Reaching Millions: The 8 Secrets of Internet Marketing, Social Media, Digital PR

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Social Marketing Is Best Served on a PR Combo Plate

Social Marketing Is Best Served on a PR Combo Plate

 

BY Mikal E. Belicove

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If you’re accountable for the dollars your company spends on social media-related marketing and you’re looking for evidence that socially engineered content and engagement marketing lifts sales, here’s some good news.

A just-released study shows that consumers - patrons of five fast-food franchises in this case - are much more likely to pull out their wallets and purses after being exposed to social content on sites like Facebook and Twitter than those who aren’t.

Moreover, when exposed to socially engineered content and other types of media (e.g., television ads, billboard campaigns and public relations efforts resulting in earned media placements) the likelihood for a bigger spend, consumption or brand perception is increased by a whopping two to seven times.

These findings — from the latest Social Media Sales Impact Study (published by Ogilvy & Mather and ChatThreads) — reinforce the importance of having an integrated multichannel marketing campaign that includes creating and leveraging conversational and user-generated content.

The study also shows that you shouldn’t put all your eggs into one basket. Exposure to several fast-food brands via social media reached only 24 percent of the consumers involved in the exercise. That’s low when compared to 69 percent of survey participants who reported having taken note of a TV ad for one of the restaurant brands during a weeklong test period. Billboards for one or more of the five US chains (KFC, McDonalds, Subway, Taco Bell and Wendy's) caught the eye of only 37 percent of consumers.

But the study shows that exposure to multiple channels — a combo plate involving social media along with television exposure, billboards, public relations or other advertising avenues — positively impacts sales.

For instance, consumers exposed to social media combined with public relations showed a 17 percent increase over purchases without such dual exposure.

(The Leyden Digital PR, Social Media Group provides dual exposure for its clients. Click here for more information.)

Those who experienced social media exposure along with a TV ad were two times more likely to purchase more that they did the week before. And brands that combined social media mentions with billboard advertising increased sales by one and a half times.

What are the implications of this study?

First, it suggests that those who employ social content should increase customer and prospect exposure in order to impact sales and brand perception. Even more important, the report shows that integrating other media channels into your content results in the biggest impact on consumers.

Use surveys, loyalty program tracking and coupons when evaluating the sales impact of your social content. Don’t depend solely on direct clicks. By monitoring your social media closely, you can also discover and remedy any negative press about your brand, product or service, because these certainly affect brand perception.

In fact, Taco Bell had a 220 percent lower shift in consumer perception of the chain providing a “great dining experience,” - a direct result of a socially charged news cycle involving ingredients used in Taco Bell’s meat products around the time of the study.

You should also plan your social content in a manner that best emphasizes the qualities with which you want the public to be aware. The goal is to reinforce your brand’s uniqueness, and that means promoting broad discussion on your brand in order to keep your social content fresh and up-to-date.

Islamic Terrorists - Free to Murder Again

Islamic Terrorists - Free to Murder Again

Last Updated: 12:33 AM, October 18, 2011

Posted: October 18, 2011
New York Post Editorial

Now that the identities of some of the Palestinian terrorists being set free in exchange for long-imprisoned Israeli Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit have become known, the horror of the deal is even more apparent.

After all, Israel long refused to release any Palestinian terrorists “with blood on their hands.”
Now Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has done just that -- literally.

Among the 1,027 Palestinian terrorists being freed is Abdel Aziz Salha, who was famously photographed proudly raising his bloody hands to a cheering crowd after killing two Israeli soldiers.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

And he’s far from the only cold-blooded killer walking free. Others include:

* Ahlam Tamimi, who in 2001 drove a suicide bomber to a crowded Jerusalem pizzeria, where he killed 15 people -- including Judy Greenbaum, of Passaic, NJ -- and wounded 130 others.

* Muhammad Daghlas, head of the Hamas network that carried out that bombing.

* Ibrahim Younis, who planned the 2003 suicide bombing in a Jerusalem cafe that killed seven people -- including Dr. David Applebaum and his daughter Nava, both US-born, on the eve of her wedding.

* Nasser Yateima, a mastermind of the Passover 2002 Netanya hotel bombing, which killed 30 and injured 140 others.

In all, those being released are believed to have the blood of 588 Israelis -- nearly all civilians -- on their hands.

