vvvvVista

First off, I want to start this post by saying that I don't use very many Microsoft products. seriously. Besides Word and Excel (which I am now slowly transitioning over to Google - except for work), powerpoint occassionally and, um...yup, that is pretty much it.

Secondly, I got a mac and I love it...so far. No microsoft applications there.

With that said, I got an invite to attend the Microsoft Vista sneak/peak, blogger/techie meetup through my boss (check out his swanky new blog BTW) - he was the original invitee, I was the referral. The PR agent gladly accepted me. :)

I decided to go because I wanted to see what Vista was all about. I have been reading some posts about it and though hey, is there something I am missing out on? What could be so new here, that is not anywhere else...or that I don't already have.

The other reason - it was at Kultura - yum, one of my fav new joints in town.

Within a semi-packed room of some of Toronto's elite techie community - Sr. Product Manager and Security Microsoft guys take us through some of the migration, integration and security stuff...assuming that was the stuff we wanted to know...hm...moving on...

Yes, hm. I knew what they were saying to me, I understood...but did I care? I still don't know. Wish I knew a little more before going to the thing, to be honest.

Leaving to go to another meeting - I grabbed the RC1 copy and thought I would play with it over the weekend - will load it onto Mark's computer (not a Mac user) heehee.

But then I read this. Just as the post states:

"Don't forget, folks: at Global Nerdy, we ruin perfectly good computers so you don't have to!"

Thanks guys!

Weekend Round Up

My first free weekend in a very, very long time...and I am more exhausted than ever.

Here was the agenda:
Friday Night
- Yoga class
- Went to go watch The Prestige - tried to get in last weekend but it was rammed. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it yet. Great script...really.

Saturday
- Yoga class at 10 am
- Brunch with the Girls at Brassaii at 11:30
- Check out a place with JB at 1:30 - yay! She is moving downtown!
- Shopping on Queen West West - bought a sweet dress at Girl Friday
- Afternoon Tea at the Red Tea Box - read the review here.
- Grocery shopping at a Tier 2 Loblaws
- Make supper - a yummy pappardelle with spicy sausage and wild mushroom pasta
- Rented and watched The Proposition

Sunday (yay! turn the clock back) - a beastly work day
- Worked all morning and most of the afternoon on the upcoming AIDS/HIV & Human Rights Panel discussion coming up November 29, 2006 for HRWYA Toronto - if you are interested in coming - let me know! It is FREE!
- Blog posts...blog posts...blog posts
- A little Scotia work.
- Some more shopping...including some cupcakes from the Cupcake shoppe (which, BTW you can get a half dozen of the day olds for $8 - eight dolla make ya holla)
- I made a homemade all organic chicken noodle soup
- A quick trip around the block so Mark can play with his new kickass stereo.
...and still three more hours until bedtime.

Alright, you are probably wondering why I have a parking ticket on this post. Well my pal got one this weekend...but what shocked me about it is that it is now rip and water proof. Crazy, huh! Wow, I wonder how much they are making from tix...must be a lot because new technology does not come cheap.

Crayon Launches

Marketing guru's launch the uber-digi-fabulous Crayon at their SL headquarters Crayonville.

Speaking to about 60 or so avatars, the event, many say, went well. I caught the last 30 minutes...Jaffe speaking for most of it.

I do have to admit that I really liked the idea of launching in SL. Afterall, they are a digital marketing company who really do live and breathe the space...including SL. The office or island looks great and really would be a fantastic place to have a meeting and wine and dine clients. I could really tell that SL is a place that CAN work for businesses. In fact, forget about businesses, it can work just to communicate and converse with other.

Jaffe said this at last week's conference and reiterated it at the launch, "What’s the next big thing? It is here today, it was here yesterday. Do it now while you can." Oh, how he is sooo right.

To read more about the launch, go here.

I do have to mention some of the issues I did face today, why I was 30 minutes late for the launch.
1. I was in a Starbucks and the network was seriously slow. ergh.
2. I forgot to update my SL last night so had to wait 20 minutes to log in.
3. Once I got in, couldn't figure out the sound. Someone frm Millionsofus told me to log into a site to hear (wish they told me earlier.
4. Actually checked out the diggs before locating everyone in the amphitheatre. (How was I to know where everyone would be?)

PS. In case you haven't guessed, that is me in white and the long black hair.

Tags: second_life, crayon, Marketing, crayonville, launch, digital_marketing

Best of Toronto

How exciting! blogTO.com got props by NOW magazine as the best blog in Toronto.

Here is what they had to say:

"With an endless stream of daily posts about everything going on in the city, this blog is hard to beat if you are looking to be inspired about things to see and do. Music, movies, art, food and politics are just some of the topics on the lengthy list of BlogTO writers' postings. Be sure to check out their weekly movie and music podcasts, as well as the BlogTO Flickr pool to see Toronto through the eyes of others."

Final Fantasy, Great Lake Swimmers

I am in shock right now. I cannot believe that the Toronto Public Library will be hosting 2 seriously great concerts...at the library!..and FREE!

Check it out here.

This is actually the first time I have heard of Ramp, a place for Toronto teens to gather, meet, chat. Not sure how is going, but I did take a quick gander around.

Unfortunately, I think that are missing the whole myspace.com and/or blogger boat. It is still web 1.0ish as well. However, it does have a list of great resources for kids - volunteering, political stuff, careers, jobs...etc.

Some things I wish they had:
- Great Tdot RSS feeds into the site.
- A more interactive place where kids can connect.
- IM, IM, IM
- text, text text!

