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.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Best Social Media Post of the Month of October 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 appearing during the first week of each month (hard to believe I've been writing these posts since February 2025!), I share my choice for 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 applause as the best social media post of the month from October 2026 was a post on October 5th on Twitter/X by TasteAtlas, an encyclopedia of flavors, a world atlas of traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants.

The image was entitled, "Classic James Bond Cocktails," and featured cocktails from the many 007 books and films including a Vodka Martini, Scotch and Soda, Vesper, and eight other drinks. This post was memorable because it was shared on October 5th, the date that is celebrated as "James Bond Day." Although Ian Fleming's first Bond novel, "Casino Royale," was released on April 13th, 1953, "James Bond Day" celebrates the U.K.'s theatrical release of "Dr. No," on October 5th, 1962.

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

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

FUN FACT: James Bond's most famous line is, "Bond. James Bond." Do you know when he said it? It was first spoken by Sean Connery in the film "Dr. No" in 1962. However, in "Casino Royale" in 2006, Daniel Craig added his own spin in the final scene by saying, "The name's Bond. James Bond."

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

After You Vote, Read Historical Fiction!

With all the election news dominating the airwaves today, you may wish for a little quiet and distance. If you do, then I highly recommend a work of historical fiction. Take a walk back through time with the book, "The Women's March: A Novel of the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession" by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Here's the book's description from the author's website, "Twenty-five-year-old Alice Paul returns to her native New Jersey after several years on the front lines of the suffrage movement in Great Britain. Weakened from imprisonment and hunger strikes, she is determined to invigorate the stagnant suffrage movement in her homeland. Nine states have already granted women voting rights, but only a constitutional amendment will secure the vote for all. To inspire support for the campaign, Alice organizes a magnificent procession down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the day before the inauguration of President-elect Woodrow Wilson, a firm anti-suffragist.

Joining the march is thirty-nine-year-old New Yorker Maud Malone, librarian, and advocate for women's and workers' rights. The daughter of Irish immigrants, Maud has acquired a reputation — and a criminal record — for interrupting politicians' speeches with pointed questions they'd rather ignore.

Civil rights activist and journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett resolves that women of color must also be included in the march and the proposed amendment. Born into slavery in Mississippi, Ida worries that white suffragists may exclude Black women if it serves their own interests.

On March 3, 1913, the glorious march commences, but negligent police allow vast crowds of belligerent men to block the parade route — jeering, shouting threats, assaulting the marchers — endangering not only the success of the demonstration but the women's lives.

Inspired by actual events, The Women's March offers a fascinating account of a crucial but little-remembered moment in American history, a turning point in the struggle for women's rights."

Monday, November 2, 2026

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2026 featuring Jen Carroll

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

During the Fall season (each Monday from September 28th through December 20th), I'm welcoming a dozen thought leaders to share their insights about reading, books, personal branding, and leadership. Today, Jen Carroll is my featured expert. I met Jen through my participation in the "Leaders Who Fiction" virtual book club in November 2023. Jen is the Co-founder of The Dames Marketing & PR firm in Canton, Ohio, and amplifies what a business is already doing well and opens new pathways to desired audiences. Her core areas of expertise include: customer-centric brand voice and positioning; integrated marketing communications strategy; media and influencer outreach; sales enablement materials that convert; and content strategy optimized for human audiences and AI. Jen's other hat, as she explains, "is as the founder and member of the same book club for 20+ years, an avid hiker, and passionate homecook...and always eager to discuss women's issues, the impact of AI on our society, or the merits of a great historical novel."

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

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

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

And now, let's begin.

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

JEN CARROLL: At the beginning of August, I finished listening to "A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy" by Sue Klebold. Without really intending to, I borrowed Klebold's audiobook, which had been on my TBR list for years, right after reading "Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame, and the Future of Forgiveness." All I can say is: wow, what a one-two punch these two books pack. Together, they were a hard check on my socially constructed understanding of crime and punishment so common among Americans, even non-religious ones: there are good people and bad people; crime reveals which one you are and what kind of parents you had.

Both books made me question why we automatically favor character judgment over the fact that we are all shaped by our circumstances. I did not come away thinking people shouldn't be held responsible for their actions, but I do believe accountability for crime without curiosity or compassion for criminals has helped us approve of and sustain America's punitive and often cruel prison system. We extend that same lack of curiosity to the people who raised them; families go on serving an unofficial sentence of suspicion and blame long after their child is gone or behind bars.

