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.

Showing posts with label reading inspires. Show all posts

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Let's Celebrate National Read a Book Day!

National Read a Book Day is observed annually on September 6th and serves as an incentive to grab a book (or open a book on an e-reader) and read. I often share book recommendations and reviews here on my blog, however, today is especially important for bibliophiles.

According to NationalTodayCalendar, "Whether you prefer to escape into the world of fiction or learn something new, celebrate with books. Visit the library or the local bookstore. Pick up a new book or read an old favorite. Explore the past in history books and memoirs or dive into poetry. Read aloud to a child or give them a book to read on their own. Share the stories you're reading using #NationalReadABookDay to post on social media."

Last year on National Read a Book Day, I shared a review of "The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau" by one of my favorite authors, Kristin Harmel. Since I've read many of her books, it should not be a surprise that I recently read her newest book, MEET ME IN PARIS, so I'll share that book today.

Unlike most of Harmel's books, MEET ME IN PARIS is a contemporary novel rather than historical fiction. The story revolves around a group of Americans whose lives connect during some spring days in Paris. Music, art, health, and family are all aspects of the story (including my favorite museum, the Musée d'Orsay), however, the most important character of the story was the city of Paris!

Here were some memorable quotes from the book:

"That's the thing about chapters...they're only a part of your story."

"That's what life was, a constant opportunity for reinvention, for change, for transformation."

"When we're children, we think the moments will be endless. But in the end, they slip through our fingers before we know how much they mean."

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

How will you celebrate World Letter Writing Day?

When was the last time you received a handwritten letter? When was the last time you wrote a handwritten letter? According to NationalDayCalendar, "In this digital age of text and email, it's almost unheard of to sit down and compose a letter." Since today is World Letter Writing Day, perhaps, it's a good day to write a handwritten letter to someone?

Richard Simpkin, an Australian author, artist, and photographer created "World Letter Writing Day" in 2014. In the late 1990s, he wrote letters to people he considered to be Australian legends and was excited when he received letters in return. In 2005, Simpkin released his book "100 Australian Legends: The People Who Shaped a Nation." His excitement over the letters that made the project possible resulted in the creation of a day dedicated to letter writing.

According to Awareness Days, "World Letter Writing Day is an annual celebration of the handwritten letter and the personal connection it creates. It invites everyone, regardless of age or writing ability, to compose a letter to family, friends, teachers, mentors, or anyone they value. The day is deliberately low-pressure: a letter does not need to be long or eloquent, it simply needs to be genuine."

Recently, letter writing has been newsworthy due to the success of a contemporary work of fiction, "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans, that won the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction. The book is composed of letters to friends, family, and real-life authors — and the book's story is told entirely through these letters.

According to Julia Gillard, the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, "A remarkable novel with an exemplary combination of originality, excellence, and accessibility. It is no mean feat to write a life in letters, but Evans makes this feel effortless, asking the reader to consider the choices we make, whilst elevating an ordinary life in the most heartfelt of ways. The sheer skill required to render an emotionally resonant and engaging work in this format is spectacular."

There's a term for this type of fiction and it's relevant today. According to Wikipedia, "An epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of letters between the fictional characters of a narrative. The term is often extended to cover novels that intersperse other kinds of fictional document with the letters, most commonly diary entries and newspaper clippings, and sometimes considered to include novels composed of documents even if they do not include letters at all. More recently, epistolaries may include electronic documents such as recordings and radio, blog posts, and emails. The word epistolary is derived from Latin from the Greek word epistole meaning a letter. This type of fiction is known as epistolary fiction."

So, after reading and enjoying "The Correspondent," I ventured further into the world of epistolary fiction and read and also enjoyed the following:

(1) The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg: An address book serves as the focus of the novel.

(2) Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg: A ninety-two-year-old writes a letter to the woman who grew up next door, describing the items she is leaving her in her will.

(3) 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff: In a series of letters between a freelance writer in New York City and a used-book dealer in London at 84, Charing Cross Road, they have a charming friendship across the miles (but not in person) based on their shared love of books.

(4) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: According to Amazon, "As London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb. As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends — and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society — born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island — boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all."

(5) Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple: When Bee's mother, Bernadette, disappears, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, and secret correspondence to find her mother.

Here are some ways to celebrate today:

(1) Write a letter to a loved one — they'll be happily surprised to receive it.

(2) Teach a child how to write a thank-you note — it's a lost art.

(3) Teach a child the value of having a pen pal. Read the book, "Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale" by Josh Funk with illustrations by Rodolfo Montalvo. According to the book's description, "George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There's just one thing that the two friends don't know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon!"

(4) Support local stationery stores by purchasing engraved stationery, fountain pens, or other writing supplies.

(5) Write a letter to a member of the military. Nonprofits such as Project Heart, Operation Gratitude, Soldiers' Angels, and A Million Thanks/America 250 offer letter-writing campaigns.

(6) Join a global pen pal or postcard project like Postcrossing, which has 805,890 members in 207 countries.

And here are some related holidays:

(1) National Ballpoint Pen Day (June 10): Honoring the everyday tool that makes writing easy.

(2) National Writing Day (June 24): Encouraging people to write for fun and self-expression.

(3) Everyone Writes Day (October 21): An annual event dedicated to the joy of writing.

So, are you going to write a letter today?

Monday, August 31, 2026

Marketing News of the Month: Art, Pizza, Brand Ambassadors, and More

During the month of August, there were news stories that reflected brand ambassadors, brand experiences, brand identity, brand names, brand partnerships, brand storytelling, brand strategy, co-branding, competitive positioning, personal branding, product launches, rebranding, social media marketing, special event marketing, and more. Marketing news from the early part of the month was detailed in my mid-month post on August 16th.

BAYEAUX TAPESTRY, BRITISH MUSEUM, AND LONDON'S ALDWYCH HOTEL

Forbes reported, "The greatest story ever stitched is back on English soil for the first time in nearly a millennium. The Bayeux Tapestry, one of the most important primary pictorial sources for medieval history, is a massive 11th-century embroidery – not an actual woven tapestry – measuring nearly 230 feet long. Stitched using colored wool yarns on linen panels, it details the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, culminating in the famous Battle of Hastings. Across 58 scenes and more than 600 embroidered figures, the Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest – the last successful invasion of England and one of history's greatest tales. Displayed flat in one continuous length for the first time, this is the tapestry as it has never been seen before, and a moment unlikely to come again.

The Bayeux Tapestry is normally housed in the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (Centre Guillaume le Conquérant) located in the town of Bayeux in Normandy, France. However, this masterpiece of art is temporarily residing in The British Museum in London, England, on a historic once-in-a-generation agreement from France while its permanent home undergoes major museum renovations. It is on display at the British Museum from September 2026 through July 2027, marking its first return to England in nearly 1,000 years.

Independent luxury hotel One Aldwych has a hotel partnership with the British Museum to provide guests with tickets to the Bayeux Tapestry. The first batch of tickets already sold out, making One Aldwych the place to stay for culture enthusiasts looking to experience the tapestry. One Aldwych is a five-star, independent luxury hotel housed in an iconic Edwardian landmark building in London's vibrant Covent Garden - and its rooms cost more than $1,400 per night."

RECOVERY OF STOLEN ART

Now, whenever art, museums, and thefts are mentioned in the same sentence, you may be thinking about the priceless jewelry theft from the Louvre in Paris back in October. However, this art news was from Italy. The Art Newspaper reported on August 14th, "Paintings by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse that were stolen in a robbery from an Italian private museum in March have been recovered by police. The works were taken from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation near the city of Parma. According to a previous social media statement by the Carabinieri (Italy's military police force), they carry a total estimated value of $10 million. The Carabinieri said that four men entered the foundation, housed in a rural villa south of Parma, on March 22nd and removed "Les Poissons" (1917) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, "Still Life with Cherries" (around 1890) by Paul Cezanne, and "Odalisque on the Terrace" (1922) by Henri Matisse. The thieves took less than three minutes to carry out the theft, partly because the alarm system was activated. The Magnani-Rocca Foundation is one of the most significant private art collections in Italy, was founded in 1977 by the collector Luigi Magnani, and opened to the public in 1990."

