Jaffe Juice

If we're being technical, it's a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (ace-k)

But don't tell that to the dude in Louisville, KY who paid $2,750 for the first taste of the diet drink that goes by the name drink.

Actually, the only addictive ingredient was passion and the conduit was an eBay Charity Auction to help raise funds for the Red Cross.

Masterminded by those other dudes in Miami (hint: for big ideas, spend less time in the concrete jungle on Madison Avenue and more time on the beach), it's one of many non 30-second spot cures for a hangover of insanity.

Nice work!

I attended MediaPost's Outfront conference this morning, and Court TV was the sponsor. I glanced at their flyer/leavebehind and simply had to blog some of their messaging.

Court TV's programming keeps viewers watching and involved even during commercials, meaning your spots work harder and deliver a greater ROI!

Thank you all for subscribing to jaffe Juice (and if you haven't yet, the box is on the far right column)

I hope it is giving you the daily sustenance, inspiration and provocation to give you an edge in the strategic and creative workplace.

It occurred to me that the e-mail subscription tool has been offline for about a week, so I wanted to highlight the posts from the previous week or so.

Hey John Wren, get a blog:

http://www.jaffejuice.com/2005/04/hey_john_wren_g.html

Take note: You’re ugly and your mother dresses you funny:

http://www.jaffejuice.com/2005/04/take_note_youre.html

How did it go in?

http://www.jaffejuice.com/2005/04/how_did_it_go_i.html

Pier 1 for the Road

http://www.jaffejuice.com/2005/04/pier_1_for_the_.html

Games and Mobile Forum report back

http://www.jaffejuice.com/2005/04/games_and_mobil.html

Ants in your pants

http://www.jaffejuice.com/2005/04/ants_in_your_pa.html

Thanks again for your support and hope to continue growing the momentum!

As reported in Mediaweek, Infinity will launch a Podcast Radio Station, the first-ever of its kind (KYOURADIO on Talk KYCY-AM in San Francisco and streaming online at kyouradio.com) on May 16th, using content created exclusively by listener podcasts.

"Beginning today, listeners can upload their podcasts at no charge at KYOURADIO's Web site, where it will be reviewed for broadcast. Going forward, programming on the station will be determined by listener interest and feedback, evaluated daily."

"Open Source Radio" as Infinity calls it, is not just a nice-to-have, but an entire foundation platform that they will build on and around.

So what do you think? Is Mel Karmazin shaking in his boots yet?

One of the largest disconnects ("hypocritical oaf") in this business is the downright abysmal way agencies market themselves. It's borderline criminal how lousy agencies are at walking their own talk and I can only wonder why a handful of agencies haven't capitalized on this deficiency sooner. (a previous post on the subject can be found here)

The recent decision by the U.S. Army to cancel their review cost the agencies left in the running quote "hundreds of thousands of dollars" end quote. Perhaps these agencies should sue the government ala ONDCP in reverse.

Or perhaps the employees (and shareholders) of the 6 agencies should sue themselves for wasting so much money in courting a potential client instead of overworking and underpaying their own. The Pitch Process is the root of all evil. Said it once; will say it again.

John Wren, Sir Martin Sorrell, David Bell, Maurice Levy et al - here's an idea: since you're in the business of coming up with ideas and it kind of makes sense to stay close to the action, especially when it comes to conceiving differentiated big ideas, go out there and purchase a few blogs.

Not this one (it's not for sale) but a pretty appetizing array of smart opinion. perspective and thought leadership from the blogging community. Just check out the trackbacks on my Nike ad thread and you can put together a pretty lucrative shopping cart.

While I believe (with the exception of Rubel) that it's pretty tough to pull off a blog within a corporate infrastructure e.g. Business Week and Blogspotting, this doesn't preclude you from an association with an army of free-spirited thinkers.

Think sponsorship. Think audience. Think branding. Think, dammit. THINK!

