AaronWagner7000

Things Brands Are Currently Doing Right (And Wrong) – 1/19/12

January 18, 2012

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Hershey is engaging with Facebook fans by sticking to three key pillars: awareness, content, and agility.
Read the article from ragan.com.
BLURB: Filling up your Facebook wall with nothing but announcements about the company’s next big initiative—even a contest—isn’t the way to go, Lingeris says. Every once and a while, fans simply want you to open up the floor and ask, “What do you like?”

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7 Ways to Use Social Media for Instant Feedback
Read the article from Social Media Today.

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[Infographic] How To Use Contra-Competitive Timing for More ReTweets, Likes, Comments and Clicks
See the infographic at DanZarrella.com.

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6 Tips for Handling Breaking Crises on Twitter
Read the article from Mashable.
BLURB: “If the past year has taught us anything about reputation management in the social age, it’s that the past year has not taught us anything. Time and time again in 2011, the same missteps and misunderstandings lead to the same predictably painful reputational outcomes for individuals, brands and organizations.”

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Things Brands Are Currently Doing Right (And Wrong) – 1/17/12

January 17, 2012

Betty Crocker is helping customers with their frantic kitchen emergencies.
Read the story from ClickZ.
BLURB: Their social media efforts are a “way to connect to people the brand has been connecting to throughout prior generations through magazines, through a radio show, and through cookbooks,” said Bettison. “We really want to help solve people’s problems.”

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Chobani Yogurt is building relationships with Pinterest.
Read the story from Fast Company.
BLURB: Chobani’s now got 17 “boards” on Pinterestand 582 followers, positioning the largest yogurt manufacturer in the state of New York well ahead of global juggernauts such as Dannon or Yoplait, neither of which have a Pinterest presence yet.

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The Following Websites Are Going Dark Tomorrow To Protest SOPA (From Mashable)
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-5 Biggest Missteps Businesses Make When Using social media
Read the story from Mashable.

BLURB: There’s huge potential for companies to get real on social media, but that means asking customers potentially tough questions: What should the company do next? How should the company improve its products or services? It’s scary, uncharted territory for many, but it’s much more efficient to tap social media than to agonize over expensive surveys and focus groups. Most don’t realize that the most valuable “focus group” is the community that chooses to opt in over social media. These friends, fans and followers want to see you succeed (and have a hand in helping you accomplish success).

Here are the biggest missteps when it comes to using social media as a tool for progress, plus some advice on how to overcome them.

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Being a source of good: Installment 1

January 2, 2012

To be more accountable to keep my resolutions, I’m publicizing my first three.

1. To use digital media to build a relationship with my children until the day comes for me to be with them again.

Separated dads everywhere should do this. I didn’t choose to be far away from my children, but it’s a father’s duty to fight for the hearts of his kids.

Technology (like Skype) allows for long-distance relationships in ways that have never existed before in history. So until the day comes when I can see them regularly on a face-to-face basis (and I’m praying that day will come quickly,) I’m resolved to use technology to be a part of their lives.

2. To be a source of good/positivity/optimism on earth.

I resolve to be a source of good for all people who associate with me: For my children, friends and family members, for Quintessential Sweetheart (my Facebook friends are familiar with her,) for my business associates, and for strangers.

For my children, this means loving them wholeheartedly and never giving up on being their dad, no matter how many miles exist between us.

For those I associate with in business, this means serving their needs to my fullest ability, while never taking criticism personally. It also means being a continual source of optimism in the face of challenges and discouragements, and never contributing to hurtful gossip.

For strangers, it simply means never turning someone away who needs help. (Although I’ve taken heat for it, I’m the type of person who gives food to homeless people when they ask me for help on the side of a road.)

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:13-18

3. To make every day memorable from my deathbed.

I don’t know how I’m going to achieve this resolution yet. All I know is that I hate routine: living each day so similarly to the one before it that you can no longer distinguish separate 24-hour periods within any given month.

When it’s time for me to pass away, I pray I’ll be spending my last days days reflecting with a smile and with laughter. My goal is to be satisfied when I look back. Satisfied that I have squeezed each day like a ripe orange full of fresh juice. That – rather than spending my days on a couch watching football – I have spent my days teaching my children about life, living abundantly with my loved ones, experiencing new things every day and doing all things in my power to be a positive influence on earth.

