The Lost Logo - A Review

This book is probably much like Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol....that is, not as exciting as previous outings. But entertaining nonetheless.

In this one, Brown continues his attack on marketing norms with zingers like the chapter where Abby trashed (literally) works done by hired brand consultants, those "fee-padding con artists".

I especially liked the chapter where a Coke executive tried to cut a deal with Magill to include Coke branding in Dan Brown's next book. How utterly uncool it is for brands to latch on to money-making mediums like books, using the most flimsiest of connections and at times, not connection at all! Seems desperate and yet, so very real.

Managing Facebook Fan Page - A 24/7 Job!

Seems like there's no stopping the Facebook juggernaut. While many may complain about privacy issues etc., it doesn't seem to stop others from signing up.

And where the crowd goes, that's where commerce will follow suit.  Almost like locusts....good or bad, however you may see it.

For the past few weeks, I have been observing brands on how they manage their Facebook Fan Pages. To make a long story short, it's not as easy as one thinks and it is definitely, a 24/7 job.

Right now, every brand wants to be like Starbucks on Facebook. Generating more than 13 million fans, it's the envy of the branding world.  For a look at the top 10 brands on Facebook, check out http://www.famecount.com/facebook-rank/Worldwide/all/Brand

The Upside of Irrationality - A Review

Yet another enjoyable and educational read from Dan Ariely.

A few observations :

1)  On the 'agent' & 'principal' bit in the case of revenge chapter, I think that the reason why people would direct their revenge towards 'principals' even   though it is their 'agents' that are at fault, could very well be that the 'principals' are thought to deserve punishment for employing those 'agents' in the first place. The 'rationale' could be "If you didn't hire these people, then I wouldn't be unhappy and therefore, would not feel the need to punish you."

2)  Coming from an advertising background, I now know why some form of advertising can become blind spots. In the chapter on adaptation, because of our ability to adapt, it can cause us to, over time, pay less and less attention to things around us, which for me includes advertising, which would then render such things as unnoticeable.  So note to self, do not come up with advertising that stays the same for a long period.  Must vary.

EDM - Best Practice?

For those not in the know, EDM is an abbreviation for electronic direct mail. It's one of the tools of the trade for marketers who want to spread their sales pitch en masse, electronically.

But we consumers either appreciate them because of its timely and useful information or hate them coz' they clog up our mailboxes.

Here's the funny thing.  I'm in the communication business. So therefore, there's a particular formula or rule of thumb for some of the communication things that I do. EDM is not excluded.

Official vs Unofficial

A few months ago, I read in the trades about someone leaving somewhere and about how that someone leaving was all done amicably, that a replacement is being searched for, that that someone wanted to spread his/her wings etc.etc.ad nauseam.

This is the official story.

But in any industry, people talk and the unofficial story is usually the more interesting one.  A bit more exaggerated, not entirely true (but where there's smoke, right?). I read somewhere we humans love the narrative, we love to tell stories. What's a few embellishments here and there when it can captivate your listeners?

hmmm.....sounds like advertising....but I digress.

But the point I'm trying to make here is that, in this day and age, such water cooler goss doesn't always stay within the confines of the 4 walls.  It does get out to people who aren't suppose to hear about it.

I suppose that's why you need the official story. Goss is unofficial, can't be proved....it is, oh so, delicious!