Top 8 Most Important Things I’ve Learned About Interactive Marketing

SELFriday, September 7, 2007 at 3:02 PMIt’s been my honor to follow Andy’s and Garrett’s lead for the last year. These were incredibly large shoes to fill, and moderating this blog is not something that I have taken lightly. My hope was that I’ve done it justice. And unless THK decides to generously give this blog to me, this will be my last post as I leave MSA today. In the meanwhile, below are what I think are the mostIt’s been my honor to follow Andy’s and Garrett’s lead for the last year. These were incredibly large shoes to fill, and moderating this blog is not something that I have taken lightly. My hope was that I’ve done it justice. And unless THK decides to generously give this blog to… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

When the Great Goes Mediocre

SELWednesday, September 5, 2007 at 2:28 PMAs a new parent, one of my greatest pleasures is taking my daughter to a kid-friendly museum in Raleigh, NC called PlaySpace. Essentially, they get to touch and explore just about everything. She goes nuts running around and then takes a 3-hour nap. It’s a beautiful thing. I’ve known for a while that they were planning to merge with another museum further downtown in Raleigh calledAs a new parent, one of my greatest pleasures is taking my daughter to a kid-friendly museum in Raleigh, NC called PlaySpace. Essentially, they get to touch and explore just about everything. She goes nuts running around and then takes a 3-hour nap. It’s a beautiful thing. I’ve known for a… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Enter the Online Reputation Management Dojo

SELFriday, August 31, 2007 at 12:57 PMEver watch Kung Fu? Caine was trained at the Shaolin Temple in Henan province of China. You might have thought this was the last you’d hear about Shaolin Monks, but apparently, they are now demanding apologies from a Japanese “ninja” who claims to have bested the whole lot of them in unarmed combat. Let’s talk about online reputation management for a minute. The most important rule aboutEver watch Kung Fu? Caine was trained at the Shaolin Temple in Henan province of China. You might have thought this was the last you’d hear about Shaolin Monks, but apparently, they are now demanding apologies from a Japanese “ninja” who claims to have bested the whole lot of them in… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Does AT&T’s 1993 Equal Orwell’s 1984?

SELMonday, August 27, 2007 at 9:06 AMI’ve not been AT&T’s biggest fan over the last few months. IMO, they’ve been greedy, uncaring and they are guilty of not putting their customers first. But I’ll give them this, they have insight and they understand the potential of technology. And it appears that they have for a long time. Check out their “You Will” campaign from 1993: I recall feeling very inspired by this campaignI’ve not been AT&T’s biggest fan over the last few months. IMO, they’ve been greedy, uncaring and they are guilty of not putting their customers first. But I’ll give them this, they have insight and they understand the potential of technology. And it appears that they have for a long time.… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

The SEO Reputation Problem

SELFriday, August 24, 2007 at 3:54 PMI really enjoyed this post from Mike Yanke regarding the “The SEO Reputation Problem” session at SES. This might be in part to the fact that it justified the dozens of conversations that I had to have while working at “KeywordSourcedMall Interactive.” Specifically: When you combine a client who’s never been properly coached on the results they can expect with an agency that has no ideaI really enjoyed this post from Mike Yanke regarding the “The SEO Reputation Problem” session at SES. This might be in part to the fact that it justified the dozens of conversations that I had to have while working at “KeywordSourcedMall Interactive.” Specifically: When you combine a client who’s never been… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

5 Ways to Get Your CEO/CMO/VP of Marketing to Stop Talking About Alexa

SELThursday, August 16, 2007 at 9:50 AMEvery time I hear some new stat about Alexa, it makes me want to stab myself in the eye. The only thing worse is to hear a client confidently quote their statistics. IMO, if enough of us stop acknowledging Alexa, maybe it will go away. First of all, I’m telling Noah about the flood when I say that the data is skewed beyond recognition. If one portion of the target market is using Alexa’sEvery time I hear some new stat about Alexa, it makes me want to stab myself in the eye. The only thing worse is to hear a client confidently quote their statistics. IMO, if enough of us stop acknowledging Alexa, maybe it will go away. First of all, I’m telling Noah… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Yahoo Edges Out Google in Customer Satisfaction…Barely

