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 30, 2025

Marketing News of the Month: The People's Pope, Egg Roll Sponsorship, and More

During the past month, there were news stories that reflected brand identity, brand storytelling, corporate sponsorship, logo design, personal branding, pricing, and more.

DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS

Known as the "People's Pope," Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on April 21st, also known as Easter Monday in Vatican City.

According to Aidan Moir, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, Media, and Film, at the University of Windsor in The Conversation, "From papal selfies to the viral generative AI images featuring a stylish puffer jacket, Pope Francis became a prominent popular culture figure during his papacy. News media called him the "People's Pope," branding that also circulated online on social media to turn Pope Francis into an icon who symbolized the progressive ideals of 2010's popular culture. His 2013 election was significant for many reasons, including the fact that he became the first Jesuit and first pope from Latin America. His acension to the papacy represented an attempt by the Catholic Church to rebrand itself through Francis' "progressive" public image.

Pontiffs have always been subject to branding, making them unique subjects for public fascination and popular culture. Decisions about what shoes to wear and what papal name to take are acts of branding.

Pope Francis chose his papal name to align himself with Saint Francis of Assisi. He also chose to wear a simple white cassock for his first public appearance on the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. Those decisions were branding strategies. Francis' use of social media brought the papacy into a new digital age. It provided him with a platform to build his brand in a manner similar to politicians. His embrace of technology made him appear "cool," leading to a decade of viral social media posts and memes. The first papal selfie, taken in 2013 with teenage pilgrims visiting the Vatican, went viral on Twitter (now X).

Iconic brands cannot act alone to maintain their cultural status. From the outset, news media were an integral part of building the Pope's image. Francis was TIME magazine's 2013 Person of the Year, and he also graced the cover of Rolling Stone. He was largely unknown around the world prior to becoming Pope. Media coverage played an important role in presenting his brand to global audiences as news reports suggested Francis' humility, compassion for the poor, and radical approach to the papacy would transform the Catholic Church. Just days after his election, The Washington Post labelled Francis "the People’s Pope." This title connected Francis to figures likes Princess Diana, a similar iconic figure known for challenging protocol and her progressive charity work, who was dubbed "the People's Princess."

Pope Francis developed an iconic brand that connected with the public during a decade defined by progressive ideals as legacy and social media worked together as co-authors in building his identity. Iconic brands can transform the institutions they represent. Pope Francis' image demonstrates how papal branding is no different than other forms of branding. It depends on different dynamics coming together at the right moment to form myths for public connection. Memes related to the movie CONCLAVE are already going viral on social media. The new pontiff will enter a different cultural landscape than Pope Francis, but the strategies for creating an iconic brand remain the same."

Everyone in the world will be waiting for the dark smoke to turn white emanating out of the Vatican - signifying that a new Pope has been chosen. The 2025 Papal Conclave is expected to begin May 7th and last between 15-20 days. According to Wikipedia, "Cardinals aged 80 years or older before the day the papacy fell vacant are ineligible to participate. As of April 21st, there are 252 cardinals, of whom 136 are under 80; and 108 (80 percent) of the potential electors were appointed as cardinals by Pope Francis...Although the conclave cardinals may elect any Catholic male who has been baptized, they have elected only a fellow elector cardinal since the 1389 Papal Conclave."

Where will the new Pope come from, and what name will he choose?

THE POSSIBILITY OF ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP

According to ETIAS.com, "Italy, long generous in offering citizenship by descent, has dramatically tightened the rules. As of April 2025, only those with an Italian parent or grandparent can now qualify for citizenship through ancestry. The shift marks a sharp reversal from decades of open eligibility that welcomed millions with more distant Italian roots, including great-grandchildren and beyond. The sudden decree blocked access for up to 80 million people worldwide who previously qualified. It immediately upended the hopes of thousands who had invested years, money, and energy into tracing their lineage. Many of those applications now sit in limbo. The reform follows years of mounting pressure on Italy's legal and bureaucratic systems. Municipal offices, courts, and consulates reported being overwhelmed by record volumes of citizenship claims...Until now, Italy's citizenship laws leaned heavily on "jus sanguinis," or right of blood. Anyone with proof of an ancestor alive after 1861 — the year Italy became a nation — could apply. That leniency set Italy apart from many European countries, where stricter documentation or language requirements often apply. Now, the government has drawn a line. Only those with direct links — parents or grandparents born in Italy — can use ancestry to become Italian. To reduce delays and prevent fraud, Italy will now handle all applications through a single federal system. Consulates abroad are out. In-person interviews are in. Every applicant must travel to Italy to complete the process, a move expected to reduce speculative filings. Dual nationals also face new responsibilities. To retain their status, they must stay engaged — renewing passports, paying taxes, and voting. A passport, officials said, cannot be a forgotten trophy."

Will this change affect Italy's brand on the world stage?

TRAVEL BRAND NEWS

According to CNN Travel, "To counteract overtourism, the city of Venice (Italy) is doubling its daytripper entry fees, and the city of Edinburgh (Scotland) will tax tourists for overnight stays. Spain has ended its golden visa program giving residency rights to foreign citizens. Visitors to the United Kingdom from the European Union now join those from 48 other countries who must now apply and pay a fee before travel. The Empire State Building in New York City introduced surge-pricing, where prices increase according to demand (something that Disneyland has done for years). And permit fees to climb Mount Everest (Nepal) are increasing by more than 35 percent, while climbing Mount Fuji (Japan) now requires a $27 entry fee to address overcrowding and environmental concerns - plus hikers must also complete a safety class and pass a test."

CALIFORNIA'S BOOMING ECONOMY

According to USA Today, "California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on April 23rd that California is now the fourth-largest economy in the world. With nominal gross domestic product of $4.1 trillion, the state now ranks behind only the overall U.S., China, and Germany, citing data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Japan ranked fifth at $4.02 trillion. California has the largest share of manufacturing and agricultural production in the US. It is also home to leading technological innovation, the center of the world's entertainment industry and the country's two largest seaports."

According to the BBC, "The new data shows California's GDP is behind the U.S. at $29.18 trillion, China at $18.74 trillion, and Germany at $4.65 trillion. It also shows California's economy was the fastest growing among those countries. Japan's economy is under pressure because of its decreasing and aging population, which means its workforce is shrinking, and social care costs are ballooning."

Newsom said, "California isn't just keeping pace with the world – we're setting the pace. Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation." He also said that President Donald Trump's tariffs were "reckless and threaten the state's progress. California's economy powers the nation, and it must be protected." Newsom also filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state in mid-April challenging the Trump administration’s tariff policies, arguing the trade moves would disproportionally impact California.

