Image: Morant Instagram Live screenshot | NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal offers up a powerful message regarding NBA player Ja Morant’s suspension and potential loss of millions of dollars: “He put himself in this situation.” As reported by numerous media outlets, including USA Today, “Morant is taking time away from the basketball court to focus on his well-being after he was suspended…
As the adage goes, ”Some things are better left unsaid.” Or, in the case of embattled R&B artist Chris Brown, left unposted. Brown recently took to social media and let the entire world see his frustration and anger after not winning the Grammy for Best R&B Album. But what apparently inflamed social media users wasn’t only that Brown was angry…
The fear of missing out has a gripping and unhealthy hold on countless lives around the world. The term FoMO, as it is widely known, was created in 2004 and has become increasingly popular. So, what is FoMO, and how can you check to see if you have it? FoMO is … FoMO (the acronym for Fear of Missing Out)…
Entering a new year is a great time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. As you reflect on your business brand and how you can broaden your consumer reach, below are some key consumer takeaways from 2022 that can help you successfully launch or grow your business in 2023: Design a logo that engages consumers —…
As Elon Musk takes on his new Twitter CEO role, thousands of former Twitter employees – along with millions of global users – remain unsure of the platform’s future. Following his $43 billion deal, Musk has begun to reshape the company from the ground up. And it began with his new mandate to employees: Be hardcore. Within his first week heading the company, Musk sent an…
(Image courtesy of YouTube) Who is Rainfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson? Known for his role as Dwight Shrute in the hit show The Office, Rainn Wilson has announced that he is changing his name to “Rainfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson.” The name change announcement comes via Wilson’s recent Twitter post. In the tweet, Wilson said that the new name was timed in accordance with the United Nations climate change conference which was set…
In this age of technology, building a consistently relevant online brand is becoming increasingly critical. With a wealth of resources at our fingertips, it’s easier that you think to strengthen the impact of your brand and the reach of your business. Although it seems simple enough, the process can feel complicated: Enter the Google Search engine. When searching the internet…
According to a report by the Boston Globe, as many as 60 to 70 percent of students going through the college search process rule out schools based solely on the tuition price. That means that with a quick google search, most students ‘swipe left’ based on sticker-shock before stepping foot on campus or submitting their application. For years, the average cost of college has consistently increased, leaving schools across the…
Building a personal brand can at times be opportunistic. A challenge or crisis that suddenly falls in our path not only tests our quick thinking, but our humanity. How quickly we think and how much we demonstrate our compassion could directly influence our image, our reputation, our brand. Billionaire Warren Buffet once said, “It takes 20 years to build a…
If you haven’t already heard about it, “The Woman King” is box office king, led by queens, actress Viola Davis and director Gina Prince-Bythewood. However, surprising analysts with a $19 million box office debut didn’t come without its online critics. “Time to Boycott the Woman King movie. The film is about the Dahomey & Benin that traded slaves into the…
You don’t have to be a tennis aficionado to understand the significance of what is playing out on the U.S. Open court in Flushing Meadows, New York. The No 22-seeded Frances Tiafoe became the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 by slamming past both Rafael Nadal (#2-seeded) and Andrey Rublev (#9-seeded). Tiafoe’s aggressive play on…
Bobby McFerrin would not be happy. According to a new survey, 45% of people around the world have not felt happy since early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oracle Happiness Report, which summarizes the surveys of approximately 12,000 consumers and business leaders from 14 countries, also states that about 25% of people don’t know or can’t remember what it…
Jennifer Hudson’s brand is on fire. During the 2022 Tony Awards, the singer, actor and producer earned her way into the elite EGOT club, joining just 16 other artists. Hudson won a Tony for her role as a producer of A Strange Loop, which was crowned as Best Musical. With that win, Hudson became the youngest, the second black woman,…
It’s graduation season and scores of celebrities and regular folks alike are being awarded with an honorary doctorate. Some of the 2022 recipients include Taylor Swift, Taraji P. Henson, Angela Bassett, Maria Shriver, Bobby Bones, and Dwyane Wade. Honorary degrees are academic awards given by universities to individuals in recognition of their exceptional talent and contributions to society or lifetime…
It’s hard to believe that this month marks more than 20 years since my 15 seconds of fame on CBS’ hugely popular reality show, Survivor: The Australia Outback – The Reunion. I’ll never forget that hot day on the CBS television lot in Los Angeles, California. After more than an hour waiting outside alongside other special guests, mostly CBS Survivor…
