According to The Kiplinger Washington Editors, we are now officially in a recession.  Thank you very much.But according to John Elsasser, EIC of Public Relations Tactics, PR practitioners are cautiously optimistic about the year ahead.  Thank you very much.Meanwhile, Jim Owens, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar reported today, "The U.S.

"Through no virtues and accomplishments of our own, we have been fortunate enough to be born in the United States under the most comfortable conditions. We, therefore, have a responsibility to others who are less well off."During the mid-1960s, Robert Kennedy spoke these words about his father.

I read an informative article in The New York Times today by Stuart Elliott.  It was about Pepsi's new Tava brand beverages.  Around the same time, I read an informative blog on Bokardo by Joshua Porter (it was forwarded to me by my brilliant friend Dominic).Stuart's story is all about Pepsi bypassing traditional media and going commando to launch the new product.

Shortly after the break-up of the Beatles, Paul McCartney (and wife Linda) released Ram, his first studio album (not to be confused with his first solo album, which he recorded at home).Anyway, Ram features a wealth of great music from a still young musical artist in search of a new identity.

I caught a few seconds of Donny Deutsch a few weeks ago; some segment entitled Big Idea/Bad Idea.Donny's two participating guests were told of a new McDonald's concept in California.  No more arches, no Ronald McDonald, no messy tables.

Why you should NEVER EVER bypass the strategic marketing planning process.I have been doing this (marketing and PR) for a couple decades now, representing hundreds of organizations – from start up companies to international FORTUNE 50 corporations – and it never ceases to amaze me how rarely organizations take the time to develop strategic marketing plans.

I just flew in from Raleigh; man are my arms killing me.Did I ever mention that my oldest son is a special effects and lighting professional with a leading video game company?  He is.  Matt graduated from Bowling Green State University four years ago with a BFA.

Yeah, that's not backwards.Those of us in the heartland, like those of us in the South and the West and the East, have been feeling the pinch for about 12 months now, give or take a year.Outside of the lucky and the elite, you know, those Goliath and/or super hot (aka, firm du jour)agency's supporting the biggest and best funded organizations, agencies are feeling the pressure.

Think about it.Which will receive more media attention today:  Super Tuesday election returns, Fat Tuesday celebrations or American Idol Tuesday auditions?What will you pay more attention to tonight: election returns, Mardi Gras revelers or Idol contestants?Twenty years from now, which will remain the freshest in our memory:  the winners of Super Tuesday elections, the best YouTube video from  Bourbon Street or the next William Hung of American Idol?Just wondering.

It took some doing, but the economy is finally on stage with the environment.Unfortunately, this being a big election year, little is likely to happen on either front. Consumers are doing their part...