Channel: President's Note

Look for the Silver Lining

Staff Writer

I had the pleasure of attending an open house and media dinner this past week in Chicago. By all accounts, it was a fantastic event which included spending time with some of the industry’s nicest folks, lots of laughs, a great Moroccan restaurant, a professional belly dancer (as well as some not-so-professional belly dancers, you know who you are) and even a tarot card reader.
I am quite the skeptic and when I sat down for my reading I thought to myself, “Hmm, I am sure this will be way off the mark.” In actuality she was pretty much on target, even if

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The Big Picture

Staff Writer

Today I decided to step back and attempt to see “the big picture.” It is not always an easy task, but over these last few weeks of economic crises and natural disasters, it would be self-indulgent and inhumane to not take pause. As the death tolls from the earthquake and cyclone in China and Myanmar, respectively, surpass a staggering 130,000, the suffering of the survivors in these two nations is unfathomable.
To put the numbers of this human loss into perspective, lives lost from September 11, 2001 and for Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana were less than 5,000, and still the devastating effects of

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The Way To Lead

Staff Writer

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.
« WARREN G. BENNIS
Leadership style and ability have come into question a great deal lately—most obviously on the national front, but even in the fishbowl that is our industry. For the most part, this year’s political battles have maintained a positive attitude without too much in the way of negative punches being thrown. Niceties notwithstanding, the Democratic presidential hopefuls continue to duke it out over who has more experience, who is tougher, smarter, more charismatic, ethical, and even whose moral fiber is woven more tightly. While all these elements are essential qualities in

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The End of Castro?

Staff Writer

The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession.
« MARK TWAIN (1835 – 1910)

Recent headlines have revolved heavily around the “official” stepping down of oft-controversial Cuban leader, Fidel Castro. During his near 50 years of rule, the impoverished people of the Caribbean nation have felt the strain of a closed economy. But, with just a week under their belts, the new regime, led by Castro’s brother Raúl, has already signed into law two international human-rights treaties (both of which were long opposed by the elder Castro).
While most of the United States remains skeptical of any real change

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Stupid Groundhog

Staff Writer

Well, Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t lying a couple of weeks ago when he predicted six more weeks of winter. In Philadelphia, it is cold outside——probably the coldest it has been all winter. Regardless of negative-degree weather, today, my team and I began looking for sunnier skies in preparation of spring; looking at assignments, story angles, possible sources and great products to introduce to the market for the spring and summer seasons.
I know we are not the only crew beginning to look ahead, at least in terms of work projects. If you know of a product that is perfect for a spring / summer event

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Tell Me Something Good!

Staff Writer

Today, I am feeling appalled. Appalled that while our media dedicates massive resources to the coverage of the excesses of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, the people of Haiti have been reduced to eating “mud cookies,” literally made of dirt; appalled that the words “ethnic cleansing” are still uttered in the present tense; and appalled that hardworking people face losing their homes because of the subprime lending mess. Globally, wealthy governments and industry leaders have the power to make a difference, but unfortunately, it seems that unless there is something “in it for them,” they choose not to.
In an era where

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HOW THE STARS ALIGN

Staff Writer

Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.
«CHARLES DICKENS, ENGLISH NOVELIST
A dear friend of mine is a student of astrology—yes, horoscopes, how the stars align and how these lineups impact our lives. While I do not have much knowledge of these things, she occasionally imparts information to me about astrological matters I should be aware of in my life.
Recently, she informed me Mercury had moved into retrograde and my reaction was a somewhat sarcastic, “So?” She explained this is a time when communications can

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Politics and Promotions

Staff Writer

» Be the change that you want to see in the world.
«MAHATMA GHANDI, INDIAN LEADER, 1869 – 1948
I write this editor’s note on the day of the assassination of two-time Pakistani prime minister, Benazir Bhutto. Readers may ask, “What possible connection could her death have with the sales of promotional products?” Directly—I can easily cite, this being our political-promotions issue—it makes sense. Oftentimes, buttons,badges and ribbons are made to commemorate even horrific events, such as this. I can also mention the ensuing ramifications a world leader’s assassination can have on our industry economically. Already-delicate world markets and staggeringly high oil prices—which

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A Great New Beginning

Staff Writer

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic somewhere behind the morning.”
J.B. Priestly, British Writer & Broadcaster (1894 – 1984)

I can look around my office and home and find remembrances of the past everywhere. Sometimes simple objects, not necessarily meant to bear great significance, will remind me of beginnings and endings. In these moments, I consider what I have learned and where my choices in both my career and personal life have led me.
This month, there is a new beginning—a

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