Every weekday, PR Daily associate editor Alan Pearcy highlights the day’s most compelling stories and amusing marginalia on the Web in this, #TheDailySpin.

Mac & Cheese relationships can be complicated. When I was younger, it me gave the blues—that kid from “Two and a Half Men” got them, too. But now that we’re older and indubitably more mature (eh), we can move beyond the cheap tricks of a song and dance to a more poetic form of celebrating our wavering relationship with “the one in the blue box.” Just watch how Dave Urlakis expresses his deep-seeded feelings performed as a dramatic reading of every last pain-wrenching ingredient, from “enriched macaroni noodles” to “cheese culture.” Snaps.



William Shakespeare never tackled cheese and carbohydrate-inspired sonnets, but his work has inspired countless other writers to pick up a pen—even comic book writers. Trend Hunter shares Ron Wimberly’s “Prince of Cats,” a graphic novel from Vertigo Comics that provides a modern retelling of the Bard’s classic “Romeo and Juliet” while also giving it the hip-hop treatment.

Meanwhile, I assume illustrator and author Bob Staake imagined that kid’s literature could use a modern makeover of its own. Just check out this gallery courtesy of Juxtapoz of some awesomely offensive children’s books he’s dreamt up.

Even children’s toys are getting modernized. The New York Times reports that Build-A-Bear Workshop has hopped on the digital bandwagon, opening new, high-tech stores with more interactive options to cater to today’s digital savvy kids.

Of course, not all technologies were made to stand the test of time. Case in point: these 13 things around the office near extinction.

[Related: 5 office trends and technologies that will soon disappear]

As offices moves forward with technology, employees are getting a tad geekier than in previous years. For marketing agencies, those geeks are often their creative teams, who can be a bit difficult to manage. Thankfully, Inc. has provided this guide for leading such a team.

[Related: 6 steps for media training technical staff]

On the other hand, puppets couldn’t be easier to manage. They just do what they’re told. Take Elmo, for instance. The “Sesame Street” favorite is transitioning for the return of the PBS show’s 43rd season with a new segment called “Elmo the Musical,” where the lovable red Muppet will sing and dance while teaching preschoolers how to solve problems using math, science, and technology.

Educational as it may be, “Sesame Street” has met its share of spoofs in its 43 seasons. From horny vampires to adolescent murderers, The Daily Beast highlights the 10 most inappropriate of the bunch.

I’m sure you could find more if you just searched for them, although when it comes to the ocean floor, there’s no telling what one might encounter—at least not until now. Google Maps has teamed with Catlin Seaview Survey to enable users to explore the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Apo Island in the Philippines and the Molokini Crater and Hanauma Bay in Hawaii via its Streetview technology.



Chalk it up as one more reason I hope that the rumors are true a Google Maps app is in the works for Apple’s iOS 6 software.

[Related: In unlikely twist, NFL and Apple face PR backlash from fans]

Apple might have suffered a snag in the release of its newest software, but it’s not the biggest mistake a brand can make. According to OPEN Forum, that would be a company branding itself into a corner, or essentially, “overbranding.” And no one puts baby in a corner.

Most rational people would assume that no one would put wine anywhere except down the hatch. But they’d be mistaken. Recent happenings at the University of Tennessee have shed light on a new and dangerous alcohol trend called “butt chugging,” a practice in which college kids essentially give themselves wine enemas. As Eater reports, perhaps the worst part in all of this is how many times news anchors are forced to say “butt chugging” on the air. See for yourself:
Is there something you think we should include in our next edition of #TheDailySpin? Tweet me @iquotesometimes with your suggestions. Thanks in advance.