Kellogg's in the cupboard

TV viewers are no longer prisoners of the 30-second commercial, according to a story in The Christian Science Monitor. This summer, some advertisers will opt for product placement inside programs, bypassing the traditional commercial break. Dr. Don Roy, assistant professor, marketing and management, says that because consumers have the power to block commercials, advertisers must become more creative. "The danger of using product placement is that it blurs the line between entertainment and advertising, and many consumers resent the intrusion of marketing into their favorite programs."

Contact Roy at 615-904-8564.
droy@mtsu.edu

Reading to kids

All day today, MTSU professors and students are reading to children in various schools in Murfreesboro as part of Read Across America. Reading sessions will continue all day. The schools involved are MTSU Day Lab, Hobgood Elementary, Homer Pittard Campus School and Reeves Rogers Elementary. "We hope that the (elementary) students will see how adults value the importance of reading," says Dr. Jan Hayes, president of MTSU's Education Association. For a schedule of readers, times and locations, call News and Public Affairs at 615-898-2919. Media welcomed.

For comment, contact Hayes at 615-898-2894.
jhayes@mtsu.edu

'Getting fired'

Should an employee be fired for being ill too often and therefore continually absent? During medieval times in Ireland, in order to encourage someone to leave the clan, clan members would burn that person's house to the ground or "fire him," explains Dr. Larry Howard, performance management and team-building expert. 'Getting fired' carried the clear message that you were considered an undesirable element. "Discipline is probably not the right solution. The right solution is more likely to involve some form of extended medical leave, disability leave, flexible scheduling ... demonstrating a willingness to help employees overcome their problems ... can create a level of commitment and camaraderie that little else could."

Contact Howard at 615-898-2825.
lhoward@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA: TONIGHT, 7 p.m., Wright Music Building, Gospel Extravaganza, with the Bethune-Cookman College Gospel Chorale, free and open. Media welcomed.
TUESDAY, March 4, 9 a.m., "Coping with Stress in School: What We Can Learn from Elite Performers," a live videoconference with Dr. Mark Anshel, sports psychologist, in the Learning Resources Center. A studio audience will include middle and high school students. Contact Dr. Connie Schmidt at 615-898-2560. Media welcomed.
WEDNESDAY, March 5, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Art Barn Gallery, reception for artist Jan Ruby, with a discussion at 12:30 p.m. Ruby's exhibit, "Handmade Paper Prints," is on display in the Art Barn until March 25. Media welcomed.
WEDNESDAY, March 5, 7:30 a.m., Hazlewood Dining Room, James Union Building, "Breakfast with Champions." Thirteen area teachers and 22 students will be recognized for their outstanding work in science, math and technology. Honorees are from Rutherford, Bedford, Wilson, Cannon and Warren counties. Contact Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross at 615-904-8253. Media welcomed.
THURSDAY, March 6, 7 p.m., Learning Resources Center, Multimedia Room, Guerilla Girls Gig--an entertaining romp through the history of the Girls, using humor and satire, on the subject of discrimination.