August 20, 2015 Update: More Back to School branding boondoggles...Remember when the G-force Gatorade tribe was caught red-handed with their marketing machinations of hawking sugar hydration to … [Read more...]
Year Round Media That Matters: Positive Picks for Kids
November 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Nov. 26, 2012 With all the coinage and consumption swirling around Black Friday and Cyber Monday for people hunting “deals” I think it’s fitting to honor the organizations that deliver positive media … [Read more...]
Toy Joy or Consumption Junction? Critical Thinking for Holiday Fun
November 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Dec. 7, 2016 Update Why not turn holiday gifting into a media literacy opportunity? Tomorrow I'll be signing up once again for Samaritan House sorting and stocking for kids less fortunate and I … [Read more...]
It’s Veteran’s Day: If I Have To Tell You One More Time…
November 11, 2011 by 8 Comments
Nov. 11, 2011 As schools let out for the Friday Veteran’s Day holiday, I double-dog dare you to ask each child why they get the day off and submit the answers here for a positive parenting … [Read more...]
Earth Day: 40 Eco Links Worth Recycling to Friends
April 22, 2010 by 12 Comments
April 20, 2020 Update: (How often does that happen 20-2020?) 4-21-2020: Amidst the "Contagion" concerns of COVID-19, take a moment to imagine what POSITIVE CONTAGION taking action on climate … [Read more...]
Bottom Feeders Like American Apparel Need Whacked in the Assets
February 2, 2010 by 29 Comments
Feb. 9, 2010 Update: Almost 1000 signatures already & expanding global on ipetitions now! Join in! Orig article 2-2-10: "Confident about the junk in your trunk? Show us your assets! Post a … [Read more...]
A Homeless American Girl Doll: Really, AG? REALLY?
September 25, 2009 by 14 Comments
Sept. 25, 2009 Never quite thought homelessness would end up a ‘branding opportunity’ but alas, when Virgin Mobile lobbied Congress to declare November Youth Homeless Awareness month to devote time, … [Read more...]
BlameAThon: Tweet Your Troubles to Fight Cancer Today!
September 9, 2009 by 4 Comments
Sept. 9, 2009 School class schedule not what you’d hoped? Coach call you out in front of your teammates? BF ran off with your BFF? Or just need a dose of perspective? Whatcha waitin’ for? “Blame … [Read more...]
Do Those ‘Take Action’ Causes and AutoFill Forms Really Work?
August 25, 2009 by 5 Comments
August 25, 2009 Ever wonder if those urgent ‘act now' e-mails from your favorite causes work? Last week I received an NCLI eco-literacy action alert, as Shaping Youth is a member of the consortium … [Read more...]
Blame Drew’s Cancer For My Attitude of Gratitude
August 8, 2009 by 15 Comments
August 8, 2009 Who IS this hipster? Meet Drew Olanoff. Media geek. Mobile guru. Inspiration. Yesterday I wrote about kids' propensity to get their yucks at someone else's expense fostering an … [Read more...]
Social Media ABC’s: An International Opportunity
June 23, 2009 by 9 Comments
June 23, 2009 Changeblogger and informal learning pro Jasmin Tragas, (also one of my fellow NextNow Collaboratory global gal pals and co-contributors to the Age of Conversation Gavin Heaton and Drew … [Read more...]
Neda: Iconic, Insta-Media Shifts Us To Visual Story Threads
June 22, 2009 by 9 Comments
June 22, 2009 Youth culture is highly visual and iconic, no doubt about it. According to Graham Brown's article, Youth in Iran, about 60% of the population in Iran is under 25, so it's no surprise … [Read more...]
SmartyCard’s Summer Challenge With Scholastic: Heads Up for Fall!
May 28, 2009 by 18 Comments
May 28, 2009 I was just about to post an in-depth review and analysis of the merits and watch-worthy aspects of the new SmartyCard.com "learn and earn" kids' program for 3rd-6th graders, when I … [Read more...]
Project Green Prom Update: Summer Rayne & Teens Turning Green
May 14, 2009 by 10 Comments
May 14, 2009 I feel like I dropped the ‘carbon offset’ ball with my trek to WildCare on Mother’s Day... I stopped by to see the Project Green Prom boutique and see how their ‘how to green your … [Read more...]
Playing For Change: A Music Movement That Stirs the Soul
March 18, 2009 by 19 Comments
Mar. 18, 2009 ”Music is the poetry of the air.”---Jean Paul Richter Like a smile, music knows few boundaries in its outreach. It has the profound ability to connect cultures, remove barriers, and … [Read more...]
Sell Oodles For Shaping Youth Via Facebook Marketplace
March 3, 2009 by 4 Comments
Mar. 3, 2009 Want to help Shaping Youth make a difference in the world without opening your wallet? Now you can ‘regift’ those holiday oopsies, gadget castoffs, kids’ outgrown toys and gear all … [Read more...]
Youth Call to Service: MLK Day Off? Make It a Day On!
January 16, 2009 by 10 Comments
Jan. 16, 2017 Update This year it's particularly poignant to contrast the ethics, integrity and service values of our outgoing President Obama with the stark greed, corruption, and narcissism of the … [Read more...]
Celebrate My Birthday By Helping Beth Kanter Celebrate Hers!
January 4, 2009 by 10 Comments
Visual Insight guru Eileen Clegg sent me this lovely card (at left) along with a sweet sentiment about “trips around the sun” prompting a recall of a kindergarten tradition I want to … [Read more...]
One Week Countdown! Vote For Your Favorite Ashoka Youth Venture!
January 2, 2009 by 2 Comments
What better way to kick off the New Year than a quick click to put fresh faces of change to work on the world’s big issues? Ashoka’s Youth Venture, a global network of over 2,000 … [Read more...]
Reverse Trick or Treating? Isn’t That, Um, Marketing?
October 31, 2008 by 7 Comments
As one who is always looking for an easy ‘twofer’ (whether it’s a sunscreen that moisturizes, an inside-out raincoat, or a trick or treating door-knock to recycle unused toys) I started pondering the … [Read more...]