Look, I can't take the people who have overdosed on their own toxic lies, especially the one about consumers looking forward to advertising.

Personally I prefer to start with the assumption that consumers find advertising annoying, intrusive, unwanted and in general a pest. That way I can only overdeliver and pleasantly surprise them.

A new study has just come out which has confirmed my hunches for the past few years.

As reported in MediaPost, a Yankelovich study revealed:

1. More than half of consumers consider themselves someone who actively tries to resist advertising

2. Nearly 75% say they are interested in products that will help them skip/opt-out of being exposed to marketing messaging

3. 56% say they shun products that make them feel flooded with marketing and advertising

Have we seen the official response from W+K or perhaps a web/viral company on behalf of their Beaverton clients? Check out www.howdiditgoin.com?

And I quote:

My name is Jeff Stone and I'm currently a physics PH.D. student at the University of Kenton. I'm writing my thesis on Tiger Woods' remarkable shot on the back 9 at Augusta. My theory, in brief, postulates there is no physical evidence supporting the myth that his shot went in without assistance. That being said, within my theory there are many sub-theories, which can be viewed on this site. Thank you.

Riiiiiiiiight.

I'd be impressed with Jeff's epiphany to dedicate his thesis on the back 9 if only the University of Kenton were real.

Look, this site is just too well put together to be genuinely authentic. That's instantly obvious.

The fact you can download these movies (is a practice Nike has used before) is a telegraph of an intention for these movies to be blogged and sent around. That's not a bad thing btw...it's a good thing (just a bit obvious this time)

P.S. The spots are very close to 30-seconds in length which I'm sure ain't coincidence.

If my not-for-profit attempt ran the risk of rights issues, this (if it were not officially sanctioned) would be the invariable Pandora's Box with clips from Superman, the Simpsons, Independence Day etc.

Update 4/25: As Jack Barse points out, the commentary is not just different, but it's also been re-recorded by Lundquist himself, "Tiger Woods with the chip....he gets perfect execution...and then he gets an extra revolution."

"But what did you really think of it, Joe?" Thanks for asking. It's cute in a once-is-witty; twice-is-shitty sort of way. A bit repetitive which essentially means I lost interest after the 2nd or 3rd cloned attempt. Same clip with 5 seconds added in every time.

My main concern is the same that a marketer should be thinking about when consumers join the brand conversation - is it on brand? is it on strategy? Associating Nike naturally with an unedited, pure, sublime and extraordinary aspirational moment? Priceless; Associating Nike with Farts, Poops, Baked and Blowhard movie moments? Confusing at best. Detrimental at worst.

Perhaps the brand is allowed some slack to be a little light-hearted and irreverent from time to time. I don't know that I'm believing it though.

Will people come? Probably. I'm blogging it right now and no doubt many others will too. Will they linger? Not so much. But what if the REAL goal is to encourage consumers to create a plethora of "Star Wars kid-like" interpretations of what really happened and how it did really go in? That would be cool and it would be rather genius if it happens.

Let's see what happens (Nikeguy, where are you buddy?) Time for the real Nike marketing folk to stand up and either publically acknowledge this or deny it. Methinks their silence might linger for a while longer.

Update 4/26: As reported on ESPN.com, Nike will release their 30-second response in the form of an esoteric golf-centric message:

"We gave you a wedge with more feel. You showed us what it could do."

"We gave you a ball with more control. And you didn't center the logo?"

The spot will run predominently on cable (Golf Channel) and golf-specific programming.

(sigh) 

Yeah. Yeah. Hey Pier 1. What's up? How's it going? What's going down? So you know, I just try and keep it most real and all, but I gotta hand it to you, that campaign you just did? It was the BOMB!

And now that Randy Jackson is cringing, let me take the opportunity to give props to the latest Pier 1 campaign. From the TV ads (yes, the TV ads...yes, I somehow watched 'em, how could I not? They got my attention...they kept my attention...they were entertaining, relevant and utalitarian - RUE - the perfect combination or rational/product benefits and emotional/aspirational drivers) to the website, they demonstrate that there is still hope in advertising.

