Samba-loving PR executive Patrice Tanaka is celebrating her birthday today and as a gift to young PR professionals, she’s offered eight pieces of advice.

Speaking of birthdays, Happy Bastille Day—birth of the French Revolution. Time, once again, to (re)learn more about it, so you can forget until next year.

‘Like’ v. ‘Plus’—the battle’s on. Proclaim your social button.

High Five! In an effort with marketing agency B.R. Zoom, ESPN launched a project to aid advertisers in finding the most receptive audiences for their brands, fabricating a campaign with the High 5 candy bar as its promotional placebo.

And speaking of fictitious treats—what’s it really like inside Wonka’s factory? Creativity offers an insider’s look, or experience it for yourself.

Planking is so last spring. Summer is all about owling—hootie hoo!

Emmy nods are out. SPOILER ALERT: Charlie Sheen … #NOTwinning.

Also announced, winners of Google’s first-ever science fair. And the giant Lego trophies went to …

A study from MIT shows that ratings methods, such as those found on Amazon and Netflix, are “fundamentally flawed.” Recommendation systems should instead have people compare products and services rather than star them. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down, Ebert?

And finally, is it wrong that to feel more inspired to donate to this cause than those horrible animal cruelty ones? (via AgencySpy)