Good start though! (I am a bit biased as I used to tutor at the Library and this is a huge step forward).

Kicking and Screaming

I don't like change...no seriously. If something works, I use it...and it takes a heck of a lot to make me change to something else.

Examples:
- L'Oreal's 'Voluminous' Mascara (have been using since high school)
- Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 (after stints with Bodyshop's lipbalm and Burt's Bees - this came out the winner)
- G&T's (they taste oh so good on a sunny day or a cold evening)
- Mac's (I was pretty much born using one)
- Blogger - I am simply used to it now

Ah, but today was the day I tested something and loved it. Google Reader. It hit me fast and hard...there was no time to check out...no time to think of what I used to use, what had been.

I have been a devoted fan of my NetNewsWire for over 2 years now and really do love it. But it is at home, on my desk, waiting for me to come home. I can see it now 500 unread posts blinking at me. ergh!

Google Reader I can read:
- in the office (on my breaks of course)
- on my mobile - yipee!
- at home (whatever is left to read)
- wherever, whenever...as long as I am connected...and those that know me know that is pretty much everywhere.

This time 'round, I will NOT be kicking and screaming.

For My Girls At New Haven Learning Centre

Now if this doesn't go viral...

Fingers Hurt

After 3 days of active posting for my personal blog and blogTO as well as 30 minutes trying to learn how to play Come As Your Are on bass guitar, my fingers are numb.Okay, I am being a bit of a drama queen. They are slightly sore. Okay, enough complaining.

Here is an update of some of my daily marketing musings:

- We Are Smarter Than Me ORGANIZATION

The Premise - The central premise of We Are Smarter Than Me is that large groups of people ("We") can, and should, take responsibility for traditional business functions that are currently performed by companies, industries and experts ("Me").

CMA-DMC wrapup. Read some posts about the event at the CMA Blog, as well as here and here. Check out some of the photo's here. Some video here (look for me in the background).

Here is some CANDY since Halloween is coming up soon:


Tags: conversation, empowerment, Marketing, Toronto, long tail

My Take on the CMA Digital Conference

The CMA Digital Conference is over.

Sorry, I would have posted my notes from Joseph Jaffe's presentation but the WiFi connection ended for some reason...at least for me...

Highlights from the conference:
- All of the presentations were solid. I do hope it opened the eyes of a lot of the marketers in the room...or at least made them remove some of the morning cobwebs.
- Lotsa lotsa networking...was nice to talk and chat with other companies and agencies.
- I like the roundtable discussion...

Lolights:
- Surprised by the amount of people really new to this...and those who still questioned social media after it all
- Didn't care too much for the venue or the dancefloor lighting...too far from public transit. ergh.
- I wish there was more of the roundtable discussion.

Great quotes, lessons...
Joseph Jaffe - Integration should be about the ability to expose, amplify…extend
- The web should be able to empower, evolve, demonstrate
C.C. Chapman - you need to think of the different angle - get out of the box!
Bryan Eisenberg - We need to change
David Weinberger - we are inventing new forms of communicating person-to-person
Mitch Joel - our space is moving so fast we are literally losing pace
Frank Trivieri - Thay have not abandonded traditional marketing

Hope to see those of you that I met soontime...don't be afraid, drop me a line.

Tags: CMA, digital, Marketing, Toronto, conference

NOTES: CMA - Industry Panel

Lead by Mark Evans (this is his last day at the National Post - he has accepted a job as the new VP Operations for B5Media - starts Monday) - good luck Evans. I will miss your column.

How is the market growing?
Arturo Duran, Canwest Global
- seperate where the $ is coming from
Ray Newal, VP Biz Dev, Yahoo! Canada
- it has to be accountable - we have to be able to deliver for advertisers.
David U.K., Director Sales and Strategic Alliances, Standard Interactive
- If you have a performance based campaign, advertising should build top of line business
Jordan Banks, Managing Director, eBay Canada
- Online priority for eBay...be more active and retain for a long period of time. What they want to accomplish in their ad buys.
- does not think the pie will grow
- sees 20% media time ebing spent online - advertising going against that...decrease over time
- radio accessibility through the net increasing
- TV on the big screen decreasing - what to see it when I want -> advertisers need to follow that trend

How do they adjust to the new reality?
Patrick Lauzon, EVP, Canoe.ca
- looking at building news and getting contextual information
- instead of going for commodity news, they are going for unique content and that users will want to get

Canadian online advertising market - increasing it
David U.K.
- must provide relevant content
Alex Leslie, VP Product Dev, AOL Canada
- performance based advertising is a big trend going forward
- behavioural and the ability to find people
Jordan Banks
- There are very few product available to Cdns on the internet
- The advertisers who want to spend $ online are the same companies that do not provide their products and services online
Arturo Duran
- 60% go to US sites
- how do we attract those Canadian that they will get something ebtter at .ca over .com
- we have to tell them that there is really good Canadian content
- people will watch whatever they want - advertisers have to understand the reality of the end user - what are they doing, where?

