Brandon Gerena on Digital Advertising

Embarking Upon My Site Redesign

2011-07-03T22:25:00.010-04:00

I've procrastinated long enough! What example am I setting for my clients and colleagues, when my own site lies neglected? So this summer, I will embark upon my own site redesign.

I will start by interviewing myself, researching the competitive landscape (I'm looking at you, fellow Site Optimizers) and identifying my goals for the new site. I hope to use this space here to share my experience with you.

Being the visual thinker that I am, I couldn't resist diving into some sketches to generate ideas. These serve as an initial brain dump, nothing more. See below.

Stay tuned...

Friends from Social Network Pursuade Couple's Purchase

2011-02-21T11:44:00.009-05:00

My wife and I regularly check-in to retail stores, restaurants and night spots via Foursquare and Facebook. This isn't normally newsworthy for me, but yesterday it proved to be influential on a large purchase we are planning.

Shortly after leaving the retail store of a specialty mattress manufacturer, I noticed that a few comments were left on my Facebook status (which I previously used to check-in) cautioning me to not proceed with the purchase. The comments ranged from tales of manufacturer defects, loopholes to their warranty, and suggestions for alternative mattress manufacturers.

It's funny, because I typically study and share research with my clients about consumer social networks influencing purchase decisions. Guess it's... validating, to experience something like this first-hand.

Thanks friends.

Top 5 Listening Tips from Jeffrey Gitomer

2010-06-23T21:43:00.005-04:00

Some sound advice on "listening" from Jeffrey Gitomer which I find worth repeating for my readers, as well as my own reference:

1. Listen with the intent to understand. A sermon. A movie. In a classroom.
2. Listen with the intent to take action. Someone giving instructions.
3. Listen with the intent to learn. A teacher. A trainer. A seminar leader.
4. Listen with the intent to enjoy. Music. Sounds of nature. Waterfalls. A crackling fire.
5. Listen with the intent to remember. Driving directions. A website address. A phone number.

This post can be found here in its entirety.

Things To Do in NYC

2010-02-23T15:37:00.005-05:00

Had an out-of-town colleague visiting today, so I sent her a short list of destinations, activities and restaurants. Thought this would be worth sharing:

UCB Theatre – some of the best live comedy improv in the world! Shows are dirt cheap. Go dressed casual and comfortable. Check website for show listings, and reserve tix online.
http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com

MoMA – most gorgeous museum you’ve ever seen. And they’ve got the Tim Burton exhibit still going on. You can spend all day here, so reserve this for a rainy day.
http://www.moma.org/

Museum of Arts & Design – small museum is a nice spot either before or after dinner. Allow only 1-2 hours to soak it all up. Oh, and stroll around Columbus Circle – gorgeous.
http://www.madmuseum.org/

Terra Blues – great live jazz and blues way downtown. Check it out Wed / Thurs or Fri night. This place has been my favorite spot for years and years.
http://www.terrablues.com

Flavorpill Recommends – comprehensive list of trendy night spots.
http://flavorpill.com

The Red Cat – beautiful little restaurant tucked away in Chelsea. Intimate setting, great wine list, reasonably priced. My wife and I love this spot.
http://www.theredcat.com/

Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine – with a couple of locations in NYC, this is a great lunch spot. You get lots of delicious, authentic Cuban food for a good price. It gets crowded, so get there no later than noon sharp!
http://www.sophiescuban.com/

Shake Shack – this place must have been featured in every movie, sitcom and food review. Go here for snack or lunch. Make sure its not too cold or raining, because the line is loooooong.
http://www.shakeshack.com/

Bookmarks Lounge at Library Hotel – this lounge is on the hotel rooftop. Heat lamps and enclosures will keep you warm. Go on a clear night to get some memorable views. Dress professionally. Network with other NY media folks, who consist of 90% of the crowd.
http://www.libraryhotel.com

6 Examples of Data-Informed Site Changes that Increased Conversions

2009-10-21T21:20:00.007-04:00

You're not one of those designers still resisting the use of data to inform site changes, are you?

If you are, I'll let you in on a little secret: I was too just a few short years ago. I would make prolific statements, like: "Who needs data? I'm a designer, dammit! I craft websites based on my intuition, design aesthetic and vast experience." Sound familiar?

In hindsight, I was not taking the time to understand site visitor behaviors, friction points they encountered or frustrations they harbored. I was far from being an advocate for the user. As a matter of fact, I didn't have a solid understanding of what was working and what wasn't, and certainly not 'why'. This resulted in a lopsided balance between user needs and business goals. The business almost always won.

Embracing Data
Fast forward to today: I'm growing my agency's client relationships and winning new business by evangelizing data-informed design. Of course, we don't let user data drive all of our design decisions. That could translate into emotionless, marketing-driven garble. But there is a happy place where a quantitative and qualitative approaches live harmoniously together! I've been there and have seen how it can result in delighted clients, satisfied users and an invigorated design team.

Success Stories
Let me share some quick examples of how we got to that happy place. Below are 6 challenges I faced with a few select clients. For each, I've listed the evidence we found within the analytics + survey data and the design changes that helped achieve dramatic increases in conversion:

Client Question #1: Are our visitors sufficiently motivated to start the checkout process?
Evidence: 10% of visitors abandoned before proceeding to checkout, although self-qualifying themselves as "ready to buy."
Result: Set expectations around checkout process length, as well as improving the visibility of shipping and return policy.

Client Question #2: Why is there a high abandonment rate so late in the checkout process?
Evidence: Nearly 20% of visitors never clicked "Checkout," but did click "Update Cart," possibly mistaking this button as a means of continuing.
Result: Designed clearer visual distinctions between calls-to-action.

Client Question #3: Within checkout, are visitors confused by our process?
Evidence: Multiple page views of billing and shipping pages, with a high rate of visitors clicking "Help" within them, then abandoning shortly thereafter.
Result: Improved error messaging and contextual instructional copy.

Client Question #4: Are we appropriately allocating page real estate to our features, such as gift card redemption?
Evidence: 90% of visitors never attempted to redeem a gift card during their session.
Result: Removed gift card feature and re-allocated page real estate to revenue-generating features.

Client Question #5: Why are our visitors making only single-item purchases?
Evidence: Only 30% of visitors scrolled down far enough on product pages to see cross-sell functionality. For those that did scroll to see the cross-sell functionality, less than 50% of them interacted with it.
Result: Moved the cross-selling functionality along the right rail and added explanation of why the products are "recommended."

Client Question #6: What are the optimal number of pages for our application process?  Is our current long 1-page design optimal?
Evidence: A/B test showed that over 70% of visitors to the 1-page control application scrolled and then abandoned, without any other type of page interaction. The 2-page design showed higher interactivity and 10% higher conversions.
Result: Put 2-page application process in market and conducted further multivariate tests to lift conversions another 8%.

Summary
Of course I have to write the disclaimer: "your results may vary." We apply best practices to every site we build. But more often than not, we identify a multitude of distinct user behaviors that are specific to each of our clients. Hence the embracing of an iterative and data-informed design process.

(Note: this post was originally intended to run on Carsonified's Think Vitamin blog in the late summer. But since they procrastinated, I decided to post it here on my own blog.)

Adobe Buys Omniture = BIG DEAL

2009-09-28T13:51:00.006-04:00

I've been asked by clients and colleagues alike to share my POV on Adobe's acquisition of Omniture. So why not share it with my readers?

First of all, Adobe knows how to do acquisitions better than anyone else. They turned a small WSYWG application called GoLive CyberStudio into an Adobe-branded, best-selling web developer app. And not long ago, Adobe made the game changing, industry consolidating move of acquiring Macromedia.

Bottom line – Adobe is a master of product development, marketing and integration. Remember, through their own (ahem, clumsy) acquisitions, Omniture also has testing, targeting, surveys and site personalization capabilities. That can make Adobe an even larger dominating force in web development. What's next, a content management system (I'm looking at you, ATG)?

In my opinion, there are huge changes ahead for the web design industry as a result of this acquisition.

8 Reasons Why Your New Site Isn't Performing

2009-08-17T14:22:00.010-04:00

Tell me if this has happened to you. Client says: "I don't get it. We just spent tons of money redesigning our site. It looks so much better. How could online sales be down?"

And you say: "It's the economy, stupid."

Now hold your horses there, Junior. Let's not jump to conclusions. The economy can be blamed for plenty (see: Housing Collapse and Demise of Auto Industry). eMarketer forecasts that retail e-commerce sales (excluding travel) will likely be flat in 2009.

There could be many reasons why your shiny and new transaction-based site isn't performing so well. Sure, some will be healed over time. But the good news is that most can be overcome with better planning.

Here are 8 traffic and site-side client challenges that I've recently observed:

1. New site architecture can take weeks or months for your visitors to adjust
2. New SEO tactics could take weeks or months for organic traffic to pick up again
3. Login module was moved to new position on page and visitors can't find it
4. Primary call-to-action was moved to a new position
5. RSS feed was changed and now it's broken for past subscribers
6. New site is so different, that visitors immediately abandon because they think they're in the wrong place
7. Familiar past site functionality was removed (for better or for worse)
8. New site has either too hard or too soft of a selling approach in comparison to prior design

Flickr Image: kevindooley

How Shall I Share? Let Me Count The Ways...

