Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Are all these business going under just inevitable?

Morgan has just filed for administration in the UK. They join a long list of companies going under, now I now we're in a recession but don't you get the feeling that a lot of these were inevitable? Woolworths have been going down hill for a long time, Zavvi had a bad business model since they bought it, why do you think Branson sold it?

The time has come to pass when the public will no longer stand for companies wearing the "Emperors New Clothes". The outcome is that weak businesses will go under and the recession is just a convenient cover for a badly run company. Its going to hurt, but the horse has already bolted and tidying up the pile of shit left behind is only good for the roses.

Don't be good in 2009 - be great!

Being good isn't enough. When someone asks you how you are what do you say? Stock answer is "alright" or "ok". How does that make the other person feel? Are they energised? Probably not, but then neither are you. If you say you're great and have a big smile, then they'll feel surprised at first and then feel really good, its a natural reaction to an answer like that and the smile tops it off. Only an android could fail to smile back.

Being great is much better all round than being ok. How do you feel after an ok sleep? Still tired. An ok meal? Still hungry. So why not be great?

I'm not sating that just thinking that will make you a genius but genius starts somewhere. Their minds are clear of all the crap that pulls them down so they can work on being great. Their failures spur them on to get stuff right. Over on Seth's Blog he sums this up better than I ever could.

So for 2009 don't be good - be great!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Marketing Lomography


As I've ranted about on here before, I love my Lomo camera. The way the lens gives an odd light and that no two are alike makes amazing shots. The camera I have the SuperSampler also has the disadvantage of not having a view finder. Add to that that they use 35mm film and you have a little issue. Namely that you have no idea what you have until you collect your prints. It's this very fact that makes me love the little thing. Its also what has made Lomography a worldwide cult.

The images the camera makes are so individual that they make ideal shots for marketing and advertising. The issue is that there can be no standardisation, no given quality. What's needed from a client or agency is a lot of good will that the images will not be highly technical or even pin sharp or even that the images once shot will even come out. What does ensue though is great, no amazing pictures.

I'm going to make it a personal mission if mine in 2009 to get Lomography more widely used, even if it's just by me.

If you've no idea what I'm taking about then take a look at the Lomography website you'll be amazed. Once you've seen what can be achieved you'll want to try it yourself I'm sure.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

My list of the 8 best things in 2008

As a last post of 2008 I thought I'd list the best things to happen to me in 2008. Yes its self indulgent but this my blog!
  1. My children.
    Obvious I know but as any dad will tell you they are the most important thing in the world. I'm so proud of the way they are becoming amazing people in their own right. I'm very lucky indeed. I can state for a fact that this will be number one in the list until I die.

  2. My friends.
    I only have a few good friends, they know who they are. Friends are the most important people in your life. You'll only ever get a few really really good ones make sure you cherish them. It'll pay off for your whole life.

  3. My cameras.
    This year I've become obsessed with my cameras, I've a standard compact digital which goes everywhere with me. But my cherished camera is my Lomo Super Sampler. I love this little camera with its weird lens and the four pictures it takes at once. If you don't own a Lomo Camera them buy one now, your life will be enhanced I promise.

  4. Glastonbury Festival
    This year was the first time I've been in 13 years and Glastonbury didn't disappoint. It was bigger, weirder and more amazing than I could have imagined. Got my ticket for 2009 already. Hey if there are any left get them booked!

  5. BBC Radio Four
    Never, ever thought I'd find myself listening to this! But radio four has opened up my mind. I know find it impossible to drive to work without listening to the Today Show. OK some of the comedy is a bit ropey sometimes and I still can't listen to the Archers. But nothing is perfect.

  6. Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie on Radio 2
    Driving home up the M1 is made into a joy listening to these professional northerners rattle on seemingly to themselves. Their knowledge of music old and new is amazing but they aren't condescending at all. The whole show feels like you've just nipped down to the pub with a few mates and the pub happens to have the best jukebox ever.
  7. QI
    Stephen Fry and QI are a match made in heaven I can watch this programme forever and never ever be bored. The title Quite Interesting actually undersells the show, its the most interesting programme you'll ever see.
  8. The Book of Dave by Will Self
    Completely bewildering in parts but still utter genius. Taking a while to get through it but I can't put it down. Buy it and be bewildered today.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Are printed directories dead?

It's a long tradition I know but is there really any need for printed directories? I mean as soon as they are printed they're out of date plus they cost an absolute fortune to print and distribute.

The main culprits, at least in the UK, are phone directories Yellow Pages and Thomson. Every year they print one for each house in the UK about an inch thick and rammed with as many number and ads as can be printed on the toilet roll paper they use.

And what happens to them? They go on a shelf and stay there for a whole year until the new edition arrives.

The main purpose of these directories is to give you access to numbers and services you need, mainly its Pizza/Curry/Chinese take-away restaurants, when you're drunk.

But stop just there, don't you like me get at least 4 menus shoved through your door each day. And not only do these have the contact numbers on they also have the whole menu. So no need to call up and guess what they can cook for you.

I'm sure there are advertisers who will say that directories work for them, they must they continue to use them. But for the vast majority of business they are next to useless.

In a time of recession being front of face and shouting that you're the best fit for a customer, and then delivering are vital. Do you think this can really be achieved from a page of loo role left on a shelf?

Monday, December 22, 2008

It's all about the added service

When times are tough like now do you remember the business that gave you an ok product but left you feeling a little let down and tell your friends about it? Or do you think of the companies who gave you that little bit extra and made you smile?

Even the smallest company can do a lot to ensure that their good deeds are passed on. Here's a small example of how a humble fish and chip shop could have left a great impression on my friend but instead left her really annoyed.

Feeling peckish she entered the local Fish and Chip shop, which by the way has a great reputation for good food, and sat at a vacant table. After sitting a while she was asked to move tables as they were expecting a lunchtime rush and as she was sat alone the tables wouldn't be used efficiently. A simple enough request. Just badly handled by the staff member making the request. Because as it turned out the rush never happened.

