A Spirit of Thanksgiving vs. a Spirit of Entitlement
As I was searching for Thanksgiving-related quotes yesterday, I found this one from H.U. Westermayer: “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”
This quote hit home with me. When I read it, I thought about how we often view such situations today. All too often, we are too busy wishing for what we don’t have to sit back and reflect upon the many blessings we do have. We become consumed with the worries of the world rather than finding contentment in the things that really matter. Rather than a spirit of thanksgiving, we often have a spirit of entitlement — a mentality that drives us to fixate on the things that have somehow eluded us.
Follow-up to Ad Wars: Verizon Wireless vs. AT&T
A friend of mine posted the following message on Facebook in response to my most recent blog post:
“Interesting that you like this one. You know it is the subject of a lawsuit, right? AT&T claims (as I understand it) that the two maps imply that AT&T has no coverage/no data coverage in the unmarked areas (as is the case with VZ, their network being 100% 3G) and is therefore misleading. AT&T has a large 2G/EDGE network — larger than Verizon’s, I believe– which, though not as fast, also supports calling and data features. Since it could hinge on how well the average consumer understands mobile voice and data network technology and terminology, I think AT&T has a fair shot at getting the ads pulled or modified in a way that takes a lot of the bite out of them.”
Ad Wars: Verizon Wireless vs. AT&T
The commercial below from Verizon Wireless is one of the best I have seen in a while, for a couple of reasons. The ad co-opts AT&T’s “There’s an App for That” theme (from the iPhone commercials) and turns it into a “There’s a Map for That” theme — with the map being Verizon’s coverage map. Whereas AT&T’s commercials focus on the numerous apps (applications, for you non-techies) available on the iPhone, Verizon’s ad co-opts AT&T’s marketing lingo and, by changing one simple word (“app” to “map”), redirects the focus to a comparison of the two companies’ coverage maps — a comparison which, based on the two maps, clearly leans in Verizon’s favor.
A Missed Opportunity in a Press Release
One of the online publications I manage recently received a press release from an organization announcing a big-time keynote speaker for an event.
However, the press release failed to include one key piece of information: how interested parties can obtain more information or register for the event. Given that the organization was likely hoping to generate increased attendance with the announcement, it missed an opportunity by neglecting to include this information.
Press Releases: More things NOT to do…
by Frank Williams
As many of you know, in addition to my duties with Pioneer Strategies I am involved with several online publications. As part of my involvement with those publications I am on the receiving end of a number of press releases. Based on releases and other inquiries we have received in the past few weeks, here are a few more things NOT to do:
- Snail-mail a press release to an online newspaper.
- Call to ask where to send a press release when the address to which releases should be sent is plainly posted on the Web site’s contact page;
Thankful for our Veterans
This morning, I attended a Veterans’ Day breakfast hosted by the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce. When the veterans in attendance were recognized and honored, I was surprised by the number of people I know who have served our nation in uniform, but whose service I did not previously know about. It was a privilege to attend this event and honor the sacrifices of veterans past and present — men and women whose sacrifices left us with the legacy of freedom we enjoy today. We are indebted to those who have risked their lives for our freedom, from the patriots who built our nation to the Greatest Generation to those who served in Vietnam and Korea to those who serve today. May we never take our freedom — or their service — for granted.
Yesterday’s tragedy at Fort Hood
Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the families of those killed in the shootings at Fort Hood. Let us all pray for the soldiers, families and everyone else impacted by this tragedy.
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Recent Posts
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