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BMW “Christmas” Cards VS Mercedes “Holiday” Cards

December 24, 2011

It’s sometimes fun to keep track of which companies opt to play it safe by using the politically correct “holiday” verbiage in their marketing, and which ones show brazen fearlessness by using the word “Christmas.” This year, I couldn’t help but to compare BMW with Mercedes-Benz.

What do you think? Which strategy impresses you more?

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Starbucks Holiday Advertising Win

December 20, 2011

I love this spot because of the feelings it conveys, the excellent concept, and the simplicity. Here are what I view to be its upsides:

1. It lets you picture your favorite flavor.
This spot shows only the Starbucks CUPS, except for the first one, which is filled with Peppermint Mocha. So although this specifically advertises Peppermint Mocha, the watcher is free to imagine what’s inside the rest of the cups. The brew in the others is whatever you want it to be. I picture one of the cups being filled with a Venti Blackeye and plenty of cream. It’s calling to me.

2. The singing characters convey a sense of (profitable) nostalgia.
This kind of nostalgia (the holiday kind) appeals to a very broad demographic. You know what I mean: the caroling, the roller skates, the nutcracker, the snowman who has come to life, etc. So the cuteness and wide-reaching holiday cheer also serve a savvy, profitable purpose. Admit it: Don’t these little cup people kind of make you want to grab a Starbucks right now?

3. The sense of cause-and-affect.
It’s interesting how this video seems to produce the feeling that when you go get a Starbucks, you’re passing your joy and good mood on to others.

4. Those who don’t like coffee can appreciate this video, too.
For example, I’ll bet Starbucks’ hot chocolate sales are going through the roof right now because of the scads of children who are begging their parents to take them to the place with the singing cups. (I just hope these children are briefed BEFOREHAND that Starbucks cups won’t really sing.)

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Posted by AaronWagner7000

On making resolutions:

December 18, 2011

Do you know why New Year’s Resolutions fail? It’s because they often lack strong foundations (or motivations) to support them and keep them afloat.

Example:
Someone who resolves to quit smoking because they are breaking their 7-year-old daughter’s heart will have more success than someone who’s quitting because of workplace policy.

Do you have a goal for 2012 that seems impossible? If you don’t have an unshakable motivation that supports your goals against the vicissitudes of life, then it probably will be impossible for you. Without deep motivations, people give up because of the silliest obstacles.

Pinpoint the most important thing in your life. (Something besides money, hopefully.) Maybe it’s your children, or a great cause that’s much bigger than yourself – like helping others, or launching your family into a better life. If your big, impossible goals revolve around this all-important purpose in your life, then you’ll do “impossible” things.

Work hard. Pray hard. Let your deep motivations keep you going.

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When Engaging Atheists, Discuss the Origin of MATTER.

August 3, 2011

.My ongoing question to atheists pertains to the origin of existence. If there is no God, where then, according to atheists, did matter come from?

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Adam R Sweet - 9:14 PM

Cool bumper sticker I whipped up in Photodraw today

- Comment - Share

+11

Mike Adams – Uhhhhh, durrrrrrr, I likes mee sum mayd up sheeit!

9:09 PM

Coral Russell – hehehe I like this one. There is another de-motivational poster I have saved, but can’t find it on-line right now.

9:10 PM

Kenneth Dunlap – No contest! Made up shit!
A big lizard came along and licked a rock, it became a horse. Every lick made a new creature.”But where did the lizard come from,” you might ask.From outside of any bounds of time or reality! Duh!

9:14 PM

Aaron Wagner – I’ve got questions. (I’m sure evolutionists probably have answers, although I don’t hear answers very often.) How did molecules come into existence without being created? And, what happened that made the concentrated/condensed matter explode to become the big bang?

9:19 PM

Kenneth Dunlap – +Aaron Wagner
1) A molecule is just a string or combination of atoms.
2) The big bang has nothing to do with evolution.