My friend ate her fish and chips and left, there was no apology for making her move for the phantom lunchtime rush, no free cup of tea, no extra slice of bread and butter, no voucher for her next visit, nothing other than a disgruntled ex-customer who may well have gone on to tell all her friends about the amazing way she's been treated in the Chip Shop.

But now what does that chip shop have? One less customer who's already started telling people about her experience. And each one of them will think twice before visiting that chippy again.

I guess the lesson is when times are tough turn up the service to 12. Empower your staff to go that extra mile because every customer counts now. There's no room for bad products or service anymore.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Who owns the right's to the image of Che Guevara?


I love the image of Che Guevara. Last night I wondered who owned the famous image? I'm no historian and only ever have a vague idea on things. I figured someone must own it.

We 10 minutes of digging on Wikipedia and there it all is. The guy who took the picture Alberto Korda, never registered it under copyright law so it falls under common use. Basically that means that if you want to use that image you can, no questions, no charges.

Does that support or go against Che's ideas? Surely freedom of speech and thought is what he was about. But this free usage means that it can be used for commercial means as well totally what he was against.

The V&A Museum declared it "the most reproduced image in the history of photography" it's been used for good and bad.

If only the copyright had been asserted maybe the use of Che's image could have helped the people he longed to free from poverty and oppression. But then again if there had been restrictions them maybe the image and ultimately his legacy wouldn't live on?

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Goodnight Oliver Postgate


It's with real sadness that I write this post about the death of Oliver Postgate who passed away yesterday.

Like a lot of people my age I grew up with his amazing stories and even more amazing rolling kind voice that lulled you into his magical world. His programmes touched an entire generation and I'd be surprised if we ever see a story teller as strong and witty as Oliver was.
Oliver surely goes into the annals of Animation greats along with Mel Blanc. Though his voice wasn't as varied in his own very British way he was every bit as magical.

Oliver Postgate RIP

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Duarte Design Annual Pumkin contest


Duarte Design, revered by Garr Reynolds on Presentation Zen, each year have a Halloween Lantern Competition. The designs get better and better each year. Truly creative companies always run these type of annual events. Does your business, group of friends, family do something similar? If not why not? Accountants, tree surgeons, builders, bin men and all use their creative skills shouldn't you be encouraging them?

People who can use their whole brain are more productive and are more likely to give your company the edge which will make a difference in these time the media are calling a recession.

What can you do to stimulate your team/friends/life.

What ever it is do it today!

Six things to remember when you have a stand at a trade exhibition

Yesterday I went to the Interbuild exhibition at the NEC. I'm not a builder but was there because several of my agencies clients where exhibiting. Walking around the massive hanger that is the NEC I was amazed by the amount of money, time and energy companies waste at exhibitions.

I've done exhibitions myself before and they are very expensive and are really hard to quantify the success of. There are a few things that should be considered before booking your companies expensive slot. Here we go.

  1. Have a clear goal. Most of the exhibiting companies had done all the work, complex stand, loads of staff, shiny brochures, boxes full of pens, widgets and competition entries - you know the score. Thing is their company hadn't given the staff a reason to be there. There they stood not really knowing what to do. Am I collecting names, ensuring I get rid of all the pens/brochures/widgets etc, am I pushing a new product. Hardly anyone knew.
  2. Look interested. Most people on stands were bored, twiddling their thumbs, texting, picking their nose etc. Look, if you're bored and un-interested then why the hell should a slightly nervous visitor come to your stand? Would you approach someone who looked like they had an ASBO but what wearing a suit? No, so why are you doing it at a very expensive exhibition?
  3. Get people on the stand. You're there to speak to people that's the whole point to ensure you do it. If things are quiet leave your stand and venture into the isles if they're really quiet wander around the exhibition yourself. Engage people, pull then into your stand. The more you get on to the stand the more passers by will want to come to the stand too. People are nosey to see what others find so interesting.
  4. Don't waste money on a flashy stand unless it was a purpose. Lots of the stands looked like they were designed by Norman Foster! Lovely to look at but they had no tie back to the product, brand or exhibition. They were cold and uninviting and the staff, yes them again looked bewildered and lost. Save cash on the stand but ensure you have a well thought out reason for people to come to speak to you.
  5. Have knowledgeable staff on the exhibition stand. So many stands had, sorry to say this, "Dolly birds" on the stand. At Interbuild I can see how this tactic works after all the place is full of male builders. But once people have been to the stand, ogled the girls and left a business card to win a bottle of Champers, have really got a good lead? The answers probably not. Save the cash and save the poor girls dignity too. Have people who know what they are talking about who can finish the lead and ensure that when you follow-up that lead they'll remember you for your knowledge and great products, rather than the eye-candy.
  6. You are going to follow-up those leads aren't you?! So many get put in a drawer when you drag yourself back to the office after a hard few days at the show. What a waste of time and money. Ensure you follow -up all the relevant leads and lose all the time wasters. That includes all the bag/pen/widget/competition entries. You don't need or want millions of leads if each day you get 10 good leads and convert 2 into orders later then you'll have an amazing conversion rate.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Is it just me?


Is it just me or can no one else see the "Smile" on the new Pepsi logo? I've looked and looked but I can't see what's supposed to be a smile. Clearly a lot of work and cash has gone into it but all seems a waste. If it's supposed to lift sales I'd say that's a waste of time too. Coke has a clear lead and there's no changing the majority of people. Pepsi need to build on thier story not tey to hide behind a new logo becasue they've run out of ideas.

Friday, October 24, 2008

What if... We all refuse the recession

Each morning on Radio 4 more and more news comes in of the world wide recession. In reality there's not much I alone can do about the recession.

I realise that I'm only small and even if I put everything and every penny I've ever made or am likely to make into a bank or business it would absolutely no difference at all. I like most people of the world am small fry.

But what if...

