01. The Transformation of the Super Bowl Ad
02. The ‘Taylor Swift Effect’ Is Real
03. The NFL/Jay-Z Black Culture Connection
04. Spread the Love: Make Valentine’s Day for Everyone
05. Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day!
06. Survey Finds 1-in-5 College Students Support Hamas
07. Will Crumbley Case Set a Precedent for Parental Responsibility?
08. It’s Black History Month: The History of Segregation
09. Former NBA Player’s Mission to Keep Kids in School
10. Lower the Bar to Feel Better and Get Farther
11. If the Placebo Effect is Real, Why Don’t More Doctors Use It?
12. How to Keep Moving Forward When Life Sets You Back
13. The Surprising Reason People Become Addicted to Sex
14. The Essential Skill No One Teaches Adults
15. The Real Story Behind ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
1. ==> The Transformation of the Super Bowl Ad
In this era of increasing media fragmentation, you could describe the Super Bowl as the only annual media event where a substantial portion of the U.S. population gathers at the same time to watch the same thing: Over 100 million people tune in, and a good portion say the ads are the main reason they’re watching. Mark Bartholomew will explain how the tradition of millions of people simultaneously sharing the same commercial experience has become more complicated. You’ll learn how advertisers are leveraging new technologies to track our personal habits and target us with individualized advertising and how companies build personal digital profiles and use neuroscience to customize ads. Bartholomew says it’s happening during the Super Bowl, too. And it may even change the way we see Super Bowl ads in the future. Mark Bartholomew is a professor of law at the University at Buffalo School of Law. His research focuses on intellectual property, privacy, advertising law, and law and technology. He provides commentary for “The New York Times,” the “Washington Post,” “USA Today,” “The Wall Street Journal,” and other media outlets. Contact him at (716) 645-5959; bartholo@buffalo.edu
2. ==> The ‘Taylor Swift Effect’ Is Real
This season’s ratings for the NFL are the best they’ve been since 2015. A big part of that has been the relationship between Taylor Swift and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce. Their love story has sparked a significant discussion about the impact of celebrities on the sports industry, particularly looking at how Swift’s relationship with Kelce has reportedly already generated $331.5 million in brand value for the NFL. Virginia Tech economist Jadrian Wooten can explain the “Swift effect” and why the NFL should be taking note. But, he says, “It goes beyond the jerseys sold and the social media metrics. At the heart of this pop culture-sports crossover are opportunities for shared experiences between parents and their children, celebrating touchdowns and discussing plays, all thanks to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.” Jadrian’s expertise includes sports economics and labor issues. Contact him at jadrian@vt.edu or Shannon Andrea at (703) 399-9494; atmediarelations@vt.edu
3. ==> The NFL/Jay-Z Black Culture Connection
R&B takes center stage on Sunday as Usher headlines the coveted Super Bowl half-time slot. Christina Myers says the recent effort by the NFL to highlight Black hip-hop and R&B artists in the half-time shows is the result of a collaboration with Roc Nation, an entertainment company owned by Jay-Z. “It is demonstrative of how representation of Black athleticism, as well as Black intellect, Black excellence and Black artistry are essential to highlighting Black culture, uplifting Black voices and witnessing Black joy,” she says. “Jay-Z’s partnership with the league has not only allowed hip-hop and R&B artists to take their rightful space in front of millions as an honored, cross-cultural experience. More than the music, Black artists’ presence exemplifies the power of Black music and the transformative, healing, uplifting and necessary sound of Black voices.” Christina Myers is an assistant professor in the Michigan State University School of Journalism. She studies the intersection of race and media, with a specific focus on Black experiences in music, sports and news. Contact her at myersc13@msu.edu
4. ==> Spread the Love: Make Valentine’s Day for Everyone
People seem to have either one of two thoughts about Valentine’s Day. Some see it as the most romantic day of the year. Others would rather spend the day in bed than see even one bouquet-carrying, chocolate-eating, and drunk-on-love person. But etiquette expert Maralee McKee says Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers and no one needs to be left out. She’ll share ways to make Valentine’s Day special for others regardless of their, or your, romantic status. “This year, be someone’s Valentine. Actually, be a lot of people’s Valentine. Spread the spirit of the day to those who make your life sweeter with a genuine expression of gratitude towards them and maybe even a token of your kind thoughts,” she says. Learn how to get into the spirit of the day, how to find the right card or gift, and little ways to make the day special. Maralee McKee is a contemporary etiquette, manners, and people-skills expert and the founder of the prestigious Etiquette School of America. She is an author and popular guest on TV, radio, and podcasts and has been quoted in hundreds of publications including “Real Simple,” “Health,” the “Huffington Post,” and “USA Today.” Contact her at Maralee@EtiquetteSchoolOfAmerica.com
5. ==> Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day!
