Debbie Laskey's Blog

Welcome to Debbie Laskey's insights and commentary about BRANDING, MARKETING, LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL MEDIA, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, and CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES. Debbie has worked in high-tech, the Consumer Marketing Department at Disneyland Paris in France, nonprofits, and insurance. Expertise includes strategic planning, brand development, marketing plans and audits, competitive positioning, websites, communications, public relations, employee engagement, customer experiences, and social media marketing.

Thursday, October 29, 2026

Marketing News of the Month: Inspiring Barbie Dolls, Blue Hot Dogs, Canada, and More

During the month of October, there were news stories that reflected brand experiences, brand identity, brand storytelling, brand strategy, celebration marketing, personal branding, product launches, product marketing, product pricing, rebranding, social media marketing, special event marketing, sports marketing, and more. Marketing news from the early part of the month was detailed in my mid-month post on October 11th.

MATTEL HONORS CELINE DION AND SERENA WILLIAMS

Mattel's "Barbie Signature Series" celebrates world-famous designers, musicians, brands, and other extraordinary pioneers.

During October, People reported, "Mattel's new "Barbie Signature Celine Dion Doll" recreates the superstar's look from the 1998 Oscars, where she performed "My Heart Will Go On" from the film "Titanic." The collectible wears a floor-length blue gown inspired by her Michael Kors dress, complete with long sleeves, a high neckline, and a replica of the film's famous Heart of the Ocean necklace. Celine Dion called the doll a true honor that celebrates one of her career's most meaningful moments, and she hopes the doll encourages everyone to express themselves confidently, pursue their dreams, and believe in the power of their own voice."

Also during October, The Hollywood Reporter shared, "Twenty-three-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams is the latest athlete to be honored with a doll from Mattel, with the "Barbie Signature Serena Williams Doll." The new Barbie doll is inspired by Williams' championship victory at the 2005 Australian Open, where she claimed her seventh Grand Slam singles title after returning from knee surgery. The doll pays homage to Williams' look on the court with a green and white cutout top with mesh detailing, white skirt, and white headband. The doll also sports high socks and white tennis sneakers, along with dangling silver earrings. Her outfit is complete with a tennis ball and a tennis racket from Wilson, Williams' long-time equipment partner."

Williams said, "Growing up, I didn't see many girls who looked like me [who were] told there was no limit to who they could become. I want every girl who plays with this doll to see possibility in herself. She can dream big, work hard, change direction, break barriers, and become anything she chooses."

According to Nathan Baynard, Vice President and Head of Barbie at Mattel, "Barbie has always inspired girls to believe they can be anything, from the sports stadium to the fashion runway to the boardroom. Serena Williams embodies that message through her extraordinary achievements as an athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate for equality. By honoring her with a Barbie Signature doll, we're celebrating a barrier-breaking icon whose legacy empowers fans everywhere to dream big and embrace their own potential."

ALBERTA, CANADA REJECTS INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM

According to the AP, "Voters in Canada's oil-rich Alberta province overwhelmingly backed remaining in the country, referendum results showed on October 20th, delivering a boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney's push for national unity as U.S. President Trump's trade war and annexation threats rally Canadians around their country. With more than 1.9 million votes counted and results reported from 90 percent of voting areas and locations, 75 percent of voters supported remaining in Canada, while 25 percent backed beginning a process toward separation. The referendum was not a direct vote on independence. Approval would have set Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada...Alberta, home to the world's fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is cowboy country and a conservative stronghold whose political culture has long had more in common with the American West than much of Canada. Despite the overwhelming rejection, separatist leaders vowed to continue pressing for independence."

ZOO ATLANTA PREPARES FOR PANDA INTRODUCTIONS

Zoo Atlanta provided this update, "Zoo Atlanta is thrilled to announce the name of the new giant panda habitat – Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove – and its opening day, set for Friday, November 6th. Zoo Atlanta announced the arrival of a new pair of giant pandas, male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang, on September 27th. The pandas are in Atlanta through a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation, initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Zoo Atlanta is now one of three zoos in the U.S. to house giant pandas and is the only zoological organization in the Southeast the species calls home.

Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove is named in honor of Arthur Blank's longtime support of Zoo Atlanta's giant panda program, dating back to 1999 with the arrival of original panda pair Lun Lun and Yang Yang. In tribute to that support, the Zoo's first giant panda habitat, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center, also bore his name in recognition of that investment. The $6 million renovation to bring the vision for Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove to fruition was funded by a grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, another longstanding partner of Zoo Atlanta and supporter of the giant panda program.

The giant panda habitat has been completely updated to include many new features designed with giant panda well-being in mind, as well as new experiences for members and guests. The giant panda dayrooms have been expanded and upgraded to include new climbing structures and a pool in each. The outdoor habitats also feature new climbing structures. The appearance of the complex has been entirely redesigned, with tranquil surroundings promoting a contemplative experience. New additions include water features with aquatic flora and a dramatic sculpture celebrating a hopeful future for wildlife and the role of the giant panda as a global animal ambassador for peace and harmony."

Arthur M. Blank said, "The return of giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta is an exciting moment for our city as we once again become home to one of the world's most beloved animals. As a lifelong animal lover, I've always believed in the importance of caring for and protecting the animals that share our world, and this is what makes our Foundation's support of this effort especially meaningful to me. The Grove will give generations of Atlantans and guests from around the world the chance to experience these remarkable animals up close, while advancing conservation research, education, and global efforts to protect giant pandas for generations to come."

