The Spin Within

Celebrities who use interviews to redeem their battered images often just dig themselves in deeper.

Charlie Sheen continues to make headlines this week. An article in today’s New York Times aptly notes “A a urine sample and a blood test can’t trace what troubles Mr. Sheen at the moment: he is addicted to explaining himself on the air.”

Sheen’s media-dependence is not unique. Troubled politicians and celebrities often turn to television and radio to retune their images radically — it’s a One Step program to persuade themselves of their … Continue Reading

For the past month, the JZMcBride and Associates office prepared ballots in anticipation of Oscar Sunday. An annual competition, we all competed for Macaroni Monday (delicious Macaroni and Cheese lunch at a local restaurant) and of course, an Oscar trophy.

If you enjoy the Oscars as much as our office does, then you probably know the winners of last night. However, if you missed the Oscar Award Show, here is a recap:

Mmmmmm

There are very few things I like in February. It’s usually cold and snowy. I think Valentine’s Day is over-commercialized fluff. People always seem to be annoyed with winter and grumpy. I will tell you what I do like about February: Shamrock Shakes at McDonald’s. It’s a once a year special treat that McDonald’s offers up in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. It’s very green, very minty and very delicious.

Despite how delicious the shake is, the most fun part of Shamrock Shake season is finding a McDonald’s that … Continue Reading

Finally, Groupon will be giving its loyal members Group-points.

Yes, please!

The daily social couponing service is partnering with Cartera Commerce, a Lexington, Mass., company that manages loyalty rewards programs for credit card companies, retailers and others. As a result, more than 150 million consumers will begin to earn rewards on their Groupon purchases.

We in the JZM family, many of whom are fans of Groupon, have long wondered when it would add a loyalty component to its model. It already knows so much about us as consumers – name, … Continue Reading

This program isn’t new, but it’s new to me. One of my life goals is to go to all the Hard Rock locations in the world, so when I went to the Atlanta Hard Rock this weekend (#11 on my list, thank you) and learned they had a loyalty program, I knew it was for me. Check out the perks you get for a membership purchase of $24.95. Pretty good deal!

1. $20 in All Access rewards good toward the purchase of food, beverage or merchandise at participating cafes
2. Limited … Continue Reading
   

It is President’s Day, and what other way to remember the Oval Office elite with Presidental trivia (click on the link for the answer).

1. Who first drafted the Declaration of Independence?

2. Which president founded the Peace Corps?

3. During whose term did American astronauts land on the moon?

4. Who was the first president to throw out the first pitch of the major baseball league season?

5. Who said “America is too great for small dreams”?

6. Who is known as the “father of the Constitution”?

7. Who … Continue Reading

The headlines from Washington DC are focused on President Obama’s national budget proposal and the battle over deficit spending, but the consumer data marketers served by JZMcBride and Associates ought to pay close attention to the truly significant activities that took place this week in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, of Vermont, announced the creation of a subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, saying that the explosion of new technologies has unleashed new questions about how to protect Americans’ privacy. Leahy said Minnesota senator Al Franken will … Continue Reading

That would be 41071

This week I have an unusual motivation for wanting to go out and buy something ­– I want to see if the cashier asks me for my ZIP code.

Last week, the California Supreme Court ruled, unanimously, that it is illegal for employees to ask for a shopper’s ZIP code. This is because the ZIP is considered part of the consumer’s address, which in California is protected by a state privacy law that forbids retailers from requiring addresses for credit card purchases. A series of lawsuits … Continue Reading

Since we’re an office of avid coffee drinkers that use a Keurig One-Cup machine, I am excited to share the news that Starbucks is in talks with Green Mountain to forge a partnership and add K-Cups to its list of products.

Although nothing is official yet, Starbucks said it plans to announce a new product for the single-cup coffee market in the near future. Right now, the major companies that offer coffee, tea and hot chocolate K-Cups include Green Mountain, Coffee People, Newman’s Own, Caribou Coffee, Emeril’s, … Continue Reading

It is the Monday after the Grammys, and of course it is time to chit chat. I watched the red carpet pre-show to find that Lady Gaga was carried in an egg. Trying to figure out if this should go unanalyzed. Over the past year, it is evident that her album has been wildly successful, with 6 #1 hits and she has built a strong fan base whom she refers to as “Little Monsters.”

On Friday, when her new single, “Born This Way” was released, I wanted to hear what fans … Continue Reading