Check it out.

Been a bit absent on the job this week with Adweek's DMC+E and Digital Media Wire's Games and Mobile Forum conferences going on. 3 days of good solid networking and content.

I feel like I've been neglecting the blog, so I've snuck out to a nearby Borders to share some thoughts on the session so far.

It's interesting how gaming and mobile are lumped together. Could be because they're separately not big enough (although the data clearly suggests otherwise) or (more likely) because they just dovetail so neatly together.

First some general thoughts. Only 10% of attendees today were from the agency/marketer communities. That's clearly not a good percentage and perhaps it just shows a combination of lack of awareness, interest and/or understanding in the space.

Hey Detroit? Go spend some time with the creatives responsible for some of the campaigns which have been devised to launch titles or console platforms in the gaming space.

You'll learn a thing or a million about a "rabidly" explosive industry and how to engage younger (but not necessarily young) consumers who are hungry and eager to be involved.

The latest campaign is found at www.mycolony.net and if you want to find out who's behind it, take the red capsule and continue

I don't think I'll ever figure out the real motivations behind SPAM.

While theoretically it makes sense to bombard everyone in the world every day of their natural and unnatural lives with Viagra and Cialis messages until one day they wake up to find they can't get it up anymore...in practice I would have to imagine that it becomes a tad costly over a long period of time.

Viagra aside, I seem to find my SPAM quota follows weird patterns of similarity.

January seemed to be Russian month (I'm assuming the messages were for Viagra and Cialis, but I couldn't tell you because they were in Russian)

February was Chinese language time

March language 'o the month was English and apparently every young, sexy married woman in Norwalk and greater Fairfield County had a husband who was permanently away on business (and apparently had a Web Cam to boot)

April has suddenly become "hot stock tip" month - penny stocks are back in vogue as e-mail after e-mail tries to get me to invest my hard-earned pennies (which is all that remains after the market meltdown of 2000) in what will no doubt be no-hope investments. Perhaps the traders in question are the husbands of the wives in March's wave of Desperate Housewives. Who knows.

Anyway, there's no end in sight except to look forward to the next big thing in May. Until then, let us all pray for the donotcall.gov equivalent for e-mail.

jJ

Happy BlogDay Micro Persuasion and Steve Rubel. You really have inspired an entire community and moved the market. I am honored to be one of your converts. jJ

Terrible description I know, but it is the mobile version of e-coupons (I can't believe I just wrote that)

Anyway, bottom line is that Seth a.k.a. Mostly Muppet Dot Com used his mobile phone to redeem a coupon (reason being he ran out of printer ink) - he took a picture of it and describes how the strange stares became smiles (he never did say if the fine folks over at Pizza Hut redeemed it or not...)

On Friday I received an e-mail from Alexis Parker informing me about Burger King's new viral play, www.needforfeed.com (I feel the need....the need for feed! Thanks Top Gun)

Apparently she also told the folks over at AdJabs about it as well.

So who are you Alexis Ann Parker?

Do you work at CP+B or are you just a viral evangelist? Either way, I am honored that you have chosen me as one of your emissaries and I have mentioned your website (read on for an extended commentary)

I love the idea of bloggers serving as brand emissaries. This is ultimately the power and promise of community in action.

With thanks to main man, Arthur Chan, the coolest media guy I know (besides Scott Witt and anyone else who thinks they're cool too) as well as www.ebaumsworld.com

click on the image to view

It certainly gives you an idea of the multiple levels of multitasking proficiency and ability that our new digital world presents to us.

Perhaps its the way consumers will zap ads too...

Original post and spots are available by clicking on the image or this link

Gary Stein notes on his blog that there's a groundswell of support for W+K to put my ad on the air.

