The new Pope will be dealing with a digitally savvy congregation…

At Pope Benedict’s announcement only a handful of the 100,000 plus visitors to the vatican had a mobile device with them…look at the throng of visitors photographed yesterday.

Originally called International Working Women’s Day, the day is marked on March 8 every year.

In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.

The day started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia and the former Soviet Bloc.

Of course in the good old USA that type of celebration was a bit “politically incorrect” and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

Across the globe the political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations is running strong and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought to light. This human rights theme is certainly gain traction here in the “PC” US. Here is our PC poster for the celebration.

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/freakonomics-radio/when-negative-positive-freakonomics-feedback#.UTi9bZu86Go.xanga

Rita was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on a date that is a very closely guarded secret. Her parents were a young brave couple who had recently arrived from Genoa, Italy, Carmella and Joseph. Rita was so proud of that heritage.

She married a dashing young serviceman Vernon Paul Gentemann from Burlington, Vermont a few years after the great war. After several postings from Rome, New York to Nome, Alaska the couple ended up at Gunter Air Force base (an Italian from Jersey in the heart of the deep South).

Rita worked at Montgomery Fair (for those who remember), then Fuller and Dees (she is still in touch with Morris Dees after all these years) and then as an assistant for Dr. David Dunn until she landed a job at the State Highway Department where she worked for many years forming fast and firm friendships with so many of the people here in Montgomery.

She was proud mother of Gerald and Debra, grandmother of Katherine, Jeremy, Lindsay, Jenna, Allyson and Jordan, and a new great grandmother to Ansley. But as everyone who knew Rita knows, she was a little bit of a “mom” to countless friends and family members all over town and all over the country.
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Mom passed away peacefully Wednesday evening February 13, 2013.

David Garibaldi: Jesus Painting from Thriving Churches on Vimeo.

I may prefer the snow in the Northeast!

In no particular order here is my top three list for best Super Bowl commercials. I have worked on a few Super Bowl efforts over the years at BBDO for Pepsi, Visa, and FedEx but I am beginning to think the ideas for Super Sunday are taking a back seat to over done special effects, borrowed celebrity interest, and just plain “let’s throw big money at the concept” thinking.

The Coke spot and Kia spot for instance are perfect examples of the advertising agencies entertaining themselves in public at the client’s expense, what value was created for these 60 second, $5.6 million investments? 

1) Chrysler Farmer – Paul Harvey’s two minute tribute to the farmer captured my attention with the delivery, the great still pictures and the writing.  If Dodge Ram wants to stand for rugged, hard working, salt of the earth men, then this commercial delivers on the brand strategy. 

2) Tide Montana Stain – Let’s give Procter and Gamble credit, they developed a commercial that featured the product’s key benefit – stain removal and tied in the 49ers and the Ravens.  I am not sure the Super Bowl is the right venue for a detergent commercial, but they get an A+ for delivering the message and I am sure the viral aspect of this creative will pay off for P&G. 

3) Budweiser Clydesdales – I have to admit, I have been extremely negative about the Budweiser Clydesdale commercials in the past couple of years especially since they were created by BBDO’s sister agency.  The magic formula here was the emotion packed story that brings out the best quality in all of us.  That little tug on our heart strings delivered the brand message of heritage, tradition and quality.  Will it sell any Bud? I am not sure.

http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/#.UQ9BRe7Hr3M.xanga

Robert Reich reminded us all that today, exactly a century ago, on February 3, 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, authorizing a federal income tax. Congress turned it into a graduated tax, based on “capacity to pay.” It was among the signal victories of the progressive movement — the first constitutional amendment in 40 years (10 had been included in the Bill of Rights, the 11th and 12th in 1789 and 1804, and three others in consequence of the Civil War), reflecting a great political transformation in America.

The 1880s and 1890s had been the Gilded Age, the time of robber barons, when a small number controlled almost all the nation’s wealth as well as our democracy, when poverty had risen to record levels, and when it looked as though the country was destined to become a moneyed aristocracy. But almost without warning, progressives reversed the tide. Teddy Roosevelt became president in 1901, pledging to break up the giant trusts. Laws were enacted protecting the public from impure foods and drugs, and from corrupt legislators. By 1909 Democrats and progressive Republicans had swept many state elections, establishing the 40-hour work week. Woodrow Wilson won the 1912 presidential election.

Reich warns, a progressive backlash against concentrated wealth and power occurred a century ago in America. It will happen again.