Tags: discussion, leader, Marketing, Toronto, medium

NOTES: CMA - Laura Baehr

A day in the life of today's youngest media consumer - YTV

- Tween usage of media (9-14 year olds)
- spend $2.9 billion/year
- influence $20 billion household purchases

You can't understand their relationship with the internet until you understand their relationship with the tv.
- TV watching hasn't really changed over the last 10 years
- more than 1/2 have tv's in their bedrooms

- multitasking is on the rise - it comes as second nature
- media content has increased by 1 hour
- actual hours devoted to media use is steady (6 1/2 hours a day)

Online:
- they are playing games!
- girls are more social than boys
- IM 28-73, download music 37-47, use email 18-21 (numbers is time spent)
- they are downloading more games than movies and shows

- Technology is replacing conventional toys
- technology replacing back-to-school toys
- only 9% actually own a cellphone (some mix-up on what is 'their' phone and what is their parents

TV is the media that tweens want to keep.

Tags: television, tweens, Marketing, Toronto, statistics

NOTES: CMA - C.C. Chapman

C.C. Chapman - Podcasting

Example - Scriggity
- picking up thousands of listeners/viewers each week
- she takes news and puts her own spin on it.

It doesn't cost a lot of money to do this.

What podcasting isn't:
- audio only
- streaming multimedia
- downloadable audio or video
- apple owned and ipod required

What is Podcasting?
- Ask the Ninja

What else is it?
- A subscription based delivery mechanism for multimedia files
- A great way to reach customers
- A powerful tool to deliver your message
- Another weapon in your new marketing arsenal

Why?
- realize the power and potential of this new medium
- increase your reach. build your brand. stand out from the competition

What?
- tell a story
- it doesn't get any more intimate than this. make it something to remember

Who?
- current customers?
- new customers?
- entertainment value?
-> you need to think of the different angle - get out of the box!

What else you need to consider:
- studio vs. mobile
- what is your budget? - start small, find someone who is interested
- how driven or interview focused - the host connects you
- how do you define success - figure out how you will define success for the podcast. example, put in codes, call in lines. what is success to you.

Don't forget the music:
- be careful - there are tools out there
- consider using only podsafe music
- reach out to the indie scene - embrace them
- podsafe music network, creative commons

How long is the perfect show?
- there is no perfect length...think about a communte - they will listen when at teh gym, going to work...etc.
- it's ALL about the content
- if the content is good - they will stick with you through it

- Listeners form their own sched
- they choose when to listen and if engaged will come back. You have to convince them to listen to your show.

- don't be scared of directories
- put in album art
- Don't freak out about your branding, not what you want it to look like

Got is wrong - Starbucks
- did it randonly
- ONLY about coffee
- no promotion in the podosphere

Got is right - Acura
- was a sales tool
- Bought ads across the Podshow Network
- Hired experts to record and host it
-> some things that they missed - there was no video

other companies doing it right:
- Business week
- ABC's Official Lost podcast
- Weinstein COmpany's Kevin Smith Diaries

How you can do it right
- focus on content
- plan for the long haul
- don't do it alone
- embrace the podosphere
- find a great host - it about the voice

Bet the expert:
- you can be the expert on any given topic
- your brand can be the leader in it's space

How can I start?
- Any USB microphone
- Audacity
- Castblaster or Garageband
- blogging software of choice - link to an MP3 file

You have a podcast, what do you do?
- use your other marketing vehicles
- integrate it in everything you do
- feature on your website and in press releases
- make sure the content is important

This is also about podcasting:
- Dixie and mommycast
- consider podcsating advertising and sponsorships
- major brands are already doing it - Vise, Sun, Absolute Vodka
- Let the host speak about it - little spots.
- Hit the ears of your consumers
- Be original - move beyond the 30 sec spot.

Think beyond the iPod
- they listen to it at their desks on their computer, Nokia phones, TiVO, PSP2...more devices are coming.

Tags: podcasting, conversation, Marketing, Toronto, recording, talk, advertising

REVIEW: IFOA - Adrienne Clarkson

I typically don't talk much about my posts on blogTO...but I had such a great night last night at IFOA seeing Madame Adrienne Clarkson. It was unreal. Check out the post tomorrow morning...(yay! the blog is back up!!!!)

I will give you my review NOT notes from today, tomorrow...hope you don't mind...
it has been a long day, and night...sleep tight.

NOTES: CMA - Bryan Eisenberg

My laptop is about to die...will post about this presentation later on tonight.

:)

PS. Sorry, blogTO is still down. Our server is not returning our calls. Stay posted here or there.

REVIEW: CMA - David Weinberger

I just realized half-way through this day that I should not be using the Title REVIEW. Actually, they are my notes. Hope you can understand them. If not, send me a line or comment on the presentation you are quoting.

David Weinberger, Co-author of the Cluetrain Manifesto

Marketing in the Age of the Miscellaneous

"Miscellanizing allows us to reshape the mix, making it ours."

- We FEAR that the walls are coming down.
- All control is based on fear
- The internet is knocking down the walls

Market Evolution
How do we treat markets the way we do?
- Markets to 'doing" marketing
- Customers became consumers
- Consumers are not just consuming...they are doing something with the product
- There are no markets for messages - Doc Searls
- We start to make markets.
- Markets are now real - they are conversations.

Conversational Values:
- In real voices
- open ended
- voluntary
- about what we are interested in (we may not even know we are interested in)
- not about something else (there is no motive)

WOMMA
- they are very concerned with ethical behaviour
- nevertheless, it is a marketing organization. They are trying to influence conversation. This is a problem. There is a conflict of interest. There is some level of corruption.

What is marketing doing in the conversation?

