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Blaming the Messenger Lives On…and Remains Futile
June 24, 2011 in Marketing, Social networks, Web 2.0 | Leave a comment
I had to laugh when I read about celebrated theatre director Julie Taymor – who was recently unceremoniously dumped from the ill-fated Broadway production of Spiderman – blaming her fall on Twitter and Facebook. Call it a 2.0 twist on the time-honored tradition of blaming the messenger – typically the media but now social media platforms – for fanning the flames of criticism and spurring negative outcomes. (This is almost as spurious as Newt Gingrich blaming the "mainstream media" for putting his words in his mouth on Meet the Press a few weeks ago.) One wonders if Ms. Taymor would have complained if the buzz about her play would have been positive.
This argument has been a mainstay of frustrated politicians, executives and artists for generations when they receive less than positive media coverage or public reaction. And it's an absolute waste of time. Yes, it true that networking platforms like Twitter and Facebook have become super highways for word-of-mouth – good or bad. And yes, its true that news media can sometimes sensationalize, focus on soundbites at the expense of context, pile on and…gasp…even inject some of their own bias in their reporting. But in the vast majority of communication snafus – resulting in a negative coverage and/or word-of-mouth – the driving force behind public reaction lies in the original statement, policy or product rather than the channel through which information or opinion is disseminated. Communication channels can help to amplify or influence public reaction, but they have no inherent bias or purpose in themselves.
So instead of blaming a platform like Twitter – which is merely an extremely convenient channel for sharing comments and ideas and provides a voice to millions of global users – folks like Taylor and Gingrich should focus on their own role in the communication process, and probe the reasons behind the mixed public reaction and commentary. In fact, implicit in these complaints about evil media messengers (or social platforms) is that the public reaction they reflect (and generate) is somehow unfair, or even misguided. This reflects a certain arrogance and tin ear, a trait that has caused the downfall of many public figures. A better approach is to accept the verdict of the public or fans and learn from the feedback.
The lesson for communication professionals – and for executives and artists seeking to promote their message or craft their public image, is that there is nowhere to hide in this era of real-time, 24/7 news coverage and social networking. News and commentary will travel fast and wide, and not all of it will be positive or even logical. There is still room to manage the public discussion and promote your agenda or argument, but don't blame the messenger, or the customer, if things don't work out the way you wanted. Instead take a look in the mirror.
Companies Fighting Losing Battle Against Social Technology
April 14, 2011 in Corporations, Culture, Social networks, Strategy, Web 2.0 | 1 comment
One of the issues I keep encountering in my work (and personal life) is the surprising gap between the use of social media technology outside the workplace and inside corporate firewalls. More specifically, many organizations continue to try to keep out the waves of disruptive technology through every means possible – including firewalls and restrictive company policies – while consumers of every age and region become more technologically agile and demanding. In some organizations, it's as if you enter a time-warp where innovation is taboo and technology is used to restrict the flow of information, rather than fuel it.
I've argued that this corporate resistance is misguided and a recipe for strategic stagnation and market irrelevance – not to mention a serious drawback on recruitment and employee engagement. (Who wants to give up their smart phones and online tools when they go to work?) Well, a recent report by Forrester – which was presented during SXSW – suggests that despite their best efforts, these reticent companies may be losing the battle. [FYI - The study was available for free only for SXSW participants.]
A recent Forrester survey of U.S. information workers found that:
- 8% of workers use their own smart phone for work
- 12% download and use outside applications on a work computer
- 27% use unsanctioned login-required sites for work
Clearly, as the line between personal and professional blurs an increasing number of workers are using their personal communication tools and platforms for work purposes – and why wouldn't they? New technologies – such as cloud computing, smart phones and social networks – foster lightning-quick information sharing, conversations and collaboration.
The study also confirms there is still stubborn resistance in corporate America, however. While 20% of respondents identified themselves as "HEROs" (the most resourceful and empowered) and 13% as "rogues" (using the technology without permission), 34% were defined as fully "locked down" and 34% as "disenfranchised" (feeling least resourceful and empowered). In the Forrester context the "HEROs" are the ones who know and understand customer needs and use technology to better serve those empowered customers.
The study argues that the smart response to this rogue trend is to empower workers to serve empowered customers. In fact, the study (and a related book) shares a number of examples of employees who used new social technologies to help the business, and ultimately benefit the customer experience. Hopefully this type of report will help dispel the favored argument of resistant executives that staff will use technology for frivolous pursuits. (Defining what is frivolous and what is productive is a topic for another post.)
Of course, there are many positive reasons why companies should introduce social media in the enterprise and provide their staff with the latest technology – notably to help them collaborate more efficiently and enable them as customer advocates – but now it appears the best reason is it's going to happen anyway.
Blue Man Group a Model for Communications?
March 8, 2011 in Crowdsourcing, Culture, PR, Strategy, Web 2.0 | 43 comments
Last week I took my kids to see the Blue Man Group show – almost 13 years after seeing the innovative program during it's original run in Chicago. Beyond noticing the updates in technology and content – there are several new segments that feature iPhones and digital messages – what struck me are the valuable lessons BMG has for professional communicators; think of it as a theatrical metaphor for highly original, memorable and impactful communication.
At its source BMG is about human communication – almost all of it non-verbal. The program features a dizzying range of multi-media sketches mixing mime, comedy, improv theatre, drumming, props and digital imagery. All the frenetic, often hilarious sketches relate to telling a story, and entertaining the audience. And it's all done with very little "formal" communication.
Here are a few useful tips from the performance:
- Start conversations – Right from the beginning, when a scrolling text line gradually engages the audience in a fun back-and-forth dialogue, the performance goes well beyond the one-way "push" performance you'd expect with a show of this nature.
- Assume intelligence – Everything about the program (from the subtle mime movements to the smart comedic moments) suggests BMG take for granted their audience will get the joke. This is not a show that dumbs-down or shoot for the typical or obvious – despite the fact there are plenty of kids in the audience. It's a good reminder that worrying too much about "talking down" to an audience can be counterproductive if it strips any nuance, wit and creativity from the communication.
- Let the audience join/be the performance – Like in many shows, the BMG group team use several members of the audience in some of their sketches. It also uses mobile cameras to focus on the audience at regular interludes…breaking down the proverbial fourth wall. The show also makes good use of informal crowd-sourcing, using audience input or reactions to influence the performance.
- Use your body – It's no surprise that the BMG team use physical tricks and props in their performance – including the famous drumming on paint cans sequence – but it's a good reminder that more formal presentations could benefit from better use of movement and stage presence.
- Use music to help set mood and emphasis – It often surprises me how little corporate communication professionals use music in their presentations and deliverables. Music is central to the BMG experience – ranging from basic drumming to background music – and is a major factor in the overall experience.
- Tackle the elephants – Too much corporate output is compromised because it tries to dance around contentious issues or latent questions among the audience. BMG boosts the relevance and impact of the show by going straight for the hidden elephants – such as celebrating the arrival of latecomers in a hilarious paparazzi-style announcement, or proactively addressing likely audience questions at the outset of the show.
- Go for a laugh – This show confirmed for me (again) that smart, timely humor can be a universal language that crosses age, background and culture. And most importantly, humor helps keep the attention of the audience and increases the chances participants will remember anything. Too many communicators frown on humor and argue it can dilute and distort a serious message. That may be true – in some cases – but the reality is that material that is serious and dull can be much more effective if presented in a more engaging format.
- Improvise – One of the great things about BMG is that it leaves plenty of room for surprises and improvisation. I really noticed this during the audience participation segments, where it appeared there was little structure or script to guide the volunteers…to positive effect.
- Make the event an experience – BMG is famous for the explosive ending where the audience is showered with toilet paper streams, confetti and giant balloons. Though this may sound like a silly exercise, this celebration is invariably a highlight of the program. At the Austin show I saw audience members spent almost 15 minutes "playing" after the formal end of the show.
