Flickr and pictures from the past

I used to love flickr. Like, really, really love it.

It is/was a great social network for sharing and distributing photo's...it is/was also great for sharing stories. Something that is so easily missed on other social sites besides Facebook.

Today or someday before today - my flickr PRO account closed. Which means that any pictures prior to the latest 200 photos in my account, I cannot access.

gulp.

ergh. How super annoying. No email warning, no call even....nothin' nada...

So I quickly went and tried to get my PRO account back...ergh, paypal notice that says it hsa to wait for my payment to be approved. Access, I WANT access.

How hard would it have been to send an automatic email to users whose PRO account were coming to an end? really, how hard could that have been.

In the age of social networking - with an abundance of tools and resources there for free - it is oh so important to keep your current customers/users/members happy, engaged. You lose the chance to do that - and it can go quickly downhill from there.

Web Designer, Graphic Designer, I'm a designer...too

Caught Vasta's post this evening on web design.

I never really considered myself a web designer...but I guess he is right. I live and breathe marketing on the web. That includes both writing, page layout, functionality, process etc.

Take the survey he is suggesting...they asked some really interesting questions I am interested in seeing the results of.

http://alistapart.com/articles/webdesignsurvey

Photobloggers at CONTACT

I am lucky to work with so many seriously talented photobloggers at blogTO. Photographers who understand the power of a picture and the power of social media...

If you have a chance this month, check out the photo exhibit, part of CONTACT - Toronto's Photography Festival.

I have to say, since the advent of both the digital camera and blogging - photographers have definitely taken a step up with getting their work out there to the general public. Kudos to you all using both mediums.

Long week, New week

Last week was a really...really long week. Work was as hectic as ever, most if not all of the organizations I volunteer for had some type of event, and to top it all off, I was planning 2 mini vacations away (one which happened this weekend!)

But a new week is soon here and I am ready...bring it on!

PS. Yup, this was pretty much me this weekend (pic below)...except that I was in 1st life, was wearing sweatpants and runners and in the woods, not in a beach.

PSS. Lots of marketing learning on the weekend, will post about them soontime.

Non-profit and social media tools

Tomorrow, HRW Toronto Network will be hosting the DARFUR CAN'T WAIT event at the Spoke Club.

As one of the only marketers on the committee, I took it upon myself to use free online tools like facebook, upcoming, my blog and registration tool, eventbrite to promote the event.

It was seriously brilliant. Although we were a bit late going live - we are officially sold out. We have 4 great sponsors on board and 103 attendees. whoo-hoo!

Of course, the pre-success of this event was not only due to the social and web tools we used...but I can for sure say, they certainly did help.

PS. Google docs is a dream come true for sharing files when FTP servers are not at our disposal. ;) ...free too!

HotDocs

My good pal Stephen got me a pass to HotDocs, the documentary film festival here in the city.

I had worked at HotDocs before, in the marketing department...actually, that is how I met Stephen. I also worked at TIFF with Stephen too...doing other publicity work.

Anyway, this is probably my 5th year attending. Last night, Mark and I went to go see Scott Walker - 30 Century Man at the ROM.

I was really, really impressed by the coordination, knowledge of the workers and ease of the night. Unlike the hectic star-struck chaos of TIFF, HotDocs seemed to be nice and layed back and...really enjoyable.

Although it is touted as the biggest documentary festival in North America, I can see this event growing. Just a little bit more marketing and I think that most if not all of the films will sell-out just as fast as the premiere's of TIFF.

First Impressions

Mark and I went to a new Mexican restaurant called Chimichanga Bistro on Friday.

The restaurant was only 6 days old, still smelled a bit like paint, had no liquor license and had very bare wall. Ah well - they just opened.

The host was very nice, the waitress too...but the service was very off.

We were asked if we wanted the free salsa and chips. We said yes, but they arrived about 2 minutes before our meal. Ok, their timing is off. The presentation and look of the salsa was very sloppy. It didn't look appetizing, a very poor first glance of what was to come.

Our meals arrived on steaming hot plates, but the food itself...was merely warm. 2 minutes into it, my 'fancy' burrito was cold. The burrito itself was nothing special. Actually, there was something very strange about it. 10 minutes into the meal, I realized what it was. It was extremely salty. I had guzzled down my water and ginger ale.

I only made it through half of the burrito. I left the other half.

The whole experience was off...too off...so off I would never return (just because they JUST opened is not enough of an excuse).

Part 2: I REALLY really want a Maserati Granturismo

What started off as just a twinkle in my eye is slowly growing to a gash darn WANT. Yup...I WANT it...WANT...WANT...(the yogini in me is really dismayed)....WANT a Maserati Granturismo.

Mark sent me this article this morning...and it sounds oh so sweet. Doesn't it?

"All the curves of the old car are amped up here — more arch in the fenders, more grace in the roofline."

They have also added some interesting marketing tactics to their site. Their podcast/video was just added for clients and fans to stay tuned to the car's release.

Xbox and consumer generated content

I got a really interesting press release yesterday.

"People can not only play games and watch premium entertainment content on their Xbox 360™, they can now create content for it, too. Microsoft Corp. and the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) today announced the Xbox LIVE Originals contest, granting aspiring television producers the opportunity to create a pilot that could be chosen for the first original series developed specifically for the Xbox LIVE® online gaming and entertainment network. Microsoft will award the winning entrant a $100,000 budget and an opportunity for a six-episode commitment to air the television series on Xbox LIVE, the largest social network in the living room. The pilot episode of the winning series is scheduled to debut this fall at the third annual NYTVF, the industry’s first showcase for independent television, before being featured exclusively on Xbox LIVE, home to a community of more than 6 million people worldwide. This marks the first time that user-created entertainment content will be available worldwide for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE."

