Can teaching media literacy really change the world? Researchers predict that, in 2015, the average American will spend more than fifteen hours every day listening, reading, clicking, and viewing media. Without question, television, films, radio, and music, the Internet, social media, news programs, and books and magazines are part of our daily lives. And while some claim that all of this media consumption is detrimental to society, the truth is it doesn't have to be. Times have changed. Technology connects us today in new and exciting ways. We have more choices and more control than ever, regarding what and when we will watch, listen to, and read. And, as Julie Smith explains in Master the Media: How Teaching Media Literacy Can Save Our Plugged-in World, with that control comes a heightened level of responsibility to think critically about the content we consume. Written to help teachers and parents educate the next generation, Master the Media explains the history, purpose, and messages behind the media. The point isn't to get kids to unplug; it's to help them make informed choices, understand the difference between truth and lies, and discern perception from reality. Critical thinking leads to smarter decisions-and it's why media literacy can save the world.

Social media is not about social media. It's about leadership and connections. Billions of conversations are taking place in social networks every day. But for busy executives and business owners, time constraints make it hard to dedicate time to demystifying these communication opportunities. In The Social Executive, readers are given evidence-based, data-driven strategies for mastering social media, and using it to enable business success. This book's easy, straightforward, practical style ensures that you will gain a solid working platform in the shortest amount of time possible. The focus is on the reasons why social media is important for executives, and how it aligns perfectly with business strategies. The Social Executive is for analogue people who know they need to be digital but need a guiding hand - the book is a safety net - it's saying - we will guide you there - we will tell you why - we will tell you how - let us help you to remain relevant and become more influential - it's about human communication. It gives the tips and tools to adapt to new online environments, and the confidence to use them to build credibility, authority deeper and new business relationships. Written by Dionne Kasian-Lew, an expert who has advised many executives on the topic of corporate social media use, this resource also helps professionals pinpoint the most important social networks to invest time in, and explores which platforms are best suited for various communication goals. Brings together strategy and concrete actions, so can learn not only the most rewarding approaches, but how best to carry them out Delves into the benefits of a strong presence on the most popular social networks, including Twitter, LinkedIn, SlideShare, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube Presents hard evidence that shows the positive results of investing time and energy in social networks Focuses on the most important aspects of social networks that can be learned in a short period, and is designed for busy professionals Social networks represent a powerful way to make connections and draw attention and interest to your company. This resource can help you hit the ground running and become social media savvy efficiently and effectively.

"What's your company's social media policy? Probably shortsighted. Business social media, or, social networking, has become more than a global phenomenon. When combined with your online presence and online outreach, it's a global business phenomenon and a revenue generating phenomenon..."--Dust jacket flap.

Praise for Master the Media to Attract Your Ideal Clients "This book is a marketing masterpiece. It should be required reading for all financial professionals." -Janine Wertheim, Chief Marketing Officer Securities America, Inc. "Marketing is the lifeblood of any practice. The media is the most effective and cost-efficient way to market. Unfortunately, most practitioners only dream of media attention. No more-Derrick Kinney delivers on his promise to help you 'master the media.'" -Harold Evensky, CFP author, Wealth Management "This fast-moving, practical book gives you a step-by-step process to multiply your results and dramatically increase your exposure and name recognition. A classic!" -Brian Tracy, President, Brian Tracy International author, Create Your Own Future "Kinney offers an easy and effective 'how-to' approach for financial producers to gain recognition and credibility by becoming media sources. If you want to take your business to the next level, this book can help you get there." -Gail S. Waisanen, CLU, Editor, Life Insurance Selling "Derrick Kinney has built an effective marketing system that every advisor can use to help grow their business and attract more profitable clients." -John J. Bowen Jr., CEO, CEG Worldwide, LLC columnist for Financial Planning

