Super Bowl week is here. The NFL loves to use Roman Numerals to denote which one it is, this year it's XLV. That's 45 to us regular folks.
I was a field producer at Super Bowl XXX, aka 30, in Phoenix. It was the Steelers vs the Cowboys. (The latter won the game)
I hope everyone of you gets to go to at least one Super Bowl. Words just don't describe the pomp and circumstance surrounding the darn thing. As a field producer my day began at 5am and continued on through the next morning as we provided coverage, satellite services and interviews etc for clients here in the US and also FUJI Television in Japan.
The most fun and absolutely weirdest event is media day. Back then there were about 2500 credentialed media. I hear something like 5000 credentials have been issued this year. The huge majority are not journalist, just celebs and the like. 99% ask the same questions. It's a distraction for the players and not about news. It's all about hype.
Of course there are all the parties, but us poor slobs covering the event don't have time to attend them. We're lucky to even see the game itself.
For me the most memorable moment came before the game. The fly-over was a "Missing Man" formation. One of the pilots was the son of Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger which exploded 25 years ago during launch. USAF Captain Richard Scobee led a flight of four F-16 fighters. As they flew over Sun Devil Stadium, he pulled back on the stick and soared straight upwards to the heavens, honoring his father in the most profound way.
More than a few of us shed more than a few tears.
Like most of you, I'll be watching the game from the comfort of a sofa, remembering I got to attend a Super Bowl but more than happy not to put in a 24 hour day doing so.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
For what it's worth.
As I watch/hear about the rioting going on in Egypt I'm reminded of the classic song, "For what it's worth" by Buffalo Springfield.
There are indeed "Battle lines being drawn...."
Today's political "Vitriol" is nothing compared to what went on in this country in the 60's. Somehow a movement grew which ended a presidency without the Internet and Cell Phones.
As this whole mess started, one of the first moves of the Egyptian Government was to cut off all Internet and Cell service, along with outside television news. It won't work.
From what I've seen it appears Egypt is on the brink of a full blown revolution. The key word being "Seen." Images are everything and in this case, one of the focal points of protests is the Communications HQ of Egypt, which also happens to be where the International News Media is broadcasting from. It's where the images are coming from and they're powerful. To the point of Oil prices going up, and Wall Street prices going down.
Images from Egypt to images of how the rioting is impacting Wall Street and by extension Main Street, by events half a world away.
It's always about images. No matter how hard the government of Egypt tries to prevent those images going out, they can't stop them.
There is nothing more powerful than image, and it always finds a way out for better or for worse.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
There are indeed "Battle lines being drawn...."
Today's political "Vitriol" is nothing compared to what went on in this country in the 60's. Somehow a movement grew which ended a presidency without the Internet and Cell Phones.
As this whole mess started, one of the first moves of the Egyptian Government was to cut off all Internet and Cell service, along with outside television news. It won't work.
From what I've seen it appears Egypt is on the brink of a full blown revolution. The key word being "Seen." Images are everything and in this case, one of the focal points of protests is the Communications HQ of Egypt, which also happens to be where the International News Media is broadcasting from. It's where the images are coming from and they're powerful. To the point of Oil prices going up, and Wall Street prices going down.
Images from Egypt to images of how the rioting is impacting Wall Street and by extension Main Street, by events half a world away.
It's always about images. No matter how hard the government of Egypt tries to prevent those images going out, they can't stop them.
There is nothing more powerful than image, and it always finds a way out for better or for worse.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Thursday, January 27, 2011
SOTU TV Ratings. So what?
The television ratings are in for this week's State of the Union Address and they're the lowest of the three such speeches delivered by President Obama.
So less people are watching them on TV, but how might we otherwise be following the speech?
How about things like satellite radio? Or the Internet, or simply following coverage by reporters and pundits via Twitter, Facebook or running Blogs?
While less people may be watching in the traditional sense, more may be following along digitally. More importantly we can now interact with the coverage, no longer tied to what a small group of reporters and pundits report in what used to be a one-way line of communication.
Choice and interaction. The ability to listen and respond. A good thing for Democracy.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
So less people are watching them on TV, but how might we otherwise be following the speech?
How about things like satellite radio? Or the Internet, or simply following coverage by reporters and pundits via Twitter, Facebook or running Blogs?
While less people may be watching in the traditional sense, more may be following along digitally. More importantly we can now interact with the coverage, no longer tied to what a small group of reporters and pundits report in what used to be a one-way line of communication.
Choice and interaction. The ability to listen and respond. A good thing for Democracy.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
TV. What a interesting concept.
I just read an interesting piece in Businessweek about how "Marketing Missteps Stalled TV Sales." Cliff Edwards writes that 2010 pretty much sucked for folks selling televisions for a living.
Speaking as a consumer, Cliff's story didn't surprise me. We have 4 TV's at our house. Two are HD, two standard-def. As there's just two of us living here, 4 is more than enough.
I saw a 3DTV Demo last year and while it's cool, it was the dang glasses that had me saying no. At least for now. Priced at $150 a pop and with batteries that need replacing there were too many potholes in that visual road. So, how many pairs should you have? What if 5 people show up to visit instead of 4 for your Super Bowl party? What happens if you forgot to replace the batteries in some of the glasses? Who would be the odd man/woman out? The industry is working on that, but not to the point where I'm going to buy. Or even think about buying.
