The PR Dog

Lots of Lavender

2011-07-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Last weekend's Sunday trip was a drive to Skaneateles and a stop at the Lavender Festival. The country setting was ripe for nice photos and we brought home a bunch to make our linen closet smell pretty. Watch out for those bees!

There's something about a little kid...

2011-07-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Summer events are a great time to see friends' kids and see how much they've grown and changed. Our Welcome Clambake was a chance to see Aiden Tarrats and his mom, Jessica, as well as River Greenfield and his mom, Karen. Aiden loves the camera. River, not so much. But both are very photogenic! Something about kids and summer makes you forget those three-foot-high snowbanks.

New friends and clams

2011-07-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

Last weekend's Welcome Clambake gave all of us a chance to meet and get to know the new PRL master's class. Some of them had never had steamed clams. Others were new to the whole "salt potatoes" thing. Spectacular weather and good company made for a great day.
Did you know clams are brain food?

Here they are!

2011-07-05T12:32:00.001-07:00

Summer is zooming along and here comes a new crop of PR master's students!
They're fresh-faced, eager and smart and we're looking forward to getting to know them over the next 13 months.
Today's Orientation Day and soon they'll be walking across that stage and receiving their degrees.
How time flies!

Autumn in New York

2010-10-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Those of a certain age (and you know who you are!) will remember the haunting melody of the song "Autumn in New York".
The crisp air and turning leaves are back in Upstate New York and it reminds us of how much we enjoy living here.
There are hills to show off the fall colors and yard chores to gather up those fall colors and compost them or set them by the curb.
Our dogs love to run in the piles of leaves.
Reminds us of when we were kids and used to create enormous piles of leaves for jumping.
That unmistakable fragrance of autumn leaves is in the air, too.
Let's savor it.
It won't be long before we're living up to our Golden Snowball reputation again!

Team Insidedge

2010-07-30T08:01:00.000-07:00

Employee Engagement is the mission of the practice at Insidedge here in Chicago.
The team includes full-time staffers, as well as interns.
I met Stephanie Gurtman, an intern from Boston University who knows my friend and fellow SU alum, Dr. Edward Downes.
Dharma Subramanian, a recent graduate of Purdue University, is an Account Executive at Insidedge. I learned she can sing "Happy Birthday" to her colleagues in FOUR DIFFERENT LANGUAGES!
And Jessica Brubaker, an Account Supervisor who holds communication and graphic design degrees from St. Norbert College, was very helpful in making sure I knew how to locate the office and helped with many other final trip details and questions a day or so before I left Syracuse.
I'll be watching the careers of these wonderful new colleagues and friends with great interest!

Farewell, Chicago

2010-07-30T07:52:00.000-07:00

I leave my two-week adventure at Insidedge with mixed feelings.
On one hand, it will be good to be home to my partner and "kids" (translation: pets) after being away for two weeks.
On the other hand, I wish I had more time to spend with these smart, dedicated people here at the firm.
I envy them being in the practice and it makes me think where I might be now if my career had taken some slightly different twists and turns.
But, all in all, I know I'm doing what I love best, teaching, mentoring and learning for a living. It's a good gig, as my colleague Dr. Dennis Kinsey, would say.
So, as another colleague, Dr. Carla Lloyd, always says at the start of a new semester, "It's time to go teach college!"
A special shout-out to Keith Burton, President of Insidedge, whose care in planning and preparing for my visit made it a big success, and to Helen Loosevelt, his right hand and all-around organizer and miracle worker.
I'll post more pictures of all the team members you've yet to meet in my last post.
Thanks, gang. I'll never forget you and hope this is just the beginning of a friendship and partnership that will go on for years to come!

Millenium Park

2010-07-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a chance to mention a treasure tucked into the city of Chicago, Millenium Park.
The Park boasts wonderful artwork, like "The Bean" which I discovered my first full day here when Keith Burton and Dave Duschene took me to the new restaurant in the modern wing of the Art Institute. It's a luxurious stop for a meal!
The Bean reflects the city and adds some whimsical fun to the Park. I ate lunch one day in the park, relaxing on a bench and people-watching.
Flower beds are beautiful and the energy of the city balances nicely with a spot to rest and refresh.

Gourmands!

2010-07-30T07:39:00.001-07:00

Last night was very special.
The Insidedge Team, of which I am now a proud honorary member, celebrated my visit with a special dinner at Red Light here in Chicago.
I've visited several restaurants since arriving here and this one, undoubtedly, was the best of all. The company of new friends made it even more special.
We sampled many exotic Asian dishes and appetizers.
The most spectacular (and delicious) of them all was the catfish.
The desserts included a "Chocolate Bag". Very clever and tasty!
My final posts from this trip will include a picture of the team with me at dinner, as well as some farewell thoughts.
Thanks, team. I'm proud to know you all!

Meet Linda Kingman

2010-07-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Linda Kingman, Executive Vice President at Insidedge, Chicago, took me out for lunch today and we had a wide-ranging discussion about corporate and agency PR, what students find interesting these days, and how her background has prepared her for her role at Insidedge.
Linda has an extensive background, including work for Kemper Insurance and Hill & Knowlton. Of particular interest was her experience working at Kemper during the 9/11 tragedy. Fortunately, no Kemper employees were lost in the terrorist attacks, but the challenges of helping employees work through the aftermath and recovery from this tragedy were significant.
Linda loves her work with clients, especially the opportunity to train both communicators and front-line managers as the clients she counsels work to establish better employee engagement.
Linda also has responsibility for the firm's blog. Check it out at http://intake.insidedge.net/

Using Research to Solve Client Problems

2010-07-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, I met Hertha Meyer, Senior Vice President, Research, at GolinHarris. We had a fascinating conversation about how she uses research to solve client problems and also look for opportunities for clients.
Much of her work involves analysis of secondary data. So often, we think we must rush out and do more primary research, but secondary data can be rich in information that clients and their strategists at GolinHarris find helpful.
Hertha has had a very interesting career and lived around the world while working for several different companies.
Her work here allows her to also track issues for clients. Issues management is becoming increasingly important in public relations.
Societal trends and issues are of great interest to clients, too.
The secondary data available through a number of different vendors can be analyzed to create client reports and track media coverage, too.

An Attorney Working in PR? Yup!

