Younguns2Watch: Catalystas

So now its time for me to point out the strengths of Catalyst:SF's team of young people. I'll be focusing on permanent employees, and there are three remarkable people here making outstanding contributions. Each deserves his own entry, but I am combining them so they get fewer headhunter calls as a result of this post. I want them to stay here.

That being said, and yes, it is a selfish rationale, I want to point out all of their contributions, so this'll be a fairly long post. I am discussing them in the order in which they joined the company.

First up is Kevin Long, who started with Catalyst:SF about a year ago, and now runs a variety of accounts, projects, and financial duties for us. What has impressed me about Kevin from the beginning is his relentless focus on doing what's right as opposed to what's easy. Kevin's the sort of guy that doesn't give up and is always anxious to take on new responsibilities and learn by doing.

His contributions in the area of strategy are growing rapidly. He's taken the strategic lead on one of our more important accounts, and his work is always greeted with strongly positive reactions from our clients. For someone to be playing such a critical strategic role this early in his career is quite impressive.

With Kevin, you always get an opinion, backed up by a thorough and well reasoned argument. That's the stuff that makes for a great marketing guy.

Chris Schwarze has taken the lead in the area of media for Catalyst:SF, which is rather challenging as our focus is not on kerplunk banner buys but rather emerging media, including media that really don't have a well defined planning and buying process yet.

In other words, buying is never easy at CSF, but Chris makes it happen, and always has a positive and collaborative attitude in the process. Several people from which he has purchased media have told me that his intelligence and style make him a pleasure to work with, even when he brings them ideas that have never been tried before. And he does that a lot, he is not a path of least resistance guy.

He's also taken the lead on an important new media planning and buying initiative we'll be announcing shortly. And the plan he's developed is titanium strong.

The third Catalysta I would like to recognize is Adam Bergman, who is the most recent addition to CSF but who has made immediate and magnificent contributions in the areas of project management, strategy, and creative development. In creative in particular, Adam seems to have a Midas touch -- and since this is the aspect of our work that shows the most, I am very grateful for that.

I work with Adam on many projects and love my job in great part because of his contributions. With Adam, when he has a project, you don't need to worry about it getting done, and getting done right. And he has the marketing instinct -- that je ne c'est qua that separates the greats from the rest.

And he handles a long list of responsibilities with a positive and irreverent manner that makes me smile.

There's not a day that I am not grateful for their efforts. There's not a day that I don't get a great laugh from their jokes. There's not a day that I don't learn something big from each of them. There's not a day that I am not happy to work with them.

Too often, younger people in a strategically focused org such as ours are seen as minor players -- but that ain't the case with these guys. And they are NOT interested in new jobs, recruiters, so don't bother calling. ;-)

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.

Get the Dead Bird Out Your B*tt

Ah, Zadby, the product placement service for Youtube videos. This is all that. Companies make compensation available to Youtube videos.

For example, Polk Audio is offering the following program: $12.80 CPM for views between now and September. Not a bad rate -- actually I think that's probably more than UGC usually drives.

Sort of a competitor to XLNT Ads, which I also love.

As always, the creativity of users is astounding. Check dis awt:



Kudos to Polk Audio for paying for creativity like dis. Zadby is worth a look. Peaceout.

Preroll for Skateboarding Dogs

Videorix is a new service offering advertisers and UGC creators a way to get together and moake money. Producers of video can add preroll ads and make money on a CPM basis.



Advertisers create "opportunities" that outline the type of content they want to sponsor. Producers can then match content to these specs and bing bang boom ad opportunity.

This is VERY SIMILAR to XLNT Ads, which I think will actually good for XLNT. Market activity raises all boats, to mix a metaphor. This is a winning concept and there is room in my opinion for multiple players -- actually that will grow awareness and interest in the concept.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.

MySpace Meets Second Life in Kaneva

Well, the genres are a blending at Kaneva, a sort of 3-D social network virtual world that gives every member a customizable city loft and myriad ways to meet people and make friends. I like the 3-D own space concept, a much more attractive way to display your content -- and without the glittery bling of Rupert's place.

I found it easy to work, and the level of customization available is remarkable. Check out the World Welsh Society Area.

Definitely worth a join! A mindbogglingly cool place online. And lots of tasteful ways to market to boot!

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.

Instant Web Site Forms? Wufoo!

Oh my! An instant form maker for web sites! That's right! A great new offering from Wufoo gets rid of one of the stickier bits of simple site development. Dear reader, I was able to make the form below in 17 seconds. All entries are then submitted to a Wufoo account, where they can be retrieved instantly. A limited offering is free, while paid versions allow you to make more forms and collect more entries. Check out Wufoo and get rid of the email links on your site with forms guaranteed to boost response rates! Wufoo!


Powered by Wufoo

Google Sightseeing

Will the inventiveness of humans ever cease? I hope not. This site, not affiliated in any way with Google but using the photos available from Google Earth, takes you to some of the most interesting and strange places on the planet. Worth a visit. Suggestion: Type in "Ryugyong Hotel" or just click here.

If you like travel writing, as I do, here's a chance to get a little travel eye candy.

05:18 That Can Change Your Life

Social Media Data from McCann

JD Lasica of SocialMedia.biz made a great post about the state of social media. The results of a recent Universal McCann study are summarized. Great summary -- one that's worth a look.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.

Wall-E Wall-E Wall-E

Like Cory gets excited about Pearl Jam, like Adam likes his Apple stuff, like Kevin likes Chelsea, and like Chris likes making biting yet irreverent social commentary, like The Durham enjoys his Krug, I feel about Pixar movies. I saw Cars more times than I care to admit. I cried when The Incredibles made saving the planet a family affair. My favorite was Monsters, Inc.

And now the new Pixar film, Wall-E, is beginning to get the Disney hype machine treatment and I am breathless with anticipation. But don't take my word for how exciting it will be. Check out this widget:



Their website is excellent...



and includes a build a custom robot game.






Wait, actually it's not a build game only. Its a build a robot and then PLAY YOUR CUSTOM ROBOT IN A GAME. Mmm mmm good.

I like that Disney is truly embracing digital in its mega marketing machine. It alsways amazed me how this company can actually do an integrated markeitng program -- movie, video game, ride, even rain ponchos emblazoned with the logo all over the theme parks when they release a flick.

The depth of the Wall-E site is really impressive. In an industry that COULD produce amazing content sites but usually spends about $12 doing a cookie cutter trailer 'n bios piece of cr*p, I'm glad Disney went for depth.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.

Ah...Fair and Balanced Fox News

Isn't advocating assassination a crime?