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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

National Cheerleading Week and CHEERLEADERS FOR LEADERS

Were you a cheerleader in high school or college? If yes, then you probably know lots of cheers. But if not, then you might not realize just how important the cheer team can be in creating excitement for fans in the stands.

Celebrated the first week of March every year, National Cheerleading Week is dedicated to acknowledging the contributions of cheer athletes to the world of sports. The holiday was started in 2005 by Linda Lundy, a former coach, choreographer, and judge.

According to NationalToday.com, "Cheerleading combines gymnastics, dance, and acrobatics, all wrapped up with poise and grace. It also requires week-long, sometimes, months-long intense training to put on a great show. Cheerleading requires agility, strength, flexibility, stamina, and an active mind to learn new routines. National Cheerleading Week recognizes this fact and is dedicated to bringing the spotlight to the hard work and dedication of these athletes. On November 2, 1898, a medical student named Johnny Campbell, in the spirit of the game, started cheering with the words “Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-U-Mah! Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah! Varsity! Varsity! Minn-e-so-tah!” It worked magic, and the team won. This cemented his place as the world’s first cheerleader. Although the sport is female-dominated today, it wasn’t until the 1920's when women started joining the University of Minnesota, and by the 1940's, as a result of men going to fight in World War II, that women began joining in large numbers."

And now, let's pivot from the history and importance of cheerleading to an article I read recently entitled, "The 10 Cheerleaders that Every Female Leader Needs" by Deborah Grayson Riegel, a keynote speaker and consultant who teaches leadership communication for Wharton Business School and Columbia Business School and is also a regular contributor for Harvard Business Review, Psychology Today, Forbes, and Fast Company.

I'm highlighting Riegel's article for two reasons today: first, in recognition of National Cheerleaders Week that takes place during the first week of March each year; and second, in recognition of Women's History Month, an observance dedicated to the accomplishments and achievements of women in history that are often overlooked that takes place during March each year.

According to NationalToday.com, "In 1980, the National Women’s History Alliance championed for the holiday to be observed, and it was backed by President Jimmy Carter, who issued the first proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. Since 1987, the month-long observance has been observed annually in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia."

Riegel began her article, "Wendy. Leslie. Michael. Ellen. Priya. Ben. Every female leader needs a support system to thrive – and those names represent (a subset of) my support system. I’m talking about our own personal cheerleading squad – the unsung heroes who have our backs, lift us up, and help us soar to new heights in our careers. Our personal cheerleaders are the folks who boost us emotionally and practically – without a risk of pulling a hammy. So, who are these magical beings, you ask? Let me break it down for you with 10 types of cheerleaders every woman needs in her corner."

Riegel provided details about 10 types of cheerleaders, and I'm going to share my five favorites below:

THE MENTOR MAVEN

According to Riegel, this person helps navigate the twists and turns of leadership by providing a wealth of experience in a specific field.

THE SPONSOR SUPERSTAR

According to Riegel, this person sings your praises behind closed doors and also opens doors to game-changing opportunities.

THE CONNECTOR CHAMPION

According to Riegel, this person understands your goals and proactively (that is very important!) makes relevant introductions.

THE FEEDBACK FRIEND

According to Riegel, this person helps you see your blind spots to grow as a leader. "They're the Simon Cowell to your American Idol audition - but nicer."

THE VISIONARY VALIDATOR

According to Riegel, this person is forward-thinking and believes in your potential. This person challenges you to take risks and seize opportunities.

When asked to explain the reason for writing the article, Riegel told me, "I wrote it because women need different kinds of support at different times, and being intentional about who's in your corner makes all the difference. Based on my work with thousands of women leaders, I've seen firsthand how the right cheerleaders help women bounce back from setbacks and keep aiming high."

For more details about the full list of ten, you'll have to read the entire article (link below). My applause and gratitude to Deb Riegel for writing this worthwhile and memorable post. I hope it inspired you today!

Lastly, here are three more leadership tips from a recent leadership conversation I had with Deb leading up to the publication of her new book, AIM HIGH AND BOUNCE BACK:

* Employees rise or sink depending on expectations.

* Three characteristics of a consensus-builder are: empathy, diplomacy, and reading the room.

* Women should play on the "women's team," but they must also play on other teams to be truly collaborative.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Best Social Media Post of the Month of February 2026

How many social media posts do you recall? Do some go viral because they are for charity, like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? Or do some go viral because they happened at the right moment in time, like my favorite tweet of all time, the Oreo tweet when the lights went out at the 2013 Super Bowl? Or do some go viral and become memorable simply because they're funny?

In a monthly series on my blog (hard to believe I've been writing these posts for more than a year!) appearing during the first week of each month, I share the best social media post of the preceding month. My choice may appear on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.

According to Google, "The best social media post of the month is typically one that effectively combines high engagement with relevance to current events, holidays, or trending topics, while also aligning with your brand identity and authentically connecting with your audience; this could include a thought-provoking question, a relatable story, a visually appealing image, a timely meme, or a behind-the-scenes look, depending on your platform and target demographic."

Without further ado, the post that earns my recognition as the best social media post of the month from February 2026 was a post on February 2nd, by the Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) Airport, the second largest airport hub in the United States for passenger traffic according to the FAA, that appeared on Twitter/X.

The post stated:

"We saw our shadow and you know what that means...48 weeks left of travel this year. #GroundhogDay"

A photo of an airplane's wing and an airplane's shadow was included.

Some brands shared posts about the history of Groundhog Day or photos of the country's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, but since everyone wondered if Phil saw his shadow (meaning that there would be six more weeks of winter), this was a clever and on brand post.

Brands that can align their products or services to an event, holiday, or trending news that everyone is talking about have the potential to be memorable. And the DFW Airport definitely succeeded in my book!

On a related note, the Philadelphia International Airport, which ranks 21st in the U.S. for passenger volume in 2024 per the FAA, also shared a memorable post on February 2nd. On the airport's Twitter/X feed, it posted, "Breaking news: Phil the Groundhog spotted at PHL en route to Cancun. In a brief statement before departure, Phil cited the forecast as the deciding factor, saying, "Six more weeks of winter was simply more than I was prepared to endure." Four photos of Phil were included: one pulling his luggage, one taking a selfie with a statue of Rocky Balboa, one carrying a LEGO shopping bag, and one eating a snack.

Which brand will stand out during March, and why? Swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog during the first week of April to read about my choice.

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Marketing News of the Month: Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, Winter Olympics, and More

During the month of February, there were news stories that reflected advertising, brand experiences, brand identity, brand storytelling, cobranding, customer experience marketing, gender equality, holiday marketing, leadership, packaging, personal branding, pricing, social media marketing, special event marketing, and more.

SUPER BOWL LX

The Seattle Seahawks were favored by nearly everyone to win this year's big game, and the energy on the field seemed to favor them from the moment the game began. While there were three field goals in the first half, the first touchdown did not appear until the third quarter, but by then, most viewers knew the outcome. The final score was Seattle over the Patriots 29-13. According to CNN, "The Super Bowl is not a regular football game - and its ticket prices reflect that. The cheapest seat available on TickPick (a secondary reseller) was $3,800 - and the average ticket cost more than $6,200."

An interesting note according to Fortune magazine, "In addition to the Lombardy Trophy and a ring, winners of the 2026 Super Bowl receive $178,000; and losers receive $96,000."

This year, while many of the typical wagers made before the game (such as, wagers between mayors, governors, senators, restaurants, art museums, zoos, etc.) did not happen, many zoo animals across the country provided their predictions.

While there was no ad similar to Apple's 1984 ad; no ad that was as memorable as Budweiser's post-9/11 ad from 2002 with the kneeling Clydesdales; no animated Coca Cola polar bears; and no Tweet clever enough to rival Oreo's "dunking in the dark" from 2013's "Blackout Bowl" at the Superdome in New Orleans; some ads did stand out to me:

BUDWEISER - "American Icons": Whenever the Clydesdale horses appear in an ad, the ad tugs at the heartstrings. This ad was no exception. A young foal found an eaglet, a baby eagle, and during the span of the ad, helped it to learn how to fly. The ad's imagery was impressive - and the ad was the best of this year's crop of ads.

PEPSI - "The Choice": At the Super Bowl time of year, a polar bear is synonymous with Coca-Cola. So once the viewer sees a polar bear, Coca-Cola immediately comes to mind. However, not so fast. In this humorous ad, the polar bear is happy once he drinks from a PEPSI can!

LAY'S POTATO CHIPS - "Last Harvest": A father celebrates retirement as a farmer and gives his farm to his daughter. The ad celebrates family and American farming.

