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An Olympic Sized Marketing Problem for China? »

Are the Beijing Olympics headed for an opening ceremony marketing problem? Today's Wall Street Journal raises the specter of athletes wearing masks to the opening ceremony and causing China to lose face. Other blogs and sources are starting to pick up on this. What if 10 or 20% of the athletes in the opening ceremony [...]

Following the Social Media Money »

What's the value placed on a social media marketing campaign by the marketers that develop the campaign? It's hard to tell, because one typically can't get access to the key metrics associated with the campaign, particularly sales attributed to the effort and ROI. I was intrigued by a new social push by Sony Ericsson for the Z750a flip phone, created by their agency, Iris. The campaign is titled "Bringing Purple Back."

I will never forget »

Today is the 64th anniversary of D-Day. I am appalled that none of my daily mainstream media reads (New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today) this morning had anything commemorating the event. On June 6th, 1944, the brave men of the Western democracies began the liberation of occupied Europe in one of the most audacious and complex military operations the world will ever know. They beat back the forces of evil and tyranny and, through their sacrifices, helped give us the lives of peace and prosperity we enjoy today. I was born over twenty-three years later, yet I will never forget.

A tombstone hand and a graveyard mind... »

When you listen to the radio today, it's amazing how frequently you hear the "shave and a haircut, two bits" Diddley-esque rhythms. Bo was also one of the pioneers of rock-n-roll who never fully received the financial rewards he so richly deserved. I'm sure that today he has "...a brand new house on the roadside." Play on, Bo.

Duran Duran, luck and marketing »

At one point during my college days I wanted to be an A&R guy for a record label. My reactions to smoke-filled clubs and early-to-bed habits caused me to rethink that career option. But music, and the marketing of it, has remained a lifelong interest. Last night, my wife and I saw Duran Duran at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. This was her 11th or 12th time and my 10th time to see the band. When you go to a Duran Duran show, you know you're going to see a great performance, an enthusiastic crowd and hit after hit. What I didn't expect was a textbook example of creating and maximizing a marketing channel, and an example of how big a part luck plays in everything we do as marketers.

An offer you can't refuse »

Chrysler's quick extension of their $2.99 gas offer is proving the strength of strong offer. Is it enough to save Chrysler?