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, April 22, 2026

Woof...It's National Beagle Day!

While the beagle has historical roots dating back to the fifth century, experts speculate that the word "Beagle" comes from the Gaelic word "beag" which means "little." Others suspect that the breed was named after the sound they make while hunting: "be'geule" in French.

The breed made its way to America sometime before the Civil War, and by 1885 was a registered American breed. As everyone knows, the breed quickly rose to pop culture fame by Peanuts comic strip creator Charles M. Schulz, who revolutionized marketing for dogs!

According to Vetericyn, "In 1953, three years after Snoopy's arrival on the scene, the beagle finally surpassed its fiercest competitor, the cocker spaniel, to earn a place on the American Kennel Club (AKC) popularity charts. It's remained there ever since, and as a thank you, Snoopy has become the only fictional dog to be officially registered by the AKC (his number is Beagle-1).

(Editorial note: Talk about the power of personal branding!)

Beagles are balls of energy, yet eager to please, a formula that means they're happiest with a job or activity to do. These dogs also tend to have a lot to say, but their barking is relatively easy to control with dog training. Playful, open, and adaptable, their dog behavior dictates that they're quite the extroverts when it comes to strangers (which means they're often not the most effective watchdogs). However, this makes them ideal companions for young children and other dogs (sometimes even little yellow birds, right Woodstock?!). Beagles are highly affectionate creatures, making them the perfect addition to any family. And beagles, in particular, are in possession of some seriously powerful sniffers. The breed's keen noses have been used to detect lung cancer with 97 percent accuracy, and they are also often chosen to track down prohibited items with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as part of the Beagle Brigade."

SNOOPY

According to Dogster, "Snoopy is probably the most iconic and famous Beagle in the world. He first debuted on October 4, 1950, and his original drawings were inspired by one of Charles M. Schulz's own dogs, Spike. Snoopy first started as a small dog adopted by Charlie Brown, but he's now more famous than his owner in some parts of the world. He has a rich imagination, and many comic strip stories revolve around his fantasies and imaginary adventures."

UNDERDOG

Of course, there's another famous beagle. According to Dogster, "Underdog is an animated cartoon series about a Beagle with superpowers. The show aired in 1964 and continued to air as a syndicated series until 1973. It was one of the first Saturday morning cartoons to air for children. This television series follows a humble Beagle named Shoeshine Boy. Whenever villains appeared, he would dash into a telephone booth and transform into his heroic alter-ego, Underdog."

GROMIT

And what about Gromit? Nicknamed Lad or Mate, Gromit is Wallace's silent sidekick, best friend, and pet dog in the "Wallace & Gromit" clay animation series. Gromit is the brains of the duo, and often rolls his eyes at Wallace's mad antics and ideas, often having to save his master from many scrapes and calamities. According to Wikipedia, "Gromit is very intelligent, having graduated from "Dogwarts University" (a pun on "Hogwarts," the magic school in the Harry Potter series) with a double first in Engineering for dogs. He likes knitting, playing chess, reading the newspaper, tea, and cooking. His prized possessions include his alarm clock, dog bone, brush, and a framed photo of himself with Wallace. He is very handy with electronic equipment and an excellent airplane pilot. He often threatens the plans of the villains he and Wallace encounter in their adventures."

According to Rocky Kanaka, "Nick Park, the creator of "Wallace & Gromit," has spoken about the characters in various interviews, but his discussions usually focus more on the characters' personalities and the creative process behind their development rather than specifying what breed is Gromit. Gromit's character is often celebrated for his expressive, human-like qualities and intelligence, which overshadow his breed specifics. In the absence of a direct quote or statement from Aardman Animations or Nick Park, the identification of Gromit as a Beagle remains an accepted interpretation rather than a confirmed fact."

So I invite you to read a Snoopy comic to celebrate this special breed today - you'll be sure to smile!

(2) The Republic of Tea

(3) Harney & Sons

(4) Taylors of Harrogate

(5) Herbs & Kettles (Atlanta, Georgia)

Check out these fun facts about tea (with gratitude to Days of the Year):

(1) In Morocco, serving mint tea symbolizes hospitality and friendship. Hosts prepare and pour tea from a height into small glasses, creating a frothy top, a gesture of warmth and respect to guests.

