"Frank" comes out the digital closet

Anyone NOT heard about the latest series of mass document dumps from WikiLeaks? The site is dedicated to ferreting out and distributing secret, or at the very least sensitive information. WikiLeaks is run by Julian Assange who is well, reviled by a lot of folks these days and may even be facing some legal problems of his own.

Much of what's being released contains stuff we only hear described as "Frank" and "Candid" discussions in news conferences after diplomats meet. WikiLeaks just let "Frank" out of the digital closet. Don't call me Shirley, and don't call me Frank.

This sort of thing isn't new. Think back to the Pentagon Papers.

Regardless of how you feel about WikiLeaks, Assange or the nature of the information released it should give all of us pause to remember that "If you don't want to be quoted, don't say it." Or post it.

The alleged source for much of the WikiLeaks documents is a US Army Private. A Private, with the ability to expose a lot of private information way above his proverbial pay grade.

We all send e-mails, post things and say things. In today's digital world there are two certainties:

1. Once it's "out there", it's out there.
2, What you say can and will be used against you.

The diplomatic fallout from all this will be remains to be seen. Certainly it comes as no surprise that we have less than kind things to say about certain "Allies," who are allies only because they're the lesser of two evils.

But if a low-level enlisted soldier has access to top secret military and diplomatic information, what about your business or organization?

It's bad enough that anyone, anytime can post or say anything they want about you on the Internet, usually anonymously. Don't give them extra ammunition.

Should something less than pleasant come out about you, true or not, consult with experienced communications pros immediately if not sooner.

Brian Olson
Converesation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you" (Or stop them)

'Bama, Pretty Woman and ROR.

Did you see the pregame of the Iron Bowl? They had a shot of the 'Bama players arriving, making the traditional walk between their fans. All of them had headphones on, looking straight ahead and ignoring their adoring fans.

Then came a shot of Auburn's Cam Newton, who was jumping up and down and waving his arms to the fans as he actually came over to them. Regardless of how you feel about Newton, he was practicing ROR. Return on relationship.

The 'Bama players reminded me of the shopkeeper in Pretty Woman who ignored Julia Robert's character. Big mistake.

Tigers 28.'Bama 27. 'Bama Fans 0.

It's a lesson in customer care we can all learn from. Ignore customers at your own peril. You can have a great product, but if you don't thank them enthusiastically each time they're in your store, they'll shop elsewhere.

Fans, like customers, are fickle.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

The Case for Space

With NASA's Shuttle program grinding to a halt, what's next? Nothing apparently. American Astronauts will fly to and from the Space Station on Russian Spacecraft. Galactic hitchhiking.

This past Saturday I got to hear from two Astronauts, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger (STS-131 Shuttle Discovery) and Gene Cernan (Gemini 9, Apollo 10 & 17) who is the last human to walk on the moon 38 years ago. Cernan was honored with the "Spreading Wings" award at Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.

Here are their thoughts about their experiences in space and why it's important we get a new generation of Americans interested in finding out what's "out there."

Metcalf-Lindenburger:


Gene Cernan:


Speaking with some aerospace engineers recently, the concensus seems to be that the best way to move forward in space exploration is turning it over to private enterprise. Richard Branson is leading the way. The Russians have been charging space tourists $25 million a pop for a trip to the Space Station.

Can you imagine what Apple or Google would have been willing to pay to have their logo on the Shuttle?

We're a nation of explorers. Or at least used to be. This line from The Right Stuff says it all, "No bucks, no Buck Rogers."

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

In the spirit of Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We live in a great nation, that despite it's many faults remains a government of the people. Let's not forget it's our government, and we only lend power to those we elect to represent us.

We're thankful to be able to start a business and still be in business! We're thankful for our first clients like the Hallmark Channel and Chemo101.com who believed in us.

We're thankful for the many potential clients we're talking with and look forward to adding them to our roster of clients who are more than simply "accounts" but organizations and teams we truly believe in.

We're thankful for our Joint Venture Partners at Baldwin Media Marketing, here's to a grand future together.

We're thankful for the men and women stationed around this world, often in harm's way, on the front line, taking the battle for freedom to the enemy.

Have a safe, peaceful and wonderful day.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you" (Please pass the turkey, thank you)

SNL takes on TSA. Satire lives!