MORE STOLEN ART NEWS FROM EUROPE

The BBC reported on August 28th, "An international manhunt is under way for two men who stole a necklace decorated with more than 600 diamonds from a museum in Vienna after buying a ticket for the exhibition in which it was being displayed. Police said the two suspects smashed a glass display case at the Vienna Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) on August 27th in the afternoon and grabbed the platinum and diamond necklace, which is believed to be worth more than $4 million. The necklace, which was designed for the former Egyptian royal family, was part of an exhibition on the jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels, due to run at MAK until September. The theft is the latest in a series of spectacular heists of artefacts at European museums. Vienna police released photos of the two suspects, who were unmasked, captured on security cameras. They are appealing for the public to come forward with information.

Also on Thursday was one of the most important troves of prehistoric jewellery and artefacts was stolen from a Spanish museum. Four Renaissance paintings were stolen from a museum in Sicily earlier this month, while three paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse worth millions of euros were taken from a museum in Parma earlier in the year. These heists came after the brazen daylight raid on the Louvre in Paris, in which a masked gang stole priceless jewels last October. The string of thefts have raised questions about the security of European cultural institutions."

NASA LAUNCHES NEW NANCY GRACE ROMAN TELESCOPE

NPR reported, "A new NASA space telescope launched Sunday, August 20th, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida that will help scientists probe the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and other mysteries of the universe. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is about the size of a tour bus, lifted off at 7:26 a.m. ET on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket. The 18,000-pound spacecraft is now on a million-mile journey that will take it to its new home in space.

The new telescope is named for Nancy Grace Roman, NASA's first chief astronomer who was known as the 'Mother of Hubble' for her championing of the iconic Hubble Space Telescope. (According to ABC News, "Growing up, Nancy Grace Roman was told that "women could not be scientists." But, thankfully, she didn't listen.") Her namesake observatory will have the sharpness of Hubble but a field of view that is at least 100 times larger, allowing it to image huge swaths of the sky at once. Before it can do that, the Roman Space Telescope will have to get to its new home in the sky about a million miles away. Roman will live at the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point known as L2. There, the competing gravitational pulls of the Earth and the Sun help the telescope keep a steady orbit while using minimal fuel. The James Webb Space Telescope orbits at this point, which gives the spacecraft an unobstructed view of the sky."

According to ABC News, "Because of its large field of view, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will help researchers better understand dark matter by capturing how the phenomenon's gravity bends light and distorts a galaxy's shape. NASA says its current cosmological model can't explain why the universe's behavior is different now than it was when it was young."

NPR shared some details about Nancy Grace Roman, who died in 2018 at the age of 93. "When Nancy Grace Roman was a child, her favorite object to draw was the moon. Her mother used to take her on walks under the nighttime sky and show her constellations, or point out the colorful swirls of the aurora. Roman loved to look up at the stars and imagine. Eventually, her passion for stargazing blossomed into a career as a renowned astronomer. Roman was one of the first female executives at NASA, where she served as the agency's first chief of astronomy. Known as the "Mother of Hubble," for her role in making the Hubble Space Telescope a reality, Roman worked at NASA for nearly two decades. Roman fought to earn her place in a field dominated by men, paving the path for future female scientists. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1925 and organized an astronomy club in fifth grade. She attended high school in Baltimore, where she requested to take a second year of algebra instead of a fifth year of Latin. Roman went on to get a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania in 1946 and a doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1949, both in astronomy. After working at the Naval Research Laboratory, she then joined NASA in 1959.

Roman retired from NASA in 1979, but her work earned her the Women in Aerospace Lifetime Achievement Award and the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award. In 2017, she was given a special honor when she was highlighted in a Lego set of four groundbreaking women at NASA. In the Lego set, her figurine stands next to a miniature Hubble Space Telescope — a replica of the instrument that brought the world dazzling images of the stars she had loved so well as a child."

SUMMER COVID SURGE

NPR reported, "COVID is spreading the most again in the South and West, but is also on the rise in the Northeast and Midwest. The good news is the virus is still at very low levels. And so far this summer's wave seems to be continuing the trend of getting milder each year, sending fewer people to the hospital and causing fewer deaths...That doesn't mean people don't have to worry about COVID. The disease still makes lots of people feel awful for a week or two, foiling their summer vacations and forcing them to miss work and school. And COVID can still cause serious disease for some people, sending them to emergency rooms, causing hospitalizations and even sometimes still causing death."

BARACK OBAMA LAUNCHES PODCAST ABOUT READING

The Guardian reported, "Barack Obama has publicly shared his favourite books for years, posting summer reading lists and end-of-year roundups. Now, he is set to host a podcast about books that have "profoundly shaped his worldview and our society," from Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré. The podcast, called A Great Book with Barack Obama, will launch on Audible on September 24th. In each of six episodes – produced by the Amazon-owned company in collaboration with the Obamas's production company Higher Ground – the former US president will discuss one of his chosen titles with a guest. Along with the Morrison and le Carré, Obama has chosen The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, and All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren."

Obama explained, "Great books have always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe. The six books featured in this series have stayed with me throughout my life, and each one has something to teach us about the human experience. I hope listeners will be inspired to discover or rediscover books that change the way they see themselves and the world."

TIM HORTONS' CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HARRY POTTER

According to a company press release, "Attention all wizards, witches and Muggles alike: Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada are embracing the magic of Harry Potter starting August 12th in celebration of Back to Hogwarts and the 25th anniversary of the beloved brand."

Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons, said, "Harry Potter has been a beloved part of so many of our guests' lives for decades and we couldn't be more excited for Canadians to discover the wizarding world at Tims restaurants. We're exclusively bringing the magic of Harry Potter to QSR in Canada in true Tims fashion - from donuts inspired by each Hogwarts House, to a Golden Snitch Timbit and Timbit holder, spellbinding Patronus and Forbidden Forest inspired drinks, and limited-edition merch that guests will want to collect and share."

Here are more highlights from the celebration:

(1) Harry Potter Trivia Night: On August 28th, participating Tim Hortons restaurants will host a Harry Potter Trivia Night to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film and the kickoff of the annual Back to Hogwarts celebration.

(2) Tims Rewards members can win a trip to London, England: From August 17th to September 6th, guests who place an order at a Tims restaurant and scan for Tims Rewards, in the Tim Hortons app, or on TimShop.ca will be entered into a contest with a chance to win one of two grand prizes, each consisting of a magical Harry Potter VIP experience for two in London, England.

(3) Harry Potter x Tim Hortons packaging that celebrates the magical world of Harry Potter: While supplies last, guests at participating Tims restaurants will be served select items in limited-edition Harry Potter x Tim Hortons single-item donut boxes, multi-pack donut boxes, 10-pack and 20-pack Timbits boxes, and cold beverage cups. More than just being visually stunning, the packaging is full of easter eggs for Harry Potter fans.

CERAVE, SKIN CARE, AND TANMAXXING

MarketingDive reported, "CeraVe launched a social content series in support of the L’Oréal brand's Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. The campaign looks to connect with a Gen Z audience that has recently embraced tanning culture that can damage skin. Google searches for "tanning" are at their highest point in five years, and more than one-fifth of Gen Z adults prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin, per American Academy of Dermatology data shared by the brand...The content, that launched on August 11th across social platforms, features television personality Tyler Cameron in partnership with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Chloe Goldman and taps into home improvement tropes as the brand seeks to renovate both a sorority house and encourage better sun habits. Videos feature the pair having a "tan-trum" by destroying a tanning bed with sledgehammers and power tools, along with planning and executing a renovation while applying sunscreen."

According to Esther Garcia, U.S. brand general manager at CeraVe, "As we watched trends like "tanmaxxing" and "UV index hacking" surface, we saw an opportunity to change the conversation around sun care. We didn't want to add another warning to the conversation. We wanted to build something tangible with Gen Z that shows healthy sun habits can fit naturally into everyday life.”

PUPPETS TAKE OVER BRAND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS

MarketingBrew reported, "Puppets are a natural evolution for brands looking to personify themselves. Using a puppet can be a way to infuse a more human-like nature into a brand, while also minimizing risk. Companies like Liberty Mutual, General Mills, and Pinterest have in recent years employed puppet characters to embody brand messaging and star in campaigns. The puppets' exact characterizations can range from ongoing roles in a brand universe, as in the case of Liberty Mutual's new fuzzy yellow blob "Liberty Biberty," to one-off appearances that personify products the brand wants to emphasize, like Pinterest's talking cabbage puppet promoting its Pinterest Predicts report, or General Mills's use of puppet versions of Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry on limited-edition boxes of Monster Cereals. Puppets also bring a certain sense of whimsy that can be hard to capture. Jenna Lebel, CMO, US retail markets, Liberty Mutual, said that bringing the brand to life with a character that invokes joy, delight, and nostalgia helps the company stand out in insurance, a category that's well-known for its roster of characters."