2009-07-08T19:28:00.005-04:00

Here's the scenario: I read an interesting story online and decide to share it with others. What distribution method should I choose?

Well, if it's an article on the NYTimes, I can "recommend" it within their proprietary network. And in most cases, I have plenty of other options to share my find. I may Tweet it, post it to Facebook or LinkedIn, bookmark it in Delicious, save to Read It Later, Digg it, email to friends or write about it on my blog.

Sure, solutions have come along to ease some of my pain — enter: TweetDeck, Feedly and FriendFeed. But none of these are really scalable across all platforms and reach the majority of my intended audience.

So you see my dilemma? I'm not sharing very efficiently. There must be a better way...

Why I Don't Blog, And 6 Reasons Why I Should

2009-06-28T20:37:00.010-04:00

Q: Why do I write a blog? A: To share my opinions on digital advertising for the purpose of educating readers, stimulating conversation and... feeding my ego.

Q: So why has it been months since I wrote a post? A: Because I can accomplish my aforementioned objectives with Twitter and Facebook.

I'm not trying to make excuses here. Honestly, these social media destinations enable me to easily tweet, comment and share candid opines. I post via my iPhone apps and TweetDeck on my Mac/PC. It's never been easier for me to publish in such quick and easy ways with an engaged audience.

Twitter's 140-character limit discourages full sentences (for better or for worse). Public conversation is enabled via responses, tagging and re-tweeting.
Facebook is plugged into so many sites, that it's easy to post an article and add my own color commentary (natch'). Public conversation is enabled via commenting and wall postings.

So why blog? Here's 6 good reasons:

Not everyone uses Twitter and Facebook.
Blog postings are indexed by Google.
Blogs provide a certain permanence to posts that can easily be searched.
Blogs can stay focused on a single subject, positioning author as subject matter expert.
Blogs may generate revenue (Google AdWords).
Blogs contribute to building the brand You.

Data-Driven Design: Five Must-Haves for Online Retailers

2009-02-20T10:44:00.015-05:00

During our economy's high times — oh yea, in case you forgot, that included careless consumer spending and huge credit card debt — online retailers neglected their websites' user experience. Heck, I might too if my site was generating hundreds of millions of dollars as-is!

It wasn't unusual for consumers to tolerate non-intuitive online product browsing, hunt for hidden calls-to-action, agonize over registration forms with too many or irrelevant questions, and endure shopping carts with more steps than the Philadelphia Museum of Art. But what I found interesting was that consumers were very often motivated to buy online, regardless of these faults. Eagerly spending on the latest cashmere sweater, cell phone or over-sized plasma tv, they only occasionally groaned about the user experience.

Consumers are now selectively spending every penny. Their tolerance for a poorly designed, untrustworthy, and "not-worth-the-hassle" online experience has completely diminished. Not to mention the still-lingering fears over site security and identity theft. Conversion rates have recently plummeted as much as 50-75% year over year for some of my clients. Suddenly, measurement and optimization are the topic of discussion, from board meetings to cocktail parties. Marketers are talking about web analytics tools like they're the latest Spring fashion that everyone's got to have! Organizations have hired - or are hiring - website analysts (go check the job boards if you don't believe me) to evaluate and maximize their online revenue. Well, at least that's the desired effect. The fact is that retailers are still lacking effective website optimization programs.

My prescription: Optimize your website right. Optimize now. And optimize often. While it's easy to look at an online retail experience and conclude that it needs work, without data that says so, it is particularly challenging to pinpoint the precise reasons that make it so bad. This in turn makes it difficult to embark upon site revisions.

What are the friction points within each page of your online shopping experience? A methodology needs to be in place that determines what is wrong, how to fix it and prioritize site changes. Studying actual visitor behavioral data is a crucial first step to understanding what is wrong with your website.

Interestingly enough, hardly retailers have access to within-page user behaviors. And sadly, most don't even have their web analytics tool installed properly. Regardless of what your vendor told you, professional installation is required (ie. this is not your IT team). I swear, I honestly see marketers staring at only high-level dashboards all day, just gleaning how users arrived and what page they droped-off from. Ahh yes, so very insightful.

To ensure future success, here are five must-haves for online retailers:

1) actionable within-page data
2) qualitative visitor attitudinal data
3) benchmarks that provide context to the data
4) best practices / design know-how
5) a method to easily test new page layouts and design elements

Once the above five tenets of data-informed design are mastered, consider targeting site content to visitors based on their geography. I also recommend huddling with your media team to match creative, messaging and offers featured in the campaigns that sent consumers to your site in the first place. Then, strategically plan and develop new site-side changes for each online and offline campaign throughout the year.

My rant is by no means a detailed instruction manual on how you should proceed. Putting together a custom-tailored website optimization program is not going to be easy. You may or may not even have all the right people on board to execute efficiently and effectively. If anything, I hope this is a wake-up call for retailers to take action.

Questionable Future For Printed News

2009-01-25T14:51:00.005-05:00

Printed newspapers and magazines across the globe are in trouble. Big trouble. In-home subscriptions are rapidly declining and advertisers are avoiding them like the plague.

The NYTimes reports that the French government is providing a financial bailout for their country's newspaper industry. This frustrates me because the primary reason for the newspapers' woes are cited as a "decrease in advertiser revenue." So why does the French government think the solution is to purchase print ad space? Isn't that just a band-aid for a much bigger problem?

I recently attended the Gotham Media Ventures forum "The Future of News and Information." The panel included prominent leaders in digital publishing, including Martin Nisenholtz, SVP Digital Operations at the NYTimes. He described the frightening decline in his publication's new print subscriptions, but noted that the NYTimes still proudly claims tens of millions of existing print subscribers. Interestingly, Nisenholtz added that their data shows print subscribers rarely cancel their home subscription unless "they die or move out of NYTimes' distribution area."

That's pretty remarkable. Very few companies or products can claim that sort of brand loyalty. But that still paints a picture of a very bleak future for the NYTimes.

So how do newspapers and magazines restructure their business models? How do they respond to declining print subscriptions? What now, if brands don't want to advertise in print?

One solution was offered by another Gotham panelist; Financial Times' managing editor, Chrystia Freeland. She sees the future of print publications as a subscriber paid model for online news consumption. I should note that not one of the panel members or audience agreed with Freeland's solution, and eagerly challenged the notion, citing the failed subscriber-paid models of the NYTimes and WSJ.

Nisenholtz offered e-paper as another possible solution. He noted that the NYTimes has made recent investments in e-paper, but declined to share any specific details.

I'm concerned if a new medium like e-paper addresses the problem at hand. Today, readers are accustomed to using their computers and mobile devices as their medium for consuming content. These devices are readily available, making the consumption of content both easy and free to access. How would the introduction of yet another electronic device solve this problem?

Bottom line: advertisers no longer see value in print advertising, and readers are no longer interested in newspapers and magazines. As consumers of digital content, what is our obligation to publishers to continue providing their incredibly valuable service?

Disclaimers: For purposes of nostalgia, I currently subscribe to the NYTimes, Wired, Forbes, GQ, Time Out NY and Newsweek. My employer is a global digital advertising agency.

A Radio Station That's Really Trying

2009-01-18T19:18:00.010-05:00

I rarely use this space to write about non-digital matters. But every once in a while I stumble upon a profound offline experience. In this case, analog (gasp!).

Let me make one thing clear: I don't listen to radio much any more. Why? Non-stop commercials, bubble-gum-crap, constant-loop-soundtracks are all that can be found on New York radio stations. And classic rock stations keep the same old songs on rotation all day. Even the so-called "rock stations" are often irrelevant. For these reasons, I haven't gone out of my way to stream any New York FM stations or tune into much more than NPR during my once-a-week drive in my car.

Then I found 101.9 RXP. Recently re-branded into "The New York Rock Experience," it's hard to imagine that this station formerly broadcast only smooth jazz. RXP plays very few commercials, which is either because they don't have advertisers yet, or they're incredibly considerate to their listeners. I'd like to think it's the latter. They found non-chatty DJ's (get out!), with veterans such as Matt Pinfield, whose familiar, raspy voice is still welcome.

After listening for hours today on this snowed-in, freezing cold Sunday, RXP managed to not repeat one song, delivering unique music from upcoming bands, current alt rock chart-toppers, and established classics. These aren't the hit songs that get regular radio play - they're B-sides from the likes of: Elvis Costello, AC/DC, Led Zep, Tom Petty, The Police, Kaiser Chiefs, Death Cab, Interpol, Killers and Kings Of Leon.

It's nice to see a radio station that's really trying.

Dailymile - My Personal Online Workout Coach

2008-12-18T14:52:00.014-05:00

My attendance at the gym isn't as frequent as it once was. It used to be easy. But as my workouts became more of a burden, I found that my financial commitment (monthly gym dues) motivated me. When that failed, it was my personal trainer's threats to stop canceling sessions. Sure, marriage, late-nights-at-work and business travel are to blame for this decline. But not "making the time" to exercise is all my fault.

