Not to crowd the ‘bad/depressing news’ queue, but a recent report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, or ITIF, puts the US 6th in innovation and competitiveness - behind Singapore, Sweden and South Korea. 15th in higher education attainment. 8th in advanced degree education - behind France, Spain and Russia. 5th in corporate investment into research and development (R&D) - behind German and South Korea; making it 17th in percent change over last seven years. And the worst news of the study: the US made the least progress in innovation/competition over the last decade of any of the 40 countries in the report.
Today was historic: for Obama’s approval ratings as Pres-Elect, the swell of public interest, the reflections on Lincoln and MLK, and the “hope” that he will lead our nation out of its depression. After such a long electoral slumber, New Medici looks forward to tracking Obama’s innovations in media and lifestyle choices. One area of particular interest is his involvement with past Presidents. How much will he learn, take counsel and treat them as a “sitting Cabinet”?
For National Mentoring Month, President-Elect Obama, Colin Powell and George W. Bush are promoting “mentoring” PSAs featuring the likes of Clint Eastwood, Oprah, Sting, Ray Charles and many other celebrities and politicians.
While we’ve never really noticed it before - maybe it’s the sense of “volunteerism,” a la JFK, that Obama is bringing to the Presidency - but we’ll run and support it either way. January is National Mentoring Month, and Thursday, January 22, 2009 will be the sixth annual Thank Your Mentor Day.
Following Obama’s historic election win, it makes sense to review the philanthropic brands that are currently doing well in the market and are poised to develop in 09. With Obama’s “O” trademark, there was a sense of style, simplicity and freshness almost overnight.
Via Bnet.com, in terms of brand narrative, Obama’s chief strategist wanted his candidate’s logo/brand to convey “hope.” More of an umbrella term than a focused issue or cause, this principle should resonate with wealth-inspired philanthropies.
Not to crowd the ‘bad/depressing news’ queue, but a recent report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, or ITIF, puts the US 6th in innovation and competitiveness - behind Singapore, Sweden and South Korea. 15th in higher education attainment. 8th in advanced degree education - behind France, Spain and Russia. 5th in corporate investment into research and development (R&D) - behind German and South Korea; making it 17th in percent change over last seven years. And the worst news of the study: the US made the least progress in innovation/competition over the last decade of any of the 40 countries in the report.