CROCS INTRODUCES NILES

MarketingDive reported, "Crocs is bringing its brand name to life with a new reptilian mascot named Niles that will play a role in social content, experiences, and other marketing activities. The move arrives ahead of Crocs' 25th anniversary next year. After teasing the character over the past several months, Crocs is officially debuting Niles in a microseries shot at its headquarters that follows the bipedal crocodile's hatching and interactions with real employees. Niles stands 6 feet tall, sports clogs, and does not speak, though he has his own "personality, interests, flaws, and ambitions" in an attempt to provide richer characterization. According to the company, the aim is to make him a long-standing part of Crocs' brand versus a one-off asset for ad campaigns."

PIZZA HUT CHANGES ITS NAME AND SIGNAGE FOR FOOTBALL SEASON

People reported, "Pizza Hut has changed its name, temporarily, just in time for football season. On August 21st, the pizza chain announced that it is dropping the "Pizza" from "Pizza Hut" for the next 25 weeks, coinciding with the 2026 NFL season, which runs from September 9th, 2026 to January 10th, 2027. The chain shared a post on Instagram of a Pizza Hut location with the "Pizza" letters on two store signs covered with images of red footballs. The two signs now read, "Hut Hut," seemingly referencing a phrase quarterbacks sometimes say to initiate a play."

PIZZA FROM A VENDING MACHINE

Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) reported, "California Pizza Kitchen is expanding its pizza vending machine program. The casual-dining pizza chain announced a new aggressive push into non-traditional venues through the launch of 1,000 "automated retail machines" (aka: pizza vending machines) across 30 major U.S. markets over the next three years. CPK is partnering with retail services provider T-Roc Global to open this fleet of CPK-operated automated kiosks in airports, universities, hospitals, hotels, office complexes, residential communities, sports venues, and more nationwide. The Turbo Chef-powered pizza ovens can make CPK pizza in 90 seconds or less, and the company even plans to offer a selection of non-pizza items from the regular CPK menu like Kung Pao and Bolognese Spaghetti, and CPK's signature butter cake."

FALL COMES EARLY FOR DUNKIN'

13NewsNow reported, "Dunkin' is getting an early start on fall, bringing back its pumpkin lineup alongside several new drinks. The seasonal menu was available nationwide beginning August 19th and included the returning Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, Pumpkin Donut, Pumpkin Munchkins, and Pumpkin Muffin.

Several new pumpkin drinks joined the menu this year:

(1) The Pumpkin Cloud Dunkalatte pairs espresso and coffee milk with pumpkin swirl, topped with Sweet Cold Foam and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.

(2) The Pumpkin Pie Coffee Chiller is a frozen coffee beverage featuring pumpkin swirl with a Marshmallow Cold Foam drizzle inside the cup, topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a dusting of cinnamon sugar.

(3) The Pumpkin Patch Cloud Latte is made with pumpkin swirl and a vanilla flavor shot mixed with espresso and whole milk, topped with Sweet Cold Foam and a dusting of cinnamon sugar.

(4) The Nutty Pumpkin Protein Latte contains espresso and protein milk mixed with pumpkin and hazelnut flavors.

Dunkin' also introduced several new limited-time tiramisu drinks for the fall:

(1) The Tiramisu Cloud Latte features espresso and whole milk paired with tiramisu swirl, topped with Marshmallow Cold Foam and hot chocolate powder.

(2) The Tiramisu Shakin' Espresso contains a double shot of espresso with tiramisu swirl and oatmilk.

(3) The Tiramisu Marshmallow Matcha features Matcha mixed with tiramisu swirl and whole milk, topped with Marshmallow Cold Foam and a dusting of hot chocolate powder.

(4) The Tiramisu Protein Latte mixes espresso, protein milk, and tiramisu swirl."

ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYEE-GENERATED CONTENT (EGC)

DigiDay reported, "Employee creator networks are the new creator networks. In August, Gap Inc. announced it was opening up its creator program to its employees across Old Navy, Gap, Athleta, and Banana Republic, giving them a chance to earn commission by sharing personalized affiliate links on social media. It's less of an officially sanctioned employee creator program like Starbucks' Green Apron Creators and more just an extension of Gaps' existing program. It's a sign of how quickly these programs are gathering pace...Five years ago, creators could get fired for making content on the job. Remember Tony Piloseno? He was the college student in 2020 whose TikTok channel, filled with videos of mixing paint at the Sherwin-Williams store where he worked, went viral. The company reportedly fired him for "gross misconduct." That was then. Now, the C-Suite has officially caught on to employee-generated content (EGC). Sprout Social's June state of social media report states that 40 percent of consumers frequently discover a product or service through EGC (and 61 percent of Gen Z consumers). Couple that metric with people like Kaeden “Oblivion” Rowland, whose ASMR-style TikTok videos taken while working at Staples went wildly viral, and it's clear why CEOs have warmed to letting employees keep their phones out while on shift."

Ben Zawacki, vp of growth at GRIN, explained, "A Starbucks employee who has literally tried the entire menu and has an opinion about what's actually good is more persuasive than almost any endorsement a brand can buy. It's the most durable advantage available in marketing right now."

POSITIONING IN MARKETING MATERIALS

How often have you considered how the images in your marketing materials will be interpreted? According to Mike Driehorst in SmartBrief, "Marketers have an important role in shaping society's perceptions, roles, values and, yes, stereotypes...It's incumbent upon each of us to make the best effort to connect with our target audiences...We know that it's important to represent and show nuances reflective of varying races, gender, orientation, and other demographic factors in marketing materials. It's also just as important to show how people in those marketing materials relate to each other and what's being conveyed by where and how they are positioned in the photos." For example, an image with a female sitting and a male standing delivers one message while an image of a male sitting and a female standing delivers a different message. The positioning in these images points to male authority versus female authority - and which person seems more in control.

COMING IN 2028: NEW JEEP SCRAMBLER

MotorTrend reported, "The Jeep Scrambler is a two-door pickup truck based on the Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator. While the Gladiator has a military look with a low beltline, the higher-beltline Scrambler with a lower greenhouse is designed to convey muscularity and fun, styled to look strong instead of purposeful...The original Jeep Scrambler was the CJ-8 version, built from 1981 to 1986. It was essentially a stretched CJ-7 with a small pickup bed and became a collector's item. Jeep brought the Gladiator back to the market in 2019, but that didn't stop calls to bring back a Scrambler, which will now be a halo vehicle for desert-running enthusiasts. The estimated price is between $55,000 to $80,000 - and the expected on-sale date is 2028."

A&W'S BRAND EVOLUTION

CoStar reported, "A&W Restaurants is serving up a prototype for its locations that reflects the chain's origins as a group of roadside root beer stands. The Lexington, Kentucky-based company unveiled the restaurant prototype on August 18th. A&W bills itself as the first quick-service restaurant to handcraft beverages on-site. The chain said it's building on its legacy with expanded beverage innovation around its signature root beer. The goal is to create an experience that resonates with guests of every generation."

The chain explained in a statement, "It will serve as the foundation for future A&W restaurant development across the United States, supporting the brand's expansion into both new and existing markets. Inspired by A&W's classic diner restaurants and its original roadside root beer stands, the modern heritage concept blends timeless Americana with contemporary architecture, enhanced guest comfort, and a flexible footprint that can be adapted for a variety of market sizes."

More from CoStar, "The new eateries will range from 2,200 to 2,800 square feet in size with seating for 40 to 70 diners. The prototype incorporates A&W's signature orange and brown colors and outdoor seating.

Restaurant operators have to strike a balance when updating the design of their locations, especially those that customers have been accustomed to for decades. Chains want their restaurants to be fresh-looking to be competitive, but drastic changes can spur backlash from customers. That's what happened with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store when it revamped its logo and some of its eateries, making their interiors sleeker. After a public outcry, Cracker Barrel rolled back the changes.

Founded over 100 years ago, A&W is considered one of the oldest fast-food chains in America. It has over 850 locations in 35 states and Asia, of which over 600 are single-brand A&Ws, and 230 are co-branded with KFC or Long John Silver's. Based on a 1919 recipe, A&W's signature root beer is made fresh in each restaurant with real cane sugar, water, and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices, and berries. The root beer is served in ice-cold mugs."

