What's with the constant over-bundling of goods and services to artificially inflate the price?  Do they think we're all THAT stupid?

Satellite and cable television are a good example of why this bugs me.

See, I'm a simple guy.  I want a few news and sports channels, some neat HD adventure and travel channels, local affiliates, and not a lot more.  Instead, to get what I want, providers force a lot of what I DON'T want in the “package” and try to represent it as a good deal.

It's not.  Not for me.  Not for them.  I don't need feeds across 4 HBO time zones.

And I'll walk away first.

Yet it seems more and more that such “deals” are multiplying in the marketplace.  Retailers, restaurants, cellphone providers, car dealers, media reps...it's ubiquitous!

What if Agencies did this?  Need a logo?  Okay, I've got a logo/brochure/website package right here!  No?  How 'bout this logo/billboard/radio/texting package?  You get the point.

And it's silly, right?

So here's a solution:  next time a salesperson or a company starts to bundle what you want with what you don't, just wait patiently until they finish their pitch.

Smile.

Then offer them 'half'.

It may not work but it will certainly change the conversation.  And it's a lot more fun than just standing there fuming over the situation.

We held our first public audition for television talent as part of a new campaign for Tumbleweed Restaurants and it was very enlightening! We spent two days in the restaurants personally inviting select patrons and then sent out press releases to several media outlets. We had no idea how many would come. And for two days I prayed that God would send us just the right mix--and amount--of Tumbleweed fans for our 4-8pm “cattle call.” And since we were going to be outside in a tent, I also spent a fair amount of time praying for good weather. Well, my prayers were answered. We had about 115 people come through and we never saw a drop of rain--when just north of us--storms were wreaking havoc in the form of flooding and tornadoes. Oh, the power of prayer!

I worked the “processing” portion of the operation with another employee, Danielle Carter. She and I tag-teamed on gathering the “talent’s” contact information and signed releases, processed them through a short visit with make-up and then sent them into the tent where each person gave us 2-3 minutes of why they love Tumbleweed in front of a green screen. This is where it got interesting. Some folks were just “naturals’ in front of the camera. They oozed with passion about Tumbleweed’s Monday Margaritas for 99¢, their mesquite-grilled steaks, chile con queso and “world-famous” burritos. The kids were funny because they were either “hams” and talked up our cheese pizza and chicken strips or they froze and wouldn’t utter a word. You could tell some kids were there because they had “stage” moms.. We even had some bonafide actors trying out and they brought headshots and resumes, showing up “camera-ready.”

Everything went swimmingly and we ended the night with a few pitchers of ice cold margaritas, after hearing so many people talk about them! Tumbleweed CEO, Matt Higgins and COO, Mike Higgins personally greeted and thanked many of the “fans” who came to “try out” and later commented on what a “WOW” it was to hear these loyal users talk about what they liked most at Tumbleweed.

It took about 3 business days to render all the footage and post it on Tumbleweed’s YouTube channel so that everyone who auditioned could see themselves in “action.” We’ve spent the week cutting together some :30 TV spots that will air on June 20^th.

And meanwhile the viral part of our strategy seems to be working. We’ve had a few thousand views already and the footage has only been posted for three days.

I can’t wait to go to the next city and stir up some more excitement for our Tumbleweed client with our “Right on the Tip of Your Tongue” TV Tour.

I just saw the Sex and the City movie over the weekend, so I'm all jacked up on the love.  Since I'm still waiting for my very own Mr. Big, the current love of my life is Google...and it's taking over the world!

I recently learned that you can now book print ads in local newspapers through Google using their auction based system.  Some of the newspapers who are experimenting with this new way of booking space are the Courier Journal, New Albany Tribune, Jeffersonville Evening News, Seymour Tribune, E-town News Enterprise and Pioneer News, plus over 800 others, nation wide.  Through your AdWords account, you can select a publication, run dates, which section you'd like to schedule your ad in and the ad size.  The bidding starts on a scale, with the minimum level being the least amount the paper is willing to accept and the highest amount being right off the rate card.  Once you've determined what price you are willing to pay and upload the ad, your ad schedule is in the almightly hands of Google.