9:22 PM

Susanna Sharp-Schwacke – Why do you presume that there was ever nothing that everything had to be created from nothing? NOTHING can come from nothing, so there was never just nothing. That’s a pretty basic concept.

9:22 PM

Aaron Wagner – Well, ok, but I guess i’m asking, how did the string or combination of atoms come in to existence?

(And, even if the big bang has nothing to do with evolution, i guess it’s just a question I have.)

9:27 PM

Aaron Wagner – And I don’t think that “nothing” exists anywhere. So, then, is matter…eternal?

9:30 PM

Kenneth Dunlap – Some atoms naturally find combinations of like, such as oxygen. In nature oxygen exists as O2. This carries over into other molecules as well, carbon being very efficient at achieving bonds. This is how molecules form. It’s very basic chemistry.The origin of the universe was the result of a singularity that had collapsed an enormous amount of matter into an incredibly small size. Containment failed and the very basic matter/energy expanded rapidly. This is simplified, but again it is basic cosmology.

9:32 PM

Aaron Wagner – Ok. I think I might be able to grasp that some atoms find combinations. (Sort of. I suck at chem!) I just don’t get,…. If matter is not eternal, how did it come to be, without a creator? And, on the same line of questioning, i guess, how did the enormous amount of matter come to be? (Unless matter is eternal?) I guess that is really what i’m asking.

9:38 PM

Mike Adams – Why does it have to be created? And for the sake of argument, if it were created, what creator then?

9:40 PM

Adam R Sweet – Aaron I don’t understand your question about a creator. Do you mean like a baker bakes bread or a pharmacist makes medicine?The Universe wasn’t created by someone, it was formed by the change of something else.Maybe a good example would be how lightning hitting a beach can make glass. Nobody made the lightning, it occurred naturally. But when it hit the sand, it changed it into glass.

9:43 PM

Kenneth Dunlap – +Aaron Wagner I’d like to invite you to the League of Reason. Yes, we are mostly atheist and sceptics but we do have theists and the vast majority of us are scientists or science students. If you truly want answers this is a great resource/forum. leagueofreason.co.uk

9:45 PM

Aaron Wagner – Religious people have no problem saying that God is eternal. He’s not created at all, therefore. That’s the view of all monotheistic religions. Something being NOT created is not a problem for me.

I’m only asking, do evolutionists ALSO believe, like I do, in eternality? I.e., is matter eternal? In the eyes of an evolutionist? Or, did it get made somehow? If that makes any sense…
9:49 PM

Aaron Wagner – Well I guess i should check out leagueofreason.co.uk. Thanks…

9:50 PM

Kenneth Dunlap – As I said, best way to understand is to go to LoR and ask there, but there are answers. For one thing, most of what you know as matter didn’t exist at the BB. Stars condensed hydrogen into heavier atoms and then during an explosion these were compacted into even larger atoms and eventually into molecules. If you would like,I can explain protons and electrons which are important in the concept, but it’s easier in a real forum platform.

9:50 PM

Adam R Sweet – It’s ok…this is an atheist bumper sticker. And since we’re on the subject, I don’t believe there is a god or gods, partially because there is no use for a creator, no point for one

9:51 PM

Aaron Wagner – Ok. Thanks. My ultra-non-scientific mind just doesn’t understand how the stars (that condensed hydrogen) came to be, and since matter didn’t exist how we know of “matter” today, then how did it somehow come to be if there is no God.

9:56 PM

Kenneth Dunlap – +Aaron Wagner
Okay, go back to very basic. Particles tend to collect in a vacuum due to gravity. After a period of time, very short in the BB due to availability of particles, these condensed into atoms of hydrogen. At a certain mass, ignition is possible and these particles and atoms began to undergo fusion, which is two or more atoms being slammed together under MASSIVE heat and pressure and speed. This fusion causes atoms to fuse together into new elements. First generation stars create up to oxygen I think, until they undergo change (compaction or nova). After change new elements have been created and these then coalesce into heavenly bodies from resulting nebula. Heavier elements toward the interior of a system and lighter toward the outside. Thus heavier “solid” planets close to the sun and gas giants in the outer “regions” or orbits.