JIF'S BRAND EVOLUTION

MediaPost reported, "J.M. Smucker hopes to spread Jif peanut butter's appeal beyond all the usual places, with its first major rebrand in 30 years. A new campaign, "Every Jif'ing Thing," highlights the new look. The more modern redesign revives the brand's signature tri-color banner and includes new imagery, which better conveys the whole point of the effort: ways to get people eating more peanut butter, more often, on more occasions. The move comes as the company experiences a decline in sales in the spread division, with consumers making all kinds of changes in their snacking and eating habits. Some are looking to add more protein, perhaps as a result of taking a GLP-1 drug. Some are looking to cut grocery bills, trading down to private labels more frequently. And some just want to make eating easier.

The rebrand builds on recent efforts to expand where and how people eat Jif. An important part of the rebrand is continuing with the introduction of squeezable formats that make snacking easier, like Jif Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread and Jif Simply Peanut Butter Spread, which broaden how fans enjoy the brand...The goal is to help Jif, the best-selling brand in the US, according to Circana, build brand relevance amid shifting palates. The new look will hit shelves in October, and the campaign will be promoted across several channels to ensure meaningful reach, including broadcast, streaming, online video, Meta, TikTok, and Pinterest."

According to Shelly Kowal, marketing director of Ohio-based J.M. Smucker, "This brand refresh and new campaign reflect our understanding of evolving consumer preferences and the opportunity we have to play an even greater role in snacking occasions."

ROYAL SUSSEX BRAND EVOLUTION

During August, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, announced that they would return to live in the United Kingdom at the end of the month. After calling California home since 2020, this was surprising news. In addition, there were rumors that Meghan would be returning to acting while living in the United Kingdom. Perhaps, the reason for the move is the King's health or Prince Harry's wish to fix relationships following his jarring book, "Spare," in which he was highly critical of members of the Royal Family. However, while the pair's partnerships with Netflix and Spotify fizzled, the questions remain, will they receive positive media coverage and more promotional opportunities in England?

According to Evan Shapiro in The Guardian, "The Sussexes [are] not prepared for the current moment. It turns out, other than marrying a prince, Meghan Markle just isn't that special. Other than being born royalty, Harry's just not that interesting."

And according to Matt Navarra in The Guardian, "Enormous curiosity exists around them, but curiosity about a person isn't necessarily the same as the demand for everything that person produces. Celebrity is a distribution advantage, but it isn't a content strategy. Harry and Meghan show that you can inherit enormous attention and still have to earn the audience every single time."

SHARE THIS: Celebrity is a distribution advantage, but it isn't a content strategy. ~Matt Navarra via The Guardian #PersonalBranding #ContentStrategy #MarketingNews #DebbieLaskeysBlog

2026 PLAYERS WEEKEND CELEBRATED BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

MLB's 2026 Players' Weekend took place August 21st to August 23rd. During the three-day event across all 30 teams, which is meant to celebrate the players "beyond the bases," players were able to express their individuality with custom-designed bats, cleats, and batting gloves plus a special "Players' Weekend" patch on the side of their caps. According to MLB, players were able to spotlight personal hobbies, pop culture, and charities. Following the special weekend, fans were able to bid on select custom player gear through official charity auctions.

A large portion of the customized bats are supplied by Victus, a bat manufacturer that began in New Jersey in 2012. Bruce Tatem, known as the "Bat King," designed over 400 bats for Players' Weekend. MLB must approve all customized bats, and some ideas are rejected - typically over licensing issues rather than subject matter. According to Doug Trimble, the operations manager for Victus, "The first time the pencil (bat) hit the field...it was insane. That one was so cool because it looks like a jumbo pencil on TV...People thought it was edited because it looked so real."

LITTLE CAESARS BOGO DEAL FOR NFL SEASON

MediaPost reported, "Football season is back, and NHL's Official Pizza Sponsor has also returned with a deal that revives the chain's famous old school offer. From now through September 13th, Little Caesars has brought back its classic "Pizza!Pizza!" offer where customers can get two large 1-topping pizzas for $4.99 each by using code "PizzaPizza" to order online. Little Caesars first launched its Pizza!Pizza! deal and tagline in 1979 to promote the chain's buy one, get one pizza offer, which was often shouted by the brand's cartoon "Caesar" mascot in ads. It retired the line in 1998, only to resurrect it in 2012 as a tagline. The new "Pizza!Pizza!" offer once again ties the tag to a BOGO deal. The promotion kicks off the brand's fifth year as official pizza sponsor of the NFL, which will also be marked by new national partnerships with Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson, Detroit Lions' Jared Goff, and San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle, along with an expanded roster of 21 local team partnerships."

STARBUCKS' PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE (PSL) AND MARTHA STEWART

MarketingDive reported, "Starbucks is marketing the return of its Pumpkin Spice Latte with a social-first push bolstered by the star power of Martha Stewart and "Off Campus" breakout Belmont Cameli. Stewart has become a fixture of brand marketers in recent years. In the ads, Stewart alludes to the perception that PSLs appeal to basic tastes while extolling her love for the drink. She then encounters Cameli, asking "Should I know him?" after he comments on her order. The PSL remains a signature menu item that, for many customers, doubles as a sign that autumn is around the corner. The PSL has developed deeper lifestyle associations and a place in online meme culture, with content frequently knocking the limited-time offering as a sign that the drinker is "basic," or has cookie-cutter taste. For its latest campaign around the PSL, Starbucks posits that basic isn't necessarily a bad thing, with Stewart — who the release describes as "the queen of fall and keeping it real" — as the message's mouthpiece. The PSL returned to stores August 25th."

DUNKIN' CELEBRATES TENNIS AT US OPEN

Nation's Restaurant News reported, "The Honey Deuce was introduced to tennis fans at the 2006 US Open and has since become the official tournament cocktail — almost doubling from its original price of $12 to $23 this summer. The basic recipe is a mix of Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, and raspberry liqueur, garnished with three skewered honeydew balls shaped to look like mini tennis balls.

So how and why is Dunkin' capitalizing on the Honey Deuce, reimagining the cocktail as a nonalcoholic drink that it's calling the Melon Deuce Energy? Dunkin's Melon Deuce Energy launches Sunday, August 30th, a cold beverage featuring watermelon, lime, and raspberry flavors finished with lemonade, similar in color and flavor profile to the cocktail, sans vodka. Joining it is the Matcha Point, a blend of matcha, protein milk, and French vanilla flavor. Munchkin lovers can also score with a limited-edition mini tennis can holding three assorted doughnut holes."

In addition, FoodNetwork reported, "To keep the celebration going, Dunkin' has partnered with the athletic equipment and apparel brand HEAD to create limited-edition Sip, Serve and Swing merchandise. The collection includes two exclusive HEAD x Dunkin’ tennis bags, along with tennis-inspired apparel and accessories including sweatbands, a visor, sweatshirt, tank top, keychain and polo shirt. Pieces range from $15 to $50. The Dunkin’ x HEAD merchandise launch on September 4th at 10 a.m. ET on DunkinRunsOnMerch.com and will be available while supplies last."

BETTY CROCKER HANDBAGS?

FoodNetwork reported, "Betty Crocker is celebrating the nationwide rollout of a new packaging look with a fashion-forward collection of limited-edition handbags — The Betty Ate Collection — that look like slices of cake made from three of the brand's most popular cake mixes. The baking brand is giving its look a refresh "with playful pops of color and delectable new photography" on packaging across its line of cake, brownie, cookie, muffin, and bar baking mixes, as well as its frostings. (Note that only the packaging design is changing; the products will remain the same.)"

Sarah Peck, senior brand manager for Betty Crocker at General Mills, explained, "Every icon deserves a wardrobe refresh, and Betty's bold new packaging is ready for its close-up in the baking aisle, while The Betty Ate Collection helps us usher in this new era of elevated design in a way that only Betty can. We can't wait to see how fans style their bags and cakes. While the Betty Ate Collection is available for a limited time, Betty Crocker's new packaging is here to stay and available now in baking aisles nationwide."

The collection includes three different handbags:

(1) Betty Ate Yellow Cake: A slice based on Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix and Rich & Creamy Milk Chocolate Frosting — in handbag form.

(2) Betty Ate Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake: For chocolate fans, this slice-shaped handbag was inspired by Betty Crocker Super Moist Triple Chocolate Fudge Delights Cake Mix and Rich & Creamy Dark Chocolate Frosting.