Honoring the Last Man on the Moon

I had the chance to attend the annual Wings over the Rockies gala this past weekend which honored Astronaut Gene Cernan. He flew aboard the Gemini 9, Apollo 10 and Apollo 17 missions and is the last human being to have walked on the surface of the moon, lifting off on December 14, 1972.

We've never returned since.

It was a grand event and Wings over the Rockies is an extraordinary venue for hosting an event for your company or organization. But the focus this past Saturday was on a true "stick and rudder" guy, Gene Cernan.



The future of space travel is uncertain at best, the Shuttle program is about to end with nothing in the pipeline to follow it. Cernan and other astronauts in attendance told us that it's the kids in school today who hold the key to our future as space explorers and that we must do everything we can to encourage them.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Social Media-One is the loneliest number.

What's the status of social media at your company or non-profit? Who is tasked with the job? In too many cases social media is something handed off to a staffer with an already full plate.

Social media provides so many opportunities beyond the obvious. Have you thought about spreading the social media load? Why not create a social media team across your organization? From the boardroom to the stockroom. Up and down the food chain.

All have different views of the same subject. By making them part of your social media outreach you bring in fresh perspective and at the same time empower your team as "Brand Ambassadors."

Granted, you have to be selective, there has to be guidelines and focus, but do it right and all of a sudden you have a vibrant and active social media plan.

One is the loneliest number in social media. Make it a team effort.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Hunger not a seasonal thing.

Last month was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The folks at Komen have created an extraordinary event driven juggernaut. Sadly, there are so many different cancers and cancer is a 24/7/365 disease. The pink is gone. Cancer isn't.

The same applies to hunger in America. This is the time of year when the hungry are in the news. Like cancer, hunger is a year-round problem and growing. What's changed the most is who is going hungry in our nation. You'd be surprised. Volunteering at a local food bank recently, it didn't take long to realize that the scruffy image of the hungry/homeless too many of us have in our minds isn't the norm. The people we helped were well groomed, intelligent and...hungry. Single people, families with kids, people who could be our neighbor. They just might be, we just don't know it.

I'm priviledged to serve on the board of directors of the Jeffco Action Center. Along with a food bank, the Action Center provides counseling, emergency shelter and rent assistance, operates a clinic, provides free clothing and other services. The food bank distributes an average of 4 tons of food a day.

4 tons.

Special focus is put on the hungry at Thanksgiving. Many, but not all the hungry get a Thanksgiving dinner through the generous help of donors and volunteers and agencies like the Action Center.

Many, but not all and Thanksgiving is just one day. That leaves 364 other days.

The need is year-round. The economic mess has forced many families to go from donors, to receivers of help instead. Solid "middle class" families.

It's a problem we have to solve. It all starts with volunteering an hour or so each month. It all starts with donating a dollar or a can of food. It all starts with us.

Please give in some way today, tomorrow and every day you can. This is the United States of America. No one should go hungry in this great nation.

No one. Otherwise we stop being a great nation.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Video for Social Media 101

Video has become a key element of social media outreach and thanks to technology and very affordable prices, a good fit for any company regardless of size. Earlier this year I attended a Ragan Communications seminar on social media hosted by the folks at Coca-Cola in Atlanta. Among the many things discussed is how Coca-Cola uses Flipcams distributed all over the company for employees to shoot and post videos about what they do.

If it works for Coke it can work for you. If you already use a video camera, or are thinking about it, here are some tips to produce some pretty good looking videos. Remember, you're not shooting a major motion picture here, just some quick shots to tell your story. As the folks at Coke told us, "Good enough is good enough." That said:

1. Avoid being "shaky." Today's video cameras are very light, which makes them more prone to jittery video. Use both hands whenever possible. Hold the camera with one hand, support it with the other. Become "one" with your camera. Practice.

2. Available light. If you can afford a lighting kit and have the time and expertise to use it, go for it. If you don't, use the light you have. Keep the light in front of your subject, not behind. Today's cameras shoot wonderful quality video with natural light. Again, practice makes perfect. Experiment.

3. Natural Sound. "Nat-Sound" can be a very effective way of telling your story. If for instance it's a shot of kids having great fun with a toy or project, no amount of voice-over can beat it. NBC's Bob Dotson taught me years ago, listen first before you shoot video.