Enter Dailymile. I log each workout, which includes specifics around my workout type, length of time, how I felt (on a smile-o-meter) and tag accordingly. I can now track my progress day over day, week over week. Dailymile users are encouraged to "motivate friends" to achieve fitness goals. And emails remind me to get my butt to the gym. And posts are synced with my Twitter account, so my pursuit to achieve Herculean strength is shared with my entire social network.

The site caters to runners and cyclists, which I personally do only when chased or for leisure. But it serves its purpose for me to track my general training workouts. There's also a feature that allows users to find other Dailymile athletes in my neighborhood (not very useful: other than my wife, I'm a loner at the gym - just me and my iPod).

Over the past few weeks I've been a beta user. As of today, the big news is that they've gone public. Looking ahead, Kelly at Dailymile says they'll be adding some new features. This should include:

Routes — calculates distance ran or cycled and shares a map of the route with others;
Workout Import — imports workouts from Nike and Garmin devices;
Challenges — create exercise/workout challenges and invite friends to participate.

What would make Dailymile even more useful? Here's my wishlist to Kelly:

iPhone app — I'd like to easily log my workout while walking home from the gym;
Exercise Tips/Ideas — I'm always looking for new exercises to try out;
Diet Advice — currently, forums have a lot of content, but how about a dedicated section?

Trying Out Google Web History

2008-11-30T15:51:00.005-05:00

I took Google's new Web History for a brief test drive this weekend, using it to save and browse my Google searches. Web History allows me to search my past Google searches chronologically; by topic; and view trends (nice!). Although I'm kind of weirded out that they can track back my past search behavior, both at home and at work.

The features can be expanded to track and display my entire web browsing history, but that gets really creepy.

Thinking ahead to the possibilities (insert evil laugh here), this new capability could allow Google users to opt-in to share their browsing history. In return, users might expect a cut of the revenue (ala Google AdSense), free hosting, free ISP services -- you name it -- giving marketers unheard of visibility into consumer search and browsing behaviors.

My POV on Site Testing Tools

2008-11-16T12:02:00.009-05:00

Last week I was asked by a colleague to recommend a site testing solution for a friend's tech product review site. The following is my response (edited to protect our agency's exclusive relationships, pricing, etc.):

In recent months, Tier I players like Optimost and Omniture Test & Target have dramatically reduced their prices. 1-year technology contracts are now half of what they were a year ago. But don't be fooled - they try to make up for these steep markdowns by trying to charge for costly services models. These solutions are only great values if you have a skilled site optimization expert or agency partner operating these tools.

A Tier II player like Widemile or SiteSpect incur minimal monthly charges, without an annual contract. They make it easy to scoop up their tool for just a few months with a low learning curve, and are very eager to compete with their larger rivals. As a result, these players will tend to be flexible on price and provide plenty of free education and technical support. Widemile in particular has a pretty sweet, Flash-based user interface, suitable for even a novice. Definitely gets high marks. SiteSpect's big advantage is that no tags need to be implemented on the page. But be wary of implementation at a DNS level. Your larger organizations' IT teams will be shaking in their boots!

Ah, and of course Google’s Site Optimizer tool. Free, free, free. I don’t believe this is any less or more turnkey than Tier I or II solutions. Speaking from first-hand experience, this tool nicely complements Google Analytics' free solution, and is currently running live tests on my site. I've only just implemented this, so will update with my long-term satisfaction.

A general working knowledge of HTML is necessary for most of the above solutions. So in the context of this prospect -- a simple tech review site, supported by ads with no ecommerce or clear conversion…. then, err, free is a nice way to start. I think Avinash Kaushik's logic can be applied: a free analytics solution is practical for starters, if only to get your feet wet.

Disclaimer: We’re not talking about “big client” millions of media budget at stake in the above scenario, so I’m being very liberal with my recommendations. I think it takes a very careful evaluation of a business' goals, objectives, dedicated staff and technical limitations to make a consultative recommendation.

Plugging The Leaks in Your Website

2008-11-07T13:57:00.008-05:00

My conversations with clients are usually focused on "plugging the leaks" within their websites. By "leaks," I mean the alarming rate of high visitor abandonment at various points within a website.

It's funny, but not long ago this sort of talk would have lead to "...as a result, we need to redesign the site." Hold your horses. Tough economy or not, why jump the gun and march right into a total site redesign? Do you know exactly what's so terribly wrong with the site that it's gotta get new paint job, or flat-out gut renovation? Do you even care about alienating users that might "love" the site's current aesthetic?

Make a small investment of time and budget to understand precisely what is wrong with your website and why it's causing visitors to bounce. Only then can we have a constructive conversation about changes to the website. By implementing a dozen or so data-driven tactical recommendations, your visitors can expect a more efficient, easier-to-use website that's actually achieving (let's even say exceeding) it's intended business goals!

Future of Web Design Conference in NYC

2008-10-11T17:18:00.007-04:00

I'd like to attend the upcoming FOWD Conference in NYC, November 3-4. The absolute highlight for me is to hear Hillman Curtis speak about how he's continued to re-invent himself as an artist. Hillman Curtis was one of a few significant influences on my career as a graphic designer (others included Stephen Sagmeister and David Carson, although neither is currently scheduled to join Mr. Curtis as a speaker).

What stands between me and this conference, is funding. As the economy weakens, it is harder for my employer to approve expenses like this. In that case, I hope Louise at Carsonified can come through for me with a pass.

Why I'm In Advertising

2008-10-05T21:09:00.004-04:00

It was the early 80's. Looking up in Times Square, I fixed my eyes on what must have been a Coca-Cola billboard. Amazed by the classic design, magnificent scale and masses of people exposed to it, it is my belief that at this moment I became mesmerized with the profession of advertising. Of course, at this prepubescent age I was also entertaining a few other careers: veterinarian, Disney animator or professional Corvette driver (the job description speaks for itself).

Looking back, it feels good to say that I've gone down one of my dream career paths. However, after zig-zagging a bit, and flexing my creative muscle, I'm not quite sure how I landed into this current role. I think it's a new found passion to make my clients wildly successful, in an all-new, quantifiable way.

Feedly Beautifully Delivers Content

2008-09-14T01:40:00.005-04:00

I've tried Netvibes, iGoogle, Google Reader and numerous other RSS aggregators. For one reason or another, each failed to become part of my daily consumption of news and information.

Enter Feedly. The dashboard of all dashboards! Feedly is an extension for Firefox, incorporating my various email accounts, social networks, RSS feeds and bookmarks. Besides pulling everything into one place, one of the most attractive assets is Feedly's design and layout. All of my content can be formatted into customizable layouts, in which I can filter and search. I'm able to clip and send full articles or parts of articles, sharing them via my integrated email and social network accounts.

And personalization! An intelligent engine learns my reading habits, offering me relevant news based on my reading patterns and preferences. And articles that I've read within Feedly are refelected as 'read' in my Google Reader.

Groovey Digg Company Video

2008-09-07T17:08:00.007-04:00

Here's a really smart, single-take, company video that Digg put together, set to the tune of Dee Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart." And get this – the normally dry Digg CEO Jay Adelson raps Q-Tip's solo! The whole office ("interns only," reports Valleywag) joins in by taking turns singing the lyrics. If you're wondering where Digg founder Kevin Rose is, stay tuned until the end.

Digg Dubb: Groove Is In The Heart

MUG Redesigns

2008-09-02T21:44:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite sources for "what's hot & happening in NY" has redesigned! The MUG (Manhattan Users Guide) email newsletter showed up in my inbox this afternoon all fresh-faced and shiny.

I've referenced MUG several times in my posts, and have always appreciated Charlie & Co.'s: list of best movers in NYC, tasty new restaurants, hoppin' night spots, fresh tunes, best sample sales... the list goes on. And sure, the design always felt very 1999. But the unique content, inside scoop and (seemingly) expert advice always kept me coming back.

While it looks like MUG is still working out the kinks to this new design, I wish the devoted crew the best of luck with their new design direction.

Seat At The Table

2008-08-28T17:22:00.007-04:00

It's funny how our agency's CEO began using the term "seat at the table" nearly a year ago, and now the idea has taken off like hot cakes. Curious if he's responsible for coining the term (?).

Anyway, Kate Rutter blogs about the theme, discussing the justification and opportunities available for a Creative to change a client's organization. I would agree that instead of the safe and traditional reactive position advertising professionals take, a strategic pro-active approach proves far more effective. I might add that it also stems from having the right client relationships, high up enough within an organization.

Go download your own "seat at the table" template. Cut it out, and you have your virtual table at your disposal. You've got to fake it before you make it, right?

Lady Clown Brings Live Music to Brooklyn

2008-07-24T22:45:00.003-04:00

Hoping to check out the acoustic, "intellectual" live music of Lady Clown next month. Benjamin Scheuer, part of the scruffy NY-based band, says they're hosting a concert series every Friday in August at I-Beam in Brooklyn. Lady Clown will take to the stage each August Friday around 10pm, accompanied by an eclectic range of acts each night. Get this: admission is free, wine will be served, and byob. This has got to be good. I'll be sure to post pics after my wife and I check out a show.

