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, July 30, 2026

Let's Celebrate Paperback Books Today!

Are you a bibliophile, a lover or collector of books? If yes, then today is special, because back in 1935, reading was changed forever. On this date in 1935, Penguin published the world's first paperback books in England to provide affordable access to books.

The history of paperbacks dates back to the 17th century when Germany and France published stories and papers in paperback-like format. However, the concept really took off once publisher Allen Lane began commercializing the idea in the 20th century.

According to a Smithsonian Magazine article from 2010 entitled, "How the Paperback Novel Changed Popular Literature," author Anne Trubek wrote, "In 1935, Allen Lane, chairman of British publishing house Bodley Head, spent a weekend in the country with Agatha Christie. Bodley Head, like many other publishers, was faring poorly during the Depression, and Lane worried how to keep the business afloat. While he was at the Exeter station waiting for his train back to London, he browsed shops looking for something to read. He struck out. All he could find were trendy magazines. And then he had a "Eureka!" moment: What if quality books were available at places like train stations and sold for reasonable prices — the price of a pack of cigarettes, say?" Lane returned to Bodley Head and proposed a new imprint to do just that. Bodley Head did not want to finance his endeavor, so Lane used his own capital. He called his new publishing house Penguin."

According to company legend, Lane's secretary suggested "Penguin" as a "dignified, but flippant" name for the new company. Edward Young, a 21-year-old office junior, was immediately dispatched to the London Zoo to sketch the bird in every possible pose for the rest of the day. Several iterations followed over the years, and today, the black-and-white penguin on a bright orange background symbolizes intellectual freedom, accessibility, and openness to knowledge.

The article further explained, "Lane then acquired the rights to ten reprints of serious literary titles and went knocking on non-bookstore doors. When Woolworth's placed an order for 63,500 copies, Lane realized he had a viable financial model. His paperbacks were cheap. They cost two and a half pence, the same as ten cigarettes. Volume was key to profitability; Penguin had to sell 17,000 copies of each book to break even. The first ten Penguin titles, including "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" by Agatha Christie, "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway and "The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club" by Dorothy Sayers, were wildly successful, and after just one year in existence, Penguin had sold over three million copies."

From a marketing perspective, Penguin's graphic design played a large part in the company's success. Unlike other publishers, whose covers emphasized the title and author of a book, Penguin emphasized the brand. Book covers contained simple, clean fonts, color-coding (orange for fiction, dark blue for biography) and a cute, recognizable bird.

And in March 2026, Fast Company reported, "The brand just unveiled a delightful series of hand-drawn illustrations as a brand refresh, named the "Playful Penguins," which show the penguin jumping, strutting, dancing, and doing a whole lot of reading. The illustrations will show up everywhere across the Penguin Random House's global markets, from seasonal campaigns to social initiatives and point-of-sale displays. They're designed to bring some added joy and movement to the brand as it approaches its centennial (in 2035)."

MORE FACTS ABOUT PAPERBACKS:

(1) In 1937, Penguin expanded, adding a non-fiction imprint called Pelican.

(2) During World War II, Penguins, which were small enough to be stowed in the pocket of a uniform, were carried by soldiers.

(3) In 1940, Lane launched an imprint for youngsters, Puffin Picture Books.

(4) The United States adopted the Penguin model in 1938 with the creation of Pocket Books. The first Pocket Book was "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck and was sold in Macy's. Today, Macy's offers an extensive selection of paperback books both online and in select stores in partnership with Barnes & Noble.

(5) In 1979, the sales of paperback books outpaced hardcover books; and in 1996, sales of mass-market paperback books reached over $1 billion, but then sales began to fall.

(6) In 1966, British singing group The Beatles recorded and released a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney called "Paperback Writer." The single went to number one in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, West Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway. The first lines of the song were:

"Paperback writer, paperback writer.
Dear Sir or Madam will you read my book,
It took me years to write will you take a look,
Based on a novel by a man named Lear,
And I need a job,
So I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer."

According to Mixam, "Paperbacks have flexible, soft covers made from slightly thicker paper or cardstock than the inner pages. Since paperbacks don't use the rigid boards found in hardcovers, this flexibility allows them to bend slightly without damaging the book's structure. The cover's flexibility also contributes to cost effectiveness. The paperback format suits books intended for wide distribution or casual consumption. They're a standard format for novels where portability and affordability are essential. Textbooks also benefit from this format, especially if they're updated frequently, and cost efficiency and ease of replacement are important. Paperbacks can help you reach more readers at a lower cost, making them an excellent choice for large-scale printing projects."

By contrast, according to Mixam, "Hardcover books consist of sturdier, more durable materials than paperbacks. Their defining feature is their rigid cover, typically made from cardboard or paperboard wrapped around printed paper. This rigid cover gives hardcovers their renowned longevity, allowing them to withstand the test of time and heavy use. Some hardcover books come with a dust jacket. This removable outer cover protects the book and offers additional space for design elements, author information, and promotional content. A dust jacket adds another layer of protection to the book's cover and enhances its visual appeal. Hardcovers suit books meant to last a long time or hold special significance. Similarly, books that will be cherished - such as collectable editions, art books, or gift items - are well-suited to the hardcover format. Hardcover books also appeal to limited edition runs or photography books, where the book's presentation is as important as its content."

The Smithsonian Magazine reported in mid-February 2026, "At the end of 2025, ReaderLink, one of the largest paperback distributors decided to stop supporting the format, which has been making reading accessible to the masses since the 1930s. It is the end of an era for the paperback books that reached generations of readers with their affordable prices, convenient size, and reliable ubiquity...The mass market format has been credited for helping launch the careers of Kurt Vonnegut and Stephen King...But e-books cut into the paperback books' margins, and sales declined."

According to Anne Paulson, store manager and bookseller at Cherry Street Books in Alexandra, Minnesota, said that the decline of the paperback doesn't surprise her but does make her sad, "It may take new books out of people's hands who could maybe not otherwise afford a new book. It's just one more nail in the coffin of removing reading and literacy from our radar."

Today, digital (e-book) readers and audio books have joined hardcover and paperback books as reading options. According to SFBookReviews, "The ability to purchase, download, and read a book almost instantly is a difficult one to resist. In addition, the capability to literally carry your library of 1000's of books in your hand or even pocket is quite incredible. As the distribution of the first printing presses led to a reading revolution for the masses, the distribution of the e-book has the potential to help educate those in third world countries and provide access for a huge range of literature...However, the whole tactile and sensory experience that the paper format offers is one that is with us to stay, and it's really up to us as the consumer as to just what ratio of electronic to traditional format will ultimately work."