(2) Contrary to common belief, "high tea" refers to a substantial evening meal for the working class, not an afternoon tea. It includes hearty dishes, highlighting Britain's diverse tea traditions.

(3) Tea was introduced to Russia in the 17th century through trade with China. It became a staple with unique traditions like brewing tea in samovars, reflecting Russian culture.

(4) The British tradition of adding milk to tea began in the 18th century. This practice cooled the tea and protected delicate porcelain cups from cracking due to heat.

(5) In Turkey, tea is central to social interactions. Offering tea signifies hospitality and is a customary gesture to welcome guests, fostering community bonds.

(6) Japan's tea ceremony, known as "chanoyu," emphasizes harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. This ritual reflects Zen Buddhist principles and showcases Japan’s appreciation for simplicity and mindfulness.

(7) In 1908, American merchant Thomas Sullivan sent tea samples in silk bags. Customers mistakenly dipped them whole, leading to the unintended invention of tea bags.

So, take the time today to indulge with a hot, steaming cup of your favorite flavor of tea!

Image Credit: Teaching English with Cambridge.

Read The Power of Tea: 100 Health and Wellness Benefits:

https://theteahouseonlosrios.com/blogs/news/the-power-of-tea-100-health-and-wellness-benefits

See all types of tea from The Republic of Tea:

https://www.republicoftea.com/collections/shop-all-tea-types

Learn about the 100 types of tea plus how to choose the right tea from Red Rock Tea House:

https://www.redrockteahouse.com/blogs/articles/100-types-of-tea

Monday, April 20, 2026

How One Brand Uses Text Marketing

Does your brand use text marketing? It's definitely something you should consider as a slice of your marketing pie due to the overcrowded email and social media landscape.

But first, a brief definition according to Amazon Web Services, "SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a text messaging service that allows the exchange of short text messages between mobile devices. SMS messages typically have a maximum length of 160 characters and can be sent and received on various mobile networks. SMS is widely used for personal and business communication, providing a quick and convenient way to send concise messages to individuals or groups of people. It has become an essential part of mobile communication and is supported by virtually all mobile devices."

One brand that excels at text marketing is WAYFAIR. Check out this recent customer experience. After much online research for a set of pots and pans, I found a great set that met my needs on Wayfair. I made the purchase and then waited a week for delivery. However, during the week of waiting, I received a text that said, "While you're waiting for your order, we think you might fall in love with this frying pan! Check it out here: (link provided)."

Wow! Talk about effective marketing! The recommended frying pan might have matched my new set's color, it might have been a good addition to my new set, or it simply might have been on sale. In any case, it was another touchpoint by Wayfair to keep the "conversation" going with me while I waited for my delivery - and most importantly, it kept the Wayfair brand top of mind.

Here are some statistics from SAP:

(1) SMS messages have a 98 percent open rate, far surpassing email's average of 20 percent.

(2) 75 percent of consumers prefer to receive promotional content via SMS messages over other marketing methods.

(3) 77 percent of SMS messages get a response within 10 minutes, more than 3 times higher than email.

According to Cellcast/Australia, "SMS is a great marketing tool because of its many capabilities. It is, in fact, one of the most popular marketing platforms. A large percentage of those who get text messages open them. In contrast to emails, SMS messages are virtually always opened and read by the receiver. Text messaging's intimate character lends itself perfectly to promotional purposes. SMS is a more effective method of promoting a company endeavour than email or other forms of marketing. Text messaging's brief and precise nature compels the sender to be succinct. The organisation's long-term success is aided by this judicious use of language. Sending SMS is a low-cost method of communicating with a specific group of customers. Mobile marketing is a no-brainer because of the guaranteed delivery and the ability to see SMS messages in real time."

So, does your brand use text marketing, and if not, should you consider it?

Image Credit: Cellcast/Australia.

Check out this article from Forbes: Why Texting Is Essential:

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/06/06/unlock-business-growth-with-sms-why-texting-is-essential/

Check out more interesting statistics from SAP:

https://emarsys.com/learn/blog/sms-marketing-statistics/

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Animal Cookies, Goldfish Crackers, and Baseball - Oh My!

