VJs Power Blog

BookExpo America is coming to the LA Convention Center at the end of the month, and among those appearing on the education panels is Jeff Howe of Wired Magazine, who has his new book Crowdsourcing coming out in July. Crowdsourcing (as opposed to outsourcing) illustrates how a large group of diversified people can create solutions faster and more effectively than individuals, and Howe cites Ned Gulley’s online MATLAB programming contests as proof.

Although creating efficient algorithms is an interesting challenge, what I want to know is, can our collective intelligence solve two eco-related problems…too much trash and expensive, air polluting fuels? Surely if we ran a contest that challenged people throughout the world to brainstorm, test, steal ideas from each other and create even better ones on how to save us from our own consumption, we could find the answer.

I dream of a Jetsons world…where you could take the trash out at night, stuff it in your car, let it cook into a clean fuel source, and drive off in the morning.

At least until the transporter systems are perfected.

If you’re the Ned Gulley of the environmental movement, call me.

Hilary Clinton has emailed a PowerPoint deck to House Democrats, explaining why she, not Barack Obama, is the candidate to win the White House.

I’m not here to discuss politics. This is, in my opinion, an issue of too many cooks in the kitchen spoiling the communication soup. With perhaps a bit of fear mixed in to cloud the political strategy recipe.

Hilary KNOWS the House Democrats. Why email them a PPt? Even if it is only a rudimentary 9-slide deck.

Would you send your Aunt Emma a PowerPoint to get her to support your decision to choose art school over law school?

In my PowerPoint Presentation Training courses, one of the basic principles I teach clients is that before you design or deliver using that tool…KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. Consider their relationship to you, their expertise, and what’s important to THEM. In other words, take the time to make the right communication choice.

Aunt Emma will be so happy, she might even bake you a pie.

Last week the Screening Exchange was passing out free tickets to the new romantic comedy “What Happens in Vegas…” but when I went online to register, I was rejected. It was only for people age 15-34. Even the star of the film, Cameron Diaz wouldn’t qualify to see it–she’ll be 36 this August.

The MPAA (Motion Picture Assn. of America) 2007 survey shows the 12-24 demographic is the biggest fan base these days, with 41% of them seeing a movie at least once a month. I asked the MPAA how they know how old I am when I hand over my $10-12 on a Friday or Saturday night. “It’s a sample size.” Unhunh. But I go to the movies every month, and I’m not in your hot demo. And lots of people my age love to see Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. So do the studios REALLY know their audience?

Isn’t it strange…that years ago we tried to get fake IDs to show we were older…and now we might be sneaking down dark alleys looking for some shady character who would sell us an “under 40” ID?

Please, Hollywood. Don’t make us do it.

Last weekend’s LA Times Festival of Books was huge and HOT, so I now refer to it as the Sweatstival of Books. I joined 100,000 + other book lovers, armed with my sunblock, comfortable shoes, water bottle, and hat to stroll through hundreds of booths on the beautiful UCLA campus. I discovered so many great new books, authors, ideas and seminars, that it was well worth it. Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing with you my insights, interviews and feedback from authors and publishers about book tours, book marketing and book publishing. Whether your outlet is self publishing, small presses, or the major presses, we’ll discuss more effective, creative ways to get your message out into the world.

I met up with actor / activist Mike Farrell who was at the festival signing his book, “Just Call Me Mike” (Akashic Books).  I reminded him that the last time we’d talked, I had interviewed him for a story at the final episode of M*A*S*H party when he visited the San Francisco Press Club during my days as an NBC Radio reporter. I asked him how the book tour was going and he shook his head. I smiled. “Brutal eh?” Yes. Even an actor who’s used to spending hours on location shooting a TV show is a bit overwhelmed by the whirlwind travel and interview schedule of a book tour. So, what’s his advice to other writers, contemplating a book tour? “If you don’t like talking to people or talking about your subject– don’t do it. You can’t get ‘lofty perch syndrome’ and sit back and pontificate.” I watched one fan gush…not over Mike’s book or career on M*A*S*H or his activist work, but over Farrell’s wife, actress Shelley Fabares. What’s the most bizarre question Mike’s had to field from fans? “Sometimes they’ll look at me and say, ‘Do you know who you are?’ and I tell them ‘Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.’”