CK's Blog

Advancing through 200 posts (and over the moon about it).

You find out a lot--about a lot of things--through blogging. Not the least of which are things about yourself. Writing of any sort, really. But when there is a conversation and an archive of enough posts, themes about yourself, and your work, emerge. Even to see actual words repeated creates a thread of sorts.

A fan of methodologies and such, I'm always working to home in on a paradigm or framework. Maybe I have a methodical nature. Or maybe biz school and a battery of case studies messed with my head. But as it pertains to just about anything on the marketing front--and life, really--I've found that I basically need ask but one question to decide if it's worth my time, thought and trouble:

Is it advancing? Does it advance this medium and/or does it advance the marketing discipline?That's my $64,000 question. That's my litmus test and my barometer. It's what drives me, my decisions, my professional time and, in large part, my personal time.

It can be a program that advances a company or brand to increase ROI. Or it can advance a cause solely by opening a conversation. It can be an effort that advances the marketing profession, or a medium that does that. People are advancing. But it's people from all types of backgrounds and levels of experience that advance me. There's no set recipe or resume; I learn as much from those with less experience than I do from those with more. Heck, I learn as much from those outside of the profession as I do from those within it (like fan armies, Doctors or heavy-metal heads).

Reading books is advancing. But even more so when you can discuss the theories with others. I always have questions--or just plain "don't get" something--after I've read a piece so it seemed natural to push for a forum where I could get some answers (thanks to MarketingProfs for pushing for it with me). Getting closer to customers is advancing. So I'm encouraging clients to open more feedback channels (get a darn blog or wiki!) and instill more customer advisory boards (hope upon hope they listen).

Seeing the "myriad opportunities in mishaps" is advancing as so many times when a company has done wrong they are afforded ways to advance themselves, not just apologize. And it seems such a wasted opportunity when they don't (sigh).

Promoting socially responsible practices is advancing and it's one way I can help raise awareness on these fronts. Giving CEOs ideas for ways to give back to those just starting out in their careers is advancing. I love giving fellow marketers recommendations to advance their brands, staying on top of them so they join the community...and also giving them well-deserved props for trying new things.

It's why the collage was important to create, because it could show the world (er, a very, very small corner of it) just how many ways social media is advancing and contributing so much value to to so many smart people, not just me.

In large part, if not in full, advancement is why I've been so focused on the blogging front--as I have more than my share of friends, clients and colleagues who think I'm absolutely nuts spending the amount of time I do in my "blogging bubble." And a Book Club that takes time but doesn't pay? They think I've completely lost my mind (granted they could be right).

But they've no idea how many newfound contacts I've met through blogging and books. Relationships from all over No. America, India, Europe, Australia, etc. that genuinely advance me because I'm afforded to see the world from outside my USA bubble. We are such a small part of the world and I need to better understand just how skewed my viewpoint, or the assumptions I hold may be if I want to advance into global terrain.

And meeting all you brainy bloggers when afforded the chance through travels to other cities...or travels to mine? That's highly advancing and just adds another dimension to the strong relationships we're building (I've been so fortunate to meet so many of you that I can't just point to one post, the category is here).

While I'm a fan of connecting, sharing and uniting--and I outright deplore initiatives that divide and destroy--my barometer is really set by advancing, or advancement. It's a subjective barometer to be sure--I'm certainly not the authority on what is or isn't advancing overall. Just advancing for me.

So, 200 posts later, that's one thing I've learned about myself and why I do, believe and support what I do. It's not groundbreaking by any measure...who wants to spend time on things that don't advance themselves, their company or cause? But it does give me my barometer. It also gives me a way to craft and position the message to my colleagues and clients. Maybe it will "advance" them to join the conversation and get closer to their own communities. Hope so.

Thanks to all you brilliant bloggers for advancing me. Not sure I'll ever be able to give you as much as you've given me but I'll always work to advance this medium, the marketing discipline and you good folks. Wish I could give you the moon. Alas, I'm told she's not mine to give.

Thanks for a heck of a year, Mack.

Mack Collier probably thinks I wouldn't pen a post commemorating his 1-year blogiversary. But it's likely the only thing he'd be wrong about. Plus, waiting until a few days after gives me element of surprise on my side (sneaky, right?).

A lot of notable people get credit for bringing us into the blogosphere. But Mack Collier has kept us in it (along with a lot of you, absolutely...but this is a Mack post). Mack is truly the cornerstone of our community.