CO-BRANDING: PINK'S AND BLUE MAN GROUP

Pink's, a "Hollywood legend since 1939," also known as one of the world's most famous hot dog stands, hosted an event featuring the Blue Man Group on October 20th. The special appearance promoted "a 9-inch stretch hot dog with chopped tomatoes, bacon bits, and blue sour cream, served with blue popcorn." There was also a meet-and-greet with three blue members of the group.

MONET ART AUCTION

Painted near the end of French Impressionist Claude Monet's life, "Iris" was auctioned at Sotheby's Paris on October 22nd. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, "A never-before-seen painting by Claude Monet, the French Impressionist, is headed for the auction block in France. According to a statement from the auction house Sotheby's Paris, "Iris" is estimated to sell for at least $25 million — more than any other painting ever auctioned in the country. Painted in 1924 or 1925 and measuring about five by six feet, "Iris" is among the largest artworks Monet produced in the final decade of his career and was long held in a private collection and known to outsiders only through black-and-white photographs."

Update from Sotheby's Paris on October 22nd: "Iris" sold for 50 million Euros or approximately $56 million.

END OF AN ERA IN NEW YORK CITY

ABC7 New York reported, "The New York City Council voted on October 22nd, to ban horse-drawn carriages across all five boroughs, a move that will end an industry that has operated in the city since 1858. The vote for Romanch's Law was 40 to 7 with two exemptions. Last June, 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who was visiting from India with his family to celebrate his high school graduation, was thrown from a carriage and killed. The proposed legislation would bear his name. The bill now heads to the mayor's desk, although it has passed with a veto-proof majority. The law will phase out the industry by June 1st, 2028. Supporters of the legislation argue horse-drawn carriages no longer belong in heavily traveled areas of the city. The city will have to develop a transition plan for drivers, including helping them find jobs over the next two years."

BLUESKY USERS COULD GET THEIR OWN WEB DOMAINS

According to Android Headlines, "Social media platform Bluesky's CEO has announced that the company has applied to make ".bsky" an internet domain (similar to .com or .org). This could give users shorter, cleaner web identities. The application has yet to receive approval, and the process could take 18-24 months. Bluesky clarified that there's no plan for how domains would be requested or distributed, and it doesn't plan to sell or monetize them. If this goes through, users should be able to turn their long social handles into shorter domain names, like "alice.bsky."

META FINED $25B OVER PRIVACY PRACTICES AND CONTENT POLICIES

MediaDailyNews reported on October 22nd, "A New Mexico judge ordered Meta Platforms to pay $25 billion for violating the state's consumer-protection law by misleading consumers about Facebook's privacy practices and content policies. In addition to statements about privacy, Meta was also found to have made false or deceptive representations about its content policies, including that it doesn't allow "hate speech" on the platform. Jurors specifically determined that Meta committed more than 43 million violations of New Mexico's consumer protection law. That statute provides for damages of up to $5,000 per violation."

Judge Francis Mathew in Santa Fe said in a written ruling, "Facebook's wrongdoing over the course of years and systematically broadcast to the public goes to the heart of Facebook's core business practices. It relates to the way in which Facebook induces people onto the platform and ultimately keeps them there. It also relates to the core asset that users bring to Facebook - users' data - which in tum is what has allowed Facebook to become as profitable as it is...Facebook was aware that its users did not understand its privacy settings and took advantage of that to a grossly unfair degree."

FUN WAGERS SURROUNDING THE 2026 WORLD SERIES

Following the tradition of the Super Bowl and previous World Series games, prior to the first pitch of the annual World Series, mayors and others in the two cities make friendly wagers. This year, with the World Series featuring the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, here were the friendly wagers:

(1) MAYORS:

If the Milwaukee Brewers win: St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle through St. Petersburg and Tampa while wearing a Brewers jersey. If the Tampa Bay Rays win: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson will wear a Rays jersey, tour downtown Milwaukee, and light the Hoan Bridge in team colors. Also, as part of the friendly wager, both mayors have pledged to exchange a selection of goods that showcase their respective city. Both mayors are also challenging their local communities to get in on the wager by benefitting their neighborhoods with donations to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County and the St. Pete Free Clinic.

(2) ART MUSEUMS:

The Milwaukee Art Museum and Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, are putting works by Claude Monet on the line, with the losing city's museum agreeing to temporarily loan one of its paintings to the winning team's hometown. Loan and exhibition dates will be announced after the completion of the World Series. If the Brewers win the World Series, Milwaukee will receive St. Petersburg's "Houses of Parliament: Effect of Fog, London," painted in 1904. If the Rays win, the Milwaukee Art Museum will loan its "Waterloo Bridge, Sunlight Effect" to the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.

According to Klaudio Rodriguez, executive director and CEO of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, "We think Milwaukee's Monet would enjoy a little Florida vacation."

(3) CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS:

Children's Wisconsin President and CEO Gil Peri has challenged Alicia Schulhof, president and CEO of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, to a friendly wager. Fans will vote on social media to determine what the losing CEO will have to do. The Children's Wisconsin hospital in Milwaukee is also being lit in Brewers blue and gold throughout the World Series.

(4) RELIGIOUS LEADERS:

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob and St. Petersburg Bishop Gregory Parkes have placed a wager of their own, with donations to Catholic Charities and local specialties at stake. If the Brewers win, Parkes will make a donation to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and send a box of hand-rolled cigars from the Tampa Bay area. If the Rays win, Grob will send brats from Bunzel's Meat Market to Florida along with a donation to Catholic Charities of St. Petersburg.

Parkes said, "It's not uncommon for bishops and archbishops to make friendly wagers when their cities' teams face off in a Super Bowl, World Series, or NHL final. We wanted to make the wager not only fun, but meaningful, by including a donation to Catholic Charities."

