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.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Super Bowl LIX Is Hours Away

Today is the day all football fans - and marketing experts - look forward to each year. For the two best teams, the season championship is on the line. But for brands that spend between seven and eight million dollars for a 15 or 30 seconds ad, it's easily the best day of the year for a brand to become as talked about as Oscar winners. Since the game is just hours away, let's draw our attention to some other fun stories surrounding today's event.

MUSEUM WAGERS

According to NPR, "Directors of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Philadelphia Museum of Art will each put a master work from their respective collections on the line. A shortlist of masterworks that could be up for loan will be revealed once curators huddle to consider the potential spoils of victory...When the Eagles lost to the Chiefs in 2023, the Philadelphia Museum of Art loaned the 1875 painting "Sailing," by Thomas Eakins, which was on display at the Nelson-Atkins for two months.

Philadelphia museum officials announced the latest edition of the wager in what has become known as #MuseumBowl2025 will showcase two paintings by 19th century French artist Edouard Manet, considered by many to be an elder statesman of the Impressionist movement. If the Eagles hoist the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, the Nelson-Atkins will send the 1871 work "The Croquet Party" to Philadelphia on loan."

ZOO WAGERS

According to NPR, "When the 49ers lost the Super Bowl in 2020, the San Francisco Zoo had to name one of their goats after Patrick Mahomes. The last time the Eagles lost, an iconic elephant statue at the Philadelphia Zoo, the first nation's first zoo, had to wear a "Chiefs Kingdom" banner.

This year, the Kansas City Zoo is raising the stakes with a challenge rolled into a bet on Instagram. The caption read, "How about the winning team donates $50 PER POINT that their team scores to a Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program of their choice?" The winning proceeds will be put toward conservation programs."

LIBRARY WAGERS

The Kansas City Public Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia created a friendly, literary competition in honor of the big game.

"We wanted to do a love competition, especially since it's February and also Valentine's Day month. We wanted to kick off something to show some love for the library. We're asking community members to share something they love about their local library in a Library Love Competition," said Juli Lancaster, Kansas City Library digital content specialist.

The last time the Eagles lost, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia Kelly Richards hosted a special Chiefs-themed story time where he read "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."

MAYOR WAGERS

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced their wager: Lucas will send along Gates BBQ, while Parker is wagering cheesesteaks.

GOVERNOR WAGERS

Cheesesteaks are also on the line — along with some Miller's Twist pretzels — for Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who put in their bets with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

PUBLIC SCHOOL WAGERS

According to NPR, "Kansas City Public School's Pitcher Elementary has cleaned up during the playoffs, winning challenges against a Houston school ahead of the Divisional Round game against the Texans, and a Buffalo school ahead of the AFC title game. Now, Pitcher Elementary has created a Super Bowl challenge from Dr. Jennifer Collier, Superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools, against The School District of Philadelphia: If the Chiefs win: Philly students and staff will wear red and gold to school and send some goodies from Philadelphia. If the Eagles win: KCPS students and staff will wear green and white to school and send treats to Philadelphia."

KANSAS CITY & PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL ADOPTION NEWS

According to NPR, "Stray cats and dogs at the Great Plains SPCA will be purring and wagging their tails if the Chiefs win on Sunday. The local animal adoption agency is collaborating with PAWS Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society in the Shelter Showdown, where shelters compete to see who can rally the most support from their communities. So far, more than $105,000 has been donated to the Shelter Showdown to care for animals in need — more than $45,000 of it in Kansas City and more than $38,000 in Philadelphia."

MEDIA WAGERS

Philadelphia's NPR station WHYY and Kansas City's KCUR also made a wager: If the Chiefs win, the Philadelphia station will send KCUR a basket of Philly food — soft pretzels, Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, and more. If the Eagles win, KCUR will send WHYY some KC barbecue. Bets between the local NPR stations in each Super Bowl city have become a tradition.

PUPPY BOWL XXI

Airing on Animal Planet on Super Bowl Sunday, Puppy Bowl XXI will feature Team Ruff versus Team Fluff as adorable adoptable puppies play their version of football and attempt to win the Lombarky Trophy.

GREAT AMERICAN RESCUE BOWL

Formerly known as The Kitten Bowl and previously broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, Great American Family grabbed the event in 2022. This third annual event will be broadcast in partnership with the North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization based out of Port Washington, New York. The televised event will be a cat and dog filled gridiron featuring pets looking for their fur-ever homes. According to Parade, "Between the turnovers and touchdowns, the special features heartwarming stories of pet lives saved through fostering. The goal of the show is to raise awareness of pet adoption and reveal the beautiful pets available in shelters in everyone's neighborhood."

GATORADE SHOWER

While there are a myriad of bets surrounding the Super Bowl such as which team scores first, which team gets a field goal first, which team gets a touchdown first, score at the end of each quarter, score at half time, and final score, there is one ridiculous bet that stands out: the Gatorade color for the end-of-game Gatorade shower on the winning coach. The tradition began in 1984 when nose tackle Jim Burt doused New York Giants coach Bill Parcells with a cooler of Gatorade. Two years later, after the NY Giants won Super Bowl XXI, linebacker Harry Carson snuck up behind Parcells and doused him with another Gatorade shower.