His secret? Well, he invests time in keeping up with social media (and music). But he doesn't try at all to be a generous guy. In fact, he's one of the best people I've met in my life.

Mack and I talk a good bit on the phone to brainstorm, vent or catch-up. He's a buddy as well as a trusted blogger and he's just as kind and funny as on his blog. I've been fortunate to get him to freelance for me a few times--and I'm hoping much more in the future. Like all of us, I'd love to see Mack go far.

So yesterday I call him to tell him how much I loved his birthday banner (pictured above) that, in true Mack style, celebrated everyone ELSE! Then we started talking about LinkedIn. We both said that we would get more involved with that community and then...not two hours later...he sends me this:

"I'll go through my LinkedIn list and leave a buncha recommendations for everyone, including you.  I should have done that a long time ago."

The first thing Mack thinks about in going to the site is everyone else. And then he says he should have done it long ago. Um, Mack, long ago you were creating The Z-List, Top 25 Marketing Blogs and Viral Community Newsletters--only THE top programs that, um, promote others.

Happy Blog Day, buddy. You set and raise the bar by just being you. That's why we all heart you so very much.

P.S.: Drew posted a great piece on Mack several days ago right here. Thanks for saving the banner so nicely Drew ;-).

Taking note of the "little things"

I really enjoy getting comments from you guys (thanks!). But equally fun are the e-mails--the "behind-the-scenes" benefits of blogging, if you will. You fine folks and friends send me the greatest things that just make my day...especially when I'm having an otherwise grueling, deadline-driven day.

After I raved over a video that Mindblob pointed me to several weeks ago, he mocked-up and sent me this fun critter on the right. If you watch the below video you'll see this bugger is in it--well, sans the custom-made sign...that was just for me. Unless there's another CK and it's for them, too ;-).

Let's never forget the little things. They certainly make a BIG difference in our days (our customers' days, too). Btw, while not new, this 3:30 video by Moby is not to be missed -- a great message, if sad (RSS readers: go here).

P.S.: The conclusion of the alien story above is here.

Something strangely perfect is happening...

It's like the twilight zone in blog-land. And 'tis the difference that's making ALL the difference. Let's do show and then we'll do tell, k?

Exhibit A (on the left): Can you tell which one is Lewis Green from 1969? (You'll have to go to Lewis's blog to find out.) This one brings me back with Lewis and makes me feel I've known him longer. That's smart.

Exhibit B (on the right): Um, anyone who wears this thingie on their head and compiles it so cleverly has my undying respect. Why didn't I think of this? This is brilliant.

Exhibit C (down below): Here we have a bold Lewis who has decided to blog his frustration. This one is the first I saw and literally jolted me (Lewis, please don't tear your heart out buddy. One Britney is enough).

What's strangely perfect about all this? First, it's strange. All of a sudden Lewis is tearing his hair out and wearing funny hats. This has not been the 'vibe' of his blog all along.

So that strange-ness wakes me up.

And why is it so perfect? Because it shows Lewis's personality. I've met Lewis and he's very gregarious, very 'alive'; so it's in-line and true to his brand--and his voice. Nice lesson on energizing your brand here.

I now look forward not only to Lewis's words but his pictures. Bravo, Lew. We're noticing :-).

P.S.: Lewis, if you've not already, place these on your MySpace page. Perfect for it. If you want a fun slideshow like mine it's one line of copy-and-paste code; I'll show you.

Respectfully, I say...thanks for rockin' out!

I try to frequently thank my blog readers and book club members (thank you for your time!), but I really need to also remember to thank the authors as I've give each an incredible amount of homework and action points spanning 8 weeks. I assure you, it's not just "show up here". Even though I've systematized, it's rather high-maintenance.

Last round it was Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba who were so supportive and so much fun. They will always be my first ;-).

This segment it's Al & Laura Ries who are amazingly dedicated, truly consummate professionals. They started early this morning back at Book Club after a high-energy chat every day last week, have been hitting the blog circuit, answering all our questions--and even launched several of their own threads. Folks, they've not missed a beat (and made me look good in the process, I really appreciate that).

Al & Laura, I thank you both for taking this project, our questions and feedback so seriously. The only way to say it right is to say: You've both rocked Book Club! You set a responsive model for this industry--and you continue to advance it. I'm certain this segment will continue to serve you well...and I'm more (!) than certain that when this segment does pass you two will not miss all the e-mails from yours truly.