So why did Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has always maintained a hard line on fighting terror, agree to this one-sided exchange for a lone Israeli?

For one thing, Israel has a long history of refusing to abandon a single soldier on the battlefield.
Shalit has been held captive by Hamas for five years, and his family has been waging a sophisticated PR campaign that clearly touched the nation.

Which no doubt explains why a new poll shows overwhelming support for the deal among Israelis.

But there is a bitter price to be paid for this exchange, which Hamas already is hailing as a major political victory.

Just as past exchanges have set free terrorists who’ve killed again -- and emboldened Hamas to find new Israeli hostages.

No one should know this better than Netanyahu, who lost a brother in the heroic 1976 Israeli operation that freed hostages in Uganda -- back in the days when Israel hewed a firm line against negotiations.

Indeed, Netanyahu himself said it best, in his book “Fighting Terrorism”:
“Prisoner releases only embolden terrorists. ... Worse, by leading terrorists to think such demands are likely to be met, they encourage precisely the terrorist blackmail they are supposed to defuse.”

Sad to say, Netanyahu failed to heed the wisdom of his own words.
He’ll come to regret that.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/free_to_kill_again_8Ldj6KQMMK1dcGRNiZHQ9L#ixzz1b9anoj5L

Gilad Schalit Deal Spits At International Law, Israel Citizens

Schalit Deal Makes Mockery of International Law, Imperils Thousands In Israel

"No modern government has the legal right to free terrorists in exchange for its own kidnapped citizens, military or civilian.

 Under long-standing international law, every state has a primary obligation to protect its citizens.

Yet it appears that tomorrow, Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will exchange Palestinian terrorists for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.

Any such exchange, however humane to Schalit and his family, would imperil thousands of other Israelis." - The Jerusalem Post

VIDEO: From Israel - Gilad Shalit and 1,000 Hamas Prisoners

From Israel - Gilad Shalit and 1,000 Hamas Prisoners

On patrol somewhere on the Israel Gaza border two IDF soldiers discuss the Shalit and Hamas prisoner exchange.

Steve Jobs Illustrates Age Discrimination by HR Employment Recruiters In High Tech Unwarranted By Joel Leyden Israel News Agency www.israelnewsagency.com/stevejobsagediscriminationhremploymentrecruitersheadhuntershightechsocialmediaseodigitalmarketingprintegratedexperienceapple88100711.html Ra'anana, Israel --- October 7, 2011 .... If Steve Jobs answered an ad today for work on LinkedIn.com or Monster.com chances are he would never even get a response. At the age of 56 he would be deemed a dinosaur who would be completely out of touch with modern technology and integrated marketing channels. That at 56, he would be lucky if he was using email. HR and executive recruiters in high tech, SEO, social media and digital marketing have instructions by most companies not to engage anyone over 45. Steve Jobs, the man who founded Apple and turned it into the world's must successful high tech, computer company died of pancreatic cancer yesterday. Jobs, with an estimated net worth of $7 billion dollars, was responsible for creating the personal computer industry, teaching people how to use a mouse to click on objects and how to make hardware easy to use. Steve Jobs created the iPod portable music player, the iPhone (telephone, Internet communicator, music player) and the iPad tablet. Consumer products which changed how we use and consume content in the digital age. In addition to technology, Jobs served as served as chief executive of Pixar Animation Studios and became a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company. But yet, if Steve Jobs had not been so lucky in creating some of the first computers out of a garage in Mountain View, California and was simply a hard working, marketing professional who worked for Microsoft or HP and was laid off due to a recession where would he have been in the last few years? Regardless of how deep his knowledge of software, hardware and marketing may have been - he could have wound up selling shirts at Macy's or frozen food at Walmart. If Jobs had not acquired the personal contacts that he accumulated over the years and simply relied on a resume to secure a hi tech position in 2011, he could have been collecting unemployment. Many assume that those over 40 or 45 are not in touch with modern technology yet Steve Jobs was one of those middle aged professionals leading modern technology. Many social media, digital PR and SEO employers assume that in order to secure fresh ideas one needs to tap into a market of 20 - 30 year-olds. That those who are over 50 are completely obsolete. When has youth had a higher value over experience? That those high tech marketing professionals who have made the jump from conventional media to online sales and integrated marketing channels are to be ignored? One highly respected tech professional recently interviewed for a chief operating officer position with a West Coast technology company. The headhunter was very positive and told him that he was "the leading candidate". The CEO congratulated this 50 years plus professional on his stellar technology background. Then he heard nothing for two weeks. He then called the headhunter, who then told him that the company was seeking "a person with more technical experience." This candidate writes for CNET! Age discrimination is alive and well. In fact age discrimination is killing high tech. There's a TV commercial being aired on ESPN right now that illustrates two hiring managers discussing the two job candidates sitting in the lobby. We only see the backs of these candidates' heads. One is dark brown and lustrous and the other brittle and gray. The HR recruiters debate should they go with the experienced candidate though "he won't have energy" or hire the fresh young guy? And then we see that the two candidates are the same person before and after a hair dye job. More than two-thirds of tech professionals over 45 have said that ageism is a "significant problem" according to a study released a few years ago. That nearly one in three workers over 45 said they have either witnessed or experienced "age bias." During the next ten years, mature workers will overwhelm the high tech industry by their sheer numbers. According to American Demographics, seven baby boomers will turn 50 every minute in the US from now until 2014. Steve Jobs at 56 was still creating, producing and marketing new consumer products at the time of his death. Jobs was widely described as a visionary, as a pioneer and perhaps one of the key leaders ever in the field of business, innovation and product design. Many say that Jobs had "profoundly" changed the face of the modern world in having revolutionized at least six different industries and was the finest role model for all chief executives". Jobs was working smarter, faster and more creative than those half his age. Steve Jobs does not just leave us with an iPhone or graphics that you want to lick, but with the life example that experience and hard work is still alive after 55. Steve Jobs will be remembered for many things and many quotes but perhaps these words are the most fitting: “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” And excellence, like a fine wine, takes time to achieve. The above news content was edited and SEO optimized in Israel by the Leyden Digital PR SEO New Media Group - Israel, New York, Hartford. Internet Marketing SEO Professionals ask: Can People Find Your Website?

