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.

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Tips to Celebrate #NationalLeadershipDay!

Today, February 20, is National Leadership Day. According to National Day website, "The aim of National Leadership Day is to instill the values of leadership in each one of us. A good leader not only leads but inspires those around him/her/they to be the best versions of themselves. Anyone can be a leader — you just have to show up and encourage others to do the same...We know that an organization is only as good as its leaders, which means that having empathetic and just leaders at the top, who lead by example, creates an environment in which everyone is inspired to be their best."

Moreover, it's a day to acknowledge those who inspire, guide, and motivate others toward achieving collective goals. By celebrating this important day, we honor those who have made significant contributions and inspire others to step up and lead with purpose and dedication.

Therefore, since last summer, I shared a review of the book entitled Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture, today is a great day to again welcome leadership expert and author Eric Stone to my blog as we discuss and promote leadership. Highlights of our conversation follow a brief introduction.

Eric D. Stone is a dynamic leader whose passion for business fueled a remarkable 26-year career at Enterprise Holdings, where he rose to become one of the most celebrated Regional Vice Presidents in the company’s history. Leveraging his expertise in cultivating high-performance cultures, Eric authored the award-winning book Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture, which has inspired leaders around the world. As an international speaker, Eric captivates audiences with practical strategies and real-world insights, empowering organizations to drive engagement and achieve exceptional results. Through his company, Clear Path Ventures, he provides hands-on consulting to help leaders and teams develop tailored engagement strategies that foster transformation and measurable growth.

QUESTION: How do you think leaders should address last November's Presidential election results, since workplace culture and collaboration/teamwork could be and were impacted?

(Read the related post here:

https://katherinespinney.com/silence-is-not-the-answer/)

ERIC STONE: Presidential elections often bring heightened emotions, differing opinions, and anxieties that can impact workplace culture and collaboration. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, leaders should anchor their response in the organization's core values, ensuring clarity and stability during uncertain times.

Regular touchpoints, such as one-on-ones, team meetings, pulse surveys, and town halls, create opportunities to engage with employees, address concerns, and foster dialogue, helping to mitigate polarization and promote mutual respect. Additionally, investing in training for managers on how to handle sensitive topics with empathy and professionalism is crucial. Equipped with the right tools, managers can navigate difficult conversations in a way that fosters respect, trust, and collaboration, preventing conflict and maintaining a positive, high-performing workplace culture.

QUESTION: In an article by Barbara McQuade in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don't know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's flip the script. How can employees keep their leaders honest?

(Read the referenced article here:

https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)

ERIC STONE: To keep leaders honest, employees must be proactive and intentional in their approach. First, employees should be observant and identify inconsistencies in messages or plans, raising questions that prompt leaders to clarify their positions. This can be done respectfully and with a focus on company values, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity. Employees should use data, facts, and examples to support their points, creating a foundation for productive discussions. It’s also essential for employees to collaborate with peers, uniting in a shared commitment to transparency and ethical behavior. Lastly, employees should leverage formal channels, such as feedback mechanisms or employee forums, to escalate concerns when necessary, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the organization's values and ensuring that trust remains intact.

QUESTION: Erika Andersen wrote in a Forbes article, “This is the first time in history that four distinct generations are together in the workplace: Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z." What are some insights or advice to help everyone work together successfully?

(Read the referenced article here:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2015/05/06/what-planet-are-you-from-5-ways-to-get-along-with-people-who-arent-like-you/)

ERIC STONE: With up to five generations now in the workplace and ongoing debates about flexibility — whether in-person, remote, or hybrid — the topic of building successful teams has never been more relevant. To bridge generational divides and create a cohesive team, it's essential to focus on five key factors of employee engagement:

(1) A strong relationship with your manager. Understanding individual motivations and tailoring your approach ensures trust and mutual respect thrive in a diverse environment.

(2) Clear communication of expectations and goals. There should be no confusion among your people about their role or what's expected of them, regardless of their background.

(3) The right materials, equipment, and information to achieve desired outcomes. Teams should have the resources, data, technology, and training to get the job done at a high level.

