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Oct 4, 2008

How Cisco Tried to Make Routers Sexy Using Social Media

How Cisco Tried to Make Routers Sexy Using Social Media

In March this year, Cisco launched the ASR 1000 Router Series. No big deal, but for the fact that it was delivered completely via social media. This was apparently Cisco's fifth most successful campaign, and according to the company it has proved to be a turning point for the way Cisco takes products to market: "virtually, virally, and visually."

The biggest lesson here is this: Routers aren't sexy. If Cisco can make a router exciting enough for social media, you too can utilize social media to create a buzz about your product or service.

Social media is all about building an experience - not an event. LaSandra Brill, manager of Web and social media marketing at Cisco discussed the tactics and results of the ASR 1000 launch at the Social Media Marketing Summit this week. I've listed the steps taken by Cisco to reach its goals below; you can see Brill's presentation on SlideShare.

ASR 100 Launch Campaign Steps

1. Created a fun micro site directed at uber users (the tech and early adopter audience) to help create and spread buzz.
2. Cross posted videos from the micro site to YouTube to extend reach. 
3. Established Second Life presence that included a countdown calculator and pre event live concert to increase visibility; research showed much of their audience is on Second Life.
4. Created a FaceBook group to cater to users not part of Second Life.
5. Created an interactive 3D game - Edge Quest - to attract the large gaming audience. 
6. Created a widget that holds a collection of key videos, documents and images that allows sharing for their content, while remaining on their server.
7. Blogged about it on the Cisco blog to try and intrigue bloggers and customers.
8. Heightened buzz with press with a vague two paragraph teaser press release to extend press coverage and fuel buzz.
9. Created a social media release to reach out to bloggers.
10. Introduced product via live online event; video on Second Life that was cross posted on FaceBook and YouTube.
11. Created 'Ask the Expert' - a forum where customers could talk to the engineers that created the product.

Cisco says they met their goal of increasing visibility and involving their audience by using the social Web, creating buzz and building a community at a negligible cost; a soft cost that involved time, resources, and creativity instead of budget.

Given the state of the US economy right now, the social Web seems to be the smartest choice corporations (or individuals) can make if they want to create passion and excitement for their brand - at a soft cost.

Ed: Left out huge labor costs and advertising support. Social media is one part of the overall product marketing.

Steve Jobs Had No Heart Attack...And Citizen Journalism Just Failed

Steve Jobs Had No Heart Attack...And Citizen Journalism Just Failed

What could possibly be bigger news than the supposed heart attack suffered by Apple CEO Steve Jobs? The fact that it's simply not true. The rumor which spread like wildfire across the internet this morning was based on a report from CNN's citizen journalism site, iReport.

According to citizen reporter, Johntw: "Steve Jobs was rushed to the ER just a few hours ago after suffering a major heart attack." Apple quickly squashed the story, claiming it to be untrue. Did citizen journalism just fail us? You bet it did.


If Apple sues CNN’s iReport, it won’t be over the “i”

Speed may be the great advantage of citizen journalism, but today we saw its downside: inaccuracy. A report this morning on CNN’s iReport, its citizen journalism site, claimed that Apple chief executive Steve Jobs had been rushed to the ER after a severe heart attack. A huge story, with just one problem — it wasn’t true.

It looks as if the false iReport has been taken down by CNN now, but Silicon Alley Insider was able to grab it. It read as follows:

Steve Jobs was rushed to the ER just a few hours ago after suffering a major heart attack. I have an insider who tells me that paramedics were called after Steve claimed to be suffering from severe chest pains and shortness of breath. My source has opted to remain anonymous, but he is quite reliable. I haven’t seen anything about this anywhere else yet, and as of right now, I have no further information, so I thought this would be a good place to start. If anyone else has more information, please share it.

Katie Cotton, Apple’s vice president of worldwide communications was quick to issue a statement saying of the report, “it is not true.” That wasn’t fast enough to stop Apple’s stock from having a heart attack of its own unfortunately. The stock fell from around $105-a-share all the way down to $94-a-share within minutes.

When Apple’s denial came out, the stock shot right back up, but some people got a very good deal today. The SEC is looking into the issue...

Week In Review: Don't Believe Everything You Read On The Internet

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dont_panic.jpgApple CEO Steve Jobs did not, we repeat did NOT, suffer a heart attack. The rumor spread like wildfire on Twitter after a "citizen journalist" on CNN's iReport attributed an anonymous source. The SEC is investigating...