Yom Kippur War Volunteers Serving In Israel - A Diary

Yom Kippur War Volunteers - 30 Years On - Israel

By Joel Leyden
October 3, 2003

As I write the diary below, the first time retracing steps taken thirty years ago in Israel in October 1973, memories begin to pour back along with the anxiety and tears that we all experienced at the time. For many of us, the scars of war will never heal. Nor should they. - Joel Leyden

Due in part to faulty intelligence and arrogance, Israel was unprepared for a Syrian / Egyptian surprise attack. The Yom Kippur War took the lives of 2,688 Israeli troops.

Jerusalem---October 2003...Sitting in the relative safety of a suburban Long Island home, I first heard news reports of Arab armies attacking Israel on October 6, 1973.

It was not exactly clear what was transpiring in the Middle-East. News reports were censored and the media was not overly kind to Israel. I heard my father say that Israel's UN Ambassador Abba Eban was to address the United Nations General Assembly. I did not know of Abba Eban, I was expecting an Israeli to speak with a thick Israeli accent that most would not understand.

We had just extended our tree lined, middle-upper class home in Westbury. Our living room was now twice the size, with white marble floors, a bear rug, antique chandeliers and the latest TV and radio players. I sat down on one of the soft couches with my father to watch Abba Eban address the world on a color television set. I watched as this portly man in a neat two piece suit wearing large black glasses walked down an aisle at the UN and took his place at the podium. He spoke clearly with an English accent. A voice which embraced all of the desperate passion of the moment.

His English accent was a surprise. To an American, we are seduced by this English UK mother tongue twisting of vowels and nouns. It says to the American ear that the speaker is authoritative.

Weighing each and every word that Eban smoothly articulated, I awaited the latest news of what the Israelis were facing. Then I heard a defining sentence.

"This was a brutal and unprovoked attack in great mass by Egypt and Syria across the cease-fire lines," said Eban.

Israelis don't speak like this. They never admit weakness. To use the word "brutal" meant that Israel was bleeding. At that point I knew that Israel's very survival was in jeopardy. I said to my father that I was going to go to Israel to help out. He shrugged with disbelief. He must have asked himself where would a 20-year-old find the money and an aircraft which would fly a young boy into a war zone.

My father was a Jewish activist, he was and remains a Zionist. He served as the Chairman of the Transportation fund raising division of the United Jewish Appeal, was the president of his Temple and was a consultant to Israel's Ministry of Defense in New York.