But what if all us small people did something amazing. What if we all refuse the recession? I know it sounds fanciful and impossible but think about it a bit more. All this mess has been made by only a few people who someone gave a load of cash and power to. What if a huge number of people got together and collectively made a difference. What if we all refuse to have a recession or change how we live so that we don't care and don't let the recession effect us? What would all the big wigs do then? How would they cope with the fact that their cock-ups and messes didn't matter to us because we just got on with life and supported each other?

I'm not saying I have any answers. What I am saying is that there's a recession because they told us there was one and there telling us that we're all going to hell in a hand cart and what do we do we sit here and take it!

My profession has a lot to answer for Marketing as a whole has a way of putting spin on everything. Government now runs on marketing, it'll tell you what's good for you, doesn't matter which party it is or even which country.

My mantra is that marketing and everything in life should be used for good, there's no reason why not. So let's market ourselves mentally and physically out of the recession. Positive Mental Attitude is what's needed.

Keep looking for glimmers.

Use some common sense with your double yellow lines


Contractors in Leeds have had a serious loss of common sense. While painting double yellow lines in the Hyde Park area they found a parked car. Instead of painting the lines at the back and then in front of the car and returning later, they simple went around it!


I'm presuming that no one told them they could use their initiative!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Animal Farm at the West Yorkshire Playhouse


Last night I went to see Animal Farm at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.

I'm not a theatre goer normally, but I love George Orwell so I booked as soon as I heard about it. I was lucky enough to get tickets for the first preview night and I wasn't disappointed.

Before entering the theatre I wondered how the animals would be represented. The result was a great halfway house so that the characters where visibility human but took on their animal characteristics. The set was fantastic to showing a whole range of aspects of the farm from the chicken shed to the farm house itself.

Sound and music was used to great effect to give a feeling of terror and wonder at the same time.

This is a great adaptation of a great book, if you get the chance go and see it, If not at least revisit Animal Farm the book, or try out the film which was funded by the CIA and used as anti Soviet propaganda.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Amazon slash delivery charge

Amazon have made a very brave and clever move in light of the credit crunch. One of the first things to go at times like these is the purchase of luxuries, like books.

Lowering the minimum order value to get free delivery is a great move by Amazon.

It says to it's loyal customers that Amazon knows that times are hard but that you still want to buy things from Amazon, so it's making life easier for you. For none or infrequent users its a reason to log on and buy stuff from Amazon while it's competitors still have high delivery charges.

Amazon are clever enough to know that trying to hang on to margins is a recipe for disaster and that doing this know rather than trying to hedge its bets is a way to keep going when they'll be a lot of casualties.

Email Experience Council - Email irony

I signed up for email alerts from the Email Experience Council recently. They do a great job and are to be congratulated.

The ironic thing is that their emails keep arriving in my spam box!

Iran nearly has the worlds biggest sandwich!

This really out of the blue and not related to what I usually blog here it just made me laugh out loud.

Today officials in Iran where upset that they have supposedly failed to beat the world record for the worlds largest Ostrich sandwich. The sandwich making had gathered huge crowds but before the sandwich could be measured by the Iranian officials the crowd rushed forward and ate it.

It just made me chuckle!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Missed opportunities

Last week I cancelled my car insurance and switched to a new one. Nothing odd in that happens every year.

The insurer I was with was an online only broker they play on the fact that they give the best price cover because they don't have a call centre. Well clearly that's wrong because I beat the cost from another supplier.

The missed opportunity was that when I hit the cancel button on the site there was a question about why I'd switched but that was it. No attempt to see if they had a better deal for me, not even a sorry you're leaving. Nothing!

What a waste of a great opportunity, with the amount of data available on car insurance and the data they hold on me they could have given a perfect option for me - instead they did nothing and lost a customer.

For me this throws up another question.

How on earth do you ensure loyalty in the insurance market?

It's very cut-throat, most people don't make any claims for years and there's little interaction with the insurance company. The market at the moment seems to be all about cost, which is great for consumers but means that everything is driven to the lowest common denominator. Sheila's Wheels is one which stands out as it's niche is women drivers, but once you're insured how do they create loyalty and avoid the end of policy switch dance?

Friday, October 03, 2008

Stand for something

I read Seth's Blog each day. There's always a great insight into his mind.

Today's is relevant not just for Business or Marketers but for the population as a whole. Stand for something! You can't be everything to everyone, no matter how much you'd love to. You have to make tough decisions and stand by them that's what make you - you!

Have a good read and think over how you can stand for something, something important to you. Be yourself - no one else is going to do it for you!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Don't Panic

Sorry that title is a blatant rip off of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

The point is the same. All around at the moment is doom and gloom, banks going under is pretty scary stuff make no bones about it.

But the best thing you can do is Don't Panic. Sure be a little more careful, but don't stop being creative in your life and work.

If you stop taking risks then a few things will happen:
  • You become very dull and you won't have many friends left
  • You stop having energy, when that stops people aren't energised by you anymore
  • You stop having new ideas
  • You fulfil the prophesy "They" want. You become subservient and under control

In a climate of fear and uncertainty whats needed are new idea, new approaches. The old ways may be tried and tested but look where that's got us so far. Be brave cos its the only way you discover what'll work in the future and the future is all you ever have.

The past is great, I know I spend enough time there. But you can't change what's gone only what's to come.

Be brave and Don't Panic.

Rant over

Thanks to Douglas Adams

Guess the new brand identity - A quiz with no prize


Who in the world has a new logo like this?
Answers on a comment please. Sorry no prize, other than for the agency who pocketed £600k (part of a £1.5m identity makeover).

Monday, September 29, 2008

Aids pandemic

I'm watching Current TV and I've just seen one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen. In the video a women has asked her husband to use a condom. He thought that she didn't trust him so he gathered a mob to beat her.

Please take the time to watch this video and then make a promise to change something. You really don't know how lucky you are.

What will you do with £1.40 today?

Sorry I know I don't do politics. But I just had to post about this.

Today the Tories announced at their party conference in Birmingham that if they win the next election they'll freeze Council Tax for two years.

