Haymarket Media, Inc.
Subscribe Issue Archive Contact Us About Us Advertise Affiliates PRWeek UK PRReport Germany PRWeek Asia
 
PRWeek US
  • Home
  • News
    •  Analysis
    •  In Brief
    •  Sectors
    •  Podcasts
    •  Newsletters
  • Features
    •  Cover Stories
    •  Opinion
    •  Web Exclusives
    •  Roundtables
  • Reports
    •  Agency Excellence Survey
    •  Agency Business Report
    •  Salary Survey
    •  Marketing Management Survey
    •  CEO Survey
    •  Diversity Survey
    •  Cause Survey
    •  Power List
    •  Career Guide
  • Blogs
    •  The Cycle
    •  The Editor's Blog
    •  Page Views
  • Events
    •  PRWeek Awards
    •  Webcasts
    •  Conferences
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
    •  Customer Service
    •  Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Podcasts
  • Hot Topics:
  • Healthcare
  • Consumer
  • Technology
  • Media
  • Public Affairs
  • Corporate
  • Green
  • 2008 Campaign
Login | Register  
Home > Blogs > The Cycle
The Cycle

Posted January 31, 2007

One of the more interesting presentations at the Always On conference yesterday was one on community. While it’s no secret that social networking sites like MySpace, Friendster, and Facebook have enormous audiences and potential for marketers, I was less familiar with those sites targeted at the younger, “tween” generation.

San Francisco-based Piczo boasts 21 million users, 81% of which are ages 13-15. And unlike My Space, it takes a “walled-garden” approach, making it safer for its users but a little trickier for marketers to penetrate. Similarly, Habbo, a sort of G-rated version of Second Life, has more than 7.5 million unique visitors per month and generates a lot of spending as well. Recent media ventures into this market, such as Conde Nast’s impending launch of Flip, a social networking site for this age group, illustrate that these younger media consumers should be on the radar.

Related Posts
  • The rivalry between Facebook and MySpace has intensified, as MySpace is treading on what was once sa...
  • AlwaysOn: truth hurts
    At AlwaysOn, presenters are flanked by four large flat screens that display (seemingly) the real-tim...
  • MySpace is expanding its one-year-old MySpace Latino site, the Associated Press reported. The origin...
  • AlwaysOn: the blogging bandwagon
  • AlwaysOn: negatory, re: carcasses

Filed under: Advertising, Marketing, New Media, Web sites

AlwaysOn: negatory, re: carcasses

Posted January 31, 2007

Much talk abounds about Web 2.0 dead pools. But there’s no sign of decrepitude at AlwaysOn. Plenty of people (who were likely potential investors) were in attendance, and the presenters (even the man of poor accompanying materials) were filled with enthusiasm.

Granted, if you listened to the enough presentations, you got a sense that, in some situations, more than one company was vying for a small niche, likely capable of supporting only one company. And that’s when AlwaysOn missed a chance to get interesting. Why not have those two companies square off in a true death cage match, rather than risk the dead pool? Winner takes staff and infrastructure of the loser! Sadly, it was not to be.

I wager my spotty track record in prognosticating future trends that one of the companies in attendance will not in operation two years from now. And when that happens, will they wish they had taking the fearless way out, challenging their competition to a VC version of the ?

Related Posts
  • AlwaysOn: life springs eternal
    Recently, I talked about dead pools. One company that is in no immediate danger is BuzzLogic. Well,...
  • AlwaysOn: truth hurts
    At AlwaysOn, presenters are flanked by four large flat screens that display (seemingly) the real-tim...
  • AlwaysOn: the blogging bandwagon
    This week's AlwaysOn conference was brimming with digital energy, as VCs and new media entrepreneurs...
  • AlwaysOn: many choices
  • Quick links

Filed under: Blogs, Events

AlwaysOn: truth hurts

Posted January 31, 2007

At AlwaysOn, presenters are flanked by four large flat screens that display (seemingly) the real-time chats of attendees.

The main “chatters” are people who seem to know each other, but are only identified by screen names. And they can lob whatever thoughts they want up onto four large flat screen monitors.

One unlucky entrepreneur, who, honestly had an odd idea for a company, had to make his pitch while someone wrote, “Who is funding this guy?” Maybe many were thinking it; but did he have to say it?

Related Posts
  • AlwaysOn: negatory, re: carcasses
    Much talk abounds about Web 2.0 dead pools. But there's no sign of decrepitude at AlwaysOn. Plenty o...
  • AlwaysOn: the blogging bandwagon
    This week's AlwaysOn conference was brimming with digital energy, as VCs and new media entrepreneurs...
  • AlwaysOn: life springs eternal
    Recently, I talked about dead pools. One company that is in no immediate danger is BuzzLogic. Well,...
  • AlwaysOn: many choices
  • The course wishes you would leave it alone

Filed under: Blogs, Events

AlwaysOn: many choices

Posted January 31, 2007

As any event attendee knows, choosing between panels is a tough decision. If not settling in to hear PRWeek’s fearless leader serve as industry expert for web and blog analytics and research companies, I would likely be listening to Jay Adelson, CEO of Digg. But you can’t be everywhere at Blogopalooza.