I had been in Israel only the year before as a Kibbutz volunteer. It was the most romantic summer of my life. To wake up at sunrise, to be driven by tractor into the lush green banana fields and then to sit down for a breakfast of fresh scrambled eggs with halva was paradise. It was Ma'ayan Baruch, a kibbutz located directly on the Israeli-Lebanese border which was founded before the War of Independence by South Africans and Americans.

I also had family in Tel Aviv, warm people who greeted me as if I was one of their sons. Israel was all that I expected it to be. A romantic, exotic and pioneering state where all of the people pulled together. The collective warmth was infectious. As I left my many months on kibbutz, I promised that one day I would return to this Jewish state and make it my home.

As Eban walked off the UN podium and the news anchors began to deliver commentary, I walked into my bedroom, closed my door and called Kibbutz Aliya Desk - a center for volunteers to Israel located in New York City. I asked if I could immediately volunteer for a kibbutz in Israel. I expected a negative response. Who had time for some kid from New York who wanted to pick apples at a time of war? "If you come to Israel to assist us and promise us that you are not coming to fight, then we may have room for you on a flight in the next few days."

I had to pay a very small fee as the flight was subsidized. I went into New York City the following day for an interview. They accepted me and I was to leave from JFK airport to Israel on October 11.

My parents were in disbelief. I remember how my father was proud of my actions, as my mother cried and begged him not to let me go. But as a young man, I had decided my course and now had the means to implement it. I arrived at the El Al terminal with my parents and was rushed by security up to the El Al VIP lounge. Now it sunk in. Here I was with a few hundred other people going off to war. We knew our lives were expendable as soon as we would step on board the aircraft. Tears flowed in that terminal. It was a quiet, surreal scene, where I held back my own tears as not wanting to make the situation more tense.

I kissed my mother on the cheek, smiled and said I would call her upon arrival.

"Don't worry," I said. "I am going to pick apples, I will not be shooting anyone."

I stepped on board the aircraft, now somewhat afraid of what was in front of me but overshadowing this fear was the knowledge, the Jewish adage: "If not me, then who?"

There was no conversation on the plane. It was not as if you were traveling to Jamaica on vacation. There was no laughter, only quiet reflection. Many of us thought to ourselves, would we actually make it to Israel or be shot down in flight?

I sat next to a medical doctor who had volunteered as well. He assured me that all would be okay. He said that his specialty was trauma and that he was now assigned to an army hospital in Israel. I was in good company. These were people of action. This was the Jewish nation standing up and being counted when it was most needed.

As we approached Israel, the pilot made an unusual announcement. He wanted us to close our window shades. I guess the pilot, as many El Al pilots who had served as Israeli combat pilots previous to taking these commercial positions, knew a bit more than we did. Having a "lit candle" of civilian passengers flying into a war zone was not the best tactic that one would suggest.

As I looked outside one final time, I saw a combat fighter flying off our left wing just yards away. Then I heard the pilot make another announcement.

"Don't worry - the combat jet which is flying next to us is one of ours."

Now the reality of war was all around us. There was no turning back. If I lived through this - so would Israel, if I died then I would have given my life no different than those who had fought the Nazis.

As the plane's wheels touched Israeli soil, we applauded. We were not applauding the pilot and listening to tunes of Hava Nagila - we were applauding the fact that we were alive. That we had made it past the first hurdle and that we were only minutes away from physically joining our brothers and sisters in their defense for Israel's very existence.

The terminal was empty and dark. All of Tel Aviv was blacked out. Window shades were drawn on all of the homes and buildings we past. Even the headlights of cars and buses were painted blue.

We were a group of about 40 people. I later found out that we were a few hundred foreign volunteers accepted from thousands who had applied. We were the "official Israeli war volunteers" and we were greeted in the kindest manner. But we never forgot for a second that we were not on the front line - that there were others who were in far more danger than us and those Israelis who were assisting us in Tel Aviv were related to brothers, husbands and sons now in uniform.

The Yom Kippur War lasted for 3 weeks, starting on October 6, 1973 and ended on October 22 on the Syrian front and on October 26 on the Egyptian front.

