The backlash over Facebook's Beacon initiative has a lot of people upset over online invasion of privacy -- and a lot of behavioral targeting enthusiasts livid that the social networking site set the BT industry back. However, as Marketing Guru Seth Godin points out, people don't truly care about privacy; they care...
Some critics called Amazon's Kindle electronic book reader overpriced and poorly designed, while others hailed it "the book of the future." There may be truth on both sides of the debate, but nonetheless, consumers have spoken, and their response has been highly favorable. Now there's just one thing standing in the way of...
The media's pretty hard on businessmen, and today's episode of CNN's "Morning America" was a perfect example. Kiran Chetry conducted an interview with Shell CEO John Hofmeister, attacking oil companies for reaping profits while Americans are struggling to fill their tanks. One would think Chetry may have been interested in hearing the details...
If you were anxiously anticipating the "Do Not Call" list's 2008 expiration, you're in for some disappointment. Although the list -- initiated in 2003 -- was supposed to have a five-year shelf life, the FTC announced that consumers will not have to re-register next year since future legislation may make the...
In an earlier post, we discussed how companies rely on online reputation management resources to stack the user review deck in their favor -- essentially hiding negative feedback. According to a new study, some of the most influential consumers believe companies are guilty of manipulating reviews through other means, as well....
Pay-per-click advertising has taken the online world by storm; the process is simple, you control the cost, it's easy to track the effectiveness of ads or keywords in real time...the list of benefits goes on and on. But is the net getting a little too cluttered for pay-for-click ads to...
Over 350 individuals, including a Forrester Research representative and blogger, gathered in Rhode Island last week for the Business Innovation Factory conference. According to Forrester's blog, Euan Semple of British Broadcasting Company shared some insight into how the company successfully adopted Web 2.0 tools. Since you were likely not in Rhode Island...
Web 2.0 has transformed word-of-mouth marketing; advocates can now share their opinions and experiences through blogs and other online forums, including fan, rating, and social networking sites. (This means you need to monitor your online reputation closely to avoid viral attacks from disgruntled customers.) So how can you take a proactive role in building a buzz about...
Disney's decision to shut down its MVNO has critics questioning whether any company can succeed using the business model. Mobile ESPN and Amp'd Mobile couldn't make it work, but Helio's holding strong (with the help of a lot of cash.) Fortune offered some insight into the challenges...
Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio, discussed the proposed Sirius/XM merger at the Merrill Lynch Media and Entertainment Global Investor Conference in Marina del Ray, California. Karmazin highlighted the benefits for customers -- low-cost a la carte price plans that cost less than each company's current basic plans. ...
As of midnight tonight, access to much of the New York Times online content, previously limited to TimesSelect users (who paid $7.95 monthly or $49.95 annually), will be free for all. The resultant increased traffic should position the Times to generate ad revenue far exceeding lost subscription dollars. Vivian Schiller,...
The Machinist tech blog posted an interesting article about Britney Spears' VMA performance (stay with me -- this is relevant, I swear). The blogger noted how it was nearly impossible to locate the clip online -- even on YouTube. Why the hassle finding the pop-tart's phoned-in performance? Viacom's copyright claim....
Another company's jumping on the Web 2.0 bandwagon to revive its finances. Decreased profits in Playboy's TV and magazine operations have inspired its new "sexy social networking site," Playboy U. The site will be for college students only, prohibiting users whose email addresses don't end in .edu. Playboy hopes infiltrating the college market...
Adapting to the continually changing needs of the marketplace requires innovation, and at the moment, that means shifting strategies to operate within a digital framework. HarperCollins seems to be on the right track when it comes to leveraging technology to stay competitive. Samples from 14 new HarperCollins...
According to Brand Week, Hewlett-Packard has upgraded its back-to-school campaign to broaden its scope of influence. Whereas last year HP's efforts focused on traditional media channels, this year 70 percent of the company's marketing dollars will finance online efforts, representing a shift in HP's target market from parents to teens,...
