10.27.20 | Electric cars and the batteries that power them are on the rise globally and China is leading the way in manufacturing and sales. It’s not too late for the USA to make a statement, but time is running out. Netflix boycott due to the movie ‘Cuties’ seems to be having an impact on subscriptions. Finally, for the first time in 54 years, The Peanuts Holiday Specials will not be broadcast on a major TV network.

10.21.20 | Leo Burnett, founder of the iconic Leo Burnett Agency is our Business Birthday this week. The list of accounts and advertising mascots that Burnett created is beyond compare. Caught My Eye says goodbye to TAB, and some of the original puppets from “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” go up for auction. Shop Talk explores 12 words or phrases that we should try to eliminate from our business-speak. Tough in some cases, but always good to consider other ways to express yourself.

10.20.20 | A new study published in Fast Company says that 25% of the people polled have had non-romantic “hooking-up” with a roommate or quarantine partner. We call that fellowship. Then, Lasik Surgery is seeing a resurgence as people have money for elective surgeries. Forget the knee or hip replacements, it’s about how you look on the screen! Finally, #KevinNaff, of the #WashingtonBlade, opines about the hypocrisy of Lindsey Graham and his ilk. Google Lindsey Graham and ladybugs—you can thank us later.

10.14.20 | Over 70% of Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving differently this year. Smaller gatherings mean smaller turkeys, but the turkey industry was not prepared to pivot. As John noted, it means more leftovers, which is not a bad thing if you are preparing with a larger than needed bird. Lawrence Herkimer, the Grandfather of Cheerleading is our Business Birthday. Finally, we have a special guest, Marge Margulies, joining us from her pottery studio in Northern California. So many businesses have had to adjust in 2020 from in-person selling to e-commerce. As a working artist, Marge shares with us the how and why of changing with the times.

10.13.20 | A new seltzer infused with cannabis derived THC is predicted to be the next multi-billion-dollar beverage. Dollar General expands with a new group of stores where everything is under $5 called Popshelf and PornHub has introduced a new line of “personal pleasure toys” with a campaign called, “Not My Job.” Apparently, people have been using household items in a way not intended and PornHub wants you to stop it.

10.07.20 | Walter Keane is our Business Birthday this week. Keane made millions selling his wife Margaret’s big-eyed children paintings as his own. Caught My Eye celebrates Crazy Eddie pitchman Jerry Carroll. Shop Talk explores two business stories involving Schwinn’s 125th Anniversary, and Pride Media’s owner donates yet again to anti-LGBTQ politicians.

10.06.20 | Not a lot of sympathy for the anti-maskers from us. Wear your mask, it helps. What do you think of the Netflix ‘dun dun’ sound? We explore some aural brand tones. Then, foul-mouthed parrots at a UK zoo are placed away from the general public in the hope of calming their language. Finally, two strangers wanted to travel and rather than going alone, they went together after answering an ad on Facebook. Not sure we would do it, but in this case, it seemed to have turned out well.

09.30.20 | Shop Talk looks at Uncle Ben’s and Cream of Wheat as they eliminate iconography perceived to be racial stereotypes. The Village People songwriter of YMCA will sue you if you say it is a gay song and John digs up an old 70s show featuring chimps—Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp. John T. Nash, niche advertising pioneer, is our #BusinessBirthday.

09.29.20 | Chicago’s famed “Boystown” will now be known as Northalsted. In a recent survey, 20% of the respondents said the male gendered gayborhood nickname did not make them feel welcome. But first, a secret “man cave” is discovered under New York City’s Grand Central Station complete with fridge, microwave, bed, and streaming TV! Then, a New England man dies from eating too much black licorice.