Leo DiCaprio  wins an Oscar - new status expands his "Global Warming" cause marketing reach.

No doubt, Leo is and has been one of the world's leading actors for quite some time. His talent is obvious. Like other famous stars, and famous corporations, he has put a lot of energy into marketing various causes for the greater good of humanity, not a seemingly bad thing for individuals or corporations to do. With his top tier status, Mr. DiCaprio now has a platform voice to help make planetary change. His passion for cause marketing - climate change.  Below is this year's acceptance speech and climate change marketing pitch.



I like Leo and believe he is quite intelligent and having his attention on this "HOT" issue can help move discussions forward.  Is he correct and an expert science based meteorologist providing quality solutions that can address the problem?  It does not appear so. Bringing attention, funding and awareness to large scale issues is a good thing and helps those souls dedicating their lives to such issues. He should be applauded for his efforts, right or wrong. Wal-Mart has the Children's Miracle Network - Leo has planet earth...

With a net worth well over 200 million, the 41 year old Leo DiCaprio's wealth affords him luxuries Robin Leach would drool over.


Numerous high end homes, fancy cars and yes - private jet airplanes. Similar to politicians telling us to not carry firearms while simultaneously surrounded by armed bodyguards, it makes it a bit more difficult to hear celebrities true messages when they are personally egregiously violating the very thing they extol. After completing studies at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Arizona State University in business and aeronautical technologies, and as a licensed private pilot I feel confident to claim Leo's personal carbon footprint is quite a bit above average...



A few years ago, a South African acquaintance told me while filming Blood Diamonds, Leo rented one of her friends estates. She said her friend initially refused the offer from his minions, but then Leo himself actually arrived at her home and spent a few hours selling her into the idea.



After his extended stay, he left the home in perfect condition and her friend feeling he was a truly remarkable, kind and caring person. It's nice to hear these off the beat anecdotes that verifies the public persona. LIke all of us, apparently Leo just needed extra space for relaxation during breaks from hard work. Now that he has won an Oscar - he is and always will be included in rarefied Hollywood air.This gives his cause marketing an even greater boost.



Our company - Buzzazz.com - does cause marketing as well. Our choice has been to help support Human Rights activities that assist the world's children becoming better educated to the dangers of drugs.  Please visit www.drugfreeworld.org for more info.

Congratulations to Greg Mohammed and Jay Mohammed for winning the Creating Pinellas Award!

The cities, towns and communities of Pinellas County are stabilized and expanded by commerce. Some individuals leap into entrepreneurship taking on risks, working long hours, and adding their creativity. These individuals and their businesses are the foundation of Pinellas County and are admired and commended for what they provide to others.

Greg and Jay Mohammed are the owners and operators of Our Place, a breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant located in Dunedin, Florida. They employ a local staff that not only service the customers, but add to the local economy.

They've created a friendly and fun environment offering great tasting food and affordable prices. When you come to this family run restaurant, you become part of their family, at least that's how they treat you. (No, you don't have to do the dishes).

Greg and Jay have supported Dunedin High School (wrestling team, band, etc.) and are members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. They are actively contributing to social and economic welfare of Pinellas County!

Support those that are making a difference in Pinellas - support Greg and Jay Mohammed by giving Our Place an opportunity to win your business.

 CLICK HERE to visit  them on the web, call 727.239.7886, or eat at  336 Main Street, Dunedin

Greg and Jay's actions are admired and they are highly commended. 

Hollywood Style Movie Premiere of "The Forger" Live in Downtown Clearwater Hosted by Mr. John Travolta 

This past Saturday evening, those of us lucky enough to call Clearwater Florida our home were treated to some special Hollywood magic.  Mr. John Travolta was in town on the red carpet hosting a one night only event - at the historic Capitol Theater - launching his new motion picture "The Forger".  As a Florida resident, John supports the movie industry within our state in big ways.  He is consistently helping to bring more awareness, funding and jobs to the area. It's big business and he is one of its leading stars. 

It was a magnetic evening downtown with a vibrant atmosphere full of enthusiastic arts supporters.  It was reported that including John and the other local contributors generous support, over fifty thousand dollars was raised to help expand the Martha P. Hoffman School Of The Arts.  

You can find out more about their great program at www.rutheckerdhall.com/education. 

Over the past few years, the downtown Cleveland Street District has been transitioning from a sleepy simple "Beach Byway" into something quite unique.  It overlooks the gorgeous Gulf Intracoastal and is within walking distance to one of the world's most famous beaches.  Winter the dolphin lives here too!  Nestled near the Town Hall Bluff you would be hard pressed to find a better sunset view than strolling westward on Cleveland street between the diverse selection of shops and restaurants towards the park, yacht harbor and beautiful Clearwater Beach bridge.  The atmosphere is starting to remind me of a scaled down version of my birthplace, San Diego California.

Although Saturday evening, it was all Hollywood.  Limousines, red carpets, movie stars, bright lights, large crowds, beautiful weather, exuberant fans...who could ask for more.  I've not had the pleasure of attending the Oscars, but this to me was like a short glimpse into that world.  Watching John mingle effortlessly with his adoring fans, endlessly posing for photos, signing autographs, giving hugs and genuinely happily being there was extremely refreshing to see.  What I was able to observe was someone passionately giving back to the art community from which he had come.  Clearwaters own Mayor Mr. George Cretekos was overheard to say "its another gem in the city's crown."

When a person's passions and moral compass are lined up to "True North" like John's seem to be, great things normally happen.  Most of us in business would pay handsomely for the kind of word of mouth marketing and PR this type of event creates. A positive buzz like this in our local media had normally been reserved for our water mammal friend down the street.  Paying for it directly somehow never works, what does seem to work is having a great service or product that is backed by passion with integrity.  With that combination in hand, the process of making something well known would seem to become a very simple endeavor.  If asked to speak for the community, I would say this event was a wonderful marketing coupe for us all.

Travolta told reporters "A lot of my friends have played the Cap," "It sounds like a theater that's inviting a lot of, in my opinion, very important artists who are doing quite well by it." The Forger is available on DirecTV, with a limited theatrical and wide VOD release April 24. "It's a wonderful film that also admires the arts within the subject and story line. I thought, wouldn't it be wonderful to use this film to raise money for the arts in Clearwater?" Zev Buffman, president and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall that owns the Capitol, said Travolta's event comes at a crucial time in the Hoffman school's expansion. John told the audience "Thank you for being here, for supporting the arts. I had the privilege of growing up in a family that supported the arts … but not every family has that advantage. Tonight, you are helping … other young people to become artists of their dreams, who didn't have the advantage I had as a child."

If you have never watched John's dance with Princess Diana, watch this short Youtube clip here:  

It's fairly undeniable that living legend Mr. John Travolta has forged one of the most successful Hollywood careers of all time.  Like many, my earliest recollections of his prowess started with his iconic "sweathog" character Vinnie Barbarino from ABC's  hit show Welcome Back Kotter. My older sister had gigantic posters of 70's stars David Cassidy, Bobby Sherman, Donny Osmond and of course Mr. John Travolta. Back then, there was three main networks along with a couple minor local stations to choose from and Welcome Back Kotter was most definitely one of the 70's highest ranking TV shows that everyone watched every single week.  Of course, John's movie career took off from there to a point only Boeing 707 aircraft can fly.  Which eventually reached the zenith where he enjoyed top box office draw along with the worlds most beloved Princess requesting a dance. Thank you Mr. Travolta for all you have done to make downtown Clearwater, the Cleveland Street Business District and the world itself a more enjoyable place to live.