Journalism Tastes Paula Deen

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Food Network started the rope tightening. A popular chef/celebrity is swiftly shown the door, probably the one at the back where the mudroom is. Don't slam the door on the way out. Wham!

Let’s take a step back. I've seen Paula Deen’s plight compared to two other recent events:

• A rapper stomping on the American flag.
• Alec Baldwin mouthing off in regards to the orientation of a journalist while using extremely foul words and phrases.

These actions appear to be acceptable in our society however a woman using the “N” word over twenty years ago is not despite her admittance and pleas for forgiveness.

I’ve witnessed the hanging of Paula Deen on a journalistic level and from opinionated friends. 

Hung before the jury had a chance to judge and gather all the facts. Food Network didn’t even think twice! Most of the big boxes followed that lead (Lowe’s would be an exception) and tossed ropes around her neck. The true believers remaining with Paula Deen are companies you've likely never heard of; what are their chances of finding another celebrity of her stature?

And what about the lawsuit filed by a former employee who has changed her tale? Oh sure; you couldn’t remember the story correctly when you originally filed the suit? Doesn't matter; you've added another knot to the noose whether you’re telling the truth or not.

Paula Deen’s latest book was #1 on Amazon until Ballantine Books pulled it. And the book wasn't scheduled for release until October!

Sensationalism sells. Journalism can swiftly make the cookies crumble on an empire. 

Many remarks made on articles about Paula Deen come to her defense. One commenter, assuming he or she did their homework correctly, cited numerous other notorious celebrities who are currently gainfully employed by Food Network. Their crimes include various lawsuits against them, DUIs, use of profanities, false claims regarding their backgrounds, withholding tips and wages from employees, bankruptcy filings, and premeditated murder! None of these appear to be grounds for firing. 




What will ultimately happen? Paula Deen will relax in a glider on her front porch while sipping sweet tea and waiting it out. Food Network has now made the Paula Deen haters happy. Once they simmer down, the network will likely bring Paula Deen back. Then her fans will be pleased and they'll start watching Food Network again. Win win for Food Network.

Oh, let’s not forget Martha Stewart’s plight for her "crafting" with insider trading. The media hung her too; probably from a grand oak tree at her expansive Bedford, New York home. 

So how come it’s okay for the media to hang prominent, well-established, successful women? Is it unladylike to be a “bad boy”? Society says yes. Women are expected to behave in a certain way that is different from men. Heck, women are still fighting for better wages! Where’s the equality here? 

What if it was a man...maybe Alec Baldwin? What if we were to learn HE used the “N” word 
in the Eighties? Would American Express drop him? He has proven more than once that anger management classes would be helpful to him. 

Famous ladies, who’s next? Step right up and see the show! Watch a woman get moved to tears! Witness the abandonment! See a brand crushed right before your very eyes. 

Journalism is power.  It is abusive and mean at times. It bites, chews and spits it all out. Forget swallowing! On the other hand, people at large should chew slowly, explore, fact find, and stop chomping down on the first thing they read or see as truth. 

Lessons to be learned here.

Note: I don't know all that much about Paula Deen. Have watched her show twice and own an iron cooking pot with her name on it, purchased at Kohl's. She's not perfect; none of us are. Forgive her and let's move on from this episode.

Paula Deen, here’s a song for you (see below). If you'd like to see your marketing efforts taste mighty fine stop by our website, or say hello on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. 

Well, Bob My Apple...Halloween is Almost Here.

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Does anyone know how the tradition of Halloween even started? I have a vague idea. Yeah, I could look it up, but my point is that most of us probably don’t know. And the celebration of Halloween certainly has changed over the years. There used to be some simplicity to it. Whatever happened to those little orange UNICEF boxes that we were given in school to collect pennies in…back when a penny still had some manner of worth to it?


Anyone bob for apples anymore? Has the apple industry even tried to revive this practice (hello marketing opportunity)? My brother hated apples; at a Halloween party where apples were strung from the basement ceiling for us to bite on (no hands) a banana was hanging for my brother instead! And oh yes, we stuck our faces in basins trying to grab those elusive mackintoshes too (no, not the computer)!

I also remember getting lots of complements when trick-or-treating for a witch costume I had. Thank you Collegeville! Of course, you simply went to Woolworth’s and picked something from the small selection there; a far cry from the numerous offerings at Party City or those pop-up-for-month Halloween shops that we have nowadays. Did you know that just in the past six years alone, spending on costumes rose from 1.15 billion to a forecast of 2.52 billion for this year.

Halloween is big business.

I don’t recall a lot of outdoor décor when I was kid, just dried corn on front doors and pumpkins.  Recently, when visiting friends, I was in awe from the ONE decoration they had; an inflatable black cat that nearly hid their house from view. The cat’s head swayed from side to side and lights up in the dark; a welcoming beacon for those who’ll stop by looking for a treat on Monday night.

And my neighbors down the street have at least TEN inflatables on their front yard. It’s a spectacle, with lots of people stopping by in the evening. In the last few years, it seems like my whole street is lit up on Halloween night and every year more kids are out. Last year, about 75 kids, mostly in small groups or with moms, rang my doorbell, set to an appropriate Halloween chime.  About five years ago, there were maybe six kids visiting.

Okay, Halloween did fall on a weekend last year.

Halloween IS big business. According to the Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey we spent 3.29 Billion on Halloween “stuff” in 2005. This year expenditures are predicted to be around 6.86 Billion. That’s more than double in just a few years; this is one happening that appears to be recession proof. And Martha Stewart, if you’re still darkening your home on Halloween night, as we recently heard, it’s okay to greet trick-or-treaters. Bake them a cake.

And what are YOU going to be this year? I may pull out the poodle skirt (no, not vintage but purchased at a costume shop), seek out some saddle shoes, tie my hair in a big pony tail and have an ice cream soda.