According to ESPN, "Splashing the winning Super Bowl coach with Gatorade has become more than a fun tradition. Guessing the color has become a prop bet that generates more than $1 million, although the wager is accepted only in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Illinois, as well as offshore books. The NFL isn't thrilled with the gimmick bet, per a league source, because of the potential for corruption with someone finding out the color ahead of time. But that won't stop a player or players from the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles from splashing the drink on their coach in a postgame celebration Sunday. By the way, purple is the current favorite at ESPN."

Jeff Kearney, head of global sports marketing at Gatorade, explained, "It turned into this thing that today, regardless of level of play - youth, high school, college, pro, international, you name it - a big moment, a seminal moment is oftentimes christened with that Gatorade shower."

And in case you're wondering, the most popular colors for Gatorade showers at the Super Bowl are orange, blue, and clear. The least popular color is blue, which has only been used four times since 1985. And red Gatorade has not been dumped on a Super Bowl-winning coach in over 25 years.

PHRASES IN END ZONES

For the first time in four years, the NFL will remove the phrase "End Racism" from the end zones of the Super Bowl game and replace with two messages, "Choose Love" and "It Takes All of Us." According to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy, "The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time, and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country. "Choose Love" is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation's capital, and the plane crash in Philadelphia...The NFL began adding phrases to the field in 2020, as part of the "Inspire Change" initiative launched in 2018. Inspire Change is the NFL's social justice initiative, aimed at reducing barriers to opportunity, particularly in communities of color, and showcasing how the NFL family is working together to create positive change."

FOOD NEWS

Some food brands have special deals for Super Bowl Sunday:

(1) Buffalo Wild Wings will continuing its Super Bowl Sunday tradition for the seventh year in a row. If the Super Bowl enters overtime, customers nationwide will receive six boneless wings for free on Monday, February 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

(2) Krispy Kreme is offering special football-themed doughnuts, available at stores and for pickup or delivery. Each "Big Game Dozen" has six glazed doughnuts and six football-shaped cream-filled doughnuts, dipped in chocolate icing with white icing football laces. Also today, get an Original Glazed dozen for only $2 when purchasing any dozen (or 16-count minis).

(3) Dunkin': Start Super Bowl Sunday off with the new DunKings $6 Meal Deal, which comes with a Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, Hash Browns and a medium Hot (14 ounces) or Iced Coffee (24 ounces). Midday, you can get revved up with the Sabrina Carpenter-inspired Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso; medium size for $3 after 12 p.m.

(4) During the Super Bowl, Chipotle will be sharing text-to-claim codes for the following events: when an extra point is kicked; when the team on offense scores a 2-point conversion; when the team on offense converts on a fourth-down play; and when any other event that takes place during the game which Chipotle determines is an "extra" event.

(5) Firehouse Subs: Keep an eye on the sandwich chain's Instagram account, where it posts Names of the Day. If your name is listed, you get a BOGO deal on any sub. Just show a valid photo ID in-store or redeem through the Firehouse Subs app or website.

What will we be talking about after the Super Bowl? Which brand will win the Brand Bowl, also known as the Ad Bowl? Will you be following and commenting on the ads in real time on Twitter/X, as in years past? Will you use Bluesky or Threads instead? Will the ads out score the big game? Tune in tomorrow morning for MY annual Monday morning quarterbacking about the ads.

Image Credits: Instagram.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Introducing the Best Social Media Post of the Month Series

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 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?

I'm introducing a new series here on my blog that will appear the first week of each month in which I will share the best social media post of the preceding month. The 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, my lead-off best social media post of the month from January 2025 was shared on January 20th, 2025, by THE DAILY SHOW. You may have seen this post around the web on various social media platforms, but I caught it on Instagram. It featured a photo of Melania Trump as incoming returning First Lady at the Presidential Inauguration combined with an image of Pizza Hut's name and logo showcasing what looked like the same hat. The single line of text read, "No one out-pizzas the Hut."

This post was memorable because it provided humor on what many of us considered to be a dark day for our country and also because it provided some promotion for a brand that is not normally associated with presidential inaugurations.

What brand do you think will stand out during February? Chime in and share.

Image Credit: The Daily Show via Instagram.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

The Best Book I Read in 2024

Since I shared a review of the best book I read in 2023 exactly a year ago today, I thought I'd share the best book I read in 2024 to celebrate reading.

In early 2024, I set a goal to increase the number of books I read from 50 in 2023 to 60 in 2024, and not only did I reach that goal, but I surpassed it! I read 74! The majority of the books were fiction, and some were leadership non-fiction, but all captured my attention.