Clearly, not all the tactics and tricks used by BMG are appropriate for more formal corporate communications. On the other hand, too many professionals adhere to outdated, unfounded rules about what constitutes effective communications – particularly in an era where YouTube parodies, virtual games and Twitter updates dominate the landscape. Blue Man Group shows communication can take many forms. It's time we take a fresh look at the tool kit and focus on what works best, not what is accepted practice.
Kenneth Cole Twitter Scandal – The New Crisis Cycle at Web Speed
February 8, 2011 in Brand, Corporations, Internet, Media relations, Social networks, Strategy, Web 2.0 | Leave a comment
Just read a really interesting article in AdAge that provides a post-mortem autopsy on the Kenneth Cole Twitter scandal…and subsequent redemption. There are two provocative arguments in the article:
- Social media has dramatically accelerated the usual steps and cycle of scandals, including quick resolution and forgiveness for those who take appropriate action;
- The new scandal pattern features a secondary wave or parodies of the original blunder…which sometimes generates more attention that the original event.
Based on some recent miscues propagated on/by Twitter, it would appear that companies can go from goat to reformed sinner much faster than before the advent of social media. And the deluge of content on networks like Twitter and Facebook inevitably helps push old news out of the spotlight. That said, I would argue that the outcome of the crisis – and ultimate impact on the brands involved – depends on the magnitude of the original error, as well as how promptly and cogently the company reacts. Kenneth Cole quickly apologizing for his ill-advised use of #Cairo in his original tweet cannot be compared to the massive BP oil spill crisis, or even the recent Taco Bell "where's the beef" situation. For one thing, those events quickly spread across social several social networks and traditional media channels and an easy, quick resolution is not likely to occur. (BP, for example, is likely to face years of legal repercussions.) These other crises also raise more fundamental, serious questions about the companies involved. Kenneth Cole may have been insensitive, but he wasn't accused of endemic incompetence, harm to consumers or corporate corruption.
Despite these caveats, communication professionals should be aware that old models and time-honored principles of crisis management – do you remember the "5 R's"…responsibility, regret, restitution, resolution and reform – are being influenced by the technology and mores of social media. In nothing else, it appears that some crises will be played out at lightning Web speed. Whether that makes it easier or harder to manage is open to debate, but it's fascinating to watch.
Social Media Requires Leap of Faith
January 7, 2011 in Corporations, Globalization, Internet, Media relations, Metrics, Social networks, Strategy, Web 2.0 | Leave a comment
The folks at AdAge posted an article recently on what they (and others) have described as the biggest social media campaign of the year: Coca-Cola's global Expedition 206 project, where three "happiness ambassadors" travelled the world to document people's search for happiness. Based on many measures, this campaign was a huge success, with over 650 million media impressions and huge global audiences across the campaign platforms – notably in relatively immature Coke markets like China. (It likely didn't hurt that Coke's social media properties are already among the most popular in the world.)
It's interesting to note that some observers – including a few commenting on this article – aren't sold on the success of the campaign. A few critics questioned whether the program had actually translated into a spike in sales, arguing increased awareness or positive buzz was a soft, meaningless measure of ROI. Others claimed they had never heard of the campaign, suggesting the ratings might be hype.
But beyond the debate about evaluating success – which is a big enough topic for another post altogether – I see a few important lessons for all communication/marketing professionals in this campaign:
- Social media is about people and local markets – The Coke folks developed the campaign blueprint at HQ and leveraged a core team to coordinate the massive undertaking, but used a decentralized approach where local teams (and the personable ambassadors) had flexibility to implement and customize the outreach. It's also worth noting the prevalence of informal video in this program – a popular and compelling format that is too often ignored in many corporate programs;
- Be open to learning and adapting along the way – The Coke team freely admits they were flying blind on many aspects of this program, and leveraged the insights and feedback along the way to adjust the plan;
- Dont' wait for things to be perfect – It might surprise some that even a social media leader like Coke launched this campaign knowing their teams would have to stretch to implement the campaign (for example, requiring a higher level of coordination across marcom groups and forcing many local teams to become more familiar with social media). Sometimes a campaign is the impetus for organizations to raise their game and overhaul technology and/or process…and that's not a bad thing;
- Face-to-face still matters – Coke used a wide range of virtual activities in this campaign, but complemented the robust online tactics with critical local meetings and testimony by the ambassadors, which in turn generated much of the digital content. The heart of this campaign – as it were – was the personal friendships and outreach of the 3 ambassadors on the ground;
- Engage partners in relevant communities – The ambassadors reached out to local bloggers, fans and reporters to support their local outreach and extend local word-of-mouth;
- Be creative - This campaign went well beyond the typical, relatively safe Facebook and Twitter outposts favored by more timid organizations. The result was a campaign that was bold in scope and also much more interesting and lasting in terms of content and coverage.
These lessons were similar to what I experienced at Dell as part of the core team that developed and launched the social media programs several years ago. There were many things we didn't know when we started, but we never would have learned – or made any progress – if we had waited for the perfect situation. Our focus was on getting the basics right – our strategy, objectives and key principles – but positioned our efforts as a constant beta test…constantly assessing, innovating and improving. Like with Coke, our efforts forced the issue on many fronts (for example the introduction of new technology and upgrades in infrastructure.)
The frenetic, unpredictable pace of evolution in social media doesn't allow for ponderous, diffident planning more common even a few years ago. Yes, planning and strategic rigor still matter, but they shouldn't get in the way of great ideas.
Numbers Add Up on Social Media ROI
December 16, 2010 in Corporations, Culture, Employees, Marketing, Metrics, Research, Social networks, Web 2.0 | Leave a comment
Many discussions about social media inevitably turn to the issue of ROI – or how you can measure impact and, more specifically, if there is empirical evidence (or reliable projections) that social media can boost hard business metrics like productivity, revenue and profits. While I've heard of a few isolated success stories (like Dell's profits through Twitter promotions) I haven't seen much consensus on a measurable, widespread impact – particularly related to consumer activities. In fact, there are still pockets of skeptics who deny social media can add directly to the bottom line. (Conversely, some social media fans/users suggest focusing on finding a bullet-proof ROI link is missing the point, since social media is more about conversation and engagement than short-term returns.)
Well, the folks at McKinsey – who could never be accused of using fuzzy math – recently came out with a study that suggests companies who make extensive use of the Web 2.0 technology have higher returns and margins than their peers. [FYI: you may have to subscribe to McKinsey to view the full report.] What's telling about the findings is that McKinsey found that organizations that were highly networked – meaning they leveraged collaborative technology inside the enterprise as well as with external partners – were most likely to be market leaders (and gainers) and benefit from higher margins. There is plenty of room for progress, however; only 3 percent of survey respondents were defined as fully networked enterprises – with robust social media engagement across audiences. McKinsey also details the trend towards increasing use of social media inside the enterprise, and the shift beyond the more established business-to-consumer activities. The authors suggest this trend will exacerbate a gap between the forward-thinking organizations (who are gaining measurable benefits) and those reluctant to fully engage the collaborative technology.
A closer look at the findings shows that respondents to the global survey defined a wide range of "measurable benefits" – which confirms that most organizations are looking well beyond core metrics like profit-and-loss for evidence of ROI. But the purported benefits are by no means soft, in corporate parlance. Take a look at the top 4 benefits – based on percentage of respondents whose companies achieved benefits from use of Web 2.0 technologies – across the main categories:
Internal Purposes
- Increase speed of access to knowledge (77% of respondents)
- Reduce communication costs (60%)
- Increase speed of access to internal experts (52%)
- Decrease travel costs (44%)
Consumer Purposes
- Increase effectiveness of marketing (awareness, consideration, conversion & loyalty) (63%)
- Increase customer satisfaction (50%)
- Reduce marketing costs (45%)
- Reduce support costs (35%)
External Partners/Suppliers
- Increase speed of access to knowledge (57%)
- Reduce communication costs (53%)
- Increase satisfaction of partners (45%)
- Increase speed of access to external experts (40%)
How can companies join the networked high flyers described in this survey? Here are suggestions from the McKinsey study:
- Integrate the use of Web 2.0 into employees' day-to-day work activities. What's in the work flow is what gets used by employees and what leads to benefits.