(Big cheer)

Hang on...

The report on more 4 news then tells you how much that'll mean in your pocket - £1.40 per week! Hey wait for me in the charge to the shops I can now buy a loaf of bread!

Come on, if you're going to make a policy which in these times of financial crisis then at least don't take the piss.

But, on the bright side, if these guys get voted in then at least we can all afford a round of butties as we cry hopelessly for four years.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Mark Rothko at the Tate

The Tate are holding a large exhibition of Mark Rothko works. Regardless of if you love his work or think it's just a blob of colour on a board. Rothko's work definitely makes everyone have an opinion. The BBC have put together a virtual tour of the exhibition which gives you a feel for the scale of the works.

£946 Million Profit for Lloyds of London!!!!!!

Listening to the news today a warning came from Lloyds of London the insurer. They have issued a profit warning they've only made £946 Million profit this year. Which is apparently down about 50% on last year (I was driving so please excuse any inaccuracy here).

Somehow I find it really hard to feel sorry for them!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Day in my Life


I really love my digital camera. The really cool thing about it is that there is no cost involved in using it, other than batteries. With camera 1.0 film and processing where quite a cost, which is why when I was a kid photos where only taken on special occasions and everyone had to be positioned and smiling at the camera, or holding something or pointing at something. Pictures where still a luxury.

Well not any more. Now I can take as many as I like and if they are crap they can be deleted. My thought is that if they are essentially free and instant, why should they be deleted?

What better way to catch your life and what's important to you than capturing an image of it. When time's passed you can never, ever get it back so if you have a picture of it you should keep it, cos you can't go back.

Today I took my camera everywhere with me. I shot over 170 pictures, some great, some crap but not one can be re-created. I've just uploaded them here on FaceBook.

The idea was to catch the day from the dull to the mildly interesting. It was my day no one elses.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Google Phone er not quite finished I think

I love all things Google, but they do have a habit of pushing things out a bit too quickly sometimes. Chrome isn't quite there, though I'm sure it soon will be.

They seem to have done the same thing with the Google phone. Their main competition is clearly the iPhone. Now the open source code used on the Google Phone will mean that creating software will be easy and quick and that new iterations can me sorted out very quickly, which is where Apple don't quite get there because they have strict controls over programming which holds them back.

The trick Google have missed is the design element of the Google Phone. It looks old and clumsy when compared to the iPhone or most other designed handsets so its going to lose out. I'm sure they'll get there but they need some some design support. It must be hard for them they're not product designers there are more dimensions than HTML to deal with.

I'm sure the software and the actual phone will be amazing but until it appears on a credible handset to complement it, it's going to struggle.

Monday, September 22, 2008

BBC Lomography Documentary


Lots of people keep asking me where I first heard of Lomo cameras and what they could do. I first saw this lomography documentary on the BBC a long time ago. It stayed with me and I only just got round to buying the camera. The camera gives me a lot of joy and has re-newed my interest in photography in general. I like to use the 10 lomography rules with my digital camera too.

1. Take your LOMO everywhere you go & whenever you go.
2. Use it anytime — day or night.
3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but a part of it.
4. Shoot from the hip.
5. Approach the objects of your lomographic desire as close as possible.
6. Don't think.
7. Be fast.
8. You don't have to know beforehand what you've captured on film.
9. You don't have to know afterwards, either.
10. Don't worry about the rules.


Here's the first part of the BBC Documentary.



Current.com TV

I've been watching current.com TV on proper TV for a while now. I've just registered for the website too. This is just the kind of thing the Internet and now digital TV was made for. The content is generated by the viewers and voted for by the viewers. You can sit a criticise the shows and you can make them yourself. This is total democracy because your stories and videos will be voted for by your peers. If only TV was more like this.

Still it take a dedicated amount of people to control this and take enough of an interest which is why the vast majority of the population will just stick to Eastenders. There's no thinking involved to handle that.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Cibelle



On Friday I want to the Brudenell Social Club for a free gig by Cibelle. I had no idea what to expect. What I didn't expect was a voice from the past so clear and true mixed with improvisation and live mixing on stage. Really something very special she really deserves a stage bigger than the one on Friday night.

Having said that I'm really privileged to have been there that night. Her gigs are surely impossible to repeat.

Scary Rabits


I visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park today near Huddersfield. They have some amazing scary rabbits. Check em out!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Make a difference

I don't normally get involved in politics, I don't know enough and can't construct a strong enough argument. However, I do see that aside from the normal political turmoil all the parties, are very very similar.

I see this as a marketing issue. When you have a homogenised market you need to stand out. All the parties follow the exact same rules. Party conference, broadcasts, Direct Mail, tour of the country etc. Same old thing year after year no wonder the general public are so apathetic.

Why not do something radical and wrap it around a policy? I've no idea what policy, that's not the point here.

How about scraping the party conference? Admit that the country is in turmoil and that posturing is just for your own gratification. The coverage you'll get for not having a conference will be immense. Sure the next time it comes around your opposition may use the same tactic, but you've got first mover advantage.

Wrap it all up with a great policy announcement and you have a winner. That's just one idea, there must be thousands they can do. If nothing radical is done very soon the UK will have only one party and one view and surely that not what democracy is all about is it?

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Unwinding the credit crunch


I've just read the Credit Crunch Glossary on the BBC site. My got no wonder it's all gone wrong, have you seen what these jokers have been doing!


Unwinding

A lot of the trades carried out by big banks involve agreeing to buy or sell or deliver or receive something on a particular date in the future. You might, for example, pay $10,000 for 100 barrels of a particular type of oil to be delivered in November.


To unwind a position, you just do the opposite of what you did in the first place. So if you bought 100 barrels of oil to be delivered in November then to unwind the position you have to sell someone 100 barrels of oil to be delivered in November. It is very important to unwind a position because otherwise you end up having 100 barrels of oil delivered to your desk, which is embarrassing.


