Musings of a Messaging Maestro

Life on Mars Here on Earth

Len Abbazia — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:05:13 +0000

Hello all. I know it has been a while since I have blogged. New job, new dog. You get the picture. Anyway, not sure if many of you are familiar with the recently canceled ABC show Life on Mars. It held an interesting premise which is a rarity in a sea of reality shows and CSI type programs found in today’s TV land. Sam Tyler is a 2008 NYPD detective who is transported back to 1973 where he finds himself in a NYC precinct with bunch of chauvinistic old school cops. He tells them his story and he thinks he is a bit out there and they nickname him spaceman. Along his journey trying to return to his own time, he falls in love with policewoman Annie with whom he eventually falls in love.

Sam and Annie in the 125th

Sadly, most great shows with low viewership tend to get canceled. Unfortunately, in a rush to tie up the loose ends to quickly end its run, the creators served up a finale with one of the unequivocally worst endings I have ever seen. They borrowed a page out of the Bobby Ewing dream season on Dallas. Sam and his crew (who are the police detectives from 1973) emerge from time capsules on a 2035 spaceship’s first mission to Mars (vis a vis Planet of the Apes). The subservient policewoman is now the commander of the crew and Sam’s time capsule had a few glitches in its time sequence. The real spot where the episode jumps the shark lies in having 125th precinct lieutenant Gene Hunt, brilliantly played by one of my favorite actors Harvey Keitel, turn out to be Sam’s father in 2035. As an aside, the orders for the mission are coming from President Obama herself.

After watching it and scratching my head, it made me think how events of late have made many of us feel like we are all experiencing Life on Mars here on our third rock from the Sun – the overuse of “in these uncertain economic times” (how I despise that phrase), a president bailing out corporations and firing CEOs (does anyone smell Socialism?) while continually printing money and devaluing our hard earned dollar each day. Here in lovely New Jersey, our governor is literally killing the middle class with his proposed budgets that would eliminate among other things our property tax rebate in the highest taxed state in the union.

During my commute this morning, I really thought I landed on Mars after hearing a news report on the radio that a Quebec father was sued by his 12 year-old daughter for grounding her after she inappropriately went online to chat and post inappropriate pictures of herself. He punished her by not allowing her to go on a class trip. She sued him and won that right to go which he is now appealing. This father did what any responsible parent would have done in his shoes and the justice system failed him. Now, our children are the new “bosses” of the household.

So, as you reflect on this day, try to keep strong, keep the faith and let’s regain a hold of the Earth that God created for us before we live our life on Mars with Sam Tyler and company…

If it Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix it

Len Abbazia — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:45:56 +0000

Like many of us, my family and I have been American Idol fans. The blend of Simon’s brashness, Randy’s no nonsense “dude” speak, and Paula’s antics have made the show a true success. Other shows have tried to replicate that dynamic such as Dancing with the Stars and America’s Got Talent. I totally understand that shows that have been on as long as Idol try to reinvent or add more flash to spur ratings but adding a fourth judge just breaks into the impromptu dialogue that draws us in every season to this show.

Obviously, the show’s producer’s (aka Simon) didn’t bank on America’s mixed review to this mixed message that Idol has blended into a proven formula. See Shelly Palmer’s take on last night.

The message here is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I did love the segment on the legally blind and classically trained musician Scott Macintyre at the end of Idol – he is a real inspiration and had a wonderful voice. I hope he goes far.

Beware of Mixed Messages in 2009

Len Abbazia — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:40:39 +0000

Hope everyone had a joyous holiday season and Happy New Year to all! To start off the new year afresh, I went for a routine cleaning at a new family dentist where I was told that I had a re-infected root canal. In 2007, I went to a well-renowned holistic dentist and shelled out thousands of dollars to replace mercury fillings and a crown over the “re-infected” root canal that was diagnosed today. That dentist assured me that the chances of re-infection were minimal based on his technique and pricey cubic zirconium crown. So, who do I believe?

Now I start 2009 rooted in doubt over this root canal. You know maybe it is a wake up call for all of us. With a challenging 2008 behind us and we start 2009, beware of mixed messages as we welcome a new president, continue to be on the alert for developments in Israel and Iraq, and try to bounce back from an uncertain economic climate rooted in recession.

Keeping an Upbeat Message this Holiday Season

Len Abbazia — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:34:21 +0000

Over the last few days, I have had to endure the crowds at the malls and seeing many businesses in store closing mode. The cashiers and floor people seem disenchanted and not pleased to be there. The shoppers seem distracted and just roboticly going through the motions of holiday shopping. Basically there is a total lack of holiday spirit and Christmas cheer.

The irony here is that last year many retailers (such as Target below) who were trying to downplay the Christmas holiday last year are now shouting Merry Christmas in their web ads, TV commercials, etc. I guess the large majority of Christians sent a strong enough message to retailers last year not to downplay the holiday. Plus retailers felt the pinch in their wallets and realized that the majority of those displaced in the workforce over the recent months may be in need of some holiday cheer.

No doubt about it that we are living in one of the most challenging economic climates in decades but don’t let it shake your spirit. As you reflect on your future over the holidays, keep in mind that one door may close temporarily but another one will open shortly. So, my message to all of you is keep that smile on your face, trust in your faith (whatever religion you subscribe to), believe in your professional skills, embrace your family life and look forward to a joyous holiday season and fresh start in 2009.

A Word from the Messaging Maestro

Len Abbazia — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:39:29 +0000

Like a conductor directs an orchestra, so must the message direct a company. I have been preaching the importance of messaging for many years. The message is the conductor of all marketing communications including a web site, sales communications, public relations, customer service interactions, blogs and now social media through Twitter and other sites.

It always makes me chuckle when I conduct media training and place C-level execs on camera and each one gives a different version of their company’s USP.

That elusive elevator pitch must be constructed in a concise, understandable and coherent way. From the receptionist to the CEO, a company should be able to articulate what they offer to the market at any moment’s notice.

The challenge today is to state that message through small snippets of high impact content using social media sites like the surging Twitter to get that word out.

My hope with this blog is to bring you my messaging musings. In the process, I may post some messaging faux pas. More importantly, I want to help educate on the importance of messaging in the new social media world.