Oh yeah, there's the whole LACK OF PROGRAMMING too.
Again, Cliff nails it when he talks about the marketers focusing too much on jargon like "LCD," "LED," "Wi-Fi Capable," and "Internet Ready."
Say what? None of them said the darn things were just TV's that had some other features. But ultimately they were just TV's.
Lastly the economy didn't help and isn't helping today. A lot of folks dropped big bucks on flat screens just before the bust. We're not remotely interested in dropping more bucks on something that marketers seem intent on confusing us about.
It's just a TV. When we get home, we want to turn it on and watch programming. That's it. If the TV can do some other things, fine. But don't over complicate one of the most basic forms of entertainment the huge majority of us have known all our lives.
Never has the KISS rule applied more.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Speaking as a consumer, Cliff's story didn't surprise me. We have 4 TV's at our house. Two are HD, two standard-def. As there's just two of us living here, 4 is more than enough.
I saw a 3DTV Demo last year and while it's cool, it was the dang glasses that had me saying no. At least for now. Priced at $150 a pop and with batteries that need replacing there were too many potholes in that visual road. So, how many pairs should you have? What if 5 people show up to visit instead of 4 for your Super Bowl party? What happens if you forgot to replace the batteries in some of the glasses? Who would be the odd man/woman out? The industry is working on that, but not to the point where I'm going to buy. Or even think about buying.
Oh yeah, there's the whole LACK OF PROGRAMMING too.
Again, Cliff nails it when he talks about the marketers focusing too much on jargon like "LCD," "LED," "Wi-Fi Capable," and "Internet Ready."
Say what? None of them said the darn things were just TV's that had some other features. But ultimately they were just TV's.
Lastly the economy didn't help and isn't helping today. A lot of folks dropped big bucks on flat screens just before the bust. We're not remotely interested in dropping more bucks on something that marketers seem intent on confusing us about.
It's just a TV. When we get home, we want to turn it on and watch programming. That's it. If the TV can do some other things, fine. But don't over complicate one of the most basic forms of entertainment the huge majority of us have known all our lives.
Never has the KISS rule applied more.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Cutler's a quitter. Heard it on Twitter.
Today at 6am mountain, some 36 hours after the NFC Championship Game, the lead on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning was Jay Cutler. As I sat down to tap this out, the lead on The Dan Patrick Show was...wait for it...Jay Cutler.
There are two reasons why it remains the lead sports story of the day.
1. Show producers decide what's the lead.
2. Twitter apparently has a profound effect on show producers.
We flash back to Sunday when Cutler is pulled from the game with a knee injury. Does it matter he tried to play with the injury in the 3rd Quarter? Nope. Does it matter he's a Type 1 Diabetic? Nope. Does it matter that his coach and teammates support him? Nope.
What matters is that several current and former NFL players called him out on Twitter. During the game. Most of it was along the lines of "They'd have to drag me off the field before I'd quit" variety of Tweet. Cutler's actions on the sideline, or lack thereof contributed to what became a Twitter Firestorm, with Tweets coming in every second.
So at least in the sports world, Cutler remains the lead.
Yesterday on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, Tony Kornheiser called Twitter a "Plague." Jay Cutler likely agrees.
For better or worse, if you doubt the power of Social Media, (There's a movie about it) you might want to stop doubting and start believing. Does your company or organization have a Social Media Plan in place? If not, why not? It can help you if you're the lead story, whether it's a good story or a bad one.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And help you manage that conversation when someone else starts it)
There are two reasons why it remains the lead sports story of the day.
1. Show producers decide what's the lead.
2. Twitter apparently has a profound effect on show producers.
We flash back to Sunday when Cutler is pulled from the game with a knee injury. Does it matter he tried to play with the injury in the 3rd Quarter? Nope. Does it matter he's a Type 1 Diabetic? Nope. Does it matter that his coach and teammates support him? Nope.
What matters is that several current and former NFL players called him out on Twitter. During the game. Most of it was along the lines of "They'd have to drag me off the field before I'd quit" variety of Tweet. Cutler's actions on the sideline, or lack thereof contributed to what became a Twitter Firestorm, with Tweets coming in every second.
So at least in the sports world, Cutler remains the lead.
Yesterday on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, Tony Kornheiser called Twitter a "Plague." Jay Cutler likely agrees.
For better or worse, if you doubt the power of Social Media, (There's a movie about it) you might want to stop doubting and start believing. Does your company or organization have a Social Media Plan in place? If not, why not? It can help you if you're the lead story, whether it's a good story or a bad one.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And help you manage that conversation when someone else starts it)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Format Change for SOTU?
| "He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."-Article II, Section 3 of the United States Constitution. | |
After the speech, which is interrupted way too many times by scripted pauses and applause lines, a representative of the "Loyal Opposition" delivers the "Response" from some room, somewhere.
I think we'd all be better served if at the very least, the opposing party delivered its remarks right there in the House, simply taking the podium after the President speaks. Following that, the President would then be offered the opportunity for a rebuttal. Not a debate, but an exchange of thoughts and ideas.
Better yet would be something akin to "Question Time" in the British Parliament. Members of Parliament ask questions directly of the Prime Minister and it can get quite raucous. But it's a great and very entertaining exchange of political thought.
