I process a lot of information in my daily life, but sometimes I run across things that jump out at me. I'll be discussing articles, books, and random thoughts that get my mind 'in the zone' as I go through my day. I hope you get something out of it. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/BlogId/32/Default.aspx en-US bsutton@octanecorp.com Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:33:20 GMT Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:33:20 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blog RSS Generator Version 4.5.3.25095 With all the hype around Facebook, it’s easy to forget that MySpace is still a major player in social networking. I’ve written on this topic before, but I thought it might be good to have a quick refresher on the subject. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/387/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/387/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=387 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:42:00 GMT 0 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=387 Neither is listening for that matter. Marketers love to talk and Researchers love to listen. We find all kinds of ways to say things in oh-so-perfect fashion and a zillion ways to quantify and qualify consumer behavior. But guess what? It’s not enough anymore. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/384/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/384/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=384 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:33:00 GMT 0 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=384 It’s hard to turn on a computer, much less a television, without being inundated with messages about the gloom and doom of our current economic nightmare. But what does that mean for the Marketing world? One thing seems clear to me – now is NOT the time to crawl in a hole and scale back on Marketing. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/377/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/377/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=377 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:45:00 GMT 3 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=377 We are at an interesting junction in history right now, and it is fascinating to see how social media is shaping the political landscape in this election cycle. Remember, in 2004 Facebook had just launched and was open to college students only, and YouTube didn’t even exist! These two sites alone have totally changed the game and we are now in a new era of information sharing. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/370/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/370/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=370 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:34:00 GMT 1 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=370 Could this be true a year from now? After all, in 2006 there were plenty of ‘experts’ sounding the funeral bells of MySpace, but they seem to be getting by rather well. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/369/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/369/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=369 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:37:00 GMT 9 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=369 After years of neglecting a huge opportunity to monetize the small business segment on MySpace, it appears that they have finally figured it out. MySpace launched a new Self-Serve Advertising program that’s currently in beta. The service allows businesses and musicians to develop their own ads and target specific groups on the site. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/368/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/368/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=368 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:48:00 GMT 0 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=368 So, here we are on the eve of the launch of the new Dream Smartphone from HTC/T-Mobile. It will be interesting to see how this expands opportunities in Social Media in the mobile sphere. Certainly there will be many more custom applications being developed for the new Android platform, so you’ve got to wonder if this is the next ‘thing’ or just another ‘me too’ (remember the Zune, anyone?). http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/367/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/367/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=367 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:03:00 GMT 0 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=367 You know, the frequency of social messaging is reaching a fever pitch these days, and it underscores the fact that any brand that is going to flourish has to get in the mix somehow. Not a day goes by that I don’t get a stream of updates from my friends and business associates on what’s going on in their worlds. Funny enough, I actually pay a lot of attention to these, as they provide a unique opportunity to keep up with people that I might otherwise lose touch with. I’m one of millions of people that have embraced this aspect of social media and I see myself paying more and more attention to it with each passing day. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/359/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/359/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=359 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:02:00 GMT 0 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=359 There are seemingly endless opportunities to connect with consumers online – but how do you pick where to put your resources? It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of the cool thing of the moment and bet the farm on it. However, with the landscape changing so rapidly, that course of action can be perilous for brands. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/356/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/356/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=356 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:03:00 GMT 0 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=356 Wow – what a day for technology and marketers too! Release glitches notwithstanding, the release of the new iPhone 3G is going to usher in a new era of mobile media consumption and the proliferation of consumers who have even greater access to information and the ability to stay connected with their friends. http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/349/Default.aspx http://www.octanecorp.com/blog/tabid/249/EntryID/349/Default.aspx#Comments http://www.octanecorp.com/Default.aspx?tabid=249&EntryID=349 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:12:00 GMT 1 http://www.octanecorp.com/DesktopModules/AT/AT.Blog/Trackback.aspx?id=349