Maybe you can get a couple of helpful hints by viewing our conversation on the Georgia Public Broadcasting website.

As always, I welcome your comments.

Obviously, selecting those that shine the brightest and are best defined in the minds of the American public is a bit subjective yet criteria for selection are public awareness, authenticity and a well-defined personal brand identity. These are the same criteria that make a consumer product a strong brand. The more clear and concise the image other people have of them, the more memorable and impactful they are.

So, these are my Top 10 Personal Brand picks in America for 2008.

1. President Barack Obama – Sworn in on January 20, 2009, Obama became the 44^th president of the United States. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, President Obama has credentials beyond reproach. He was the first African American to become president of the Harvard Law Review and was elected senator of Illinois in 2004. Brand Obama is more than intelligence; he is a world-class communicator, collaborator and compassionate leader. He has planted a strong seed of optimism during the greatest economic challenges since the Great Depression, leading with a genuine smile. President Obama is THE power brand of today.
2. First Lady Michelle Obama – Mrs. Obama, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, met her future husband when he joined the law firm where she was employed. The mother of their two beautiful children, Malia Ann and Natasha (known as Sasha), Michelle was thrust into the public domain during President Obama’s marathon campaign to the White House. She proved that she could maintain her strong independent mind while letting the world get to know her personal side. Now she is a statement of education, women’s issues, fashion, parenting, communication and the turnaround of America.
3. Oprah Winfrey – Brand Oprah, reached into the democratic process and urged millions of Americans to exercise their privilege, right and obligation to VOTE. By casting her personal support and endorsement to Barack Obama she demonstrated her own willingness to take a stand. Oprah’s entertainment and media impact is huge and growing. Her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Henley-on-Keip, south of Johannesburg, South Africa, is a living statement to her commitment to human betterment. Even her open and honest confessions to the real challenges she has faced with weight management reminded everyone of her realness.
4. Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana was omnipresent during 2008. With her father, Billy Ray Cyrus at her side and the Disney magic, Miley released her album Breakout which debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with first week sales more than 350,000 copies. Not bad for a 16 year-old.
5. Ellen DeGeneres – Fun-loving, married and making people happy on her daily talk show, Ellen has really hit her stride. Dancing her way through each Ellen DeGeneres Show, she has proven that you can be true to yourself while bringing joy into the lives of every day people. This modern Brand Ellen is proving that authenticity and confidence can translate into commercial success. Well done Ellen!
6. Michael Phelps – At a mere 23 years young, Phelps holds 14 career Olympic Gold Medals, a record eight during the Beijing Olympic Games, plus seven current world records in swimming. He has appeared in every major newspaper, the cover of Sports Illustrated and even hosted a season premier of Saturday Night Live.  In spite of the recently released party boy pictures, he remains a strong brand.
7. Brangelina – Really two people, they are known as a single brand.  Brad and Angelina are the ultimate Hollywood duo and we all know them and what they believe in.  They are big-time celebrities, but their brand extends well beyond the silver screen. From their humanitarian efforts spreading from New Orleans to Darfur, perpetual film-making and parenting, the paparazzi can’t seem to get enough of the Brangelina phenomenon.
8. Tina Fey – This 30 Rock star and veteran of Saturday Night Live transformed into a look-alike / act-alike for Sarah Palin. She single handedly galvanized a group of SNL actors with a year of comic relief during the stressful months leading up to the election.  Tina makes America laugh.
9. Anderson Cooper - AC360 has come on strong in the world of television journalism. His years of experience came to the forefront during the Katrina disaster, and now Cooper is a talented prime timer who was right in the thick of reporting the various angles of the election in real time.
10. Joel Osteen – This televangelist connects with millions of viewers each week as the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, a 16,000-seat arena previously home to the Houston Rockets. He is a best-selling author who really came on strong during 2008 with his message of optimism, goodness and empowerment. Whether you buy into his religious foundation or not, his message in these challenging times seems to be a welcome piece of positive news for his growing audience.

