My hand firmly grasping the remote, I was "couch surfing" the other day. You know how it is - over 2000 channels and still... there's nothing worth watching.

Suddenly I came across the Crocodile Hunter battling some prehistoric-like creature in the Aussie brush. I thought, here's my old friend Steve Irwin, animal enthusiast, environmentalist and master marketer, dead and gone, yet his show is still in reruns.

But wait... this wasn't a re-run! This was new. It was being narrated by Bindi, Steve and Terri's little daughter. She was articulate, interesting, and REAL. This was just another extension of the fabulous enterprise that Steve had built.

When I was last in Australia, I was told by many that they believed that Steve had done more for the country economically than the last two Prime Ministers had. Now his daughter is carrying on this enthusiasm. Not only does Bindi, all of nine years old this year, host the Crocodile Hunter but she has her own TV series on Discovery for Kids dubbed "Jungle Girl," she has released her first CD of her music and she even has a line of clothes for kids called "Bindi Wear!"

Crikey! What a capacity for change Steve has. Even in death, his brand is unstoppable.

We're undergoing some changes here at the SBA Network as well. As many know I have had a radio show on the CBS Radio Network for over 10 years that I have recently abandoned in favor of a brash new change. Many have told me that I'm nuts! Perhaps they are correct. Nevertheless, our NEW show, Small Business Radio, debuts this Friday on one of the largest Internet radio networks in the world. The show airs LIVE every Friday at 4pm Pacific time. We will take your calls and every week we will feature a business expert. Click on the player above to access the show LIVE or hear archives of past shows.

-Mark Deo

Labels: change, radio