membership by nearly 20% in Segment 2 alone (yippie!).

Offline has moved Online (it's about time!)

I am so pleased to air this post. Why? Because it involves one of my dearest pals and it involves one of my dearest hobbies (that would be blogging, kids).

While you've seen him around the 'sphere in comments and discussion threads, I'm pleased to welcome David Reich as fellow blogger.

For real. Finally. Like, the dude now has a living, breathing blog...which already has several posts!

He's been so great to participate in other blogs but after leading the most popular discussion at Book Club's Group Review last segment--which totally kicked my discussion thread's butt and, um, I launched the damn thing--David decided to jump into the deep end. The water's fine, eh?

In David's nifty new blog--aptly titled "My 2 Cents"--he'll be covering marketing, media, Public Relations, the Big Apple and other stuff. It would mean the world to me if you might take a moment and check it out. He's all sorts of smart. Witty, too.

P.S.: That's David and me up there several weeks ago. Then the stinker headed to Hawaii and that's when the ice age hit NYC. I cannot say for certain but I just know there's a correlation there...but don't hold it against him (or his blog).

Happy Birthday, Mr. President (a bombshell brand)

While Valeria has a tremendous post at her place on leadership for this President's Day, I thought I'd just give you some fun. Enjoy a sweet song by a really fine marketer--has there ever been a more enduring brand than Marilyn Monore?--by pressing play below (RSS readers go here).

P.S.: Here's a present-day rendition of the famed birthday song by a saucy performer named "Red".

Got Mantra?

When I began my blog it made sense to me to explain why I started the blog, as much for me as for readers. I figured it was the right thing to do being the age of transparency and full disclosure. So I penned my blog's mantra, made a graphic for it and placed a link to it over there on my sidebar.

Looking back at it now I wonder if it even qualifies as 'mantra' since it's a 3-part approach rather than a 1-line incantation...bygones.

I didn't think about it because it's always on my mind--it's my mantra after all--but darn if a lot of people don't read it each week (thanks readers). I'm not sure if it's because they like it or because not many blogs have one.

And then Paul, in his spankin' new "weekly featured spot," is promoting my mantra's graphic on his site (thanks for making my week). So it got me thinking... maybe some of you might find it helpful to pen your own mantras. Your readers might enjoy them and it can be a good exercise. Or not. That's the thing about mantras, they're entirely up to you :-).

P.S. Consequently, I have a mantra for my business too, but that's another post at another blog. It's more of a true mantra in that it stems from my 'pull' philoshopy of "May all Rivers Flow to Me". Check it out here.

Have some dignity and just get Lost

I used to watch much more TV. Then I started blogging. Sure, news is TV but I don't count that as entertainment. My "passive" time is just extra special since there's so little of it. So when my favorite TV show disrespects the audience as gravely as Lost has it's disappointing.

For those of you who watch the series you may (or may not) agree with me. For those that don't, just know that it's a show that was really good, then really confusing and then completely unreliable between repeats and mid-season interruptions. Indulge me readers with a word to the show's producers--and to many brands that need to die with some dignity...

Where did you go oh so wrong? You lost your momentum and, in so doing, you lost your way. From 20 million to 12.8 million viewers, you've definitely lost your audience. Why? For the simple reason that you took your audience for granted. We got the hint that the honeymoon period of Season One is over and now we've moved on to other shows. Other media, too.

What's with the games? Moving time spots to avoid American Idol doesn't work, it just smacks of insecurity (if you had a decent show you wouldn't need to avoid category killers or ratings monsters). Ah, but then you gave us 16 no-repeat episodes! So that was to make up for being gone mid-season for 3 months?  Nope, that won't get your mojo back.

What to do now? Do yourselves a favor and go out with some dignity. Make next season your last season--but announce it NOW so people will want to still watch. Surely with your big budgets and cadre of creative brains you can come up with replacements. Or forget my advice altogether and line-extend into a third island (heck you've already line-extended into two...why not a third?). Nah, just get lost.

When I was studying for my MBA the Editor of Variety addressed one of my communications classes and explained how television was all about programming. One hit can make a network. That's not rocket science and we all know that but, being a marketer, that's only part of the formula. Once you've found the right show you need to remember who's on the other side of the lens--and understand just what they're giving you: an investment of time. I say that as I think that's what is so easily forgotten.

Take care of your brands and your brand's fans, Hollywood. Or wind up as just another cautionary tale. But at least the show's lessons aren't lost on we marketers :-).

