Monthly Archives: April 2017

United’s PR Has Been Grounded (Sorry, “Re-Accommodated”)

Re-accommodate?

That word should be discussed in every communications class in every college this week. Everybody has seen the shocking video of a passenger, who bought a ticket like you and I would for a flight, aggressively and violently removed from his seat on a United Airlines flight while preparing to take off from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to make room for a United Airlines employee. However, what was almost equally as disturbing as the incident was the response from United Airlines. Among the many curious phrases used, the one that elevated above the rest was “re-accommodate.”

That tone-deaf sentiment, rightly so, sent people’s reactions to this situation to levels of anger they didn’t imagine was even possible.

Re-accommodate!

Once again, a leader of a major institution proves to be detached from reality. Many have said that major institutions are failing. False. People leading major institutions are failing. Institutions have always existed and will always exist in some form or another. Institutions are constants. People are the variables. And United Airlines CEO Oscar Muñoz (and his PR team) are the latest examples of this modern societal problem. What’s more is that people in high positions of authority don’t seem to realize that while their power may remain above ours, the checks and balances on them, through social media and major influencers on TV, is flatter than its ever been.

The outrage from the United Airlines disgraceful act of aggression is actually an extension of the populist rage engulfing the world. No, this populist anger is not directly tied to anything Donald Trump or Nigel Farage. Instead, this populist anger rises above to something very non-partisan. People in all ideological corners are beyond exhausted with leaders in high authority not listening to them, being tone-deaf and, quite frankly, reacting with no elementary sense of right and wrong.

The crisis management by United Airlines perfectly illustrated how everyone (yes, everyone) is fed up with this lack of responsibility nonsense.

Look at that, United Airlines united us after all.

You tell me who won the PR battle here: United Airlines or Jimmy Kimmel/America?

By the Hammer of Thor’s Lore (& YouTube)

Movie trailers (which now include the subset “teaser trailers”) have evolved into an art form.

It’s true.

There’s an argument to be made that the trailer (or collection of trailers) for certain films is quite literally better than the film itself. I know what you’re thinking: 2 1/2 minutes is better than a couple hours of entertainment?

Well, men think so.

Anyways, this is why the release of a movie trailer online and through various social media channels has become such a grand event for movie fans. Sure, there are still special previews during major television events, like the Super Bowl or March Madness. However, given the immediacy, widespread access and viral marketing dynamic of the internet (ie- YouTube), movie production companies continue to take full advantage of this unrivaled digital communicative infrastructure.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the first teaser trailer for Thor: Ragnarok that will premiere in theaters this November.

12.5 million+ voluntary views and counting on Marvel’s YouTube channel in less than 24 hours.

And this ever-increasing metric is just for the teaser trailer…in April.

Happy Monday

#LifeGoals

Ladies and gentlemen, we must always strive for the best in life. And with each new day, there are challenges that will emerge that we must overcome. Some of these obstacles will be known, while others will be unknown. Regardless of the trying situation, the most important thing to remember is to never give up on our dreams when faced with these barriers.

#TheStruggleIsReal

Have a Better Week Than Last Week.

Raising a Cane

What’s the one item that can turn any guy into a distinguished gentleman?

Hint: Johnnie Walker never leaves home without one.

Who needs Steve Urkel’s transformation chamber when there are canes in the world.

Speaking of a sophisticated cane Caine…

Whether it’s buying a cane or hearing a funny story from famed actor Michael Caine, either one (or both) will prepare you for this weekend. And while we can’t be Michael Caine with a cane (that just happened), we can get relatively close to that unstoppable style.

Almost as close as the name Michael Caine and a certain phrase that sounds remarkably close to its pronunciation.