- Continue to drive adoption and usage. Benefits appear to be limited without a base level of adoption and usage.
- Break down the barriers to organizational change. Fully networked organizations appear to have more fluid information flows, deploy talent more flexibly to deal with problems, and allow employees lower in the corporate hierarchy to make decisions.
- Apply Web 2.0 technologies to interactions with customers, business partners, and employees. Fully networked organizations can achieve the highest levels of self-reported benefits in all types of interactions
As someone who spends a great deal of my time working with companies on internal issues, I'm glad to get this additional ammunition to help convince companies their greatest potential to leverage social media may be inside the organization. McKinsey's describes these progressive internally networked organizations as cultures where "information is shared more readily and less hierarchically, collaboration across organizational silos is more common, and tasks are more often tackled in a project-based fashion." Buried in this description is the root of the problem; the reality is that some companies are still not willing to foster this type of decentralized, fluid communication environment. To some, information is still power…and they don't want to give it up.
The Quixotic Quest for Viral Videos
December 6, 2010 in Internet, Marketing, Social networks, Strategy, Uncategorized, Web 2.0 | Leave a comment
If there's one phrase that makes me wince when I'm talking to peers or clients, it's can you help us make a viral video? Believe it or not, I hear it quite frequently. Not surprisingly, many corporate executives are now true believers in the power of social media and want to leverage the tremendous profile and marketing clout of YouTube. Unfortunately, you can't make a viral video. You can make a video and try to help it become viral – meaning viewers will drive others to see it, share it, comment and eventually make it a media sensation well beyond YouTube. Ultimately, viewers decide what becomes viral through their actions and comments.
Though consumers have the power, there are things you can do to increase your chances of encouraging uploads and buzz. Look at the recent Old Spice YouTube campaign as a good example of a successful viral program. This hilarious campaign – which piggy-backed on a popular television ad – has become a new paradigm of how to drive positive word-of-mouth through a viral video campaign. According to media reports, the campaign has generated hundreds of millions of views and publicity across media channels, and there's also evidence it has boosted sales. The true genius of this campaign was the timely, interactive nature of the conversation – with the Old Spice shirtless man responding to individual tweets, reaching out to influential celebrities and pundits and even making a marriage proposal on behalf of a Twitter fan.
So why did the Old Spice campaign work so well? Here's my short-list:
- Though the campaign left plenty of room for spontaneity, there was a marketing plan underneath the whimsy designed to maximize reach and impact across networks and sites;
- The videos were genuinely funny, smart and original – the original ads were a great starting point;
- It was responsive – not only in general terms via comments on YouTube but via individual Tweets responses/posts and video content;
- It was designed as an integrated program that went beyond YouTube;
- It downplayed the Old Spice brand (I didn't find any mention of the products outside the original TV ads);
- The campaign was human and touching – including one video of the Old Spice actor sending a personal message to his son – reinforcing that social media is about real people;
- The campaign knew enough to end on a high, and called it quits before the joke wore thin.
Another important lesson is that the Old Spice guy generated plenty of spoof videos. Video parodies created by viewers are among the most popular on the internet and often widely surpass the original ads in popularity – so be careful what you wish for. (Two recent examples are the hundreds of video parodies of the Tiger Woods and LeBron James Nike commercials.) Further evidence that what goes viral is not decided by marketers but by consumers. (FYI: check out this article for recent stats on the top viral videos on YouTube.)
WikiLeaks Not Model of Social Media Transparency
November 30, 2010 in Internet, Social networks, Web 2.0 | Leave a comment
In the wake of the latest release of classified documents by WikiLeaks, a number of people have asked me if the leaks are simply a reflection of the growing importance of social media – with its emphasis on citizen journalism, transparency and candid conversation. My answer to them is no. WikiLeaks has little in common with the ethos of Web 2.0, and it certainly doesn't represent the best of social media. Here are my reasons:
- WikiLeaks doesn't really qualify as a transparent activity. Though it could be argued there is transparency in making public previously confidential or buried documents (that are confirmed as authentic) the whole process around the leaks has been opaque. In fact, the leaks are closer to a secretive publicity stunt than a public service. As per the modus operandi of the site, the original source of the leaked documents is still uncertain – though an American soldier has been charged.
- The importance of transparency in social media is often discussed in tandem with honesty. On that front WikiLeaks is on equally weak ground. First, the cables and memos were specifically written for select individuals or small groups. Clearly, they were released without the consent of the original authors and recipients. Second, WikiLeaks provides no insight on the value or accuracy of the leaked materials, essentially refusing to take any responsibility for the content. Third, it appears the documents were obtained illegally. WikiLeaks isn't talking under the guise of protecting its sources.
- It's difficult to argue the leaked information hasn't fueled active conversation – the foundation of social media – but it's less certain the discourse has been positive or beneficial to anyone involved. Much like dialogue preaching hate or racism is discouraged, one could argue the nasty brush fires sparked by the leaks has done little but raise tension between countries. On the other hand, the ethical debate around the leaks themselves has been constructive.
- Even in the fluid and informal world of social media, there are norms of conduct and rules of engagement. Most participants follow these informal guidelines and/or corporate policies and there's often a visceral reaction in online communities against those that refuse to follow rules – which are typically designed to ensure the quality of the content and conversation. It's not clear what rules or guidelines WikiLeaks subscribes to beyond acting as a clearing-house for documents that can bring to light – and help redress – human right abuses and criminal activity.
- Social media puts a big emphasis on valuable, relevant content. What I've seen from the recent WikiLeaks exercise is a massive, haphazard package of confidential diplomatic memos that may have more value to conspiracy theorists and spies than ordinary readers. The value of the materials is left for the reader to decide, and the benefits to any community (if any) are unclear.
- Most fans of social media would agree that sharing information comes with responsibility. There's a glaring absence of common sense and judgement around the leaks. Many observers are concerned the leaks could result in serious diplomatic problems, and even compromise the safety of officials listed in the documents. Whether that's true or not is apparently of no concern to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has claimed that releasing the material is in the public interest…but has not explained why or how that is the case.
I've heard some pundits arguing this leak follows in the grand tradition of rule-breaking muckracking, like the celebrated events surrounding the Watergate scandal. And if I take Assange at his word, I applaud his commitment to release any information that brings to light abuses and other criminal behaviour. But again, the context here is totally different than Watergate or even the Iraq war. There is no obvious scandal or political crime to uncover here, merely thousands of sensitive diplomatic discussions (containing predictable off-color candor) that serve no obvious public purpose and clearly put negotiations at risk. The leaks are closer to political gossip than investigative journalism.
There has been robust discussion about whether the leaks should be protected under the First Amendment – more specifically freedom of the press. (Conservative pundits, in particular, are happy to see an independent watchdog tweak the nose of the U.S. Government.) I'm not a legal scholar so I can't answer the constitutional question, but the real issue isn't whether WikiLeaks can make this information public, but whether it should.
Crowd-sourcing: Be Careful What you Wish For
October 27, 2010 in Advertising, Brand, Crowdsourcing, Marketing, PR, Research, Social networks, Strategy, Web 2.0 | 1 comment
The recent uproar surrounding the introduction – and then demise – of Gap's new logo has sparked vibrant discussion on the merits and risks of crowd-sourcing…or more specifically listening to customers and critics.
A few weeks ago, Gap introduced a new logo on their Facebook page with nary a peep of warning or consultation. The initial reaction among observers was swift and fairly uniform – harsh criticism. The Gap folks tried to address the situation with a belated invitation for consumer input – call it reactive crowd-sourcing – which only fanned the flames of critics and confused observers. Think of it as bad buzz. Subsequent updates by Gap positioned the new logo as a broader brand update, and provided more background on the rationale and strategy. But in a fascinating twist, a survey several days after the initial buzz confirmed that few consumers were aware of the new brand or related online polemic. Gap ultimately announced they heard the feedback and scrapped the new logo design; it appears they have learned their lesson and will tread carefully in future brand changes. (For another example of a rebranding effort gone wrong – witness the debacle by Tropicana, which surprised consumers with a new packaging look that was harshly criticized – and eventually scrapped.)
