Marketing Pilgrim

Since Google announced its acquisition of AdMob six months ago, the companies have face opposition. First consumer groups eyed the deal—then the FTC started taking statements from other companies in the industry. Now, it looks like the FTC is gearing up for even more scrutiny.

Of course, it may not have a whole lot to do with the US federal government’s deep-rooted concern for the mobile advertising industry. Reports AllThingsD:

“The federal government is looking for a way to discipline Google in some way, because of larger concerns about its search power on the Web,” said one source. “And this is where it looks like it will try to show that concern.”

YouTube first started testing a rental program with four Sundance films in January. The ten-day experiment netted an estimated $10,000. In March, YouTube apparently expanded the rental option to all its users. As YouTube looks to further expand its rental program, they could also use some work on publicity for the titles they’re already offering.

MediaPost reports on YouTube’s plans for future rentals:

YouTube engineers are working on a self-service method that will give moviemakers the ability to upload and provide their streaming content for rent, Hunter Walk, who heads product management at YouTube, told MediaPost.

The option aims to keep Google’s video site on a path to continually simplify the site and its features. Walk says engineers also have been working on a process that simplifies the ability for people to upload movies to the site that have been created on a mobile phone.

Google seems to be like a business “shopaholic” these days. Unlike those who shop to feed an addiction though Google shops with intent. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that have enough money to buy most anything at anytime.

The latest appetizer sized company that has been swallowed whole by the Google is Bump Top. Bump Top was part of Microsfot’s BizSpark program which provided free software to start ups. I guess it didn’t have any small print about not being acquired by a mortal enemy. Of note, both Agnilux and DocVerse who are recent Google acquisitions were part of the program as well. I wonder if Mr. Schmidt sends thank you notes to Mr. Gates in those circumstances?

I’m not sure if this signifies a new era of cooperation between the private sector and government agencies but apparently man made natural disasters can create strange bedfellows. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that is grabbing headlines has created a new website that is jointly managed by not only the companies involved (British Petroleum and Transocean) but also many of the government agencies looking to get this situation under control.

ReadWriteWeb reports

Now that oil from the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon is heading for landfall on the Gulf Shore, social media is out front again. A collaborative multimedia website, Gulf of Mexico – Deepwater Horizon Incident, rich in social media, has been launched information for those who are or might be hit.

With Google and Apple butting heads and locking horns at every corner these days one place neither of them want to be seen is in front of federal regulators full of anti-trust concerns. Google is getting very used to this kind of scrutiny but Apple seems to keep its nose clean as it relates to this kind of activity. That is until very recently.

A report from the New York Post tells us

After years of being the little guy who used Washington to fend off Goliaths like Microsoft, Apple CEO Steve Jobs is about to learn what life is like when the shoe’s on the other foot.

How much do you know about potatoes?

For example, did you know that potatoes grown above the 42nd parallel grow during the day when it’s warm, and stop growing at night when it cools down? Did you know that the longer a potato grows the more dense it is? Don’t worry I didn’t know any of this either, until I read about Jerry Murrell. Jerry Murrell, is the successful entrepreneur behind the rapidly growing Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

Recently, Murrell, spoke to Inc.com about how he and his sons have grown their small burger joint into a rapidly growing business that accounted for $483 million in sales in 2009. After reading Jerry’s story of success I asked myself what are the key elements that helped his business grow? Apart from what appears to be his natural business savvy approach, and his son’s willingness to grow the company, it is also apparent that Murrell is obsessed with the quality of its product.