Blog Example: ChrisSicuranza.com (first revision)
Michael Jackson: King of Publicity
July, 02, 2009 03:01 PM
The sudden death of pop super star, Michael Jackson, came after years of incredible stardom and intense publicity. But, what of the oxygen tank he supposedly slept in? What ever happened to Bubbles the chimp? Oh, and did he really buy the skeleton of the Elephant man?
Make no mistake, fame followed Jackson in both his private and public life until the very end. While some say the fame drove Michael to do better, others questioned his bizarre lifestyle and antics. Yet, was Jackson feeding this media frenzy to start?
According to Nick Mayor, editor of Freak! Inside the Twisted Mind of Michael Jackson, at least one rumor was created by Jackson himself. Jackson’s representatives gave a photo to the infamous National Inquirer showing Michael asleep in a hyperbaric chamber with a contingency that the word ‘bizarre’ be used in the story.
Why would a star create such buzz that he would later deny? Again, according to Mayor, it was because he was following in the foot steps of the greatest promoter of all time: P.T. Barnum. According to unverified reports, Michael Jackson read P.T. Barnum’s autobiography and handed it to his manager and staff, stating simply, “This is my Bible now.”
Both legendary entertainers knew one simple fact: people love a good show, especially a freak show. So the marriage to Lisa Marie Presley; the skin color changes; the baby dangling over the ledge in Berlin - was it all a show?
No one will ever know for sure because even MJ himself couldn’t control the publicity (see his ordeals in court for more). Now in death, he is as popular as ever. Recent iTunes charts, as well as worldwide charts, show many of his hits are back on top -- an incredible and unheard of feat considering how long the songs have been around. Even the internet slowed because of how many people rushed online upon hearing of his demise.
While we mourn the loss of Michael Jackson as the King of Pop, we, too, should note that he was also the King of Publicity.
News Release: Thomson Communications / Found in SalemNews.com
Arc aims to raise $50K this year
DANVERS — On Sunday, the North Shore Arc's 13th annual Walk and Family Celebration will take place during Danvers Family Festival at Plains Park.
The walk helps raise money to continue the programs and services that North Shore Arc provides for people living with Down syndrome, autism, Asperger's syndrome, people who are deaf, blind and who use wheelchairs.
There will be a bounce house, arts and crafts, face-painting, a magician, and balloon animals, and Lemon the duck will even make an appearance. Lunch will be catered by Kelly's Famous Roast Beef.
"It's a good thing to help out some of the families for children who need services," Melanie Fleming of Thomson Communications said.
Becky Landry, North Shore Arc's development officer, said the walk and the other events raised more than $40,000 last year. This year's goal is to raise $50,000, since there were cuts to some programs in the past. This is her favorite event because it makes the community aware of the agency and what services can be provided for people with disabilities.
"I love every second seeing everyone being together," Landry said. "I hope people can come out.
Susan Parziale, organizer of the six-member team Jenna's Walkers, has raised more than $2,000 so far, her most yet. Parziale has participated in the walk since her daughter Jenna was diagnosed with classic autism.
"Please come out and donate and participate," Parziale said. "No donation is too small."
If you go
What: North Shore Arc's Walk and Family Celebration
When: Sunday, registration starts at 10 a.m., walk starts at noon
Where: Plains Park, 98 Porter St., behind Holten Richmond Middle School. Walk goes through Danvers Square and ends back at Plains Park.
For more information: Contact Becky Landry at the North Shore Arc Development Office at 978-762-4878, ext. 2401.
DANVERS — On Sunday, the North Shore Arc's 13th annual Walk and Family Celebration will take place during Danvers Family Festival at Plains Park.
The walk helps raise money to continue the programs and services that North Shore Arc provides for people living with Down syndrome, autism, Asperger's syndrome, people who are deaf, blind and who use wheelchairs.
There will be a bounce house, arts and crafts, face-painting, a magician, and balloon animals, and Lemon the duck will even make an appearance. Lunch will be catered by Kelly's Famous Roast Beef.
"It's a good thing to help out some of the families for children who need services," Melanie Fleming of Thomson Communications said.
