Is This for Real?

Anytime I start to get close to a beauty brand, they do something like this:

They slap their name on something that's so overwhelmingly offensive, I don't ever want to buy a single thing from them ever again. Seriously? They thought this was the way to go? I can't imagine who must run Sephora's marketing department. Who in God's name slapped their approval on this...ok, let's not go there. Sephora, consider the relationship officially defunct.

All Hail the "FFF"

It's not what you think...

"FFF" = friends, fans, and followers, and it is the new way to evaluate any artist's (especially musicians') popularity. Record sales? Bah! They don't tell you a damned thing anymore - these days we're all about the single anyway, as we've continued to carefully curate our music libraries, downloading a song off this album here, or an old favorite off of that one there. (Check out the figure below)

What's more, Pandora now has close to 60 million registered users and more than 1 billion stations - representing 1.7% of all radio music listening.

Obviously, the web has drastically changed the music industry - and the way we consume all media. More than anything else I've read in a while, this "FFF" score shows me that we are totally out with the old model and on with the new. I can't help but wonder, what's next?

Laying Down the Gauntlet

Alright - I'm challenging myself to actually have a blog - as in write daily. This week, I'm going to be diligent in posting and see how it goes. Who knows, I might find I actually like it.

L

Energy Outlet

Ever have just one of those mornings?

Of course you have. We all have. My problems ain't so unique.

Well, my today began by waking up bathed in sweat and still hungry from the night before (I had skipped dinner). I then quickly moved from cranky-hungry to desperately anxious as I shortly realized that I had set my alarm 30 minutes later than I had intended and was already late.

From there, it only got worse.

My dog, upset with me for spending too much time with my new boyfriend and not enough time with her, was in a mood for punishment. She ran out the apartment and then refused to come back when called - she wasn't having any bribery either. So I found myself bathed once again in sweat (and now in shame to boot) as I chased her around the complex, my abusive master voice and wheedling entreaties alternatively grating on my ear.

Even after breaking the sound barrier on my way up to the office, I rolled into work and signed in 22 seconds late.

I'm still hungry.

Please tell me it gets better from here.

L

Diddy in Coach?

Gas prices have become so astronomical that even Diddy himself is feeling the crunch. Diddy posted a video blog on his YouTube account complaining about having to fly commercial.

He rants: “Gas prices are too motherfucking high. As you know, I do own my own jet and I have been having flying back and forth to LA pursuing my acting career. Now, if I’m flying back and forth, like, twice in a month that’s like $200,000 or $250,000 round trip. FUCK that. I’m back on American Airlines right now. Ok? Your boy Diddy right now is on American Airlines. Look. I want to give a shout out to all my Saudi Arabian brothers and sisters and all my brothers and sisters from all the countries that have oil, if you could all please send me some oil for my jet I would truly appreciate it. But right now, can you believe it, I am actually flying commercial. That’s how high gas prices are ok, so I feel you. Look, I’m at the gate right now. This is proof that gas prices are too high, we need to do something about it, so tell whoever the next president is that we need to bring gas back down.”

What is the world coming to?

Here We Go

I am new blood in The Richards Group planning fold. I've been around for about three months, and I am now ready to dive head-first into the world of brands and the wide variety of people who use them. Here's hoping that over time this blog becomes a place of inspiration, collaboration, and a catalyst for new thinking.