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Award-winning blogger, brand marketer, public relations executive and social media innovator As featured on CNN, "60 Minutes" and "Good Morning America," and in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Telegraph (U.K.), The Times (London) and more

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Headstrong

Read Marian's award-winning four-part series from the Huffington Post about the brain (including creativity, collaboration, the information onslaught and the new definition of braininess) here.
May 28, 2012, 4:11 pm

Our American War Hero

by Marian in: American Life | CSR | Public Relations | health and wellness

Originally posted in the Danbury (Conn.) News-Times.

Very near to Danbury there lived a true American war hero. His name was Rob J. Lytle Jr., and you may have heard of him when his obituary turned up in local newspapers in 2010.

His widow, Lori-Ann Lytle, who lives in New Milford, broke away from custom when … [continue reading... ]

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May 25, 2012, 11:48 am

A Special Father to Remember This Memorial Day

by Marian in: American Life | CSR | health and wellness

Originally posted on Stamford magazine’s website.

Dear Alex,

Although I don’t know you, I saw you once on a very sad day almost two years ago, at your dad’s wake. My partner, Jim Diamond, was your dad’s lawyer and friend, and when your dad committed suicide, Jim was very sad because Rob was a good guy who … [continue reading... ]

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May 24, 2012, 8:59 am

The Brains that Bind Us

by Marian in: American Life | CSR | Mass Media | Public Relations | health and wellness

Originally posted on the Huffington Post.

It’s Memorial Day weekend and many of us are preparing for barbecuing, beaching or just hanging out. But a note landed in my partner Jim’s email inbox a few days ago that made me pause and think about the true importance of this holiday: honoring the valor of our soldiers, … [continue reading... ]

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May 17, 2012, 9:05 am

Five Things to Think About as Facebook Goes Public

by Marian in: Social Media | advertising | brands

Originally posted on CNBC.com.

With the Facebook IPO looming and everybody watching, I’m wondering if the social network to end all social networks is going to live up to the hype. (Could anything live up to all this hype?)

With big advertisers not convinced that Facebook is a good platform to propel brands forward and privacy issues … [continue reading... ]

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May 16, 2012, 1:38 pm

Forecasting the Future of Trendspotting

by Marian in: Change | Public Relations | Social Media | Trends | marketing

With anything and everything trending on Twitter and with Internet memes sweeping the Web waves faster than we can follow, I can’t help but wonder: Is the business of trendspotting overtrended?

In an age of armchair newscasters, writers and videographers, it’s becoming harder to distill the stuff that will go from small blip to seismic shift … [continue reading... ]

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May 7, 2012, 12:44 pm

Fearing Fear Itself

by Marian in: American Life | Insights | Politics | Public Relations | Social Media | The Economy | Youth | advertising | brands

Originally posted on the Huffington Post.

In this election year, I’ve been on fear watch. Folks are fearful of everything from 2012 theories to GMOs to student loans taking over as the No. 1 source of pain for college grads everywhere. A few years ago, I talked at length about the cult … [continue reading... ]

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May 2, 2012, 9:01 am

The Value of Creativity

by Marian in: CSR | Mass Media | Public Relations | Social Media | Trends | advertising | marketing

Originally posted on @erwwpr’s flagship blog.

As a PR professional, I know how crucial creativity is to success in business today. As a socially networked person (is there anybody out there who isn’t?), I’ve watched as network friends draw something, write something or video something. As a trendspotter, I’ve read at length Richard Florida’s thoughts on … [continue reading... ]

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May 1, 2012, 9:31 am

Celery Stalkers in the House?

by Marian in: American Life | Insights | Social Media

Originally published on Stamford magazine’s website.

Jim always tells people I make up words for a living, but it’s categorically untrue. In fact, the phrase I’m introducing in this column, “celery stalkers,” is possibly the first one I have invented—versus hijacked from everyday speak.

Celery stalkers are interrupting, or at least inconveniencing, marriages … [continue reading... ]

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