New Obama Video: American Prayer

This great song by Dave Stewart and a host of stars is destined to become a new Anthem. Stewart explains why he wrote it: "People long for a connection-- whether it is to music, to their country, or to a big idea. Regardless of what happens in November, Senator Obama has reminded millions of people that they have the power to connect to bigger ideas. He is, in essence, the embodiment of a new anthem for change."

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Workshop for Democracy

Captions: Top - DDP's Manju Marimuthu with presenter Martin Challenor, project co-ordinator Pinky Naidoo and Marlan Padayachee of GreenGold Africa Communications, facilitator of the KAS DDP Multiparty Media Workshop for KZN political parties at the Kingfisher Conference Centre, Mount Edgecombe from 9-11 September.

Above: Me - "working the room".


With a general election looming in South Africa, multiparty cooperation and networking (even if it is behind the scenes) is essential.

What is also necessary is that the political parties and their designated players learn to establish better relationships with the media.

The Democracy Delvelopment Programme (DDP) a partner project of the Konrad Adenauer Trust in Germany, has been running multi party programs since the early 90's, "supporting capacity building on governance and civil society levels to ensure that both are empowered for meaningful participation in South Africa’s social transformation"

I recently enjoyed participating in one of these three day workshops through the involvement of my old speechwriting colleague Marlan Padayachee of GreenGold Africa Communications.

New Browse - Google Chrome

Is this exciting or not - Google has just released a brand new browser in a pretty saturated market called Google Chrome.

Well actually it launched the beta version of Google Chrome in 100 countries.

Google Chrome has a blog and a comic book that explains it.

So why are they launching Google Chrome? "Because we believe we can add value for users and, at the same time, help drive innovation on the web."

It all looks very exciting, but you know - I think I'll just stick to Firefox for the meantime.

Google has a New 404 Error Page Widget

Well maybe Google's 404 Error Page Widget isn't that new, but I'm getting on in years and my journey across cyberspace isn't quite as swift as it once was. But it interested me anyway, because I know how pissed off 404 Error Pages make me.

Especially when they just pop up and hang their shouting blahhhhhh at you!

Of course the 404 Error Page Widget can be found in Google's Webmaster Tools.

This new "Enhance 404 Pages" allows you to embed a widget into your error page which will provide your user with suggestions and search functionality. That way your website visitor is less likely to leave your website, and more likely to continue browsing your website to find what they are looking for.

According to Expand Marketing, where I found out about this, this feature is experimental at this stage and will most evolve and develop as Google gets suggestions and comments. Get more information about the tool on Google Webmaster Blog

10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer

by Brian Clark

1. Write.
2. Write more.
3. Write even more.
4. Write even more than that.
5. Write when you don’t want to.
6. Write when you do.

Read more about 10 Steps to becoming a better writer and other copywriting tips for online success at Copyblogger

The end of journalism: Associated Press *encourages* bias

AP has decided that "fair and balanced" reporting is out. The new head of the Washington bureau encourages reporters to write in first person and make personal analyses of the story rather than just reporting the facts.

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Rock Star Website Review: Madonna.com

As Inviting as a Candy Shop. Spend more time than 4 Minutes.Whether Candy Shop or 4 Minutes is your favorite, Madonna.com has been transformed into a Sticky & Sweet theme park with the bold look and feel of her Hard Candy Album.

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