Today marks the last day of Bill gate’s 30+ tenure as the face of Microsoft and the software world.  He retires today to focus all his efforts (and fortune) on his charity- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

First of all, I have to wonder how easy the living would be on a retirement fund like Bill’s. Wow.  Q. How does Bill Gates sleep at night? A. On top of a large pile of money.

Secondly, this news has a special significance for marketers.  From a brand standpoint, Bill Gates is Microsoft….errr, was. He created and upheld a brand that was synonymous with quality, America and success.  However, Bill leaves Microsoft during a time when the company has seen a four year decline in brand power, according to the CorePower Brand 100 2007 study.  With their fearless leader gone to save the starving children of the world one dollar at a time and their somewhat tarnished brand reputation, the heads of Microsoft have a real opportunity on their hands.  What will be the next step for Microsoft? What should be the next step for Microsoft?  From a competitive standpoint if Gates couldn’t solve the Google quagmire can anyone?

Read more about Gates’ retirement on msnbc.com

Watch the video about his retirement that he produced with some famous friends…

The international body that administers domain names has just announced a big change affecting TLDs (top level domains) like .com, .org, .net and so forth. The reasons for the change and some of the implications are explained here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7475986.stm

In today’s Star Tribune, there is an article about a road construction project on Snelling in Roseville– effective immediately. What made this article interesting was that this project has been in the works for a long time; however, many of the residents and businesses in Roseville weren’t informed of this. One woman in particular (who happens to be the executive director of the Roseville Visitors Association) didn’t hear about the construction on this major traffic route to the Minnesota State Fair until a neighbor informed her.

Although the MnDOT isn’t obligated to inform residents of projects not large enough to warrant public hearings, it still raises the issue of poor communication with stakeholders – especially since this construction project could put a kink in how easily people coming from the North can get to the Minnesota State Fair. The project is supposed to be completed by the time of the fair; however construction projects can be slow-going and unpredictable. In my opinion, it would’ve been important for MnDOT to inform the people of Roseville prior to their decision, especially since this project could bring additional issues to the table depending on timing – such as preventing visitors north of Roseville from attending one of the state’s biggest summer attractions.

Do you think this construction project could decrease Minnesota State Fair attendance if it isn’t completed on time?

Should MnDOT have notified residents and businesses in Roseville earlier? Or at least people that may be more effected by the construction in the larger picture, such as the Roseville Visitors Association?

Regardless, it’s always important to inform and consider the opinions of all stakeholders before making major decisions.

It cost $20 million to produce. Effective? Worth it? More enjoyable than watching the ball girl leap 10 ft. into the air?

Found this on Twitter…

Gatorade made a viral ad, and it worked.

This is the story behind it.

I recently read a blog entry by Jon Greer called “Why Top Executives are Resisting Social Media” (http://blogs.bnet.com/pr/?p=232&tag=nl.rSINGLE), which provides reasons that hinder online technology adoption; lack of basic understanding, corporate liability concerns, cost/staff issues and network security.
Technology and social media are important and useful in the PR industry (especially for multi-taskers like me). But let’s not forget good old face-to-face communication – something this Facebooking, IMing, blue-toothing and e-mail crazed recent college grad needs to do more of.
Check out this blog about a woman who is changing internal communication within a Midwest corporation with just a chair and some face-to-face communication: http://www.lonelymarketer.com/2008/02/24/a-true-story-about-a-chair/
The message of the blog entry is that people need to listen and to understand. A reader commented to the blog and said: “To connect live and listen and be listened to is amazingly powerful.”

Social media and face-to-face communication are BOTH important, and when used in tandem can create results that matter for clients.
What do you think? What are some recent examples you’ve seen?

The May 16^th issue of the Business Journal features a column entitled “Protect Your Brand and Reputation in Uncertain Economic Times,” written by Eva Keiser, APR, vice president of Risdall McKinney. The article offers insights on protecting a brand and reputation in uncertain economic times. Providing strategic marketing recommendations, it explains how marketing through a recession, rather than going dormant, is vital to an organization’s success.

Eva notes, “Rather than cutting marketing across the board or putting your budget toward one activity, evaluate the strategies and activities based on the results that matter and return on investment (ROI). Consider augmenting your advertising spend with marketing activities, such as public relations or online ventures, that can generate visibility with a substantially lower investment.”

Definitely a great read!

University of Minnesota researchers have discovered educational benefits of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, the Star Tribune reported today.

When asked what they learn from using social networking sites, the students listed technology skills at the top, then creativity, being open to new or diverse views and communication skills. Students are using networking sites to customize Web content, think about page layout, post poetry or film and learn how to conduct themselves responsibly online.

To read, go to: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/family/20598114.html?location_refer=Homepage:highlightModules:5

I think Facebook is a great way to procrastinate and keep in touch with friends; do you think it’s beneficial to education?

The world of viral is complex.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it flops. There is a very mysterious formula when creating viral content which must be mastered for it to work. What exactly is this “viral” speak of? Well, for many, it relates to the spread of a viral infection or a virus.

But for us as “communications technicians” (Jen, put that on my new cards please) Viral relates to the spread of a message via non-standard communications. It’s pretty much word of mouth, but on the internet. Many brands have tried, many brands have failed. No one really knows exactly what causes something to go viral. There is plenty of talent on the internet but some of it just seems to explode and create internet celebrities: Numa Numa Kid, Tay Zonday, Afro Ninja, and even Fat Star Wars Kid…are all videos that went viral and became sensations, probably just because they are humorous but nonetheless these dudes all succeded, and all of them accidentally.

But some brands like Levis and Ray Ban are replicating this viral video success by coming out with sweet entertaining content, that isn’t branded or even really promotional. These 2 ads are extremely similar.

The first one came out for Ray Ban and the second for Levis.

It’s interesting that if you type in “Levis” or “Ray Ban” on YouTube, these videos are both on their own front pages. Which is pretty sweet. I don’t know about you guys but I’m about to go get myself a new outfit.

Here’s a link to another story that talks about these 2 vids.

Free publicity is usually good publicity.

Especially when it comes from a celebrity. I mean, I see cool dudes like Pharrell sportin’ sweet gear and it makes me want to wear it too.

Lead guitarist for Janes Addiction, Dave Navarro has a sweet (knock-off) Louis Vuitton guitar strap that he’s been using for years and years and years.  At all of his shows. In front of millions of fans that adore him. That’s some pretty good visibility for the LV brand…So why are they getting so mad and ordering a cease-and-desist letter against him telling him he MUST stop using it?

Ad Age’s Charlie Moran calls this “a classic example of a big brand that really doesn’t understand artist-fan relationships. Navarro’s strap, while not an authentic LV product, is a pretty bald endorsement of their brand. Instead of fighting bootleggers who make the product, why target a famous, likable musician? Try picking up a phone and having a conversation before you unleash the hounds.”

Navarro of course decided to respond on his own quite popular blog. What do you think? LV obviously has the right to tell him he can’t use the strap…but is that a smart move for a brand that supposedly digs Rock & Roll?

Read the full article here.