It was evening. We were taken by bus to a large youth hostel in Tel Aviv by the Hayarkon River. Holding luggage and wearing backpacks we mingled quietly outside on the grass next to the buildings. Then someone started to read our names out. As they went through the list, we were instructed to enter one of the buildings. As I walked in, I saw several dining tables all with candles burning. This was not Shabbat. We were in a blackout. The mood was eerie. Little conversation, no laughter and much reflection.

A bearded man in his thirties stood up and made a prayer. He then spoke in English and thanked us for coming to Israel. He said that we would face very difficult days ahead, but with god's help, that we and all of Israel would be fine.

We began to drink hot matza ball soup. You could not escape the tension and anxiety. This was not the smiling Israel I had known from a year ago, neither was this Long Island. We were together, but yet alone as we sat and ate our first meal in the Yom Kippur War.

After finishing our dinner of chicken and mashed potatoes, we again mingled outside on the grass. We were taken to our rooms by flashlight.

We awoke early in the morning and after a brief breakfast, again heard our names called out. We were taken to buses which would take us to Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station. It was a busy scene of soldiers coming and going.

Then I spotted a long line of dark green ambulances with the white and red Magan David stars on their sides. These were military ambulances. With curiosity, I slowly walked over to one of the vehicles. I discovered that it was an emergency mobile blood donation station. I looked at the soldier in charge and gestured that I too wanted to donate blood. He wrote my name down and I stood in line. Next to me was another young war volunteer from France. He spoke no English and I knew no French.

We just smiled at one another. We were both asked to enter the ambulance at the same time. There were two cots on either side of the ambulance. We rolled up our sleeves and as our blood began to drip into plastic bags, we again smiled at one another, tears began to form, we did not need words.

As we both stepped off the IDF ambulance, we shook hands. I said good luck in English and he said the same in French. We now looked for our buses which were to be identified by number. Buses which were to take us somewhere in Israel, it was anyone's guess. After a few hours I found myself on the Israeli-Jordanian border.

It was a quiet journey. The dusty roads were vacant except for an occasional IDF truck, jeep or tank quickly rolling by.

About five of us stepped off the bus at Kibbutz Beit Zera. Located in the Jordan Valley about 15 minutes south of Tiberius, Beit Zera was another Ma'ayan Baruch, another magical, romantic kibbutz with palm trees, apple orchards and haystacks.

We walked past the main gate and were greeted by the head of the volunteers. A one-armed Israeli kibbutznik in his late twenties. His warmth was evident from first eye contact. A warmth which remained consistent throughout the ugly, dark days ahead. He led us across a large, open grassy field to a group of wooden huts.

This was to be home for the next several weeks. All seemed tranquil, as this is the normal environment for a kibbutz. But the tranquility lasted less than 24 hours.

At first it was the super sonic booms of low flying IDF aircraft intercepting Syrian fighters. We would run out of our shacks after being rattled by these heavy thuds, thinking that the kibbutz was being bombed. We would stand out in the open field, point our binoculars towards the sky and watch dogfights taking place above us. We could make out the Israeli planes from the Syrian MIGs. It was always the Syrian MIG which would be seen exploding or going down in a trail of grey smoke. We would yell in exhilaration for our brave brothers in the sky, we would laugh and walk proudly back to our work or beds. But this Hollywood show where the good guy would always win, would not last for long. Another dogfight, more missiles, but this time through the binoculars you could clearly see the Magan David Star painted on the tail or was it a wing, drop from the sky.

We fell silent. We cried. We walked back to our beds for a sleepless night.

After two days on the kibbutz I sensed something was wrong. There were almost no men on the kibbutz. They were all in the reserves. Our job was to keep the kibbutz functioning. Whether it was in the factory, the cotton fields or in the kitchen we did our best to keep morale high.

On the third day, I walked over to the volunteers' bulletin board and my mouth opened. On a piece of yellow ruled paper tacked onto the cork was a sign stating: Premilitary Training for Volunteers. One of the conditions for which many of us were not pleased to accept was that we were not going to Israel to fight.

Now they were offering us weapons training. Within 24 hours we were taught how to fire World War 2 carbines, instructed where we could find mortars and grenades and the positions around the kibbutz that we should take up if the kibbutz was attacked. There was no more magic or romanticism associated with this kibbutz. The war was not going well and we felt it.

