Please, Do Not Use The "M" Word When Speaking About Balloons!

The balloons in this image are made of FOIL. Over the short, 25 years or so, life of the FOIL balloon, a large misuse of the "M" word has been going on everyday. Looking back at some of our older catalogs, I see that I too have been guilty of this atrocity.

I do not believe this use is a negative for the makers of "M". I believe it actually helps to build their brand. The balloon industry has made efforts to avoid & even eliminate the use of the "M" word, however; it is very difficult to change an ingrained public habit. I have caught most my staff using it, in just the past few weeks.

Why would the balloon industry, let alone the maker of "M" want to make this change? For the industry, so the "M" guys can leave us alone?


I received an email from a watchdog group hired by "M", to examine our industry & our use of the "M" word. I was very pleased when I did a little research on the Brody's 800-4-Balloons web site & found only 17 public uses of the "M" word (F.Y.I., we have over 8,000 items on our site). I was even happier when none of those uses, was associated with BALLOONS! I immediately replaced the "M" word with FOIL in each case. The watchdog's email also noted some 400 plus times where Brody's 800-4-Balloons had the "M" word in our meta tags. We are removing these! So, if you search "M" balloons you won't find us! Brody's 800-4-Balloons is a good corporate citizen thanks to these efforts.

My web research into our industry speaks volumes about the wide-spread misuse of the "M" word. Companies have the whole word in their names! They are using it in their descriptive copy and are even purchasing the search phrase "M---- Balloons!" I would suggest the "M" people go after Google & make them stop selling anything to do with the "M" word & balloons. I am sure there is a big difference between the foil material balloons are made of, & the "M" stuff. So let's respect those differences. Our recent presidential election was all about acceptance & change, I see an opportunity for unification in the balloon industry. We do not sell "M" balloons, "warm fuzzies" & "happiness" is what we sell, no matter what anyone calls the material!


I suggest we all expand our vocabularies with better descriptive words; such as, Foil, Metallic, Reflective, Silver, Holographic, Magnificent, over-the-top, WOW, Supra-Foil (You go Qualatex), Xtra-Life (by Anagram). So get out there and sell the "H" out of these wonderful balloons, but remember, call them FOIL balloons, please. Thanks for your cooperation. Lee

Bittersweet times of our lives....

I received this picture today, as you might guess it is a mother and daughter. The mothers is Brody's, Anagram International CSR. I see in this picture, happiness, sadness, joy, caring, fear, longing & love. You might see other thing as well, but we (parents & even children of parents) understand the richness of such moments.

It was 10 years ago today that my father, the man who shaped me & taught me everything he could, lay on his death bed preparing to go somewhere he had never been before. I was happy for him, truly! I was very sad to see him go, but I knew he wasn't happy in his body anymore & needed to move beyond it. He was in hospice. My brothers & I had decided that one of us would stay at his house with him & our mother on alternating nights until something changed. I had spent the previous night & had not slept well. As more & more family members & friends called & stopped by, I felt a need to be with my young family. I found a quite moment with my father to tell him good bye, have fun, I love you. I embraced him one last time & went home knowing, that would be the last time I would see him alive. I was happy with that, I had no urge to see him draw his last breath or to experience the moment of death.

When I got home I was greeted by my 3 loving children ages 10, 6, & 3 as well as my beautiful wife. They where happy to see me. We all talked for a time, we where sad to lose him. Alice (my wife) & I knew he was the glue that held my extended family together. Without him there would be a void with no sign of a way to overcome it. We decided to take a walk in the woods even though it was a cold & grey day. It was a quiet, somber walk, with each of us absorbed in our own thoughts, but we where together & knew we had each other for support. I remember how sweet is was for me to have my little family to cling to and anchor me at this time of my life. I am still amazed that the business was able to survive this period, I believe that speaks to how solid a staff we have & how strong our customer base is.

This period of my life was when I recognized how bittersweet life can be. Terry, I thank you for sharing, & allow me to use your picture as a catalyst! I recognize now that we choose to be happy or sad, angry or accepting, it is our choice. Everything we do is a choice, choose to look for the good, & encourage others to do the same. Lee