How do you prefer to read your books?

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Happy International Tiger Day!

Celebrated annually on July 29th, International Tiger Day, was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia by 13 tiger range countries (defined as countries where the animals roam free). The day's purpose is to raise awareness and support for the conservation of these magnificent creatures.

Here are some interesting facts about tigers:

(1) Like human fingerprints, no two tigers have the exact same stripe pattern.

(2) A tiger's roar can be heard from nearly two miles away.

(3) A tiger's night vision is six times better than a human's.

(4) Tigers can leap up to 33 feet in a single bound.

(5) The tiger's closest relative is the lion. However, while lions are social animals who prefer to live in groups, tigers are solitary.

According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, the Tiger ranks third among the animals, and the next Year of the Tiger will be 2034. The Tiger is a symbol of strength and courage. Many Chinese children wear hats or shoes with a tiger image for good luck. People born in the year of the Tiger usually have a down-to-earth personality and a down-to-earth work ethic. With great confidence, they can be competent leaders. Some famous people who were born in Years of the Tiger include Queen Elizabeth (1926), Leonardo DiCaprio (1974), and Lady Gaga (1986).

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some brands featuring tigers in their logos and brand storytelling.

DETROIT TIGERS

According to Wikipedia, "The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit as a member of the minor league Western League in 1894 and is the only Western League team still in its original city. They are also the oldest American League team still playing in their original city under their original name. Since their establishment in 1901, the Tigers have won four World Series championships (1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984).

The team was referred to as the Wolverines and Creams in their inaugural season in 1894 before they became the Tigers. There are various legends about how they got their nickname. One involves the striped socks they wore. However, the earliest known use of it appeared in the Detroit Free Press on April 16, 1895. In the book "A Place for Summer: A Narrative History of Tiger Stadium," author Richard Bak states that the name originated from the Detroit Light Guard military unit, who were known as "The Tigers." They had played significant roles in certain Civil War battles and in the 1898 Spanish–American War. Upon entry into the majors, the ballclub sought and received formal permission from the Light Guard to use its trademark. From that day forth, the team has been known as the Tigers.

The Tigers are the only team in Major League Baseball to have a color on their road uniforms that is not on their home uniforms (orange). The Tigers first added orange to their road uniform in 1903, but it was not until 1972 that the Tigers made orange an accent color on their road uniforms full-time. The Tigers also wore the "orange D" navy caps at home during the late 1940s through the 1950s...The Tigers wear a white and navy blue home jersey with "Tigres" across the chest for their annual "¡Fiesta Tigres!" game to recognize and honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latino players and coaches to the game of baseball."

CINCINNATI BENGALS

According to Wikipedia, "The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division...The team's official mascot is a Bengal tiger named Who Dey, and its jersey number is 1. The team also has the Ben-Gals, the team's cheerleading squad..In 1997, the Bengals designed a logo consisting of a leaping tiger, and it was added to the uniform sleeves. Another alternate logo consisted of a Bengal's head facing to the left. However, the orange helmet with black tiger stripes continued to be the trademark. In 2004, a new tiger stripe pattern and more accents were added to the uniforms. The black jerseys now featured orange tiger-striped sleeves and white side panels, while the white jerseys began to use black tiger-striped sleeves and orange shoulders. In 2018, a new logo consisting of an orange "B" covered with black tiger stripes was introduced."

PRINCETON TIGERS

According to Wikipedia, "The Princeton Tigers are the athletic teams of Princeton University. The school sponsors 35 varsity teams in 20 sports. The name "Tigers" originated in the early 1880s when students began wearing orange and black stripes on their jerseys and caps, prompting sportswriters to give them the moniker. And an undergraduate dressed as a tiger mascot began appearing at football and basketball games starting in the 1940s."

TONY THE TIGER FROM KELLOGG'S FROSTED FLAKES CEREAL

According to Wikipedia, "Tony the Tiger is the advertising cartoon anthropomorphic tiger mascot for Frosted Flakes (also known as Frosties) breakfast cereal, appearing on its packaging and advertising. After the original Kellogg Company spun off its North American cereal business in late 2023, the mascot is owned by WK Kellogg Co. in the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean markets and by Kellanova in the rest of the world. Since Tony's debut in 1952, the character has spanned several generations and has become a breakfast cereal icon." Who can forget Tony's classic line, "They're GRRRRRREAT!"

CLINIQUE MAKE-UP

Fzine shared in January 2022, "For the Year of the Tiger (2022), the packaging of Clinique's spot corrector and moisturising lotion got a vibrant and auspicious red upgrade with gold tiger caps and an all-red bottle. Spot the cheeky tiger head design on the cap of the lotion."

What other famous brands feature tigers in their logos or brand storytelling? Chime in and share.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Let's Celebrate Baseball Today!

"There are no tears in baseball." If you recognize that famous line, then you know it's from the 1992 movie "A League of Their Own" starring Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell, Madonna, and Tom Hanks about the all-women baseball league during World War II. However, TODAY, there are cheers and tears in baseball because it's the annual induction ceremony at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. You can watch the festivities in person (at Clark Sports Center on lower Susquehanna Avenue in Cooperstown) or live on the MLB Network or streaming on the Hall of Fame's Facebook page.

This year, in addition to the annual induction ceremony, the Baseball Hall of Fame is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the day that Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday saved an American flag at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

According to the Hall of Fame, "Fifty years later, fans are still marveling at Rick Monday's great grab at Dodger Stadium. This summer in Cooperstown, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will pay tribute at the annual Awards Presentation in Cooperstown.

On April 25, 1976, in Los Angeles, Monday was playing center field for the Chicago Cubs in a game against the Dodgers. During the fourth inning, two fans entered the field, spread the flag on the left-center field grass and doused it with lighter fluid. Monday, a veteran of the Marine Corps reserves who was in his 11th big league season, dashed over from his post, grabbed the flag with his right hand and sprinted away before handing it to Dodgers pitcher Doug Rau. The Sunday afternoon crowd of 25,167 fans responded with a standing ovation, and when Monday came to bat an inning later, the Dodger Stadium message board said: "Rick Monday…You made a great play."

As part of the Museum's celebration of America's 250th birthday, the flag Monday rescued and preserved will be loaned to the Museum for the summer."