(3) Betty Ate Strawberry Cake: This pink-and-white cake-slice handbag offers a look pairing Betty Crocker Super Moist Strawberry Delights Cake Mix with Rich & Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting.

The collection will be available in two drops on shop.BettyCrocker.com. The first drop is available now — starting Tuesday, August 25th, at 9 a.m. ET, and while supplies last — with each bag priced at $89. The second drop will follow on Thursday, September 10th at 9 a.m. ET, just in time for New York Fashion Week 2026, which runs from September 10th to September 15th."

If you click the link now, the following message appears: "Temporarily Sold Out. This batch is gone… but another's in the oven. The first batch of The Betty Ate Collection sold out fast, but another batch is baking. Join us for the second drop on September 10th at 9 a.m. ET to snag your favorite cake-inspired handbag, while supplies last."

CO-BRANDING: NFL AND DISNEY MERCH

With the new football season soon to begin, WBAL (Baltimore)-TV reported on August 28th, "The most magical clothing apparel on Earth dropped this week, and it has both Disney lovers and football fans buzzing. The Disney Fan Draft brought NFL teams and Disney characters together in a collaboration that saw all 32 professional teams paired up with someone from the wonderful world of the Disney family of brands. The apparel, which includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, and zip-up hoodies, is a hit with fans of the sport and appreciators of animation. While some people feel the characters assigned to their favorite team don't quite match up well, others feel inevitable. Regardless of how some may feel about their choice, the NFL x Disney x Champion Collection is drawing attention and selling out items."

Here is a list of all the teams and their assigned character in the NFL x Disney x Champion Collection:

AFC EAST

(1) Buffalo Bills: Beast from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"

(2) Miami Dolphins: King Triton from Disney's "The Little Mermaid"

(3) New England Patriots: Marvel's Captain America

(4) New York Jets: Buzz Lightyear from Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story"

AFC NORTH

(1) Baltimore Ravens: Diaval and Maleficent from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty"

(2) Cincinnati Bengals: Shere Khan from Disney's "The Jungle Book"

(3) Cleveland Browns: Disney's Pluto

(4) Pittsburgh Steelers: Disney's Pete

AFC SOUTH

(1) Houston Texans: Jessie from Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story"

(2) Indianapolis Colts: Disney's Horace Horsecollar

(3) Jacksonville Jaguars: Pepita from Disney and Pixar's "Coco"

(4) Tennessee Titans: Marvel's Thanos

AFC WEST

(1) Denver Broncos: Maximus from Disney's "Tangled"

(2) Kansas City Chiefs: Disney's Big Bad Wolf

(3) Las Vegas Raiders: Darth Vader from "Star Wars"

(4) Los Angeles Chargers: Hercules and Pegasus from Disney's "Hercules"

NFC EAST

(1) Dallas Cowboys: Woody and Bullseye from Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story"

(2) New York Giants: Ralph from Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph"

(3) Philadelphia Eagles: Marvel's Doctor Doom

(4) Washington Commanders: Hamm from Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story"

NFC NORTH

(1) Chicago Bears: Baloo from Disney's "The Jungle Book"

(2) Detroit Lions: Simba from Disney's "The Lion King"

(3) Green Bay Packers: Chewbacca from "Star Wars"

(4) Minnesota Vikings: Marvel's Thor

NFC SOUTH

(1) Atlanta Falcons: Millennium Falcon from "Star Wars"

(2) Carolina Panthers: Bagheera from Disney's "The Jungle Book"

(3) New Orleans Saints: Louis from Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"

(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Captain Hook from Disney's "Peter Pan"

NFC WEST

(1) Arizona Cardinals: Jafar and Iago from Disney's "Aladdin"

(2) Los Angeles Rams: Sulley from Disney and Pixar's "Monsters, Inc."

(3) San Francisco 49ers: Stinky Pete the Prospector from Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story"

(4) Seattle Seahawks: Seagulls from "Finding Nemo"

DEATH OF DOLLY PARTON

The loss of country singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton was felt around the world. She died on August 25th at the age of 80. President Trump ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-mast for one week in observance of her death, and Senator Bernie Sanders shared complimentary comments on social media. Who else can get those individuals to agree on anything? Monuments around the world lit up in bright pink lights in her memory including the Empire State Building in New York City; Niagara Falls in New York; the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France - as well as interior lights inside some Southwest Airlines flights.

While Dolly's singing and songwriting initially made her famous, her dedication to business and her hometown propelled her to create the "Dollywood" theme park to create jobs, it was her dedication to reading that stood out to me. Apparently, her father never learned to read or write, so that's why she created the "Imagination Library" in 1995, mailing free books to children in Tennessee. Thirty years later, that idea sent more than 325 million books to children around the world. In 2019, Parton told Jenna Bush Hager on the Today Show that she wanted to be known as "the book lady," that she read "at least 50 books a year," and among her favorite books were "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen and "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas (my personal favorite!).

And according to Today.com, "It looks like the plans are in place for the Nashville International Airport to be renamed after the Queen of Country! Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that his office is partnering with the airport to rename the facility after Dolly Parton. The proposal comes after a Change.org petition, advocating for the tribute, skyrocketed in support following the icon's death, drawing more than 169,000 signatures as of August 30." An interesting note, if this happens, "Dolly Parton International Airport" would be the first international commercial airport in the United States named after a woman, according to The Aviation Circle, a global hub for aviation news.

Lee explained, "At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state's favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly's music, generosity, faith, and kindness."

DEATH OF NANCY LANDON KASSEBAUM

Nancy Landon Kassebaum, a pioneering three-term female senator from Kansas, died on August 23rd at the age of 94. According to Politico, "The daughter of the 1936 Republican presidential nominee, Kassebaum in 1978 became the first woman ever elected to a full term in the U.S. Senate without succeeding her husband in Washington. Before arriving in Washington at the end of that year, Kassebaum had only been elected to one public office, a school board in a suburb of Wichita.

When she took office, she was the only woman in the U.S. Senate and merely the 14th in Senate history. (Of the 13 that preceded her, only three had served as much as a full year.) During her three Senate terms, she rose to chair of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, the first woman since Hattie Caraway (D-Ark.) in the 1930s to chair a standing Senate committee. She was best known for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, also known as the Kennedy-Kassebaum Act after her and her co-sponsor, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.). It was designed to make it possible for workers to retain their insurance coverage when they changed jobs or lost them, as well as protecting the privacy of an individual's healthcare information. President Bill Clinton signed the legislation in August 1996.

Closely allied with fellow Kansas Republican Bob Dole during her tenure, Kassebaum was regarded as a centrist who worked comfortably with senators of both parties. Though a conservative on defense and economic issues who wanted to shrink the federal government, she supported abortion rights, opposed apartheid in South Africa, and backed the failed Equal Rights Amendment.

In 1992, multiple women were elected to the Senate in the same election. A few months after that, Kassebaum was part of a small rebellion against Senate rules that required women to wear dresses or skirts on the Senate floor. In her later years, she bemoaned that civility and bipartisan cooperation had broken down in the U.S. Senate."

DEATH OF YVETTE ROUDY

Yvette Roudy, France's first minister for women's rights, died on August 18th at the age of 97. According to France 24, "From 1981 to 1986, Roudy headed the first fully fledged women's rights ministry in France under the late president Francois Mitterrand, giving the cause of women an unprecedented place within the government. During her time in office, the Socialist politician secured the passage of legislation for the reimbursement of abortion costs by the national health insurance system and lent her name to a 1983 law on professional equality between men and women. As a minister, and later as a feminist activist, she was one of the driving forces behind a 2000 law obliging parties to field an equal number of men and women candidates, aimed at boosting the number of women in parliament. After she left government, she continued to campaign for equal pay, anti-discrimination measures, and greater representation of women in politics. She also secured the official recognition of March 8th as International Women's Rights Day in France."

