Jaffe Juice

Pirelli has just released a prelude to a long form content creation, titled "The Call," starring John Malkovich and Naomi Campbell. Considering the automotive connection, it brings me back to the lauded Films, i.e. using well known celebs in a movielike long form context.

The common theme of the film and Pirelli's positioning is all about power and control (sound like traditional marketing, don't it?)

On a related note, it was either The Call or Skating with the Stars for JM and NC. Hopefully they both chose well.

Bob Liodice, who runs the ANA, just posted a very insightful update on his blog. It's a strong point of view on how technology and marketing are forever interwoven...from here on end. Actually strike that, it's more profound than just saying technology is important...technology is in fact the single most crucial component that will bring marketing communications back to life and help navigate "beyond the 30-second spot" (their upcoming TV Forum theme)

It's funny. The original title of my book proposal was "How Technology will Save Marketing" (some of the interim feedback was "not sexy enough" and "not that bubble again" - aaaah, nothing like saying, "I told you so")

Liodice sums up technology's impact 4 ways:

1) Its impact on the consumer (chapter 7)

2) Its impact on media (distribution platforms - from blogging to iPods to PSP's)

3) Its impact on branding (chapter 8)

4) Its impact on measurement

He also introduces and outlines a suggested strategic platform for CMO's moving forward, which pivots on and around:

• Brand Building
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Marketing Measurement and Accountability
• Marketing Organization

It is closely aligned with my belief that New Marketing is all about C.O.S.T. (plug for Russ) - no, NOT THAT COST, but rather:

a) Cultural

b) Organizational

c) Strategic

d) Tactical

It also plugs into another purposefully contradictory acronym from my coffers - R.E.A.C.H.

• Reject the Status Quo
• Embrace Change and New Marketing
• Accept a Higher Level of Accountability
• Challenge your external partners and yourselves to adapt....or die
• Hire and train like there's no tomorrow.

So apologies if you think I'm crowing, but I've earned it.

In a lightening reversal of policy, ESPN pulls their pay-for-ads proposition on iTunes (read: it's now free). In return for their generosity, iTunes wipes their review slate clean - hence the * to ***** metamorphosis.

This is real testiment to the power and influence of the blogosphere. And quite frankly, in a positive and impactful way that effected change for the better

Not quite, but close. NBC will be streaming unaired episodes of just cancelled The Book of Daniel on the Web. Little downside, as many of the Conservative Christian groups who objected to the show's existence probably don't have broadband yet.

It does open a rather interesting dynamic for shows that have been cancelled on "terrestrial" TV, which now may enjoy an on-demand (business model uncertain) second chance on the Web (or iPod, PSP etc.)

My original post on the subject here.

A short while back, I introduced the concept of Brand T&E. In this post, I was mostly referring to how a brand (and its company) treats/regards/acts towards its consumers, with respect to putting their product/service in the hands of their customers who are most loyal/passionate/talkative/etc.

Here's a different spin...

I know an agency (not saying who) who has a client in the airline business (not saying who) One would think that they would fly for free, get tons of upgrades and most of all, get points. Not even close...

They fly on standby (and yes I know, rather a paying customer than a hired vendor) and don't get any points/frequent flyer miles. Yes, I understand the underlying reason/rationale, but why wouldn't you want to reward/spoil/indulge the persons charged with investing a signficant line item/expense...your marketing/media dollars, and in doing so ensure and maintain that their passion and commitment to your brand is unwavering.

The flipside is equally true. If an agency works on Coke, they should not drink Pepsi. EVER. They should replace their vending machines (assuming they weren't Coke to start off with) OK, that's an easy one...what about representing Kia or Hyandai or Jaguar :) Same rules should apply. In the first two cases, agency execs should be cashing in or putting their Beamers into storage. In the latter case, the client should be stocking up their talent zoo with purring feline queens of the night.

Live the brand. Spend the T&E. To be true to others, first be true to yourselves.

I recently posted about the decision to charge consumers on iTunes for clips from Saturday Night Live. And just when you thought it couldn't get an uglier, ESPN decided to charge consumers for THEIR ADS (This is Sportscenter)

Consumers respond with a very kind * out of ***** rating (via MicroPersuasion)

No question these ads are entertaining and amongst the better of a pretty dismal crop. That still gives ZERO permission to charge for them. It's either greedy, clueless or both.

I was listening to FIR and Neville and Shel said something which I thought really resonated. It's one of those things that sounds simple, and yet it's profound...

