Scott Monty

Negativity and the Competition

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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQVJV8vuGDs/VCXUDAVfqiI/AAAAAAAAX_Y/NEjXaXIL19c/s1600/ruin-something-workplace-ecard-someecards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQVJV8vuGDs/VCXUDAVfqiI/AAAAAAAAX_Y/NEjXaXIL19c/s1600/ruin-something-workplace-ecard-someecards.jpg" /></a></div>
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With all of the recent chatter and excitement about <a href="http://ello.co/scottmonty" target="_blank">Ello</a>, it's been a great opportunity to pause and consider the business strategy.<br />
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As a review, Ello's manifesto states that the site <a href="https://ello.co/wtf/post/why-no-ads" target="_blank">will not be ad-supported</a> and will not share users' data. Those are the two main points of its strategy.<br />
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Many are welcoming this (although a number of people are skeptical about the likelihood of that <a href="https://ello.co/waxpancake/post/oy73kFfDdhOPh8Jv9z9pFA" target="_blank">business model</a> being <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/09/facebook-killer-ello-doesnt-care-moneyso-wont-work/" target="_blank">sustainable</a> and even <a href="https://aralbalkan.com/notes/ello-goodbye/" target="_blank">dismissive</a> of the founders' efforts), as the presence of brands on certain sites (most notably Facebook) has been of concern of late.<br />
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Whether or not Ello is here for the long term, we'll have to see. It's awfully difficult for an upstart to combat a well-established site with billions of users.<br />
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<b>The Real Issue</b></h3>
The point is not to discuss the merits of this specific business model (whatever it may be), but rather to look at the business strategy - the reason it exists.<br />
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On its @wtf account, Ello states:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: AtlasTypewriterRegular, 'Andale Mono', Consolas, 'Lucida Console', Menlo, 'Luxi Mono', monospace; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; max-width: 48.75rem;">
We built Ello because virtually all the other social networks were cluttered, ugly, and full of ads. We began to feel manipulated by the networks themselves — many of our posts were never seen by our friends at all, because ads had taken priority.<br />
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We came to realize that a social network that has ads is a social network created for advertisers, not for people. Every move we made was tracked and recorded, and every post we made was read and sold to other companies so they could show us more ads.</blockquote>
It's pretty clear that they're trying to be <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/anti-facebook-social-network-gets-viral-surge-044242310.html;_ylt=AwrBJR.oMihUexoAqzjQtDMD" target="_blank">the anti-Facebook</a>.<br />
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But let's consider this question: <i>is it wise to create something solely based on what a competitor is not?</i> It seems rather foolhardy to state outright that you want to be the opposite of everything your competition is.<br />
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Now, before you say, "Well <i>of course</i> you should try to be what your competitor isn't," there's a difference between owning a segment of the market - in this case, let's say it's simple, beautiful and transparent design - versus playing on an emotional disdain for the current favorite.<br />
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The reason we're seeing so many people flock toward this upstart with a questionable long term plan is because there's an emotional element to the positioning. <i>You know how brands have been ruining your favorite social networks? And how the networks are running away with all of your data</i><i>?</i> (Set aside the fact that you voluntarily share your data.)<br />
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They've already set you up to hate the status quo. That raw emotion feeds into the desire to find something different, something better, something more pure. Which works until their site gets overcrowded and popular.<br />
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Not to mention the ultimate rub: if the competition decides that it wants to change course and be exactly what you accuse it of not being, there goes your business model.<br />
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Instead, why not focus on what you are, what you do and how you provide value?<br />
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It's easy to put others down to make yourself look better. But in the end, you only make yourself look small.<br />
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Or, in the words of Henry Ford:<br />
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"The competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all, but goes on making his own business better all the time."</blockquote>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dtLqVHt0LI/VClQCSUfP4I/AAAAAAAAYFY/EvuKFoHcryA/s1600/Henry%2BFord%2B-%2BCompetition.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dtLqVHt0LI/VClQCSUfP4I/AAAAAAAAYFY/EvuKFoHcryA/s1600/Henry%2BFord%2B-%2BCompetition.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Note</i></b>: this was cross-posted to the <a href="http://www.shiftcomm.com/2014/09/negativity-competition/" target="_blank">SHIFT Communications blog</a>.<br />
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<i>Image credit: <a href="http://www.someecards.com/workplace-cards/lets-ruin-something-with" target="_blank">someecards</a></i><br />
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Negativity and the Competition

With all of the recent chatter and excitement about Ello , it's been a great opportunity to pause and consider the business strategy...

