January 2008
Fight delayed almost 2 hours - lost, then found my iPhone again.
Social Responsibility in Marketing →
I woke up yesterday thinking about this topic and it’s still on my mind. The other day, my PR team met to brainstorm on media angles for a client that helps large pharmaceutical companies market one-on-one to doctors to increase the prescribing of brand pharmaceutical products. The subject of social responsibility in marketing surfaced.
Sure, pharma companies need to be socially responsible. They...
Prologue is More Than We Are Considering →
Uploaded with plasq’s Skitch!
“Twitter for Wordpress” is what people have been calling Matt Mullenweg’s latest project, and lots of great folks have weighed in on this. But I have a different opinion.
Prologue is (almost) Twitter BEHIND the Firewall
It’s actually spelled out by Mullenweg a little further down the page:
As a completely virtual company with no two people in the same place...
Putting out fires and getting ready for my conference talk - if we get a connection we’ll say hello!
How is it that I got more sleep and feel like I’ve been hit by a truck?
Thick Review for Thin Notebook →
Wonderfully exhaustive review and analysis of the MacBook Air by Jason Snell at Macworld: There is no denying that the MacBook Air’s thinness makes it visually striking. But I’m not convinced of the utility of that thinness. Other than allowing Apple to declare the Air the current winner of the race to design the thinnest laptop, it seems that the Air has slimmed down in the least important...
[seesmic] Tampa, here I is… - http://seesmic.com/v/c9TTyxokHw
In 2008, Advertisers Feel the Influence of Social... →
A great viewpoint on social media’s importance in the business sector.
In 2008, Advertisers Feel the Influence of Social... →
A great viewpoint on social media’s importance in the business sector.
Have Facebook Apps Peaked in Popularity? →
There appears to be evidence that Facebook users are beginning to suffer from app fatigue, and there is growing discontent about how applications are being distributed and about the amount of noise that the application platform has introduced into the Facebook ecosystem. As Mark Glaser writes on the PBS MediaShift blog, Facebook has a growing trust problem. Further, new numbers suggest that fed up...
“Micro-Managing Out, Micro-Blogging In: A... →
Today, all of us who have ever dreamed of integrating Twitter into the workplace have something to smile about; last night, the makers of WordPress unveiled a nifty new tool, to help pave the way towards a Twitterpated world. Prologue–like Twitter, but for Enterprise–is a group blog designed for efficient team collaboration and communication.
For me, Prologue is a great implementation of the...
Things you may not know about NetNewsWire 3.1... →
More stuff you may not know about NetNewsWire (also see parts one and two)… Choose to sync or not at subscribe time
If you use NewsGator syncing, you can choose whether or not to sync a feed when you’re subscribing. There’s a Sync this feed checkbox on the subscribe sheet. (Note: there ought to be a way to change your mind later. There isn’t, yet, but it’s on the to-do list.)
Big list of...
Yahoo Will Cut 1,000 Jobs →
As it announced a 23-percent decline in fourth-quarter profit, Yahoo also said it planned to cut 1,000 jobs from its 14,000-member work force.
Dear Google: 2000 Called, It Wants Its Ad Format... →
Dan Frommer over at Silicon Alley Insider reports that Google’s latest effort to break into newspaper ad sales includes printed barcodes that can be scanned by readers to send them to web sites. That sounds very similar to failed plans of late-90s Internet/technology startup Digital Convergence, who saw their :CueCat barcodes appear in newspapers and magazines all over the US in 2000 to a...
LEGO Brick Timeline: 50 Years of Building Frenzy... →
Written by Gizmodo
The LEGO brick turns 50 at exactly 1:58 p.m. today, January 28, 2008. This timeline shows these 50 years of building frenzy by happy kids and kids-at-heart, all the milestones from the LEGOLAND themed sets to TECHNIC and MINDSTORMS NXT, as well as all kinds of weird curiosities about the most famous stud-and-tube couple system in the world. Jump to zoom in and tell us what...
Plaxo Pulse Wants to Sync Your Status Updates →
One thing about “Web 2.0” is that it doesn’t take long for companies to copy features that are working well on other sites. A prominent example of this is the ubiquitous “Status Updates” feature, which first gained popularity on Facebook and has since been copied by MySpace, hi5, and is in a sense the main purpose of Twitter.
Some have already taken notice of the growing problem of needing to...