And did you know there's a woman in the Baseball Hall of Fame? On February 27, 2006, Effa Manley became the first (and only) woman elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Manley, who died in 1981, was co-owner of the Newark (New Jersey) Eagles, a Negro League powerhouse, and a huge advocate for Black ballplayers and civil rights causes. Chicago Defender reporter Fay Young wrote in December 1943, "Mrs. Manley knows a few things about baseball, and most of the men club owners could take a few tips from her. She's a good businesswoman."

Kaia Alderson, a historical women's fiction author, has a passion for discovering "hidden figures" in African-American women's history. As a result, she wrote the historical novel "In a League of Her Own" about Effa Manley. A brief synopsis about the book follows, but first, a little more about Alderson. According to her website bio, "Alderson gravitates toward the stories of women who defied social, racial, and gender norms by refusing to stay in their "place" during a time when doing so could get them socially ostracized and/or killed. She believes these women's stories mirror the experiences of present-day Black women and provide successful examples and strategies for combating roadblocks that still persist in women's social lives and in the workplace."

Harper Collins, the book's publisher, described the book as follows, "An ambitious Harlem woman's husband upends her social climbing when he buys a Negro Leagues baseball team and appoints her as the team's business manager. Overnight, Effa Manley goes from 125th Street's civil rights champion to an interloper in the boys' club that is professional baseball. Navigating her way through gentlemen's agreement contracts, the very public flirtatious antics of superstar Satchel Paige, and a sports world that would much rather see this woman back in her "place" at home, Effa ultimately whips her team, the Newark Eagles, into the Negro Leagues Champions of 1946. But how long will she get to enjoy the fruits of her success before Major League Baseball tears it all apart? Based on the incredible life of Effa Manley, an unforgettable and inspiring story about a woman with a dream who wound up with a baseball team."

And, of course, it's always fun when brands tweak their product packaging or presentation for special events. Applause to Orly for its surprising and memorable "baseball" advertising.

So, while baseball games take place in cities across the country today, America's pastime is a little more special today because of the celebrations and history (plus cheers and tears) taking place in Cooperstown.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Let's Celebrate National Merry-Go-Round Day!

Today is a fun day because it's National Merry-Go-Round Day, also known as National Carousel Day. The bright colors, artistic animals, rows of lights, and organ music make boarding a carousel feel like entering a magical world. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the terms "Merry-Go-Round" and "Carousel" are synonyms - there is no linguistic difference.

Founded in 2014 by Bette Largent, President of the National Carousel Association, and carousel historian Ronald Hopkins, the date commemorates the first U.S. patent issued to William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa, for the modern carousel in 1871.

According to National Day Calendar, "The merry-go-round is one of the oldest amusement rides. Also known as the carousel, the merry-go-round rotates on a circular platform around a pole. The platform holds seats for riders. A motor spins the platform around the large central pole. Between rows of seats, passengers ride wooden horses and other animals. Poles anchor the animals in place. Once in a while, the colorful animals move up and down. The movement simulates galloping. Meanwhile, calliope music plays, adding a light-hearted atmosphere. Merry-go-rounds are fun to ride and each one is unique. Each animal, bench, or car passenger ride on a carousel is hand-carved by artists. Ornately detailed elements decorate the poles and canopy of every carousel. Ferocious tigers and docile lambs carry riders around. All while the music plays. Undoubtedly, no two carousels are alike."

According to National Today, "Mass production of carousels boomed with the Industrial Revolution, and they quickly spread around the United States. Steam power fully replaced animal power in the 19th century, making merry-go-rounds bigger and heavier and creating the initial versions of the current round carousel design. Funfairs made it possible for all classes of people to enjoy these rides. The traditional characters were replaced by popular cartoon characters during this period. Every successful film, cartoon, or comic found its way to the fairgrounds.

By the next century, carousels were being manufactured for amusement parks by many companies. The Great Depression did put a lot of them out of business, except for one, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. They mainly manufactured roller-coasters; and if an amusement park ordered a roller coaster, the company would often add a merry-go-round to the order free of charge. As the Second World War came around, all resources were directed for war efforts, pushing the carousel to the wayside. They rebounded again as the economy improved."

FUN FACTS:

(1) The earliest known depiction of the merry-go-round was in 500 A.D. The Byzantine Empire's ride depicted baskets carrying riders suspended from a central pole.

(2) Franz Wiesenoffer created the first merry-go-round in the United States in Hessville, Ohio, during the 1840's.

(3) According to Wikipedia, "King Arthur Carrousel is an attraction located in Fantasyland at Disneyland in California. The carousel was built in 1922 and operated at Sunnyside Beach Park in Toronto, Ontario, until that park closed. The ride was relocated to Disneyland in 1954, where it was refurbished and modified - and opened with the park on July 17, 1955." The lead horse is named "Jingles" and was Walt Disney's favorite.

Will you search out a merry-go-round to ride today to celebrate? Have fun if you do!

Monday, July 20, 2026

Recent Marketing News: Baseball, Soccer, Tourism, and More

During the last few weeks, there were news stories that reflected advertising, brand experiences, brand identity, brand storytelling, brand strategy, celebration marketing, cobranding, corporate sponsorship, customer experience marketing, personal branding, product marketing, product pricing, special event marketing, and more.

NEW ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CREDITS IN CALIFORNIA

The Hill reported, "California will begin offering instant rebates of up to $3,500 to first-time electric vehicle (EV) buyers later this summer, replacing some of the incentives lost after the phase out of federal EV and clean energy tax credits. On July 13th, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation establishing a $270 million rebate program for California residents called "MyFirstEV." It will provide a point-of-sale rebate for eligible Californians purchasing their first zero-emission vehicle. The program is funded by both a state budget and automakers. It gives a $3,500 rebate for new EVs with a suggested retail price of up to $50,000, and a separate $1,750 rebate for used EVs sold for up to $25,000."

NEW ADDITION TO NASDAQ 100

CNN reported, "The Nasdaq 100 is an index tracking the 100 largest non-financial stocks traded on the Nasdaq exchange. SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp - NASDAQ: SPCX) debuted for trading on the Nasdaq on June 12th, and was added to the Nasdaq 100 on July 7th...While SpaceX's market value of more than $2 trillion makes it the sixth-largest publicly traded stock in the United States, it enters the Nasdaq 100 with a significantly smaller influence... Since SpaceX will not be eligible for inclusion in the S&P 500 for at least a year, buying the S&P 500 would be one of the simplest methods for investors who wish to avoid SpaceX. The blue-chip Dow doesn't include SpaceX or Tesla... In order to eventually be included in the S&P 500, SpaceX would need to register four quarters of profits. It took Tesla 10 years to join the S&P 500. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s weight in the Nasdaq 100 and its share price performance will be under a microscope."

