According to Alan Greenspan, who doubtless has lost some of his shine in the last few years, men’s underwear is the single most reliable predictor of the economy.
You can’t make this stuff up.
Category: News and Views
Social Network Marketing: What Works? | HBS Working Knowledge
This article discusses different approaches to viral marketing, from the Harvard Business School.
When marketers want to reach users of social networks such as Facebook, MySpace, or Cyworld, they have two choices: buy advertising or start a viral campaign.
New research by Harvard Business School professor Sunil Gupta suggests that viral may be the way to go in these connected worlds. But first it’s important to understand both who influences purchase decisions in online communities and which groups of users can be influenced.
Hidden gay slur, search terms, get campaign site blacklisted | Ars Technica
If you haven’t heard of the term ‘keyword spam’ this is a good example of it. Some web site developers that promote making your site more visible to internet search engines like Google and Yahoo use variants of the technique described in this article.
Some U.S. bank pay unmoored from performance: Cuomo | Reuters
Most people who know me know I’m a pretty optimistic guy. Then this comes along. There’s no fixing it.
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Bonuses paid to executives at nine banks that received U.S. government bailout money in 2008 were greater than net income at some of the banks, the office of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday.
I’m a PC, an Angry, Caustic PC. | Emails From Crazy People
An actual e-mail from Bill Gates to his crew about “Windows Usability Systematic degradation flame”. Cool. He even tells them he’s going to trash them in the Subject line.
Best Quote:
“The lack of attention to usability represented by these experiences blows my mind.” Turns out that Bill has had all of the same problems we have with Windows.
The take away is this, at a certain point, some businesses get so big, nobody can really control them and it’s up to the systems and culture that formed during its growth phase to steer it in maturity.
The same applies to governments too. We’re having quite a usability issue with ours.
It’s a great article. Read it here.
Is Bank of America Overcompensating? | New York Magazine
This is unbridled anger. Even the late World Trade Center, universally reviled for its boxy design, wasn’t accused of being a cover for sexual short comings.
I guess people don’t like it when you take a lot of money from them and then build a monument to your own greatness.
How to Get Started With Linked In | BNET
This is a great article for those trying to navigate the Linked In world. Pay special attention to the side bar “Social Networking for Old Farts”
Stimulus News Digest | SBA
This newsletter details the various firms and entities that have received stimulus package funds and what they are being used for.
Read the newsletter here
More Advertisers Turning To Internet | Mike Sachoff
By Mike Sachoff – Thu, 07/23/2009 – 13:59
Relying less on print
The majority (92%) of advertisers are using Internet advertising in their media campaigns followed by print advertising at 88 percent, according to a new LinkedIn Research Network/Harris Poll.
At the same time, less than half are using radio advertising (46%), television advertising (46%) and mobile advertising (39%). The Harris poll found there is a regional difference as advertisers in the South are more likely to use radio advertising (57%) and television advertising (56%) while those in the West are least likely to use both (39% each).
Among those advertisers who are using each of these types of media, there is a difference in the level of usage since last year. Three-quarters of those who use Internet advertising (74%) say they are incorporating it more often while 69 percent of those who use mobile advertising are using it more often compared to a year ago. Unsurprisingly, the largest drop is with print advertising as half (49%) of those who use it are using it less often compared to a year ago while 41 percent are using it the same amount.
Continue reading “More Advertisers Turning To Internet | Mike Sachoff”
Say It Ain’t So! Taco Bell Dog Dies | ABC News
Her bug eyes and sweet face captured the hearts of millions of fast food enthusisats.
In this August 1998 file photo, Gidget the Chihuahua is featured in a Taco Bell advertisement. More than 10 years after her face first graced a “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” ad, marketing’s top Chihuahua has died at 15.
(Taco Bell/AP Photo)
But more than 10 years after her face first graced a “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” ad, marketing’s top chihuahua has died at 15 from a stroke.
Read complete article here.
Dispatches From The Front 