When we consider tapping into social networking as a means of encouraging customers to laud our brands, some of us recognize that a number of companies have tilled the soil of such mainstream social media services as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Are you pondering a social networking marketing initiative? Is upper management with you, or sitting on the sidelines: More concerned about the potential complaints of critics than the congratulations of customers?

There is reason to be optimistic at year's end, at least in the world of color. Pantone, the global color authority, released its fall '09 forecast and it shows a warmer palette than last year's blue and purple hues.