2010-07-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

There are so many colleges and universities today offering majors or minors in public relations that you'd assume everybody working in PR has a degree in PR. Not always so.
Just as some of us originally came from journalism and eventually went into PR/got PR degrees, others come from fields such as the law.
One such person is Caroline Hoenk, Esq., who is a Vice President at Insidedge here in Chicago.
Caroline and I met and talked about her work with the Society of Actuaries (SOA). She had previously worked in investor relations at Financial Dynamics and had supervised Carly Jarosz there (see earlier post). Another validation of that "small world" thing!
One thing the SOA is working on is recruitment on college campuses. Many students in business school are unaware of the actuarial field and the career opportunities there. Caroline sometimes travels along with SOA to visit campuses and spread the word.
Having Caroline's legal training and expertise on staff at Insidedge is smart, as is Caroline!

Managing Communications At McDonalds

2010-07-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

Last night I reunited with a graduate of MSU's masters in public relations program.
Vanessa Payoux is now Manager of U.S. Communications for McDonalds. The headquarters is located in suburban Chicago.
Vanessa has always been a very energetic and curious person and it's no surprise that she's done so well since graduating.
We talked about how small and connected the PR community can be. Networking and contacts have helped her be successful, along with extensive experience in the food industry.
As I told Vanessa last night, one of my greatest joys is to keep in touch with former students and hear about their successes.
Chicago has lots of successful alums, from both MSU and SU.
It was so nice to reconnect with another one who makes me very proud!

The Future of Public Relations

2010-07-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Today I met with the GolinHarris interns over lunch.
This cream-of-the-crop group consists of approximately 16 interns selected from a pool of nearly 800 applicants! You can see this is one sharp group of Public Relations professionals!
We talked about the importance of continuous learning, about networking and interpersonal relationships and how to make things happen for yourself in a competitive job market.
This was one of the best experiences I had while here. Every time I meet the future of the profession, I'm reassured that we're turning the field over to very capable, bright and talented people.
Because they were such a great audience and because I had so much fun with them, I'm including not one, but two, pictures of these terrific interns.
I hope ALL of them will keep in touch with me...and I mean that sincerely!

A Conversation with Ellen

2010-07-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

This morning I met with Ellen Ryan Mardiks, Vice-Chairman of GolinHarris.
Ellen's been with GolinHarris for 26 years--quite a tenure!
In her role, she has many responsibilities including overseeing the Consumer Marketing Practice Globally. Several areas report to Ellen, including new business development, the marketing of GolinHarris as a company, and the Research function.
I had a chance to learn about The Gold Standard in Client Service, which Ellen spearheaded. This is the template for how the firm works with clients and the commitments it makes. Of particular interest is the Storyboard strategic planning process which uses Storytelling as its model. I mentioned that every incoming Freshman this fall at Newhouse will be required, under our new curriculum, to take a storytelling course. Glad to see we're on the right track.
Ellen and I talked about the unique culture at GolinHarris, something I've been observing while here.
She started at the firm as an Account Executive in 1984. She ran the Consumer Group and Health Care business for the agency and was Chief Marketing Officer prior to becoming Vice Chairman.
Ellen and I had a lively discussion about gender and public relations. She gave me a great idea for a future research project!

Faculty Friends

2010-07-28T09:17:00.001-07:00

During my five years teaching at Michigan State University, I worked for part of that time with Dr. Theresa Mastin, who earned her Ph.D. at MSU and then left to teach elsewhere for a few years before coming back.
She and I both taught PR in what was then the Department of Advertising. (Now, Public Relations has been added to the department name.)
Theresa is a terrific teacher, and is actively involved in research in public health and AIDS.
She is leaving soon for two weeks in Kenya to conduct some of this important work.
Dr. Mastin is also one of the five professors (including yours truly) selected for the Plank Center for Leadership Educators Program. She is interning at Ketchum here in Chicago.
It's always fun to catch up with friends. Theresa is one of our favorites from our days in Michigan.

From PR to Veterinary Medicine

2010-07-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

Last evening I met Sarah Lusn, a MSU alum who took one of my PR writing courses one summer. We've stayed in touch ever since as Sarah has moved from PR to a decision to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine.
Sarah is half-way through her four-year program at Illinois to become a vet. Her love of animals and mine are a shared interest and I updated her on our pet family.
Sarah looks as young as she did as an undergrad and says vet school is challenging, but very rewarding. I am so proud of her decision to follow her passion and can't wait to hear what she'll be doing once she finishes vet school.
Go, Sarah!
BTW, since we're talking pets, I decided to add a picture of our girl, Holly, shaking hands with my great-nephew, Matty.

Steadman Sighting!

2010-07-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

This just in...
I noticed a sign in the hallway this morning outside the offices of Octagon, the Sports Public Relations firm down the hall.
As you can see, the sign is there to welcome Steadman Graham.
As I was leaving the building for lunch, I noticed Steadman himself checking his Blackberry (or was it an IPhone?) in the lobby.
He followed me out and down the street, walking briskly over the bridge and down Michigan Avenue.
Maybe HE can arrange for Oprah to buy us all brunch?

The Value of Mentoring

2010-07-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

Today's lunchtime visit was with Erika Crowell, a 2002 alum of MSU's Communication Arts & Sciences College. Erika started her career at GolinHarris as an intern right out of college and also worked at DD&B before landing at Deloitte two or so years ago.
She's now Manager of Deloitte's Internal Communications for hte Midwest Region.
Erika was one of the first students I met at Michigan State University when I started teaching there in 1999 right out of grad school.
She was very active in the PRSSA chapter there, eventually becoming president of the chapter.
Erika credits her PRSSA experience and connections and the mentoring she received during her college career as being the difference in her Public Relations success.
Erika continues to give back as a mentor to interns and others and believes that's one of the most important things she can do to "pay it forward".
Erika and I met at the South Water Kitchen on N. Wabash in downtown Chicago for lunch.
I couldn't be more proud of one of my students than I am of Erika. That great smile is as bright as her career and I know she will be one of Public Relations' brightest stars!

Get Real!