(4) A manager who encourages personal and professional growth. Your goal is to coach and mentor individual contributors to reach their potential inside and outside the organization.

(5) A system in which top performance is recognized. You consistently call out and reward excellence, incentivizing people to give their very best.

(Note: For more details about the five factors, check out my videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericdstone1)

QUESTION: Some people believe that leadership is only possible with a title, however, there are many ways to be a leader. Please share some.

ERIC STONE: Embrace the mentality of "act as if," where leadership comes from the impact you make - not the title you hold. One way to demonstrate this is through becoming a Culture Carrier — excelling at your job, taking initiative, and consistently raising the bar. When you embody the values and standards of your organization, you inspire others to do the same. You can also focus on Jumpstarting Others by taking time to help colleagues achieve their goals and advance their careers. Whether through mentoring, collaboration, or offering guidance, you build trust and nurture a team-oriented, growth-focused environment. Finally, Sharpen Your Brand by proactively developing the specific skills you want to strengthen. Seek out people with expertise you admire and align yourself with aspirational brands to stay ahead in your field and motivate others to pursue their own growth.

Monday, February 17, 2025

Tips to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day

Did you know that there's a day that celebrates kindness? Random Acts of Kindness Day celebrates and encourages random acts of kindness and the pay it forward mentality.

According to ThereIsADayForThat.com, "The day is meant to cultivate feelings of kindness toward others and brighten up their day. Every act is significant, no matter how big or small. Random Act of Kindness Day was first established in 1995 by the nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. It first originated in Denver, Colorado and in 2004, spread to New Zealand. The idea and celebration continued to spread and is officially celebrated on February 17th in the United States."

Here are some brands that stand out for their dedication to kindness and improving communities both near and far:

TOM'S SHOES

According to the company's website, "Since the beginning of TOMS, you and our Impact Partners have had a positive impact on over 105,000,000 lives — and we're far from finished. In 2006, TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie pioneered the One for One model — giving away one pair of shoes for every pair sold, supporting larger health, education, and community development programs through strategic partnerships. Today we give 33 percent of profits for grassroots good. When you wear TOMS, you Wear Good."

KINDNESS TIP: If your brand is a product, can you implement a buy one item-donate one item initiative?

BOMBAS SOCKS

According to the company's website, "When our customers make a purchase, they spark a donation, helping to keep our Giving Partner Organizations stocked up with plenty of socks, underwear, and t-shirts to distribute to those who need them. As of May 30, 2024, we're at 143,193,087 products donated and 123,255,184 products distributed. These totals will be updated annually. Milestone numbers featured in marketing materials may lag behind the current number as they were produced at a moment in time."

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with other organizations to distribute donated products?

DAWN

According to the company's website, "We go above and beyond what is required to share helpful information about the Dawn products that deliver the effective and sustainable clean you expect for your home and family. Here's everything you need to know about our soap ingredients, what they do, and how they reflect our commitment to you, your family, and our community...Tough on grease and oil, gentle enough for wildlife: For nearly 50 years, Dawn has worked with wildlife rescue experts to protect and care for aquatic wildlife. Our iconic ducklings have become a symbol of our effectiveness as the better grease getter and our dedication to creating a cleaner world for birds and marine mammals alike."

Since 1978, Dawn has worked with bird and marine mammal experts through countless efforts. Here is a recap of the brand's impact:

* 200+ rescue missions using Dawn

* 50,000+ bottles donated

* 150,000+ birds and marine mammals cleaned

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with environmentally-conscious organizations to support wildlife conservation, climate change awareness, and/or recycling?

DOVE

The brand has an impressive mission: "Redefining beauty, and keeping women and girls confident, one initiative at a time." Dove launched a self-esteem project in 2024: a resolution for women to let go of unrealistic beauty standards and define beauty on one's own terms.

Dove has also launched other inspiring initiatives:

(1) Dove invited fans to help end race-based hair discrimination.

(2) In partnership with the Rimba Collective, Dove is protecting and restoring 123,000 acres of rainforest, peatlands, and mangroves in Southeast Asia over the next five years – an area eight times the size of Manhattan.