There are several lessons communication and marketing pros can take from this story:
- If you are truly committed to listen to online consumers or fans – have a crowd-sourcing plan and a system to back it up. Confirm how you will gather feedback and what you will do with it before opening the doors to input and ideas. Define rules of the game to manage expectations and legal/copyright issues. Most important, be prepared to respond and take action based on what you hear.
- Make listening and monitoring of relevant sites a constant activity rather than an ad-hoc, reactive event. That will provide solid context for dissecting the scope and potential impact of any feedback.
- Consider getting input before you make any changes to products or brands. That makes the process more credible and relevant for consumers.
- Know who/where your fans and customers are…and make sure you are always listening to them. There was interesting debate around the Gap issue about whether the logo uproar was truly a broad, grass-roots reaction from fans and customers or just a brush fire from a small but vocal group of malcontents in the design community.
- Have a brand strategy – and stick to it. Yes…consumers own the brand, since their perceptions are ultimately the reality and determine brand equity. And many passionate fans feel they have personal ownership of favored products or brands. But no brand can survive without careful management by inside folks who are trying to blend identity, marketing, products and PR to drive the business.
I've heard a few executives and peers whisper that the Gap episode provides further evidence that social media is risky and perhaps even counterproductive. I disagree. The problem here wasn't with social media – though listening and dialogue has exploded with the advent of new technology – but with faulty strategy and planning. The famous Coke Classic fiasco happened years ago without the prominent presence of Facebook or blogs. The issue now is that criticism can spread much wider and faster than years ago…which puts more onus on active monitoring, smart planning and ongoing dialogue with customers. An excellent article in AdAge focusing on social media "screw-ups" (which goes beyond crowd-sourcing) suggests that such missteps are inevitable – despite increasing efforts by companies to listen and learn – due to the rapid pace of evolution in communication technology.
On a final note, I enjoyed this video post by my friend Paul Walker at the PulsePoint Group on crowd-sourcing projects that worked well…and why they did. It reminds us of the potential benefits of crowd-sourcing – including consumer/employee engagement, lower cost, innovation and speed-to-market – which to my mind greatly outweigh the risks. Check it out.
Is the Web Really Dead?
October 13, 2010 in Employees, Internet, PR, Social networks, Strategy, Web 2.0 | 1 comment
A recent edition of Fast Company featured a provocative cover story suggesting the Web was heading the way of dinosaurs. I'm not particularly savvy on the technical side so I'm fuzzy on one of the critical distinctions made in the article (the internet being distinct from the Web) but the key point I took from the piece is that the browser has become increasingly irrelevant to the Web experience. The explosion of content delivered through apps, cloud programs and semi-closed or private networks has created an internet experience that is fluid and incredibly diverse. This means not only that the browser has lost relevance, but that we access the internet through a range of mobile, interchangeable devices. The critical lesson, according to the article, is that users will migrate to tools and technology that simply work, reliably and simply.
There was predictable churn about the article – with some saying it was hyperbole (check out this Ragan video interview of NYT writer David Pogue calling the Web demise claim "nonsense) and others that it missed the mark on intranet growth or was weakened by contradictions. More than one comment, in fact, mentioned the irony that much of the debate on the article was taking place on the Web. To Fast Company's credit, it included contrarian commentaries alongside the cover story.
My favorite take on the argument was a thoughtful analysis by Steve Lohr in the New York Times that shifts the discussion away from the cycle of overblown technology predictions (of imminent demise) and proclamations (about the "next big things".) As Lohr puts it, evolution – not extinction – has always been the primary rule of media ecology. Most providers and platforms adapt and survive, and that is not cause for alarm. Lohr's second key point is that a characteristic of evolution in the Web 2.0 environment is the accelerated pace of change and innovation. The result, he posits, is a proliferation of digital media forms and fast-shifting patters of media consumption.
Once again, I take the discussion back to the central question for me – what does this mean to professional communicators and their clients? The most obvious implication is that failure to remain informed – at minimum – and strategically nimble and innovative – as the ideal – is a ticket to irrelevance. Lazy, static tactical recommendations that may have had a shelf-life years ago now lose their potency within months. Given the pace of evolution in the technology that drives communication, PR staff need to remain educated about trends and tools to provide relevant counsel and support. No need to be on the cutting edge or a tech wizard, but there's no excuse for being less informed than the average corporate client. Professionals need to have a basic understanding of the new tools and platforms – and the related benefits and implications.
What's interesting about all these changes is that the fundamental objectives and best practices of communication remain relatively constant – I don't hear much of a debate about the sustained importance of leadership credibility, audience segmentation, manager outreach or two-way communication. What is changing is the toolkit at our disposal. That dynamic presents an exciting opportunity – there's a real charge in working in a business which is reinventing itself – but also a constant challenge.


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Sweet Potato and Sausage Hash Recipe
Dec 30, 2011 3:30 pm
Sweet potatoes are a brunch hash's best friend
Without a doubt, brunch is my favorite meal. When else can you drink in the morning without people judging you? For your next liquor-fueled brunch, enjoy a meal that you can make the night before and reheats beautiful so you can enjoy your Bloody Mary without having to slave over a hot stove.
Servings: 6
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, removed from casing and crumbled
4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium-sized skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add onions and garlic to pot and cook until onions are translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook sausage in another skillet over medium-high heat for about 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink. Drain away any excess fat.
- Peel sweet potatoes, then cut into about ½-inch cubes. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir in onions and sausage.
- Spread sweet potatoes in a large cast iron or oven-safe skillet. Roast the sweet potatoes in a single layer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and golden brown.
Level of Difficulty:
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cooking Time:
45 minutes
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Leaders in Weybridge
Leaders in Weybridge pride ourselves on offering the highest level of customer service, expertise and knowledge to both Landlords and Tenants and our dynamic team are always on hand to offer considered advice and a warm welcome. For tenants you can be confident that as an Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) registered agent we will be able to assist you in finding a new home, provide you with an expertly drafted tenancy agreement and secure your deposit in a government approved tenancy deposit scheme.
For Landlords we are able to offer expert advice on the process of Letting your property including your legal responsibilities as a Landlord, how to maximise the rental return and how to attract the best possible tenants. Whether you are looking to increase your existing portfolio or if you are considering buy to let for the first time we have the expertise to assist you in every aspect of the process. There is a range of properties and developments available to investors in the area, ranging from one and two bedroom purpose built apartments to large family houses and we have the knowledge of the area to assist you in making a sound investment.
Weybridge and surrounding areas has so much to offer tenants that it isn't surprising that they are drawn to the area. For young professionals being able to get to into central London easily and living in such a comfortable leafy area is very attractive. Meanwhile families take advantage of the excellent state, private and international schools of the area as well as the wealth of leisure facilities. The corporate lettings market is very strong in the area, relocation agents are keen to ensure that their clients settle in to the UK easily which is very achievable in Weybridge.
Once you have chosen Leaders as a Landlord you can be guaranteed the very best in support and marketing, everything we do is aimed at letting your property as quickly as possible to the highest calibre of Tenant. We advertise on all of the top property websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla, ensuring maximum exposure to as many potential tenants as possible. In addition we also advertise in the best local press publications and have strong links with local organisations, relocation agents and community.
Come and meet the team in branch and discover why Leaders should be your agent of choice in Weybridge.
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Parkway4 2 2Fees apply £1950 pcmLeaders Weybridge are pleased to offer this RECENTLY REFURBISHED Four Bedroom family home in the popular OATLANDS area of Weybridge, within walking distance to the local schools and amenities. The property boasts a double aspect lounge/diner with oak wood flooring, eat in kitchen, w.c, master bed...
Crouch Oak Lane3 2 1Fees apply £1350 pcmA newly decorated and carpeted three bedroom semi detached family home located on this popular road within walking distance of Addlestone station and the shops and restaurants of the high street. Reception room with tiled floor leading to Dining room. Kitchen. Three double bedrooms. New bathroom ...