And it's still rockin': Feel free to chime-in to the discussions; they continue to flow with new people chiming in and starting new discussions (login: here).

P.S.: I've learned more about branding in the last week than I did during graduate school (and yes, I do think that University owes me a partial refund on my student loans).

And people ask me why I love books...

It ain't the books--it's because of the Bookworms, silly! Here we have the handsome devil Gianandrea Facchini who hails from Rome (ciao, bello!). "G," as I like to call him, is holding both selections from last segment and our current one (yep, the discussions and debates on Al & Laura Ries' book continues). One thing you find out when you run a global Book Club is that like-minded people who like to wonk out on marketing books are everywhere--I've been chatting with people from all over America, Canada, India, Europe, Australia, South America and Africa.

Another thing you find out? The cross-country postal system is deplorable. It took 3 tries to get these books to Gianandrea. That's why he's holding that little package in front of him--I sent him confetti so he could throw it in the air in celebration of finally getting the darn books!

The trend of getting our pictures taken with the book have been so much fun: check out these pics. Aren't we a fetching crowd? I told you smart is sexy :-).

Gianandrea, enjoy your book and read 'em up because you're definitely going to want to throw the confetti when you find out the GREAT (!) book I have lined-up for next segment. But that's all I'm saying for now; a girl can't book and tell after all.

P.S.: If you've not yet had the pleasure of checking out "G's" blog, do yourself a favor and make a point of it. He insights us on marketing but gives us many cross-cultural lessons (by far one of the biggest benefit of blogging for we Americans is finding out about the other 97% of the world).

It's a fact. In fact, I've got metrics to prove it.

Having now met what, like 50 of you brainy bloggers? Let's see:

I've met David Berkowitz, David Reich, Noah Brier, Max Kalehoff, Mario Sundar, Lewis Green, Katie Chatfield, talked to Mack Collier at least a dozen times, David Armano, Jackie Huba, Ben McConnell, Joseph Jaffe, spoken at great length with Ann Handley, Marianne Richmond, Toby Bloomberg, Paul McEnany, talked to Stephen Denny at least five times, talked to Gavin Heaton once (but for an hour), Drew McLellan, Rebecca Edmonston, Greg Verdino, Paul Gillin, Neil Vineberg, Josh Hallett, Andy Sernovitz....

...and, as of Friday night's party, I've now also met Lori Magno, Mark Goren, Matt Dickman, Valeria Maltoni, Elana Centor, C.B.Whittemore, Fard Johnmar, Megan Garnhum, Alex Geana, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman.

OK, so 37 not 50. The number doesn't matter because I already knew it. But, in marketing, we all slave over metrics so now I have undeniable, irrefutable proof that...for certain, without question and without second thought bloggers are cool, smart, genuine and generous. And you kids can party.

But here's the key takeaway: bloggers are exactly like they are on their blogs. There's no feigning here; no facade in this 'sphere (or at least not in our corner of it).

I am honored that you great people make time for me through your day-to-day blogging and more so that you make time for me when you come into town. It is a pleasure to be your host of books and blogger meetups.

And more so, to be your friend.

So there you go...and go to Matt Dickman's blog to see ALL the cool pics from last Friday's Manhattan Meetup. There are probably 20 shots to enjoy.

A few words for you good people from Friday night: Valeria, you are a goddess (and I now promote you as such) and braved the rain to come from Philly; Toby you are such a warm person and set the bar for all Divas; David you are my dear (!) friend offline and are contributing so much online; Mark I'm so glad the first time you saw me I was jumping up and down in joy that you had made it from Quebec (I was literally jumping for joy); Matt I so regret that we only went until 2am but I know I'm going to hang with you again soon--how perfect for your conference to be this week; Marianne I just adore you and yes, your teenagers can now see proof that you were livin' the nightlife;  Fard I can't believe you live in NYC, we need to hang; David B. thanks for coming by and for always being such a great buddy; Lori I can't believe you bejeweled all the bloggers and I think you need to start a series of 3-minute weekly videos on "fashionable living" as you've got the looks, style and personality for it (do it, you'll thank me!); Alex so glad the Diva brought you, C.B. I'm so excited you live in N.J. let's please do lunch or something this Spring and gab more; Red you rockin' redhead, thanks for hanging with we marketing bloggers!