Better yet, why not questions submitted via Twitter and Facebook from, gasp, real citizens?
Who knows, SOTU could end up with better ratings than the Super Bowl. Just a thought.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Friday, January 21, 2011
When all else fails, try Quality.
I was out clearing the snow off the driveway yesterday morning and realized while putting on my SOREL Boots I'd had the darn things for some 20 years. Granted I don't wear them every day, but when I'm out in the snow (which is a lot) in states like Wyoming and Colorado, they are what I wear.
20 years and in excellent condition. Cold, snow, slush. They just keep on ticking.
Quality is cool. In a world where obsolescence seems to be built into just about everything, especially electronics, it's nice to know my SOREL boots are good to go, likely for the rest of my life.
Of course, the argument could be made that if you buy a pair of boots that last a lifetime, you only buy one pair. But checking their website before writing this blog, I learned they make a wide variety of footwear including these "Slip" shoes that would be handy for going through airport security while traveling. Easy off, easy on.
Quality is a good thing. Whether it's products or service, it keeps customers coming back. Maybe for a lifetime. Make that very likely for a lifetime.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
20 years and in excellent condition. Cold, snow, slush. They just keep on ticking.
Quality is cool. In a world where obsolescence seems to be built into just about everything, especially electronics, it's nice to know my SOREL boots are good to go, likely for the rest of my life.
Of course, the argument could be made that if you buy a pair of boots that last a lifetime, you only buy one pair. But checking their website before writing this blog, I learned they make a wide variety of footwear including these "Slip" shoes that would be handy for going through airport security while traveling. Easy off, easy on.
Quality is a good thing. Whether it's products or service, it keeps customers coming back. Maybe for a lifetime. Make that very likely for a lifetime.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Thursday, January 20, 2011
USA-China. Keep Talking.
Chinese President Hu is visiting the United States and there's a lot of coverage, chatter and opinion about just what condition our relations are in.
China is well on its way to becoming an economic super power. When the financial markets in China sneeze, we get a cold.
Pass the Kleenex.
We've come a long, long way since President Nixon made his historic trip to China in 1972. Another milestone happened when the British turned over control of Hong Kong in 1984.
Today we get everything from Pandas to iPads (At least manufactured there) from China. Chinese labor is cheap. I can't imagine what an iPad, although American designed, would cost if manufactured here. As for the Pandas, I have family going to China this fall just to play with the little buggers.
But back to the topic at hand, it's a tense relationship now and has been all along. After the Tienanmen Massacre there was demand to completely cut off relations with China. My friend and political mentor, and at the time United States Senator Alan K. Simpson disagreed.
Simpson told me that if anything it was a time to increase communication, especially in the way of one on one dialog between the two countries through student exchanges and business. He reasoned, thoughtfully as always, that if we could talk at all levels it could only help. We did exactly that and all in all, it's worked out pretty well.
Today the big issue is all the money we owe China. Make that a huge issue. We owe China trillions of dollars and apparently there is no plan in place to pay it back. That's our fault, not China's. China is artificially messing with the value of it's currency, which is messing up the value of our dollar. That's their fault.
China has lots of faults, not the least of which are the personal freedoms we take for granted which don't exist in China.
So it's best we keep talking, that our students go there and theirs come here. It's best people from China come visit us, and we visit them. It's amazing what happens when regular folks get to know each other, regardless of nationality. Good things happen when you start a conversation.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
China is well on its way to becoming an economic super power. When the financial markets in China sneeze, we get a cold.
Pass the Kleenex.
We've come a long, long way since President Nixon made his historic trip to China in 1972. Another milestone happened when the British turned over control of Hong Kong in 1984.
Today we get everything from Pandas to iPads (At least manufactured there) from China. Chinese labor is cheap. I can't imagine what an iPad, although American designed, would cost if manufactured here. As for the Pandas, I have family going to China this fall just to play with the little buggers.
But back to the topic at hand, it's a tense relationship now and has been all along. After the Tienanmen Massacre there was demand to completely cut off relations with China. My friend and political mentor, and at the time United States Senator Alan K. Simpson disagreed.
Simpson told me that if anything it was a time to increase communication, especially in the way of one on one dialog between the two countries through student exchanges and business. He reasoned, thoughtfully as always, that if we could talk at all levels it could only help. We did exactly that and all in all, it's worked out pretty well.
Today the big issue is all the money we owe China. Make that a huge issue. We owe China trillions of dollars and apparently there is no plan in place to pay it back. That's our fault, not China's. China is artificially messing with the value of it's currency, which is messing up the value of our dollar. That's their fault.
China has lots of faults, not the least of which are the personal freedoms we take for granted which don't exist in China.
So it's best we keep talking, that our students go there and theirs come here. It's best people from China come visit us, and we visit them. It's amazing what happens when regular folks get to know each other, regardless of nationality. Good things happen when you start a conversation.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Day I Met Regis
On the set with Regis (1992)Regis Philbin is calling it a career, announcing that at the young age of 79 he's going to sit in front of the television instead of in front of the camera with Kelly Ripa. Philbin is a Notre Dame grad and Navy Vet and been in television since the 50's. I first remember seeing him as the sidekick on the Joey Bishop Show.
Back in 1992 I got to meet Regis, when he was co-hosting the iconic morning show with Kathy Lee Gifford. My station carried the show and when business had me in New York, the producers were kind enough to invite me to shoot a promo with the two. I'd done these before, but never in front of a live studio audience!