Berkeley Court2 1 1Fees apply £1000 pcmA light and SPACIOUS two bedroom split level apartment located in the quiet and desirable 'Oatlands' area of Weybridge set between both Walton and Weybridge town centres. Modern kitchen. Reception room. Two bedrooms. Bathroom. Unfurnished. off-street parking. Unfurnished. EPC Rating D.We are th...


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Ramada Hotel & Suites Bucharest North has a large selection of rooms at your disposal. You can expect a memorable stay here thanks to the 4-star rating.
A bar/lounge, a smoking area and a rooftop terrace are all convenient additions to Ramada Hotel & Suites Bucharest North. At this accommodation, breakfast is offered at no cost. The hotel comes with an outdoor swimming pool and also a pool bar. A stay here offers an ideal opportunity to discover a sauna, a steam room and a spa/wellness center on site. This hotel can offer you services such as a concierge service, an express check-in/out service and a wedding service during your stay. In addition to bedrooms, there are 20 meeting rooms available. Pets are also welcome here. In the building are 232 rooms you can choose from. Get from A to B via a paid airport shuttle bus and a free area shuttle bus. Paid self service parking at limited hours is a handy option you can benefit from when you come by car.
Air conditioning in the rooms of Ramada Hotel & Suites Bucharest North guarantees a comfortable temperature. The numerous services provided here include a wake-up service and a housekeeping service. Stay up to date with news, your friends, e-mail and more via high-speed Internet access. Rooms come with a pillow menu. A bathroom amenities set and a complimentary toiletries set are amongst the bathroom advantages.
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Please provide this reference number to our customer service center representative on request, so we can help you better


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I wrote and published "Sunday Audibles", a collection of humorous, fictional short stories, loosely based on the stars of the NFL. I currently write for Fannation.com and Uwritesports.com
If you have a sense of humor and love sports, check me out! I'm really a funny guy with a unique twist on todays sports legends and their games. Go to Fannation.com search SteveKay's blog
I would say don't worry about combos in that league. Grab value where you see it—if it happens to be a combo, great!


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St. Albans Sanatorium Evidence Reveal Show
in Paranormal
Friday, August 8, 2014
10pm EST / 9pm CST / 7pm PST
Did you watch us investigate LIVE at St. Albans Sanatorium a few weeks back? Well, this Friday, Luci and Anthony reveal what went on during the night and what eveidence they were able to capture.
The grounds and location have such a rich and horrible history, there's no question that spirits still roam the halls and land. Whether you believe or just curious, Paranormal Review Radio does a more compassionate investigation than many others. We focus on communication than equipment and noisy tools. Getting back to basics and appealing to the spirits who continue to live at the location, greater expand the familiarity and ease to find answers and connect - we find.
Tune in this Friday and find out what results were found! PLUS - Anthony & Luci have some exciting news to share with everyone!
Slender Sanatorium Livestream!
in Elections
Enjoy! As we play Slender Sanatorium!
Slender Sanatorium-Christmas Edition Livestream!
in Elections
Live gameplay of Slender Sanatorium-Christmas Edition!
Into The Black Hole - Ep#7 - Halloween Eve Special w/ Theresa Argie & Eric Olsen
in Paranormal
Paranormal journalist Eric Olsen and paranormal investigator Theresa Argie from America's Most Haunted joins us to shared stories from their delving into hauntings and the paranormal, and the terror surrounding some of the nation's most haunted sites. Olsen will share with how he had intense paranormal experiences early in life, and then sought to "turn them off" for decades, while Argie, nicknamed the "Haunted Housewife," has devoted herself to studying the paranormal, investigations, and ghosthunting for many years. Among the tools she and her investigative partner Cathi Weber use are digital recorders, cameras that record the infrared spectrum, dowsing rods, crystals, and even a Ouija board on occasion.
Locations they have been to include:
The Stanley Hotel ( From the book & movie The Shining)
Willoughby Coal and Garden Center
The Villisca Axe Murder House
Wavery Hills Sanatorium
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Lemp Mansion
The Queen Mary
The Knickerbocker Hotel
Ohio State Reformatory
Bobby Mackey's Music World
Waverly Hills Asylum... Most Haunted place
in Paranormal
Opened July 26 1910, to treat Tuberculosis patients in the state of Louisville Kentucky, its a huge place started as a two story, that needed to expand to accomodate more patients due to the TB outbreak. Closed down in 1961 when TB was under control, changed to Woodhaven Geriatrics Sanatarium 1962, qnd in 1982 the state shut it down for good.
This is one of the most documented places where Paranormal activity has been captured on film, join us in the chat room we will visit room 502.
Thank you for tuning in
Tony Wolf Paw
Books of Excellence with Author Bonnie Kaye
in Books
Tonight we have a special returning author guest, C. Gale Perkins, who has become a close personal friend of mine over the past few years. Gale is such an inspirational speaker whenever she joins our show.
Gale wrote her memoir of the 12 years she grew up in a children's ward at a tuberculosis sanatorium in the 1930's – 1940's. Her book "The Baby's Cross" is an extremely compelling story that shows the strongest of human spirit against the worst of diversity.
After being diagnosed with tuberculosis, she spent twelve years in Lakeville State Sanatorium in Massachusetts from age three to fifteen. She is proud of being a tuberculosis survivor and a person with a strong faith. Gale believes that the experiences she had as a child have made her the person she is today. She is warm, loving, compassionate, and has a great sense of humor. She loves people and looks for the good in everyone. Gale believes in the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
This show is a program for independent authors. It was created for the authors in the Books of Excellence Coop found at www.BooksofExcellence.com; however the show welcomes independent authors and entertainers as time permits
Curious Times - Bridget Harrison, Psychic Paranormal Investigator
in Spirituality
Join us for 2 hours at 10 PM Eastern.
Bridget Harrison is the Southern Belle of paranormal investigating with her Southern Charm and Wit. She's co hosted and appeared on several radio shows and does a local presentation in her home town on the subject of the paranormal. Starting at a young age she had several mysterious and unexplainable experiences. Bridget has always been fascinated by the paranormal since she was a child and was able to "Predict" certain things to her family. She's been curious and interested in the "paranormal" ever since. Bridget brings analytical thinking and her abilities together when investigating. Bridget's efforts in the Paranormal Investigations she does are motivated like most Paranormal Investigators - to validate that there is life after death.
Bridget has visited many haunted locations; some of the famous ones you may know are Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, KY and Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum also known as TALA in Weston, WV. One location that Bridget that thinks should not be overlooked is the not well known location in Paducah, KY called White Haven.
Waverly Hills- http://therealwaverlyhills.com
TALA- http://trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/
White Haven - 1845 Lone Oak Rd Paducah, Ky 42003
A Night At St. Albans Sanitarium
in Paranormal
Friday, July 18th
**9pm EST / 8pm CST / 6pm PST
Join us LIVE and Investigate along with Anthony and Luci! (661) 244-9831
St. Albans Sanatorium in Radford, Virginia is reputed to be one of the most haunted sites on the East Coast, and for good reason: the very soil it rests on has a grim and horrific history.
Once occupied by several indigenous tribes before European settlers moved in, the ground was soaked with blood in the "Draper's Meadow Massacre" of 1775, and bore witness to brutal Civil War battles a century later.
The horrors apparently didn't end when the St. Albans Boys School was built on the site in 1892, as suggested by stories of multiple student suicides – though none of those were officially recorded.
In 1916, St. Albans was converted to a hospital for the mentally ill, overseen by Doctor J.C. King. While the Sanatorium was known for its modern and revolutionary treatment techniques, some of the experimental procedures – including early shock and water therapies – proved fatal for some patients. There were also several more suicides in the hospital, and this time they were properly documented by Dr. King and others.
Even long after the hospital closed its doors, the horrors continued: the murder of Gina Renee Hall occurred near the hospital grounds in 1980.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium
in Paranormal
The Central Ohio Ghost Squad will discuss their last investigation at the Waverly Hills Sanatorium. 108 EVP's, a Shadow Man Caught on our DVR System, A Sickness withdrawling 2 Investigators from the Investigation, Hair Pulling, Equipment Malfunctions and numerous other paranormal events.
United Paranormal Project discusses Waverly Hills Sanatorium
in Paranormal
United Paranormal Project visited Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, KY on June 5, 2011 for an all out investigation. Some members of the team were returning for their second time while others were first timers to this old Tuberculosis Hospital. Join us as we discuss our personal experiences during this year's trip and some of our findings!
Terror Fi Radio-Jennifer Woodward/Adrienne Harless
in Paranormal
Join Jodie & The Paranormal Outlaw for night of fun and craziness! Our guests tonight are Jennifer Woodward and Ardienne Harless of HAUNT Paranormal Investigations. HAUNT Paranormal Investigations was established in 2005 by Jennifer Woodward, Adrienne Harless, and Ashley Sturgill. The sole purpose of the formation was to provide assistance to those who are experiencing paranormal activity and to find truth in the things we cannot see. They represent theirselves as the Haunted Thirteen because the team consists on thirteen trained investigators. As paranormal investigators, they document and scientifically prove the existence of ghosts. HAUNT has conducted hundreds of successful investigations nationwide. Services HAUNT Paranormal offers an array of services to clients who believe they are experiencing paranormal activity. Collection of all tangible, paranormal evidence released to client. Some of the Previous Investigations Waverly Hills Sanatorium Louisville, KY Bristol Train Station Bristol, VA/TN & Old South Pittsburg Hospital South Pittsburg, TN. Jennifer is the Founder of HAUNT Paranormal Investigations and has been involved in providing professional assistance to those experiencing activity for 33 years. She is a seasoned investigator and is knowledgeable in Demonology, New Age Phenomena, and Astrology. She has experience in all aspects of evidence collection and serves the team as Head Video Specialist, Case Manager, Public Relations, and Lead Investigator. Adrienne is the Co-Founder of HAUNT Paranormal Investigations and has been involved in the paranromal for 12 years. She is a seasoned investigator and knowledgeable in Ghost & Spirits, New Age Phenomena, Cryptozoology, and Demonology. She has experience in all aspects of evidence collection and serves the team as Head Case Manager, EVP Specialist, Lead Investigator, and Chaplain.
Keith Age Returns!
in Paranormal
We are kicking off 2014 with the return of our good friend the Rock'n Roll Ghosthunter himself, Keith Age!
Who is Keith Age? He has been called "The Legendary Rock-n-Roll Ghost Hunter", mostly because he has over 30 years of experience in paranormal research and because he has been a professional musician even longer. He is also the Founder and President of the Louisville Ghost Hunters Society, which was formed in 1996 and has over 4,000 members worldwide. Beyond hearing Keith Age on hundreds of radio stations internationally, he can also be seen on the Syfy Channel. He is the host and Associate Producer of the Booth Bro., Spooked TV, highly acclaimed documentary Spooked series which includes Spooked: Ghosts of Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Children of the Grave, The Possessed, The Haunted Boy, the secret diary of the Exorcist Case and Soul Catcher, trail of Fears.Along with his duties as Associate Producer of Spooked Television Releasing, he can be found at numerous speaking engagements nationally. They include but are not limited to the American Ghost Society's (AGS) Conference, UNIV-CON, Haunted Hickory, and his own annual Mid-South Paranormal Convention. As well, many other Lectures and Events.His approach to investigating the paranormal in a non-metaphysical manner has Keith Age known world-wide. His years of experience not only investigating the paranormal but playing bass guitar have earned him the title of "The Rock-n-Roll Ghost Hunter."Keith Age will transport you to Waverly Hills, one of the scariest places on Earth, with documented evidence taken during actual paranormal investigations. He will discuss the behind-the-scenes making of Spooked: The Ghosts of Waverly Hills Sanatorium and Children of the Grave, as well as present evidence found during their productions across the United States.
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Posts tagged age-of-empires
Age Of Mythical Creatures All Up In This Piece
THQ wasn't exaggerating when it promised giant mythological beasts for Age of Empires: Mythologies, the turn-based strategy follow-up to 2006's DS sleeper hit The Age of Kings. The only legendary creature missing from the above trailer is the elusive Phelddagrif. Gone are the days of filling your a...
E308: DS Fanboy summons Gods in Age of Mythologies
I was always a big fan of the first Age of Empires game on the DS (remember when we did these?). When a sequel was revealed, I nearly wet myself with excitement (luckily, nobody can confirm or deny the wetting). Then, E3 hit and my cohort in crime, JC, informed me the game was available for play a...
E308: Age of Empires trailer, now with less developer
If you feel a twinge of déjà vu while watching this Age of Empires: Mythologies trailer, then let us explain -- this "new" presentation actually contains the exact same commentary from Project Manager George Collins as in the developer diary that we previously posted. This ti...
THQ reveals Age of Empires sequel
Taking the reins from Majesco, THQ has announced its plans to release a follow-up to 2006's turn-based-strategy sleeper hit, Age of Empires: The Age of Kings, this fall. Titled Age of Empires: Mythologies, the game hasn't just exchanged publisher hands, as Age of Kings studio Backbone Entertainment ...
Rematch: AoE III vs. Civ. IV, who's buggier?
The two went head to head in a metareview showdown: Civilization IV versus Age of Empires III. AoE III won in sales, but got edged out in overall rankings, but then it was revealed that Civilization IV was playing injured. Reports of buggy software flooded the nets, and then it was AoE III's game t...
Metareview: Age of Empires III vs. Civilization IV
Whilst Age of Empires III and Civilization IV are classed in the same genre as strategy games, they have very different styles. AoE is real time and has a permanent "down with the troops" view and feel. Civilization IV, on the other hand, is turn based and features a lot of micromanagement. Rather ...
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PEABODY, Mass. (AP) - Investigators have unearthed the remains of a man who once confessed to being the Boston Strangler in a bid to use forensic evidence to connect him to the death of a woman believed to be the serial killer's last victim.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - For months, questions have swirled about whether developers, activists or tribes would be willing to plunk down millions to buy a portion of the Wounded Knee National Historic Landmark. Now there's a new potential buyer in the mix: Johnny Depp.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The on-again, off-again sale of Hulu is off - again.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A dentist acted legally when he fired an assistant because he had grown too attracted to her and worried he would try to start an extramarital affair, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed Friday in its second crack at the controversial case.
TALL MAN DRESSED IN DRAG ROBS BANK: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Police say a western Pennsylvania bank robber was long and tall, but probably not named Sally - despite outward appearances. Instead police in Richland Township, near Johnstown, believe the robber was a 6-foot, 6-inch man who was wearing a wig and women's clothes when he handed a teller a note demanding money at the First National Bank branch about 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Police say the suspect was wearing a straight-haired red wig, black dress and shoes, and was carrying a handbag. Police Chief Michael Burgan says the bank ...
PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona wildfire was so out of control because of winds from a nearby thunderstorm that officials asked for half the available Western U.S. air tanker fleet nearly an hour before 19 members of a Hotshot crew were killed, records obtained by The Associated Press Friday show.
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - In an unmistakable setback for George Zimmerman, the jury at the neighborhood watch captain's second-degree murder trial was given the option Thursday of convicting him on the lesser charge of manslaughter in the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (AP) - More than a dozen years ago, a 10-year-old girl scrawled a message on a piece of notebook paper, sealed it up in a green plastic bottle and tossed it into the ocean.
CHICAGO (AP) - Drew Miller clearly remembers the day his father was laid off.
BOSTON (AP) - Investigators helped by advances in DNA technology finally have forensic evidence linking longtime suspect Albert DeSalvo to the last of the 1960s slayings attributed to the Boston Strangler, leading many of the case's players to hope that it can finally be put to rest.
STATE REMOVES SIGNS OBJECTING TO TWIN TUNNELS: WALNUT GROVE (AP) - Activists opposed to California's $14 billion twin-tunnel plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are accusing state transportation workers who removed anti-tunnel yard signs of trying to silence them. The signs proclaiming "Save the Delta! Stop the Tunnels!" have disappeared over the past several days from yards fronting a state highway in Sacramento County. Transportation officials they were placed too close to the highway, violating state law. Caltrans spokesman Gareth Lacy says any private sign is forbidden within a state right of way. The state Natural Resources Agency, which oversees ...
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - After taking less than a week to call 18 witnesses, George Zimmerman's defense attorneys rested their case Wednesday in the neighborhood watch volunteer's second-degree murder trial.
DENVER (AP) - Pork prices may be on the rise in the next few months because of a new virus that has migrated to the U.S, killing piglets in 15 states at an alarming rate in facilities where it has been reported.
FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) - Pfc. Bradley Manning's defense rested its case Wednesday after presenting evidence from 10 witnesses, hoping to prove the loads of material the soldier gave to WikiLeaks did not threaten national security or U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
BOSTON (AP) - His arm in a cast, Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges Wednesday in his first courtroom appearance since his capture at the end of a chaotic week in April.
ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A Mississippi man who was once declared dead, only to resurface as a suspect in a kidnapping and killing, was sentenced to death Friday after a jury earlier convicted him of murder.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A man who has bumps resembling horns implanted in his forehead was found guilty of murder and other charges Friday for his role in the kidnapping and slaying of three Massachusetts men in 2011.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina inmate with mental illness who died of thirst was held in solitary confinement for 35 days and cited twice for flooding his cell, according to prison records.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina state trooper's dashboard video shows an unarmed driver being shot just seconds after he was stopped for a seatbelt offense - and the trooper, who was fired last week, has now been charged with assault.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Eric Holder, America's first black attorney general and an unflinching champion of civil rights in enforcing the nation's laws, announced his resignation Thursday after leading the Justice Department since the first days of President Barack Obama's term. He is the fourth-longest-serving attorney general in U.S. history.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A powerful earthquake shook a large swath of Alaska on Thursday morning, knocking things off shelves and causing people to take cover but bringing no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.
BEIRUT (AP) - When the United States opened its aerial campaign against the Islamic State group in Syria this week, its first salvo also hit an al-Qaida cell it says was planning terror attacks - a move that has injected more chaos into the conflict and could help President Bashar Assad.
POLICE: BURGLAR KILLS ACCOMPLICE OVER STOLEN ITEMS: WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina authorities say a burglar fatally shot his accomplice after the two men argued about how to split up the stolen goods.
CARPINTERIA (AP) - A California woman is recovering from scratches, a bite and a broken rib after being attacked by a black bear that chased her dogs through an avocado grove.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI director on Thursday criticized the decision by Apple and Google to encrypt smartphones data so it can be inaccessible to law enforcement, even with a court order.
CUPERTINO (AP) - Apple's response to a high-profile gaffe involving its iPhone software may be more important than the glitch itself.


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Town Square
School district seeks approval of $198 million bond
Original post made on May 15, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, May 11, 2012, 12:00 AM
Comments (2)
a resident of Gemello
on May 15, 2012 at 11:14 pm
OK, so your plan is to throw out the 300 kids currently at Whisman? Most of them are MV residents! I will certainly vote NO on G!
a resident of Cuesta Park
on May 16, 2012 at 1:08 am
The district has no intention of reopening Slater or Whisman schools. They'd rather get $300K rent from Google. Instead of having neighborhood schools, parents in the NE part of town can continue driving their kids back and forth to other parts of town where the cozy neighborhood schools will now house 600+ students instead of the current 500+
So much for "small schools, small classes" the district dropped that line from their glossy campaign brochures years ago.
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Don't fund the rape culture at my alma mater
By Jessica T | 37 comments | 3,059 views
Palo Alto and Bay Area Election Facts and Thoughts on the Implications
By Steve Levy | 18 comments | 1,621 views
I am Grateful for Love
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It was a speed painting but I decided to make it a finished work. Hope you like it.
Fantastic! Great workOct 10th, 2013 Reply
love the scenery nice work! XDAug 16th, 2013 Reply
absolutely impressive workAug 16th, 2013 Reply
very nicely done .. Quick tip: Please don't forget to add tags to your work, it will help you gain more views and other artists can find your work faster !Aug 16th, 2013 Reply Subscriber


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Use the form below to get customized Decatur group hotel quotes from hotels/lodging in Decatur that accept meetings and groups going to Decatur, GA. The avg 3-star Decatur group hotel discount in the last 365 days was $86.51 USD. You can also call a specialist to begin the process of getting Decatur group hotel rates.
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4 beds, 2 baths, 4 parking
This exceptional quality lifestyle package is set on approx 9 acres of land with one of the best cared for vineyards whi...
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Built on approximately one acre, set amongst shady trees, shrubs, fruit trees and gardens with many features and benefit...
This 21 acres of land offers a multitude of options as the horticultural allotment has been cleared for the new owner to...
4 beds, 1 bath, 1 parking
Located only a short seven minute drive to Berri or Barmera a Great Opportunity presents itself to an imaginative buyer....
4 beds, 1 bath, 4 parking
Located on approximately 3 hectares (approx. 7.5 acres) and only a short five minute drive to Berri or Barmera, this hom...
2903 m2 vacant level land
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Bitumen Road frontage, near old Winkie Store
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Three female friends face midlife crises in #1 New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins�s no-holds-barred exploration of sex, marriage, and the fragility of life.
Holly is filled with regret after eighteen years at home with her three children. She sheds sixty pounds and loses herself in the world of extramarital sex. Andrea is a single mom watching her friend Holly�s meltdown with a mixture of concern and contempt. Holly is throwing away what Andrea has spent her whole life searching for. So what if she picks up Holly�s castaway husband? Marissa has more than her fair share of challenges�a gay, rebellious teenage son; a terminally ill daughter; and a husband who buries himself in his work.
As one woman�s marriage unravels, another�s rekindles. As one woman�s family comes apart at the seams, another�s reconfigures into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman�s up is another one�s down, and all of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.
Unflinchingly honest, emotionally powerful, surprisingly erotic, Triangles is the ultimate page-turner, told in gorgeous, expertly honed poetic verse that perfectly captures the inner lives of Hopkins�s unforgettable characters.
Ellen Hopkins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight young adult novels, including the Crank trilogy and Perfect, which are beloved by teens and adults alike. Her next adult novel, Collateral, will be published in October 2012. She lives in Carson City, Nevada. Visit her online at EllenHopkins.com.
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November 24, 2014
Deputy Involved In Serious Accident
An Augusta County Sheriff's Deputy is in serious condition after a single car accident.
Slow Response Time Irks Man Down Street From Fire Dept.
On Saturday afternoon a man, who would only tell us his name was Chubby, was changing a fuel pump on his truck.
Harrisonburg Police Search for Armed Robbery Suspect
As of 11 p.m. on Sunday, Harrisonburg Police were still searching for the suspect in an armed robbery.
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Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Canon 5D Mark II firmware 2.0.7
May 25, 2010
Wow, this is totally something i'm not used to. Canon's 5D Mark II has been out for quite a long time, but with it's constant demand, here's another firmware upgrade for additional improvements and fixes. One of the most demanding fixes was the problem initially found after installing the firmware 2.0.4 where the iris of the 100mm Macro lens 'exhibits abnormal movement'. Yeah I ran into that same problem doing video mode until I upgraded to the 100mm Macro IS USM lens. Glad to see they got that worked out.
Firmware changes
This firmware update (Version 2.0.7) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.
1.Fixes a phenomenon in which the aperture exhibits abnormal movement when shooting movies in manual exposure mode and Aperture Priority AE (Av mode) using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).
2.Fixes a phenomenon in which the exposure level shown in the LCD panel differs from what is shown in the viewfinder when shooting still images in manual exposure mode.
3.Fixes a phenomenon in which the Wireless File Transmitter (WFT-E4 or WFT-E4 II) may not automatically power off when used for FTP transfers.
These phenomenon only occur with the Version 2.0.4 and Version 2.0.3 firmware.