According to The Hill, "U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Data showed that among states, Texas came in behind California, with a GDP of $2.7 trillion, and New York followed at $2.3 trillion."

NEW LOGO FOR ABC'S NIGHTLINE

According to Variety, since ABC's show is celebrating its 45th anniversary, "The show is bringing back an updated version of its old logo. Having gone with an all-lowercase "nightline" since 2017, a new take on the show's all-caps "NIGHTLINE" that had been in use between 1997 and 2017 will now be introduced. According to ABC News, the new logo honors its iconic legacy, blending elements from its original look with an updated, modern design."

NIGHTLINE actually had its start in November 1979 with the title, "The Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage," which analyzed the hostage crisis in Iran. March 24th marked the 45th anniversary of when the show was relaunched as "Nightline" and expanded to also focus on other topics.

NEW SPOKESBELL FOR HOTELS.COM

According to MarketingDive, "Hotels.com is putting a mascot front-and-center in its marketing once again, this time through what the platform bills as the first "spokesbell." The brand, previously known for ads featuring a Captain Obvious character played by actor Brandon Moynihan, is tweaking its approach with the puppeteered, cartoon-like Bellboy, who is meant to exude confidence while sharing travel hacks and savings learned from an upbringing in the hospitality industry. A major part of Bellboy's directive is educating people about tools available via the Hotels.com app, like a new price alert function that notifies users when a hotel they are watching drops its rates, that could help drive loyalty."

Bellboy, an anthropomorphic hotel desk bell standing about 18 inches tall, stars in a new campaign supporting a sale running through May 26th. The campaign, which includes a jingle, will appear on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, as well as on Hotels.com's website and app.

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN CELEBRATION

According to KTLA, "In honor of its 40th anniversary, CPK is reintroducing select menu items from its past, chosen by guests, team members, executive chef Paul Pszybylski and company founders Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax. The seasonal offerings will be available until mid-May and include: Rosemary Roasted Potato & Grilled Chicken Pizza, Chicken Milanese, Waldorf Chicken Salad, and Tortilla Spring Rolls. CPK's annual "Thank You Card" promotion is also back for the anniversary. The promotion offers a prize to every adult guest who dines in or orders takeout or delivery through May 11th. Prizes range from discounts on future meals to cash awards of up to $40,000. New this year, CPK is introducing a digital second-chance giveaway. By scanning a QR code on their "Thank You Card," guests can join CPK Rewards for an instant $5 bonus and a chance to win a five-day cruise. Guests can reveal their prizes at any full-service CPK location between March 2nd and June 8th."

Who's ready for pizza?

WILL HOLLYWOOD BECOME ANOTHER DETROIT?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The specter of Los Angeles becoming another Detroit, a city built on a specific industry that became a shell of its former self when that business moved out, loomed over a compelling film and TV industry town hall (in mid-April) that tackled not only the calamitous drop in production in Hollywood and throughout California, but also the fight to get the state to increase its entertainment production tax incentive."

WHITE HOUSE EASTER EGG ROLL

Did you hear that the current resident in the White House asked for corporate sponsors for this year's Easter Egg Roll? Breaking with tradition (no surprise), according to NPR, "Major tech companies were among the corporate sponsors solicited for the annual Easter Egg Roll event held Monday, April 21st, on the South Lawn of the White House. This comes as billionaire tech executives have faced growing criticism for cozying up to the Trump administration...Listed among the sponsors were companies including YouTube, Amazon, and Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram)...In a statement, YouTube said its participation in the Easter Egg Roll "has become an annual tradition. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for kids to meet their favorite creators, and we look forward to having a presence once again this year." The annual event dates back to the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, according to the White House, and except for war and food shortages, has been a mainstay of Pennsylvania Avenue since 1878."

According to The Hill, "The White House traditionally partners with Harbinger, an outside production company, to fuel games and activities for families invited to join the yearly celebration. This year, the two entities solicited corporations to donate $75,000 to $200,000 in sponsorships with the promise of on-site branding and logo displays typically banned due to concerns of private gain spurred by taxpayer dollars. This year's tech sponsorships were also top donors to President Trump's inaugural fund. Their donations continue to be spotlighted as a potential avenue for CEO's to bypass the reins set by lawmakers in Washington. In addition to Amazon, Meta, YouTube, additional sponsors included The New York Stock Exchange, the Toy Association, International Fresh Produce Association, and the National Confectioners Association."

NEW CEO FOR JERSEY MIKE'S

Founded in 1956 as Mike's Subs with one location in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Jersey Mike's has grown into a premier franchisor with more than 3,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The brand recently announced that Charlie Morrison, the former Wingstop chief executive, has been named as new CEO of Jersey Mike's, while founder Peter Cancro will remain chairman. Morrison will be only the second CEO in the company's 50-year history. According to Morrison, "Jersey Mike's is a unique brand with a rich history, loyal customer base, and authentic culture which Peter and his talented team have cultivated over the past five decades. I am honored to be entrusted with continuing this legacy and I could not be more excited to get to work with this incredible team and the owners who bring it to life every day. Together, we'll focus on continuing to accelerate growth across new and existing markets and identifying opportunities to invest in additional technological advancements and innovation, while remaining true to the exceptional quality, service, and community values that make Jersey Mike's so beloved nationwide."

According to WATTPoultry, "While at Wingstop, Morrison was responsible for leading the strategic direction of the company and its global operations. With Morrison at the helm, Wingstop grew from fewer than 500 stores to over 2,000 locations in more than 10 countries, while more than doubling average unit volumes and leading the company through one of the most successful initial public offerings in the history of the restaurant industry."

A NEW ERA FOR THE SMITHSONIAN

An Executive Order was announced by the White House on March 27th that continues to make waves for its craziness:

"It is the policy of my Administration to restore Federal sites dedicated to history, including parks and museums, to solemn and uplifting public monuments that remind Americans of our extraordinary heritage, consistent progress toward becoming a more perfect Union, and unmatched record of advancing liberty, prosperity, and human flourishing. Museums in our Nation's capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history. To advance this policy, we will restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness - igniting the imagination of young minds, honoring the richness of American history and innovation, and instilling pride in the hearts of all Americans."

