White House Idol

Communication Hubs. Opinion Leaders. Influencers. Whatever you call them, any communications pro knows these are the people that set the tone for discussion, interest and action. When I like a book, I tell a few friends. When Oprah likes (liked?) a book, she told millions…and they bought.

So what better pitchman than the Leader of the Free World. President Obama may not be on Al Green’s payroll, but when the Commander in Chief crooned a few bars of Reverend Green’s classis hit “Let’s Stay Together” at a recent fundraiser, the nation took notice. They heard. They saw. They purchased.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, once the video of Obama’s performance went viral, the song experienced a 490 percent jump in sales. If his reelection bid falls short, Obama can always pay the bills on the infomercial circuit.

Sounds of Slience

For those of you doubting the power of nonverbal communication (or for those of you who just enjoy a great film), I suggest you head to your local cinema and see “The Artist,” the new silent movie that has everyone talking.

While the characters in the film mock the gesticulations that silent films actors use to convey their thoughts and feelings, the underlying theme is that words are not a prerequisite for effective communication. When people say this is the best film they’ve seen in some time, they mean just that. And seeing is believing.

The Shirt Off His Back

Welcome back to a new academic year. Of course, you can’t start the school year without the prerequisite “improper t-shirt scandal.” This year it comes not from a student, but from a store.

Following numerous complaints from outraged parents, J.C. Penney has stopped selling a t-shirt that jokingly prioritized beauty over brains. Of special interest is the role social media played in accelerating the shirt’s disappearance from the retailer’s Web site.

In the old days, Mom would call the principal. Now, a Tweet leads to a Facebook post and…well you get the picture. You just can’t get the shirt. Read about it here.

Love Nothing

In the world of nonverbal communication, an Australian Open official made Russian tennis player Ekaterina Makarova leave the court because a logo on her dress was deemed too large.

After a short break, the 22-year-old returned to the court in an identical dress, sans logo. Capitalism usually wins out and, as the match progressed, logos began to find their way back onto Makarova’s outfit.

Read the whole story here.