Man About Town: Going Green

Spotted: Megaphone Man, getting his jollies at the Little Green Pharmacy on South Broadway. Tell us, MM, do you have a prescription for all that cheer, or are you just taking your mission to a, ahem, higher level?

Denver Business Journal spotlights Megaphone Man

Oscar Wilde, in a quotation that seems to describe the current celebrity (or pseudo-celebrity) gossip craze, once wrote: "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about."

Megaphone Man, who apparently agrees that there's no such thing as bad publicity, got a little of what he craves on Christmas when the Denver Business Journal highlighted his exploits.

How You Like Them Appletinis?! (Almost as Much as I Like my Blackberry Mojitos...)

Some say that true happiness can be found at the bottom of one - scratch that - five of Cuba Cuba’s mojitos. I figure I owed it to my devoted fans to figure it out for myself. If you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of a big deal…

What the Dickens!

The Original Dickens Carolers were missing a tenor, so in the interest of holiday merriment, I stepped up to the plate. Unfortunately, they told me I had some pitch problems and couldn't blend, and they ended up singing TO me. I blame the megaphone.

Ladies and Latkes...L'Chaim!

Call me multicultural. Call me a Renaissance man. Call me a huge fan of the matzo ball.

I guess when you’re just a silhouette, it’s natural for people to be confused about your cultural heritage. What people don’t realize is that, despite being made of cardboard, I’m actually part everything.

Which is why I decided to stop by Zaidy’s and spread some Hanukkah cheer - while indulging in some matzo ball soup and latkes.


Let me tell you, I was quite the hit with the ladies. The waitress even complimented me on my “shana punim” (handsome face). I guess when you don’t have facial features, you can be as handsome as you want to be.

Press Check: Warm 'n Fuzzy at Westword

Well, I must say that after my gig with the Salvation Army, I was starting to feel a little better about the state of the world. And then I passed a newspaper stand - and couldn’t believe my eyes. Despite my substantial efforts to spread cheer, joblessness is STILL on the rise, the economy is STILL suffering, and Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart STILL haven’t admitted they’re a couple!

Then an idea came to me: why not cut off all this bad news at the source? Why not make the NEWS more cheerful? So I stopped by Westword, hoping to inspire some heartwarming tales of merriment and togetherness.

What can I say? I’ve got a knack for this! By the time I left, I had everyone sporting elf hats and the sales staff whistling a jolly little tune. Stay tuned for Westword's next big issue, featuring the headline: "Everything in the Whole World Now Awesome." (I pitched them on it, and I think it went pretty well...)

MM + Contest Winner, Under the Mistletoe: All Lit Up

Spotted: MM and everyone’s favorite elf, Naomi Lopez, getting cozy out on the town. Just so happens that this particular Santa’s helper also won MM’s “Dark and Mysterious” Challenge. Coincidence? Maybe this video will illuminate how Nomz keeps such good tabs on our man:

Sorry, Nomz, looks like Megaphone Man was spotted with not one, but two other elves this week. Guess you’ll just have to drown your sorrows in some Starbuck’s coffee – SE2’s paying.

And just where was MM when he posted his puzzling pic last night? Looks like he was getting a ride home with the rest of the downtown partygoers- from Union Station. MM, we know you’re just a black and white logo, so don’t be too jealous of all those colorful lights…

MM's "Dark and Mysterious" Challenge

Dear readers, I told you not to fear - the prize for guessing my whereabouts has returned. I decided to take my mission to the most historical and lit-up place I could think of (hint: it's also a place where one could get a safe ride home if they've had one too many holiday martinis...with some cute elves....)


You may or may not know the drill: the first one to submit the correct destination of this photo to kdrazner@yahoo.com (I've had one too many email stalkers to reveal my actual email address...), wins a $25 Starbucks gift certificate. Previous winners may guess, but will not win the prize (sorry, Tyler!) And bribery is encouraged, in the form of presents sent to SE2.

Happy Holidays - and good luck!

Lap of Luxury

I recently stopped by Cherry Creek Mall to visit Santa Claus figuring that if anyone is cheerful this time of year, it would be him and the hordes of children waiting in line to request the latest toy that I’ve never heard of. (Do they make hovercrafts yet?) Wondering what I asked for? Keep wondering, people, because that’s between me and 'ol Kris Kringle.

Sure, I got the stink-eye from some parents and one little girl told me I was too big to sit on Santa’s lap. But I made it through to see the big guy with only a few superficial scratches (I swear, she started it…)

Man About Town: Gettin’ Saucy

Spotted: Megaphone Man gettin' cheery under the mistletoe with some flirty elves. Maybe it was MM's flop on Your Show. Maybe it was the enticing Christmas colored martinis. Who knows. Looks like this weekend, our man about town set out to find some holiday cheer of the cocktail variety, and he seemed to have found it at Vita.


MM may be flat, but he knows how to impress the ladies. Santa’s helpers have nothing on these two elves.

Megaphone Man fan club gets first member

Stephen Keating, new media maven and former Denver Post business editor, delivers Megaphone Man's first holiday gift, a can of homemade cookies. Megaphone Man was so touched that he got just a little bit verklempt.

Holiday PR stunt goes horribly awry on “Your Show”

Megaphone Man not ready for prime time (or even Sunday morning)

The history of TV has included bad interviews, really bad interviews, and Oprah’s interview with Tom Cruise.

Recently, however, Megaphone Man set a new low with a performance on 9News’ “Your Show” with Adam Schrager that will no doubt be cited as a cautionary tale by media trainers for decades to come.