KRISPY KREME'S CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY

The doughnut brand that always features unique doughnuts for celebrations did not disappoint for July 4th. According to the brand's website, "As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday this Independence Day, Krispy Kreme is helping make this once-in-a-generation milestone sweeter with a new patriotic doughnut collection: USA Doughnut filled with Cookies n' Kreme, Firework Doughnut, Freedom Ring Doughnut, and Chocolate Iced Doughnut with Patriotic Sprinkles."

NEW YORK CITY'S TIMES SQUARE ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

CBS News reported, "The celebration of America's 250th birthday in New York City's Times Square is taking a page out of the New Year's Eve playbook. Times Square is hosting eight ball drops to celebrate Independence Day with each occurring at midnight in every American time zone including U.S. territories. The first ball drop took place at 10 a.m. Friday, marking midnight in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Following the Guam ball drop, the next took place at 11:59 p.m., marking midnight on the East Coast. Unlike New Year's Eve, which draws hundreds of thousands of people to Times Square, there was no street-level viewing event planned, but that didn't keep hundreds of pedestrians from stopping to watch and count down to the moment. That ball drop is considered the centerpiece of the event, although additional ball drops will take place overnight through each U.S. time zone: Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii, and culminating in the finale at 7 a.m., marking midnight in American Samoa. The ball that's being used is the same one that millions watched usher in 2026."

AMERICA'S 250TH TIME CAPSULE

According to the Associated Press (AP), "Paper, the traditional gift for marking a couple's first year of marriage, is also a great choice for 250th anniversaries — especially when filling a time capsule celebrating American independence. The 2016 law creating the nonpartisan America250 commission mandated that a time capsule be buried in Philadelphia on July 4th, 2026, and dug up 250 years later in 2276. Last week, the resulting 900-pound cylinder was sealed shut, capping years of technical design and construction, collaboration with states, and meticulous review of collected items. The stainless steel capsule is shaped like a cylinder, not the typical box, because square edges tend to crack and break. It will be covered with a secondary cylinder that will trap air and push out any approaching water, and the capsule itself is rimmed with a soft metal that compresses under pressure."

Some of the interesting contributions placed in the time capsule were letters from many governors, a whale bone from Maine, flags from Alaska and Texas, set of gambling chips from Nevada, a belt buckle from Oklahoma, fabric from the Wright Brothers flight from Ohio, and a Masters medallion from Georgia. In addition, there were contributions from a variety of America250 partners including: Major League Baseball, the Library of Congress, the International Olympic Committee, the National Endowment for the Arts, National Football League, Smithsonian Institution, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

CO-BRANDING: NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AND TALEA

According to the New York Public Library's website, "The New York Public Library and TALEA Beer Co. announced "Liberty Lager," a limited-edition beer inspired by George Washington's recipe. This announcement comes as the Library launches "250 Years: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," a system-wide initiative marking the nation's 250th anniversary. As part of the launch, the Library is also debuting a new, limited-edition NYPL card, publishing a special anniversary book list, giving away books, offering free and instant audio and e-book downloads to select titles, and opening online reservations to view the Declaration of Independence in July.

"Liberty Lager" is inspired by George Washington's "To Make Small Beer" recipe from a 1757 notebook he kept when he served as a colonel in the Virginia militia. Produced by TALEA Beer Co., the limited-edition brew is available for sale in TALEA's taprooms and New York City restaurants and retail outlets. TALEA Beer Co. is New York City's first women- and veteran-owned craft brewery, and was founded in 2019. Created to bring a new experience to the male-dominated beer industry, TALEA brews a wide range of styles including fruit-forward beers designed to welcome a more inclusive community.

George Washington's notebook—with the recipe neatly written out on the back page—is representative of the Library's role as a repository for historic documents, art, and ephemera. The journal is housed in the Library's Manuscripts and Archives Division at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building alongside other historical items such as Washington's Farewell Address, an original copy of the Declaration of Independence handwritten by Thomas Jefferson, and a silk protest banner from before America's Civil War demanding the abolition of slavery."

BARCELONA'S NEW TOURISM POLICY

The New York Times reported, "Barcelona's Boqueria market is so crowded with visitors these days that many stalls that once sold fresh vegetables, fish, or meat to home cooks now offer takeaway cups of cut fruit or fried shrimp to tourists instead. Convinced the market is no longer meant for them, many locals have given up on it. Barcelona's new commissioner for sustainable tourism, José Antonio Donaire, is developing strategies to diminish the impact of the nearly 16 million tourists who visit the Catalan capital annually. Created last year, his position builds on the work the municipal government started nearly a decade ago when it enacted its first policy aimed at restraining the overtourism that has contributed to rising housing prices and overwhelmed public transport. Other initiatives have since followed, including a tourist tax on accommodations and a ban on vacation rentals that goes into effect in 2028."

Donaire, a professor of tourism studies at the University of Girona and a former member of the regional parliament, wants to reverse overtourism. He explained, "Barcelona began rethinking tourism with innovative measures like the moratorium on new hotel construction back in 2017...The message of the city now is: not one tourist more. We don't want to grow more. We want the tourists that the city already has. There were 15.7 million tourists in the city in 2025 — that's the threshold. Sixteen million is the maximum. We're not coming at this from an anti-tourist position. But we need to manage tourism in an orderly way, and the first management objective is to change the kinds of tourists who come. Right now, two-thirds are leisure tourists; we want the makeup to be a third business travel, a third cultural travel, and a third leisure. That's the effect of setting the limits. The demand can't grow if there's no accommodations for them. Already this summer we're seeing that there are people who can't come because they can't find a place to stay. The mayor has also just announced a proposal to eliminate cruise ships that only stop for the day. We want zero day-tripping cruise passengers, and to achieve that, we're going to ask the regional authorities to raise the tax on them to the maximum allowed. We want it be so high that it doesn't make sense to come into the city."

ITALIAN VILLAGE FINE

The Guardian reported, "A fishing village by Lake Como has imposed fines of up to €200 ($230) for people who wander around with bare chests or in swimwear, in the latest attempt by an Italian holiday destination to crack down on uncouth tourists. Varenna has been feeling the strain from an increasing number of visitors, and so authorities were moved to introduce new rules aimed at preserving the village's appearance and guaranteeing a smidgen of peace and quiet for its year-round population of roughly 650. Walking around the village shirtless or in swimwear – garments that are strictly reserved for lakeside beaches or boat trips on Como – is now banned. Those who fail to comply risk fines. Furthermore, tour groups have been limited to no more than 25 people and must not clog Varenna's narrow cobblestoned streets, and guides have been banned from using loudspeakers."