Actually that's what Apple should have done with George Masters who came up with his own iPod ad (poor shmuck - he's being charged $1,000 by his hosting company when in fact Apple should be all over him with support)

The opening credits would read something as follows: Created by one of our own consumers who "just did it"

Gary Stein suggested these 3 ideas on his blog for the fine folks over at Nike:

1) Auction the ball off on eBay

2) Tweak an Advergame to Focus on that Shot

3) Re-build the Shot in an Interactive Medium.
Re-build the entire shot in a 3d-rendered environment. Let people play it over, zoom in rotate, and so on. Maybe even invite a few golf pros and physics-majors to add their commentary, allowing people to play the shot with voice-over.

Not bad for a numbers guy!

Personally I think the solution is to figure out a variety of innovative ways to bring this moment to consumers - whether through DVD, VOD, Web, experential marketing, Amazon.com, TiVo and even the 30-second spot if necessary.

Many consumers got to see the moment for the first time on my blog and for each one of these consumers (remember the promise of one-to-one marketing), this was priceless.

ANA Chief, Bob Liodice, writes on his blog (which is truly surreal) about 6 platforms to help great marketers market great.

They are in the order in which they were scribed:

1. Continuous product innovation or reinvention e.g. Jet Blue or Southwest Airlines with respect to entertainment

2. Product and service quality is the next critical marketing platform - e.g. Starbucks and consistent quality and delivery of service

3. Offering flexible and fair value is an unbeatable way to win consumers’ hearts and minds - e.g. Wendy's Extra value meals - give 'em choice and give 'em options

4. Marketing cost efficiency and streamlined marketing processes are paramount - e.g. American Express redeploying its marketing mix

5. Measurements and Metrics - no examples (hehe - this one's a little tougher, no?)

6. Making direct Consumer (or customer) Connections - which Bob (and little ole me) rates as arguably the most important transformation platform.

Read on...

More than you do!

Bob Garfield is a legend (I'm in real kiss ass mode today), no really he is. He may be a lousy poker player (legend has it), but he has seen the future and it may not include you in it.

The cover of last week's Ad Age was titled, The Chaos Scenario and I just the love the fact the "creative guy" is rewriting the rules and telling it like only he can.

Well done Bob and see you all in Oz (once we get sucked into the vortex of the tornado)

Rupert Murdoch is awesome. Period. His committment and concern to the future and evolution of media in a digital and consumer-controlled age is to the naysayers what a hot knife is to butter.

His leadership, track record and absolute power (after all, he is a mogul) is a guarantee that when he says something, people not only listen, but take action.

OK...enough set-up. Read the article and weep if you are a naysayer.

OK, so here's a sales dude, Jeffrey Gitomer who's website starts off with the following words:

Nothing Happens...Until a sale is made.

Or should I say...Nothing happens until you sell something!

No truer words hath ever been spake. Here's the catch...he trains sales people to be better sellers and recently (with thanks to Bill McCloskey care of David Greenwald) shared Gitomer's thoughts on "creativity training." Can Creativity be taught? Is it a gift or a learned disposition? Read Gitomer's points in the extended blurb...

MediaPost did a story today titled, "Blog Tests Companies' Control Over Brand Image" (full text is pasted in the extended window)

Well written and brings in the perspectives of some of the experts on the subject such as Pete Blackshaw (Intelliseek) and guru, Steve Rubel.

For those looking for the "ads", here is the permalink:

http://www.jaffejuice.com/2005/04/tiger_did_it_ak.html

This might be ho-hum to some of you but I found it quite interesting and unless I've been sleeping on a log for 100 years, I don't think I've seen it before.

It's nothing more than a variation on using frames on a site, but ultimately the fixed position on the right gives a certain presence to the flow of the site and works fairly well when reading (and therefore) scrolling through an article (in this case on New York Times)

Personally I prefer it to the intrusive boxes which are usually crammed within the very content of the article. At least this way, I can read through the article in a more consistent fashion, with the advertising in a convenient fixed position on the right.