(3) "At Dove Men+Care, we’re proud to have zero manufacturing waste going to landfill. Cardboard boxes transporting raw materials, for example, are sold to recycling companies to ensure they’re reused. As part of our commitment to help minimize waste and make all our plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, the bottles of our body, face and hair washes are recyclable and made with 100 percent recycled plastic in North America and Europe (where technically possible). This means less greenhouse gases are being produced, which of course is better for the environment. Dove Men+Care does not test on animals and is PETA Approved."

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand re-imagine a concept (e.g., the vision of beauty) so that it better equips teenagers as they enter adulthood and helps them gain self-confidence?

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS

Since 1955, the company has offered fundraising kits for organizations to sell boxes of doughnuts; Krispy Kreme would then split the proceeds with the organizations to raise funds for various causes. In 2014, Krispy Kreme released a $1,685 doughnut as part of fundraising efforts for The Children's Trust. It was covered with 24-karat gold and decorated with edible diamonds. The inside was made from Dom Pérignon champagne jelly.

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with nonprofit organizations to help with their fundraising initiatives?

NAOT

According to Reader's Digest, "Naot has long been a favorite for ethically minded shoppers, and that's thanks to what the company calls its "shoes of peace." The Naot factory is located in a small farming community in the northernmost part of Israel, where it's been handcrafting shoes since 1942. It employs people of every faith and ethnicity, and every pair of shoes is handmade through the joint craft of Israelis and Palestinians. As a socially active company, Naot donates thousands of pairs of shoes to battered women and homeless shelters throughout the United States and around the world every year. Shoes are handcrafted through sustainable methods; shoes feature vegetable-tanned leather and a cork footbed to minimize the environmental impact; and boxes are made of recycled materials."

According to the company's website, "Design your own Naot to Donate! Download our template to design your own Naot sandal, get creative! Post your design on social media using #NaotGivesBack (on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/naot.northamerica/) and we will donate a pair of shoes in your name!"

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand donate products?

SASHKA CO. BRACELETS

According to the company's website, "Sashka Co. glass beaded bracelets are handcrafted with positive vibes by artisans in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Each bracelet is carefully handmade bead by bead. Skill, passion, and some of the world's finest glass and sterling silver beads go into each one. Every Sashka Co. Bracelet comes with a lifetime guarantee and a perfect fit promise.

Sashka Co. partners with several organizations in Nepal that train and employ hundreds of artisans in rural communities. Our partners are focused on gender equality and empowering women. The women at the co-ops earn a living wage that exceeds the local minimum wage. Sashka Co. was founded in 2013 with an amazing team of seventeen artisans. Thanks to the support of Sashka Co. Bracelets customers, we now provide sustainable jobs to 450+ artisans in Nepal.

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand make a difference in a part of the world where inequality exists?

If you're in charge of marketing initiatives for a brand, what can your organization do today for your employees or the community? And if you find yourself at Starbucks or your favorite coffee house, why not surprise the next customer and pay for their drink?

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Inclusion Is an Opportunity!

While Twitter/X may be off some people's radar due to its ownership change in 2023, I continue to meet and be inspired by interesting thought leaders on that platform. I recently met Ruchika Malhotra, read her book about inclusion, and invited her to participate in a Q&A here on my blog. Highlights of our discussion follow a brief introduction, but first, today is an appropriate day to feature Ruchika.

That's because today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. According to Wikipedia, "The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote the full and equal access and participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 70/212 on 22 December 2015, which proclaimed the 11th day of February as the annual commemoration of the observance. A theme is selected annually to highlight a particular focus and area of discussion around a focus point for gender equality in science."

Ruchika Malhotra, an award-winning inclusion strategist and speaker, is CEO and Founder of Candour, which works with organizations to create diverse teams and inclusive cultures. A former business journalist, she has reported from four countries and writes regularly on inclusive leadership for the Harvard Business Review. She was named to the Thinkers50 list, a global ranking described by the Financial Times as the "Oscars of management thinking."