Also, you do not get the $10,000 back or make any profits until you have unwound your position.The problem at Lehman Brothers is that there are all sorts of trades that have been made that will not be unwound because the traders have been laid off. So the challenge for the administrators is to unwind all the positions before they start receiving oil or gold or whatever the traders have been dealing in. This will be an enormous task and the administrators need to try to lose as little money as they can while doing it.


Meanwhile, the banks that have done deals with Lehman don't know when they will get their money back - until all deals have been unwound.

Credit Cruch hits home

OK lets get this up front. I know bugger all about the markets I'm not a follower of finance and I struggle to balance my own finances.

Having said all that. Know that the credit crunch is hitting home, exactly where it should with the big banks, don't you think this is karmic justice?

All these years the fat cats in the City and on Wall Street have been gambling with investors money and paying themselves massive unsustainable bonus'. Now they're all upset that the end of million pound bonus' is here and they can't continue to arse up our economy and the world with it.

How on earth where they all so blinkered to think that if they just kept stacking the odds they could keep winning. Well it's beginning to fall, and they've only themselves to blame. The firms that have already gone or have be bought by competitors or a government will actually release all the tension and allow the market to re-group.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Posters of the cold war

I love propaganda posters, they play on the most basic of human instincts - hate. Not that I condone hatred.

The way that the simplest of design styles portrays a powerful message which entrances a country or state has always fascinated me. Though the styles vary massively the simplicity always stays. These posters are designed for the lowest common denominator and give people something to rally round, it makes them feel part of a group - protected in their collective hatred of another group. As an artform I'm not certain how beloved it is, such amazing graphics but with a very dark meaning.

The V&A are holding an exhibition Cold War Modern to highlight the works.

Elbow win Mercury Music Prize

Say what you like about the Mercury Music Prize but at least the line up of contenders is mixed. The prize awards the best album of the past year and this year Elbow deservedly won this year with Seldom Seen Kid.

I only discovered Elbow this year at Glastonbury. If you've not heard the album yet it's well worth a go. The lyrics are so perfect, small stories within themselves.

Shame is now that so many people will discover them that they could turn into just another band who dilute their essence once they become popular. I hope not because that would be a real shame.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Genuis of Bruce Lee



Since I was a teenager I've loved Bruce Lee films. No matter how badly dubbed or acted I can watch them time and time again. Just showed my boy his first Bruce Lee clip and he loved it. The thing that most people miss in my opinion is that its not about violence its the artistry of it.

The control and discipline it takes is phenomenal. Just wish I could make the same achievement.

The end of the recesson has been announced

I said it would come didn't I! I was just reading the BBC website a guy from the Nationwide said that UK house prices would drop by 25% from their high point but that all would be better by 2010.

All reported by the BBC wrapped up inside a bad news story.

The media announce the beginning and the end of the recession in one fell swoop!

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Lomography Wall in Yorkshire


I've only just got my Lomo Supersampler and as you can probably tell I'm pretty excited. I'd love to organise a Lomography Wall exhibition in Yorkshire, ideally Leeds.


Can't do it on my own as I've not got enough pictures yet. If you're in the area or know someone who is then please let me know. You can leave a comment or contact me directly.

Lomography is so amazing


My Lomo camera just gets better and better. The few shots I've had out of it are amazing. I've just started building my profile on the Lomo site and for the camera I have the Supersampler there is a feature where the site will animate the shot. This works best with a picture with lots of motion in, clearly, but the effect is amazing.


I'm trying to link to my profile but can't see how to do it easily. Here's a link to the Lomography Homes search for Richard Michie and you'll find my stuff (I hope). If not you'll definitely find a whole new world of images you never knew existed.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Google Chrome screen draw


Still testing Google Chrome. First gripe: I don't think the screen draw or the font rendering is a nice as IE. It all looks a bit to sparse and doesn't add enough weight to the page. What do you think?

Google Chrome


Just downloaded Google Chrome and I'm using it to write this post.

At first glance it's very bear. Maybe I'm used to all the clutter of IE and the shock of the new is always a bit off putting. Literally only just loaded it so not had a chance to test it properly.

I'm kind of surprised it doesn't have the functionality of the Google Toolbar built in to it. That seems like a lost opportunity especially as early adopters of this will be SEO and web builders who almost insist on having those tools. Maybe they are for further down the line.

All in all it looks good. I'm going to try using it all day today and see what I think later.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Odd Things

Driving through Hillsborough in Sheffield tonight.

Saw two guys carrying a piano, which is pretty odd in Hillsborough.

100 yards down the road a one legged man!

All too random for a Tuesday night

Google launch an IE killer

Google have just announced they are about to launch their own web browser - Chrome.

Just the next step towards the Google virtual desktop as far as I can see. Question is why has it taken them so long to do it? I still use IE can't get used to Firefox. I'll give Chrome a go, I use most Google stuff anyway.

Monday, September 01, 2008

Reaching your audience

A great way to acquire new customers is to take your existing database and ask a data company to supply you with "look-a-likes". These customers will have similar characteristics to the ones you already have. If you're starting from scratch you can tell the data company who you'd like and they can supply that for you.

Problem is that these people are cold. They've never heard of you or your service, or they'd already be customers. A great idea is to begin to spread your product/service by piggy backing your product with something that similar customers will buy.

Great idea if you have something you can distribute free. If it's close enough you're getting your self into the hands of the right customers without giving them any risk. If you're close enough they become your marketing strategy all on their own. Seth Godin sums up the idea here.

If you're small enough and the product fits why not try it?

Glimmer

Life's full of little glimmers.

So keep a good watch out for them

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Lomo pics


Just got back my first lot of pictures from my Lomo Supersampler. I'm well impressed.

Becasue you get a stream of pictuures they seem to capture life, because it captures movment on one frame the Lomo captures the moment in an amazing way.

Friday, August 29, 2008

How did you get here?

I don't mean to work, your PC, out of bed or even to this blog. I mean how did you get to do whatever it is you do? Why do you live where you do? Why do you like certain food? Love a specific tune? Have your world view?