The bit involved me and Kathy Lee doing the promo, with Regis trying to get a word in, which we didn't let him do. Through it all both Kathy Lee and Regis were hugely gracious and simply great fun.
I can say for sure the guy you see on TV is the guy he is in real life. He enjoys his work, doesn't cop the "Star" attitude and at least the one time I worked him, a total pro. What's known as a "Nice Guy."
Happy trails Regis. Why do I have this feeling we haven't seen the last of you?
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
You Can Be Sick And Still Think
I just watched, how can I say this politely, an embarrassing segment on one of the networks speculating on Steve Jobs' health. The reporter is also a doctor and simply should have known better.
Jobs has taken a leave of absence from Apple to deal with health issues.
Jobs is fighting Pancreatic Cancer and has also had a liver transplant. He's a fierce business competitor and just as tough in fighting cancer. I did like what one analyst said about Jobs, describing him as a combination of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Sam Walton. Wow.
So now Jobs is taking care of his health. Regardless of sick he may, or may not be, doesn't mean he can't think. And it's his BRAIN that has made Apple what it is. Heck, I was at an Apple Store yesterday and the place was packed. Packed because the store sells wonderfully innovative products. Hip, cool and very useful.
As the spouse of a Stage IV Cancer survivor, I can attest that just because someone may be fighting any disease, the brain works just fine.
It's one of the many misperceptions people have about sick people, especially cancer patients, and it's just plain wrong.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Jobs has taken a leave of absence from Apple to deal with health issues.
Jobs is fighting Pancreatic Cancer and has also had a liver transplant. He's a fierce business competitor and just as tough in fighting cancer. I did like what one analyst said about Jobs, describing him as a combination of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Sam Walton. Wow.
So now Jobs is taking care of his health. Regardless of sick he may, or may not be, doesn't mean he can't think. And it's his BRAIN that has made Apple what it is. Heck, I was at an Apple Store yesterday and the place was packed. Packed because the store sells wonderfully innovative products. Hip, cool and very useful.
As the spouse of a Stage IV Cancer survivor, I can attest that just because someone may be fighting any disease, the brain works just fine.
It's one of the many misperceptions people have about sick people, especially cancer patients, and it's just plain wrong.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Sunday, January 16, 2011
MLK Day. A Missed Opportunity?
My wife and I recently volunteered at our granddaughter's kindergarten class. A delightful group, and very diverse. This in Atlanta, GA where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached. I think he would have liked to have visited that kindergarten class, or so many others like it around the country.
I came of age in the 60's. We were shaped for better or worse by the Vietnam War and the assassinations of President John Kennedy, brother Robert and of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some how in all this mess we landed on the moon. So many emotions from so many often violent images. The fire hoses and police dogs in Selma. The '68 Democratic Convention. The whole world was watching, but now our attention is drawn elsewhere.
It was a most turbulent and frightening time. As Buffalo Springfield sang, "There's battle lines being drawn. Nobody's right if everybody's wrong. Young people speaking their minds. Getting so much resistance from behind...."
So today we honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Or do we? Most schools are closed for the "holiday." There's been a lot of talk on the news how the weather might impact "holiday" skiers. At least the "holiday" hasn't been debased with the like of "Veterans Day" or "Presidents Day" sales here and there. At least not yet.
But the real missed opportunity is closing schools when they should be open instead. We're a generation removed from when Dr. King laid his life on the line, and eventually lost it fighting for civil rights. He envisioned a land where we would all be judged on the content of our character and not by the color of our skin. That kids, regardless of gender or race could all work, play and study together, just like our granddaughter's classroom.
What an opportunity for kids of any age to spend this day focused on what it took to get to us where we are now, and where we need to go in the future. It's the most extraordinary national experience, one that continues to this day.
But while most schools are closed, the ski areas, movie theaters and malls are open.
A missed opportunity.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversations about you"
I came of age in the 60's. We were shaped for better or worse by the Vietnam War and the assassinations of President John Kennedy, brother Robert and of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some how in all this mess we landed on the moon. So many emotions from so many often violent images. The fire hoses and police dogs in Selma. The '68 Democratic Convention. The whole world was watching, but now our attention is drawn elsewhere.
It was a most turbulent and frightening time. As Buffalo Springfield sang, "There's battle lines being drawn. Nobody's right if everybody's wrong. Young people speaking their minds. Getting so much resistance from behind...."
So today we honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Or do we? Most schools are closed for the "holiday." There's been a lot of talk on the news how the weather might impact "holiday" skiers. At least the "holiday" hasn't been debased with the like of "Veterans Day" or "Presidents Day" sales here and there. At least not yet.
But the real missed opportunity is closing schools when they should be open instead. We're a generation removed from when Dr. King laid his life on the line, and eventually lost it fighting for civil rights. He envisioned a land where we would all be judged on the content of our character and not by the color of our skin. That kids, regardless of gender or race could all work, play and study together, just like our granddaughter's classroom.
What an opportunity for kids of any age to spend this day focused on what it took to get to us where we are now, and where we need to go in the future. It's the most extraordinary national experience, one that continues to this day.
But while most schools are closed, the ski areas, movie theaters and malls are open.