FYI: I-Beam is a new musician-operated performance and teaching space located in Park Slope at 168 7th St, between Second and Third Aves.

Extending Brands on Flickr

2008-07-22T14:06:00.007-04:00

AKQA London's Geoff Northcott recently wrote about using Flickr as an extension of a brand into the social media space. His post is packed with great examples of companies who are using Flickr to do this well. What may be most valuable: Northcott's analysis of do’s and dont's for brands considering incorporating Flickr into their social media strategy. Full article: http://geoffnorthcott.com/blog/2008/07/brands-on-flickr/

'Wary' point number 4 is relevant to much of social media in general, but rarely is adhered to: "Attempting to start a community space without a passionate user base in place or cred to start one." Love it.

WDDG: War-Time Design Propaganda

2008-07-14T10:18:00.003-04:00

Besides a brilliant company name (WDDG is short for World Domination Design Group), the smart execution in the style of WWII government propaganda videos is a load of fun. WDDG didn't take any shortcuts when producing content for each of their site's categories, continuing the vintage slideshow theme throughout. Sure, it's a bit cumbersome when trying to fetch a quick bit of information (a new video cues), and I'm sure SEO presents some challenges - but the site is a fun, playful and simple way to demonstrate their creativity. For an added bonus, view source: they even have fun with code!

Note: had WDDG linked in my favorites long ago, but finally getting around to writing about it now.

LEGO cupcakes -- brilliant!

2008-06-27T10:58:00.004-04:00

Mix and match cupcakes for fun? That will only last so long, once the pieces become consumed. These will disappear faster than leaving a small child with actual Lego pieces.

My wife was inspired by this artist (Naomi), baked cupcakes last night and attempted to create fondant for her own designs. But the result was a gooey, slimy icing-like result that didn't resemble the dough-like consistency she was looking for. After further investigation this morning, 2 factors were the cause: not enough sugar, and not enough time to set. Only 16 ounces of sugar and 20 minutes to set just didn't cut it. However the results were still delicious.

She's welcome to continue to try, try, try again... I'm ready and willing to sample the results.

FriendFeed is a Friend Indeed

2008-05-16T16:10:00.002-04:00

This week I aggregated all of my social networks into a single source on FriendFeed. It's an interesting way for me to broadcast everything from my blogs, Twitter, Pownce, YouTube, etc. And it's easy to view all of my friends' postings at a quick, dashboard level.

The Cool Hunter Now Offers Consultancy Services?

2008-05-02T12:15:00.005-04:00

I'm a reader of The Cool Hunter, an online art/music/fashion/design destination written by and for trend setters that are in-the-know. One of their latest spin-offs is The Cool Hunter Platinum, a self-proclaimed 'world trends consultancy,' targeting ad agencies and premium brands.

Something interesting about their authenticity is that they brag: "We don’t talk marketing-speak. In fact, we loathe it and its often meaningless jargon superfluous."

While this interesting new direction is fine and good (uh, maybe even considering giving them a ring), I really hope that new affiliations don't influence their otherwise non-biased listings.

Spy Hunter Brought Back as a Pontiac? No...

2008-03-14T14:18:00.009-04:00

Pontiac's new G8 commercial brings back memories of playing the old game Spy Hunter on Nintendo. While I appreciate the classic 80's videogame reference, I never envisioned my spy-driven armed sports car to be a plastic-clad Pontiac.

If I had to imagine a modern-day car that would fit the role in Spy Hunter, it would be more along the lines of a Nissan GT-R or Acura NSX. These cars were designed by the guys obsessively playing Spy Hunter in their youth.

Helping Mom Enter The World of Blogging

2008-03-13T11:18:00.004-04:00

That's right. Last night I helped my mother launch her own blog: NY Piano Expert

My brother and I have encouraged Mom to create a blog for some time now. Over the years, she's mastered the consultative approach to selling pianos. Mom is quick to strike up conversation about pianos -- with absolute strangers -- at dinner, in a store, or practically any public place. So of course, that had us thinking; "what better candidate to enter the world of blogging?"

UBIQ's Fresh New Site

2008-02-28T23:15:00.005-05:00

UBIQ has got a nice new site. I'm feeling the product browse functionality right on the homepage. While the intro build is sweet, I find that it takes a little too long. But thankfully it doesn't have to re-build every time you hit the homepage.

Great photography and an overall smooth look and feel. Props to the web design veterans at The Chopping Block for pulling this together.

Honda Goes Green with Online Playground

2008-02-06T19:24:00.001-05:00

I think the new Honda Problem Playground site one of my most favorite new sites. It offers a unique means of navigation by following a road map and dragging the screen to move about.

Another example of this site's quirkiness is that before users can play the video to see the new FCX car in action, they are required to first assemble a simple puzzle (of the video's first frame) beforehand. Not to mention the entire experience is helped along by tiny little people who lift, move and pull the pieces of content along.

And it's sure nice to see how Honda is harnessing hydrogen power for mass market (proposed) automobile production.

Lame Pepsi Monster Invades Times Square

2008-01-21T12:51:00.001-05:00

After skimming Ad Age's article this morning about a Pepsi Monster in Times Square (idea hatched by BBDO), I figured I'd stroll outside the office to see if I could locate the creature.

Well, low and behold -- a lame, giant, inflatable, ugly-looking thing awaited just outside our doors. I walked over to take a closer look and capture a few photos, but the below-freezing temps resulted in some quick snapshots and a speedy retreat back inside.

(However, not before I managed to walk away with this freebie.)

Adobe's Wild Imagination Grows

2008-01-20T16:57:00.000-05:00

Curious with Adobe's simple yet intriguing new rich media web banner, my attention was piqued with a welcoming slider bar within their new ad. Sliding the bar within the interactive ad was very rewarding, as new creatures, wildlife and organic growth emerge from behind the controls. Bravo, Adobe!

I posted a short demo here of my own interaction with the ad late last week. (sorry, play controls are all the way at bottom of screen)

Wii Remote Strap Replacement

2008-01-04T21:06:00.000-05:00

I received an email this evening from Nintendo, indicating that my Wii remote may be in need of a replacement wrist strap. They've assured me that by wearing the wrist strap (I suppose both new or old), it will prevent me from "accidentally dropping or throwing the remote during game play which could damage the remote or surrounding objects, or cause injury to other people."

My wife can attest to the damage I've already caused with my Wii remote. I've managed to hack/scuff the frames on our living room walls, and on several occasions narrowly miss her face as I swing my tennis backhand -- all with wrist strap firmly secured, mind you.

But by the looks of this photo, I'm not sure what sort of wrist strap improvement I should expect from Nintendo in the mail. I can't tell much of a difference in quality between the new and original.

Letting Users Accurately Resize Text

2007-12-22T15:51:00.000-05:00

Increasingly web designers are developing a compassion for users who would like to read their content. What a novel idea. A List Apart provides an interesting analysis of addressing website typography in CSS (found here), comparing line heights, pixels vs. ems, body size by percent, etc.

An interesting debate and worth a read.

Holiday Shopping Guide 2007, Vol 1

2007-11-28T22:26:00.000-05:00

UncommonGoods: While the products are consistently fresh and original, their website is lacking in design and usability. They're a trusted, long-time quirky goods reseller. Be sure to sign up for their print catalog -- it's nice to browse through printed materials every now and then.

Elsewares: Taking a page out of Urban Outfitter's playbook, Elsewares is another success story in peddling original, quirky stuff on the web. Popular among urban-dwelling twenty-somethings, like the above UncommonGoods, this is the place for independent artist designed jewelry, clothes and products for your apartment (err, dorm?).

Branch: Recycled and earth-friendly products are perfect for an eco-minded gift recipient. One fact I especially warmed up to is that their founder Paul Donald is a former creative from Wired magazine.

GelaSkins and Mophie: Looking for great iPod accessories? These guys have got the hottest way to wrap, protect and accessorize the most precious of mp3 collections.

NY Transit Museum Store: For those passionate about trains, or more specifically NY's mass transit, this is the place. While the subway map emblazoned apparel and bags are a bit tacky, the old subway grab holds and original subway art make for tasteful, original gift ideas.

Burt's Bees Community Service Announcement

2007-11-06T10:06:00.000-05:00

I fully disclose that Burt's Bees is a client of ours over at the agency, and I never leave the house without my Beeswax Lip Balm. With that said, I am still compelled to share news that these fine folks are raising awareness to a growing concern: our country's troubled bee population.

We have a problem with honey bees dying. This issue is important for all of us… not just nature lovin’ tree huggers. To learn more, visit the Burt's Bees site and watch a new video about dying honey bees.

Do-it-Yourself Flintstones Car for Kids

2007-11-01T16:58:00.000-04:00

Yabba Dabba Doo! A member at Instructables has posted detailed instructions on how to build a Flintstones car for your kids! Brilliant idea, and very well executed. Eat your heart out Fisher-Price!

Warning: May not be appropriate for children under 3. Hazardous and dangerous to most children's health. Only use if your child grew up watching classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and is named Pebbles or Bam-Bam.

