ABCNews.com Has Discovered (Gasp!) Women
It seems we can look forward to another year of advertisers and marketers “discovering” women. The 2-year-old ABCNews.com Web site is repackaging itself in a new press kit as a cyber destination for women. Why, all of a sudden, is the 24-hour news source concentrating on attracting us?
“We sent out the press kit because I read some research about women being part of the fastest segment of users going online,” ABCNews.com spokeswomanMichelle Bergman told me. “We wanted to highlight our content that appeals to women.”
The kit tantalizes females with “Wired Women,” a biweekly column reporting on gender issues in cyberspace, online chats with Cokie Roberts and an interactive news program with Sam Donaldson.
That’s all well and good, but what the site (https://www.abcnews.com) really needs to do to appeal to women--well, to this woman at least--is to hire a foxy anchor. Honestly, who wants to chat online with the Spock-like Donaldson? ABC needs a Matt Lauer.
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The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles is dedicated to celebrating the architecture, design and fashion of the 1910s, ‘20s and ‘30s. The organization regularly hosts dances and cocktail parties, lectures and fashion shows where members dress the part in vintage kimonos, harem pants, flapper dresses and cloche hats.
Well, now members are getting a chance to create their own Art Deco fashions in the “Vionnet Couture Class.” The 12-class workshop begins Jan. 18 and includes all the pattern-making, fabric selection, sewing, fittings and field trips involved in creating a period gown cut on the bias, a style popularized by French fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet. Information: (323) 735-3512.
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Like mother, like son. The London Times reports Prince William is England’s newest fashion icon. Manufacturers reported increased sales after the future king wore a pair of Ray-Ban wraparound sunglasses at a recent polo match (he is wearing them on this week’s National Enquirer cover). The stylish shades, so closely associated with the snowboarding and skating culture of Southern California, have become the latest must-have for teenage Sloane Rangers.
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Those who think--as I do--that the news weeklies’ “People of the Millennium” lists gave insultingly short shrift to women should check out Women.com’s “100 Women of the Millennium.”
Some names on the list: Harriet Tubman, Margaret Sanger, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Rachel Carson, Rosa Parks, Betty Friedan, Golda Meir, Sandra Day O’Connor, Georgia O’Keeffe and Madonna--the pop singer, not the mother of Jesus. Wrong millennium.
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One more item about the millennium, then I promise to shut up: On Monday’s “Tonight Show,” Jay Leno poked fun at L.A.’s lame New Year’s Eve celebration, apologizing to the nation on behalf of our city, then reenacting the totally underwhelming lighting of the Hollywood sign.
His audience assisted with a mock countdown and at “midnight,” Leno unveiled a miniature cardboard cutout of the famous landmark, which he illuminated with a tiny flashlight.
Yep, that was about the size of it.
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Booth Moore can be reached at booth.moore@latimes.com.