(screenshots are in the extended body of the post)

...as in Green with envy or Green as in, "I'm going to puke."

Yahoo! announced today that it will offer free websites to small businesses (there are 20 million of them and 50% are currently not online-enabled)

The move is a stroke of genius as the big exclamation point will no doubt cross-sell to their heart's content with a host (punny) of incremental services with tiered levels of pricing, not to mention the ability to sell more advertising (display and search)

It's one of those moments where you say, "of course!" or "why wasn't this done before?" and no doubt will take their credibility in the local sector to the next level.

Your move Google.

Josh has mirrored the spot and if you'd like to view it, just click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/4llqn

Here's an interesting observation. The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, ESPN, USA Today, etc have all run stories about both the commercial viability of the "moment" as well as the viability of turning it into a commercial.

None of them have mentioned what happened online; none of them have mentioned my "ads" (good/bad/ugly)

They've calculated the value of the moment in terms of how long the swoosh stayed on the screen and how many times it was replayed, but no attempt to figure out the consumer buzz component or the talkability factor.

With reference to a commercial, all quotes are to the effect of "we're working on it" and "no doubt we'll see something from Wieden + Kennedy" - I'm curious to see what they come up with and how long it will take. And how long the window of contextual authenticity will remain open before we segue into the world of milking a cash cow.

Don't get me wrong...I'm under no illusions or delusions about my efforts. I'm just curious as to whether the formal worlds of marketing and the press are aware that there's a consumer component to their fantasy world (or put differently, it takes two to tango)

I've been harping on the branded entertainment bubble for a while now and so I'm pleased to add this jewel to the jaffe "I told you so" file.

Strike 3 for the Apprentice with last week's Domino's That's a Pathetic Meatball episode. Actually KUDO's to Papa John's for their meatballsy efforts to brandjack the staid and contrived paid adverbrandomercial.

As reported in MSNBC:

"...featured company Domino's Pizza was humiliated by Papa Johns, which bought advertising time during the show in more than 60 markets, advertising its new meatball pizza. Domino's used its time to advertise a new cheeseburger pizza, even though the episode featured Donald Trump talking about his love for meatballs, and the teams both sold meatball pizzas."

Joseph V. Tripodi is the SVP and CMO of Allstate Insurance Co., and if his product is anything like his common sense, you'd be in good hands switching to Allstate.

He was interviewed in the Wall Street Journal last week* on the subject of the Upfront, which is weeks away. Unfortunately, you'll need a subscription to the WSJ if you want a full account of his words of wisdom. However, I will give you a nugget to wet your appetite.

*thanks to Tim McHale from Mad Ave Journal for forwarding this on...

So today has been fun...after all these months and years writing about consumer generated content, communal marketing and in particular, new marketing...today I put my talk into walk and experienced first-hand the power of community.

Steve Rubel is a legend in his own time (me, I'm a legend in my own mind) for getting the ball rolling; Robert Scoble commented and I was Scobledotted which I feel was my rite of passage in the blogesphere; ESPN reporter Darren Rovell wrote a piece on "the moment," although didn't refer to my little creation, but made up for it with a plug for my book :)

Nike - the world class marketers that they are (kiss, kiss) - have not issued any C&D against my efforts; nor have they retained my services...but the week is young on both fronts.

Thanks to all who linked and especially to those who took the time and effort to comment, which really made this a shared moment.

jJ

P.S. I hope to write a few longer form pieces in the days/week to follow to shed some more marketing-focused perspective and commentary on this experience.

In true new marketing spirit, I've created what should be the next Nike commercial. It's a tribute to Tiger. It's a tribute to Creativity. It's the embodiment of everything the Nike brand stands for.

The moment of truth (as you'll see) couldn't have been better scripted for Nike and in this case, will live on indefinitely in so many hearts and minds as one of the greatest shots we'll ever see. 