Now, really, go to Matt's blog to get all the pics...unless you want to see all the great shoes of the night  as those would be at Lori's blog (uh, where else?).

P.S.: Anyone notice how in pics with you bloggers I'm always hugging you guys and standing really close to you? I'm gonna get myself a blogger-groupie rep.

It's nice when CEOs listen (especially when they listen to me)

We've all been saying how beneficial it is for more CEOs to blog and how much we hope they start listening to our requests. I find social media to be a tremendous vehicle for CEOs to be more accessible to shareholders, the media and analyst communities. But I believe that being in a role of authority also equates to a sense of responsibility to better the industry and "give back" to future leaders.

Where am I going with all this? Specifically to a post that Roy Young wrote earlier in the week on CEO blogs where he cited Paul Levy, President and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston (the Harvard Medical School teaching hospital). Levy started his own blog (Running A Hospital) because "he believes in transparency for everything we do."

Not one who is shy to chime-in and advocate sharing knowledge--especially when it advances an industry and future leaders--I left a comment explaining, "I'd love to see a CEO run a blog that solicits questions from students (college or MBA) and then he/she answers one a week."

And Levy took me up on it...and he's already had two students, one from Xavier University who is currently doing his residency and another MD MBA student, submit questions. All within about a 24-hour period!

So I want to thank Paul Levy for blogging and advancing the industry through social media. But I want to especially thank him for listening ;-). He's setting a great model for we marketers to point to as we encourage more leaders to begin participating and initiating a two-way dialog with their markets.

P.S.: Feel free to leave a comment for Paul Levy on his move to help students here.

Update (03/27/07): Paul continues to get questions, impart wisdom and get kudos from the students for inviting their questions.

Update (03/28/07): And now Paul has officially announced that Wednesday is Student Day...already got 11 comments as of mid-day.

Dreams Don't Retire

Every once in a while an advertisement really strikes a chord with me...consequently it's never an ad targeted at me (well, this one will be in several more decades). I also loved one by Toyota a year or so back (and I've not owned a car in a decade since I take the subway).

I adore what Ameriprise Financial is messaging to 78 million baby boomers in its campaign since last September. Why does me like?

• Not tired: It doesn't relay the "are-you-safe-for-retirement speak? Ugh. That's tired. I'm far from retirement and I'm tired of that message. Instead they urge "Time to Redefine" and "Get to What's Next".
• Not safe: It speaks to the opportunity in retirement...not the relaxation of it. That's inspirational. We're healthier than ever and lord knows I'll still have the energy in my 60s and 70s to do some neat stuff (I'll likely still work too, I'm just a happy workaholic).
• Not past his prime: It features the *perfect* spokesperson with edgy, attractive, high-energy Dennis Hopper. I'd like to see them feature his equal in a female to balance the campaign. Thoughts on a good spokeswoman?
• Not muzak: The music is perfect for the tone.

Here's the :30 ad (RSS readers go here)

While a lot of marketers are thinking about social media for the youth segment I'm personally really focused on (1) B2B opps and (2) Baby Boomer opps. These segments especially interest me with community-building and are still underserved (even with social-networking site eons). Wonder if Ameriprise is leveraging any community programs with its Dreams Don't Retire campaign. If not, I need to give them a call, eh?

Lewis Green has compiled an excellent post on this subject over at The Daily Fix--the piece and the comments are worth checking out.

P.S.: Even if you're not into books or clubs, the discussions over at Group Review this segment focusing on "branding" are worth reading through...some of the most thoughtful responses I've seen in a while and, whether you're a branding pro or not you're likely interfacing with brands.

Come chat it up, bookworms...

Just a note to remind all book club members--and fellow marketers interested in our current topic of branding--Group Review for this segment is officially OPEN (login here). So come chat up The Origin of Brands with Al and Laura Ries, me and many smart marketers.

What are we chatting about right now? Valeria's talking corporate expansion meets gardening, I'm being a little divergence devil, Mack's talking pencils (and erasers), David's chatting missing links (and whether we should be ditching tried-and-true brands) and Denny's giving us a toothpaste quiz. And it's not even 9am. Good thing I drank three cups of coffee, eh?

• For those of you new to Book Club this segment, you'll probably want to go here for some background information.
• And for the veterans returning for another round...just go right here to login and jump into a discussion (or two).