Lets face it, America’s Brand Image is in desperate need of a remake and this year’s election could be just the galvanizing force we need.  Already, the world has responded with favorable votes of confidence and now the citizens of the United States can begin to dream about a brighter future.

Clearly, there is much to do and the expectations are high.  With rising unemployment, growing foreclosures in the real estate market, escalating prices of everyday household goods, a meltdown in the financial markets, limited access to credit, two active wars, increasing costs in industrial commodities, price fluctuations in fuel, eroding consumer confidence and so many other issues at stake, what is this great country to do?

Now is the time to undertake a full scale repositioning of “Brand America.”

This country was founded with the fundamental belief that “all people are created equal.”  A united America can rise to this challenge and use this unique time as an opportunity to seek new frontiers, new solutions, and creative alliances that can contribute to our finest turnaround ever.

Never more than now should all Americans recognize this is not a Washington problem, a governmental issue, a Democratic or Republican dilemma, or a legislative predicament. This is a citizen of the USA issue and can become a rally cry in support of a new momentum of CHANGE. A population that was motivated enough to show up in extraordinary numbers to cast their votes for our mutual future can now demonstrate their commitment to this USA recovery.

Creating a new Identity for Brand America will leverage the essence of the entrepreneurial spirit of this country.  Everyone has a chance to pitch in and help this nation build a new future with a strengthened Position both domestically and internationally.  Scientists, mathematicians, business leaders, homemakers, engineers, educators, students, designers, inventors, writers, artists, must come together to solve this multi-faceted challenge. The quicker America realizes this is an US challenge not a THEM problem, the quicker we will configure collaborative long term solutions.

Between now and January 20, 2009, President-elect Obama will make the most important decisions of his life.  He will select the key leaders who will help facilitate this uniting of America.  What type of people with be chosen to begin this important “Repositioning of Brand America?” How will this new group of leaders act as a team to set top priorities? Will the USA citizens have confidence in these important Change Agents?

People are always the X factor of any turnaround story and it will be the people of the USA that will be at the forefront of this renaissance in America.

While President-elect Obama initiates his transition plans, we can all prepare for the future. Lets all look in the mirror and commit to being a part of “Repositioning Brand America.”

Managing Brand YOU, 7 Steps to Creating Your Most Successful Self is now available on digital audio downloads through audible.com in the Business category. You can also download through iTunes.

Gildan Media Corporation has done a great job of putting together the voices of Jerry and Ira in an easy to use “Book on Tape,” format. Hats off to Gilles Dana for his personal belief in the work and commitment to getting this message into a contemporary format.

Download it today and you will have the entire book on your iPod whether you are in your car, on an airplane or just sitting on a commuter train.

ENJOY and please forward your comments.

LEADS at Spelman College delivers on the stated mission of developing and teaching a leadership model based on the experiences of African American women leaders. Through innovative training and mentoring programs, LEADS develops Spelman students, women who have made “a choice to change the world,” into leading women who are leading change.

On September 16th in the Johnetta B. Cole Living and Learning Center Auditorium, LEADS at Spelman College inaugurated yet another outstanding commitment to leadership, The Spelman College Intergenerational Leadership Mentoring Program. Once again, Spelman College is demonstrating its commitment to the great tradition of developing leaders for today and tomorrow. This new Mentoring Program is based on an interactive and mutual relationship among three generations. The Mentoring Program envisions empowering students to develop wise decision-making skills that accelerate their personal, professional, and community service developments. The face-to-face dialogue addresses roadblocks and obstacles to success.

Spelman College students will now be able to engage directly with powerful mentors from fields including legal, business, medicine, architecture, acting, fashion, and community leadership. These one on one nurturing relationships will contribute to new ways of thinking, shared experiences, exciting networks, with dedicated partners in growth. Both mentors and mentees have the opportunity to benefit greatly from this structured mentorship.

Congratulations to LEADS at Spelman College for once again setting the standard for excellence.

