Happy New Year!

Another year has past. We here at Conversation Starters Public Relations are happy to still be Conversation Starters Public Relations! Some say this was the worst kind of economic environment to start a small business.

We disagree.

Business schools a generation from now will look back at this time and see it as a "Entrepreneurial Revolution." A time when people figured out how to get it done, to toss away the old business models and build new ones. We need banks but are not beholden to them. We need government but we're not going to allow it to tell us how to run our businesses. It's the businesses on Main Street USA that will lead the economic recovery.

We are here to stay.

Happy New Year!

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And will continue doing so in 2011)

Denver PD: Let's go to the video.

The Denver Police Department is suffering some image problems. To be fair, most police department do. But recent allegations of excessive force and more than a few people wondering if it's the police or the gangs that control downtown after dark has DPD taking their message to YouTube. Watch the clip here.

Personally and professionally, this isn't how I'd do such a video. It comes across like a movie trailer for a Bruce Willis film. Far too theatrical. They lost me at the slo-mo jump over the garbage can.

In a report about it by 9NEWS, DPD Detective John White said "It was one of the things that we wanted to do to kind of illustrate, show our community; this is what your police department does, these are the types of perils that your officers put themselves in to keep you safe."

The video cost $2,000 to produce, paid for by the Denver Police Foundation.

Being a cop is a dangerous job. I can only imagine the emotion and adrenalin flow when chasing a bad guy. We need police to do just that. The job after all, is to protect and serve.

But this video doesn't serve the goal of educating us about what they do. A better option would be a direct message from real officers about the realities of what they face each day, and why they choose to do it. The focus should be less on special effects, and more on message. We'd all be better served.

Like all such efforts, it's designed to start the conversation. In this case, I'm not sure DPD will be happy with the conversation they started.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Looking back a good way to look forward.

This is the time of year where we see lots of "Year-End " pieces on newscasts and other outlets. A look back at the year that was.

Sometime ago while working for a Fortune 300 company, I wanted to do such a piece for one of our corporate broadcasts. It had been a year of enormous accomplishment and I thought it would be good to document it. The idea was vetoed, the philosophy being it was the type of company that always looked forward, never back. The fact it was a successful Fortune 300 company made it hard to argue with their decision.

That said, it's good to see where you've been, to remember ups and downs because we're so darn busy sometimes we forget. I did a Google search for "Year End" and came up with 116 Million results! Everything from news to sports to tax preparation.

Personally I like to do a family video of all that we did during the past year. It's a fun way to remember what is most always great moments. Remembering the tougher times is also a good way to remind yourself you can survive them.

Looking back at it all, looking back is a good thing. Especially if you want to look forward.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Blizzard not impacting Blizzard Coverage

Winter has come early to many parts of the country, even parts of the country that don't see a lot of winter-like weather.

The East Coast is getting hammered today, but we're getting full coverage. A generation ago such a storm meant cutting off a main news pipeline like the daily paper. It just couldn't get delivered. With pretty much three choices for news, snow kept a lot of reporters from even getting to work.

Not so in today's wireless world. Online editions of papers are reaching people's computers and PDA's. Live shots are being done by Skype. Reporters stranded on trains trying to get to work are filing stories from their laptops and PDA's.

Stations that are forced to do more with less these days rely heavily on their own viewers. Great snow pictures and videos are being shared on various news outlets websites. People are also posting on Twitter and Facebook. Here's a time lapse video of the storm from one person on YouTube. It's had over 13-thousand hits.

People stuck at stations, truck stops or airports are able to re-book (if not immediately) flights online. At the very least it's a coping mechanism and a way to keep up on what's going on.

Who knows where and when the next storm will hit? It doesn't matter because WE'VE got it covered.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (Even in snowstorms)

Christmas: A True Story

This is the first scripture I ever memorized.

St. Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

-Merry Christmas from all of us at Conversation Starters Public Relations

Christmas Music by Pianist Lisa Downing.

In the spirit of Christmas, please enjoy this performance of
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by our client, Denver Pianist
and Composer, Lisa Downing.



Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And the music)

"Net Neutrality" Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

If you're reading this, it's safe to surmise (as opposed to assume) you have access to the Internet. In a way, the 'Net is a 21st century version of the wild, wild west. But like it or not, it's the main venue for commerce and communication in our world.