They spoke about new and emerging forms of media (in this case, blogs) being used for old purposes (in this case, selling stuff)

To me, it serves as the ultimate reality check and reminder as to why we're doing what we're doing...and what business we are ultimately in. That would be selling.

Now, how we do this is completely another story, and in my opinion it is the smart, shrewd and strategic mix of bold old and new that helps us achieve the same goal - then, now and always.

I just watched Oprah's interrogation of AMLP "author", James Frey. Instead of joining the mob of millions in grilling him and passing him guilty until presumed guiltier, I must admit...I felt sad for him and disgusted with everyone else, including his after-the-fact publisher and O.

A good part of the program was the vilification of Frey, but another healthy chunk was spent feeling good about Oprah..because she made a mistake, but hey at least she admitted to it, which is more than we can say for that pig Frey (PS The dude is fragile with a capital FRAGILE and DID make a joke with Oprah, which she DID mention on air...about hoping there was a gun waiting for him backstage)

Oprah made a stinker of a mistake all right...by calling in to Larry King and defending Frey, she acted as impetuously and foolishly as a high profile blogger with a nervous twich on the mouse button. For that, an "I'm sorry" shouldn't have cut it...her advisors, confidants, legal eagles and financial bean counters were AWOL or if not, should be. She clearly had some kind of (self) interest at stake (her reputation through her influence; from viewership through Oprah book club sales)

Then comes her show...and once again, self interest is pervasive. Good for ratings, no doubt!

As for Frey, he clearly was uncomfortable and yes, even though he should have been...clearly he was not at the show in order to stir the controversy and sell more books (which is happening without his current efforts, thank you very much) Instead, he was most likely contractually obligated...and dragged (this time for real) kicking and screaming by his publisher, who her/themselves wanted to save face...or at least kiss Oprah's butt.

Please don't get me wrong...I'm not and never will condone Frey's actions or fuzzy account. Nor would I ever hope or dare to attack The Oprah, who is truly one of THE most remarkable people in our current (why stop there) generation. Her generosity...HER story...memoir or not....even at 50% accuracy...is worth a billion big pieces (or at least book sales) What she has done for this country...for my country (South Africa) and so many others, is not short of miraculous. BUT in this case, she messed up...and let this be her only blemish in what is otherwise a stellar career and life.

Just don't dedicate an entire show on your terms and bring a bunch of journalists onstage who are going to tell the world how wonderful you are.

Instead (Doubleday - are you listening?), why not donate the Advertising proceeds of your show to recovering drug and alcohol addicts who don't have anyone to hear/care about their story or need someone to talk to or need help in general. And as for Doubleday, you should be REFUNDING every and anyone who produces a physical copy of the book under the pretences of being wronged/duped/insulted/emotionally traumatized. And yes, you should hire a lackey @ $30,000 to check facts. Brother.

And I do think the media that played a pivotal role in sensationalizing this story should also stand up and give something back. This may sound backwards and illogical, but there are so many people who didn't need his bubble burst...to the extent that their reality of Frey's perception uplifted, inspired and/or helped them, that too is now gone.

The whole show kept on emphasizing truth and how truth sets you free and how the first step in moving forward is to be truthful...and ultimately how that centers around being HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

All of you should give something back....if you're all about the healing, why not start with the people who are hurt.

W+K creates a new ad for Honda. It's not half bad. So what?

W+K responds on their blog:

804,000 people watched our Civic 'Choir' ad ad online last week. Not bad. The viewing figures have been so high that they have needed to host the ad on a different server from the rest of their site in order to cope with demand.

804,000 people in a week. That's what. It's a real number and it's time to start extrapolating what 804,000 actual views (overtly permission based) means compared to all the potential views which are typically purchased in a typical media plan. In addition to actual audience numbers, you might also want to factor in actual cost to the client (hint: you'll be comparing paid media to server bandwidth...doesn't sound like much of a comparison, now does it?)

It's Across the Sound - my New Marketing Podcast - Episode 18 with myself and this week's co-host, PSFK's Piers Fawkes. I recorded it today, post-produced it in the car on the way to the airport and uploaded it from the Admiral's Club. Pretty cool.

One thing that I thought I'd mention (and it's not as obvious as it sounds...pun not intended): you don't have to have an MP3 player/iPod and/or have access to iTunes. You can just as easily click on the actual MP3 file on Across the Sound (you'll see it right at the top of the post) and listen to it from the comfort of your cubicle, desk or computer.

Right click if you want to download it onto your laptop and you can listen to it on the plane, train or 20,000 leagues under the sea.