Since 2024 turned out to be such an important political year in the United States, I read five books that featured the American political landscape as an important theme. Two works of fiction were "Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win" by Jo Piazza and "Behind Every Good Man" by Sara Goodman Confino. Two works of non-fiction were "Attack from Within, How Disinformation is Sabotaging America" by Barbara McQuade and "Inclusion on Purpose, An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work" by Ruchika Tulshyan Malhotra. The fifth book was a work of fiction, and my favorite read during 2024: "LULA DEAN'S LITTLE LIBRARY OF BANNED BOOKS" by Kirsten Miller.

I don't want to give away too much, but the gist of the story is that a closed-minded lady in a small Southern town wants to ban books that she personally thinks are inappropriate. So, after removing a myriad of books from the local library, she places what she thinks are appropriate books in a small lending library display outside her house for anyone to borrow - books that most people would not be interested in, such as, how Southern ladies behave. But what she doesn't know is that two members of the community placed the banned books from the library inside the book covers outside her house.

On a side note, have you ever wondered how important book covers are on hard-back books, also referred to as first editions? After you finish this book, you might spend more time thinking about the cost and design that publishers allocate to book covers. And swing by my blog on February 26th to read my post on this topic.

Anyhow, back to our book, for example, the book cover for "The Diary of Anne Frank" did not match the content, and the book cover for "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." did not match the content. Imagine people's surprise when they opened those books and many others!

To quote K.E. Creighton, "This novel touches on the impact books have on us as human beings, how and why we crave them, how they connect us, and how they can literally change our lives for the better. It reminded me of why we all read, why I read, why we need to read, and how reading and talking about what we read with others is as essential to survival as breathing in a lot of ways...This novel also reminds us that books, especially banned books, never make people do anything, as no book can do that. A book can only allow you to see and understand yourself or another human being a little more fully, but it cannot cause someone to be gay, commit a crime, or start a feminist revolution."

So, if you have not yet read this book, add it to the top of your MUST-READ LIST. You'll be glad you did!

Friday, January 31, 2025

Marketing News of the Week: Names, Brand Changes, Pandas, and More

During the last week (okay, the last couple of weeks), there were news stories that reflected advertising, brand identity, brand equity, co-branding, communications, corporate culture, personal branding, product packaging, and more.

FLAVORS FOR 2025

McCormick and Company announced its 2025 flavor forecast: tropical-inspired flavors. Food Business News predicts that beverage-inspired flavors such as strawberry margarita, pina colada, and mojito will be added to desserts during 2025.

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Donald Trump's second inauguration took place on January 20th. (On a side note, check out my January 20th post featuring MY choices for TIME's Person of the Year.) Always a solemn day to recognize and celebrate the importance of our American democracy and the value we place on freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equality, this year's event had dark and disturbing undertones.

SPANISH WHITE HOUSE WEBSITE

According to PBS, "Within hours of President Donald Trump's inauguration, the new administration took down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. The site (https://www.whitehouse.gov/es/) now gives users an "Error 404/Page Not Found" message. A button was later added to read "Go To Home Page." Hispanic advocacy groups and others expressed confusion at the abrupt change and frustration at what some called the administration's lack of efforts to maintain communication with the Latino community, which helped propel him to the presidency. The Spanish profile of the White House' X (formerly Twitter) account, @LaCasaBlanca, and the government page on reproductive freedom were also disbanded."

"According to 2023 Census Bureau estimates, about 43.4 million Americans — 13.7 percent of the U.S. population age 5 and older — speak Spanish at home. The U.S. has no official language. Monica Rivera, a brand and communications strategist in New York City of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, said the shutdown sends a clear signal. She said, "There are 43 million Latinos who speak Spanish as their first language and removing access to information directly from the White House draws a distinct line as to who they are serving and more dangerously, signals to the administration's MAGA base that we as Latinos are 'other' and a less significant part of this country."

LUNAR NEW YEAR

The Lunar New Year began on January 29th and welcomes the Year of the Snake. Many brands added a snake or the color red (because the Chinese believe red brings good luck, prosperity, and wards off evil) into their logo, mascot, promotions, or communications. If your brand missed the opportunity, check out my blog post from January 29th for some useful tips for next year.

GULF OF AMERICA & MOUNT MCKINLEY

In one of President Trump's numerous executive orders signed upon taking office on January 20th, he introduced two new names: the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley. Google said it will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" and change Denali to "Mount McKinley." According to CNBC, "Google added that the name Gulf of Mexico will remain displayed for users in Mexico, but users in other countries will see both names. The mountain was named Mount McKinley until 2015, when President Barack Obama's administration changed it to Denali as a symbolic gesture to Alaska Natives."

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

On January 27th, world leaders and Holocaust survivors gathered at the former site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation by Soviet troops at the end of World War II. Leaders from around the world were present including Britain's King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron. The site (like many other concentration camps) now operates as a memorial site whose goal is to inform visitors about the atrocities that happened there.