A missed opportunity.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversations about you"
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
"Jumping in Puddles in Heaven"
It's hard to remember a time when a President of the United States hasn't had to step up and comfort the nation. President Bush following 9-11, President Clinton after Oklahoma City, President Reagan after the Challenger Disaster. President Roosevelt's words after the attack on Pearl Harbor echo to this very day.
Add President Barack Obama to the list. I agree with this analysis of the speech.
He ultimately succeeded by focusing our attention on 9 year old Christina Green. Pure in thought and heart and love of life and country, who died because she chose to exhibit those qualities by attending the event that turned so tragic.
"Jumping in puddles in heaven." I can't write it without tearing up, just as I did when the President spoke those words.
Christina believed in something special. Let's not let her down.
Thank you Mr. President for making her a sterling example of all we can still be as people and a nation and why we must honor her legacy.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Add President Barack Obama to the list. I agree with this analysis of the speech.
He ultimately succeeded by focusing our attention on 9 year old Christina Green. Pure in thought and heart and love of life and country, who died because she chose to exhibit those qualities by attending the event that turned so tragic.
"Jumping in puddles in heaven." I can't write it without tearing up, just as I did when the President spoke those words.
Christina believed in something special. Let's not let her down.
Thank you Mr. President for making her a sterling example of all we can still be as people and a nation and why we must honor her legacy.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Are YOU Hungry. Are YOU Cold?
It's my privilege to serve on the Board of Directors of the Jeffco Action Center the past several years. At last night's meeting we got a report from the Program Services Team for December. The numbers tell the story.
The Action Center is just one of so many terrific agencies around the country making a difference. But they can only do so with your help. Just a dollar or one can of food can make a difference.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
- Average clients needing help per day: 191.
- 5,997 people provided 5 day supplies of food.
- 43 Seniors picked up supplemental food commodities.
- Worked with Walgreens to provide free flu shots to clients.
- Toys provided for 4,366 children from 1,558 families via the "Santa Shop."
- Almost 3,000 volunteer hours for holiday-related gift and food donations.
The Action Center is just one of so many terrific agencies around the country making a difference. But they can only do so with your help. Just a dollar or one can of food can make a difference.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
"Breaking News"
I don't know where or when you heard about the shootings in Tucson this past Saturday but it likely was prefaced by "News Bulletin" or "Breaking News." It sure brought memories for me as a field producer.
Flipping around the channels, both traditional and electronic the coverage has been pretty good. It's a difficult challenge with so much information flying at you and one initial report had Rep. Giffords dying from her wounds. The late Frank Reynolds of ABC could identify with that. Thankfully in both cases, neither Rep. Giffords or President Reagan died. But it shows that despite the time between the two incidents, the wrong news can get "out there" in a hurry. More so in today's online world. Instant misinformation.
The huge majority of news organizations, certainly the best ones, are always prepared for such incidents. It seems they always happen when you're least prepared to deal with them, in this case a Saturday morning. But main anchors were quickly on set and reporters on the scene to cover the story.
Breaking news is always a challenge because unlike a scheduled event like a political convention or a Super Bowl for example, you make it up as you go along. It starts when you head out the door with your hair on fire enroute to the airport. While you're on the way to the story, staff back at the office are gathering up resources like satellite trucks to help you get your story out. Networks depend heavily on local affiliates in the early hours of a breaking story to feed video or have their reporters on the air. The pressure on local newsrooms during such stories is enormous. It seems everyone in the world is calling you for help just as you're struggling to cover the story yourself.
Each story is different and you learn from each one. One of the memorable ones for me was covering a rare hurricane that made its way off the Gulf of California through Arizona. We had satellite trucks, reporters and photogs on the scene. The only thing we didn't have was a place to go to the bathroom. So I had to arrange porta-potties. It's the sort of thing they don't teach you in journalism school.
Often times, as was the case with the Oklahoma City Bombing, and certainly with the Tucson shootings, you come upon a horrific situation. Nothing prepares you for it and nothing ever hardens you against it. You also never forget them. Ever.
The hours are long, you're lucky to get a few hours of sleep if any, and when you do it's more than likely inside a production truck. Yet you have to be sharp both in front of, and behind the camera.
Ultimately you have to get the story right, not to speculate, deal with victims compassionately and show no bias other than reporting the facts. Reporters are human, and it's difficult to be dispassionate amidst carnage like Tucson.
The coverage I've seen has been quite well done, mistakes were made but quickly corrected. It's easy to not like the news media but they work very, very had to bring us the news. The fact there are so many news outlets competing for our attention means they're all working as hard as possible to provide the best coverage.
We as viewers, listeners and readers are well served.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Flipping around the channels, both traditional and electronic the coverage has been pretty good. It's a difficult challenge with so much information flying at you and one initial report had Rep. Giffords dying from her wounds. The late Frank Reynolds of ABC could identify with that. Thankfully in both cases, neither Rep. Giffords or President Reagan died. But it shows that despite the time between the two incidents, the wrong news can get "out there" in a hurry. More so in today's online world. Instant misinformation.
The huge majority of news organizations, certainly the best ones, are always prepared for such incidents. It seems they always happen when you're least prepared to deal with them, in this case a Saturday morning. But main anchors were quickly on set and reporters on the scene to cover the story.
