Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Website Design / Marketing 101

However rudimentary it might seem to most, the basics of a creating successful web-site continue to be overlooked and under-appreciated by a large majority of businesses.

Successful means different things to different people-but it all boils down to the same principles--and principles that the largest organizations, including "new media" companies have a strange habit of not paying attention to--including making it simple for a prospect or a client to contact you.

Read the link to an elementary disseration provided by Startup Nation... Its not only applicable to start-ups, some of the world's biggest brand marketers would do themselves a big favor by focusing on the simplest 5 points in the article.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Inviting Customers To Write Your Ads???

Marketing Guru Denny Hatch hits the nail on the head when lamenting about the latest approach brand marketers and high priced advertising execs are taking in efforts to embrace their audience--letting customers develop ad campaigns and tag lines....

I completely agree with Denny--GM encouraging customers to develop short videos is fun...but is it selling cars?...Giving customers the opportunity to be part of the experience by inviting them to create ad copy and content is a fad...what marketers need to really focus on is paying more attention to customer feedback and what really inspires them to purchase (or not purchase) their products

Friday, October 06, 2006

A Somber Moment: A Great Marketer is Gone

Last week, I posted a missive about a frustrating experience that I had with a "free, anti-virus software" being touted by a company called Comodo, whose Chairman, Eric Emanuel was a long time friend of mine. The 'beta' version, which had been promoted for several months, corrupted my hard drive. After exchanging flame mail throughout the day with Eric's CEO and, Eric interceded, spanked us both, after which he and I had a spirited discussion i.e. his company's marketing strategy...and how to leverage his special friends & family email list..

Two days ago, I received an email from Eric's daughter informing those on his friends and family list that Eric, barely 60, had passed away the previous night. Eric Emanuel's career extended more than 40 years, he was a visionary on Wall Street, an accomplished entertainment industry marketer and producer, a philanthropist, a mentor to rising stars, a dedicated father and loving husband. Eric's magic wand touched hundreds of people, and those that he took into his circle were truly fortunate.