Spontaneous contemplation http://frankstrong.posterous.com Sometimes a sampling of musings on PR, marketing and social media as they might occur posterous.com Sun, 13 May 2012 16:49:32 -0700 Proctor & Gamble: Hitting a home run with Moms http://frankstrong.posterous.com/proctor-gamble-hitting-a-home-run-with-moms http://frankstrong.posterous.com/proctor-gamble-hitting-a-home-run-with-moms

Watch the video nearby.  It's moving, compelling and with subtle message:  "Proud sponsor of Moms."  I saw it when I logged into Yahoo! this evening, but a quick look at the P&G video views on YouTube -- currently just under 3.5 million -- it's clear this is earning attention.  Want to go viral? This is how you do it.  

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Wed, 09 May 2012 12:06:39 -0700 A pleasant surprise from @toprank http://frankstrong.posterous.com/a-pleasant-surprise-from-toprank http://frankstrong.posterous.com/a-pleasant-surprise-from-toprank My colleague brings this box from the mail room at work; the return address is San Diego. I'm thinking to myself, what in the world is this? It's a welcome back gift from our TopRank team: Lee, Jolina and Brian. Thanks gang - a pleasant surprise indeed. Can I drink the ale now?

Photo

Sent from my iPhone

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Mon, 07 May 2012 17:41:00 -0700 Who wants to go first? @dbreakenridge @geoffliving @ginidietrich http://frankstrong.posterous.com/who-wants-to-go-first-dbreakenridge-geofflivi http://frankstrong.posterous.com/who-wants-to-go-first-dbreakenridge-geofflivi

Social-media-books

 

Look what came in the mail today!  And they came together in the same box from Amazon. I've got about 50 pages to go in Lee Odden's Optimize -- which doesn't disappoint – but looking forward to finding time for these two books:  who wants to go first?  

I have read Geoff's previous book -- Now is Gone -- and Deidre's -- Putting the Public Back in Public Relations -- and Gini's blog, well,she calls it like it is, which not enough people in PR do anymore.  Even so, I feel as if I used to read more books than I do now:   I think my reading time has increasingly moved more and more online, or even mobile.  I can only sacrifice so much sleep…

As a result, I tend to favor audiobooks given how much time I spend on the road (Listening to The Dragon Fly Effect now), it’s a good way to make use of the time.  Even so,  I still try to make a point to physically read books.   I like to highlight, write notes in the sides and dog-ear pages.  Lee's almost certain to get a blog post out of me, given how many dog-ears he’s got now, and it's a lot harder to write blog posts after listening to audiobooks because it's basically from memory; with audio I get the concept which furthers my knowledge, but I don't have a command of the details to write a compelling post.  

It could take months for me to knock out both of these…but there’s sure to be a lot of notes! 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Fri, 04 May 2012 18:24:12 -0700 Matt Light, Captain Morgan and sneaky web ads http://frankstrong.posterous.com/matt-light-captain-morgan-and-sneaky-web-ads http://frankstrong.posterous.com/matt-light-captain-morgan-and-sneaky-web-ads
Sneaky-web-ads

I was sorry to see Matt Light was retiring from the Patriots.  The veteran linesman has kept Tom Brady relatively safe from defensive hecklers for many years...so I clicked the link which took me to a page much like the screenshot you see nearby.  

But lookout... the ads are getting sneakier.

As soon as I arrived to read the story, a new page opened that took me to a landing page -- in this case a Facebook landing page for Captain Morgan -- which is the source of the ad surrounding this story.  At first I thought it was a pop-up, but when I went back to the story, I realized the Captain Morgan connection between the ad on the ESPN story and the Facebook landing page.  The ENTIRE ad surrounding the story is hyper-linked to the ad.  

Technically it's not a pop up, but in viewing the story, I had erroneously clicked on the Captain's blackness and that triggered a new ad.  It's nothing short of in-your-face advertising; and I think it's bad because it's irrelevant to the content I'm consuming, and worse, border line manipulative in getting a click, which is clearly geared to getting a like. 

I'll give you a like, Captain...like this post. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Wed, 02 May 2012 18:49:24 -0700 Fix? Twitter and Facebook Mobile Apps http://frankstrong.posterous.com/fix-twitter-and-facebook-mobile-apps http://frankstrong.posterous.com/fix-twitter-and-facebook-mobile-apps
Securedownload

Facebook reportedly bought Instagram, not just for the photo-sharing -- which people on Facebook do in volumes -- but for it's mobile app expertise.  Good thing too, because they need it, but they are not the only company.  There's one little thing with both Facebook and Twitter that I'd really wish they'd fix:  syncing the mobile app with the web.  

