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So many news stories, so little time

July 10th, 2015 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

There have been so many interesting news stories this week and last.  I wanted to mention a few and give my two cents.

1. Bill Cosby. This story continues to fascinate and disappoint the country.  A man who was a legendary figure in entertainment falls farther than any entertainment figure has ever fallen.  No one was more powerful than Bill Cosby in the 70s, 80s and 90s in entertainment.  He has done it all!  Now, he looks toward a future with no work and a reputation that is in tatters.  The lesson is be honest.

2. Confederate flag: South Carolina voted to take down their confederate flag today. What about Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, etc?  It is a part of history but it seems weird to have waited this long.  Do we need to have a tragedy to make us have common sense?

3. Trump:  What can I say?  He is saying what many are thinking but he lacks the class, style and intellect to become president.  Next.

4. Now, in news that doesn’t matter:  Kourtney and Scott.  They broke up… for the moment.  My thoughts? Wow, Kourtney finally woke up to the truth.  Scott has been a thorn in her side for years.

5. Lastly, The Minions are out in the theaters! I’m there!

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“The 2013 EMMY Nominations Honor a New Trend”

July 18th, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Today, the 65th Annual EMMY nominations were announced.   I love awards’ season and the EMMYs will be a start to award shows honoring every celebrity possible from athletes to movie stars.   In the past there were one or two award shows:  Oscars and Grammys.  Today, we have the Kids’ Choice Awards, ESPYs, Daytime EMMYs, EMMYs, Oscars, Grammys and even more.

I love to watch the award shows for fashion, music and to see who everyone is dating.  Over the years the winners became less important.  In the past, the EMMYS would choose the usual suspects to honor.  If your program is on HBO or Showtime, you were a shoe-in for a nomination.

Today this rings true as well.  They nominated Modern Family, Homeland, Mad Men and Breaking Bad but we also learned about a few surprises and one major surprise.   Kerry Washington from Scandal as well as Connie Britton from Nashville were both nominated.

The big news was Netflix.   Netflix original programs House of Cards and Arrested Development were nominated for Best Drama and Best Comedy.   It is the first time the academy nominated a program not broadcast on television.   The programs are streamable.

Is it the latest fad or a lasting trend?   In my opinion it is a lasting trend.   More viewers are turning to mobile devices to watch programming.   One does not need cable or a TV to watch programming.

Think about the implications:  Will we have an EMMY category for best amateur video,  best YouTube video, or event an awards show for mobile device entertainment.

It’s a brave new world!   Congrats to the EMMYs for being proactive.

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The Witherspoon P.R. Mistake

April 23rd, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Friday night Reese Witherspoon committed the ultimate celebrity crime: She used the phrase, “Don’t You Know Who I Am?”

When I read the news of Witherspoon’s arrest on Sunday night, I was shocked.  Reese Witherspoon is the Doris Day of Hollywood.  Her reputation has been solid since she appeared in her first movie,  “A Man in the Moon.”

She won an Oscar for “Walk the Line” and has three kids who are adjusted.   They live a quiet life and seem to operate as a traditional family.

Being arrested for disorderly conduct is a 180-degree departure from her reputation.

However, this is a study in PR.   Her reputation has been damaged but she can revive her career.
Below are my suggestions for Witherspoon’s recovery.

The Good Girl image is gone.  It will not come back because journalists will continue to bring this up until she addresses the arrest.

I suggest she embrace it.

1.    Tell your story.  What happened?  Was she confused about their alcohol level?  Why didn’t she call a taxi?  Educated others about her mistakes.

2.    This makes her edgier.  Take advantage of this to get more radical roles.  Become a superhero.  Make dramas.  Embrace the change.

3.    Admit to the “Don’t You Know who I Am” remark.  How does fame change a person and how can someone deal with it.

In the end, she is just a person and we all make mistakes.  However, this is something that will not go away and Reese needs to address these issues.

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Introduction to “Pop Op” Blog

April 11th, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

According to Wikipedia, popular culture is the entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes,[1] images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century.

In short, pop culture is the study of popular ideas and culture.  It may be influenced by media, opinion, and even family and friends.  Our pop culture is constantly changing.  We swing from being bobbysoxers screaming at Sinatra because of a harmonious singing voice to being obsessed with the Kardashians for no reason.

Today I’m introducing “Sara’s Pop Op.”  My name is Sara Lien and I am the owner of Lien Public Relations.

I work with the media to tell stories.  I have a history in journalism and law.  However, since childhood I have loved film, books, celebrity, and media in general.  I confess.  I wake up in the morning, grab my iPhone and check TMZ and USA Today.   I enjoy stories about Halle Berry’s pregnancy and the latest movie reviews.

With my new blog I want to not just report these stories, but discuss these stories.   I am a journalist at heart and love to talk about people.  What makes them fascinating and why are we interested in some stories and not others.

For example, I want to talk about the latest baby bump but also why we are obsessed with pregnant celebrities.   I want to start a conversation about popular culture.

I plan to write two times per week about what is hot, what is not, and my opinions about those stories. I could be about beauty, fashion, media, film, books or even hidden great date ideas and restaurant reviews.

Feel free to write to me and tell me your stories, ideas, and why you think everyone is obsessed with Pop Culture.

I’ll share my Pop Op, if you share yours!

Let’s get started.

Sara Lien
April 11, 2013

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