SELWednesday, August 15, 2007 at 9:02 AMYahoo’s customer satisfaction beat out Google by 1 point. The University of Michigan report indicated a 79-78 “victory” for Yahoo. The hairline win was less impressive than the overall, respective gain and loss by both players. Google’s 78 rating is down 3.7 points and Yahoo is up 3.9 over last year. Also interesting is a major gain from Ask.com, up 4 points from last year to 75. MSN wasYahoo’s customer satisfaction beat out Google by 1 point. The University of Michigan report indicated a 79-78 “victory” for Yahoo. The hairline win was less impressive than the overall, respective gain and loss by both players. Google’s 78 rating is down 3.7 points and Yahoo is up 3.9 over last year.… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Google AdWords Calls Your Bluff

SELThursday, August 9, 2007 at 1:43 PMIf you haven’t read about the change in Google AdWords’ change for top placement, let me summarize: Let’s assume a marketer plans on supplementing a poor Quality Score with an unrealistically high maximum Cost per Click (CPC) price. That person must prepare to have his/her bluff called. Instead of measuring cost per click, Google will measure the MAXIMUM bid price. So, average cost perIf you haven’t read about the change in Google AdWords’ change for top placement, let me summarize: Let’s assume a marketer plans on supplementing a poor Quality Score with an unrealistically high maximum Cost per Click (CPC) price. That person must prepare to have his/her bluff called. Instead of measuring cost… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

If Everyone Uses Incorrect Data, Is It Still Wrong?

SELMonday, August 6, 2007 at 11:09 AMSeth Godin points us to Quantcast, IMO a combination of HitWise and Alexa. It’s a very intriguing interface with some easy-to-understand graphs and charts. Now, I’ve never made any secret of my dislike for Alexa. My issue is related to the integrity of their data. And unfortunately, I have a similar concern with Quantcast. Specifically, they collect their data through some of theirSeth Godin points us to Quantcast, IMO a combination of HitWise and Alexa. It’s a very intriguing interface with some easy-to-understand graphs and charts. Now, I’ve never made any secret of my dislike for Alexa. My issue is related to the integrity of their data. And unfortunately, I have a similar… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Wazap Adds Browser Search Plugin

SELThursday, August 2, 2007 at 2:55 PMThe gaming search engine now offers a way to gain Wazap information from Google, Yahoo and MSN Live SERPs. When you do a search for game-related terms, the plugin offers a new box above the number one position that links to news, cheats, articles, etc. I love the concept, because for gamers, it puts information that they care about front and center. When Google Universal Search rolledThe gaming search engine now offers a way to gain Wazap information from Google, Yahoo and MSN Live SERPs. When you do a search for game-related terms, the plugin offers a new box above the number one position that links to news, cheats, articles, etc. I love the concept, because for… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

An Open Letter to PayPal

SELWednesday, August 1, 2007 at 3:40 PMDear PayPal, You have a lot to learn about customer service. The fundamental part of owning a business (be it online or brick and mortar) is the ability to actually do business with a customer. There are still companies who live in the dark ages and rely on your crappy service, and I wish they would grow a pair and get a real merchant account. Companies that use PayPal as theirDear PayPal, You have a lot to learn about customer service. The fundamental part of owning a business (be it online or brick and mortar) is the ability to actually do business with a customer. There are still companies who live in the dark ages and rely on your crappy service,… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Simpsonize Me Promotional Site Overloaded

SELWednesday, July 25, 2007 at 3:42 PMBurger King has become famous for viral Web sites that have nothing to do with selling food. I don’t know how well (or even “if”) these actually translate into sales; regardless, I do know that when millions of dollars are spent promoting a Microsite, it’s a problem when bandwidth is lacking to load the page. For example: the new Simpsons Movie promotion site. Doh!Burger King has become famous for viral Web sites that have nothing to do with selling food. I don’t know how well (or even “if”) these actually translate into sales; regardless, I do know that when millions of dollars are spent promoting a Microsite, it’s a problem when bandwidth is lacking… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Blog Editors Rejoice: RustyBudget

SELMonday, July 23, 2007 at 3:47 PMBarry Schwartz has created a new blog publishing management tool in RustyBudget. Essentially, this provides blog editors with some easy drag and drop menus for their writers. You can assign stories, provide direction, etc. You can find the demo here. There’s a strong emphasis on usability that makes me wonder if this could be built out to an enterprise level. I’m not sure what toolsBarry Schwartz has created a new blog publishing management tool in RustyBudget. Essentially, this provides blog editors with some easy drag and drop menus for their writers. You can assign stories, provide direction, etc. You can find the demo here. There’s a strong emphasis on usability that makes me wonder if… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Tagged. 8 Random Things