Blogging:
- this is where there is a lot of talking
- Blogging is NOT journalism
- Bloggers get a lot of new from the mainstream media and vice versa
- The editorial function has migrated to the web
- social construction playlist - digg, reddit
- the importance of writing badly (that's me!)
- it is not about individual bloggers
- links - act of selflessness...telling the reader to go somewhere else...pointing people away
- NYTimes - all links point to itself
- blogs are not simple
- we like blogs because they are complex
- blogs are not about YOU
- the web is the second public space - we are constructing a self
- "I am writing myself into existence"
- we are inventing new forms of communicating person-to-person

Our content:
- our ability to organize online is increasing
- tagging > mashups - bringing some order to this misc. collection
- victory to the metadata (ex. expedia, kayak)

Our authority:
- wikipedia - by noting its own falibility, it becomes more credible. It is on our side.
- craigslist
- most marketing sites are not 'ours'...it is filled with all this stuff that is trying to do something to us.
- Google resists the temptation to market on its homepage. They succeeded because it is 'ours'

Tags: blogging, conversations, Marketing, Toronto, chat, linking, small talk

REVIEW: CMA - Mitch Joel - Twist Image

Mitch Joel, President of Twist Image.

6 Pixels of Separation

"Our space is moving so fast we are literally losing pace"

How did we get here?
- punch the money - get the clicks
- we need to look at new paradigms
- how to create new media content for things that are new

What is going on in the real marketplace?
- the next generation of advertising...in you face
- We are in a new era. Humanizing marketing.
- Traditional media is now engaged in a new conversation
- one to many conversation - how can we connect? We can now do this specifically through the internet
- The world is flat

1. The notion of connecting - we can connect. We are always on.
2. Connecting real power.
3. Creating - we know how to connect.
4. Community
5. Markets are conversations

6 Pixels of Separation:
- We are connected.
- "Know control" marketing/pr/advertising - we have to understand what control means in this environment. People want to play with our brands.
- Kryptonite Case Study - blogger posted video of unlocking lock with a bic pen. They lost 20 million dollars.
- How are we engaging? Word of Mouse.
- The idea of "new media" is old.

What is Social Media?
- Community, connecting, conversations
- We are making decisions together.
- All of us are smarter than any one of us
- Social media is about trusting out customers.

Engaging Consumer Experiences:
- Online has to be overwhelmingly engaging and participatory
- what programs are you running to increase participation?
- Advertising model - creation <> distribution (youTube)
- Coke/Grand Theft Auto on YouTube following the viral marketing model



Talent - Technology - Distribution

-Social Networks do not care about technology.
-Content is Everything - Everything is Content
What is most important to marketers? Content is Media

The Audience is Listening - The Audience is Creating

What functions of 'know control' are you comfortable with?
- Example - George Masters creates apple ad - because he loves his iPod mini

Networks:
- mySpace
- LinkedIn (add me! mtampoya@gmail.com) - How as a marketer can you expand your network. Do your research.
- Unconference/uneverything - barcamp/casecamp/democamp
- crowdfunding - if you can give
- the long tail

Broadcasting
Narrowcasting
Slivercasting
Podcasting
Prodcasting

We are producing, casting and a new way of doing it. We are part of the production mechanism...start thinking about it...we are the solutions?

Second Life (look for me, my name is Pink Citylights)
- if the big boys are paying attention, we should too.
- talking on skype as well.

6 points of separation - what to take away from this conference
1. Think in terms of tribes/people - how are they together
2. everything is WITH, not instead of. Try it!
3. Everything is a conversation
4. Add value to this conversation - don't add clutter.
5. Raise the bar - what can we do in these environments to be better
6. Passion trumps technology

Consumers are doing amazing things.

Tags: social media, content, Marketing, Toronto, choice, interaction, engagement, blogging, podcasting

REVIEW: CMA - Ipsos Reid

Steve Levy, Presidet of Ipsos Reid
Digital Marketing, What are you thinking?

- YIKES! 61% had not read one of the books on Turning Point's response questionnaire (interactive questionnaire done throughout the conference - pretty neat). What were the books? Cluetrain Manifesto, The Long Tail, Small of the New Big, Life after the 30 second spot...and I missed the last title. I believe it is Bryan Eisenberg book.

10 Issues/Components of Digital Marketing (based on CMA survey of marketers and agencies):
1. Transactional Email - acquire new customers or convince old customers.
2. Non-Transactional - loyalty (2/3 very familiar)
3. SEM/PPC (4 in 10 expressed familiarily. Most never use it - 54% marketers /50% agencies)
4. SEO - organic search (1/3 expressed familiarity. Rarely use - 43% marketers/41% agencies)
5. Social Marketing - a website is optimized to allow your customers to communicate and share thoughts (familiar 24% marketers, 30% agencies. Rarely use - 67% marketers/ 52% agencies)
6. Interactive Marketing (very familiar 33% marketers/48% agencies)
7. Blogging (very familiar 30% marketers/42% agencies)
8. Podcasting (very familiar 22% marketers/34% agencies)
9. Viral Marketing (very familiar 38% marketers/46% agencies, rarely use 68% marketers/46% agencies) - agencies role to educate.
10. E-CRM (very familiar 30% markters/35% agencies, rarely use 63% markters/58% agencies)

Why not allocating budgets?
- would not work with budget 16%
- Lack of knowledge 13%

Why has this changed?
- customer demands - 27% marketers 39% agencies
- availability of new media - 23% marketers 30% agencies
- access to internet - 23% marketers 29% agencies

What would need to chnage in order to spend more of you rbudget on digital media
- need to know more tools/method - 22% marketers...agencies feel clients NEED to be educated - 32%

