New media is dropping the hammer on NASCAR fans. From Nextel's little do-dads that allow fans at the race to watch, listen and scan coverage of the race to Budwesier announcing that they will have a live Webcast of a One Night Stand event with Dale Jr on March 9th, it's obvious that whatever you thought about the NASCAR demo is wrong...dead wrong. Now git er done!
spb
Finding still points in a turning world.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Here's the the C-List Baby!!
Great read on blogging from The New Yorker that has been on, well, every goddamn blog there is to find. And even though I found it via an "A-list" site, I'm breaking my "C-list" mold and claiming it as my own.
I will say the discussion on power-law distribution is very interesting...
http://newyorkmetro.com/news/media/15967/index.html
I will say the discussion on power-law distribution is very interesting...
http://newyorkmetro.com/news/media/15967/index.html
Tough Clients? Read this...
Got this bit from Johnnie Moore's blog. Ross Dawson (www.rossdawsonblog.com) talks about the sophistication of professional services clients...which of course are the sophisticated consumers we're trying to buy the crap we market...
sb
MegaTrend One: Client Sophistication
What do you prefer? A sophisticated client, or an unsophisticated one? It’s an interesting issue to debate with professionals. Some say they like unsophisticated clients, because, as they usually express a little more euphemistically, they can take advantage of them (for a little while, anyway). Others prefer sophisticated clients, as they know what to expect, they know how to work effectively with professionals, the professionals can learn from their clients (as they must to keep ahead!), and usually the opportunities are far larger.
Irrespective of what professionals want, the reality is that professional services clients are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The rubes off the street that you can awe into silence and charge like a wounded bull without protest are rather thin on the ground these days.
The drive to greater client sophistication has in turn been created by other broad shifts in the business environment. The most powerful is the ever-increasing pressure on corporations to reduce costs. Whenever business conditions turn down, the edict goes out to cut expenses. In order to cut supplier costs, companies need to understand what they’re buying. In 1992 DuPont established its “DuPont Legal Model”, which consolidated its legal suppliers from 350 to 35, and established clear processes for how its law firms would work for the corporation. This program established a precedent that has been copied by many other companies, and is highly innovative in how aligns the objectives of the company and its service providers. However the initiative was initially driven by the then-chairman’s drive to cut $1 billion from DuPont’s costs.
Across every professional sector, clients have consistently been hiring the best professionals from their suppliers so they know how to deal with them. Consultants, lawyers, investment bankers, accountants, advertising creatives, and consulting engineers all find themselves across the table from their former peers, who know all the tricks of the trade. Specialist firms are frequently brought in to assist clients in getting the best from their professionals.
The downside of increasing client sophistication is that you can’t fleece your clients, and you can’t survive your whole career on what you learned in college. The upside is that sophisticated clients help you to develop your own capabilities, they understand what rewards they need to provide to get the best, and they know how to work with you so you can do your best. Investment bank ABN Amro runs a training program for its fund manager clients that gets them to play the roles of banker and fund manager in order to teach them trading techniques, how to use their high-value research, and even how to use ABN Amro’s proprietary trading models. The advantage for ABN Amro is that their clients understand better how their bankers work, and in turn what it takes to get great service from them.
sb
MegaTrend One: Client Sophistication
What do you prefer? A sophisticated client, or an unsophisticated one? It’s an interesting issue to debate with professionals. Some say they like unsophisticated clients, because, as they usually express a little more euphemistically, they can take advantage of them (for a little while, anyway). Others prefer sophisticated clients, as they know what to expect, they know how to work effectively with professionals, the professionals can learn from their clients (as they must to keep ahead!), and usually the opportunities are far larger.
Irrespective of what professionals want, the reality is that professional services clients are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The rubes off the street that you can awe into silence and charge like a wounded bull without protest are rather thin on the ground these days.
The drive to greater client sophistication has in turn been created by other broad shifts in the business environment. The most powerful is the ever-increasing pressure on corporations to reduce costs. Whenever business conditions turn down, the edict goes out to cut expenses. In order to cut supplier costs, companies need to understand what they’re buying. In 1992 DuPont established its “DuPont Legal Model”, which consolidated its legal suppliers from 350 to 35, and established clear processes for how its law firms would work for the corporation. This program established a precedent that has been copied by many other companies, and is highly innovative in how aligns the objectives of the company and its service providers. However the initiative was initially driven by the then-chairman’s drive to cut $1 billion from DuPont’s costs.
