PR News Munchies Archives

Ho, No! Sleazy Spitzer Hooked, Skewered - 03/18/2008

If you're a self-proclaimed newswit, bored by the herd's fawning coverage of Barack Obama, the FBI catching "Client 9," New York's Mr. Morality, is manna from heaven. Wannabe jokester journalists' creative juices were flowing on CNN's "Reliable Sources" Sunday. Gov's Girl>>>

Apologizing for the Apology for Incorrectly Correcting the Correction - 05/10/2007

You know how your clients are forever wanting a retraction or correction or clarification of something they didn't like in the local paper? Well, they might want to think twice before messing with the guy who owns the printing press. By the Barrel>>>

Down, Down, Down - 04/18/2007

CornerBarPR.com® and Contacts On Tap™ were down for a while this afternoon and evening. Something broke. It's mostly fixed now, but we apologize for the inconvenience. Drinks on the house! Ring of Fire>>>

Keith Olbermann, the Good and the Bad: It's Ugly - 04/13/2007

We'll give Keith Olbermann this: He's often entertaining, his show is interesting, and he's certainly on the right side of the Don Imus mess. If he were a bit less fixated on Bill O'Reilly, who has three times Olbermann's audience, Countdown might be a destination, rather than a channel-flip when "The O'Reilly Factor" goes to commercial. Can't Count>>>

Nappy-Headed HOSt - 04/11/2007

Don Imus' sexist, racist on-air comment about the Rutgers University women's basketball team is the screw-up that won't go away. And shouldn't. SHOCKed Jock>>>

They Forgot 'The Kitchen Sink' - 08/17/2006

One National Football League team's trademark should be canceled on grounds that it is a "pejorative, derogatory, denigrating, offensive, scandalous, contemptuous, disreputable, disparaging, and racist designation for a Native American person." Got that? Are You Ready For Some Lawyerball?>>>

Want the Real Scoop on O'Reilly and Olbermann? - 07/27/2006

TVNewser is your one-stop shop to find out what's really happening in the television news business. Blogger Brian Stetler posts industry gossip, breaking news, and TV newscast ratings. The newscasters all read it; you should, too. Who's Doing Whom>>>

All the News That Fits - 07/23/2006

Well, "The Old Gray Lady" fears red, so she thinks green, spreads the blues with less white, plenty of pink. Translation: The New York Times plans layoffs and cuts in page size to shore up the company's bottom line. Now, apparently, there will be five percent less news that's fit to print. To Reduce Costs To Zero …>>>

77 1/2 PR Tips: What They Didn't Teach You in PR School - 07/07/2006

At the CornerBar, our servers like tips, our bartenders like tips, and occasionally our patrons leave some pretty nice tips. Joe Chernov of upper right pr has left us 77 1/2 tips (you can pick up no. 78 1/2, if you read his PR blog). Joe's e-book, "77 1/2 Public Relations Tips," is loaded -- bar joke; get it? -- with PR tips. Perhaps not your year's "must buy," but it clearly is worth a lot more than its $7.77 list price on Amazon.com or from BooksOnStuff. Tips Improve Service>>>

PR News Offers Curmudgeon's 'Tips for Making the Right Hire' - 07/03/2006

PR News, which provides "The Latest News and Strategies in PR & Marketing," has published "Tips for Making the Right Hire," by CornerBarPR.com's own Chief Curmudgeon. As usual, our Curmudgeon doesn't pull any punches in offering candidates advice on how to land the best job. Get the 19 Jun 06 Issue>>>

Professional Accreditation Is Easier than You Think - 07/03/2006

IABC is making a push to increase the visibility of professional accreditation. Members will want to log in to the new Accreditation Forum in the organization's Member Centre (note the cute, internationalized, Australian-British-Canadian spelling). Know Your ABCs>>>

$40 Million PR Guy - 07/03/2006

Well, a value has just been established for PR. It's in the neighborhood of $40 million, according to the New York Knicks basketball team. Fired coach Larry Brown did some reporter interviews without a PR guy present, and now the Knicks are trying to weasel out of paying the remainder of his huge contract. Suppose There'll Be Lawyers Involved?>>>

We'll Be Down for Maintenance Friday Evening - 06/09/2006

Notice: CornerBarPR.com® and Contacts On Tap™ will be shut down for maintenance at roughly 6:30 p.m. CDT Friday, 09 Jun 06, for a couple of hours. The result will be better service, but we understand that the interruption poses an inconvenience. Sorry, but better to maintain than to have something break. Gettin' a Lube and an Oil Change>>>

'Goin' to War' with Tim Russert - 02/08/2005

It was "best practices" stuff, when Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was questioned by NBC's Tim Russert on "Meet the Press" Sunday. Russert had a "gotcha" ready – the Rumsfeld quote, "You go to war with the army you have" – but, in the end, it was the newsman who got got. Careful What You Ask For>>>

No Malfunction This Time - 02/08/2005

Turns out you can't even spoof the Justin Timberlake-Janet Jackson fallout from Super Bowl XXXVIII. Humorless NFL and FOX officials pulled a too-hot commercial for GoDaddy.com after it already had run once. Haven't these folks ever heard of parody? Go, Daddy!>>>

Note to Heaven: 'Here's Johnny!' - 01/24/2005

Comedian and long-time "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson died over the weekend. After 30 years in the late-night throne, Johnny would have preferred to be followed by Dave, but NBC had other ideas and went with Jay. No matter. Both late-night TV guys are funny and very, very smart, but there will never be another Johnny. RIP, Johnny>>>

IABC Pours Heart and Soul into 'Best Practices' Book - 12/20/2004

IABC used to publish No Secrets in book form as a compilation of Gold Quill Award-Winning Case Histories. Now they've changed the name to Best Practices and they're having a just-off-the-presses-end-of-the-year sale of the newly published 544-page resource. The staff that remains after manhandling -- and being manhandled by -- the herculean project says the book is better than ever, despite our Chief Curmudgeon's interference as managing editor. 216,535 Words>>>