This Week in Digital - September 26, 2014

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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPXMZ7delnU/VCXAYTjlxVI/AAAAAAAAX-0/5CgVe7KMpSc/s1600/Say%2BEllo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPXMZ7delnU/VCXAYTjlxVI/AAAAAAAAX-0/5CgVe7KMpSc/s1600/Say%2BEllo.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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The magic bendy iPhone, how to get the most out of iOS 8 (when it's working), ad dollars versus time spent on Facebook, Ello says hello, the logic between the disparity of increased TV viewing and decreased ratings, measurement is as easy as apple pie, legal considerations in socially-driven engagements, the sports network for the YouTube age, over 30 predictions on the future of B2B marketing, how to freak out a friend online  and more, it's <b>This Week in Digital</b>.  <br />
<br />
A roundup of relevant links affecting our industry.  <br />
<br />
Each week, I compose a newsletter that includes a series of links about current events and trends in the worlds of technology, social media, mobile, digital communications and marketing in order to keep leaders up to date on changes, newsworthy items and content that might be useful in your job. You can <a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f?sub=95082" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>. <br />
<br />
If you’re on Flipboard, you can get these links by subscribing to the <a href="http://flip.it/IfN4O" target="_blank">This Week in Digital Magazine</a>.  <br />
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<h3>
<b>Industry </b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Apple's new iPhone 6 is thin - maybe too thin. So much so that <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/23/iphone-6-plus-bending-pockets/" target="_blank">it bends in your front pocket</a>. On a sartorial note: if you're wearing a suit, why the hell are you putting a phone in the front pockets of your pants? #thirdgrademove (Macrumors) </li>
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<li><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/25/6847811/apple-says-bring-your-bent-iphone-to-a-genius" target="_blank">Apple has responded</a>, saying that its famed Genius Bar would handle any issues that arise. (The Verge) </li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/KITKAT/status/514817515177123841" target="_blank">Kit Kat gets points</a> for a real-time marketing win with its response. (@KitKat)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
We don't bend, we <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/break?src=hash">#break</a>.
 
