First Word

  Some people have been watching the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial religiously -- almost on the same scale with the OJ Simpson trial back in the 90s. This high-profile defamation case has played out in an interesting way when it comes to a public relations perspective.  Depp's team has masterfully used social media to show how he's kind and genuine with people. If you watch mainstream media versus social media, the difference in attitude is totally opposite. Mainstream media has villainized Depp and seems to lean more toward Amber Heard. Meanwhile social media and experts and fans do not see it quite the same way.  Most of social media and average people watching this trial soon realized that Heard's testimony is questionable.  Social media's portrayal of Depp has been masterful at repairing his image. I assume that Depp's team is well aware of the tactics they've taken, which are brilliant. We see Depp doing a live performance in his iconic character Captai...

In my random thought process, I wanted to share some of the things in personal branding that I find sometimes entertaining. So, here for fun on a Friday: Business Portraits --ever notice the Bonnie Plumbing picture of the husband and wife team? Ever notice that picture has been the same for the last, what? Twenty years? Did you see their recent commercials where the wife is pretending to be the same age with the same dated hairdo? Kind'a scary and weird if you ask me. Do you think that helps their brand or makes her look ridiculous? I vote for the latter. Ever hire their services? Um nope! Business Portraits, Take II --ever seen a real estate agent's business card with his/her picture? Ever meet said agent to notice they don't quite look the same anymore? He/she is using a picture taken 10 or 15 years ago. Does he/she look ridiculous? Yes. Advice from the peanut gallery: keep your business portraits current to avoid the silly reality you're not 30-years-old anymore...

I have over the years ranted about people who don't understand that they can't just post anything in the world on social media even if it's a personal page. I recently got a glimpse of an associate's picture in which it was like his 10th picture with a glass of wine in his hand. Now one glass of wine, no problem. Maybe you're at a party, and it's a toast. Second picture, well, okay I'll give it a pass. Maybe you're just at a lot of social functions and you have a glass to relax. Third picture ... now I'm starting to look sideways ... here are some important points about why it's important to mind what you're photographed doing -- especially if it's imbibing too much. Employers and Prospective Clients Now Look on Social Media -- yes, perhaps you've been interviewing for a new job. Did you know that many employers now use social media to check you out? Young people should be especially conscious of this fact. So, party picture where ...