How is it that a United States senate seat held by a Democrat icon for over 40 years, becomes a seat now held (as soon as he is seated that is) by a Republican? Well, many out there are debating why they think the seat’s turned Republican, and I’m sure you’ve heard many talking heads giving all their opinion and analysis. The bottom line is, Scott Brown winning this special election in Massachusetts on Tuesday has tossed a hand grenade into conventional political thinking. On top of that, this shake-up has the power to change both the direction of the current health care bill currently in conference, and the general direction and positioning of the Obama administration’s agenda. This is exactly why I love to follow politics – it’s predictable usually, but every so often an event comes along which flips all the tables over. This is one of those events!

To get a good balance of opinion and analysis of this election, go to the Real Clear Politics web site. It’s simply the best site out there for providing views from all sides of the political spectrum.

So Google buys AdMob and then launches Nexus One to great fanfare sparking national talk of the “Smartphone Wars”.  Apple then buys Quattro to make sure Google doesn’t take over the App business….I mean, there’s only more than 100,000 apps currently available on an iPhone.

But don’t worry Steve Jobs, Nexus One doesn’t even come close to being an iPhone killer.  As far as I can tell, the only difference between Nexus and the iPhone  is that Nexus has a million more mega pixels camera than an iPhone and you can buy an unlocked version of it…just another smartphone really.

Also, consider that the iPhone is not only a revolutionary device but also a cultural icon that has forever changed the way we communicate and more importantly the way WE do business. The next time you wonder if this is finally THE phone that will overtake the iPhone, just think of how many times you have heard someone say “Wow I don’t know what I did before the iPhone”….You can bet the bank you won’t hear the same about Nexus One.

This is cathartic for me I guess. Not that easy to do given the close proximity to the “event” which I’m speaking of, but still something good for me (I think), and something I should just express. I’m speaking about my choice to “put down” my 11 year old Chocolate Labrador Java, and now writing about her.

I’m not that “sentimental” of a pet person, although I’ve always had dogs as pets my whole life. I grew up with dogs, and always took interest in taking good care of them and training them well. All of my dogs have been of varying quality in both behavior and performance (intelligence, well-composed, affectionate, home protector, loyal, and a hunter). In all of the dogs I’ve had and worked with, none have been able to muster a high-degree in all of the criteria I’ve outlined. That’s not bad, just that I expect a lot from a dog, and most fell a little short. That’s not to say that I didn’t love my dogs – I always love my dogs and treat them well. I just realize that coming across a dog that can achieve all from my demanding list in not at all common.

Java was a dog that met all the criteria, and with the odds against her. She was a rescue from a broken home, and was obviously mistreated – at least verbally (yelled out frequently I know, and I suspect hit on occasion). She cowered quickly when anyone raised their voice, and she did anything in her power to get out of the room. But over time, with a lot of love and confidence building, she rebounded from the fear she experienced and began to respond to affection, as well as not cower when voices were raised in the home. I believe she recovered because of her high intelligence – especially for a dog. How many dogs can learn how to stop, then carry a full plate of food without spilling it, back over to the rug under the sink where it no longer slides across the ceramic floor? She would do the same on the deck outside, picking the plate up from the edge and returning it to a same location in the middle of the deck where she could complete the meal. Just one quick example of a higher-order canine.

Along with her intelligence, she never once displayed anger at any one of my 4 kids or others, attacked another dog, or disobeyed my command. If I called her, she came – no matter what. She retrieved from the woods and any body of water no matter how cold or tired she was (she is a Lab after all), and was not a bit gun-shy. She was loyal to the core, and never moved from the floor by my side throughout my tribulations of back surgery and the aftermath. She ran with me by my side for miles, never with a leash, and kept one eye on me at all times. Her best feature was her protective nature, barking only when necessary, as if knowing that too much barking would annoy me, and too little would have no affect on the perceived threat outside our home. How she could discern the subtle difference I’ll never know, but she struck the balance well, and was the best home-protection dog you could witness. She made her presence known, and never with violence.

I put her to sleep yesterday, after her short and painful battle with cancer. She survived a bout with the Parvovirus a year ago, a virus which killed several dogs in the vicinity. But the cancer was too much for her. Going against every voice inside telling me she can fight on, I made the painful choice to put her to sleep. How much pain must she endure just to satisfy my need to have her around? She would have fought – she was a fighter and extremely strong. But it was my selfishness and fear of loosing her that had to be tamed this time around. And so she’s gone.