CHEETOS OTHER HAND

According to Marketing Dive, "Cheetos is extending its Other Hand marketing campaign with a custom font timed to National Handwriting Day (January 23). Other Hand centers on people who only use their dominant hand to eat Cheetos, leading to mishaps. The Other Hand Font is deliberately wonky looking, allegedly created by designers relying on their non-dominant hand while indulging in a bag of the puffed cheese snacks. The Other Hand Font is available through Cheetos.com and a Google Chrome browser plug-in that switches out the typeface of other websites. The Frito-Lay snack brand is encouraging consumers to post their own Other Hand Font creations on social media for the chance to win a limited-edition bag inspired by the chicken scratch design."

NORAH O'DONNELL SIGNED OFF

According to Adweek, "After five years anchoring the CBS Evening News, Norah O'Donnell opened the Eye Network newscast for one last time on Thursday, January 23rd. She said, "This has been an honor of a lifetime to anchor this legacy broadcast. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with heart." She is not leaving CBS News, but instead shifting into a broader role as the network's senior correspondent focusing on long-form reporting and interviews."

The broadcast's next era will be ushered in by John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, who will co-anchor the Evening News out of Studio 47 within CBS News' Manhattan headquarters. The duo will joined by Margaret Brennan from Washington, D.C., and Lonnie Quinn, the chief weathercaster.

COSTCO FOOD COURT CHANGES

According to ABC7, "Costco shoppers will soon see a difference in drink choices at its food court. Costco's CEO announced Thursday that the company is bringing back Coca-Cola products. The big-box wholesaler said Coke will replace its archival Pepsi. For decades, Coke was a centerpiece at Costco food courts, but the company switched to Pepsi in 2013. Coke fountain drinks are expected to make a comeback at your local store beginning this summer."

STARBUCKS CHANGES

Beginning January 27th, according to ABC7, "Starbucks is bringing back condiment bars after they were taken away during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and baristas will return to hand-writing customers' names on their cups using Sharpies. Both changes are part of Starbucks' plans to reboot the coffee house vibe that's diminished in recent years. The return of milk and sugar stations are a small step for Starbucks, but it represents something much bigger for the world's largest coffee chain. It's an acknowledgment that Starbucks went too far in overloading its baristas with endless ways to prepare drinks. The return of personalizing cups is also a CEO Brian Niccol directive, who previously said the chain had to "track down" 200,000 Sharpies to make it happen."

KIA RECALLS

According to NBCNewYork, "Automaker Kia America is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles due to floor wiring beneath the front passenger seat that can become damaged and prevent airbags and seat belts from deploying properly. Damaged wiring can also cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To remedy the situation, dealers will inspect, replace, and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, for free. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owners will be notified by letters mailed in March."

ITALIAN MUSEUMS AND DOGS

According to ArtNews, "Italian museums have started offering free dog-sitting services in a bid to boost visitor numbers. The scheme, initiated by the Bauadvisor dog services company, launched on January 26th in Rome at four major cultural sites. Forty dog owners reportedly used the service on its opening day. A 2024 report published by the Eurispes research company found that a third of Italian families have pets, and that almost 50 percent of those pets are dogs. Dino Gasperini, director of Bauadvisor, told the Times of London, "This project means owners can enjoy culture without being separated from their pets for long, and dogs will suffer less stress than they would if left at home." Gasperini claimed that half of dog owners forego visiting museums because they don’t want to leave their pets at home.

The service, which can be booked online, will tour 15 tourist hotspots across Italy for one day each month until April 2026. Dog owners will be able to leave their pets with trained minders at the entrances of selected museums. The dogs will then be walked and fed while their owners roam free inside each institution.

WELCOME TO DC'S PANDAS

Giant pandas have returned to Washington D.C. - and went on public view on January 24th! As part of the National Zoo's 52-year-old conservation partnership with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, the zoo is now home to two new bears, Bao Li and Qing Bao. In a ceremonial opening of the Asia Trail exhibit, the Zoo was declared as the "District of Panda."

According to the Smithsonian's website, "Panda fans nationwide can support NZCBI’s giant panda conservation program by purchasing limited-edition bags of giant panda-themed M&M'S on MMS.com and on-site at the Zoo, at Smithsonian museum stores and at the Smithsonian Store at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. For every limited-edition panda pack sold on MMS.com, Mars will donate $5 to NZCBI's giant panda conservation program. Through purchase of these limited-edition M&M'S, fans can directly contribute to the NZCBI's research and habitat protection efforts for one of the world's most beloved and iconic animals. The $14.99 10 oz. sharing-size bags include candies featuring a panda figure and a pawprint, showcasing the giant panda's pseudo-thumb used to grasp bamboo. The packaging features a fun fact about giant pandas and a QR code that connects fans to NZCBI's website, where they can learn more about this species."

Numerous hotels, restaurants, and even the Washington, DC public library are getting in the panda spirit!

Washington, DC Public Library: "Get ready to greet them with the library! Check out panda-themed books, stream documentaries about the species, create a panda paper mache mask with the help of Creativebug and more."

Some hotels, according to the Washingtonian:

Churchill Hotel: The "Panda-monium Getaway" package at the Churchill Hotel near Embassy Row includes a welcome cocktail for two, take-home panda-themed bucket hats plus a reusable bag, and $10 of your reservation fee will be donated to the Smithsonian Giant Panda Conservation Program. Rooms start at $208 a night.