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bendgate?src=hash">#bendgate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iPhone6plus?src=hash">#iPhone6plus</a> <a href="http://t.co/uippCg4kCi">pic.twitter.com/uippCg4kCi</a><br />
— KITKAT (@KITKAT) <a href="https://twitter.com/KITKAT/status/514817515177123841">September 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Lots of tips abound for those getting iOS 8: <a href="http://theweek.com/article/index/268340/6-super-helpful-ios8-tricks-you-probably-dont-know-about?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">6 helpful tricks</a>, <a href="http://lifehacker.com/top-10-secret-features-of-ios-8-1635558327?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">top 10 secret features</a>, <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/09/master-ios-8/?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">15 insanely great tricks to master iOS 8</a> and <a href="http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/25-things-you-can-do-on-ios-8-that-you-couldnt-do-on-io-1636303912?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">25 things you can do on iOS 8</a> that you couldn't on iOS 7. (The Week, Lifehacker, Wired, Gizmodo) </li>
<li>Recommendations for getting out of the glut on social channels include <a href="http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/urban-legend-free-social-marketing-160042" target="_blank">directing consumers to your good old website</a>. (AdWeek) </li>
<li>Google has listed the <a href="http://adage.com/article/digital/amazon-tops-list-google-s-25-biggest-search-advertisers/294922/">top 25 search advertisers</a>. Holding the #1 spot: Amazon. (AdAge) </li>
<li>The industry is <a href="http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Facebooks-US-Ad-Revenues-Outpace-Users-Average-Daily-Time-Spent-on-Site/1011215" target="_blank">overspending on Facebook advertising</a>, compared with time spent on the network. (eMarketer) </li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAel1vrMhzc/VCXB5s7u9KI/AAAAAAAAX-8/6_bjLUfNJ1c/s1600/FB%2Bad%2Bspend%2Bvs.%2Btime%2Bspent.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAel1vrMhzc/VCXB5s7u9KI/AAAAAAAAX-8/6_bjLUfNJ1c/s1600/FB%2Bad%2Bspend%2Bvs.%2Btime%2Bspent.gif" /></a></div>
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<b>Platforms</b></h3>
<b>Ello</b><br />
<ul>
<li>The newest social network on the block is <a href="http://ello.co/" target="_blank">Ello</a>, driven by "beauty, simplicity and transparency," started gaining significant traction this week.</li>
<li>Seemingly set up as an <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3036286/were-not-trying-to-be-something-for-everybody-the-promise-and-perils-of-ello" target="_blank">anti-Facebook network</a>, its manifesto states that it is ad-free and that your data will remain private ("you are not the product"). (Fast Company)</li>
<li>As one might imagine, <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/09/facebook-killer-ello-doesnt-care-moneyso-wont-work/" target="_blank">the skeptics are lining up to critique it</a>. Even <a href="https://ello.co/waxpancake/post/oy73kFfDdhOPh8Jv9z9pFA" target="_blank">on Ello itself</a>. (Wired and Ello)</li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UX2qZ_YVFJk/VCXCB-VQHVI/AAAAAAAAX_E/RNLQS-j6JoQ/s1600/ello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UX2qZ_YVFJk/VCXCB-VQHVI/AAAAAAAAX_E/RNLQS-j6JoQ/s1600/ello.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, and if you'd like to follow me, I'm at <a href="http://ello.co/scottmonty">ello.co/scottmonty</a><br />
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<b>Facebook</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Next <a href="http://www.insidefacebook.com/2014/09/23/reports-facebook-nearing-ad-network-launch-atlas/" target="_blank">Facebook will unveil a retooled version of Atlas</a>, an advertising platform designed to improve how marketers target and measure the advertisements they buy across the Web. (Inside Facebook)</li>
<li>Some businesses are <a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/websites-are-wary-of-facebook-tracking-software-1411513056" target="_blank">becoming more wary of Facebook sharing data</a> and are blocking access to their sites. (WSJ)</li>
<li>Facebook opened <a href="http://media.fb.com/" target="_blank">Facebook Media</a>, a site designed to show how public figures and media entities are using Facebook (and ostensibly to encourage more of the same). (Facebook)</li>
</ul>
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<b>Twitter</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Twitter's audience management tool is <a href="http://marketingland.com/twitter-adds-audience-manager-tool-ads-dashboard-100191" target="_blank">more powerful than ever</a>, with the ability to target by phone number and app ID. (Marketing Land)</li>
<li>We had announced that TwitPic was being shut down over an intellectual property issue, but the latest news is that <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/18/twitpic-is-not-shutting-down/" target="_blank">they're being acquired</a>. (Engadget)</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