SELFriday, July 20, 2007 at 12:27 PMCord tagged me earlier, and I’m finally getting around to 8 random things you may or may not know about me: 1. If I weren’t in advertising/marketing, I would be a chef. I love cooking…just hate cleaning. 2. In the months before my daughter was born, I weaned myself down to four hours of sleep per night. After she was born, this turned out to be a disaster, because while I was sleepingCord tagged me earlier, and I’m finally getting around to 8 random things you may or may not know about me: 1. If I weren’t in advertising/marketing, I would be a chef. I love cooking…just hate cleaning. 2. In the months before my daughter was born, I weaned myself down to… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

What to Do With AOL

SELTuesday, July 17, 2007 at 2:57 PMWhen AOL and Time Warner merged, the planned synergy was confusing. Sure, customers could get access to broadband services, but that was the equivalent of handing Eve an apple. AOL’s strength was its simplicity for who I fondly refer to as, “the interactively challenged.” If you know anyone who has used any of following words (but not in jest): “internets,” “interweb,” “Earl” (that’s URL toWhen AOL and Time Warner merged, the planned synergy was confusing. Sure, customers could get access to broadband services, but that was the equivalent of handing Eve an apple. AOL’s strength was its simplicity for who I fondly refer to as, “the interactively challenged.” If you know anyone who has used… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Yahoo Uses Their 28.5% Market Share to Promote Google

SELFriday, July 13, 2007 at 10:25 AMWell, not all of it. But if you’ve noticed changes with Yahoo! providing search suggestions, you’ll get a nice surprise when you do a site look-up. Whoops.Well, not all of it. But if you’ve noticed changes with Yahoo! providing search suggestions, you’ll get a nice surprise when you do a site look-up. Whoops.ViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Nielsen’s New Metrics Means a Shake-up at the Top

SELWednesday, July 11, 2007 at 1:26 PMIf you buy online media, you are probably already aware that Nielson will rank sites based on time spent versus page views. Is this a good idea? Well, sort of. Pros: It eliminates problems with fraudulent page refreshesIt measures interaction with individual pages, which has some baring on usability of the siteSites with streaming media, Flash, Ajax, etc.If you buy online media, you are probably already aware that Nielson will rank sites based on time spent versus page views. Is this a good idea? Well, sort of. Pros: It eliminates problems with fraudulent page refreshesIt measures interaction with individual pages, which has some baring on usability of the… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

Where Does adCenter Labs Pull Data?

SELMonday, July 9, 2007 at 12:01 PMWe always appreciate the insight and tools from Search Engine Land. This morning, I was checking out the search term research section and I came across MSN’s trending tool. Historically, I’ve always been a fan of Google Trends, and I was thrilled to see MSN take a step further by breaking down age and gender of search terms. Here’s the problem…either comScore’s search engine share numbersWe always appreciate the insight and tools from Search Engine Land. This morning, I was checking out the search term research section and I came across MSN’s trending tool. Historically, I’ve always been a fan of Google Trends, and I was thrilled to see MSN take a step further by breaking… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

LiveStation: Coming to a PC Near You

SELMonday, July 9, 2007 at 10:21 AMLive television on a PC is right around the corner. Dan Dodge outlines Microsoft’s ability to serve DVD quality television to your PC. I’m excited about this for a couple of reasons: 1. It becomes an obvious next step towards effectively integrating traditional and interactive marketing. Google has already taken a huge leap in this direction with the introduction of Google Audio radioLive television on a PC is right around the corner. Dan Dodge outlines Microsoft’s ability to serve DVD quality television to your PC. I’m excited about this for a couple of reasons: 1. It becomes an obvious next step towards effectively integrating traditional and interactive marketing. Google has already taken a… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it

The Difference Between Online and Retail Product Positioning

SELMonday, July 2, 2007 at 9:32 AMSeems like a no-brainer on this blog, huh? I tend to agree with the majority of Seth Godin’s opinions, but he couldn’t be more wrong on this one. Specifically, Godin contends that brick and mortar stores position product based on what is easy for employees versus what is convenient for customers. So, all the Armani blue suits are next to each other, then by size. So, all the boxerSeems like a no-brainer on this blog, huh? I tend to agree with the majority of Seth Godin’s opinions, but he couldn’t be more wrong on this one. Specifically, Godin contends that brick and mortar stores position product based on what is easy for employees versus what is convenient for customers.… Read moreViewedSaveBlogEmaildigg it