Mystery car could sweep the efficient-vehicle market | VentureBeat June 20, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy, Innovative Strategies, Marketing Strategy.Tags: Al Gore, Alternative Fuel, Chrysler, Fuel Efficient Cars, GM, Green Vehicle, Mystery Car, T Boone Pickens
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Some interesting “mystery auto” PR hype is beginning to seep to the surface, and with a fascinating but somewhat unlikely mix of characters.
The auto industry, while in turmoil, is hardly dead.
To view the entire article click here: http://tinyurl.com/ltqeuz
A Challenge to GM and Chrysler for our Advertising Age June 11, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Innovative Strategies, Marketing Strategy.Tags: Chrysler, Contingency Marketing, GM, Innovative Marketing
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This morning I came across a website that caught my attention big time. I’ve pondered the viability of a contingency model for creative and marketing firms for some time and now this young innovative firm, www.agencynil.com giving it a try.
The founder, Hank Leber, a 28 year old creative artist, decided since he couldn’t find a creative agency that would hire him, he’d create his own, but with a twist… HE’S NOT CHARGING FOR HIS SERVICES. Or, at least, he isn’t not charging a scheduled amount.
Instead, he’s going to let supply, demand, quality of work and the integrity of we human beings to set the price for his work. He has some formulas and stipulations set up to protect from up-front and production costs, but in terms of the firms creative labor, if someone decides not to pay, its FREE. Hank believes that won’t happen (too often), and there is more and more evidence in the marketplace that suggests he is right.
There is a new term for doing business by a bid process called “Crowdsourcing” that should be watched carefully for the next few months. Musicians, magazines, hotels, restaurants and even shipping companies are giving the bid-for-service model a try.
I followed up on some of the on-line discussions and was not surprised to find the responses from the creative community, though mixed, are generally opposed to such a model. This should come as no surprise. Most marketers feel a little shudder go up and down their spines when they think of offering their services on contingency. But, there are examples within the professional communities (I use term generously) who have done very well on a contingency basis. Contingency law firms come to mind. I have a personal friend, a lawyer, lawyer who made many millions personally using the contingency model.
I put out this Challenge to BIG ADVERTISERS, like the automobile industry… GM, Chrysler come to mind. Ask your advertising agencies to compete with the likes of www.agencynil.com and may the best creative get the project. On a bid-for-service basis, you just may get more creative concepts to choose from among, and the quality of the work may even be a lot more a lot better than your current agency would like you to see.
Don’t expect your agency to jump at the idea.
Thank you to Kathleen @kathleenrake and Suzanne @srboaks, both at South Fraser Community Futures for the original discussion.
Wordstorm Communications
Facilitating Innovative Business Growth
34650 Baldwin Road | Abbotsford BC | V2S 7H9
C | 604-807-6334 | wordstorms(at)gmail(dot)com
LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/rickshatto
Blog | https://rshatto.wordpress.com
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Google’s Wave Consolidates Core Online Features in One Tool May 29, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy, Innovative Strategies, Web Strategy, Web Technology.Tags: Google Wave
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Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails, digg — Trent Reznor — Digg Dialogg — Revision3 April 9, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Social Media.add a comment
Digg founder Kevin Rose sat down with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails (NIN) and poses the most popular questions as submitted and voted upon by you!
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Get new customers by invading ‘social media’ April 5, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy, Social Media.Tags: Marketing Strategy, Social Media
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Looking for new customers?
They’re probably online flitting from one social networking site to another.
Industry watchers say that 214 million Americans use the Internet and 87 percent visit some of the countless social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, MySpace, Slideshare, LinkedIn, Tumbl and Twitter.
Maybe it’s time that your company goes where the people are and convert some of them into customers.
Read more: Get new customers by invading ‘social media’ | Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Guy Kawasaki: TOP 5 POINTS A VC WANTS TO HEAR March 30, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy.Tags: Business Pitch, Early Stage Capital, Raising Capital, Venture Capital
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This is 3-part video speech by Guy Kawasaki, co-founder of venture capital firm Garage Technology Ventures gives more value in 20-minutes than most do in 2 hours. Guy tells exactly what VC’s want to hear and what you need to do to get the message across. A practical, funny look at pitching for early stage capital from a real venture capitalist.