I spent one day working at the kibbutz pool and became friendly with the man who managed it. I didn't see him for a few days and then I spotted him in the kibbutz dining room. He was sitting at a table by himself. With a big smile I walked over to him and asked him how he was. He responded: "my son is dead." I had no words. I was in shock. We were all in shock.

As the war worsened for Israel, one afternoon all of the volunteers were called into a meeting set for 5:00 p.m. Having been on a kibbutz, I thought nothing of this meeting except for some kibbutz beaucracy about to take place or the kibbutz secretary was now, finally going to introduce himself. I was right, it was the kibbutz secretary, but it was not about beaucracy or introductions. Without wasting anytime he said these words: "The situation has become very bad. We will be lucky to see the sun set this evening … even luckier to see the sun rise tomorrow morning. I thank you from my heart for being here … for helping us…now I wish all of you and us good luck."

You could hear the proverbial pin drop on the floor. What was actually happening in the south that for which we were completely unaware of was that Israeli troops had successfully crossed the Suez Canal. They were now marching towards Cairo and Moscow had just told the US that if the Israelis did not immediately leave Egyptian soil, that they would deploy paratroopers within 24 hours against the Israelis.

We were facing World War Three. The kibbutz secretary, having been briefed by IDF home front command intelligence, expected the Jordanians to enter the war and over run the kibbutz.

We walked slowly back to our shacks. Not a word was muttered. We were just told that we were living our last hours. All we could do was look at one another. We began talking about our families in the States, in the UK and Australia. All of our radios were on. We tried to maintain contact with the kibbutz secretary, but to no avail. We were alone.

When we stepped on board that El Al aircraft we knew very well that this scenario could take place. But none of us ever imagined that this could or would happen. We were not prepared. How does one prepare to die?

It was the longest night of my life. As the sun's first rays began to peak over the Jordanian mountains, over the Golan Heights which were nestled at our very door, I remember hearing the sounds of birds singing. The sound of factory machinery drilling and cutting metal and wood. The sun rose and we were alive.

I put on a pair of running shoes, as I did often to start my day and set out with a run to the kibbutz entrance and then around the kibbutz. As I approached the entrance of the kibbutz I saw a mass of people. I slowed to a walk. Then as I got nearer I saw that they were carrying an Israeli flag draped coffin into the kibbutz. I stared and cried. I turned around and again retreated to my kibbutz shack. I took off my shoes and just lay in bed.

By this point a very deep cloud of depression hung over the kibbutz.

We volunteers, whose job it was to keep the kibbutz functioning and keep morale high could no longer manage a smile.

Finally, I suggested to my roommate Jeffery, a schoolteacher from London, to hitchhike into Tiberius. We needed to get out of this environment.

Without hesitation, we grabbed our shoes and some money and made our way to the kibbutz entrance. An army truck stopped and we got into the back. It was a bumpy ride but it was heaven just to leave Beit Zeir.

Tiberius was wall to wall soldiers. Some preparing to go the Syrian front, others with mud stained shirts enjoying some Rest and Relaxation in the many pubs.

As Jeffery and I walked into one of the pubs, we realized that we were the only civilians there. We ordered some beer. Many of the soldiers stared at us. In retrospect, they were most likely thinking to themselves why we were not in uniform.

One soldier walked over to us and said something in Hebrew. I responded by asking him if he spoke English. The tension immediately turned to laughter.

"You are the volunteers, you are the volunteers who have come from the States and England - yes?"

We smiled. I was not quite sure if "we" were the volunteers he was speaking about. "You are the heroes who left your homes to help us. What do you want to eat? What do you want to drink? You pay for nothing," he said.

Another soldier walked over to us and took out a plastic bag of green peppers.

"I picked these peppers just outside of Damascus - I want you to have some," the soldier smiled. This was an ambush. A friendly ambush for as we placed the peppers in our mouths our throats began to burn and eyes began to tear.

These battle weary soldiers were having a joke on us and we could not be happier. This is why we had come to Israel. We were finally home. And we were alive.

- 30 -

Within two days, the IDF, now fully deployed, blocked the Egyptian and Syrian advances and took the offensive in the Yom Kippur War.

Free Donuts Over 50 - List of Discounts For Young Senior Citizens

I'm Not Getting Older, I'm Getting Discounts

Somewhere in the USA ---- October 2011 ..... Recently, a friend of mine brought me to the movies. As we entered, he informed me that being over 54 one gets a 35 percent discount. I didn't think anything of it because I don't advertise my age and was willing to pay full price. But my Jewish blood kicked in and quietly I showed the cashier my ID.