If you're in the business of advising your clients on new and emerging forms of media and marketing, then it's time to release the rhetoric and starts listening to the talk.

Full shownotes are below:

The segment on product placement finally ran this morning on NPR's marketplace. Here's the landing page and here's the direct link to the audio.

It's really a good segment and underscores the value of what I would call "organic" product placement, as opposed to paid placement. Did any of the brands or companies mentioned in SNL's Lazy Sunday pay for their placement? Probably not...but who cares in this case, because it worked (as in had it going on)

The problem with product placement/branded entertainment is when money changes hands...that's when expectations soar and become positively unrealistic. That's when gratuitous overexposure sours the consumption experience.

The opportunity is not in paid placement, but I believe (and a little ironic perhaps) in the role of paid media to capitalize on organic placement. Until that happens, I won't hold my breath...

Gotta take this at&t (please don't use CAPS as you'll upset the brand guidelines stewards) thing one step further...

Antony goes to sbc/at&t and types in "blogging" to see how in fact they deliver. Here's what he gets (and here's his post about it)

AT&T, in its grand return to flooding the attention waves with their Kool-Aid (I would call it indoctrination, but that would imply some efficacy), promised to reach 137.8million unique users in the process.

I resisted the urge to stroke thier giant egos by blogging about it, but now (like Oprah) I am breaking my silence (how melodramatic of me)

I've seen their ads; I'm sure you have too. My question is whether anyone cares?

The only semblance of strategic sense would be something to the effect of strength and pervasiveness of coverage, but that's me - the advertising guy - digging deep and reaching far and wide in order to find something of value.

To me, first strike was going back to a logo which reeked of clunky, bureaucratic stale and staid practices and customer service (see: GM)

Strike 2 was the very conservative, predictable and linear approach - TV (aspirational, visual, musical production with zero value/substance) and culled tagline combo (Your world. Delivered - what the hell does that mean? Are they taking on Fedex? Perhaps if they added the word "under" to delivered, they'd be a bit more honest)

Strike 3 is possibly the "let's reach the most number of people as possible using the least number of steps in the process" approach. Why not reach, connect and effect with the "most right" or "most best" people? Instead of a billboard that says, blogging delivered, why not demonstrate how?

Ironically following my post about GM's results is Max Kalehoff's account of a regional ad he saw for Pontiac, which ended with the words:

"Don't take our word for it. Google Pontiac and discover for yourself."

The ad ends with a screenshot of Google's homepage, followed by the word "Pontiac" neatly typed into the search box for anyone who either doesn't know how to use Google and/or can't remember the brand name (such as anyone who saw the car giveaway on Oprah and/or anyone who watches TV)

Here's the screenshot from Karl's blog:

The story has a happy ending. I followed the directions and am better off for it.

THE PONTIAC GRILLE is embarking on a major change in our menus and in our operations.

Starting February 1, 2006 the first floor restaurant will become a STEAKHOUSE featuring top quality cuts of beef, pork and fish prepared to your order on our char-broiler. We will be open for dinner Monday through Thursday at 5 PM and serve until 10 PM. Friday we will open at 5 PM and serve until 11 PM. On Saturday and Sunday we will open for lunch at 11:30 am and serve lunch until 5 PM from the menu below; then from 5PM until 11 PM on Saturday and 10 PM on Sunday we will serve dinner from our new Steakhouse menu.

Adjab presents another point of view (I suppose I should present both sides in the interest of not taking away anything from the momentousnessiousocity of the fact a TV advertiser needs to advertise the obvious and simulataneously concede the fact that TV ads don't drive traffic into dealerships...damnit, can't shake that cynical hat) Seriously, listen to Chris, he knows what he's talking about and I'm just crabby:

This is groundbreaking and fantastic to me in a number of respects. First and foremost, it's an admission that the ultimate decision making power lies in a well-informed consumer and not with slick advertisements. That's a huge step forward and much better than making the assumption that a 30-second spot has given the audience all the information they need and they're just chomping at the bit to get in their cars to drive to the dealership. People are smarter and have more tools at their disposal than ever before to cut through the jargon and devices advertising relies on.

Secondly it showed just how synonymous Google has become with the idea of search. The spot didn't direct people to search the web or show a generic (and fake) computer screen. It showed the Google home page and used the company name as a verb. That's a significant watermark in just how pervasive Google has become in our lives and the thinking of Internet research.

...and if anyone finds it, could they give me a call?

