When the calendar turns to July it’s always a reminder, for me at least, that we are at the half way point in the year. Therefore, here is my totally unscientific set of predictions for what I see on the horizon:

–Even though a part of Obamacare implementation will be delayed until 2015, the PR/advertising effort will begin in force in early fall to get uninsured to sign up. Public opinion will follow the pro-Obamacare push at least in the beginning.

–Each fall brings a big adult movie (think “The Social Network” or “Good Night, and Good Luck”). This year’s serious film will be “The Fifth Estate” about Wikileaks.

–The weather is going to get worse. Blame global warming if you want to but I am afraid we are in for more extreme conditions along the lines of hurricanes, record-breaking heat and bizarre snow patterns.

–It’s going to be hard to get people excited about the 2014 Olympics in Russia. I have no real reason for thinking this…it just feels that way to me.

–Google Glass will be the hot holiday gift of the year. The scare warnings won’t drive consumers away.

Call me Faith Popcorn or Jeanne Dixon if you want. I’ll report back at the end of December to let you know how I did.

This blog is a place to discuss important ideas but also a venue for me to share great things my clients are up to. One event I want to let you know about is coming up at The Occidental. See below for the news release.  

An important new book about the non-profit sector is reviewed in The Wall Street Journal: http://on.wsj.com/113366z

The critique reminds me of wise words I heard from a trusted source in New York City last week: “I don’t want my communications consultants to be mission-driven. That’s my job. I want them to take the best of what they’ve learned from the commercial world and apply it to our mission.”

Since everyone seems to be piling on Matt Lauer, let me add a few thoughts to counter the narrative. Ann Curry, while incredibly passionate about international affairs, wasn’t able to be an effective journalist within the five- to seven-minute time period that morning TV operates in. I say this with knowledge from having seen her interviews for years and from working closely with her and her producers on a segment that aired shortly after she took over as co-host.

Ann was provided with all the background info she needed. There was even a taped, set-up piece that led into her live interview with the client. Her job was  to: 1.) bring out the emotional elements that TV needs in that kind of format from the guests; and 2.) advance the story beyond the set-up piece.

For whatever reason, Ann wasn’t able to hit these points on this particular morning. She was confused and unprepared for the topic at hand. And, there are many other examples. The viewer was the loser in this exchange.

Matt may not have liked Ann; Ann may not have excelled at cooking segments; maybe her clothes weren’t the right color, etc., etc.

But the most important thing is that in a morning news segment there is a beginning/middle/end and dramatic points to hit along the way. Media trainers and PR consultants understand the formula but Ann Curry never did.

Lauer on the cover of New York magazine

On this website, in May, I predicted Obama or Romney would be troubled by a debate performance that was deemed either under- or over-prepared. Indeed, that’s exactly what happened to Obama (under). Politics isn’t brain surgery. You just need to know your modern history.