Any publicity is good publicity? I'm not sure about that in Boston today.

No matter who we are, we've all made a mistake in our lives. Some are bigger than others. If you are in PR/Marketing/Communications I'm sure you've said or done something during a launch or campaign or interview that you wished you hadn't done. You know you have. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but when it came down to it, it just didn't fly right.

Most times you can let the dud ideas just float away, never to be heard from again. It's a little harder now with the blogosphere, but even still, sometimes not great ideas just fizzle and go away.

I will bet that the people at Turner Broadcasting are wishing that their latest outdoor marketing campaign would just fizzle to the ground. But, when you, inadvertantly, succeed in closing the major highway and a river running through a city (Boston) because the local and state police have reports of bombs on bridges, well, it isn't going to fizzle away any time soon. (Note: bloggers had the story first, and photos....)

It's too bad that we need to live in a time where a silly Mooninite thinggie is seen as a threat, but when you are a marketing company putting 'angry looking' things on and under bridges these days, with electronic boards and LED lights no less, you run a big risk.

After the bomb squad went around today in a city that was in a little panic, Turner Network came out with this statement (copied from Boston.com):

The ''packages'' in question are magnetic lights that pose no danger.

They are part of an outdoor marketing campaign in 10 cities

in support of Adult Swim’s animated television show Aqua Teen

Hunger Force. They have been in place for two to three weeks

in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle,

Portland, Austin, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Parent

company Turner Broadcasting is in contact with local and

federal law enforcement on the exact locations of the billboards.

We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger.

Shirley Powell SVP, Corporate Communications

Our new governor and the mayor of the city are not amused. Somehow I don't think that the police or the Coast Guard are amused either. And the folks who were stuck in traffic for 4 hours due to the highway being closed and those during the evening commute who couldn't get to points of the city do to road closures - well, they aren't amused either. I have to think that the officials in the 9 other cities aren't too amused right about now either.

Will this make people go search for this show and see what it is about on the internet? And will the added exposure be exactly what the marketing folks wanted? I just don't know...the 'jury' might be out on that one until they see if they are going to have any bills or fines to pay.

This will certainly go down as one of those marketing ideas that just didn't go the way the marketing team wanted, I'm sure. Woops!

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

And....She's Back

There's been a lot going on in the last couple of weeks.

What have I been doing with some of my time besides being glued to the Barrett-Jackson auction on Speed for a weekend? Getting ready for trade shows, trade shows, trade shows. Yes, three in a row - all in February. This weekend is the Boston Motorcycle Show - consumer show at the Bay Side Expo. If you are into motorcycles and live in the area, c'mon by and visit the Perewitz booth. They'll have a full display of their wonderful motorcycles.

Next up....Dealer Expo in Indianapolis over the long weekend. This is a dealer/distributor show. Three days of connecting with our distributor reps and dealers. It's always a lot of fun; great crowd. We have a good gathering on that Sunday, too, as we have a flat screen in the booth and people can come watch the Great American Race with us and Dave Perewitz. You know the race I'm talkin' about....

Then it's off to England for a week for a bicycle dealer show put on by our great distributor in the UK. February will be a whirlwind for sure.

Now for some other tidbits....

The Spokesmen put up another podcast last week. Although we missed our buddy Tim (because he was in Asia on a business trip), the show sparked a good conversation about how to help make bike commuting more of a reality. Listen to the show and then share your ideas with us. We'd love to hear them all.

Although many of you are way, way ahead of me, I've recently discovered LinkedIn. So far, it seems to be a great networking tool and it's free. Yes, free. I've already re-connected with some folks that I hadn't heard from in awhile so it seems to work fairly well. Most of the 'smart cookies' listed to the right are on it so you know it is good. Check it out.

My friend Lee Hopkins, he of the fabulous communications blog, has written such a great recommendation for me on LinkedIn (that's part of it, too) that I was blushing. Thanks, Lee. You really shouldn't have....but I feel lucky that you did. It means a lot.

Tyler Hamilton is baaaaack and set to race next week, I believe. He's racing for the newly formed Tinkoff team. It will be great to see Tyler back in the peloton. Got to get my Tinkoff gear....

Speaking of cycling....during last year's Tour Day France, we had fun daily reports from Cubbie Reporter. Well, Cubbie had a big birthday this past weekend where she 'reset at zero'. Happy Birthday, my friend!

Lastly, but certainly not least....I got some great news today. A friend of mine has landed a new gig and it is a perfect fit for him and for the company. Don't you just love when that happens? I met Chris Fallon through my current job - he not only the most truly passionate bike person, but also one of the most knowledge about bikes and the sport AND, best yet, he can teach that knowledge to others and loves to do it. I learned more in 10 minutes from Chris than anyone else when I first started in the industry - ok, that 10 minutes turned into an hour and a half (right, Chris?!), but it was well worth every second!. He is a purist and just loves the sport and enjoys being out on his bike and getting others out on their bike.

Anyway, I got an email today that a lucky company has snatched him up to be a "Sales Shepherd". What a great title! He's working for Earth, Wind and Rider. What's that? I asked the same question so I went to their site. Turns out they make wool cycling jerseys and apparel. If you haven't heard of them yet, you will now! This appears to be a perfect fit (no pun intended, but if it works..hey..so be it...). Congratulations EWNR and Chris!

And, no, I wouldn't conclude without saying that the Great American Race is only 18 days away (counter here). We're talking Daytona here, people! NASCAR, back live again...I can't wait! Betcha all know who I'm picking to win, again, this year. Here's a hint...this is the car he drove to victory in Daytona during one of his three February wins....

Just random thoughts and tidbits for my return. Thanks for being patient and for stopping by.

Thank you!

Birthdays are no longer that fun, but this one wasn't as painful as it could have been thanks to my family, a lot of good friends (old and new) and all of you. Thanks to all of your for your good wishes - even those commanded to do so by New York Times Jackson.

Thank you all. May you all have as wonderful wishes on your birthdays as I did on mine.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy New Year!

To each of you who stop by and read my opinions and views and to those of you who I call friends, even though we've never met....my wish for each of you is that 2007 is kinder to you than the last year and that it is filled with good health and fun adventures along the way. Happy New Year!