QUESTION: What are three take-aways you hope all readers will have after reading your book? ("Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work")

RUCHIKA MALHOTRA: Here are my three take-aways:

1. I really hope that managers, leaders, and employees at all levels take time to reflect on, learn, build awareness, get uncomfortable and only then take action towards creating a more inclusive workplace. Good intentions don't always lead to good outcomes.

2. I'd love for a key takeaway to be that we all have a role to play in creating an inclusive environment; it's not just HR or a CEO's job.

3. When I think about the biggest opportunity for meaningful change from an intersectional lens, it is to ensure that Black, Indigenous and other people of color are at the forefront of any major effort around creating culture and belonging.

QUESTION: Please briefly explain your "BRIDGE Framework."

RUCHIKA MALHOTRA: I believe inclusion is a mindset, it's not just hardwired in us, and it requires ongoing, intentional work.

To cultivate an inclusion mindset, you have to ground yourself in a growth mindset. Carol Dweck, author of "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," has shown that success hinges on believing that you can learn and grow in the face of challenges. By contrast, a fixed mindset keeps us stuck and shying away from challenges, believing our talents are innate rather than developed through practice and perseverance.

Cultivating an inclusion mindset requires us to BRIDGE the gap between our good intentions and true impact. To do this, we must:

~Be ok with being uncomfortable.
~Reflect on what you don't know.
~Invite feedback.
~Don't get defensive.
~Grow from your mistakes.
~Expect that change takes time.

QUESTION: I will never forget one extreme example of online harassment detailed in your book. What actions can women take to stop these types of situations from happening?

(The example was this: The online social media platform Pinterest promoted slave plantations as wedding and event venues, and when an employee discovered that fact and told her manager, she was harassed, her performance was dinged, her pay was affected, and her personal info was posted online.)

RUCHIKA MALHOTRA: I believe that an ally is a verb, not a noun. It's not who you are, it's what you do. To practice allyship means asking: How do I plan to intervene when I see someone being harmed because of their identities? How does my privilege allow me to stand up for them?

In the example of Pinterest in my book, it would be going up to leaders at the organization and standing in solidarity with the woman of color who was harmed, demanding change, and especially, ensuring her pay and position were restored. Too many of us passively stand by thinking that just because we believe in justice in theory, we don't take action in practice to stand up for justice. That's precisely how we perpetuate injustice and harm.

Monday, February 10, 2025

Monday Morning Quarterbacking the Ads from Super Bowl LIX

What do you remember from Super Bowl Sunday? Did you sit on the edge of your seat and keep track of the touchdowns and field goals? Did you know at the outset that the Philadelphia Eagles would be the victor? Or, did you eagerly await the ads? For marketers and many others, we tend to keep one eye on the game because we really want to see (and talk about) the ads.

According to USA Today, "For one day a year, people can't wait to cozy up on the couch and watch commercials during the Super Bowl. For some, it's a nice sideshow to the big game. For others, it's the main event. In a world where everything is an ad, we do our best to escape them, unless it's the Super Bowl. Companies spend a fortune for just 30 seconds of our time, hoping to capture a market. With diminished attention spans and countless things competing for them, the Super Bowl offers an opportunity to speak to consumers when they are more focused. It might just be the one day a year where the public isn't buried in their phones, channel-surfing, or doing a variety of other things at once."

For Super Bowl 1 in 1967, a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost $37,500 - and with inflation, that is about $350,000 in 2025 dollars. For Super Bowl 59, that same 30-second ad cost $8 million, according to USA Today's AdMeter, up from $7 million last year.

According to Aimee Picchi, "Super Bowl ads command a premium because the game is typically the most-watched media event of the year. That gives brands a chance to reach more consumers at one time than anywhere else, and many companies use the opportunity to trot out new products or introduce a new slogan. There's another reason why brands are so willing to pay up: About 3 in 4 people say they are actually excited to watch the ads during the Super Bowl. Families and friends typically watch the game together, and often talk about the spots as well as the game itself — a discussion that can carry over at work the next day."