2007-10-29T22:39:00.000-04:00

Sure, we've all faced challenging clients. They often put us on the spot in the middle of a creative pitch, and ask if we use "that software that makes logos," or share design comps they'd like you to consider... you know, the ones their high-school grade level nephew assembled.

Ever wonder if there was a comprehensive list of responses you could reference in cases like this? Go over to Eric Karjaluoto's ideasonideas blog — he's got just what you're looking for! Bravo.

Thx for the link Jeffrey Zeldman

Nintendo Wii Contributes to Healthy Marriages

2007-10-26T19:09:00.000-04:00

As MediaPost reports, the Nintendo Wii has been recently hovering in the top spots of Amazon's wedding gift registry. Their observation that "Nintendo is no longer seen as an obstacle to a healthy marriage, but as a contributing factor," is very consistent with happenings in my own relationship.

My wife and I find that by participating in Nintendo Wii 2-player bowling or tennis, it brings us closer the way actual sports and activities tend to do. There's usually a hand-slapping "good job" to commend a nicely bowled strike. Or, a thorough taunting when my tennis serve is an ace (well, in all honesty, the taunting isn't always welcome).

Make-A-Wish Foundation Presents Beetle Boy

2007-10-22T14:06:00.000-04:00

The Kaplan Thaler Group, one of my most favorite agencies in the whole wide world, just produced a memorable, creative, heart-touching and really smart new spot for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Related: One of my most favorite books, written by the founders of the Kaplan Thaler Group: Bang!: Getting Your Message Heard in a Noisy World - a must read!

AUDI Plows Into Winter Sale

2007-10-17T15:27:00.000-04:00

I rarely write about off-line advertising, but news of the grassroots campaign from Audi Canada caught my attention. They're placing ads on snow plows with a daunting message that warns "WINTER IS COMING."

While I'm a big fan of Audi and their efforts to be a green company, I question the environmental impact and carbon footprint from releasing these gargantuan gas-guzzling trucks onto the streets ... all in the name of advertising.

Thanks AdRants.

The Future of Homepages

2007-10-11T12:07:00.000-04:00

As reported on by our agency's voice of authority on User Experience, the "homepage" as we know it today may dramatically change in the near future.

The following are some interesting points from the article:

Overall, search, RSS and widgets are driving users deeper into websites
50% or more of traffic on many top sites originate beyond the homepage
60% of consumers customize their start pages
56% use RSS
54% use search engines to start their shopping experiences

Temperamental iPod Touch(s)

2007-10-08T08:28:00.000-04:00

Dumb and Dumber. That's what my wife and I are calling our two 16GB iPod Touch devices.

This weekend, we stopped by the Apple store to replace our 30GB Video iPods (stolen from us on our recent cruise). Although we entered the store with the intent of purchasing 80 GB iPod Classics, we were completely enthralled by the fun factor of the Touch model.

Unfortunately our excitement and fascination with our new (*and expensive) gadgets quickly dwindled from the moment they were connected to our computers. Jen's iPod screen lost it's magical touch capability, completely freezing up with no online forum or tutorial offering a remedy.

Simultaneously, my troubles began when I attempted to connect my iPod. The device decided it didn' t like my USB2.0 PCI slot drive on my Powerbook, and only wanted to cooperate with my USB 1.0 input (with less-than-stellar data transfer rates). Next, iTunes refused to recognize that I actually connected a compatible device and insisted I try to restart, disconnect and reconnect an array of a dozen or so configurations before finally loading it.

Lastly, my patience wore thin when a pop-up window notified me that the music and videos I was attempting to sync were TWICE AS LARGE as the device's capacity. Then began the tedious process of weeding out podcasts, playlists and albums I guess I could live without. After a few more dances with configurations so that iTunes recognized my iPod again (it just disappeared from my devices), I called it a night and shut everything down.

My usability issues aside (well not really... I hate that i have to toggle through to get to my volume, lock my device and shut it off), this may not be the device for me. Simplicity and storage capacity reign supreme for me. It's what made me such a loyal fan of my Gen 2 and 4 iPod devices.

While my wife would like to exchange her iPod Touch for one that actually functions, I think I'll eat the $39 open box fee and send this bad boy back to the store. Anyone interested in giving me a good deal on a 30GB Video iPod?

Wish List: MultiPot

2007-10-03T18:18:00.000-04:00

Ugly strip-style and aquatic-themed surge protectors are so passe´. You've got to get those wires contained in style! Enter the MultiPot

I'm blown away by the beauty and simplicity from Northern Italy lighting designer; Rotaliana. The MultiPot looks like an attractive, illuminated planter, 5 outlets and a generous length of feeder cable. The icing on the cake? A docking tray on top so you can conveniently charge your iPod, digital camera and phone.

This gadget is definitely going to find it's way into my home office.

A Place Between Us

2007-09-18T19:51:00.000-04:00

A.PlaceBetween.Us is a great Google Maps mash-up that helps you and a friend find a spot to meet up for coffee, drinks, etc. Now when my friends from across town want to catch up for lunch, we don't have to waste time pinpointing a central spot to meet.

Props again to GetTRIO for the tip.

Airplane Grounded, Flooded Train Station and Large Pipe Burst

2007-07-18T20:23:00.000-04:00

Today was just another page in my book of travel woes. For me, business travel is always an adventure. However, today's unique series of events bares mention, even if purely for the sake of entertainment.

Earlier this morning, my flight to Detroit — out of LGA — was canceled due to a severe weather system that swept through, wreaking havoc on travel across the tri-state area. AA kindly offered later flights, but were made available with little guarantee on time of departure. I, of course, learned this the hard way by taking them up on the offer.

As the time quickly approached 11am, my 12:30pm in-person Detroit meeting was no longer within reach. So, Plan B consisted of a 15-minute cab ride home, allowing me to dial-in and leisurely conduct the meeting from the comfort of my own home. Here's the part where I learned that the weather "wreaked havoc on ALL travel..."

Plan B began to derail when my 15 minute cab ride turned into a 2-hour ordeal. And boy, let me tell you — there's nothing like leading a meeting from a cab!

I'll save readers the gory details as to how my call went. My interesting story continues after I arrived home and considered heading into the office. News reports (and other reliable sources, ie. my wife) said that my train line was closed indefinitely due to water damage. "Water damage???" A further investigation revealed the extent of flooding.

This evening I learned that working from home may have been for the best. You see, news reports revealed that one of NYC's largest steam explosions took place only blocks away from my office. Read about it here, here and here. While my heart goes out to those who were injured in the mayhem, I'm thankful my wife and I were able to avoid it — and the gnarly mass transit delays that followed.

Oh, and the forecast shows similar severe weather for the next two days...

I Don't Always Eat Money

2007-07-16T16:22:00.000-04:00

We're hiring. Yes, we're hiring at Avenue A | Razorfish. I am interested in sharing this news not just because of the prize money I could earn for hiring you, but also because I was instrumental in creating the video promotion.

Where US Presidency Campaign Finances reside

2007-07-16T09:48:00.000-04:00

The NYTimes.com has brilliantly assembled a map to highlight where 2008 US Presidential candidate campaign donations come from. Using this tool, just select a candidate and see where the deep pocketed supporters reside! Oh, and it's great fun to see what mid-western states are supporting the obscure candidates. Enjoy.

Who needs an iPhone when you have an iDea?

2007-07-11T14:11:00.000-04:00

Creatives should always choose a table napkin over an iPhone. introducingidea.com

"Like the iPhone, it's got simplicity going for it - and like the iPhone, it can accommodate your biggest ideas, then act as a vehicle to communicate it to the rest of the world. Add-on accessories include masking tape."

(courtesy of adrants.com)

NYTimes' Eye For All That's Urban

2007-06-07T22:17:00.000-04:00

Look out DailyCandy and MUG Newsletter, there's a new hip daily NY nightlife and shopping newsletter from the folks at NYTimes.com called UrbanEye.

After receiving the newsletter for a couple of weeks, I've found their recommendations for restaurants, night spots, shopping, books and music to be on point. Being the NY Times, they shoot for a broader audience, unlike aforementioned dailies targeting hipsters.

Flickr User Posts from Around the World

2007-06-03T17:54:00.000-04:00

flickrvision (beta) is an incredible new time waster, that integrates Google Maps with Flickr user data. Thumbnails of recent posts from Flickr users pop-up on a view of the world map, identifying where the posting originated from.

While this has no practical use, it's fascinating to occasionally log on to see what's visually going on around the world at a given time. Props goes to Get Trio for the link.

Now Working for Microsoft

2007-05-18T20:33:00.000-04:00

As if every publication hasn't already offered enough coverage on the topic, I'd like to share the news that my employer; aQuantive (AQNT), today announced their acquisition by Microsoft (MSFT).

While every publication and ad rag may have offered you an outsider's take, I'm here to offer you an insider's perspective.