DEATH OF TOMMY JOHN

Baseball player Tommy John died on August 15th at the age of 83. According to NBC News, "Tommy John, the longtime Major League baseball pitcher whose name is forever linked to the groundbreaking elbow surgery that saved his career and those of countless others since, has died...He was playing on the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974 when a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow blew his season. Dr. Frank Jobe, the team's doctor at the time, performed a surgery to replace the ligament with a tendon from elsewhere in his body. The procedure had never been performed before and was revolutionary at the time. That surgery is now named after the pitcher, who became known as the "Bionic Man" following a thrilling return from what should have been a career-ending injury. John told The New York Times in 1977 that he spent the entire 1975 season rebuilding strength in his arm. He worked with team trainer Bill Buhler, soaked his arm and even squeezed Silly Putty to help regain his strength...It would be two years before John would finally return to the Dodgers rotation, playing 31 starts and managing two shutouts in his 1976 comeback season. When John became a free agent in 1979, he chose to sign a three-year deal with the Yankees...John went on to pitch for another 14 years after his injury, playing with the Los Angeles Angels, the Oakland A's, and the Yankees once again before his retirement in 1989. He won 288 games in his 26-year career and recorded 2,245...John was one of the best-known pitchers in all of baseball thanks to the surgery that bears his name. Some of the sport's most celebrated modern pitchers have had the procedure, including Shohei Ohtani, Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom."

Dr. Jobe said that had he "had been smart enough to do this surgery 10 years before, it might be called the Sandy Koufax surgery" because Hall of Famer and Dodgers pitching ace Sandy Koufax had "essentially the same thing" as Tommy John.

DEATH OF VIOLET HENSLEY

According to Saving Country Music, "She was known by numerous names, including the "Whittling Fiddler" and the "Stradivarius of the Ozarks." And in the country music realm, she was the oldest living legend, and by a mile. The Arkansas Art Council where Hensley was originally from designated her as a "Living Treasure." Forget country music, Violet Hensley was one of the oldest living individuals in all of arts and entertainment. And when she passed away on August 7th at the age of 109, she one of the oldest Americans alive.

Violet Hensley was born on October 21st, 1916 during World War I in Mount Ida, Arkansas to George Washington Brumley and Nora Springer Brumley. When she was young, her mother passed away, and so she was mostly raised with her two sisters by her father, who taught the young Violet Brumley how to both build fiddles by hand by a whittling technique, as well as how to play them. She was already a respected luthier and fiddle player when she married Adren Hensley in 1935. Violet proceeded to give birth to nine children, and spent 27 years away from music as she raised them.

But in 1961 as her children began to grow older, she started making fiddles again. It was as a fiddle maker where her fame began. A Violet Hensley-made fiddle is considered a treasure and a masterpiece. She ultimately became the symbol of a bygone era of rural America, and a fascination swirled around her as a living link to old time fiddle music, and the craft of handmade instruments. She was in her 50s when she became a cult celebrity. Hensley started working at the Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, Missouri, fitting in perfectly with their late 1800's theme. Her talent took her to the Grand Ole Opry - where she made her debut on August 6th, 2016, at the age of 99 - earned her a spot in the National Fiddlers' Hall of Fame, and even a spot in the Smithsonian."

NEUTRAGENA AND DEATH OF ACTRESS HAYDEN PANETTIERE

The Guardian reported, "The beauty brand Neutrogena has acknowledged making its former ambassador Hayden Panettiere "feel unsupported during a very difficult time," alluding to when the late Hollywood actress said the company severed ties with her after she spoke about enduring postpartum depression (PPD). Some of her supporters published comments criticizing Neutrogena on social media, including calls to boycott the brand over its treatment of Panettiere. Neutrogena issued a statement addressing the situation four days after Panettiere, 36, was found dead on August 16th in South Carolina. The aftermath of the "Heroes" and "Nashville" star’s unexpected death had seen her fans circulate a podcast interview from May in which she recounted how Neutrogena cut off its 10-year relationship with her after she had detailed her experiences with PPD. Panettiere said her representative replied to Neutrogena with something to the effect of: "That’s illegal. You can't do that." Nonetheless, Panettiere said Neutrogena declined to renew her contract when it expired."

ICELAND REJECTS EUROPEAN UNION (EU) ACCESSION

The Guardian reported on August 20th, "Voters in Iceland have rejected a government proposal to reopen accession talks with the EU after a closely fought referendum campaign that divided the country against a backdrop of global volatility. After a long and anxious night for those on both sides of the debate, the "no" camp ended up with 52.8 percent of votes on Sunday morning and the "yes" camp with 47.2 percent. Voter turnout was high at 82.5 percent. The vote was held in the shadow of repeated threats by President Trump to invade or acquire neighbouring Greenland. Although Iceland is a NATO member, supporters of EU membership said European solidarity would provide greater protection if Trump ever made similar threats towards the smaller, Arctic island...The vote exposed a stark divide between rural and urban areas, with the capital, Reykjavik, the only area in the island nation of 400,000 people where a majority supported yes."

TRADE WAR BETWEEN U.S. AND CANADA

The Hill reported, "The current trade war between the U.S. and Canada poses nothing less than a threat to the national security of both countries. Canada is America's second largest trading partner. As of June, it trailed only Mexico, accounting for 12.6 percent of all American trade. Until now, tariffs already in force have had a modest inflationary impact in both countries. But should Canada's dollar-for-dollar tariffs come into effect September 8th, followed in January by expanded American tariffs on Canadian goods, their impact on both governments' ability to control inflation will be far greater, with serious consequences not only for their economies but also their military programs."

The Washington Post reported that, during August, "President Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods, including whisky, dairy products, toys, clothing, and hockey sticks. After trade talks with Washington collapsed, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney promised that Canada would retaliate dollar for dollar."

According to Dov S. Zakheim, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and vice chairman of the board for the Foreign Policy Research Institute, "The current trade war, should it persist, could prompt a real rupture in the two countries' military ties and the trust that binds their forces. That would be a national security disaster for both. Every effort should be made to ensure that it never takes place."

RENAMING OF "LAKE ONTARIO" TO "LAKE AMERICA"

The Washington Post reported, "President Trump ordered Lake Ontario to be renamed Lake America, the latest broadside in his escalating feud with Canada. In the Oval Office on August 27th, Trump signed an order requiring that the U.S. Interior Department update geographic information systems to change the name of the lake, located between New York and Canada...Trump said he made the change, which follows his order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America last year, because "Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded, noting the Indigenous Iroquoian origin of the 400-year-old name Ontario, "which, appropriately, means 'the lake is beautiful, the lake is big.'" While Trump can change the lake's name for U.S. government purposes, states and private companies — including those responsible for consumer maps — can decide whether to follow suit."

According to the BBC, "The executive order gives the US Department of the Interior 30 days to update the name change with the Geographic Names Information Service (GNIS), the official repository of domestic geographic names in the US. Carney noted that the name Lake Ontario could be traced back more than 400 years, adding that it preceded the formation of the Canadian Confederation and the U.S. Declaration of Independence."

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, wrote on social media in response to a White House post touting the new Lake America name, "New York won't be calling it that."

IMPACT OF META MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT

CNN reported, "On August 26th, Meta agreed to make sweeping changes to its platforms as part of an $18 billion settlement with dozens of states over claims its platforms contributed to a youth mental health crisis. Regulators and online safety advocates called it a watershed moment, and both Meta and state attorneys general called on TikTok and YouTube to make similar changes. But whether the settlement fundamentally alters the business of one of the world's most powerful tech giants remains an open question. The $18 billion agreement is a drop in the bucket for the nearly $1.5 trillion company (META) and a fraction of what states were seeking at trial, although Meta still faces hundreds of other similar cases. The litigation so far has revealed internal documents suggesting that Meta knew of the risks its platforms posed to young people, despite public statements about its commitments to safety.

Still, some online safety advocates say they wish the deal went further to upend Meta's core, ad-based business model. And many are now calling on Congress to codify the changes in industry-wide federal legislation. What is clear: Meta will no longer be able to grade its own homework on youth safety. An independent auditor will review its implementation of the required changes — a crucial step that parents and advocates have been demanding for years...Meta did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Among the changes for users aged 13 to 17 are a two-hour daily time limit across Facebook and Instagram, a "night mode" making the apps unavailable from midnight to 6 am, and a "school mode" limiting notifications during school hours. Only parents will be able to adjust those settings. Meta will also turn off "like" counts by default on teens' content and "extreme makeup" beauty filters. Meta will have six months to implement the changes."

IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): IMPROVE BRAILLE FOR PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

With all the negative implications of AI, it's refreshing to read about how it can positively impact people's lives.

According to Vanguard, "As artificial intelligence continues to redefine healthcare, finance, education and public services, one question remains largely unanswered across many developing countries: how can emerging technologies make life more accessible for millions of people living with visual impairment? Despite decades of technological advancement, access to information remains a daily struggle for many visually impaired individuals who rely on Braille as their primary means of reading and writing. Libraries still house thousands of printed Braille materials that are difficult to digitize, educational institutions face shortages of accessible learning resources, and the manual transcription of Braille documents into electronic formats remains both time-consuming and expensive. These realities have continued to challenge researchers worldwide.

