Sunday, January 22, 2006

Sirius Gets Serious with Sponsorship/Promotion Strategy

Noteworthy to profile Sirius Satellite Radio's recent sponsorship/customer acquisition strategy at Detroit's North American International Auto Show. Per link to news story--their marketing gurus are thinking out of the box with a box--and leveraging outsized point-of-entry ticketing 'kiosks' that are being deployed at Detroit, as well as a string of other major consumer auto shows.

The large scale platforms, provided by a company called WalkUp Systems seem ideal for advertisers of all kinds, as they incorporate large plasma screen video and plenty of real estate for static signage; place-based media applications that complement ticket back advertising opportunities for these massive audience events; Detroit Auto Show attendance is estimated at 750,000 and upcoming New York Auto Show will attract more than 1.2 million.

Sirius Radio scored a coup at the Detroit Auto Show this week, and owned the front door media by blanketing the platforms with static signage and broadcasting a selection of entertaining video spots as tens of thousands of visitors stood in ticketing queues to purchase their show entry tickets. A perfect way to drive the attendees to Sirius's exhibit inside the auto show, insiders say that Sirius merely needed to acquire less than 100 new subscribers to justify the cost and ROI for the advertising placement. Kudos to Sirius..Very smart marketing!!

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Google Takes On Uncle Sam

With Google's Eric Schmidt move this week to challenge government investigators requests for user information, MediaPost's "MediaDailyNews" is one of several channels that are running daily editorials and comments...

Here's the crux of the story: The effort is part of a government campaign to revive an anti-pornography law, the 1998 Child Online Protection Act, which the Supreme Court struck down two years ago. The law attempted to ensure that only adults visited porn sites by requiring that visitors register, or use access codes, before gaining entry to such sites. Now, the Bush administration is back in court, trying to prove that these requirements are the only realistic way of preventing minors from accessing online porn.

What remains unclear is why the government would need records from Google--which is, after all, a private company and not an investigative arm of the Department of Justice.


Here's one reader's feedback that I thought made for good reading...

"I'm actually thrilled that Google has thrown down the gauntlet, as its high time that Uncle Sam (well, lets face it, George W. & Co.) be called to task for its ever increasing, and more than alarming 'interpretation' of the government's constitutional powers and selective appreciation for what constitutes individual rights.
No doubt that the majority of Americans, including myself, believe that child pornography is abhorrent. Those that disseminate it, are indeed supplying the fuel that drives child molesters directly into our communities. And notwithstanding freedom of press issues, those that publish or distribute this material should at the very least, be subject to much more stringent penalties than what exists already. A firing squad would be fine with me.

But the fact of the matter is, this isn't about the government's attempt to track child pornographers on the internet, or even perhaps trying to find the sickos that are downloading the content. There's a much bigger picture, and Eric Schmidt knows it, even if he ultimately regrets taking a heroic stance on privacy issues when other Internet titans (Bill Gates, Terry Semel and Jon Miller) are unabashedly acquiescing to government inquiries for internet user information. After all, its not good for business to turn down Uncle Sam.

The government is attempting to enforce a law that was struck down by the Supreme Court two years ago. Its almost unbelievable how brazen the abuse of power is becoming.. no different than how George and Dick are instructing their private police force to interpret the Patriot Act--which was intended to protect us against terrorists (and all of those WMD's in Iraq) in much the same manner as a James Bond "00" license.

And if not flashing the Patriot Act badge, government prosecutors have become hell bent on using any tactic to thwart those whose morality is not in line with George, Dick and the handful of others that have their finger on the red button. Hundreds of examples, and each today, the abuse of power becomes more frightening.

Whether altruisticly trying to stand up for what he believes is right, or as others contend, merely trying to use his bankroll to protect the secret sauce of Google's search technology and the underlying powers that now rests in the hands of one of the world's best capitalized corporations, the fact remains that Schmidt is putting himself into the cross hairs of what could prove to be an arduous battle. And its one that his billionaire internet brethen have chosen to avoid. After all, the government has proven that it will go to all lengths to pursue anyone that challenges their wisdom, taking a chapter from the playbook of a fellow named Putin.

Paul Allen Folds His Cards; Gives Up Online Casino

George W & Co. trumped Paul Allen today, as the billionaire folded his cards and agreed to pay a $7 million settlement for running Internet casino advertising in The Sporting News. No doubt, this settlement may throw a wrench in the wheels of progress for those that have been enjoying increasing revenue by accomodating an assortment of online gambling marketers. Will prosecuting those with advertising platforms stagnate a multi-billion dollar global industry that grows each day, and where more than 70% of the players are US citizens?? I guess Paul Allen knows that it doesn't make sense to play against a loaded deck. Can you spell 'prohibition'?

Now, if George and Dick wanted to use the settlement money to actually buy and send body armor to our boys overseas, I'd be less critical..But we know that isn't going to happen.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Its All About ROI..

If you're the type that believes in re-reading the Bible as a means to remain ever-reminded about basic tenants, than this link will be worth your time. 6 short paragraphs for marketing and sales gurus handed down from generation to generation---and each section provides age old wisdom that is both timely and inspiring. How to increase sales? Start from within and leverage every one of your employees. Than tap into the group that represents your absolute best sales rep: your satisfied customers. Duh... Much more pithy and pertinenet prose--click on and enjoy!