I'd Rather Be in Texas - 11/15/2004

Wouldn't it be great to be 73, at the end of a career as anchor and managing editor of a national television news operation, and able to say just about anything you damn well pleased? Well on election night, Dan Rather showed that he had perfected the art -– Texas-style. That's our Dan, "Hotter than a Times Square Rolex." Lone Star>>>

It's Michigan v. SBC in Big 10 Football - 10/28/2004

It looked like the University of Michigan and Ohio State University were gonna go for the gold, taking a million-dollar corporate sponsorship from SBC Communications and giving the phone company naming rights to the annual season-ending gridiron battle between the two schools. But then Michigan backed out. Does that mean it'll now be Michigan v. SBC? Is it a classic? A sellout? Talk Is Cheap>>>

We'll Be Down for Maintenance on Friday Afternoon - 10/28/2004

Notice: CornerBarPR.com® and Contacts On Tap™ will be shut down for maintenance at roughly 7:00 p.m. CDT Friday, 29 Oct 04, for about an hour. We understand that the interruption poses an inconvenience. But hey, that's why we're warning you! Down But Not Out>>>

Attention CornerBarPR.com® Customers:
We Don't Have Your Most Recent Email Message;
Please Send It Again! - 10/01/2004

If you sent CornerBarPR.com® an email message any time from last Saturday, 25 Sep 04, until the morning of Wednesday, 29 Sep 04, please send it again; we don't have your message and cannot respond. Blame our Chief Curmudgeon, who personally lost all the messages. Oops!>>>

… and It Wasn't Even an Ambush Interview! - 08/03/2004

Ah, what a tangled tale we weave when Fineman fouls up, disses Chris; Lloyd gives the lowdown and Imus leaps into the fray with both boots; then the MSNBC producer pool pounces on Howard the Wuss. And we thought the soap operas were on the big network. Hapless Howard>>>

We'll Be Down for Maintenance on Friday Afternoon - 07/29/2004

Notice: CornerBarPR.com® and Contacts On Tap™ will be shut down for maintenance at roughly 4:00 p.m. CDT Friday, 30 Jun 04, for four or five hours. The result will be better service, but we understand that the interruption poses an inconvenience. Too bad. Movin' On>>>

Media Biased, Pew Research Says; What Else Is New? - 05/25/2004

Media are far more liberal than the average citizen, and more liberal than they used to be, according to a just-released study from the Pew Research Center. Reporters' trust in the ability of voters to make good decisions has declined dramatically since the previous study in 1995. But, while the left-leaning sample had difficulty identifying any liberal media outlets, they readily identified the Fox News Channel as conservative. All That's Left>>>

'Diggin' A Grave With A Knife And A Fork' - 05/13/2004

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee gets our nod for the best 45 seconds of clichés by a politician obviously in search of a sports announcing spot in a second career. The conversation was about the gov's weight loss, but it turned into a string of comedy one-liners, perfect for today's Imus show. Weight A Minute>>>

A Reason to Subscribe - 04/27/2004

"Can we see my house from here?" Well, if not, you should have subscribed to Reason Magazine; then everyone you know could see it. If you're already a subscriber, your home will be on the cover of the June issue. That's right, your home! Mass Customization>>>

Marketing Prescription Gives CornerBarPR.com® a Buzz - 04/27/2004

How do you spread a new virus? By creative interpersonal marketing and word of mouth, says Chief Curmudgeon Rich Barger. Viral marketing is inexpensive, credible, and can spread information like -- well, like a virus. Here's how we've done it -- and continue to do it -- at CornerBarPR.com®. Behold The Dancing Baby>>>

Spamming Your Next Boss - 04/17/2004

Job hunting? Your resume may be getting blocked by a "spam filter" on the hiring person's computer system. Those magic words that sell your abilities and desirability for the recipient's job likely are the same ones used by companies trying to sell Viagra or low-interest-rate home loans. But It's NOT Porn!>>>

Air America: At the Left End of Your Radio Dial - 04/17/2004

Air America isn't only the CIA's airline. It also is a new nine-station radio network built as a counterweight to the dreaded conservative talk radio. Leftward-tilting comedian Al Franken has defined himself by what he is not: a media heavyweight like Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. Not A Rush>>>

When I Say 'Scat,' ... - 04/14/2004

The pages of CornerBarPR.com® and the media data on Contacts On Tap™ are available faster than ever, after our move to a new traffic-management system for data access. Well, you don't care about the technology, only the outcome, and it's quick, translating into a better experience for our patrons. No Doo-Doo>>>

It's Clear: Stern Given the Boot - 04/11/2004

It's a right-wing conspiracy! That's what radio host Howard Stern said when the country's largest radio chain dropped his show like a hot potato. Seems the feds decided to fine Clear Channel Communications $495,000 after Stern's sexually explicit show triggered the FCC's antenna. They must have thought it was the current version of George Carlin's seven dirty words. Shocked Jock>>>

Blair Book Bubble 'bout to Burst - 04/05/2004

Notorious lying, plagiarizing journalist Jayson Blair, formerly of The New York Times, is about to drop off the bookseller's radar screen. His story, a scandal at this country's most powerful newspaper, inched as high as No. 32 on The New York Times nonfiction Best Seller's list, but, by 11 Apr 04, it will fall from the list, doubtless never to return. Laughing Liberals>>>

Not for The Naked Chef - 04/04/2004

Southern Living has pulled its April issue from store shelves and notified subscribers, because of food with a serious case of indigestion. The magazine's recipe for "Icebox Dinner Rolls" may be delicious, but it also has a tendency to explode. And you thought carbohydarates were bad ... Bin Laden's Cookbook?>>>

Ink by the Barrel - 03/16/2004

This morning, Don Imus ("Imus in the Morning") once again proved the old adage, "Never get into an argument with someone who buys ink by the barrel." Or who controls the microphone and has a large, loyal, nationwide broadcast audience. Ten years after grocer Stu Leonard went to prison for tax evasion, Leonard Junior ticked off Imus, who dredged up daddy's jail time for one of his classic satires. You don't want to be the butt of those, we assure you. Power of the Press>>>