2010-07-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

This morning I had the pleasure of spending some time with Fred Cook, President & Chief Executive Officer of GolinHarris.
Fred and I had a great discussion about the agency business, in particular, and about Public Relations, in general.
"Get Real" is the GolinHarris approach for organizations to explore and identify what makes them authentic. Judging by the news headlines these days, a lot of companies could benefit from such sound advice.
Fred told me that his firm is continuing to explore ways to make bold, but solid decisions that benefit clients.
Of course we talked about gender and diversity in Public Relations, as that's important to his firm and also my research focus. All GolinHarris offices except Chicago are managed by women. Interesting stat.
Fred has offered to visit Syracuse University "virtually" by videoconference and we're going to see if we can make that happen in the coming academic year.

The First Lady of Public Relations

2010-07-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last evening friends and colleagues gathered here in Chicago for a tribute to Betsy Plank. It was a true celebration of her life and while she would have modestly requested the accolades be kept to a minimum, she would have loved the stories, smiles and remembered tales of her adventures through Public Relations.
Betsy was a true pioneer, a word that's frequently over-used and tossed about casually.
One of the first big female names in Public Relations, she was fearless in her quest to make the field more professional, championing most especially the students who wish to make Public Relations their chosen profession.
I first met Betsy at a PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Conference, where she literally button-holed me and took me to a Champions of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) event. The students buzzed about her like bees in a hive. Clearly, they adored her. Why? Because they knew she genuinely cared about them. She mentored them, individually and collectively. She doted on them like a proud parent. She beamed at their success and soothed them in times of challenge.
Betsy, as one speaker noted last night, was small in stature, but had a lot of moxie. Fearless, formidable and strong, she could work a room or make things happen better than anybody I've met at PRSA functions. Ethics was her hallmark. She wasn't afraid to stand up to those with whom she disagreed and she didn't suffer fools easily.
If she was your friend (and countless people last night were lucky enough to wear that name proudly) she would defend you to the end.
I felt honored to attend last night's remembrance of one of the most kind and successful among us in Public Relations.
Betsy's Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations has helped make my two-week internship in Chicago possible. For the Center and for Betsy, I will always be grateful.

Juiced about seeing an old friend

2010-07-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

Seeing old friends is part of the fun of this two weeks in Chicago.
And many of those connections come from my time at Michigan State.
One such friend (although he probably doesn't want to be called OLD) is Pete Brace, who works for PepsiCo here in Chicago.
Pete has a distinguished agency and corporate career, and his primary focus at PepsiCo is the beverage brands, including Tropicana, Gatorade and some other products.
We chatted over Aquafina and caught up after nearly seven years without a face-to-face visit.
Cool lobby, PepsiCo!

More tanks for a fun visit

2010-07-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

These photos include jellyfish...loads of them! You'll find creatures from oceans, lakes, streams and rivers all over the world at Shedd. I bought a new book at the gift shop that tells the history of the aquarium and has some amazing photos.
They wouldn't let me inside the tank (!) so this is the best I can do!

Tanks for Visiting!

2010-07-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

These photos are just a small sampling of what's on display at Shedd Aquarium.
The big Caribbean Reef tank has sharks, rays, and lots of other creatures who swim right by your nose and keep the crowd spellbound.
The beluga whale and her calf were in the pool. The mother is white and the baby starts out a gray color, later turning white. As we watched them swim, the calf was swimming alongside the mother, nursing.

32,000 Fishy Friends

2010-07-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, we always took a two-week summer vacation.
My dad worked in a factory and the factory closed for the same two weeks every summer, so we would rent a cottage on Cape Cod.
My love of the water began there and I've had an itch to return to the ocean ever since.
I've lost count of how many times I've visited Chicago's Shedd Aquarium over the years, but I just had to get back to see it again.
It gets better every time, as you'll see in this post and the next.
The aquarium is located right on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and you can look out over the lake from the windows in the large auditorium where the dolphins, whales and porpoises make their appearances.
Summer, of course, is peak season for visitors.

Does this woman do anything besides eating?

2010-07-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

OK. So by 2 p.m. Sunday that breakfast just wasn't staying with me.
Lucky for me there was a Trolley stop in Greektown.
Two restaurants were recommended:
Pegasus and Greek Island.
The Trolley driver's top pick was Pegasus, so I headed there first.
"No, no," the owner said as I entered.
I thought I was underdressed.
But, no, the power was out on that block and so the restaurant was closed.
Off I went to Greek Island, where I had the traditional Gyros.
As you can see, it was another one of those mega-meals!
That was it for me yesterday!

Travels through the Ethnic Neighborhoods

2010-07-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Our West Trolley tour included stops in Little Italy, Chinatown and Greektown.
These photos are from Little Italy (The Joltin' Joe statue) and Chinatown.
I didn't hop off the trolley here, but the open window afforded a chance for some good shots!

Tourin' by Trolley

2010-07-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday's adventure was a trolley ride all over town. The Signature Tour covers all the high spots downtown, including a cruise by Oprah's townhouse. Try as we might to coax her out, she wouldn't budge, and therefore we couldn't con her out of a free brunch, as much as our trolley driver had hoped we could.
I also took the West tour, which included Little Italy, with the Joe DiMaggio statue (there's that baseball connection again), Chinatown, and Greektown.
We passed Soldier Field on our way to the Shedd Aquarium. More on that shortly.
Here are some city scenes we encountered out the trolley window!

More South Shore!

2010-07-26T14:35:00.001-07:00

Here's Linda Kennedy's lovely home, along with the beach nearby...

South Shore Adventure

2010-07-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

One of the nice things about Newhouse is the chance to meet interesting instructors and professionals from around the country. One such person is Linda Kennedy, who has frequently joined us for our School Press Institute and other training sessions designed for high school students with an interest in communications.
Saturday I took the South Shore Train to see Linda and her border collie, Emma, whom I have wanted to meet for some time.
Emma is a sweetheart and I got many kisses from her as I sat in the front seat while Linda ran into the store.
Just an hour south of Chicago, it's a whole different world! Beaches are beautiful along Lake Michigan and the tree-lined roads are relaxing and lush.
Two posts here: One featuring Linda and Emma and the other featuring the beach and Linda's lovely home.
Enjoy!

Variety is the spice of architecture

2010-07-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some other interesting buildings along the Chicago River Architectural Boat Tour.
The tour leaves from Navy Pier, so you can hop on a Water Taxi to Navy Pier and then catch the tour boat. They'll make the Water Taxi ride to and from Navy Pier free if you buy the Architectural Boat Tour ticket!

