Goodness gracious, people. The next Harry Potter book is already topping Amazon's bestseller list, five months before it will even ship. Good Vibration: Guide to Sex appears to be the Valentine's Day Favourite. Time to take a cold shower.

Elections Parliament seems to be a magnet for spinners and country members

Bob Carr, Malthus of ‘Bra, sticks to the good news stories and heart-rending photo opportunities with fire victims. He tends to leave all the tough questions to Environment and Emergency Services Minister Bob Debus, one of the few Ministers who can function without being force-fed lines by a press secretary.
· Good Mountains of News [Crikey]

Residents in a small mountain town near Geneva have voted via the Internet for the first time in Switzerland.
· Cantonal Town Hall [NZZ]

Media Snips of Reputations

Spin doctors now have a vital role in devising corporate strategy. They are nothing like the old-style press officer – the two species have as much in common as the gorilla and the parrot. The communications chief is a strategist, lobbyist, front man (or woman), public campaigner and risk manager.
· Risk Massagers [The Media of the Australian]