Don’t you just love what’s happening across the media world these days?! What with the crazy characters lighting up various media channels and the massive changes wrought by technology and changing consumer tastes, these are certainly interesting times to be involved in the media space.

In that spirit, I thought I’d share some of my media musings from the past month. And, oh what a month it was in the fascinating media "parallel universe":

• What a hoot it was seeing Carrie Prejean admonishing Larry King with three inexplicable "you’re being very inappropriate, Larry" pronouncements to the septuagenarian Mr. King. Carrie, girlfriend, your use of the word "inappropriate" was pretty dang inappropriate…and dumb. Which PR whiz kid told you to repeat that stupid line — and to grandpa Larry King, no less?!
• Oprah Winfrey called it a day, after 25 years. That was a pretty classy way to exit the talk show business (in 2011) as she evolves into a cable mogul with the launch of her OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) channel. Come to think of it, I never actually watched one entire Oprah Winfrey show, but she certainly was a constant media presence for me all these years. I never actually liked her. I find her rather annoying, like most talk show hosts. But, her spawn are even more objectionable. I cannot bear to watch either Dr. Phil or Racheal Ray (I loved Martha Stewart’s smackdown last week of Ray, saying that the young lifestyle phenom "can’t cook." (Meow, Martha!)
• Starbucks launched another holiday social media promotion with Red, the Bono- and celebrity-backed do-gooder organization. The new Starbucks promotion, the Starbucks Love Project, is pretty well done. Another example of Starbucks really getting its mojo back under the leadership of founder and returning CEO Howard Schultz.
• Speaking of reclaimed mojo (and this is not so much a media musing but a marketing observation), I have been pretty impressed lately with the comeback of two other beleaguered companies. GM and Gap, Inc. GM’s recent earnings showed the out-of-bankruptcy car company only losing a billion bucks…believe it or not, that is what passes for success these days for that formerly American automobile colossus. GM is now talking about repaying the US government the $6.7 billion it borrowed even sooner than expected. GM’s 60-day money back guarantee is certainly playing a big role in their improving prospects (it is a smart promotion, pretty well executed). And Gap, the long troubled retailer, just announced a 25% increase in profits in their recent quarter. I am not really that surprised. They have vastly improved their product, focus and marketing in the past year under their new CEO (who is Canadian, BTW!). The Gap’s new 1969 jeans line must be a huge reason for the company’s comeback. These new jeans are a great product and at a much lower price point than other over-priced "premium" jeans. Go Gap!
• How could I not mention Sarah Palin, the new Queen of All Media (with apologies to Howard Stern). She literally is a media supernova, love her or hate her (BTW, she was looking good on Oprah, if a bit too skinny). Her book tour is taking over the country, although she is having some problems dealing with the crowds, which is now backfiring on her. I honestly don’t think she wants to be president. I think she aspires to being a famous and rich media star (like Oprah), and she is well on her way to doing just that. Of course, the longer she keeps the presidential speculation going, the better for her brand. So, why not? Martha Stewart was not content on just bashing Racheal Ray, she also weighed in during a CNN interview, calling Palin "dangerous and boring." Martha vs. Sarah…now there’s an epic battle I would pay to see!
• Everyone always says has traditional TV advertising is dead. Don’t believe them. Take, for example, the very traditional new spots from Dominoes Pizza. The new ads that show the Dominoes delivery guy discussing their new sub sandwiches with a bunch of Subway-looking employees, are classic examples of highly effective brand building consumer marketing. The point of difference to Subway’s "cold sandwiches" is well communicated, the Dominoes subs look pretty tasty and the casting and acting in the spots is just right. I would bet that Dominoes is selling a passel of these new sandwiches based on that advertising.
• Finally, Lou Dobbs departing CNN was about time for both parties. CNN was suffering because of Dobbs’ big mouth editorializing, and Dobbs felt unappreciated and increasingly isolated on the network. CNN is right to try to play it straight down the middle, with Fox claiming the Right of the political spectrum, and MSNBC holding tight on the Left. That said, I am not sure there are enough people who are really that interested anymore in the reasonably objective, middle ground news position CNN is trying to hold on to. More and more young people go to Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report for their news, and the centrists go…I am not sure where. It will be interesting to see what Dobbs does now. Sounds like he wants to run for political office. I would also see him becoming an older, crankier version of Glenn Beck. Stay tuned on that one. The continuing problem for CNN is that their anointed host to replace Dobbs, John King, is as dull as a dish rag. Even if the network is just positioning itself as straightforward news, CNN needs to get some on air talent with a bit of pizazz (Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown? Give me a freakin’ break!).

What are your favorite media musings of the past month?

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