4. You can get great sound from your interview subject with the onboard microphones on today's cameras. But if the background noise is loud and distracting, move your subject to a quiet place for best quality. Other than asking a question you want included in your video, don't talk! This is especially important when shooting your "Nat Sound" clips.

5. Shot composition. Look for interesting ways to shoot your video. Certainly keep your company logo in the background when interviewing someone if possible. It's all about branding. Avoid shooting downward at subject matter. If you have to get down on one knee, do so. Think in terms of how the video will look when your target audience sees it on their computer or PDA.

6. Flipcams are great fun. But for a few hundred dollars more you get get a very high quality HD Camera which will provide you with excellent results. Video editing programs like iMovie are very intuitive and easy to use. It takes a little longer to edit and post your video, but the results are worth it.

7. Shorter is better. Keep your video short and to the point. You can tell your story in less than two minutes once you get the hang of it. With the exception of basketball, short is good.

Above all, go for it. Get a camera and start shooting and posting. Empower other members of your team to do so. Get everyone involved. When the next customer raves about your product or service, be ready to ask them, "Would you mind saying that on camera?"

Shoot it. Post it. Have fun.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you" (Video is a great way to do just that)

Future Shock-Shock Absorbing

Some years back I had the privilege of meeting the late, great broadcaster Paul Harvey when he spoke at a broadcast journalism industry event. At the beginning of his speech he described the audience as being "Future Shock-Shock Absorbers" for their viewers and listeners. I've never forgotten that well-turned phrase by Mr. Harvey.

It's a term, I think, that equally applies to communications, especially in this rapidly evolving world of social media and why it's important your business have a sound, developed and regularly reviewed communication strategy/plan.

What got me thinking about all this was something I heard yesterday on a sports talk radio show. Eagles QB Michael Vick is the talk (good and bad) of the town for his performance against the Washington Redskins this past Monday. One of the talk show hosts quipped that the PR team for the NFL would have its hands full if the season ended with a Eagles-Steelers Super Bowl, which would of course be billed as a showdown between Ben Roethlisberger and Vick. Both would bring considerable baggage to the game which we don't need to get into here because it's well documented.

The NFL's public relations team is arguably as good as any in the business and they'd do their very best to stay on message and keep the media covering the Superbowl on message. They likely have anticipated such a match-up and are planning for it accordingly. Good luck.

The NFL has well developed policies within its organization, but also knows that they need to quickly adapt to the situation at hand.

Another case study would be the recent incident involving the Carnival Cruise Ship, Splendor. An engine room fire knocked out power, including electricity and passengers had to go without some of the normal luxuries they paid for. Steak and Lobster were replaced by sandwiches. But the original fire was contained, no one was hurt and everyone returned home safely, refunded in full and given another cruise for free. Carnival, to its credit, dealt with a bad situation and did a pretty good job of taking care of its customers and their safety.

But most of the media coverage centered on that passengers were supposedly were fed Spam ferried over, along with other supplies from the nearby aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan. Carnival's PR team did, I think, a darn good job of putting out fair and accurate information but the fixation by most covering the story was the Spam. The story quickly faded from the limelight, but Carnival and Spam went together like peas and carrots for a few days. So despite the best plans and intentions, ultimately the media will cover a story how it decides to. Which is their right. But both the story and the actual fire could have been far worse. Damage control was the rule of the day aboard the ship and in the media. Both fires put out successfully.

I could go on including the BP debacle but the point here is that a well planned and continually reviewed communications plan is important and social media is a great conduit of information when crisis occurs.

A metaphor would be the fire lines that are created in a forest fire. They slow or halt further spread of the fire. But the fire lines aren't created until after the fire starts. Your social media strategy creates a fire line before the fire starts. A future shock-shock absorber when you need it.

So while social media is all about outreach, marketing and brand building; it's also about being there to deal with unexpected situations which can happen to just about any company or organization.

These days, just one disgruntled customer can create a digital fire. As in "Touch my Junk." Having a good plan in place to deal with that kind of fire can prevent it from going viral. It's important to continually monitor what's being said about you on the 'Net. We suggest you set up "listening posts" for key members of your team to listen to what's being said and to quickly and proactively deal with it.

So if you haven't already, check your shock absorbers.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you" (And help you deal with any unpleasant conversation)

Planes a Pain? Try a Train.