DENNY'S CELEBRATES THE 2026 WORLD SERIES

Nation's Restaurant News reported, "Denny's is betting on either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Milwaukee Brewers to make baseball history during the 2026 World Series. The breakfast chain is giving away free Triple Play combo meals to all rewards members if a triple play is turned during the fall baseball classic, starting October 23rd and ending October 31st (if the World Series goes until Game 7). The Triple Play combo meal was launched this year as a value meal platform starting at $9.99, and includes a choice of soft drink or coffee, starter (maple-stuffed donut holes or chips and salsa), and one of eight entrée options (including both burgers and breakfast options like the new breakfast sandwich, the All-American Slamwich).

If the Denny’s Triple Play giveaway is activated, it will be the first time in over 100 years that a triple play has been turned during the World Series. The last time was during Game 5 of the 1920 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Brooklyn Robins. Comparatively, there have been 25 grand slams in World Series history, or roughly 20 percent of all World Series.

This is Denny’s updated version of last year's World Series Grand Slam Giveaway, which was triggered on October 24th, 2025, by Addison Barger of the Toronto Blue Jays, giving loyalty members one free Original Grand Slam breakfast.

If the triple play is made, the free Triple Play meal offer will be automatically loaded into eligible Denny's Rewards accounts on November 3rd. Denny's is using the enticement of a long-shot sports bet to encourage customers to join the company's rewards program. Only Denny's rewards members are eligible for this giveaway, and customers must be enrolled by November 1st to cash in their free Triple Play combo meal. The breakfast chain relaunched its digital rewards program last August and is said to have around 5 million members."

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PROPOSES SHORTER SEASON

ESPN reported, "Major League Baseball has proposed shortening its regular season to 154 games starting in 2029 and expanding the division series to a best-of-seven format. The proposals came as part of negotiations with the MLB Players Association over a new collective bargaining agreement. MLB also wants to allow higher-seeded teams to choose their opponents both in the wild-card and division series rounds of the playoffs. The 154-game schedule would be a return to MLB's calendar prior to 1960, when it was expanded to the current 162-game regular season. Under the proposal, Monday would be a standard off day for most teams, with the exception of potentially televising one or two national broadcasts. Holidays and other special events would negate the full league off day. Teams that play Monday would be off Thursday.

In what would be a first-of-its-kind in professional sports, the No. 3 seed in each league would be able to select whether to play the No. 5 or 6 seed in the wild-card round, with the selection coming immediately after the conclusion of the regular season. The wild-card round would remain a best-of-three series. In the proposed best-of-seven division series, the No. 1 seed would be able to pick which wild-card winner to play, with the selection coming immediately following the conclusion of the wild-card round. Those proposals are pertinent as they relate to this postseason, especially in the American League, where the three teams with the best records (the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox) were on the same side of the bracket.

MLB is proposing to implement the new format beginning in 2029 to coincide with the beginning of the sport's next national media deals. They're also part of a larger proposal which includes a salary cap, a sticking point with the union so far. The sides have not agreed on the larger economic issues, so anything involving the schedule and other major issues impacting the game are on hold until they do."

GEORGE CLOONEY WILL OPEN RESTAURANT IN FRANCE IN 2027

Grazia reported, "George Clooney is adding restaurateur to his increasingly long list of jobs. The actor is reportedly preparing to open an upscale Italian restaurant in Cotignac, a small village in Provence, France, not far from the home he shares with Amal Clooney and their twins. Work is already underway on the property, with local reports suggesting the restaurant could welcome its first guests in spring 2027. The Provençal village, home to around 2,000 people, is surrounded by vineyards and recognizable for the dramatic limestone cliffs rising behind its old town. Cours Gambetta runs through its center, lined with plane trees, restaurants, and café terraces. For now, anyone walking past number 11 will find a construction site rather than Clooney sipping an espresso outside.

Clooney's connection to Italian food hardly comes out of nowhere. He has owned Villa Oleandra on Lake Como for more than two decades and has spoken often about his love of Italian cooking. But France has become an increasingly important part of the Clooneys' lives, too. In 2021, George and Amal purchased Domaine du Canadel, an estate near Brignoles, around 20 kilometers from Cotignac. [But more importantly,] the couple obtained French citizenship in late 2025, further cementing their ties to the country."

COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF CELEBRATES 63RD ANNIVERSARY

Marketing Daily reported, "A popular Los Angeles-native coffee and tea chain is celebrating its 63rd anniversary with a campaign that invites customers to "make every cup their own." Founded in Los Angeles in 1963, the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is now operated by the Philippines-based Jollibee Group, which also has a North American regional office located in Southern California. The chain has more than 1,200 locations across 20 countries.

The brand's new creative effort entitled, "Make It Yours," is a multi-faceted "social storytelling campaign" running across its social media accounts and website and extends to in-store activations. The centerpiece is a series of short films from customers, baristas, and creative collaborators on the brand's website. Each shows the subject discussing their own unique relationship with the brand. A copywriter talks of how warm and comfortable his second home is at his local store, a barista tells how she started at the chain more than 10 years ago, and a lawyer describes how the baristas and managers really make his daily coffee experience what it is. The brand also invites its customers to share their personal stories and memories of the brand on their socials with the tag #MakeItYours."

KFC'S BEVERAGE BRANDS

According to AllRecipes.com, "KFC has decided to end its 40-year partnership with PepsiCo in 2027 and switch to Coca-Cola products. The partnership between PepsiCo and Yum! Brands, which includes KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, began in the '90s, when the chain restaurants were actually owned by PepsiCo. Today, Yum! Brands is a publicly traded corporation, but all of its brands still serve PepsiCo products—including some exclusives, like Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning at KFC, Mountain Dew x Trolli Mango Pineapple Punch at Pizza Hut, and Mountain Dew Baja Blast at Taco Bell."