<b>Measurement / Metrics / Big Data</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>TV viewing is up, but ratings are down. <a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/mobile-tv-ratings-not-ready-for-prime-time-1411510884?tesla=y&mg=reno64-wsj&mod=djemCMOToday" target="_blank">What gives?</a> It turns out that the television industry is reluctant to lump television, online and mobile viewing audiences together. (WSJ - paywall)</li>
<li>Perhaps they could start by reading Avinash Kaushik's explanation on <a href="http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/mobile-site-app-analytics-reports-metrics-how-to/?utm_content=buffer7f6db&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">how to measure mobile</a>. (Occam's Razor)</li>
<li>The latest in a series on <a href="http://olivierblanchard.net/cmo-cloud-part-4/" target="_blank">the CMO and the Cloud</a> - looking at the alarmingly low use of analytics by marketers. (Olivier Blanchard)</li>
<li>Is measurement hopelessly convoluted and complex to you? Here are some <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/10-pointers-from-pr-and-social-media-mavens-to-navigate-the-measurement-maze_b99544?utm_content=bufferac249&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">tips for navigating the measurement maze</a>. (Media Bistro)</li>
<li>One of the <a href="http://www.shiftcomm.com/2014/09/public-relations-metrics-are-like-apples-for-pie/?utm_content=buffer2c905&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">best analogies for measurement responsibilities</a> we've seen. (SHIFT Communications)</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
<b>Legal / HR</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>If you host a Twitter party or Twitter chat, you need to be <a href="http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/social-media-marketing/hosts-and-sponsors-of-twitter-parties-must-be-aware-of-legal-risks/" target="_blank">aware of the legal risks</a>. (Social Media Explorer)</li>
<li>As the Ice Bucket Challenge raged on, there were opportunities for brands, media and entertainment personalities to get involved. Here are some of the <a href="http://maximizesocialbusiness.com/legal-lessons-ice-bucket-challenge-phenomenon-15691/" target="_blank">legal lessons from the #icebucketchallenge</a>. (Maximize Social Business)</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
<b>Content</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>‘Storytelling!’ It’s up there with ‘big data’ as a phrase that’s kind of annoying but has yet to be improved upon by a better alternative. So <a href="https://econsultancy.com/blog/65485-what-is-storytelling-for-brands-and-why-do-you-need-it#i.f5jjib27lf9kz7" target="_blank">what is brand storytelling</a> and why do you need it? (Econsultancy)</li>
<li><a href="http://contently.com/strategist/2014/09/26/how-the-whistle-is-building-a-sports-network-for-the-youtube-age/" target="_blank">The Whistle is building a sports network for the YouTube age</a>. What exactly does that look like? They've got their own studios, as well as partnerships with major sporting leagues and teams, and arrangements with individual content creators. (Contently)</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
<b>Essential Reading / Watching / Listening</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>This report on <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/09/24/how-social-media-is-reshaping-news/" target="_blank">how social media is shaping the news</a> is worth a deeper dive. Particularly of note is that direct visitors to news sites spend more time there than those referred by social platforms. (Pew) </li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5L-Q0BM5zs/VCXCdskYECI/AAAAAAAAX_M/YmXTWLhijHM/s1600/Pew_ReferralTraffic_Traffic-to-News-Sites_640px.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5L-Q0BM5zs/VCXCdskYECI/AAAAAAAAX_M/YmXTWLhijHM/s1600/Pew_ReferralTraffic_Traffic-to-News-Sites_640px.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Just for fun: here's how <a href="http://mysocialsherpa.com/the-ultimate-retaliation-pranking-my-roommate-with-targeted-facebook-ads/" target="_blank">one person pranked his roommate</a> with eerily targeted Facebook ads. (My Social Sherpa)</li>
<li>Be careful what you wish for. The New York Mets started <a href="http://nypost.com/2014/09/23/mets-fan-hashtag-quickly-sinks-to-weird-depressing-place/" target="_blank">a hashtag campaign #ImAMetsFanBecause</a> and you can imagine how quickly that devolved, due to the team's constant struggle with losses. (NY Post)</li>
<li>Lots to think about in <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/29/solace-oblivion" target="_blank">Google and the Right to Be Forgotten</a>, including this gem: "Requiring Google to be a court of philosopher kings shows a real lack of understanding about how this will play out in reality." (New Yorker)</li>
<li>Lee Odden gives readers <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/toprank/future-of-b2b-marketing-marketingprofs-b2b-forum-ebook" target="_blank">31 predictions on the future of B2B marketing</a>. (Top Rank Marketing) </li>
</ul>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 5px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
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This Week in Digital - September 26, 2014

