NCAA 2010 Final Four proves NO TEAM is SAFE!

The NCAA Division I Men's Final Four basketball tournament has always lived up to its expectations. This includes, seeing highly ranked teams making an early exit in unlikely upsets. Also this year, defending champions North Carolina did not even qualify for the tournament.

So far, Kansas (1), Villanova (2), Georgetown (3), Pittsburgh (3), New Mexico State (3), Vanderbilt (4), Maryland (4) and Wisconsin (4) have all bid farewell to their seasons and the NCAA Final Four tournament. All of these teams have been eliminated BEFORE reaching the third round of the tournament (at the very furthest). This year, just eight out of the remaining 16 are ranked in the top four.

The NCAA Final Four tournament has always had its share of upsets and "cinderella stories", most recently in 2008 when Davidson, led by Stephen Curry almost defeated eventual champions Kansas in a 59-57 showdown. However it is hard to remember when the last time so many highly ranked teams made such an early exit in the tournament. My research shows that:

• In 2006 - 10 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2007 - 12 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2008- 11 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2009 - 14 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round

Not since 2005 have so few top ranked teams made it through to the Sweet 16 (eight also). The most surprising bracket thus far has to be the East, which has the top two ranked teams in the region (Kentucky and West Virginia) facing number 11 and 12 ranked Washington and Cornell. It is also worth noting that #10 ranked St. Mary's has established itself as a threat with upsets over #7 Richmond and most recently over #2 Villanova.

Now it is unlikely that Washington, St. Mary's or Cornell will win the tournament, as three of the four remaining number one seeds are still in the tournament (Syracuse, Duke, Kentucky). However, it is definitely worth pointing out that this year's tournament has lived up to its entertainment standards; a tournament full of upsets, close games, and overtime thrillers!

Q: What's Victoria's Secret? (Social Media Campaign Analysis)

A: A solid social media campaign

Victoria Secret's PINK campaign is a nationwide project designed to target a younger audience by utilizing a variety of tactics to identify with today's growing online community. With over one million members, this campaign has proved very successful. Becoming a member of Pink Nation offers many benefits, including discounts on products, useful shopping suggestions and the opportunity to follow them on Twitter and Facebook. In fact, their Facebook fan page has well over two million members, making it one of the most followed pages on the entire Facebook network.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• Membership is FREE! The target audience for this campaign is for University/College students, who are not the most financially stable. Thus, signing up for a free membership is much more appealing.
• A very interactive website that provides a chance to participate in effective two-way communication.
• Addressing students' love of music by listing top 40 songs that have been released that are popular among targeted demographics
• An opportunity to win a Pink Party for their respective college campuses.

Weaknesses

There were not many weaknesses in this campaign because it is free to sign up and have almost four million followers. However a few noted weaknesses include:

• Exclusive to the United States only. You must have a US address in order to sign up for Pink Nation. Victoria's Secret is notorious around the world. An expansion of membership should be taken into consideration.
• Facebook fan page > Pink Nation membership. The promotions team should be pushing membership and look to expand the 59 member campuses across the United States.

For more information on this campaign, check out the following blogs!

Aislin O'Hara - Kiss on the Lips
Casey Mundy - Casey's Thoughts
Catherine Flint - The Way I See It
Christiaan Rapcewicz - Q is for Queer
Laura Phillips - Adventures in Public Relations

O Canada...our anthem is not sexist...Get over yourselves...

So this morning on the Z1035 morning show, I was informed that along with this being Federal Budget day, that there is a proposal to change a line in our country's national anthem.

The line that currently reads "True patriot love, in all thy sons command" is under review to be changed to "True patriot love, thou dost in us command". This has only won the praise of Liberal Senator Vivienne Poy. "I am thrilled," said Poy after hearing that this change may in fact go through. In addition, Queen's University professor Adele Mercier was also pro-change. "The national anthem should reflect its population and Canada consists of 51 per cent women," said Mercier. The complete article by the Globe and Mail can be seen by clicking here.

OK Canada, where do I begin with this?

We get it. As Canadians, we are labelled with an ideology of being a country that represents diversity, change and improvement to the societal standards that, to some, may be seen as outdated and in this case, sexist. Mercier said that a national anthem that should reflect its population, and Canada consists of 51 per cent women.

However, is it really that big of a deal? For example, not a single female athlete who was standing on the podium for Canada after winning gold refused to sing that line because of the word "sons". A national anthem is about uniting a country through the powerful source of music and poetry.

I don't see the Italian national anthem being changed because the first line is "Brothers of Italy" so why should Canada? Also, it may be just me, but many times when Canada as a country is mentioned, is it not referred to as a "her"? As in, a country is something to protect, love and praise (which I feel that most men would agree are their feelings towards their mothers, sisters, wives and girlfriends).

Let's not get sidetracked though. I don't know if it is a coincidence that this issue happens to fall on Federal Budget day or not, but it seems a bit strange that on the day when Harper's government is proposing new financial strategy plans about where tax payers' money, that this issue is the one that they knew would spark a lot of conversation and one that people would definitely be passionate about. What are you trying to slip by us Harper? What do you think we won't notice in the budget? We're onto you...

All in all, I heard a recording on the Z1035 morning show with the new line. I don't hate it, but at the same time, do that many people really care?

Ms. Mercier and Senator Poy, just because you find a hair doesn't mean you have to split it. Our country's values will not be questioned because we have "son" in it. Get over it and love life. Its too short to be wanting to be "remembered" for changing one line to prove a point.

Women's rights are increasing and are being valued more and more everyday, which is a sign of how your beliefs and contributions to this issue are already successful. Don't ruin it with this.

Until next post. Live.It.Up.