Nike’s limited time only ad featuring a sullen and silent Tiger with the lecturing voiceover of his late father asking him if he’s learned anything from his experiences is worth a second look.

The official spin on this ad that it will promote a shift in focus from the disgraceful past couple of months and turn attention back onto his return to sport.

But does the public buy it?

This morning, reviews of the ad I’ve seen range from “creepy” and “gratuitous” to “powerful” and “authentic”.

Unlike when I watched the previously held press conferences, this ad actually convinces me that Tiger might have a conscience.

Yes, I’m aware that this could also be a beautiful fabricated feeling a la Nike. But, I’m ready to move on from all the Tiger drama and focus some celebrity snarling in another direction. Good timing, “A” for Effort.

May the power of sport compel you!

I visited Brock today to talk about new media trends at a Communication Studies class. It’s very close to the end of term so the students were thinking about how to get a summer job or internship and I tried to make class as fun and casual as possible. Fun stuff!

Thanks to Caroline at Fast Signs, kitestring has a new look when you come into the studio. Oh la la!

Yesterday at McMaster’s Communication Studies and Multimedia Career Networking Breakfast I was swarmed by armfuls of fresh faces wanting a glimpse into the kitestring world. Awesome! Thanks for inviting me to bend their young minds Mac! Just kidding! It was like speed dating, career style. Every fifteen minutes, my huge banquet table of Communication students switched and we started all over again. I asked each and every one what they wanted to be when they grew up. I ask myself that every day and I plan on doing that until the day I’m done.

Meet Karen, Leah, Kate, Nisa and Katie. Get ready, they’re smart as a whip and coming to a communications department of an organization near you. If you were at the breakfast and didn’t get enough face time with kitestring, email me: meg@kitestring.ca.

We’ll soon find out!

When I was in school I once ordered a pair of fuchsia suede boots to my parents house off ebay. And no, this was not in 1989, it was in 2003. My parents were aghast! “How can you buy shoes without even trying them on, from a stranger in California?!” they asked. I pretended that their worries were unfounded, but quickly noticed that my suede booties were falling apart after two or three wears. I cursed the Californian who sold me these defected booties and scoured the internet for justice, but alas, my emails were left unanswered and my cries unheard.

Now, what would have happened if I had the phone number and home address of the person who sold me these booties? Well, I probably would call first and then march on over and ask for a refund or new pair of shoes.

In comes kijiji! This time, I’m in it for a bbq and table (with an umbrella!) for my apartment’s back deck. The post claims everything is in good working order and was only used for one year previously. The posting reminds me that “BBQ SEASON IS UPON (ME)”, and on the phone, poster *Bob (name changed), seemed friendly, concise and a little concerned that I wasn’t going to follow through on the deal. Here is what the goods look like:

It’s all a little awkward, calling up someone you don’t know to set up a pay up and hand off deal. I’m going tonight, and I’ll let you know how it goes.

Imagine….

It’s December 24th, and because you’ve been a procrastinating weasel, you have to go to….. the mall.

Your (insert name of annoying, know-it-all-relative’s name here) told you this would happen, and that you should have started ticking off items on your Holiday shopping list in August. Last year, you were prepared like a champion, and hit up all the local shops on that cute boutique street, picking up presents that made your loved one’s smile and scored you David Suzuki points. You know that this isn’t going to end well.

But wait…

This reminds me of a slightly modified, Ricky Gervais tale:

Industrious Squirrel collects his nuts all autumn long, making sure he has one for every squirrel friend and family way before the snow falls.

Lazy Squirrel spends his fall days drinking amber beers at the pub, watching all the leaves fall, and not planning ahead for when winter strikes.

Then the inevitable happens, Industrious Squirrel has all of his nuts wrapped up for the Holidays, and has even saved up a little extra for himself for the long, cold days of winter; when the snow falls and there are no more nuts to be found.

Lazy Squirrel hits the pavement in search sweet rider nuts to give as awesome gifts, but can only find Magic Bullets and fugly cartoon slippers.

Do you think that this story ends with Lazy Squirrel going to Industrious Squirrel’s Holiday party, where he is forgiven by all the other squirrels for his poor planning, is given the very best nut as a gift, and resolves to do better next year?

Nope.

It ends with amazon.ca and credit card debt until June.

I have, or Lazy Squirrel, has learned from this tale. Let the crazy nut hunt begin.

If you haven’t been living under a rock this month, you’ve heard of Movember. If you have, watch this:

Founded in 2003 by a couple of dudes in Australia fancying new ways to actively promote men’s health issues, the Movember organization asks men to grow a mo (short for moustache) for the entire month of November, promoting the fight against prostate cancer.

Friends can then go online and show their support by donating, and all proceeds go directly to Prostate Cancer Canada.

Last year, Movember was the largest charity endeavor in Canada for men’s health awareness. AND, this year Movember has outdone themselves with their marketing. They have incorporated a sweet rider retro flavour to their branding and their personalized approach to donations has made social mediums work for them beyond any efforts that a “coordinator” could muster.

I sponsored my good friend Evan and now his mo is glorious! Check it out:

This holiday season, the kitestringers thought it would be best to give to those who are most deserving of holiday spirit in our community. One of the ways we’re doing this is by sponsoring a family’s holiday gifts through the local Children’s Aid Society. Just this week we told the ages and interests of the children we will be wrapping presents for in a few short weeks. We’re so excited to make this the best holiday ever for a family we’ve never met!

Cra$h and Burn premiers on Showcase tonight! I’m so excited!

Corrupt, sexy insurance adjusters and its filmed in Hamilton. Count me in!

HYPE is ON!
Wednesday at the London Tap House lower level after your 9 to 5!
Here’s what is on the menu:
Networking:
-Sink or Swim
-Like or Dislike
-Getting to know you and how

I love this topic because everyone has an opinion on it and in this city, the business world of networking can seem tiny. So lets mix it up and learn from other’s tales.

What’s the HYPE?

HYPE is a business networking group for young professionals and entrepreneurs in the Hamilton community. This network aims to empower its members to achieve their full potential.

HYPE will provide its members with a creative and non-competitive forum to build relationships with other like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs resulting in a support and referral network to grow their business. This is accomplished by focusing activities on three key areas:

· Networking Events: Provide creative and open networking opportunities to its members

· Professional Development: Facilitate an opportunity for members to strategically grow their business and knowledge base via member workshops and guest speakers

· Support Network: Establish a network of community partners and resources that can provide expertise to young and upcoming businesses

Make sure to check back here for all updates to the group and listing of future events!

http://www.whatsthehype.ca/