Lots of things have changed for me recently and maybe because of that this question has been playing on my mind.

In my mind I'm so far removed from my upbringing that when I drop back into it, it seems almost alien. I know that my upbringing has built my psyche this far, it's helped me develop to where I am and made me who I am. But when I analyse it I struggle to see these connections.

For the record I had a great upbringing with no major traumas and I have a very loving family. Just sometimes I can't see the connection.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Hey make a list

Not a new idea granted but something that most people overlook.

When you have loads of stuff to do, I know you're just like me, break it down into small parts and make yourself a list. I used to use pen and paper only problem is that way you write down what's at the front of your mind which isn't necessarily what is your most important job.

I now use word and use the auto number function. I brain dump it all and then rearrange it on screen. If you get it right you should get quite a long list of pretty small jobs.

The reason small jobs on the list are important is that having one big job summed up in a line means it's too daunting. Break large jobs into smaller chunks.

I said it's not a new idea. But I bet most of you don't do it.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Ikea Presentation Style

I just read this great post on Presentation Zen about the simplicity and effectiveness of Ikea's signage and how it can be used as a direction for presentations.

I love doing presentation design and follow the Presentation Zen ethos. I've never thought of slides as billboards before but after reading this I think it gives the idea more clarity and it's a easier way to get across the message to any slide designer.

Design it like it's a billboard.

Comment spamming

I thought that the practice of content spamming had died. It's unethical, stupid and is done without much thought. On here I have verification for comments, the who ever spammed me had to do it manually. I love people adding comments and links to their own or other sites which help or add to the discussion. That's what blogs are all about as far as I'm concerned.

But just adding a list of keywords with links to your sites and no comments is just dumb. Needless to say I removed the comment spam. My site I'm sure doesn't have much clout but if you want to use whatever it has please do it constructively.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Michael Stipe on the One Show

I'm just watching the One Show on BBC 1. It's a throw-away magazine programme, just now it's doing a report on Cabbage White butterflies. For some bizarre reason they've got Micheal Stipe on. God knows how they got this booking.

Michael looks totally bewildered especially as he was sitting next to Gyles Brandreth! This is one of the oddest things I've seen in ages. I'm assuming that Stipe's Agent is about to be fired after this.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Adventures with my Lomo Camera

Today I bought my first lomo camera. I was undecided between the Holga which I'm sure is more versatile and the Supersamper which takes really cool four shot pictures.

I wanted to see how I got on so I went for the Supersampler. What a great camera. I've take a few pics already and can't wait to develop them and see what I get. I'm taking it to Leeds carnival on Monday should get some great pics there with it.

I think what sold me was the way its all packaged and sold. I saw a tv programme years ago on Lomography and I've wanted a camera ever since. Today I saw one and thought I should just go for it. The box is amazing all on its own I've never seen anything packaged as well. I comes in space age plastic and has a wittily written user manual that easy to use and understand. There's a great coffee table book of pics that comes with it (that could sell for £20 on it's own).

The camera is a delight to hold, its made of rubber and is simplicity itself. There's no conventional viewfinder just a bit of rubber on the corner.

The whole experience is very analogue. This isn't a camera this is a whole new way of life! I'm very excited!

As soon as I've had the pictures developed they'll be uploaded here.

In the meantime get yourself a lomo camera

Friday, August 22, 2008

Funny Mood

I'm in a funny mood today. I put a lot of work into my online profile - this blog, linkedin, facebook, comments on other blogs and sites.

Question is, is it doing me any good? It's a lot of work and time to keep it all up to date. Am I wasting time? Or building stuff in reserve, can't decide today.

George Carlin's Views on Aging


I was emailed this George Carlin routine the other day. Rather than forwarding it and clogging inboxes I thought a better idea was to post it here. Read to the end it's worth it.

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life ! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But! wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and make it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into ! your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3.Keep learning. ! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them , at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Is anybody listening? Does it matter?


When I first started this blog I had Google Analytics on it so I could measure the traffic. For whatever reason I took it off. When I had the stats I'd get excited that I had say 5 readers in a day. Since I took it off and forgot I'd done it I now don't really care how many readers I have.


I'm thinking does it really matter? And my answer is probably not.


If what I write is read by only me then at least I'm relieving my mind of it. If you are reading this too then maybe it makes you think. If you're not reading this then at least it made me think.


Hey I'm only an armchair thinker so please excuse the fact that this may not make any sense at all. Frankly I don't really care, these are my thoughts.


In an ideal world everyone should be able to do this and say what they feel. But, respect and human decency mean that you can't do that with everyone.


Maybe I should be bolder on here. Maybe I should stop doing it. Best idea? To do it when it feels right. Not many things you can do that way are there.


Have a great day and do what makes you happy.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Broke my blog and updated the design

I just tried to remove Google Adsense from my blog and managed to break the site. So to fix it I've gone for a new design, what do you think?

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Working for the rat race - any ideas?

Sometimes the rat race is fun. The excitement of finishing a great project, the promotion and the paycheck, obviously.

But lots of the time its stress for no gain mentally of monetary.

I must find a way to get the buzz of the achievement without the stress. Must exist somewhere, but where?

Your help is appreciated

Here's Wikipedia definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_race

Thursday, August 07, 2008

New Facebook? - New Coke?

Just upgraded? to New Facebook.

Not sure if I like it or not. Was old Facebook bad?

There doesn't seem to be any improvement in performance just everything is moved around and I can't find it any more.

The chat function was great when added. But why change the GUI?

What do you think?

A I Hate new Facebook group has already launched.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Recession? Or just a trick of the mind?

I'm no financial expert, if you could see my bank balance you'd know that.

But I'm sure this recession is fueled by the media. Sure there have been issues with Sub-prime mortgages, but they have been coming for a while. Why suddenly in the last month or so has the recession word come to the fore?

In my opinion it's been fueled by the reports in the media, if the public are told enough times that there's a recession then they believe it and stop spending. They then spread the message that there's a recession and the whole thing spirals.