Conrad Washington DC: The Conrad Hotel's two-night panda package includes a stay in a suite; transportation to and from the National Zoo; a private, in-suite visit from the hotel's panda mascot, Potomac the Panda; a gourmet picnic basket with lunch for four to take to the zoo; a "sponsor circle" zoo membership; luxury keepsakes for parents including a Gucci panda charm and a black-and-white silk twill scarf from Prada; and plush pandas and panda-themed treats for the kids. Packages start at $5,500.

Lyle Hotel: In addition to overnight accommodations at the Dupont Circle Hotel, the "Panda-monium at Lyle" package includes Panda-inspired cocktails at the bar, a black-and-white cookie treat in the room, a late checkout, and an Uber credit for getting to the zoo. Rates begin at $231 a night.

Melrose Georgetown Hotel: The panda package at this hotel includes welcome cocktails for two, take-home panda-themed bucket hats plus a reusable bag, and $10 of your reservation fee will be donated to the Smithsonian Giant Panda Conservation Program. Rates start at $262 a night.

Omni Shoreham Hotel: Just six blocks from the zoo, the Omni Shoreham always offers a zoo package, and the return of the pandas makes it as timely as ever. The package includes a $25 daily breakfast credit, one zoo-themed welcome gift per child, and hotel valet parking for one car. Rates start at $254 a night.

Watergate Hotel: The "Welcome Home, Pandas" package at the Watergate Hotel includes panda-themed treats, a panda-printed pajama set from Bellabubear for the kids, and a stuffed toy panda, plus transportation to and from the Zoo. Rates start at $504 a night.

Restaurants too, according to Axios DC:

Baked by Yael, a Kosher and nut-free bakery by the zoo, has tripled its revenue on big bear occasions. To fuel the craze, it bakes panda pops and cookies and sells merch.

The panda-themed pop-up takes over Duke's Counter, across from the zoo. Owner Daniel Kramer says they're "going all-in," from a green habitat-chic decor to panda-rita cocktails and photo-ready backdrops for the TikTok crowd. Expect bamboo everything, from edible garnishes to sustainable straws.

OREO'S LATEST PARTNERSHIP

According to PRNewsWire, "The OREO brand is starting off the new year with a twist. That is, the Limited Edition Post Malone OREO Cookies. In a sweet new collab, the OREO brand is teaming up with nine-time RIAA diamond-certified, GRAMMY Award-nominated phenomenon Post Malone to drop a cookie that celebrates the "twists" in all of us. The OREO cookies star a first-of-its-kind swirled creme combining salted caramel and shortbread flavor creme, sandwiched between an OREO chocolate cookie and a signature golden cookie for a delicious duet of flavors in every bite."

CHAMPAGNE SALES SINK

According to CNN, "Champagne sales have lost their pop as people around the world aren't in the mood to say "cheers." The total number of Champagne shipments from France sank nearly 10 percent last year to 271 million bottles, marking the second consecutive year of declines as inflation-weary consumers cut back and a generally glum mood permeates across the globe. That's according to new report from Comité Champagne, a trade association representing more than 16,000 winegrowers and 320 Champagne houses, which painted a dour picture of the industry that aligns with sales of other alcoholic beverages. Sales in France of the home-grown beverage also dipped 7 percent, to 118 million bottles, because the domestic market is still suffering from the prevailing gloomy political and economic context."

INSTAGRAM SNAFU

Following the Presidential Inauguration, some Instagram users were mysteriously unable to UNFOLLOW Trump and Vance. Users had previously followed the POTUS and VP accounts because they wanted to read/see posts by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, but for political reasons, chose to unfollow the new leaders. For unknown reasons, some users clicked unfollow, but the requests were denied.

LANGUAGE SNAFU

According to Fortune, "Mark Zuckerberg lamented the rise of "culturally neutered" companies that have sought to distance themselves from "masculine energy," adding that it's good if a culture "celebrates the aggression a bit more."

Zuckerberg was quoted as saying, "Masculine energy I think is good, and obviously society has plenty of that, but I think that corporate culture was really trying to get away from it. It's like you want feminine energy, you want masculine energy. I think that that's all good. But I do think the corporate culture sort of had swung toward being this somewhat more neutered thing. If you're a woman going into a company, it probably feels like it's too masculine. It's — there is't enough of the energy that you may naturally have. You want women to be able to succeed and have companies that can unlock all the value from having great people no matter what their background or gender."

Zuckerberg added that he grew up with three sisters and has three daughters, and wants women to succeed in corporations. Hard to believe!

SPIRIT AIRLINES UPDATES ITS DRESS CODE

According to Travel+Leisure, "In January, the airline announced it revised its passenger policies to enforce a stricter dress code, prohibiting certain items of clothing and forcing passengers with specific types of body art to cover up. In its updated "Contract of Carriage," the airline states that passengers will not be allowed to board if they are "barefoot" or are "inadequately clothed," which it defines as in "see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts," or "whose clothing or article, including body art, is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature or has an offensive odor unless caused by a qualified disability." The airline decided on the change following several incidents with passengers.