Megaphone Man came out flat – and flat out horrible. It might be “Your Show” but it definitely wasn’t his show. See for yourself:

Ring-a-ding-ding, I’m the pocket-change king.

Three cheers for the Salvation Army. I am a “fan” of Gary the "Bell Ringer"- I just wish they could have given me my own "apron". Love the good work they do, so next time you hear that bell, get in the giving spirit.

Who Needs 300 Days of Sunshine When You Have This Many Xmas Lights?

One string of icicle lights and a department store Christmas tree = lame.

I say go big or go home. These folks in West Denver know how to decorate. Of course, I’m the one who makes this lawn spectacle look REALLY good.



Check out more impressive Metro area displays here.

Man About Town: Boozin' at the Bladium?

Spotted: Megaphone Man carousing with group of 20-somethings in roller-skates and red fishnets. Watch out MM, these girls can give you the smack down if you’re naughty.

Hanukkah is Tops (No, Seriously...)

For those of you think it’s unfair that Christmas gets so much swag compared to the other winter holidays, I’ve found the place for you: Boutique Judaica in South Denver has everything you need to get excited about the Festival of Lights. And the excitement seems to be contagious…

...I know that I'm four days late to kick this off, but I'm hoping that makes up for it.

“Run, run, fast as you can! Can't catch me, I...may have had a few too many..."

400 Santas…check. Gifts for needy kids…check. Group of naughty reindeer…check. Runaway gingerbread man....check.
(He claimed he was fast, but clearly underestimated my mad skills.)

If you’ve never crawled with Claus, check it out:

• Denver Post: Imagine 500 Santas on a Pub Crawl
• Facebook: The Santa Claus Pub Crawl Group
• Westword: Santa Pub Crawl
• 5280: Santa Claus Pub Crawl

P.S. Congratulations to Tyler Chafee of RBI Strategies for being the first to correctly guess Friday’s mystery location – the Santa Pub Crawl. Everyone, take a page out of Tyler’s book on social media savvy and stay tuned for your next opportunity to win.

Everyone Loves a Mystery (and Prizes!)

Okay, so I have to say, it's been a little fatiguing for me, running around Denver trying to spread cheer these past couple of days. People really underestimate how hard it is to get around when your legs are made of cardboard...

And you people? All you have to do is click on a link and you get to share in the joy and merriment I've been busy spreading. I feel like it's time for you, dear audience, to prove yourselves worthy of tagging along on my jolly adventures. That's why I've created a little quiz to see if you all have been paying attention:



Use your powers of deduction to guess from this picture what event I'm at, and you'll win a Starbucks gift certificate. Be the first one to email the correct answer to kdrazner@yahoo.com (what?! I'm far too busy spreading cheer to check my email myself!) and receive a little pick-me-up prize. DISCLAIMER: My friends who attended this with me are disqualified from the quiz (you know who you are). And don't sweat it if you don't win...I'll be offering more of these gems along the way.

Good tidings to you, wherever you are...

MM

Ladlin' the Love

Spent some time volunteering with my friends over at the Denver Rescue Mission today. They say $1.92 provides one Christmas dinner. I say that giving time and a couple bucks to help the needy makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. As Martha would say, “It’s a good thing.”

Sex on Skates

(No, not you, Levi Johnston)

Nothing says winter’s arrived like ice-skating and hot cocoa. Headed out to Belmar looking for a little holiday cheer and merriment. And, wow, did I find it. (Along with about 40 wobbly kids on skates and some hottie beauticians from the salon up the street.)

Watch out Brian Boitano. I’m a natural.

Cheer(s) from Megaphone Man

Ahem. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Megaphone Man. You may have seen me hanging around SE2…at the top of its letterhead perhaps? Usually, I just stand back and look dapper – you know, Don Draper-style. Sure, I come off as dark and mysterious but, the truth is, it can be lonely at the top. Everyone thinks they know me but nobody really knows me. I’m not two-dimensional! (Actually, I am, but, whatever….)

This holiday season I’ve decided to get out, hang with real people, and put this megaphone to good use spreading a little cheer.

SE2’s been busy tackling serious issues like health care and education. And as you might expect, hanging out with these PR hacks and policy wonks day in and day out tends to be a bit of a downer. I mean, where are the talking points on plotting the perfect mistletoe advance? Where’s the press release announcing the latest Christmas miracle? Is it too much to ask for a mailer detailing proper dreidel-spinning technique?

So I’m taking my message to the streets of Denver. I’ll use any means necessary to share the holiday spirit, and hey, if that means downing a cocktail – or four – well, you’re lucky, cause I’m buying.

Since there’s nothing like social media to ward off the lonely-logo blues, I’ll be sharing all my exploits on the web. Check out my adventures on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and here at SE2’s blog, The Megaphone.

Follow me! Friend me! Connect with me! Literally! Figuratively! (I’m even going to be awarding prizes!)

Yours in jollity and holiday merriment,

MM

Register for media training in Loveland on Dec. 9

We do a lot of media trainings but most aren't open to the public. An exception is Wednesday, Dec. 9, when I'll be presenting at a training hosted by the City of Loveland. The city has opened up registration, which costs only $25. I'm excited to participate with James D. Cope, who will be speaking specifically on crisis communications. Cope knows his subject; he handled media relations around the Tylenol murders in 1982. I'm old enough to recall that as the mother of all crises, but one that was handled very well. Thanks for Loveland Public Information Officer Andy Hiller for setting up this training.