Author Archives: debmcalister

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About debmcalister

I'm a Dallas-based marketing consultant and writer, who specializes in helping start-up technology companies grow. I write (books, articles, and blogs) about marketing, technology, and social media. This blog is about all of those -- and the funny ways in which they interesect with everyday life. It's also the place where I publish general articles on topics that interest me -- including commentary about the acting and film communities, since I have both a son and grandson who are performers.

Complying with Rules When Words Have Two Meanings

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Jimmy Paige, Robert Plant, 1970, Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Copyright Deb McAlister, All Rights Reserved. “There’s a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure ‘Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings…” –Jimmy Paige, Robert Plant, Stairway to … Continue reading

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7 “Must Know” Facts about Social Media & Digital Marketing


Yesterday, I was a panelist at a webinar  on marketing and compliance.  Edgar Rodriguez and Mike Wise were the other panelists, and the session was great. The complete presentation is available for download by clicking here. The audience seemed to really like … Continue reading

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Senate Poised to Change the Rules of the Road for Marketers

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Three U.S. Senators and two bills in the U.S. Senate appear poised to change the basic rules for anyone involved in using Internet, email, or social media services.  Senator Jay Rockefeller’s Do Not Track Act of 2011 and the Commercial … Continue reading

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Copyright Troll Sues 23,000 over Stallone Film

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I was shocked late last week to hear that my neighbor was one of 23,000 people targeted in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by the copyright trolls at the U.S. Copyright Group (USCG). I wasn’t shocked that the “bounty hunters” … Continue reading

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Teen Arrested in Facebook “Hot Girls” Rating Not the First – Or Last

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Volunteering for a “hot or not” app on Facebook is one thing — rating sex acts allegedly performed by underage girls is quite different. The blogosphere buzzed this week with outraged comments about the arrest of a 17-year-old Oak Park, IL … Continue reading

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Don’t Try to SLAPP a Texan

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My husband’s family has been in Texas so long that if you walk into the Alamo, there’s a quote by one of his ancestors up on the back wall (“Let me give my life for Texas” – Tapley Holland). Mine … Continue reading

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How to complain the 2011 way

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  It’s Friday the 13th, so I thought a little humor might be in order — hope everyone has a great day! Join me for a free webinar on May 19: Marketing & Compliance in a Regulated Environment.    Answer … Continue reading

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Does CAN SPAM Apply to Social Media?

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The Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (“CAN-SPAM law” 15 U.S.C. § 7701) passed in 2003 requires that businesses using email to market products or services have to meet certain basic requirements including: Providing accurate sender information … Continue reading

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Who should pay the copyright police?

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Nate Anderson wrote a fascinating article last week in the Ars Technical Law & Disorder report titled Unhappy Mounties sick of being private copyright cops   Based in part on recently released documents from the U.S. and Canada, as well as … Continue reading

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Free Webinar May 19 – Digital and Social Media Compliance: Rules of the Road

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I’m thrilled to be presenting on May 19 with social media guru Mike Wise at a webinar titled: Marketing & Compliance in a Regulated Environment:  “Rules of the Road” for Digital & Social Media. Anyone who works in insurance or financial … Continue reading

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