What are you thinking? (marketers/agencies)
- online interactive games - agree 31%/41%
- pop-up ads are effective tools - agree 1%/4% - Interruption marketing is dying
- only be used to supplement another form of media - agree 35%
- traditional 30 sec spot dying - agree 18%/24%

What will you be doing? (marketers/agencies)
- it depends...31%/47%

Marketing Spend in next 2 years:
television - 8%
print - 21%
radio - not moving
Outdoor +25
digital +70%

Best Practices:
don't know - 63%

Tags: statistics, measurement, Marketing, Toronto, education

REVIEW: CMA Digital Marketing Conference - GM Canada

It is really early here at the Kool Haus, but I will try my best to keep you updated here at the CMA Digital Marketing Conference. Note:

My Notes:

Frank Trivieri, General Director of Marketing, GM Canada
Changing the Conversation

- digital marketing used to show the strength of its new designs
- broadcast media reduced by 20% over the past 5 years
- has changed the buying process - shoppers have greater control of the
- increase online spend by over 200%

The way they have innovated messaging:
- The car configurator - build the car and trends to their lifestyle...they took this concept one step further by integrating a car configurator right in the banner ad...they don't have to leave a third party website....they can email it back to themselves.
- Ads not compelling on their website so they integrated it onto google video ad. This exceeded the industry click-through rate.
- In Game advertising on on-line advertising - G5 posters located on the digital world. They included a video component that would play when the gamer approached the billboard. This is a new and uncluttered environment. The feedback has been positive.

The have not abandoned regular marketing.

johnny.ca Case Study:
- an hour of exclusive video/interactive content on the web of johnny and his pals.
- send to a friend - very similar to SoaP.
- it has generated a lot of conversation internally and externally with the dealers.

Other interactive initatives for johnny.ca:
- email
- interactive video boards...in washrooms

Measures for johnny.ca:
- More than 200,000 have visited the website.
- many have gone to build a car.
- 74% of those interviewed said the campaign had increased their likelihood of purchasing.

Online Consumer Relationship Marketing:
- distributed 3.2 million personal emails
- Use onStar to email you a diagnostic of your car - free

The Third Screen (blackberry):
- video sponsored by GM

Virtual Advisor:
- engage the audience that don't like NA cars...
- allows consumers to look at certain aspects of the car they may be interested in. In a banner ad.

Other online successes:
- convert casual visitors to qualified leads
- request a quote - 1 million unique visitors a month
- will be launching a new youth portal at eh end of November

Changing the conversation in new ways...

Tags: GM, car, Marketing, Toronto, automobile

Server Problemo

Unfortunately, blogTO, the blog I write restaurant and food reviews for is down. We are having some serious issues with our server.

But, don't fret, Tim tell me that is will hopefully be up tonight. Cross your fingers and toes...

When it does come up, make sure you check out my post on Kultura and Johny Banana...betcha you'll be surprised. Also, will be checking out lots of IFOA so stay tuned to the blog!

Kinda Retro

Over the past week or so, I have been noticing things that I use that are seriously outdated...what I like to think of as now being retro.

Take for example my iPod. Have you seen this edition before? It was the first ever iPod. Carrying a large 10 GB, this iPod features the black and white screen, which is now showing signs on burns and provides the touch buttons opposed to the new fancy clicks. Note however, that I did get the fancy Shure earbuds...they make a world of difference.

Another example - the lead pencil. Yup, a techie like me who lives and breathes her laptop still rather enjoys the pleasure of being able to write and erase with ease.

The other night I had a dream about my sister's Dancerella. The doll had a button at the top of its head you would press, and it would do a little ballet move for you. (However, in my dream, the doll's head was spinning like the exorcist - Ha! That is retro too).

All of the above items are excellent products...remember, have a great product and the marketing, kinda, takes care of itself.

Tags: old skool, past, toys, child, product development

IFOA Starts Tomorrow

CAUTION
Originally uploaded by Églantine.

I am a little disappointed at the lack of coverage that the 27th Annual International Festival of Authors is getting in the big dailies. Besides making Eye Weekly's front page, there has been sparse pre-event coverage in the rest of the large papers...

I of course, turned to Technorati to see if there was any action there. A good 213 results showed up for "IFOA," 151 for "International Festival of Authors." Thank goodness someone is getting it!

PS. Did you know that the festival has a blog? Although it is very sparse and I wish a lot more content was available...it is a great step in the write direction. They have some great Q&A's on there to get us bookies hyped!

Send me a line and let me know if you are checking any of it out.

Looking for FOOD Sponsor

HRW Toronto YA will be hosting a post-AIDS conference panel discussion on Thursday, November 30, 2006 in conjunction with the International Human Rights Program at U of T Law. The panel will feature leading AIDS specialists from around the world.

Since HRW is a non-profit (which means no budget), we are looking for a restaurant or food distributor who would be kind enough to sponsor the reception after the event. If you know anyone who would be kind enough to provide aptz for approximately 100 people, please let me know.

PS. I am sure we will be able to list your logo on any material developed as well as signage at the event...now if that isn't good branding...Oh, and on the blog...if we can get one going soon. ;)

Tags: sponsor, appetizer, AIDS, Toronto, food, donation

Attention to Details

I am a stickler for details...especially when it come to usability.

For example, I love it that my gmail does NOT list email-after-email of mail on one given topic with the same suject line. It will give me the number of emails related to that one original email...so fresh, so clean.

Another example, I love how my car's stereo gets louder, the faster I go...they know that the inside of the care get's pretty noisy thus I can't hear the good tunes.