DATA PRIVACY DAY

According to NationalToday.com, "As the line between our offline and online lives continues to blur, Data Privacy Day on January 28 is the little nudge we need at the beginning of each new year to make safeguarding our personal information a priority. Although we live in an increasingly digital world, most of us give little thought to data privacy until after our personal data has been compromised. Our increased reliance on digital technologies to manage every facet of life necessitates the need to rethink what we share about ourselves, when and where we share it, and who we are sharing it with. Data Privacy Day is part of the global online safety, security, and privacy campaign called "STOP. THINK. CONNECT." - an initiative of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA).

The unpleasant truth is that most people who have access to our personal data do not need it. These digital strangers with legitimate access to our personal data are the very people we should be preventing from accessing our personal information because they do not need it. Data Privacy Day is an important wake-up call for anyone who is on the grid, meaning, they use any type of digital device for any reason, and thinks having spam software and firewalls are keeping their data safe. Data Privacy Day reminds us to treat personal information like money. It has value and we need to protect it as if our lives depended on it - because sometimes they do."

SUPER BOWL 59

The biggest football game of the year takes place in just 9 days - on February 9th! Which brand's ads are you looking forward to watching?

What other recent marketing buzz caught your attention? Since there's always something happening that impacts marketing, read #DebbieLaskeysBlog for the scoop!

Image Credits: M&M's (Smithsonian's National Zoo Giant Panda), Cheetos/PepsiCo Foods US, and the White House.

Here's the link to the Giant Panda Cam:

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/panda-cam

Here's the link to purchase some panda MM's:

https://www.mms.com/en-us/gifts/smithsonian-zoo-panda-10oz/ct2346-p.html

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Happy Lunar New Year 2025!

Gung Hay Fat Choy, or translated into Cantonese: "Wishing you prosperity."

2025 is the Year of the Snake and is celebrated around the world beginning today. It is an annual 15-day festival around the world that begins with the new moon that occurs sometime between January 21st and February 20th according to Western calendars - and festivities last until the following full moon.

According to the Calgary Herald, "Loathe them or love them, snakes are slithering into the spotlight this year. The snake brings with it wisdom, transformation, calmness, and creativity. These limbless reptiles, of course, have a less-than-stellar reputation in many societal references. A sneaky individual might be said to be as slippery as a snake or a snake in the grass. A slick salesperson can be called a snake oil salesman. And of course, we can’t forget the serpent's role in the Garden of Eden, as it tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Snakes are so despised by some people that there’s even a special word for the phobia associated with the creatures — ophidiophobia (ophis is Greek for snake.) It's one of the most commonly found animal phobias.

On the flip side, snakes also have their admirers. And a scroll through some snake owners' Instagram accounts shows some people even take to dressing up their pet snakes in cute little outfits. While animal experts say the brain structure of snakes doesn’t allow them to experience emotion, they can begin to recognize their owners and wrap around them, mostly for warmth.

It's also worth noting snakes have been important to ecosystems and a myriad of cultures over the centuries. Ancient Greeks used snakes to ward off evil and other cultures around the world have associated snakes with wisdom and healing. It's many of those positive beliefs that influence predictions for the year of snake in 2025. For those born in a Year of the Snake, the world often sees them as alluring, astute, charming and thoughtful. Celebrities born in years of the snake include Audrey Hepburn, Mahatma Gandhi and Pablo Picasso."

According to Travel+Leisure, here's how the holiday is celebrated throughout Asia:

"Celebrations around China primarily take place on New Year's Eve, with families coming together to mark the occasion. It's custom to wear new clothes to ring in the new year, usually in the lucky colors, red and gold. In northern China, traditional food eaten during Lunar New Year is made using flour, like baos, pancakes, noodles, and dumplings. Families often make these dishes from scratch. The dumplings are usually served with fish, as it symbolizes abundance for the year ahead, and sometimes contain a lucky coin that kids eagerly search for. Throughout China, family members give each other red envelopes with money as well."

"In Korea, the Lunar New Year is a three-day event offering a chance to pay respect to ancestors and elders. In Korean culture, people have an official age based on their birthday, but they also historically had a Korean age, which started at one on the day they were born and increased every first day of the year after that. Children show their respect to elders with deep bows (aka seh bae). As part of the celebration, children also receive money and words of wisdom for the forthcoming year."

"In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is spent with family. Just like other countries, Vietnam has its own traditional attire, a silk tunic with slits on either side that's worn over pants by both men and women for the New Year. Most families go to the temple together to pray for good luck, health, and fortune. Some superstitions include paying off all your debts and cleaning your house before the new year, as well as not throwing anything away on New Year's Day, as it's considered to be getting rid of good luck. Children receive red envelopes with money from their older relatives, too."