Remember...in this Book Club anyone can start a discussion thread so the time is nigh for everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask...well about marketing, anyhow. And Book Club works on your time, and is open all the time. Did I say bookworms rock? That they do.

P.S.: Mark Goren, in his superb "Folded Corners" Series, is featuring his favorite lines of the book...it's worth checking out (thanks Mark!).

P.P.S.: Marc Sirkin does a tremedous (!) job of reviewing the book right here as well as creates some great graphics mapping the book's themes to non-profit marketing. Way to go the extra mile :-).

Bloggers Take Manhattan (pop the bubbly!)

How lucky can one girl get in the course of just one week? On Tuesday (3/20), Group Review for our Book Club's current segment opens (featuring the stellar work of Al & Laura Ries) and then, on Friday, thanks in large part to the Blogher Conference, I've got bloggers from North, South, East and West descending upon Manhattan.

So let's pop the bubbly, get all giddy, have a BIG group hug and then take on the city. That should fill the first hour, we'll play the rest by ear...NYC is our playground after all! Details:

Manhattan Blogger Meetup: Friday, March 23rd

Starting Place: Flute (as in a Champagne Flute, but feel free to bring musical instruments)

Location: Flute is located in midtown Manhattan (seemed to accommodate everyone by starting in Midtown, we can venture out anywhere later on if we wish). It's at 205 West 54th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue. Flute is right below street level so you need to walk down a flight of stairs to enter but there's a sign outside. Number is: 212.265.5169

Nifty Factoid: Flute is located at the site of an old Speakeasy. So perhaps the ghosts of prohibition's past will be joining us. Hard to imagine there was a time when people didn't freely drink (then again, it's hard to believe there was ever a time when people didn't freely blog).

Starting Time: 7pm

Ending Time: On Saturday at some point

Dress: Trendy (what does that mean? It means you can dress down in jeans or dress up in heels. You can go modern, vintage, punk, post-punk, Madonna material girl or Bjork swan dress)

Whom can you invite: Anyone who blogs...or anyone whose on the fence that you want to show that bloggers are only the coolest, cutest people ever.

Weather: Well, last Wednesday it hit almost 70-degrees and as I write this we're in the middle of an ice storm. So, like life, it's a mystery.

What will we do? We'll be reading and discussing books. Just kidding, that's earlier in the week. Free of books and blogs we'll be toasting each other, some of us meeting for the first time (there's nothing like the first time, ya know) and some of us re-grouping after meeting all over the world. And we'll likely drink some bubbly goodness. And then some more.

Can't wait to see all. I understand there will be cute shoes. I know there will be cute bloggers.

Don't forget the milk and cookies

I had good fortune this past weekend. Times two. First, I was able to meet fellow blogger and marketing colleague Drew McLellan when he was in the big apple for a conference (a colleague I hold in such high esteem I've donned Mickey Mouse ears for!). And, second, I was reminded of a critical lesson: those so-called "little things" make a BIG difference.

Or, put another way, with all our strategizing and idea-izing...don't forget the milk and cookies.

Sure, we need to think big picture and we must prioritize when it comes to features, functions, plans and paradigms but, when it comes to clients and customers, they'll remember those little (yet critical!) points of difference. Take Drew's agency, during client meetings they makes cookies to serve their clients. Right on site. They go to the time and trouble to ensure clients brainstorm over warm M&M cookie treats. And the M&Ms? He's got those details down, too--they're specially ordered so as to match the blue, green and orange colors of his brand identity. It's brilliant.

It's not just feeding the clients that makes them feel comfortable or special, it's giving them a great experience from the very moment they're walking into his office. Why? They get hit with the aroma of those fresh cookies baking when they walk into the door. I've walked into scores of agencies, none yet smelled like mom's kitchen.

No question we need to deliver on our ROI promises to clients, let's just not forget to deliver on those details--we are seeking to give them superior experiences after all. Just as an aside, what do you remember about kindergarten? Probably not much...but you likely remember that the teacher always took time for milk and cookies. That's all for class today, kids.

P.S.: Drew, thank you for a delightful dinner and meetup. Having met at least a dozen bloggers over the past year I can vouch that you fine folks are as smart and genuine in person as you are on your blogs ;-). I look forward to meeting many more...and will be doing so next Friday when Toby Bloomberg, Lori Magno, Lewis Green, Valeria Maltoni, David Reich and Matt Dickman come to town (and maybe more!).