A few weeks later, as I was waiting in line behind an older gentleman at Wendy's, I heard him ask for his senior discount. The girl at the register apologized and charged him less. When I asked the man what the discount was, he told me that seniors over 55 gets 10% off everything on the menu, every day.

    Being that age myself, I figured I might as well ask for the discount too. As I waited for my turn, I thought about the consequences of doing so. If the employee asked me for I.D., it could be embarrassing having to show my    license. But if she didn't ask for proof, I would get depressed that I really did look "old" and that I didn't need to prove it. Since I always like to save money, I boldly asked for the discount, and sadly she just rang up the discount (even though I am convinced I don't look a day over 34).

    Anyway, this incident prompted me to do some research and I came across a list of restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, travel deals and other types of offers giving various discounts with different age requirements.

I was actually surprised to see how many there are and how some of them start at the young age of 50.

    This list may not only be useful for you, your friends and family, but it might also be appreciated by your clients. You might consider sending them an e-mail about it and link to our site in the e-mail, or maybe include it in your newsletter.
   
Hmmmm, Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55.
If you're paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for free.

Restaurants

    Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
    Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
    Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
    Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
    Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
    Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
    Burger King: 10% off (60+)
    Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
    Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
    Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
    CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
    Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
    Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
    Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
    Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
    Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
    Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
    Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
    Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
    IHOP: 10% off (55+)
    Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
    KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
    Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
    Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations    (55+)
    McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
    Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
    Shoney’s: 10% off
    Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
    Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
    Subway: 10% off (60+)
    Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
    Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
    TCBY: 10% off (55+)
    Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
    Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
    Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
    Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
    White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail And Apparel 

    Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
    Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
    Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
    Big Lots: 10% off
    Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
    C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
    Clarks: 10% off (62+)
    Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
    Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
    Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
    Kmart: 20% off (50+)
    Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
    Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
    Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
    Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
    The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
    Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month    (55+)
Grocery 

    Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
    American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
    Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
    DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
    Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
    Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off    every Monday (55+)
    Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
    Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
    Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
    Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
    Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
    Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
    The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
    Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
    Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
    Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)
Travel 

    Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
    Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
    American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for    discount)
    Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
    Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
    Best Western: 10% off (55+)
    Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
    Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club &  special fares for select destinations
    Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
    Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
    Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
    Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
    Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
    Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
    Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
    InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
    Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+);    20%-30% off (60+)
    Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
    Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
    Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
    National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
    Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking    for discount)
    Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
    United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking    for discount)
    U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for    discount)
Activities And Entertainment 

    AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
    Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
    Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
    Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
    Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
    U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services    including camping (62+)
    Regal Cinemas: 30% off
    Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
    SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Cell Phone Discounts

    AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
    Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
    Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

    Miscellaneous

    Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
    Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

    I have already been told that A&P supermarkets offers 5% off to people    over 55 every Tuesday. If you know of any other senior deals that aren't on    the list, please add them in the comment section of my blog.

Yom Kippur ...... המשפחה היא חשובה ביותר

I don't know about you, but many made some real mistakes in the past year.

Some because they were lazy and others because they were truly destructive, greedy or simply narcissistic.

Mistakes are part of life. But whether its justified or not, the damage has been done.

During the ten days of repentance, I'm reviewing my actions from the past year, apologizing to certain individuals for things I did wrong and redoubling my efforts to do more things right.  As Yom Kippur approaches, I hope we will be able to make 5772 even better than last year.

And for those who separate responsible, loving parents from their children - there is no forgiveness.  As this time can never be made up!

There is nothing worse in life than the suffering of being seperated from your children - children that need BOTH parents.

For me, it has now been exactly one year that my children and I have not held hands, embraced or laughed together.

For those who have and continue to make every true effort to reunite caring, loving and responsible parents with their children, those who uphold the sacred principles of Shalom Biet, I say G-d bless you and your family.

May you have an easy fast. May you enjoy a long, peaceful and healthy life.
May you be recognized for not being selfish and judgemental. But rather rewarded for your  unconditional  goodness, sincere caring and being responsible for a child's love and well being.

That you, I and my children will soon break bread together.

Nothing is more important than family.

המשפחה היא חשובה ביותר

Shana Tova.

Best wishes,
Joel, Lior, David and Amanda Leyden