Breaking news is always a challenge because unlike a scheduled event like a political convention or a Super Bowl for example, you make it up as you go along. It starts when you head out the door with your hair on fire enroute to the airport. While you're on the way to the story, staff back at the office are gathering up resources like satellite trucks to help you get your story out. Networks depend heavily on local affiliates in the early hours of a breaking story to feed video or have their reporters on the air. The pressure on local newsrooms during such stories is enormous. It seems everyone in the world is calling you for help just as you're struggling to cover the story yourself.
Each story is different and you learn from each one. One of the memorable ones for me was covering a rare hurricane that made its way off the Gulf of California through Arizona. We had satellite trucks, reporters and photogs on the scene. The only thing we didn't have was a place to go to the bathroom. So I had to arrange porta-potties. It's the sort of thing they don't teach you in journalism school.
Often times, as was the case with the Oklahoma City Bombing, and certainly with the Tucson shootings, you come upon a horrific situation. Nothing prepares you for it and nothing ever hardens you against it. You also never forget them. Ever.
The hours are long, you're lucky to get a few hours of sleep if any, and when you do it's more than likely inside a production truck. Yet you have to be sharp both in front of, and behind the camera.
Ultimately you have to get the story right, not to speculate, deal with victims compassionately and show no bias other than reporting the facts. Reporters are human, and it's difficult to be dispassionate amidst carnage like Tucson.
The coverage I've seen has been quite well done, mistakes were made but quickly corrected. It's easy to not like the news media but they work very, very had to bring us the news. The fact there are so many news outlets competing for our attention means they're all working as hard as possible to provide the best coverage.
We as viewers, listeners and readers are well served.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Monday, January 10, 2011
Where's the Electricity?
While there has been a lot of coverage about alternative energy cars, both electric and hybrid, only about one in five consumers are "very familiar" with the technology. That number is growing however.
It doesn't help when the boss of GM calls the Toyota Prius a "Geekmobile." A cheap shot that hurts the industry. My daughter has a Prius, she's had it five years and it runs great and sips gas in the range of 50MPG. We have a Ford Escape Hybrid at our house. It averages 32MPG.
I think one of the reasons, especially in areas of the west, that people aren't engaging this new technology is whether or not it can handle the weather and roads (or lack thereof) in this part of the world.
You have nothing to fear but fear itself.
Our previous car was a Volvo XC-70 AWD and to be blunt, it was awful in snow. The Escape is fabulous in the white stuff. It also negotiates roads like the one over Hermit Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Range. Actually to call that a road is overly charitable.
We're at least a generation if not more from weaning ourselves of gasoline engines. I'm not against them, but having worked in "Oil Patch" states like Wyoming and Texas I also know it's a finite resource. The less we use, the longer it can be available to us.
Being the son of an engineer, I like the hybrid best because of it's technology. Why run your engine when you're at a stoplight? You use the most gas when you first accelerate your car. Having an electric motor do the initial heavy lifting just makes sense.
The one irony with electric cars is, they'll need to be recharged with electricity coming mostly from coal-fired plants. Practical wind power is again, a generation away. So are the Nuke Plants we'll need. So those huge coal trains you see headed south through Denver we'll keep on rolling for years to come.
But hybrids can handle anything you toss at them. Think about one when it's time for your next car.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
It doesn't help when the boss of GM calls the Toyota Prius a "Geekmobile." A cheap shot that hurts the industry. My daughter has a Prius, she's had it five years and it runs great and sips gas in the range of 50MPG. We have a Ford Escape Hybrid at our house. It averages 32MPG.
I think one of the reasons, especially in areas of the west, that people aren't engaging this new technology is whether or not it can handle the weather and roads (or lack thereof) in this part of the world.
You have nothing to fear but fear itself.
Our previous car was a Volvo XC-70 AWD and to be blunt, it was awful in snow. The Escape is fabulous in the white stuff. It also negotiates roads like the one over Hermit Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Range. Actually to call that a road is overly charitable.
We're at least a generation if not more from weaning ourselves of gasoline engines. I'm not against them, but having worked in "Oil Patch" states like Wyoming and Texas I also know it's a finite resource. The less we use, the longer it can be available to us.
Being the son of an engineer, I like the hybrid best because of it's technology. Why run your engine when you're at a stoplight? You use the most gas when you first accelerate your car. Having an electric motor do the initial heavy lifting just makes sense.
The one irony with electric cars is, they'll need to be recharged with electricity coming mostly from coal-fired plants. Practical wind power is again, a generation away. So are the Nuke Plants we'll need. So those huge coal trains you see headed south through Denver we'll keep on rolling for years to come.
But hybrids can handle anything you toss at them. Think about one when it's time for your next car.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Friday, January 7, 2011
Endulge your inner "Top Gun"
Just in case you've never flown a fighter plane, the next best thing is sitting in one. If you'll be in the Denver area tomorrow, stop by Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum for the monthly "Open Cockpit Day."
At Wings over the Rockies, they don't keep the aircraft behind rope lines. You're encouraged to touch them, see them up close and once a month sit in many of them.
Among the planes you can sit in are the F-4 Phantom, B-58 Canberra and even a Lear Jet. Stop by cockpit alley and "Fly" the Wright Flyer or sit in the cockpits of a Boeing 727 or DC-10 Airliner.
