Top Social Marketing Blogs

Looking to increase your social media/marketing I.Q.? This list of 142 top social marketing blogs ought to keep you more than up-to-date. (Of course, you can always check in with our blog and we'll try to hit the highlights for you.)

Read more here: Top Social Marketing Blogs

Last Lecture Professor Randy Pausch, 47, Dies

He was, in many ways, a marketing phenomenon. An example of how an idea catches on and spreads like wildfire on the web. (Because it was a good idea and an inspiring message; not because some marketing folks pushed it.) His touching "Last Lecture" was viewed by millions online and his book about the lecture became a bestseller. Today, Professor Randy Pausch, succombed to the terminal cancer he has battled for over two years.

Read about his incredible life here: Last Lecture Professor Randy Pausch, 47, Dies - Well - Tara Parker-Pope - Health - New York Times Blog

Botox for Bridesmaids -- Yuck!

Trends in fashion, home decor, life . . . as marketers we pay attention to what's "in" and work hard to cultivate the Next Big Thing. Some trends are just plain silly or clearly for the young (bubble skirts fit both categories in my opinion), and some trends are just plain cringe-inducing. Like the latest Bridezilla request. It seems that brides across the nation are requesting their bridesmaids get botox, spray-on tans, and all manner of cosmetic enhancements. Gone are the days when you bought your bridesmaids a dainty pair of earrings or politely requested they wear matching shoes.

Look, I'm not a Botoxer myself, but I have no problem with women who choose to go under the needle or the knife, if that's their preference. I do have a problem asking others to do it on my behalf.

Besides, if you're really worried about wrinkles in your photos, there are easier ways to camouflage that. Photoshop works wonders. And in my experience, the joy of marrying the man of my dreams put such a glow on my face that I doubt anyone noticed my wrinkles. Or at least, that's what I'd like to believe! (That's me in the photo, at 41, on my wedding day.)

Read more here: Skin Deep - It’s Botox for You, Dear Bridesmaids - NYTimes.com

McDonald's robber is finalist in jingle contest -- for McDonald's

You can't make this stuff up. McDonald's is running a contest on MySpace to update its classic Big Mac jingle (remember "two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese . . ."). The five finalists' videos are on MySpace. Turns out that one of the finalists served jail time . . . FOR ROBBING A MCDONALD'S!

If he wins, I have no idea how McD's will spin this. But it does point out the uncontrolled nature of UGC (user-generated content) and web contests.

Read more here: McDonald's robber is finalist in jingle contest -- for McDonald's -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Great Spot from Nike (Tiger Woods Never Give Up)

Sometimes in advertising, the simplest spots are the most effective. Watch as Tiger's late father, Earl Woods, expounds on his son's mental toughness. This ad was actually produced BEFORE Tiger's remarkable U.S. Open win, which makes Nike's ad team pretty freakin' smart/lucky.

Eggs-cellent Timing!

If you can get by my awful egg pun, take a second to read this entry about a giant egg billboard for McDonald's. It's a giant egg that mechanically opens during breakfast hours to let people know that McDonald's is cooking up fresh eggs at that time. Once breakfast is over, the egg closes up, ready to hatch again the next morning.

If only Adam Sandler had one of these in "Big Daddy," he could have saved himself some heartache.

Reaed more here: The Arab Aquarius: Hatching Billboards: McD's Giant Egg

Check Out NTM on the Radio

Last weekend, I was interviewed for a radio show called "Tech Talk." The host, Craig Peterson, wanted to know how small businesses combat low productivity in the summer. I had a few thoughts,which you can listen to here . I think the thing we do best is manage expectations with our clients. We know things will take longer in the summer; not only are we on vacation, but our clients usually are, too. We discuss that up front so everyone is on the same page. There's more, but it's probably more fun to listen to it!

Listen to the podcast here: Tech Talk With Craig Peterson - Tech That Talks to Everyone

How to Get More Stuff

Women are famous for their ability to talk up their favorite products and services. We often tell our clients that women don't just like to talk about good experiences; they feel compelled to spread the word. If we have a great experience at a store, we can't wait to get in our car and call our best friend and tell her about it.

There are agencies that are now hooking women up with product marketers in an attempt to get them to "buzz" about their goods. I am a member of one of them (BzzzAgent) and have sampled electric toothbrushes and moisturizers and organic milk as a result. All for free and if I like it, they give me coupons for friends to try it, too.

ABC News just did a piece on these viral marketing agencies, complete with links to some of the more popular services. Check them out if you're interested in free stuff, or if you're a marketer who wants to connect with some word-of-mouth marketing.
I Can Get Free Stuff? Do Tell...

Cartier Becomes the First Luxury Brand to Run MySpace Campaign

I would not have thought of this. Cartier is too expensive and has a reputation for exclusivity. MySpace is sort of the generic, all-purpose -- even "low rent" -- brand of the social networks. So why is Cartier branching out there? Well, according to this article, MySpace has a lot of unique users with incomes over $100,000. And Cartier has tried social networking before, with success.

So what do I know? I'm not sure, but we'll keep an eye out as other luxury brands start trying the more mainstream social networking products.

Read more here: First luxury brand runs MySpace ad campaign - Social Marketing - BizReport