CK's Blog

X-mas still comes early (for Melissa)

(note: comments are closed on this one; it's not a marketing post this 'round. Next time for sure.)

The holidays are off this year, because of losing my sweet momma several months back. Naturally, my sister's feeling it too. After all, momma was wildly popular -- especially with her girls.  And that woman was a holiday fanatic. It could not start early enough. She would start buying gifts in, like, March.

Maybe February.

On the holidays we spent apart from her, our mom would ship us our gifts. And then have them to us by December 1st .

Then she'd want us to open all of them on the phone with her.

On December 1st.

It's like she'd waited so long she was just going to bust. 

Even in April when we went to say goodbye, there were x-mas presents for this year already wrapped in her apartment.

So this video (below) is for Melissa. And this way she'll still get something in early December. It's not from Mom, but it's about her.

I've said it before and it bears repeating: my sister has never been more strong or more radiant than when she gave her eulogy. I'll never be more proud of her.

It's just not possible.

For the backstory on many of the pics in this video you can go here. (RSS and email readers: just click through to the blog to view it).

PS: Thanks to Eddie Tadross for recording such a perfect song. (I don't know him but figure I should thank him...cuz that's how my momma raised me.)

I still fall for it (sometimes)

You know when you go to the dentist and he/she asks if you've been flossing? And if you haven't been, or haven't been doing so regularly, it's almost like you're confessing a sin when you say "Um, not as often as I should, Doc."

Well, this week I went to my dermatologist. Just an annual visit. And of course I'm bombarded with posters all around me about skincare, good skin health, beautiful women with beautiful skin, and so on. So I say to my Doctor: "I sometimes use the expensive soap to wash my face, but many times just the over-the-counter stuff. And, I've tried to use the anti-aging creams, I must have tried three of them (!), but they make my face feel so tight....because they're actually tightening my face. I really don't want wrinkles but I want to be comfortable. Seriously, what should I use?"

His answer?

"A big tub of whatever is on sale."

(those are his words verbatim, btw)

And I retort, as if I'm a walking billboard: "But won't I get less wrinkles in life if I use the anti-aging stuff? I'll use what you tell me to use."

And he looks at me and says: "Christina, I don't need to tell you this--you're a marketer. It's a billion-dollar industry trying to sell you stuff. Just moisturize and use sunscreen. That's it."

I'm sitting there in one of those scratchy paper gowns thinking, "Uh, reality check, my doctor just reminded me I'm a marketer."

In business, I'm pretty good at remembering those puppets have strings and dog-and-pony shows abound. Fact is, I call 'em out here a good bit. But the beauty industry gets me still (damn marketers). Lucky for me I have a doctor with integrity (and reminds me I'm a marketer, after all).

So I did what my Doc told me and bought the cheap stuff. But the lesson is priceless.

PS: Oh, and I asked him if Botox is still a cash cow (no, I would never willingly inject poison into my pores). Apparently it's not. The reason why? Too much of a pain to keep up with it regularly (every 3 months). So it ain't the price of beauty, but the maintenance of it all. Ha!

Show don't Tell (let the sperm tell the 'tale' for ya)

Note: This post was originally published on October 4th, but MarketingProfs-- through their new "Marketing Inspiration" newsletters--was kind enough to promote it this week. I guess it inspired them ;-). So I thought I'd run it again (it's just too cute not to and the lesson of "Show don't Tell" is an important one).

Here's a great example of "show don't tell" marketing (see ad below). I understand this particular commercial from Durex Condoms was banned...not exactly sure why, or if that's even true. It's cute and funny and the message of "for a hundred million reasons" comes through (no pun, really) loud and clear.

Not once did it have to show sex--or say a single word. The ad speaks to women as much as it does to men (actually, it really speaks to women since, well, they're after her--yikes!). And those sperm are just so cute, no?

Remember what Serta Mattresses did with their "sheep campaign" and even had stuffed animals? Those suckers still sell on eBay. I contend Durex could have done the same thing with these sperm (though again, I think this was banned).

I'm sure that Serta is just loving being cited alongside Durex Condoms. Hey, both products are bed related.

Spot is below, RSS readers go here, or just click through to this post.

I am finally on Twitter (and also on the moon)

At approximately 1am (EST) on Sunday (or, late Saturday, depending upon how you look at it), I finally joined the Twitter conversation.

(It only took me a year.)