MINIONS & MONSTERS: A day before the Super Bowl, there was a post on Twitter/X with the message "getting super close." (Note the use of the word "super.") Then, there was a brief ad during the big game mentioning that the new Minions film would arrive in theaters on July 1st - and invited viewers to watch the trailer. So, this Minions fan immediately visited Twitter/X to watch the film's trailer. Looks like fun! This was an excellent combination of TV advertising with social media.

CUSTOMERS SPEAK OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Did you hear about the brouhaha following the Super Bowl regarding Amazon and Ring? CNN reported, " Ring, the Amazon-owned video doorbell company, canceled its partnership with technology firm Flock Safety, according to the company on February 12th. The termination comes after backlash over the partnership and Ring's Super Bowl commercial, which advertised a feature for finding lost pets that sparked concerns on social media about unwanted surveillance. The smart camera company previously planned to integrate Flock, which makes cameras for reading license plates, into its Community Requests feature that allows law enforcement to request video footage from users for investigations...A report from independent publication 404 Media last year indicated that Flock's technology had been used in connection with immigration investigations, raising concerns from privacy advocates. Flock has repeatedly disputed the report.

It appears that the fact that customers' fears swelled on social media after the Super Bowl commercial resulted in the end of the partnership.

WELCOME TO A "THEME PARK" CALLED THE "SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE"

According to The San Jose Mercury News, "For 2026, the Super Bowl Experience took place at Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco from February 3rd to February 7th. Often referred to as the NFL's theme park, the sprawling exhibition offers interactive games, memorabilia, and a chance for fans to get player autographs. It travels from host city to host city each year (and takes place during the week leading up to the Super Bowl). One of the exhibition's staples gives fans the chance to see if they have what it takes to be a professional football player. Can they run a 40-yard dash faster than the 4.21-second record set by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy at the 2024 combine? Or can they jump higher than the 45 inches Chris Conley, a wide receiver who finished his career with the San Francisco 49ers, reached in 2015? Other skills challenges will test your throwing accuracy and agility and whether you can kick an extra point when the game is on the line.

The Super Bowl Experience also acts as a museum for the NFL's crown jewels. Fans can view all 59 Super Bowl rings made from the champion teams ranging from the Green Bay Packers to the Philadelphia Eagles. The rings have gotten larger and more ornate as the years have gone on: The latest, the Super Bowl LIX ring, contains 145 diamonds. The seven-pound sterling silver Vince Lombardi Trophy will also be on display.

For those looking to get a behind the scenes look at the official football of the NFL, workers from Wilson Sporting Goods' factory in Ada, Ohio, will be onsite churning out pigskins by hand. David Picioski, head of marketing for team sports for Wilson Sporting Goods, said the company has condensed the labor-intensive 20-step process to something that can be done in 20 minutes with stations focused on sewing, turning, lacing, and molding. Fans can design their own football and work alongside Wilson workers to put it together for $399."

POSTSCRIPT: NFL SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

According to the Seattle Times, "The Seahawks organization, owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen until his death in 2018, is run by Allen’s sister Jody Allen. On February 18th, less than two weeks after winning the Super Bow, the Seahawks announced the estate had commenced a formal sale process, consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy." CBS News reported, "The sale is expected to fetch a record-breaking price for an NFL franchise, topping the $6.05 billion the Washington Commanders sold for in 2023. ESPN has reported the team could sell for between $7 billion and $8 billion. The news of the sale comes just weeks after a spokesman for the ownership group disputed reports the team was for sale."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND INSOMNIA COOKIES

MediaPost reported, "Insomnia Cookies has announced its first Valentine’s Day celebration, appealing to those looking for a sweet date night spot. For the first time, customers will be able to make dine-in reservations at select bakeries across the country and Canada for Valentine's Day. Reservations are now open for Insomnia Rewards members for February 12th and 13th from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. local time. The reservation secures a $30 prix fixemenu of one 6-pack of cookies, three dipping sauces (milk chocolate, white chocolate, and caramel) and two bottles of milk. Reservations are available at Insomnia locations in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Brooklyn, Chicago, Detroit, Durham, North Carolina, Houston, Knoxville, and Los Angeles. The Insomnia cookie lineup in honor of Valentine’s Day includes Red Velvet Classic, Red Velvet Cookies 'N Cream Brookie, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Classic, Red Velvet Cheesecake Classic, and the Ghirardelli Chocolate Lava Cake Classic."

According to Seth Berkowitz, CEO and founder of Insomnia Cookies, "The event is “in honor of one of the most indulgent times of the year. We look forward to sharing our love for warm cookies with our Insomniacs to continue creating meaningful connections with consumers rooted in insatiable cravings."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND VOODOO DOUGHNUTS

KATU in Portland, Oregon reported, "Love is in the air and so is the smell of fresh doughnuts. That is especially true this Valentine’s season at beloved Portland staple Voodoo Doughnut. This year, Voodoo Doughnut is giving couples a chance to ditch traditional ballrooms and say “I dough” somewhere a little sweeter. Through its ‘Til Death Dough Us Part Wedding Giveaway, Voodoo will host 10 lucky couples inside its iconic pink shops, transforming a legendary doughnut stop into an unexpectedly charming wedding venue. Because nothing says true love quite like donuts, especially when you’re committing for batter or worse.

From January 27th through February 14th, couples can enter for a chance to win a Voodoo Doughnut Wedding Ceremony Package and tie the knot at a participating location. Each winning pair will receive a short-and-sweet ceremony, legal or non-legal, officiated by a Voodoo representative, with room for up to 24 guests, depending on the location. The package also comes fully sprinkled with perks: two Voodoo Dozens (or vegan dozens), custom 12-inch newlywed dolls inspired by the couple, a heart-shaped doughnut centerpiece, and Magic Roast coffee to keep guests buzzing with joy."

According to Taylor Fish, Voodoo Doughnut’s director of marketing, "When your wedding venue includes pink boxes and custom doughnuts that look like you and your partner, it’s something people remember. And that’s exactly what we love about it."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND DUNKIN'

Starting January 28th, Dunkin' introduced its lineup of seasonal items for Valentine's Day, and throughout the season, all filled doughnuts will be available either round or heart-shaped, and sprinkled doughnuts will feature pink, red, and white sprinkles. Nation's Restaurant News reported, "Apart from the return of the seasonal Brownie Batter Donut (a yeast doughnut with brownie batter-flavored buttercream filling, chocolate icing, and sprinkles) and the Cupid’s Choice Classic Donut filled with Bavarian cream and topped with strawberry flavored icing and sprinkles, the chain is offering themed tins for its Munchkins doughnut holes as well as a number of drinks including: Heart Eyes Daydream Refresher, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Daydream Refresher, Blush Spritz Refresher, Toxic Ex-Presso Cloud Latte, Sweet On You Cloud Latte, The Perfect Matcha, and Buff Chai.

VALENTINE'S DAY AND RED LOBSTER AND VASELINE

According to Delish, "Red Lobster and Vaseline hosted a reservation-only Kissing Booth experience in New York City's Times Square from February 10th to 12th. Couples got a five-course lobster-heavy meal with themed cocktails, all curated around the Valentine's Day vibe. And the final "course" was a complimentary Vaseline Lip Therapy balm for kiss-ready lips."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND SOCAL HONDA DEALERS

According to Southern California Honda Dealers' account on Twitter/X, "Valentine's season is officially here. From courthouse "I do's" to dream honeymoon views, we're helping you kick off your forever with a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS! We are popping up at courthouses to gift couples with a staycation or honeymoon on us."

VALENTINE'S DAY AND EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, New York City's Empire State Building (ESB) announced on its website, "Experience romance at the Empire State Building this February! From artistic painting sessions and intimate movie screenings to romantic sunrise views, ESB offers unique ways to celebrate every love story. Share a kiss above the city lights, toast to your love, and create unforgettable memories."

And how about this idea? "Celebrate your love in the most iconic way possible – a proposal at the World’s Most Romantic Building with the price of $1,000."

CHOCOLATE PRICES SURGE

Chocolate lovers experienced sticker shock this Valentine's Day. According to CNN, "Consumer prices for chocolate have spiked 14.4 percent year-over-year during the January 1 to early February window, according to market intelligence firm Datasembly...The higher chocolate prices reflect the lingering effects of a global shortage in the primary ingredient: cocoa beans. That shortage, driven in part by poor harvests caused by extreme weather in West Africa, sent cocoa prices skyrocketing to unthinkable heights."