10:09 PM

Aaron Wagner – I do appreciate your explanation, and it probably is truly very basic, but I am operating even BELOW the basic level here. (And yes, my lack of knowledge can really frustrate the hell out of people. So I’m sorry. In advance.)

I just have no knowledge of these basics. I don’t really get fusion, compactions, etc.

I literally need to go waaaayyy back. All the way back to the particles that were available during the big bang. I don’t get how they got here to even be AVAILABLE in the big bang.

I’m saying that I don’t understand what an atheist believes about, “How did ANY matter get here at all? In the very very very beginning? (If there’s no God?)” That’s why I asked before, “Is matter eternal??”

That’s what I don’t get, I guess.

10:25 PM

Heidi Cool – Have you seen Robin Ince’s take on creationism? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdocQHsPCNM

10:26 PM

Aaron Wagner – I don’t think so. I’ll click it now…

10:27 PM

Kenneth Dunlap – Well, on that question I guess we need to go back to a very basic concept. This is the common argument.

“Nothing comes from nothing, therefore goddunit.

“Where did god come from?”

God is eternal and outside physical law.

“Then why can’t the original matter be the same?

If you want more discussion, I’ll be happy to address you on LoR if you mention me. I’m kenandkids there.

10:28 PM

Coral Russell – Duh! God! o.~

10:33 PM

Heidi Cool – The thing I really like about science is the willingness to say, “we don’t know” about things we don’t yet have an answer for.

10:33 PM

Aaron Wagner – That youtube vid is funny (ok. I’ll admit. It’s funny. Lol.) But they didn’t really address the question I’m asking (i don’t think?) about the origin of matter. Is matter eternal? That vid also addresses a crowd that has scientific knowledge. I have none! So i can hardly follow it. Lol.

And I suppose that probably answers my question then, Kenneth. I can’t tell if you’re saying that matter CAN be eternal (in an evolutionist’s eyes,) or if you’re just being sarcastic. But if you are indeed saying that matter is eternal, and therefore God is not needed for creation, then i guess you answered my question.

10:36 PM

Heidi Cool – Aaron, I think one of the tricky things here is that science doesn’t have answers for everything. Evolution is great for showing how life evolved. The Big Bang gives us a pretty good stab at how the universe began, but scientists are still conjecturing over how life came to exist on earth. So there are really 3 different issues here that aren’t all covered by the same theory. There are many ideas about the beginning of life, but they’re still experimenting with those. So we don’t have all the answers yet, but that’s OK. It’s an ongoing process.

10:38 PM

Aaron Wagner – Gotcha. That’s fair, Heidi. You’re not omniscient, lol. No one is. I’ll try to get on the LoR site this week if I can have another late(ish) night like this. (But I’ll probably just serve to ASTOUND everyone with my ignorance, lol.) I’ll check it out anyway.

10:44 PM

Susanna Sharp-Schwacke – Actually, matter IS eternal. Nothing can be truly destroyed. Nice way of putting it!

10:51 PM

Aaron Wagner – Ok. Yes, I have heard (or read?) somewhere that matter is never truly destroyed. And if matter is also “eternal” in the sense that it has ALWAYS been, even from eternity past, without ever having been created, then, I suppose, that pretty much answers my question about how an evolutionist answers the question of “How did matter get here if there is no God.”

But, if that’s not really what you’re saying, then I’m sorry for putting words in your mouth. (I’m not trying to sound like an ass. Lol.)

10:55 PM

Coral Russell – Heidi – I like that about science too!

Yesterday 12:16 AM

Heidi Cool – Aaron, I think one of the most interesting things about life on this planet is that there is always so much more to learn. We’re all ignorant about all sorts of things, but if we’re savvy enough to keep asking questions and exploring then I think we’re on track.

Yesterday 2:57 AM

Adam R Sweet's profile photo

Adam R Sweet – This sticker is available in green, red, blue and white (with Helll-red letters)

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Posted by AaronWagner7000

Separated Dads: In Pain? Torn From Your Kids? Honor God Anyway.

July 20, 2011

One of the most difficult commands of the Christian faith is to love your enemy.