CO-BRANDING: TACO BELL AND MILK BAR INTRODUCE A BIRTHDAY CAKE EMPANADA

Nation's Restaurant News reported, "Taco Bell and Milk Bar are reuniting once again but this time with a new offering. The Birthday Cake Empanada features Milk Bar's signature Birthday Cake flavor rolled into a Taco Bell empanada and topped with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles. The item, which is available for $3.49, was teased at Taco Bell's annual Live Más Live event in March and will make its nationwide debut October 15th for a limited time. The two brands first teamed up in 2022 with the Strawberry Bell Truffles, featuring Milk Bar's Cake Truffles with pieces of Taco Bell's Crunchy Taco Shell. In 2025, they reunited for Birthday Cake Churros."

PIZZA HUT CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN

According to AllRecipes.com, "Pizza Hut is celebrating the month of happy haunts by bringing back its My Haunt Box — a personal meal that comes with an entrée and a side — with brand-new boxes and a new drink choice: Mountain Dew x Trolli Mango Pineapple Punch. The meal, which is like a Halloween-themed version of the chain's My Hut Box, comes in a colorful box decorated with spooky art, such as bats and a mummified Pizza Hut logo. The entrée options are a two-topping Personal Pan Pizza or a six-piece of Boneless Wings in any of the chain's sauces. This Halloween-themed meal will only be around until November 2nd, so swing by before the spooky season ends."

AMAZON PRIME VIDEO IS NEW HOME OF EMMY AWARDS

Amazon reported, "In a historic first, the Television Academy and Prime Video announced on October 6th a landmark six-year deal establishing Prime Video as the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards. The deal replaces the Television Academy's traditional rotation among broadcast networks ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Since their inception in 1949, the Emmy Awards have captured the global imagination, celebrating the stories, creators, and performances that define the cultural zeitgeist. Beginning with the 2027 ceremony, the star-studded event will continue to anchor the television season by airing live in September. In a major win for entertainment fans, the ceremony will not be behind a paywall; instead, the Emmy Awards will be free to view for audiences worldwide in more than 240 countries and territories."

DISRUPTIVE MARKETING, FASHION-TAINMENT, AND MUSIC

CNBC reported, "E.l.f. Beauty, Gap, and Wendy's announced ventures into music in recent weeks, part of a wave of retailers finding new ways to engage customers. The creative marketing strategies play particularly to Gen Z consumers, who favor culturally relevant brands when shopping.

Watch out Sony, a new music producer is in town. And this time it’s the same brand that makes your favorite lip gloss. E.l.f. Beauty announced the release of "Mirror Mix," an original album featuring music from seven rising artists. The album comes as the makeup company ramps up its marketing spend, fueled in part by tariff refunds. E.l.f.'s pursuit of music is part of a growing wave of retailers blending shopping with entertainment. The E.l.f.-released music is part of the company's strategy in "disruptive marketing," or marketing that aims to create moments consumers will pay attention to...At E.l.f., the company uses the concept of unaided awareness, or a consumer's ability to name a brand without being prompted, as a metric to measure its marketing's success. Unaided awareness of E.l.f. Beauty has tripled in the last five years."

E.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin said, "We're an entertainment company that happens to sell beauty products."

CNBC also reported, "Gap announced a multi-year partnership with boy band Just Your Type, or JYT. The clothing retailer will be responsible for developing a multi-episode docuseries, national mall tour, and a clothing collection with the rising pop stars. The venture is the company's first collaboration under its newly created "fashion-tainment" platform. The initiative comes as the company has undergone a multiyear revival after the retailer closed about 2,000 stores and annual sales fell by $3.5 billion between 2001 and 2021."

Gap CEO Richard Dickson said, "Fashion is entertainment, and today's customers aren't just buying apparel, they're buying into brands that tell compelling stories and drive cultural conversations."

And CNBC reported, "In recent weeks, Wendy's also debuted an emo album titled, "Songs to Listen to in a Wendy's Parking Lot." Unlike the earnest attempts of E.l.f. and Gap to create music that would resonate with fans, the fast-food chain created humorous renditions of songs, including "She Said She Didn't Want Fries" and "The Best Combo Meal on the Worst Night of My Life." The lead song has generated more than 450,000 streams on Spotify, and the announcement gained hundreds of thousands of likes on Instagram."

Wendy's CEO Bob Wright named marketing as one of the company’s key areas of focus and explained, "We have one of the most recognizable brands in the industry, and we need to make our messaging, media, and creative drive a meaningful connection with our customers and drive traffic to our restaurants."

JAGUAR LAUNCHED FIRST ELECTRIC VEHICLE

CNBC reported, "Luxury carmaker Jaguar has launched its new all-electric vehicle, two years after the famed British company's controversial rebrand prompted a social media backlash. The automotive manufacturer, which is owned by India's Tata Motors, unveiled the Type 01 model on October 6th at an event in New York City, describing it as the "most technically advanced" and "most powerful and aerodynamic" Jaguar ever. It marks a radical new direction for the company, which was criticized in November 2024 when it revealed a series of changes ahead of becoming a fully electric brand.

Italy's Ferrari and Britain's Bentley have also launched their first EV models this year, seeking to test wealthy buyers' appetite for going electric as luxury carmakers seek to compete with cheaper Chinese car brands. Jaguar's Type 01 has a starting price of roughly $130,500 in the U.S., according to multiple media reports, which is significantly higher than previous comparable models. The four-door "Grand Tourer" has an ultra-long bonnet, low roofline, frameless doors, and a camera instead of a rear window. It has a range of up to 450 miles and can accelerate from 0-62 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds."