The Curse of Publicity - 03/15/2004

Chicago's Harry Caray's Restaurant managed an incredible publicity coup from buying and blowing up a baseball. Oh, it's a bit more complicated than that, but the stunt raised a million dollars, was carried worldwide, and may even have ended Sam Sianis' six-decade curse. Explosive Evidence>>>

Bustin' the Curves - 03/15/2004

Kansas City radio station KYYS has been busted for a billboard anouncing their anniversary. Why the fuss? Their billboard graphic merely showed the swimsuit- and bikini-clad bosoms of 15 lasses, helping the radio station celebrate "30 big ones!" Nothing on the billboard was flashing ... Breasts to Bellies>>>

Entrepreneur's Friend - 12/20/2003

"Got media lists?" asks the Jan 2004 issue of Entrepreneur. If not, who ya gonna turn to? Well, it ain't "Ghostbusters," that's for damn sure. It's Not $6000, Either>>>

What Did Rumsfeld Know and When Did He Know He Knew It? - 12/20/2003

"There are known knowns, … there are known unknowns …" Upstaging his fumble-mouthed boss, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's known knowns -- not known nouns -- has won this year's "Foot in Mouth" award for the most baffling statement by a public figure. The logic is indisputable, if you can follow it. He even outdid Arnold's reprise of the movie, "When a Man Loves a Woman." Sticks 'n Stones>>>

Media Rottweilers ... or Lap Dogs? - 12/20/2003

On a recent Hannity & Colmes show on FOX News, where the debate is claimed to be fair and balanced, guest Geraldo Rivera said, "Reporters don't report buildings that don't burn." The controversial reporter said the success stories of post-Saddam Iraq aren't being told – only coverage on burning buildings and body counts. Which leads CornerBarPR.com® to question, If the media are the watchdogs of the government, who's the watchdog of the media? Are the media acting like rottweilers, watchdogs, or lap dogs? Or maybe ratings whores? Watching Watchdogs>>>

Thorny Relationship Ends for Rosie - 12/20/2003

A lot of pots and pans and accusations were hurled, but Rosie O'Donnell's split from her namesake magazine eventually took on the aura of a no-fault divorce. Not a happy parting, but no alimony, either. The judge called it a fight over "bragging rights." We call it a mating of elephants. Un-damaged>>>

‘How Many Barrels of Beer Did PR Sell?’ - 10/27/2003

If you find money sexy, then the IABC/Delahaye Medialink 2003 Research and Measurement Conference may be just right for you. It may not sound like a money conference, but the New York gathering Nov. 20-21 is all about “Generat[ing] a Positive Return on Your [PR] Investment.” Today's economic environment may have screwed up everything in business, but it presents a golden opportunity for communicators. What better place than Times Square to expose communicators to research-based findings of moving from a world of opportunistic PR to one where only the communicators who control the PR/ROI framework will be left standing? Money Talks>>>

The Bar is Back after Burst Blows Backbone - 09/23/2003

CornerBarPR.com® and Contacts On Tap™ are back on line after equipment servicing several of the nation's Internet "backbone" providers was drowned by a water pipe break at a local telecom switching center. Our servers and data are fine, but there was no way for us to access the Internet until our Tech God set up a wireless link to a different facility on the other side of the problem. Water, Water Everywhere>>>

Build, Export Lists with Contacts On Tap™ PREMIUM - 09/23/2003

We listened, we programmed, and we've delivered. Now our popular Contacts On Tap™ PREMIUM service has taken on a life of its own. You can build multiple contact lists and download updated information to your own computer as often as you like. For more details look at the promo box on the upper left side of this page, or contact us for a 15-day Free Trial. Popular Pitching Product>>>

Internet Email, Messaging Coming to a Flight Near You - 12/17/2002

Lawyers looking for a chance to double-bill their hours now will have the chance of their lives. Next year, airlines on international routes will offer high-speed Internet access. How much will consumers be willing to pay to read, say, CornerBarPR.com^SM in the air? Whatever it is, you can bet the lawyers will mark it up before billing us. High Time>>>

You Wanna Handle the Media Relations on THIS? - 12/17/2002

Augusta Masters their women.... Tapeworm in the Friendly Skies.... Fans overlook the Chicago Cubs.... Criminals balance state budget.... World-class CEO jackpot.... The Law no longer reigns.... New News Munchies feature highlights corporate stupidity in the news: Would you want to be the media spokesperson? Lottsa Comments>>>

Let Us Burn Your Binder:
Save $$$ on Contacts On Tap™ - 12/17/2002

Have a 2002 media binder or book of national contacts? We'll give you a $95 cash discount on your Contacts On Tap™ subscription if you let us burn it for you. We also offer discounts to nonprofit organizations and a great bargain on multi-seat licenses for Chambers of Commerce and for Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Holiday Sale>>>

Dig_iT Magazine: High-Tech Stuff for Ordinary Folks - 12/17/2002

Fred Davis, former editor of PC Week and PC Magazine, is launching a technology-focused magazine called Dig_iT, designed to help everyday consumers learn how high-tech stuff can affect their lives. They think Wired has become "ultra-boring"; Davis says he wants to use product reviews and celebrity features to attract non-technical audiences. Celeb Tech>>>

Take This Press Release and Send It - 11/16/2002

After introducing Contacts On Tap™, our 55,000-listing on-line media directory, in October, we've listened to patron suggestions. We're already well along with development of our 2.0 module, which will allow you to customize and save lists, download data, and distribute to your selected media, or to send your release directly from our servers. You'll be able to sign up for Level 2.0 in mid December. Christmas Lists>>>

Direct Marketing Assn. Slips on a Pile of Spam - 11/15/2002

In a fit of self-preservation, the Direct Marketing Assn. has figured out that our e-mailboxes and Internet pipelines are clogged with spam -- Unsolicited Commercial Email. They don't profess much concern for consumers, but seem to realize that, if marketers don't quit fouling their own nest, Congress will do it for them. So they're racing to catch up with -- and try to appear as if they're leading -- the parade. Send In The Clowns>>>

Maybe Geno ISN'T God - 11/15/2002

Free speech or blasphemy? A sports fan's sign, "GENO IS GOD," celebrating the coach of the NCAA champion Connecticut women's basketball team, is taken a bit too seriously by the Episcopal Church right across the street. In A Zone>>>