Case in point:  Sometimes I'll get an alert that someone liked a Facebook post or Retweeted a Tweet on my mobile device.  If I'm near a computer, I'll check it online because I think the interface and experience is more comfortable. When I check it online, the alert goes away on the Web, but it remains on my device.  The only way I can clear it is to physically check the alert AGAIN on my mobile device. I've got to do the same thing twice.

I'm a a bit obsessive compulsive about things like this -- I can't avoid checking red alerts screaming for my attention (which is why the old Microsoft IM message "you are not signed in" in the tray used to drive me nuts).  I wish these companies would tweak the apps to fix this issue -- either that or pay for my red-alert therapy. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:09:51 -0700 If you saw this billboard in 1950... http://frankstrong.posterous.com/if-you-saw-this-billboard-in-1950 http://frankstrong.posterous.com/if-you-saw-this-billboard-in-1950 Would you think a bite-o-apple was a pitch for picture framing?

Photo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:19:58 -0700 Cute little yuppie for your Marine http://frankstrong.posterous.com/cute-little-yuppie-for-your-marine http://frankstrong.posterous.com/cute-little-yuppie-for-your-marine
Photo

Giving up on bearing arms? Try making wine instead.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:02:55 -0700 Not "influential" enough http://frankstrong.posterous.com/not-influential-enough http://frankstrong.posterous.com/not-influential-enough
Rebok

Reebok announced a give away program for influencers.  According to UK-based Marketing Magazine, "Reebok will identify 1,000 influential people who discuss fitness on social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, to give away free CrossFit personal training sessions. The top 100 influencers will receive a free pair of Reebok RealFlex trainers."  

The program is limited to UK-residents, but I logged in to see how it worked anyway.  The screenshot nearby shows the results.  

Get ready for the criticism. It happens every time with a program like this. Certainly programs like this confuse the difference between influence and popularity, but I commend Reebok for trying something new.  If the program works and drives results, that's the intended effect. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:26:01 -0700 #DC Metro launches anti-groping campaign http://frankstrong.posterous.com/dc-metro-launches-anti-groping-campaign http://frankstrong.posterous.com/dc-metro-launches-anti-groping-campaign
She

DC's Metro has launched an anti-groping campaign which the DC City Paper says is "a remake of Boston's transit agency's award winning anti-groping campaign."  Nothing wrong with that, especially if Boston had success with the program (why reinvent the wheel?).  However, the paper continues that, "the Boston campaign encourages riders to snap photos of offenders, while [DC] Metro's does not."  I'm not so sure that's true. 

A press release from DC Metro offers an online reporting mechanism and an email address harassment@wmata.com and despite the City Paper's report, the release clearly states the email is to "allow victims to send photo or video files to assist an investigation."  Metro has distributed flyers like the one nearby all around the Metro in both English and Spanish. 

“This purpose of this outreach is to let people know that it’s not okay to sexually harass people on Metro,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles in the Metro's press release. “We are encouraging anyone who may be harassed to report the incident to Metro Transit Police, and we appreciate the support of the advocacy groups in getting our message out into the communities we serve.”

DC City paper has previously reported on the issue, which is something I've never observed because creeps know I'd "rub" them back and they probably wouldn't like it.  It amazes me that stuff like this happens to the extent that we have to launch a campaign against it.  

Why can't people just do the right thing?  First off by not rubbing on people, which is creepy, and secondly, if you see someone doing that, why not intervene?  You don't have to be a confrontational ninja to help someone out -- just get her (or him) out of there by trading places, pulling them free, or just saying something.  It's the right thing to do, is it not?

If you are a women and are interested in learning self-defense, my good friend Jeremy, a former grade school teacher who launched his own business (amazing entrepreneurial story) runs a program called "She's Safe." He's got schools all around DC in Maryland and Virginia. Jui-Jitsu has got to be the best self-defense training a women could do by its sheer virtue of ground fighting; the ground changes the dynamics of leverage in standing upright. 

The "rub" is something that has applications outside of violence, but in business. A book I read a few years ago by Paco Underhill called "Why We Buy" which describes the "butt brush" in retail. Retailers that had narrow isles lost sales because women would get (ostensibly accidentally) brushed by other people (could be a woman or man).  I'd underscore here, that this was accidental, in the course of shopping, not the creepy stuff the DC Metro is tackling. Retailers that widened isles saw more sales from women shoppers.  

This is a good program; if you live in the DC area, spread the word.  Hat tip to the Drudge Report and Washington Examiner for the tip. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:04:40 -0700 Hi, Unknown! You look like a great candidate! http://frankstrong.posterous.com/hi-unknown-you-look-like-a-great-candidate http://frankstrong.posterous.com/hi-unknown-you-look-like-a-great-candidate
Eacommo

I get a lot of stuff from recruiters.  Sometimes that makes me feel good but other times, it's insulting.  I'm not looking right now, but I'll almost always take a call from a recruiter because it's good to network and I might be able to help someone else out.  

