It has been my intension to create a short advisory and discovery program called Interne(x)t for clients, marketers, ad agencies, etc. It would be a three hour meeting to discuss and present emerging internet applications and digital technologies, followed by a brainstorm on how these could potentially be used for the forces of good and evil (aka advertising, marketing, pr).
The most common reaction to a discussion with clients and agencies alike is, “How do you find out about all this stuff?” The answer is simple: I suffer from an addiction to change. The internet and digital technologies just happen to dovetail nicely with my affliction. While most people are relieved to come home from the office and leave their computer behind, I look forward to catching up on hundreds of feeds, emails, services, blogs, reports, updates, reviews, experiments, links, tweets…
I try to join everything. I must have over 500 logins to various services. I’ll always try them. If they’re not sticky, if they don’t keep me coming back, then the passwords just gather dust and I forget about them. But if they do stick, I will emerge myself in them. Then I will experiment by using them in different ways. My perspective is clouded by another sickness brought on by well over a decade in the advertising business: marketingitus. It is impossible for me to ignore the marketing perspective of, well, everything. I ask myself questions like, “How will this help build an audience?” “How could this be used to communicate with consumers in a surprising and delightful way?” “What promotions would be appreciated through this channel?” “Is there a way to strengthen a brand relationship using this technology?”
*sigh*
It’s tough being an internet change addict afflicted with marketingitus but somehow I manage. I don’t ask for your pity, only your attention.
All of it.
Right now.
