Magic Johnson and Urban Investment

Ervin “Magic” Johnson wrote a column in today’s USA TODAY entitled “Urban areas deserve investment, not fear.” Johnson has spent his post-basketball career investing in urban development, specifically providing entertainment and shopping options to under served communities.

Johnson writes that business leaders will find success with the following blueprint if they just get past their fears:

• Diversify store locations
• Hire senior staff that represent and understand the needs of a particular community
• Market and cater to the needs of inner-city customers

Johnson states that it is hard to understand why major businesses have stayed away from the inner-city demographic.

It’s no secret that inner cities are heavily populated with minorities — particularly African-Americans and Latinos. This is a rapidly growing demographic with tremendous purchasing power. By 2012, these two groups will have more than $2 trillion to pump into the economy. Yet, many major businesses largely see more risk than reward in these neighborhoods.

Target just opened its first Washington, D.C. store in the neighborhood of Columbia Heights. Columbia Heights is a gentrifying neighborhood in Northwest Washington. It will be interesting to see if Target caters to the multiple needs of the diverse community, or whether it will offer the same product offerings as it would in any of its stores in the Metro D.C. Target stores.

Will the real John Boehner please stand up?

I have been following several US political leaders on Twitter, and I have found this to help me stay updated on current legislation and campaign stops for the presidential election. However, it gets confusing when I find that one leader has two different Twitter accounts. Which account is the “official” account of the leader?

I have been following the @johnboehner Twitter account for updates from the GOP House leader, John Boehner. I was quite surprised by a tweet that came from this account this afternoon that said, “Free Pelosi Premium” bumper sticker, and linked to The Freedom Project website. For some reason, it doesn’t seem professional for the leader of the GOP to be tweeting and encouraging followers to sign-up for a free negative bumper sticker regarding the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

After running a Google Search for “john+boehner+twitter”, I found that John Boehner has a page on his website listing his Twitter account as @GOPLeader. So now I am really confused! Is the @GOPLeader account his official Twitter account for his role as House Republican Leader, and the @johnboehner account his personal account? (I use the word “personal,” but completely understand that many accounts on Twitter are updated and monitored by staff members) Or is the The Freedom Project political action committee using his name on Twitter for their own use, and running the @johnboehner account?

Either way, this highlights the fact that it is difficult to determine the difference between “official” web accounts and “fake” web accounts.

If someone else was claiming to be me, would Twitter have a mechanism for me to claim my true identity? rnewyork asked “How can i stop an impersonator” on the Twitter Support discussion board 15 days ago, and a public response has yet to be posted.

Mars—Mutuality in Action

According to NYTimes.com, Mars Inc. has offered $23 billion cash for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.  Initial reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that this deal will lead to job creation in Chicago, instead of downsizing.  Wrigley will be its own entity within Mars and will retain its headquarters downtown Chicago.

This news seems to reinforce one of the five Mars in Action corporate principles—Mutuality.  The Mars website has the following description of “mutuality” in action at Mars:

At Mars, mutuality means that every associate has a responsibility to ensure that others also benefit.  Not just Mars itself, but everyone involved - from customers to fellow associates, and from suppliers to the local community.

On the surface, this looks like an example of a large corporate power that understands the principle of sustainability.  It will be interesting to watch this saga unfold and see whether the Chicago community truly benefits from this merger.

If you interested, watch the Mars documentary video—The Five Principles in action.

Katie Enlow - Rockin’ the Boots

If you are a fan of mashups then check out Katie Enlow - Rockin’ the Boots. This is a new 6-track mashup EP produced by Lenlow, featuring the vocals of Katie Enlow.

Go to the link and you can listen to all of the sweet music, including California’s Where It’s At

• Vocals: Katie Enlow singing Marlena Shaw’s “California Soul”
  
• Samples: Beck “Where It’s At”; Freestylers “Told You So”; Marlena Shaw “California Soul”

Nationals Game

 

Jessica & Jared Pt. 2, originally uploaded by JaredWJ.

Jessica and I went to the Nationals vs. Cubs game today at the new Nationals Park. We were celebrating a friend’s birthday, and sat in section 301. Despite the cold weather, we had a great time. It was a lot of fun to explore the new ballpark, find the good food spots, and take lots of pictures. 

Best part: Nats won 2-0!