#246 Phil

Today is Groundhog Day.  It sounds like one of those obscure events that I referenced in Blog # 243, but it is actually widely celebrated.  Why is that?  Because of Phil, of course.  Punxsutawney Phil in the lovely hamlet of Punxsutawney, PA.

Phil's descendants became the focus of a cabin-fever party way back in 1887 and the revelry has been growing in popularity ever since.  Whether or not Phil sees his shadow seems to be incidental to the festivities.  

Over 35,000 people are expected to descend on this town (normal population 5,935) to watch a rodent come out of a hole.  It is marketing genius.  

What can you brand within your organization like Punxsutawney celebrates Phil?  Think about it.  If a remote town can attract seven times its population to watch an over sized ground squirrel and get 20 million (!) hits on its www.groundhog.org website -- well, surely you should be able to come up with a festive little ditty of your own. 

Give it a try.  Especially if Phil sees his shadow and you are burrowed in for six more weeks of winter and have lots of time to think about it.

-- beth triplett
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