P.S.: For your viewing pleasure I highly recommend HBO's "Rome". I never liked period pieces but they've done a banner job with the episodic. They only thought they were going to get one season out of it and hence ended the first season on Caeasar's death...but Rome continued after Caesar and so too the series. Who knew the fall of the Roman Empire could be so darn much fun?

If we're not gonna use our hearts, let's use our eyes.

It's always a shame when companies exercise poor customer service. It happens so much we're just not surprised when we hear the war stories. But I'm always astounded when companies go out of their way to treat customers badly--and on Valentine's Day is just really poor form. Where's the (customer) love?

Banking at Chase on Wednesday was a prime example. It was a snowy, blowy NYC-blizzard day so it was an imperfect day for walking ten blocks but an oh-so-perfect day to avoid long lines. So I suited up for the winter wonderland and seized my chance. Ah, the best laid snow-bunny plans...

When I got to the bank I was delighted to find there were more staff members than customers. So easy in/easy out, right? Wrong. Here's the wasted opportunity that I discussed with the on-site Customer Service Representative and what I will be discussing with Chase Corporate when I get through to them. Their voice-mail system for customer complaints is "full" (go figure).

Can't you see your staff ignoring customers? I showed the representative how the tellers were too engrossed in conversation with one another to wait on customers. She explained to me that only one of them was a teller, the others were vendors. I then explained that anyone situated behind the bullet-proof glass appears to we that are not protected from gunfire as an employee. What a waste of logic.

Can't you see it's a holiday? For about $50, the branch could have served cocoa and donuts giving customers a "sweet" V-day treat, especially on such a yucky day due to the weather. Why is this so tough to think of? What a wasted opportunity to delight your customers.

Can't you see the competition? The branch is situated directly between a Washington Mutual Bank branch on the next block and a Banco Popular branch on the same one. Talk about living inside a no-bank-but-me bubble.

Can't you see what's before your very eyes (psst: it's on film, too)? I pointed to the customers waiting right before her eyes and then I pointed to the 5 security cameras--much like when flight attendants point to the exit rows--and told her, being a bank with such high security needs, she was afforded a front-row seat to see it all over again. Surely banks use this footage not just for security purposes but for improvement ones, right? It's like having a 24-7 mystery shopper on-site. Alas, I think I'm wrong here too. What a waste of footage.

Can't you see what a disservice you've done to your customers (and to the profession)? But here's what is even worse: of the 5 customers awaiting service for nearly 30 minutes, no one griped. Well, save me. It was as if consumers have come to expect--or I guess just become used to--being treated so poorly. Folks, when customers start learning to live with such poor service levels is when we've done the gravest disservice to our discipline.

In retrospect perhaps the waste was to my time since the darn session took me twice as long being I needed to run through the above with the customer service manager...nah, it's never a waste when I'm looking out for consumers. Let's keep using our heads, hearts and eyes--our markets are more than worth it.

I heart you readers (xo)

On this the day of candy, chocolates and kisses, allow me to be a little mushy (c'mon, the day occasions it!). A happy Valentine's Day to all you lovable readers: I thank you for your time, thoughtful comments, smart guidance and friendship. You've been so good to me and I hope this day is extra good to you.

Don't forget to take care of Mr./Ms. Right--or Mr./Ms. "Right Now". And if this day finds you single don't let it get you down. Just blame those retail marketers ;-).

CK V-Day Factoid: I helped out an Aunt at a flower store for Valentine's Day years back and we had to bundle up 5,000 roses--over 400 bunches of red roses. I tried like mad to sell the guys daisies, lilies or tulips. Nope, everyone wanted a dozen red roses. And we had to de-thorn them all. I thought I'd go insane...but at least I helped to ensure a lot of love got made. As a result, I'm not a girl that's big on roses.

Round #2 and in the Ring...with Al and Laura Ries! (Book Club)

February is upon us and you know what that means: Book Club is back for another segment! This round we'll be discussing branding with the brand masters themselves: none other than Al & Laura Ries...impressive, eh? Yes bookworms, I take my host(ess) duties very seriously.

What will we be doing this segment? We'll be getting a little Darwinian, debunking some long-held branding "truths"--and likely, debating. What's more? You get a (free!) bonus just for reading the post here. Hey, I'm just doing what I can to heat things up in an otherwise very cold winter in the Northeast...

Excuse me...are you guys hearing that? Who's that talking up a storm in my post? Why it's word from our authors, I guess I should do the polite thing and give them the floor: "This is Al and Laura Ries here. We are so excited to be working with the new MarketingProfs Book Club and CK for our book 'The Origin of Brands'. We look forward to stoking the fire over the divergence vs. convergence debate with you bookworms. When Al & Laura Ries get involved you know it will be controversial! Talk to you all during Group Review in March."