Across every professional sector, clients have consistently been hiring the best professionals from their suppliers so they know how to deal with them. Consultants, lawyers, investment bankers, accountants, advertising creatives, and consulting engineers all find themselves across the table from their former peers, who know all the tricks of the trade. Specialist firms are frequently brought in to assist clients in getting the best from their professionals.
The downside of increasing client sophistication is that you can’t fleece your clients, and you can’t survive your whole career on what you learned in college. The upside is that sophisticated clients help you to develop your own capabilities, they understand what rewards they need to provide to get the best, and they know how to work with you so you can do your best. Investment bank ABN Amro runs a training program for its fund manager clients that gets them to play the roles of banker and fund manager in order to teach them trading techniques, how to use their high-value research, and even how to use ABN Amro’s proprietary trading models. The advantage for ABN Amro is that their clients understand better how their bankers work, and in turn what it takes to get great service from them.
Traveling!!!
Well, I haven't posted in some time because work keeps getting in the way.
I ventured down south for a NASCAR baptisim in Daytona. I have to say, I loved it. Nextel has done an increadible job making that venue, and thus the entire sport, very approachable for the novice.
I was also in Chicago...my favorite city in the US...for a couple days and hit a few of my old mainstays, including Club Lago on the corner of Orleans & Superior. If you're looking for some real Italian food, there is no better place than this family run corner joint owned by Guido & GianCarlo Nardini. If you pop in, tell them I sent you, and order the veal or eggplant parm (although the chicken piccante is my favorite).
There's a ton of cool stuff that's come across my desk and I hope to share it and give my thoughts on it as soon as I get a break...or at least an hour for lunch.
SB
I ventured down south for a NASCAR baptisim in Daytona. I have to say, I loved it. Nextel has done an increadible job making that venue, and thus the entire sport, very approachable for the novice.
I was also in Chicago...my favorite city in the US...for a couple days and hit a few of my old mainstays, including Club Lago on the corner of Orleans & Superior. If you're looking for some real Italian food, there is no better place than this family run corner joint owned by Guido & GianCarlo Nardini. If you pop in, tell them I sent you, and order the veal or eggplant parm (although the chicken piccante is my favorite).
There's a ton of cool stuff that's come across my desk and I hope to share it and give my thoughts on it as soon as I get a break...or at least an hour for lunch.
SB
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Coachella Line-Up Annoucned!!!
With all this damn work I nearly forgot about the Coachella line-up being announced.
While I'm not uber-thirlled about headliners Depeche Mode & Tool, the undercard more than makes up for it. The best part of it all, as always, there are tons of bands in the line-up that I know NOTHING about...can't wait to check them out.
Some highlights from Saturday's line up:
Franz
Sigur Ros
My Morning Jacket
CYHSH
Animal Collective
Imogen Heap
Zutons
Living Things
Some hightlights from Sunday's line up:
Massive Attack (new!)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Bloc Party
PO
Sleater-Kinney
Ted Leo
Dungen
Check it all out, including how to get tix and camping passes at www.coachella.com (the site has come such a long way from three & four years ago!!!).
spb
While I'm not uber-thirlled about headliners Depeche Mode & Tool, the undercard more than makes up for it. The best part of it all, as always, there are tons of bands in the line-up that I know NOTHING about...can't wait to check them out.
Some highlights from Saturday's line up:
Franz
Sigur Ros
My Morning Jacket
CYHSH
Animal Collective
Imogen Heap
Zutons
Living Things
Some hightlights from Sunday's line up:
Massive Attack (new!)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Bloc Party
PO
Sleater-Kinney
Ted Leo
Dungen
Check it all out, including how to get tix and camping passes at www.coachella.com (the site has come such a long way from three & four years ago!!!).
spb
The Cool Hunter
Here's an interview with Josh Rubin from CoolHunting (one of our favorites). Josh will be appearing at the Future Marketing Summit (www.futuremarketingsummit.com) presented by IF! (http://if.psfk.com) in New York City on February 23rd.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from the details. I believe there are no new ideas, just great executions.
What is the biggest but most ignored trend you see?
If it's a trend then it's not being ignored, is it?
Are new wave trend spotters a competitive or complementary to the established trend firms?
Both. The traditional trending firms tend to have a longer term focus and less frequent deliverables to their clients—this works for many large corporations. For smaller or more nimble organizations, and those with rapid product development, the 'new wave' is more valuable. Consumer demand is changing more frequently these days, making it harder to keep up using traditional methods which means there will be more competition (or collaboration) between models in the near future.
