Monthly Archives: January 2010

Apple’s iPhone Allows VoIP Internet Calls with Fring and iCall

Though the iPad has dominated online discussion and social media blogs this week, there was one announcement made at the recent Apple event that has been seemingly overlooked. On Wednesday, Apple has changed its strict iPhone developer policies… Continue reading →

Posted in Startups & Innovation by Tara Lane | Friday, January 29th, 2010 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What do Tweetups & Polaroid Have in Common?

The rise in digital media and technology has definitely given us many advantages over the last decade. Entrepreneurs can run an entire business using only a smartphone and a laptop. But is all of this change for the better? Do we lose something when things go… Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Tara Lane | Friday, January 29th, 2010 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Toyota’s Recall and Crisis Management 2.0

Crisis management is not just about contacting news outlets or writing an apologetic press release. In the digital age, crisis management requires swift, sweeping action on all digital fronts: social media, blogs and company websites. For the potentially… Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Marketing by Ethan Lyon | Friday, January 29th, 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Wii Fit, Localvores & Clean Plates Leading Health Movement

When filmmaker Martin Spurlock released “Super Size Me” in 2004, he made a big impact on the food industry. While everyone knew fast food wasn’t the healthiest option, few realized just what it was doing to their bodies. Ever since then, there has been a… Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Thursday, January 28th, 2010 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Did the State of the Union Re-Cast the Obama Brand?

The State of the Union Address was Obama’s opportunity to re-align his brand and re-capture the spirit that won him the presidency. His first year has been marked by incremental failures, such as healthcare and the economy, that have severely… Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Thursday, January 28th, 2010 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

War of the Tablets: Apple’s iPad, Amazon’s Kindle & Microsoft’s Slate

Apple is going to be a major competitor in the tablet market with its much-anticipated, iPad. Apple, Amazon and Microsoft are vying for market leadership in what is “expected to be the PC industry’s hot new category for 2010,” writes Information Week.

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Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

State of the Union and Re-Branding Obama

In 2008, Obama was the answer to the ailing economic, political and social strife. Astoundingly, his hope-inspiring brand was the gold standard in politics, with approval ratings soaring from 65 percent in January to 76 percent in February. Expectations… Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Kleiner Perkins & Green Packaging Inc. Leading GreenStream

While there were flickers of the green movement in the 1960s only recently have we seen an explosion in the green sector. Much like plastics in the early 1970s, starry-eyed investors are lining up at the door to invest in sustainable technology because it is not… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Brangelina: The Power of Brad and Angelina’s Co-Brand

Brangelina: the split that was so close, but wasn’t. News of the World’s false rumor about the Brangelina split was the latest example of how co-branding can generate greater impact than individual brands alone (i.e. just Brad or Angelina). Would Brad’s… Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Marketing by Ethan Lyon | Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Rise in Multiculturalism: China & Hispanic Continue Growth

For many years now, the US has been top dog on the international stage. However, that level of influence might decline as other economies experience tremendous growth. The economic impact of the recession might have changed the US’s influence in the… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rise in Volunteerism Signals Giving In, Greedy Out

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” J.F. Kennedy spoke these words in 1961 and their meaning has not faded since. At the time JFK gave this famous address, there was racial strife, inequality and our soldiers… Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Monday, January 25th, 2010 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Top 5 Reasons to Form Partnerships

“If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail.” While Winston Churchill’s famous words are typically attributed to political and social reform, they also carry great value in business. Partnerships provide great opportunities for… Continue reading →

Posted in Startups & Innovation by Ethan Lyon | Monday, January 25th, 2010 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

YouTube Movie Rentals: Signal New Revenue Opp for Google?

YouTube’s new movie rentals signal Google’s development from a humble search engine into a media lifestyle company and ultimately, an integral life-tool. When do you not use a Google product? When you log onto your computer in the morning, first… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Friday, January 22nd, 2010 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New York Times Offering Paid Content in 2011

Only three years ago, The New York Times scrapped its paid digital content service TimesSelect, after it failed to bring in significant revenue. With rumors swirling since last summer about a similar move happening again, the news giant finally confirmed that it would implement a paid content model — set to roll out in 2011… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Tara Lane | Friday, January 22nd, 2010 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Reciprocity and a More Authentic World

“Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” The Golden Rule is often repeated, but seems to be rarely followed. That is, until you look closely. We are entering into a network economy, where our online connections are just as important as those offline. Social media and online interactions have brought us together in ways like never before, causing our culture to develop… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Tara Lane | Friday, January 22nd, 2010 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Inspiring Innovation Series: Workshop Wonders

It should come as no surprise to our readers that collaboration has been identified as one of the top trends of 2010. Collaboration is nothing new. People have been collaborating for eternity. In fact, Charles Darwin once said, ” In the long history of humankind… Continue reading →

Posted in Startups & Innovation by Katherine | Thursday, January 21st, 2010 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Using LinkedIn & Twitter to Build a Digital Reputation

Seth Godin is the marketing guru, Guy Kawasaki is the entrepreneur, Chris Brogan is the social media master and Dan Schwabel is the personal branding leader. Each of these enterprising individuals spent years crafting their reputation as thought leaders… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Tara Lane | Thursday, January 21st, 2010 | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Google, iTunes Pitch in Haiti Relief

It has only been a week since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and the response for aid has been nothing less than astonishing. Within days, the Red Cross received more than $3 million in donations through its text messaging service; that amount has since… Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Tara Lane | Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Standing Out in 2010: Rise of the Differentiation Diva

Statistics show that the average American is exposed to between 250 and 850 advertising messages each day. Many of these messages don’t make a difference, but the ones we pay attention to stand out for a reason – the product is unique, special, and… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Tara Lane | Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Groupon & Kiva: Building on the Crowd

The phrase “following the crowd” has always had a negative connotation. Nobody wants to think of themselves as a lemming or, that their efforts are an inconsequential “drop in the bucket.” With the advent of the internet, though, crowdsourcing has… Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Tara Lane | Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 | Tagged , | 2 Comments