I didn't actually get to test the process to see how long it takes to get approved (or rejected) and to see what level of pricing a paper would accept, since I didn't have a real ad, but I can't wait to try it.  This would be perfect for a client that is running a branding campaign over time and has some flexibility on the run dates.  It's also a great way to get a better price on smaller volume buys that may not qualify for a contract rate.

So, in conclusion, two thumbs up to Google for continuing to evolve their services and doing so locally.  I will definitely keep you posted on what happens once I place a bid for print advertising with Google!

Yesterday, I was catching up on some cable TV viewing and noticed a confusing spot on Food Network. It addressed the broadcast switch to digital in February of 2009 and encouraged viewers who are still watching television through rabbit ears to contact Insight Communications for more information on getting all of the channels after the complete switch to digital next year.

Here's what's confusing to me - the spot ran on cable. So, if you are watching using rabbit ears, you would never see the spot. Why is that spot running on cable? Did someone PAY to run that spot on cable? Or did it run as a PSA? Either way, why is that air time being wasted? I feel sure there are plenty of other deserving and more appropriate PSAs that could be run in this time.

OK, so I went on my social networking safari and thank goodness I didn't adopt someone else's opinion as my own. I chose to join only the social networks from "Top 10 Most Beautiful Social Networks" that suited me.

I joined Pownce, Beautiful Society and Virb; all the while still a member of MySpace and Facebook. So I joined, signed on and got to searching.

Pownce was my first victim. This so-called "beautiful" social network, although neatly organized, doesn't strike me as "pretty." Rather, it's just pretty plain.

The only beauty in Beautiful Society is its name. It's easy to sign-up but the concept falls short at keeping people entertained. The all-forum-style setup of favorites, articles and "stuff" sections are outdated.

Virb was much like MySpace without the hassle of html coding. Like MySpace, you can customize your profile's colors; but that's all you can change. After browsing a bit I came to the conclusion that Virb had the user friendliness and components of Facebook with a MySpace look and feel. Virb is still lacking components that keep Facebook addicts coming back for more.

It's the "Beautiful Mess" state of mind I'm in when I'm on Facebook: scoping out friends, poking, messaging, writing on walls, looking through photos, reading my news feed, playing a game.... And well, you get the point!

Facebook is ever-evolving, keeping its addicts in a constant state of curiosity and interest. Even though it didn't make the Mashable beautiful list, I think it's beautiful- a "Beautiful Mess!" What good is a beautiful and user friendly social network if there are no users to socialize???

I recently took part in two Webex sessions for some potential new media products. These two lead me to analyze the Webex sales process in general.

The first session lasted over an hour. I will never get that hour of my life back (not to mention the billable time). The initial description of the product sounded really great, like something we could actually use. The webex ruined that potential. The rep on the other end of the phone must have surely had the most boring voice and presentation style anyone has ever encountered. I felt trapped - I couldn't hang up or do anything else on my computer while this drip was droning on and on and controlling my mouse. The webex ended in me telling the rep I would call him if our company had interest in his product. I'd be willing to bet my first born that's a call I never make. And, my first born is due in about 4 weeks, so that's a heavy (and potentially imminent) ante.

The second webex also lasted over an hour. But, I didn't feel like this time was wasted. The product again sounded excellent from the sales literature. The webex only bolstered that notion for me. The rep listened to my questions, answered them and responded to the tone of my voice to move the webex at the speed at which I clearly wanted to proceed. He could tell I understood the product's features and he could move a quickly through without losing me. This call ended in my request for pricing and a follow up call from the rep a week later, after I could discuss the product with other decision-makers in the company.

The point I want to make is that even though the products are online applications, it was the human connection (or lack thereof) that sold them/didn't sell them to me. Personal connection is still the best elixir for an otherwise onerous sales process.

AdAge released its annual BrandZ ranking and atop once again is Google. Shocker. Google is like an oil tycoon, except it doesn't gouge us with exorbitant search prices and then report record earnings. Not that I don't love Google because it is all things to all people. It's every bit as important to me as gas is to my car.