General Motors posted a $8.6 billion loss for 2005, amid North American weakness and big charges tied to restructuring and Delphi. The report came a day after Bush suggested in an interview that Ford and GM make "a product that's relevant" instead of contemplating a bailout.

Via WSJ

Here's the fuzzy math, which btw, should probably include the full $2bn they threw down the toilet in advertising. PS note the source: the company (hmmmm):

Survey question: Bush thinks GM should make a product this relevant. If you were GM, would you make:

a) a car

b) a car that looks pretty

c) a car that looks pretty and doesn't guzzle gas

d) an iPod

Thanks to Chris Thilk who tipped me off to this NYTimes piece about Oprah's 180.

Ad Age had originally commented and I had originally responded. Bet Oprah wishes she had originally kept her mouth shut. Although she did admit to her mistake, which cannot be said about Mr Frey.

That said...the book is number 4 on Amazon.com, although its rating has continued to slide. Everyone loves a controversy...even a talk about it. Damn it, this is getting awfully circular. Thanks to Chris Thilk...

Plug number 3 to the ChaosScenario Blog, co-authored by a multitude of smarty-pants, including an upcoming Across the Sound, co-host - Mr John Keehler

They point me and therefore you to a post on how iTunes is actually boosting TV audiences. Sell outs!

Seriously...this makes total sense. Content wants to be free. Distribute it as widely as possible. And guess what? It comes back to you! (wasn't there something said to that effect with love and a bottle?) Now if only we could figure out how to make people watch ads...

Bottom line: NBC cancelled the doomed series, "The book of Daniel"

Let me start off by saying that I never watched it and so I can't be sure it was good or bad. But that's the whole point now isn't it? Its success or failure had nothing to do with the quality of the writing, but with a bunch of spineless SOB's and hypocrites that are so concerned about imposing their views on others, that they often neglect to notice that they are in fact the biggest sinners of all.

I'm appalled and disgusted by this story. It leaves me sick to the stomach. I'm not sure who's worse...the religious right who pressured all and "Sunday" to "abort" or the advertisers that turned their back on the show and watched it go quietly into the night or ultimately NBC for not showing any chutzpah by sticking to their conviction (assuming they had one to start with)

Again, I'm not passing judgment on the content of the show as I never watched it, but I'm so fed up with networks pulling the plug on series because of an antiquated methdology that belongs on TVLand, not in TV Land.

• Why is it that originality is frowned upon and mediocrity embraced?
• Why is it that active minorities always sour and poison the drinking water of the silent majority?
• Why is it that all these empowered complainers can't use their remote controls to mute or change the channel if they don't like what they see on TV.

On a tangential note, I'd like to see a celebrity tag-team deathmatch between Howard Stern and Jon Stewart (100% Tribe) taking on Pat Robertson and the FCC's Adelstein (mixed marriage), except this time it would be FOR REAL. Ugggh.

On another tangential note, I went hunting to pull an article from the New York Post on Howard Stern's new Sirius Show and his ongoing battle with the FCC. (Apparently, the show is still time-delayed and Howard has been given some decency guidelines to abide by. What's up with that?) Anyway, get this...the Post is (still) 25c, and yet the schmucks want me to pay $3.95 for this one article online. The media world is so screwed up...

And there's talk that Piazza could come to the Yankees. Piazza and Clemens as teammates?

The world has gone mad.

Armageddon is approaching.

Daniel is safe in the lion's den.

I get tons of pitches, releases, plug requests and the like. This week, I'm dusting off my good cop hat and tipping it in the favor of those who deserve a nod.

i-Merge, a Beligum based interactive branding company, has just opened up in China. That's impressive. So is their announcement card, which is what caught my eye. Check it out here.

Contagious magazine reports on a terrific campaign for the Onitsuka Tiger Injector DX Football Shoe, that involved 22 Head Office actual employees who make the shoe and love football (their music making is a little shaky though, but that's the point)

See their performance, sing along in a karaoke performance which could have been executed MUCH better (might have been my machine, but...) as I couldn't hear the choice with my signing, couldn't hear my efforts, couldn't hear other efforts...you get the picture.

Nevertheless, it's worth a peruse and your worst amateur efforts. Simon Cowell is not amused.

A life without my crackberry...could be unbearable. I might even get some work done.

Read more here

Very cool experiential play which presents a pretty immersive and lifelike walkthrough through a local (and by that I mean Russian) coffee shop.

Equally cool is the fact Jaffe Juice is being drunk in Russia (plus Life after the 30-second spot is due to come out in Russian soon)

Via Adblather

Brandchannel's Reader Survey for 2005 is just in...with Google finally usurping Apple as the world's most impactful brand.

