Obama Effect

The lines have been drawn in the sand and consumer brands and their pr teams better sit up and take notice. For years affluent African-American moms have been crying foul regarding campaigns that show them as loud, brash, cold, and bossy. Until now their grumbles have been relatively contained to the beauty salons, churches, and at Sunday family dinners. Black moms have remained vexed and embarrassed by the portrayal of them as one of two models; either ebonic-speaking, booty shakin', sex-pots, or, ignorant, obese, and domineering. Black moms have been troubled by this depiction in mainstream media but have remained relatively silent in communicating those frustrations publicly- until now.

This week the world held its breath as Americans elected Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. In President-Elect Barack Obama's acceptance speech he gave a short but moving tribute to his African-American wife, partner, biggest supporter, and mother of his children, Mrs. Michelle Obama. Black women across the country wept at such a public expression of love and respect for a woman whose physical image reflects their own. Some have never witnessed such an outpouring of affection over an entire lifetime. Finally the world was seeing an educated, nurturing, accomplished mother who looks, talks, and shares the same goals, values, and aspirations as them. For the first time, on the world stage was a Black woman that seemed so familiar; someone who could fit in easily at a book club or at the local Mocha Mom or Jack and Jill group. The minute Michelle Obama came on the national scene the passive stance of Black mom consumers changed. Black moms are now chanting "No more!", and they are putting their purses where their mouths are. This is indeed the Michelle Obama Effect.

Business and Promotional Calendars

How many calendars do you have in your home? How many are at your work place or office? I imagine the number of calendars is greater than you think. Calendars are in cars, offices, school, businesses, in wallets and purses, and libraries. In fact, just about anywhere you find people you will find a calendar. People need calendars. They look at them almost daily.
You, as a business person, can take advantage of that fact. With a simple magnetic promotional calendar that has your information on it, you can get your business name in front of hundreds or thousands of people. The beauty is that they will look at it numerous times, and each time they will see your name. They won't consciously read your business name and phone number each time, but they will be slowly burning it into their minds. It's a fact that an advertisement must be heard/seen many times before it becomes something the listener/viewer remembers it. Each time a person refers to your promotional calendar, they are becoming more familiar with you and your product or service.