According to United Press International (UPI), "U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wants Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to reject an executive order from President Donald Trump that seeks an end to the "influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology" at the Smithsonian. Roberts sits on the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents and serves as chancellor of the Smithsonian. The next board meeting of the Smithsonian, which includes Vice President JD Vance, is scheduled for June 9.

Jeffries of California wrote to Chief Justice Roberts, "I write to express my strong opposition to President Trump's Proclamation issued on March 27th, which preposterously purports to restore 'truth and sanity to American history' by censoring 'improper ideology' at the Smithsonian Institution. It is imperative that you, along with your fellow Regents, continue the storied legacy of the Smithsonian that tells the American story honestly and completely. President Trump's proclamation, which seeks to whitewash our history, is cowardly and unpatriotic. It must fail. The Smithsonian attracts tens of millions of visitors a year and works with the finest subject matter experts in virtually every field."

Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution includes 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo. According to its website, it's the largest museum, education, and research complex in the world. The Smithsonian contains an estimated 157 million objects, works of art, and specimens in more than 2.7 million feet indoors in Washington, D.C. There are additional buildings in Maryland, New York, and Virginia.

RETAIL UNCERTAINTY AND TARIFFS

According to NPR, "The companies that make our food and home essentials are officially sounding alarms about what lies ahead for American shoppers. The largest consumer conglomerates are cutting their financial forecasts for the year, predicting lower sales and profits. This includes Pepsi (which also owns Frito-Lay and Quaker Oats), Kimberly-Clark (which makes Kleenex, Huggies, and Scott toilet paper), and Procter & Gamble (which makes Tide, Pampers, and Charmin). Kimberly-Clark estimates that the trade war will add $300 million in new costs for the company. Procter & Gamble warned it may raise prices to offset new expenses. Many consumer giants rely on China for packaging, materials, and other parts of their supply chain. Those who make products in the U.S. now face reciprocal tariffs on American goods imposed by foreign government in retaliation. Retail sales are a key element of the U.S. economy. And in the lead-up to tariffs, March actually saw a big jump in retail spending — driven by people purchasing cars and big-ticket items before any tariff-related price increases. Economists noted that a long stretch of low unemployment and rising incomes helped Americans keep shopping."

COCA-COLA AND BODYARMOR MAKEOVER

According to Yahoo Finance, "When Coca-Cola fully took control of BodyArmor in 2021 in a $5.6 billion deal, the company had the goal of it "becoming the #1 global sports drink," toppling PepsiCo's Gatorade from its top-selling position. About four years later, BodyArmor remains stuck behind rival Gatorade and sister brand Powerade. The drink is beset with several problems, including more competition, a muddled brand identity, and stagnating sales that forced its parent company to take a $760 million write-down of the brand. In mid-April, BodyArmor announced a rebirth with refreshed packaging, a tweaked logo, and its largest-ever advertising campaign. The splashy ads feature athletes such as NFL player Joe Burrow and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu and will make its debut during the NHL playoffs."

According to Tom Gargiulo, BodyAmor’s chief marketing officer, "One of our biggest barriers right now is just not a lot of people know about who we are and what we're about. We think there's a massive opportunity ahead in terms of really exploding this brand's growth."

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT ADVERTISING

The Los Angeles Police Department has launched a new recruitment campaign entitled "Unrivaled Since 1869" with hopes to attract a new generation of officers and address ongoing staffing challenges. Announced in mid-April, the campaign aims to reposition the department as a "dynamic, purpose-driven workplace," particularly targeting adults aged 21 to 35 from diverse backgrounds. In addition to traditional police work, the campaign highlights the more than 250 job types within the LAPD such as drone pilots, cybercrime investigators, and mental health specialists. The campaign's ads can be seen on YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Twitch, and throughout the city on billboards.

CAPITAL ONE AND DISCOVER MERGER

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) and Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) announced on April 18th that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency approved Capital One's proposed acquisition of Discover. This follows approval of the transaction by the Delaware State Bank Commissioner in December 2024, and by shareholders of more than 99 percent of each company's shares voting in February of 2025. The transaction is expected to close on May 18th.

According to Richard Fairbank, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Capital One, "This is an exciting moment for Capital One and Discover. We understand the critical importance of a strong and competitive banking system to our customers and our economy, and we appreciate the thoughtful and diligent engagement of our regulators as they thoroughly reviewed this deal over the past 14 months. I am grateful to the thousands of associates across Capital One and Discover who have worked tirelessly to help us achieve this significant milestone. We look forward to bringing these two great companies together with a profound sense of possibility and responsibility to deliver for our customers, associates, shareholders, and communities."

According to Michael Shepherd, Interim CEO and President of Discover. "The combination of our two great companies will increase competition in payment networks, offer a wider range of products to our customers, increase our resources devoted to innovation and security, and bring meaningful community benefits."

BLUE ORIGIN ALL-WOMEN SPACE FLIGHT

On April 14th, Blue Origin launched its all-female space flight. The flight lasted less than 11 minutes and took the crew to the edge of space (62 miles). This space flight brought back memories of when Valentina Tereshkova of Russia became the first woman in space in 1963. The Blue Origin six-women crew included Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn. According to The Daily Mail, "While the flight was hailed as a landmark moment for women in STEM, it has drawn harsh criticism, with some questioning the commercial motives behind the 11-minute voyage."

FASHION FOR SPACE TRAVEL

What do you wear for a space flight? Monse designer co-founder Fernando Garcia explained, "We really didn't know where to start. There's no precedent. All the references are men's spacesuits. Simplicity was important, and comfort, and fit. But we also wanted something that was a little dangerous, like a motocross outfit. Or a ski suit. Flattering and sexy."

Lauren Sánchez said, "I think the suits are elegant, but they also bring a little spice to space." Gayle King noted that the suits looked "professional and feminine at the same time."

STARBUCKS NEW DRESS CODE

In mid-April, Starbucks announced a new dress code for its baristas that will go into effect on May 12th, part of CEO Brian Niccol's efforts to overhaul the coffee giant's image. The new uniform guidelines are designed to make the company's "iconic green apron" stand out more, and to "create a sense of familiarity for customers" at all Starbucks locations across North America.

The new policy will require baristas to wear the following items: any solid black short and long-sleeved crewneck, collared, or button-up shirts; any shade of khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms; any new company-branded t-shirts. The chain will provide two free shirts to each of its workers.

According to Starbucks' website, the new dress code will allow baristas to "deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience that will also bring simpler and clearer guidance to our partners" and also allow baristas to "focus on what matters most, crafting great beverages and fostering connections with customers."

