Monday, February 04, 2008

Monday Quickies

I don't have much time to write here today, amid various project deadlines stacking up like planes waiting to depart Chicago's O'Hare Airport. But here are a few quick things I thought worth mentioning.

Our Favorite New Company Name (at least it's new to us): Media Schmedia. And as a bonus, it's local.

Trust us: We're Known Prevaricators (That's a Nice Word for Liars). Giant PR firm Edelman, which has been caught doing some egregious things, like trying to pass off a phony blog for similarly ethics-challenged client Wal-Mart, offers up a trust survey. Sorry, folks, but when you lack credibility yourselves, it's a bad idea to be commissioning polls on trust. It only calls that much more attention to your shoddy reputation.

Good for you, Bob Reich. It's not easy taking on an old friend and former American president, publicly pointing out that he's been uttering untruths (there's yet another synonym for lying). But someone's gotta do it. The former Labor Secretary and former FOB (Friend of Bill), dating back to their days at Cambridge as Rhodes Scholars, calls Clinton to task for his shameful attacks on Obama. In my eyes, Reich (who stands just under five feet tall) can walk tall and proud for speaking up this way. And this isn't the first time he's been a truth squad on the subject of Clinton. A decade ago, he wrote an entire book about his time in the Clinton Cabinet, which documented how his old friend tried his best to marginalize him for his liberal views.

What is Councilman Zone Smoking? The West Side Sun covers a story about the rehab of an old theatre on Cleveland's near west side, Gordon Square. So far, so good. Then it quotes the neighborhood's councilman, Matt Zone, saying something so ridiculous that I read it three times, just to make sure I hadn't misundstood him. "I believe that, upon completion, Gordon Square will be synonymous with other destinations like Soho, Dupont Circle and Greenwich Village. Ten years down the road it will have that kind of recognition." If you've ever been to that blighted Cleveland neighborhood and the lively, booming NY and DC neighborhoods of which he speaks, you wouldn't merely think that's a ridiculous statement. You might actually think only a fool could say something so silly. Yes, I'm all in favor of a councilman singing the praises of his own area and trying to raise everyone's hopes. But come on--use some common sense. Cleveland will never be like NY or DC--it doesn't have the population density or the economic base to begin to pull it off. So just get used to it, folks, and do the best you can. Offering up laughable benchmarks doesn't help your case. It only makes you look ridiculous.

8 Comments:

At 3:49 PM, Blogger Jill said...

I mentioned Media Schmedia over a year ago (here) but I've known of it for nearly 10 years, or pretty much when Hallie and Ben started it (mostly Ben I think but I could be wrong). Hallie actually is at least an acquaintance of if not good friends with Sandy Piderit through their La Leche connection I think (I know they both have an interest in it, to say the least).

Anyway - they are great people, their kids are great and Hallie's mom and I worked together at Bellefaire for several years.

I hope they're doing well - and yes - it's a great name.

 
At 3:53 PM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

Thanks, Jill. It did sound faintly familiar when I bumped into it via LinkedIn, and that's no doubt from reading your entry originally (but we know that a year ago in blog/dog years is like seven years ago. The name made me chuckle, and I like their website. So earning a Good Housekeeping seal from JZ completes the Trifecta for them.

The La Leche League connection also makes me chuckle. I guess all roads meet there. Sure wish we could have Sandy back in this region sooner rather than later. We need that good brain.

 
At 1:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Matt Zone’s claim is an obvious exaggeration, which is too bad because it overshadows the positive residential changes happening in his neighborhood, such as: Bridge Square, Eco Village, Battery Park, Tillman Park, and Casa Belvedere condos. At current rate of development his small theater/arts district will have the density to make it a qualified success and unique from those districts he now refers.

 
At 2:12 PM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

I think that's about right. You said it well. Glad you understood that I wasn't so much criticizing the neighborhood, which has some positive momentum, but merely saying the yardsticks he's setting up as benchmarks seem outlandish. Thanks for adding your perspective.

 
At 5:21 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My favorite company name of all time is the Sealed Air Corporation. (they own the Bubble Wrap trademark)

But Media Schmedia is pretty great, as a name.

 
At 6:02 PM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

Nice of you to visit from the Big Apple. Hope you keep coming back.

 
At 10:10 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Media Schmedia is more than a cool name, it's Benjamin and Hallie who are the consummate professionals. I see Benjamin infrequently at COSE functions, but he is well respected and seemingly on top of the ad game from many angles.

 
At 11:09 AM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

It seems the Schmedia folks have been getting around. And also that I'm one of the few in these parts that didn't know about them. I expect you to introduce me to them next time we're all in the same room together, Sheila. And thanks again for lunch the other day. Always love trying to keep up with that fast brain of yours.

 

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