Second chances come to those who embrace the opportunity to walk a different path, to lead a productive life, to rewind their bruised brand. Meet Gabrielle Petty, the young woman who was put up for adoption shortly after she was born and her mother was sentenced to prison. Falling into the trap of desperation which led to bad decisions, Perry…
Chicago’s very own Chance the Rapper continued to pay it forward while celebrating his 29th birthday last weekend. Bypassing parties and gifts, Chance instead headlined a meal give-away on the city’s South Side. The record producer, singer and rapper posted an Instagram video that showcased the give-away at the Discover Customer Care Center and featured a Chance-mascot dancer. At least…
A personal brand is often influenced by what others perceive us to be, how others feel about what we say or do and especially how we look. Whether or not we agree with it, this perception of our personal brand might then be forced into our channels of influence. These could include social media, in-person gatherings, and word of mouth,…
The controversial remarks by director Jane Campion about Venus and Serena Williams; the alleged drunk pilot removed from a JetBlue flight; PACE, a senior living program that enables some of our elderly to age at home, and a Nigerian doctor’s push for equal access to vaccines. What do these four references have in common? They each have a brand. Two…
Executive sponsorship is one of the most influential factors in the career advancement of high-potential employees. Without a doubt, one key to moving from middle management to the executive level in any organization is sponsorship. Yet, despite rallying cries over the disproportionately low number of Black professionals breaking through the glass ceiling, few have access to this critical resource. 🔥…
It’s all about the story. When visitors come to your nonprofit’s website, are they able to clearly understand your story within 15 seconds? Can they feel your passion, energy, and commitment oozing from the powerful images and videos? Is the branding aligned and consistent? Does the limited but emotive text pull them in and keep them from bouncing? These are…
“I’m freaking out.” Those were reportedly the words spoken by a former Peloton employee shortly before she was one of thousands of employees laid off in February by the exercise equipment company. In 2021, hundreds of thousands of employees were laid off from companies throughout the U.S. Companies that eliminate positions often do so because they need to reallocate those…
There are numerous positive takeaways from the way Australia reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers following a two-year closure due to COVID-19. Australia was a brand hit when it welcomed travelers back with koala toys and the country’s signature Tim Tams chocolate cookies. This comes after the country imposed some of the world’s strictest COVID rules in an effort…
This how-to blog is focused on helping professionals and business owners rewind and define their personal or business brand during challenging and uncertain times. Follow the below 5 tips to help your brand stand out and breakthrough. During the past year, millions of workers left their job. Thousands were laid from numerous companies, including Ford, Expedia, General Mills, and Nokia.…
Economies are stalled. Businesses are struggling. Careers are disrupted. Millions are unemployed. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we live and upending how we work. While it might be difficult, careerists – especially under-represented women and people of colour – must embrace opportunities and make the decision to press on. Take the time to thoughtfully plot your career path through…
As coronavirus cases and deaths continue to increase across the country, multiple studies highlight the importance of taking a proactive and productive approach to career development during these unprecedented times. “If done with care and sensitivity,” according to Pitzer Career Services, “this can be a powerful time to make career connections and have informative conversations and interactions with professionals.” EMBRACE…
Turning Addiction, Death and Incarceration Into a Brand of Hope and Inspiration Prior to the pandemic, I had the pleasure of graduating groups of inmates in my “Define Your Brand, Own Your Future” personal branding workshop program for sentenced and pre-trial offenders within the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Prior to each inmate receiving their MDK Brand Management Certificate of Achievement,…
5 Steps to Transition from Story-Teller to Story-Seller Denise Kaigler, Brand Elevation Strategist “Marketing is telling a story about your values that resonates enough with people that they want to give you money.” – Seth Golin It is said that every individual has a story to tell. But do we each have a story to sell? As someone who has…
Visiting Cuba, popular among tourists for its rich history, museums, cigars and rum, had long been on my bucket list. But for most Americans, traveling to Cuba is not a simple book-and-fly process. And as a result of the U.S.’s increased travel bans imposed in June, 2019, it has become even more difficult to travel to this Caribbean destination from…
“I’m obsessed with giving the audience something they don’t see coming.” – Jordan Peele, writer and director, Get Out. Not all great stories are delivered equally. The story swirling around inside your head may be itching to be heard but are you set up to tell it with the captivating finesse it deserves? In the past, I would have answered…