Becky Landry, North Shore Arc's development officer, said the walk and the other events raised more than $40,000 last year. This year's goal is to raise $50,000, since there were cuts to some programs in the past. This is her favorite event because it makes the community aware of the agency and what services can be provided for people with disabilities.
"I love every second seeing everyone being together," Landry said. "I hope people can come out.
Susan Parziale, organizer of the six-member team Jenna's Walkers, has raised more than $2,000 so far, her most yet. Parziale has participated in the walk since her daughter Jenna was diagnosed with classic autism.
"Please come out and donate and participate," Parziale said. "No donation is too small."
If you go
What: North Shore Arc's Walk and Family Celebration
When: Sunday, registration starts at 10 a.m., walk starts at noon
Where: Plains Park, 98 Porter St., behind Holten Richmond Middle School. Walk goes through Danvers Square and ends back at Plains Park.
For more information: Contact Becky Landry at the North Shore Arc Development Office at 978-762-4878, ext. 2401.
Newsletter Layout - Salem State College
Opinion Letter: Saugus Learning and Discovery Center / Found in Wickedlocal.com/Saugus
To The editor:
I am writing in response to last week’s open letter, titled, “Peas in a Pod parent upset with Ballard school outcome.”
As an owner of a Saugus-run preschool and daycare, I found both the story and the online comments troubling.
First, a word about me: I am a longtime Saugus resident with deep connections to the town and area. I grew up here and have seen many changes over the years. I want the community to come together to help solve problems through effective dialogue.
The reason Peas in a Pod failed at the Ballard School was because of a lack of communication. The town didn’t effectively communicate its long-term goals with the building and management at Peas in a Pod invested much into the Ballard. Both ended up in a tough situation, but it seems we are forgetting who is really losing here: the children.
I am proud of the program I run at the Saugus Learning and Discovery Center. It is not just a drop-off care; it’s a curriculum with teachers in a dedicated house for the kids. It is not in a decaying building, it is not in bed with town, and it is not a rent-free abode.
While I understand that the Peas in a Pod program will continue to run in a new facility, the point remains: what about the children?
It was mentioned several times over in the open letter, and in the comments, that Saugus’s public system is already taxed enough, literally and figuratively.
I suggest that we focus less on the buildings of yesteryear and take a long, hard look at ourselves and our goals for the future.
We should want to have better schools for our children, but until then, we have to focus on making sure our kids can have a wholesome experience in a warm and nurturing setting.
I sympathize with parents and children at Peas in the Pod who are currently displaced - they've been put in a bad situation. But I am mostly interested in having a real dialogue to learn from the situation, so we don’t have to repeat it anytime soon.
For once, I think that is something we can all agree on.
I am writing in response to last week’s open letter, titled, “Peas in a Pod parent upset with Ballard school outcome.”
As an owner of a Saugus-run preschool and daycare, I found both the story and the online comments troubling.
First, a word about me: I am a longtime Saugus resident with deep connections to the town and area. I grew up here and have seen many changes over the years. I want the community to come together to help solve problems through effective dialogue.
The reason Peas in a Pod failed at the Ballard School was because of a lack of communication. The town didn’t effectively communicate its long-term goals with the building and management at Peas in a Pod invested much into the Ballard. Both ended up in a tough situation, but it seems we are forgetting who is really losing here: the children.
I am proud of the program I run at the Saugus Learning and Discovery Center. It is not just a drop-off care; it’s a curriculum with teachers in a dedicated house for the kids. It is not in a decaying building, it is not in bed with town, and it is not a rent-free abode.
While I understand that the Peas in a Pod program will continue to run in a new facility, the point remains: what about the children?
It was mentioned several times over in the open letter, and in the comments, that Saugus’s public system is already taxed enough, literally and figuratively.
I suggest that we focus less on the buildings of yesteryear and take a long, hard look at ourselves and our goals for the future.
We should want to have better schools for our children, but until then, we have to focus on making sure our kids can have a wholesome experience in a warm and nurturing setting.
I sympathize with parents and children at Peas in the Pod who are currently displaced - they've been put in a bad situation. But I am mostly interested in having a real dialogue to learn from the situation, so we don’t have to repeat it anytime soon.
For once, I think that is something we can all agree on.