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Cloudy Day

In our hunt for Web 2.0 technology (and the ever-looming Web 3.0, wherever that may be), we try to bring you the most up-to-date information we can. And today being overcast, one has a hard time not writing about clouds. Luckily, we can kill two birds with one stone today.

set cell phones to stun: the gathering storm

Ron Daly presents a new segment dealing exclusively with mobile interaction.

When we first started this blog, our goal was to approach new developments in media and address how much impact they'll have on your day-to-day. One of my personal favorites was Greg's post about the changing face of cellular phones, complete with a video history of the one thing that will ALWAYS ruin your movie-going experience.

That said, I was startled to see this article from eMarketer which suggests that between this year and the next, mobile marketing will double to $2.8 billion. With more attention payed to mobile interaction, I'm reminded of the advent of online marketing and business. More money being pushed into mobile advertising and interaction will, most likely, mean the following:

Branded: how making your mark can make all the difference.

Jimmy Marks shares his thoughts on branding.

I was very fortunate to be instructed by a man named Paul T. Burke in my last year of schooling. Who is Paul Burke, you wonder? Google him and you'll find links to the actor Paul Burke, who appeared on "Dynasty" and "Magnum, P.I." way back when. But that's not the Paul Burke I'm talking about, as it turns out. No, the Paul Burke I'm talking about is a marketing legend. In the 1970s, Paul Burke and a number of branding people were tasked by the McDonald's corporation to come up with a box of child-sized promotional affects that could be sold to youngsters at a price parents were willing to pay. His designs were some of the earliest seen in the market.

To put it simply: Paul T. Burke put the "happy" in "Happy Meal".

Evolutions, Revolution, New Solutions: Computers through History

At DigitalMailer, we do try to keep up with the joneses. We like seeing where technology is going and where it's been. So, when we came across this clip from Metacafe, we couldn't help but share.

Enjoy your Wednesday, and be thankful times have changed.

Evolution Of Computer Commercials - video powered by Metacafe

How green is your valley?

Ron Daly loves keeping it green - both environmentally and financially.

Here in my offices, my employees are quick to catch someone who isn't recycling. When aluminum cans wind up in the trash, one of my eco-friendly gang goes after the offender. It makes a CEO proud to know that his company can be called "green".

But what we do is green, honestly. We issue e-Statements to help cut costs and conserve paper. We offer webinars so that people don't waste resources or travel expenses. We can pride ourselves on being - and, by extension, helping other companies become - green.

If you read this and said "who cares?", keep reading. I've got news for you.

They Came from the Baby Boom! Your parents want to be friends on Facebook.

I'm a Facebook addict. I have never been coy or shy about this, I have never acted with pretense, I don't make excuses. I'm addicted to all those updates and those juicy "in a relationship/single/it's complicated tags". You think TV's entertaining? Truth is stranger than fiction. That's the appeal.

One day, I went to eat lunch with my Mom. She peered at me over her green-rimmed reading glasses and said  "You must have had fun at the party."

"What party?" I asked.

"The party you had at your house the other night. With all the pictures."

"Pick me, pick me!" Getting people to sign up for your email

by Ron Daly

While email offers many benefits – ease, convenience, speed – it also creates challenges for marketers whose customers are drowning in email overflow. You know your online offers, notices and newsletters are chock-full of valuable information, but most consumers are looking to limit what they receive today. How can you make sure your messages make the pick?

Is Cherry-picking Your Target Ruining Your Relationship with Customers?

Ron Daly talks about whether or not targeted ads hit their mark in the way your business needs.

A web ad pops up and tells you "refinance your mortgage!" It doesn't seem like a bad idea - you've been looking around for refi options for a while now. Another ad appears and tells you how to manage your car payment. You start wondering whether or not your computer is reading your mind. And it's then that you realize you're just a product of the "new web".

Is it safe? Is it right?