A Surfeit of Exotic English Use

This likely shows my ignorance of the English language, but I learned two new words today via a read of page 1 of “Business Day” in today’s New York Times (7/30/08).  The copy editor and reporters use the words brilliantly.  In a piece on Lone Star Funds’ purchase of Merrill Lynch mortgage-based investments (at a bargain basement price), Jenny Anderson, a great young reporter formerly of the New York Post, describes John Grayken (the aggressive, well-known head of Lone Star) as swooping in to buy “the detritus of today’s mortgage crisis.”  On a plane this morning to Atlanta, I circled the word as a reminder to look it up later.  In doing so, I eventually learned that the term is typically used in biology and is defined as non-living particulate organic material (also as bodies of dead organisms or fragments of organic or fecal matter, normally colonized by communities of microorganisms that decompose the material).  In ecosystems on land, according to Wikipedia, “detritus is deposited on the surface of the ground, taking forms such as the humic soil beneath a layer of fallen leaves.”  In other words, it’s the stuff left behind by decomposition — quite apropos in describing what Lone Star bought after Merrill “cleansed” its balance sheet.

The other advanced word (at least in my book) was surfeit, used in Michael Grynbaum’s story on the closing of multiple restaurant chains, including Bennigan’s, due to a dramatic decline in consumers’ dining out.  “Soaring food costs and a surfeitof locations” cut the chains’ profits just as consumers were beginning to increasingly prepare meals at home, according to Grynbaum.  Essentially, the word means overabundance or excess — which, again, seems to be a perfect description of how I perceive Bennigan’s, Steak & Ale, TGIF Friday’s and other places of similar fare and ilk.  They’re simply all over the place and virtually indistinguishable.

New Opp

And another career opp….Re: my prior post, I believe CSC position has been filled.  Hope these are helpful…

SVP, Corporate Communications

Regions Financial Corp. 

Birmingham, Ala.

Reports to CMO

Regions Financial (NYSE: RF), with some$140 billion in assets, is one of the largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust, securities brokerage, mortgages, and insurance products and services. 

Contact: James Norton, 404-995-4705, jnorton@fiderion.com, or Hilary Hansen, 404-995-4710, hhansen@fiderion.com.

Career Opps/The Grapevine

I’ve come across a few career opps of late.  Please feel free to use my name as the referral if you know of folks or decide to follow up.  Sean Healy, Healy Corporate Communications 

AVP, Business Communications
ARAMARK; Philadelphia
Leads team that provides communications counsel and support to ARAMARK’s business units; develops communications strategies for LOBs. Responsible for the public reputation and market perception of business units. Seeking candidate with 12-15 years of corporate communications and/or journalism experience, especially trade or local media. Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or PR is required. Master’s degree preferred. Contact Ron Iori, 215-238-3848, iori-ronald@aramark.com.

Global Marketing Director; Precor; Seattle

Precor is a designer and manufacturer of high-end exercise equipment, for both home and out-of home environments. The opportunity reports to VP, Marketing & Product. Looking for candidates with experience in CPG, B2B, retail, et al. Contact Philip Archer, 512-407-9787, phil@wiserpartners.com

Corporate Communications Lead; Liquidnet; New York City

Looking for professional to lead the global communications function for Liquidnet. This highly visible position is the primary driver behind the company’s public relations, internal and external communications, messaging, reputation management and corporate advertising strategy. The Corporate Communication lead will leverage his/her knowledge of the industry, the communications discipline and strategic planning skills to assure that Liquidnet is effectively positioned. This individual will report directly to the global head of marketing and communications, and work closely with the company’s senior leadership. Contact Gary Platt, 212-465-8300, x201, gary@srisearch.com.

Senior Director, Corporate PR; Medtronic; Minneapolis

Reports to VP, Coporate Communications. Contact David Walden, 202-955-4367, david.walden@kornferry.com.

Marketing Communications Specialist; Transurban Corp.; New York City

Looking for someone with Corp or Ad firm experience. Contact Ben Long, 202-463-6342, benlong@travaille.com.

Corp Communications Chief; Computer Sciences Corp.; Falls Church, Va.

Reporting to the CMO and working closely with the CEO and other senior management, the Head of Corporate Communications will play a critical role in developing and executing global
communication programs to protect, manage and strengthen CSC’s corporate
reputation and brand among key stakeholders. The function includes all media relations, company executive messaging, crisis communications, issues management, internal communications and web communications. Contact Jeanne Hulse, CSC, 607-547-9236, jhulse@csc.com.

Director, Corp Comms.; T-Mobile

Contact Scott Ziluck, 305 937-4417, Scottzil@aol.com

SVP, Communications; Phorm; New York City

Contact Jennifer Decastro, (212) 984-9376, jennifer.decastro@kornferry.com

Sick CEO?

Apple’s PR stance on the health status of its iconic CEO, Steve Jobs, is bizarre.  I can’t fathom that if, indeed, anything is seriously wrong with Jobs, it wouldn’t be a matter of required public disclosure (i.e., material information).  To say his health is a private matter misses the point.  Obviously, his future ability to manage and lead the company is directly linked to Apple’s valuation, no?

GM Stuck in Reverse

I know I’m being a bit naive here, but it’s shocking to me that the major American car companies continue to be quoted in the media as being surprised by the sudden downturn in sales, particularly of SUVs and trucks.  This has been coming for years, as outlined in a great piece by Jad Mouawad and Nelson Schwartz of the New York Times (American Energy Policy, Asleep at the Spigot; 7/6/08), and finally has hit a tipping point with the cresting of $4/gallon.  Today’s Times includes a story on GM’s initiatives to build its liquidity position by cutting costs and selling assets, including the elimination of medical benefits for most white collar retirees.  The juxtaposition of a 74-year-old retiree fighting cancer (on a prescription drug costing $2,700/mo.) and a tough quote from Bob Lutz, the well-known GM vice chairman, is startling.  The retiree, William Parker, will lose coverage for his medicine, as part of GM’s moves.  Later in the story, tough-talking Lutz, now 76, in commenting on GM’s prospects, admonishes securities analysts who have been warning of a potential GM bankruptcy: “At some point, these analysts should learn that car companies don’t die that fast.”  Obviously, his quote is not related to the plight of Parker.  But you’ve got to question the forward-thinking and visionary tendencies of GM, whose chief product officer is 76 and long entrenched in Detroit’s insular ways.  I guess it’s because he chomps cigars and is a former Marine pilot.  Guess that makes him qualified to lead GM into the next-generation marketplace.

Crazy Like a Fox

The synergy of Fox and The Wall Street Journal was in full view on the national stage last night during the 2008 All-Star Game on the Fox TV Network.  Tim McCarver, the long-time baseball analyst and former major league catcher, provided a good three minutes of commentary to a recent Wall Street Journal piece on the rise of great young pitchers from the Dominican Republic.  The July 11 story, by James Wagner, is a look at the young arms coming out of the Dominican, including Edinson Volquez, now an All-Star starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.  Wagner also went into some detail on the emergence of the change-up as the “preferred” so-called out pitch of young pitchers in that country.  McCarver cited the Journal (“of all places”) as the source of the examination of the trend.  Indeed, Wagner’s story is fascinating and a great read (particularly for sports fans).  I’m now wondering if McCarver knew he was extolling the virtues of a sister company!  Masterful, indeed.  By the way, Volquez went on to give up a two-run bomb to my man, JD Drew of the Boston Red Sox.  As an aside, Josh Groban’s rendition of “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch was incredible, in my humble opinion.  Check it out if you get a chance…