Are you a fan of crackers in the shape of animals? While most of us are familiar with Mother's Circus Animals brand of cookies and Barnum's Animals brand of crackers/cookies, did you know that today is NATIONAL ANIMAL CRACKERS DAY?

There appears to be some confusion between the definitions of crackers and cookies, so let's take a look back at the history of animal crackers:

During the late 1800s, sweet biscuits shaped like lions, tigers, and other animals became a popular snack in Victorian Britain, produced by biscuit makers such as Huntley & Palmers and were exported abroad.

In 1871, several American bakery firms consolidated, which resulted in the formation of the National Biscuit Company (later Nabisco) to mass‑produce animal-shaped crackers for the American market.

In 1902, the National Biscuit Company developed Barnum's Animals, a product line of animal-shaped crackers packaged in circus-themed boxes that quickly became one of the company's best-known snack products.

In 1914, due to the implementation of the U.S. Food and Drugs Act and growing food regulation, trade definitions distinguished between crackers, biscuits, and cookies, which determined how products such as animal crackers were labeled and marketed.

In 2018, after pressure from animal-welfare advocates and changing public attitudes about circuses, Nabisco re-designed the Barnum's Animals box so that its illustration of animals roam freely instead of in circus boxcars.

While you might refer to Barnum's Animals as cookies rather than crackers (I do), there is a brand that rightfully owns the "animal cracker" category, and today, I'd like to celebrate its creative social media marketing.

On March 26th, to celebrate the Opening Day of the 2026 Major League Baseball season, Pepperidge Farms' Goldfish crackers shared a post on Instagram featuring a family of four goldfish crackers on baseball seats wearing caps with snack bags of crackers underneath their seats. This was clearly a family because there were two large goldfish and two smaller goldfish.

Whether you celebrate today with cookies or crackers, bottom line, don't confuse your customers!

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Who did you recognize with a HIGH FIVE today?

High Fives are seen regularly in both professional and amateur sports, but do you share them in the workplace? Since today is National High Five Day, celebrated annually on the third Thursday in April, it's appropriate to ask, "Who did you recognize with a High Five today?

According to Punchbowl, "While the first National High Five Day can be traced back to a group of University of Virginia students in 2002, no one knows who invented the High Five itself."

According to Maki Performance Training, "The High Five is a key part of North American sports culture and beyond. The High Five is often seen and used as a gesture of greeting, elation, celebration, or congratulation in our society. However, once you look at it more closely, the High Five has a deeper meaning and a wider effect.

Have you ever noticed what happens in a basketball game after a player makes a free throw? Regardless of whether they make the shot or miss it, the players around the teammate who's made the shot, give him/her a fist bump or High Five. Why is that?

A study was conducted on professional basketball players (NBA) which recorded the number of times they touched one another in a game (fist bump, high five, or a pat on the backside). In 50 minutes of play, they saw a total of a minute-and-a-half of touches made between teammates. Now, given the fact that each touch was maybe a hundredth of a second, you can see that this adds up to a lot of touches overall. What researchers found was astonishing. They looked at the teams with the largest number of touches and saw that these teams actually placed higher overall in the standings. Not only that, but teams with the largest number of touches also had better stats on passing. In other words, their team-interaction had improved their performance."

So, for those of us outside of the professional basketball arena, why should we give each other High Fives? Here are five important reasons why:

(1) It's a great way to communicate and display positive feedback.

(2) Similar to a handshake, the action of slapping your hand on someone else's signifies a physical connection.

(3) Athletes who High Five others are known to perform better.

(4) A High Five is an instantaneous way of telling a person that they are important.

(5) As illustrated by the NBA study, tactile communication increases cooperation.

Today is Save the Elephant Day!

Today is Save the Elephant Day. The purpose is to draw attention to the threats facing elephants including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Established by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand in 2012, Save the Elephant Day is observed annually on April 16th.

