by
2 Comments

Google Ad Track Blocker “Keep My Opt-Outs” Is Live

posted on January 25, 2011

Yesterday, I discussed how hype and news maybe shouldn’t be held up as equals. Some of you disagreed which is cool but what happened today goes to show the risks of talking a good game without having anything to back it up.

Yesterday, Mozilla discussed their ad tracking blocker for their browser but couldn’t give an indication of when it would be actually ready. Well, Mozilla’s frienemy, Google, has their own extension for their Chrome browser with the difference being it can be used right now.

The LA Times Technology blog reports.

Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox Web browsers are each gaining new features that will block advertisers from tracking Web surfing habits.

by
2 Comments

B to B Companies Plan Online Spend Increases

posted on January 25, 2011

The B to B world online is a different marketing animal in many ways. While B to C marketers get all of the attention with their online promotions through Facebook, Twitter etc the B to B crowd slogs through the online world at a pace that maddens some. In other words, they move a bit slower than their B to C brethren.

B to B Magazine (which I recommend you check out on a regular basis) recently did a survey that echoes the “b to b is a little less sexy online” with the results on where increase in spend would occur in 2011. Essentially it’s all about the basics and, quite honestly, I suspect that many of the B to C hares could take a hint from the B to B tortoises. eMarketer shared the following

by
4 Comments

Consumer Product Safety Board Puts Complaints Online

posted on January 24, 2011

If you routinely scan social media for complaints about your business or product, come March you’ll need to add another site to the list. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is now beta testing a new website that will allow consumers to list their complaints publicly. The site is called SaferProducts.gov and AdAge calls it “Yelp with the imprimatur of government authority.”

The site will focus only on product safety issues and complaints will be screened before they go live, but don’t expect too many of the posts to get tossed. The CPSC says, all comments “that meet the minimum requirements for publication in the Database will be disclosed in the Database.” The legalese that follows is pretty extensive but it all boils down to what the screener considers to be reasonable. Which means, unless a consumer sends in a blatantly outrageous claim, it’s likely to get published.

by
11 Comments

Girl Scouts Say Yes to Social Media, But No to Online Selling

posted on January 24, 2011

“Man I really want girl scout cookies ppl….. U juss dnt understand…..”

And so the cry goes up on Twitter and Facebook as people all over America begin craving those Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs. It’s Girl Scout cookie time and this year those little green moppets will be using social media to help them hawk those over-priced boxes of sugary joy.

The whole marketing concept behind Girl Scout cookies is pretty amazing. By releasing the product only once a year, they’ve cleverly created a seller’s market. It’s not just a box of cookies, it’s an event! The first Girl Scout cookies were sold in 1917, but the tradition as we know it goes back to the 1950′s, young girls going door-to-door, or setting up tables at the local shopping center, selling bakery-made treats. And it’s still being done that same way today but with a twist – social media.

by
7 Comments

Hype Is Not News But We Keep Acting Like It Is

posted on January 24, 2011

This morning I read a headline from the Wall Street Journal that had promise, especially as it could impact online marketers. The title of the story read: Web Tool on Firefox to Deter Tracking.

Interesting, right? Here is what the Journal had to say about the tool.

Mozilla Corp. plans to add a do-not-track feature to its Firefox Web browser, which could let users avoid having their actions monitored online.

The announcement makes Firefox the first Web browser to heed the Federal Trade Commission’s call for the development of a do-not-track system. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Mozilla was exploring the development of such a system.

by
5 Comments

Report Says Twitter Ad Revenue to Triple in 2011

posted on January 24, 2011

If only it were that easy, huh? Twitter enters into a pivotal year in its existence because of some nagging questions that still exist about their business model and their ability to live up to a supposed $4 billion dollar valuation.

Add to the fact that there is blood in the water around a potential IPO for relative newcomer Groupon (with a $15 billion valuation) and the continued growth of Facebook both in terms of revenue and valuation, and the pressure continues to grow for Twitter to show some business chops.

eMarketer is taking a swing at ad revenue predictions for Twitter and they think that 2011 will be a good year and their magic 8 ball says 2012 should even better.

by
3 Comments

Cup of Joe: My Birthday Wish For You

posted on January 22, 2011

One day, Craig Rowin asked for a million dollars. Days later, he asked again, and again, and one last time. And then, the unthinkable happened.

Someone gave him one million dollars.

Well, not yet, but he’s met with a millionaire that has given him a notarized letter confirming that he will present Craig with a check on February 2nd on stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City. Where Rowin performs on a regular basis as a comedian.

Its not surprising to find out that Rowin is a comedian. His videos are funny and he obviously did them for the comedic value. It would also be safe to assume that he never expected to actually get a million dollars.