Whether for the Job, Jokes, or Games, Half of All Workers Use Computers - 11/15/2002

Half of all U.S. workers now use computers on the job -- often for business-related purposes other than sending jokes via email -- according to the Department of Labor. One in 10 workers uses them for job hunting. With numbers like that, we wonder, why aren't more of them subscribing to Contacts On Tap? Job Search, Anyone?>>>

Andersen Lives On with Alumni Network Sites - 10/20/2002

Arthur Andersen may have disappeared faster than one of Siegfried and Roy's tigers, but the company's former employees are keeping in touch through an on-line Alumni Network. The irony is, the Web site was registered pre-Enron. The most popular section? Job opportunities, of course. In the best on-line tradition, the site already has competitors. Tangled Web>>>

Friendliness to Women Nets Good PR for Good PR Firm - 10/04/2002

Fleishman-Hillard has been named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers," according to Working Mother magazine. F-H is the only PR firm on the list, which focuses on companies providing benefits like flexible schedules, leave for new parents, and programs for women's advancement. Hard-Working Mothers>>>

'Helpful Terrorist' Hoax Smokes Coke - 09/30/2002

There is no poisoned Coke or Pepsi, okay? The hoax, which got new life because of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, basically says that you don't want to drink Coca-Cola, or, perhaps, Pepsi-Cola, because ... well, who cares? It's not credible; it's not true; it's not happening. Not The Real Thing>>>

Magazine Says Rosie Relationship Torpedoed by 'Uber Bitch' - 10/04/2002

Rosie O'Donnell, 'Queen of Nice,' became a self-proclaimed 'uber bitch,' according to a big-deal lawsuit filed by publisher Gruner + Jahr USA after O'Donnell quit her namesake magazine last month. "Lesbian chat show star faces £70m magazine lawsuit," says the tasteful headline in the London Telegraph. Too 'Girlie'>>>

Kmart 'Good News' Web Site a Hit; Grouches Need Not Apply - 10/04/2002

If you don't have something nice to say about Kmart, you can't say it here. Kmart has launched a "gathering place for all those interested in supporting Kmart," with content limited to articles and opinions supporting the retailer, which is struggling to emerge from bankruptcy. Unlike a newspaper or TV station, the only news on this site is good news. Grouches are banned. No Blue News>>>

Magazine No Longer 'Coming Up Roses' for O'Donnell - 09/19/2002

Things aren't rosy at Rosie magazine. Rosie O'Donnell has quit her namesake magazine because she's pissed at the publisher. Rosie stops publishing at the end of the year. Wilted Rose>>>

Full-time Cellular Starting to Pull the Plug on Phone Service - 09/19/2002

Sell your wireline stock; critical mass is approaching in the cordless phone industry. More people are starting to use cellular as their only phone. Airwaves account for almost 30 percent of personal calling minutes, with cell phone subscriptions growing, and growing, and growing ... Cutting The Cord>>>

Microsoft Not Playing Fair, Competitors Whine - 09/19/2002

Microsoft continues its errant ways. At least that's the opinion of a group of competitors, who accuse the software giant of failing to comply with the antitrust settlement reached last year. Microsoft is saddened by the industry's inability to see the benefit of its generously following some of the agreement. Big Meanie>>>

Sick of Spam? Help Is on the Way - 09/20/2002

A trickle of spam-fighting tools is expanding to a full-fledged stream. Over the next few months, you'll see more and more ways to protect your email inbox from the deluge of unsolicited commercial email promoting porn, work-at-home schemes, long-distance services, enlarged body parts ... We're Revolting>>>

The Holstein Bites McApple - 09/05/2002

Gateway Computers has done the unthinkable: The company offers direct, head-to-head, competitive advertising of its flat-screen computer with Apple's iMac. It's pretty rare that the intensely competitive, low-margin computer industry sees comparative ads. NEC enters the fray with a flat-screen model of its own, but it doesn't have ads with jumping computers. Getting Jumpy>>>

Sex in the Catholic Church -- This Time on Radio! - 09/05/2002

"Opie and Anthony," a controversial pair of WNEW-FM hosts, were fired after airing live blow-by-blow broadcast of a Virginia couple having sex at St. Patrick's Cathedral as part of a contest promoting Sam Adams beer. Couples competed for prizes by having sex in public places. Howard Stern, that model of decorum, said it was more than he could bare. Sex For Sam>>>

Chinese Netizens Search for Google - 09/05/2002

The Communist Party in China appears to have blocked access to the Google search engine, in a crackdown on "subversive" Internet content. They're trying to create a "good atmosphere" for the Communist Party congress, scheduled for November. That's okay; they can still use Yahoo. Block-Heads>>>

The Face Is Familiar ... - 09/05/2002

... but I forget the name. Ever happen to you? A lot? Before long, technology will help you overcome it. A new gizmo will remember -- actually, it will record -- names; all you have to do is say, "Nice to meet you." Pretty friendly, huh? At your local electronics store in, oh, say, three years. Digital Nudge>>>

Jobs, Jobs, and More Jobs: We've SuperSized Our Career Center! - 08/19/2002

Out of work? Worried that you may be? Looking for an employee? Think you may be? The CornerBarPR.com^SM Trolling For Jobs career center has just been SuperSized, to include the resources of the popular WorkinPR.com right alongside Ned Lundquist's entertaining, extremely useful Job Of The Week newsletter. Pull up a stool. Working For Peanuts>>>

She's Up, She's Down, She's Comin' Back - 08/19/2002

CNBC, the financial news arm of NBC, is looking like a punch-drunk boxer. Up, down, counted out, but coming back. Bartiromo and Rukeyser may have unspellable names, but they have helped snag viewers for the network, which still reports markets with the rhythm and excitement of boxing-match coverage. Marketplace Battle>>>

Earthlink Pops Pop-Up Ads - 08/19/2002

The Friends of Earthlink will be pleased to know that the fourth-largest ISP has put the kibosh on pop-up ads. Earthlink's television ads will emphasize its battle against slow browsing, pop-ups, pop-unders, spam, and other consumer-unfriendly Internet "features" in a world that increasingly seeks instant gratification. Software will be available free to the ISP's 4.9 million subscribers. Slamming Spam>>>

