Google removes agency commissions

Comment by Matt Trimmer, Managing Director of ivantage.co.uk: "By removing commissions, I think Google is not only 'levelling the playing field' for those companies that do not use agencies, but paving the way for a new era of professional search marketing where the quality of service is more important than the Dollar." More.

Technology for Marketing 2006 Show

To be held on February 7-6 at London’s Olympia, TFM claims to be the UK’s premier event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge marketing-related and CRM technology solutions.

“Whether you’re in marketing, customer service, sales, IT or corporate management, a new user investigating marketing-related and CRM technology for the first time, or more experienced and tackling the latest developments, Technology For Marketing delivers all the solutions,” explains Simon Mills, Event Director. For more information visit the event website.

Web-centric marketing

"I contend that the switched on marketers will soon no longer think online or offline but 'Inside Out'. Namely, that my web presence is at the centre and I therefore know my customer which means I am able to drive my customer to me, through offline communications such as direct mail, radio or TV and pick up and walk the customer through to my website through search.comonline. Now that to me is the true holy grail of marketing." More.

Ed: The debatable power of branding

If I’m honest, the part of me that enthusiastically signed up with Amazon as an affiliate did not even consult the side of me that is still simmering from its recent lack of consideration – I would go do far as to say rudeness - to me as a longstanding customer. So, branding has bought Amazon a degree of time. The question is, how much? More.

Online agencies seek higher status

"'It is unreasonable to expect an agency to provide consistent work and not give anything back,' she says. 'As an industry we have not had the confidence to do something about it due to the bust. But now agencies are in a position to refuse projects if the price isn't right. It is something we need to do together.'" More.

SafeBuy addresses e-tailer concerns

"Richard Jones of the SafeBuy Assurance Scheme said, 'In the world of the Internet, many people are deterred from buying online by concerns about who they are dealing with and whether they are reputable. It is our mission is to allay their fears.'" More.

Ed: Le roi est mort, vive le roi!

(... at the risk of sounding un peu egotistical!)

Welcome to all readers of my final "Online" column in Marketing Week magazine (see entry below this one). After five and a half happy years of print punditry, I hope to continue writing about similar subject matter online. So please bookmark this humble blog and check back for frequent updates. I'll also gladly take ideas on what sort of content would be helpful to you. Interactivity is the name of the game.

Ed: My final Marketing Week column

"Every time a consumer gives you feedback on your website you should A) thank him for his free consultation, B) involve him in the process of fixing the problem and C} reward him for his time and effort." More.

Weblog usability: top ten mistakes

... according to usability guru Jakob Nielsen.
"Weblogs are often too internally focused and ignore key usability issues, making it hard for new readers to understand the site and trust the author." More.