PRADA BUYS VERSACE

The Prada Group announced a deal during April to buy fashion rival Versace from the U.S. luxury group Capri Holdings. Prada said the 47-year-old Versace brand offered "significant untapped growth potential." Prada's Chief Executive Andrea Guerra said that the recent creative shakeup at Versace, with Dario Vitale replacing Donatella Versace as creative director effective April 1st, had nothing to do with the deal.

"This is exactly the strength for our group. There are no overlaps in terms of creativity, in terms of customer," said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada's chief marketing officer.

DHL SHIPPING CHANGES

According to CNN, "DHL Express, a division of Germany's Deutsche Post, said it would suspend global business-to-consumer shipments worth over $800 to individuals in the United States effective April 21st, as U.S. customs regulatory changes have lengthened clearance. DHL said business-to-business shipments would not be suspended but could face delays. Shipments under $800 to either businesses or consumers were not affected by the changes. The move is a temporary measure, according to the company." Will this decision affect the brand and help its competition?

ELON MUSK AND POLITICAL ADVERTISING

According to Politico, "Democrats want to make Elon Musk the main character in their mid-term messaging. They're just not sure their bogeyman will be around long enough for it to matter. Democratic candidates and operatives are more convinced than ever that there's political advantage in attacking President Donald Trump's partner in slashing government programs. But there's already concern inside the party that Musk may not stay center-stage long enough to make him an effective target all the way through 2026. Trump has told those close to him that Musk will soon hang up his hatchet and has recently taken steps to rein in his special adviser's authority. And during early April, the controversies surrounding Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were overshadowed by the drama over Trump's global tariff threats."

INCREASED US POSTAGE RATES?

According to People magazine, "The United States Postal Service (USPS) filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for a five cents price increase to go into effect beginning July 13th. Should the plan go through, Americans could see the price of a first-class Forever stamp rise by five cents, from 73 to 78 cents."

UNVEILING OF BETTY WHITE STAMP

To quote the official press release on March 27th, "The U.S. Postal Service today celebrated beloved entertainer Betty White's mischievous wit, saucy persona, and tireless advocacy for animals with a new stamp at a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens."

Amber McReynolds, chairperson of the USPS Board of Governors, said at the first-day-of-issue ceremony, "With this stamp, we honor and remember the beloved 'First Lady of Television' and the enduring mark she left on our American culture."

Dale Stephanos, the artist who worked on the stamp, also attended the ceremony and described how the tiniest design detail came to him at breakfast, "I was absentmindedly drawing instead of eating my eggs and looking back down at the mess I had been making in my sketchbook, I saw that at some point, I had drawn a paw print. I had a bit of a Eureka moment and thought, what if I just give Betty an earring that's in the shape of a paw print?"

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

Image Credits: Shutterstock via Restaurant Business (Jersey Mike's), California Pizza Kitchen, ABC News (Nightline), and Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images (2025 White House Egg Roll).

Learn more about where the Earth ends and outer space starts:

https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/the-karman-line-where-does-space-begin/

Check out photos of the White House's Easter Egg Roll featuring sponsor signage:

https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2025/04/21/g-s1-61666/white-house-easter-egg-roll

Read "Inspirational Leadership Can – And Does – Happen Anywhere" about Jackie Robinson Day:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/04/inspirational-leadership-can-and-does.html

Monday, April 28, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Joseph Michelli

Before we begin, I'd like to applaud two special individuals for providing the inspiration for this series. First, big applause goes to Erika Andersen, a leadership expert and author who I've had the pleasure of knowing for nearly 15 years, and she's appeared on my blog 13 times since 2011. She wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders," and that article serves as the core of the series as its first question. Second, I also applaud Joseph Lalonde, a leadership expert and author of a book called REEL LEADERSHIP, for planting the seeds for last year's Spring Leadership Series on my blog. After I read Joe's book, I started looking at movies as well as works of fiction, TV shows, and TV characters with "leadership-tinted glasses."

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Joseph A. Michelli, Ph.D., C.S.P., a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Nielson BookScan, and New York Times' #1 bestselling business author. He helps companies drive customer loyalty and referrals and writes books about clients such as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Starbucks, Mercedes-Benz, and Zappos. Joseph received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Southern California and holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. He has won the Asian Brand Excellence Award and has been named a Top 5 thought leader in Customer Experience by Global Gurus for six consecutive years.

QUESTION: Leadership expert and author Erika Andersen wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders." In the article, Erika compared gardening to management and leadership. What are your thoughts, or was there something that stood out from the article?

JOSEPH MICHELLI: Erika is brilliant. Since I lived in Colorado most of my life, I may have been that neighbor of hers whose plants died due to poor soil prep. For me, the most resonant insights from her article were the importance of leadership listening, optimism, and nurturance. The philosopher, Paul Tillich, essentially said the "first duty of love is to listen." I am convinced listening is also the first duty of leadership. The second leadership duty is to "listen more."

As for optimism, Erika makes a powerful point regarding the need to believe in human potential and lean into the idea that everyone can and must grow to survive and thrive.

Finally, we all need pruning. We need others to help us bend, contort, and evolve in ways that make us more valuable to one another. We also must be willing to offer honest feedback for that growth to happen. In the words of Brené’ Brown, we must be courageous and clear with our feedback because "clear is kind."

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Customer Experiences and Garage Cabinets

Recently, I had three customer experiences, and they couldn't have been more different. Pull up a chair and join me on a recap through customer experience hell. But first, did you know that Garage Condos created "National Garage Day" five years ago to be celebrated on April 26th? According to National Archives, "After the traditional promotion of spring cleaning, National Garage Day is intended to promote and encourage a favorable attitude toward productivity as it pertains to one's organization and use of their garage. Since a garage is the place where many pursue hobbies, build projects, clean and store collectibles as well as entertain, a day of recognition seems fitting."

I wanted to spruce up my garage, in other words, clean out all the useless stuff that has accumulated over the years, such as, brooms, paint cans, holiday wreaths, and a myriad of other stuff that is so dirty that I have no idea what it is. But after cleaning out the garage, I realized that the stuff I wanted to keep could go into cabinets and stay hidden. And then, voila, I would have a beautiful garage for my cars!

But first, I needed some estimates from cabinet companies. So, I did my online research (thanks, Google!) and set up on-site visits with three local companies.