And if you’re a dad who has been torn from his children because of his ex-wife’s actions, you will certainly find Loving Your Enemy particularly excruciating. But no matter how much pain you are in, if you desire to honor God, you must fight the overwhelming temptation to be filled with bitter hatred.

Through all your pain, according to Romans 12, we are to:

Rejoice in hope
Be patient in tribulation
Be constant in prayer
Bless those who persecute you
Live harmoniously
Live peaceably with all people
Do not take revenge
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Has your former spouse become your deepest enemy? You are called to maintain a humble spirit anyway. Remind yourself daily that what is impossible for you and me is possible with God. Seek His help through all of your pain.

Romans 12:
[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

[14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. [19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(Romans 12:9-21 ESV)

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“What Forced You From Your Children?”

July 15, 2011

This post kind of serves as an open letter to people “back home” who don’t understand why I’m away from my kids. It will also address those of you who haven’t known me long, and who ask, “Why’d you have to move to a different state (MI) instead of living where your children are (FL)?”

Truthfully, I’m not the only dad who’s been torn from his children via the Perfect Storm. So this is a good opportunity for me to explain the steps that can lead a man to leave his children unwillingly.

STEP 1: The Layoff And Divorce

Like many other dads, I went through a layoff during a time when economic situations made finding work very difficult. I was also living separately from my wife, and she was in the process of divorcing me.

Times were tough and my wife’s employment wasn’t sufficient to cover summertime daycare expenses for the kids. So when I was without employment, she asked me to move back in with her so I could care for the children while also looking for work. (Yes, this moving-back-in situation does happen to divorcing couples when times are bad enough!)

STEP 2: The Threat Of Homelessness

My wife told me one night that she and the kids were moving to a house her family owned. She claimed she couldn’t afford rent, and that she and my kids were moving to a place that would be free.

My wife didn’t want me living with her (since she was divorcing me) and her family’s offer to live in the house they owned was only for her and my children. And the house was almost 2 hours away from where she and I were living. My response to this news was to beg.

STEP 3: The Begging that Falls on Deaf Ears

Although I’m a copywriter by profession, I asked her to let me get a fast-food or janitorial job to at least cover the rent so I could still be with my kids. (This was also a brief time in my life where I was not freelancing.) With her income and mine combined, we could at least stay in that house until I landed employment in my field. But my begging did nothing to change her mind.

STEP 4: Choosing Between Two Horrible Things

I was asked to stop wasting my breath. Her decision had been made, and her advice to me was that I should live with friends. So my choices were:

Horrible Thing A: To live in poverty as a vagabond (with no employment, no money, no home,) living from house to house and family to family; eating other people’s food and living off other people’s utilities; using their computers to look for work; using their cars and gas money to drive to interviews, and taking up space in their homes.

This did not seem like a feasible option for me – an almost 40-year-old marketing guy living in homelessness and inconveniencing everyone else who would have had to take me in. Possibly for years to come. In my eyes, Horrible Thing B was my only option.

Horrible Thing B: To move away from my children altogether in order to stay with family members as I looked for work.

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Posted by AaronWagner7000

A Message to Separated Dads

July 12, 2011

Are you one of those fathers who, like myself, have gone through the Perfect Storm? You know the storm I’m talking about:

A painfully loveless marriage
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Financial turmoil and/or a layoff
+
Your wife divorcing you and taking your children with her to live elsewhere
+
Your new and unfortunate necessity to relocate and find refuge with friends/family
=
THE PERFECT STORM

When this horrible phenomenon happens, fathers of young children go through unspeakable pain.

Yes, I know there are dads who want nothing to do with their children. If you’re one of those, I’m not writing to you.

This message is to those dads who are torn unwillingly from their children. Dads who are faced with homelessness unless they go somewhere else — often to other states, as I had to do.

Has it been a long time since you’ve been able to see your children? You are not alone.

Although the pain is ravaging, God is sovereign and merciful. He comes to the aid of those who turn to Him in such pain.

Don’t despair. Prayerfully stay strong for your children, no matter how brokenhearted you are at their absence from you.

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The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
(Psalm 34:18)

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I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
(Psalm 34:4-10)