CHIPOTLE OPENED FIRST RESTAURANT IN MEXICO

The BBC reported on July 13th, "Chipotle Mexican Grill is set to open its first restaurant in Mexico, testing its appeal in the country that inspired its menu. The chain, which has more than 4,100 outlets worldwide, said that the move is a "significant milestone" for the brand known for its customizable burritos, tacos, and bowls. US restaurant chains have often struggled to succeed in the countries in which their dishes originated. Taco Bell no longer has any outlets in Mexico, while Domino's Pizza has pulled out of Italy. The new restaurant, located in the north-eastern state of Nuevo León near the Texas border, serves as an "important proof-of-concept," the company said. It plans to open more restaurants in the state and expand into Mexico City in 2027 as part of its collaboration with Mexican restaurant operator Alsea, which also operates brands including Domino's Pizza, Starbucks, and Chili's."

"MADE IN USA" PRODUCT DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING LESSONS

NPR reported, "The board game Monopoly has always taught some important economic lessons: The benefits of owning real estate. The profit potential of railroad mergers. The value of a get-out-of-jail-free card. President Trump hopes to encourage more U.S. manufacturing with his import taxes on foreign goods. But an online experiment suggests most people aren't willing to pay a premium for a "Made in the USA" product. Now a special edition of the board game is teaching a new lesson—about how hard it is to make things in the USA. The game is being marketed by the WS Game Company, which produces most of its high-end board games in China, just like almost every other toy maker. After getting hit with a seven-figure tariff bill last year, CEO Jonathan Silva decided to see if it was possible to produce a profitable board game in the United States. He opted for a custom version of Monopoly, pegged to the country's 250th birthday. But the experiment almost didn't pass go (pun intended?). One big problem: No dice."

Silva explained, "We turned over every single leaf trying to find someone who would make 10,000 dice for us in the U.S. It requires special machinery. It requires investment. And that type of stuff just can't happen on a random Tuesday and be ready in a couple of months."

More from NPR, "Silva ultimately had to settle for imported dice. He was able to find the rest of what he needed domestically, but it wasn't easy. A former Hasbro factory in Massachusetts prints the Monopoly board. A company called Pioneer Packaging makes the tray that holds the Monopoly money. And a small business in Indiana cranked out custom metal game tokens in all-American shapes like a cowboy hat, a covered wagon, and an apple pie. Just assembling all those different players (components) took more than a year, so Silva missed the first half of the 250th birthday selling season. And the cost to manufacture the games — which retail for $80 — was at least double what it would have been in China. There's a reason nearly 80 percent of all toys and games sold in the U.S. are made in China. That country has spent decades building a factory ecosystem to supply not only finished products, but all the specialized parts that go into them."

LAUNCH OF NEW NONPARTISAN INSTITUTE AT UC BERKELEY

The University of California, Berkeley announced on June 29th, "UC Berkeley is joining forces with Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, to launch a new, nonpartisan institute dedicated to strengthening American democracy and advancing solutions to the country's most pressing challenges. The Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy, or NPI, will be a hub for research, teaching, and civic engagement rooted in a shared commitment to advancing the public good. Through faculty research initiatives, undergraduate courses, and a visiting fellows program, the institute will explore what impedes progress and how best to solve political problems, from polarization to the future of artificial intelligence. The institute's work will focus on four pillars: strengthening America's democratic institutions; overcoming America's greatest challenges for our society, economy, and planet; promoting human rights and civil rights at home and abroad; and ensuring political leadership that represents the full spectrum of perspectives and backgrounds in California and the country. With plans to support hundreds of students annually, the NPI will launch in January in the Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science. Pelosi, the first Californian to serve as House speaker, is slated to co-teach a course about Congress."

Chancellor Rich Lyons said the institute aligns with Berkeley's commitment to fostering civil discourse, advancing democracy, and preparing students to lead with integrity, "The purpose and impact of the NPI will be defined and strengthened by Berkeley's ability to bring together world-class faculty and extraordinary students and by our commitment, as the country's preeminent public university, to advancing the greater good. We intend to do more than simply study democracy; we are building this institute to strengthen it."

Pelosi said, "The work of democracy is never finished, and securing its future is our greatest calling. UC Berkeley has a long, proud history of challenging the status quo and producing leaders who run toward the greatest challenges of our time. I am honored to partner with this exceptional community of scholars and students so we can equip the next generation with the tools they need to strengthen our democratic institutions and forge a future that serves the public good."

CO-BRANDING: MLB'S 96TH ALL-STAR GAME AND STAND UP TO CANCER (SU2C)

AOL reported, "The 2026 MLB All-Star Game arrived in Philadelphia with the feel of a 250th birthday bash for the United States, complete with plenty of red, white, and blue and a roster full of stars who had earned their stripes. But Citizens Bank Park, long known as a hitter-friendly backdrop, produced fewer fireworks than expected as the American League shut out the National League 4-0 in the 96th Midsummer Classic.

In a fitting tribute to baseball history and American history, the game and broadcast paused for a five-minute interlude narrated by JK Simmons and set to Ray Charles' indelible performance of "America the Beautiful." Major League Baseball doesn't always get it right, but when they do, they do. It's impossible to watch that video without, as the now-legendary "Moneyball" line says, being "romantic about baseball." Because baseball is romantic. Three outs. Nine in the field. Pitcher against hitter. Walk-offs, diving catches, big strikeouts, and the drama of a ninth inning one-run game. Nothing compares to baseball, or as this tribute demonstrates, America either."

And as MLB reported on its site, "In 2009, Major League Baseball and its 30 clubs became the founding donors of Stand Up To Cancer, a groundbreaking initiative supporting cancer research. The most important work is done out of the spotlight, in the form of new therapies and innovative treatments. But there is a public element to this too, and that's where MLB, beyond the dollars, has had so much impact. For the past 17 years, the All-Star Game and Game 4 of the World Series have featured the in-stadium Stand Up To Cancer moment. At the end of the fifth inning, the game pauses, and everyone in the ballpark – players, managers, coaches, support staffers, umpires, broadcasters, and fans – honors people who have been touched by cancer: Those who are currently battling the disease, those who have survived it, and those who have succumbed to it. The moment is a joint effort, supported by MLB, MasterCard, and SU2C, and aired live on FOX. Everyone is invited to write a name or names on a placard and, for two minutes, everyone comes together – thousands inside the ballpark holding up their signs, and millions more watching at home. As a founding donor to Stand Up to Cancer, MLB has conducted significant awareness-building efforts through public service announcements, in-stadium promotions, and various fundraising events. To date, the efforts between MLB, MasterCard, and SU2C have raised upward of $80 million."

200TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOSTON'S UNION OYSTER HOUSE

In advance of the July 4th celebrations across the United States, Forbes reported, "Opened in 1826, Boston's Union Oyster House claims to be America's oldest continuously operating restaurant, and this August will celebrate its 200th anniversary, a historic first for any eatery in the United States. This National Historic Landmark on the Freedom Trail is lauded for its quintessential New England seafood from fresh oysters to classic clam chowder. It has welcomed a "Who's Who" of guests, including U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama; Queen Elizabeth II; Hollywood royalty including Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Steven Spielberg; and Boston's own culinary super icon, Julia Child. The restaurant has also consistently earned "Best Landmark Restaurant" accolades. Managed by only four family owners in two centuries, it maintains reliable, fresh dishes, proving its enduring appeal beyond mere historical novelty."

If you're wondering about the oldest restaurants in the world - and where Boston's Union Oyster House fits in the list, here are the oldest dozen:

(1) St. Peter Stifts Kulinarium - founded 803 (Salzburg, Austria) (located inside St. Peter's Abbey)

(2) Bianyifang - founded 1416 (Beijing, China)

(3) Zum Franziskaner - founded 1421 (Stockholm, Sweden)

(4) Honke Owariya - founded 1465 (Kyoto, Japan)

(5) La Tour d'Argent - founded 1582 (Paris, France)

(6) Zur letzten Instanz - founded 1621 (Berlin, Germany)

(7) White Horse Tavern - founded 1673 (Newport, Rhode Island, USA)

(8) A la Petite Chaise - founded 1680 (Paris, France)

(9) Caffe Florian - founded 1720 (Venice, Italy)

(10) Sobrino de Botin - founded 1725 (Madrid, Spain) (officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating restaurant)

(11) Rules - founded 1798 (London, United Kingdom)

(12) The Union Oyster House - founded 1826 (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

UBER AD FOR WOMEN PREFERENCES

While Uber has offered "Women Preferences" for women riders and drivers in the United States since March of 2026, the brand's television ad for this feature has been appearing on television on a regular basis during the last few weeks. According to Uber's website, "Women Preferences was created because women asked for it. What began in 2019 after women in Saudi Arabia gained the right to drive, Women Preferences has grown into a global movement as women around the world embrace more control over how they use Uber. Over 230 million global trips later, Women Preferences is now available for drivers in over 40 countries, and for riders across 7 countries, including the U.S., Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Brazil, and Spain."

DEATH OF WALLY FUNK

Wally (Mary Wallace) Funk died on July 6th at the age of 87. The BBC reported, "As an aviator, Wally Funk was a trailblazing pioneer for women, breaking barriers for eight decades of a remarkable career. "Aviation has been my whole life; I eat and breathe it," she said in her 2020 memoir, Higher, Faster, Longer (written with Loretta Hall). She earned her pilot's licence as a teenager, at 20 was the US military's first female flight instructor, in 1971 became the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) first female flight inspector, and three years later was the first woman instructor for the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB). But hanging over these accomplishments was her unfulfilled dream of becoming an astronaut.

In 1960 she discovered that the young pilot Jerrie Cobb had been tested for spaceflight, and despite being below the age requirement, she joined the program that became the so-called "Mercury 13," who underwent the same training and testing as the seven American men chosen as Mercury astronauts. Having tested top of the group, including spending 10 hours 35 minutes in an isolation tank, and having three feet of rubber tubing shoved down her throat, Funk requested four times to be picked for space flight. But NASA was not prepared to send a woman into space; they would accept only USAF pilots, who of course were all male. NASA eventually relented, but too late for Funk, as Sally Ride became America's first female in space in 1983, though not until 1999 did Eileen Collins become the first pilot/commander of the space shuttle Columbia.

Two decades later, in 2021, Wally was invited to join Jeff Bezos and his brother on a sub-orbital flight on Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft, making her, at 82, the oldest person to fly into space. They took with them a helmet and goggles worn by the famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Although the Star Trek actor William Shatner, at 90, broke her age record (since broken again by the former pilot Ed Dwight), Funk remains the oldest woman in space.

Besides her work for the FAA and NTSB, Funk trained more than 800 pilots at her flight school in Taos, New Mexico. She was a pilot for Sierra Pacific Airlines, a regional operation based in Tucson, Arizona. As both pilot and navigator, she flew in many competitions, including the transcontinental Powder Puff Derby. She became a spokesperson and inspirational speaker, especially for women's equality in the workplace. Funk was elected to the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 1995, and joined the Wall of Honor at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington in 2017. Following her 2021 space flight, she received astronaut wings, and a young person's book based on her memoir was published in 2025."

DEATH OF RANDOLPH MANTOOTH

Variety reported, "Randolph Mantooth, known for playing paramedic Johnny Gage on the "Emergency!" TV series in the 1970s, died July 9th in Ventura. He was 80. Mantooth broke out in 1972 when he was cast in "Emergency!," which introduced the profession of paramedics to the public. He co-starred with Kevin Tighe in the popular NBC series which ran for six seasons, and performed most of his own stunts. He remained an advocate for firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs throughout his life."

According to The New York Times, "Mantooth's lead role on "Emergency!" helped paramedics and emergency medicine gain greater recognition in the United States. He said he was proud to be known for his part on the show, which portrayed the work of paramedics and firefighters in Los Angeles County. (At that time, there were only 13 paramedics in all of California, and nobody had ever heard of them before.) After "Emergency!," Mantooth was an advocate for emergency medical workers, speaking at firefighter and paramedic symposiums across the country. He was given an award by the International Association of Fire Chiefs in 2022 honoring his work to promote the profession. While accepting the award, he said, 'To be honored by men and women who have dedicated their lives and careers to public safety, it humbles me.'"

VOCABULARY ENDING IN -MAXXING

The Guardian reported, "It started more than a decade ago with looksmaxxing, a strategy for optimizing personal appearance through diet or exercise. Over time, the -maxxing suffix has come to mean going all in on a particular trait, habit, quality, or pastime, generally in a manner that misses the point. So, how well do you know your maxxes? Here are five examples:

(1) Sleepmaxxing: Getting as much sleep as you can, rather than as much as you need.

(2) Ethicsmaxxing: Having a code of ethics and applying it rigorously to every decision you make.

