The Biz: Feature Articles

It has long been said that imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery. But in business, unauthorized “imitations” cost companies immeasurable sums in lost sales and damage to their reputations. Most companies likely will not find it particularly flattering when a counterfeiter imitates or incorporates a valuable brand name or trademark in a domain name with the goal of misdirecting consumers to its ersatz website. Like in a Whack-A-Mole game, cybersquatters keep popping up.

Reading books together is a great way for parents and children to talk about important issues. Author Sabrina Panfilo, a graduate of NYU and an elementary school teacher, has molded her professional expertise in journalism, education, and psychology into one passion — creating a literary world for children that reminds each and every one of us that we are indeed unique and beautiful –– and, undoubtedly, loved. Sabrina’s two new books from Vantage Press, Cosmo’s Crave and Guppy’s Gall and Tomey and the Caterpillar are inspiring books that convey these essential messages.

For shoppers wondering what to bring to a baby shower or to take along on a visit to a new tyke, here are a few unique ideas from a company that takes itself seriously burnished with a sense of humor. No bunny rabbits, teddy bears or airplanes: The Tiny Universe has produced The Picture Book for the Finest of Babies, a hilarious “first book” with more than a dash of fun. The Picture Book will make adult recipients laugh out loud with pictures of necessary nouns for the one percent like “yacht”, “polo” and “diamond”, to say nothing of “caviar.”

Recently style watchers have been preoccupied with Coachella, the music and art festival that wrapped up last weekend. These days the event is almost as well known for its see-and-be-seen street style snaps as it is for mashing up different genres from hip hop to electronica. But while everyone was preoccupied with what starlets like Kate Bosworth were wearing, I took note of the cross-promotional opportunities these events afford artists.