Jura Liaukonyte, marketing professor at Cornell University's SC Johnson College of Business explained further, "This shared experience can amplify the emotional resonance of advertisements, making them more memorable and effective. When viewers watch the Super Bowl, they are not just passive recipients of content — they are engaged in a communal event."

This quote from Landor Associates is timeless and worth repeating: "Here are three tips to help you, your dad, or even your football-crazed grandma decide which brands scored a touchdown with their commercials: Is the ad on-brand? Will you remember the brand tomorrow? And, does the ad speak to the times?"

An interesting note about the Super Bowl and branding. Ever wonder why the logos include Roman numerals? According to CBS Sports, "For nearly 60 years, the Super Bowl has become a central part of American culture well beyond the sphere of pro football. And for many, the Super Bowl also prompts the need to touch up on a certain other piece of culture that always re-enters the collective conscience around Super Bowl time.

The Super Bowl is one of the select few mainstream events still using Roman numerals, a system that has largely been forgotten. Although the numeral system of Ancient Rome began to fall out of use in favor of Arabic numerals around the 14th century, there are still a few instances in which Roman numerals are commonly used: on clock faces, to identify lineages -- particularly for royalty and other important figures -- and to denote each edition of the Super Bowl.

The use of Roman numerals for each Super Bowl dates back to the fifth Super Bowl, with the league adopting the use of the system to avoid confusion over the year the game is associated with. The Super Bowl is always played in the year following a chronologically recorded season, so while this Super Bowl is being played in 2025, the game itself will determine the champion of the 2024 NFL season.

In addition, the idea to use Roman numerals for the Super Bowl is also credited to Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who believed their use would add an element of grandeur to the NFL's biggest game. Hunt, of course, is credited with coining the term "Super Bowl," and his Chiefs are competing to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row."

While there was no ad similar to Apple's 1984 ad; no ad that was as memorable as Budweiser's post-9/11 ad from 2002 with the kneeling Clydesdales; no animated Coca Cola polar bears; and no Tweet clever enough to rival Oreo's "dunking in the dark" from 2013's "Blackout Bowl" at the Superdome in New Orleans; some ads did stand out to me, and without further ado, here they are:

HELLMANN'S: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan reprised their roles from the film "When Harry Met Sally" for a famous scene at Katz's Deli in New York City. This time, Meg Ryan needed some mayonnaise. This was a surprise ad, and for those of us who remember the film, the scene was hard to forget.

WEATHER TECH: Four female senior citizens took to the open road with the music in the background, "Born to Be Wild." This was a geriatric version of "Thelma and Louise."

NOVARTIS: The ad began by focusing on women's breasts, but as it went on, the emphasis changed. According to AdWeek's Bill Bradley, "Novartis put a spotlight on breast cancer awareness with the help of Hailee Steinfeld, breast-cancer survivor Wanda Sykes, cheerleaders, partygoers, and everyday women living their lives. The ad was a healthcare promo with a twist, showing breasts in all forms and fashions along with a message to pay attention to them when it matters the most. According to the ad, more than 6 million women watching the Super Bowl may be diagnosed with breast cancer, but websites like YourAttentionPlease.com are there to help with screenings and potentially life-saving information."

NIKE: The ad was entitled, "So Win," and was the first time since 1998 that a Nike commercial aired during the Super Bowl. According to Austin Curtright of USA Today, "Women’s sport isn't the future, it's right now. We're seeing it in packed arenas, in TV ratings, in the way people are showing up for the game like never before. Commanding attention isn't about being the loudest in the room. It's about making sure that when you step up, everyone takes notice. Women's sports have seen a stark rise in popularity in recent years, which each of the athletes featured in the commercial have played a role in. Nike is appearing to step up its commitment to women's sports."

BUDWEISER: Whenever the Clydesdale horses appear in an ad, the ad tugs at the heartstrings. This ad was no exception. A young foal returned a lost keg of beer and proved he was just as talented as the adult horses.

COORS LIGHT: This ad's theme was the sluggishness of Mondays, and as a result, the beer changed its name to "Mondays Light."

MOUNTAIN DEW: Singer Seal became a seal and sang that he didn't have hands to hold the beverage.

