With the Democratic Convention in full swing, I’m reminded of a New York Times op-ed published by Michael Kinsley a few weeks back that gently pokes fun at the empty words and doublespeak found in political party platforms. Kinsley’s criticism is aimed at politicians, but it should be taken seriously by anyone facing a high stakes communications challenge. We let politicians get away with this kind of “spin” in part because we no longer hold them ... Read More

In an opinion piece published in yesterday’s Washington Post, environmental lawyer Dusty Horwitt proposed the idea of a “progressive” tax by which energy prices would be “kept at a consistently high level” in order to “make the technologies that overproduce information more expensive and less widespread.” Why is an environmental lawyer making a tangential case for new energy taxes by targeting information technologies? Because, as Horwitt opines, an information overload created by blogs and other online ... Read More

Week after week the news media report on the latest medical studies that identify some new and unexpected risk to our health. Do cell phones cause brain tumors? Do overhead power lines lead to childhood leukemia? Does exposure to common chemicals increase the risk of breast cancer? We see the scary headlines, but few of us notice the inevitable follow-up stories that put these newly apprehended risks into perspective and often debunk the initial reports altogether. A ... Read More

In another sign that companies are increasingly using the Web to solicit their customers for creative ideas, Crest toothpaste is asking YouTube fans to develop the slogan for its new wintergreen ice flavor. From September 15 through October 17, consumers are invited to submit videos featuring their take on the brand in 10 words or less. The winning phrase will be used in late fall and winter television spots advertising the new flavor. And to pique ... Read More

Say it ain’t so! Whole Foods Market, the top U.S. organic foods retailer, has announced a recall of all the fresh ground beef it sold between June 2 and August 6 due to potential E. coli contamination. This significant event threatens to undermine the promise of the Whole Foods brand – that is, consumers may pay more for its products but can expect food that is fresher, healthier, and safer in return. Whole Foods said the ... Read More

With everyone putting down their daily newspapers and turning to the Internet as the primary source for news and information, world leaders, celebrities and corporations alike must find new avenues to capture people’s attention. Simply put, a high-profile placement in The Times is no longer enough to shape stories and change perceptions. It seems that Jordan’s Queen Rania has learned this lesson well – as she is the leading world leader in utilizing new media to ... Read More