These small details matter to me. I am starting to notice them more and more...

For example...why can't I erase a tune or podcast off of my iPod? Why doesn't blogger have a section on the post page where I can easily add tags?

The details may not affect me in the now...but it will sure effect me the next time I purchase something...

Who am I watching?

DSC00960.JPG
Originally uploaded by **MISH**.

I thought it was about time I add a decent blogroll to this site...so you can all see what I am reading...

But really, I am too lazy to look into blogrolling and don't care much for bloglines...so check out the list on the right...my delicious! YUM!

Yup, if you want to take a gander at what I am bookmarking, check it out down right. I subscribe to a lot of feeds and read as much as I can on and offline...however only the stuff I really like I keep bookmarked here...check, check it out!

Bargainista

Eden Spodek developed a nice new blog called Bargainista.

I am not usually a sucker for blogs from mom's...sorry but most talk too much about their kids and they often reek of housewife complaints...both which I am very unfamiliar with.

However, Eden...a mother, marketer and shopoholic has developed a great new site focused on Toronto shopping (or so I think)...check it out, comment on some of the items she is talking about. Heck, if you are a marketer for retailer...bookmark it. You never know when your item will be listed next.

One thing though Eden...I gots to see some Toronto independent clothing lines up there. I don't really shop at the Gap, Roots and the like...

Looking forward to more clothing posts!

Tags: shopping, clothes, Marketing, Toronto, trendy

Paying Tribute

I was 9 when I first heard A Night at the Opera...over 10 years after it was released.

How could a little girl not love Freddy Mercury...or the musical productions that Queen put together...loves it...still loves it.

Tonight, Mark, his pals and I went to go see a Queen Tribute band. You know, one of those bands that plays songs and albums note for note...I had been to a Clash one before, but this one was at a theatre...yikes, a Theatre in Markham...I was venturing outside of the 401 for some music.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Although for the first 2 songs, I was pretty upset I never got to see the real band live (on my list of wishes in my second life. along with Jeff Buckley and ELvis Presley)...they did a pretty decent job. They did most songs on key...in fact, they did a really good job performing Bohemian Rhapsody live...Queen did not perform that song live.

But, this is what impressed me even more. I didn't know this but the first 100 people that email the production company, can talk with the lead singer after the show. They also recommend you visit their website and tell them what you liked, didn't like...what classic albums you would like to see in the future. You can event check out their myspace site. Heck, some of my fav bands don't even do that...yup...even the tiny ones.

Tags: tribute, queen, Marketing, entertainment, rock

Are Your Ready?

Sharon Gannon, co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga was at Jivamukti Toronto this weekend conducting a workshop on Spiritual Activation - How to Purify The Chakras, particularily the Manipura Chakra.

She was great. I went to the 1 1/2 hour class on Friday night and then the 3 hour workshop this morning. A mixture of asana and mantra, we worked on purifying our relationships with others and ourselves. We were trying to resolve past karmas.

I got it. I got what she was trying to teach us...BUT...but...but


I am trying really, really hard to be a yogi. No, seriously. Well, maybe I already am...or I am half of one.

Why don't I consider myself a true yogi...yet? I cannot become vegan..or even vegetarian. I should say, I am having a very hard time becoming a vegetarian.

1. I love to eat. I love to eat meat...I understand that this is harmful, animals are beings too...I don't have the courage to get over this....yet.
2. I love to eat and write about my experiences.

Maybe I will be ready to be a true yogi next week, next month...or next year. She asked us, you know. If we were ready...Unfortunately, I had to silently say...'not quite yet.' :(

Tags: yoga, spirit, animal rights, chakra, 2012

Testing Google Docs & Spreadsheets

I have tried to use this document to post twice already and both times I lost my content.

PS. I do use Google:

- Search Engine

- Calendar

- Gmail

- Personal Homepage

- Analytics

- Trends

- Spreadsheet

- Maps

- Groups

This is my first google disappointment. Sorry, this one has failed.

This is not my Toronto

I was sent a link to "Get a Taste of Toronto," an article on CNN.com from Cooking Light about where to go, what to eat in Toronto.

Here are the places they listed (and beside it - comments a la michelle)
- St. Lawrence Market - Nice. Love this place. Great for foodies. Nice start to the article
- The Boiler House - um, not so much. They missed the popular one here. If they did their research, they would know that Perigee is the place to go in this hood.
- Senses - sorry, Mr. Aprile is no longer there. Actually, he will be opening up his new diggs very, very soon.
- Little Italy - a wonderful spot...but not my pick for breakie...definitely for after dinner drinks....try Teatro. For breakie, Mildred Pierce.
- Taste of the Danforth - Great festival, but, um...this article is coming out in October...
- Chinatown - yup, schweet. However, they forgot to mention Swatow...Yes, Lai Wah Heen is fabulous, but not so cheap.

Places they forgot to mention:
- Kensington Market
- Little India
- Koreatown
- Bloor Street West Village
- schucks, it can go on forever.

PS. If you are a true foodie, check out social networks like Chowhound, contact people in your Linkedin network for recommendations, blogs! blogto.com will tell you where to eat.

ergh! how annoying regular media is becoming.

Measurement

Tape
Originally uploaded by EwanC.

I really should practice what I preach.

Since Google announced that they will be launching a web analytics tool, I was gung-ho on it. I used it on sites that I helped build and enhance for past clients and employers, I recommended it to fellow marketing collegues.