According to Stacy Taffet, chief growth officer at The Hershey Company, "We're focused on keeping items as affordable as possible," and noted that 75 percent of Hershey's products are priced at less than $4.

UPDATE: KRAFT MAC & CHEESE AND HEINZ KETCHUP

According to CNN, "Kraft Heinz is calling off its planned breakup and keeping the company together. The food giant that owns Kraft, Heinz, Oscar Meyer, and Philadelphia cream cheese said last year that it was splitting its business in two. The company's sales had slumped for years, and a breakup would have separated its growing condiment lines from struggling grocery brands like Kraft Singles and Lunchables. But the brands' sales have deteriorated further since the split was announced, making a spinoff less appealing to investors. New Kraft Heinz CEO Steve Cahillane, who took over at the beginning of the year after running Kellogg, hit pause on the breakup on February 11th and announced a turnaround plan. The company will invest $600 million on marketing, sales, and research and development to improve business. Once the company is growing again, it will be in a better position to make a decision on a spinoff, according to Cahillane."

LUNAR NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

Reuters reported, "China expects a record 9.50 billion passenger trips to be made during the 40-day spring festival holiday travel period, higher than the 9.02 billion domestic trips last year, a state planning official said on January 29th. China has extended its official Lunar New Year holiday week to nine days for the first time, aiming to boost domestic consumption. It will be held from February 15 to February 23. The 40-day travel rush during the country's biggest holiday is often read as a barometer of China's economic health and a pressure test for its vast transportation system. Railway passenger trips are expected to reach 540 million, with aviation trips expected to hit 95 million, both likely exceeding historical peaks for the period. Transportation capacity will be strengthened on popular routes and in favoured areas to meet travel needs."

WINTER OLYMPICS HIGHLIGHTS

According to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Covender, the first woman IOC President, over 2,900 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees competed. The event was one of the biggest, most gender-balanced Games; and 85 percent of the venues were existing venues. The Opening Ceremony took three-and-a-half hours; approximately 1,400 costumes were featured; and Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli served as memorable entertainment. Which events did you watch, and what do you remember?

Ahead of the Opening Ceremony, Pope Leo XIV issued a letter on the value of sport. It read in part, "In a world thirsting for peace, we need tools that can put an 'end to the abuse of power, displays of force, and indifference to the rule of law.' On the occasion of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, I wholeheartedly encourage all nations to rediscover and respect this instrument of hope that is the Olympic Truce, a symbol and promise of a reconciled world...Sport possesses an extraordinary capacity for inclusion. When played correctly, it creates opportunities for participation for people of all ages, social conditions and abilities, thereby serving as an instrument for promoting integration and dignity."

Three aspects of this Winter Olympics stood out to me: (1) the fact that no women compete in the Nordic Combine event, (2) the fact that the Ukrainian skeleton athlete was disqualified from the Games because he wanted to compete wearing a custom helmet commemorating fellow Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives since the Russian invasion first began, and (3) the controversy around the curling competiton - an event that many people were not familar with prior to this Winter Olympics.

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN LUXEMBOURG

A new Bee Secure report revealed that "over half of young people in Luxembourg say that social media harms their well-being." According to the same report via RTL Today, "Both young people and adults see disinformation and fake news as the primary risks linked to digital technology."

SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN SPAIN

According to CNN, "Spain will ban social media for under-16s and require platforms to employ strick age verification tools, joining Australia, France, and Denmark, in moves to curb the influence of digital platforms on children."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on February 3rd, "Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone. A space of addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation and violence. We will no longer accept that, we will protect them from the digital Wild West. We will turn algorithmic manipulation and amplification of illegal content into a new criminal offense. Spreading hate must come at a cost."

IMPACT OF INSTAGRAM

According to CNN, "Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, testified on February 11th that he does not think users can be "clinically addicted" to the social media app. He is the first executive to testify in the landmark social media addiction trial against YouTube and Instagram parent company Meta in a suit brought by a now 20-year-old woman identified as Kaley. The woman alleges the companies intentionally developed addictive features to hook young users, which she claims harmed her mental health. The lawsuit is the first of more than 1,500 similar cases to go to trial and could serve as a test of whether the social media giants can be held responsible for claims that they've harmed young users' mental health."

Then, on February 18th, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, testified in Los Angeles. NPR reported, "Zuckerberg testified in a marquee social media trial accusing Meta of deliberately designing features of Instagram to addict children, and the legal team for the family suing was intent on showing that Zuckerberg's fingerprints were all over the company's big decisions. Mark Lanier, a Texas trial lawyer and pastor with a folksy courtroom demeanor, directed Zuckerberg's attention to a 2020 internal Meta document showing that 11-year-olds were four times as likely to keep coming back to Facebook, compared to older users. Instagram's minimum age for signing up is 13.

While debates about social media addiction have raged for decades, it has taken until now for a major trial on the issue to unfold largely due to a federal legal shield that has protected Silicon Valley. A law known as Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act has allowed tech companies to fend off lawsuits over what users post to their sites. Social media firms have also won legal battles, including a key Supreme Court case, that have found how companies curate content on platforms is a type of protected free speech. Meta and Google, which owns YouTube, argue that social media use does not directly cause young people to be mentally unwell, so they should not be held legally liable for a user's mental health struggles."

INSTAGRAM AND SHOPPING

According to eMarketer, Instagram tops social shopping choices for US adults, "37.2 percent of US adults say they're most likely to shop via Instagram, making it the top social commerce platform, ahead of TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube, according to a September 2025 survey from Power Digital Marketing."

AMAZON OVERTAKES WALMART

On February 19th, CNN reported that, "Amazon has surpassed Walmart as the world's largest company measured by sales, breaking Walmart's 13-year streak at the top of the list. Amazon posted $717 billion in sales in 2025. Walmart, the largest company in the world for more than a decade, recorded $713 billion in sales in 2025. Although the two companies are significant competitors in consumer retail, Amazon's revenue growth in cloud computing, advertising, and other businesses helped it overtake Walmart. Jeff Bezos started Amazon in 1994 as an online bookstore, but the company brought in nearly $129 billion in sales last year from its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division. AWS provides a vast network of computing, storage and artificial intelligence options to companies and governments around the world. AWS is also a key profit driver for Amazon and helps the company offset losses from its retail business. The majority ($464 billion) of Amazon's revenue last year came from sales on its online and physical stores as well as from third-party sellers. Amazon also brought in more than $100 billion combined from advertising and Prime subscriptions. By contrast, more than 90 percent of Walmart's sales come from its physical stores and websites. Despite Amazon's rapid rise, Walmart has adapted and is in its strongest shape in years."

BODEGA CATS IN NEW YORK CITY

Bodegas are defined by The New York Times as small corner stores throughout New York City's five boroughs, which have been an essential part of city life for decades. The term, popularized by Puerto Ricans, loosely translates from Spanish to "warehouse." According to Dan Rimada, founder of Bodega Cats of New York, "Around a third of New York City's roughly 10,000 Bodegas are thought to have a resident cat despite being liable to fines of $200-$350 for keeping animals in a store selling food. These cats are woven into the fabric of New York City, and that's an important story to tell." Rimada photographs the felines for his social media followers, and last year, launched a petition to legalize bodega cats, which drew nearly 14,000 signatures.

BASEBALL AND MOUNTAIN DEW

With spring training set to begin in a few days, on February 19th, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that Mountain Dew Baja Blast was now the official drink of Major League Baseball. Further, Mountain Dew will roll out a season-long promotion tied to the biggest home runs in the game. The "Get a Baja for a Blast" program will turn long-distance home runs into product rewards. More details would be provided.

TESLA DROPS "AUTOPILOT" NAME

Car & Driver reported that after the California DMV threatened to strip automaker Tesla of its dealer license, the automaker changed the way it markets its drive assistance features. California had previously ruled that the "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" names misrepresented the systems' capabilities, violating state law. So now, "Full Self-Driving" will carry the suffix ("Supervised") in all marketing material, while "Autopilot" has been renamed "Traffic Aware Cruise Control."

MINUTE MAID DISCONTINUES FROZEN CANNED JUICES

After 80 years, Minute Maid announced during February that it was discontinuing its frozen canned juices. According to the New York Post, "Once a must-have in family homes, the frozen juice concentrates include flavors such as orange juice, lemonade, limeade, pink lemonade, and raspberry lemonade. The company explained that the decision was made "in response to shifting consumer preferences" and it would "focus on products that better match what our consumers want."

