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

Someone get Zhang Ziyi on the phone. I assume she’ll want to update her memoirs. Actually, it’s Victoria’s Secret that’ll want to update its records. The lingerie retailer is facing backlash and racist accusations for its “sexy little geisha” outfit, part of the brand’s “Go East” collection, which when visited online, now automatically redirects customers to the company’s home page. Guess we now know why the brand was, and appears still to be, looking for a new copy manager.

It seems Dolce and Gabbana is trying to upstage Victoria’s Secret in the offensive clothing line category. The fashion house’s spring 2013 line features frocks and earring adorned with African slaves. The Refinery29 blog called them “cartoonish, debasing, subaltern imagery that would make even your politically incorrect Grandpa think twice.”

The good news for both clothing lines is that the NFL is attracting most of the media’s heat this week as the league fumbles through its replacement ref controversy. As PR Daily reported Tuesday, the league’s reputation is in danger after what’s being called the “worst call ever.” Enter WGBA, Green Bay’s NBC affiliate that ribbed the NFL and its temporary officials by bringing in a “replacement weather guy” to do the forecast.



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

Although it likely won’t steal pro football’s humiliation limelight, the University of Minnesota at Crookston suffered slight embarrassment when its logo on the field was incorrectly painted at the 45-yard line rather than that of the 50.

Don’t feel too bad, Crookston. At least your parent didn’t say he liked the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities or Duluth better than you. Sure, they might think it, but to say it aloud is another story. Canadian radio host Buzz Bishop, on the other hand, did when he took to parenting blog Babble, declaring, “Yes, I have a favorite son and I’m not ashamed to admit it.”

Meanwhile, hosts on NBC’s “Today” continue their game of musical chairs following a series of lackluster ratings for the morning show, not to mention its shameful booting of Ann Curry from the co-anchors’ desk. This time, its co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Willie Giest, who is joining the third hour of the program.

Just don’t get too comfortable, Willie. You’d be smart to have your references in order if “Today” producers squeeze you out. Luckily, professional social network LinkedIn has introduced Endorsements, a way for people to earn recognition for their skills and achievements.


[Related: How (and why) to upgrade to LinkedIn’s new company pages]

Don’t hold your breath for an endorsement if you’re prone to procrastination. And if you’re not sure whether you are a true procrastinator, this flowchart might help you sort it out. If you don’t want to click the link just yet, that might also be your answer. But don’t fret—I’ve included it below.



Marketers can’t afford to procrastinate. In fact, to be truly successful in their jobs, they should be quite agile, argues HubSpot Blog’s Corey. Read his seven reasons why.

Is there something you think we should include in our next edition of #TheDailySpin? Tweet me @iquotesometimes with your suggestions. Thanks in advance.

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