My username is "ckEpiphany" as "CK" was taken and that's the name of my biz (plus, I fancy epiphanies). As with all my writing, my first "tweet"--it's termed "tweet," right?--was quite profound, as I wrote:

"Just can't imagine anyone would care what I'm doing...but hey, I'll give it a go."

(Told ya it was profound ;-).

I will say this: that was exactly my thinking when I launched my blog and I stuck with it--and receive tremendous value from it. So maybe, just maybe, the conversation platform that is Twitter might just be worth it, too. And I do like being a silly newbie over there. If I get things wrong, so be it!, that's how we learn.

Oh, and that pic up there is the one I use for my Twitter profile. Why? Because I do so love the moon--and one day would like to sit atop it. (I'm kinda hoping one of you folks can arrange that for me.) No, it's not me in the picture but I promise to ask around to see if anyone has a prop-like moon that I can use. There must be a moon somewhere here in NYC, so I'll work to find it.

PS: I love being a clueless newbie over there. So if you haven't joined the convo over there, you can be a clueless newbie, too. You don't have to forward the messages to your phone (sorry, but that would make me batty!); you can just read them online like me. And you needn't read everything; just hop in and out of convos as time allows.

These guys are STOKED (!) over social. Unfortunately they've no clue what a blog is.

It occurred to me, as things are naturally wont to do, being that so many amazing folks are coming to Blogger Social from points east, middle east, west, western europe, north, like Canada's way north, down south and down under....that more people from NYC should be coming to to the event, too. Right?

So, as I'm also naturally wont to do, I decided to take my cause to the streets (before we had blogs we had streets, btw). I wound up in Times Square because they wouldn't let me march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Something about if I had a float that looked like a cork--and a million dollars in sponsorship money--I could march in the parade next year.

Below is a list of those who are confirmed. Get on this list, too...if for no other reason than because the cool kids are.

• For full weekend, register here.
• Commitment shy are you? Yeah, I get that. So then sign-up for Saturday's spectacular event only right here.
• Full Blogger Social website with FAQs, bells and whistles is right here.
• If for some reason you want to send me money, email me right here.

Oh, and Matt Dickman wants to bring his dogs (his video of them is here). Personally, I'm OK with this because, if they're Matt's pups than they likely know more about blogging than 99% of the population. But the pups have to pay up and wear red bows to the event.

I am VERY proud, amazed and thankful for all the marketing bloggers who are coming to social--and to those that want to attend but can't, we totally understand and everyone rocks.

PS: Would you fancy folks, over the course of the next week, PLEASE promote this on your blogs...I cannot keep walking the streets. I'm a bit chilly and I sneeze a lot now. Ah-choo!

PPS: Do you think the shot above can double as my holiday card? Hope so.

Here's who has signed-up to be a Socialite thus far: Susan Bird Tim Brunelle Katie Chatfield Terry Dagrosa Matt Dickman Luc Debaisieux Gianandrea Facchini Mark Goren Gavin Heaton Sean Howard CK Valeria Maltoni Drew McLellan Doug Meacham Marilyn Pratt Steve Roesler Greg Verdino CB Whittemore Steve Woodruff Paul McEnany Ann Handley David Reich Tangerine Toad Kristin Gorski Mack Collier David Armano Ryan Barrett Lori Magno Tim McHale Gene DeWitt Mario Vellandi Arun Rajagopal Joseph Jaffe Rohit Bhargava Anna Farmery Marianne Richmond Thomas Clifford Lewis Green Geoff Livingston Kris Hoet Connie Reece CeCe Lee Jonathan Trenn Toby Bloomberg Seni Thomas Darryl Ohrt Debbie Weil

A message about community...by way of a sex doll

I've been meaning to post on this because I so rarely go see movies at the theater (but I'm real good about going to see plays and musicals and really hope that Broadway gets off its strike soon...urgh!).

But "Lars and the Real Girl" is a movie that I highly (!) suggest seeing. Because it's a film about community. And because--believe it or not--you could bring the whole family.

In the film, the star character, Lars, is a very lonely, tortured soul. His community tries to reach out to him and include him but he's just too damaged to have any part of it. Until Bianca shows up...via the United Parcel Service.

You see, Bianca is an anatomically correct sex doll that Lars has ordered off the Web. But to Lars, she's company. And that's all she is to him--completely innocent, she even sleeps in her own room at his brother's house (after all, she used to be a "missionary").