I first learned of the news by email this morning shortly before 8:30am EST. I read the note with mixed emotions — err, mostly surprise and amazement. Rumors of a Microsoft acquisition of our Atlas division have been floating around for weeks, but a purchase of Mother AQNT? Absurd! I wondered, alongside other early morning stragglers; "what would Microsoft want with an interactive advertising and media agency"? Sure, scoop up Atlas' ad-serving tool to go head-to-head with Google/DoubleClick = DoubleGoo. The price of the spin off might hover close to 1 billion, but the days of $3 billion ad-serving purchases are soooo last quarter. 24/7 only cost WPP $649 million!

So, my day at the office today consisted of several all-hands conference calls and in-person speeches — by every last AQNT and MSFT member of senior leadership. The word on the street is, naturally, "business as usual". Once the acquisition officially passes mustard with the U.S. Gov't, our business units will continue to operate separately from our new parent company, folding under MS Professional Services division. Sounds greeaaaat.

What does this mean for Avenue A | Razorfish? What does it mean for me? Time will tell, and this will surely be the spot you'll find out. Stay Tuned.

NY Auto Show 2007

2007-04-16T21:53:00.000-04:00

Jen and I spent Saturday afternoon at the NY Auto Show. We were impressed with the amount of concept cars featured this year. One concept car in particular stood out — the Lincoln MKR. See all 60+ photos we took at the show.

A Dream of a Hotel

2007-03-23T10:23:00.000-04:00

I've traveled a lot and have stayed in some extravagant hotels. But never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the existence of such a massive, awe-inspiring creative exhibition as that of Hotel Puerta America Madrid.

You first have to wrap your head around the idea that each of the 13 floors were designed by a separate, world renowned architect or designer. In planning, each floor had a near limitless budget (total cost of hotel construction: $90 million) and the freedom to personally interpret what a hotel should look and feel like.

It's refreshing to see that their website does such beautiful justice to the monumental effort in erecting this masterpiece. When you stop by the site, soak up the rich photography, read designer bios, check out videos and explore each floor by devouring every thumbnail and clever caption.

Thanks to the fine folks at getTRIO for the link!

Improv'ing at the UCBT

2007-03-19T20:01:00.000-04:00

Having a blast in my Improv 101 class at UCBT, taught by Zach Woods. I've been seeing shows at the Upright Citizens Brigade for 5+ years and without fail have always been enthralled by the performance. My clever and thoughtful wife bought me classes at the UCB as my 2-year anniversary gift. Just what we need in our relationship after 2 years — someone with formal training to 'turn up' the drama (?)

I feel the pressure being the only one in the class without formal acting training or aspirations to pursue a professional acting career. But a few classmates have assured me that they appreciate my deadpan delivery and the fact that I don't "over-act".

My classmate's comment may come as a surprise to my wife, seeing that on numerous occasions she's accused me of "over-acting" at home. But with my new training, I'm almost certain more drama at home will ensue.

FreshDirect: Dinner at our Doorstep

2007-03-04T15:14:00.000-05:00

I can't say enough good things about FreshDirect! Prepared dinners are exquisitely arranged, produce is remarkably fresh and they offer a healthy selection of organic foods. All of this wholesome goodness brought right to our door by a friendly delivery guy!

My one major gripe is their website — more than just a moot point, since it's the way you place an order. FreshDirect's product categorization leaves a bit to be desired as well as the navigation being quite clumsy and non-intuitive. Photos and descriptions are decent, however there must be more enticing ways to feature product.

Competitive prices with our local supermarket and a generous choice of delivery times have made this a service we can't live without. After a consultation with our usability team, there just may be hope for their site.

My Letter to Business 2.0

2007-02-26T13:31:00.000-05:00

The following is a copy of my letter I sent to the Business 2.0 (magazine) editor. I was prompted to write in, after struggling through page-by-page with their recent issue of the redesigned pub. Does anyone else share in my opinion? I surely cannot be alone...

Dear Mr. Quittner & Co.,

I have been a long time subscriber and satisfied reader of your magazine. I am also a subscriber to similar publications such as FastCompany, BusinessWeek, WIRED, etc.

I am writing today to express my dissatisfaction with your new design and layout you recently rolled out. The look and feel suddenly feels cheap and amateurish. While I understand you are making efforts to cater to a new audience with much shorter attention spans thanks to the birth of new interactive media, the results are lackluster.

While your content is still attractive to me, as a result of the poor redesign, you have lost me as a reader. I will look to my other sources for pertinent business and technology news. Please write to me should you reconsider your magazine's new look. I will be easily persuaded to return as a faithful reader.

Itty Bitty Kitchen, Part II

2007-02-09T07:59:00.000-05:00

While our "itty bitty" kitchen offers a delightful array of modern appliances, beautiful flooring and ample cabinet space—it entirely lacks direct sunlight.

Amazingly, it seems that a small town in Italy shares our grief. The mayor of Viganella, Italy, has deployed a giant steel mirror that tracks the sun’s movements. And what's incredible is that the huge mirror is controlled by a laptop!

Mum's the word if my wife's cosmetic mirror "mysteriously" goes missing...

Age-O-Matic

2007-02-01T19:38:00.000-05:00

Sure, you say that your job gives you grey hair. And those fluorescent lights? ...they wreak havoc on your complexion. But did you ever think this weathering on your face could happen in real-time?

Career Builder has put together a simulator called the Age-O-Matic that allows you to upload your own photo and age yourself according to what you predict the damage your job will cause.

Classic Radio Programs

2007-01-29T21:26:00.000-05:00

I found this great resource for Old Time Radio (OTR) programs. The OTR.Network Library is a free service with thousands of classic shows from the 30's and 40's. As The Morning News explains, otr.net is: "more authentic old-time radio than you can spin a dial at."

Our 2-Year Wedding Anniversary

2007-01-15T09:43:00.000-05:00

I'm thrilled to share that tomorrow marks our second wedding anniversary. Jennifer and I will rejoice with a nice dinner in Chelsea, delighting in some time off from work the following day to relish in the past year's accomplishments as bride and groom. Such marks include our successful move into this charming new neighborhood, accelerating in our careers (1, 2), and most of all, developing as a healthy, newly married couple.

New Years 2007 @ Brasserie NYC

2007-01-05T21:35:00.000-05:00

Avoided the crowds, enjoyed incredible food, dined among friends... a great way to bring in the new year.

Kudos to Brasserie for putting together an exquisite affair.

Listening to Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-Founder

2006-12-06T18:29:00.000-05:00

My wife and I just got back from Las Vegas, where we attended the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Committee of 100. I had the opportunity to listen to the one-and-only, Steve Wozniak.

The man speaks at an amazingly rapid pace, sharing with the crowd of C-level executives candid stories of how he and Steve Jobs founded Apple together. What amazed me the most was the man's remarkable high-level of enthusiasm when describing, in detail, the events that led to the development of the Apple I & II machines. One guest in the audience described his refreshing excitement: "that of a first-grader." Yet a grade-school level of enthusiasm suits him well, seeing that he's so involved in improving elementary education in California.

Hearing "The Woz" speak so passionately about being creative and innovative really ignited a spark inside of me to make the most out of my new engineer role at Atlas. Thanks Steve!

Google Site Optimizer is Good for Some

2006-11-17T18:38:00.000-05:00

I'm not a Google-hater by any stretch of the imagination. I marvel and am amazed at how they develop (ahem, or buy) services for small businesses. I don't have anything bad to say about their anayltics tool or site optimizer since they're based on some reputable and sound products that have proven themselves in the industry and are perfect for small businesses. Companies like the one I'm employed by can frequently be priced out-of-reach for "mom & pop" organizations who are trying to get smarter online. Kudos to Google for getting these tools into the hands of those who otherwise would be left in the dark.

So in closing, I don't think these free services are a threat to us. The clients we work with are saavy marketers who need a robust, customizable technology with a human touch as their solution.

Now Engineering at Atlas!

2006-10-26T19:36:00.000-04:00

I am pleased to share news that I was offered a new role as Sales Engineer & Strategist (serving on a national level) for the Site Optimization team at Atlas. My new role and responsibilities sound interesting yet challenging, and I'm excited to see where this takes me.

For starters, I will focus on integrating our consultative services into the organization's product and technology-based offerings. Additionally, I'll be supporting all client-facing teams in the field, crafting our messaging and leveraging our competitive advantages, with the help of our Product Management and Marketing teams.

I Parted With My Mini Cooper

2006-08-26T09:58:00.000-04:00

So, my Mini lives on it's life on the west coast with it's proud new owner. I suppose that I'm a tad jealous — I always aspired to move to California. Yet the car goes without me. Sigh... the injustice!

Is Usability Testing About to Change?

2006-07-27T14:20:00.000-04:00

In this month's User Interface Design Update Newsletter, Susan Weinschenk, Ph.D., CUA, asks "Is usability testing as we know it about to radically change?" Her debate compares and contrasts automated testing (bad guys) vs. human-operated tests by a usability engineer. Weinschenk answers 5 poignant questions in the article, and while the data was for the most part the same for both the automated and the in-person test, "the usability expert found on average 13 additional usability problems that were not identified in the automated condition". Big score for the good guys! Well worth a read for usability junkies...

Settling into our "Itty Bitty" apartment...