Sassy, Sexy Site Seeks Synergistic Success - 08/19/2002

"It’s a sassy site with enough sex and drink double entendres to spin your head." So says Cathy Chatfield-Taylor, in a very friendly article, "CornerBarPR takes sober approach to planning," in the current issue of Kansas City/IABC's newsletter, e-CommuniKC. "But behind CornerBarPR’s drunken swagger is a carefully crafted business plan," she says. Sober Approach>>>

We Like K.D. Paine's Measurements - 08/07/2002

Measurement Maven Katie Delahaye Paine, publisher of The Measurement Standard, an extraordinary newsletter about PR measurement, has selected CornerBarPR.com^SM for her "The Best of the Web" column in this month's issue. Sez we're fun and "share-worthy." Thank you, Katie. We'll pass it on. Measuring Up>>>

Initial Pricing About to End for SuperSized Contacts On Tap™ Media Directory - 08/07/2002

Contacts On Tap™, CornerBarPR.com's on-line directory of U.S. media contacts, has been SuperSized. Our database of 45,000 reporters, anchors, news editors, and whatnot, at a price of $200 annually, compares very well, thank you, with the so-called competition, who won't even talk to you unless you have thousand-dollar bills hanging out of your pockets. But act quickly; our low prices are going up in the next few days. Going, Going, Gone>>>

Innerwear Condoms: The Hard Part's Up to You - 08/07/2002

Innerwear Condoms.com has ballsy, CornerBar-style advertising for their new product: leggy girls at a bar making time with some guy. You know what everyone hopes for next. Kick-ass copy and sexy art, combined with more than you ever wanted to know about condoms. Coming Soon>>>

Beer, Sex, and Another 6 Inches - 08/08/2002

No, no, get your mind out of the gutter. We just came across some fun facts and language anomalies that are just too good to pass up. Depending on the temperature, the Eiffel Tower varies in height by as much as six inches. Now aren't you ashamed? Beer Nuts>>>

I'm From Microsoft, and I'm Here to Help You - 07/24/2002

Microsoft's deadline demand: Pay me now or pay me more -- a lot more -- later. If you have five or more computers and use Microsoft products, you only have until the end of July to make a decision on software upgrades. No matter what you decide, it's gonna cost you. Revenue Assurance Program>>>

Searching for an Honest Engine - 07/24/2002

They all work differently, of course, but you expect on-line search engine results to be fair and reasonably comprehensive. If they give preferential treatment to advertisers, they oughta make this clear. At least that's what the FTC says. But the search engine companies' response isn't nearly as fast as their searches. Google, not surprisingly, is the best. Searching ... For Revenue>>>

AOL Chief Says It's Time for ALOha - 07/24/2002

The world's largest media company's top on-lineman is going off line. AOL Time Warner chief operating officer Robert Pittman has resigned. "Old media" Time executives seem to be supplanting the guys from the on-line upstart. Dial-up AOL customers have been switching to high-speed services at a slow-speed pace. You've Got ... To Go>>>

PGA's Grand Hopes Slammed by Tiger Tanking - 07/24/2002

Pity the poor PGA. After Vegas bookmakers' darling Tiger Woods tanked the British Open and there is no Grand Slam in professional golf's 2002 future, the PGA Championship in lovely Chaska, Minn., in August has lost its luster and, presumably, millions of viewers and ad dollars. Blown Away>>>

SuperSize This: Is More Than a Mouthful a Waste? - 07/11/2002

In our world of excess, we hear the terms supersize, jumbo, Big Gulp, and magnum on retail shelves, restaurant menus, and condom dispensers. And now, our own Contacts On Tap media database has been SuperSized -- at 45,000 contacts in some 300 cities, we're almost nine times larger than a week ago. More Bang, Same Buck>>>

George Decks Sam, Cokie; MSNBC Says There Isn't Enough News - 07/11/2002

Come September, there will be a new look at ABC's Sunday morning "This Week" program, as George Stephanopoulos takes over the reins from Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts. Elsewhere in media land, MSNBC is cutting back on news in favor of opinion and commentary, and CNN is trying to take over the limited remaining space on your computer monitor. News In The News>>>

Email Porn Heats Up as Spam Soars - 07/11/2002

Depending on whose data you believe, spam, mass-posted, unsolicited commercial email, has increased 450 or 600 or 700 percent in the past year. However much you get, about eight percent probably will be porn, says spam-tracker Brightmail. A Picture Is Worth ...>>>

A Billion? That'd be Quite a Pile of PC's - 07/11/2002

It took the computer industry 25 years to sell one billion personal computers, according to Gartner Dataquest. Now experts are expecting the second billion to be in consumers' hands by 2008 as prices fall. Over One Billion Served>>>

Lights Out for Kmart’s BlueLight.com - 07/01/2002

Kmart, owners of the trophy for the largest retail bankruptcy in history, is dumping BlueLight.com, its moribund e-commerce venture and low-end ISP. Apparently, BlueLight wasn't sufficiently Special, for the brick-and-mortar retailer is returning to traditional Web sales through the Kmart.com name. Attention, Kmart Shoppers!>>>

Snarling Web Publishers Snap Back at Gator - 07/01/2002

Gator Corporation's pop-up ads are more than an annoyance, according to the crème de la crème of the on-line publishing world. The ad network has figured out how to place unauthorized advertising on top of the publishing companies' content, on the publishers' own Web sites. Gator has offered to stop, if each publisher will just pay it a little $50,000 fee. The publishers say the reptilian company is a parasite. Bite This, Gator!>>>

Trusty VeriSign Accused of Deceptive Practices - 07/01/2002

VeriSign, one of the Internet's leading providers of digital certificates and trust services, is facing a barrage of complaints about deceptive advertising, competitive poaching, and customer trickery, after sending false "Domain Name Expiration Notices" to the customers of competitors. Trust-Worthy?>>>

