Too Many Things Are On My Mind

Too many things are on my mind and there is too little time to get them organized and write a post or two. Let's hope February will commence a less chaotic mental state as there are a couple of prongs in the fire that you may find interesting and I wish to share with you soon.

It's a New Year!

After spending time with my family over the holidays, I am looking forward to the many blessings 2010 has to offer.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?

In the spirit of the holidays

 A Charlie Brown Ad Agency:

Google Wave and Marketing

This morning I came across this question by Darya B. on LinkedIn.com:
"Has anyone thought of any ways that Google Wave could be used for marketing and similar business purposes? Thanks"

My response:
Google Wave is a great tool for project management. Use it during every meeting to document meeting notes, brainstorming ideas, take-aways, and next steps. Use it to share and track file drafts and associated changes.

When a new person is added to the team or Wave they can use the playback feature to get up to speed on all that has been discussed and done to date. There is less feeling out of the loop, or waiting to meet with someone before you can start. Google Wave allows the delivery large files to a client and tracks client edits more easily compared to regular email.

The biggest con is the current exclusivity of Google Wave invites; however, this will change once Google Wave moves out of Beta.

Before reading this question, I hadn't thought about how to use Google Wave for marketing. Off the top of my head, I think Google Wave could be used similarly to how podcasts, blogs, YouTube videos, and Wikis provide information to the end user.

In what ways do you use Google Wave? In what ways do you want to use it?

I'm A Fan? Are you?

I am TOTALLY diggin': We're All Fans. It's a user (fan) content generated website promoting the GRAMMY Awards . Content comes from the web as well as fan submitted photos, tweets, videos, etc.

This campaign is a great example of how traditional media channels can be complemented by strong social media strategies.

We're All Fans combined with the GRAMMY Nomination TV Special (aired Dec. 2, 2009), Facebook, Twitter, print ads and more will encourage interaction with the intended audience and build anticipation that will hopefully translate into increased viewership on January 31, 2010.

Twitter for Business

I recently came across the He Said She Said blog and in volume 1 the topic of Twitter for Small Businesses was discussed. This discussion sparked the inspiration for this post.

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Since joining Twitter a couple of years ago, I have used it to become the 'virtual fly on the wall' more often than not. By doing so a business will be able to learn the good, the bad, and the indifferent regarding its brand.  The business will also be able to identify keywords, language and strategies to engage its intended audience.  In some instances, the business may also learn of a new target market it hadn't previously considered.

To learn what is being said on Twitter about your company, brand, product, service, etc. use search.twitter.com.

Also be sure to read a related post: How the Everyday Person Should Use Twitter

World AIDS Day 2009

Find a Testing Center Near YouFind a Testing Center Near You

Find a Testing Center Near You

Find a Testing Center Near You

Rubber Cement Has More Uses Than You Know

Reposted the original November 24th post again today due to technical difficulties with the embedded video. Hope you enjoy!

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Does anyone know the agency of this clever commercial for a European maker of rubber cement?

Les-nonnes

The Truth or A Myth?

It's funny since there is some truth; however, disheartening because some people may believe all of it to be true.

Great analogy & very insightful

What brands can learn from online dating http://bit.ly/Z4Skx @PSFK

Adina Nyree / Certified Organic Debut Album

Adina Nyree is a multi-talented singer and spoken word artist whose deb ut album ‘Certified Organic’ drops on November 14, 2009. Please show her love & support.

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Adina Nyree combines soulful vocals with rhythmic melodies and thoughtful prose. With elements of soul, jazz, pop, and blues, she describes her brand of music as “a return of good, real (un-sampled, original) music with lyrics that mean something, that stand for something.”

'Certified Organic', the debut album, can be purchased at adinanyree.com or any live shows and will be available for sale on iTunes and cdbaby.com later this year. The first 100 people to order a copy will receive an autographed free poster of the 'Certified Organic' album cover. Ten percent of 'Certified Organic' album sale profits will be donated to amfAR, Save Dafur, Stop Global Warming and Amnesty International. For additional information visit http://www.adinanyree.com.

'Certified Organic' CD Giveaway: Go to http://tinyurl.com/Nov5AdinaNyree for details on how to win.

NYC Tri-State Residents: Come to the album release party on Saturday, November 14th at the Bassline Jazz Club an d help Adina Nyree usher in a great album of music, song and spoken word. Party starts at 7:30 PM. Advance tickets are available at http://www.adinanyree.com for $25. Tickets will be $30 at the door. Tickets include admission, appetizers and the BRAND NEW 'Certified Organic' CD.

