Crude Oil hits newer and newer highs, gasoline is creeping forward in a slower but no less steep rise, and heating oil is the tiger in the next room. With these costs going up money gets tight quickly for even well-to-do families. Add to that the big gotcha that ethanol production is driving up food prices (or more sneakily shrinking serving sizes) and you have a situation where families cannot make ends meet.
The solution, at least in Philadelphia, involves a prison and community gardens. Essentially the lowest level prisoners are being used to tend to seedling plants that will then go out to community gardens. As these public gardens are tended fresh vegetables are grown, which are then given out to charities and churches for distribution to the needy. And the number of needy is growing. Last year 6 tones of vegetables were grown and given out. This year the plan is to grow 15,000 pounds of food.
This plan has a hidden benefit as well. For the prisoners there is the opportunity to learn about nature, self-reliance, self-discipline, and even a few classes in classics like math squeezed in. It may not be the perfect answer to higher food prices, but to those – especially the elderly – that have the need it’s brilliant.
Now some of my more business minded readers might wonder where all the money comes from. Nothing is completely free, and they are right in this case as well. The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation has funded this program through 2009 at a cost of $500,000. Those involved believe this is money well granted.
So what is the point here? That gardening can be more than just a bit of relaxation. That community gardens can be used for more than just nice looks. That even under difficult conditions the human spirit can flourish in the least expected environments.
Think about it. Maybe you have a community garden near you, or you can start one. Perhaps there is a program in your area already or you can start one. I’ve just planted a seed, will you help it grow?
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Black Entertainment Television loses Procter & Gamble, but is it enough?
Viacom must be proud. I really have to believe that they are in a great mood today. If they aren’t all the better because I feel better. Why? Because Procter & Gamble and GM have pulled their ads from the network – specifically those found on Rap City and 106 & Park.
Both of these cable network programs are found on the infamous Black Entertainment Television (BET) [No relation], created by Bob Johnson based on the same theory as that of Marie Antoinette. But whereas Marie Antoinette was beheaded by the starving masses, the intellectually starving made Bob Johnson a billionaire. And Viacom was more than happy to jump on the bandwagon that Johnson started.
If television can be called the opiate of the masses, then gangsta rap and hip hop music videos are its crack. Bob Johnson figured out the formula and how to spread sales when he started his infamous late-night music video line-up. Viacom simply figured out how to sell this crack to schoolchildren during the day. Reginald Hudlin must be proud, because Sumner Redstone surely is.
But many others in the Black community, and those concerned about the welfare of children, were not pleased. Thus when the later re-named Hot Ghetto Mess was first imagined, we spoke out. While the changes were minor (program title was quickly altered, and some of the content it’s rumored) advertisers acted lest they stir the ire of the $1 trillion African American community. And again the voices were raised and that attention has caused action.
As most would agree, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that Rap City and 106&Park promoted videos to kids just out of school that focused on sex, violence and profane language. But for those, like the advertising executives at GM and Procter & Gamble, that obviously never actually watch the program an April Parent Television Council study found the following:
And Bob Johnson had the balls to allege that Senator Obama was a drug dealer.
Don’t get too happy though. While these 2 companies are in the top 5 of advertisers in the nation they have not made the impact that really would have made a difference to Viacom. GM did take their ads from these BET programs, but it moved them to other programs on this troubled network. Thus the financial slap in the face has become a tap on the wrists and BET continues in silence.
And what about the advertisers that have not changed their position? That would be McDonald’s, YUM! Brands (ie. KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and A&W root beer), and Verizon. Not one of these companies seems to be fazed by children being spoon-fed sex and violence. Yet not one of these companies would dare advertise on a program targeting White children with the same reported numbers. Obviously their opinion matches that of Sumner Redstone and Viacom. What great company to associate with.
And the Black community must be admonished for supporting these kinds of actions. With so much money being spent on keeping up with the Jones’, so much importance placed on style over substance we effectively beg for more intellectual crack and they whip it up on demand.
But until we act in the same manner as the poor French with Marie Antoinette, expect to eat more cake and have children more damaged every year. I have to wonder how well Debra Lee, Reginald Hudlin, and Bob Johnson sleep? I’d guess as well as the crack dealer on the corner.
Both of these cable network programs are found on the infamous Black Entertainment Television (BET) [No relation], created by Bob Johnson based on the same theory as that of Marie Antoinette. But whereas Marie Antoinette was beheaded by the starving masses, the intellectually starving made Bob Johnson a billionaire. And Viacom was more than happy to jump on the bandwagon that Johnson started.
If television can be called the opiate of the masses, then gangsta rap and hip hop music videos are its crack. Bob Johnson figured out the formula and how to spread sales when he started his infamous late-night music video line-up. Viacom simply figured out how to sell this crack to schoolchildren during the day. Reginald Hudlin must be proud, because Sumner Redstone surely is.
But many others in the Black community, and those concerned about the welfare of children, were not pleased. Thus when the later re-named Hot Ghetto Mess was first imagined, we spoke out. While the changes were minor (program title was quickly altered, and some of the content it’s rumored) advertisers acted lest they stir the ire of the $1 trillion African American community. And again the voices were raised and that attention has caused action.
As most would agree, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that Rap City and 106&Park promoted videos to kids just out of school that focused on sex, violence and profane language. But for those, like the advertising executives at GM and Procter & Gamble, that obviously never actually watch the program an April Parent Television Council study found the following:
“…among other things, that Rap City featured on average 31.6 instances of sex, 25.3 instances of explicit language and 11.7 instances of violence per hour.”
