Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Pythons on YouTube

Snakes on a Plane...Ticks on a Plane. How 'bout (Monty) Pythons on YouTube?

Our friend Maura Gast (with whom we just shared the stage at Albuquerque's Town Hall Meeting to discuss the future of the Q's downtown) suggested that this just might be the most inspired utilization of YouTube ever.

You gotta be a fan of Monty Python to get the joke...but The British Emporium (a shop in Grapevine TX) has recently posted an homage to the Python using residents and local landmarks to recreate the iconic British television show. It's all to promote this weekend's Monty Python Madness Charity Festival ("a celebration of all things Python").

Well done, lads (and lasses)...well done.

Hotel Meta-Search Defined

Our friend Adam Healey, CEO of VibeAgent (now being re-launched as a hotel search engine), recently posted a great description of just what a Hotel Meta-Search is. And, while it clearly touts the advantages of VibeAgent...he lays out the concept (and the advantages) so that anybody can understand the advantages.

Dot Whatever

ICANN recently approved an overriding policy that will allow hundreds (if not thousands) of TLDs.

For the uninitiated, TLDs aren't like STDs. TLD stands for Top Level Domains. Or, in another language, domain "suffixes"...like .com, .org, .net..and the troubled .travel.

Now, it appears that anybody (with cash) can register a TLD. So, according to an AP article by Anick Jesdanun, "new names could cover locations such as '.nyc' and '.berlin' or industries such as '.bank.' The hefty application fees could curb a rush for individual vanity names, though larger companies might claim brands like '.disney.'"

An interesting strategy, to be sure. But let's not forget that search and .com are the default actions for virtually every web user. And, despite its availability for a number of years, most consumers still don't automatically think to add .travel to the name of a destination to reach the website of that area's DMO.

The Future of Meetings and Conventions?

When Guy Kawasaki saw this, he said "I'll Never Get on a Plane Again."

Three speakers, one in Bangladore and two in San Jose...on the same stage, interacting in real time.

Too freaking cool. And while a few conference attendees avail themselves of the opportunity to meet the speakers, let's be honest. The majority don't. So...do the speakers even need to be there? Can the Meeting Planner save on all those transportation and hotel costs by utilizing this technology?

The answer is, of course, yes.

However, given the ability for the speakers to stay home, will attendees do likewise, preferring to consume conference content online and on their schedule?  A convention and meeting version of TiVo, if you will.

True, the networking aspect of meetings suffers...but the content portion? One might say that being able to consume content online could be more effective than onsite. And, it saves us all the hassle of getting on a plane.

This should make for a wild ride....

Book Now! Before it's Too Late!

While AdRants isn't exactly enthralled by the new TV spot for Ocean City MD, it has some very cool ingredients from the perspective of the often politicized world of Destination Marketing.

First, it features the Mayor...and unlike many politicians that are ill-suited to do tourism spots, Rick Meehan is perfect (and plays along with the "emergency" bit with Shatner-esque urgency).

Second, it breaks the mold of most destination TV ads by being so unlike the genre that the viewer is captured by the retro-silliness of the concept.

And finally, this is already going viral, as it was posted 6 days ago and already has been viewed just under 8,000 times on YouTube...not to mention the views on DMO's website.

More on the story from the Washington Post.

To my friends in OC, well played. And I can't wait to hear how this unusual strategy increases traffic...

Brandworks University '08: Day Two

Another content and laughter rich day at LSB's annual Brandworks University. Roll the highlights:

Rex Briggs (CEO of Marketing Evolution, author of "What Sticks"...and pictured): The Old Marketing Model is B-to-C...the new Model is C-to-C. It's not about getting people to come to your website...it's about getting them to take something from your website. Because we still are using marketing effectiveness measures designed 30 years ago, we are often unable to capitalize on new technologies. It's a Catch-22: we can't spend money on a strategy because we can't prove it and we can't prove it unless we spend money on it. TV is great for building awareness. Print is best for creating "purchase intent"...But online and in-store is best for harvesting the sale.

Christopher Vollmer (VP of Booz & Company): 62% of marketers avoid new online strategies because of the difficulty in measuring effectiveness. Nike reduced reliance on traditional media from 40% to 33% from 2003-2006...but increased sales by 7% during the same time period.

Jason Weaver (CEO of Sway): Web 1.0 was about Commerce...Web 2.0 is about People (attributed to Ross Mayfield). eMarketer expects Podcast listeners to more than triple to 67 million by 2012...and half of the U.S. population will watch online video this year. To the notion that you can't brand online...Google is the 3rd most recognized brand in America (no ads). Owning a website without RSS is like owning a fast food restaurant without a drive-thru (guess I gotta get on that).

Ellen Brothers (President of American Girl): Our success is because we know what business we're in...and it's not the doll business. It's the "Girl Business."

Eric Erickson (VP/Creative Director of Target): Successful brands don't resort to half-priced sales. "Speed is Life." Words to live by....

And Gary Hirshberg (CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm): People want to be a part of a "mission-driven" team...and associate with companies that do good. And Stonyfield does just that. Not familiar with this coolest of brands? Check out their website AND their cause: ClimateCounts.org.