IABC Nixes Glitz on New Web Site:
Function Over Fashion - 07/01/2002

IABC's new Web site, born from the rubble of its ill-fated "Talking Business Now" venture, offers vast improvements in organization and navigation, with e-commerce, on-line record updating, and improved member search balanced with a strong emphasis on privacy. The drab-looking site is all about better function and organization; from that standpoint, they have a winner, with more improvements scheduled. Funereal Look, Fine Functions>>>

AT&T Wants Verizon Penalized for Stupid Marketing - 06/19/2002

Is it stupid marketing or a ploy of genius, as Verizon appears to alienate its own customers with a campaign to sell a non-existent product? One mistake is enough, AT&T says, but two is a pattern designed to create market confusion. Phantom Phone Service>>>

Famed Medical Journal Relaxes Conflicts Provisions - 06/19/2002

The influential New England Journal of Medicine, acknowledging the ubiquitous nature of corporate-sponsored research, has loosened its conflict-of-interest guidelines. Information about new drugs will be published, even if it comes from authors who have financial ties to the manufacturers. Standards? What Standards?>>>

Consumers Balk at Paying for Specialized On-Line Services - 06/19/2002

Consumers continue to resist paying for services on the Internet, according to Jupiter Media Metrix. A few companies, notably The Wall Street Journal, have successfully charged for content, but most attempts to charge for on-line services and content have been spectacularly unsuccessful. But It's Always Been Free>>>

IABC Projects Breaking Even in FY02, Then Nibbling at Deficit - 06/19/2002

Like the drip, drip, drip of water torture, IABC is coming back. Slowly. The financially troubled professional association is on track to break even in FY02, after a $598,000 loss in FY01 and a total deficit of $1.28 million. The Association expects to wipe out the deficit over a four- or five-year period. The Operative Word Is 'Slow'>>>

Programming's a Steal Without Commercials - 06/07/2002

Arrogant movie, entertainment, and broadcast executives are erecting technological barriers to consumer freedom of choice. Right now, they forbid us from skipping their little commercials. What's next? We can't turn the machine off until they've said it's okay? We Are In Control>>>

Microsoft Sabotages Its Own Windows XP and Office Software - 06/07/2002

Losing millions to pirates, Microsoft has taken a particularly aggressive stance against the users of purloined software. Patches won't load and updates sabotage illegal copies. They'd better be damn sure they're right! This Tape Will Self-Destruct ...>>>

Resume Follies Return to Center Stage - 06/07/2002

Another stupid coach bites the big one. Plagiarism and lying on resumes is becoming so prevalent, that it's hard to keep track of who's rail-straight and who should be ridden out of town on that same rail. Lies, Damn Lies, and Resumes>>>

Catch Us at the Bar at the IABC Conference - 06/06/2002

If our Chief Curmudgeon isn't hanging out at the bar at the Chicago Conference, it's because he's doin' duties for IABC. Catch up with him to find out about all the new stuff that's happening at our little Corner Bar and get in on the ground floor of Contacts On Tap™, our media database, before prices go up. He's Everywhere>>>

'We're No. 107!' Say PR Execs - 05/23/2002

PR executives have the 107th best job in the United States, according to the new edition of Jobs Rated Almanac, far above fashion models, which rank 164th. According to the Jobs Rated list, CornerBarPR.com^SM management ranks somewhere among Web site manager, at No. 17, publication editor at No. 31, and advertising account exec at No. 97. Actually, we think our job is No. 1! Better'n a Bartender>>>

Toy Yoda Forces Bust Up Hooters Promotion - 05/23/2002

A former Hooters waitress didn't find a restaurant's Toy Yoda word play a hoot and now will be able to buy any Toyota she wants. She should have known something was up when the contest was announced on April Fool's Day. Not to Be Toyed With>>>

Andersen Shredding Stops Too Soon - 05/23/2002

An Andersen videotape shows that they hadn't learned anything from the Microsoft case or the Nixon White House. Business ethics courses will have a field day with a Houston manager's gleeful praise of corporate shredding. Why wasn't the tape shredded, too? Where's That Electromagnet?>>>

Help Us Improve CornerBarPR.com Content - 05/16/2002

Like any good barkeep, the Proprietor of our CornerBarPR.com^SM on-line meeting place is listening to the patrons. Improve the CornerBarPR.com Contacts On Tap™ media database? Done. Give even more jobs information? Sure. More and better media advice? You bet. And even more improvements are coming. Raising the Bar>>>

Tyson Decked by Klores Agency - 05/09/2002

Wanna represent a bullheaded, brawling, biting, baiting, blasphemous boxer? It may land you a punch in the mouth. New York-based Dan Klores Communications apparently got hammered one too many times and left the ring. Boxed Out>>>

Penthouse Removes Breasts - 05/09/2002

Popular pro Anna Kournikova may finally get a big court win, but it won't be from her tennis skills. Known more for her curves than blazing returns, the foxy Russian is showing her form in a Penthouse lawsuit. We blew the call, Penthouse says. Tit in the Wringer>>>

WWF KO'd by a Panda - 05/09/2002

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" was the motto of boxer Muhammad Ali. And now, the animals have won. The heavyweight World Wrestling Federation has been body-slammed by the tree-hugging World Wildlife Fund. The fighting WWF has become the newly meek WWE. Can't Bear It>>>

Well-Planned Vs. Well-Thought-Out? Inquiring Skeptics Want to Know - 05/09/2002

Tons of planning went into the biggest merger in IT history. Now that HP-Compaq is the second-biggest kid on the block, Carly Fiorina expects several years of relatively slow growth in the computer industry. Grow Carly Grow>>>

Sounds of Silence Muffle Internet Radio - 05/02/2002

The famed Digital Millennium Copyright Act has struck Internet radio speechless. Webcasters claim new royalty fees supported by commercial radio, which isn't eager for any competition, would drive them out of business, so many joined a day-long protest shutdown. Listen Here>>>

Allstate's 'Good Hands' Slap Down Agent - 05/02/2002

Insurance industry "credit scoring" formulas can get you kicked off their books. An Allstate agent has found that this applies to his own job as well as to his customers' policies. There is no freedom of speech -- even to legislators or regulators -- if you're in Allstate's hands, thank you. What Amendment Was That?>>>

