startups Archives - Page 40 of 57

Quote – Ben Rowe

Posted on January 7, 2008 by Steve Sammartino

I asked marketing polymath Ben Rowe his thoughts on Facebook in 2008 and if it is going to grow or decline…

Response

“Facebook is so 2007…. it’s just p2p spam. I reckon facebook is going to die a fairly fast death this year.”

Sure the jury is still out, but it wouldn’t be the first time Ben’s predicted the future of a brand or launch. It does seem that there was something very wrong when Zuckerberg referred to his ‘army of viral marketers’ he forgot one thing…. viral marketing is always done by people, not companies. Abuse them and lose them.

The gaping void view in December was this

I still think facebook is a great platform (especially the app’s component) which needs to take a few steps back before everyone disappears. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

Why retro works

Posted on January 5, 2008 by Steve Sammartino

I’ll admit it I’m a sucker for retro ideas and visuals – who isn’t? I think retro works because we already have formed memories and events both positive or negative which are brought to the surface when we see, feel or taste something that is old school or slightly retro.

It’s nearly a form of ‘cheating’ to gain am emotional link quicker, or even instantly. This is something new and innovative design and positioning can’t achieve – just because it’s new.

To me retro is really powerful when a brand or business ‘deserves’ to go there. Especially when it has a history worth reminiscing about. Battler brand Atari did this successfully with the Flashback console which was launched 25 years after the 2600 seen below.

Obviously this is much harder for a start up, although we can use it in graphics, design or attitude, especially if our brand or market segment lends itself to a retro play. Feel free to add examples to the comments.

Get retro!

Hands on

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Steve Sammartino

Neighborhoodies founder and CEO ‘Michael’ sent this personalized postcard with a order.

Not that I’m enamored with receiving his signature, but it shows he’s in touch, involved and hands on.

Now that’s an important message to send to any business audience.

Newton’s Laws & marketing 3.0

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Steve Sammartino

Action / Reaction:

In physics:

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

In business:

For every market there is an equal and opposite market.

Searching for new business ideas?

Chances are there’s a market waiting at the opposite end of the spectrum of an existing product or market.

Passion – in action

Posted on January 2, 2008 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.

2008

Posted on January 2, 2008 by Steve Sammartino

After the irregular blog entries through the holdiay period, I’m back.

No new year advice here, just a thanks for reading.

Steve.

Being real

Posted on December 29, 2007 by Steve Sammartino

Taking the lessons from neighborhoodies.com we’ve upgraded our response to a question on the contact page of rentoid.com

We think it shows we’re real, and says something about us and our values at rentoid.

You can try it here.