Apple is ranked 7th, but the real kicker is that their brand value changed 123% since the 2007 survey - in just one year. As an Apple devotee, I can imagine that this is attributable to myriad developments. But, realistically, it's probably all about the iPhone, right?

BlackBerry's brand value also grew by a whopping 390%. I wonder if this had more to do with the iPhone's popularity contributing to the overall appeal for smart phones or the Pearl with its anti-gadget sensibility or the emergence of BlackBerry from the patent infringement stain that has plagued them for a few years now.

One of the most interesting things about this list is that the vast majority of brands on the list still produce tangible products (GE, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, China Mobile, IBM, McDonalds)...but, I bet if we uncovered the methodology behind the rankings, we would see that a strong influence on each brand's score is a rapidly growing interactive marketing component.

AdAge released its Power 150 Top Media and Marketing Blogs (well, it actually lists 608 blogs). Atop the list is Seth's Blog. I have to admit that I read Seth's blog religiously, which I'm sure made a HUGE impact on the rankings (please read sarcasm there).

But, this begat my own list of Top Media and Marketing Sites. Okay, it's not 608, or even 150. It's 5. And, it's not just blogs - it's websites in general. That expansion of variables to the entire web and the contraction of total number to only 5 sites makes these 5 so much stronger, IMHO.

I already told you about Seth's Blog, so I won't mention that one again.

So, here are the Media Darling 5:

1. Duct Tape Marketing Blog
Great mix of marketing and other topics - truly the way an agency should approach its clients, from a holistic point of understanding every aspect of the business. Plus, I just love duct tape. My dad and I were just discussing the virtues of duct tape last weekend. This blog is just as versatile and reliable.

2. ePodunk
Okay, so some of the data provided is a little suspect, but I can still get a pretty good body of knowledge about any market on the face of US soil.

3. TVTattle
I am a self-proclaimed and proud TV junkie. From birth. Can't get enough. Dual tuner DVR, expanded channel package, recording two shows at once and watching a third on the other TV. Someone I respect tremendously once said, "We need to get you a life." Although I still respect him, I'd like to see him take me on in a frantic game of Trivial Pursuit TV Edition. That'd be a hot whooping!
At any rate, TVTattle has become one of my best world wide buddies.

4. YouTube
That's right, I said YouTube. One of the best psychographic research mechanisms out there. Want to know what the kids think is entertaining these days? YouTube. Want to see the latest TV campaign by Budweiser? YouTube. Recently, I wanted to see what I could find out about various insurance companies' policies on flood insurance were (don't ask). YouTube.

5. Google Analytics
Hands down the most comprehensive of free solutions for analyzing various elements of web traffic. In fact, there are many PAID services that don't compare to what Google can offer. Sometimes I just daydream that Google is my cool, hip aunt who sweeps into town, buys me inappropriate clothes, lets me get my hair cut  into a Flock of Seagulls and takes me to see Roadhouse when my mom already said I couldn't see it.

So, next year, don't worry about making the AdAge Power 150. Try to make it into the elite Media Darling 5!

The newest social networking site has premiered - ncludr.com!

I already have profiles on so many of these type of sites, but this is one more I will add. How can I resist a marketing pitch that claims that the site is "the most awesomest ultimate social network ever?"

I love the capabilities the site touts:
"Upload photos or publish notes, get the latest news from your friends, post videos on your profile, tag your friends, use privacy settings to control who sees your info -- NOT WITH nclüdr!"

As if all of that wasn't enough, the home page features testimonials from PeeWee Herman and Mr. Wizard (apparently raised from the dead). I drilled down to sign up and whose testimonials should I see, but Rudy Giuliani and Mr. T!?! Can you think of any other website that features both America's Mayor AND Bad Attitude Baracus?!? AND a tile ad for a company that will help me lower my funeral costs? I can't think of even one.

As you probably assumed, I just had to click on the FAQ page...and, boy am glad I did! I stumbled upon an ad for a Virus Detection software that promises a Premium Gouda Cheese Wheel! WOW! These guys are already generating "revenue" through advertising on the site, which is not really hard to understand since everyone in the world has already signed up!

