Can Dell Hang in There?

From the News & Observer
By Jonathan B. Cox, Staff Writer
DURHAM — Michael Dell is preparing his workforce for change as the computer company he founded struggles to sharpen its competitive edge.
He told Duke University students today that the company is developing new products, tuning its organization and finding new ways to sell PCs and other gadgets. Dell spoke at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.

“We’re in the midst of a transformation of our company,” Dell said. “There’s a sense of urgency that’s very high. ... We’re really taking a fresh look at the whole business. A lot of things are going right, but this is a chance to reinvent” parts of the business.

Full Story

Delray Beach, Good Times

South Florida is not for everyone, so try Delray Beach; a wonderful place to live and visit, if I say so myself. Of course; I lived in Delray for over 7 years and enjoyed the ruthless business practices of the shady 19 year old commodities broker. The food and atmosphere remind me of a carefree 6 year old, and maybe thats why Delray was voted an All American City! The sun shines and brings love to your heart and an overall feeling of wellbeing. The food, lots of places to go; one of my favorites is Gatsby's in Boca.

Delray's Atlantic Avenue nightlife is giving Clematis and Las Olas a run for their money

"If South Florida has a Restaurant Row, it's in downtown Delray Beach. By car, it's near impossible to count the restaurants on Atlantic Avenue between Swinton and the ocean, but one morning a few weeks ago, I walked east from Swinton. I counted 32 restaurants.
And that doesn't count the restaurants I spied up and down the avenues or the half-dozen restaurants in the Pineapple Grove section of downtown or the restaurants situated far away from the city center. Burgers or foie gras? Sushi or fondue? Thai or pub food? French or Florida seafood? "

Full Story
Gatsby's

GSK Faces Court Case for False Advertising

Stay alert for FDA restrictions or bills on pharma advertising.


March 27 2007 at 12:48AM

"Wellington - Global drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline faces a court case on Tuesday for misleading advertising after two 14-year-olds found its popular blackcurrant drink Ribena contained almost no vitamin C. High school students Anna Devathasan and Jenny Suo tested the children's drink against advertising claims that "the blackcurrants in Ribena have four times the vitamin C of oranges" in 2004.

Instead, the two found the syrup-based drink contained almost no trace of vitamin C, and one commercial orange juice brand contained almost four times more than Ribena. "


Full Story

St Barth Rocking

Here is a post from St Barth News, an all inclusive and dynamite blog on St Barth and surrounding areas. This is direct first hand information.....from the SOURCE.

"The Evan Goodrow Band is playing at Bêtes de L’Azailes, a bar and restaurant on the harbor in Gustavia, from March 5 through March 31. The music starts at 9:00 pm and there is no cover charge. The band features Evan Goodrow, whose formal training was as a jazz guitarist; Rick Oneal, on bass guitar, vocals and cowbell, who has opened for such bands as Kansas, Jefferson Starship, B.B. King, Etta James, George Thorogood, Little Feat and Bonnie Raitt; Carl Benevides on saxophone, vocals and percussion, who directs jazz ensembles, concert and marching bands and serves as a Director on the Executive Board of the New Hampshire Music Educator’s Association when not touring with the band; and Phil Antoniades on drums and percussion. They describe their music as “funked-up street jazz and blues-tinged soul.” Listen to some sound clips on their web site at Evan Goodrow Band.

Sell Out, Smart NBC

More on this later......

A Division of NBC Buys Out One of Its Harshest Online Critics

By MARIA ASPAN
Published: March 19, 2007
"In a review of “Top Design,” the reality show on Bravo Networks, a staff writer for the Web site Televisionwithoutpity.com mused that in the future, the show would be “just another filthy memory whose outcome I’ve long since forgotten.”

He can thank his new employers for the memories. Bravo, a division of NBC Universal, announced its acquisition of Television Without Pity on Tuesday. The television review Web site joins the network’s other online outlets, including the broadband channels BrilliantButCancelled.com, OUTzoneTV.com and getTRIO.com.

Television Without Pity, which provides reviews and commentary on television shows ranging from “American Idol” to “Ugly Betty,” has become well known in the television industry and the online community for its sharp, witty reviews. "

Full story:
Link

Third Screen and Others....

"OLD media lagged behind in the race to go online, in part because the prospects for advertising — traditionally the major revenue source for newspapers, magazines and television — seemed unclear on the Internet. Then, online advertising took off, and the old media are still playing catch-up."

Ah, Europe and Asia are always ahead of the states in advertising technology; , just look at digital sigange. So why is america so conservative? The bomb scare in Boston, that was wonderful! Turner Brothers and Interference (thier agency for this project) pieced together a fantastic guerrilla marketing campaign in one city, that obtained national coverage. Did it pay of? Here is an article published in the NY Times this morning about a survey conducted by TNS Media Intelligence on mobile internet use and mobile advertising. I tend to agree that some of these published survey's or research papers are plain ole marketing materials. They do prepare us, educate us, read well, continue to be interesting, and of course market brands, ideas, and the future.

"Now, with the next iteration of the Internet, the mobile Web, spreading around the world, publishers and other content providers are trying to avoid coming in late on another advertising bonanza. Last week in London, the Online Publishers Association released a study showing that mobile Internet use was on the rise, as was acceptance of mobile advertising...."

Full story:
Link

Measurement of Digital Signage Networks

Hats off to Arbitron! Arbiton continues to bring needed solutions to the table. Everyday it becomes clearer and clearer that TV is just not providing the needed results, not thier fault. Advertisers are in a frenzy; wait a second! The OVAB and others such as Arbitron are helping put these nerves to rest. Think about a poster or billboard with lots of options for creative and placement. Digital signage networks are super billboards to keep it simple, they are just more targeted, have better graphics, no print cost, and can be used to reach a niche demo. Creating brand awareness and driving revenue being the ultimate result. I must remind advertisers that time is one of if not the KEY ingredient when using these networks. How effective will these measurments be? Look at TV and Radio and even billboards, we know the traffic count or ratings, but we know people see and lots of people see it and we know people change the channel; it is not an exact sicence...yet! Do you really fill out that little book next to your couch everytime you change the channel? Is the GPS tracker in your car watching your eye movement?

Arbitron, Scarborough Release '7-Day' Mall Audience Metric
"Buyers who purchase media in malls and shopping centers have a new way to understand the value of their ads and promotions with the launch of a new audience metric, according to Scarborough Research and Arbitron. The two companies have announced The Scarborough Mall Shopper Audience data metric, which they say provides more precise measurements of the American mall shopper, writes Radio Ink. When incorporated into a reach and frequency model, it can provide better evaluation of shopping venues as part of the overall communications mix. "

Full Story