(3) Sidequestmaxxing: Being open to new challenges.

(4) Solomaxxing: Learning to enjoy your own company.

(5) Tanmaxxing: Tanning your skin to its maximal darkness by spending longer in the sun and ignoring safety warnings.

LA AUTO SHOW'S NEW PRESENTING SPONSOR

With the high gasoline prices and the negative publicity from California Governor Gavin Newsom to not purchase Chevron gas, the Los Angeles Auto Show announced on July 14th that Chevron with Techron would join the show as presenting sponsor. According to the press release, "The sponsorship reinforces the show's position as one of the country's most important stages for innovations across the automotive industry. Every November, automakers, designers, and the brands that support the driving experience choose Los Angeles Auto Show for many of their latest products in front of this large and influential car-buying geography. Vehicle debuts, technology premieres, and immersive consumer experiences help make every fall in Los Angeles one of the industry's defining moments."

According to Terri Toennies, President and Chief Operating Officer of Los Angeles Auto Show, "When a brand with the reach and reputation of Chevron with Techron chooses our show to feature the next chapter of an iconic fuel technology, it reflects exactly the role this show plays."

WELCOME TO THE WEDDING-EXPERIENCE ERA

CNN reported, "Madison Square Garden isn't where most people picture saying "I do." Throw in arcade games and a raffle, and it gives off even less of a wedding vibe. But that's exactly the point. Those and other unexpected details surfacing from Taylor Swift's and Travis Kelce's ultra-private yet attention-grabbing celebration over the recent July 4th weekend reflect a growing wedding trend: designing a day guests will remember how they felt, not what they saw. Consider this your invitation to the wedding-experience era."

Akeshi Akinseye, founder of Kesh Events, a global luxury wedding and event planning and design company based in Chicago, explained, "We're seeing a desire to take some of the stiffness and formality out of weddings and bring the fun back. The arcade games and raffle make much more sense in the context of building an experience-forward wedding. It introduces anticipation. Guests are not just consuming the event — they're part of it. I can absolutely see couples taking cues from (Taylor's and Travis' wedding), but personalizing it to fit their own story. To execute an experience-forward wedding, more couples are hiring experience designers. And where a wedding takes place is the front door into the overall experience...There is something incredibly powerful about anticipation. This wedding could absolutely encourage more couples to look beyond traditional wedding venues and ask, 'What could this space become?'"

More from CNN, "Julie Comfort, an experience designer who works with wedding planners, describes her job as executing emotional design, or how a wedding is meant to make guests feel. That doesn't necessarily require shelling out even more money. For instance, she recently designed a wedding with the couple's love for karaoke in mind. A few close friends sang along with music for the first dance, and as the dance went on, more voices joined in, and the music gradually faded, eventually disappearing." Comfort explained, "Couples are realizing that they don't have to go over the top to make an impact, they just have to be more thoughtful, intentional, and generous with how they host people. A lot of the experience design techniques we use come from the art and theater world to create anticipation, surprise, magic, and drama."

WALMART'S VIP TOURS DURING WORLD CUP

CNN reported, "The nation's largest retailer [created] two VIP tours for tourists to "explore the oversized products, iconic snack aisles, and uniquely American finds" at its big box stores. One tour will take place in New Jersey ahead of the World Cup final and another in Miami after the quarterfinal game between Norway and England for the first 20 people in line for a World Cup parking lot experience it is hosting in partnership with Laliga, Spain's soccer league. The guided tours include custom Walmart passports, aisle stamps, swag, tour guides, and curated product samplings."

WORLD CUP MARKETING HIGHLIGHTS

According to customer experience marketer Dan Gingiss, some brands were creative with their event marketing efforts. According to Dan, "FIFA brands like Levi's, Heinz, and Beats were never supposed to be part of the story. FIFA, the international governing body of football (soccer in the U.S.), spent the opening weeks of the 2026 World Cup trying to make some of the world's most recognizable brands disappear. It didn't work. And the lesson for every business has nothing to do with sports. FIFA's clean venue policy requires that any brand not paying to be an official tournament sponsor be covered or removed from sight at host stadiums. Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara became "San Francisco Bay Area Stadium." A white tarpaulin covered the Levi's batwing logo...So some genius marketers decided to do something about it, turning this into a memorable customer experience story. Levi's didn't fight the tarpaulin. Instead, it leaned into it. The brand posted a video captioned "Welcoming the world to the beautiful [redacted] stadium!" set to the viral "Nobody’s Gonna Know” audio. As of July 16th, the post has more than 2.6 million likes and more than 42,000 reposts on Instagram alone.

Levi's then extended the covered-logo aesthetic to storefronts in London, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Hong Kong, Brazil, and Mexico. So the cover-up became the campaign (with the message: "Come visit, if you can find us."). The brands FIFA tried to suppress became the most-talked-about brands of the tournament, while the brands that paid for official sponsorship largely blended into the background...FIFA's clean venue policy was designed to protect its sponsors. Instead, it handed free marketing to the brands it was trying to erase."

According to Alexander Chernev, professor of marketing at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, "If customers can still recognize the logo, that actually gives you more awareness than if you haven't done anything to begin with."

KFC'S FIRST "CHIEF CONCEPT OFFICER" AIMS TO "DISRUPT THE FUTURE"

According to Marketing Week, "Christophe Poirier, KFC's first chief concept officer, says his ultimate goal is to "disrupt the future" while ensuring the brand remains true to its roots. Poirier explained, "KFC was born 74 years ago, so how do you keep it true to its DNA? How do you make sure you don't lose your core audience. But at the same time, how do you make sure this 74-year-old brand stays forever young?"" We'll be watching.

NEW NAME FOR FLORIDA AIRPORT

Reuters reported on July 9th, "Palm Beach International Airport was officially renamed to President Donald J. Trump International Airport, becoming the latest in a series of buildings and government programs to take on the ‌Republican's identity. The Federal Aviation Administration three-letter identifier code for the airport was ‌changed from PBI to DJT, but passengers will need to use PBI to book flights until August 18th, when it will be reflected on baggage tags, tickets, and airline reservation systems. The airport said the name change cost $5.5 million."

According to the airport's website, "The State of Florida appropriated $2.75 million toward the project. The remaining costs will be funded through the Department of Airports' operating budget and capital improvement program. The airport rebranding is anticipated to occur in phases based on available funding. The Department of Airports will continue to pursue all available funding sources, including legislative appropriations, eligible Florida Department of Transportation funding opportunities, grants, and other airport funding sources...The name change does not result in a separate fee charged to passengers. Like other airport operating and capital expenses, implementation costs are managed through the Department of Airports' existing funding sources."