The Doctor explains to his brother--who's rightfully distraught--that Bianca may be a delusion, but it's a delusion that Lars needs right now. It's his way to process his problems and "Bianca is in town for a reason."

And those that love him need to support him and his delusion. So the entire community does just that.

They invite Bianca to parties, to church, elect her to committees and make her--er, I mean they make Lars--feel welcome and loved (she's just a doll after all). Sometimes Bianca even has schedule conflicts because, hey, she's a busy gal and Lars needs to learn that Bianca is her own woman and he doesn't "own" her.

I'm telling you, this film could almost be G-rated (it's PG-13). Because again, it's not about Lars or the sex doll. It's a message about people acting most noble because they act in the good of their community. As a result? The community gets stronger. And ain't that the kind of film message that what we all need?

Let me know how you like the film. Everyone I've nudged to see it, including my sister, has just fallen in love with it...and they even love Bianca, too (I do hope she gets an Oscar nom :-).

Trailer is below (RSS readers click through to the blog).

Placing a "green stamp" on cinema (being green while making green)

I recently caught the movie "Evan Almighty." It's a cute watch; good for grownups and kids alike.

As it's a modern day, comical take on the Noah-and-the-Ark story, the movie boasts the largest amount of animals brought together for one film ever. After all,--spoiler alert!--in the story, two of every kind of animal boards Noah's Ark so that the the world, and the entire animal kingdom, can go on after the great flood.

But what I most liked about the movie wasn't the movie, but this behind-the-scenes trailer I came across on how it really wanted to be a "green movie" and make good on its carbon footprint. Yes, making movie magic takes a tremendous toll on Mother Earth.

With having to actually build a 450-foot Ark (CGI effects can only do so much), creating many prop houses and scenes, the producers and Director recycled all the parts and donated all lumber, the doors and windows they used, to Habitat for Humanity (an organization that I'm just wild about that builds houses for those that need homes).

The trailer is below. I think it's the best part of the movie (RSS readers, click through to the blog)...and a great model for going green in most everything we do. Perhaps it is possible to align principles with profits. Makes me wonder where all those materials would have otherwise gone had they not been donated. Too bad they didn't look to donate a giraffe, I'd have given one a home in a heartbeat (that offer stands if they're reading this post.)

Thanks for all the (*$%!) problems

Battling another big deadline...

and dueling many more deadline demons all week.

Fitting into my favorite jeans right after Turkey Day (and definitely in time for New Year's).

Fretting between whether two new projects will close. Jeez, if neither does, it might be a tight x-mas. Yikes! If both of them hit I won't even have time for x-mas.

Wondering how it could be that I went my whole life and never noticed that I have a dash of blonde highlights in my hair.

Oh wait, those are gray.

Keeping up with my blog.

Keeping up with all the shiny new Web 2.0 objects (where is the time in the day?)

Staying on top of my exploding inbox.

Heck, just staying on top of which subway lines will be down this holiday weekend.

So, what am I most thankful for this Thanksgiving?

My worries and woes.

Why?

Because they are so very small.

Sometimes it's just oh so easy to think about all our problems and how they keep piling up--or how they're not going away as fast as we'd like them to.

But maybe if we looked at them individually we'd recognize that most of them--and perhaps even all of them--are not at all dire.

I offer it up as it's something that sure keeps me in perspective. And happy.

It's awful sad to think about, but many people would be lucky beyond measure to have the problems we do.

To all you way cool, groovy, smart and smashingly beautiful bloggers, marketers and readers, I say this: May your holiday be grand and your problems small :-).

All hail the NEW Brand Barometer: Sucks + "Your Brand Here"

Marketers, meet your new brand barometer: If you type the name of your product into Google plus the word "SUCKS" and you get real results...you've likely got a problem.

And an even BIGGER one when a smart blogger uses the word in the headline and the copy. I'm hijacking a lot of Tim Brunelle's post on NBC.com to make my point (Tim, I hope you don't mind).

Headline: NBC.com Sucks

Post copy: "I really like the show Heroes. But I just don't have the time or schedule to watch it when NBC decides to broadcast it. So last season, I subscribed to iTunes and watched the latest episodes when I had time, on the platform of my choosing, which happened to be an iPod, then an iPhone. I paid Steve Jobs about $42. I assume NBC got some of that revenue.