First, Phelps has remained focused and proven his willingness to sacrifice in the quest of his inner drive and passion. Swimming has been his area of dedication since age 11 and now he has a record 8 Gold Medals, in a single Olympics, surpassing the previous record of 7 set by Mark Spitz in Munich during the 1972 Games.  He can now boast of having won a total of 14 Gold Medals in the Olympics.

Successful brands focus and sacrifice!

Second,  Phelps used his competition to actually strengthen his own brand.  While swimmers from other countries predicted his inability to win so many Golds, he posted their actual comments in his locker for mental motivation to reach new levels of personal achievement.  This was especially true when the French team openly claimed they would smash the USA team during the relays.

Successful brands beat competitors through differentiation and conviction!

Third, Michael Phelps could not have accomplished his 8 Gold Medals, without winning 3 team relay events.  He understood the power of teamwork and the need for synergy in the pool. In all three relay events, he had to rely on the strength of 3 others in order to stand on the Gold Medal awards platform.

Successful brands have a comprehensive strategy and game plan to win!

USA Swimming is another part of this winning story.  With so many children and adults in America looking for ways to develop themselves mentally and physically swimming emerges as a very viable activity.  One should expect a surge in swimming interest might follow this Phelps-Mania.

Once again only time will tell if Phelps stays true to his own brand positioning and leverages this extraordinary and historical Olympics effort into a greater purpose or cause.

As personal brands, we all have the opportunity to excel in our own area of focus.

What is your own passion?

Are you focusing intensely on what matters to you?

Have you set appropriate long term and short term goals with clear strategies to achieve these objectives?

Michael Phelps is now a Global Brand Icon and he has reached this status through perseverance, focus, and plenty of support from his mother and team mates.

You do not have to be in Beijing going for 8 Gold Medals, to Manage Brand YOU. Take these key learnings from our newest Beijing Champion and determine how you will commit to creating your most successful self.

Best of Success.

Look no further than the city of Seattle for a lasting example of a successful reinvention. Back in the 20th century, Seattle had become one of the shrinking cities in the USA. With a declining defense industry, a struggling logging industry and a climate that was hardly idealistic, Seattle was a city that was losing population and self esteem. At one point, an outdoor billboard expressed the public sentiment with a bold statement, “Will the last person leaving SEATTLE - Turn out the lights.”

Today, Seattle is a vibrant, hip city that has gone through an incredible “brand repositioning.” Fueled by the likes of Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon.com, Alaska Air, Nordstrom, music, technology, innovation and environmentally sensitive lifestyles, Seattle is a great example of the power of reinvention.

During these turbulent times when the news is riddled with yet another corporate downsizing, rising gas prices, and declining home values it is easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. NOW, however, is the perfect time to take stock in your own life situation and consider your own personal reinvention.

Are you in a career that is susceptible to a future downsizing or have you already been the victim of such a restructure? Do you have a bona fide plan for your future? How well are you differentiated in today’s marketplace?

These are just a few questions, everyone from the CEO to a front line worker should be asking themselves before it becomes a reality. This turbulent economy represents tremendous potential for those individuals who are playing to their strengths and true to their inner essence. But everyone should have a personal plan to stand out in the crowd by differentiating themselves with unique skills and capabilities.

10 Tips for Personal Differentiation:

1. Embrace and Accept Change . . . Do Not Fight Reality

2. Be Able to Describe What Makes You Different, Better and Special Compared With Others In A Sentence

3. Learn New and Relevant Skills All The Time

4. Know What You Like To Do and What You Do Not Like To Do

5. Meet New People In Different Areas All The Time

6. Volunteer For Interesting Assignments

7. Take Intelligent Risks

8. Establish and Deliver Your “Brand You Promise”

9. Look For Unfilled Needs That You Can Fulfill

10. Have a Positive Attitude and An Optimistic Mindset

Today is a great day to examine how well you are prepared to win in this turbulent economy. While the prospect of change and uncertainty can be very troubling, taking proactive control of your future is very empowering and quite liberating.

After all if Seattle can reinvent, certainly you can do the same.

Manage Brand You, now and forever.