And talk to us they will--but first you smart marketers need to read their insightful Q&A here, and sign-up for our Book Club if you haven't already (if you signed-on during last segment you're already registered). And most definitely go get your free (!) bonus.

Um, what are you waiting for? Do I need to get Al and Laura back here? I'll do it, you know. Get over there already!

P.S.: If you're just learning about our Book Club you'll definitely want to go here. You might just get a free book--you'll definitely get brainier and meet other cool bookworms.

Normal ain't so bad

You know why Buffy the Vampire Slayer was such a great series? It wasn't Buffy's struggle to be special. Endowed with vampire-slaying skills and anointed the 'chosen one' she already was special. More than anything she was just struggling to be a normal teenager with normal problems. Heck, all she wanted was to go to Prom.

Alas she needed to save the world (granted we loved her because she saved the world in time to go to Prom).

You know why Lost was (past tense) such a good show? It wasn't because the people were special. The people were normal, the circumstances they needed to survive were special. In its quest to best itself, now the series is too complicated, just a mess (nearly a 20% drop in ratings prove this). All the special mysteries just further distance us from the characters. Unfortunate since the characters are the show's best part.

The Wizard of Oz headliners wanted seemingly normal things (to be smart, to have a heart, to muster some courage). Those ruby red slippers sure were special but the wish they granted was basic: not world power or unlimited wealth, just to get back to the simple pleasure of home.

Even Forrest Gump, a very simple guy, was so lovable because he was just so normal when it came to extraordinary events. He boiled the complex down to the simple--and that made him special.

Ask any of my single friends, what do they lament about most when it comes to the dating scene? They just want to meet a normal guy with no hangups (good luck in NYC ladies). What does the American flag most stand for? The simple pleasures of freedom.

I wonder, if in trying to make things special, superior and better we forget what people really want. I'm all for special; and people need to feel that way. But what they want most is pretty darn normal: a good experience and a product that delivers on its promises. I think as marketers living in our special-differentiated-new-and-improved world we can forget this. I've been guilty of it. Let's not discount normal, our audiences certainly don't.

When the brand loses its identity

By now you've likely heard of the passing of Anna Nicole Smith. Loved her or not, she definitely made an impact on this world--a world that seemingly had a love-hate relationship with her. I remember well the first time I spotted her in an advertisement for Guess Jeans wondering...who is that bombshell?

There will not doubt be much coverage of her death over the coming weeks, most notably as to the cause (illness? drugs? too many diet pills? foul play over her pending lawsuits?). But I can't help wondering what, if anything, the brand she's most aligned with--besides that of her own--can or should do. See, Anna symbolized many things. But Trimspa seemed to only equal one. Undoubtedly, Anna built the Trimspa brand.

And the Trimspa brand has seen its share of trouble including multi-million dollar lawsuits over false advertising claims. As marketer I don't know the answer, I just pose the question: What to do when the brand's spokesperson dies...when the spokesperson is the brand?

When you go to Trimspa's website, here's what you'll find: "Today, Anna Nicole Smith’s grief stricken and tumultuous personal life came to an end. Anna came to our Company as a customer, but she departs it as a friend. While life for Anna Nicole was not easy these past few months, she held dear her husband, Howard K. Stern, her daughter, Dannielynn Hope, her most cherished friends, beloved dogs, and finally, her work with TRIMSPA.

Anna knew both the joy of giving life, and the heartache of losing a child. We pray that she is granted the peace that eluded her more recent days on earth, and that she find comfort in the presence of her son, Daniel. -- Alex Goen, CEO and Founder, TRIMSPA"

Rest in peace, Anna (btw, it was Georges Marciano from Guess Jeans that brainstormed her 'Anna Nicole' stage name with her).

Ya outta be in pictures

One week away from our Book Club's next segment (it's gonna be good marketers...but wait 'til Tuesday you must) and it's so great to see what an impact the first round continues to have on marketers. And here I thought I was the only one who would put my mug next to a book.

On the left there is Gavin Heaton and on the right here is Tim Jackson. Ben and Jackie I ask you: who needs models when you've got these handsome fellas advertising for you?

These guys put all the pics of me promoting the Book Club to shame. Btw, guys--and all you bookworms--you'll look fetching next to the upcoming book, too...just sayin'.

P.S. Seeing you marketers so stoked over books just melts my heart. Yep, it's better than a Valentine's Day card, maybe even better than chocolates. Maybe.

You in the back (learning to listen)

Now I'm not saying we should be childish but sometimes many times the best lessons to use when we're grownups are the ones we learned when we were kids. Like saying "please" and "thank you" and raising your hand...

