Amazon Launches Askville

I received an email from Amazon introducing Askville. It appears to be a very Web 2.0 social website that combines consumer generated knowledge (like Wikipedia) and looks to maintain community and status via “experience points.” Let's see if the content and community help it grow because as MySpace proved, you don't need a good looking site to get millions to flock to it.

Generally, I like the concept of Askville, it seems like other, earlier bulletin boards, but uses more technology to filter out, or tag, those that may be helpful -- and more importanlty those that are not.

After the rush of the holiday season, I will explore it in greater detail.

Happy holidays and best wishes to all of you for a safe and happy new year.

Ad Age Online: Top Ten Lists for 2006

Ad Age Online has a few year-end Top Ten lists to close out 2006.

In a question of awareness vs. advocacy, or even utilization, how many of the ten most watched videos had a positive impact on the client's bottom line?

Notes from the Field turns 1

Notes from the Field, the official blog for Sanctioning Agent celebrates its one year anniversary today. I'm sure you're very excited about this red-letter day.

It started with this post and has since turned into the incredibly insightful and humorous blog that you know and love.

They grow up so fast.

Turning 23? I Don’t Think So

Turning 23 is the latest ill-advised campaign from Dr. Pepper. I have two problems with it.

1. The music is a take on The Vapors 1980 hit “Turning Japanese.” The song widely rumored to be about masturbation with racist overtones. That seems like a weird place to start for commodity-esque awareness campaign. It is almost as absurd as a major cruise line using an Iggy Pop song about liquor and drugs. Then I’m further confounded by what it means to turn 23. Well, this leads to the next point.

2. Doesn’t Dr. Pepper have really one flavor? That’s the Dr. Pepper flavor. That’s it. Beyond the weak brand extensions of cherry vanilla or berries & cream, you just have one flavor in that bottle. Mmm, yes, make sure to swirl the plastic bottle before tasting, let it breathe, and then you can really taste the phosphoric acid and the sodium benzoate. When you’re done, you may notice a slightly nutty aftertaste of high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar.

Barack Obama on MNF

On Monday, U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D – IL) made a special announcement about a “very important contest. A contest about the future… which will ultimately be decided in America’s heartland.” Obama then announces that he’s ready for the Bears to go all the way. You can see the whole thing here.

I thought it was a great set up for the game and boosts the image of both MNF and the junior senator. The intro fits, in a self-referential, mocking way, with campaign countdown to Monday night, as the most important night of the week. For Obama, it’s even better – he receives more positive exposure in the national media, it shows that he has a sense of humor, and that he’s not afraid to take a stand… at least when it comes to the Monsters of the Midway

Kudos to the production team and writers that made that happen.

The Onion's take on this year's hot demographic

Warning: Language may be found offensive, but also very funny.

The Onion has a great article on this year's hot holiday demographic and their relative spending power.

Holiday Advertisers Seek Coveted Dicktard Demographic

Rebounding Brands

I received this link from my Fast Company email update. I’m interested in brands. Rebounding brands, even more interesting. But then the “be sure to drink your Ovaltine” moment. Loading, loading… C’mon, who put this schlocky thing together? After it loads, I’m told that Ford and Firestone are on the rebound after the SUV rollovers and the finger-pointing (scapegoating, rather than accountability) that dominated the media a few years back. Ford is hemorrhaging, losing billions. That’s not really a brand on the rebound is it? As my uncle says, even a dead squirrel can bounce.

Wii're #3!!

Surowiecki (The Wisdom of Crowds) has an interesting article in a recent issue of The New Yorker. It is about Nintendo and their profitable position in the home gaming market. They're not trying to be all things to all people, like MS with Xbox360 or Sony with PS3. They focus on games and are able to acutally make money on their consoles. After reading Surowiecki's article, check out the Fast Company research on all that Sony has at stake when it comes to the PS3 and the PS3 economy.

I have to admit that I'm a sucker for the PS3 campaign, especially the thirty second spot with the baby doll that comes to life as it controls and is controlled by the PS3. A very post-modern (dare we say high modern) ode to structuration and a great awareness campaign.



Thanks to Pam for the article.