How about celebrating this Valentine’s Day a bit differently by acknowledging how terrific you are? Masuda Rahmati will encourage your audience members to treat themselves to a day at the gym, lunch at a nice restaurant, and more as a reminder that self-love is the greatest love of all – one that must come first if we are to spread love to the rest of the world. Invite Massie to share daily practices anyone can incorporate to feel more lovable inside and out. These practices can allow us to stop relying on others for our self-worth and move through adversities with greater ease. Massie is an expert on doing the uncomfortable, having once stood up to the Taliban in defense of women’s and girls’ rights by being the first woman to represent Afghan women in the Mrs. World International Beauty Competition. She can also deliver her Valentine to America and the freedoms we may take for granted and remind Americans about just how dangerous it is to be female in Afghanistan. Her upcoming book is tentatively titled “Almost Killed by the Taliban: How I Stood Up for the Women and Girls of Afghanistan.” Born in Kabul, she came to the U.S. with her family as a teenager in 1982. A media veteran, she has been interviewed by the international media and has been recognized by Congress. Contact Masuda Rahmati at (831) 298-8335; mrahmati@rtirguests.com
6. ==> Survey Finds 1-in-5 College Students Support Hamas
According to a new survey, nearly as many college students support Hamas as they do Israel amid the raging Middle East war. The online poll of 609 college students by Intelligent.com found that 22% of respondents sympathize with Hamas while 26% side with the Israeli government. Ask Asaf Romirowsky Ph.D., the executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME), whether he believes those numbers accurately reflect the sentiment at most college campuses. He can discuss what anti-American extremism is and how the federal government and universities are responding to foreign students expressing support for terrorist organizations. Trained as a Middle East historian, Romirowsky holds a doctorate in Middle East and Mediterranean Studies from King’s College London, UK, and has published widely on various aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict and American foreign policy in the Middle East, as well as on Israeli and Zionist history. Romirowsky is the co-author of “Religion, Politics, and the Origins of Palestine Refugee Relief.” Contact Mark Goldman at (516) 639-0988 (call/text); markgoldman73@gmail.com
7. ==> Will Crumbley Case Set a Precedent for Parental Responsibility?
Jennifer Crumbley has become the first parent in the United States to be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for a mass school shooting committed by her teenage son. A jury convicted the mother of Ethan Crumbley for her part in the tragic 2021 Michigan shooting that left four dead and seven others injured. Attorney Mark Bello can discuss the case that has sent shockwaves far beyond the confines of the courtroom. Bello says the verdict was grounded in law applying parenthood’s moral and ethical responsibilities and can discuss whether it sets a precedent in the U.S. for prosecuting the parents of mass shooters. Mark Bello is an author, social justice advocate, and attorney with 45 years of courtroom experience. Contact Adrienne Mazzone at (561) 908-1683; amazzone@transmediagroup.com
8. ==> It’s Black History Month: The History of Segregation
In his best-selling book “The Color of Law,” Richard Rothstein demolished the popular segregation myth that black and white Americans live separately by choice and showed how federal, state, and local governments gave rise to reinforced neighborhood segregation. Invite Rothstein and his daughter Leah, a housing expert, to discuss the history of segregation in the U.S., how segregation continues to promote entrenched inequality and how we can undo the damage. The authors of “Just Action” will share how concerned citizens can challenge residential segregation in their own communities and other ways to address historical inequities. Richard Rothstein has written many books and articles on educational policy and racial inequality. Leah Rothstein has more than two decades of experience as a consultant to affordable housing developers and local governments. Contact Johanna Ramos-Boyer at (703) 646-5137; johanna@jrbcomm.com or Erin Bolden at (703) 646-5188
9. ==> Former NBA Player’s Mission to Keep Kids in School
The rate of school dropouts has increased alarmingly, especially after the pandemic. More than 7,000 U.S. kids leave the education system every day — that’s one child every 26 seconds — which places them at high risk for drug addiction, prison, or worse. Former NBA champion Dean Tolson is on a mission to stop this national crisis. His powerful personal story has already inspired thousands of kids across the country to stay in school. Hear Dean’s incredible journey from illiterate NBA player to graduating magna cum laude with a master’s degree, and how he was drafted for the Seattle SuperSonics by Hall of Famer Bill Russell. He’ll also reveal the shocking, controversial actions that took place during his recruitment, why he never should have played in college or the NBA, and much more! The author of “Power Forward: The Dean Tolson Story,” Dean has decades of public speaking experience and has appeared on KING5 TV, The Grio, and in “Sports Illustrated.” Contact him at (235) 884-8934; mediaresponse@rtir.com
10. ==> Lower the Bar to Feel Better and Get Farther
The main reason most people don’t attain their goals is because they often bite off more than they can chew and get frustrated when they fall short. “That’s because most people focus on a lofty goal instead of their progress,” says Gerald J. Leonard, a successful CEO, author, project management expert and professional musician. “Don’t go for large goals. Instead, take an inventory of bite-sized milestones, commit to them and celebrate the small-scale wins.” Gerald can share ways to set small, manageable goals when pursuing your largest dreams, and how to change your mindset to achieve maximum success. Gerald Leonard is the author of “A Symphony of Choices: How Mentorship Taught a Manager Decision-Making, Project Management, and Workplace Engagement – and Saved a Concert Season.” Contact him at (443) 703-2929; mediaresponse@rtir.com
11. ==> If the Placebo Effect Is Real, Why Don’t More Doctors Use It?