Open cockpit hours run from 10am to 2pm. It's a great chance for all ages to sit in these terrific aircraft and also see the incredible variety of civil and military aircraft.
Get your wings on tomorrow at Wings over the Rockies. You can't miss it, there's a B-52 Bomber parked out front! (Don't forget your camera!)
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And a little hangar flying tomorrow)
At Wings over the Rockies, they don't keep the aircraft behind rope lines. You're encouraged to touch them, see them up close and once a month sit in many of them.
Among the planes you can sit in are the F-4 Phantom, B-58 Canberra and even a Lear Jet. Stop by cockpit alley and "Fly" the Wright Flyer or sit in the cockpits of a Boeing 727 or DC-10 Airliner.
Open cockpit hours run from 10am to 2pm. It's a great chance for all ages to sit in these terrific aircraft and also see the incredible variety of civil and military aircraft.
Get your wings on tomorrow at Wings over the Rockies. You can't miss it, there's a B-52 Bomber parked out front! (Don't forget your camera!)
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And a little hangar flying tomorrow)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
All Those Zeros Add Up!
I heard my old friend, retired Senator Alan Simpson talking about the national debt. If Congress decides to raise it again, Simpson said our debt would be 14 Trillion, 600 Billion Dollars!
"I don't even know what that is" he exclaimed. Neither do I other than it must have a lot of zeros. I still think we need to officially designate Gazillion as the next measurement because if things don't stop it's where we'll crash.
Above all Simpson made an excellent point. Regardless of your political bent, ask your elected representatives exactly what they plan on doing to cut the budget. Substantive cuts. The real deal. Not vague posturing. Simpson predicts most if not all, will simply dance around the answer. Sadly he's right.
14 Trillion, 600 Billion Dollars. Think on that.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
"I don't even know what that is" he exclaimed. Neither do I other than it must have a lot of zeros. I still think we need to officially designate Gazillion as the next measurement because if things don't stop it's where we'll crash.
Above all Simpson made an excellent point. Regardless of your political bent, ask your elected representatives exactly what they plan on doing to cut the budget. Substantive cuts. The real deal. Not vague posturing. Simpson predicts most if not all, will simply dance around the answer. Sadly he's right.
14 Trillion, 600 Billion Dollars. Think on that.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
iPad + 99
According to Computer World it's raining tablets at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. They predict almost a hundred tablet devices on display. A good number of them won't survive beyond the show.
For those not familiar with CES, it's about 88 football fields full of tech toys. Words can't describe the enormity of it all, although I just tried.
All these tablets are designed to take on the iPad and many have stuff the iPad doesn't like inputs and cameras. The iPad is expected to have these things when the rumored next generation iPad debuts in April.
We have an iPad at our house, and use it for work and play. We'll be among the first in line when the next generation model is on store shelves.
Many of the new tablets debuting at CES may indeed be better than the iPad. But consumers are a funny breed (I'm one of them) and need a compelling reason to switch to something new. Bells and whistles usually don't pass the "compelling" test. "Cool" does and the iPad is cool My daughter commented when she got hers and was at the airport, people kept on coming up to her and asking about the device. I experience the same thing when I pull it out at a meeting.
Back in the day when home video tape was the big thing (way back in the day) the competition was between two emerging technologies--Betamax and VHS. Technically Betamax was a far better format, But VHS won the day. It simply was better marketed and frankly, VHS rolled off the tongue better than its erstwhile competition.
So while you may need an umbrella at CES look for the iPad to remain the cool tablet device for 2011.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
For those not familiar with CES, it's about 88 football fields full of tech toys. Words can't describe the enormity of it all, although I just tried.
All these tablets are designed to take on the iPad and many have stuff the iPad doesn't like inputs and cameras. The iPad is expected to have these things when the rumored next generation iPad debuts in April.
We have an iPad at our house, and use it for work and play. We'll be among the first in line when the next generation model is on store shelves.
Many of the new tablets debuting at CES may indeed be better than the iPad. But consumers are a funny breed (I'm one of them) and need a compelling reason to switch to something new. Bells and whistles usually don't pass the "compelling" test. "Cool" does and the iPad is cool My daughter commented when she got hers and was at the airport, people kept on coming up to her and asking about the device. I experience the same thing when I pull it out at a meeting.
Back in the day when home video tape was the big thing (way back in the day) the competition was between two emerging technologies--Betamax and VHS. Technically Betamax was a far better format, But VHS won the day. It simply was better marketed and frankly, VHS rolled off the tongue better than its erstwhile competition.
So while you may need an umbrella at CES look for the iPad to remain the cool tablet device for 2011.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
CVN 65-TV bad case of "Enterprise" Television
The Navy has relieved Captain Owen Honors from command aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise. He was at the center of a series of what are described as "raunchy" videos shown over the ship's television system. You can click on the story link to get full details.
My post here is just how surprised I was this ever happened and that Captain Honors was involved.
As a reporter I was embedded on three different aircraft carriers--the USS Kennedy, USS Constellation and USS Ranger. These huge ships are like huge floating cities with today's ships of the line carrying upwards of 6-thousand plus crew members. Like any city, the ships have post offices, recreation, education, hospitals and even television studios. Programming ranges from great camera shots from the flight deck to educational, entertainment and sports programming. A normal deployment is 6 months, and while the crew work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, there is some downtime and television is a great way to relax.