2006-07-25T21:48:00.000-04:00

To answer the burning question: we chose Great Neck. There's still boxes to unpack, painter's tape to be pealed off, counter tops to be installed and furniture to be delivered (did I mention our sofa didn't fit?). Ahh, the joys of moving. I've managed to setup shop for my Powerbook upon an old console table, positioned along one of our newly painted walls (the chair rail molding we installed looks stunning). And our recent literary purchase of "The Itty Bitty Kitchen Handbook" by Justin Spring, should help us get our small kitchen in order in no time. Now, if we only had room for the dining table. Sigh.

Apartment Search: From Brooklyn to Great Neck

2006-06-18T14:58:00.000-04:00

In an effort to get closer to civilization, Jen and I have been searching for a new apartment in neighborhoods that we've always admired: Brooklyn and Great Neck. Both communities offer a vibrant night life, great dining, short commute into Manhattan and all ammeneties within walking distance.

Our Brooklyn search began in Bay Ridge and Park Slope, with a beautiful find of a brownstone in the latter. As a matter of fact, we loved the place so much that we left a deposit... on the spot. We've got to thank Mary at Aguayo & Huebener for showing us around!

But Brooklyn poses some challenges, such as parking (for our new car), storage, a sizable monthly financial commitment and most of all, an impossible daily commute to Long Island for Jen. Great Neck just seems like a better value, a shorter leap (distance), and offers more realisitic opportunities for us to purchase in the near future.

Diggnation: entertaining video blog

2006-04-28T19:20:00.000-04:00

I can't recall exactly how I stumbled upon these guys. Hosts Alex Albrecht and Kevin Rose broadcast a silly, campy weekly video podcast from their west coast apartments called Diggnation. The forum is actually quite simple: they read and discuss their favorite topics on digg.com a popular web-based community news site that bloggers flock to.

Each week you're bound to learn about a new rare beer, enjoy the antics and chemistry between the two long-time friends who play host and hear about interesting stories from all over the web. You can even subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, which makes getting your weekly dose of diggnation effortless.

SoundOrbit: Music Source

2006-04-09T22:53:00.000-04:00

This crazy Canadian gal Alisa has got an online music formula that actually works, called SoundOrbit. What started as simply a grassroots effort to help local indie musicians, has turned into a really impressive, robust and smart-looking website (kudos to the lads at Quantum). Membership is free for a limited time, and gives you complete access to the music database, complete with indie genres spanning rock, pop and dance.

Since it's a fairly new site and run by a small team, they're still working out the kinks and populating content. But this showcase for independent artists is definitely worth keeping an eye on...

Ma', can I go to Amp Camp this summer?

2006-02-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

Amp Camp: noun; an indispensable Online Resource of Indie-Rock.

From the same folks outta Brooklyn who brought you Neighborhoodies, Amp Camp is an incredible source of indie rock catalogs, reviews, streaming tunes and the Index-A-Tron 5000 -- a searchable database of records by "ideal audience"... a great way to find music by your taste, or that of a Bear with Sunglasses. There's some really smart young chaps running this site, evident in the quality of the music reviews and smart writing throughout.

It gets even better -- stop by each day for a free download at Amp Camp's "MP3 of the day", which gives you a daily dose of free tunes from some bands that are well-known and some that are... not so much. And if you skip a day, just download what you missed from the archives. Sweeeet.

1,300 classic, vintage, cereal boxes -- Oh my!

2006-02-14T20:33:00.000-05:00

Click here to see what a collage of 1,300 cereal boxes looks like. Not only are the classic cereal boxes beautifully laid out by color, you can rollover each one to take a closer look! I think it's a brilliant fun way bring back memories of mornings at the breakfast table.

Hey everyone, Happy Valentines Day! And kudos to Mr. Suisman's MUG for the link.

BG's BOOK REVIEW: A New Brand World

2006-02-01T22:19:00.000-05:00

Author Scott Bedbury has been a part of building some of the world's most recognizable brands. As part of the marketing team at Nike during the 80's, he tells the story of how the athletic shoe manufacturer broadened their scope of products while working with little-known ad agency Wieden+Kennedy and developed the iconic slogan "Just Do It". After moving on to a small chain of coffee shops in the 90's, Bedbury illustrates how he used his past experience with Nike to help expand Starbucks into the mega-brand we know of it today.

This book is chock-full of case studies from past and present, successes and failures, to illustrate many of Bedbury's points. A New Brand World is a great read for students breaking into the field of marketing/advertising as well as seasoned industry vets.

iRadio? "Rock with Me, Moto"

2006-01-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

Going toe-to-toe with Satellite radio and iTunes is an awfully tall order. But Motorola plans on taking them to task with iRadio, where you can stream over 400+ uniquely programmed stations or press a key to purchase music and download your tracks right to the phone.

Are they doing this out of spite after their relationship with Apple flopped (remember the Rokr)? Is this the answer to satellite's challenge of broadcasting to handheld devices?

Reuters/Yahoo! tell the story in full, but I agree with my good friend Macfixer -- Motorola has failed to really innovate with a new product here, and limit themselves to a small market segment. They're likely to get trampled by those that appeal to the masses. But we'll just have to wait and see...

Online Holiday Shopping Guide

2005-12-05T11:32:00.000-05:00

For my first annual "Online Holiday Shopping Guide", I would like to share with you some of my recommendations for buying holiday gifts online...

ELSEWARES
Where else? A great collection of unique and creative gifts by independent artists. The site is easy to navigate, is professionally assembled and has great photos of their unusual inventory with detailed product descriptions.

Wishingfish
Fast shipping, ease-of-use and fun specials sent by email are what have made me a loyal customer. Some unusual gifts can be found here for your co-workers and loved ones. Oh, and their new Holiday Gift Guide makes it really easy to shop!

MXYPLYZYK
Stop trying to pronounce it. This NYC shop has earned it's great reputation by stocking the most unusual goods, let alone their incredibly fun all-Flash website! Add items to your cart and the shopping bag below the perched bird in the tree will keep tally. Considering all of their cool goods, you better keep tabs on your spending!

CB2
This is Crate and Barrel's funky and hip Chicago-only spinoff launched with little hoopla not long ago. Although their site leaves plenty to be desired, check out their "$25 tops" section for unique and affordable gift ideas!

Harry and David
The (classic) perfect gift for a business associate. Their site allows you to easily send to multiple recipients, each with their own address and personalized message. Even for under $25 you can get an incredible small basket with their famous fruit and sweets. Harry and David create classic gifts that will never be out of season.

Cherry Moon Farms
A division of ProFlowers, their baskets of fresh fruit and candy are attractively priced, but their outrageous shipping fees + tax takes the appeal out of their specials. Additionally, in this case the ability to easily send to multiple recipients is not possible. Harry and David still have this category locked down.

Report from Ad:Tech New York

2005-11-08T19:13:00.000-05:00

I spent most of my day yesterday at Ad:Tech NY, strolling past booth after booth of sales and marketing folks pitching their services to me. Every other word you heard from passerby was "SEARCH this..." and "SEARCH that...". With so many "me too" companies all touting essentially the same product or service, it's remarkable how each claim their product or service is unlike any other technology out there. Hmmm.

However, I was impressed by Eyeblaster's latest technology and new reporting, Oddcast's really cool animated voice charicatures, Atlas' ever-expanding suite of services and... Google's free G-O-O-G-L-E magnets!

Colbert Report: Outstanding Television

2005-10-27T11:50:00.000-04:00

That's right Daily Show fans, one of our favorite reporters has broken off from the team to claim his own place atop of "Mt. Late-Night News Satire". Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central's new "Colbert Report" serves us exactly the right mix of opinionated fake news, filled with tasty, comedic satire. The kind that sometimes oozes out of your sandwich and onto your shirt. Yum.

CIS Counseling NYC Website

2005-10-27T10:46:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: The finished site can be viewed at ciscounseling.com

I've been working with CIS Counseling for a couple of years now, in the the capacity of a marketing consultant. They're a great non-profit counseling center in downtown NYC and have been very active with Project Liberty, NYC's response to post 9-11 recovery efforts. I'm currently assembling a simple website for CIS in an effort to develop public awareness within the community (NYC's 5 boroughs), and connecting with those in need of help with mental illness or substance abuse.

Our next steps are to develop printed marketing and promotional materials. We expect the website to launch within the next week. In the meantime, (as always) I welcome any constructive criticism.

BG's MUSIC REVIEW: Soulive - Break Out

2005-10-20T10:02:00.000-04:00

BG's MUSIC REVIEW: 4 stars (out of 4) soulive.com

"Break Out" is an unbelievable new studio album from Soulive, with a totally new twist on their style of jazz. They bring the funk with some fresh sounding horns and sax, with the most tracks featuring vocals on a Soulive album to date. Some of the folks that help keep it soulful are Chaka Khan, Ivan Neville, Reggie Watts and Robert Randolph.

TV Guide's Broadband Connection

2005-10-12T10:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Fusebox launched an online viral spot for TV Guide.com that I produced and directed.

Click here to view.

Once you complete all 3 questions (or click "skip game"), be sure to click the "Bloopers" button below. I've got to hand it to Steve, who came up with the concept, Lawrence our CGI artist and Dayoan for a great job in compositing the video and animations.