Thank you for all your support.

~ Adina Nyree and the Band

Blog Makeover

~Before~

~After~

Today I finished giving my blog a visual makeover.

Tell me what you think.
Offer suggestions on how I can make the layout even better.
I really want to know your thoughts.

In fact if someone can tell me how to widen the body or content portion of my blog so it extends more to the left....I'll love ya forever!


P.S., I'm not the best at html, but I am a quick study.

Tell me your thoughts: Pepsi Amp

Snippet from one of my October Facebook posts. Share your thoughts...

Do you think this app is alienating to women? Do you believe this is acceptable for the Amp brand? For Pepsi as the parent brand? If you are agree with the article, do you feel the same about Dove and AXE their parent company Unilever?

http://mashable.com/2009/10/12/amp-before-you-score/?awesm=fbshare.me_Dov

JM: A man associated with the use of this application should be embarassed. If a man does not have a sister or niece he should at least think of his mother and grandmother before using it. This can potentially ruin reputations of women as users post of their exploits through this application. Those who support this childish and immature application should be shamed.

CF: Marketing at Pepsi has lost it's mind. But given the other markers in our culture, and here I mean American culture at large, it falls in line with the anything goes mentality. Won't be very cute in the hands of middle school and high school students.

A must for tea drinkers

I'm addicted to YOGI tea - very fabulous and so many different kinds to enjoy!! I stopped buying other teas a long time ago.

My long-time favorite is the Egyptian Licorice Mint. Don't add a sweetener before you taste. You'll love it!

Do you think he should be charged?

Man Caught Making Coffee Naked in His Home Faces Indecent Exposure Charges

Simply put....we all better start closing our blinds!

Mascara: Fake or Real? Does it make a difference?

Every time I see a TV commercial for mascara I can't help but shake my head. If the product really works the way it says it does, why use models with fake lashes to get the point across?

What triggers you to buy a particular mascara? Does the use of fake lashes in ads sway you at all?

Here are a couple of comments I received on Facebook when I posted the question there.

"my brand loyality is to the old school maybelline mascara. years ago on a shoot a make up artist told me that's the best one and i've used it ever since. i will try other brands if given a freebie but honestly i agree that the maybelline is the best and i've noticed that most professional make up artists use it too. i have naturally long lashes so no the ads don't sway me at all. i like to use the mascara to enhance what i already have but i do have a lot of friends who spend BIG bucks on false lashes" - SS

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"No because I know they're fake. Its pretty much a brand thing for me. I like covergirl mascara because I like covergirl make up and Queen Latifah. :-D" - SL

Post a comment and tell me your thoughts?

Cheating with Social Networks

Wouldn't this leave a bigger trail than paper?

Married people are increasingly using social networking sites to cheat.

10 mind-blowing microsites - VW Polo and Golf - iMediaConnection.com

"Sometimes you just have to keep track of recognized work. Hence the blog post."

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I heart Brandcenter - The documentary

Two years ago I made a decision to return to school and earn a Masters in advertising specializing in Creative Brand Management. Now it is September 2009. I have my Masters and out of the blue I am reminded that I shall be a part of the Brandcenter's architectural documentary for as long as Clive Wilkinson and YouTube remain in the forefront of their industries. You can see me at the beginning and the end of the video attached below.

As one of my former classmates said, "I heart Brandcenter." :-D

What to do in NYC: September 16 & 18th

While I am seeking full-time employment, I have been identifying projects I can work on to enhance my marketing craft. One such opportunity came to me while perusing facebook last month.

A rising star and personal friend, Adina Nyree, posted on facebook that she thought it was time for her to get a publicist. Although I have only done PR work for not-for-profits, I told Adina that I was up for the challenge and the experience if she was willing to try me out.

The plan is to share with you the new experiences I gain from this project and any others that seem blog worthy. Below you will find an image of the news release I wrote for Adina Nyree's live performances later this month. Click here to see the news release on PRWeb.


Note: A five song EP is available for purchase at live performances only. Certified Organic, the debut album, will be available for sale on iTunes, cdbaby.com, adinanyree.com and at all live shows after October 24, 2009. Also don't forget to check out Adina Nyree's official website and become a fan on facebook.

Adina Nyree