Day One Highlights are here. And a MUCH DEEPER accounting can be found here from Carlos Grande (World Advertising Research Center).

Marsha...thanks again for a sensational 2-day mindstorm of thought leaders.

Now, where am I gonna find the time to launch just one of the cool ideas that are exploding in my mind?

Brandworks University '08: Day One

Each year, Marsha Lindsay and her team at Lindsay, Stone & Briggs bring some of the biggest names in branding together on the shores of Madison's Lake Monona for an unbelievable two day conference called Brandworks University. A content-rich Day One is on the books...and here are the synopsized highlights:

Marsha Lindsay: Your best customer is not necessarily the one the buys the most from you. Your best customer could be the one that talks you up to the most people. The sun is a prerequisite for life...but we love it for the way it feels on our face. Don't create a shopping environment...create a buying environment. And that means making the decision process easy and empowering.

Mark-Hans Richer (CMO of Harley-Davidson, who made his entrance onto the stage on his V-Rod that he had just ridden from Milwaukee): Short-term sales versus long-term Branding is a false choice...you must have both. The "consideration" phase for owning a Harley can be up to 20 years for some. It's not just about this quarter's sales...but how we influence the sales of the next quarter century. Last year's Biker-Claus TV spot drove apparel sales in a generally soft market...but 75% that saw the ad said it "made me want to own a Harley." We aggressively enforce our trademark...except when it's in ink on somebody's body.

Dina Howell (GM of Global Marketing of Procter & Gamble): Mobile and Interactive are not emerging media in many parts of the world...it's already established. And, 70% of all product choice occurs at the shelf.

Bob Deutsch (Cognitive Anthropologist): Today, consumers are in control...but when were they not? Don't focus on being top-of-mind...focus on being primal. Don't focus on people's interests...focus on their identities.

Brian Haven (Senior Analyst of Forrester Research): The 4i's of the Brand process are Involvement, Interaction, Intimacy and Influence. Most marketing stops at Interaction...and forfeits the opportunity to mold advocacy for the product by the purchaser. You must think about the entire life-cycle...not just the sale.

Joel Rubinson (CRO of the Advertising Research Foundation): The recent ability to measure almost all performance metrics has sadly caused many to focus on the short-term sales aspects of a product/company at the expense of building brands. Those that say today's youth are not brand responsive aren't looking in the right places. Of course they don't show affinity for paper towels...but they do for products that are meaningful to them. Don't think brands are important? Try grocery shopping in a foreign country. Don't just look at trends...look at "Off-Trends." Was there anything more off-trend than coffee before Starbucks? CFOs need to measure longterm brand equity as an asset on their balance sheets.

Neely Tamminga (Sr. Research Analyst at Piper Jaffray): Educate your customer...and then provide them with a forum to tell others what they have learned.

Arjen Linders (VP/Marketing for Philips Consumer Lifestyle): If you never experienced the marketing of Philips' entry into the personal grooming arena, you need to click here...and then, once in, on "Body."

My head is still spinning...and I'll be back with Day Two highlights tomorrow.

For a look at last year's highlights, go here and here.

David Cook and the Future of Music

Bob Lefsetz absolutely nails it in his recent rant about American Idol. David Cook dominates the iTunes downloads. None of the bands that appeared with the finalists are even close.

And then, Bob hits it out of the park:

"I’d say if Bryan Adams really wants to come back, he should sit down and WRITE A SONG with David Cook, THIS WEEK! Have it out NEXT! How come the "Idol" songs can be on iTunes the next day, and the live shows of superstars can’t? Could it be that "Idol" is more in touch with the zeitgeist than the major label music business?"

Call me shallow, but I loved the change-ups Bon Jovi did with their classics on the CMT Unplugged event. Why can I not own these? Enjoy these? PAY Jon for these tracks?

And, it's not just the major artists. There is incredible music being performed in every corner of this world. A few months ago, I was spellbound by Jay Moran and Emmittville when Jay whipped out a band standard...and then interpolated Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl." As I drove home...I so wanted that track on my iPod.

I know they recorded the show. Why can't I buy that track from his website? Anybody's website? And 99 cents? Hell, for a track I've witnessed (and that I "own" a piece of by virtue of my presence)...I'd pay $3.99. It was that good.

The Long Tail is here. Am I gonna hafta build a site to sell these great moments?

Probably.

Banner Ad from Hell

Those banner ads with the dancing figures are so so bad...but, since they aren't germane to my industry, I just shake my head and move on.

This one, however (and caught by Dave Wilkie at Where's My Jetpack), is simply beyond comprehension.

I know I'll never know...but I so want to know how many clicks this banner generated.

My guess is under 20.

TXT: If the Pope Does it, Does that Mean It's Mainstream?

A lot of Marketers can't quite decide where text messaging fits in to their mobile strategy. Some believe it's too bleeding edge at this point in time.

Uhh, the Pope is moving to texting. According to Reuters, the Pope will text daily messages of inspiration and hope during a six-day event this summer in Sydney, while digital prayer walls will be erected at event sites and the church will set up a social networking Web site akin to a Catholic version of Facebook.

If that doesn't say that everybody that isn't considering text message as a vehicle is missing the boat, I'm not sure what does.

Photo Credit: Chris Helgren/Reuters