Resist Tunnel Vision About Your Value, Heed Market Feedback & Turn Failure into Success

In today’s rapidly shifting strategic marketing and public relations landscape, being willing to change is only one part of the equation. You’ve also got to be continually alert to those ways in which you must embrace change–or invite extinction. That truth comes to mind as 2010 draws to a close and I reflect on what was […]

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Flashback: My Chicago Trib Story on Karolyn Grimes, aka ZuZu Bailey

Karolyn Grimes, as a 6-year-old ZuZu, in Jimmy Stewart’s arms A P.S. here to my post last week about Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest and It’s A Wonderful Life. Exactly four years ago, to the day, I had the privilege of writing a story for the Chicago Tribune about Karolyn Grimes, the actress […]

Rahm Emanuel Residency Brouhaha is Latest in Chicago Area’s Storied `Silly Season’ History

Rahm Emanuel, (occasional) Chicago resident The residency flap over Chicago mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel is just a variation on the “Silly Season” theme in Chicago-area politics. Six years ago, one of the central characters in the Emanuel controversy, Burt Odelson, was in the midst of a scrum in Cicero that I covered for the Chicago Tribune. […]

A Wonderful PR Moment: Oak Park Bank Wins Our Hearts, Then Business, With Screening

The triumphant scene from It’s A Wonderful Life Last Saturday, It’s A Wonderful Life played at the Lake Theater in downtown Oak Park. Sponsored by Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest, which is situated directly across the street from the elegant theater, it was a free screening. It also made for brilliant PR. Call […]

Inside Edge on Assignment With ULI Chicago: Emerging Trends in Real Estate for 2011

Will the Chicago Cubs ever win another World Series? Who was the genius who decided that there should be a “p” in “raspberry”? And just what are the emerging trends in real estate for 2011? While I can’t answer the first two questions with any level of confidence, I can at least point you in […]

`While You’re Up’ PR Like Ice Cream Clean-Up: Keep Carving it Up

Like old times: my dad carves up a half gallon of ice cream. What do empty ice cream bowls and public relations have in common? In my experience, anyway, both revolve around what you might call a “While You’re Up” philosophy. First, a bit of family history will help set the scene. A fond, enduring […]