News agencies around the world are constantly challenged with finding and keeping consumers of their published content. Content is certainly king, but the business model has been stressed for many organizations over the past decade based on the advancement of technology and changing consumer habits.

“It started with a tweet,” writes Mary Elizabeth Williams on Salon.com. “And in the end, that’s what won the war. But ... Komen remained silent. No response for more than a full day.

“Hey, ya know what?” our president often says at news conferences and speeches when he begins a thought or answer to a question. No, Mr. President, I don’t “know what”—that’s what I expect you to tell me. Furthermore, it’s not a very “presidential” or top executive style of speaking.

Mount your digital camera on a tripod, start taking photos of the U.S. Capitol building, the White House or even Union Station, the train station, and there is a good chance police will show up, asking questions. Friends in the news media have been sharing countless stories of being stopped, blocked, questioned and detained by police.

Jay Hunter Morris knows that talent alone does not necessarily lead to success. And, it certainly will not land you in a starring role at New York's Metropolitan Opera. That takes a lot more work. Now, he is starring in one of opera's most demanding roles before a global audience.

Amtrak, America's passenger train service, is working hard to scare the crap out of people who ride trains. Widescreen TVs in Amtrak stations are running a lengthy video produced seemingly to convince us that terrorists may strike your train at any moment. What they are doing sure seems more like "security theater" to justify a fat cop budget ... and, it feels dishonest.

Let me digress a little from the normal communications-oriented theme of my site to share a story about an old friend who has found his life's passion as one of the world's most unique photojournalists. If you are ever visiting Hawaii’s Big Island when one of its volcanos is erupting, there’s a chance you may see Mick Kalber in action

It is a reality in our fast-moving, digital-driven world that words matter. And, certainly in the field of communications where new uses and more precise usage of words and phrases play a key role in determining such essential factors as competitive differentiation, authenticity and value. Take, for example, online "newsroom" versus "news site." There is a big difference.

The major website hacking of 2011 - labeled "The Hack of the Year" by the media - has now spilled over into a new year and is shaping up as a classic case history of how not to manage corporate communications and brand image in a crisis.

What's now hurting the most for Stratfor - an expensive, premium online news and analysis aggregating service - is not necessarily the hacking of their high profile website but rather their own lack of crisis management and prompt, transparent communications.