The first company's rep arrived in an unmarked car. No, not undercover police, but no promotional signage on the car. Okay, I thought, but what about a business card? I asked for one, and the lady said she had none. Strike two. Then, after showing a picture of my ideas for the garage cabinets and discussing size and color, the lady said she would need about 30 minutes to check her cost sheets and several binders of papers, and nearly 90 minutes later, she showed me her estimate. She said her company was having a 50 percent off discount until the end of the month, so her point was that I would need to move quickly to take advantage of the discount. Then, she showed me her estimate for the cabinets. When I said that the cost seemed high, she asked if she should call her boss to ask for another discount. I was speechless because I was not going to barter back and forth. I said thanks (strike three), and she left.

Despite calling to inform me, the second company's rep arrived 30 minutes late. She also arrived in a nondescript car without any promotional signage, and she also said she did not have a business card. She looked at my photo idea for the garage cabinets and then said she would get back to me with her design ideas and an estimate.

Neither company's rep sent an email to thank me for my time. Neither company's rep told me when I would receive a written estimate.

Then, I met with the third company's rep who was actually the company's owner, Cary Llewelyn of Premier Garage of Sherman Oaks. He provided his business card. He offered to provide references for me to call, as well as the link to his online reviews and Instagram profile. He mentioned that a neighbor had used his services and offered to set up a visit so that I could see his work in person. He answered questions on site, and BEFORE LEAVING MY HOUSE, set up a Zoom meeting (that would feature a 3-D model of his ideas) for a specific day and a specific time to review and discuss his design and estimate.

Two days later, I finally heard back from the first two companies. The first company's rep called me and asked if I had decided to move forward with her company, and I asked her "Where is the written estimate?" She responded, "It is against our company's policy to provide written estimates." WOW.

The second company's rep sent an email 48 hours after meeting with me, but by then, this should come as no surprise, I had decided to move forward with the third company. Her supervisor actually called me when I completed her company's survey, which, by the way, should never have been sent so closely in time as the estimate (what if I had any questions?). I explained all the negative aspects of the visit, and at least, the supervisor agreed that the employee should have provided a business card.

So, what can we learn from these interactions?

(1) Customer experience marketing may be a C-Suite topic, but that doesn't mean that it always travels downward to the people on the frontlines (aka, salespeople).

(2) Some brands simply don't care about positive customer experiences.

(3) Consistency is not important when it comes to all customer touchpoints.

I shared these experiences with customer experience expert and author Shep Hyken (@hyken on Twitter/X), who has graciously appeared on my blog many times. He said, "Great service isn't complicated – some of the basics include respect, professionalism, and follow-through. The third company nailed it. They took control of the process, set expectations, and properly followed up. The other two? They over-promised and under-delivered, eroded credibility and trust, and disrespected your time. Who would you rather do business with? (That's a rhetorical question.) Any business that needs customers – and that's all of us – should recognize the basics of customer service, which should be common sense, but unfortunately, as you can tell from the description of the first two companies, is not so common."

On a final note, around 7pm on the evening that the first two reps visited my garage, there was a delivery of beautiful flowers at my front door. For a fleeting moment, I thought one of the cabinet vendors had sent the flowers with a message that read, "Thank you for your time today. I hope my company can earn your business." But alas, it was not meant to be...the flowers had been delivered to me by mistake – they were for my neighbor.

Image Credit: Motor City Garages.

Friday, April 25, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Heather Hackett

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Heather Hackett based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a consultant and contractor, Heather leverages 20 years of experience in organizational management, marketing, and community engagement. In addition to working in the for-profit, nonprofit, and cooperative sectors, she has also partnered with state and local government agencies. Heather attended the University of Pittsburgh, receiving BAs in English and communications and a master's in public policy and nonprofit management. Her creative work includes nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, which is published under the pen name Hez.

HEATHER HACKETT: Erika Andersen's reference to planting the right seeds for your soil resonated with me the most. My first hiring experiences with a rapidly expanding chain of local coffee shops often came with informal instructions to take what I could get because we needed to quickly build entire teams to launch a new location. While this got the doors open on schedule, it typically resulted in chaos within the first few weeks and months of operations, as folks who weren’t the right fit either quit or proved unreliable to the point of termination becoming necessary.

This repeated cycle bred frustration and demoralization, and I was fortunate to have more say and more options with hiring in subsequent jobs where I used the lessons learned in many ways. First, by ensuring job descriptions were updated annually and confirmed before posting open positions. Second, by crafting a cohesive hiring process, complete with "good fit" questions for both the role and the organizational culture, and weighted evaluation forms that properly ranked the most important criteria for evaluating applicants. Finally, by giving candidates ample time to ask their own questions, which often illuminated crucial aspects of their interests and expectations that were just as valuable as the insights gained from their responses to our questions.

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?

HEATHER HACKETT: After receiving a late diagnosis of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) near the age of 40, one of the most valuable resources in learning how to work with my brain was ADDitude. This digital and print publication invests heavily in vetting and fact-checking all of its content, including reviews by a reputable Medical Advisory Panel, so I trust the reliability and accuracy of information and guidance shared.

In recent months, as the Trump administration rolled out its Make America Healthy Again initiatives, several attacks have been made on the neurodivergent community and clinicians, including claims of over-diagnosis and over-prescribing. Throughout this tumultuousness, I have been impressed with and appreciative of ADDitude General Manager Anni Layne Rogers' (formerly of Rolling Stone, Fast Company, and Inc.) efforts to thoughtfully support and advocate on behalf of the community.

The platform made space for guest blog posts speaking up against harmful rhetoric, such as US Senator Tom Turberville (R-Alabama) who implied that kids today get prescribed stimulants when what they really need is to be disciplined with a belt. Rodgers also directly penned several articles reasserting the science-backed evidence about ADHD causes, treatments, risk factors, and outcomes with treatment. Recently, she additionally appealed directly to politicians, including an Open Letter to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary Kennedy, who has referred to stimulant users as "addicts."

QUESTION: What is your favorite team-building activity, and why?

HEATHER HACKETT: I'm a fan of activities that relate directly to an organization's work but fall outside the realm of employees' day-to-day tasks. These forms of team-building help connect employees more passionately to the mission, remind them of their "why," and reinforce that the wonderful outcomes sought are only possible by working together.

As Board President at Ten Thousand Villages Pittsburgh, we loved it when the artisans who created our fair-trade products visited and taught us about their handicrafts. Often, we'd gain insight into how our work in the US was improving lives globally by supporting women-owned businesses that developed schools and social support systems, or community-based businesses preserving ancient customs.

In another example, when I worked at East End Food Co-op, we had a national produce expert present an hour-long interactive talk on the history of kale. You wouldn't expect there to be so much to say about a single plant, but it was fascinating from start to finish and included tactile experiences like touching and smelling different varieties. Afterward, we worked together to make a salad and learned to "massage" kale with salt and oil to bring out its fullest flavor. It was by far the best team luncheon I've ever had, and over a decade later, I still remember many fun facts about kale.

QUESTION: Which book is on the top of your to-be-read pile, and why?

HEATHER HACKETT: The next book in my queue is The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes. This title appeared on a list of StoryGraph recommendations based on my previous enjoyment of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. Both books are fictionalized events inspired by real history. I've come to enjoy historical fiction for the fun opportunity it provides to get a sense of life in the time period the story is set in without feeling like an educational endeavor. The writing mechanics of historical fiction align nicely with my undergraduate degree in creative nonfiction; the two genres seem like flip sides of the same coin, in a way.

The Boxcar Librarian is set during the Great Depression and features a mystery involving the Missoula Boxcar Library. I'm excited to again see the prominence of a woman protagonist in rugged terrain — Richardson's novel featured horse-back book deliveries in the Kentucky mountains, and the Missoula Boxcar Library served the wilds of Montana.

QUESTION: In the past year, has a TV show, film, or work of fiction stood out as a result of its emphasis on leadership?

HEATHER HACKETT: The film Conclave most readily comes to mind, given that the entire plot focuses on the death of a pope and the resulting selection process for his successor. I watched this film at a friend's recommendation and did not realize until afterward that it is based on a novel of the same title. I now look forward to reading it to see how the two compare.

Being unfamiliar with the papal conclave, I found the process fascinating, and the plot's twists and turns illuminated many leadership-related topics. For example:

(1) What motivates someone to become a leader?

(2) When we select our organization's next leader, how might we discern who best suits the role?

(3) Should we trust those who aspire for high offices and are readily poised to take on positions of power? Or is there merit in championing reluctant emerging leaders with strong potential, even when they may not believe in themselves?

(4) What trade-offs might there be between selecting leaders with charisma and popularity versus those with talent and skill and those with the strongest principles and values?

Monday, April 21, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Rebecca Rucker

Last year, I launched a Spring Leadership Series to think about leadership in nontraditional ways. As 2024 continued, I presented additional ways to think about leadership during my Olympics Leadership Series and Holiday Leadership Series. With a new year upon us, I've invited 25 thought leaders to share their responses to five questions relating to team-building, reading, and leadership. My #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 began the first day of Spring and continues through June 20th, the first day of Summer.

Before we begin, I'd like to applaud two special individuals for providing the inspiration for this series. First, big applause goes to Erika Andersen, a leadership expert and author who I've had the pleasure of knowing for nearly 15 years, and she's appeared on my blog 13 times since 2011. She wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders," and that article serves as the core of the series as its first question. Second, I also applaud Joseph Lalonde, a leadership expert and author of a book called REEL LEADERSHIP, for planting the seeds for last year's Spring Leadership Series on my blog. After I read Joe's book, I started looking at movies as well as works of fiction, TV shows, and TV characters with "leadership-tinted glasses."

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Rebecca Rucker, a psychotherapist based in Houston, Texas. We met via a virtual book club, Leaders Who Fiction led by Melanie Bell. Rebecca belongs to the Leaders Who Fiction book club because she enjoys the quality of the discussions about leadership that transpires among the book club members. When not reading fiction, she meets with a weekly group of eclectic elders who study the works of Shakespeare.

QUESTION: Leadership expert and author Erika Andersen wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders." In the article, Erika compared gardening to management and leadership. What are your thoughts, or was there something that stood out from the article?

REBECCA RUCKER: In Erika's article, she uses the metaphor of the garden to discuss five key elements of leadership. As an executive coach, I found her key points fit my experience.

Two of her points stood out to me. The first point, "You can't make plants grow," reminds me that, as a coach, you bring your best self, your toolkit, and your thought partnership to your client. Most clients welcome those opportunities to engage and grow from the exchange of skills, experience, and thought collaboration. However, there are those clients who won't. As someone who wants her clients to be successful, I have often learned that when I'm working harder than my client, I am working too hard. It is up to the client to choose whether to grow or not - no amount of the best offerings will change the outcome if the client chooses not to thrive. (The same is true for an employee in an organizational work environment.)

Erika's point, "You can't make plants grow" also goes along with the second point that struck me, "All gardeners have plants that won't thrive." I have often watched a few clients in disbelief that, no matter how great their environment, how well their skills and experience fit the job, or how skillfully their managers and co-workers support them, do not thrive. When I observed what was keeping the client from success, I found the client was his own worst enemy. I observed the client gossiping, there were constant complaints and judgments about other co-workers, and there was a victim mentality that the boss was out to get him. Most coaches and managers agree that, at that point, you must prune. It is in the best interests of the organization and the department. The remaining employees, much like Erika's plants, grow in the right environment supported by the consistent resources and their own initiative to thrive with the care they are given.

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Celebrating Post Number 750 on #DebbieLaskeysBlog

I love to write, and perhaps, in a previous life, I was a novelist. But in this life, I enjoy writing blog posts and sharing my commentary about marketing and leadership - and I've been blogging since 2009. Post number 500 was written and published with no trumpets blaring and no big celebration, however, not 750. For post number 750, I'm sharing a recap of my favorite topics, posts, and guest experts. So find a comfortable chair and join me on a journey down memory lane.

My first post was published on October 9th, 2009, and was entitled, "GM Hired a Woman to Lead US Sales - Yes, a Woman." I vividly recall my discussion with my company's web designer at the time as we discussed this exciting announcement. He suggested that, if I felt strongly about the news, I should start a blog to share my commentary. I did, and my blog is going strong nearly 16 years and 750 posts later.

As the URL evolved into the name of the blog, Debbie Laskey's Blog, it was time for a hashtag to also appear, thus, the creation of #DebbieLaskeysBlog in August 2021. This hashtag, as a form of marketing and building brand identity, has since accompanied all posts on Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky.

As I wrote in November 2009, "Should You Blog? Blogs have been around since the early 1990's, but should you have one? If you answer YES, then find your voice. If you are an individual, write as you speak and share your expertise. If a company, determine your company's voice and make sure that the senior management team approves. Second, develop a timeline for updating your Blog. Daily may be too much work – weekly or monthly may be better options. Third, create a strategy for content. Decide on key themes or topics. Future topics will be derived from visitor feedback, and research industry-specific venues for additional ideas. Now, start blogging!"