But, I , did not use it. I used the Site Meter for my blog. Which is was fine. Until now.

I have scraped Site Meter and am now using Google Analytics. It is a dream. I wish I listened to myself earlier.

...will be fooling around with my blog over the next few weeks. Let me know what you like or don't like...


Tags: measurement, analytics, Marketing, toolso, enhance

Are You Clowning Me?

On my way home, Mark told me I had to pick up some dinner. A free UFC live fight was on tonight? What? We don't have to pay?

The main event - Ortiz vs. Shamrock. This would be their third fight.

We tuned in just before the coverage and watched the ending of their reality show. I heard a great line at the end. Shamrock makes a bad remark to Ortiz and he responds by saying, "Are you clowning me?" I loved the line. I immediately made a mental note of it.

Coverage begins promptly at 8 pm. Three fights before the main. They were pretty damn good. One flying knee and some bloody eyes. Schweet. I love UFC.

Now the main event. It looks pretty obvious that Shamrock is going down but still, I was thinking a great fight was coming. Afterall, Shamrock is going into retirement. You would think he would want to finish it off with a bang.

One minute into it and Ortiz wins by knock-out. One too many punches to the head.

BUT, I felt cheated, made a fool of. It was cheap. Shamrock was not bloody at all. I wanted more blood, a broken nose...something. I got nothing. They clowned me.

PS. What is with all the bad product placement? If you are going to do it, at least do it well. Damn, there is nothing more annoying.

PSS. Liddell vs. Ortiz coming this December. (Check out the picture) Should be a good one as Ortiz needs to win his belt back.

Tags: UFC, Shamrock, Marketing, Ortiz, fighting

Throw Out Your Carrot Juice

I have been following the Carrot Juice recall for a few days now. Two people in T.O. are paralyzed because of it. Toronto Public Health is trying to make sure it is off the shelves.

I went to the juicy sites to see what information they had...or didn't.

Bolthouse Farms has a recall update on their main page. They have PDF's on the consumer recall and a Q&A. This is my favourite part of the PDF.

"We have received many calls from customers of Bolthouse Farms. We are very appreciative of the supportive and helpful information provided. Many of you expressed curiosity regarding whether the product will be available again soon. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide a product that meets our standards for flavor, and is robust to the potential of temperature mishandling. We encourage you to provide your contact information (http://www.bolthouse.com/ContactUs.aspx) so that we may update you when appropriate."

I did a quick search on technorati and didn't find any such support for the product. As far as contact details - how about you providing me with health updates not marketing updates.

Earthbound Farms had an excerpt on their site, but it is not easy to find. Although the link is off of the main page, it takes some scrolling to find it. On the products page, it just tells you that it is unavailable. There is no call-to-action to throw the toxic juice out.

PC Organics didn't have anything on their site about the recall. Nothing on the main page...and surprisingly, nothing on the actual Carrot Juice page. No press release, no nothing. Heck, I search 'carrot' and 'recall' and came up with nothing. Thanks for informing the consumer!

After all of this quick searching, I was wishing that all or one of the above companies had a blog. For times like these - a full out crisis. If you are interested in developing a crisis communications plan via blog...read this.

In the interim, an update via the website that is ease to find would be nice. Email or RSS would be even better.

PS. I drink Bolthouse juice...fortunately, not the carrot. I am also a big fan of PC's organics line. Fortunately again, not the juice.

Tags: juice, recall, Marketing, crisis, communications, PR

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy gobble-gobble day! What do you have to be thankful for? Everything, I hope (it is the yogi in me!)

Mark and I had a fun-filled day in London. We got to play 18 with his dad (I was terrible), had a serious turkey dinner with the rest of the family (mmm, pumkin pie!)...and did a quick one-two of his sis' new home...it is pretty schweet. Got to see the kids...being...kids. Love it.

Today we are off to my parent's place for a not-so-traditional dinner (meaning, it will be anything but turkey and mashed potatoes...yummy nonetheless).

Out of every holiday or so-called holiday (ex. Halloween), I think Thanksgiving is the least commercialized (perhaps because we don't share it with the U.S.) - it is nice like that. No pressure. Just a good 'ol fashion meal with friends and family.

...no greeting cards or special decorations. No need to be consumers of a holiday trend or create an excuse for gift giving like most holidays.

Sure do hope this one stays that way.

Tags: thanksgiving, thanks, Marketing, consumerism, commercialized

The Little Things Matter

Mark and I went to Restoration Hardware to buy some new bed table lamps. (They are having a big sale, and it isn't that bad).

Anyway, the nice young saleman behind the counter popped the two big boxes into one bag. Mark managed to sneak his fingers underneath the handles, but it was a struggle walking the two blocks home. I am sure you have been there before. Skinny wiry white handles. Skin piercing. Fingers burning...not mine, his. Oh shiza! I wish I took a picture of it.

Oh course, after the fact, I remembered that W-S had a great solution to the finger-aching problem. They attached a little plastic do-hicky thing on their over stuffed bags making it 100% easier to carry the bag home. (We bought a sweetass coffee maker - that is another story)...check out the 2nd picture - Mark is beautifully showcasing the do-hicky.

You are probably wondering why both stores just don't offer bigger bags? Well, if you are shorter than 5'5, the bags will be dragging on the floor. I personally don't think they can design them bigger.

PS. Just in case you are curious...this is the new lamp. (1 of 2, of course). Jenny, we didn't go for the Goldenrod. Funny thing though, Mark is allergic to goldenrod. Of course, that wasn't the reason we didn't get it.