"Don't touch my junk" has quickly become a viral sensation. TSA screenings to say the least are becoming a tad intrusive. Cops copping feels. OK, we live in a dangerous world and the bad guys are finding ingenious ways to try and attack us. They're not going to give up. So air travel at least, is simply going to be more of a hassle than ever before. Add inexperienced travelers to the mix during the Thanksgiving and Christmas crush and well, patience will be more than a virture but a necessity.

So let me suggest an alternative. Travel by train. It's something my wife and I have discovered in recent years. I'll write about it more, but first this video of a trip from Los Angeles to Seattle aboard Amtrak's Coast Starlight.



This video has had almost 13,000 views on YouTube so there's more than a passing interest in train travel. The trip took 36 hours, and yes, we had to fly from here to Los Angeles and then back home from Seattle. But the experience itself was terrific. We had to be at the station about a half hour before departure and the only security check was for I.D. The scenery was spectacular, meals grand and the afternoon wine tastings were delightful. While we were on a "Train-cation" others on the train traveled by train on a regular basis. It was simply more affordable. Factor in time spent going to and from airports, waiting for security etc, it's also faster depending on how far you're traveling. It's certainly the case for travelers of all sorts in the northeast part of the country.

If I had to go to San Francisco from Denver for example, either for business or pleasure, I'd definately think about taking the train instead of the plane. But for our regular trips to Atlanta, the plane is our only and best choice. Getting there by train would take about 3 days with the trip routing through Chicago, Washington DC then south. OK, one last video and if you're thinking about a trip to Alaska worth a look. We did a "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" vacation to the 49th state this past summer and the Alaska Railroad was a key part of our journey.



Alaska's scenery is spectacular and there's no better way to see it than by train and I highly recommend the Alaska RR, but not the cruise line cars. Travel on the actual railroad-owned cars. More of a real Alaska experience.

There was one, and very nice surprise when we flew back to Anchorage from Fairbanks on ERA. Other than an I.D. check, there was no TSA security screen. We simply walked to the gate then on to the aircraft. An added bonus by the way is the view of Denali from the air. Wow.

So there are real alternatives to air travel. Travel by train is worth looking into depending on where you're going and how fast you need to get from here to there. Either way, safe travels everyone.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

ESPN, Pipelines and You.

Back in the 1980's news consultants and news operations bemoaned that while news and weather coverage was evolving with the times, sports remained in a rut. It was the same "Player-Coach" interviews with a few highlights tossed in for good measure.

Ultimately predictable as heck and boring.

As cable (and later home satellite) replaced rabbit ears an upstart channel came along called the Entertainment and Sports Programing Network. We know it today as ESPN. It launched in 1979 on a wing and a proverbial prayer. Content ranged from Australian Rules Football to the Canadian Football League. But shows like Sports Center came along and changed the way sports was being reported, and more importantly watched by viewers.

Today ESPN is the definitive sports programming network in the world. Make that networks. A look at the electronic program guide shows ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN News, ESPN Classic, and of course, "The Deuce" along with a few ESPN Alternate Channels thrown into the mix including ESPN Radio which is available both on-air or by satellite. Since it's acquisition a few years back by ABC it's as powerful a sports programming juggernaut anywhere with the NFL, College Football, MLB plus a variety of network produced programming. From upstart to ruler of the sports universe.

If you like serious sports coverage, you can tune into programs like The Sports Reporters. If you think sports should be taken a tad less seriously, then check out SportsNation with Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle. You choose.

SportsNation blends traditional broadcasting with viewer involvement via the Internet which is another area where ESPN continues to be the lead innovator in sports coverage on ESPN websites and social media channels like Twitter and Facebook.

Ultimately it's about multiple pipelines and choices for viewers. They not only program for viewers, they empower their viewers and digitally include them in the mix of what we see and read. Those viewers become "Brand Ambassadors" by sharing content with their friends.

I've had the chance to work with ESPN on projects several times and a visit to their campus in Bristol, CT boggles the mind. It's an incredible facility filled with incredibly creative people fully aware of the multiple ways they can reach out to us with content on demand. They also market themselves with very witty promos, featuring their on-air team along with real sports figures. Their coverage is fun, and so is the way they get you to watch it.

Information + entertainment = success.

So how can all this apply to your business, big or small? Simple.