Here are some memorable posts about brand identity, brand strategy, personal branding, leadership tips, and brand promotions:

*April 2016: When Creating a Product Name, ONE WORD Can Make a Difference

*October 2016: Three Branding Lessons from Binge Watching

*November 2016: Five #LeadershipTips from the 2016 Presidential Election

*November 2016: Six Branding Tips from the LA Auto Show

*February 2020: What's Your Favorite Valentine's Day Brand?

*April 2020: What's Your Favorite Easter Brand?

*April 2021: Does Your Brand Recognize April Fools' Day?

*November 2022: What Brand Stands Out on Thanksgiving?

*December 2022: What Are Your Favorite Holiday Ads?

*December 2022: Five Personal Branding Lessons from Santa

*December 2022: What's Your Favorite Brand the Day After Christmas?

*December 2022: What Are the Most Famous Brands on December 31st and January 1st?

*April 2023: Don't Fool Your Customers TOO Much on April Fools' Day

*December 2023: Happy #NationalChampagneDay

*January 2024: "Top 10" New Year's Resolutions for Leaders (inspired by Eric Jacobson)

*January 2025: "Top 10" New Year's Resolutions for Leaders for 2025 (inspired by Eric Jacobson)

*February 2025: Don't Forget that Timeless Marketing Mantra: Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover (inspired by Melanie Bell and her Leaders Who Fiction virtual book club)

Beginning in December 2022, I created a weekly series called "Marketing News of the Week." From the health scare of Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin and the amazing amount of donations to re-designed products promoting the Lunar New Year, these posts provided explanations as to how mainstream news impacted marketing. While intended to be a weekly series, these posts sometimes appear a couple of times a month - as well as monthly recaps.

As a lifelong fan of reading who has shared a myriad of book reviews on my blog, during the fall of 2023, I created a series called the "Fall Back to Reading Series" and invited 30 leadership, marketing, and customer experience experts to answer questions ranging from the three business books that made the biggest impact on their careers to their favorite authors to creative names for a nonprofit to promote reading to children and young adults. Series highlights appeared on my blog on January 31, 2024.

From March through June 2024, I invited 30 thought leaders to share their commentary to think about leadership in nontraditional ways. This #SpringLeadershipSeries featured TV shows, films, works of fiction, products, and brands that either showcased leadership or were embodiments of industry leaders. Series highlights appeared on my blog on June 20, 2024.

During the 2024 Summer Olympics from July through August 2024, I invited 17 leadership experts to share insights as to how leadership aligned with the Olympics in what I named my #OlympicsLeadershipSeries. Series highlights appeared on my blog on August 12, 2024.

Following the presidential election of 2024, I invited five female leadership experts to share commentary about leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more as part of my #PostElectionSeries that appeared during November and December 2024.

From October through December 2024, a series entitled "Holiday Leadership Series" appeared on my blog and featured 10 thought leaders and their commentary as to how leadership and marketing were impacted by the holiday season in what I called my #HolidayLeadershipSeries. Series highlights appeared on my blog on December 31, 2024.

And another series is currently running entitled, "Spring Leadership Series 2025" featuring 25 experts. In my #SpringLeadershipSeries2025, I have asked thought leaders five questions about team-building, reading, and leadership. This series runs from March through June 2025.

Each year while watching the Super Bowl, I also watched the ads, also referred to as the #AdBowl and the #BrandBowl. Then, on the following Monday, while football experts played "Monday Morning Quarterbacking" about the game's highs and lows, I always posted my recap of the best (and sometimes worst) ads. To date, I've written 13 of these posts.

As a marketing pro, without a doubt, my favorite series has been my annual "Top 10 Marketing Highlights" posts. They were written with a nod to David Letterman for the format and appeared on the first day of each year. To date, I've written 15 of these posts.

Starting in 2022, I created an annual series called "(year) Was the Year of #BrandIdentity Changes." In this annual recap published in January, I provided details of interesting brands that either rebranded, changed their logo, changed their name, co-branded, formed an interesting partnership, created a unique hashtag to match a campaign, changed iconic packaging, or in some other way made branding news during the year. So far, I've written three of these posts.

In 2023, there were so many food-related brands that made news that I started a separate "Food Branding Series of (year)." So far, I've written three of these posts.

Started in 2022, I created an annual series called "Words and Terms that Told the Story of (year)." In this annual recap published each January, I shared key words that appeared again and again in news broadcasts as well as the most searched term on Google. So far, I've written three of these posts.

Started in 2022, I created an annual series called "Notable Deaths in (year) and Some Personal Branding Tips." In this annual recap published each January, I shared a list of individuals who passed away the previous year and why they inspired me. So far, I've written three of these posts.

Started in 2022, I created an annual series called "Barbie Made News in (year)." In this annual recap published each January, I provided details of the Barbie dolls released by Mattel during the year to celebrate important women and their accomplishments. Of course, during 2023, the blockbuster film made news. So far, I've written three of these posts.

Started in 2022, I recognized "National Leadership Day," and on February 20th, I invited a leadership expert to share commentary about leadership. So far, I've posted three of these Q&A's.

Started in 2023, I created a new annual series entitled, "Best Book I Read" for the previous year. So far, I've shared my picks from 2023 and 2024, and the posts appeared in early February each year.

Started in 2025, I created a monthly series called "Best Social Media Post of the Month." This series was inspired by Oreo's April Fools' Day post in 2024. So far, there have been three of these posts - and they appear the first week of each month.

From February 2013 through June 2014, I served as a writer for the "IBM Midsize Insider Program," and many of my posts during that time were written about marketing and social media put into perspective for midsize businesses. Those posts appeared first on IBM's website, and once live, they then appeared on my blog.

Over the years, my blog has received some much-appreciated recognition. As a result of my posts, I was invited to be a "Featured Contributor" to Business2Community.com, and I wrote unique posts specifically for that online community. In addition, my blog was included in the BRANDING category in James Strock's SERVE TO LEAD BLOGS LIST in 2021 and also in the Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness TOP LEADERSHIP BLOG LIST in 2014.