The magic bendy iPhone, how to get the most out of iOS 8 (when it's working), ad dollars versus time spent on Facebook, Ello says hel...

This Week in Digital - September 5, 2014

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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEkn_3qNZ-A/VAnGkTBHvoI/AAAAAAAAXcw/guIY0vCdlaU/s1600/Leak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fix that leak!" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEkn_3qNZ-A/VAnGkTBHvoI/AAAAAAAAXcw/guIY0vCdlaU/s1600/Leak.jpg" title="Water Leak" width="640" /></a></div>
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Leaks from iCloud and Home Depot show cracks in security, the newspaper industry continues its slide,  social acquisitions continue, Twitter maps out its product offering, Facebook patent acquisition hints at new developments, why listening matters, the gaps in cross-channel marketing, how to stand out in a boring industry, social media strategy in one slide, the updated CMO Survey and more, it's <b>This Week in Digital</b>.  <br />
<br />
A roundup of relevant links affecting our industry.  <br />
<br />
Each week, I compose a newsletter that includes a series of links about current events and trends in the worlds of technology, social media, mobile, digital communications and marketing in order to keep leaders up to date on changes, newsworthy items and content that might be useful in their jobs.  <br />
<br />
If you have additional links, sources or ideas that might be helpful, I'd encourage you to add some via a comment below. And if you’re on Flipboard, you can get these links by subscribing to the <a href="http://flip.it/IfN4O">This Week in Digital Magazine</a>.  <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Industry </b></h3>
<ul>
<li>It should be no surprise that <a href="http://boingboing.net/2014/08/21/newspapers-are-pretty-much-d.html">newspapers are dying</a>. (Boing Boing)</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nF3ysDkr9U/VAnG4N3sU4I/AAAAAAAAXc4/x3GI-k-gKYs/s1600/Newspapers%2Bare%2Bpretty%2Bmuch%2Bdead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The death spiral of newspapers continues" border="0" height="440" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nF3ysDkr9U/VAnG4N3sU4I/AAAAAAAAXc4/x3GI-k-gKYs/s1600/Newspapers%2Bare%2Bpretty%2Bmuch%2Bdead.jpg" title="Newspapers are pretty much dead" width="640" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Case in point: <i>USA Today</i> announced this week that it is laying off 60-70 people <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/09/03/usa-today-layoffs/15035885/">due to a slowdown in print advertising</a> revenue. (USA Today) </li>
<li>A look at <a href="http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/photographs-from-inside-the-newsroom">Will Steacy's project Deadline</a>, with some stark photos from inside newsrooms. (Esquire) </li>
<li>With its <a href="http://blog.hootsuite.com/hootsuite-acquisition-growth/">acquisition of Brightkit</a>, a solution for creating customized social marketing campaigns, social media platform management system Hootsuite announced <a href="https://hootsuite.com/campaigns">Hootsuite Campaigns</a> based on the Brightkit solution. (Hootsuite) </li>
<li>Enterprise social media platform <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2014/09/03/sprinklr-acquires-branderati-as-social-media-tools-consolidate/">Sprinklr has acquired Branderati</a>, a social media toolmaker, marking its third acquisition this year on its way to an expected IPO next year. (WSJ Digits) </li>
<li>Home Depot is the latest victim in <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/2601349/data-shows-home-depot-breach-could-be-largest-ever.html">a widespread data breach</a> that may affect all of their stores. (ComputerWorld) </li>
<li>Online and mainstream media alike were abuzz last week with the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/1/6092089/nude-celebrity-hack">news of the hacking of celebrities' iCloud photos</a>, resulting in leaks of nude photos. (The Verge) </li>
<li>In response, Apple's new <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/15b9666949/apple-hack-proof-iphone">iPhone 6 will be complete hack-proof</a>. (Funny or Die) </li>
</ul>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="373" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://www.funnyordie.com/embed/15b9666949" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe><div style="font-size: x-small; margin-top: 0; text-align: left; width: 560px;">
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<h3>
<b>Platforms </b></h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Twitter</b>: </li>
<ul>
<li>CFO Anthony Noto gave clues to Twitter's product map at an investors conference. These include <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/09/03/twitters-product-checklist-better-search-and-group-chats/">better search results, an improved algorithm and group chat</a>, in an effort to make Twitter more relevant and sticky with users. (WSJ Digits) </li>
<li>Want to make purchases directly from a tweet? <a href="http://recode.net/2014/08/22/twitter-is-working-with-payments-startup-stripe-on-its-commerce-initiative/">Twitter is working with payments startup Stripe</a> to let you do just that. (re/code) </li>
<li><a href="http://blog.twitpic.com/2014/09/twitpic-is-shutting-down/">Twitpic will be shutting down</a> on September 25, citing a trademark dispute with Twitter. (Twitpic blog) </li>
</ul>
<li><b>Facebook</b>: </li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.insidefacebook.com/2014/09/03/study-how-cost-efficient-is-facebook-advertising/">How cost effective is Facebook advertising?</a> Better than ad networks, portals and exchanges, in terms of reach efficiency and average cost. (Inside Facebook) </li>
<li><a href="http://allfacebook.com/privacy-checkup-2_b134339">Facebook is rolling out Privacy Checkup</a>, in an effort to let users have better control over who sees their content. (AllFacebook) </li>
<li>A look at <a href="http://envisionip.com/blog/2014/09/02/facebook-patent-acquisitions/">recent patent acquisitions by Facebook</a> indicates a move toward digital printing of images, personalized content delivery and interactive wearable devices. (Envision IP) </li>
</ul>
<li><b>Google</b>: </li>
<ul>