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

JEN CARROLL: I recently added "Empire Falls" by Richard Russo to my TBR list after reading the Atlantic article, "Richard Russo's Small-town America: Bad Luck, Bad Choices," by Mark Oppenheimer. I'm originally from Youngstown, Ohio, a city that's literally synonymous with bad luck and bad choices (and lots of mafia crime!), and I spent my adolescence in Salem, a small Ohio town. Drawn to the article by its title, I was intrigued by Oppenheimer's review of Russo's backstory and career, which often centers on the struggles of working-class men and women. The article mentioned "Empire Falls" as Russo's most famous work, a winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

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

JEN CARROLL: Over the past year, I finally got around to watching "Dune" and "Oppenheimer" but had not read either book. After watching "Dune," I did start Frank Herbert's sci-fi epic, but time and attention did not allow me to get past the first few chapters. I also went to the theater to see "Project Hail Mary," a book I sheepishly admit to quitting about halfway through because I honestly did not care for Weir's writing style, which I found simplistic, repetitive, and somewhat predictable. It's the total opposite of Herbert's dense, heavily-detailed approach. Can I just get something more balanced? Haha!

That said, I found all three movies fascinating with grand narratives that seemed ideal for film. Normally, I love a book and feel supremely disappointed in its film adaptation, but perhaps there's something to watching a story without knowledge of the literature (for me, at least).

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

JEN CARROLL: I am a huge fan of Ted Lasso! The original screenwriting perfectly blends humor and nuanced, believable character development, and I've watched the three-season story arc twice. As of this writing, the first two episodes of season four have dropped, and I'm cautiously optimistic this new installment has the potential to be as good as the original storyline. Particularly in the second episode, Ted returns with his signature leadership style, combining curiosity, wisdom, kindness, and a truly charming (and disarming) type of goofiness. It's already beginning to break down the angry, closed-off assistant head coach Alice Chilton, of course. That said, I hope the screenwriters don't just rehash old plotlines. I'm looking forward to, I hope, some new take on Ted as a leader and a human being who's always learning.

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

JEN CARROLL: Mary Oliver's poems and essays have left me with a sense of awe ever since I randomly pulled her "American Primitive" off a library shelf in early 1990's, looking for a program oral interpretation cutting to use in collegiate speech and debate competitions. (I eventually chose "The Kitten.") She observed nature at its best, worst, and most ordinary, and then described it beautifully, without singsong or sentimentality.

Oliver's personal history, teaching, disciplined approach to writing, and even the ungentle demeanor I've heard about make her an appealing person to have a conversation with. Perhaps she would dispel any illusions I have about aspiring to a poet's life while also confirming it was the only thing she ever wanted to do. Discussing a life of creative writing, including all the challenging things about it, would be so interesting to me.

Let's Celebrate Cookie Monster Day!

Today is a special day if you like cookies, and that's because it's Cookie Monster's birthday. Cookie Monster is the blue monster with a big appetite for cookies made famous on Sesame Street. However, did you know that Jim Henson created the original version of Cookie Monster for a General Foods commercial in 1966?

According to Medium, "When Cookie Monster first appeared on Sesame Street, his role was undefined and he didn't have a name. But, by the second season, he came into his own and became one of the most popular characters on the show. He's known for his blue fur, googly eyes, simple language, and appetite to eat everything — not just cookies. There has been some concern that Cookie Monster encourages unhealthy eating, but Cookie Monster himself has even sang about eating healthy food."

What made Cookie Monster stand out - and continue to stand out - is his effective personal branding. As Jessica Thiefels explained, "Your personal brand is what makes you unique. It's what sets you apart from others."

Back in 2022, I welcomed Anu Bhatnagar, a PR expert based in the UAE, to my blog for a Q&A about personal branding. Here were three secrets for successful personal branding according to Anu:

(1) Know your "self" truly and then envision how you want to show this unique and powerful "self" to the world and why.

(2) Make your evolution a part of your personal branding strategy.

(3) Cultivate a mindset of “being happy and comfortable with showing your authentic self."

SHARE THIS: Be yourself, everyone else is already taken. ~Oscar Wilde #CookieMonsterDay #PersonalBranding #DebbieLaskeysBlog

FUN FACTS ABOUT COOKIE MONSTER:

(1) Jim Henson designed early prototypes of Cookie Monster for commercials in the 1960's before the character made his debut on Sesame Street in 1969.