Merrill Lynches Conflicted Analysts - 05/02/2002

Business hasn't learned the Microsoft lesson, has it? The world's largest brokerage has been accused of giving biased stock recommendations that cost investors big bucks. How was the scheme found out? Why, emails, of course. Junk Stocks>>>

'Porn Napping' Catches Napping Domain Registrants - 05/02/2002

Expiring domain names are an easy target for porn and gambling sites. If you miss your Web registration renewal deadline, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise the next time you look at what you thought was your site. Great Snatch>>>

Going Way Down in History - 04/24/2002

It's been a year for huge lawsuits (Enron) and huge losses (AOL). AOL Time Warner, the world's largest Internet and media company, posted first quarter net losses of $54.2 billion -- among the largest in corporate history. Better Ways to Make History>>>

Those Bastards Want to be Paid - 04/24/2002

Yahoo users are biting the hand that fed them for free for years. It seems the move from free to fee has been a toothy, two-week ride. The email giant's new "revenue diversification plan" (short for fee for service) isn't generating any yahs or oohs, but moving from free to fee falls into the same business category as a hostile takeover when it comes to warm fuzzies. Pay the Piper>>>

Survival of the Prettiest? - 04/24/2002

The Wall Street Journal got its first makeover since 1942. And, Wired magazine will hit the stands with a new look this June. Such rebranding acts demonstrate both a conservative and radical publication pulling out all the stops to boost sagging subscriptions and tit-dragging ad sales. Pick It Up>>>

New PRSA Look a Site for Sore Eyes - 04/18/2002

PRSA introduces a much-needed, long-overdue complete redesign of the Society's Web site. Excellent graphics, vastly improved navigation, extensive cross-referencing, a member locator, and a CornerBarPR ad. What more could you ask for? Out of Site!>>>

Property Owners Bugged; Want to Stomp Spider-Man - 04/18/2002

When is your property not your own? When it's in a movie run by a competitor, apparently. Columbia Pictures has digitally re-worked ads on a New York building for the upcoming Spider-Man movie; the building owners have proven to be arachnophobes. Got a Bug Up Your A**?>>>

Making an Endrun With a Taxing Promotion - 04/18/2002

A AA baseball team in Altoona, Pa., figured out how to turn lemons into lemonade. At least they took their fans' minds off tax day with a good-natured promotion featuring those two fan favorites, Enron and Arthur Anderson. We have no idea who won the game. Battered Companies>>>

Penchant for Personal Publicity - 04/18/2002

President Bush may be a mass murderer, according to Georgia Rep. Cynthia McKinney. The Congresswoman's outrageous statements may have been directly intended for a finely targeted audience, or she may be in need of serious communications counsel, not to mention a moral transfusion. Killer Comments>>>

Dangerous Mix: Women, Power Tools, Happy Hour - 04/10/2002

Marketing to women: There's an obvious idea. Home Depot and Loew’s are now offering women "happy hour" classes and Ladies Nights. Single women make up the second-largest group of home buyers after couples, according to the National Association of Realtors. Get Buzzed>>>

Witch Doctors Asked for Spirited Problem-Solving - 04/10/2002

It's not just PR sorcery that's helped by booze. Ivory Coast officials have given $200 and a bottle of alcohol to witch doctors, in an attempt to get them to lift a sports curse from the national soccer team. Lifting Evil Spirits>>>

Something Borrowed, Now She's Blue - 04/10/2002

History repeats itself. Even non-historians know this, so why is it that popular political historian Doris Kearns Goodwin couldn’t remember? This woman, a regular know-it-all on CNN, Meet the Press, and other Sunday morning political talk shows, committed one of academe's biggest no-nos when she "borrowed" the writings of other historians and was caught. Meet the Plagiarizer>>>

Sparking Tours of Prison Museums - 04/10/2002

San Francisco has the most famous prison museum, Alcatraz, but New York might be second on the list. Sing Sing, one of the most notoriously violent prisons in U.S. history, might open up as a tourist attraction. Move Over Mickey>>>

Easy, Forward, Choosy: Web Savvy Web Sites - 04/03/2002

Our bar babes explain--convincingly even!--how their favorite advice to be easy, forward and choosy can work both in the bar and with online media relations. Get some>>>

A Sow’s Ear is Still a Sow’s Ear - 04/03/2002

Korean car manufacturer Hyundai Motors wants to change the image of its super-cheap car to that of a more middle class vehicle to compete with the likes of Toyota and Honda. It doesn’t seem to matter to executives at Hyundai that only 3.7 percent of the new car buying public will even consider purchasing the poor quality car. This Little Piggy Went To Market>>>

Battle of the Buck - 04/03/2002

If you’re a woman, it won’t surprise you to learn that women make less money than their Mars counterparts. In the last decade, the wage gap has grown from women earning 86 percent of what a man earns in 1995, to women earning a whopping low of 73 percent in the year 2000. Penis Envy>>>

Right to Bare More than Arms - 04/03/2002

A mayor who chose to bare her breasts may not be mayor much longer. Residents of a tiny mining town 45 miles west of Denver want to strip away a former stripper's elected office. A Cover Up>>>

Tees to Please - 03/26/2002

Pro women golfers received some flirtatiously direct marching orders at a recent LPGA summit meeting: Walk softly and carry an attitude projecting the big tease. Ty Votaw, LPGA commissioner wants his tour twinkies to play well, look good, and not forget who's paying the bills. Fore Play>>>

British Government Focuses on Froth - 03/26/2002

Foam can take up valuable space in a beer glass, but governmental involvement never ceases to amaze. Useless Head>>>

Where Provocative Poses and Near Porn Are Par - 03/26/2002

T&A rules the day at Fox Sports. Where else can you check out nice clubs swung by better jugs than those sported by new reporters such as Lisa Dergan (Playboy's Miss July 1988). Then there's an eye-popping photo gallery featuring some provocative poses by reporter Lisa Guerrero of the new Fox site, foxsports.com. Porn as a Sport>>>