Notable inclusions in this year's top 10 list (global) are: Skype (#3) and Firefox (#8)

Few additional points:

- with 3rd and 9th places, eBay is sitting pretty. Still question whether they paid too much for Skype?

- Yahoo! makes a bold entrance into the top 10. It is no coincidence with their focused and continued investment in the social network and media spaces.

- a common thread in this year's top 10 list is functionality. Impact manifested in terms of demonstrating value/making a tangible difference, as opposed to making me feel good about myself and other legacy "warm and fuzzy" traditional brand attributes.

Snapped this one at the San Francisco airport restroom (don't worry, my hands were clean)

Wording reads, "Please conserve natural resources. Take only what you really need."

I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm not really sure what they had in mind. At least they didn't go the recycled route...

Proof that Experiential Marketing is not just limited to selling toothpaste, cars and banking services.

Taken with my Sprint Ambassador phone at St Barts. Wording says, "Experience God"

From fantasy stocks to real ones...Live Richly, Leap Ahead, Higher Standards and Imagination at Work become Live Poorly, Leap Backwards, Lower Standards and Sleeping on the Job. Ford's lack of Focus doesn't help things either.

Scary stuff, in light of the continued CMO turnover.

Obviously many things are in play, but this is a reminder to stick to the fundamentals - growth, innovation, product/service differentiation and above all, an unhealthy obsession on the customer.

At least on the fantasy blog stock market. Interesting idea...buy low, sell high.

I thought the SNL Chuckie skit would be the next viral and thanks to my man Mitch, looks like I was on the money.

Here it is and excuse the risque ads on the right (at least that's what showed up on my screen)

Bonus: A CGC spoof response to Lazy Sunday: Lazy Monday (West Coast)

Update: Another one from 2 kids(!!!) - not as slick, but given the age, doubly impressive

Be careful what you wish for...the networks eagerly awaited DVR ratings to be added "back" into the overall Nielsen ratings; the reality however is that ratings in some cases have actually DECLINED (MediaPost reports)

In its explanation, Nielsen provided an example using the Dec. 29, 2005 episode of CBS' "Criminal Minds," which because of the math actually generated a negative DVR ratings factor causing the show to lose seven viewers in the women 21-24 demo after the adjustment.

I was skeptical from the get-go as I wasn't sure how DVR ratings would help the networks or their advertisers due to the d'uh fact that playback is usually ad-free. Now in their desperate attempt to maintain the status quo, they've actually dug the hole a little deeper

"With time shifted data, there have been occurrences when demographic projections (in units) for 'live plus same day' are lower than for 'live' projections (units)"

Forget The Hoff, it's all about The Chuck. Here's why (thanks to Mitch for this)...

Top Chuck Norris Facts:

1. Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. Ever.

2. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

3. Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

4. The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.

5. If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.

6. Chuck Norris has counted to infinity. Twice.

7. Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting implies
   the probability of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.

8. 4 out of 5 doctors fail to recommend Chuck Norris as a solution to most problems. Also, 80% of doctors die unexplained, needlessly brutal deaths.

9. Chuck Norris is 1/8th Cherokee. This has nothing to do with ancestry, the man ate a fucking Indian.

10. In fine print on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Chuck Norris, and those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone else has ever gotten.

11. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist.

(there's a LOT more below...)

As I fast forwarded my way through last night's SNL, I saw a really good skit of the Lazy Sunday ilk - it was a music video of the chronic-what?-cles of Chuck Norris. A period piece of the origins and birth of the cult legend that is Chuck Norris, with 70's style haircuts and facial hair (can't wait for the Hoff version)

So I took a stroll over to both iTunes and youtube to see if it would be there waiting for me. It wasn't. And on top of that, I see that Lazy Sunday plus other skits such as Schwetty Balls or Chandeliers are being charged for at $1.99 a pop.

Exactly when did Lorne Michaels and his cronies at NBC lose the plot and go from a great idea (distributing their clips to the masses for FREE as a primo tune-in driver or upsell tool perhaps for DVD's etc) to a crappy one.

I'm not going to pay $2 anytime soon for 1.53 minutes of Lettuce. And neither should you.

My NPR Segment will run on Tuesday morning on Marketplace.

Episode 17 is now live and loud and awaits your listening pleasure. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Show notes are below to tickle your fancies.

Via BuzzMachine and MIT Ad Lab

No-named Rocket Scientist seeks job and negotiates salary via eBay

This is a big topic and although it's being discussed right now with respect to the Washington Post, it's a lot bigger than the story of a mainstream media publisher censoring one of their blogs.