Perhaps one day I’ll find another dog with such superior qualities. I doubt it though.

I love this vid from FunnyorDie.  This certainly has been a stressful time in our country with the healthcare debate raging out of control at times.  We’ve blogged about it here quite a bit over the last few months. 

This vid, staring Will Ferrell shines a spotlight on the real tragedy – the suffering insurance company executive.  Watch it and the message is clear:  “If my kid falls of his bike and breaks his leg, he should have to pay that money out of pocket! Out of his allowance.  How else is he going to learn?”

I found it very funny as did many others – the vid pulled almost 2.8MM views.  It also stirred up the debate even more with about 10 different “response” videos posted on YouTube.  Now the healthcare debate has really gone viral – every pun intended.

I’ve just reached a new level of lame!  Wow!

It has been a tough few years.  No doubt about it.  Unemployment approaching (or above in some areas) 10%, the banking collapse, the housing collapse, the collapse of the American auto industry, people concerned about the stimulus package, a major division in our government, the health care debate – the list is long and heavy. 

Over this same time period, the ad industry has been crushed as well.  Ad budgets are down, friends and colleagues have been laid off and all the major agencies have hiring & salary freezes to protect their bottom line.  While certain areas of television marketing and most of the digital category has sustained (not grown) ad revenues, magazine, newspaper and radio budgets have been severely reduced.  To that point, so many publications have shut down, streeting their staff Pubs such as Blender, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr Magazine, Southern Accents Magazine, Vibe, and the biggies, Modern Bride and Gourmet (both 50+ years old).

Today, things are looking a bit better with the Dow hitting 10,000  last week, unemployment has slowed and the housing market indicators inching up a bit as well.  The government’s cash for clunckers worked well to stimulate the auto industry,  but I think it helped the Japan economy more than the American auto markets.  There are positive signs.

This morning, I was pleased to read about the success our friends at Meredith are having.  During difficult times, smart companies find a way to evolve and push forward.  Meredith has done just that by focusing hard on their relationship with the consumer.  Making a promise to “her” that they will maintain and commit ”no matter what”.  Meredith launched several new initiatives while simultaneously embracing the digital channel to connect with consumer needs.  They launched Meredith 360 – a full-on integrated marketing unit and realigned the corporate sales group under one mission.  They re-branded the entire company:  Meredith National Media Brands and the moves have paid off with the award of Publishing Company of the Year! 

In tough times, winners find a way to create, invent and excel.  Inspiring news indeed!  Read the full story here:  AdAge:  A List Publishing Company of the Year:  Meredith Corp.

In anticipation of a wild flu season, I took the plunge and got my flu shot.  Running an agency takes everything I have and it’s a must to stay healthy.  Coming in this morning, everyone around me was coughing, sneezing, sniffling and wheezing (more than usual).  Knowing that the experts are predicting are really nasty winter here on the east coast and very strong flu season – not to mention the H1N1 virus on top of everything else, I took the plunge.

The shot was painless, but it did pack a punch.  A few hours after the shot, I felt horrible.  Light headed, a little queasy – wait, maybe I’m pregnant.    Nah, can’t be.  So far that’s only happened to one other guy.  After a good rest last night, I’m feeling better today.  I’ll report back on how well the shot protects me throughout the season.

Now go and get yours!

In December, new FTC regulations will begin in an attempt to govern what is said in blog / twitter land.  Historically, any blogger could talk about a product or service without any information pertaining to the relationship of the writer to the brand.  Is the writer really a brand fan or did they receive product for free?  Were they compensated to write on behalf of the brand?  Did you ever wonder why Paris Hilton tweets about every club she visits on the weekend?  How about why Kim Kardashian seems to post about products she “loves”.   What about the JT post below:

Does he really love that Callaway or was he paid by Callaway to tweet that message.  Honestly, I don’t really mind this type of marketing.  I am expecting celebrity endorsements when it comes to pushing products.  It has been a main stream marketing tactic forever.  Things get dicey when it comes to pharmaceutical marketing.  There are so many patient / caregiver blogs out there that discuss one pharmaceutical drug over another and I often wonder – what is the truth.  Why are these people REALLY blogging about the benefits of the drug?

While the FTC guidelines are a step in the right direction – they do have problems.  For one, the guidelines will be subject to interpretation – meaning the FTC will deal with violators on a case by case basis.  Not the best way to go as it leaves different implementation tactics open to debate.  Also, this only applies to bloggers / tweeters in the U.S.  By this point we know the word “community” means a “global community”.  There is no way to regulate those outside the U.S.

Our reco – play it safe while the new guidelines are launched.  If you are a blogger or a pay per tweeter – offer full disclosure.  By doing so, you have nothing to worry about.

My man Alex attending the Advertising Week session on the future of Radio and Print. The session was packed. Not a seat in the house. Steve Farella, CEO of TargetCast was the moderator of the session that certainly delivered good information about future trends in the space and new possibilities for both vehicles because of the proliferation of digital connectivity. A lot more to come.

Today is a tough day for me.  Every year on this date I think about how lucky I am.  For my family, friends, associates and all those I hold close.  I am very fortunate as I did not lose anyone on that day eight years ago.  Not a family member.  Not a friend.  Not an acquaintance.  Even so, driving in this morning the feelings of loss are still close at hand – right under the surface.  To think about my neighbors that called New York home.  Those that lost their life by going to work on that crystal clear sunny September morning.  The Moms and Dads.  The brothers and sisters.  More than 2,500 people died on that day and in the days to follow.  Their names are being read aloud down town right now.

I’m sick over it.  Still angry and hurt.  I’m also proud of the response shown by New Yorkers and those around the country.  On that morning, I was in Dallas with Melissa (T360’s AMD) attending meetings.  Melissa and I have been friends and business associates for more than a decade.  Immediately after it happened, we knew we had to get home – back to the city we loved and back to our families.  Right after the towers fell, we jumped in our rental and drove 28 hrs from Texas back to NYC.  It was an emotional ride home, listening to the news reports and hearing about the great loss we all had suffered.  I was happy to have such a good friend close to share that time with.

I consider New York City my home.  I was very disappointed to be away that day.  I wanted to be here for so many reasons.  After my return, my wife and I helped as much as we could.  We lived in the city at the time about a half a block from the armory.  City officials decided that remains from the trade towers would be placed at the armory for identification.  For weeks and weeks after the event, we watched from our 6th floor balcony as loved ones grieved about the loss of a family member.  Missing posters were everywhere.  The city had a sadness like I have never witnessed before.  We watched every day.  Helped every day.  Went to church every day.  Hugged every day and worked hard to deal with the pain.  It seemed to last forever.

During this time we also witnessed the best in people.  Everyone helped.  Form the Sunflower Dinner on 27 & 3rd giving out free coffee – to people from across the country and around the globe sending water, food and clothing – to strangers listening to stories of loss.  People opened their homes and we all supported one another.  We were all a big family – all grieving together.  There was unity and strength in numbers. 

As I reflect back and think about that day and the days after, I still feel the pain but I also feel pride.  When I think about the divide in our country today, I know we are a far off cry from the togetherness we all showed in 2001.  Government is failing us.  I’m embarrassed to see the daily events in Washington, the posturing and political agendas.  It’s ridiculous.  Citizens are in heated debates around health care and the economy and across the board the stubborn mind rules the day.  Things need to change now.  I’m hopeful that today, in remembering the past we can all focus on the issues at hand and the challenges we face with a sense of unity and togetherness.  A long shot – I know.  You can’t blame me for being hopeful.

To those that feel the pain of September 11, 2001 and to my city and my country that suffered a great deal on that day – my thoughts and prayers are with you all …

Sorry for the long post.

Stew Leonard is a marketing powerhouse. In CT anyway. His store is always packed – in a boom economy or when consumer confidence is shaken. He gives value to the customer and has positioned his marketing message and value proposition to sync well with current trends. One last thing – the most important – this super rich guy is one of us. He works the store almost every day of the week. During Thanksgiving, he is handing out birds – during the summer he is scooping out the ice cream. He wins with the customer because he can relate to the customer. He does not need a focus group or a strategist, all he needs is a conversation on any given Saturday. A lesson to never forget. Outside of a short stint in jail for tax evasion – this guy gets it right.