And Bob Johnson had the balls to allege that Senator Obama was a drug dealer.
Don’t get too happy though. While these 2 companies are in the top 5 of advertisers in the nation they have not made the impact that really would have made a difference to Viacom. GM did take their ads from these BET programs, but it moved them to other programs on this troubled network. Thus the financial slap in the face has become a tap on the wrists and BET continues in silence.
And what about the advertisers that have not changed their position? That would be McDonald’s, YUM! Brands (ie. KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and A&W root beer), and Verizon. Not one of these companies seems to be fazed by children being spoon-fed sex and violence. Yet not one of these companies would dare advertise on a program targeting White children with the same reported numbers. Obviously their opinion matches that of Sumner Redstone and Viacom. What great company to associate with.
And the Black community must be admonished for supporting these kinds of actions. With so much money being spent on keeping up with the Jones’, so much importance placed on style over substance we effectively beg for more intellectual crack and they whip it up on demand.
But until we act in the same manner as the poor French with Marie Antoinette, expect to eat more cake and have children more damaged every year. I have to wonder how well Debra Lee, Reginald Hudlin, and Bob Johnson sleep? I’d guess as well as the crack dealer on the corner.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Advertising With M V Consulting, Inc.
As the various blogs and sites of M V Consulting, Inc. have grown opportunities for advertising have increased as well. This of course matches the growth of the blogs and general internet use. Back in 2005, when Black Entertainment USA was created, roughly 60% of homes had at least 1 computer and 5% of internet users visited a blog regularly. Today while first time computer purchases are relatively flat visitors to blogs have grown to approximately 15%, up 300%.
Black Entertainment USA (BEB) in 2005 started like a tree falling in the woods. Gaining a mere handful of visitors and author Michael Vass unknown to search engines. Such is the start of most businesses.
But the growth in blog visitors and corporation ownership, like Microsoft, is nothing compared to M V Consulting’s sites. BEB is now seen in over 115 countries every month with enough visitors to fill a mid-sized city. Today BEB is ranked among the top 86,000 out of over 55,000,000 blogs in the whole world. This growth, which continues even now, cannot be marked in hundreds of percentage but tens of thousands of percent!
The junior blog of M V Consulting, VASS, has had similar growth and perhaps more targeted attention. While not as old as BEB, this blog is extremely popular in North America and other English speaking nations. Focused on social issues, politics, and the U.S. Presidential election this blog has been highly recognized. VASS is one of 2 blogs featured by TV One (a cable network with over 40 million subscribers) at its online website for the Presidential election coverage.
And Author Michael Vass, once an unknown voice, is now a highly searchable and respected blogger covering a wide spectrum of topics of interest. Mr. Vass can now be found via the Google engine (in web and image searches), Yahoo, MSN, frequently on the African American Opinion, African American Political Opinion, B.I.G. Magazine online as a guest writer, and over 22 blogs of the 1800blogger family of blogs – all in addition to his writing at the M V Consulting blogs.
The net result is that the sites of M V Consulting are a perfect format for any company that seeks to reach American or international attention and internet visitors. Companies of all sizes advertising to African Americans, Whites, Men and/or Women, the college educated, singles and married internet users between the ages of 18 – 55 will find that the M V Consulting websites matches or exceeds (by as much as 250%) the internet averages for each target consumer group.
To learn more about the advertising rates and ad restrictions (ie. no pornography, no sites linking to pornography, no redirected links, ect.) please see the Ad Rates.
M V Consulting, Inc. reserves the right to deny any ad it deems objectionable, inflammatory, or pornographic.
The sites of M V Consulting. Inc. will never list more than 10 client ads maximum (including banners on top or bottom of a page) on any site – with the number being based on limiting distraction to readers and visitors as determined by M V Consulting itself.
Black Entertainment USA (BEB) in 2005 started like a tree falling in the woods. Gaining a mere handful of visitors and author Michael Vass unknown to search engines. Such is the start of most businesses.
But the growth in blog visitors and corporation ownership, like Microsoft, is nothing compared to M V Consulting’s sites. BEB is now seen in over 115 countries every month with enough visitors to fill a mid-sized city. Today BEB is ranked among the top 86,000 out of over 55,000,000 blogs in the whole world. This growth, which continues even now, cannot be marked in hundreds of percentage but tens of thousands of percent!
The junior blog of M V Consulting, VASS, has had similar growth and perhaps more targeted attention. While not as old as BEB, this blog is extremely popular in North America and other English speaking nations. Focused on social issues, politics, and the U.S. Presidential election this blog has been highly recognized. VASS is one of 2 blogs featured by TV One (a cable network with over 40 million subscribers) at its online website for the Presidential election coverage.
And Author Michael Vass, once an unknown voice, is now a highly searchable and respected blogger covering a wide spectrum of topics of interest. Mr. Vass can now be found via the Google engine (in web and image searches), Yahoo, MSN, frequently on the African American Opinion, African American Political Opinion, B.I.G. Magazine online as a guest writer, and over 22 blogs of the 1800blogger family of blogs – all in addition to his writing at the M V Consulting blogs.
The net result is that the sites of M V Consulting are a perfect format for any company that seeks to reach American or international attention and internet visitors. Companies of all sizes advertising to African Americans, Whites, Men and/or Women, the college educated, singles and married internet users between the ages of 18 – 55 will find that the M V Consulting websites matches or exceeds (by as much as 250%) the internet averages for each target consumer group.
To learn more about the advertising rates and ad restrictions (ie. no pornography, no sites linking to pornography, no redirected links, ect.) please see the Ad Rates.
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