FOOD PACKAGING LABELS

According to Good Morning America, "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is making an immediate change in an effort to clarify labels on food packaging. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary spoke exclusively with "Good Morning America" about updating guidelines for the "no artificial color" labels on food packaging, as part of an effort to cut back on Americans' consumption of artificially dyed foods. For the first time, the label will now exempt foods dyed with natural sources like beets or watermelon juice from being designated as artificial colors. Products made with synthetic, petroleum-based dyes will not qualify for the label."

PEPSICO PRICING DIPS

CNN reported, "PepsiCo, the maker of popular brands Doritos, Lays, and Cheetos, is slashing the price of its snacks by up to 15 percent in response to customer complaints that they have become too expensive.

PepsiCo Foods US CEO Rachel Ferdinando explained that she's spent the past year listening closely to consumers, and they've said they're feeling the strain. "Lowering the suggested retail price reflects our commitment to help reduce the pressure where we can. Shoppers in the United States will begin seeing the new prices ahead of the Super Bowl, which is traditionally one of the biggest days for buying snacks. New labeling on the products will advertise the reduced prices."

ELIMINATION OF FREE HOTEL BREAKFASTS

CNBC reported, "Hotel operators are making changes to free breakfast options as part of cost-cutting measures. Breakfast service can siphon off five percent or more of a hotel's sales. Last year, Hyatt Place brand removed free breakfast from 40 of its properties, and Holiday Inn has adopted a breakfast buffet across the majority of its U.S. operations."

WANT TO SPEAK TO THE PRESIDENT OF BURGER KING?

Have you ever dined at a restaurant and then wanted to speak to the top person in charge? Well, according to a report by Nation's Restaurant News, Burger King president Tom Curtis will now receive calls and texts from customers. "For two weeks starting on February 17th, president Tom Curtis will spend four hours a day - including nights and weekends - taking unfiltered calls and texts from guests (the phone number is 305-874-0520), urging them to share their input about the chain's food, loyalty program, value offerings, a specific restaurant's service - name it. The more feedback, the better." Curtis added, "This will become a sustainable routine as long as I'm here. It won't be four hours a day, but a couple of days a week, and we'll rotate."

STARBUCKS VISITS IN THE AFTERNOON?

CNN reported, "Starbucks has an advantage in the mornings with coffee. Now, it wants to lure people back later in the day with a different type of caffeine boost. The coffee chain's US locations will roll out a new afternoon menu in the coming weeks, which will include new snacks and a variety of drinks different from its core coffee selections, including teas, revamped energy drinks, and matcha. (Since) afternoons are typically a slower time for the chain, there's potential for growth."

KITCHENAID'S COLOR OF THE YEAR

While you may be familiar with Pantone's color of the year, did you know that KitchenAid, the well-known kitchen appliance brand, also picks a color of the year? Well, KitchenAid's color of the year for 2026 is Spearmint, a refreshing, light, and uplifting mint-green shade featuring a unique tactile, sandy finish. In case, you need a refresher, some previous colors of the year included: 2025 was butter, 2024 was blue salt, 2023 was hibiscus (salmon), 2022 was beetroot (dark magenta), 2021 was honey (golden orange), 2020 was kyoto glow (yellow-green), and 2018 was bird of paradise (coral).

According to Brittni Pertijs, KitchenAid Lead Color, Material & Finish Designer, "For this year's color, we were driven by a desire to refresh our senses and find a moment of clarity. This color breathes life into a space, filling it with a soothing yet invigorating energy."

MARKETING BEGINS FOR SUPER BOWL LXI

At the end of every Super Bowl, the game's MVP often responds to "You just won the Super Bowl, so where are you going?" with "I'm going to Disney World." This year, the champion Seattle Seahawks went to Disneyland because it was closer to Santa Clara than Orlando, Florida. However, on February 9th, since ESPN will broadcast the 2027 Super Bowl, this was the post on the ESPN Twitter/X account, "We're going to the Super Bowl. ESPN reimagines the iconic "I'm going to Disney World" tradition with a new marketing campaign celebrating its inaugural Super Bowl that will take place on February 14th, 2027. The campaign includes 60+ iconic Disney characters."

THE END OF "WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES PROGRAM" IN TEXAS

Texas A&M University, one of the nation's largest public universities with more than 81,000 students in graduate and undergraduate programs, canceled its women's and gender studies program as part of a broader effort to eliminate teaching related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). NPR reported, "The latest changes are designed to protect academic integrity and restore public trust, according to a university statement."

Ira Dworkin, an associate professor of English at Texas A&M and vice president of the American Association of University Professors at the university's flagship College Station campus, condemned the move as an unprecedented political interference by the university's board of regents, all of whom were appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican. He said, "This is absolutely devastating for the faculty and colleagues who have done so much important and groundbreaking research and teaching in this area, and it's really devastating for the state of Texas. To have policies like this that allow politicians to determine what wonderful, brilliant students are allowed to study, is a travesty."

Chaitanya Lakkimsetti, an associate professor of sociology at Texas A&M who has long taught in the women’s and gender studies program, said it served as one of the few spaces on campus bringing students and faculty together from across disciplines. She met an English professor through the program, a connection that eventually led to a book they co-wrote on the #MeToo movement. She said, "We have to keep fighting and standing up for our students' rights to have an education that is critical for the times they live in."

Ms. Magazine reported, "PEN America, a national advocate for freedom of expression, criticized the decision, saying Texas A&M is running roughshod over academic freedom." According to Amy Reid, program director for Freedom to Learn at PEN America, "Forcing faculty to restrict what they teach censors the knowledge accessible to students. Limiting what can be taught in a university classroom is not education, it's ideological control."

The elimination of women's studies comes as other universities have curtailed or ended such programs in recent years, including the University of Iowa, Wichita State University in Kansas, New College of Florida, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 2025, the National Women's Studies Association wrote a statement bemoaning the trend, "We are understandably saddened, frightened, and enraged about the current state of the field."

ANDERSON COOPER LEAVES "60 MINUTES"

In the latest shake-up at CBS News, journalist Anderson Cooper announced that, after nearly two decades, he will leave "60 Minutes" to spend more time with his children. Last year, Cooper signed a new contract with CNN. I will always remember Cooper's report from 2010 when he swam with sharks without a cage off the coast in South Africa.

NEW CEO FOR THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

A new CEO has been announced to take over when Robert Iger retires in March. Disney has selected Josh D'Amaro, who has served as Disney Experience Chairman, to be the next CEO. In addition, Dana Walden will become President and Chief Creative Officer and will report to Amaro.

According to CNN, there are five problems awaiting the new Disney CEO:

(1) TV is a dying medium and that remains a giant puzzle for Disney and its assets: ABC, ESPN, FX, and the Disney Channel.

(2) Streaming remains cutthroat - part of the profit is due to increased prices, but an economic downturn could quickly lead to cancelations.

(3) Box office question marks - despite hits such as "Zootopia 2" and "Lilo and Stitch," making movies cost more money than their returns.

(4) AI and the attention economy - people's attention is increasingly fractured.

(5) Iger's shadow - Amaro will be leading one of the world's most well-known brands and will be doing it in the shadow of an executive who's been synonymous with Disney for a quarter of a century.

HISTORIC RISE OF THE DOW JONES

On February 6th, the blue-chip index surged 1,207 points, or almost 2.5 percent and closed at 50,115.67. It was the first time that the 129-year-old index crossed the historic 50,000-point milestone.

JEEP MAKER STELLANTIS CHANGES DIRECTION

In early February, Jeep maker and parent brand Stellantis, owner of Jeep and Chrysler, announced a reset of its business model after its enormous investments in electric vehicles failed to pay off. The strategy revision (to not focus on electric vehicle technology) followed similar — and expensive — actions by Ford and General Motors.

END OF THE PAPERBACK BOOK?

The Smithsonian Magazine reported in mid-February, "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."

CHANGE IN THE BRITISH LINE OF SUCCESSION?

Based on allegations stemming from his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew lost his job as trade envoy for Great Britain and as a representative of the British Royal Family. Then, he lost his title as "Prince" and all his patronages. Then, he lost his royal home and moved to his brother's private Sandringham Estate (his brother is Charles III, the King of England). He became known as a regular citizen with the name Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Then, he was arrested for "misconduct in public office." And now, the UK government is considering legislation to officially remove him from the line of succession. The new law, if implemented, would prevent him - who is eighth in line to the throne - from ever becoming King.

KENNEDY CENTER CLOSURE

ABC News reported, "President Trump announced that he will move to close Washington’s Kennedy Center performing arts center for two years starting in July for construction. His announcement follows a wave of cancellations by leading performers, musicians, and groups since he ousted the previous leadership and added his name to the building...Neither Trump nor Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, a Trump ally, have provided evidence to back up their claims about the building being in disrepair, and last October, Trump had pledged the center would remain open during renovations...Since Trump returned to the White House, the Kennedy Center is one of many Washington landmarks that he has sought to overhaul in his second term. He demolished the East Wing of the White House and launched a massive $400 million ballroom project, is actively pursuing building a triumphal arch on the other side the Arlington Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial, and has plans for Washington Dulles International Airport."

LOUVRE MUSEUM NEWS

The BBC reported on February 24th, "The director of the Louvre in Paris has resigned, months after the high-profile theft of France's crown jewels from one of the world's most visited museums. Laurence des Cars (who became director of the Louvre in 2021) submitted her resignation to President Emmanel Macron, who praised her decision at a time when, his office said, the museum needed "calm and a strong new impetus to successfully carry out major projects involving security, and modernisation."

In October, thieves used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the museum from a balcony close to the River Seine. The four main suspects have been arrested, but eight prized pieces of jewelry, worth an estimated $104 million have not been recovered. They include a diamond and an emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife."

A new director was appointed on February 25th, Christophe Leribault, who is currently the director of Palace of Versailles. France's culture ministry said, "Leribault's priority will be to strengthen the safety and security of the building, the collections, and people, to restore a climate of trust, and to carry forward, together with all the teams, the necessary transformations for the museum."

On a related note, according to the BBC, "The Court of Auditors report, drawn up before the heist, found that for years, managers had preferred to invest in new artworks and exhibitions rather than basic upkeep and protection. Basing its findings for the years 2018 to 2024, the report says the Louvre "favoured operations that were visible and attractive at the expense of maintenance and renovation of technical installations, notably in the fields of safety and security." In the period studied, it found the museum spent $143 million to purchase new artwork and $86 million on exhibition spaces. During the same time, it spent only $36 million on maintenance and $80 million on restoration of the palace/art building."

ONE DELI ASKS, "WHAT'S IN A NAME?"

Restaurant Business reported on February 27th, "Schlotzsky's was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1971 and, in the years since, has had almost as many versions of its moniker as it's had sandwiches on the menu. Schlotzsky's was first called Schlotzsky's. It was then changed to Schlotzsky's Deli. Over the years, it was called Schlotzsky's Bakery-Café, Schlotzsky's Austin Eatery, and then simply Schlotzsky's again. The chain started working on a rebrand in 2024, shortly after chief brand officer Donna Varner arrived. The company did a lot of consumer research, talking with hundreds of consumers, while Varner listened to franchisees. What did they learn? Not everybody realized what Schlotzsky's actually was. Varner explained, "People would say they weren't familiar with the brand. They would say, 'I thought Schlotzsky's was a dry cleaner. I didn't realize it was a food place until I saw Cinnabon.' (Clearly) we had a brand recognition problem." So, now, the fast-casual sandwich chain is changing its name once again, returning to the Schlotzsky's Deli moniker to remind customers what it's all about."

FAREWELL TO AMAZON BOOK CLUBS

Announced on February 27th and effective March 1st, Amazon made the decision to wind down its Amazon Book Clubs "to focus on other book discovery features for readers. After this date, book club admins and members will no longer be able to access their clubs or club-related content such as book selections and suggestions." While an email from Amazon thanked readers for "being part of this community," it also wrote, "You can explore Goodreads.com to browse and manage book lists and engage with the reading community."

In case you wondered, Amazon acquired Goodreads.com back in 2013 for approximately $150 million.

LA28 SUMMER OLYMPICS NEWS

According to ABC7 News, "More venues have been announced for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, but most of them aren't even in California. Six venues are being added to the mix for the men and women football (soccer) tournament. This includes four out-of-state fields in New York City, Columbus (Ohio), Nashville (Tennessee), and St. Louis (Missouri). There will also be matches in two other California cities: San Jose and San Diego. That's where group stage and knockout matches will take place. The final stage matches, as well as the matches for men's and women's Olympic gold, will be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Those are set for July 28 and July 29, 2028."

Note, these new venues are in addition to the previously-announced venues in Oklahoma over 1,300 miles from Los Angeles to utilize existing, specialized facilities: Devon Park, which is located at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, is the venue that will host softball competitions; and Riversport OKC Whitewater Center, which hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Paris 2024 Summer Games, will host canoe slalom competitions.

"Organizers for LA28 say the goal is to expand its footprint to different regions of the U.S. and give more fans an opportunity to experience an Olympic event...Lastly, LA28 will become the first Olympic Games where all team sports feature at least as many women's teams as men's, establishing a new benchmark for elevating women's sports and advancing gender parity in the Games while laying the groundwork for a lasting impact on global sport."

Friday, February 27, 2026

Five Business Lessons from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

While the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and my #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 are now history, there are many take-away business lessons from this exciting international event. I'd like to share five.

PLANNING

According to Wikipedia, "The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially the XXV Winter Olympic Games and commonly known as Milano Cortina 2026, were an international multi-sport event that took place from 6 to 22 February 2026 at multiple sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy, with competition in selected events beginning 4 February 2026. The 2026 Games featured the debut of ski mountaineering as a Winter Olympic event, and they were the first Olympic Games under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency of Kirsty Coventry.

A joint bid by Milano and Cortina d'Ampezzo was awarded the 2026 Winter Olympics at the 134th IOC Session on 24 June 2019 (and planning began soon after). Milano Cortina 2026 was the first Olympic Games to be officially co-hosted by two cities. Milan primarily hosted the ice events, while the remaining events were hosted in clusters around Cortina, Livigno, and Fiemme. These marked the third Winter Olympics, and the fourth Olympics overall, hosted by Italy; Cortina d'Ampezzo previously hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics.

Norway finished at the top of the medal table for the fourth successive Winter Olympics with 18 gold and 41 medals overall, setting a new record for the largest number of gold and total medals won at a single Winter Olympics. The United States finished second with 12 gold and 33 medals overall. The Netherlands finished third with 10 gold and 20 medals overall, making this its most successful Winter Olympics in terms of gold medals. Host nation Italy finished fourth with 10 gold and 30 medals overall, setting a new record for number of medals won. Brazil won the first medal and first gold medal in their Winter Olympics history."

The Games had the highest percentage of women's participation in Winter Olympics history, although the Nordic combined event remained as the only Winter Olympic sport in which only men compete. There were 92 nations participating; 116 events in 8 sports; and 2,871 total athletes broken down into 1,533 men and 1,338 women.

A take-away for businesses is, when tasked with a large project, spend the time to learn all the facts, assemble a talented and enthusiastic team with many areas of expertise, and above all, don't be afraid to think outside the box to create an incredible result.

COURTESY

Athletes demonstrated courtesy toward one another. And IOC President Kirsty Coventry demonstrated courtesy when in discussion with Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych, who wished to wear a customized helmet during competition that commemorated fellow Ukrainian athletes who had lost their lives since the Russian invasion first began - despite the fact that a mutually-agreeable ending could not be reached and Heraskevych was eventually disqualified from competing.

A take-away for businesses is to always demonstrate courtesy toward employees and customers and to also acknowledge errors in judgment when they occur.

TEAMWORK

While athletes competed in both individual and team competitions, they all represented their countries, for example, TEAM USA represented the United States.

A take-away for businesses is to explain the importance of teamwork in onboarding activities, on-going training, and the creation and maintenance of a positive corporate culture.

And to quote American Olympian Chloé Dygert, an American professional racing cyclist who has won seven gold medals at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships and three medals (one silver and two bronze) at the Olympic Games, "The team BEHIND the team is everybody."

COMMUNICATION

Since 92 countries were represented, how did athletes and fans communicate? There are two official languages for all IOC proceedings, however, the host language, in this case, Italian, was used for local operations, signage, and announcements. Also, some sports have universally-understood words or phrases.

A take-away for businesses is to avoid industry lingo when possible. It's important to present information in as clear a manner as possible to employees, customers, and fans.

RECOGNITION

Exceptional athletes received medals (gold, silver, and bronze), and during the medal ceremonies, the three top winners stood on podiums and listened to the national Anthem of the gold medalist. While some athletes who were favored to win gold medals didn't win (although, what's wrong with winning silver or bronze medals at the Olympics?), no one will soon forget American (and fellow Californian) figure skater Alysa Liu's amazing Olympic gold medal performance!

A take-away for businesses is to recognize the quality work product of employees on a regular basis and also create unique ways to showcase special employees and/or their successes.

What other business lessons did you learn from the Olympics? Chime in and share.

Image Credits: International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Two Novels to Extend the 2026 Winter Olympics

Before the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics began, I shared a reading list of books featuring Paris to appeal to bibliophiles of all ages. With the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics now history, would you enjoy some book recommendations featuring Italy as a central part of the stories?

Here are two memorable works of fiction that I recently read and highly recommend:

THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE by Jo Piazza

Here's a brief synopsis from Goodreads: "Sara Marsala barely knows who she is after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara bereft with grief. But Aunt Rosie's death also opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. Rosie believes Sara's great-grandmother Serafina, the family matriarch who was left behind while her husband worked in America, didn’t die of illness as family lore has it . . . she was murdered. Thus begins a twist-filled adventure that takes Sara all over the picturesque Italian countryside as she races to solve a mystery and prove her birthright. Flashing back to the past, we meet Serafina, a feisty and headstrong young woman in the early 1900s thrust into motherhood in her teens, who fought for a better life not just for herself but for all the women of her small village. Unsurprisingly, it isn’t long before a woman challenging the status quo finds herself in danger. As Sara discovers more about Serafina, she also realizes she is coming head-to-head with the same menacing forces that took down her great-grandmother. At once an immersive multigenerational mystery and an ode to the undaunted heroism of everyday women, The Sicilian Inheritance is an atmospheric, page-turning delight."

And here were two quotes that stood out to me from the book:

"I'd worked so hard to be successful in a world dominated by men that meaningful connections with women fell by the wayside."

"The only way for a woman to survive in this world is to help other women."

THE LETTER CARRIER by Francesca Giannone

Here's a brief synopsis from the Historical Novel Society: "It’s the rare woman in 1930s southern Italy who lives by her beliefs and refuses to downplay her intelligence, but Anna Allavena fits this description. When Anna arrives with her husband, Carlo Greco, from up north to live in his picturesque hometown of Lizzanello with their young son, Roberto, the villagers find her directness off-putting. They call her “outlander,” which sticks over the decades. Anna discusses literature with Carlo’s older brother, Antonio, who can’t help but notice her beauty—to his wife Agata’s dismay. Over the years, as the couples’ children grow up and Carlo opens a prosperous winery, Anna retains her self-possession, and when she takes the post as Lizzanello’s official letter carrier, tongues wag even more. The admirable character of Anna remains at the center of Francesca Giannone’s saga, an Italian bestseller based on her great-grandmother’s life, and Elettra Pauletto’s English translation makes the words skip along with fluidity. Spanning through 1961, the story is full of characters you’ll feel you know well...Anna is quite an interesting mix of the traditional and unconventional. She loves her husband and cooks scrumptious recipes while she makes connections through her work and befriends others in need—even helping a lonely, illiterate woman correspond with her secret lover, a priest. In a smart move, Giannone jumps over the war years, though we see the growth of Mussolini’s fascism and the postwar recovery. The storytelling carries you easily, and the vineyard country of southern Italy makes for a lovely backdrop."

And here were two quotes that stood out to me from the book:

A character talked about the importance of reading books: "These stories are much better, more compelling, more real than what's real! They help you understand so many things, they make you think."

"How long after the death of a love is it all right to laugh again?"

Lastly, here are some quotes about Italy - feel free to share:

"In America, one must be something, but in Italy, one can simply be." ~Pietros Maneos, American-Italian poet

"Maybe money can't buy happiness, but it can get you a nice little villa in Tuscany, and that's close enough." ~Lois Greiman, American writer

"Milan is a true metropolis, strong and fearless but welcoming, too. Little by little, I came to realize that I could become someone here." ~Giorgio Armani, Italian fashion designer

"Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go." ~Truman Capote, American novelist

"Italian gelato. Take the deliciousness of a regular ice-cream cone, times it by a million, then sprinkle it with crushed-up unicorn horns." ~Jenna Evans Welch, American writer

Which books would you recommend that capture the essence of Italy? Chime in and share, and happy reading!

Image Credits: Amazon.

Read: What's on Your Reading List for the Paris Olympics? (July 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/07/whats-on-your-reading-list-for-paris.html

Monday, February 23, 2026

Sharing Highlights as the Two Cauldrons Are Extinguished at the 2026 Winter Olympics!

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement in Italy and also around the world as fans of the Olympic Games watched on television (and other devices) and rooted for their countries' athletes. Yesterday, I shared a recap of my Olympics Leadership Series that took place each day during the last two weeks, and today, I'm sharing my recap of the actual event.

You may not recall everything that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry said during her Opening Ceremony speech, so here are the highlights:

"My fellow Olympians, over the next two weeks, you’re going to give us something truly special. You’ll show us what it means to be human. To dream. To overcome. To respect one another. To care for each other. This is why we all love the Olympic Games. Because through you, we see the very best of ourselves. You remind us that we can be brave. That we can be kind. And that we can get back up, no matter how hard we fall. When we see an athlete stumble and find the strength to rise, we are reminded that we can do the same. When we see rivals embrace at the end of a finish line, we are reminded that we can choose respect. When we see grace, courage and friendship – we remember the kind of people we all want to be.

The spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than sport. It is about us – and what makes us human. In Africa, where I’m from, we have a word: ubuntu. It means: I am because we are. That we can only rise by lifting others. That our strength comes from caring for each other. No matter where you come from, we all know this spirit – it lives and breathes in every community. I see this spirit most clearly at the Olympic Games. Here, athletes from every corner of our world compete fiercely – but also respect, support and inspire one another. They remind us that we are all connected, that our strength comes from how we treat each other, and that the best of humanity is found in courage, compassion and kindness.

So let these Games be a celebration of what unites us – of everything that makes us human. This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be – together. We cannot wait to watch you, to cheer for you, to be inspired by you. To see your courage. Your strength. To see the best of humanity shine before the world. Let your flame spark hope, let it ignite joy and light the way for all of us."

OPENING CEREMONY

I thought no one could rival the magnificence of Celina Dion singing high atop the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, but Andrea Bocelli certainly did!

According to Liz Calvario of Today, "Andrea Bocelli, described as "a symbol of Italian excellence," inspired with an emotional performance at the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Following an inspiring video montage of the weeks leading to the opening ceremony as the Olympic flame made its way across the world and now to Italy, the iconic tenor and singer made his appearance on stage. He sang "Nessun Dorma" from Giacomo Puccini’s opera "Turandot." The performance was inspired by the concept of harmony and was produced by Balich Wonder Studio. As Bocelli sang, the torch arrived and the bearers made their way to light the cauldron in Milan."

And according to That Eric Alper, "The performance served as a powerful reminder of how music can be a shared language, echoing the athletes' journeys and stories...Bocelli made his Olympic debut at the Closing Ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Games, remaining a key figure for the Italian Olympic Games two-decades later. Music emerges as a universal language in this year's program, celebrating unity through diversity for a truly shared experience, becoming an integral part of the story that unites sport, art, and culture, in the spirit of the Olympic values of dialogue and sharing."

TWO HOST CITIES & TWO CAULDRONS

This was also the first Olympics with dual host cities, the northern city of Milan and the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, about a five-hour drive to the northeast in the Alps. Therefore, there were two cauldrons. Their design was inspired by the sun as a source of light and energy, as well as knot patterns from the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, who lived in Milan from 1483 to 1499. According to the Olympic website, "These are geometric interlacings that symbolize the harmony between nature and human ingenuity...bearing witness to the continuity of time and the natural alternation between day and night."

MASCOTS

According to the Olympic website, "Olympic mascots have been a key part of the Games since 1968. They’re tasked with giving concrete form to the Olympic spirit, spreading the values highlighted at each edition of the Games; promoting the history and culture of the host city; and giving the event a festive atmosphere."

So, who were the mascots from Milan and Cortina? According to NPR, "For decades, each Olympic and Paralympic Games has been represented by a mascot of some sort, with varying receptions from the public. Taking up the mantle for 2026 are Milo and Tina, a pair of scarf-wearing sibling stoats — or, as they're called in the United States, short-tailed weasels. The two are named after the Winter Games' two host cities, Milan (Milano) and Cortina d'Ampezzo, and are described by organizers as the "first openly Gen Z mascots." Tina, the Olympics mascot, is cream-colored with a brown-tipped tail. She is described as a "creative, down-to-earth type who lives in the city and loves to experience shows and concerts" and is "in awe of the power of beauty and its ability to transform." Milo, the Paralympics mascot, is brown with a white tummy. He lives in the mountains and loves to play practical jokes, frolic in the snow and invent musical instruments in his spare time, organizers say. He was born without a paw, but learned to walk using his tail.

For these Games, it all started with Italian schoolkids. As part of the creation process, Italy's Ministry of Education invited primary and secondary school students to submit ideas for the mascots — and got over 1,600 entries. It polled the public on its two shortlisted ideas: a pair of flowers (an edelweiss and a snowdrop) on a journey from the mountain to the city, courtesy of students in Lombardy; and the sporty stoats with Olympic dreams, courtesy of students in the Calabria region. Milo and Tina were officially unveiled to the public in February 2024, nearly two years to the day before the Olympics opening ceremony in Milan."

MEDALS

According to CNN, "Athletes on the podium at the Winter Olympics in Italy were awarded the most expensive medals in the history of the Games, thanks to soaring precious metals prices. More than 700 gold, silver and bronze medals were presented to the world’s top winter sports athletes taking part in events from skiing and ice hockey to figure skating and curling. And while the sentimental value is immeasurable, in pure cash terms, those medals will be worth more than ever before. Since the Olympic Games in Paris in July 2024, the spot prices of gold and silver have skyrocketed some 107 percent and 200 percent, respectively, according to FactSet data. Those eye-popping gains mean that, based on the metals prices alone, gold medals are now worth around $2,300, more than double their value at the Paris Olympics. Second-place silver medals are worth almost $1,400, or three times their value two years ago."

Let's take a moment to congratulate NORWAY for finishing at the top of the medal table, the 11th time (in 25 Olympics). Norway has won over 148 gold medals and 405 total medals. The country's most successful sports are cross-country skiing and speed skating - which account for over half of their medals.

BONUSES FOR WINNING MEDALS

Forbes reported, "Ahead of the Winter Olympics, the Italian National Olympic Committee committed to paying a cash bonus to any of the country's athletes who won a medal: roughly $213,000 for gold, $106,000 for silver, and $71,000 for bronze (converted to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the start of the Olympics). Those rewards were generous—among the 37 delegations confirming the payout of a bonus, only Singapore, Hong Kong, Poland, and Kazakhstan had plans for larger prizes.

However, Singapore (offering roughly $787,000 for gold in an individual sport) and Hong Kong ($768,000) were shut out of the medal table, as they have been at every previous edition of the Winter Games, and Kazakhstan ($250,000) had a single top-three performance: Mikhail Shaidorov’s victory in men’s figure skating over the heavily favored American Ilia Malinin. Poland, pledging a combined $355,000 for individual gold from its Olympic committee and the national government, fared better, with a total of four medals in ski jumping and speedskating. And there are more perks promised to Polish gold medalists that include a Toyota Corolla, a furnished two-room apartment, a painting, a vacation voucher, and jewelry worth up to about $800.

The U.S. has the next-highest bill for any delegation that confirmed its financial awards to Forbes, at more than $3 million, even though the figures per medal are much lower, at $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze. One new perk for Team USA: Thanks to a $100 million donation from Stone Ridge Holdings Group founder Ross Stevens, each U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete will receive $100,000 toward retirement, regardless of their results at the Games, and their families will receive an additional $100,000 after they die.

Norway, a perennial powerhouse at the Winter Games, will shell out $513,000, but that number actually undersells its Olympic commitment. The nation will continue to pay that sum each year, with each Norwegian medalist eligible for an annual stipend worth about $17,000.

New Zealand will award the smallest amount - $3,000 - to an individual athlete for a gold medal. In all, 13 countries and territories are pledging to fork over at least $100,000 to any individual gold medalist. (Three other delegations—Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Romania—said the exact amounts of one-time payments had yet to be determined, and Luxembourg said it was keeping its bonus arrangements confidential.)

Not every nation makes medal bonuses available. Ireland and Great Britain, for instance, provide grants and training stipends to their elite athletes but don't offer additional pay directly tied to their Olympic performance."

DRONE TECHNOLOGY

According to The New York Times, "Drones have been used at the Olympics since the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, but have become increasingly common as the technology improves and sports audiences grow more used to up-close action. In these Games, drones are being called on to do more than ever before. Ralph Hogenbirk, a founder of the company Dutch Drone Gods, which has a background in professional drone racing, said that pilots of the drones had made sure the athletes were comfortable with them before the Games began." And according to NBC, "The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is deploying a fleet of high-tech devices in Italy this year as first-person-view (FPV) drones have been incorporated into live coverage to offer unique angles to viewers watching these Games from home."

IOC sports director Pierre Ducrey told Reuters. “We strive to offer the best viewing experience whether in the stadium or outside.”

OLYMPIC PIN TRADING

The Athletic reported, "The origins of pin trading go back to 1896, at the inaugural Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Credentials could not be printed with a photograph back then, so the pin was the official accreditation to identify officials and athletes. They began as wooden badges before evolving into pins at the London 1908 Games. The first pins were traded at the 1924 Paris Olympics, and the frenzy never died. For Greg Denardo, the Olympics have a personal connection. His grandfather, Renato Gardini, competed at the 1912 Stockholm Games for Italy in wrestling. Denardo, who is from Orlando, Florida, is attending his 13th Olympics; his first was the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid. His collection is close to 15,000. He has several luge pins because he was a luge judge at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games...According to a press release by Warner Bros., over 15,000 fans will have entered the pin trading center by the time the Olympics conclude, with over 1,200 pins sold each day. Trading pins embodies the Olympic spirit of bringing people from around the world together, and Nicholas Wolaver, a board member of the International Society of Olympic Historians and one of the collectors at the trading center, believes the success of Milan’s trading center will lead to even bigger operations for Los Angeles 2028, the first Summer Olympics in the U.S. since Atlanta."

UKRAINIAN ATHLETE'S DISQUALIFICATION

According to the Oakland Post, "The Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Games, for he wished to compete wearing a custom helmet that commemorated fellow Ukrainian athletes who had lost their lives since the Russian invasion first began. The request for a reprieve from political opinions during the Olympic Games has been a famous argument as to whether or not it is correct for athletes to use the stage that they earn as a moment to protest or not." Heraskevych was told that he could wear a black armband while competing and then wear the helmet, but he would not budge. If he could not wear the custom helmet, he did not want to compete. So, despite a one-on-one meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Heraskevych did not compete.

MORE DISQUALIFICATIONS

Did you see that three skiers were disqualified, two athletes from South Korea and one from Japan? They are the first known offenders of a new rule that bans the use of ski wax that contains "forever chemicals," that while, they have moisture-wicking properties that can help skis and snowboards go faster in the snow, they also can cause damage to the environment and the human body, especially the liver and immune system.

According to The New York Times, "PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of chemicals that have a special bond of carbon and fluorine atoms, making them strong and resistant to water, dirt, heat, and oil. For that reason, they're used in everyday items as varied as microwave popcorn bags, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant carpets, cosmetics, dental floss, nonstick frying pans - and ski wax."

ABSENCE OF WOMEN'S NORDIC COMBINED

According to BBC, "Nordic combined - a combination of cross-country skiing and ski jumping - is the only Olympic discipline in which women cannot compete. The event has been a feature of the Winter Olympics since the first edition in Chamonix in 1924 but has only ever been open to men, despite there being women's World Cup and World Championship events. The IOC says the event is "in question overall" and that it is not a discussion about women but about the sport as a whole, citing low participation across different countries and a lack of viewership. This year 36 athletes are taking part in the men's event in Italy, down from 55 at Beijing 2022. The IOC also says Milan-Cortina is the most gender-equal Winter Games with 47 percent of the athletes women, while 50 of the 116 events are for females."

Billy Demong, a five-time Olympian in Nordic combined told the Associated Press the decision not to include the women's event in Italy is a "travesty and one of the biggest moves against gender equity in the Olympic movement in history."

CURLING CONTROVERSY

NPR explained, "In curling, players slide heavy granite rocks down sheets of ice. They must release the rock before a line drawn in the ice, the "hog line," or the stone is disqualified and taken out of play." While not as popular as ice dancing or speed skating, it draws fans due to its oddity.

The BBC reported, "A scandal at the Winter Olympics has left the Canadian curling teams on the defensive and Canadians reeling over the crack in their country's polite persona. Canadian curler Marc Kennedy had an expletive-filled outburst after Sweden accused him of cheating during a match, and later said his team might be the target of a "premeditated" attack by their rivals. Kennedy was accused of double-touching the curling stone, by making contact with the granite part of the stone with his finger after releasing it down the ice. The next day, Canadian women's captain Rachel Homan was accused of the same thing. Both have denied the accusations, but Canada's curling teams, who historically have dominated the sport, now face questions over their tactics. However, one of the curling instructors, Ankara Leonard, said the publicity could be good for the sport by generating interest."