1. Continue to innovate. Every day think of a better way.
2. Your customers are your best brand ambassadors. Use them. Provide them ROI when they promote you.
3. Take advantage of all the communications pipelines available to you, both traditional and new media.
4. Above all, make your content meaningful on your customer's Main Street. If you provide good information, deals etc. they will come back to you, they will follow you and get their friends to follow you as well. Content is king.

If it works for ESPN, it can work for you.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Spam better than no Spam for some.

I'm privileged to serve on the board of an agency that provides food, shelter, counseling, clothing and other emergency services for thousands of people each year. Part of our duties include "Learn the load" days where we work in different departments of the agency to better understand what we're responsible for administering.

Today I'll be working in the food pantry. By the end of the day we'll have distributed 4 tons of food. 4 tons. The doors open at 9am, people start lining up long before and this morning it will be a chilly wait.

I also read this story about the Denver Rescue Mission and their worry they won't have enough turkeys to distribute this Thanksgiving.

So I remain dismayed as to the media's obsession with the cruise line passengers "stranded" because of an engine room fire. Much of the coverage focused on the delivery of Spam to the ship while it was being towed. (Thank you US NAVY and the crew of CVN 76) It was the lead story this morning on one of the local stations here in Denver.

The lead story?

Don't mis-understand, I've been on cruises and would be as upset as anyone if something similar happened to me. But in this case there were no injuries, no one went hungry, everyone gets a refund plus a free cruise to make up for the inconvenience. Plus get on Network TV.

It all has be wondering what's worse. Being "stranded" on a cruise liner, or lining up in the cold to get something to eat. Even Spam. These folks are families, so very many just the victims of circumstance. I remember one morning seeing a mother and her two kids pulling a wagon full of groceries as they left the food bank. The kids were excited, not because they just got a new video game, but for the fact they had something to eat.

Think about it.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

First Snow

Think first, then post/talk/vent.

One of the key elements of media training is this:
"If you don't want to be quoted, don't say it"

Easier said than, uh, said. Or Tweeted.

Did you hear about the employee fired for posting unflattering things about her boss on Facebook? At least for now, the National Labor Relations Board is taking her side. As for the courts, we'll see.

We've all said things, accidentally or on purpose that we wish we could take back. I recall a story about President Lincoln who wrote an absolutely scathing letter to someone, then tore it up and threw it away. He just wanted to get it off his chest. No harm no foul, and no RT's.

Remember this infamous gaffe by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and what he wanted to do to a certain part of now-President Obama's anatomy? He later apologized but by then it was all over cyberspace with millions upon millions of hits and views.

Then there's Republican GOP Candidate Ken Buck who was a veritable hit parade of boot in mouth comments. Buck lost the election by the way.

A reminder to both, and the rest of us of another media truism. "The mike is always on."

Snippets of these kinds of things, taken in or out of context can be turned, almost instantly, into campaign ads by the competition. Or cost you your job and/or reputation.

What you say can and will be used against you.

"Boo-boo's" now spread at almost light speed. Suppose you Tweet something and before you re-think what you posted it's already being shared. Your followers share it with their followers and then on to their follower's follower's followers. Millions of impressions in moments. Follow the leader is now follow the Tweeter.

In the case of the aforementioned lady who lost her job, the courts will ultimately decide. The laws of the land aren't remotely keeping up with the speed of the Internet.

So, one more time: "If you don't want to be quoted, don't say it."

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

I learned this poem as a kid, a time when patriotism was still taught in school. I wonder how many kids have even heard of this poem which so eloquently tells the story of this day.

It was written by Lt. Col. John McRae of the Canadian Army in WWI. He saw combat and had to deal with the aftermath. This poem is a result of what he experienced. Please share with friends and family,

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McRae died in 1918 of Pneumonia.

Meet Windows Phone 7

Good advice from our client, Chemo101 about open enrollment.

See you next season Bevo

This is to announce the Bevo Blog will no longer be posted until 2011 due to the season ending tonight.

See you next year.

BEVO Blog. January to November

I think, in fact know, that Texas fans are scratching their heads and asking "Wha'-happened?" since last January. The 'Horns were in Pasadena playing 'Bama for the B(c)S National Championship and but for the early injury to Colt McCoy, well, who knows what might have happened.

Going into tomorrow's game against K-State the 'Horns are 4-4 and have a real chance of NOT being bowl eligible for the first time in a very, very long time. Texas was ranked #5 in the pre-season polls and now is just rank.

