How newspapers can survive the internet

"Instead of treating their Web sites like unwelcome stepchildren, newspapers should turn them into their primary method of news delivery -- and teach their reporters, editors, and ad sales people how to work effectively with this new -- to them -- medium." More.

Is Craigslist killing off newspaper classifieds?

In the beginning, Craigslist was a casual e-mail sent to friends. Could it end by turning newspaper classifieds to ashes? More.

Blogging with a wooden tongue

"The result of officialdom's embrace of the blog format is that the wooden tongue has reached blogging. You can spot a wooden-tongue blog by the following telltale signs:
* The content claims to be written by someone powerful who's obviously too busy to write a blog. It reads like it's been phoned in. Who's really writing this, you wonder, the secretary? Are there ghostbloggers now as well as ghostwriters?" More.

'Beta' becomes a long-term label

For Some Technology Companies, 'Beta' Becomes a Long-Term Label: "Betas also have become a marketing device in a fiercely competitive industry, allowing software and Internet firms to release new products or services sooner and cultivate early buzz. Betas, which once had been quietly distributed, are trumpeted in press releases and at news conferences.

'I deplore it as a consumer; I admire it as a marketing professional,' said Peter Sealey, a marketing professor at the University of California at Berkeley and former chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola Co. 'I can't come up with anything else in the entire marketing world where marketers knowingly introduce a flawed or inadequate product [and] it helps grow your user base.'" More.

Note: It's also another sign of the "casual" culture so prevalent in the 21st century. We're into transparency, works in progress, warts and all, reality TV, unvarnished image, etc. Well, we're into all that in theory. In reality it's not quite so: we still expect our "beta versions" to be nicely packaged and to work straight out of the box, as it were.

UK turns to eBay for Xmas bargains

However, 89 per cent of people said that when they abandoned a transaction at the shopping basket, no-one at the company had ever got in touch with them about it. Only 3 per cent had ever been contacted by the company trying to find out what went wrong. Only 8 per cent had been contacted by the company with another offer to entice them back to the site.

Jones comments, “I was shocked by the frequency of shopping basket complaints. Turning consumers away once they have made the decision to buy is commercial suicide. Although specific steps of a transaction may fail to complete, in most cases the web site itself is still functioning, so unfortunately it is likely that many online managers are completely unaware of the problems.” More.

Google's new Click-to-Call

We're testing a new product that gives you a free and fast way to speak directly to the advertiser you found on a Google search results page – over the phone.

Here's how it works: When you click the phone icon, you can enter your phone number. Once you click 'Connect For Free,' Google calls the number you provided. When you pick up, you hear ringing on the other end as Google connects you to the other party. More.

Google gives advertisers more options

Google has launched a separate content bidding for AdWords, as the search giant aims to expand its paid-for search services.

The move lets advertisers place one bid for ads that run on content sites and a separate bid for ads that run on search sites within the Google Network.

The move could give advertisers greater control in maximising return on investment from search campaigns. More.

New book on Google's rise

Search Me: The Surprising Success of Google by Neil Taylor.

"In 'Search Me' Neil Taylor goes, appropriately enough, on a search to find the essence of Google. It’s a relaxed, sometimes serendipitous journey, and that is a style that Google has made familiar to us. Along the way he explores questions about the nature and the limits of branding, relevant to any modern business." Buy it here.

Online blow for mail order shopping

Mail order catalogues are suffering their worst year for a decade with sales down £273m, new research showed. Tough competition in the weak retail market, particularly from the internet, is behind the decline which is now in its third year, market analysts Verdict said. More.

Sotfware market being transformed by Net

"What is going on? This is a time of seismic shifts in our industry. The internet is disintermediating the status quo, and old models of software cost and complexity are being replaced with new models of affordability and ease of use ... This transformation goes by many names: On-Demand, Web 2.0, Software as a Service. But they all point to the same conclusion: The era of the traditional software "load, update, and upgrade" business and technology model is over. It is time for "The Business Web." More.

Times Online signs search deal with MSN

MSN.co.uk has just announced an exclusive partnership with Times Online to power its user web queries through MSN Search. The six-figure deal goes live today and will see the Times Online ‘Search the Web’ toolbar MSN branded, driving Times Online users to the MSN Search Homepage. The deal, which runs until June 2006, was negotiated by McCann Eriksson.

An expert guide to mobile marketing

"Mobile is one of the most effective channels for marketing your business and communicating directly with your customers. It's instant, targeted and gets results. More businesses are turning to mobile, and not just to target the youth market. The sector is growing and there are many areas where we've only just scratched the surface." More.

More on Google Base

"If Google eventually charges for listings, or if advertisers find they get adequate results posting directly on Google and can bypass paid listing services aggregated by Google, the economic implications will be dramatic." More.