LAY'S: A young girl planted a potato and watched it grow, eventually becoming a potato that would become Lay's potato chips.

DOVE: This ad spoke volumes. According to Just Jared, "The personal care product brand’s 2025 Super Bowl Commercial shows a little girl running down the sidewalk and brings an important message about how girls in sports are treated. "At 3, these legs are unstoppable. At 14, she'll think they're unbearable. 1 in 2 girls who quit sports are criticized for their body type...Let's change the way we talk to our girls. #KeepHerConfident."

During the game, while sharing posts on Twitter/X, some brands stood out with their posts, such as, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Jet Blue, Library of Congress, Best Friends, Avocados from Mexico, Minions, Samsung Mobile US, and LAY'S. If you missed their posts, check them out.

According to Google, "Wicked: For Good was not featured in a trailer during the 2025 Super Bowl. Universal chose not to preview the sequel to the Oscar-nominated musical. Wicked: For Good is scheduled for release in theaters on November 21, 2025. The movie continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda from where the first part left off. The sequel centers on the consequences of their decisions and further developments in the world of Oz. Universal likely didn't need to advertise Wicked: For Good as early or to as large an audience as other movies because of the excitement surrounding the first movie and its Academy Award nominations...Other movies featured in trailers during the 2025 Super Bowl included: Jurassic World Rebirth, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, and How to Train Your Dragon."

A few timeless words from Jacques de Cock, a faculty member at the London School of Marketing: "The Super Bowl is a phenomenon unsurpassed in the world. It is one of the few national social events, which is also why social media traffic during the game is so high...What is also remarkable is that advertising is not viewed as something to skip but is seen by 77 percent of viewers as part of the entertainment, and therefore, more watched and engaged with than any other television advertising during the year."

Today, the official countdown begins for Super Bowl 60, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California - home of the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the third Super Bowl to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area and the second to be hosted by Levi's Stadium. Will we see an ad or two that will go down as the best of all time? We'll have to wait and see.

Image credit: ABC6 Action News.

To read any of my previous Super Bowl ad review posts (I've been writing them annually since 2012), search #DebbieLaskeysBlog using the term "super" to access all the links.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Super Bowl LIX Is Hours Away

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

MUSEUM WAGERS

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

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

ZOO WAGERS

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

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

LIBRARY WAGERS

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

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

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

MAYOR WAGERS

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

GOVERNOR WAGERS

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

PUBLIC SCHOOL WAGERS

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

KANSAS CITY & PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL ADOPTION NEWS

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

MEDIA WAGERS

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

PUPPY BOWL XXI

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

GREAT AMERICAN RESCUE BOWL

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

GATORADE SHOWER

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

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

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

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

PHRASES IN END ZONES

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

FOOD NEWS

Some food brands have special deals for Super Bowl Sunday:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image Credits: Instagram.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Introducing the Best Social Media Post of the Month Series

How many social media posts do you recall? Do some go viral because they are for charity, like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? Or do some go viral because they happened at the right moment in time, like the Oreo tweet when the lights went out at the 2013 Super Bowl? Or do some go viral and become memorable simply because they're funny?

I'm introducing a new series here on my blog that will appear the first week of each month in which I will share the best social media post of the preceding month. The choice may appear on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.

According to Google, "The best social media post of the month is typically one that effectively combines high engagement with relevance to current events, holidays, or trending topics, while also aligning with your brand identity and authentically connecting with your audience; this could include a thought-provoking question, a relatable story, a visually appealing image, a timely meme, or a behind-the-scenes look, depending on your platform and target demographic."

Without further ado, my lead-off best social media post of the month from January 2025 was shared on January 20th, 2025, by THE DAILY SHOW. You may have seen this post around the web on various social media platforms, but I caught it on Instagram. It featured a photo of Melania Trump as incoming returning First Lady at the Presidential Inauguration combined with an image of Pizza Hut's name and logo showcasing what looked like the same hat. The single line of text read, "No one out-pizzas the Hut."

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

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

Image Credit: The Daily Show via Instagram.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

The Best Book I Read in 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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