About a year ago I was in a meeting and trying to get a word in. I had a really great idea--yes, they agreed it was great when they heard it--but everyone was speaking over everyone else and the discussion leader was especially mouthy. It was futile. What's a marketer to do? So there in an oh-so-corporate boardroom I raised my hand. While the client was perplexed he finally said, "yes.." and then I laid out my brainy idea.

I've raised my hand several more times since and, more times than not, I get a giggle--but every time I get to speak. Better still? Everyone learns to let everyone speak...and everyone remembers to listen. What's more? We don't even have to have the "now let everyone speak" conversation we just naturally know. Why? Because we learned it way back in grammar school so it's deeply ingrained.

At one workshop in December everyone just started raising their hands (wish I had my digital camera on me). And everyone just relaxed a bit and the brainstorming soared. Back in September I especially liked it when one client looked at me with my hand raised and said "yes, you in the back," as though I were in a lecture hall. Good times. And a great session.

May sound silly but try it sometime when everyone's fighting for talk time and no one is listening...and please report back to me on how it goes.

For love, or love of money

In just a week we'll arrive at Valentine's Day: a day where Cupid makes his mark and marketers hopefully make theirs. A day filled with red wine, red hearts and red roses. And a night where happy-go-lucky couples make love not war. The most beloved day of the year--at least that's what marketers would like for you to believe.

Sure, it's the thought that counts but better still when that thought is wrapped in a heart-shaped box (retailing upwards of $25). Make no mistake about it, V-Day is a bankable $13 billion-dollar bonanza that we marketers have migrated from a gift to your one-and-only to gifts leaving no one unloved including: moms, grandmoms, teachers, classmates, bosses, co-workers, friends, friends with benefits, even pets.

I've always loved Valentine's Day but so many of my friends, both male and female, find it no longer to be a beloved day just a bunch of BS--with we marketers to blame. They see these gifts not as relationship-builders but builders of retailer's bottom lines. I can understand the cynicism...especially from you poor guys shelling out $150 for a dozen roses...but have we really stripped all the joy from the holiday? My romantic side hopes not but my realistic side has been receiving emails from Godiva since January 5th.

P.S.: Here's something to fall for: just in time for Valentine's Day I'll be unveiling the Book Club's next segment...with authors and a book you'll really love. Save your money on chocolate and buy the book instead. You can even read it with your loved one. It's far better than a book of love poems :-).

Just another lonely, terrorist-like blogger

Dear Dr. Michael Keren:

My colleague Toby Bloomberg directed me to an article covering your book in which you label bloggers "lonely, melancholic, disillusioned" people. While a blow to my fragile ego...I take heart in seeing your findings were based on research spanning a whopping 9 bloggers (out of 55 million).

But who needs statistically sound research when one of your nine subjects discusses her identity through stories of her cats?

In "Blogosphere: A New Political Arena", you declare bloggers as "isolated and lonely, living in a virtual reality instead of forming real relationships or helping to change the world." Living in an energized city such as NYC I don't feel isolated. And while people have certainly described me through different adjectives--and I do have a cat--I've yet to be characterized as socially withdrawn. In addition to labeling us lonely, you also compared bloggers to terrorists. Geez, all I did was log-on this morning and now I'm some loser anarchist misfit.

You say that the community of support is not real but..

Gettin' Shouty in NYC

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Get Shouty's Katie Chatfield last Thursday here in NYC. Or, as I now like to call her, "Ka-ka-ka-katie" (if you've ever seen "The Way We Were" you'd get that).

What do I dig about Miss Shouty? She's light-hearted and fun but truly impassioned. She's smart in marketing (duh) but equally so in life. She's an Aussie--actually an 8th-generation New Zealander, who's traveled and lived all over...so she opens me up to how the other 97% live. We Americans are but a wee part of the big picture. I know I've much to learn. So it's a good thing I have great people to teach me.

And yes, she is a beauty (as the pics prove) and has a GREAT accent. I just can't imagine a flat American accent sounds nearly as good. That girl is certainly unpredictable...

Katie was living in Chicago for the last 3 weeks (actually 2 weeks as she's been in NYC for the last week), but Australia missed her too much so she'll be heading back there soon. I'll let her fill you in as by the time this is published she's likely decided to go live in China again.

If you've not yet been to Katie's blog, here's a great chance. If you have, do like me and meet her in person. Thanks for making my week Shouty.

P.S.: This is Katie's apple martini. (well, one of them). I remarked on how perfectly she ate her garnish. She said she was taking a bite out of the big apple. So then I just had to get a pic of it--good call, right?