Hindsight is Always 20/20

An unintended birthday present to me: no blogging for the month of April :-D

Written: June 13, 2010

Social Media: Is it a fad?

Because I see social media as an innovative form of word-of-mouth marketing, social media is no more a fad than marketing via television, radio or print.  Each is a type of communication channel that came to be and later evolved based on society's needs.  In marketing & advertising, fads are born figuring out how to connect with as many people as possible using the communication channel of choice while seeking the biggest return on investment (ROI).

Here’s an analogy:
If social media was a highway, the automobiles would be the applications (Ning, Second Life, Vimeo, Facebook, Posterous , Digg, Yelp.com, Blogger, Flickr, etc.) developed to maneuver the channel.  The number and types of applications depend on the ever-changing likes and dislikes of the target audience as well as the desire to standout from the rest and try something new.  Just like automobiles in real life, some applications peak and fall in popularity quickly (i.e., the fads).  On the contrary what doesn’t disappear, even with improvements and refilling of potholes along the way, is the highway or communication channel (i.e., social media.)

Do you agree or disagree?  Don’t just stop there. Tell why you feel one way or another in comments.

You can also click on older posts to read my thoughts on Social Media, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Lemonade: Movie Review

After Eric Prolux, a 37 year-old copywriter, is laid off from a large ad-agency in 2008, he starts a blog for other unemployed ad professionals. Once the site launched, he decided to create a promotional video featuring the faces and stories of other laid-off execs.  Lemonade is NOT a film of people complaining about being laid off.  The movie is also a film for unemployed professionals in ALL industries.

Lemonade reminded me of when I was laid off in 2002.  At that time, I decided to make the best of it and pursue my interest of knowing what goes on behind the camera and entered the film industry.  It was one of the best experiences I ever had as it was freeing to be doing something that I wanted to do.  My time working at a small production company in TriBeCa made me realize that previous work experiences weren't as fulfilling as I had thought.  An element had been missing - my personal interests...my personality...ME.  It took a while before I completely jumped ship and dived into the world of advertising by attending the VCU Brandcenter.  The two year swim (i.e., grad school) was one of the most challenging events of my life and I enjoyed almost (let's be real about it) every moment of it.  Now it's 2010 and fast approaching a year after graduating from the Brandcenter and I have yet to secure full-time employment.

Am I bitter? A little. 

Am I scared. You're darn right I am. 

Am I doing something about? I was slow at the start, but picking up speed.

Lemonade is yet another confirmation that establishing a business was the right thing for me to do.  Here's how you can watch the film and get inspired too:
1.  Click to find a screening near you
2. Go to Lemonademovie.com and buy the DVD
3. Buy the DVD from Amazon
4. For those without a steady stream of income, watch it on Hulu below

A must watch film (less than 40 min):

Do the Potty Dance!

Remember when you were a kid and you loved to sing along with TV commercial jingles? And remember when you would dance along with the commercial too?  Do you remember why you did that?  Well let me remind you....because you were a kid and didn't know any better.

We're all adults now and even if we still have childish tendencies it doesn't mean we want to be advertised to as if we were a child.  Huggies Pull-Ups is the culprit that prompted these thoughts to surface.  See the long-version of the TV ad below.

Am I wrong to think what the marketing strategy is: target young or first-time mothers by grabbing the attention of the child through song & dance?  Perhaps I'm missing something; however, I don't see kids running to mom or dad asking for Huggie Pull-Ups.  Then again if a parent saw her child doing the "Potty Dance" perhaps that would serve a reminder to go out and replenish the diaper or pull-up supply before it's too late.

For all the parents, guardians, and childcare providers: What is you consumer perspective?  Does this the video win you over or turn you off?

The Person I Secretly Admire (or use too)

This post is written to recognize a person online who has positively influenced me.  Since it is difficult for me to select one, I decided to pick the person who has inspired me most recently - Ms. Lauren Hornes, Owner of BeSpoken Spaces.  

I first "met" Lauren via email in 2004 while she was attending our alma mater the University of Michigan (Go Blue) and after her initiation into Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service organization I am still active in today.  Our communications would be sporadic at best the next few years.  Then in 2009 Lauren began sending out emails to reconnect, letting me and others know of her ambitions.  Last year she launched her professional organizing business - BeSpoken Spaces.  This is her SECOND business since graduating from U of M almost 3 years ago. 

It's amazing to me as to how much she has accomplished in such a short period of time.  Not only is her sincerity in thought, positive outlook, and constant enthusiasm for her business refreshing, it is also my own personal reminder to take more risks and demand more of myself. 

Although Lauren isn't the only person who motivated me into action, she is the person who got me to thinking long & hard "why the heck not?" and "what's stopping me?" As a result, I made it official and founded One Epiphany, a brand marketing company.  I'm still in the beginning stages of organization, but I have gotten over the first hurdle and for that I am thankful.

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This is a post for the contest Win A Free SOBCon Weekend #SOBCon2010. You can enter too. “Write a blog post about a person (or people) online who has (or have) made a difference in your life. Celebrate how they have made your life easier, better, smarter, more productive, more meaningful.”

For the Lover in You...

Source: FunMunch

We Are The World 25 for Haiti

The song gives me chills as did the original in 1985 and will effect so many lives with the donations.

Olympic Coverage: Do you value story more than sport?

On Facebook today Redscout asked the following question:

NBC’s Winter Olympic coverage will no doubt be engineered to deliver emotion in spades. Do you value story more than sport?

As a fan of both the Summer and Winter Olympics, I was immediately inspired to answer with the following:

When it comes to the Olympics....yes. Most of the athletes are not front of mind for even the biggest sport enthusiast. By offering a story it allows sport enthusiasts, Olympic lovers, or channel hoppers alike to become connected with an athlete and cheer them on as if they knew them all their lives.

What are your thoughts? Do you value the story more than the sport?

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.