You've just started to produce video content What sort of content are you covering? Should all online publications move into video?
We launched video for two reasons: 1. the technology is just getting to a point where people can easily consume video content distributed through untraditional conduits. 2. there are lots of things we cover on CH that are better served by audio and video over words and pictures. And that's the first requirement for what we will do a video on. The second requirement, just like the site, is wide open—it simply has to capture our interest. The videos are 1 - 3 minutes because that's what we think is the optimal length for mobile, and even web-based, viewing.
Next week we’ll feature an interview with David Carson, CEO of Heavy.com who will also be appearing at the FMS later this month.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from the details. I believe there are no new ideas, just great executions.
What is the biggest but most ignored trend you see?
If it's a trend then it's not being ignored, is it?
Are new wave trend spotters a competitive or complementary to the established trend firms?
Both. The traditional trending firms tend to have a longer term focus and less frequent deliverables to their clients—this works for many large corporations. For smaller or more nimble organizations, and those with rapid product development, the 'new wave' is more valuable. Consumer demand is changing more frequently these days, making it harder to keep up using traditional methods which means there will be more competition (or collaboration) between models in the near future.
You've just started to produce video content What sort of content are you covering? Should all online publications move into video?
We launched video for two reasons: 1. the technology is just getting to a point where people can easily consume video content distributed through untraditional conduits. 2. there are lots of things we cover on CH that are better served by audio and video over words and pictures. And that's the first requirement for what we will do a video on. The second requirement, just like the site, is wide open—it simply has to capture our interest. The videos are 1 - 3 minutes because that's what we think is the optimal length for mobile, and even web-based, viewing.
Next week we’ll feature an interview with David Carson, CEO of Heavy.com who will also be appearing at the FMS later this month.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Bacon Ringtones...it could happen!!
This from Chris Jobst...the king "web dude" at my shop. Pretty sweet...
Here's a company that has not only created software for you to create your own Ringtones out of MP3's, Wav's, etc. but, they have also created an online store so you can host and sell your ringtones.
This is a great solution for future clients who want us to create and offer ring tones to consumers. We could create the ringtone here and then create an online store that would allow the consumer to call a number and download the tone to the phone. This will eliminate us having to build all the expensive telephone network stuff to offer ringtones to cell phones.
The Ringtone hosting plans run from Free to $49.99 with revenue sharing!
Check it out.
http://www.xingtone.com/
Here's a company that has not only created software for you to create your own Ringtones out of MP3's, Wav's, etc. but, they have also created an online store so you can host and sell your ringtones.
This is a great solution for future clients who want us to create and offer ring tones to consumers. We could create the ringtone here and then create an online store that would allow the consumer to call a number and download the tone to the phone. This will eliminate us having to build all the expensive telephone network stuff to offer ringtones to cell phones.
The Ringtone hosting plans run from Free to $49.99 with revenue sharing!
Check it out.
http://www.xingtone.com/
Monday, February 06, 2006
Blog Bitch-fest
Yesterday the United States celebrated the first great Holiday of the year...the Super Bowl. And, as has been the case for many years, there is more buzz about the commercials than the game itself.
But as I surfed between Web sites, emails and blogs, I noticed something that I found rather surprising...the large amount of bitching, whining and general discontent streaming out of the blogsphere.
We ALL know that the days of throwing a :30 or :60 ad on one of the big three networks and watching it work are long gone...but what amazes me is how many people don't understand that the Super Bowl is an anomaly.
Advertising on the Super Bowl isn't about branding, or loyalty, or engagement...like the game itself, it's about sheer entertainment. Aligning with the Super Bowl is like sponsoring Christmas...It's simply brands piggy-backing on a great time being had by EVERYONE IN THE WORLD.
Sure, there were probably a few malcontents blogging, bitching, and pouting about the commercialization of the big game, how big companies "just don't get it" and how the new consumer wants a voice in the marketing conversation, blah blah blah blah. Not on Super Sunday.
This is a day when the everyday joe...the men and women who work their asses of during the week, want to kick back and just be entertained. We spend our lives respsonding to emails, returning calls on our cell phones and shooting pins and ins to friends, family, clients and co-workers...but for these four to five hours, it's nothing but simple entertainment.
And please don't spout about how Madison Ave doesn't understand how to use the Internet. Madison Ave doesn't have to use the Internet because everyone else does. The sheer size of the event makes EVERY ad viral...I've received 57 separate emails today with links to sites running all the Super Bowl ads and even links to sites running ads that didn't make the cut. Do you know how many of these sites were paid for by the advertisers or made by marketers? One. That's viral marketing at its best.