JLR CEO PB Balaji described the unveiling of Type 01 as the start of an exciting new era for Jaguar, "Combining British heritage, bold creativity, advanced technology, and groundbreaking engineering, it reflects our ambition to create objects of desire that will help us invite a new generation of clients into Jaguar's loyal and passionate customer base."

REBRANDING OF CHILDREN'S CLOTHING BRAND CARTER'S

According to CNBC, "Children's clothing brand Carter's is undergoing a revamp to better align with the new generation of parents as its namesake company tries to recover from sluggish performance in recent years. The rebrand includes a new logo and marketing campaign that Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Crockett explained aims to keep the 161-year-old company relevant with its core customer. Carter's largest brands include its namesake banner and OshKosh B'gosh, which are sold in standalone stores around the U.S. and in retailers including Walmart. The rebrand comes as the overall company has shrunk its store footprint and laid off some employees over the past year to try to reposition itself for growth, especially as the market for baby and kids clothing has grown more competitive...The rebrand will roll out across Carter's social channels in 2026, with additional retail and packaging elements in 2027."

REBRANDING OF ATLANTIC OCEAN?

USAToday reported, "President Trump says Google Maps discouraged him from renaming the Atlantic Ocean to Trump Ocean. Boasting a list of the all the locations he has renamed and iterating he does not intend to rename either the Hudson River in New York or the Mississippi River, during a rally in Clemson, South Carolina on October 22nd, Trump said he was keen on renaming an ocean until Google CEO Sundar Pichai told him not to...A president can direct how U.S. government agencies refer to geographic features through executive action. But any name change would generally apply only to federal government usage and would not be binding internationally. That's especially true for the Atlantic and Pacific, which border multiple countries and have long-established names recognized around the world. There is no international authority that could require other countries to adopt a new U.S.-designated name."

SUPER BOWL WILL STREAM ON DISNEY+ ON FEBRUARY 14, 2027

CNBC reported, "On October 7th, Disney announced that its streaming service Disney+ will air the upcoming Super Bowl in February. The 2027 championship game, as well as two Monday Night Football games leading up to the Super Bowl, will be available to all Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. Disney had previously announced that its ESPN sports division would produce the Super Bowl in 2027 for the first time ever. The game will air on ESPN and Disney's broadcast network, ABC. Interest in the upcoming Super Bowl is already high. Disney said on its most recent earnings call that ad spots for the game are already sold out, the earliest sellout in Super Bowl history. The announcement is the latest move in Disney's efforts to expand its live sports streaming offerings. The media company last year launched a standalone ESPN streaming service, bringing the content outside the cable bundle."

NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

According to Bacon Magazine, "Every October, the country pauses to celebrate the women who start, own, and grow businesses of their own. It's a month for the bakery owner who opens before sunrise, the consultant building her client list one referral at a time, the designer shipping orders from her dining room table, and the CEO negotiating her next big partnership. It is for every woman who brings home the bacon through something she built herself.

Women now own 15.7 million businesses across the United States, representing 40.6 percent of all U.S. businesses, according to the 2026 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses report from Wells Fargo. Those businesses employ 12.6 million people and generate $2.8 trillion in revenue, and between 2022 and 2025, their numbers grew by 12.1 percent, nearly twice the growth rate of businesses owned by men. Behind every one of those figures is a woman who took a chance on herself, and that is exactly what this month is here to honor.

The roots of this month run back to 1988, when Congress passed the Women's Business Ownership Act, expanding federal support for women business owners because most women could not get a loan without a male co-signer. That same year, the U.S. Small Business Administration launched its Women's Business Center program to help women overcome barriers to success, and the agency has long used October to recognize the women entrepreneurs those programs serve."

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Business and Customer Experience Marketing Tips from "Unreasonable Hospitality"

Want to add a good book to your non-fiction to-be-read pile? I recently read "Unreasonable Hospitality, The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect" by Will Guidara, and even if you don't work in a restaurant or other hospitality venue, there are numerous business and customer experience marketing take-away tips, and I highly recommend it.

According to the book's back flap, "Will Guidara is the founder of Thank You, a hospitality company that helps leaders across industries transform their approach to customer service. He is also the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park. In his book "Unreasonable Hospitality," he shares many of the lessons about service and leadership he learned throughout his career in restaurants and makes the case that any business can choose to be in the hospitality industry by taking ordinary transactions and turning them into memorable experiences. A native of New York and graduate of Cornell University, he's co-authored four cookbooks. The restaurant Eleven Madison Park, under the leadership of Guidara and Daniel Humm, received four stars from the New York Times, three Michelin stars, and then in 2017, arrived at the top of the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. In addition, the restaurant was the recipient of seven James Beard awards, including Outstanding Service and Outstanding Restaurant in America."

I totally agree with Simon Sinek, who wrote in the book's foreword, "Will not only transformed a restaurant, but challenged our entire idea of service. The lessons in "Unreasonable Hospitality" have as much relevance to real estate agents and insurance brokers - even government agencies - as they do for people who work in restaurants and hotels. His thoughts on leadership are as applicable to business-to-consumer companies as they are to buiness-to-business companies. Indeed, any organization would benefit from his thinking."

I placed so many post-it notes throughout the book that it was hard to see the pages! So, it should come as no surprise that I found a myriad of business and customer experience marketing tips for leaders of organizations in any industry sprinkled throughout.

