Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

. Cotton, Slavery and the Caribbean An interview with Columbia University author/scholar Sven Beckert By KJ Mullins-Toronto Trinidad Guardian:  The Caribbean played an important role in the growth of slavery in the Southern United States, the Industrial Age and the booming cotton trade of the 18th century. While cotton was never as large an industry in the Caribbean (as what happened with sugar) the islands played an important role in the growth of the United States and fostering the Industrial Revolution. Author Sven Beckert explores this historical period in depth along with other aspects of the cotton industry in his award winning Empire of Cotton: A Global History. The Pulitzer Prize finalist was   in Toronto for the Cundill Prize took time to discuss how the slave trade, growth of Island cotton plantations and the Caribbean slave revolts influenced the booming slave trade within the southern United States.   “I wanted to bring the economy of the United St

. STRANGE PRESS RELEASE PAIRINGS MAKE FOR GOOD INK – A REVIEW OF A WEEK OF ODD PRESS RELEASES Publicists have known this for years – strange bedfellows can make for interesting news items. This week several press releases crossed our desk that linked very different influences into a singular item worthy of media attention! Did you know Jedi warriors like Mac and Cheese?   Or that Beer and Bourbon make for a much sought after limited edition Day of the Dead beverage? And coffee and pimples make for a sales winner. HEATING UP THE MAC AND CHEESE WITH A LIGHT SABRE:   Two iconic brands deeply rooted in popular culture, are teaming to make the coming release of a new Star Wars movie forceful. Kraft and Disney are now a PR Jedi Knights duo slaying the competition for media pick-ups! The just launched KRAFT " Star Wars Macaroni and Cheese" campaign includes a limited edition Star Wars themed product box, Star Wars / Mac and Cheese TV commercials, and the KRAFT

. A ndy Kaufman Perfume.   Rolling Stones Tequila.  Johnny Cupcake G Watch. Name Recognition for Out-of-Character Products. This week it is all about how fame sells even when: the star is long dead;  the rock and roll riots ended decades ago and, the newest watch in the store has been designed by a T-Shirt company!  … Stephen Weir's Blog looks at the weekly whack of strange press releases that crossed my desk over the past seven days. Dead Comedian Andy Kaufman has his own stink! -  On the 11th of October  LA perfume maker Xyrena announced  that it has introduced a new scent.   Andy Kaufman Milk and Cookies is now being marketed in the United States to, according to the a Xyrena press release, to  "honour of Kaufman's life and works." Andy Kaufman has been dead for 41-years. In his lifetime there was never a perfume bearing his name or likeness .... but his estate has!  " "It's great to have Andy brought back, in any way, eve