This season, NBC seems to have decided they don't need iTunes. They've got their own media player. And the viewing is free. And it sucks. The player stutters -- on my brand new cable modem. Or it just doesn't load. One week it supports Safari, the next week it doesn't. It's enough to make a person stop watching Heroes. NBC has made the process so awful, so unreliable, that the content is no longer worth the price of admission."

Obviously there will be posts that just rant for the sake of ranting--but marketers need to pay close attention to these types of posts (ergo, they need to be "listening" to them). Why?

First, because Tim is a customer--in fact, he not only says "I really like the show Heroes," he explains how he's liked it enough to have purchased it before. And, second, because he makes a damn good case for not using NBC.com.

Like I say to my colleagues, prospects and clients: If you wanna get positive buzz, then mind your marketing 101 before your Web 2.0 and give your customers great products, services and experiences--and keep doing just that. It is the single greatest shot you have at generating WOM and customers.

Or don't.

And then you'll get negative sucky buzz.

There simply is no shorcut between 101 and 2.0 (but oh how the world wants a shortcut). And also, make sure and run searches for "your brand name" plus the word "Rocks" and you can see how well you're faring.

PS: Please, I beg of you, before you make a big purchase follow this barometer. Had I done this BEFORE purchasing my current laptop I would have saved myself a lot of grief. Alas, that's my bad and I'm paying for it. Lesson learned.

social media goes REALLY Social (pass the bubbly, wontcha?)

Australia

Belgium

Canada

Italy

the Middle East

the United Kingdom

East Coast

MidWest

West Coast

Down South

Up North

and some areas I've forgotten (forgive me, it's late)

What do these have in common? They'll ALL be represented at Blogger Social '08. Because it's a global affair...kind of like how all countries are represented at the United Nations (but we bloggers come to decisions far more quickly and we debate Web 2.0, not WMDs).

Folks, the world is changing....marketing has been turned on its head...the customer is now in control...Um, Yawn! Frig that noise. Cuz at THIS event...for one VERY special, highly social (!) weekend, we ain't gonna be talking any of that stuff.

Nope, we're just getting together--just to be together and meet these fine folks--in one very cool, very rockin' city amid several great events (I can personally vouch for this town and I can personally vouch for having met 50+ rockin' marketers who blog).

Here's a question: In 10 years do you really think you'll remember all those speeches at all those conferences? Don't think so.

But you'll remember social. (well, unless you have a bit too much of the bubbly)

So the only question is: why won't YOU be there? (cuz you'll be missed and you've plenty of time to calendar it).

Yep, you can still sign-up...all info is at this very fetching site right here.

Here's who has signed-up to be a Socialite thus far: Susan Bird Tim Brunelle Katie Chatfield Terry Dagrosa Matt Dickman Luc Debaisieux Gianandrea Facchini Mark Goren Gavin Heaton Sean Howard CK Valeria Maltoni Drew McLellan Doug Meacham Marilyn Pratt Steve Roesler Greg Verdino CB Whittemore Steve Woodruff Paul McEnany Ann Handley David Reich Tangerine Toad Kristin Gorski Mack Collier David Armano Ryan Barrett Lori Magno Tim McHale Gene DeWitt Mario Vellandi Arun Rajagopal Joseph Jaffe Rohit Bhargava Anna Farmery Marianne Richmond Thomas Clifford Lewis Green Geoff Livingston Kris Hoet Connie Reece CeCe Lee Jonathan Trenn Toby Bloomberg Seni Thomas Darryl Ohrt Debbie Weil

(NOTE: updates to that list expected. As in, many mo' a coming!)

Still need to know what this is about?

• Origin of this fabulous idea is right here.
• Idea became a full-throttle Web site and registration system right here.
• And here's a map that Matt made showing where everyone is hailing from. Ain't technology fun? (psst: socials are more fun).

PS: There is one MAJOR downside...it's not until '08.

PPS: Yes, even if Web 2.0 dies the social is still on. Because socials are always in style.

PPPS: Yes, it would be really awesome, wow(!), great and soooo super if you fine folks would blog about the event as I found out a lot of people don't know about it. Which begs the burning question: how can it be that people don't read my blog?

Remember, GO HERE to learn more and to REGISTER. Yes, do it now and yes, I'm very bossy (but markedly less so with some bubbly ;-).

And here's Gavin Heaton saying it much better than me...he is such a smashing bloke, eh?

"Robin Hood" is in session (Book Club)

Just a call to bookworms: our "Robin Hood" segment is officially in session.