Vote Now or Forever Wish You Did - 03/14/2002

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Bar, it’s election time! Thanks to your input, we’ve gathered the best and worst dressed sites in the PR industry and ponied them up for you to make the last call. Where’s My Butterfly Ballot?>>>

Sex, Drugs, and Hard Slaps by Overworked Chaps - 03/14/2002

If drugs make the world go 'round, the United States is on full tilt. The FDA is near overdose trying to keep up with its role assessing drug ad pitches. FDA Snorting for Air>>>

Pricey Pixels Put Newscasters in Premium Sets - 03/14/2002

For just $40,000 up to $250,000, news stations are airing their broadcasts in posh studio settings that would cost them millions of dollars to build or lease. Around 40 stations, including Equity Broadcasting of Little Rock, have gone virtual. Protruding Pixels>>>

Nominate the Best Dressed/Worst Dressed/Undressed PR Site of 2002 - 03/06/2002

CornerBarPR^SM is cashing in on the Oscar buzz and holding a contest, of sorts. Nominate the best and worst PR sites on the Web and you may win cheesy promotional crap and great notoriety. Show Some URL>>>

Sometimes You Just Have to Say What the F*(# - 03/06/2002

The Star would say, "Barklays bankers blow bundle on bottled bliss." We hope they enjoyed their final meal with the company; $63,000 worth of wine probably eased the pain. Swish, and Swallow Slowly>>>

What Was Ogilvy & Mather Snorting? - 03/06/2002

O&M overcharged the Office of National Drug Control Policy around $850,000; settled for $1.8 million. It's not clear who is on drugs, because the Drug Control Office continues to do biz with Ogilvy. The Ultimate Drug Test>>>

Under-30 Crowd Becoming Digital Addicts - 02/27/2002

The under-30 crowd, with good eyesight and impressive computer skills, is dumping newspapers in favor of Web-based news and ads. Newspapers have gotten the wake-up call, but haven't hit on a winning strategy to increase this group's reading frequency. More RAM, Less Filling>>>

Red-Faced, Red-Inked Association Inches Toward Solvency - 02/27/2002

After a disastrous 2000, IABC begins slow comeback to financial stability. Despite cutting expenses $875,000, it is not ahead of schedule. No, the auditor wasn't Arthur Anderson. Seeing Red>>>

We're From the Government; You Can Trust Us - 02/27/2002

The Pentagon's short-lived Office of Strategic Influence bites the dust after a barrage of media reports level accusations that the office planned to use "black ops" to spread lies and false information overseas. That's a lie, said Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. Bad Influence>>>

CNN, Seeing Stars, Snags Connie Chung - 02/20/2002

CNN already has old, egotistical, much-married-guy fans locked up with Larry King. Now, it's going after the older Asian market, as well, by putting new hire Connie Chung, 55, in the death spot opposite Fox star Bill O'Reilly. Ka-Ching, Ka-Chung>>>

These Commentators Are Right - 02/20/2002

Best-selling books by Bill O'Reilly, Pat Buchanan, Barbara Olson, Peggy Noonan, and Bernard Goldberg prove that conservative pundits haven't totally given in to the dreaded liberal media. Of course being "right" isn't enough for the ultra-conservative Buchanan. The Right's Stuff>>>

Confusing De Power of Words With De Words of Power - 02/20/2002

Confusing "devaluation" and "deflation" wouldn't make much difference if you or I were the source. But when the culprit is the leader of the free world, the markets shudder. Powerful Words>>>

Spam, Spam, Spam, Egg and Spam! - 02/11/2002

Did Monty Python start an industry? Well, the FTC and DMA hope to stop it. Good luck! Slamming spamming>>>

MSNBC Type-Casts Black Guest - 02/08/2002

Consultant Niger Innis fell victim to a network nightmare early last week, when an on-screen graphic posted a most unfortunate and offensive misspelling of his name. It was graphic>>>

Enron Exec Lay's Wife Sticks Her Assets Out - 02/08/2002
With a wife like Linda, former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay doesn't need a press agent. At present, the poor guy's assets apparently total less than $38 million. "We're fighting for liquidity," she said. Making ends meet>>>

Enron Says Bless You, Arthur Andersen - 01/28/2002
Anything for a distraction! Arthur Anderson shows up at exactly the right time to take some of the heat, and to inflict a new round of publicity, on the enormous Enron bankruptcy. I can't account for it>>>

Blue Light Flickers on Martha's Products - 01/28/2002
Kmart's bankruptcy is not a good thing, Martha Stewart says ... for her! Taking a bath>>>

Mia Hamm Beats the Daylights Out of Mike Tyson - 01/28/2002
Soccer star Mia Hamm and roundballer Michael Jordan have been tapped as the athletes PR execs would prefer to hang around with when clients have lots and lots of dollars to spend. Follow the bouncing ball>>>

Local TV Stations Getting That Not-So-Clean Feeling - 01/20/2002
To everyone's surprise, ads seem to have an influence on teevee news coverage. Do tell. Oh, no! Puff pieces!>>>

Desperate Times Call for Sexy Promos? - 01/20/2002
CNN's Paula Zahn ad zipped away after only six soundings. A little sex>>>

Urban Legend Rears Ugly Head - 01/19/2002
You’ll probably run into the story of the female Michigan news anchor and the weather guy that’s making the rounds of the Internet. Giving it to you straight>>>

PR Week's Best, Worst Communicators - 01/14/2002
The December 17 issue of PR Week named Rudy Giuliani, Donald Rumsfeld, David Letterman, Vincente Fox, and Tony Blair the best communicators of 2001. And, for the worst>>>

CNN Dumps 30 in December - 01/06/2002
CNN axed 30 of its employees and four shows last month. Out-Foxing CNN>>>

Bernie Spills the Beans on Media Bias - 01/06/2002
What, Me Biased?>>>

The $65 Million Woman - 01/06/2002
Katie was ready to walk and Today showed it was more than talk. Bionic Broadcaster>>>

CNBC Has to Reinvent Itself - 12/27/2001
CNBC Reinvents>>>

60 Minutes Gets Humbled - 12/27/2001
Oh So Humble>>>

Pornography Earns Beat Assignment in LA - 12/27/2001
Porn Just a Beat>>>