20SMF Episode #62 - So You Wanna’ Be A Podstar? - Updated

by Jared on March 31st, 2007

UPDATED/CORRECT EDITION: A fun-filled romp on the career value of starting your own podcast or blog and the essential things you need to know before jumping in to the social media universe.

Special Co-host: Penelope Lee (Marketing Diner)

Show Notes:

• Why business podstar-dom kicks ass
• Podcasting and blogging tips to bolster your personal brand
• Debunking the most common misconceptions of running your own podcast and/or blog

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When the only thing in your in-box is a fish and an iPod

by Jared on March 29th, 2007

Since my co-worker has been on maternity leave, I have been busier than a one armed man in a dodgeball game.

You can see then, after a day of intense productivity, it comes as a moment of zen to see this…

I don’t know why but I feel like there should be a country song to accompany this. Perhaps the lyrics could go something like…

“When it’s been a hell of a day,
and all you got left is a fish in your inbox,
that’s when you know its…
TIME TO GO HOME!”

March Madness - or is it?

by Jared on March 29th, 2007

I watched intently, yesterday as the local-Washington news covered the Georgetown Hoyas departing on their bus to the final four tournament in Atlanta.

Granted, I was on the treadmill at the time so I was unable to shout random obscenities at the team who beat the Vanderbilt Commodores, who in turn beat my very own George Washington Colonials.

Despite the strange lineage that seems to have connected those three teams, the funnier thing is that as I was contemplating what four-lettered word would describe the outrage I felt, I stopped and realized - I don’t even like basketball!

Around this time of year, it appears that not even I am immune to the pomp, circumstance and down-right insanity that grips 20-somethings and forces them to spend countless hours obsessing over the brackets.

Beyond the obvious school pride associated with rooting your team on (Go ‘Dores!)…let’s hear what you think makes this madness happen, even for us that have no interest whatsoever in the sport?

It’s the flow of a conversation, stupid

by Jared on March 26th, 2007

Normally, you can call me a pretty nice person. I mean, I don’t claim to be above the basic human emotions of frustration and impatience but for the most part, I try to take things as they come.

The once exception is when co-workers with very narrow frames of reference refuse to even consider trying to meet me half way in a conversation.

Again, I understand that we may be coming from different places, conceptually. I also understand it is my job as a marketer to adjust my own style based on that but for crying out loud, at least try to follow the very basic trail of intellectual bread crumbs I leave out for you in a conversation.

I just spent 25 minutes talking with a co-worker about how they should respond to client feedback based on a piece of market research I was setting up. To me, the process was simple and the trigger was straightforward. Some reason though, I still found myself back-tracking in the conversation trying to figure out what part of “once you get the response e-mail” they didn’t understand.

If you decide to ask for advice, do yourself a favor and at least attempt to keep up with the conversation. Barring that, please understand that it’s not always a case of talking over your head - sometimes your head is just in a hole!

Op Ed: Double Tall/Half-Caf Yellow Submarine, Anyone?

by Jared on March 22nd, 2007

Yes people, the downfall of music has begun. AdAge.com reports that Starbucks’ Hear Music Label has signed record producer Paul McCartney after 43 years at Capitol Records as its inaugural artist.

Despite Chairman Howard Schultz’s promises to keep it “about the coffee”, this move seems to confirm what most of us already know for some time now; Starbucks is trying to leverage its massive 9,400 store network into a media distribution network.

With McCartney on board, look for artists of all shapes and colors to undoubtedly sign on to this new venture, doing to decent music what Starbucks has previously done to decent coffee.

You’ll recall Starbucks’ success with that Ray Charles album emboldened them to tap into an apparently undersold adult yuppie music lover too lazy to go to a music store or download iTunes.

Now, I don’t fear this because McCartney’s music sub-par. In fact, I fear it for the exact opposite reason.

We’ve seen how a massive distribution network like Wal-Mart can force suppliers to tailor their products, including shaping media like CD’s & DVD’s. I fear that this new move by Starbucks will only further mar the cultural diversity in this country and zap its creative personality until we are all a bunch of mindless, caffeine-addicted, soft pop-listening sycophants!

That being said, watch this particular blog posting come back to bite me in the {explicative deleted} when I am just getting out of business school, attempting to get a job with them.

One way to avoid editing

by Jared on March 21st, 2007

Ever get to the point of editing copy that you just want to lay down the law but can’t seem to do it in a nice way?

I’ve explained that my Sr. Editor/co-worker is currently out for a couple of months. Thus, it falls to me to edit our major value-add publication and ensure its on-time approval by our executives.

Three words sum up what I am feeling now: I hate this.

Here is a fun way I’ve found to lighten the situation a bit without sounding overly critical of my {ahem} illustriously detailed executive co-workers. More

20SMF Episode #61 - Stuck In Springtime Limbo

by Jared on March 21st, 2007

Between announcements and departures, there is limbo. Beyond that NOTHING!

The show is pretty much a grab bag including the long-awaited interview with the boss, who steps in to talk about what its like working with Jared and communication during the MBA application process.

Show Notes:

• My thoughts on why the UNDERGEAR swimsuit catalogue makes for unrealistic marketing
• Interview - The Boss (no, not Bruce - Jared’s Boss)
• Why spring can be a long, long wait

Referenced Links:

• OwenBloggers.com - If you haven’t checked this out yet, you obviously are new to the show.

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Define: Hipocracy

by Jared on March 17th, 2007

See! This is why I am not in political communications; I would shoot myself:

The White House declared its opposition yesterday to a bill that would give the District its first full seat in the House of Representatives, saying it is unconstitutional, and a key Senate supporter said such concerns could kill the measure. (WASHINGTON POST)

If the president is so adamant about the spread of democracy, why in all hell is he opposing the residents of the District of Columbia (who pay more than their fair share of federal income taxes - bty) having representation in Congress?

Taxation without representation = unconstitutional.

‘Nuf Said.