You can access the discussions from the comfort of your home, or office. (No, there is no dress code.)

With our currently featured book Robin Hood Marketing, we already have discussions going on balancing corporate profits with do-good efforts, building press relationships and, of course, saving the world.

Links you need for Book Club:

• If this is your first segment participating in Book Club, you'll want to check out this quick guide.
• If you're a returning book club vet, then stop spending time here and hop on over to log-in to the discussions.
• And if you're like, "Why is CK talking about book clubs?" then you probably want to go here to find out about this segment.
• If you just want to "see" the discussions without logging-in, that's cool and just go here (but you need to be logged-in to comment on the threads).

PS: that's book club cutie Mario Vellandi (in sunny SoCal with the book). To see other book club cuties, just go here.

See you at Social (psst: please register by Nov. 15th)

Origin of the fabulous idea is right here.

Idea became a full-throttle (and quite fetching!) Web site here.

Just a reminder that we need registrations for Blogger Social '08 by Thursday, November 15th.

I am directing you fine folks over there since we created a site to keep it streamlined. So information aplenty, survey results, registration system and FAQs are available for your viewing pleasure at: www.Blogger-Social.com.

Also, several people have inquired that they can only come in for the BIG event on Saturday night (vs. the entire weekend) and there is information on that right here, too. Oh...and we have marketers coming in from as far as Australia, Europe and Canada so it shall be an international affair. See you at social ;-).

WGA Strike: this (marketing) blog supports the WRITERS

Background here.

In searching for marketing bloggers talking the WGA strike, I came across David's post that forecasts what will happen to online media if this strike continues for a few months.

I'd like to point out a few things here--that are not forecasts, just observations. And I also want to give some love to the WGA (Writers Guild of America). Here goes:

1. Content needs Concept. Yes, studios need to make money. I've worked in television media and they exhaust it like crazy making content for us to consume (they literally hemorrhage money until it's a hit, or in syndication). But the fact is, writers can't go on zilch for downloadable media. See...without writers producing a concept, there is no content to become a hit.

2. How far we've come...and so fast. Funny how all this "Internet Stuff" is CENTRAL to this strike, eh? Who'd a thunk it ten years ago? Amazing how far we've come in so little time. That one deserves a pause and a grin. Remember, we overestimate what happens in the short term (2-4 years) and underestimate what happens in the long term (10-20 years).

3. Writer to Writer. While not that type of writer, I write a lot. Concept even more. And it's hard work. Some of the best of the best practices and tips I've received? They've been from television writers (i.e. "arrive late and leave early," don't be "too on the nose," etc).

4. The "I told ya so" tech dance is sweet. Also, working in technology, I am pleased as punch to see what a profit center it now is--if it's enough to strike over, it's a permanent SHIFT (no longer a trend). I'll certainly be using this as a firm example with all the naysayers.

5. Everyone needs to adjust their business models, get used to it. Disruptive technologies do just that (disrupt!). Go ask the papers and magazines what they're wrestling with (oy!). But adjust we must. If we want better content--and this is one of the better fall lineups I've seen in five of them--we need to incentivize the artists. There's always room for profit innovation--and studios are particularly adept at that.

Lots of love going out to those on strike...and to the many others experiencing inconveniences and stress as a result of it (many innocent "victims" in a strike).

Here's the explanation of "Why We Fight" by the WGA (readers click through to the blog).

Proof that smart is sexy (not just smart)

Background on our current book club segment is here.

I've been telling you fine folks that bookworms are sexy (not just smart). Been tellin' ya bookworms are global. And I've been promising this ain't your mother's book club...um, not with me as your Host(ess).

But now I have yet more proof for you ROI-centric, proof-minded marketers. Jeez, you're a tough crowd.

Up there is the latest mug with book from uber-cute (!) bookworm Mark Goren (Montreal, CA). And here are bookworms with their cute mugs from past segments, that's Gavin Heaton (Sydney, AU) being all silly on the right and Gianandrea Faccini (Roma, Italia) with 2 books down below.

So Canada + Australia + Italy + plenty of members from the U.S. and Asia and Africa = global. And cute + cute + cute = sexy. My how I like being right :-).

Just to refresh, this segment we're featuring Robin Hood Marketing and focusing on the world of nonprofit and cause-related marketing. Which begs the BIG question: how do you motivate people to give money, take action, or otherwise advance your worthy cause…amid so many competing causes? The answer is savvy, sophisticated strategies just like the big guns use—even if you’re operating on a shoestring budget.

