Old work stuff can be quite nostalgic. On a recent staycation, I went through a bunch of boxes of work stuff hidden in the basement. Here is some of what I found: Stacks and stacks of old-school media coverage books for products I led the PR on. There were thick ones for Microsoft Word, Microsoft Money, RealNetworks, Avenue A (which became aQuantive), InfoSpace and more. [ Read More ]
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Are Zoos and Aquariums Ethical?
Zoos and aquariums have long been popular destinations for families and animal lovers alike. They offer an opportunity to see animals up close, learn about their behavior and habitat, and contribute to conservation efforts. However, in recent years, there has been growing criticism of these institutions, with many arguing that they are outdated and cruel. In this blog post, we will explore why zoos and aquariums are becoming increasingly controversial and why it is cruel for animals to be caged up instead of in their natural environments. [ Read More ]
“An Immense World” is an Excellent Book
I have been reading a great non-fiction book, “An Immense World” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ed Yong. The book is both intellectually and emotionally stimulating. Focusing on animal senses and the various sensory realms they experience, often far beyond ours, the book leaves me in awe every time I read even a few paragraphs. [ Read More ]
My Fascination with the Space Industry
I have a fascination with the space industry and want to work with more clients in that area. Over the last few years, I have been watching well-done Netflix documentaries about SpaceX missions and some entertaining fictional programs about going to Mars. I also read the enjoyable and accessible book, “The End of the Astronauts: Why Robots are the Future of Exploration,” by Donald Goldsmith and Martin Rees, which gave me a great overview of the amazing things happening in space exploration and where we are headed in the future. [ Read More ]
25 Memorable Moments in My Career
There are so many amusing and memorable moments in my career. It makes me smile to think of them. This is not a stuffy blog expounding on my “wins” although there are some in here. It’s an informal look back at some of the fun things I encountered throughout the years as well as some of the people who made a good impression on me. [ Read More ]
PR for Robotics Companies
I am fascinated by the robotics and drone space and have been working with companies developing great things in this industry for many years. Most of my work with them includes broader marketing communications as well as PR. As noted in my earlier blog on this topic, it all began in the spring of 2016 when I started working with the bright and talented team at WiBotics to get the word out about their wireless power for the robotics industry. That led to working with the smart team at Aerovel, makers of the Flexrotor long-range robotic aircraft (a high-end drone). Both became long-term clients, and we were able to accomplish a lot together for their respective companies. [ Read More ]
Maximize the ROI of Media Coverage
As you think about the allocation of your marketing budget, consider the immense ROI (return-on-investment) of a piece earned media coverage. I have been helping companies, including major global corporations, businesses headquartered abroad and countless U.S.-based companies of all sizes, earn great media coverage for more than 30 years. The ROI is tough to beat. [ Read More ]
SpaceX Wants Us to Become an Interplanetary Species
Over the weekend, I watched all five episodes of “Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space” on Netflix. If you haven’t heard by now, it is a series on the recent SpaceX “Inspiration4” spaceflight which carried four non-astronaut civilians and no one else. I enjoyed the series mainly for the insights it gave me, however varnished, of SpaceX. It was also great to see 27-year-old women in high roles within the company including leading training of the civilians, mission communications with the capsule and quality control immediately prior to the flight. [ Read More ]
Why Marketing is Like Sailboat Racing
Sailboat racing is all about continuously optimizing. So is marketing. In sailboat racing, you don’t just point the sailboat in the direction of the finish line and hope for the best. You keep checking the wind, the currents, the other boats on the course. Sometimes you tack to better catch the wind. You adjust the sails accordingly, and frequently, while on the course. At times you even pull out a different sail depending on the wind and its direction. [ Read More ]
Confessions of a New Vegetarian
Almost a year and a half ago, I stopped eating cows, pigs and chickens. There I said it. It is not socially correct to use those terms instead of beef, pork and, well, chicken, but that is what I spent the entire previous part of my life eating. I can’t be self-righteous about my new change because I ate a hefty amount of those animals in my past. Probably several hundreds of animals if one were counting. [ Read More ]