Speaking of, the sign up was a snap using ncludr's Personal Profile Generator V2.01. It was only 3 questions long and quickly told me who I am. Facebook has never once given me this level of self-discovery. Right off the bat, I had 12.3 billion friends! I only have about 30 on Facebook!

Check it out - you won't be sorry! ncludr.com

Hi. My name is Jim and I'm addicted to March Madness. There… I said it and I've taken the first step to recovery. For 3 weeks every spring, I have a lot of trouble thinking about anything else. I'm not proud of it and my wife's not happy about it.

So in keeping with the theme, I've put together an Ad Madness tournament, pitting 32 of the best ad campaigns of all time. Over the next 4 days, I'll break down each region's matchups and pick a winner. Next Friday, I'll narrow things down and pick a winner for the tournament.

Like Jimmy V used to say, "This tournament is about one thing: survive and advance." I've tried to limit entries to one campaign per product. (You could to a whole tournament with just Coca-Cola campaigns.) Just like in the tournament, with a limited number of spots, your favorite ad might not make the big dance. Feel like I've made an unforgivable omission? Did I give your favorite ad the shaft? Want to just lash out while hiding behind the anonymity of cyber space? Drop me a line and tell me all about it at jimdoesntcarewhatyouthink@yahoo.com.

So with that, let's take a look at the first round matchups in the Food & Drink Region, being played in Des Plaines, Illinois, home of Ray Kroc's first McDonald's Franchise:

1) McDonald's "You Deserve a Break Today"
vs.
8) Burger King "Have it Your Way"

McDonald's is the 800lb gorilla in this tournament. Over the years, they have created an entire world of advertising characters led by the redheaded harbinger of high cholesterol himself, Ronald McDonald. They have one of the most recognizable icons in advertising, the golden arches. Their campaigns consistently have smart copy and catchy jingles. (I can still tell you how to make a Big Mac, and that jingle hasn't run in years.) On the other hand, Burger King comes into the tournament with a recent history of scattered campaigns, none of which seemed to gain any traction. (Hootie in a cowboy outfit anyone?) But in the 70's they had a rock-solid campaign with a solid point of differentiation, that they would make your burger the way you wanted it.

Winner: McDonalds in a rout.

4) Coca-Cola "Have a Coke and a Smile"
vs.
5) Maxwell House "Good to the Last Drop"

Mean Joe Greene faces off against The Wicked Witch of the West in this huge first round match up. The Joe Greene spot is a perennial favorite on top ad lists. It not only makes use of a huge sports icon of the time, but gets beyond the pigeonhole of sports marketing with a warm and fuzzy end that makes non-sports fans say "awwwww." On the other side, we have an ad that you just couldn't make today. Ten seconds in, the husband takes a cheap shot at his wife's coffee, in public no less. The pained look on the wife's face is so sad you have to laugh to keep from crying. (And you can almost here her thinking "You think it tastes bad now, wait until I add antifreeze to your mug tomorrow, you bastard!) Fortunately a 500-year-old Margaret Hamilton comes to the rescue with a cup of Maxwell House that makes everything better. And isn't that how every ad should work?

Winner: Coca-Cola in a nail-biter.

3) Wendys' "Where's the Beef?"
vs.
6) Life Cereal "Hey Mikey"

Wendy's had the catchphrase that was on everyone's lips and this ad made them a force in the burger wars. As much as I love a commercial featuring a pair of kids with speech impediments (something think you couldn't get past a focus group these days), not even Mikey liked his chances here.

Winner: Wendy's

2) Pepsi 'Pepsi Cola Hits the Spot"
vs
7) California Milk Processor Board "Got Milk?"

This is one of the best jingles in advertising history. (Pepsi-Cola hits the spot Twelve full ounces, that's a lot Twice as much for a nickle, too Pepsi-Cola is the drink for you.) Pepsi takes a 2 seed in the tournament, but they get matched up against the minimalist genius of the milk moustache and the and the 2 word poetry of "Got Milk." Bottom like: The ubiquitous milk campaign has perfected the celebrity endorsement and anyone who remembers the Pepsi jingle is in their late 60s and probably doesn't read many blogs, so…

Winner: Got Milk?

Tomorrow – The Transportation Region