Like the Lone Ranger racing on the plains busting Silver and her “High Hos,” former president Bill Clinton galloped on some North Korean tarmac, met with Kim Jong Il and traded two captured U.S. reporters for two sweet Cuban cigars and a stained dress. Evidently, while Hilary was showing off the latest U.S. fashions in pant suits, yet another version of the Jerry Springer show broke out during her presser in the Congo, as seen here: Nevermind all the kitschy “Lost in Transl... Read Full Story

Advertising Age recently published its findings and waxed melancholy about the state of advertising in the second half of 2009. To summarize, take this as a warning-slash-really-bad-pep-rally for the industry: It’s not getting a lot better, but at least it’s not getting any worse. And it probably won’t ever get back to where it once was. I think it makes sense now. Don't you? What’s this say to clients and other company’s creative types who us flacks want to love so, ... Read Full Story

For years, statistics have shown women talk more than men. No big surprise, but now it seems to be working. Thanks to Kara at All Things Digital,the women’s blogging network, BlogHer, just received a lovely $7 million in Series C funding (whatever that is, but it’s a nice big, floppy check they can’t take to a bank). “This is a true grassroots effort that shows the growing influence of women in social media,” said [BlogHer CEO Lisa] Stone. “We want to focus on taking advanta... Read Full Story

O.J. was so innocent in his youth, huh? Anyone see Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest spoof, “Bruno”? Meh? It’s the same shtick of stereotypical chicanery and pushing that envelope until everyone in the theatre gets paper cuts. With the exception of one thing, he punks some publicist hacks in Los Angeles. Meet Duet PR and its founders – the self-dubbed “hot identical twins” Nicole and Suzie DeFosset, if you need them. (Again, meh?) So, here’s Bruno gallivanting in their LA-based studio looking for in... Read Full Story

Nice. It even has a logo. (Not really) So “Beer Summit 2009″ took place in the back of the White House last night. You know, I’m sure Barack Obama put out the Chex mix, peanuts and badly cooked Vienna sausages to give it that feel from “Cheers.” And so we have the President, Dr. Gates and Sgt. Crowley… and Veep Biden (?!) … all hanging out like a bunch of guys on a weekend pass fresh on the heels of some Amway convention. Just look at them. How staged... Read Full Story

Recently, the leader of the free world overstepped his boundaries just a skosh when he decided to comment on the Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ plight of being arrested at his own house for breaking and entering. This arrest sparked yet another tired debate on police ethics, racism and what is and is not the business of the federal government. You know, your typical week in America. (Sigh.) Evidently, the good doctor flared a little attitude when asked for I.D. (understandably so) at his own crib an... Read Full Story

Without a doubt, there will be memorials into perpetuity because this brilliant reporter and sage of the airwaves was finally overcome by his illnesses… and there should be. However, what’s lacking is Walter Cronkite’s legacy upon those talking heads giving the homage to the iconic CBS veteran. This was “the most trusted man in America” for decades, and today, who in the world would allow a single news anchor to even babysit their kids?! National news is pathetic regardless of where you... Read Full Story

For weeks, the world has reeled with the death of Michael Jackson. And while people have been buying his albums “off the Wall,” (Sorry, it was just there) the one thing people can’t seem to grasp is when will the friggin’ stories stop! He’s dead. He revolutionized the business. He will always be remembered… namely if the media won’t shut up about the fact that… oh yeah… he’s dead! I’ve often wondered if I had the power of a dig... Read Full Story

Late last month, Dallas/Fort Worth learned that Big Tex wasn’t the only legendary face on the state fairgrounds. Her name was Jean Carpenter, and although she had her own practice in North Texas, she was known for representing the Texas State Fair annually for the past 30 years. Thanks to this obituary/story from the Dallas Morning News, we learned she died of a brain tumor at the age of 80. “Jean was just running every direction that morning making sure things came together the ... Read Full Story

Magazines are vanishing from the public almost as fast as Jon & Kate’s relevance. And to keep the printing presses as hot as the aforementioned couple’s divorce proceedings, publishers are looking under their pillows for that one wadded-up idea hiding in the pillows. The Meredith Corporation, home of many magazines routinely seen in my mailbox (Hi baby), has found one such idea that dates back to antiquity. No, really. Like Ancient Greece. New cheesy pick-up line: "Whew. Look at tho... Read Full Story