Life aboard a combat ship is highly regimented. Officers and enlisted crew members are essentially segregated from each other except while working. "Officer's County" lines are clearly marked. It has to be.
On the Kennedy for example, the Skipper used the television facilities to communicate with the crew and again using the city metaphor, reporting to the citizens of the ship. One of the chaplains aboard the Kennedy even had his own talk show!
I'm not sure what motivated Captain Honors to do what he did, but he clearly crossed a line of command and good taste. Honors is an Annapolis graduate and taught at Top Gun. A highly accomplished officer.
It's sad that some ill-advised videos will sink his career. Many may think, "What's the harm?" But when you are charged with leading thousands of crew members in an extremely dangerous work environment, there's a good reason for solid lines of discipline and conduct.
Ironically, while the men and women of our armed forces defend our right of free speech, it doesn't actually apply to them. It's part of the sacrifice they know they make when they swear the oath.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
My post here is just how surprised I was this ever happened and that Captain Honors was involved.
As a reporter I was embedded on three different aircraft carriers--the USS Kennedy, USS Constellation and USS Ranger. These huge ships are like huge floating cities with today's ships of the line carrying upwards of 6-thousand plus crew members. Like any city, the ships have post offices, recreation, education, hospitals and even television studios. Programming ranges from great camera shots from the flight deck to educational, entertainment and sports programming. A normal deployment is 6 months, and while the crew work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, there is some downtime and television is a great way to relax.
Life aboard a combat ship is highly regimented. Officers and enlisted crew members are essentially segregated from each other except while working. "Officer's County" lines are clearly marked. It has to be.
On the Kennedy for example, the Skipper used the television facilities to communicate with the crew and again using the city metaphor, reporting to the citizens of the ship. One of the chaplains aboard the Kennedy even had his own talk show!
I'm not sure what motivated Captain Honors to do what he did, but he clearly crossed a line of command and good taste. Honors is an Annapolis graduate and taught at Top Gun. A highly accomplished officer.
It's sad that some ill-advised videos will sink his career. Many may think, "What's the harm?" But when you are charged with leading thousands of crew members in an extremely dangerous work environment, there's a good reason for solid lines of discipline and conduct.
Ironically, while the men and women of our armed forces defend our right of free speech, it doesn't actually apply to them. It's part of the sacrifice they know they make when they swear the oath.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
Monday, January 3, 2011
Text should enhance talk, not replace it.
I read several articles over the weekend about how today's Facebook and Twitter environment is changing the way we communicate. It seems hardly anyone writes or worse yet, talks anymore. Far easier to just make a post on your PDA or Computer.
It's all great stuff--a fun and ultra-fast way to share quips, stories, information, pictures and video. But it changes the way we communicate because the technology detaches us from each other. We're not machines--we're humans who should use machines to enhance interaction with each other, but not replace it.
Back in the early 90's my newsroom became one of the first to put away the typewriters and computerize our news gathering. It made us more efficient and able to do more in less time. But a strange thing happened as the news department started to use the e-mail functions to communicate with each other.
It's a high stress environment and very competitive. I started to notice small little arguments blossom into full blown e-conflicts. Things were written that normally no one would say face to face. It was something I quickly had to get a handle on. The next newsroom I led through the process also went through the same "adjustment."
Two decades later I'm working with a team on a major project set for this spring. The core team are all very e-savvy and we do most of our communications electronically as we plan and execute strategies. At a recent face to face meeting of the team however, we all agreed that all the e-mails flying back and forth tended to confuse rather than illuminate. We've made it policy to meet as a group in person along with routine e-mail communications. Meeting which are set-up electronically via Meetup.
You can have it both ways, and we should.
Social Media allows us to communicate and market like never before and I'm an enthusiastic ambassador for it. Ultimately though, let's not forget that it's hard to beat talking one-on-one to truly communicate. It's important we never stop looking each other in the eye once in a while and communicate what hopefully what won't be an old-fashioned way. Face to face.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
It's all great stuff--a fun and ultra-fast way to share quips, stories, information, pictures and video. But it changes the way we communicate because the technology detaches us from each other. We're not machines--we're humans who should use machines to enhance interaction with each other, but not replace it.
Back in the early 90's my newsroom became one of the first to put away the typewriters and computerize our news gathering. It made us more efficient and able to do more in less time. But a strange thing happened as the news department started to use the e-mail functions to communicate with each other.
It's a high stress environment and very competitive. I started to notice small little arguments blossom into full blown e-conflicts. Things were written that normally no one would say face to face. It was something I quickly had to get a handle on. The next newsroom I led through the process also went through the same "adjustment."
Two decades later I'm working with a team on a major project set for this spring. The core team are all very e-savvy and we do most of our communications electronically as we plan and execute strategies. At a recent face to face meeting of the team however, we all agreed that all the e-mails flying back and forth tended to confuse rather than illuminate. We've made it policy to meet as a group in person along with routine e-mail communications. Meeting which are set-up electronically via Meetup.
You can have it both ways, and we should.
Social Media allows us to communicate and market like never before and I'm an enthusiastic ambassador for it. Ultimately though, let's not forget that it's hard to beat talking one-on-one to truly communicate. It's important we never stop looking each other in the eye once in a while and communicate what hopefully what won't be an old-fashioned way. Face to face.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"
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