So while all you self-proclaimed 'new marketers' out there don your favorite black turtlenecks and moan about big agencies over your lattes, I'm going to sit back and do what I did yesterday...be entertained.
Cheers.
But as I surfed between Web sites, emails and blogs, I noticed something that I found rather surprising...the large amount of bitching, whining and general discontent streaming out of the blogsphere.
We ALL know that the days of throwing a :30 or :60 ad on one of the big three networks and watching it work are long gone...but what amazes me is how many people don't understand that the Super Bowl is an anomaly.
Advertising on the Super Bowl isn't about branding, or loyalty, or engagement...like the game itself, it's about sheer entertainment. Aligning with the Super Bowl is like sponsoring Christmas...It's simply brands piggy-backing on a great time being had by EVERYONE IN THE WORLD.
Sure, there were probably a few malcontents blogging, bitching, and pouting about the commercialization of the big game, how big companies "just don't get it" and how the new consumer wants a voice in the marketing conversation, blah blah blah blah. Not on Super Sunday.
This is a day when the everyday joe...the men and women who work their asses of during the week, want to kick back and just be entertained. We spend our lives respsonding to emails, returning calls on our cell phones and shooting pins and ins to friends, family, clients and co-workers...but for these four to five hours, it's nothing but simple entertainment.
And please don't spout about how Madison Ave doesn't understand how to use the Internet. Madison Ave doesn't have to use the Internet because everyone else does. The sheer size of the event makes EVERY ad viral...I've received 57 separate emails today with links to sites running all the Super Bowl ads and even links to sites running ads that didn't make the cut. Do you know how many of these sites were paid for by the advertisers or made by marketers? One. That's viral marketing at its best.
So while all you self-proclaimed 'new marketers' out there don your favorite black turtlenecks and moan about big agencies over your lattes, I'm going to sit back and do what I did yesterday...be entertained.
Cheers.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Bud TV
The concept of brands providing content directly to consumers is nothing new…if you’ve been paying attention to the marketing world for the past year or two.
Anheuser-Busch has decided to throw their hat in the ring and they’re either going to change the way marketers and sponsors do things…or they’re going to fail miserably.
A-B is in a unique position amongst brands going direct to consumer. Their buying power in the Sports and Entertainment world could result in concerts, games and events being aired…or broadcast…or whatever it will be called…exclusively on Bud TV. That is HUGE. Either they’ll be the HBO of brands…flipping an industry on its ear…or they’ll be conservative and ruin a once-in-an-existence chance to be innovative.
This from Adrants.com:
Anheuser-Busch will use its Super Bowl commercial time to launch a direct-to-consumer network called "The Bud Screen." The network will offer all manner of programming, branded content and advertising delivered to the desktop or an iPod. The brewer intends the network to be long-lived and to eventually be named "Bud TV." We've said it before and we'll say it again, the middleman - the networks - just aren't needed any longer. When a brand or program producer can deliver content directly to the consumer, there's no need for the current TV network set up. Oh sure, big changes are years away but it's happening and it will continue to happen faster and faster as more brands and content producers realize they can have their own channel of distribution.
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=39353&Nid=18157&p=117792
Anheuser-Busch has decided to throw their hat in the ring and they’re either going to change the way marketers and sponsors do things…or they’re going to fail miserably.
A-B is in a unique position amongst brands going direct to consumer. Their buying power in the Sports and Entertainment world could result in concerts, games and events being aired…or broadcast…or whatever it will be called…exclusively on Bud TV. That is HUGE. Either they’ll be the HBO of brands…flipping an industry on its ear…or they’ll be conservative and ruin a once-in-an-existence chance to be innovative.
This from Adrants.com:
Anheuser-Busch will use its Super Bowl commercial time to launch a direct-to-consumer network called "The Bud Screen." The network will offer all manner of programming, branded content and advertising delivered to the desktop or an iPod. The brewer intends the network to be long-lived and to eventually be named "Bud TV." We've said it before and we'll say it again, the middleman - the networks - just aren't needed any longer. When a brand or program producer can deliver content directly to the consumer, there's no need for the current TV network set up. Oh sure, big changes are years away but it's happening and it will continue to happen faster and faster as more brands and content producers realize they can have their own channel of distribution.
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=39353&Nid=18157&p=117792
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