Related Posts
  • AlwaysOn: truth hurts
    At AlwaysOn, presenters are flanked by four large flat screens that display (seemingly) the real-tim...
  • AlwaysOn: the blogging bandwagon
    This week's AlwaysOn conference was brimming with digital energy, as VCs and new media entrepreneurs...
  • AlwaysOn: negatory, re: carcasses
    Much talk abounds about Web 2.0 dead pools. But there's no sign of decrepitude at AlwaysOn. Plenty o...
  • AlwaysOn: life springs eternal
  • Quick links

Filed under: Blogs, Events

WTC Foundation looking for firm?

Posted January 30, 2007

UPDATE: We’ve confirmed this. Look for Monday’s edition for more information.

New York magazine is reporting that Catherine Blaney, EVP of development at the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation is considering hiring an agency to help the foundation raise funds. The article specifically mentioned the potential for the foundation to tap a firm to help it reach out to external communities through a “road show.” Blaney did not respond to immediate calls for comment.

Related Posts
  • Kiehl’s taps Pitt for cause-marketing effort
    Kiehl's is leveraging Brad Pitt’s celebrity and philanthropic reputation in a partnership that see...
  • Joe the Plumber gets a PR firm… and a record deal?
    The most popular man this election season, Joe the Plumber, signed with Nashville, TN-based PR firm ...
  • Two PR vets launch LA firm
    Michael Donkis, former publicist at Endeavor, partnered with Joy Fehily, former SVP of PMH/HBH, to l...
  • Macy’s, Sears Holdings also launch cause initiatives
  • DCI president proposes Idaho partnership

Filed under: Public Affairs

A concession, or is it?

Posted January 30, 2007

AdAge that the OfficeMax viral campaign (written about here) attracted 36 million visitors. Pretty solid.

And the OfficeMax Web site experienced a 20% bump in traffic. Also pretty solid.

Says AdAge:

It was named on Entertainment Weekly’s “Must List” and popped up on scores of blogs, USA Today, MSNBC, VH1 and others.

Solid.

For those of you who didn’t read my column, I was thumbs down on the campaign. Here was the gist:

People treat viral sites like children treat holiday presents. As soon as they shred the wrapping to find a toy of interest, they immediately forget who had given it to them. Five minutes later, they lose interest and jettison that toy for the next, only eventually acknowledging who furnished the gift when drawing a stern rebuke from a parent for his or her behavior.

Because there is no inherent connection between Office Max, which, sorry, will always be a stodgy office equipment supplier, and the singing of “Conspiracy Carols,” it cannot be a surprise that no one mentions Office Max.

Says AdAge
And Mark Andeer, OfficeMax VP-brand strategy, is convinced enough that the push will begin to shape public perception of the chain that he plans to repeat it in some form late this year.
If that does occur and they report significant sales increases for the campaign, I’ll have no choice but concede.

Related Posts
  • AlwaysOn: negatory, re: carcasses
    Much talk abounds about Web 2.0 dead pools. But there's no sign of decrepitude at AlwaysOn. Plenty o...

Filed under: Consumer, New Media, Viral Video, Web sites

Bad sausage: the making of a discredited story

Posted January 29, 2007

Here you will find an interesting on how the first erroneous report in the 2008 Presidential campaign was formed and propagated. It was the first, it won’t be the last, and it doesn’t look like it will be the most damning.

Related Posts
  • Fallout follow-up
    On Friday, the New York Post business section reported, based on a banking source, that Microsoft wa...
  • AdSense-Valleywag sausage
    Enjoy the tête - à - tête between Google's David Krane and Valleywag's Owen Thomas (re: the creat...
  • National Hot Dog Month heats up with brand rivalry
    The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council may promote July as National Hot Dog Month with a recentl...
  • When the correction is (almost) larger than the post
  • Addendum from the print mag

Filed under: Politics

Hitachi, H&K

Posted January 29, 2007

The news, reported on PRWeek.com (free link), that H&K and Hitachi have parted ways is beginning to make its rounds on the blogosphere. We reported:

Related to the dispute is a Hitachi-made viral video featuring television actor Mr. T that was posted on YouTube Jan. 21. The video, which featured Mr. T facing off against a league of zombies and an obnoxious consultant while touting Hitatchi’s systems,which appears to have factored in the decision.

You can see the video (unrelated: if anyone knows how to post YouTube videos directly into WordPress MU, I’d greatly appreciate it). Read the comments from Hitachi and H&K in the story and please return - to comment below. What do you think about the video and the issues described in our report?

Related Posts
  • No related posts

Filed under: New Media, Technology, Viral Video

Wii brilliant

Posted January 25, 2007

No one can complain about a shortage of options for receiving news. Especially when you’re talking about television as a conduit. So, Nintendo’s announcement that it will provide a news service (using AP content) for Wii users to browse is not revolutionary for the business of news consumption. But it’s one of those smart little moves that resonates very well with its core messaging: that this gaming system is for non-gamers. Non-gamers may get bored with games. But they probably love the news.