If you build it, they will tour

2010-07-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Friday evening I concluded my first week at Insidedge with a boat tour of the architectural wonders of downtown Chicago.
There are so many pictures that I'll split this up into a couple of posts.
Of course, the most famous--and lovely--building of all is my own Wrigley Building, which anchors the Magnificent Mile.
Here are several shots to let you see just how beautiful this building really is!

Lobstah!

2010-07-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

As they say in Boston, I went out last night for "Lobstah" at Shaw's Crab House in downtown Chicago.
It had been a long time since I'd last visited this Chicago restaurant, which has been in business for 25 years.
I enjoyed the Oysters Rockefeller (hard to find on most menus) and the Boiled 1 lb. lobster dinner.
As you can see, they equipped me with a stylish bib to prevent me from wearing my dinner home.
When I first arrived, a friendly waitperson named Courtney asked if I had ever been to Shaw's before and I mentioned it had been at least 15 years ago. So, when I had finished my meal, she said, "We want you to come back sooner than another 15 years, so dessert's on me!"
I worried down a Chocolate and Mint Ice Cream concoction that was heavenly.
Certainly didn't leave Shaw's in a Crabby Mood!

Strategizing for better employee engagement

2010-07-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

One of today's meetings was with Kirstin Hinchcliff, Senior VP at Insidedge, with whom I met earlier this week. We talked then about Dow Chemical.
Today we discussed several programs, including one for Exxon Mobil. This large company has many employees and many locations. Developing programs tailored to the particular needs of certain employee groups at specific locations is one of the areas of expertise available through Insidedge.
Kirstin came to Insidedge from Accenture. This background brings unique talent to the team and helps her draw on that consulting experience to give clients advice that meets their unique challenges.
Kirstin and I share a love of reading and I'm out to make her a Kindle Convert!

Chatting with Al

2010-07-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

This morning I had another rare treat in my visit to Insidedge and the GolinHarris offices.
I spent time chatting with Al Golin, Chairman and Founder of GolinHarris, in his Chicago office that has a magnificent view of the Chicago River and my building (The Wrigley Building). Al asked if I had taken my picture in front of my building during this trip. Not yet, but I still have another week to make that happen. And, of course, I checked up on my baseball stadium the other night, as those of you keeping up with my adventures will already know!
I had a chance to really get to know the person we have read about in textbooks and other publications and discovered that something I've believed for a long time proved very true with Al.
The people in our business of PR who are most successful are often the most unassuming, genuine people who wouldn't spend time tooting their own horn but, rather, ask good questions and make it a point to be down to earth and friendly.
As you can see, Al has a great smile, something that's always a tip-off to someone who will quickly put you at ease and share stories and a good laugh as quickly as he would discuss something sobering and serious.
Al and I agree that curiosity is one of the best traits for a successful PR person. It keeps things interesting and makes life a whole lot more fun.
One thing is abundantly clear. Al still comes to work because it's fun.
That's a lesson for all of us.
Thanks, Al. I look forward to spending more time with you next week!

Let's be careful out there

2010-07-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

What do recent news stories such as these have in common?
Shirley Sherrod and the flap surrounding her speech about race.
A plus-size model complaining about her photo being Photoshopped to make her look thinner.
Mel Gibson's rants posted on the Web.
Answer:
Technology changes the public relations ballgame.
Lessons?
Be careful what you say.
Be careful what you believe.
Bad news travels fast.
Ask questions before judging.

In the case of U.S. Department of Agriculture employee Shirley Sherrod, it seems neither the NAACP, which quickly condemned her, nor Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who fired her and quickly decided to rehire her, bothered to do their homework. Technology affords us the ability to edit, take out of context, and send something off into the blogosphere faster than a blink.

In the case of the plus-size model, featured on the Today Show this morning, a nip and a tuck on a photo are a snap and can cause a major hiccup for a magazine or online medium using such a doctored image.

Then there's Mel. If ever there was an example of technology ruining a career, this is one for the PR textbooks. Coming back from this one looks impossible from here.
But, then, we said the same about Richard Nixon and Eliot Spitzer, right?

MSU Revisited

2010-07-22T07:36:00.001-07:00

Last night I had the great pleasure of seeing one of my former masters students at MSU (Michigan State University: , Sumalya Sundaram. She and I have kept in touch since her graduation from MSU and she's been working in Chicago ever since in a firm that works in marketing and supply chain management.
Sumalya is originally from India and has one of the best smiles you'll ever see.
We had a nice dinner at Catch 35, a seafood restaurant recommended by one of my colleagues here at Insidedge
The food was great and we enjoyed live music from a terrific jazz band.
Seeing success in former students is a real high.
Congrats, Sumalya, on your Chicago success!

Olympic Fever!

2010-07-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

During my meeting with Kirstin Hinchcliff, Senior Vice President at Insidedge, she shared the story of how Insidedge has helped Dow with its Human Element campaign for employee engagement.
Dow just announced last week that it will be a major sponsor of the Olympic Games for the next 10 years. Kirstin was there in New York for the big announcement.
You can see videos from this event at http://www.dow.com/
Check it out!
You'll also be interested in Dow's efforts at global sustainability.
SU students learning about corporate social responsibility will find this company particularly noteworthy.

We're all connected

2010-07-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

PR is a business full of close connections.
It seems you mention someone in the business and next thing you know, you share two or three names of people who are friends or former colleagues.
Such was the case today when I met with Caroline Hoenk who is a Vice President at Insidedge in Chicago.
When we first met on Tuesday morning, I learned that Caroline was Carly Jarosz's boss at Financial Dynamics!
Caroline is an attorney who works with clients at Insidege and she and I met this afternoon to talk about her work with the SOA, Society of Actuaries. We discussed two other clients and some of the research she's been supervising, as well as how this research informs communications strategy. Fascinating stuff.
Caroline was very generous with her time.
I look forward to other meetings as my internship progresses!

I'm so proud!

2010-07-21T14:43:00.001-07:00

Met today with Carly Jarosz, an alum of the Newhouse Masters Program in PR.
Carly started her career following her SU graduation at FD, Financial Dynamics, an investor relations firm in Chicago.
In December 2009 she took a new position with Moody Bible Institute as a Communications Specialist in Public Relations.
She loves her new job and has even been asked to teach a writing course!
Carly and I had lunch today to catch up and I must say she impressed me with her confidence, poise and enthusiasm for her career.
This is one of the most gratifying things about working as a professor. You have a chance to shape young professionals and watch them launch very successful careers.
Carly's putting me in touch with some other alums from her class and I look forward to catching up on what they're doing, too.