Read 'em up, bookworms (group review in 1 week)

Just a reading reminder: we're one week away from chatting up our currently featured book, The Origin of Brands, with famed authors' Al and Laura Ries. So members interested in this segment get ready to discuss--and maybe even debate!--beginning next Tuesday, March 20th.

Remember, during Group Review any member can ask or answer a question...and start a discussion thread. On that note, it's time for me to get back to my book (there will be trouble if the host shows up unread).

P.S.: Yes (!), you can still sign-up to take part in this segment...you'll just need to get a copy of the book and get it read by next Tuesday.

Is all this Book Club stuff new to you? Never fear, just go here to find out all (psst: bookworms are cool).

Just let 'em mess with you already

I'm messin' around over at the Daily Fix blog today. I'm chatting how major media needs to stop messing with consumers...and start letting encouraging them to mess with their stuff (much like MTV has recently announced). Before I make more of a mess here won't you please just go there? (thank you ;-)

Super Model Gets 'Hit' With Super Chores

Mom always said if I used foul language she'd wash my mouth out with a bar of soap (and grandma nearly did one time) so I guess it's fitting that when you hit another person that hasn't provoked you the city of New York makes you mop its floors. According to Reuters:

"British beauty Naomi Campbell will swap her catwalk outfits for a broom, gloves and safety vest when she begins mopping floors at New York's Sanitation Department on March 19, a court official confirmed Tuesday.

Campbell, who was sentenced to community service as punishment for throwing her mobile phone at her housekeeper, will serve her five-day sentence indoors."

One time I had to mop my high school's floors and clean graffiti-filled walls for 4 hours (on a Saturday morning!) for skipping school. But Campbell has been accused by at least three employees of hitting or otherwise assaulting them. She blames her temper on "lingering resentment toward her father for abandoning her as a child."

I just can't figure a way for her publicists to spin this other than getting her to be a spokesperson for a tricked-out, bejeweled cellphone that is "just too fabulous to throw at anyone". Or perhaps she should support an anti-Deadbeat Dad charity as a more productive, passionate vehicle for her anger. Thoughts?

Uh, Naomi, when you're finished with the Sanitation Department, just head uptown a few blocks as my hardwood floors could use a polishing...just leave your cellphone at home, ok?

It's all in the positioning, kid

I needed to go to the drugstore earlier today. Yep, to buy drugs. It seems this bug that I can't shake is now making me lose my voice. It actually comes and goes. Which wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for losing it smack dab in the middle of client conversations. Kind of like when you mistakenly lean on your remote control and the TV goes mute. Yep, like that.

While I'm in line at the pharmacy there's a woman and her grandchild in front of me. The kid is maybe 7 and home sick from school. As you know, drugstores nowadays sell much more than drugs...there's just so much stuff begging to be bought that kids are mere victims. So while grandma is speaking to the pharmacist, the little boy is filling up on markers and toys. He then hands them to grandma with the golden line "I need these for school."

Smart little marketer, I swear it was the first time I'd smiled all day.

She then turned around to me and said "geez, we came in to get medicine, not school supplies." I said matter-of-factly, "Well he needs them for school." Not sure why I instantly became the kid's advocate (to be sure, the stuff was for play, not for school). But being so smart I just wanted him to get his stuff.

Having my voice about me at that moment and while his grandma was working out the insurance information I said quietly to the kid "they never question school purchases, eh?" He grinned "nope, so long as you say school you get it."

Ah, clever kid it's all in the positioning. Not just in the boardroom, even in very simple purchase negotiations. He could have handed grandmom the stuff and met with resistance or, he could have handed her the "school-supply" stuff and met with none. All the better he learned that marketing lesson early on.

If a fake blog is a 'flog' what is a fake website called?

Best Buy might be looking at a whole lotta trouble. Best Buy might be Bad Guy. The facts aren't all in but, according to the Hartford Courant's Consumer Watchdog Gombossy:

"Under pressure from state investigators, Best Buy is now confirming my reporting that its stores have a secret intranet site that has been used to block some consumers from getting cheaper prices advertised on BestBuy.com...

Based on what his office has learned, State Attorney General Blumenthal said, 'it appears the consumer has the burden of informing Best Buy sales people of the cheaper price listed on its Internet site', which he said 'is troubling.'

What is more troubling to me, and to some Best Buy customers, is that even when one informs a salesperson of the Internet price, customers have been shown the intranet site, which looks identical to the Internet site, but does not always show the lowest price.

