I Never Could Get The Hang Of Thursdays

Wow. So apparently today is "Emily Appreciation Day" and somebody forgot to tell me. Many thanks to everyone, friends and strangers alike, who emailed/ IMed/ called/ snail-mailed/ blogged/ etc. If ever I wondered if I was loved or not, I no longer do. I dare not get all sappy on this post, but I do hope that all of my dear friends know how much I truly appreciate and love them. Niceness assignment for the day: Let someone know how absolutely fantastic you think they are - make them smile as they so often do for you.

Moving on to wahoos of another kind...

Tonight, MTV Networks launches Logo, a channel targeting GBLT persons. Although it is not the first television channel aimed at this often-overlooked demographic, it is the mostly widely available (on cable boxes in 10 million homes) and it is "the first time a major U.S. conglomerate such as Viacom has entered a niche market." Of course, the question begs to be asked: is this really progress? does a channel like Logo really benefit GBLT audiences, or does it simply further segregate them from mainstream culture? Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) apparently thinks Logo's launch "has the potential to reach millions of American television viewers with images and stories that can play a vital role in broadening understanding of our lives, our families and our relationships." That is, of course, if they tune in. (source: Agenda, Inc.)

Leo Burnett (the ad agency that created the Marlboro Man) just published a study which reports that "half the men in most parts of the world donÂ’t know what is expected of them in society, and three-quarters of them think images of men in advertising are out of touch with reality." I have a friend who picks up men in bars with the line "Hetero, homo, or metro?" (source: adFreak)

Bob Dylan has signed a deal with Starbucks for his upcoming CD Dylan: Live at the Gaslight, 1962. The CD will be available exclusively at Starbucks beginning Aug. 30. Soooo... I wasn't around in the 1960s, but ummmm... wasn't Bob Dylan pretty countercultural? Wouldn't he sing out against 'the man'? And doesn't Starbucks sorta represent 'the man' of the coffeehouse world? (full disclosure: I worked for Starbucks for 3 years, it was one of my favorite jobs and I love the company, but still...) I generally don't care about bands 'selling out' so that they can get airplay on MTV or Clear Channel Networks, but Bob Dylan with an exclusive contract with Starbucks?!?! I don't get it.

This bus is cool. Props to to Amsterdam Advertising and National Geographic Channel for creativity.

Finally, as a follow up to the post about the U.S. Grand Prix, Michelin Tires will shell out $12 million to refund the ticket price paid by attendees of the June 19 Formula One race. That's probably fair. Go Michelin for owning up... next time, just make better tires.