Here's the 60-second summary:

- Washington Post shows its hipness factor by opening up blogs with comments no less.

- WP readers (and window-shoppers) take issue with remarks made by ombudsman, Debbie H:

But the trigger was an explosion of vicious personal attacks against Deborah Howell, The Post ombudsman, attacking her Jan. 15 column for saying that Mr. Abramoff had made "substantial campaign contributions to both major parties."

- WP yanks all defametory, inflammatory and any other words ending with -tory comments from the site, but fortunately one reader (by Wiki's definition, also an ombudsman), keeps a record of all the posts for public record and service.

- Shallow Hal responds: (dude, this wasn't software related)

Problems With Comment Publishing

Some of the comments posted to this blog's entries aren't appearing on the site. We're working with our blog software vendor to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

The problem may be related to the large number of comments (more than 700 so far) received over the weekend concerning Deborah Howell's Sunday, Jan. 15 column on The Post's coverage of the Jack Abramoff story.

We may also have unintentionally caused or made the problem worse by trying to remove a few comments -- about a dozen -- that failed to make a substantive point and were simply personal attacks on Howell and others.

We apologize for the problem and will post updates here.

Hal Straus
washingtonpost.com Opinions Editor

Here are some of the general issues about this and other instances:

1) Should unmoderated comments be in fact moderatored and ultimately censored?

2) Can we (or shouldn't we) trust an established brand like WAPO to use its discretion when determining what is egregiously and blatently unacceptable?

3) If so, does erroneous suffice as reason enough to pull the plug on a particular comment? What about "personal attacks, profanity and/or hate speech" (to quote Ad Age in their report)

4) In this case, was WAPO justified in their actions (pulling the plug)? Should they be applauded for getting with the program...and by that I mean, opening up themselves and their asset to their audience? In which case, did readers take advantage of the opportunity to participate?

5) From a PR standpoint, was WAPO asleep at the wheel? At what point did they realize that the walls were coming down? From a purely business standpoint, how could they let this happen?

In the past, I have expressed skepticism about the ability for established media brands to "go naked", invite and accept readers as co-authors and contributors. I guess it's one of those cases where you can't be half pregnant....but perhaps there is a middle ground. Surely this case would have been avoided had WAPO utilized a moderated comment approach?

Perhaps, but ultimately even that solution would have backfired. What happened here was a combination of two very volatile ingredients: mixing POLITICS and the ability to be called out, critiqued and held accountable to a questionable/controversial statement.

Final thought: whether you believe comments are required or not...whether you go the moderated route or not...hell, whether you have a blog or not....your readers/consumers are still going to express themselves - good, bad or ugly. So I guess the real issue is which is better...they shit on your doorstep or their own. And if the former, if it still can be cleaned up?

Will WAPO return to comments? Will they give up on blogs entirely? Your feedback and comments are welcome here.

I spent a fantastic day with the fine folks over at Motorola in Austin earlier this week (welcome to the blog, btw) Lurker Len, Ben, George and the rest...it was great meeting you all.

As a thank you, they gave me a brand spanking new Razr phone (can you sense the theme this week?) and as tough as it was to bid adieu to the kick-ass Q (I'll stay loyal to Cingular for now), I was equally happy to pass this one on to my wife (pink's not my color)

Their generosity (and it's already paying off) inspired a thought (and new buzzphrase) which I wanted to elaborate on - it's called Brand T&E.

Everyone in sales is only too familiar with the concept of T&E and the importance of spending one's quota on clients, prospects and the like. Sometimes, salespeople are so intensely focused on closing deals, that they neglect their T&E and with it, the importance of long term relationship building.

So why should brands be any different? Corporations should assign aggressive "Brand T&E" budgets which select key employees are charged with delivering against. Their task is to make sure that loyalists, buzz-inclined influencers, and yes of course...the blogosphere and podosphere (but it's really bigger than that) are reached out and touched in some way, shape or form. It will lead to guaranteed sampling, act as an inevitable word-of-mouth catalyst and ensure that a conversation begins and a dialogue ensues.

Now here's the key and perhaps the catch...their performance reviews, evaluations and even bonus or cash compensation should be tied to their ability to spend their brand T&E allocation.

Sound like a stretch? It isn't. Just ask the Ritz-Carlton and other proactive service-based and consumer-centric organizations that have successfully empowered their employees to walk, talk and live the brand experience with their liveblood: their customers.