AdNet Weekend

itsmy.biz Launches Social Advertising Network For Mobile Devices
Helzerman’s Odd Bits, CA - 17 hours ago
After one year in beta phase, itsmy.biz is launching its social advertising network in the mobile space. Itsmy.biz, with cell phone carriers in the US and ...
itsmy.biz Launches Social Mobile Ad Network. Wireless and Mobile News
all 2 news articles »

Killer Startups
Bizo.com - B2B Ad Network
Killer Startups, FL - 10 hours ago
Bizo claims to be the first targeted B2B ad network. This is achieved by what are termed “Bizographics†– graphics that take into account industry, ...
Social Advertising Will Reach You on Your Cell With Itsmy.biz Network
Profy - Oct 3, 2008
Today Gofresh announces public launch of its social advertising network Itsmy.biz after 1 year of beta testing. Munich-based Gofresh offers various types of ...
Itsmy launches social ad network
Mobile Entertainment, UK - Oct 3, 2008
Germany-based Gofresh has fully launched an ad network across its four million member mobile social site, Itsmy. The Itsmy.biz network is now live after a ...

PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
Widget Advertising Network Launches for Online Businesses
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - Oct 2, 2008
2008-10-02 20:40:07 - Internet Marketers Group Launch Viral Widget Advertising Networkgiving advertisers the opportunity to display their ads across other ...
interCLICK Joins the Network Advertising Initiative
Business Wire (press release), CA - Oct 2, 2008
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--interCLICK, Inc. (OTCBB: ICLK), the fastest growing ad network in the US 1 , today announced it has joined the Network ...
HT Hackney Launches In-Store Digital Signage Advertising Program ...
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
... Promo Network (DPN) today announced it has reached an agreement with HT Hackney to jointly offer in-store digital signage advertising programs to its ...
Software provides ad network management solution.
ThomasNet Industrial News Room, NY - Oct 2, 2008
22 /-- Leading online ad network and technology provider, Collective Media, today unveiled the second generation of its AMP(TM) platform: AMP 2.0. ...
LookSmart Delivers Enhanced Search Network Quality
MarketWatch - Oct 1, 2008
a pay-per-click (PPC) search advertising network and technology solutions provider, today announced its ad network has been bolstered by the addition of 30 ...LOOK - QLTY -TSCC

CNET News
The Biz: The New New Media
Mediapost.com, NY - 19 hours ago
... the company Microsoft purchased last year for $6 billion) could make for a displayadvertising network that delivers more appropriate advertising to ...
Yahoo Stock Hits 5-Year Low DailyTech
The Justice Department Looking Into The Google-Yahoo Deal eFluxMedia
Down to the wire on Google-Yahoo CNET News
ClickZ News - Adweek

Social Media Weekend

Elixir Interactive to Participate in SEMPO AZ Search and Social ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 5 hours ago
Elixir Interactive's CIO Dylan Downhill will participate on a panel of leading digital marketing agencies at the SEMPO AZ Search and Social Media Clinic on ...
BrightTALK Hosts Social Media Marketing Summit
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
At this summit, experts will share information on trends in social media, answer questions, and offer strategies and tips to marketing professionals. ...

USA Today
Social Media's Election Frenzy: Resources, Memes and Stats
Marketing Vox News - 23 hours ago
Online video-sharing and social networking are playing a growing role in the American electoral climate. Sites across the web are using entertainment, ...
Video: The Winner of the Vice-Presidential Debate Is... WSJDigitalNetwork
Search News: Obama Finally Does Search Engine Marketing Right SearchViews
A Maverick of a Hangover Jackson Free Press
Aljazeera.net - RH Reality Check
all 7,047 news articles »
Submitinme launches a new service- ‘Social Media Promotion’
NewDesignWorld (press release), UK - 7 hours ago
Nagercoil, India ( NewDesignWorld ) 4th Octobet 2008-- “Social media promotion of submitinme is the latest strategy of taking advantage of the social media ...
NHL tries to net younger fans with social media, music
Phoenix Business Journal (subscription), AZ - Oct 3, 2008
Phoenix Coyotes fans now have access to digital content and video as the league moves into a new era, reaching out to its target market through social media ...
Firms 'must treat social media users as equals'
Epiphany Search News, UK - 10 hours ago
Businesses engaging in social media marketing should ensure they treat website users as equals, a new report has suggested. Published by marketing expert ...
WHAT: Social Media Marketing Summit hosted by BrightTALK(TM)
International Business Times, NY - 13 hours ago
At this summit, experts will share informationon trends in social media, answer questions, and offer strategies and tipsto marketing professionals. ...
Balaya And Mainstay Partner To Deliver Cutting-edge Web-enabled ...
Creative Coast Initiative, GA - 15 hours ago
Balaya, LLC (Balaya), delivering the power of Social Media to business, today announced a strategic partnership with Mainstay Software Corporation ...
Cohn, Overstreet & Parrish Welcomes New Clients and Launches ...
MarketWatch - Oct 2, 2008
Orlando Connections is an online community targeting the Orlando market and can be leveraged to serve the tailored social media needs of other communities ...
Creative Search Media Announces Four New Media Interactive ...
MarketWatch - Oct 2, 2008
PromoTIVE Viral and Social Media Marketing -- Studies show that social media marketing, often referred to as user-generated content or 'consumers as ...