There's also plenty of competition to provide access to it from a myriad of providers. Competition has always been good for consumers. It's when you try and regulate it where we get the short end of the digital stick.

Yesterday the FCC voted along party lines to implement so-called "Net Neutrality." It's supposedly designed to protect us. Protect us from what? Competition? It's supposedly designed to make sure we all have access to all things on the 'Net. At least in my case, I have no problems doing that now.

I'm going to yield the rest of my time to Denver Post Columnist David Harsanyi who makes a well-reasoned argument to save the 'Net and abolish the FCC. I'm all for the former, not so much about the latter. The FCC does serve a purpose but in this case it's a bad case of over-reach.

Read David Harsanyi's Opinion Piece here.

The problem about rules is, more rules always follow. When it comes to the 'Net, let's leave it up to consumers. We're a heck of a lot smarter than government gives us credit for.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And like using the Internet to do just that)

Early Risers are Informed Risers

"The Early Bird Gets the Worm"

I'm not a big fan of worms, but I am a news junkie and local news outlets are realizing that more and more of us are waking up early. I just read an article in TVSpy (A fave among those in broadcast journalism) about several news outlets expanding their morning news to 4:30am starts. One station moved up its start time to 4:25. Here in Denver, KUSA 9News recently expanded their morning block to a 4:30am start.

As a bit of history, it wasn't long ago that local stations just programmed "cut-ins" at 25 minutes past the hour during shows like Today. A headline or two and weather. It used to be enough. Not anymore.

We're a society that is getting up, and going to bed earlier. For those in the business of news, it's the the morning broadcast that's the career destination of first choice. Here in Denver, the focus in the 4:30 half-hour is headlines but really on business, weather and traffic. The target demographic is obvious. Professionals looking for what's new before heading out to a work-out or early start to the business day. There's also a chunk of the population who are shift workers, and the 4:30am broadcast is their version of the 5pm news.

Having been a morning show Executive Producer, the hours for those producing early news are killer. My lead producer showed up for work at 11pm the night before to get the "hand-off" from the late news team. Writers and associate producers showed up about 1:30am with me coming in around 2:30. Yes, the news anchors play an active role in the production of the newscast. They arrive plenty early and contribute to the writing and editing.

Many local news outlets are producing as much as 50-55 hours a week of news along with their station websites and social media pages. All these pipelines are voracious for content which is good news for those of us in the PR Business. It still has to be meaningful content, but if you want placement for a client, morning news is where you make your pitch.

Morning news is fueled by coffee and comfortable anchor chairs. (And frequent scheduled trips to the bathroom) Sitting on the set for as long as four hours is hard work.

Regardless of what time we watch, as for me, I'm also going online for news via iPad or laptop. Sometimes I have the TV on split screen. There are lots of pipelines, and local news is embracing them and competing for the eyeballs that use them. Regardless of time.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Gifts Ideas That Make a Difference.

The gift scramble is on. Everyone is making a final check of their list before the last minute dash to malls and department stores. So what's on your list? I'd like to make some suggestions for gifts that will have a genuine and positive impact on people's lives. You may never meet them, but your heart will know. It's a grand feeling.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado. We hear so much being reported about declining graduation rates from high school. No diploma, no ticket to college. Not so at Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado where all kids not only graduate from high school, but usually get their college degree in four years. All these terrific kids need is a little help from you. Meet some of them here.

Jeffco Action Center. The Action Center helps good people in so many great ways. The food bank provides four TONS of food each day. There's help for clothing, emergency shelter, rent assistance, medical help and counseling. Who are the people being helped? You'd be surprised. They could be your neighbor. Listen to Nancy's Story.

Bonfils Blood Center. Only 4% of eligible donors actually give blood here in Colorado. 4%. Giving blood is easy, takes less than an hour and saves some one's life. The demand is especially large during the holidays and donors just the opposite. Think about it, it costs nothing but a bit of your time and saves a life. What better gift?

Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. If you've never been to Wings over the Rockies you're missing something special. It's a place where you can touch the planes, heck, you can even sit in many of them on Open Cockpit days. Museum memberships are very affordable and the gift store is a terrific place to shop for the aviation enthusiast on your list. The museum has a huge commitment to aerospace education for the next generation of pilots, engineers and astronauts to help us return to the stars. The last person to walk on the moon, Astronaut Gene Cernan talked about just that.

Air Medical Memorial. Over three-hundred crew members of emergency medical air missions have lost their lives in the line of duty. The Air Medical Memorial will honor their sacrifice. Each and every day they take to the air to bring people to hospitals from crashes and disasters, and they save time and lives doing so. We rarely hear about them. Your donation can honor them in a most fitting way.

Gifts that give. I hope you consider any or all of the above.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Larry King, The Great Conversation Starter

Larry King signed off on CNN last night.



I met Larry one time, he was a guest at a corporate event I produced a few years back along with my friends and colleagues from Turner Broadcasting. King was taller than he looks on TV, and was a restless type. He was always on the move and anxious to get the party started.

In recent years his once sky high ratings disappeared, the victim of competition from others doing what he helped invent. It's the way of television.

That said, there was a time if you wanted to live in the White House, you needed to appear on Larry King Live. Larry King had the biggest Rolodex file in the world, and he got the guests others could only dream of. Heads of State, the biggest stars and the odd....oddball.

His interview style was quaint by today's standards. He didn't rant, rave or attack. He just asked questions folks on Main Street would ask. It worked for a very long time. Should he have hung up his trademark suspenders earlier? That wasn't for us to decide. Larry King did that last night.

Moving forward, Piers Morgan takes over the seat. You might know Morgan as the British judge from America's Got Talent. Personally I don't think Morgan has the talent to keep this particular talk show ship afloat. CNN ratings have been in a huge decline in recent years, ironic in that they invented the 24 hour news format. Others have jumped in, innovated and taken the lead.

The one constant about TV, is nothing is constant.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Zuckerberg good choice for Person of the Year.

Courtesy: Time Magazine

Facebook PIC (Poster in Chief) Mark Zuckerberg is having a good year. At age 26 he's worth billions, a hit movie was made about how he either created, or stole the idea for Facebook and now he's on the cover of Time Magazine as "Man of the Year." He's the second youngest person ever to grace the cover. Aviator Charles Lindbergh beat him by a year. In a way, both accomplished similar things in how we live our lives. Lindbergh proved we could get from here to there faster. Zuckerberg has us communicating faster than ever before.

It's a good choice. The Tea Party by the way, was runner-up.

My epiphany about Facebook came this summer while in Alaska. While we had plenty of Internet access, even at a remote village 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle, we were so busy there was little time to digitally check in. I noticed that I was going to both my business and personal Facebook pages first.

I've heard/read different opinions about just how many people are connected by Facebook, but 1/10 of the world's population is a good estimate. Some 500 million people. There are a lot of people actually making a living teaching others how to make the best use of Facebook as part of a social media strategy for business. I'm one of them.

For most, it's just being connected. A colleague keeps her network to a group of close friends. She described Facebook as like having a high school reunion every day.

Business Schools are already studying Facebook's business model and how Zuckerberg runs his business. You've heard of Cloud Computing. Facebook has Cloud Management.

More than a few pundits wondered why WikiLeak LIC (Leaker in Chief) Julian Assange wasn't chosen. The response was that five years from now, he'll be at most, a footnote in history. As for Facebook, we'll see.

When someone is chosen as Person of the Year, it's not necessarily for doing something good. Just having a profound impact on society; good, bad or in-between. Among the 500 million Facebook users are a lot of very bad people using the technology to steal and to stalk.

There's also no small irony in Time's choice as it's a very analog publication trying to be relevant in this age of Facebook.

Most striking is the cover itself. Study the picture, especially those eyes. It's like he's peering into our very soul. Maybe he is.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (Facebook is one way we do that)

Obama takes it to the street. Main Street.

Local political reporter Adam Schrager of KUSA 9NEWS had a one-on-one interview this week with President Obama. One of several the President is conducting with local reporters to pitch his economic message.

I don't know about the other reporters who got the invitation, but Adam is a terrific journalist. I know him personally and professionally. What ever his political views may be, they aren't evident in his reporting. Frankly, I hope to see him hosting "Meet the Press" some day.