It's all about research

2010-07-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

This morning I met with Jennifer Doyle, SVP, Management Supervisor, for KRC Research.
I was particularly looking forward to this meeting because of my love of research and the strong emphasis on research in all of the Newhouse Public Relations programs, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Jen gave me a terrific overview of how the firm works with agencies and clients to conduct opinion research.
The key is to solve a client's problem. It is not to push a particular method on clients, but rather to listen to the client and his or her needs and then suggest the right research strategy. Good to hear, as this is what we teach our students. The most important thing is, "What do you want to know?"
KRC Research is part of the IPG group so it works with Insidedge to partner on projects.
Clients love the fact that a team can work with them and communicate with one another quickly to address their needs. It saves the clients valuable time.
KRC has offices in Boston, Washington, D.C., and London, Increasingly, the firm is doing global research and Jen reports that work has been particularly interesting.
Those who work in the firm have varying backgrounds. The firm does both qualitative and quantitative work.
The key to working in this type of firm? An analytical mind and curiosity! Great attributes for anyone in Public Relations, too!
Reputation research is a big part of the practice.
Measurement is king these days, says Jen.
I couldn't agree more!

City Life

2010-07-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

My walk to work in Chicago is not the walk I make every day at SU.
First off, there are no hills!
Second, there are just a few more people on the sidewalks here.
I head out of the InterContinental Hotel and make my way up Michigan Avenue and across the Chicago River to Wacker.
Our building at 111 E. Wacker is full of offices and security requires you to check in before entering.
I can see why people in the city are more fit than some of the rest of us. They walk!

A Night at Wrigley Field

2010-07-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

As promised, I'll share my photos from our trip to Wrigley Field.
Insidedge President Keith Burton has amazing seats at Wrigley, and we decided to take a walk around the stadium before entering so I could get the full effect.
You'll see that the rooftop seats are still primo, and the vintage neon sign still shines brightly.
The concourse was abuzz with fans as we entered and purchased our bison dogs. Yes, bison. The taste is different, and delicious.
All the usual warm-up activities made for fun spectacle and even watching the groundskeepers turned out to be a surprise as they wheeled out the batting cage and fit it into a space that seemed impossibly small. Their efforts defied the laws of physics!
As evening fell, the stadium and its natural turf, ivy walls and gentle breezes made the Cubs' loss seem a little less painful. We did see some home runs (and some of them were actually made by the Cubs!).
The Old Time band came around and was two rows behind us when it regaled us with peppy music to keep the crowd enthused.
My Orangemen shirt (it's an older shirt, so it says Orangemen and not Orange!) attracted a shout of "Go Orange" and I met an SU student who will be a returning student in VPA this fall. He was excited to see his school represented at Wrigley BY a Wrigley!
The evening ended with a quiet walk back to the car and ride back to the hotel.
Thanks, Keith, for an unforgettable night at the ballpark...MY ballpark, at that!

Day Two...and the Cubs still couldn't win...

2010-07-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

Day One ended with a special treat. Insidedge President Keith Burton took me to a Cubs game at my stadium, Wrigley Field.
We scoped out Wrigleyville (seriously, that's what they call it) and took lots of great pictures, which I will post tomorrow. (I have to tease tomorrow's posting to make you come visit again!)
I experienced my first Bison Dog which I pronounced delicious and the night was perfect for baseball, 79 degrees and a gentle breeze.
Outside my office window, as we speak, they're shooting off explosives. It's not the competition trying to blow us out of the water; it's the filming of the movie "Transformers III" down on Wacker. On Sunday when I arrived, the bridge was up and they were setting off explosives and filming on Michigan Avenue. Quite exciting!
Today I met some great team members and saw two I'd met yesterday. This afternoon I'll be talking with Allen Putman from the New York office and then with Kirstin Hinchcliff to discuss a case study.
I have my own office here, and my laptop is humming with activity.
Also trying to keep Newhouse masters students moving on their Executive Education projects while I'm gone.
Two now have IRB approval from the May class and the third is closing in on finishing her proposal and doing her IRB form. Go, Aimee!
Keith Burton loaned me a book I'm reading entitled, "The cult of the amateur: How today's internet is killing our culture." I plan to finish it tonight.
Lunch tomorrow with former SU masters student and Newhouse alum Carly Jarosz, who now works here in Chicago for the Moody Bible Institute, and dinner tomorrow night with Sumalya Sundaram, who works in the burbs in marketing and PR. She's taking the train in to meet me and have dinner. I saw both former students two years ago during a visit to Chicago for the AEJMC (Association for Educators in Journalism and Mass Communication) conference held here.
This year's conference starts Aug. 4 in Denver and I'll be there the week following my two-week Insidedge internship.
In closing, it's been really fun being back in the so-called "real world" as opposed to the unreal world of the academy (and I use the word "unreal" with great affection).
BTW, stay tuned for more information on an exciting website I learned about today...created by one of the Insidedge interns from Boston University...that rates internships!

Life in the Big City

2010-07-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

Day One of the Insidedge Internship!
I've had the cook's tour, met lots of smart people, and enjoyed lunch at the Art Institute's restaurant. First class!
Have my own office, computer and phone and feel just like one of the team.
Host Keith Burton, President of Insidedge, has been very generous with his time.
Had a fun chat with Al Golin himself. Will be spending some more time with him this week. He's every bit as fun and entertaining as billed.
Tonight it's off to Wrigleyville for a Cubs game.
Back at you tomorrow!

Chicago!

2010-07-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is the first post as I prepare to depart for my internship (yes, professors can do internships, too!) at Insidedge in Chicago.
I'll be there for two weeks working with the team and learning what's happening in the agency business.
This experience, sponsored by the Plank Center at the University of Alabama, helps connect me with the practice and bring back real-world experience to my students.
In addition, I'll be checking on my building and my baseball field. Just want to be sure they're taking good care of them...

Welcome Class of 2011!