In about a years time the media will report that the recession is easing and that the signs are looking better. Coming out will take longer than getting in. People believe bad news quicker and start to spread the word. Good news is harder to sell in as people don't want to feel fooled.

But the message will start to eek it's way out and before you know it it'll all be over. Not much will actually change only the message.

I think this is what's called a self fulfilling prophesy!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Watch the details when you cut costs

In time of recession what do most businesses do? They cut costs, they drop marketing and stop the ads. What kind of signal does that send out to hard pressed customers also in the recession?

  • It says that you probably went under with the recession.
  • That you have no new products.
  • That you don't care about service.
  • That you don't care about them.

That last one's a bit of a tough one but let me explain. If you have a friend for years and you've been through the good times together, they got what they needed from you and you made a nice profit out of them too. How will they feel if you suddenly don't talk to them anymore?

They feel hurt and find someone else to talk to or buy from.

Changing your friendship hurts too. A friend who suddenly stops offering you coffee when you visit changes in your eyes.

Business is the same, when the little things change customers are upset and look for others who can give them what they were used to.

So when you cut back, be careful what you cut back on and ask yourself how would you feel if your friend did this to you?

Here's a great post on watching what you cut back on.

Take heed! Customers really do care!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The future of music? The 17!

Driving home last night I listened to Radio 2's Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Marconie show.
The guest last night was Bill Drummond who you may know as the driving force behind the KLF. Bill had a brainstorm one day and decided that all music was now just repetition and he threw out all his recorded songs and decided to find something on a much higher plain.

His idea was The 17. Simple idea. Take 17 people, no musical talent needed, and get them to make a noise. Any noise is fine, record it and play it back. Once you've played it once destroy it. That way the music lives only in your mind and the only way to hear it again is the re-create it again. And because it was only performed once and no recordings exists no two performances will ever be the same.

I'm not sure if this is genius or just a gimmick. What do you think?

Have you ever recommended a book you've never read?

Seth Godin is pre-launching his new book The Tribe on his only on his blog.

Seth's books are must reads for anyone in marketing because they are a guide to how business should be done and how thinking differently about the world of business helps everyone.

Seth's concept for pushing this book is pure genius and should become the subject of a entire book on it's own, written by a better man than me I'm sure.

Seth's promise is that for all pre-orderers of his book he'll offer untold benefits. Seth has such a loyal following that the offer is already oversubscribed, it was only added today (29th July). Even without this the book is due to be massive, the really clever part is that he's got all the pre-orderers, me included, all ready spreading the word about it. I've no idea what the book is actually about yet but I'm already so sold that I've bought it and I've recommended it to my work colleagues.

Have you ever recommended a book you've never read? I haven't - 'til today.

Order your book now. If you're quick enough you can join the tribe too! Look he's even got me to give a free plug. The man is a legend

Friday, July 11, 2008

Really good advice for writing copy

Seth Godin points to this really good article on writing copy. There are some really good points in here which I'll be trying to put into my own ranting, writing whatever you want to call it.

I've no idea if anyone is reading this but hopefully you are and will be kind or cruel enough to tell me whether I'm interesting or crap. Knowing either will be useful because how can I develop otherwise.

Anyway here's the link: How to say nothing with 500 words.

Enjoy

Monday, June 16, 2008

Instant Karma's gonna get you!

On Monday I had a very strange night. I was travelling back from Sheffield about 11pm. As I got to the M1 to Leeds, two girls flagged me down.

They said they'd got stranded in Sheffield and someone had given them a lift as far as Barnsley. Being an idiot and reckoning that no one should be stood at the side of the motorway at 11.30 at night I gave them a lift to Leeds. They obviously turned out not to be murderers, or I wouldn't be telling you. They could have been prostitutes though, though that's just a guess!

Anyway I dropped them off near the town centre and felt quite smug with myself. In my head I thought "that'll be great for my Karma, thoughtless act". But Karma has a way of getting you back.Two minutes later in one of the rough areas of Leeds I got a puncture! I rang my friend to come and watch my back, while we were changing the tyre 4 boy racers flew past at about 100 mph and nearly killed us!

So on my birthday I bought a new tyre!

To top it all on Friday (13th), the cover for my allow on the new tyre came off, so now I need to replace that two.

Needless to say I wondering if all this Karma and Buddhist stuff is worth the hassle and I should just turn into a selfish knob head like the rest of the world!

Monday, June 09, 2008

Been lazy!

I was going to write that I'd been to busy to add to the blog. But that's crap, I've been too lazy.

Lots has happened to me, I've got a new job at Direct Relations, a Marketing Agency, and I'm loving my new role of Senior Account Manager.

My laziness has had a strange effect on the PageRank for the blog. Last time I posted the PR was 0. I guessed that Google had been playing about again, the blog was fresh and looked after.

Nearly 5 months later, my PR is suddenly 3! I've done absolutely nothing to the blog. I know age of site is a factor in Google's algorithm but freshness is supposed to be one too.

As ever I have no concrete explanation.

I'm sure a better bet is to keep your site/blog up to date. Being lazy isn't much of a tactic whatever you do!

Friday, February 29, 2008

Google playing with PageRank again

Google appear to be messing about with PageRank again. They've just downgraded themselves to an 8/10, which seems strange. Google is the most used site in the world so how come it's not a 10?

Everything you read tells you to ignore the PageRank as it's out of date and no real indication of the quality of a site. I tend to agree but if that's case why do they still use it?

The real issue is don't sweat the PageRank, if you rank well for your terms in the serps and the cash/conversions are still rolling in then everything's fine.

Friday, February 22, 2008

How insignificant are we?

How insignificant are we in the greater scheme of things? I often think abut this.

I'm 5 ft 11, so I'm not too big anyway. Then think about how big your city is, then your country, then the continent, then the world. Move on the solar system, then the galaxy, then the universe!

Right now think about how important what you're doing really is.

Humbling isn't it?

