Connected World Media» New Media

Cheap Trick Talks New Marketing

David Jacobs — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:08:55 +0000

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Cheap Trick is a band that had it’s heyday back in the late 70′s and 80′s, but it has found a way to stay relavant in todays world despite monumental changes in the music business. While other older bands have been very slow to adopt the new digital marketplaces like iTunes, Cheap Trick has gone all in on new media marketing.

In this CNBC video, the band talks about how they dropped their record label and are doing all marketing and distribution themselves these days. They clearly recognize most of their money is made from touring and merchandise, not record sales. “Why do you give some of your music away?” asks the reporter with surprise. “It’s great promotion!” answers Cheap Trick.

An older band like Cheap Trick has virtually no chance for traditional radio play or prime locations at retail. The band knows their best chance to keep doing what they love and keep getting paid is to take full control over their own situation. They have also been very savvy in creating work for movies, video games and even Stephen Colbert’s theme music. Not only do they know how to market to their core audience, but embracing these new venues can open them up to new customers as well.

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See You At Gnomedex

David Jacobs — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:34:42 +0000

I’m very excited to be attending my first Gnomedex conference this year. I’ll be there Aug 20-22 in Seattle. If you are going to be there, please contact me via Twitter or Email and let’s get together. It’s been several years since I’ve spent time in Seattle and I’m looking forward to it, it’s a great city. Gnomedex, if you’re not familiar, is one of the premiere social media conferences, hosted by Chris Pirillo. Many of the industry heavyweights will be there as well as hundreds of other not so known but equally as smart folks. I look forward to two days of great learning and insight as well as connecting with new people .

Social Media is the New Punk Rock

David Jacobs — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:10:00 +0000

I love a good analogy and this one is about the best I’ve seen for social media. I don’t have any commentary for this, just watch and learn. Video was produced by Engage ORM

Beware Fishbowl Myopia

David Jacobs — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:21:28 +0000

I read and follow a variety of people online and I’m amazed by some of the things said by the so-called A-List bloggers and Twitterers. Nothing against them personally, many of them are very smart and capable people. So many, though, suffer from fishbowl myopia. Every industry has their own fishbowl. That tight group of industry people and those that support the industry. The technology and social media fishbowl has particularly opaque walls. When all your friends are in the fishbowl, when you go to fishbowl parties,when your entire personal and professional existence depends on the fishbowl, you become very myopic. You loose touch with the real world. It changes the way you see and understand things.

I’ll be the first to stand and raise my hand. Hello, my name is David and I suffer from fishbowl myopia. Sometimes I get a big wake up when I talk to people way out of the fishbowl. Does RSS and Google Reader seem second nature to you? Guess what, 90% of the people I talk to don’t know a thing about it and are not sure why they should. When I run into someone with Podcasts on their iPod I get so excited because I rarely see it. As a podcaster that’s depressing, but outside the fishbowl, it’s the way it is.

As technology professionals we’re on the fast train, but realize many others are standing back at the station wondering just how do they get to Platform 9 3/4.

Ty Blows It

David Jacobs — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:53:50 +0000

Ty, the toy company responsible for the Beanie Baby madness maybe showing is desperation in the shameless marketing of its two new dolls. Two African American dolls named Sasha and Malia. It just so happens that those are the names of the Obama daughters. The media, the American public and Michelle Obama herself have caught on to this right away and there has been a public outcry. Using the presidential children to market your product without their or their parents consent is pretty pathetic.

But here is what’s worse. Ty says they did not name the dolls after the Obama daughters and that they will not reveal the source of their inspiration for the names because all product development including name choices are “proprietary”. Notice to corporate america or any company for that matter; when you get your hand caught in the cookie jar, far better to come clean than try to stonewall. This one is pretty easy to see through and Ty only looks idiotic with their straight out of corporate marketing statement. I would rather Ty said something like, America is excited by the Obama presidency and we wanted to honer the Obama kids with their own Ty dolls. At least that would make some kind of sense. This is the New Media age Ty. It’s time for transparency and honesty not hiding behind meaningless corporate statements. I am very dissapointed and I won’t be buying any Ty products anytime soon.

The Current State of Advertising

David Jacobs — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:07:20 +0000

Everything you need to know about the current state of advertising in one easy video. I love it when content is so succinct and to the point.

Gary Vaynerchuck – Professor of New Media

David Jacobs — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:12:37 +0000

Gary is one of the preeminent people in the New Media world. If you aren’t watching his videos and following him on Twitter, you should. The teachings in this video alone are staggering. Watch it and you’ll be on your way to getting a masters degree in New Media Marketing.