Blog Weekend


Canada.com
Google launches blog tracking service
AFP - 18 hours ago
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Google has launched an enhanced blog tracking service that helps people mine a growing mountain of online commentary for gems worth ...
blog news trackers compared CNET News
Is Google Blog Search a Techmeme killer? No way. ITworld.com
Google recasts blog search as news guardian.co.uk
Computerworld - seattlepi.com Buzzworthy
all 65 news articles »  GOOG

CTV.ca
Wilson's blog: Has Palin saved herself?
TVNZ, New Zealand - 6 hours ago
By Tim Wilson In fact, she saved her own bacon. After a week in which she performed terribly in interviews, and looked like a skittish carpetbagger, ...
Video: Campaign '08 Notebook CBS
Palin Obsession The Young Turks
Palin Talk New York Times
OCRegister - Editor & Publisher
all 1,971 news articles »

Daily Mail
Obscene Blog Internet Test Case
Sky News, UK - 23 hours ago
The prosecution of a civil servant for allegedly publishing a blog about the rape and murder of pop group Girls Aloud is being seen as a test case for the ...
Civil servant in court over Girls Aloud ‘porn blog Times Online
Girls Aloud in 'murder' blog case BBC News
Man charged over Girls Aloud 'porn murder blog' Independent
United Press International - NME.com
all 64 news articles »
Live Blog: Digital Music Execs Talk Social Networks
Wired News - 20 hours ago
We also look at the blogs, because even if a blogger isn't a great writer, they have already listened to the music (and provided some initial filtering). ...
blog, therefore i am (i think): getting with the new media
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - 5 hours ago
I say this not to brag, because, trust me, I don't blog well, much less understand what a blogreally is or why they're so popular or who reads them or how ...
JAMIE SAMUELSEN'S BLOG Leyland needs to focus on next season, quietly
Detroit Free Press, United States - 5 hours ago
Jim Leyland seemed a little perturbed that he was not offered a contract extension by the Tigers. Does he have a beef? Jim Leyland is a good manager who had ...
NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA'S BLOG Lions' Ramirez will get his first ...
Detroit Free Press, United States - 13 hours ago
Right guard Manny Ramirez essentially will make his NFL debut Sunday against Chicago, and coach Rod Marinelli made it clear today that Ramirez will have no ...

The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
Oct. 2 vice presidential debate live blog and chat
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 22 hours ago
Chat live during Thursday's vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. We will be live blogging and chatting during and after the debate, ...
Join a live chat during tonight's vice presidential debate Buffalo News
all 7 news articles »
Daily Links: Joe D. talks to a blog and Eva Longoria's brother ...
MLive.com, MI - 23 hours ago
The World According to TD: Joe Dumars talks to a blog. Among his comments: "You don't go into the draft with the idea that you're going to draft big names, ...
Rays 6, White Sox 4 Longoria’s Big Day Carries the Rays New York Times
Evan Has No Use For Your Eva Longoria Jokes 850 The Buzz
all 357 news articles »
Dougray Scott's Dunhill blog - day three
Scotsman, United Kingdom - 2 hours ago
It was so cold today. I woke up this morning and I looked out of the window of my hotel, over the 17th at the Old Course. The skies were dark and I could ...

Oct 3, 2008

Nokia Reveals iPhone Competitor And Goes to Battle With iTunes

This Winter's Smartphone Wars Are Set: Who's Going To Win? (AAPL, RIMM)

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nokia-5800.jpgNow that Nokia's taken the lid off its touchscreen "5800 XpressMusic" smartphone, the rosters are pretty much set for this Christmas shopping season's smartphone wars. Who's going to come out on top?

Unlike last year, when Apple's iPhone caught the mobile industry with their pants down, pretty much every major gadget maker has a touchscreen smartphone to sell this year. But Apple didn't spend the year standing still: Its phone now costs half what it did a year ago, will be available in ten times more countries than it was last year, and comes with access to the best widget marketplace in the business. For those reasons, we think Apple will easily clobber the competition this holiday season, selling at least the 5 million iPhones this quarter that Wall Street has been projecting...