2010-07-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

Our new class of masters students has arrived on campus.
Classes began last week for 30 new PR majors and 17 Public Diplomacy students.
All are settling in to life at the 'Cuse and working hard on their "Boot Camp" classes.
It's safe to say their first six weeks will be busy, challenging and, we hope, rewarding.
These students join programs rich in tradition and success.
We welcome them and wish them fun and fulfillment in their graduate programs!

Vacation on Nantucket

2010-07-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

We all work hard and save all year for vacation.
So, this year, we decided to spend our vacation on Nantucket, an island 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts.
Accessible by plane or boat, Nantucket is one of those rare places that keeps its charm and low-key atmosphere, preserving wetlands and wildlife, and offering visitors a relaxing, breeze-filled visit.
We stayed in Madaket on the island's west end. The beaches all over Nantucket are clean, secluded and rarely crowded.
Birds enjoy a treasured home here and bunnies and deer roam freely through the woods, making an occasional appearance to tourists.
Great fresh seafood, top-flight restaurants, speedy ferry service and picture postcard views are assured on this lovely island.
These photos are just a sampling of some we took on our recent vacation!
Enjoy!

Winter's Not Over Yet!

2010-02-27T08:29:00.000-08:00

Eighteen inches of snow later, things are heating up and melting here in the 'Cuse. Tonight's big game against Villanova will have more than 36,000 fans, the largest crowd ever for an NCAA basketball game.
We didn't get tickets, so we're at home tonight watching the big game.
Don't worry! The snowbanks are cleared and fans will be arriving early to enjoy all the pre-game excitement.
Go 'Cuse!

Toyota's Troubles and Tiger's Mea Culpa

2010-02-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

We're had some interesting discussions in our PR Management class lately about Toyota and Tiger Woods.
Our perceptive seniors understand the importance of telling your side of the story quickly and honestly and taking responsibility when necessary.
It will be interesting the watch the Toyota executive in his Congressional testimony. As more details emerge, it becomes apparent that a better issues management system should be in place at Toyota to provide a better early warning system. But this will not be enough. An organizational culture that is less hierarchical and more flat will encourage front-line employees to speak up and suggest ideas and changes more quickly.
As for Tiger, the drip-drip of bad publicity continues.
Waiting too long, saying too little, and then bashing the media are three ways to ensure continuing disaster.
As I always tell my students, the truth will always come out sooner or later. Better to get it out sooner and have everyone move on.
We've seen how the alternative approach doesn't work...

Winter in Syracuse

2010-02-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

We're in the deep freeze!
Well, not the DEEP freeze, but anything under 70 degrees is enough to complain about when we have likely at least two more months of winter here in the 'Cuse.
At least we have a hot basketball team (actually two, the men's and women's teams are both doing very well) to keep us energized until March gets here.
Winter on campus is very pretty. And with a fresh coating of snow every day or so it keeps it nice and clean!
If you're itching for spring, buy a bouquet and put it on your desk.
We'll be growing those tulips before you know it!

How NOT to manage a reputation

2009-10-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Binghamton University, once the crown jewel of the SUNY (State University of New York) system has been suffering several body blows to its reputation of late. Long-time President Lois DeFleur has doubtless had some sleepless nights over troubles with the school's basketball team and its athletic department.
Since entering Division I play, the team has had a string of incidents with players involving drugs, assault and other transgressions, that have tarnished the university's academic standing and called into question oversight by the coach and athletic department.
This case is a good example of what NOT to do in these situations.
When an adjunct professor who had taught at BU for many years was part of cutbacks to faculty after she charged the athletic department with pressure to allow athletes to skate through her class (and she refused) and when another woman accused the athletic department of telling her to provide sexual favors for donors, the evidence started mounting.
What's surprising is that despite the fact that an external investigation has been started, BU still insists on releasing its own, internal report on the sexual harassment charges.
An organization investigating itself is always suspect, whether its investigation is above-board or not. BU should step back and allow outside investigators free reign to interview, examine documents and electronic correspondence and form unfiltered and independent conclusions.
Unless that happens, there will remain a cloud of suspicion and the school will have trouble convincing alums, donors, prospective students, and its many other key publics that it has academics--strong academics--as its top priority.
This scandal could mean the end of the DeFleur era. With all that BU has accomplished in establishing itself as a premier state university with a very competitive admissions process and top-notch faculty and programs, it's a shame that poor crisis management (and a lack of recognition on the part of DeFleur that she should have called in crisis management experts to help her) could sink the BU ship.

Happy Birthday, Mom

2009-09-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, our mom celebrated her 87th birthday.
We did everything we could to make it a special day for her.
It was her first birthday without dad, who passed away in July.
It was also her first wedding anniversary without him. They would have been married 68 years yesterday.
After a sumptuous brunch at the Brewster Inn in Cazenovia, we returned to her home for a yummy chocolate mousse-filled chocolate cake.
This picture shows Mom with her only surviving sister, Lois.

Happy Birthday, Mom.
We love you bunches!

Dear Old Dad

2009-07-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Early the morning of July 14, my father passed away.
We had kept vigil for three days and nights as he slowly slipped away.
My father was 89. He had a stroke and slipped into a coma. He never awoke.
We spoke to him, told him how much we loved him, and hope he heard us.
Two nights before he died, I spent the night in his room, sitting in a chair next to his bed, holding his hand. He seemed to squeeze my hand now and then--at least that is what I want to believe.
His big, strong frame seemed so small that night. His cheeks were sunken.
All that was left was a shell of the tall, strong dad who had helped me through my life.
I told him he was the best dad anyone could ever have and I couldn't have had a better one if I'd had a chance to pick one. I told him what a good job he'd done. How hard he'd worked and how he made sure we never lacked for anything, especially love.
The morning he was gone we stood around his bed and I hugged him tight to say goodbye. I felt as if a part of me is gone forever and my life will never be the same.
By any measure, he was a success, but a success in what counted most: showing love, giving selflessly of his time and treasure, being patient and being my biggest fan.
I miss him terribly. And while I know I had him with me far longer than most people have their dads, it still hurts.
It doesn't matter how old your parent is when he or she passes away. It hurts just as much.
Goodbye, Dear Old Dad. That's what he used to say when he'd call me on the phone or leave a message on the answering machine: "This is Dear Old Dad. No need to call back. I just wanted to tell you something."
The "something" I told him was how much I loved him.
I know he heard me. And that now he's at peace.
So long, Dear Old Dad.