Texas is arguably one of the most successful money making sports machines in the nation, and under coach Mack Brown have a win-loss record including a B(c)S Championship that is the envy of just about every other FBS program in the nation.

But in Texas, there is winning and then there's "not exactly" and the fans are getting restless. Some are actually calling for Mack to step down. Cooler heads will prevail and while I wouldn't be surprised there will be a new offensive coordinator next season, Mack will, and should be at the controls of the 2011 Texas Longhorns.

There is every reason to be optimistic. McCoy the younger deserves a shot at starting QB and Shipley 2.0 is set to join the team. Can history repeat itself? We'll see.

Optimism is something that sustains fans through times of not-winning although winning beats optimism every time. But right now it's all Texas fans can hang our hats on.

The best we can say is there's a 100% chance that Texas has a 50-50 chance of winning at K-State tomorrow night.

It's something.

HOOK'EM!

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Walkin' the talk at TLC Meals on Wheels.

Why some won, and others lost.

It's the morning after. Campaign ads have been replaced by pitches for furniture and cars. Whew!

There's lots of "analysis" going on this morning about why candidates won and lost. The best I ever heard was back in 1994 when I was a News Director in Texas. 40 year incumbent and Democrat Jack Brooks lost his seat to an upstart Republican. (Brooks is seen in the background in the famous picture aboard Air Force One when Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office after the assasination of President Kennedy.)

One of our reporters asked Rep. Brooks why he lost. 'The othe guy got more votes than me," was his response. Hard to argue with that logic.

This morning we still don't know who won the Senate Race in Colorado. The folks up in Alaska woke up to the same news. In this era of high technology, counting votes continues to be a labor-intensive task.

After the votes are counted comes the hard part. Not for the people elected but for the people who elected them. Our work has just begun. Hold those who represent us accountable. Write, e-mail or call. Take advantage of the time when they're back in your district. Ask the tough questions. Be involved in the on-going process of government if for no other reason than it's our government.

We, the people.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Remembering Election Nights Past

Back in the day when I was a News Director and/or News Anchor, election night was what we lived for. The day starts early and runs long into the night. The latest I recall ever being on set was around 2:30am during an extremely close Senate race in Wyoming.

Our lead political reporter had done his homework and we were able to project Senator Malcolm Wallop the winner, then signed off and went to bed. Our projection was spot on. Our competition trumpeted the fact they stayed on until dawn until the final official results were in. A few bleary eyed folks likely stayed up with them but we were comfortable with both the call, and the decision to call it a night.

My other election memory is the late, great Tim Russert's legendary coverage of the 2000 Presidential Election. It was Bush vs Gore, with Tim pulling out a decidedly analog white board tracking the numbers and predicting accurately it would be the state of Florida which would decide who won and who didn't. Actually it was the Supreme Court, but ultimately based on what Tim predicted about Florida. About the only thing Tim didn't predict was hanging chads.

Flipping around the channels it looks like the networks will have some dazzling imagery to help tell the story. I doubt any of them will match what Tim Russert did with a simple dry erase board. (Which resides in the Smithsonian by the way) Although if Tim were still around, he'd likely use an iPad tonight. But Tim kept it all understandable, which is what a reporter is supposed to do. Tonight I'm just a viewer like you. Here's hoping the focus of coverage is solid information and analysis, not show business, light shows and incessant spin.

I sure miss Tim.

-Brian Olson

Conversation Starters LLC

"We start the conversation about you"

Our new Joint Venture

(Brian Olson and Ann Baldwin)


It's an exciting time for us here at Conversation Starters as we announce our new joint venture partner, Baldwin Media Marketing of Hartford, CT. Owner Ann Baldwin and I have been friends since we started our our careers in broadcast journalism at KGWN-TV in Cheyenne, WY in the 1980's. Both of us moved on to bigger markets and a significant level of experience in broadcast journalism.

Our careers shifted to communications about the same time when Ann started her company and I joined Echostar Communications.

For our new and existing clients the new venture allows both of us to raise the level of service we can offer in traditional and social media, media training and strategic planning. A level of experience and service measured in decades.

We've been working on this project since earlier this year, and are now ready to take both our companies but more importantly our clients, to the next level.

It's going to be a fun ride!

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"