How do you market a book that combines serious history, irreverent humor, and cartoons? That was the challenge facing author-cartoonist Stan Mack (creator of the legendary "Village Voice" comic strip "Stan Mack's Real Life Funnies" and the "Adweek" strip "Out-takes") and his publisher, NBM, for Stan's new book, "Taxes, The Tea Party and Those Revolting Rebels," which hit bookstores this fall. I talked to my friend Stan about how he and NBM have been tackling the job.

The Beastie Boys were ahead of their time with their song "Remote Control," talking about the dissonance coming from a multitude of living room devices -- if they only knew how that dissonance would grow with multiple connected entertainment devices. If only our daily lives were so simple as the remote from the cable box and the Xbox.

The new look of the American family.

Entertainment marketing is the only business where every product is an event and every product is its own brand. Take a look at the top 10 movies right now. You'll see 10 different brands with their own budgets, imaging and value propositions. The only thing wrong with that picture is that entertainment marketers are relying too much on TV and display advertising and not enough on innovative approaches to reach their audiences.

How to have a winning awards season

To thrive in the digital age, marketers at media and entertainment brands are tasked with building profitable relationships directly with their customers, finding new ways to generate revenue from their rich content assets. Every day, they must delight fans by providing free and engaging content, while funneling them to the most valuable properties, personalities or other revenue-generating sections of their site. It's a challenge that many marketers face, but in my opinion entertainment companies have the toughest challenge.

Cut Copy's song "Need You Now" reminded me of what iPhone fans were probably thinking as they drooled over their monitors watching the official introduction of iPhone 5. And, if you're like a lot of iPhone fans, you woke up Sept. 12 and thought it felt like Christmas or Hanukah and couldn't wait to see what the elves in Cupertino had cooked up for the iPhone 5.

Surprised that viewership was down by almost 50% for the VMAs this year? I'm not. And that dip isn't necessarily a bad thing.

There's a good chance you're reading this on your phone. Like many people, I have become somewhat addicted to my smartphone, multi-tasking my way through the day with Siri, while I watch television, listen to the radio, use my laptop or tablet, commute, shop, you name it. I even use its other functions while I chat on the phone! The latest data indicate I am not alone.

On any given Monday, there are two types of executives in Hollywood; Type B has just seen the take from an opening weekend, and it's way below expectations. Type B would like to hide under the desk. Type A can't wait to walk the halls, get a coffee and maybe exchange some fist bumps, because Type A's movie has absolutely nailed its opening weekend.