California's About-Face

2009-05-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

California has announced its decision. Prop 8 will stand. Those 18,000 couples who married just under the buzzer will be able to keep their marriage licenses. The rest? Too bad. You didn't jump at the chance to get married before they shut the door--again.
Most people who marry have the luxury of time. Time to plan a date, a season they favor, a place, a guest list, flowers, photographer, invitations, cake, reception and all the trappings.
Imagine if you had to madly dash someplace to tie the knot. No time for lots of fanfare or formality. No time to gather family and friends. Just hurry up. And, oh, by the way, even if you do all that, sometimes in California it doesn't "stick".
It's a sad day in America today. Sad, not just for gays and lesbians, but sad for those who love liberty, who believe in equal rights for everyone. Who believe we all deserve the protections afforded by the Constitution in the country we love.
Sitting back just doesn't cut it anymore. It's not enough to complain.
It's time to march. To do something. To speak up. To pressure. And to tell anyone and everyone who will listen to pick up a phone, pick up a pen, and pick up the cause.
When one of us is oppressed, we are all oppressed.

The last time

2009-04-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

There was something about turning the key in that deadbolt lock that really got to me.
Yesterday, my brother and I finished the last of the cleaning out of our parents' home in a small, rural upstate New York town.
We vacuumed, dusted and emptied the last closet of a World War II Army uniform, some old Girl Scout hats and uniforms, and other odds and ends.
It's been a walk through our childhood and growing up, through high school and leaving for college and coming back to get married and work and grow into our own middle age.
We are both weary. It's been years of begging our parents to consider leaving their home for a safer, more comfortable life in an assisted living community where we'll worry less about them and her frequent falls from Parkinson's Disease can likely be prevented a little more often.
Where he can have his pacemaker, installed last fall, more closely monitored and can be free of some of the day-to-day chores of caring for my mother, who is failing by inches and frequently confused.
As we pored through photographs, aging albums and stacks of saved newspaper clippings, our lives seemed to whiz by.
For 61 years they lived in this tiny little house that we often cursed for being too small, too crowded, too confining.
The day they left, we practically carried her out, sobbing, saying she never thought she'd live to see the day when she walked away from the only real home she'd known for her entire adult life.
We thought we'd be relieved to lock the door, sell it, and move on.
And we are.
But, still...

Historic Day

2009-01-20T11:55:00.001-08:00

There's work to be done.
That was the message today delivered so eloquently by our new president.
As a former speechwriter, I listened carefully to see how the president would deliver his key messages.
The speech was well written, and especially well delivered.
At a time when hope and fear come in equal measure, it's heartening to know that our new leader understands both humility and courage.
Inclusion and a call to service were the orders of the day.
Refreshing.

Back in the Saddle Again!

2009-01-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 12, marks the beginning of spring semester here at Syracuse.
Appropriately, we have another storm coming tomorrow and we've had more than five feet of snow since winter began in November. We're on pace to set a record for snow this winter!
Those of us on the faculty and staff have had a well-deserved break, but now it's time to start preparing for the return of students and the comfortable rhythm of a new semester.
I always get excited to begin a new semester. New students. New faces. A chance to try out new ideas in my classes. A chance to learn.
We faculty are the ones who are supposed to do the teaching, but every semester I find I learn a lot from my students. Maybe it's something about technology. Maybe it's a dose of humility.
No matter what the lesson, I'm the richer for it. And that's why teaching is one of the best ways to live your life.
My office assistant, Holly, is pictured here. She's been resting up, too, and is anxious to begin the new semester.
Let's get started!

Mixed blessing

2008-11-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

This morning I was tired, as I'm sure lots of other people are, as I stayed up late to watch both McCain's and Obama's speeches last night.
Obama's election is a historic moment and a bright spot in a long and arduous election cycle.
I am happy, not only for my brothers and sisters of color, but also for all Americans, that we were able to move beyond division and embrace change and inclusion.
That said, I am sad to learn that it's very likely California voters have voted to ban gay marriage after the jubilant and well-deserved celebrations witnessed this year after a court ruling made gay marriage legal there, albeit briefly.
Decades from now, Americans will look back on this time with a mixture of pride and confusion.
How could a country that voted for inclusion also vote to limit the civil rights of a group of its citizens?
Why would my marriage, legal in Canada, not be recognized here?
How does my marriage threaten the marriages of others?
I'm disappointed, but know the struggle must continue.
Civil rights seldom come easily.

Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!

2008-09-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

I'd like to report a missing person.
She's famous, but she's missing.
She's been seen, but apparently has lost her voice and can't speak.
Of course I'm talking about Sarah Palin, Vice Presidential Candidate.
I've got some questions for her, but from what I hear, I'll have to take a number.
Of course I could understand if she's too busy to take my questions.
After all, who am I?
But the press?
They have lots of questions, and all they seem able to do is shout them at her as she ducks into an SUV to be whisked away to another appointment.
I'm sure she's busy.
Aren't we all?
But I'd like to ask her about a NYT editorial this morning concerning billing sexual assault victims for rape kits in Wasilla, Alaska. Sarah was mayor there.
The Times editorial implies Sarah knew this billing was going on and did nothing about it.
She was likely too busy combing the shelves of the library for books that might give people the wrong ideas.
Ideas are dangerous, you know.
We can't have just any ideas floating around out there.
People might start to question things.
And we can't have that!
Did Sarah know of--and approve of--charging sexual assault victims for the rape kits that would gather evidence to try to catch their attackers?
And if she did know, why didn't she stop the practice?
Or, was it just low on her priority list?
A woman who could potentially be president someday who doesn't look out for women who are victims of sexual assault?
Do we really want to wait for answers to this and many other questions, hoping we'll catch up with her after the election?
I've heard enough. And she hasn't even said a word...

Keeping up is hard to do!

2008-09-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

I directed someone to my blog this morning and discovered, to my horror, that my last post was in April!
Shame!
Keeping up with blogging is something one almost has to schedule, much as you would schedule an appointment for a haircut or lunch with a friend.
Life has kept me busy since April.
I was awarded tenure in May.
Became chair of my department in August.
And now I'm settling into a fall semester and new duties and responsibilities.
Let's see if we can keep this thing going a bit more regularly, shall we?