"In Singapore, where the population is approximately 75 percent Chinese, red envelopes that display the phrase "Fú" (meaning good luck) are distributed. It's also custom to pay respect to ancestors by going to a temple and lighting incense. The annual Chingay Parade is an extravagant celebration that includes everything from giant floats to lion dancers. Meanwhile, the largest Chinese New Year festival in Singapore is the River Hongbao, which is hosted at different locations across the country."

"In Malaysia, Lunar New Year welcomes spring. It lasts for 15 days, ending with a grand finale day called Chap Goh Mei. Red pocket envelopes (known as ang pow) are given to children and unmarried family members. Many Buddhist families invite lion dancers to their homes to bless their altars and ward off bad spirits. People in Malaysia don traditional outfits, called cheongsam (also known as qipao). They say that if you're celebrating your zodiac year, you should wear the color gold to attract even more abundance."

"Taiwan is another country that strongly associates the holiday with food. Dumplings are the most popular dish, closely followed by pineapple. It's considered good luck to not eat all the fish and keep some leftovers from your holiday meals. Most Taiwanese people spend time with family and their elders in their homes. They exchange red envelopes, and many neighborhoods set off fireworks."

"When the clock strikes midnight in the Philippines, children and adults jump for joy, as it's thought to make them grow taller. The most traditional celebration is called Media Noche, a midnight feast to summon a year of prosperity. The table is usually full of round-shaped fruits — a tradition that originates from China — as the shape represents family unity. One of the most unique superstitions is that wearing polka dots will bring prosperity, money, and good fortune, because of their round shape. Fireworks are also set off to create loud noises that scare away bad spirits, while lights are turned on and windows and doors are left open. Many people avoid spending money on the first day of the year to encourage better finances."

Will your brand add a snake or the color red (because the Chinese believe red brings good luck, prosperity, and wards off evil) into your logo, mascot, promotions, or communications? Here are ten brands that are participating in the festive celebrations:

MATTEL'S BARBIE

Mattel unveiled its 2025 Lunar New Year Barbie doll. According to Mattel, "As the firecrackers ignite, Barbie steps into the Lunar New Year celebration in a lucky red qipao (which symbolizes empowerment and beauty). She steals the scene in this quintessential dress with a modern mermaid gown silhouette, traditional mandarin collar, meihua plum blossom prints, and sheer bell sleeves that flutter as she claps to a festive lion dance. Her dress features a plum blossom floral print, a flower that symbolizes prosperity and resilience, because it can bloom in the cold of winter. To complete her look, Chinese knots, a symbol of good fortune, appear at the collar and adorn her belt. Golden drop earrings, matching the knot color, are also meant to bring good luck. The doll was designed by Joyce Chen."

According to Barbie doll designer Joyce Chen, "Being able to design the Lunar New Year Barbie series has felt really impactful for both me as a designer and to the consumer market that has always been yearning for more representation in the doll category. Growing up as an Asian American, I feel like it was rare to find toys or dolls that I could connect with. Being able to design the Lunar New Year dolls has been so meaningful for me because I can get in touch with and be inspired by my own culture. I also see how important it is for others when they have a doll that they can relate to. It makes me happy to create such a special Barbie for a holiday that is celebrated by many...I love seeing the continued growth of diversity and representation in dolls, and hope that one day every person in the world can find a doll they connect with."

BACCARAT

According to the brand's website, "2025 will be the Year of the Snake, one of the most enigmatic Chinese zodiac signs. Baccarat celebrates this mysterious beauty with an original creation, the Zodiaque Snake 2025, designed by animal sculptor Allison Hawkes. Crafted in the purity of crystal, this exceptional piece captures the very essence of the serpent. With a stately demeanor, the reptile appears to observe the world with discernment, a reminder of the intelligence and profound intuition characteristic of this sign. This exceptional talisman, a bearer of light, promises to illuminate the twelve months to come." The cost of the artwork is $450.

ESTEE LAUDER

Estee Lauder created an intricately designed, exquisitely crafted, one-of-a-kind Year of the Snake Compact with Perfecting Setting Powder. According to the brand's website, "The Year of the Snake brings a year full of good luck and prosperity. People born in this year are known to be very intelligent and flexible, the perfect 'blend' for success."

SANRIO'S HELLO KITTY

According to Sanrio's website, "Celebrate the enchanting 2025 Lunar New Year with Hello Kitty in her vibrant green and pink Wood Snake costume! Embrace the spirit of friendship and forge meaningful connections this Year of the Snake. Hello Kitty features 2025 on her foot, commemorating the New Year, and she adds a green and pink flair to the wood snake costume, complete with a classic pink bow ready to ring in the new year! Limited edition to 3,000."