The power of the placebo effect —medication or treatment that has no effect save for the patient’s belief that it works — has been documented as successful in 30% to 60% of patients suffering from a wide range of symptoms. Dr. Dinesh Verma reveals why modern medicine usually ignores the placebo effect and makes the case for why more physicians should integrate this and other under-used alternative therapies with modern health-care methods for incredible results. Ask him: Why does the placebo effect work so well? How did your mother miraculously recover from late-stage breast cancer? How can patients feel better, heal faster, and even save money on medical expenses? A medical doctor with 45 years in practice and 18 years of integrative medicine research and experience, Dr. Verma’s latest book is “From Dreams to Genes.” Contact Dr. Dinesh Verma at (248) 817-8296; mediaresponse@rtir.com
12. ==> How to Keep Moving Forward When Life Sets You Back
We all have goals, from smaller things like planning a vacation to big ideas like finding a dream job or getting the promotion we’ve always wanted. And we all suffer setbacks on the road to those goals. It can be hard to pick yourself up after your path is interrupted — especially with a major, life-disrupting issue. Frank DiMaio is here to help you continue forward, whether you’re facing a temporary bad patch or a serious hardship like divorce, layoffs, or even the loss of a loved one. After losing his wife to breast cancer, Frank developed a method for dealing with his grief. He’ll share what he learned about facing life’s biggest challenges with positivity and progress. Contact Frank DiMaio at (401) 205-3325; mediaresponse@rtir.com
13. ==> The Surprising Reason People Become Addicted to Sex
The general belief is that sex addicts are merely selfish, amoral perverts. But according to author and marriage therapist Marsha Means, the reasons for this crippling dependence are far more complicated. “I have researched the connection between sexual addiction and attachment wounds in childhood,” she says. “I see the addict as wounded and desperately in need of healthy, secure connection.” Marsha can share how to break this addiction once and for all, and how couples can survive the pain and heartache this causes in relationships. She is the author of the critically acclaimed books “Learn Empathy: Help Your Betrayed Wife Heal” and “From Betrayal Trauma to Healing & Joy: A Workbook for Partners of Sex Addicts.” Contact Marsha Means at (520) 341-6002; mediaresponse@rtir.com
14. ==> The Essential Skill No One Teaches Adults
Everyone faces criticism — some deserved, some totally off-base and even mean-spirited. But most of us never get any help learning how to handle criticism including the negative stuff we say to ourselves. Interview emotional intelligence and criticism management expert Detri McGhee to discuss how mastering the C-A-T system can help your listeners get something positive out of every critical comment they are exposed to. Ask her: How can adults profit from every criticism they receive? What tools are available to combat the negative and destructive effects of deserved and undeserved criticism? Detri is the president of Entrepreneurial Training and Marketing, LLC, a company that offers workshops and seminars on criticism management. Contact her at (870) 407-7523; mediaresponse@rtir.com
15. ==> The Real Story Behind ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
Based on actual events and starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Lily Gladstone, the Oscar-nominated “Killers of the Flower Moon” deals with a little-known part of history that occurred in the 1920s after oil was discovered by members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. When he was a reporter with Gaylord News, a reporting project at the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Jim B. North interviewed members of the Osage tribe and has great stories to tell about the events that make up the film. He can talk about the impact the oil discovery and newfound wealth had on the tribe. His new book, “Unsung Heroes Wear No Capes,” also contains some Native American removal stories. Jim has won multiple journalism awards for his human-interest storytelling and was a workshop speaker at the John Hope Franklin Symposium in Tulsa. He holds a B.A. in journalism and an M.A. in professional writing. He studied international reporting at Hebrew University. Contact Jim at (918) 809-0565; jim@jimbnorth.com