The President made a good decision reaching out to reporters who practice their craft on Main Street USA. As viewers we connect far better with our local reporters than those who live in the isolated and pampered world of Washington and New York. The DC political reporting scene is incestuous. After hours, reporters and political types mingle at the same cocktail parties and soirees.

Not so much here at home. No limos for reporters like Adam. He drives himself to work.

So it was good to see a reporter I respect sit down with the President of the United States. Obama was on message, but I paid far more attention because I respected the reporting about what he said.

Thank you Adam. Thank you Mr. President.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And enjoy listening to other conversations)

SMDC Red Ribbon Cutting-The Egg and I

It's not your brand anymore. It's "Ours"

I attended a Social Media Summit produced by Ragan Communications (Which I heartily recommend) earlier this year and came away with several knowledge nuggets including the fact that companies really don't "own" their brands anymore. In this age of social media which empowers consumers like never before, it's "We the digital people" that own the brand.

A few days afterwards I shared this with the CEO of a company that had an increasingly bad reputation on the Internet, a rep growing worse every day. He scoffed at the concept that anyone but he owned the brand. Analog thinking in a digital age.

A few months later the company was OOB. You can't run and you can't hide anymore. Treat a customer poorly, and if you don't make good, they'll post about it on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Others of the same opinion will soon share it and voila, a movement begins. Just ask the TSA. Heard any stories about junk being grabbed lately?

It can work in a positive way too. One of the biggest fan pages on Facebook is for Coca-Cola. It's not run by Coke, but by fans of the brand. The site has tons of followers. Some friends of mine have started a social media campaign for their chain of restaurants. Their food and service is good, they're nice folks so I click the "like" button anytime I see a post.

Social Media can also protect the brand reputation. Should someone complain about you online, engage them and try and solve the problem. Social Media can be a great fire break, before the fire breaks out. An established social media presence can also act as a 'Future Shock-Shock Absorber" when un-fair attacks are made.

Good product and service remain the golden rules of business. Ignore your customers and they'll do anything but ignore you. Take them for granted and they'll take you right out of business. It just takes a few clicks.

They own the brand. Get used to it.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Perception is Reality

One of the things I learned a long time ago in the news biz, is that perception is reality. It's not the story. It's how it's perceived. The viewer's perception is their reality.

A pretty good example of all this came last Friday in a rather extraordinary news conference at the White House. Putting a full court press on resolving the whole tax issue, President Obama brought in former President Bill Clinton to help sell the deal to rebellious Democrats.

Then this happened.

THE President bailed and the FORMER President stayed on at the White House Podium aka "The Bully Pulpit" fielding national policy issues. Deja Vu all over again. Clinton was in his element and Obama was heading to the residence. Clinton played on, and on despite efforts by Bob Gibbs to give him the hook.

Reaction from pundits ranged from shock and no small amount of awe to politics as unusual.

But the image of a sitting President leaving the room and leaving things to a former President who knows how to work a room as good as Reagan or Roosevelt ever did was a stunner. At least that was my perception and therefore my reality.

Ultimately it may be no big deal. Folks living along Main Street are getting ready for Christmas while worried about paying for it. Maybe we're all to pre-occupied to have even noticed. Again, just my perception.

What's yours?

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Death AND Taxes a Bad Mix.

The Friday "Op-Ed"

Taxes are the talk of Washington these days. When aren't they? But a particular odorous part of the debate is the so-called "Death Tax." Its when you pass on to your reward and those who inherit your estate pay taxes on it.

Regardless of size, your estate was built on hard word. You earned money, on which you were taxed. You invested it, or purchased real estate etc, on which you were taxed again.

We need to pay taxes. It's how we pay to keep the roads paved and police on the beat. But at a certain point, enough is enough. But getting taxed from the grave is just plain wrong.

There are more than a few in Washington who believe it's only "fair" to tax your descendants when they inherit what you worked for, and payed taxes on during your lifetime. When challenged by a news anchor about the fairness of it all, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-New York) said it doesn't matter.

"They'll be dead," was his response.

If you wonder why so many family owned businesses end up not being family owned, this is the reason. Taxing something that has already been taxed over and over again, defies reason. Reason enough, at the very least, to cut the "death" tax rather than increase it even more.

