A Mind Is a Terrible Thing To Waste

219px-Ad_Council_logo.svg“Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.”
“Take a Bite Outta Crime.”

Q:  Who said these famous lines and from what ad agency did they originate?

A:  The Ad Council.

Since its inception, to encourage the public during WWII, the Ad Council has helped develop thousands of public service announcements.  The group maintains 35 to 40 active campaigns at one time and receives funding mainly from corporations and individuals, as well as time donated by top ad agencies and media outlets.

Enter the social media generation and the Ad Council is right there, ready to meet this new audience.  One of their latest campaigns, “I Am a Witness”  focuses on bullying and digital communications.  No doubt it will be fascinating to see what new Ad Council slogans become part of our everyday speech.

The Ad Council Adapts to Stay Relevant in an Age of Social Action

A “Sign” of the Times

open-handguns-prohibited-texas-sign-k2-0012The open-carry law (Section 30.07, Penal Code) becomes a reality in the state of Texas, beginning January 1, 2016.  After that date, anyone with a licensed weapon will be able to carry it visibly in public.  Some locations such as schools, hospitals and sporting events are exempt from this law but any other locations wishing to conscientiously object must install a sign with the following details and size requirements:

— Must appear in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height.

— Must be in both English and Spanish.

— Must be displayed in a “conspicuous manner” at the property’s entrance.

— Must say: “Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly.”

Is it any wonder that the current battle in Texas is not over the weapons themselves but over the signage required to keep them out of personal places of business and churches?   Quite fitting that the penal code section number is, 30.06.

Read more here: ‘No open carry’ signs are likely to trigger next Texas gun debate

Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing and Apps?

images-16Got turkey on your mind?  Or how you will deal with thirty guests in your house ranging from ages two to ninety-two? Wondering how you’ll juggle all those people as well as the pots on the stove?  Well, Kit Eaton for the New York Times offers solutions in this video feature: Apps to Streamline Thanksgiving at Every Step of the Process.  This Thanksgiving, your phone can be the key to celebratory bliss with apps ranging from multiple cooking timers to creative games of charades.

Do You Need An Accountant For Your Small Business?

Screen Shot 2015-11-12 at 4.47.04 PMAnyone starting their own business knows that keeping costs down is of vital importance.  Alyssa Gregory encourages new business owners to consider twenty-one areas where accountants will make their lives easier.  In her article, Do I Need An Accountant, she provides a useful checklist and summary of items required for new start-ups, such as opening business bank accounts, governmental forms and classification of contractors vs. employees.  In her assessment, knowing when to enlist the help of a professional is key to creating and maintaing fiscal health.

How To Manage Your Money When Illness Strikes

FullSizeRender-27No one wants to think about major healthcare crises, but there are ways to ease the financial impact that these unexpected events often cause.  In the article, 4 Ways to Help Clients Plan for Unexpected Medical Expenses, an AICPA blogger offers insight into dealing with illness, Medicare, health savings accounts and proper planning for the surviving partner.

Just What is a “Becomer?”

abc_familyThe new name that branders are giving the life stage between ages 14-34.  Defined by Tom Ascheim, president of ABC Family, as, “The time from your first kiss to your first kid.”  Disney’s Family Channel Aims Younger Than Millennials With New Name.  The channel will be renamed, Freeform, a vision of how teens and twenties currently utilize media.  It is unusual that such a successful station would undergo these major changes, but Disney executives want to stay ahead of the curve and continue their seamless audience flow.

Low-Income Public Housing?

3Studies are finding that many people living in low-inclome, public housing are exceeding the income limits per individuals residing in the home.  Texas has the second highest number of families in the US whose monthly income is over this line.   In some cases these numbers are grossly inflated.  As the article states, trying to remedy this issue has many factors, one being not wanting to evict people for being successful, but this housing is often quite limited and highly sought after.  What would you do in this situation?

High-Income Texans Find Homes in Public Housing

Blessed Advertising

brazil_006American Airlines and Fiat/Chrysler Automobiles are reaping huge benefits from being the Pope’s transportation during his trip to the United States.  The intense media coverage often features shots of his plane or the various cars in which he is traveling.  “If you’re going to buy the equivalent ad space, you’re talking about millions of dollars,” observed Tim Maleeny, Havas Worldwide’s chief strategist. The fact that the Pope is photographed in or near the vehicles is providing quite an endorsement campaign for these companies.

POPE FRANCIS IS GIVING THESE BRANDS A HUGE MARKETING BOOST

Living For the Weekend?

tgif1Do you breathe a sigh of relief when Friday rolls around?  Ready for a couple of days of rest and relaxation?  How do you feel once it’s Sunday evening?  Turns out that our bodies aren’t wired for this quick change-up and that it’s important for us to approach every day anew.  In the article, T.G.I.F. is a Four-Letter Word, also featuring a short video, Dr. Art Markham and Dr. Bob Duke discuss the weekend as a relatively new phenomenon and how learning to see our week from a different perspective can help us lead more fulfilled lives.