I created it on my laptop and apologies for not being able to insert the swoosh at the end, although I think it works just as well just the same.

You can view them right here.

60-second version: View just_did_it.wmv

30-second version: View just did_it_30.wmv

Update 4/22: A new site has sprung up titled, "How did it go in?" I've blogged my interpretation/commentary.

Update 4/26: As reported on ESPN.com, Nike will release their 30-second response in the form of an esoteric golf-centric message:

"We gave you a wedge with more feel. You showed us what it could do."

"We gave you a ball with more control. And you didn't center the logo?"

The spot will run predominantly on cable (Golf Channel) and golf-specific programming.

(sigh) 

NYTimes article discusses how TV ads are adjusting to shorter attention spans...in other words, moving from 30's to 15's.

Personally, I don't think the answer lies in cutting down length, but rather in extending it...or at least giving the consumer the ability to extend it.

Furthermore, I think that incremental evolutionary actions are nothing more than short terms solutions to long term problems; what is required here are exponential revolutionary actions (arguably what BMWFilms was and still is)

In some respects, the online space is like a 6 year old that walks into their parents' room wobbling in her mother's shoes, with makeup all over her face (and clothes)......nice try; cute; but not quite there yet.

As reported in MediaPost, "The overwhelming majority of online advertising buys (with respect to video) are made shortly before the campaigns run, according to recent research conducted by MediaPost in conjunction with Deutsche Bank."

Not only does this telegraph how budgets are being allocated, but it also shows an acute lack of planning + consideration.

Speed is great, but not as a last minute afterthought.

On a different note, this is being blogged from my Blackberry en route from JFK. Pretty cool. jJ Sent via BlackBerry from Cingular Wireless

Sears announced that as part of their ongoing M&A, cost-cutting, blah blah blah efforts they would be cutting their agency fees. Ogilvy and Y&R were both directly affected and the latter has been quick off the mark to pass on the good news to their freelancers and select staff members in the form of layoffs.

Remind me why the industry is struggling to attract talent again.

Last night at the U2 concert at the Staples Center, during the prelude to the song ONE, Bono asks the crowd to whip out their cellphones.

The arena lights up with 20,000 lights.

Then on 4 giant screens, a message reads, “text your name to UNITE – 86483” which Bono voices over and urges the audience to do likewise. Everyone gets a URL and pin code asking consumers to register and help support U2's cause: Africa Debt Relief

Truly sublime...cause marketing meets digital revolution. And yet another demonstration how a band from the 80's has remained relevant, current, integral and credible.

Epiphany 1) Their consumers are online

Epiphany 2) 1 + 1 = 3 a.k.a. Web + TV > TV

Epiphany 3) Content is King

MTV has launched "MTV Overdrive" - "a web site where viewers watch full length music video on demand, extended versions of programs that have aired on MTV's television network and original video updates from its MTV News operation."

To this I can only ask, "Why did it take you this long?" followed by "how is this different to MTV.com?" or "why wasn't this being done on MTV.com anyway?"

What I'm most interested in is to see how they monetize this...free versus fee; Online 101 i.e. banners 'n buttons or TV on the Web i.e. a haven for the at large 30-second spot.

Expect plenty more where this came from.

Business 2.0 wrote this piece last week on MSN's rejuvenated search efforts (I'm quoted in it, but that's really not the point of this post).

Last week - on April 1st, yup April Fool's Day - MSN did it again...and by it, I'm referring to a smart, cool and most importantly, on strategy execution.

Essentially a consumer could punk a friend or colleague with fake search results, which could be customized to their liking

OK, so I distorted this one somewhat, but still...check out the latest poll on Adweek.com. Doesn't exactly leave you all warm and tingly and searching for that big idea, now does it?

Following a client merger, which agency is most likely to keep the business?