Elephants are the largest land animals and are spread across Africa and Asia. Recent studies estimate that there are approximately 400,000 elephants across the African continent, and although the situation differs from country to country, the giant mammals are in decline. Human activities such as poaching for ivory remain a significant reason. However, in 1989, Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned most international commercial ivory trade marking a turning point in coordinated elephant protection; and in 2018, China, the world's largest ivory market, banned all ivory sales.

Check out these interesting facts about elephants:

(1) Species are distinguished by their ears. The ears of African elephants are much larger than Asian elephants.

(2) An elephant calf can stand within 20 minutes of being born and is able to walk within 1 hour.

(3) Elephants display a range of emotions such as joy, anger, and grief and live in complex social structures – matriarchal herds for the female cows and calves and a solitary lifestyle or bachelor herds for the male bulls.

(4) Elephants' impressive trunks provide them with an excellent sense of smell, a handy snorkel when swimming, and even a delicate nutcracker.

(5) Elephants throw dust or mud on themselves to protect their skin from sunburn and insect bites. It’s their natural sunscreen and bug repellent!

(6) Drones (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) have become increasingly important for wildlife research. With their buzzing propellers, which can sound like a swarm of bees, drones have been used to chase elephants from African farms. But when flown in a way designed to minimise disturbance, elephants learn to ignore them.

According to Days of the Year, "Research has shown that elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors, remember the locations of water sources for many years, and distinguish between different human languages, suggesting a level of cognition comparable in some respects to great apes."

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

EVERNOTE

According to Instagram, the brand's tagline is "Remember everything. Accomplish anything," and as a mobile note-taking app, it definitely delivers. The logo also features an elephant, an animal known for remembering. According to Scientific American, "Elephants possess remarkable, long-term, and spatial memory essential for survival, enabling them to recognize individuals, locate water sources over decades, and mourn the dead. Their highly developed brains, specifically the hippocampus, support complex social structures and navigation, allowing matriarchs to remember distant resources during droughts."

ANIMAL PLANET

According to Wikipedia, "On October 15, 2018, Animal Planet unveiled a new logo, featuring a symbol of a jumping elephant resembling the original logo. The new branding symbolized a new mission of keeping the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way."

THAI TASTE

In 2018, Thai Taste launched a redesign of its logo and features the subtle shape of the head of an elephant, the official animal of Thailand. The logo also changed from yellow gold to a vibrant pink, a color that has been associated with the brand since its launch in the late 1990s, to reflect all the vibrancy of Thailand and its culture.

SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

According to its website, "The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife and habitats. Working across Kenya, our projects include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a global leader in elephant conservation and one of Africa's most respected wildlife charities. Founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, the charity was created to build upon the conservation vision of her late husband, David Sheldrick, the founding warden of Tsavo East National Park, Kenya's oldest and largest national park. We are best known for our pioneering Orphans' Project, a first-of-its-kind program to rescue, raise, and rewild orphaned elephants and rhinos."

ELLA+MILA

According to its website, "Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after nail polishes, this line of lacquer was born from the simple idea of creating an eco-friendly yet high-end product. Initially inspired by the twin daughters (darlingly named Ella and Mila) of one of the founders, the luxury brand took sail. ella+mila releases a new collection of lacquer every couple of months, promising on-trend high-fashion shades and prompting many "FINALLY! The color I've been looking for!" As of June 2017, ella+mila has dipped their feet into the color cosmetics world and launched 10 liquid lipsticks. All the liquid lipsticks are enriched with Vitamin E and have a refreshing mint scent to ensure your lips are moisturized and smelling fresh throughout the day. With a passion for color and dedication to healthy beauty, the founders strive to provide fashion-forward beauty products without compromise. Like their nail lacquer, the newly-launched line of lippies are also vegan, cruelty-free, and proudly made in the USA. The deeply-admired luxury beauty brand continues to allure the world with its creamy formula and dazzling array of colors."

The elephant logo symbolizes love, family, and memory, reflecting the brand's origins as a family-focused, cruelty-free company created by Narineh Bedrossian for use when she was pregnant with her twin daughters, Ella and Mila. The playful image of an elephant on all of the brand's products represents the brand's gentle, safe, and vegan nature. Elephants are recognized for their deep family bonds, love, and loyalty, aligning with the brand's "Mommy & Me" focus.

HORTON HEARS A WHO!

Over the years, children have been introduced to elephants while reading the classic story, "Horton Hears a Who!," which was written and illustrated by Theodor Seuss Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Published by Random House in 1954, the book tells the story of Horton the Elephant and his adventures saving Whoville, a tiny planet located on a speck of dust, from the animals who mock him. These animals attempt to steal and burn the speck of dust, so Horton goes to great lengths to save Whoville from being incinerated.

"A person's a person, no matter how small" is the most popular line from Horton Hears a Who!. According to Wikipedia, "Horton endures harassment to care for and ensure the safety of the Whos, who represent the insignificant. Unlike some of Dr. Seuss' books, Horton contains a strong moral message, which has been identified as "universal, multinational, multi-ethnic. In a word: Equality." Horton Hears a Who! has been well received in libraries, schools, and homes across the world. The book has been adapted as a 1970 television special and a 2008 animated film by Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation, and much of its plot was incorporated into the Broadway musical production Seussical."

BABAR THE ELEPHANT

One of the most memorable books from my childhood featured a family of elephants from Paris, France. The father was Babar, who was a fashionable dresser in his three-piece green suit, red bow tie, and either a black hat or crown. According to Mental Floss, "For some, more than an ambassador from an elephant kingdom, Babar shows the world what it means to be French—which includes exercising every morning before your croissant. General Charles de Gaulle famously loved the elephant because he gave the world “a certain idea of France,” and former cultural minister Frédéric Mitterrand bestowed a medal of arts and letters upon Laurent (the son of the original author)."

Which other famous brands either feature elephants in their logos or promote elephant conservation? Chime in and share.

Image Credits: Wikipedia (Horton Hears a Who!), Animal Planet, Bol.com (Babar), Thai Taste, and Evernote.

Learn how to foster future generations of elephants, rescue orphaned wildlife, protect Kenya's habitats, and support coexistence:

https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Applause for an Impressive Nonprofit Marketing Initiative!

On the evening of April 14th at 6pm, there was an impressive fundraising event held at Christie's auction house in Paris, France. While I was not in attendance in person, I watched via YouTube and would like to share highlights.

NPR reported in late March, "Pablo Picasso's paintings are some of the world's most expensive works of art, sometimes fetching more than $100 million at auction. But, now, anyone can try their luck at nabbing one for just 100 euros ($116). France's leading financial supporter of Alzheimer's research is raffling Picasso's 1941 painting "Tête de femme (Head of a Woman)," which is worth more than a million euros ($1.2 million). Proceeds from the "1 Picasso for 100 euros" campaign will help go to fund research into Alzheimer's, a common form of dementia that is a leading cause of death worldwide.

The raffle was created and coordinated by French television producer Peri Cochin, who held two similar events in coordination with the Picasso estate. Claudia Borgogno from the Italian town of Ventimiglia won the still life "Nature Morte" (1921) for the inaugural 2020 edition, which raised 5.1 million euros ($5.9 million) for CARE International to rehabilitate wells and sanitary installations in Cameroon, Madagascar, and Morocco. And in 2013, Jeffrey Gonano in Pennsylvania/USA won "L'homme au gibus" (1914). That raffle raised 4.8 million euros ($5.6 million) for the International Association to Save Tyre to support traditional crafts in southern Lebanon. Currently, the paintings are held at museums near the winners' homes, though Cochin noted that selling the works is an option."

Picasso's grandson, Olivier Widmaier Picasso, a co-owner of the painter's estate, said that his grandfather would have been pleased with the raffle. "He was a very generous man. He was very discreet, but he loved to help his siblings, family and friends, and also people who were in need."

From a personal standpoint, I had never watched an art raffle for charity online, so this one was very exciting and full of anticipation. All 120,000 tickets were sold worldwide, and the winner of the Picasso artwork was a man based in Paris, France - he was phoned with the news in real time. He had only purchased ONE ticket the previous weekend. Wow! The raffle raised 14 million euros ($13.4 million), and after one million went to Opera Gallery for fees, the rest went to the French Alzheimer's charity.

Hopefully, other nonprofits were also watching - and learning - how they might add online art auctions to their fundraising tool boxes.