Category: media

Passion – in action

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

How many people do you know who are prepared to die “literally” – in order to achieve their goals? Robbie Maddison is, would and just might.  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOtpKQ-dAlg] 

He was actually quoted as saying the following:

  

“There is no doubt in my mind if this next jump doesn’t work out it will be death.”

 

I’m not suggesting this level of sacrifice is required in your business, but extreme sportspeople do provide the best example of passion in action.

 

Also – kudos to Redbull for having the courage to sponsor an event in which the free PR could really have went either way.

Quirky Fact 7.0

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

In Australia 20 billion text (SMS) messages will be sent this year. In a population of 20 million people that’s 1000 texts each a year, or 3 per day. Amongst this of course are some text addicts.

The question is how can we use a text (SMS) message to improve a service?

My dentist sends me one the day before my appointment confirming the time in the message. It costs them very little, but it helps me a great deal. I’m happy to receive it given the appointment is booked so long in advance. But it’s not the same to receive an annoying unsolicited promotional message, just because someone has your mobile number.

Start up blog says: Use a text service if;

It improves your service to your audience.

They know about it and are happy to receive it.

University on wheels

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

What could we learn in 150 hours?

A language? Maybe get a diploma or study a course?

If we drive 15,000 kilometers a year that’s 150 hours of potential learning time, so why not use it? Turn your car into a university on wheels!You can do it with CD’s or by linking your ipod to the radio and listening to your favourite podcasts.

 

A well chosen radio station can be a boon of up to date business & social information. Some great stations include:

 

NPR –  in the USA

News Radio – in Australia

BBC world – in the UK and Europe.

 

All of which have podcasts you can download from the net on your favourite topic!

Could it spread – Conclusion

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

You may remember the ‘rentoid rapper’ had some fun auctioning his breakdance mat on ebay. Did it spread?

It spread enough to get a bone fide $187.50 for a piece of cardboard with a bit of texta on it. Just through providing a bit of theatre – fun & money was invented.

The best result was the Q & A’s on the listing which all translate into the personality of rentoid.com You can check it all out by clicking here.  

Start ups out there….Do something crazy!

Warning

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

Just before watching some crazy people risk their lives on Fuel TV this warning flashed on the screen:

 

WARNING

The action sports you enjoy watching on Fuel TV may look like fun but can be kinda dangerous. We recommend that while practice makes perfect you think twice before trying to perform any death defying feats…Blah Blah Blah don’t blame us if you bite it.

 backflip.jpg 

Love it. It’s real and they’re speaking same language as their audience.

What language does your start up speak?

What are brands?

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

According to startup blog: They are any form of visual or language communicate which provide meaning to humans and provide elementary recognition or decision shortcuts. This may only exist as a word, an event or even a memory in the human mind.

 

Brands have existed as long as homo sapiens have and possibly longer. From an aboriginal waterhole to mountain peaks of significances to any clan anywhere in the world. Even animal names are brands…..although the product was manufactured by mother earth!

 

Startup lesson: Don’t get hung up on words and visuals. Focus on creating  and communicating meaning.

Radio Ga Ga

Posted on by Steve Sammartino

While driving home from a meeting this morning a song on the radio finished and the announcer in a deep authoritative voice came on and proclaimed the following – verbatim:

 

“1 hour of non stop songs without advertising, on 105.1 FM, brought to you by BRAND X”

I was incredulous. No wonder we’re migrating to PLD’s quicker than you can say….

….Non Stop Block-A-Rock !!!!