PART ONE
PART TWO
PART THREE
Richard Shatto
Wordstorm Communications
Facilitating Innovative Business Growth
wordstorms@gmail.com
LinkedIn | http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickshatto
Blog | https://rshatto.wordpress.com
Twitter | http://twitter.com/RickShatto
Skype | iamubiquitous
The Fan Economy: Becoming Fan Focused March 5, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy, Social Media.Tags: Fans, Social Media Fans
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Thanks to @joepulizzi for sharing on his blog site this slide show from Bud Caddell.
Bud Caddell is a proponent of Fan Based Marketing Strategy. Just watch the slide show and you’ll know what he means.
Joe Pulizzi is a thought leader for the creation, sourcing and distribution of custom content and content management strategy. He’s also the founder of www.Junta42.com a custom content website that helps put organizations and authors together.
Marketing VP — Role and Responsibilities February 21, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy, Marketing Strategy.Tags: Guy Kawasaki, Kristin Zhivago, marketers, Marketing VP, Rivers of Revenue
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Kristin Zhivago is one of the America’s most important marketers.
Kristin has worked with some of the world’s largest companies and most celebrated CEO’s. Guy Kawasaki said of Kristin’s insights, “You can suffer through years of marketing and selling experimentation, or you can read this book [Rivers of Revenue] and understand exactly what you have to do.”
In this, her latest blog, Kristin adeptly dissects The Role and Responsibilites of today’s Marketing VP and, in a just a few succinct words, puts it all into perspective.
If you are an Entrepreneur, Director, CEO or Marketing executive feeling more than just a little uneasy about your current marketing direction, click through and read.
Twitter… Who has time? Better Watch this. February 16, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy, Social Media.Tags: Perry Belcher, Twitter
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I thought it… maybe still do, but Perry Belcher’s little chalkboard lesson is making it harder to ignore.
Go see Perry at http://www.winningatsocialmedia.com/ He’s got lots more.
Thanks Perry.
Great Little Service for Startups and VC’s! February 13, 2009
Posted by Richard Shatto in Business Strategy.Tags: branding, Custom Logo, entrepreneurs, graphic design, Logo Tournament, Marketing Strategy, startups, VC, venture capitalist
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Get a custom logo for a fraction of the cost it would be from a traditional creative designer or marketing firm.
This service furnishes you you dozens of different graphic designs to look at and choose from among. It employs many talented designers competing for the top prize — you choosing their design.
This will be very helpful for entrepreneurs, startups, small marketers, and even VC’s who are looking to advise their valuable startups on how to save money and speed the process.
Big marketing and graphic design firms will probably not be so ecstatic. But, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on which side of the coin you are on), it is the way of the ‘cloud’. Its a new game out there, and we need only look back a few years to the recording industry, MP3, iTunes and their ilk, to see the future and, hopefully, begin our adaptive strategies.
And, think of this… for a pre-launch business plan or presentation, having a professional custom logo so quickly and economically is a great opportunity.
One caveat, this is only a logo. There is no design layout for an ID package, bus cards, letterhead, envelope, labels and the likes. You’ll need to go to a graphic design firm, or buy the extra service from LogoTournament for that.
And, you certainly are not getting a Branding Strategy, which, in the long run is going to be critical to your new enterprise. A reputatable marketer or branding firm (like Corebrand) would be best to provide you with that.
If you have a smaller budget and would like some advice you can also contact me – info below.
Opportunity is good, isn’t it great there’s so much of it!
Richard Shatto
Wordstorm Communications
Facilitators for Innovative Business Growth
C | 604-807-6334 | wordstorms@gmail.com
LinkedIn | http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickshatto
Blog | https://rshatto.wordpress.com
Twitter | http://twitter.com/RickShatto
Skype | iamubiquitous
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