From the Editor
Mike Hofman

News Round-up: Bobby Flay, Global Warming, Gay Marriage, and More

 

I was at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic this past weekend, and there were a number of entrepreneurial tidbits from the likes of Chuck Porter of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Mark Ecko, Top Chef Tom Colicchio (Inc.'s July cover subject), and Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group, who was one of Bo Burlingham's original "Small Giants."

One of the hot questions, of course, was about how chefs and restaurateurs can put together a winning media strategy. On this point, Bobby Flay of Mesa Grill and Bar Americain in New York City, urged restraint: "You have to do smart TV," he said. "It's the things you don't do that make you. I was offered a Burger King endorsement, for example. I don't have anything against Burger King, but it's not me. I wouldn't do it for any amount of money." (For more on the conference, check out Ben Leventhal's snarky coverage at Eater.com.

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The high-technology industry could potentially exacerbate global warming in the next few years, as more people around the world embrace personal technology, according to a new report picked up by the San Francisco Chronicle. The good news is that the industry is also in a better position than most to curb its environmental footprint. "The report looked in detail at four activities that are big contributors to global warming that the high-tech industry could change, partly by creating tools that would measure and monitor energy consumption and hold companies accountable," the paper reports. "They are: creating efficient motor systems in China; efficient warehousing, transportation and delivery of products in Europe; efficient buildings in North America; and efficient power grids in India." (Here's the article.)


To read the report, go to Smart2020.org.


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Over at the Marketing Sherpa blog, Anne Holland wonders why more companies haven't added "call me now" buttons to their websites.

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California's economy took a turn for the worse this week, as the state reported significant job losses in the past month. But some people or wondering whether the recent legalization of gay marriage could provide the state with a much needed boost. Cities enjoy a surge in marriage license filing fees, and many service businesses will make a bundle with the rush of weddings.

"Citing pent-up demand, one UCLA study projects that same-sex unions could provide a $370-million shot in the arm to the state economy over the next three years," the Los Angeles Times reports.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal < a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121392497222290721.html?mod=SmallBusinessMain_feature_articles">reports that West Hollywood, a gay enclave in Los Angeles, is aggressively marketing itself as a wedding destination for out-of-state gay couples. California, unlike Massachusetts, will allow residents of other states to marry.

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Finally, a classic story of adding insult to injury: the car company Tesla is, according to Valleywag, going to delay delivery of a car to former CEO Martin Eberhard. Seems a test driver crashed it.

To read more about Eberhard's occasionally testy relationship with Tesla's principal investor, Elon Musk, check out Inc. writer Max Chafkin's profile of Musk in the December issue.


Mike Hofman was previously editor of Inc.com and a deputy editor at Inc. magazine, which he joined in 1996. The site was nominated for a National Magazine Award for Digital Media in 2010, and was named the best business website by Folio Magazine. In 2006, Hofman was part of a team of writers nominated for a Webby Award for best business blog. He lives in New York City. @mikehofman