Google’s Latest Search Story Makes You Realize How Much Crap You Have To Buy When Having A Baby

TechCrunch underscored how Google’s latest search-story television commercial “makes having a baby seem really depressing” — thanks to all the obvious and hidden costs. True, having a baby is a life-changing event, and  it for forces you to buy all kinds of crap and choose all kinds of very expensive services, like hospital and prenatal care.… Read the rest

When Your Mobile Carrier Treats You Like A Human Being

I’ve been with the same mobile carrier for 10 years. I almost left two years ago over a billing issue, but a special customer-service SWAT team swooped in and took things over. Since then, my family has enjoyed the benefits of a dedicated customer-service rep.… Read the rest

Eight Things Online Marketing Has In Common With Satan

If you’re reading this, it’s probably  because the headline above convinced you to click on a link or open an email.

Now here’s the catch: First, this article has nothing to do with Satan. Second, I didn’t even write the headline myself.… Read the rest

Inside the Yahoo! and Microsoft Search Alliance

MicroHoo
Many of you (readers of my blog) work in the marketing and media business and are familiar with the Yahoo! and Microsoft Search Alliance. For those of you who aren’t, Yahoo! and Microsoft Search created the Alliance to become a more meaningful competitor in search advertising to Google, the world’s most highly valued media company.… Read the rest

The Hype Around Group Buying Web Sites (And Why Costco Is King)

Group Buying SitesI recently attended a great technology event organized by Battery Ventures, a West Coast venture capital firm. The theme of the event was monetizing the location-based Web. Not surprisingly, group-buying services were a hot topic. Discussion was amplified by the presence of Andrew Mason, founder and CEO of Groupon, a deal-of-the-day Web site, empowered by group buying localized to major markets.… Read the rest