Blumenthal said that because of the fuzzy responses from Best Buy, he has yet to figure out the real motivation behind the intranet site and whether sales people are encouraged to use it to cheat customers."

The full story (or the story so far) is here. We might be hearing a lot more about this. Or not. Has anyone seen anymore on this or seen any word from Best Buy? Oh, and what will we be calling fake websites? I can't think of a conjunction as cute as 'flog'...

P&G's Got Religion. Well, a mantra anyhow.

The impatient side of me wants to say "duh" but I'd rather focus on the positive. Especially since P&G--while a big behemoth--does do a lot of things right. Really. They were very good at Web 1.0 and now CMO Jim Stengel has implored "a major cultural shift that he believes is turning the world's largest marketer into a starter of conversations and a solver of consumers' problems rather than a one-way communicator."

He explains, "It's not about telling and selling." (psst: it never was). His mantra? "It's about bringing a relationship mind-set to everything we do."

I agree. It's actually how I life my life. It's how all of us live our lives. If Plato was right (and he was), we are "social animals". So perhaps "As in life, so too in biz," is a good mantra. Easy to remember, too. But I do appreciate the way he's crafting it for his company and the industry.

And the reason I wanted to say "duh"? Not because any of us could have told him this in a NY minute, or just by reading a few of our posts. But because marketing has always been about listening and relationship-building. In fact, one begets the other. People like people who listen to them. Customers, too. Social media didn't teach me that folks...social media just opens up another listening and feedback channel for us to listen and, ergo, build relationships. That's why I heart this medium so much.

When people ask me how to be better marketers, I tell them to be better listeners. I maintain my position. Do look for P&G to do well (and likely pen a book on the groundbreaking 'new' mantra in 24 months).

On a "Rock out, it's Friday!" note, there exist many that I need thank for making my week great. While my client projects went well this week too, I want to thank you good people who do it for absolutely no motive at all. Thanks be going to...

To that My 2 Cents Guy David Reich for sending me the P&G link above. And for endlessly listening to me ;-).

To Clay Parker Jones for influencing me and for saying I'm successful and credentialed. You are too kind (readers, please don't tell him I'm just a marketer in sweats and a ponytail most of the time).

To C.B. Whittemore for saying I have infectious enthusiasm. So nice and I'm going to tell my mom that I'm "viral". She'll get a kick out of that.

To Vaspers for sending me a great big fairy tale hug. Clever man, you had me at fairy tale. Enjoy your book, knowledge is the best gift after all (besides cash).

To Stephen Denny for making a proposal of mine 1,000x better. Yes Denny I put up with you for your brains. Just kiddin', you are so fun. Go kill more giants, eh?

To Ann Handley for sparking one of the most advancing debates since I've started blogging. I'll have those lessons learned forever; thanks for giving us a forum.

To Gavin Heaton for his rockin' rock (it's a long story and a movie is involved, but do enjoy the fetching photo).

To Robert Anton for taking the time and trouble to record and post the vid of Forest Whitaker for us to enjoy. I need to thank videographers more (my bad) and Robert is a NYC performer no less, bravo!

To the ANA's Will Waugh for diggin' and promoting my Ozzy post at such a respectable blog (rock on Will, see you at the concert?). And thanks to my favorite techno/marketer Matt Dickman for the promo, too.

And to Mack Collier for listening to me blabber on (and on) about an account for too long yesterday while he was under deadline...uh, for an article that I dropped the ball on (and will be much better as a result of his authoring it, trust me!).

Alabama, our hearts are with you

A break from regular marketing reporting to send some love to Alabama (a fine state indeed, and the one where my southern momma lives). If you've not yet heard, a volatile tornado swept through southern Alabama and took 11 lives, 5 of which are high-school kids (sigh). There have been varying accounts of the death tolls, so I'm not sure how long until we'll know for sure.

The pictures of the damage to the town of Enterprise are just unbelievable. Bless what that community is going through. I've always found that Alabama is one of those states that never gets the recognition it deserves--yet is full of some of the sincerest, most hard-working people I've ever met. I believe that the Red Cross is the place to give (I will update if I find out another source, let me know if you guys hear of another). Lots of love and good thoughts to you Alabama.

P.S.: The storm is over 1,000 miles long and has stretched across Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas so lots of love to them, too.