In 101 Mixed Media Techniques, artists of all backgrounds and skill levels will learn and explore fun, cutting-edge techniques in the popular genre of mixed media art. Mixed media enthusiasts will enjoy learning the essential concepts for creating their own mixed media art—whether they are experienced in its approaches or just starting out. 101 Mixed Media Techniques features a wide variety of traditional and eclectic techniques, including drawing and painting, stamping, stitching, using photos, prepping backgrounds, working with wax, using different kinds of inks, collaging, journaling, and working with encaustics. Multiple ways to use each technique are provided to inspire and nurture creative freedom in every artist. Each technique is presented in a step-by-step format, beginning with an overview of the required tools and materials. The instructions are straightforward and approachable, so artists of all levels can master them with ease. The engaging and accessible format caters to individual learning preferences, allowing artists to focus on a single technique or several at a time. Readers will not only learn a variety of techniques, but will also discover new ideas and inspiration for using the techniques in their own projects. With so many options to choose from, 101 Mixed Media Techniques has something for every artist and is sure to inspire new forms of creativity.

For many tabletop RPG players, the joy of an in-depth game is that anything can happen. Typical adventure modules include a map of the adventure’s primary location, but every other location?whether it's a woodland clearing, a random apothecary or the depths of a temple players elect to explore?has to be improvised on the fly by the Game Master. As every GM knows, no matter how many story hooks, maps or NPCs you painstakingly create during session prep, your best-laid plans are often foiled by your players' whims, extreme skill check successes (or critical fails) or their playful refusal to stay on task. In a game packed with infinite possibilities, what are GMs supposed to do when their players choose those for which they're not prepared? The Game Master’s Book of Random Encounters provides an unbeatable solution. This massive tome is divided into location categories, each of which can stand alone as a small stop as part of a larger campaign. As an example, the “Taverns, Inns, Shops & Guild Halls” section includes maps for 19 unique spaces, as well as multiple encounter tables designed to help GMs fill in the sights, sounds, smells and proprietors of a given location, allowing for each location in the book to be augmented and populated on the fly while still ensuring memorable moments for all your players. Each map is presented at scale on grid, enabling GMs to determine exactly where all of the characters are in relation to one another and anyone (or anything) else in the space, critical information should any combat or other movement-based action occur. Perhaps more useful than its nearly 100 maps, the book's one-shot generator features all the story hooks necessary for GMs to use these maps as part of an interconnected and contained adventure. Featuring eight unique campaign drivers that lead players through several of the book's provided maps, the random tables associated with each stage in the adventure allow for nearly three million different outcomes, making The Game Master's Book of Random Encounters an incredible investment for any would-be GM. The book also includes a Random NPC Generator to help you create intriguing characters your players will love (or love to hate), as well as a Party Makeup Maker for establishing connections among your PCs so you can weave together a disparate group of adventurers with just a few dice rolls. Locations include taverns, temples, inns, animal/creature lairs, gatehouses, courts, ships, laboratories and more, with adventure hooks that run the gamut from frantic rooftop chases to deep cellar dungeon-crawls, with a total of 97 maps, more than 150 tables and millions of possible adventures. No matter where your players end up, they'll have someone or something to persuade or deceive, impress or destroy. As always, the choice is theirs. But no matter what they choose, with The Game Master's Book of Random Encounters, you'll be ready.

Master Media Relations is a comprehensive strategy for communicating with the media whether on the offensive or the defensive. This book supplies professionals across many diverse fields with the tools they need to generate good publicity, deflect negative coverage, answer questions on the fly, and handle reporters under any given circumstance. Public officials, law enforcement agents, attorneys, business owners, administrators, non-profits, and all spokespersons will learn from this guide how to steer the direction of a news story. Master Media Relations educates news sources on the realities and fundamentals of media contact: How to handle media interviews How to derail negative publicity How to manage public information in a crisis situation How to craft a story idea to promote an agenda or project How to build a relationship with reporters How to counteract errors and misquotes How to prepare for televised interviews and photos How to write effective press releases and take quality news photos