The screenshot nearby is from an email I received today -- a recruiter says she spotted my resume and "thought this opportunity might be of interest."  Really?  How can you possibly know that if you don't even know my name?  Why would I give up a secure job for a 3 month contract?  Worse still for your client who is paying for a search but only getting spaghetti thrown against the wall. 

There's a ton of advice out there for job seekers and a lot of it focuses on etiquette, formatting and doing background research.  Often it's recruiters that provide this advice.  Shouldn't they be held to the same standard?  

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:56:52 -0700 Starbucks Morning Joe A/B test? http://frankstrong.posterous.com/starbucks-morning-joe-ab-test http://frankstrong.posterous.com/starbucks-morning-joe-ab-test
Starbucks

Morning Joe.  Didn't really pay much attention to this sponsorship program between Starbucks and MSNBC until now (don't watch MSNBC ever since Keith Olbermann was spreading, no shouting, blatant partisan misinformation about the Iraq war in 2007).  I bought the first package of Morning Joe, because that was the only thing from Starbucks left on the shelf; I almost always go for something like Verona or Sumatra -- jet fuel for the fast movers.  Today I bought Sumatra and when I brought the package home and put it on the shelf next to the near empty package I currently have, I noticed the packages look nearly the same and started digging.  I cannot tell whether or not this version of Morning Joe is in fact Sumatra or not; the label does not make any indication, I could not find a reference on Starbuck's Web site though I did find these reads on AdAge and Media Bistro.  Then it occurred to me:  these two exact packages were on the store shelf side-by-side at Harris Tweeter:  could it be an A/B test?  I opted for the Sumatra package, but only Starbucks could tell us if more people opted for the Joe Scarborough version.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Sat, 31 Mar 2012 04:42:49 -0700 What does it cost to advertise on Facebook's homepage? http://frankstrong.posterous.com/what-does-it-cost-to-advertise-on-facebooks-h http://frankstrong.posterous.com/what-does-it-cost-to-advertise-on-facebooks-h
You can't buy advertising space on Google's homepage -- Google.com.  But you can on Facebook.  Google could charge a fortune, but would never compromise the utility of their service; Facebook arguably does both and I'm sure Blackberry paid a pretty penny to showcase this wedding proposal. 
TODAY(Beta) •

How hoops coach once lost his eyebrows


Some fans have long wondered how current Knicks coach Mike Woodson ended up like this.

Privacy Policy

Google-facebook

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:09:54 -0700 Burger King and clearing the clutter of direct mail http://frankstrong.posterous.com/burger-king-and-clearing-the-clutter-of-direc http://frankstrong.posterous.com/burger-king-and-clearing-the-clutter-of-direc
Securedownload

What's the postal service good for?  In these digital times, it's mostly junk mail.  Like many, I get a ton of it every single day.  Going to the mailbox used to be fun; now it's a chore.  I'm thankful they keep a trash bin nearby so I don't have to bring this stuff into my home.  But sometimes a piece of direct mail jumps out at me -- this one from Burger King.  I'm a sucker for magnets -- I've got a fridge full of them as they are useful for hanging up little mementos.  I've got four from my plumber and HVAC shop, which often makes me think magnets are smart marketing for small businesses.  Needless to say, BK cleared the clutter of direct mail.  It's one more step in the effort to get some attention.  The piece stands out for me for three reasons:

1.  It's different.  It can hang. Literally. 
2.  It has an offer. It's selling something for sure, but there's something in it for the customer.
3.  It made me think:  if I was the VP of marketing at BK, what was the trigger for using or not using a magnet on this piece.

I'd really like to know how this mail piece performed for BK.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:52:08 -0700 Mixed packaging messages http://frankstrong.posterous.com/mixed-packaging-messages http://frankstrong.posterous.com/mixed-packaging-messages
Delmonte

Check out the nearby photo of a package of Delmonte's Mandarin Oranges.  I bought these because it seemed to me they'd be a healthy snack that's natural and has shelf-life (and travels well). When I purchased these a week or two ago, I saw the "no sugar added" plug on the package which made me believe it was all natural. Fast forward to today and I took a second look and noticed the package also says "packed in water, artificially sweetened"  (emphasis mine). 

 Huh? Sugar:  no.  Artificial sweetener:  yes.    

Don't these two messages offset?  How do you say it on the packaging?  Well, you take the positive message (no sugar added) and you write that on its own line in font size larger than the negative message.  Then you take the negative message (artificially sweetened), camouflage it with another line or two of text (packed in water), and make its font size smaller than the positive message.   Put these packages on shelf space packed with dozens and dozens of similar products and a parent breezing through the grocery store just might pick it up. 