Lastly, 20 experts (authors/speakers/coaches/instructors) graciously appeared on my blog in Q&A formats several times. I'd like to give a BIG shout-out with applause to them now: Erika Andersen, Melanie Bell, Julia Carcamo, Susan Colantuono, Doug Dickerson, Amy Diehl, Kevin Eikenberry, Joni M. Fisher, Lee Goldberg, Mark Herbert, Rebecca Herold, Rebecca Rucker, Shep Hyken, Eric Jacobson, Jim Joseph, Michael McKinney, Katherine Spinney, Eric Stone, James Strock, and Ron Thomas. These individuals have inspired me and made a long-lasting impact on my blog and on me, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

Writers often talk about writer's block. But this recap has demonstrated that, when you view the world through "marketing-tinted glasses," then writer's block is definitely NOT a problem. There are too many marketing-related topics to write about.

I wish to thank you for joining me on this trip down memory lane and for continuing to read my posts (and sharing comments). See you next time on #DebbieLaskeysBlog - for post #751 and beyond!

Friday, April 18, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Melanie Bell

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Melanie Bell based in Houston, Texas. Melanie is the Co-Founder of Strategic Piece, a company that helps B2B businesses generate outstanding revenue growth by bringing together their marketing, sales, and service teams around an information-driven customer experience. However, Melanie is not only about marketing. She founded Leaders Who Fiction, a virtual monthly book club (where we met!), while running Strategic Piece. Through Leaders Who Fiction, Melanie helps people develop leadership skills by reading fiction and participating in intellectual, business-oriented conversations centered around a selected novel. Prior to Strategic Piece, Melanie was President of Marketing Interface, which she founded in 2014, after serving as Director of Marketing at SURGE Accelerator/SURGE Ventures. Melanie earned a BA in International Development from McGill University in Montreal and an MBA from Rice University in Houston.

MELANIE BELL: I love the infinite metaphors we can come up with for good/bad management and leadership. That being said, the gardening metaphor seems particularly appropriate and effective at reminding us of what we should be doing year-round, not just in springtime.

Two things jumped out to me.

The first was, "The most problematic situation though, is the employee who is almost OK," since this is something with which I've struggled. Oh, how tempting it is to will someone out of mediocrity, to see their potential and let that outshine their actual performance.

The second was "maybe the job changes so much that they can no longer succeed." As a consultant, I've experienced great long-term working relationships with clients where I eventually realize that the skillset they need from me has changed dramatically since the start of the engagement. It requires a hard conversation to tell a client that it's time to move on because they need someone who can provide what I can't for this new job they need doing.

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?

MELANIE BELL: I'm feeling particularly inspired by all the work being done to fight book bans. This seems to be happening at every level of life from local communities and school boards to The Big Five (anglophone) publishers (Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan Publishers, and Simon & Schuster) collaborating to sue states implementing book bans at public and school libraries.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Let's Celebrate World Circus Day!

What are your memories from going to the circus as a child? Were you entertained by clowns, acrobats, or wild animals? Or, were you introduced to the modern-day version of the circus due to performances by Cirque du Soleil? Whatever the case may be, today's a special day for circus fans because it's World Circus Day!

According to NationalToday.com, "World Circus Day is celebrated on April 17 every year. This holiday was created to shine a spotlight on circus creators, performers, and artists. As one of the most popular and universal forms of entertainment, circus art is brought to the forefront to create awareness for everyone involved in the industry. This day is dedicated to emphasizing their craft, talents, and skills. It also helps them raise funds, attract audiences, and enter the zeitgeist of the entertainment scene. From veteran performers to up-and-coming artists, this day is dedicated to their hard work and dedication. Circus art is not as easy as it looks — it takes years of training and perseverance to achieve mastery. Today, we celebrate them and their contributions to the arts."

Here's a circus timeline:

1768: First Modern Circus Introduced

In London, England, Philip Astley created the first modern circus, providing a model for future circus shows. He pioneered horse riding tricks as a form of entertainment in front of a public audience and initially called this performance arena "Circle," but the term evolved and later became known as "Circus." Astley exported his circus to France and was able to build 18 more across Europe.

1825: Invention of the Circus Tent

The circus tent, or "big top," was first used by Joshua Purdy Brown, allowing circuses to travel and perform anywhere.

1884: Birth of "The Greatest Show on Earth"

P.T. Barnum and J.A. Bailey founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus, which later merged with Ringling Bros. to become "The Greatest Show on Earth."

1956: End of Big-Top Era and Start of Arena Shows

For financial reasons, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey moved their shows from tents to permanent venues, essentially ending the traditional big-top circus era.

1984: Cirque du Soleil Founded

The start of the contemporary circus era with the founding of Cirque du Soleil, introducing a new artistic and story-driven approach to circus performance.

2010: First World Circus Day Celebrated

Lead by the Federation Mondiale du Cirque, the first World Circus Day was celebrated on April 17th, to honor and promote the art of circus globally.

Here are some circus superstitions:

The color green: Circus performers don't wear green costumes because it's considered unlucky to wear green in the ring.

Never whistle or eat peanuts: Circus performers never whistle or eat peanuts backstage as these are considered to be bad luck.

Never say "Break a Leg" before a show - it's bad luck.

Elephants' tail hair: All circus performers who carry hair from an elephant's tail in their pockets during performances will have good luck.

Never say goodbye, it's always "See you down the road."

And last but not least, from a marketing perspective, how have circuses evolved? First, as a result of the public controversy surrounding wild animals as part of circus performances, live animals are no longer part of circus performances. Second, industry brand leader Ringling Bros. returned in 2023 after a five-year absence with a totally-revamped production that replaced its menagerie of performing animals with 75 wildly-talented humans from 18 countries. And lastly, the Cirque du Soleil umbrella of artistic circus shows scratches the surface of the circus concept but actually combines music, artistry, and acrobatics with storytelling.

While "Ringling Bros. producer Feld Grossman has been described as a kind of Ted Lasso of in-person entertainment: he makes people feel pretty good about themselves, at least for a few hours," can the circus form of entertainment survive in the era of online distractions? Time will tell.

Image Credit: Vectorstock.com.

Did you know that there are schools to learn how to be a circus performer? Take a look!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_school

And, on a related note, according to the European Circus Association (ECA), this year's World Circus Day will be celebrated on Saturday, April 19th IN EUROPE. According to the ECA's website, "The European Circus Association was established to unite Europe's circuses in order to promote and preserve circus arts and culture as part of Europe's cultural heritage. ECA is a non-profit organization. Its members include circus owners and directors, festivals, animal trainers and artists as well as other organizations representing the same interests. Together the ECA believes we can ensure that the circus continues to enchant, educate, and entertain children of all ages. This includes all kinds of circus, travelling or permanent, big or small, involving varying mixes of artistic displays, acrobatics, comedy, and trained animals."