Other U.S. airports have been named for former presidents including Little Rock, Arkansas's airport after former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - but it retained the LIT airport code. And President Clinton signed a bill in 1998 to rename Washington National Airport (in DC) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY

How did you celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 19th? In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared National Ice Cream Day would be celebrated on the third Sunday of July, and also declared July as National Ice Cream Month. According to NationalDayCalendar, "Culinary folks point to Naples, Italy as the birthplace of the first ice cream. They give credit to Antonio Latini. He was born in 1642, and created a milk-based sorbet."

According to USA Today, "Data from Instacart shows that vanilla remained the most-ordered ice cream flavor on the platform in 2025, retaining the title it had held the last two years. Chocolate, cookie dough, cookies & cream, and chocolate fudge/brownie rounded out the top five most popular flavors, according to the delivery platform. According to the data, Häagen-Dazs was the most-ordered ice cream brand on the platform in 2025 with Ben & Jerry's a close second."

Food Network provided a list of brands/stores with deals to celebrate: Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, Friendly's, Dippin' Dots, Wendy's, Graeter's, DoorDash, Dunkin', Cold Stone Creamery, Insomnia Cookies, 16 Handles, Carvel, Gopuff, Harry Potter Shops, Marble Slab Creamery, My/Mochi Ice Cream, Oberwels, Stop & Shop, Target, Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace, and Yasso.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Let's Celebrate International Castle Day!

Celebrated annually on July 19th, International Castle Day was established in 2015 by the Association of European Royal Residences based in France to highlight the cultural importance, architectural beauty, and heritage of castles and palaces worldwide and to encourage their preservation and appreciation.

As an architecture, history, and travel fan, I've visited Hearst Castle in California; Iolani Palace in Hawaii (the only royal residence on U.S. soil); the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.; Chambord, Chenonceau, Fontainbleau, the Louvre, and Mont-Saint-Michel in France; Kensington Palace and the Tower of London in England; the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia; and, of course, some Disney castles (Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California, Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, and Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant at Disneyland Paris in France).

Hold onto the castle line of thought for a moment while I pose the following question: How often have you seen something and thought, "LEGO should make a toy of that?" Sure, LEGO has countless toys for kids, but did you know that the international toy brand also has toy sets designed for the adult market?

According to LEGO's adult welcome page, "Spend quality time with LEGO sets designed specifically for adults. From wonders of the world to movie magic, intrepid space exploration to pop culture icons, luxury cars to architectural masterpieces, there’s a LEGO set waiting for you. So unplug, unbox, and unwind...Maybe you built LEGO sets as a child and never stopped, maybe you took a break from the bricks but have rediscovered the joy, or maybe you began your LEGO hobby as an adult. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy LEGO sets as an adult, the main thing is that you do."

And here's something you probably didn't know also existed: LEGO adult parties. "The joy of LEGO building isn’t just in the construction – it’s about the laughter, conversation, and magic moments along the way. So, gather your loved ones, pour out those bricks, and let’s get this party started! Whether you’re planning a lively night with friends, a cozy night in with a special someone, or a family reunion, LEGO sets are here to save the day!"

And now, returning to today's significance...one of the most interesting LEGO sets can be found in LEGO's architecture category: Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle. According to the product specs, "Dive into your passion for iconic landmarks with this collectible 3,455-piece LEGO Architecture Neuschwanstein Castle building set for adults. The build is full of surprises from the exterior spires, turrets, courtyard, staircases, and gabled roofs to the small interior builds. Plus, the foliage of the surrounding trees can be changed to depict either a summer or fall landscape. This 3,455-piece architecture display model of Neuschwanstein Castle measures over 12 in. (31 cm) high, 18 in. (46 cm) wide and 8 in. (20 cm) deep."

So how will you celebrate International Castle Day today? If you visit a castle, share your photos and memories on social media with today's hashtag #InternationalCastleDay!

According to Wikipedia, "The date of July 17th isn't random, it was chosen because it's the exact date displayed on the standard iOS calendar emoji, which was a nod to the original 2002 launch of Apple's iCal application."

According to The Independent, "Language is undergoing perhaps one of its biggest ever shifts, under the influence of strange yellow cartoons...And it is largely the work of one man, Jeremy Burge, who works to catalogue emoji, as well as their history and meaning, on his website Emojipedia...Back in 2015, Reddit changed its logo - seen by over a million people a day - to include an emoji, and the British Museum tweeted pictures of items in its collection that are also depicted in emoji."

You may be wondering, what's the connection between leadership, ice breakers, and emojis? Read on.

Recently, I read an article entitled, "When Ice Breakers Freeze Out Introverts," by Chartered Managers Canada. The point of the article was that, before an official meeting begins, the person in charge asks a question, also known as an ice breaker with the intent to foster interaction, break down barriers, and create a comfortable atmosphere for participants.

According to the article, "For some, this is an easy entry point: light, energizing, even enjoyable. For others, it triggers an immediate internal calculation. What should I say? How personal is too personal? Will this sound awkward? Am I speaking too long? Not enough? While this small moment is often dismissed as harmless, it can reveal something larger about how many meetings are designed. They tend to cater to the comfort, communication style, and energy of extroverts, while quietly placing a burden on everyone else. Considering that introverts are estimated to make up between 30 percent and 50 percent of the population, this is not a marginal issue. It is a widespread design flaw in how we bring people together to work.

There is a common leadership belief that growth requires pushing people outside their comfort zone and in the right context, this can be true. But not all discomfort is productive, and not all pressure leads to development. There is a meaningful difference between stretching someone in a way that supports their role and exposing them socially in a way that feels unnecessary or unsafe. When participation in an ice breaker becomes expected (or worse - enforced), it can send an unintended message: that individual comfort and boundaries are secondary to group dynamics or facilitator preference. The result is not growth, but compliance. And compliance is not the foundation of strong teams."

Here are some ice breakers that may create a negative employee experience:

(1) What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics? (A person may not be athletic.)

(2) Which song can you listen to all day long? (A person may not listen to music.)

(3) What vegetables or meat do you eat on your pizza? (A person may not eat pizza.)

(4) What three emojis would describe your recent vacation? (A person may not have gone on a recent vacation.)

(5) What is your most used emoji? (What happens if a person doesn't use emojis?)

As you think about leadership, positive employee experiences, and abbreviated communication using emojis. consider how to improve your overall communication with co-workers. That's a good take-away as you celebrate World Emoji Day.