[However,] artificial intelligence is offering fresh possibilities. Among those contributing to this growing field is Nigerian computer scientist and researcher Joseph Monday, whose postgraduate research explores how deep learning can improve the recognition of English Braille and expand opportunities for inclusive education and digital accessibility. His study, titled "An Enhanced Line-Level English Braille Recognition System Using a Deep Learning Approach," investigates how modern artificial intelligence can overcome longstanding limitations in Optical Braille Recognition (OBR), an area that has attracted increasing attention from researchers working at the intersection of computer vision, machine learning, and assistive technology. Unlike conventional Braille recognition systems that process one Braille character at a time, Monday's research introduces a line-level recognition approach capable of analysing an entire line of Braille simultaneously. The innovation addresses one of the most persistent challenges in Braille recognition: character segmentation.

The research employs deep learning algorithms capable of automatically learning Braille patterns from large collections of training images. Unlike earlier techniques that relied heavily on manually programmed rules, the model continuously improves its recognition capability by learning directly from data. This approach reflects a broader global shift in artificial intelligence research, where deep neural networks increasingly outperform traditional computer vision techniques across image recognition, language processing and pattern analysis.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, research focusing on accessibility is likely to assume even greater significance. In many respects, the future of artificial intelligence will not be measured solely by the sophistication of its algorithms, but by its ability to improve lives. Research that expands access to knowledge for visually impaired persons represents one example of how technology can serve not only innovation but also humanity. As conversations around digital inclusion continue to evolve, the integration of deep learning into Braille recognition offers a glimpse of a future where accessibility is designed into technology from the outset - rather than added as an afterthought."

SHARE THIS: Research that expands access to knowledge for visually impaired persons represents one example of how technology can serve not only innovation but also humanity. ~Vanguard/Nigeria #FutureofAI #ImpactofAI #DebbieLaskeysBlog

IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): RETURN OF STOLEN ART

NPR reported, "More than 600,000 artworks and other cultural objects, mostly owned by Jews, were stolen by the Nazis leading up to and during World War II. Efforts to shine a light on and restore the more than 100,000 as-yet-unclaimed artifacts have been on the uptick. In April, President Trump signed the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act into law, which put an end to legal loopholes that advocates of the law said made it tough for people with valid claims to get their looted artworks back. And in May, the Musée D'Orsay in Paris opened a permanent gallery dedicated to paintings and sculptures by Degas, Rodin, and Renoir thought to have been looted. But reclaiming these artifacts is often a long and fraught process because there is no central repository."

Joel Greenberg is founder of Art Ashes, a nonprofit that helps families track down and recover art looted by the Nazis. On top of locating the missing art, the rightful owners need to prove it was stolen from them in the first place. He explained, "To recreate the historical record of what actually happened to the family and the family's art is very difficult, because those records, if they exist, are spread among different repositories around the world. If you could create a system that could scan all the databases that have the Nazi looted art records, that would be very, very useful."

More from NPR, "A team at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley is aspiring to do just that, with a new AI chatbot that could help streamline the complicated process of getting these works back to their owners. It's part of a broader shift toward digital tools in the field of art provenance and repatriation. Developed by professors Michael Santoro, Haibing Lu, and Michele Samorani, the AI Provenance Assistant is testing how artificial intelligence could eventually make it easier for people to search archives of stolen art.

Right now, the tool is only scraping records from one database — that of the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris. The Nazis warehoused tens of thousands of looted artworks at the museum during World War II and kept elaborate records — records that are now available for anyone to search online in a database alongside archives from several other institutions around the world, including the German Bundesarchiv, the French Archives of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and the U.S. National Archives.

Researchers at Santa Clara University aren't the only ones turning to AI to take on these complex cases. Another example is Legacy Explorer. The Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project Foundation's AI-powered platform currently enables users to search documents and photographs of looted cultural property from a handful of databases. (The Jeu de Paume's is among them.) Meanwhile, the Santa Clara University team said they plan to expand their tool to include more databases and are launching a project to use AI to track down artworks that have not yet been identified as looted."

SHARE THIS: We've only scratched the surface of how AI can assist in provenance research. ~Professor Michael Santoro, Santa Clara University #FutureofAI #ImpactofAI #ArtHistory #DebbieLaskeysBlog

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

Image Credits: Crocs/Niles the Croc (Instagram), Liberty Mutual (Variety), and Betty Crocker/General Mills.

Watch CBS interview with Violet Hensley: "Still Fiddling in the Ozarks"

https://youtu.be/tOiRqVK9Sk0?si=y-NNpGgyrWfgBFH3

Learn more about Legacy Explorer:

https://explorer.rjlegacy.org/

Read "Dolly Parton wanted to be remembered as a 'book lady' - Inside her Imagination Library"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-books-imagination-library/91462504007/

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Let's Celebrate The Wizard of Oz Day!

On today's date in 1939, the movie classic THE WIZARD OF OZ had its world premiere. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, and at the 1940 award ceremony, it won Oscars for Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("Over the Rainbow"), and Academy Juvenile Award (Judy Garland).

In a 2009 article, San Francisco Chronicle film critic and author Mick LaSalle wrote, "The entire Munchkinland sequence, from Dorothy's arrival in Oz to her departure on the yellow brick road, has to be one of the greatest in cinema history — a masterpiece of set design, costuming, choreography, music, lyrics, storytelling, and sheer imagination."

In 2019, researchers at the University of Turin analyzed a database of 47,000 films to determine the most influential movies in cinema history, and they named MGM's The Wizard of Oz (1939) as the most influential film of all time. The University of Turin (UniTo) has been a launching pad for contemporary filmmakers, and university researchers are associated with cinematic research, having devised a mathematical algorithm to objectively measure cinematic influence. In addition, the city of Turin (Torino) serves as a major filming hub and hosts the prominent Torino Film Festival.

How will YOU celebrate today? Of course, you could watch the original movie again and dress up like your favorite character. Or you could find a showing of WICKED THE MUSICAL and attend the show. Or you could watch the two WICKED movies directed by John M. Chu (WICKED - 2024 and WICKED: FOR GOOD - 2025). Or you could visit the Smithsonian's American History Museum in Washington, D.C., to see the ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland as "Dorothy." Or you can "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" to the Judy Garland Museum - her restored 1920's birthplace home - in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

According to Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, "A second pair of ruby slippers is on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, the official showcase for the organization behind the Oscars. The ruby slippers in question are said to be the shoes that received the coveted close ups in the film — including the now famous heel clicks that send Dorothy back to Kansas — thus making them the holy grail of all Hollywood memorabilia, and most valuable of the four pairs that were worn by Garland, according to film historians. Upping their value is that they're nicknamed the "Witch's Shoes," since they were the pair taken from the feet of the Wicked Witch of the East in the film. Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg, and former Disney chairman Bob Iger helped the Academy acquire the slippers in 2012 in an auction after they had been stored in MGM's costume vault, and then owned by private collectors." According to Iger, "The ruby slippers occupy an extraordinary place in the hearts of movie audiences the world over."

Or, you can read two works of fiction with interesting spins on the well-known story:

BEFORE DOROTHY by Hazel Gaynor (c. 2025)

Here's a brief synopsis from Amazon, "Chicago, 1924: Emily and her new husband, Henry, yearn to leave the bustle of Chicago for the promise of their own American dream among the harsh beauty of the prairie. But leaving the city means leaving Emily's beloved sister, Annie, who was once closer to her than anyone in the world. Kansas, 1932: Emily and Henry have established their new home among the warmth of the farming community in Kansas. Aligned to the fickle fortunes of nature, their lives hold a precarious and hopeful purpose, until tragedy strikes and their orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on their doorstep. The wide-eyed child isn't the only thing to disrupt Emily's world. Drought and devastating dust storms threaten to destroy everything, and her much-loved home becomes a place of uncertainty and danger. When the past catches up with the present and old secrets are exposed, Emily fears she will lose the most cherished thing of all: Dorothy. Bursting with courage and heart, Before Dorothy tells the story of the woman who raised a beloved heroine, and ponders the question: what is the true meaning of home?"

