technology

Crenshaw Communications, social media, technology • July 9, 2009

Michael Jackson Makes Internet History

It’s ironic that Michael Jackson had planned a series of “comeback” concerts scheduled to begin shortly before his death, since no comeback could have matched the media storm surrounding his passing and subsequent memorial service. The service, which was televised, live-streamed, and followed closely by millions on social networking sites in real time, has been called the largest […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, social media, technology • June 17, 2009

The Social Media Revolution That Wasn’t

In the wake of controversial election results in Iran, there’s been much discussion about the role of social media in communicating popular sentiment among the rank and file there. Mashable reports “mindblowing” statistics on Twitter, claiming evidence that social media has been at the nexus of the Iranian unrest. But, does Tiananmen Square + Twitter […]

Crenshaw Communications, public relations, technology • June 15, 2009

Zen And The Art of Mindful Multitasking

Do I have your attention? I didn’t think so. In a world of hyperlinked blogs, pop-up emails, and 140-character updates, it’s natural to wonder about attention span, and whether ours is stretched to the limit. In the agency business, “attention-shifting” is a professional hazard and practically a pre-requisite for success. I blame the business, and my […]

advertising, communications, Crenshaw Communications, public relations, social media, technology • June 10, 2009

Has Twitter Jumped The Shark?

It’s a running joke among people in communications that, today, everyone’s a social media expert. Those who aren’t experts are usually self-proclaimed evangelists, mavens, gurus, specialists, advocates, or at the very least, enthusiasts. It’s striking, isn’t it, how quickly so many have become so adept at using new networks, platforms, strategies, and tools? My point […]

public relations, technology • June 8, 2009

Is Innovation A Victim of Its Own PR?

I was startled to read Michael Mandel’s provocative BusinessWeek article describing the failed promise of American innovation over the past ten years. It makes a pretty persuasive case, documenting our innovation shortfall in key industries and linking it to the US trade deficit, our debt load (taken on under false expectations of compensation increases) and even the current […]

Crenshaw Communications, technology • June 1, 2009

The Final (Gaming) Frontier?

There’s some cool news from E3, the largest annual trade exhibition for gaming enthusiasts. The videogame industry typically shows resiliency in economic downturns, but sales began to slump this spring as the recession took hold, and free or low-cost Web-only and mobile games started to nibble at the traditional videogame business. Today Microsoft electrified the show […]

Crenshaw Communications, technology • May 11, 2009

Are Newspapers Necessary?

In the movie State of Play, the lead character, portrayed nicely by Russell Crowe despite some cliched lines and really bad hair, is meant to represent old-world media …he’s a rumpled, shaggy, veteran newspaper reporter whose high ideals shine through his gruff exterior as he strives to expose an international conspiracy. As if the ink-smudged […]

Crenshaw Communications, technology • May 4, 2009

The Future of Ink, Part 2

Finally, the newspaper industry is fighting back. At least that’s how it feels, and it feels good. As yet another storied paper teeters on the edge of extinction, and Warren Buffett rubs it in, there are some hopeful developments. As noted in a previous post, Hearst Corp. is backing a Kindle-like e-reader created to handle digital downloads of newspapers, magazines, […]

Crenshaw Communications, social media, technology • April 10, 2009

Getting The Twitter Religion

I was all set to blog about all the fun Passover action on social networking sites – the constant tweets and updates, the Facebook Haggadah, the Twitter widget for locating a seder in your zip code, when another holiday use of social networking caught my eye. Trinity Wall Street Church in New York will “Twitter […]