(2) While November 2nd celebrates Cookie Monster, "National Cookie Day" is observed on December 4th. Sesame Street and Cookie Monster helped popularize that date during the 1970's and 1980's.

(3) Cookie Monster's real name is "Sid."

(4) He's known for his famous catchphrases, such as "Me want cookie!"

(5) Chocolate chip cookies are his favorite cookie, and oatmeal cookies are his second favorite.

SHARE THIS: The English word "cookie" is derived from the Dutch word "koekie," meaning "little cake." #CookieMonsterDay #PersonalBranding #DebbieLaskeysBlog

HOW CAN YOU CELEBRATE TODAY?

(1) Bake some chocolate chip cookies.

(2) Bake a blue cake that looks like Cookie Monster.

(3) Watch classic Sesame Street clips.

(4) Read the book, "Happy Birthday, Cookie Monster" by Carol Nicklaus. In the 1986-published book, "Cookie finds himself sad on his birthday after eating all his birthday cake before his party. He doesn't know what he will feed his guests. When his guests arrive, they all bring a cake. In the end, they all have a good time, especially Cookie Monster."

(5) Share your favorite Cookie Monster quotes, for instance, "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me."

However you celebrate today, it's guaranteed to be a day full of smiles because Cookie Monster always provided smiles and embodied fun.

SHARE THIS: Sometimes I think, what is friend? And me think, friend someone you give up last cookie for. ~CookieMonster #CookieMonsterDay #MeWantCookie #PersonalBranding #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: Spotify.

Read the full Q&A with Anu Bhatnagar from August 2022:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/08/the-intersection-of-public-relations.html

Check out this recipe for a Cookie Monster-themed cake:

https://sweetannas.com/2012/04/dark-chocolate-mocha-cake-with-cookie-dough-filling.html

Read about the best-selling cookie in the world:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/the-best-selling-cookie-in-the-world-is-a-copycat-brand-1.7080582

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Let's Celebrate Authors on National Authors Day!

Today is a special day if you're a dedicated reader. Today's the day to celebrate the authors, writers, poets, storytellers, and bloggers who inspire us - and to applaud them for their hard work!

Do you know today's history? In 1928, Nellie McPherson, a teacher from Illinois, wrote a fan letter to author Irving Bacheller. The day was then officially endorsed by the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1929 to celebrate authors and their literary works - and later acknowledged by the United States Department of Commerce in 1949.

I'd like to share these inspiring quotes:

"If you give a person a book, you give him the world." ~Kristin Harmel

"Books are a uniquely portable magic." ~Stephen King

"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." ~Dr. Seuss

"There's more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." ~Walt Disney

"Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting, and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage." ~Roald Dahl

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

And now, here's my list of favorite contemporary authors (translation, I'll read anything they write):

(1) Kristin Harmel

(2) Kristin Hannah

(3) B.A. Paris

(4) S.A. Cosby

(5) Janet Skeslien Charles

(6) Liv Constantine

(7) Jo Piazza

(8) Sally Hepworth

(9) Kimberly Belle

(10) Lee Goldberg

Here's my list of favorite books/plays of all time:

(1) "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas

(2) "An Enemy of the People" by Henrik Ibsen

(3) "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

(4) "Our Town" by Thorton Wilder

(5) "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay

(6) "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks

(7) "The Sweetness of Forgetting" by Krisin Harmel

(8) "P.S., I Love You" by Cecilia Ahorn

And here are the BEST books I've read during the last few years - you should definitely add them to your to-be-read pile if you haven't read them yet:

(1) "The Paris Daughter" by Kristin Harmel

(2) "The Women" by Kristin Hannah

(3) "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt

(4) "American Dirt" by Jeanine Cummins

(5) "The Library of Lost Dollhouses" by Elise Hooper

(6) "The Paris Library" by Janet Skeslien Charles

(7) "The Violin Conspiracy" by Brendan Slocumb

(8) "The Book Made Me Think of You" by Libby Page

(9) "Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win" by Jo Piazza

(10) "Mad Mabel" by Sally Hepworth

Lastly, when you share your gratitude online today, here are some hashtags:

(1) #NationalAuthorsDay

(2) #AuthorAppreciation

(3) #BookLovers

(4) #ReadMoreBooks

(5) #LetsCelebrateAuthors

(6) #AuthorsBringImaginationToLife

(7) #ReadingIsMySuperPower

(8) #ReadBannedBooks

No matter which book you consider your favorite, today is a wonderful day to applaud the writers who take you on unforgettable journeys!