<li>Here's a handy guide for <a href="http://techfunction.net/complete-guide-to-google-business/">getting your business up on Google My Business</a>. (Telefunction) </li>
</ul>
<li>Listening matters: <a href="http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2014/08/20/listen-to-your-community/">6 benefits of paying attention to your community</a>. (The Next Web) </li>
<li><a href="http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/51a908b6-05ec-41bf-83e9-46756fd2ac3c.aspx">Southwest Airlines saw immediate results</a> of their new listening center. (Ragan.com) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
<b>Measurement / Metrics / Big Data </b></h3>
<ul>
<li>A study by Econsultancy and Oracle Marketing Cloud shows that while cross-channel marketing is viewed as a priority, few marketers are doing it <a href="http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Cross-Channel-Marketing-Hot-Not-Happening/1011165">and even fewer are measuring it</a>. (eMarketer) </li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swnycAnamEM/VAnHTa9XeTI/AAAAAAAAXdA/2rf0bwBGBJI/s1600/Cross-Channel%2BMarketing%2Bnot%2Bhappening.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marketers have a problem executing and measuring cross-channel marketing " border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swnycAnamEM/VAnHTa9XeTI/AAAAAAAAXdA/2rf0bwBGBJI/s1600/Cross-Channel%2BMarketing%2Bnot%2Bhappening.gif" title="Cross-channel marketing is a priority, but not executed well" /></a></div>
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<br />
<h3>
<b>Legal / HR</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Legal departments have traditionally put the "no" in innovation. But that doesn't have to be the case. Here's how to work with your legal department <a href="http://contently.com/strategist/2014/09/02/legal-approvals-are-killing-brand-newsrooms-heres-how-to-get-past-them/?goal=0_bc3967cef4-1ccb54c89a-314974901">to ensure your brand publishing efforts go smoothly</a>. (Contently)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
<b>Content</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Do you work with clients or in an industry that's "boring"? Well, here are three examples of <a href="http://contently.com/strategist/2014/09/04/3-brands-in-boring-industries-that-tell-amazing-stories/">brands in "boring" industries that are great storytellers</a>. (Contently)</li>
<li>Good content should provide value to the reader. Considering a simple <a href="http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2014/09/framework-creating-content-vital-levels/">framework for five different kinds of content</a> should give you ideas on how to do just that. (Content Marketing Institute)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
<b>Essential Reading / Watching / Listening</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>You use a number of social media sites every day. But were you aware of these <a href="http://blog.bufferapp.com/little-known-features-facebook-twitter-instagram">30 features</a> that can help you be more productive? (Buffer)</li>
<li>An in-depth look at the celebrity photo leak <a href="https://www.nikcub.com/posts/notes-on-the-celebrity-data-theft/">and the security issues behind it</a> shows just how pervasive this type of activity is and why you should be aware of it. (New Web Order)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"What we see in the public with these hacking incidents seems to only be scratching the surface. There are entire communities and trading networks where the data that is stolen remains private and is rarely shared with the public. The networks are broken down horizontally with specific people carrying out specific roles, loosely organized across a large number of sites (both clearnet and darknet) with most organization and communication taking place in private (email, IM)."</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Social media strategy <a href="http://www.christopherspenn.com/2011/07/social-media-strategy-in-one-slide/">in one slide</a>. (Christopher S. Penn)</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1mfU33aBKmE/VAnIBkjyXdI/AAAAAAAAXdM/vvac61qhmVI/s1600/Social%2BMedia%2BStrategy%2B-%2Bone%2Bslide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1mfU33aBKmE/VAnIBkjyXdI/AAAAAAAAXdM/vvac61qhmVI/s1600/Social%2BMedia%2BStrategy%2B-%2Bone%2Bslide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.cmosurvey.org/results/">August 2014 update to the CMO Survey</a> from Duke's Fuqua School of Business is out. Prof. Christine Moorman comments on some of the highlights in a video below. (CMO Survey)</li>
<ul>
<li>Spending on social media is high, but like branding, its value is difficult to prove.</li>
<li>Currently 9% of marketing budgets are allocated to social, with 13% expected next year and as much as 21% within five years.</li>
<li>The growth is likely being allocated toward infrastructure and technology rather than human capital.</li>
<li>Still, social media strategies remain only loosely connected to companies' marketing strategies.</li>
<li>Next year, traditional marketing budgets are expected to drop by about 3.6% and digital marketing budgets will increase by 10.8%.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lajrNI--YA4" width="560"></iframe></center>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="355" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/38643708" style="border-width: 1px; border: 1px solid #CCC; margin-bottom: 5px; max-width: 100%;" width="425"> </iframe> <div style="margin-bottom: 5px;">
<strong> <a href="https://www.slideshare.net/christinemoorman/the-cmo-survey-report" target="_blank" title="The CMO Survey Report: Highlight and Insights August 2014">The CMO Survey Report: Highlight and Insights August 2014</a> </strong> from <strong><a href="https://www.slideshare.net/christinemoorman" target="_blank">christinemoorman</a></strong> </div>
</center>
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<i>Image credit: <a href="https://flic.kr/p/5Eic5T">Aaron Escobar (Flickr)</a></i><br />
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This Week in Digital - September 5, 2014

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This Week in Digital - September 5, 2014

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