The Dog Days of April

2008-04-13T14:39:00.001-07:00

Monday, April 14 is Syracuse University's first Monday for Mutts.
The event, inspired by our own Holly Wrigley, the fine looking golden retriever who graces this page, is designed to get all of us off our butts and out walking. Heaven knows we could all use the exercise.
Holly's particularly excited because there are treats involved, and we've bribed humans to show up promising them a chance to win treats, too.
Sunny, but cool, weather is predicted.
We'll let you know how it goes.
Make no bones about it, we're going to have fun!

Boys will be boys!

2008-02-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

Way to go, Larry Craig. You have dodged another bullet, although this one may leave a scar. Today's (Feb. 14, 2008) New York Times reports on the Senate Ethics Committee's "admonishment" by the U.S. Senate "for conduct that reflected poorly on the Senate as the result of his arrest and guilty plea last summer in an undercover sex sting in a men's bathroom at the Minneapolis airport."
Despite this latest censure, Craig is hanging in there and serving out his term. Bet the Republicans are thrilled to have him around as a reminder of how ethical lapses have dogged Washington for longer than most care to admit.
Craig continues to protest he isn't gay, but at this point, that's a moot point. Nobody really cares about that anymore, it seems, but they DO care about his handling of the whole incident. Handing his card to the policeman is seen by some, the article says, to be an act of throwing his title around in hopes of making the officer overlook his actions. Saying he'd resign in a mea culpa news conference and then saying he wouldn't further damages his credibility. Accepting an award back in Idaho after all this happened is the ultimate act of hubris.
Here's a suggestion. Fess up, give up, and go home.
Your credibility is so severely eroded that you are effectively impotent as a Senator.
The people of Idaho deserve someone who can be effective and advocate for them.
Trouble is, their Senator is too busy shoring up his sagging reputation.
And, as Ross Perot used to say, "That's just sad."

What's next in politics?

2008-01-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

Rudy's out. Edwards departed. Now what? Debates will probably get more intense and personal. Let's stay tuned for tonight's Democratic debate and see! What role will Bill now play for Hill given that it's pretty much Hill and Obama? Will Chelsea appear more often in Bill's place? Can Chelsea woo young voters away from Obama, who's been adept at getting them to participate more in the election process?
And, looking ahead, how are those running mate rosters shaping up? Rudy wanted to make sure he quickly endorsed McCain. Edwards has refused to make an endorsement. Is he keeping his options open so either candidate could pick HIM to be a running mate?
What about Romney? Can he paint McCain as the liberal and himself as the conservative in the Republican primaries to come next week?
By next Tuesday--Super Tuesday--will we have a clear idea of the nominees or will it drag on to the conventions?
As we like to say, "Stay tuned!"

Let's jump in!

2008-01-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

Today is the beginning of an experiment in one of my Public Relations classes.
As part of The Ethics of Advocacy class, we are starting a blogging project to react to today's ethical challenges.
Many of the students will be trying something they've never done before.
Many will be apprehensive. Many will be excited!
That's all OK!
With discussion comes understanding, shared meaning and energy.
With discussion comes responsibility to think clearly, maintain integrity and check facts.
The blogs created in this course will be shared with others and will help us debate and dissect the ethical challenges facing us in today's society.
Happy reading!

A Whale of a Vacation

2007-07-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

Recently my partner and I took a friend from Michigan on her first trip East, spending a week in Dennisport on Cape Cod.

Part of our plan was to go whale watching, something we'd done many times. Our friend had never had seen the Atlantic Ocean, let alone a whale.

We booked three tickets on the Dolphin Fleet in Provincetown, on the tip of the Cape, and set out on a blue-sky afternoon to see more whales than we ever expected.

In fact, the marine biologist on board kept reminding us that future whale watch trips would never equal this one. He was probably right.

We saw 20-25 humpback whales, a finback mother and calf, dophins and a minke whale, as well as many sea birds.

These pictures don't begin to convey the thrill of having one of these creatures come up next to your boat and open its mouth to pull in fish and sea water. They dive, send up bubbles which attract small fish to the surface, then sneak up on them and plow through the pool of fish, taking in fish and water by the boatload.

Their baleen filter the water back out and keep the fish in. Then the whale swallows the fish down a gullet the size of a grapefruit.

These whales spend their winters south and spend months without food. Then they summer up north and eat practically nonstop. Imagine spending a few months eating so you don't have to eat for the rest of the year!

One whale swam right under our boat. Not to worry. He was just watching us.

The Cleavage Conundrum

2007-07-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Hillary Clinton showed a little cleavage recently and everyone's abuzz. Pundits are speculating that her wardrobe decision was carefully calculated, designed to combat her "acting like a man" tough-girl image. After all, John Edwards saw fit to lament that her debate-night jacket wouldn't be his first choice. But, then, guys in pink generally get more guffaws than gals do.
You can't make this stuff up!
With Americans and Iraqis dying every day while the folks back home worry about fashion choices, it makes you wonder where our priorities really reside.
So, here's a suggestion for the next debate. Add up the number of men and the number of women participating in the debate. Select amply cut suits for X number of men and something in pink for the one woman in the pool. Then, number the outfits, put the numbers in a hat, and have everybody pick a number.
If Richardson draws the dress, then that's the way it goes. Suddenly, Richardson aside, wardrobe becomes a fairly moot point. Unless, of course, one of the guys is stuck with a pink shirt.
Seriously, kids, it's not that big a deal what she wears. Few people will be able to get past the fact that she's a woman and a woman has never been elected president.
Here's the thing. Women have been leading other countries for a long time and most of those countries were in a lot less trouble most of the time than are we, the United States, today.
So, give her a shot. Let her debate with the boys. And, networks. Let's keep it to just head shots, OK?

Beginning a conversation

2007-06-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

Greetings!
After some help from a former student, Eric Hansen, I've decided to jump into the social media world and start blogging!
As a teacher, I find I learn as much from my students as they likely learn from me. Eric, a recent graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in public relations, delivered a dynamite series of seminars on new media in spring 2007 here at Newhouse and he inspired me to start communicating with others through this technology.
Since I work in an environment where news is king and all things current spark interest, I look forward to chatting about the latest trends, disturbing news stories, corporate foibles, and many other topics.
Here's to some great discussion!