Here are my top five:

(1) The 95/5 Rule: Manage 95 percent of your business's operations and finances down to the penny. Then spend the remaining 5 percent "foolishly," intentionally investing it in creative, unquantifiable, and emotionally impactful gestures for your guests. Early in Will's career while working at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, he designed a gelato cart for the Sculpture Garden. After managing the budget aggressively, he believed that he'd earned the right to splurge on expensive blue gelato spoons. As he wrote in the book, "I had to have them; the Sculpture Garden deserved them. Nothing else would do...[that one small detail] would dramatically transform the experience of getting a gelato at that cart."

(2) Intentional Magic: Pay close attention to what guests say in passing. After overhearing a conversation at a guest's table, Will once sprinted outside his restaurant to buy a $2 street hot dog for a group of tourists who said they regretted not trying one. It was cut into four pieces and placed on a plate with mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut, and relish and served on white tablecloths to create a legendary memory. The guests freaked out as Will told them, "We're thrilled you chose us for your last meal in New York, but we didn't want you to go home with any culinary regrets."

(3) Hospitality versus Service: Service is WHAT you do for people and how efficiently you do it. Hospitality is HOW you make them FEEL while you're doing it. Another way to think about this concept: Service is black and white, while hospitality is color.

(4) Team-First Leadership: You cannot provide great hospitality to customers without first providing it to your team. Hire for mindset over experience and give more compliments than criticisms.

(5) Employer Branding and Employee Experience: The best way to respect and reward the A players on your team is to surround them with more A players. You cannot expect someone to keep giving all of themselves if you put someone alongside them who isn't willing to do the same.

Monday, October 26, 2026

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2026 featuring Amanda Hahn-Peters

Following in the footsteps of eight previous series where thought leaders responded to questions on my blog over the last several years to discuss leadership, marketing, reading, and the Olympics, I'm thrilled to announce that it's time for my 9th series!

During the Fall season (each Monday from September 28th through December 20th), I'm welcoming a dozen thought leaders to share their insights about reading, books, personal branding, and leadership. Today, Amanda Hahn-Peters is my featured expert. Amanda is a copywriter, content writer, and marketing strategist that collaborates with creative business owners and impact-driven brands to uncover and share the stories that connect them to their audience. She's also a former professional triathlete-turned-endurance coach and now coaches runners and triathletes through her endurance coaching business, AHP Endurance. When she isn't writing or coaching, Amanda enjoys traveling, reading, attending theater productions, and spending time with her baby daughter, husband, and cat. She's also a lover of musicals who thinks in song lyrics. When I met her on Twitter/X in early 2025, her pinned post sang to me: "If you could swap your email sign-off with song lyrics, what would you choose? Defying gravity, Amanda." Is anyone else a fan of WICKED?!

Before we begin, I'd like to share my two favorite reading quotes to set the stage:

"If you give a person a book, you give him the world." ~New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel (from her work of historical fiction, "The Paris Daughter")

"For you unlock magic that is hidden within, and opening the cover is how you begin. Oh, all the worlds and the places you'll see; when you hold a book, you hold the key." ~Caroline Derlatka

And now, let's begin.

QUESTION: What was the last book (fiction or non-fiction) you read? What stood out as memorable, and would you recommend it?

AMANDA HAHN-PETERS: The last book I read was "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans. The story is told entirely through letters, and readers act as detectives, piecing together the life and relationships of a retired law clerk in her 70's. Beyond the format and the hinting at unsent letters (the power of words left unsaid), what stood out to me was the main character's ability to seek personal growth and forgiveness in her "winter season" of life.

QUESTION: Which book (fiction or non-fiction) is on the top of your to-be-read pile (or first in your digital reader), and why?

AMANDA HAHN-PETERS: The next book on my TBR is "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach. The main reason I want to read it? I've seen many of my friends on Goodreads give it 5 stars. And, from the plot summary, it seems to highlight the power of unexpected connections (which sounds lovely) and mix heartwarming moments with dark humor.

QUESTION: With all the streaming services available, many works of fiction are now adapted into films or TV series. During the last year, have you watched a film or TV show and been impressed and/or inspired by the adaptation? (If you haven't watched any adaptations, are you looking forward to any currently in the planning or production phases?)

AMANDA HAHN-PETERS: While I haven't read the entire Bridgerton series (only a few books), I'm a big fan of the TV series adaptation on Netflix. The acting is great and I love the unexpected addition of the pop instrumental music (a great way to mix the British Regency era with modern day). Also, even though it's only a voice part, it makes my heart so happy to see Julie Andrews still acting!

QUESTION: If you're a fan of the TED LASSO series on Apple TV, have you watched the new season (that returned on August 5th)? If yes, what stands out about Ted's leadership lessons or leadership style from the new season? Alternatively, if you're not a fan of the show or have not yet watched it, is there another CURRENT TV show that showcases inspiring leadership?

AMANDA HAHN-PETERS: I thought the Netflix show "The Crown" did a great job highlighting the significant responsibility and struggle of being a leader. Queen Elizabeth's life was one that was largely devoted to public service, and, as is showcased, she realizes the weight of her decisions (and how they affect a large number of people) and often turns to trusted advisors to help her make the most informed choices. This is a great reminder that successful leaders don't act alone — they surround themselves with smart people they can trust.

QUESTION: Which author (either from history or currently writing) would you choose to have dinner with, and what would you discuss?

AMANDA HAHN-PETERS: This is a tough question because I have multiple answers, but the first author that popped into my head while writing this was Jane Austen. I'd love to ask her how her personal life inspired her books, and, since we'd be having dinner in 2026, we'd discuss what social commentary would look like if she published a book today. Additionally, I'd like to know whether or not she's surprised by the progress women have made since the 1800's. And, of course, I need to know her favorite movie adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice!"