Google Base threat to classifieds

"Is Google yet again hiding its real intentions? With Google Base, the company may also be launching an assault on classified ads, even though it has explicitly stated that it has no such intent in mind. But when I went to Google Base for the first time, my thought was to sell something. Google's huge audience of users gives me an easy way to sell my wares." More.

How blogs are changing marketing

"Shel Israel, co-author (with Robert Scoble) of the upcoming book Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers, talks about the impact of blogging on marketing and advertising." More. Buy it here.

Microsoft mulls ad-supported software

"An MSN strategy paper points to the success of Google's ad-supported Gmail. The paper suggests non-targeted ads for low-cost services, and targeted ads - based on 'an exchange of user information' - for high-cost services, citing adware firm Claria, which claims ad rates 6-20 times those of traditional web advertising because of its ability to target." More.

Yahoo copies Google 'self-serve' ads

"Yahoo has joined Google in offering self-serve RSS ads, writes Adam Kalsey. Participants in the Yahoo Publisher Network can place Yahoo Search Marketing ads in their RSS feeds.' The ads that appear may be relevant to a specific article or post, or to your content in general,' according to an email sent by Yahoo to member publishers." More.

IMRG investigates dual pricing

"IMRG recognises the complexity of the arguments for and against dual pricing practices, but IMRG, on behalf of its membership intends to ensure that any such practices, should they persist, are lawful and not unduly prejudicial to smaller reputable online retailers." More.

Podcasting still mainly men

"What she found at the conference was a world overwhelmed by male voices and male exhibitors. Malley said she didn't experience any other incidents she perceived as sexist, but she was nonetheless struck by the dearth of female faces. Just 15 percent of the 2,000 attendees were women, show organizer Tim Bourquin said." More.

Tesco's email marketing blitz

"This email carpet bombing exceeds all of its supermarket rivals combined and is sent to 4m consumer email addresses, offering shoppers everything from flower bouquets to the Chronicles of Narnia." More. See also.

Sony 'blocks' internet bargains

"Sony has been accused of trying to stop shoppers buying its products cheaper on the internet. The electronics giant is allegedly charging web retailers up to 15% more for its wholesale products than High Street outlets." More.

Craigslist founder bashes old media

"Newmark said that the mainstream media isn't trustworthy, nor accountable to the public any longer. And he suggests that emerging community journalists on the Internet should counterbalance the short-sightedness of publishers that kow-tow to big business or powerful political interest groups." More.

Amazon tries its hand at tagging

"The idea, apparently, is to slowly experiment with tags and to give users some power over how certain Amazon products--books, for example--are categorized." More.

AOL, Warner launch free TV service

"Time Warner Inc.'s AOL said on Monday it planned to launch a free Internet television service by early 2006, in one of the technology and media industry's most ambitious designs to reach TV viewers online." More.

Google launches web traffic analysis

"Google has officially launched Analytics, a robust new web analysis system that provides site owners with traffic metrics and massive amounts of useful marketing data." More.

Ed: Buddy, can you spare a click?

I hope this blog is proving useful. Obviously, it's still very early days and we'll see how things pan out. Your feedback is most welcome. My original aim has been to provide generalist marketing subject matter, albeit skewed towards all things online. But if you think there is a particular niche I could serve better then do let me know. More.

Ed: Another way to view this blog

In response to overwhelming demand (well, at least two people!) I have published a Site Feed on this blog - in the “Links” section just below my Profile. Click the link, copy the URL (website address) of the web page that appears, and then paste it into your RSS Reader.

Ten trends for online ad market in 2006

"[24/7 Real Media] forecasts that search engine marketing will 'reinvent itself as a lead-generation channel' along with continuing to drive significant advertising revenue. In addition, Podcasting, blogging and mobile applications will become more attractive to advertisers, as demand for behavioural targeting increases." More.

Budget's blog

"If a company starts blogging in a dull way, it's not a big problem. The blogosphere will soon take care of creating a much more interesting conversation." More.

Ed: The above extract is from an article about Budget Car Rental's new blog. But perhaps just as instructive is the way in which I came across the article itself ... More.

Technology treadmill

"You think technology benefits you because it gives you an easier row to hoe? Bollocks. The ease it provides is illusory. It has trapped you, made you a slave to things you don't even need but suddenly can't live without. So you rot in a cubicle trying to get the money to get the stuff, when you should be out walking in a meadow or wooing a lover or writing a song." More.

Ex-FT editor scorns print, praises web

"'Working in print, pure and simple, is the early 21st century equivalent of running a record company specialising in vinyl,' Mr Gowers said.

'The future lies with the internet, and those newspapers that survive will be those that produce truly original content and learn fastest how to translate it into the all-encompassing, all-singing, all-dancing new medium of the web.'" More.

Internet kills the video star

"Blockbuster said that its performance during the quarter had been adversely affected by the persistent downturn in the video rental industry." More.

