When names don't work

You would think a magazine called Prosper would be able to succeed, wouldn't you? Guess not.

Media Relations, Annoying edition

I have a hard time understanding how this helps NHTSA or the overall mission of highway safety. And normally I'd side with the Administration. The only way you build trust is to have trustworthy people speak forthrightly. The New York Times isn't likely to be sympathetic anyway, but that doesn't mean you invite ridicule by declaring all your in-house experts off limits.

57 Channels and Nothin' On

Don Surber makes a good point -- there's really not much on worth watching. The Eye Roller watches reality tv fairly passionately -- American Idol, Top Chef, The Apprentice -- but She Who Sighs and I hardly ever watch anything unless it's a sporting contest. And yes, she helps choose the contests.

New Media, Journalism School

Ted Leonsis's blog, "Ted's Take," rambles on about a variety of the AOL and sports magnate's passions: media, the Washington Capitals, films. I think he's one of the most engaging sports owners around, and I wouldn't trade him for eight Mark Cubans (though I might take the Cubans instead of the Jagr debacle). Anyway, Leonsis may be right to point out that the lack of interest among young people in newspapers is a sign of the newspaper industry's pending demise, but he shouldn't have selected his alma mater as a place to illustrate it. Georgetown has no journalism school and few journalism offerings. A great university it is, but if you are a high school student with a passion for journalism, Georgetown is probably not your place. Instead, look here, or ring up my old boss and friend Doug Fisher, who is helping students at the "other" USC become the new media leaders of tomorrow.

Art Buchwald, RIP

A most fascinating obit in The New York Times because of the video, where the humorist announces his own demise. This has to get the award for the most amusing bit of new media inserted into the Old Media today.