Hump Day Headline

It seems that on a weekly basis there is always some story in the media worth debating.

As such, we here at Fizzle Pop aim to provide a forum for such discussion. Each Wednesday (Hump Day) we will post a fun story to talk about. Some will catch national attention, most won’t. Either way this should at least be entertaining to read.

Today's Hump Day Headline:

Man Denied First Class Seat on United; Best Buy exec told his outfit was too casual

Should an airline be able to enforce a dress code for certain areas of the cabin? Is it a policy or left to the discretion of the gate agent? In this case, the flyer was using miles to upgrade, but what if he'd paid the full fare of a first class ticket?

Talk amongst yourselves.

 

An Open Letter to the Heenes

Dear Falcon "Balloon Boy" Heene and Family,

It has now become common knowledge that your family's little publicity stunt was, in fact, just that. A week ago, many Americans froze in front of their favorite news source (tv/computer/handheld/smoke signals) concerned that a small child was trapped in a runaway balloon. We were slightly relieved to hear that the balloon had been recovered, but you were not to be found. When you turned up shortly after, we were relieved that you were alive.

But those buoyant feelings were soon replaced by questions: Why were you hiding in the attic? Why did people think you were in the balloon? Why was there a pseudo-weather balloon hanging out in your yard anyway? Why did they name you Falcon?

As the questions began to be answered, skepticism, confusion and feelings of WTH weighed heavy on us all.  And now we all know the truth about your dad's bird-brained scheming. At first, I was irritated that I got duped. Then I was annoyed at your dad's selfishness and lack of regard for our heartstrings. But now, it's full-on beef. Porcelain-white Chianina sized beef.

This stunt has kept the attention of camera crews, national news, Twitter, blogs and even gossip blogs for days. During which time, I've been deprived of all kinds of actual information. AND your little stunt made my job hard. While I'm trying to talk to the media about my client's news (actual news, that a lot of people would care about), they are off writing about you.

Tell your dad congrats in achieving his goal of getting some attention. But as I've told people before, it is really hard to fake stuff and get away with it these days.

Good luck growing up and shedding your "Balloon Boy" nickname! Now that you've been the butt of many jokes, Kanye included (yo Balloon Boy, I'mma let you finish, but UP! was one of the best stories of floating away of all time!), you'll float on out of our collective awareness. At least until you show up on VH1 20 years from now on "Child Disappearance Celebrities: Where Are They Now" with Baby Jessica and Elizabeth Smart.

Smooches!

Katie

PS - If you ever want to get news attention for something REAL and not made up, call me!

It's like a blanket...with sleeves!

So....Snuggies.

The "formerly only advertised on channels like Lifetime and the CW late at night" phenomenon has really caught on. Largely because they're so ridiculous. (I mean, why wouldnt you just wear a sweater or use a blanket when you're cold while sitting on the couch. Or flannel pajamas, alpaca wool socks and a bathrobe with a big mug of hot tea. You know, hypothetically.)

But maybe everyone just feels the need to try one on in order to feel justified in mocking it. Or maybe they're actually functional as cheap options for warm, comfortable house-wear.

Whatever the reason, Snuggies have officially "pulled a Riker's beard" and gotten awesome. Call it a cult following, call it whatever, but Snuggies are like that damn Hansel: so hot right now!

A fact that did not go unnoticed at Fashion Week, where Snuggie displayed the new colors (including animal print) and designs (college logos) to an excited crowd.

The gimmicky display was by no means meant to be a serious display of fashion; it's part of Snuggies' new tongue-in-cheek approach to marketing. Between the dogs on the runway and the old white guy "raisin' the roof" in their new TV commercials, Snuggie is no longer taking itself so seriously.

How long it'll stick around it yet to be determined. But with major cities like Seattle and San Francisco hosting Snuggie bar crawls and Snuggie-clad fans turning up in stadiums this football season, Snuggie has arrived.

Shoot, I might even get one to wear to Husky games.

Death of a Senator

News of Ted Kennedy's death began making its way through the country last night and by this morning most news stations were covering the news and filling the airwaves with memories and tributes.

Senator Kennedy's health had been declining, so the death was neither shocking nor controversial. The role of Ted and his family in American politics has been an ongoing saga that has unfolded over decades and now has seemingly come to an end.

Maybe it's because of this that word of his death traveled so quickly. Or maybe it's just that news of any sort travels quickly these days.

I first learned of Kennedy's passing on Twitter, late last night. Then saw more about it on the morning news and by the time I reached my desk today, had received several emails about it.

Never having lived in Massachusetts, I have no real connection to Ted Kennedy, but all of a sudden, he's having a direct impact on my life. Because working in the PR industry means that cultural events that affect the news cycle, can personally affect all of us.

One of my clients had some news going out today, but with the majority of outlets chronicling Ted Kennedy's life and death, our news got lost in the shuffle. Which is probably as it should be. In times when we connect with each other via emails and blog posts more than hand-written letters and dinner parties, there's something comforting about one man's passing causing a disturbance in the (mass media) Force.

 With the current speed of news, Kennedy will be off the front pages before you can say "Bob's your uncle" and reporters everywhere will be freed up to cover my clients again. At least until Jessica Simpson shows up somewhere wearing mom jeans again. 

Blue Paint for Everyone!

There must be something about Indianapolis that makes people want to paint themselves.

I am in Indianapolis for Gen Con, the self-proclaimed "best four days in gaming" on behalf of one of my clients. And I have seen some interesting sights.

There were some interesting costumes, attractive logo-branded ensembles and lots of body paint. And that was outside the convention center! Inside the convention, more body paint and in addition to all the stereotypical gaming convention outfits (that have been the butt of so many jokes they're now almost cliche), lots of clever t-shirts.

Between the Colts pre-seaon game and Gen Con, Indianapolis was overrun with enthusiastic fans and out-of-towners. While many people wouldn't find a lot of similarities between "geeks" and "jocks", I maintain the two groups are actually quite similar.

Both are pastimes that fans dedicate time and money to following. By participating in the games (both kinds!), fans are able to connect with the other participants by sharing a common passion. It becomes a level playing field (or game mat) on which friendships and bonds can be formed. And within either group, there are varying forms and degrees for expressing enthusiasm.

Among football fans, there are those who go to the game because they got free tickets, those who go and wear the team t-shirt, those in the special edition team jersey who can rattle off stats for the entire line-up and a few bold fans who cover themselves in body paint and write their own cheers and taunts and lead their section in chants throughout the game.

Similarly, among gamers, it ranges from those who dabble in games and attend the convention for its novelty, to those who play (or have played) the majority of the games and have an opinion on them, and even some who are so passionate about a game that they dress (or paint) themselves in homage to idolized characters and celebration of their pastime.

Society has trained us to have certain views on "jocks" and "nerds" but walking down the streets of Indianapolis, listening to excited chatter from groups of people, it's hard to tell if the body paint is Colts blue or the blue of Halo 3's Cortana.