PRADA

According to Women's Wear Daily, "Prada’s campaign for Lunar New Year 2025 celebrates the start of the Year of the Snake, with images that reinterpret the coils of the animal that is much respected in Chinese culture. Photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch, under the creative direction of Ferdinando Verderi, the "We, The Snake" campaign features brand ambassadors Jia Ling, Li Xian, Ma Long, Ma Yili and Yang Shuyu; art historian Wu Hung; artists Peng Wei and Zhang Enli; architect Rossana Hu, and models Du Juan, Ju Xiaowen and Zhao Lei and a snake-like chain of human silhouettes. Prada said the curves of the coils trace twisting spirals and become a visual representation of the concept of community, documented as a winding row of people from a variety of disciplines who interact and bring to life this sign of the Chinese zodiac. The campaign transforms the snake — typically perceived as an archetype of individualism — into a figure devoted to sharing."

SEE'S CANDIES

See's Candies created festive packaging in shades of red and gold to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

GODIVA

Godiva created an elegantly festive collection that was adorned in bright ruby reds and dazzling golds with delicate imagery inspired by the Year of the Snake.

SUGARFINA

Sugarfina created a Lunar New Year 2025 9 Piece Mini Trunk. According to the brand's website, "Sweeten the Year of the Snake with our Lunar New Year Candy Trunk! Discover nine candies from around the world tucked inside this keepsake gift. Flavors include: Lucky Mandarins, Prosperous Pineapples, Sweet Mangos, Yuzu Caramels, Lychee Blossoms, Peach Blossoms, Peach Jellies, Happy Tangerines, and Coconut Toffee Macadamias."

SWAROVSKI

According to the jewelry brand's website, "With an endless vibration of energy and light, this Swarovski pendant celebrates the Year of the Snake in colorful style. Suspended from a delicate chain, the central motif features a mesmerizing snake, crafted from Swarovski Zirconia, with a red dancing stone at the center for good luck. Infinite light reflections are created in the rose gold-tone plated design, adding vitality and unique beauty to the look. Gift it to someone special as a meaningful symbol of rebirth."

LEGO

LEGO announced three sets to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival, which were released on January 1st: Trotting Lantern with 1,295 pieces; Good Fortune with 585 pieces; and Lucky Cat with 280 pieces. The Trotting Lantern was a build-together set, a great way for the entire family to celebrate the Year of the Snake - and also included five minifigures: two adults, two children, and a character in a Year of the Snake costume.

According to ChinaHighlights.com, do not give a clock or watch as a Chinese New Year gift. "Clocks and watches symbolize running out of time. This is especially an uncomfortable reminder for seniors. Giving a clock or watch as a gift is the biggest no-no in Chinese culture."

Next year, the Year of the Horse will begin on February 17, 2026. So, all of you brands who plan to integrate Lunar New Year into your marketing campaigns or brand identity, start counting the days!

Image Credits: iStock, Mattel, Sanrio, Estée Lauder, and See's Candies.

If you need red envelopes to give family members money, check these out:

https://buddhastoneshop.com/collections/year-of-the-snake-2025/products/buddha-stones-6pcs-chinese-red-envelope-year-of-the-snake-lucky-money-envelopes-2025-new-year

Read more about the history of the Chinese zodiac:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-zodiac

Monday, January 27, 2025

"Top 10" New Year's Resolutions for Leaders for 2025

Last January, after I read an inspiring post by the esteemed leadership expert Eric Jacobson entitled, "70 New Year's Resolutions for Leaders," I chose ten from those 70 and featured them in a post.

Since Eric's list included 70 resolutions, and New Year's resolutions are on many people's minds this month, I thought I would revisit Eric's post and choose my "Top 10" for 2025.

With much gratitude to Eric for his comprehensive list and inspiration for this post, here are my "Top 10" New Year's Resolutions for Leaders for 2025:

[1] View every problem as an opportunity to grow.

[2] Praise when compliments are earned.

[3] Assess your company's strengths and weaknesses at all times.

[4] Listen carefully and don't multi-task while listening.

[5] Teach something new to your team.

[6] Explain how a change will impact employees' feelings before, during, and after a change is implemented.

[7] Give feedback promptly and make it individualized and specific.

[8] Promote excellent customer service both internally and externally.

[9] Be willing to change your decisions.

[10] End every meeting with a follow-up To-do list.

And because I've been a passionate reader my entire life, I will repeat (and always include) this annual resolution: "Read leadership books to continue your leadership journey." Don't forget to read works of fiction because they ALSO contain important leadership lessons.

Lastly, here's one of Eric's favorite quotes from a previous appearance on my blog:

Friday, January 24, 2025

Celebrate International Day of Education with Sucheta Rawal

Following the November Presidential election, I read an opinion piece in Huffington Post entitled, "I Thought America Was the Best Country to be a Woman, Until Now. Does America Need Another Women's Suffrage Movement?" by Sucheta Rawal. The article provided excellent commentary about the state of women in the United States following the election, and I strongly urge you to read it (link at end of this post).

I was so impressed by the article that I reached out to its writer, Sucheta Rawal, and invited her to appear here on my blog in a Q&A. Sucheta's bio follows below, but first, the reason for publishing the Q&A today.

Are you aware of today's significance? The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed January 24th as International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development with the aim to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" by 2030.

According to the UN, "Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future. But about 244 million children and adolescents around the world are out of school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40 percent of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school, and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth, and adults behind."