Junk it all together makes the most sense.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Hackers hack me off.

I'm starting to realize the hackers are in charge. Anonymous and deadly to computer systems. Proof comes from the on-going drama surrounding Wikileaks and the jailing of Wikihoncho Julian Assange.

Reprisals from his supporters are coming from hackers who apparently can shut down the systems of companies like Visa and Mastercard.

They're the newest breed of terrorist. As if we need new ones.

Governments and corporations, if they aren't already, better start getting ready for cyber wars from an invisible enemy that can destroy commerce with a click or two on a computer. We've become far to dependent on technology. It's a new reality and in this case, reality does indeed bite.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (As long as the servers are working)

For Your "Colorado Gives" Consideration

Today is a big day for giving and receiving, all part of the "Colorado Gives" campaign. If you want to make a difference in a number of Colorado-based non-profits, today is your day.

I'd like to recommend two for your consideration:

1. Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado. They just signed on as one of our clients, and provide terrific educational opportunities for kids from tough circumstances who just need a stable living and learning environment to succeed. ALL go on to college, the huge majority graduating in four years. Meet the kids.

2. Jeffco Action Center. Wow, what doesn't the Action Center do? From food and clothing to those who need it most, to emergency shelter, counseling and medical services, the team at the Action Center gets it done. The demand is huge. The food bank alone gives out 4 tons of food each day. The clients just could be your neighbors, you just don't know it. Here's just one success story.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Pearl Harbor a Must-See When In Hawaii

Today marks the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941. A day which President Franklin Roosevelt described as a "day of infamy." It marked the entrance of the United States into World War II which already had been raging in Europe.

Should your travels take you to Hawaii, especially Honolulu, you owe it to yourself and those who both died and survived that day to tour both the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri. (BB-63) The Arizona took a direct hit down one of her smokestacks and sunk with much of the crew trapped below decks. Just down from the memorial built above the sunken ship is the Missouri, where the war officially ended in August of 1945. My late father-in-law was aboard the Missouri when the Japanese surrendered in Tokyo Bay.

We recently returned to Pearl Harbor and toured the Missouri. Here's a video tour in two parts:





Sadly, very few of those who made it through that day of infamy remain with us today. It's my hope you someday get to visit Pearl Harbor. You feel the history when you're there and you'll never forget your visit.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you" (And keep memories alive)

Chemo101.com Launches Today!

Denver, Colorado – 12/06/2010 – Chemo101.com, a new educational website for cancer patients, made its official launch during the American Society of Hematology meeting this past weekend in Orlando, FL. The brainchild of veteran healthcare consultant to the pharmaceutical industry, Kristin Gustafson, Chemo101 is an innovative and comprehensive new platform that provides those undergoing treatment with the most up-to-date resources and information they need, all in one easy to access place online. From treatment options, and side effects, to insurance matters and other associated costs, Chemo101 offers patients and caregivers a one-stop resource to help navigate through a confusing and unfamiliar process . It provides information to ease the anxiety and fears that come with diagnosis and treatment.
Says Gustafson, President and founder of Chemo101, "Now cancer patients and caregivers will have their own comprehensive site to get the latest information on all matters related to the chemotherapy experience. For years we've been listening closely to healthcare providers and patients share their personal challenges in managing the physical and financial impact of cancer treatments. Many patients have to stop or alter therapy due to unforeseen side effects or escalating treatment costs. We've made it our goal to help patients access critical information about their treatments and financial options in a simple and concise way that will allow them to take more control in the decision making process. What makes Chemo101 unique to other resources is that we have incorporated learning principles that will help individuals with varying backgrounds better understand the information. It’s an information source that’s reliable, user-friendly and of true value”
Chemo101 is accessible online in beta format at www.Chemo101.com. Patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers can log on to review this new resource and provide feedback.
About Chemo101:
Chemo101 is a Denver, CO based organization focused on providing educational resources for cancer patients and caregivers, and patient management solutions for healthcare professionals. Chemo101 is also the administrator of Chemo101Gives, a 501 (c) (3) pending non-profit, dedicated to providing financial support for the non-medical needs of cancer patients.

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

Where there's no will, there's no way.

Op-Ed

You've likely heard of, but perhaps not read the recommendations of the Presidential Debt Reduction Commission. You can read it here. The commission is led by former Wyoming Senator Alan K. Simpson and Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. (This disclaimer: I've known Senator Simpson for some 25 years, seeing him most recently this past September)

Simpson's comments while making the rounds of interviews have been his usual colorful self. Bowles has been a bit more scholarly in tone. Either way, the focus is clear: Increase revenues and cut spending.

It's basic economics, which is understood everywhere else except government. It's hard to understand, why government can't understand, that you can't spend money you don't have.

The nation is broke. Deficits and debt are measured in the Trillions and we'll soon have to invent a new word for the next level. For now I'll use a Gazillion.

Gadzooks.

There of course have been howls of outrage about what needs to be done to dig out of this hole. Simpson responds, ""America, you have a serious problem and time is short to address it." Bowles makes his feeling clear as well describing Washington's penchant for spending money like drunken sailors as " a cancer, destroying our nation from within."

Some pundits question why we on Main Street should bear the brunt of all this. They say it was Washington, not us who created the problem. Actually it is our fault. We elected the same people year after year, decade after decade to bring home the bacon. It's our job and responsibility as citizens to pay attention to what's going on in Washington. The power lies with us, we only lend it to those we elect to represent us.

We were asleep at the switch while Washington maxed out the national credit card, manufactured new ones and maxed those too. The bills have come due. We've run out of paper and plastic.

If we have the will, we will find a way to dig out from the mountain of debt that is our sad legacy to our kids, our grand kids and their kids. It's going to hurt, big-time, for a long time.

But if we don't have the will, there's no way out. China owns the second mortgage on the White House and are licking their chops to foreclose.

Think about it.

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

S.I. knows "J"

I read just two weekly magazines in the traditional print format; Bloomberg Business Week and Sports Illustrated. Both are my "End of the day, curl up and read cover to cover before lights out" pleasures. As long as they continue to publish, I'll subscribe and read.

My focus today is on the extraordinary journalism delivered each week in Sports Illustrated. The current issue featuring Sportsman of the Year Drew Brees is a perfect example. Inside there's a fascinating dissection of Syney Crosby's goal that led Team Canada to a win over Team USA in the Olympic Hockey Final. S.I. and writer Michael Farber committed 8 pages to the 8 second sequence of how the play developed with the resulting score. Slow-mo in print.

Then there's the piece by Thomas Lake on the death of High School Football player Max Gilpin, one of at least 665 kids to die playing the sport since 1931. No tidy ending to this story, just a well documented account of something that shouldn't have happened.

A few weeks ago in the November 15 issue, S.I. thoroughly documented what a farce the current BCS system is, and where the money really goes. (It's not the teams despite what the BCS Cartel claims.) I was surprised, make that shocked and angry by the time I read the article. The kind of emotions good journalism should and must create.

S.I. over course is also digital, and various incarnations are available on the Internet and as apps for your iPad.

But in this case, I'm going to savor the pleasure of holding a terrific print publication in my hand, to enjoy turning each page to read brilliant and responsible sports journalism.

And the Swimsuit Edition.

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

Losing your cool isn't cool.

Did you see Arizona QB Derek Anderson laughing on the sidelines while his team was getting stomped by the 49ers? Did you see him launch into a tirade when a reporter asked him about it in the post-game news conference?

The tantrum heard 'round the world.

It was everywhere and a classic case of how not to deal with the news media. Anderson laughed, later threw a tantrum and both incidents went viral. There was some attempt at damage control but that horse already left the barn leaving a big pile of manure behind.

Reporters get paid to ask questions of their choice, not ours. Whether or not you think they're fair doesn't matter. It's how you handle the question that's important.

More than a few execs have asked me, "Why did they ask that question, why didn't they ask what I wanted to talk about?" What they should be asking is why didn't they spend time on media training.

If you or your company/organization is in the public eye, or think you might be, you'd be wise to invest in media training. Even more so if you don't think you'll ever be in the spotlight. Better to be prepared and have nothing happen than the other way around.

Think of media training as building a fire break before the fire starts.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you" (Especially when someone else starts it first)