Hilary Topper and the HJMT Staff wishes everyone Happy Holidays by sharing their favorite holiday memories.

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DISCLOSURE: NO CONNECTION, UNPAID, MY OWN OPINIONS
I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein. However, individual links could be associated with affiliate marketing sites and through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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It is my belief that the legendary Coach Joe Paterno’s role in the Penn State Football scandal is the CEO an ill conceived Cover up intended to protect the Penn State Football Brand that Paterno is inextricably tied to and benefits greatly from.

Unfortunately for all concerned particularly the defenseless young victims and their families that at best are scarred for life, the Penn State Brand was protected the wrong way and for the wrong reasons, and if I might add–at the wrong time.

Is there ever a right time for something as heinous as this–Definitely NOT!  Never!!

That said, in the Era of Social Media the firestorm is fast, fierce, and fanned. The fact that the Coach F’ d Up is forwarded furiously by Social Media sites to land on front pages of publications like the Altoona Mirror (just 34 miles from State College PA) which featured the headline “The End of an Era” vertically adjacent to an image of Joe Paterno.

The protection of a Brand must be pre-emptive and if it does happen to be threatened or damaged, the response needs to be immediate and up front.  The case study that Johnson and Johnson wrote nearly 30 years ago is documented in Marketing Communications textbooks across the Globe in defense of their tampered Tylenol Franchise.  There was no band-aid by J&J.  There was a serious, urgent, and a forthright nature.

Penn State on the other hand took a knee, attempted to run out the clock, and hid behind an iconic Coach who was a Wall Of Fame, and only too willing to shield the Penn State Football Brand in the interests of all stakeholders, most notably himself. Only when the Playbook was exposed for all to see, did Penn State University attempt to do the right thing and fire (almost) all involved, including the complicit Coach Joe Paterno.

A Brand is no longer just owned by a Company or Organization, it is in effect also owned by Consumers.  In kind, Social Media is not owned by Media, it is owned by Consumers.

In 2011 and going forward, anyone that protects their brand the right way must realize this…

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DISCLOSURE: NO CONNECTION, UNPAID, NOT MY OWN
I have not received any compensation for posting this content. The views expressed in this guest blog do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of HJMT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC. Individual links could be associated with affiliate marketing sites and through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

Bryan Pazaras is a Marketing Strategist, Qualitative Researcher, and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at SUNY Westchester.  As Managing Owner of Ideas and Informed Insights Inc.he can be reached at bryanpazaras@aol.com or at 914.242.0545

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I surveyed my friends on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other sites.  I asked them what they wanted for the holidays.  I thought I’d share with you in case you are having difficulty deciding what to buy.

Here’s what they said:

1.    Marianne LiBretto wants a foot massager that is sold in Bed, Bath and Beyond

2.    Shari Druckman-Roberts wants a maid service

3.    Robert Napolitano wants a Kindle Fire

4.    Sheila Weinman Kastner wants a membership to either the Fair Media Council, Association of Fund Raising Professionals or the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island.

5.    Brad Stern wants a treadmill (Sorry Brad, I sold the one in my old office….)

6.    Rizwan Qazi wants either perfume or something to eat

7.    Constance wants a trainer for a triathlon or a gift certificate to the Runner’s Edge

8.    Deep Soni wants either a tablet or something techy

9.    Steve Pofcher wants an iPad with a keypad docking station

10.  And I want a Kindle, Tarina Tarrentino jewelry, a running watch, an alarm clock and a nice comfy sweater!

Happy Holidays everyone!  I hope you get whatever you want!
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DISCLOSURE: NO CONNECTION, UNPAID, MY OWN OPINIONS
I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein. However, individual links could be associated with affiliate marketing sites and through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

Did you ever meet people who you immediately have a connection with?  You almost feel as though you’ve always known them?

I keep meeting people that I feel as if I known them my entire life.  I went out to lunch the other day in the City with a relatively new client.  We were having a conversation about (what else?) social media marketing.  It was such an engaging conversation that we lost track of time.  Then we started to talk about personal things.  I leaned forward and said, “don’t you feel like we’ve known each for a long time?”

She smiled and agreed with me.

I started to think about all the people in my life who I’ve connected with – and there have been a lot!  And I wonder, what draws people together? Because once you feel that connection, it almost becomes spiritual.  Don’t you think?

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DISCLOSURE: NO CONNECTION, UNPAID, MY OWN OPINIONS
I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein. However, individual links could be associated with affiliate marketing sites and through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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On Thursday, December 8, 2011, I interviewed David Pospisil, Program Manager for Con Edison’s Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program. We disussed ways in which companies can become Market Partners with the Con Edison C&I Program. We also talked about how the C&I Program offers rebates to help clients save money, energy and the environment.

Listen to this Episode
Download this Episode

FEATURING
David Pospisil
Program Manager
Con Edison Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program

Con Edison
Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $13 billion in annual revenues and $37 billion in assets. The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers.

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DISCLOSURE: NO CONNECTION, UNPAID, MY OWN OPINIONS
I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein. However, individual links could be associated with affiliate marketing sites and through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.