I actually prefer to make the distinction between “media relations and public relations,” but Seth Godin is definitely on to something when he talks about the difference between PR and publicity.

If you haven’t checked out Alltop yet, you should. It describes itself as “an online magazine rack of popular topics.” Think of it as the ultimate RSS reader or your iGoogle page on steroids. It really is a cool resource … and not only because they listed LOHAD on their marketing news page.

Gunaxin has posted a terrific retrospective of discontinued breakfast cereals. Each one of them was undoubtedly brought to market with enthusiasm, supported by marketing plans and research and expertise that suggested success beyond any shadow of a doubt — something worth keeping in mind as you review this extensive gallery.

You can find plenty of people who remember Quisp and Quake, the poster boys of discontinued cereal, but what about OJs? Monopoly cereal? Fruit Brute and Yummy Mummy? Crazy Cow? Crunchy Loggs?

In addition to the obligatory history and occasional snark accompanying each title, Gunaxin has gone the extra mile and provided, where available, commercials for these lost products. The Puffa Puffa Rice spot had found a dusty spot somewhere deep in my memory, so it was fun to see that one once again. And there’s even an excuse to revist an Eddie Murphy routine.

Takeaway for marketers: Those who forget the past, or at least are unaware of the past, are condemned to repeat it.

“Coke’s secret formula: Only two guys in the world know it,” begins this Coca-Cola commercial. “If something happened to one, the formula would be lost … forever.”

Uh … what about the other guy?

There’s a lot of truth in this completely unscientific (yet accurate) look social sites.