WHY YES, THE U.S.-based global media may be at the cusp of a cultural turning point. Check out Fox's TV drama, "Touch," the first post-modern, cross-border, cross-cultural, cross-over-to-the-global-mainstream show on a major network. Launched last month in 100 markets worldwide, the visionary show is a new emerging model, a transnational and transmedia venture that could be the norm a decade from now. Short-term ratings trump all, so "Touch" -- years ahead of its time --may not last long. But the model will thrive in various incarnations.
A WAVE OF risk-taking female entrepreneurs in the Middle East are pitching and launching startups, contrary to popular stereotypes of Arab women, according to the Wall Street Journal. At a recent startup conference hosted by Oasis 500 in Jordan, 40% of the pitches were by women. In Saudi Arabia, women are "an untapped ocean of talent," Glowork.net executive Adbullah Alghadouni told the Journal. Also this week, the MENA Business Women's Network Forum will bring together female entrepreneurs in Dubai. "It would be ironic," Journal reporter Ben Rooney writes, "if a region that is castigated for its attitudes toward women actually turned out to be more welcoming of female entrepreneurs than those doing the castigating."
FOR MODERATES TIRED of political pissing matches, it's always refreshing to hear consensus-builders such as former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, a former Democrat and White House chief of staff during the Reagan era. Respected by anyone who aims dead center, Baker is a master deal-maker who builds trust between parties, rather than divide them. Among other negotiations, he persuaded Russia to stand with the United States in condemning Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in the 1990s, when Iraq was an ally and "client" of Russia. Imagine Baker helping the U.S. and China join forces in the 21st century as economic partners and military allies. Baker spoke recently at the Asia Society in Houston, Texas, on the Pacific Century:
NEW RESEARCH BY global consultant McKinsey shows that companies led by diverse executive teams in the United States and Europe clearly outperform rivals in key financial metrics. Studying 180 publicly-traded companies from 2008 to 2010, McKinsey found that companies with high levels of women and global diversity among executives boasted return on equity (ROE) 53% higher than other companies. The diverse businesses also enjoyed earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)14% higher than other companies.
ANOTHER HYDRA-HEADED ISSUE with no right or wrong answer, no easy resolution. Are U.S.-based multinationals obligated to keep as many jobs, facilities, vendors, and financial resources in America as they possibly can? Even mega-minds such as Laura Tyson are juggling the tough topic, trying to find a common middle ground. (See links below.)
REAL-LIFE CHERRY BLOSSOMS are beautiful. But the man-made images are tired and timeworn. The familiar and traditional need to evolve, or end up in museums and library archives, seen only by tour groups and Ph.d candidates. Global creatives -- like Hawaiian musician Jake Shimabukuro, rock band Bon Jovi, and the digital photographers here -- dodge the cliches and seek out the new. (Also see interesting cherry blossom photos from last spring.)
AT A STANFORD University tech conference three years ago, legendary Texas oil man T. Boone Pickens spoke bluntly about the global energy crisis and the urgent need to use cleaner fuels. Between policy points, the elderly billionaire said: "I can make it to the finish line, but I'm not so sure about our grandchildren . . . For generations to come, this has got to be fixed."
Haunting words, coming not from a soy-eating, tree-hugging, street-protesting U.S. citizen, but from one of the wealthiest and most admired American businessmen and investors of our time. He can buy a natural-gas field quicker than we can fill up our hybrid cars. Enough capitalist cred for you, Business Guy?