Web Browser + Blog Capabilities = FLOCK

2005-09-14T11:29:00.000-04:00

Today, WIRED reports that some of the brains behind Firefox are planning the launch of FLOCK, a new "social browser" that ties in nicely with all of the blogging resources and tools that have become commonplace among (us) bloggers. The buzz has been building for some time but it looks like they're nearing an official launch...

Motorola and iTunes—UNITE!

2005-09-08T11:47:00.000-04:00

In a follow-up to my previous post, Apple has just announced the details to their partnership with Motorola. It's not the iPod/cell phone collabo' we were all waiting for, but it's a sweet looking phone with iTunes on it! With a... 100 song... capacity... on it. Ummm, can I get a Woo-Ha? ...no? I thought not.

All hope is not lost. You can still splurge for the NEW iPod Mini, now called "Nano". This really offers true iPod looks and functionality on a smaller scale—not exactly what Apple succeeded in doing with the Mini or Shuffle.

Funny how the colorful iPod Minis instantly vanished from Apple's website... LONG LIVE NANO! (I guess the name will have to grow on us...)

Holding Out For My New iPod

2005-08-30T10:34:00.000-04:00

As I wait with baited breath for my $50 Apple rebate, my sights are now set on next week's announcement of an iPod cell phone. Sure, I've heard rumors for some time now about Apple's collaboration with Motorola and Cingular, but this morning NY Times confirms.

Healthy Regimen = Caffeine-Free ENERGY

2005-08-18T15:26:00.000-04:00

For the past few weeks, my new routine includes lots of natural vitamins (Amino Acids, Omega 3, 6, 9, Vitamin B, C, CoQ10, Multi-Vitamin), combined with a low-sugar and high protein diet, in addition to my regular exercise. I found a newly discovered source of energy within myself — energy levels that I never achieved with my usual 3 cups of coffee a-day.

As for my old vice, coffee? Sure, I was as hooked on my Starbucks Cafe Latte's just as much as the next creative in Manhattan. But I've successfully whittled my intake down to just one small (yet delicious) cup a day from Toasties each morning. Some fresh fruit with a cup of tea in the afternoon, and I'm set.

A healthy change of lifestyle I recommend to any of my fellow coffee addicts...

BG's MUSIC REVIEW: Andy Guthrie

2005-08-16T10:05:00.000-04:00

BG's MUSIC REVIEW: 3 stars (out of 4) listen here

Give this track a listen! Andy has a welcomed grittiness to his voice you might associate with Jack from the White Stripes, yet at times he's as gentle as a Howie Day or Damien Rice. In this track, you can also find a beautiful twist of a well-appointed jazzy piano and a bongo percussion. All of this is held together by Guthrie's sweetly-strummed acoustic guitar (he also performs on piano). All of this can be enjoyed on this lengthy 8-minute+ track, which held my attention the whole way through.

Andy Guthrie will find a permanent place on my iPod. And I'm glad to see he's a local New Yorker - my wife and I might check out one of his Forest Hills gigs on a Sunday afternoon.

Porsche Cayman - now I need to sell the Mini

2005-08-05T16:52:00.000-04:00

The new Porsche Cayman is one of the most unbelievable new cars I've seen in a while. And they've got a sweet site to show it off - be sure to check out the Enhanced Video mode to really soak up this bad boy in action...

Walk to d'feet ALS - September 25

2005-08-01T17:33:00.000-04:00

The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter is kicking off its annual Walk to D'Feet ALS. I am planning to be a part of that walk and I am asking you to join me in the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), the terrible disease that took my father's life earlier this year. I urge you to be a part of this day or simply make a contribution in support of my efforts and in memory of my dad. This year is the 5th Annual Walk in Long Island, held on September 25th at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY.

Sign up or donate at Team Charles Gerena.

DAY 1: Volunteering w/ NY Cares

2005-07-29T09:43:00.000-04:00

I had such a rewarding experience last night helping out at the Chelsea Rec. Center, where New York Cares provides free computer training to its neighbors. I had the opportunity to work with two wonderful and eager-to-learn members of the community and even started some new friendships with them and fellow volunteers.

One woman in particular, an elderly woman named Edith, wanted to learn how to simply log into her email account to correspond with her niece and some fellow artists in her West Village community. I was very patient with her as she slowly and carefully articulated her passion for the arts and love of her creative community. But she had grown very frustrated with technology, unable to view or send emails to colleagues. As a society, many of us now prefer to correspond by email instead of phone or mail. This transition didn't sit well with Edith, but she knew she had to embrace email correspondence in order to stay in touch.

As she drafted one of her first emails ever, she typed a beautiful short letter to her niece, using her index finger to type out each letter. I didn't mind being patient - I enjoyed seeing the excitement and joy in her warm but weathered face. Once she completed her letter, she accidentally closed the browser window, losing all of the content. Amazingly she calmly asked me how to login again so that she could retype her message. If that was me, I would have been frustrated and changed gears, moving onto something else. But not Edith, she was determined to draft an email.

At the conclusion of our session, she expressed her appreciation and invited me to a gallery opening this weekend in the Village, featuring some of her films.

This doesn't even begin to share how rewarding the experience was last night. I can't wait till my next project...

Shoplifting is Old Hat

2005-07-25T09:51:00.000-04:00

Here's what's hot -- SHOPDROPPING:

To covertly place merchandise on display in a store. Primarily used in guerrilla ad campaigns, tactical media projects, and art installations. s. reverse shoplift, droplift

Link courtesy of The Morning News

"El Yielazo"

2005-07-20T16:52:00.000-04:00

Link of The Day:Nestea Ice

Really quirky and clever site created by Juxt Interactive, but it feels more like Chopping Block. Tons of detail, quirky animations, great sound effects and music!

Tip: click on the Ice Splash video for "El Yielazo"!!!

mydomain.mobi? say it ain't so...

2005-07-11T15:37:00.000-04:00

Excerpt from article posted by Tobi Elkin on Mediapost:
There's a new domain for Web sites that are used in conjunction with wireless phones and devices. It's ".mobi."

The new suffix was approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers at a meeting last week in Amsterdam. The first Web sites for mobile devices will be ready in 2006. Companies backing the new domain include Ericsson, Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, T-Mobile, and Vodafone. They say that having more Web pages optimized for mobile and handheld devices will spur consumers to upgrade their phones.

FX Networks' 30 Days

2005-07-07T14:03:00.000-04:00

The most unbelievable show on television right now is 30 DAYS, on F/X. Since watching the first show together, my wife and I have become huge fans and we haven't missed an episode. It's smart television, so tune in!

Powerpoint Gone Awry

2005-07-07T13:44:00.000-04:00

A hysterical clip worth watching - ANIMAX' BOB & DOUG - brought to you by the kind folks at Animax. Kudos to Michael Bellavia for sending me the email via Viralbomb and creating my link of the day.

Let Thy Audience Interact!

2005-07-06T15:27:00.000-04:00

brutalfruit.com
Pass through the age verification and click on “Dancing Guy” (kind of hidden up in the top nav). Make the guy dance, take off his shirt... and of course, send to friends.

Coca-Cola Musicmixer
Play the piano and create your own beat as you interact with Coca-Cola world brands. You can save your recording and send to friends.

*sites created by Studiocom

Brooklyn Bound? ...and so are the Nets

2005-07-05T15:26:00.000-04:00

Jen and I are seriously considering a move to Brooklyn; Park Slope to be specific. A number of friends and colleagues call the neighborhood home, and a recent visit over the weekend (200 5th Ave -- for a delicious brunch) persuaded us even further.

This morning I read that the plans for the Nets arrival to Brooklyn may be an even larger footprint than expected. Then I realized just how close all of this construction is to the neighborhood we would like to inhabit.

Well, we've still got another couple of months to decide (or until I lose my mind commuting back and forth from out east on Long Island).

demstv.com

2005-06-30T15:10:00.000-04:00

These guys are smart and clever. I almost thought some of them were writers for the Daily Show! demstv.com

Donald Trump does laundry?

2005-06-29T11:08:00.000-04:00

allwashclub.com

What DOESN'T this guy promote? I personally found this to be just another one of The Donald's shameless promotions. But when I asked a group of my peers in an advertising and marketing forum "when has a celebrity gone too far, crossing the line to being considered a 'brand whore'?", I got varying responses:

"Personally, I think it's great. The Donald looks like he always having fun and making money at the same time that a bunch of negative people are throwing stones and looking for a reason to dislike what he does. Good for him and ALL detergent."

"Personally I think its amongst the worse self promotion I have ever seen. Not only that, the game is badly done, so much so I thought it was an unauthorized spoof"

"I dont see this as being unexpected or surprising."

"So much for his image of touting the best materials and the highest quality experience in his hotels and with his real estate. Abysmal."

"I don't get it. I mop the floor and it gets dirty again. I wash the dishes and they get dirty again. I cook, but the ingredients somehow unmake themselves. I iron the laundry and the basket never empties. I clean the laundry, and it falls out all over the foor again."