Interesting. Big brand + "independent tv" = ? I will have to look forward to youtube to see the results.

The importance of a great set

CYHSY
Originally uploaded by Amauri Aguiar.

I went to see Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah last night. They were great. The crowd was totally into it (which is not typical at the Kool Haus), dancing up a storm, not as much chatting...'twas brilliant.

CYHSY had a pretty decent set, considering they only have 2 albums out. There wasn't any really lag, no song that was lost amongst the crowd...it went for a good 2+ hours.

I then thought about public speaking. All of the great speakers do the same. They capture you right from the beginning and don't lose you anywhere in between...never. Everything they same makes sense from start to finish. They captivate from start to finish.

A great set makes all the difference and the cost worthwhile.

BDC lets me know about tax credit

I don't know how I got on the BDC email list, but they sent me a note letting me know that I can claim my public transit passes.

I thought this was neat at first. Promotes taking public transportation, etc...etc.

Then I thought, why don't they have RSS? Why don't they make this more timely (I a done my taxes for 2006 already), why don't they do this more often?

Ah, its the government.

I want a Maserati Granturismo

Not really, but kinda.

I was walking by one of the hoity toity resto's in the neighbourhood and I saw one. Damn, it looked really nice...and I never feel that way about cars. Really, I don't. I drive about 5 times a year...if that.

Anyway, since I am procratinating like hell, I decided to check out their site. It is just like the rest - they have the gallery, email to a friend, blah...blah...blah...

Then I noticed this program called the Maserati Journey 2007.

" The Maserati Journey 2007 is an exclusive journey in the Maserati world, a yearlong trip, with prestigious destinations and wonderful things to discover.

The programme is rich with exclusive stopovers: let the thrills carry you away on a journey with style.

Everyone who flies with us will have all of the privileges of travelling Business Class... "

It sounds kinda nice right?

So I try to sign up...and they are asking me a million questions, there are too many requirements. Just when I think I have answered everything, I click submit. But it won't go through. I have not answered a question they want me to. But I can't figure it out. I spend about 2 minutes trying to look for what I a missing. ERGH! This was too painful. I closed the window. (Oh, and they spelt 'technology' wrong too).

Axing Axe

Shake that Axe
Originally uploaded by Hajarat.

Just when you thought there was no where else to advertise in the Air Canada Centre.

On the ass? Declasse.

Don't forget, what you choose as your marketing tactics will affect the quality and integrity of the brand. So for Axe, I guess this is fine.

PS. Check out their warning sign from the National Inhalation Prevention Coalition.

After a Fashion in SL...seriously fun times.

Who knew that teleporting to and from stores, weightless shopping bags and flying up and down store levels would so much darn fun!

Thanks to Kate (aka Katicus Sparrow) and Eden (aka Paradise Wunderland) for the invite to After a Fashion SL-style.



Kate, thanks for helping me figure out how to put the darn mask on. And of course to all the lady loves for helping me decide on which one.



Check out the ladies chillin' out before before shopping.

Branding Cities & Provinces

NYC - The city that never sleeps
San Francisco - Fog
Austin, TX - Music
Quebec - Maple Syrup
Napa Valley - Wine
Milan - Fashion
Prince Edward Island - Potatoes & Anne of Green Gables
Burlington, VT - Being Green

The Commercialization of Easter

Joyeuse Pâques ! Happy Easter !
Originally uploaded by Andre Garneau.

Who knew that Jesus dying on the cross and rising from the dead would drive the sales of chocolate, chocolate and...even more chocolate.

Who knew?

After a quick walk through the underground path in the financial district, I came across $20 Lindt chocolate bunnies, premade fancy Easter baskets starting at $29.99 and mini high-end milk chocolate bunnies for $10.

I guess you can go for the cheapo stuff for $.99 to $2.49...but even buying a few of those adds up.

Even just looking for a pic on flickr, I found pictures of kids taking pics with the Easter Bunny...just as they do with Santa during Christmas.

What the?

The 'bucks stop here

Read a great ChangeThis manifesto today by John Moore titled, "What Must Starbucks Do?"

It is a fantastic look at a brand in decline, what it needs to survive and essentially save itself. It is based and a response to Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz' internal memo that went public.

Here is a quick teaser:
“Over the past ten years, in order to achieve the growth, development, and scale necessary to go from less than 1,000 stores to 13,000 stores and beyond, we have had to make a series of decisions that, in retrospect, have lead to the watering down of the Starbucks experience, and, what some might call the commoditization of our brand.” Howard Schultz Internal memo (Feb. 14, 2007)

PS. I am not a great fan of the 'bucks, even though I go there almost everyday for a grande mild.

To Download, or Not To Download

I got a ping for an invite to Joost from PD.

I sent a ping back, "sure, why not." I know that Peter is on top of the latest and greatest of community marketing.

So invite comes...and so too is a line from Peter...um, you gotta download something...

Wha? Download?

In the age of 'everything is on the web', google applications and ftp servers, I don't remember the last thing I downloaded....perhaps iTunes? hm, maybe Second Life.

So, do I do it? I check out joost and is sounds pretty good. It is tv + internet + community. cool.

hm, do I do it? do I do it? do I do it?

...to be continued.

Spread The Love Using Social Media

uno: I used Facebook to set up and spread the word about the HRW event Darfur Can't Wait.

dos: Was sent Benoit Pioulard's myspace page...not the website.

tres: Went to flickr to check out pictures from the Rheostatics' last concert :(