Tags: shopping, lamps, Marketing, light, shopping bag, plastic

Invisible

little spirit dancer
Originally uploaded by pooka_ nut.

So I was m.i.a. from all ya'll, so think I should get you up to speed with some of the great things coming up (I will definitely be a busy bee for the rest of the month).

Upcoming:
- HRW YA is planning an AIDS Panel discussion to take place close to World AIDS Day on December 1, 2006. This will be a follow-up to the conference held in Toronto last month.
- blogTO is still going on full force. Still blogging my arse off (damn, I eat out a lot)...will be working on the IFOA later on this month...looking forward to seeing my favs: Rohinton Mistry, Wayson Choy, Margaret Atwood...and Mark's fav, Dave Bidini (starts October 18)
- Sharon Gannon will be at Jivamukti Toronto October 13-15
- AIMS Canada will be hosting their Search Engine event on October 24. With SEO, PPC and organic search such an important part of the marketing strategy - it is a not-to-be-missed event.
- Third Tuesday on October 17 featuring Mathew Ingram. I hate to say it but I read the copy and automatically thought....hm, PR and Journalists? What the?...they are sooo not the same in the social media world. At least I should hope not...where is this going really?
- The CMA Digital Marketing Conference is on October 19-20. Looking forward to hearing David Weinberger, co-author of The Cluetrain Manifesto
- DemoCamp10 Toronto - October 23

In between all of that, I gots to plan my parents 60th barfday party, go to my darling Mr. Lan's housewarming party...and, um...ya...get my pet project on Second Life set up. PS. My Name is Pink Citylights. Looks for me when you are in.


Tags: Marketing, Toronto, cluetrain, social_media, PR, IFOA, AIDS, human rights, AIMS, CMA

REVIEW: The Departed

thedeparted
Originally uploaded by JackySee.

So Mark and I went to go see The Departed...

The NYT gave it a really good review. The Star...ah...not so much.

I was yearning for a really good movie. I hadn't seen one on the big screen (besides the one Mark set up in our place), since TIFF...

I was begins to get the shakes from the withdrawl.

Ok, so my review...I give it a B- (because it was too long). Mark gave it a C ("if that," he says).

If you have almost 3 hours to waste, want to see some blood and a few giggles here and there, then this is the movie for you. If you are even the slightest bit sleepy, don't go. Seriously, don't waste your $13.50.

PS. Not a fan of Di Caprio but he was okay in this...watch out for the South African accent in the preview though. Enough to make you walk out of the theatre before the feature even starts.


Tags: The Departed, Leonardo Di Caprio, film_review, movie, film

Moo

My Moo cards arrived today!

How friggin' fun. No seriously, I don't know why, but I was like a kid getting a present on my birthday.

Maybe it was the great nice box it came in, or searching through all the fun photo's on the back that were such good times...ah...good times...

Really, all the information on it you probably already know. My name, number, email address and blog address...geez....ah...it's fun anyway.

PS. So if you see me, ask me for one...I got like a hundred of them. You don't need it for my contact details but you can have your choice of some of the great photos on the back.

Tags: Mish's Playground, contact, business cards, Moo, flickr

My new gig!

I started a new job at Scotiabank this week as the new Manager, Digital Marketing. I will be working on the Database Relationship Marketing strategies through to deployment, in particular, the award-winning Vault.

After weeks of interviews and a tough decision choosing between a gig at the bank or eBay Canada - I decided to go for the bank. Surprised eh? There were many reasons why I chose Scotiabank, one of the biggest was to work with Michael Seaton, my Director. Why? Because he gets it.

If you have been hanging around me long enough, you will know what I mean.

PS. It was a tough week getting to my iBook, between starting a new job, yoga, HRW and blogTO meetings...but all is good in the hood now...stay tuned for more posts...my apologies for the lack of attention.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Scotiabank, Michael Seaton

My Girl, Suzy...and family

I am really happy for my girl Suzy. She walked the CIBC Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer on Sunday with Kenny, Lucy and Haggis in tow.

Her aim in the beginning was simply to raise some good 'ol cashiola. In the end, she raised a whopping $701 with the help of her natural marketing ways...and a 'lil social media.

PS. If you are into some sweetass homemade children's goodies - you can still donate some $$ and Suzy will knit you, what she calls an objet. Or you can just give her some dollars anyway - it's going to a good cause and you also get a tax receipt!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, CIBC Run, breast_cancer, Suzy McAleenan, social_media

REVIEW: Nuit Blanche

The girls and I headed out at 8pm last night for Nuit Blanche. I was seriously surprised at the turnout, considering the rain and cold chill in the air.

The streets were packed, pretty much all of the exhibitions we saw were jammed with visitors. Nice stuff Toronto! Way to show this city that we love art!

Highlights of the night (not the real names of the exhibits, my version):
- dinner at Cafe Nervosa
- "Hold That Thought" - church at Avenue & Bloor
- Fog - Hart House
- Deconstruction/Construction - ROM
- Elvis Presley Inspired Street - Baldwin
- Bevies at John's Cafe on Baldwin
- Cops a Dancing - McCaul
- Huge games - at OCAD
- Percussions - by the music gallery
- Bevies at Czehoski
- Slow motion Three Stooges
- Girl sleeping

There were so many more, but my memory is a bit weak after lack of sleep.

PS. Props to my girls for hacking it in high heel boots and fancy silver flats. We made it to 3am.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, nuit blanche toronto, Toronto, nuit blanche, art