The one that worked with the acquiring company 37%
The one that worked with the merged company's CMO 16%
The one that was doing the best work 8%
None of these - it's a crap shoot 40%

TOTAL RESPONSE - 556

While the name "Google Video" doesn't exactly set the creative world alight, joining other pearlers such as "Google Search", "Google Desktop Search" and "Google Toolbar", what it does should pretty much instantaneously incinerate any kind of status quo.

As reported in Reuters, we're about to enter a world where video is able to be sought, served, viewed and consumed on demand, all through the lowly keyword and text link. It's all deliciously ironic if you think about it...but above all it's profoundly paradigm-shattering.

Hint to the networks: TAKE CAREFUL NOTE. THIS AIN'T ROCKET SCIENCE. IT'S STARING AT YOU (AND BITCH SLAPPING YOU) IN THE FACE.

Thus endeth the lesson.

Wired did a piece on a new way to promote books.Vidlit is one such company that creates really entertaining and virally stimulating online vignettes used to help spread the word about an upcoming book release.

If only I knew an author who had a book coming out soon (say around May 20th), focusing on alternative ways for marketers to communicate to their consumers. Perhaps then I'd refer this author to a company like Vidlit...WATCH THIS SPACE!

The 3 classic roles for advertising are:

-          to inform

-          to persuade

-          to remind

When thinking about the 30-second spot – with it’s poor targeting, hyperbolic distortion of reality and incessant and borderline abusive frequency, I constantly find myself asking, “exactly which – if any – of the primary roles for advertising does the television commercial perform (well)?”

As no doubt every single person in the world found out this weekend, Pope John Paul II passed away this weekend. He will be missed by the world and by every religious faith.

Of the many tough challenges he dealt with and no doubt will continue to be a priority for the Church is the role science will play, and how faith will reconcile with science. Closely linked with science, is technology.

It is perhaps not a coincidence that news of the Pope's passing disseminated via e-mail. Arguably it was purposely meant to be that way - decided by the Pope himself. I personally received the news on my Blackberry, while walking through the Norwalk Museum with my family. The moment of finality is never anticipated and my thoughts were pretty much united with the rest of the world at that exact moment.

On this day, all media acted as one - TV, newspaper, radio, Web, and ultimately magazine payed tribute to a truly exceptional man.

May he rest in peace.

Get your daily dose of Juice by subscribing --> the box is on the right. Or try out the RSS feed on your home page (Podcasting and Vlogs coming soon)

Bit of Friday Fun...as I'm looking through MLB predictions (my 2 Fantasy Baseball Sides are pasted in the extend link below if anyone cares), I run across this:

Player most likely to start his own blog: Curt Schilling, Boston.

You've heard of the player/manager? If anybody is wacky enough to become player/sportswriter in the same season, it's Schilling.

It was right smack during the World Series last October that Schilling, in an e-mail Q and A interview with the always-entertaining Boston Dirt Dogs website, wrote:

"I think Scott Miller wrote that I was trying to draw attention to my ankle (with the bloody sock) by tying my shoes all the time in Game 1, which was false, I was trying to tie my right shoe because it came untied about 10 times and every time I looked up the Yanks were running around the bases. So I was retying my shoe and at the same time trying to take a moment to figure out how the hell I was going to get someone out."

Give Schilling high marks for his honesty and sense of humor. And Curt, if you'd like to write some baseball in '05, I'll be happy to provide space for your commentary.

Because what I do know is, if Schilling, the Red Sox and the Yankees pick up where they left off in October, there is going to be quite a tale to tell in '05.

This is kind of interesting. It's April Fool's Day today and Google runs a link for New Google Gulp (click for a clearer view)

The effort is rather cute and harmless and not really much to talk about, however what I wonder is the following:

1) Google as the 4th portal - how many people will in fact click on this link today and visit their minisite? What scale will this receive and how will this compare to Yahoo, MSN, AOL and hell, even CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox

2) Why is Google not offering this to their advertisers?