Wonder if they use pink slime in that artificial sweetener... 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:02:00 -0700 Google's new social analytics are not affiliated... http://frankstrong.posterous.com/googles-new-social-analytics-are-not-affiliat http://frankstrong.posterous.com/googles-new-social-analytics-are-not-affiliat
Postrank-google

What's wrong with this screenshot?  PostRank was in fact acquired by Google almost a year ago.  However, tooling around on my PostRank account today, I clicked on the "edit account" function and got this message.  It's ironic to, given today, Google has announced new social metrics, which I'm willing to bet have old PostRank code integrated. Little by little on my old Blogger account, I could see baby steps towards bringing PostRank functionality into Google Analytics -- this is a very positive move for bloggers and measurement lovers. PostRank has some unique metrics it's able to provide -- including when your post is tweeted, or when someone links to your blog. Looks like Google missed a step along the way. Maybe someone will fix that now. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:45:27 -0700 Cool customer engagement @Livefyre http://frankstrong.posterous.com/cool-customer-engagement-livefyre http://frankstrong.posterous.com/cool-customer-engagement-livefyre Told a friend today on Twitter, that I had migrated my blog to WordPress and implemented Livefyre. I've been really impressed with Livefyre's comment system when I comment on other blogs, so thought I'd give it a shot on my own. Well, Livefyre was watching Twitter and sent me a tweet (see screenshot below). I love it when companies do this kind of stuff - most don't, or not enough.

Photo

Sent from my iPhone

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:38:27 -0800 American influence abroad http://frankstrong.posterous.com/american-influence-abroad http://frankstrong.posterous.com/american-influence-abroad
Photo

Sent from my iPhone

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:52:00 -0800 #DCFlacks featured on Meetup.com's home page @margienewman http://frankstrong.posterous.com/dcflacks-featured-on-meetupcoms-home-page-mar http://frankstrong.posterous.com/dcflacks-featured-on-meetupcoms-home-page-mar

Dc_flacks

Got a little note in my inbox from Meetup.com yesterday.  The message said, "Great news!  DC PR Flacks is featured on the home page right now!"  Indeed I took a look and it's true! 

The message qualified the notice by saying, "Every day, a handful of the most active Meetup Groups are chosen to appear on this page."

DCFlacks is a casual networking group for PR pros in the DC area led by margienewman [blog] (and I'm proud to say sponsored by my employer Vocus).  We meet once a month and swap happy hour specials and PR stories. It's a great way to meet some of your peers.  

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:54:29 -0800 When the will is Strong... http://frankstrong.posterous.com/when-the-will-is-strong http://frankstrong.posterous.com/when-the-will-is-strong
When_the_will_is_strong

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:02:00 -0800 Why more men are not on Pinterest http://frankstrong.posterous.com/why-more-men-are-not-on-pininterest http://frankstrong.posterous.com/why-more-men-are-not-on-pininterest

Pininterest

Why aren't there more men on Pinterest, a picture oriented social network that Gizmodo calls Tumblr for Ladiez?  Reportedly, some 80% of Pinterest users are women, and to the degree it's a topical conversation on Quora. 

I like it because it's an easy way to visually keep track of things that appeal/inspire me. It's also a good way to create mood boards, and to help define a style. 

That according to the current top answer on one such thread.  

As a man, I have no idea what that means. 

A Wall Street Journal blog post cites a different answer: "At the risk of sounding sexist, we have to examine the traditional habits of females versus males. To that end, women tend to like to shop more than men do."

Okay, I sort of understand that.  

But what I really understand is the pictures.  The screenshot nearby, with commentary intended to be tounge and cheek added, is from my news feed on Pinterest -- and I really have to look hard to find something interesting.  There's nothing wrong with those pictures, there just not things that appeal to me.  

And that's something I really understand. 

But maybe men should give Pinterest a second shot. With a mere 4 million users the site allegedly drives more refferal traffic than Google +'s 100 million users.

One post syndicated on MSM -- Why more men should join Pinterest -- offers up several other reasons for men to join the network:

It's essentially a guide telling men everywhere exactly what women want. All you have to do is create an account to keep track of the clothes, meals and events that the women in your life are interested in.

For many men, myself included, I'm not sure we'll ever figure that out.  With or without Pinterest.

I am however experimenting with the images and a blog post I have scheduled for Tuesday on my primary blog, Sword and the Script, will include an embedded image I've pinned on the site.   

Update:  February 11, 2012 - check out the photos below.  The latest feed from my Pinterest account.  It's getting worse!  Look at all those dresses!

Pinterest

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/520191/351138-R1-13-12A2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fds0u1byOdP Frank Strong frankstrong Frank Strong