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Competition versus Collaboration

Want to add a good book to your non-fiction to-be-read pile? I recently read "UNCOMPETE: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success" by Ruchika T. Malhotra and highly recommend it.

Ruchika Malhotra, an award-winning inclusion strategist and speaker, is CEO and Founder of Candour, which works with organizations to create diverse teams and inclusive cultures. A former business journalist, she has reported from four countries and writes regularly on inclusive leadership for the Harvard Business Review. She was named to the Thinkers50 list, a global ranking described by the Financial Times as the "Oscars of Management Thinking." And she wrote two books prior to UNCOMPETE: "Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work" and "The Diversity Advantage." Back in 2025, Ruchika graciously appeared here on my blog in a Q&A.

Here were some stand-out concepts from the book:

Ruchika explained that when we UNCOMPETE, we intentionally:

(1) CHOOSE what's best for the group and environment NOT INSTEAD OF the individual;

(2) ACT in the spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and consideration; and

(3) RESIST cultural norms that are rooted in the domination and exploitation of others, especially marginalized communities.

Ruchika further explained that "When you uncompete, you live up to the promise of a world where everyone wins. And not just you, but your community, your society, and the world...To uncompete offers an alternative where we are empowered, grounded, and forward-looking. We move from believing we have no agency to knowing we can make choices to change our lives and the lives around us. To uncompete is to invest in building a beautiful, thriving future for all."

A memorable example from the book was the reference to the medal podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics from the individual gymnastics competition. You may recall the inspiring photo of the three winners: Gold Medalist Rebecca Andrade from Brazil, Silver Medalist American Simone Biles, and Bronze Medalist American Jordan Chiles. The two Americans bowed to Andrade. This was the perfect example of the theory behind UNCOMPETE because the two Americans were "finding joy in others' joy" - they were applauding Andrade's accomplishment with tremendous respect.

Monday, October 19, 2026

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2026 featuring Melanie Bell

During the Fall season (each Monday from September 28th through December 20th), I'm welcoming a dozen thought leaders to share their insights about reading, books, personal branding, and leadership. Today, Melanie Bell is my featured expert. Melanie is the Co-Founder of Strategic Piece, a company that helps B2B businesses generate outstanding revenue growth by aligning their marketing, sales, and service teams around an information-driven customer experience. Also a passionate reader, Melanie founded Leaders Who Fiction, a virtual monthly book club where participants hone their leadership skills by reading and discussing works of fiction. (Thanks to Twitter/X, we met in November 2023, and I value my participation in the group.) Melanie earned a BA in International Development from McGill University in Montreal and an MBA from Rice University in Houston.

Before we begin, I'd like to share my two favorite reading quotes to set the stage:

"If you give a person a book, you give him the world." ~New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel (from her work of historical fiction, "The Paris Daughter")

"For you unlock magic that is hidden within, and opening the cover is how you begin. Oh, all the worlds and the places you'll see; when you hold a book, you hold the key." ~Caroline Derlatka

And now, let's begin.

QUESTION: What was the last book (fiction or non-fiction) you read? What stood out as memorable, and would you recommend it?

MELANIE BELL: I've been DNF-ing (did not finish) a lot of books recently. The last one I finished reading was "My Friends" by Fredrik Backman, which was the July selection for Leaders Who Fiction. I absolutely adored the opening paragraph: "Louisa is a teenager, the best kind of human. The evidence for this is very simple: little children think teenagers are the best humans, and teenagers think teenagers are the best humans, the only people who don't think that teenagers are the best humans are adults. Which is obviously because adults are the worst kind of humans." Backman is a strong writer, and I so appreciated how he flips generally agreed upon sentiments (like teenagers are so hard!).

QUESTION: Which book (fiction or non-fiction) is on the top of your to-be-read pile (or first in your digital reader), and why?

MELANIE BELL: I'm currently reading "Land" by Maggie O’Farrell, who I love. Any new book of hers will be high on my TBR list. After that, I think "Lady Tremaine" just hopped to the top. I've been dancing around reading it for a while, but there was a long wait time for it at the local library when it first came out, and then I forgot about it. I keep hearing good things, and as a stepmom, I'm intrigued to hear Cinderella from the perspective of the "evil stepmother."

MELANIE BELL: I know the adaptation of "Remarkably Bright Creatures" was not everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it, in part because I'm a fan of Sally Field. I try to let a lot of time go by between reading a book and watching the adaptation to consider the movie or show on its own merit rather than comparing it closely to its origin. Plus, the scenery was stunning! Clearly, I need to make a trip back to British Columbia. (But I still do think the book was better!)

MELANIE BELL: I am a fan of Ted Lasso but I haven't watched the new season yet. And this gives me a chance to shout out my favorite show of the year: "Widow's Bay." It is spooky—I couldn't watch it close to bedtime—but it's also so funny, and the acting is brilliant. Matthew Rhys plays a mayor of a struggling and cursed town on an island off the coast of New England. He desperately wants the town to be the next Martha's Vineyard despite locals warning him against bringing tourists to the island. There are lots of great leadership lessons in each episode as well. Highly recommend if you don't mind something scary every once in a while!

QUESTION: Which author (either from history or currently writing) would you choose to have dinner with, and what would you discuss?

MELANIE BELL: The first author who popped into my head was Ann Patchett. I could listen to her talk about writing forever. But the author I thought of next would also be AMAZING to meet: Elena Ferrante. Nobody knows who she actually is (I assume a woman, but Ferrante could be a man since this is a pen name).