CBS, NBC to offer downloaded TV shows

"CBS and NBC have announced deals to offer replays of prime-time programs for 99 cents per episode, shifting television toward a sales model that gained popularity with downloaded music." More.

Ed: Shameless self-promotion!

"Robert knows the business inside-out and his blog should be well worth a read." Full article.

(And I swear no money changed hands in the making of that endorsement! Many thanks to Modern Marketing for your kind words and, of course, the plug!)

Ready for the fifth estate?

"Media professionals have tended to write off Citizen's Media as amateur and poor quality, and of course a lot of it is. However, enthusiasm for these new media tools is infectious and many amateurs are striking cords among their audiences in ways that traditional media struggles to do." More.

Yahoo & TiVo merge web & TV

"Yahoo Inc. and TiVo Inc. are teaming up to blend some of their services, a move that further fades the lines between offices and living rooms, TVs and PCs." More.

Ed: Tesco the technophobe

"Perhaps someone from Tesco would like to come on here and tell me why the UK's biggest loyalty card scheme has such a problem with technology (not to mention consumer feedback!)" More.

Evaluating website success

Jim Sterne: "Measuring the success of anything is impossible without a clear goal. A simple enough dictum. But measuring the success of a website - and using a web analytics system to do it - is impossible without a rather well considered series of goals. Not quite so simple." More.

Business sales surge online

"The value of Internet sales by businesses rose to £71.1bn in 2004, marking an increase of 81% on the 2003 figure of £39.3bn." More.

Fear & loathing in blogland

"So, I can understand that blogland can seem like a dark, strange place if you have spent the last 40 years in the world of command-and-control marketing, but really it's best just to test the waters and recognise it for what is - progress." More.

"Just Googling it" scares companies

"In Google, Wal-Mart sees both a technology pioneer and the seed of a threat, said Mr. Breyer, who is also a partner in a venture capital firm. The worry is that by making information available everywhere, Google might soon be able to tell Wal-Mart shoppers if better bargains are available nearby." More.

Online ad spend up 62%

The bi-annual IAB/ PwC adspend study shows online advertising has overtaken outdoor advertising and is set to break the £1bn barrier in 2005.

Ed: This blog goes global!

(Try saying that after a few glasses of wine!)

Welcome to readers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, the US ... and mysterious readers from somewhere called "? Satellite Provider".

(This entry has been updated several times; country-spotting is seriously addictive!)

Ed: Prosumers change media landscape

"Advertise your company's logo on my baby's onesie/hat."

This recent eBay auction, in which a mother auctioned off advertising space on her baby's clothes, has now been followed by an ongoing auction for the same on his brother's clothing ... This kind of "prosumer" behaviour - where consumers are acting more like professionals - shows how fundamentally society is changing. More.

UK usability awards 2005

These took place last night in London as part of World Usability Day (Slogan: "Making It Easy!"). The winners were: BA (for its online check-in), Google Local, Flickr, JohnLewis.com, Firefox and iPod (for its clickwheel interface). More details here.

Enpocket makes Mike Baker chief

Enpocket, a global mobile media company, today announced that Enpocket’s President and COO Mike Baker has been named CEO. Peter Larsen, previously CEO, has resigned his position as an officer and director of the company to pursue other interests.

PR industry risks being left offline

"Public Relations Online launches as first-ever organisation to share information and exchange new ideas, methodologies and best practice in online PR" More.

Follow the customer's lead

Jim Sterne: "Senior executives from the UK's major corporations are getting wise to the business of customer personalisation and want to know how it can help their business." More.

Web measurement showcase

E-consultancy is also taking bookings for its web measurement and analytics solutions conference “Our last showcase on web analytics was over-subscribed so if you do want to come to this, our final Showcase of 2005, book your free place now.” Taking place on 8 December 13.30-17.30. Presentations from: Site Intelligence, Foviance (WebAbacus), Scientific Computers (NetTracker), Nedstat, Speed-trap, eVisit Analyst.

Ad serving solutions showcase

E-consultancy says: “If you're involved in online advertising and want to hear about the latest trends and developments in online ad serving solutions, then come along (for free) to our Ad Serving Solutions - Supplier Showcase which is next Thursday 10th November in central London (13:30-17:30 at 76 Portland Place, London, UK, W1B 1NT)." Presentations from leading players such as 24/7 RealMedia, DoubleClick and Accipiter.

Going places online!

The first entry on this blog was a case study about MyTravel. Now read the following extract from today’s trading statement by MyTravel:

“In view of the continuing growth of our internet sales - UK internet bookings reached 16% in October this year, compared with 9% in October 2004 - the Board has decided to bring forward its planned realignment of its distribution channels and close 110 Going Places shops in November 2005.”

Pretty conclusive proof, if proof were needed, that the internet is taking the marketing world by storm.