Take a read of this http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/02/21/galaxy-hubble-stars.html

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Tom Peters 100 ways to make more money

Over on Change This a site full of manifesto's, need to write one myself. Tom Peters who's always a very inpiring read has put together the second half of his 100 ways to make more money manifesto.

For those who've never read Tom before, this isn't 100 ways to make a quick few quid. These are truly life changing attitudes which are simple to impliment but that you won't think of while you're stuck up you backside getting on with things and wondering why you're getting your share of the good stuff. Having just read this, lots of little light bulbs have gone off and just reaffirmed for me why I'm changing jobs.

Tom's manifesto is available as a PDF download from the site so you can read it at your leisure and pass it round to your friends and colleagues.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Great design makes all the difference

I'm a sucker for great design for it's own sake. If a great design helps to sell products then even better. Most of the time it does.

It's part of the intagible bit of marketing that most of the public think they can't see because they're "not designers or artists". The thing about great design and art is that the man/woman on the street instinctivley knows good design, they just never trained themselves how to recognise it or describe it.

This is a great site I've just found which has some of the best product and packaging design I've ever seen. The examples are clear and work wonderfully, enjoy.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

New BBC Homepage Beta

The BBC have just launched a Beta of thier home page. It looks like they've put a lot of work in to it and the functionality looks great.

It's not very subtle though and could do with a little refinement. Still it shows how the BBC want to enbrace online and I think they've been very brave.

What do you think?

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Seth Godin on the Placebo effect

Seth's come up with the goods again. This is a great blog about marketing and a definate read.

It got me thinking about something my mate asked me the other day.

"How do you become and artist?"

My answer is that it's down to perception. As soon as one person, who apprears to have authority, says you are something and give you the title then everyone else will accept it as well. The next objective is to find someone else who agrees with the first person. Then you begin to get a chain and it all builds from there.

Doesn't matter what you want to be as soon as one other person says that what you are, job done. Most people are nervous to give themselves the title though.

So if you want to be an Actor, Rock Star, Model, Marketer (god help you), jockey, keep listing for ever. Then tell someone that's what you are not long after guess what you'll have managed it.

Good Luck in your new Careers!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Google Adwords test

Just spotted a little Google test on my site. The Ads, see above, now have little shuffling arrows so you can go to the next ad. Great idea and preumably a great way for Google to see which ads convert best and pass this back. Only problem is the randomness, you've no idea what's coming up.

What marketing equals

Seth Godin hits the spot again on what marketing is about. I really don't know where he get's his inspiration from, just wish he sold it! Here's his blog on what Marketing equals.

To get a bit of the Seth Magic, give his books a go. My favourite is the Purple Cow. For me this is one of the greatest marketing books of the last few years.

Friday, February 01, 2008

If you know something talk about it

I've just given a free consultation to two guys who are friends of my boss. The original idea was that they needed help with Pay Per Click campaigns. What they really needed was help with marketing thier product full stop.

They've got a business which sells high performance car days, you know 6 laps in a Ferarri. They are getting over run with booking but want to make more out of it.

I probably spent about 1 hour with them and mentioned Pay Per Click for about 2 minutes. They were looking at the problem from the wrong end.

They needed overall advice on how to get thier product to market at the lowest cost with the biggest return on investment.

The best bit of advice I gave them?

Make it easy for your customers to book, get the crap out of the way and make it simple. They'll be adding a large click here to book button to the top of every page.

The return on investment will go through the roof. I'll guarantee that.

If you've got a problem with your site, I'll happily take a look. Failing that ask someone you know who isn't a marketer, doesn't know your product really and doesn't use the web much. If they can't make your site do what you want your customers to do then you need to think again.

My best critic like this, my wife.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Drayton Bird Probably the best marketer still living

Ok maybe I over egged that.

But Drayton is world renowned and his techniques get results. His books are best sellers and he'd quoted all over the marketing press. He launched his blog last year (here's my claim to fame) after I suggested he should.

His blog is far better than mine and his language is far more colourful. Take a look you'll get some great insights. By his books you'll learn more than you could ever use.

Here's Drayton's Blog, enjoy!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Testing Google AdWord Campaigns

I've just discovered how to test where Google Adwords is showing your ads. This is useful because if you are using personal search on Google it's skew the positioning based on your previous searches and click through. Meaning that it'll show the position it thinks suits you best not what the vast majority of users will see. Which is a great idea on a personal level but terrible when you're paying for the ads yourself.

Anyway to check the positions using Google UK do your normal keyword search and then add

=&adtest=on to the end of the URL.

You'll then get a page with a warning saying this is a test site as well as a background telling you the searches are just previews.

For the US add &gl=us.

To some people this must be old news. It's new to me at least.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Brute Chorus

With luck I've dropped on the next Arctic Monkeys. The Brute Chorus are amazing and this track The Cuckoo and the Stolen Heart is awesome.

They're going to be massive

TV's future

This week I missed the beginning of Louis Theroux: Behind Bars this week. I love Louis' shows so I was a bit gutted. I assumed it would be shown again soon on the digital channels. Then at the end of the programme they announced that you could see the whole show again for 1 week on the BBC iPlayer.

I've just watched it again online. This is surely the way the web should work. The time when everything is free will soon be on us. The way the status quo will be maintained will be via rarity.

We're already seeing free Albums from Radiohead and the Charlatans. That's because they know that by increasing their exposure they can sell more tickets to their gigs and sell more t-shirts which is where they make their real cash.

TV will go the same way. You'll still pay for live events or first showings but after that they'll be free.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Lateral thinking on Google Adwords

I just found this great clip of a fantastic use of ASCII characters in Google Adwords. From the comments I can't be sure if this was cleared by Google or not. In my mind Google should allow this as it's breaks the mold and makes people try harder.

The idea will only work for companies who can visualise their products, but that means it wouldn't saturate the market. Spoof or spam I still love this idea. What do you think?

http://www.bannerblog.com.au/2007/12/sixt_ascii_text_ads.php