This is a quote from Ferrante about writing: "I employ all the strategies I know to capture the reader's attention, stimulate curiosity, make the page as dense as possible and as easy as possible to turn. But once I have the reader's attention I feel it is my right to pull it in whichever direction I choose. I don't think the reader should be indulged as a consumer, because he isn't one. Literature that indulges the tastes of the reader is a degraded literature. My goal is to disappoint the usual expectations and inspire new ones."

And, of course, there would be Italian food. Actually, could we make this a dinner party?!

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Does Your Brand Thank Fans, Brand Ambassadors, and Competitors?

The World Series is a few days away, and if you're a Los Angeles Dodgers fan like me, then you're disappointed that a three-peat won't happen. However, since only two teams get to participate in the World Series, the question for all the other teams is, have you thanked your fans, partners, sponsors, advertisers, and all other supporters?

This question made me think, how do other types of businesses thank customers, fans, brand ambassadors, and other stakeholders? Discounts, coupons, VIP shopping days, strategic partnerships, or something else? And does your brand thank competitors?

Has your brand ever placed an ad to recognize your biggest competitor? Remember back in 2017 after the LA Dodgers ended their season with a loss to the Houston Astros in the World Series? The Dodgers placed a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle on November 5, 2017, offering their congratulations on the Astros' victory. That was a class act!

So, as the 122nd World Series gets underway, this baseball fan hopes that the 2027 season happens without the intervention of a strike.

In the meantime, what take-away gratitude lessons can your brand learn from your favorite baseball team? Chime in and share.

Friday, October 16, 2026

Happy National Dictionary Day!

Do you consider yourself a lexicophile? Derived from the Greek language, a lexicophile is a fan of words and dictionaries. If that description fits you, then today is a special day.

Celebrated annually on October 16th, National Dictionary Day celebrates the birth of Noah Webster, an American writer who was born in 1758. Webster is best-known for publishing the first dictionary in 1806, which he continued to expand over the next 27 years. Though this bestselling dictionary defined 37,000 words, he was unsatisfied and spent the next 22 years of his life dedicated to adding new words. In 1828, at the age of 70, he published his new dictionary with over 65,000 words.

While many of us are familiar with the spelling differences between British and American English words (such as colour and flavour spelled in American English as color and flavor), those changes can be attributed to Webster. In his first edition of the American English dictionary in 1806, he changed the spellings to American English.

After Webster died in 1843 as an American hero who pioneered the dictionary and supported both the abolition of slavery and universal education, G & C Merriam, Co. purchased the rights to his "An American Dictionary of the English Language." Brothers George and Charles Merriam continued to refine Webster's dictionary, eventually creating the Merriam-Webster dictionary that's revered today. And you can also find its resources online at www.Merriam-Webster.com.

On a personal note, in June 1977, I received my first dictionary, the Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (the big red volume), as a graduation present from elementary school from my grandparents. I was thrilled and knew it would be a lifelong friend! It still sits prominently on my bookcase. In the book's preface, the editor wrote, "Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary is a completely new volume in the Merriam-Webster series of dictionaries. It is a general dictionary edited for use in school or college, in the office, and in the home - in short, wherever information about English words is likely to be sought."

While Merriam-Webster is a well-known dictionary brand, there are others. Let's pivot from history to marketing and check out some other well-known dictionary brands.

OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) began in 1857 when members of the Philological Society in London decided that existing English dictionaries were incomplete and inaccurate. The first edition of the OED was finally completed seventy years later in 1928. It is widely accepted as the principal historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press, a University of Oxford publishing house. The first electronic versions appeared on CD-ROMs, leading to the launch of the OED Online database in 2000; and a complete rewrite for a digital-first Third Edition is currently underway.

OED is top-ranked because:

(1) It traces the complete history, etymology (origin), and evolution of over half a million words from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day.

(2) It contains millions of quotation citations showing how words have been used over centuries.

(3) It functions as a comprehensive research record rather than just a quick guide for everyday spelling.

CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY

Cambridge University Press has been publishing dictionaries for learners of the English language since 1995. Cambridge Dictionaries Online began offering these dictionaries completely free of charge in 1999 — and today, Cambridge Dictionary is still growing. The Cambridge Dictionary is owned by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge in England.

COLLINS DICTIONARY

In 1819 in Glasgow, Scotland, William Collins began his business printing sermons and hymn books but soon moved into dictionaries and atlases as well as printing the bible. While the company is currently part of the multi-national Harper Collins group, the dictionary is still compiled in Scotland - in an office in the Glasgow suburb of Bishopbriggs. In 2011, the dictionary launched CollinsDictionary.com. And according to Elaine Higgleton, Publishing Director, Collins English Dictionaries, "There are certain people such as crossword puzzlers and scrabble players who like to have a physical copy of the dictionary as well as new markets emerging in places such as India where Internet coverage is not keeping up with demand to learn English."

MACQUARIE DICTIONARY

While initially proposed during the 1960s, the Macquarie Dictionary was published in September 1981 as the first comprehensive record of Australian English. The dictionary moved online in 2003 and has continued updating through subsequent editions, including the ninth edition in 2023.

Here's a fun fact: Did you know that, at the end of each year, many dictionaries share their favorite words or terms from the entire year? I've included links at the end of this post featuring recaps of words and terms that told the stories of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 from the perspective of dictionary brands.

Gregory Barlow, President of Merriam-Webster, has said, "The one constant of a vibrant living language is change. We continuously encounter new ways of describing the world around us, and the dictionary is a record of those changes." And also during 2025, Merriam-Webster added over 5,000 words to its Collegiate Dictionary, the first major print revision in 22 years, showing a commitment to keeping the dictionary current with language changes.