Nokia Reveals iPhone Competitor And Goes to Battle With iTunes (UPDATED)

At an analyst and media event in London today, Nokia unveiled their company's first touch-screen phone, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, otherwise known as the Nokia "Tube," a device designed to compete directly with Apple's iPhone.

Along with the phone, Nokia also detailed plans for their new "Comes With Music" service, a 12-month subscription service which offers unlimited downloads. There's no charge to download the individual tracks because the cost for the music is bundled into the cost of the phone. [Note: this post has been updated throughout the day as news has come in]

Ed: Battle is PC versus Smartphone. 2009 may finally be the year when smartphones register a significant share of page views.


tEarn Exitmercial Cuts Transaction Time by 50 Milliseconds

Our engineers have trimmed another 50 milliseconds off each transaction time. Why is 1/20th of a second so important?


tEarn Exitmercials

The tEarn exitmercial platform monitors websites for publishers and bloggers, determines the relevancy of a visitor to a website in realtime, and delivers exitmercials relevant to the qualified readers. Our technology is a break-through for delivering high valued advertising that benefits both advertisers and publishers.

Speed is Everything

Our system depends on fast, sophisticated processing that analyzes the second-by-second actions on a page, makes the right decisions, and delivers results - without disrupting the user experience. 

Starting with beta1, we've been silenting working with the fastest transaction engine that delivers in 150 milliseconds. This compares to Google Analytics that uses 400 milliseconds to report or AdWord that uses more than 400 milliseconds to deliver one set of classified ads.

For beta3, our engineers sliced another 50 seconds from the average transaction time.

Why is Speed Important?

Good question. Like Google Search that delivers quickly, we believe speed matters. Faster speed means:
  • Less delay
  • Scale to billions without hurting the user experience
  • Greater accuracy of recorded data (Google Analytics is notorious for undercounting.)
We're proud of our engineers and encourage them to continue the innovations that bring good change to online advertising.

Newsroom revamp and redesign for Tampa Tribune

US: Newsroom revamp and redesign for Tampa Tribune

Following a raft of job cuts at the long-standing regional newspaper, the Editor, Janet Coats, has announced that the Tampa Tribune will be undergoing a redesign and newsroom revamp and merge for Tribune, WFLA-Ch. 8 and TBO.com.

For the newsroom, the focus will be web-first and a new plan to work as one newsroom for the newspaper and its stable mates. Editor Coats said. "It's kind of a return to a lot of newsroom structures we tried in the '90s, but didn't put a lot of energy into. It's a different way of looking at the data we gather."

The new Tribune/WFLA/TBO.com newsroom has been separated into several subject areas: data, deadline, watchdog journalism, personal journalism and grassroots. When a story breaks, staffers from the deadline area work to gather material for the Web site first, while the other teams will develop plans for their own stories.

Coats' wants the focus to be on delivering information to consumers in whatever form they may need it.

Few details are available on the newspaper redesign, which is due to launch Monday. Essentially, however, the newspaper will be slimming down its weekday edition and expanding its Sunday newspaper, where Coats feels readers have more time to enjoy a newspaper.

Does Google Need To Spend More On Traditional Brand Advertising?

Does Google Need To Spend More On Traditional Brand Advertising?

Google has always been more an adversary to traditional Madison Avenue advertisers than a friend. But with economic woes looming, there aren’t too many companies with growing advertising budgets. Google is on track to spend nearly $2 billion this year on sales and marketing, yet it’s offline advertising budget is estimated to be only $20 million a year. A story in today’s Wall Street Journal suggests that Google might be overcoming its distaste for traditional forms of advertising as it grows into a global brand. Excerpt:

But there are signs that the internal debate is causing Google to shake-off of its reluctance to advertise. The search giant has recently held discussions with several Madison Avenue agencies, including Wieden + Kennedy and the boutique firm Taxi New York, about new efforts to promote some products, according to people familiar with the matter.

But does it really need to do that? Google’s success is predicated on the fact that traditional forms of advertising are less effective than paid search, contextual, and other, more measurable, online ads. Google is already considered to be the 10th most valuable brand in the world, and it got there without spending money on TV, print, or radio advertising. It got there by weaving itself into the daily habits of nearly anyone who uses the Web. Google markets itself through its products...

Google's Growth So Slow It's Considering Advertising

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googlebillboard.jpgNow we know Google's big growth days are over:

WSJ: [I]n recent months some of the Internet company's executives have been pushing for the company to overcome its aversion to paid advertising. That has created some conflict within Google, which is maturing and looking to reinvigorate its slowing growth...

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