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Reading Ideas for Halloween!

For previous holidays, I've often shared well-known brands and their brand stories. However, this year for Halloween, I'm doing something I haven't done before. Since I'm an avid reader (and hope to reach or surpass my reading goal of 75 books this year!), I'm going to share some scary book recommendations. These six works of fiction were full of twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat while reading. They're all memorable as you can tell by the years noted below - and I hope YOU enjoy them, too.

WARD D by Frieda McFadden (I read this book in 2023.)

Here's a brief synopsis: "Medical student Amy Brenner is spending the night on Ward D, a locked psychiatric ward. There are very specific reasons why she never wanted to do this required overnight rotation - reasons nobody can ever find out. And as the hours tick by, Amy grows increasingly convinced something terrible is happening within these tightly secured walls. When patients and staff start to vanish without a trace, it becomes clear that everyone on the unit is in grave danger."

SOMETHING IN THE WATER by Catherine Steadman (I read this book in 2018.)

Here's a brief synopsis: "Erin is a documentary filmmaker, and Mark is a handsome investment banker. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, While scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. Suddenly, the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt?"

EVERY LAST FEAR by Alex Finlay (I read this book in 2024.)

Here's a brief synopsis: "After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family—his mom, his dad, his little brother, and sister—have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident, but the FBI and State Department seem far less certain, and they won't tell Matt why. The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn't the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt's older brother, Danny—currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte—was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted. When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he's faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he'd hoped to leave behind forever. Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny's case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison, forcing him to confront his every last fear."

THEN SHE WAS GONE by Lisa Jewell (I read this book in 2023.)

Here's a brief synopsis: "Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers. And then she was gone. Now, her mother, Laurel Mack, is trying to put her life back together. It's been ten years since her youngest child disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie's case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she's meeting Floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel's breath away. Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. Laurel is haunted by her long unanswered questions. What happened to Ellie? Did she run away from home, as the police have long suspected? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?"

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B.A. Paris (I read this book in 2021.)

Here's a brief synopsis: "Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth; she has charm and elegance. He's a dedicated attorney who has never lost a case; she's a flawless homemaker, a masterful gardener and cook, and dotes on her disabled younger sister. Though they are still newlyweds, they seem to have it all. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are inseparable. Some might call this true love. Others might wonder why Grace never answers the phone. Or why she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn't work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. Or why she never seems to take anything with her when she leaves the house, not even a pen. Or why there are such high-security metal shutters on all the downstairs windows. Some might wonder what's really going on once the dinner party is over, and the front door has closed."

Good news for B.A. Paris fans: in February 2026, she announced that her next book would be a sequel to BEHIND CLOSED DOORS to celebrate the book's 10th anniversary - hard to believe it was published back in 2016!

FOLLOW YOU HOME by Mark Edwards (I read this book in 2023.)

Here's a brief synopsis: "It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. But an experience on a night train through Eastern Europe forces Daniel and Laura to cut their dream trip short and flee home. Back in London, Daniel and Laura vow never to talk about what happened. But as they try to fit into their old lives again, they realize they are in terrible danger."

Have you read a scary book lately? Chime in and share.

Friday, October 30, 2026

Does Your Brand Celebrate Halloween?

Recently, I received an email promoting "The Midnight Series: Five Halloween Chairs" from GTPlayer, a company that sells ergonomic chairs.

As a marketer who's always wondering how brands will stand out from the competition with unique communications, ads, and stories, I was very impressed by this email's promotion.

The promotion was a tweaked product line specifically designed for Halloween, and due to the target audience for the product (gamers), the new product line will probably be a hit.

According to the brand's website, "Founded in 2011, GTPlayer is a world-leading esports equipment brand trusted by over 10 million users. GTPlayer gaming chairs immerse players with exceptional comfort from ergonomic lumbar support, adjustable backrests, and seat cushions that exceed industry standards." The website also notes this tagline, "Born for Victory; Engineered for Comfort."

This promotional email made me wonder, how many brands promote Halloween with an appropriately-themed celebration? Does your brand? Chime in and share - and happy Halloween!

And make a note on your calendar to swing by my Blog tomorrow for a special Halloween celebration - I'll share six scary books to read for the holiday!

SHARE: I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color. ~Wednesday Addams from "The Addams Family" #Halloween #BrandStorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: GTPlayer.

Read about five memorable Halloween brands on my Blog (October 2025):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/10/five-memorable-halloween-brands.html