The Tipping Point Is Toast, But Watts Didn’t Burn... →
Clive Thompson’s Fast Company story about Duncan Watts and his stance that books like Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and The Influentials by Ed Keller and Jon Berry are basically bunk – that influencers play only a minor part in trend setting and producing the viral effect so many brands and marketers are in search of – is an interesting read. As Rob May of BusinessPundit.com put it, “I...
Jan. 29, 1998: A Warning on Nicotine, Straight... →
After years of denying that smoking is harmful, the tobacco industry does an about-face in front of a congressional panel when one of its top executives admits that, yes, smoking is dangerous.
Influence Ripples, Tipping Points + Toast →
Consider this: I got the latest Fast Company nearly a week ago. I browsed the cover and noticed the “Un-Tipping Point” headline on the cover. I then packed the magazine in my bag planning to read it on the train. I never did. Then Guy Kawasaki writes a post called “Forget The A-Listers After All” in which Guy advocates for Watts’ approach which de-bunks...
Influentials On The Web Are People With The Power... →
In the networked web era, influentials may not be people with a particularly connected temperament or Rolodex, or people who control and influence monopoly distribution channels (e.g. newspapers), but rather people who influence the network by leveraging the most powerful force on the web — the link. People like bloggers, top Diggers, del.icio.us power users, Facebook users who share lots of...
Are Your LinkedIn? [Productivity @ Home] →
Every Monday, I share my thoughts on Working @ Home. When it comes to the art of social network, I am a slow learner and a late bloomer. It normally takes me fifteen times being invited to the latest and greatest before I’ll dip my big toe in and take the dive. This experience occurred this past weekend, when I finally consented to someone’s “connection” request on...
Things you may not know about NetNewsWire 3.1... →
Me on inessential.com: “The space bar scrolls the current item. If there is no more to scroll, it goes to the next unread item. This way you can read all of your news with coffee cup in one hand, while the other taps the space bar.”
The Marketer’s Foray Into Social Media… →
Lately we’ve been working with quite a few CMO’s at companies that are considering the leap into social media marketing, many of which are in the process of choosing a social media agency, nailing down scope of work, and all of which are still unsure if it will be a good or a bad investment. To be honest, this is a scary leap for marketers, who are being pushed from competitors and internal staff...
HubDub creates ‘fantasy league’ for news →
Hubdub is a startup news forecaster that allows users to track news stories, predict their outcomes and compete with other news junkies. In theory, this predicting process turns you from being a passive news consumer into an active news participant. Think a fantasy sports league for news. Although an Edinburgh (Scotland, UK) startup, the site will be targeted at US news initially because of the...
Huddle uses new apps and Facebook to take on... →
UK-based Huddle, an Enterprise 2.0 startup which is now clearly positioning itself square-on against Basecamp, launches a well-featured Facebook application at the DEMO 08 conference this week. The Facebook integration will make your boss think you are working even when you’re on Facebook - as it allows full access to all Huddle’s tools [update: the app launches Wednesday] . And the new Huddle...
DEMO: last-minute tips & audience “scorecard” →
Whether you’re DEMOing or watching, some links and key ideas for pitching.
Stay within the six minutes by focusing on what’s most exciting to THEM and by ending with what you want them to DO. Don’t try to show or tell all you possibly can. It’s never about tonnage. It’s about leverage. It’s compelling core idea.
What is the point of being at DEMO? What is the ACTION you could stimulate? What do...
Which fast-growing NYC start-up is getting some... →
Former Google executive Chris Sacca is backing a new Gotham tech company. He’s looking to help it hire a “Web geek,” but he won’t say which company it is.
Google Lego Logo: Google Offers Lego 50th Birthday... →
Google has a special logo up on the Google home page today. The Google logo is made up of legos, to celebrate Lego’s 50 year birthday. Google’s culture has always had a special place for Lego. Google’s first servers were “modded” up with Legos. The Google founders have admitted to having a special “fondness” towards Legos, and we all know that computer...
Happy Monday!
Davos08: The Davos Question & answers →
Here’s my answer to the Davos question. In a word: transparency.
The question was: What one thing do you think that companies, countries, or individual must do to make the world a better place in 2008. A few hundred left responses before Davos. More than a hundred responded at Davos. Altogether, these videos have been watched more than 350,000 times.
Yes, the question and many of the answers...
DEMO 2008 Companies Roundup →
With the DEMO 2008 conference kicking off today, a bunch of tech companies are making announcements. Here are some of the highlights:
BitGravity
Content delivery network BitGravity is launching its streaming video offering, BG LiveBroadcast. The company aims to make streaming video online as instantaneous and high-quality as streaming video on TV, while adding an extra layer of interactivity...