Related Posts
  • One man’s worst nightmare…
    Is another's business lead. Brilliant or gaudily opportunistic press release? We report; someone mi...
  • Drumroll please: column detritus!
    Next week, you will be able to read a column of mine about a recent dreadful "viral" campa...
  • ‘Fake Steve’ Blogger Revealed
    The New York Times came out with an article today that revealed the identity of the blogger behind f...
  • NBC hires away Project Runway producers
  • Nothing truly dies online

Filed under: Media, Technology

Julie Roehm declines opportunity to curse Wal-Mart

Posted January 24, 2007

A Reuters-sponsored panel discussion today on the efficacy of Super Bowl advertising was also surreptitiously billed as the first public appearance of Julie Roehm since she was unceremoniously dumped by Wal-Mart. Roehm, you’ll recall, came in as the company’s new SVP of marketing communications with a reputation for cutting-edge work, but was booted (onto the front page of the Wall Street Journal) for claims of improperly associating with an ad agency that was vying for the WM account.

Asked today whether she had any issues with the way that Wal-Mart handled her departure, Roehm demurred with an exasperated expression. Asked what changes she expects to see in the company’s marketing strategy now that she’s gone, she referred to today’s announcement of a new CMO hire as proof that change is, in fact, afoot in Bentonville. “But,” she added, “they don’t tell me, any more.”

Obviously.

She also noted about her former employer that, “I wish them well.”

The sincerity in the room was as thick as it is in a standard Super Bowl commercial.

Related Posts
  • Fashion backwards
    My God, an argument that is brewing in my own home, now covered by the Wall Street Journal. Four yea...
  • On mainstream, on Edelman
    The PR agency is getting more negative press outside of PRWeek's quarters after some enterprising pe...
  • PaidCritics somewhat bows out
    The AP is reporting (and the language on PaidCritics.com is confirming) that PaidCritics.com, a Web ...
  • A new perspective on declining circulation
  • Mercy Corps and Wal-Mart to talk Guatemala

Filed under: Advertising, Events, HR, Marketing, Media

Next Page »

The Cycle

For both journalists and communicators, the news cycle never ends. At The Cycle, PRWeek’s editorial team offers commentary and viewpoints on how the latest marketing, business, political, and cultural news impact the PR industry.

Tags
AIG Apple Associated Press Baltimore Sun Barack Obama Burson-Marsteller California CBS Chicago Tribune CNN Congress Dell Edelman Editor & Publisher Fleishman-Hillard Hillary Clinton Huffington Post IR John McCain Keith Olbermann Los Angeles Los Angeles Times Marcus Brauchli Mark Penn Microsoft MSNBC News Corp New York Post New York Times NIRI Porter Novelli PRSA PRWeek PRWeek Awards Scott McClellan The New York Times Tribune Co. Wall Street Journal Washington Post Weber Shandwick WPP Yahoo

RECENT POSTS

Edelman’s San Francisco Tweet-up

Angry Citi shareholders re-elect company board

Disney plants trees for ‘Earth’

Studios still beholden to TV spend

Marketing in a recession (or depression)



Authors
  • Aarti Shah (89)
  • Alexandra Bruell (79)
  • Beth Krietsch (5)
  • Erica Iacono (13)
  • Frank Washkuch (135)
  • Gideon Fidelzeid (2)
  • Hamilton Nolan (8)
  • Irene Chang (57)
  • Jaimy Lee (36)
  • Keith O'Brien (115)
  • Kimberly Maul (163)
  • Marc Longpre (1)
  • Matthew McGevna (2)
  • Michael Bush (91)
  • Nicole Zerillo (36)
  • Randi Schmelzer (1)
  • Rose Gordon (40)
  • Ted McKenna (90)
  • Tonya Garcia (140)

Archives
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006

Categories
  • 1
  • 2008 Campaign
  • Advertising
  • Agency-client relationship
  • All PRWeek blogs
  • Announcements
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Automotive
  • Awards
  • Blogs
  • Branding
  • Careers
  • Consumer
  • Corporate Communications
  • Corporate Reputation
  • Crisis Communications
  • CSR
  • Culture
  • Diversity
  • Education
  • Events
  • Financial/IR
  • Food and Beverage
  • Green
  • Guerilla/WOM
  • Healthcare
  • HR
  • Industry/Energy
  • Internal Communications
  • International
  • Journalism 2.0
  • layoffs
  • Lobbying
  • Marketing
  • Measurement/Monitoring
  • Media
  • Miscellaneous
  • Mobile Marketing
  • Multicultural
  • Music
  • New Media
  • Partially there
  • Politics
  • Product Launch
  • PRWeek
  • PRWeek Awards
  • Public Affairs
  • Public Relations
  • Social Media
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Viral Video
  • Web sites

  • Blogroll

    • WordPress.com
    • WordPress.org

Home | News | Newsletters | Blogs | Directory | PR Jobs | Events | Subscribe | Contact Us | About Us | Editorial Calendar | Reprints | Advertising

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization.

Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Media's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions