When Gender Gets in the Way - The ConsumHERist

by Delia Passi
I just learned of a debate regarding the need for a genderless pronoun.  There has apparently been much discussion about the need for a simple word to replace “he or she,” “he/she,” and so forth when speaking about the abstract person that can be of either gender (like a customer).  The politically correct want to [...]

Pathways to Prosperity - Ginger on Purse Strings - Tuesday 3pm EST - right here

My guests tomorrow will be Mary Van Note and Beth Perro-Jarvis from Ginger.
GINGER is a marketing strategy firm in Minneapolis. Beth and Mary have over 20 years of experience in finding consumer insights, apply new thinking to brands, and having success in the marketplace. We’ll be talking about their involvement in the U.S. State Department’s [...]

Starbucks’ Via, Strikes a Cord with Marketers

By Kate Newlin
Here’s my take:
1. There’s a PowerPoint someplace in Starbucks headquarters which outlines what percentage of the US population relies on instant coffee. Some sub-section of that instant-using universe does it for convenience and portability, but isn’t happy with it.
2. Someone noticed that very few of the instant coffee drinking folk come into Starbucks [...]

What is the Luxury Consumer Consuming? Tuesday LIVE 3pm EST

What is the luxury consumer consuming? Listen in on the latest purchasing trends of this niche consumer, the domino effect on the overall economy, and the all-important upcoming holiday shopping season. What is the luxury consumer consuming? Purse Strings Oct. 6th.

Women’s Gray Matter Isn’t Pink? - The ConsumHERist

by Delia Passi
This week’s Newsweek magazine had a column by science editor Sharon Begley that discussed a new book by neuroscientist Lise Eliot, entitled Pink Brain, Blue Brain:  How Small Differences Grow Into Troublesome Gaps - And What We Can Do About It.  The book throws doubt upon (debunks according to Begley) the many scientific [...]

Where are the Wiki Women? - The ConsumHERist

by Delia Passi
A few days ago, a Wall Street Journal blog revealed that a study of Wikipedia users showed that only 13% of contributors to the site were women, and that 31% of just readers of the site were women.  The contributors figure is perplexing to me, and the blog offered nothing in the way [...]

Great Customer Care - Overstock.com on Purse Strings - 3pm Tues. Live right here

My guest for tomorrow’s show is Stormy Simon, Sr. VP of Marketing and Customer Care at Overstock.com. We’re talking about how to ensure your customers keep coming back to you. The secret to great customer care.

Marriott Blames Rape Victim

By Holly Buchanan
I don’t know if all the facts are out yet, but it doesn’t look good for Marriott.
A woman was raped at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Marriott Hotel in Stamford, CT.   The woman filed a lawsuit claiming the hotel failed to prevent the 2006 attack.   It was the lawyers handling of the [...]

Pittsburg Shooting - The ConsumHERist

by Delia Passi
The tragedy this week in Pittsburg was very disturbing.  A lonely middle aged man acted upon his compulsion to be heard and shot to death three women and then himself at an aerobics class.  According to reports he was unhappy about the hopelessness of his existence which was centered around his lack of [...]

Skip the Programming - The ConsumHERist

by Delia Passi
I may be one of the last media followers to get a TiVo system.  It’s probably because my husband wasn’t previously compelled to get one and he’s the TV watcher in the family.  He even knows what all the buttons on the remote do.  I had to have a birthday to get a [...]