The Version 2.0.7 firmware being released this time is for cameras with firmware up to Version 2.0.4. If the camera's firmware is already Version 2.0.7, it is not necessary to update the firmware. You can download the new Canon 5D Mark II firmware 2.0.7 by clicking here: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html
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1 Comment
May 25th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
And what about 7D users? I just did a video with my 7D and 100 mm 2,8 macro (not the L series) and I got the exact same problem. Couldn't do any focus pull shots as they were ruined with the iris changing.
Please Canon, don't forget the 7D!
Anyone else that can try this on their 7D? Just so that I know that I'm not the only one. Go to video mode and set everything to manual. Start turning the focus ring and you can both see it by looking down in the lens and on the screen, and you can even hear it as it for a brief moment changes the iris slightly.
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Mike's Labor Pains
November 10, 2008
Nicole Gelinas
LAST Wednesday, Mayor Bloomberg announced a higher-than-he-expected $4 billion deficit by the middle of next year and proposed new taxes and budget cuts. Meanwhile, though, the mayor has continued to unnecessarily increase spending even as revenues fall.
On Monday, Bloomberg had announced a two-year labor pact with District Council 37, the city's largest public-sector union. The deal, which runs retroactively from last March through March 2010, allows for 4 percent annual compounded raises for DC-37's 100,000-plus employeesmostly civilians working desk jobs in city agencies or support jobs in education and health care.
The DC-37 deal alone will cost $370 million over those two yearsbut the added costs will exist in future budgets, too.
At first glance, the contract may seem unobjectionable. Inflation has run higher than 4 percent in recent months. The contract doesn't offer new pension or health-benefit giveaways.
But inflation could be far lower than 4 percent next year. Energy and other commodities costs have plummeted in the last two months. Rents are sure to fall as fewer jobs attract fewer newcomers to the city and as investors in the boroughs and in surrounding suburbs put properties up for lease. If prices fall or don't rise much during the second year of the DC-37 contract, the deal Bloomberg just signed will look worse and worse for city taxpayers.
Conversely, if we do see massive inflation, DC-37 simply will hold out for compensation for that cost in its next contract, meaning that the mayor has taken an unnecessary, asymmetrical risk.
And it's not as if the mayor needs to take this risk to keep good workers from seeking jobs elsewhere. Despite his comments Wednesday that "you're not going to attract good people, you're not going to keep good people unless you... pay your workforce more," the dismal reality is that few rational people will want to try their luck in the labor market anytime soon. If you have a steady job, you'll be inclined to stay put, 4 percent raise or not.
Worse, though, the mayor is committing to ever-higher fixed costs even as we'll see a deflation in our tax revenues. With the financial industry so decimated that huge portions of it have gone bankrupt or fallen into government hands, the mayor's revised tax-revenue projectionsa 7 percent decline this year and a 1.6 decline the year after thatlikely are still too optimistic.
Consider that New York gets one-third of its tax revenues from personal-income and business-income taxes. On the individual side, 36 percent of all personal income earned in the citywages, salaries and bonusescomes from the financial and property-sales industries. On the business side, finance and real-estate companies were responsible for more than a third of such revenues. Even property taxes, both residential and commercial, depend on high values propped up by now vanished Wall Street profits and bonuses.
onsider further that in the first nine months of 2008, overall US-based securities underwriting was down 58 percent. It's hard to exaggerate the gravity of that number. Between 2000 and 2002, such underwriting fell by just 4 percent. Between 1987 and 1988, underwriting fell by 10 percent and continued to fall by 18 percent and 1 percent, respectively, over the following two years. We've never seen numbers like thesewhich makes it imprudent to sign anything that permanently increases spending. (To cheer the reader further, these numbers don't even include the month of October, likely the worst.)
But the biggest problem with Bloomberg's deal is that the mayor did not ask for even modest money-saving reforms in return. One such reform would be to ask employees to pay 10 percent toward their own health-insurance premiums. As the Independent Budget Office has reported, requiring that all 560,000 city employees and retirees pick up this cost would save New York taxpayers $400 million the first year and a half-billion annually a few years out.
Politically, DC-37 is the best union on which the city could test support for such an idea. Unlike police officers and firefighters, DC-37 workers aren't risking their lives any more than most of us do at our jobs. So it would be easier for taxpayers to wonder why DC-37 workers shouldn't pay any of their own health-insurance costsand thus presumably easier for Bloomberg to garner public support for concessions.
Achieving such concessions would take time and would be politically tough, sure. But there was no hurry to sign a contract last week, since labor unions have a long history of working under the terms of expired contracts.
Without such concessions, the mayor's plan seems to be to cut public-services spending, raise taxes and hope that Wall Street recovers quickly and that revenues return to bubble-era records in just 2½ years or so.
But the mayor himself notes that Wall Street firms have taken such huge losses that even when surviving firms do return to profitability, many won't be paying taxes for at least three yearsbecause they can offset future taxes against those losses.
What's more, "uncontrollable" spendingthose health-care costs for city workers, plus Medicaid, debt service and pension costsalready consumes more than half of the city-funded budget, having grown precipitously in recent years.
In two years' time, if revenues aren't gushing again and if we haven't started to modestly control these "uncontrollable" costs, the administration in power would have no choice but to cut public services by 20 percent or morenot calmly and rationally but likely with bondholders breathing down our necks. It's too big of a risk for New York to take.
Adapted from city-journal.org.
Original Source: http://www.nypost.com/seven/11102008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/mikes_labor_pains_137966.htm
Afroducking The Law: Deadly Excuses For Endangering Others Nicole Gelinas, 11-17-14
2014s Most Encouraging Democratic Victory Daniel DiSalvo, 11-14-14
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Coal Trumps IPCC, Again Robert Bryce, 11-12-14
World Leaders, Ignore Obama And Do These Five Things Instead Diana Furchtgott-Roth, 11-12-14
ACA Architect: The Stupidity Of The American Voter Led Us To Hide ACA Costs Avik Roy, 11-11-14
Cancer Drug Prices: A Convenient Scapegoat for a Complex Problem Paul Howard, 11-11-14
A Supreme Court Case That Could Upend Obamacare Diana Furchtgott-Roth, 11-11-14
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Hotel De La Poste Et Europe
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TripAdvisor Reviews Hotel De La Poste Et Europe La Bourboule
Travel Blogs from La Bourboule
Fix my broken tooth and lost parcels!!
First we had to negotiate ourselves out of the car park and into the Aires car park, which we did with much miming and sign language, our French not being as good as our poor German. Clermont-Ferrand, we discovered, is Michelin tyre city. The head office and an enormous factory were situated just next to our camp spot. Set off by tram into Clemont-Ferrand town to find a dentist to mend my broken tooth. After extremely helpful staff at Tourist Info ...
One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure
... like they might cause trouble at any moment. We were invited to join games of soccer and table tennis and we fit right in at the local summer festival, Sable Show.
Our apartment was on the ground floor and the windows opened to Place St. Joseph's weekly farmers' market. Passersby would peek in and say hello or comment on our "bel appartement'. The friends Caleb made would knock on the glass to see if he could come out to play. We established a ...
Tennis Anyone
... of soccer. We used a real ball - boy it is hard to kick and stop a shot. A lot bigger than the ball Caleb and I are used to using. Caleb and Christine then went over for a final visit and ping pong with the group at Kassim's complex. For the third time we had our salmon wrapped fish dinner. Still awesome. Mmm.... Got mostly packed up for our next ...
Museum Trip and Sandball Tournament
... and two points for a spectacular goal - think 360 spin or no look goal etc. Our team was awesome and we won all four games. The final play was epic - I was twenty feet away from the other teams goal and facing away from it - I received a pass, bent down an rifled it on net between my legs ... It went right in - top shelf ... A young observer screamed 'Spectacular' ... Caleb was proud of pops and said he would pick me for his team for ...
Soccer, Rugby and Trip Planning
... out the rules and watching 18 year old studs running past us with ease. A sad moment occurred when Caleb was chosen captain of a team and promptly passed over picking me for his team four times. His only excuse was 'you are really not good at rugby' - which I suppose he has a point. When I reflect I realize how many sports we do a day - yet somehow Caleb spins it as though he never gets any choices ... Only mom and dad do... ...
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