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introspection

Let’s Get to the Good Stuff

Jon Gorman | Editor-In-Chief

I’m flat out sick and tired, beat down, over and out, done with the news.

I know. This might sound hypocritical coming from a communications guy who chose journalism as a career. But the reality is I find it difficult to stomach the headlines, sound bytes, and video clips of the underbelly of our society and the terrible events afflicting millions worldwide. Where’s the good, uplifting, life-changing, opinion-altering, inspire-you-to-do-better news? I’m not suggesting that bad news is bad. Real people are suffering in this world, and it’s important to know, empathize with, and possibly be moved to action in helping others. I’d just like to see the bad news’ proportion with the good stuff get closer to 50/50.

For example, during the first part of February, I couldn’t escape the news of the Georgia sugar refinery explosions costing four blue-collar workers their lives, tornados decimating the South and killing nearly 50, a winter storm in China resulting in the deaths of 129, five shot to death at a city-council meeting in Missouri, a male Indiana swim coach arrested for putting video cameras in girls’ locker rooms, mass mob arrests in the United States and Italy (I guess that’s technically good news), mentally retarded women in Iraq used as suicide bombers, a recruiting video used by Al Queda featuring children, Joran van der Sloot arrested again on charges related to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, and a Louisiana college student killing two and herself. And how could I forget the ongoing saga of Britney Spears’ mental health and custody hearings, and Disney’s announcement of plans to create a live performance attraction based on “American Idol.” Talk about horrific news.

There are good things going on in this world, and too few column inches and too little air time are devoted to the events and people affecting this world for the better.

So for this issue, no hurricanes, no politicians with personal vendettas on an entire industry, no homeowners’ insurance crises, no attorney general investigations, and no expiring insurance laws critical to our industry. It’s time for some good news.

While it may not be a moment to which many parents look forward, your son or daughter, or grandchild turning 16 means another new inexperienced driver on the road. But the technology that’s available should comfort some, be considered a learning tool to others, and a deterrent to bad driving behaviors of newly licensed drivers. Staff writer Lindsay Robison shares with us how technology that’s been around for years is being used to ease the minds of many parents and is helping to improve the driving habits of teen drivers.

Additionally, staff editor Lisa Floreancig explores the growing use of event marketing by the insurance industry. Following the conclusion of the 2007 NASCAR season, Nationwide announced that it would be the title sponsor for NASCAR’s second-most popular motorsports series. Watch the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl? Then you probably noticed that it was presented by State Farm. These are just two examples of the value insurance companies are seeing in partnering with events, whether in a local market or nationwide, and how advertising dollars are increasing in this highly effective segment.

Next, contributing writer Dave Willis profiles test drivers who are helping auto manufacturers develop safer cars and trucks. Willis profiles the test-crash dummies employed by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and shares with us how the highly technological dummies (a new word should probably be employed considering the sophisticated computer systems involved) are saving lives.

So through the industry’s efforts at combining technology, sophistication, good business sense, and savvy relationship building, we’re able to provide this full slate of good news.

And while the final civic-minded story has at its root a tragic event (the devastating wildfires in San Diego), the story of a dedicated agent who cut short her once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Israel to be with her family, friends, and clients will provide yet another example of why you should be proud to be a part of this industry.