Robin Hood Marketing shows you how to sell your mission as successfully as the great marketing minds of corporate America sell their products. Quite cleverly, author Katya Andresen created "The Robin Hood Rules" which "steal" from the winning formulas—that sell everything from socks, cigarettes, even mattresses—to show nonprofit marketers how to appeal to their audiences’ values, not their own, and, in turn, how to get people to take notice.

And, in a time when we have many causes that need good strategies, and many companies launching socially responsible initiatives there's a lot to discuss.

So, I'll see you in Book Club next Tuesday November 13th. Until then, I've got my book, my backpack and my thumb and I'm making my way to meet you all there.

Is all this "Book Club stuff" new to you? Well, if you like marketing books and like discussing them with the authors and fellow marketers right from the comfort of your own office or home--chances are you'll like Book Club. It's old media (books) meets new media (the Web) meets new best practices. Just go here to access more information. (And yes, bookworms are cool.)

PS: Bookworms, please send me more pictures of your cute mugs and your books. They make my day and I do so enjoy being right.

New report, new best practices. Sorry! New report, SAME best practices.

In my weekly cruise around the trades, I found a new report for BtoB marketers. (You can download it from their pressroom.) Yippie! I love new data and findings.

Unfortunately, I didn't find it new.

This is not a knock on Schneider & Associates, the producers of the report. They did a bang-up job of funding and compiling a free report; I truly mean that.

Plus, their finding are based on the feedback of, as I understand, lots of BtoB marketers. So I guess it's a knock on BtoB marketers. Here's the report summary (and my feedback is below that).

"Based on our survey results, here are our top 10 suggestions about how to improve your chances of B2B launch success:

1. Create a documented launch process.
2. Set a separate launch budget and make sure it is adequate to meet the launch challenges you face.
3. Establish your launch budget as early in the product development phase as possible.
4. Keep your launch budget stable throughout the implementation phase.
5. Determine your launch performance measures before the launch begins.
6. Measure the “right” success metrics.
7. Include the “right” external launch professionals on your team.
8. Fight for bigger budgets.
9. Educate your sales force and other internal audiences about your new product or service. Also focus on distributor, retailer or dealer education.
10. Spend money on word-of-mouth campaigns rather than on advertising."

CK's findings:
#10 (WOM) is the only new one in, like, twenty years (or at least as long as I've been marketing, so 15 years).

#8 (Budgets) is right up my alley--I advise two things on this front to my clients--first, always pad budgets by an extra 15-20% as your boss will always cut. Otherwise they don't feel like they've done their job. So play the chess game and budget accordingly. And, second, always go back to the well (board) and ask for more water (money).

#9 (Internal Buy-In/Internal Communications) is crucial, this internal communications disconnect and marketing and sales being at war is a huge reason for failure. I suggest it be moved up to the top 5.

Not a single best practice...not a single mother lovin' one...mentions the customer. Go ahead, glance back up there to check my math.

While I struggle to say that customer service is our single biggest issue; it's not. It's myopia. How to cure myopia? Stop talking to each other: start talking with and listening to customers every step of the way.

(And not just in focus groups where everyone either agrees with you or gets to decide if the theme should be A or B).

Oh, you say, "But they already did their customer research before they went into launch mode so it's before these practices even apply." Baloney. The thing is, every launch worth the big budgets this report is addressing should be implementing test launches and pre-launches. CPG companies do them all the time, and for decades. So if a BtoC company does this for a $4 food product, why not a BtoB marketer with a $400k product? Especially since they're talking a "new product launch" not just a "new ad campaign."

Seems to me if we keep doing the same thing and expect different results it's a waste of time and budget. (Actually, expecting different results from the same actions is the very definition of "insanity.")

But that's just my opinion as I didn't have a say in these practices. Apparently neither did customers.

PS: Just so I don't sound like I'm all talk and no action, in my plight to get the word out, I'm currently compiling a "10 new best practices" presentation. I assure you, the practices are actually new. And the focus of the piece is putting the market first, the marketer after. Happy to share it. It also features a cute theme--after all, why do "best practices reports" have to be so darn bo-ring?

Update (11.05): Joe Pulizzi has a great assessment (and suggestions) on this list over at his blog here. It's worth checking out as he's far more articulate than I.