NPR added, "Curling officials, who are stationed at either end of the sheet, say they didn't see the violations so they couldn't call it...After meeting with curling officials from different countries, World Curling said umpires would remain available to observe throws, but would only do so "at the request of the competing teams." It may have been disruptive to curlers to change the rules in the midst of the Olympics. Curlers anticipate debates and rule changes to come, such as whether video replays should be used to assist rulings, and what penalties curlers who break the rules incur."

CHALLENGES FOR MOM ATHLETES

According to The 19th, "Women have been competing in the Olympics since 1900 when they were first granted access to participate, but it’s taken decades for pregnancy and parenthood to be acknowledged as a natural part of an elite athlete’s path — and policy still hasn’t caught up...The children and families of athletes have historically not been allowed in the Olympic Village. Athletes who stay in the Olympic Village typically have their room and board covered; those who want to bring their kids along need to make — and pay for — other arrangements for housing accommodations and child care.

During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, for the first time in history, a nursery arrangement was set up where parent athletes could visit with their children in the “nappy/diaper-wearing age.” There was also dedicated private space for breastfeeding.

For the 2026 Winter Olympics, there will be even fewer options for athlete parents. There will be no designated family space during The Games. A spokesperson from the International Olympic Committee confirmed that there will also be no permanent breastfeeding facilities within the Olympic Villages, but “a certain number of bookable spaces will be made available in each Village, which may be used for breastfeeding, among other purposes.”

These spaces matter a great deal for Olympic athletes because many are inclined to bring children along, rather than be separated for weeks, or in some cases, months. For breastfeeding mothers in particular, these spaces are not a luxury but a necessity.

Women’s participation in the Olympics has been steadily increasing over the decades, but it wasn’t until the 2024 Paris Olympics that it achieved gender parity among athletes.

While it’s not uncommon for men to have both professional athletic careers and children, it is a much harder road for women who must pause their training and competition schedule to have children. According to an ongoing survey about the motherhood penalty in sports, conducted by For All Mothers+ and Carleton University’s Health & Wellness Equity Research Group, 73 percent of mom athletes experienced a decrease, termination, or pause in funding related to pregnancy or motherhood, and 72 percent of respondents reported needing additional income or employment outside of their sport to support their family. The key goal for gathering this data is to influence policy changes more broadly across the sports industry. There are biases with the motherhood penalty that all are looking to shift."

It’s bigger than sports though, according to Olympic medalist and mother of three, Alysia Montano, who'd like to see the narrative change for all mothers in all industries, "The podium moments for athlete mothers are podium moments for all mothers."

SUSTAINABILITY

According to CNN, "Already in the Dolomites, thousands of tourists regularly gather for selfies at lakes and viewpoints made famous by social media. Roads are choked up with cars...With our mountains already under stress from tourism and the rising temperatures of climate change, now is not the time for more construction, more development, more artificial snow, more hotels that these Winter Olympics bring."

CURLING STONES HAIL FROM SCOTLAND

According to the National Museums Scotland, "Curling is a sport native to Scotland, that can be traced back to medieval times. Today, the game involves two teams taking turns to slide heavy, polished granite rocks (called stones) across ice toward a circular target. But where do the stones used in the game come from? Curling involves sliding stones that weigh around 18 kilograms across the ice towards a target, with the aim of getting your team's stones closer to the centre than your opponents'...All of the curling stones used throughout the Olympic competition are quarried on a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig. The rock on Ailsa Craig, 16 kilometres west of Girvan, is a kind of granite. It has been recognised as an excellent material for making curling stones since the nineteenth century."

FUTURE OF ATHLETES' VILLAGE

According to Google, "The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Village in Porta Romana is designed as a sustainable, permanent legacy, set to be converted into Italy's largest student housing complex for 1,700+ students after the Games, which will address a critical shortage of student beds in Milan. The site, featuring six new buildings and renovated historic structures, will include public green spaces, shops, cafes, and restaurants, transforming a former railway yard into a new, eco-friendly residential neighborhood. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the Village is a LEED Gold certified development that uses mass timber, low-carbon facades, and solar-powered energy, functioning as a "Nearly Zero Energy" neighborhood. And in Cortina, temporary modular homes will be repurposed for tourism (specifically a hockey club)."

PIEROGI PLUSH FROM TEAM POLAND

MSN reported, "Move over, Tina and Milo. Team Poland's pierogi plushie may have stolen the show at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The dumpling plush has been held up by many of Team Poland's Olympians, which they call "pieroguszki." That translates to "little pierogi" in English, according to NBC Olympics.

It's often been spotted in figure skating's Kiss and Cry zone. Figure skater Ioulia Chtchetinina has seen holding up the dumpling and beaming in several instances throughout the Games. The stuffie of stuffed pasta has gotten so popular among Olympics viewers that a Michelin Guide pierogi restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, that sells the plushies has been inundated with requests. Plushie versions of Tina and Milo, the official mascots of the Milan Cortina Olympics, were given to medalists at the Games. Perhaps stuffed pasta plushies could be considered next time."

COBRANDING, SPONSORS, AND PARTNERS

Did you notice all the brands at the Olympics? Companies who sponsored the Olympics included NBC, Hershey, Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Alibaba, Samsung, VISA, Deloitte, P&G, and Allianz. Other partners included Michelob ULTRA (alcohol-free), Lilly (health), and Technogym. Luxury brands Prada, Gucci, and Fendi were also heavily involved in the 2026 Games. As far as apparel and uniforms, the following brands were featured Ralph Lauren (USA), Lululemon (Canada), EA7 Emporio Armani (Italy), Uniqlo (Sweden), and Skims. And the official tech brand was Omega (for timing).

MEMORABLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

So many brands shared memorable graphics and messages during the Olympics, here are some from Twitter/X:

* Hershey's, an official sponsor of Team USA, shared a post featuring its Hershey's Kisses dressed in red, white, and blue with gold medals

* Sesame Street featured many of its characters with the message, "Ciao from Milano! We are so excited to be here at the #WinterOlympics!

* Sesame Street also featured Cookie Monster with the message, "Cookie Monster's living his best dolce vita in Milan with his friends."

* American Bird Conservancy shared a photo of Olympic gold medalist ice skater Alysa Liu plus a photo of a bird with the message, "We aren't saying Alysa Liu "stole the look" from the White-crowned sparrow, but we aren't not saying it either, Congrats on an epic win! Learn how to help birds on and off the ice on our blog." (Liu's outfit matched the color of the bird)

* Major League Baseball (MLB) shared a post featuring Alysa Liu throwing out a first pitch by first doing a move from her skating routine with the message, "This first pitch, good as gold."

* BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) shared a post with the message, "Congrats to BART rider and Oakland legend Alysa Liu on winning a gold medal at the Olympics and making the Bay Area proud."

* Empire State Building shared a post featuring Alysa Liu jumping on the medal platform with the message, "This is how I wake up every morning."

* Encyclopaedia Britannica shared an infographic entitled, "Guide to Curling" with the message, "Here's everything you need to know to become an expert in the wild and wonderful world of curling."

And have you heard about the Olympic Truce? This ancient Greek tradition of halting all conflicts for the duration of the Games was revived in 1992. Member states of the United Nations are asked to observe a truce from seven days before the Opening Ceremony to seven days after the Paralympic Closing Ceremony.

And how about the "Photographer's Bite?" While it appears athletes are checking if their medals are solid gold, the tradition of biting medals is primarily driven by photographers. Historically, biting gold was a way to test its authenticity, as pure gold is soft enough to show indentations. The last solid gold medals were awarded in 1904; today’s gold medals are mostly silver with a thin gold plating.

With the 2026 Winter Olympics now in the history book, it's time to look ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. How will LA compete with the last two unique Opening Ceremonies (Paris - parade of athletes in boats along the Seine and Milan/Cortina with two cities simultaneously featuring the parade of athletes)? And let's not forget the surprising arrival of James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Queen Elizabeth at the 2012 Summer London Olympics!

What will Los Angeles do differently since it will be the third time as host (previously hosted in 1932 and 1984)? How will Los Angeles amaze with the lighting of the Olympic flame (that can rival the balloon atop Paris)? How will Los Angeles keep the world's attention when events will take place in other cities around the United States? Note, softball and canoe slalom will take place 1,300 miles from Los Angeles in Oklahoma - and other cities were recently added to the venue list. And will there be famous celebrities as Olympics brand ambassadors similar to Snoop Dogg and Stanley Tucci? Perhaps, impersonators of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe will attend events. The countdown has officially begun.