February is also Oscar month. And when times get tough, consumers love to escape to the movies. Despite the ability to rent virtually any film from the comfort of your couch, the old fashioned movie theater is alive and well, with box office sales in the U.S. at close to $10 billion and more than 600 films released annually.
Some psychologists even believe that "movie therapy" can alleviate mental woes. (My guess is, however, that this year's winner, "No Country For Old Men" would not be a tremendous cure for fear and depression.)

The other great American escape is the casino, as evidenced by the $300 billion gaming industry. (Did you know there are five types of legal gambling in the U.S.?
The Internet gambling industry is expected to grow from $12 billion to well over $500 billion by the year 2015. (No, that's not a typo...how frightening is that trend?)

He wasn't good enough for the Donald, but theONswitch thinks he's awesome! Brian Mandelbaum joined our team this month as Chief Marketing Officer. He will also be heading up a NYC office for the company, much to the delight of our Manhattan-based clients. (He did a stint on The Apprentice a few years back and, having enjoyed his 15-minutes of fame, is back to his true loves -- entrepreneurship and marketing.) Welcome Brian!

theONswitch is offering a new marketing service -- blog tours! Want to get on the speaking (or chatting) circuit without leaving your office? It's a great way to build buzz! (The U.S. now boasts more than 60 million blogs.)

Here's are some unique (and truly gross) ideas for self-renewal...
"Couples" plastic surgery was one of the hot Valentines gifts for 20- somethings in China.
And pointed ears supposedly enhance the music listening experience. Even Spock would be appalled!

February, in addition to heralding Chinese New Year, Valentines Day, and Presidents week, marks Nancy A. Shenker's birthday month. Here's how I'm turning middle age into the Age of Aquarius...

Prosperity abounds -- east, west(chester), north and south

The Business Council of Westchester, which helps more than 1,500 members in the county to grow, has engaged theONswitch to develop their 2008 (and beyond) marketing strategy and manage communications efforts.

Sinol, a new all-natural nasal spray almost instantly stops headaches and sinus woes. And we instantly started PR and blog buzz for the product, as we embarked on a major marketing blitz this month.

Confess your un-green sins (as well as your green "a-ha" moments) at MyGreenestHour.com, the newest blog creation for ECOBAGS. CEO Sharon Rowe was just selected as Entrepreneur of the Year by the BCW Hall of Fame. You go (green) girl!

In February, we rolled out the red carpet, and The Picture House gala raised money and was featured in the New York Times Sunday edition.

We didn't sit in the tents or walk the catwalk, but we did help host a suite at NY's Fashion Week, where theONswitch client Oasis Day Spa gave free massages to fashionistas -- including Jaslene of America's Next Top Model.

We already had two camps -- Southwoods/ Summer Trails and Bank Street sign up for our summer marketing/PR co-op (and we haven't even started promoting it yet). Summer industries can get six months of high-quality marketing services for less than it costs to fill a camp trunk. Click here for details.

The Food Bank for Westchester helps the 200K people in the county who risk going hungry. And theONswitch helps The Food Bank raise awareness of their programs...like the upcoming Dream Jam Band family concert in April.

Yonkers Loves Renters was snowed out, but the night still brought 40 warm bodies to this new luxury building. The event is now scheduled for February 26 (tonight). It's not too late to view a new apartment/office - - and Yonkers is a speedy trip from NYC by Metro- North or "The Love Boat."

Shop for spring/summer finery (and schmooze with other bargain-hunters) at the Nancy & Co. March Madness Sale. They're getting ready for their big move to Lexington Avenue and are marking-down great stuff by as much as 90%! And every day will feature a $1 "Buried Treasure" item!

Stay warm...think summer. Join the Executive Moms One-Stop Summer Planning Event and Expo on March 5.

Be sure to stop by our booth at the Mega-Mixer on March 24 at the Tarrytown Marriott. We'll be unveiling theONswitch "How Bright Are You" quiz, and you can enter to win a lime green iPod nano.

The Presidential battle is being waged online this year, with $73 million spent on new media. In fact, there's now even a site dedicated to analyzing the candidates' online marketing strategies.

It's a far cry from the first major Presidential election in 1796 when John Adams refused to campaign and simply stayed at home in Quincy, Massachusetts. (He called the elections a "silly and wicked game.") Bet he would have loved YouTube!

In March, many wear green and start to think green. (St. Patricks Day and Earth Day are right around the corner.) Whether you're light green, forest green, or lime green and purple (like us), you'll find something of interest in next month's 30-Second Current.