Oscars Double the Number of Candidates

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has decided to add five more candidates to Hollywood's top prize, doubling its previous number, in an attempt to boost the show's ratings.

Increasing the number of films presented for the top categories allows room for beloved fan favorites to be recognized. If more of the popular, high grossing films are acknowledged, more people will tune in to see if their favorite film will win.

IPhone Skype over 3G:'Real Soon Now'

A new upgrade coming soon to the IPhone will allow Skype over AT&T's 3G data network. VoIP calls have been possible through other apps but Skype had been holding their VoIP capabilities back in order to increase call quality. Although the capability has already been available through other apps, it is believed there will be major implications of a major player breaking into the mobile 3G VoIP market. Some predict the introduction and growth in popularity of VoIP could completely change calling plans. Click here to read the full article.

Celebrity Endorsements at the 2010 Grammy Awards Skyrocket!

GreenLight, a global media licensing, talent negotiation and rights representation consultancy, released the results of its annual GreenLight Ad Gauge of the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, revealing a 150% spike in ads featuring celebrity endorsements.

The Grammy Awards is the largest music event every year. The 2010 analysis reveals that after a pulling back from celebrity collaborations in 2009, brands are once again partnering with celebrities and using pop music to maximize brand awareness and forge emotional connections with consumers.

Target, T-Mobile and MasterCard were just a few that used celebrity endorsement and music in their ads this year. The many celebrities using their start status are the Black Eyed Peas, Pearl Jam, Nick Jonas and Eric Clapton.

Click here for the entire news release.

Apple iPad

Last week Apple announced the new iPad. Since then, Apple has been catching some flack for the lack of capabilities the iPad has.

Some people have compared the iPad to an, "iPod Touch that doesn't fit in your pocket." The iPad lacks a camera and Adobe Flash player.

This first generation iPad leaves room for improvements. Continue reading why a columnist from Gadgetoid wants to get an iPad asap.

Honda to Recall 646,000 Cars

Honda will be recalling 646,000 cars beginning in February. Honda's The Fit/Jazz 2002-2008 models must be recalled after faulty window switchs have caused vehicles to break out in fire. In one instance, a 2 year old died in Cape Town.

The recall will allow Honda to fix a defective master switch, which currently allows water to enter the power window switch. This water causes the switch to overheat and, in three instances so far, cause a fire. Now, a waterproof skirt will be fitted to the window.

The recall covers the models sold in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia, but not Japan, a spokeswoman said. The Fit is the best selling model in Japan.

Jill Bezner

Toyota Takes Charge With a Recall

Toyota Canada Inc. has issued a recall that has temporarily suspended the sales of eight popular vehicles. After investigating reports of certain vehicles having issues with sticking accelerator pedals, Toyota took action to repair the issue. Serious crisis control was needed in order to protect the company reputation and to keep the public safe on the road.

The recall, issued after only a few incidents of the gas pedal occurred, saved Toyota from additional hurt. Toyota made a smart choice in taking quick action of suspending sales and production. This has provided confidence to the public that Toyota is a loyal and responsible company.

Although the sales freeze could have a great affect on the company and its reputation, the quick and intense actions taken by Toyota will be remembered by the public. Toyota’s well-managed crisis control will assure current and future customers that Toyota will stand behind its vehicles and take action when action is needed.

Hannah Albrecht

EXAMPLE POST: Is the gold a bit tarnished?

Note: this is an example to show what your blog post should be about and what it should contain.

Since the Tylenol scare in 1982, Johnson & Johnson has set the gold standard in crisis communications. They are the company PR professors everywhere use as an example of how to do crisis PR. However, a story in today's New York Times suggests that with its recall of several products last week, J&J may now be an example of how not to do crisis communication.

In an era of corporate scandal, where consumers want even more transparency from companies, that a company like Johnson & Johnson seems to have forgotten the lessons it learned almost 30 years ago. It makes one wonder, if the Tylenol scare happened today instead of 1982, would J&J have set the gold standard or would it be tarnished brass?