FINDING DOROTHY by Elizabeth Letts (c. 2019)

Here's a brief synopsis from Amazon, "Hollywood, 1938: As soon as she learns that MGM is adapting her late husband's masterpiece for the screen, 77-year-old Maud Gage Baum sets about trying to finagle her way onto the set. Nineteen years after Frank's passing, Maud is the only person who can help the producers stay true to the spirit of the book — because she's the only one left who knows its secrets. But the moment she hears Judy Garland rehearsing the first notes of "Over the Rainbow," Maud recognizes the yearning that defined her own life story, from her youth as a suffragette's daughter to her coming of age as one of the first women in the Ivy League, from her blossoming romance with Frank to the hardscrabble prairie years that inspired The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Judy reminds Maud of a young girl she cared for and tried to help in South Dakota, a dreamer who never got her happy ending. Now, with the young actress under pressure from the studio as well as her ambitious stage mother, Maud resolves to protect her — the way she tried so hard to protect the real Dorothy."

And here's a fun story, according to Yahoo, "In London in 2009, Harrods department store replicated a scene from "The Wizard of Oz," where Dorothy's house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East. Colossal 14-foot-tall ruby slippers were produced for the installation, which was showcased that year throughout December from the retailer's streetside windows."

So, no matter how you choose to celebrate, have fun and follow the yellow brick road!

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Five Books to Celebrate National Book Lovers Day!

If you know today is a very special day, then you're a bibliophile like me because today is NATIONAL BOOK LOVERS DAY!

Last year on this date, I shared 22 passages from books I read during 2025, and three years ago on this date, I shared my five favorite books of all time. Today, I'm going to share the five best books I read last year to celebrate National Book Lovers Day.

According to NationalToday.com, "Books are the purest form of escapism. They can take you to any time, place, or culture. In honor of National Book Lovers Day, August 9, we put away our smartphones, pull out a good book, and simply read. (Of course, an audiobook will suffice.) From clay tablets to eBooks, literature has played a crucial role in preserving cultures, educating the masses, and storytelling. Thanks to Johannes Gutenberg's 15th-century printing press, anyone, not just royalty, monks, or landed gentry, could read and own books. But, alas, there was no overnight shipping. Today, join a book club or re-read a favorite novel because National Book Lovers Day rocks!"

Drum roll please...here are the five best books I read last year.

THE LIBRARY OF LOST DOLLHOUSES by Elise Hooper. It's easy to see why I chose this book: I have a passion for reading, libraries, San Francisco, architecture, the Art Institute of Chicago's Thorne Rooms, dollhouses, miniatures, history, and to quote the author, "the importance of illuminating overlooked women."

According to the book's flap, "Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco, takes an unexpected turn when she, first, learns the library is on the verge of bankruptcy and, second, discovers two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses. After finding clues hidden within these remarkable miniatures, Tildy sets out to decipher the secret history of the dollhouses, aiming to salvage her cherished library in the process. Her journey introduces her to a world of ambitious and gifted women in Belle Epoque Paris, a group of scarred World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney's bustling Burbank studio in the 1950's. Spanning the course of a century, this book tells the captivating story of secrets and love that embrace the importance of illuminating overlooked women."

Author Elise Hooper explained, "As I delved deeper and deeper into the history of dollhouses, I noticed that miniatures tend to grow in popularity during difficult times. For example, at the end of World War I, Queen Mary commissioned a grand dollhouse from England's leading artisans as a way of lifting the nation's spirits. After the dollhouse was finished, over a million and half people showed up to see it exhibited. In the United States, the Art Institute of Chicago's well-known Thorne Rooms and Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle were created and exhibited during the Great Depression to raise money for charitable causes. And then in 2020, while people were stuck in their homes during the pandemic, another flourishing of modern miniatures took hold once again and captured people's imaginations on social media. I love this proof of how art plays an important and positive role in our lives."

My favorite quote from this book was: "Reading is magic. Think of the imagination and sense of adventure that readers employ every time they crack open a book."

THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah. Published in February 2024 (but I read it in 2025), this historical work of fiction tells the story of a young woman from San Diego who served as a nurse in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Her brother did not survive the war, but she did. Her father had been so embarrassed about her going to war that he lied and told people she went to Italy instead. When she came home from the war, she suffered from PTSD, and no one at the Veterans Administration believed that she had suffered - and continued to suffer from her trauma - and yet she experienced as much trauma as the men who saw battle.

The book was incredibly well-written, the story was so well researched, and upon finishing it, the characters remained with me for a long time. And after finishing the book, I conducted my own research about the impact of American women who served in Vietnam and learned that there is a Vietnam Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C. Glenna Goodacre, the sculptor of the Vietnam Women's Memorial, explained, "My desire to create a lasting tribute to the American women serving in Vietnam is founded upon my deep respect for each of them, and my heartfelt prayer for their healing and hope. I have been humbled by the enormity of such a task yet incredibly honored by the overwhelming gratitude of the veterans. The emphasis of this tribute is centered on their emotions: their compassion, their anxiety, their fatigue, and above all, their dedication."

Author Kristin Hannah has said, "One of the things I love about historical fiction is its ability to illuminate the modern world. Now, more than ever, we need to find a way to come together and have civil, informed conversations."

My favorite quote from this book was: "Thank God for girlfriends. In this crazy, chaotic, divided world that was run by men, you could count on the women."

THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE by Anna Johnston. According to author Johnston, "I’ve always been fascinated by cases of mistaken identity and the phenomenon of doppelgangers. I began exploring the idea of one man being able to redeem another man’s life, even after death, and the plot grew quickly from there."

According to the book's description, "Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed with a full tank of gas. The problem is, at age eighty-two, there’s nobody left in Fred’s life to borrow from, and he's broke and on the brink of eviction. But Fred’s luck changes when he's mistaken for Bernard Greer, a missing resident at the local nursing home, and takes his place. Now Fred has warm meals in his belly and a roof over his head — as long as his look-alike Bernard never turns up. Another character, Denise Simms is stuck breathing the same disappointing air again and again. A middle-aged mom and caregiver at Bernard's facility, her crumbling marriage and daughter's health concerns are suffocating her joy for life. Wounded by her two-faced husband, she vows never to let a man deceive her again. As Fred walks in Bernard’s shoes, he leaves a trail of kindness behind him, fueling Denise's suspicions about his true identity."

My favorite quote from this book was: "Love is about picking someone up and never, ever putting them down again, no matter how heavy things become."

THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE by Jo Piazza. As a fan of other books by Piazza, it's easy to see why I chose this book. In fact, in her book that I read in 2024, CHARLOTTE WALSH LIKES TO WIN, the protagonist, Charlotte Walsh, ran for Senate from the state of Pennsylvania, but the book ended with no clear ending. Instead, there was an author's note at the end, and that note made the book memorable:

"I bet you have a lot of questions after getting to the final page of this book. Namely, does Charlotte win? Does she lose? Does she stay with Max? Does she opt to do it all on her own? The truth is, I've written six different endings to this book...In these politically charged times, everything is taken as a statement. A definitive ending to this book would have been seen as one statement if she won and another if she lost...I wanted to talk about what it means to be an ambitious woman and what it costs us...I wanted to show how difficult it still is for a woman to run for office even though we all know we need more of us in government."

And now, back to THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE, a book about romance, a murder mystery, history, and Sicily...according to the book's description, "Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara bereft with grief. But Aunt Rosie’s death also opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. Rosie believes Sara’s great-grandmother Serafina, the family matriarch who was left behind while her husband worked in America, didn’t die of illness as family lore has it . . . she was murdered."

My favorite quote from this book centered around this theme: "The importance of women writing their own histories and legacies."

GROWING HOME by Beth Ferry with art by The Fan Brothers was recognized as Barnes & Noble's 2025 Children's Book of the Year. Reading children's books as an adult can be considered "brain candy" because it fosters imagination and provides joy and escapism with beautifully crafted stories and illustrations.

According to the book's description, "A motley crew of talkative plants, a curious spider, and a grumpy goldfish use their newfound magical abilities to defend their family from a greedy human. Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet — swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank — and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever. First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things — like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible! It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?"

My favorite quote from this book was: "Have you talked to any of your plants lately? Admired their green leaves or their pretty flowers? Told them they are beautiful? No? Get on that, reader! Then go pet your dog, cat, snake, or guinea pig. Talk to your goldfish! Sing to your parakeet. Animals are people too! Never forget that!"

Doesn't that story sound like fun? It certainly was!

What will YOU read to celebrate National Book Lovers Day? I hope this post gave you some ideas! Happy reading!