Target Doesn’t Target Bloggers →
Michael Barbaro, of the New York Times, is reporting today on an interesting story involving Target and some bloggers. The story revolves around a marketing campaign Target has undertaken during the winter season.
According to the Times Amy Jussel, founder of the blog ShapingYouth.com, called to complain about an ad the ‘cheap chic’ store was running. The ad depicted a woman making a snow angle...
On “The Twitterialization” of Blogging, Networks,... →
On the somewhat surreal occasion of the 1,000th person to follow me on Twitter (really, how is that possible?), and since Twitter seemed to be on the tip of everyone’s tongues at EduCon this weekend, it’s probably an appropriate moment to reflect on how I’ve evolved in my thinking on this strange yet somehow important little tool.
In my session on Saturday, when I opened up the discussion on...
Target Learns Exactly Why it Should Engage... →
Last week I watched the blog storm surrounding Target’s decision not to talk to a blogger, because it only focused on traditional media outlets.
Today, I see the story has made the New York Times. Yo, Target, is that traditional enough for ya?
“Unfortunately we are unable to respond to your inquiry because Target does not participate with nontraditional media outlets,” a public relations person...
Twitter & Public Radio and Public Life →
The Bryant Park Project (Twitter feed here)now has an inner core of over 200 “Diners” - this in a week. As Twitter gains a hold, BPP are also looking at how Twitter affects the political process. Here is the Twitter reality of the Primaries as compiled by Laura C <!– –>
I’m scrounging around for legitimate Twitter feeds from the presidential candidates. So far, my list looks like this:
...
Scientology Writes; Gawker Rises →
At Scientology’s request, several Web sites took down a video of Tom Cruise talking passionately about the church, but Gawker isn’t budging.
Target Tells a Blogger to Go Away →
Target to the blogosphere: you’re irrelevant.
Rapid Changes Since 2001 Cloud Outlook for Viewers →
Amid widespread worries about the economy, media companies must try to divine what a possible recession means for consumers and advertisers.
Is It a Recession? Marketers Seem to Think So →
Let the economists and politicians debate whether the American economy is in a recession. Madison Avenue is already battening down the hatches.
Choosing the Right CMS Platform for Your Website... →
Posted by randfish
The Question:
I’m starting a new site and have no idea what I should do for software. Do I need to use a content management system, and if so, how do I make sure it’s SEO-friendly?
The Answer: It depends…
I want to try taking a new tact with this blog post and give some direction about how to approach this issue. There’s no way to tackle the...
Scientology Writes; Gawker Rises - New York Times →
It’s always interesting to see the NYT’s take on things…
Scientology Writes; Gawker Rises - New York Times →
It’s always interesting to see the NYT’s take on things…
Advertising: Is It a Recession? Marketers Seem to... →
Let the economists and politicians debate whether the American economy is in a recession. Madison Avenue is already battening down the hatches.
Media: Looking for Eyeballs Suddenly on a Budget |... →
Amid widespread worries about the economy, media companies must try to divine what a possible recession means for consumers and advertisers.
Scientology Writes; Gawker Rises →
At Scientology’s request, several Web sites took down a video of Tom Cruise talking passionately about the church, but Gawker isn’t budging.
Target Tells a Blogger to Go Away →
Target to the blogosphere: you’re irrelevant.
Bloggers vs Journalists and Who Cares →
Inspired by this post by RichardatDell, I wanted to bring this out to you again: bloggers aren’t always journalists, and journalists aren’t always bloggers. Some of you don’t really care, and others of you care a little too much. But here’s the thing:
Journalists
Journalists, at least those who have received professional education and training, have responsibilities, have certain skills, and...
Is It a Recession? Marketers Seem to Think So →
Let the economists and politicians debate whether the American economy is in a recession. Madison Avenue is already battening down the hatches.
Deliver a keynote like Steve Jobs in ten simple... →
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Are you a CEO hoping to “step it up,” “knock it out of the park,” and generally “take it to the bridge” — old-school style — but you can’t seem to work the magic? Well, BusinessWeek has got just the thing for you: a ten-point plan on how to deliver a presentation like our main man, Steve Jobs. Breaking it down from...
Deliver a keynote like Steve Jobs in ten simple... →
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Are you a CEO hoping to “step it up,” “knock it out of the park,” and generally “take it to the bridge” — old-school style — but you can’t seem to work the magic? Well, BusinessWeek has got just the thing for you: a ten-point plan on how to deliver a presentation like our main man, Steve Jobs. Breaking it down from...