Category: Business
-
YouTube shuts down monetization for smaller contributors
“One of YouTube’s core values is to provide anyone the opportunity to earn money from a thriving channel,” said the email I got from YouTube this morning. Apparently their “anyone” doesn’t include me. YouTube says it is tightening its rules and raising the minimum threshold of subscribers you must have in…
-
Which Advertising Medium Do Consumers Trust the Most?
With U.S. consumers being exposed to an average of 10,000 brand messages every day, and 90% of consumers reporting that advertisements influence their purchase decisions, the power of advertising is undeniable. According to research from Clutch, consumers in the United States say Television and Print are the advertising mediums that…
-
Three Steps to Dealing with Negative Online Reviews
Nobody likes to get a bad review. If you’re in business, though, a bad review online does more than just hurt your feelings. It can hurt your business. Half of U.S. consumer routinely check online reviews before making a purchase decision, according to a Pew Research study. You’ve gotten that…
-
Making Sure Your Social Media Contests Stay Legal
This article details how to comply with Facebook’s contest rules within the United States and Canada. It is not a substitute for, nor intended to be, legal advice. If you have questions, consult with a legal professional or use a managed Facebook contest platform. Facebook contests and sweepstakes can be a…
-
Failing to Take down Hate Speech Could Cost Social Media Companies $57 Million Fines
Germany is serious about cracking down on hate speech. Social media companies that don’t take down objectionable content within 24 hours of notification are facing massive fines. If posts are “obviously illegal” under German laws, companies like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (Google) can face fines up to $57 million dollars…
-
What Happens to Businesses That Don’t Back up Their Data
It’s a startling statistic: 93% of companies that lose their data storage for more than 10 days during a disaster are forced to file for bankruptcy within one year, according to the National Archives & Records Administration. Couple that with the fact that more than 90% of business computers aren’t…
-
20 Tried and True Tips for Personalizing B2B Sales Calls
The days of cold calling, auto dialing, and sending mass emails are over. Not only is it no longer effective, it’s downright annoying to the business owners and leaves them with a negative impression of you. Before you can get in the door with someone, you’ve got to get their…
-
4 largest TV companies will own more than 40% of all local stations
The big get bigger. That’s been the story of the past three years in television as the 5 largest companies now control 37% of all TV stations in the U.S., according to Pew Research. With a FCC that is relaxing ownership rules, and a major acquisition of the 42 Tribune…
-
Five of the Biggest Cause Marketing Fails
Cause Marketing has been a buzzword (or is it a buzz-phrase?) for years in advertising circles. Tie your brand or product to a popular cause and hope that some of the good will rubs off. It sounds good, but it doesn’t always work out the way you want. Even some…
-
Winners and losers in a rapidly consolidating digital advertising market
Good News for digital ad sellers: Digital Advertising is expected to finish the year with a year-to-year growth rate of 11.5% in 2017 and grow again in 2018 by 11.3%. That information comes from GroupM/WPP, the world’s largest buyer of advertising. Magna (IPG Mediabrands) pegs 2018 digital growth at 13%.…
-
Major changes to online privacy – except in the U.S.
Some big changes are coming to online privacy, especially when it comes to companies like Google and Facebook. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) establishes a new set of rules designed to give people more control over their data. Think about how much of “you” is online. Things…
-
Priceline spends $4.3 billion on digital ads each year. It’s shifting to TV for the future.
Priceline is the travel industry’s largest digital advertiser. It’s built its company using TV and digital advertising, but the majority has been on digital. In 2017, it’s expected to spend $4.3 billion dollars on digital, according to Skift, an industry website that tracks spending within the travel category. The vast…
-
Retail digital ad spend continues to grow, but TV dwarfs other media
eMarketer’s tracking of digital ad spend shows continued spending growth. They predict 2017 will see an increase of 15.8% in the retail sector -the largest spending category. They predict double digit growth in retail online ad spend through the next 3 years. Digital video, per eMarketer, will account for 31%…
-
Where does Google go when it wants to roll out a new product? Television.
YouTube TV is rolling out across the country, starting in select markets, which will feature a so-called “skinny bundle” of TV channels, including local channels. It is designed to compete – at a much lower price point – against cable and satellite packages in this era of “cutting the cord.”…
-
It’s been an amazing ride for Netflix
It’s been an amazing ascent by Netflix. Today, roughly half of all adults in the United State watch streaming content on Netflix at least once in a while. Let that stat from Civic Science sink in. 29% say they watched a few times a week or more! The growth in…
-
If you share it on social networking websites, does it become public or can access by limited? (UPDATE)
Taking on LinkedIn and Microsoft, hiQ turns to crowdfunding for help with legal costs It’s one of those David vs. Goliath battles: LinkedIn’s 8,000 employees, a company that Microsoft bought in 2016 for $26,5 billion dollars, vs. hiQ Labs, which has 13 employees. So when they two tangle in court,…
-
Is Google Fiber sputtering? Dropping 8 markets and new television services
Is Google Fiber struggling? The rollout of high speed Gigabit internet has been slower than expected and the company has cut back on the markets where it’s installing. In October, it scrapped plans to expand into 8 markets. It’s been hampered by both the cost and time it takes to…
-
A Closer Look: Facebook over-estimates reach by dramatic numbers
Maybe you saw the headline: Facebook claims it reaches more people in the U.S. than actually live in the U.S. It’s pretty startling when you realize, according to a report from the Video Advertising Bureau, that Facebook claims to reach 39 million U.S. adults age 18-24… when there are only…
-
Can 2 second video views actually drive sales?
P & G – acknowledged as the world’s largest advertiser – says their data reveals the following about digital video ads: The average ad is viewed for 1.7 seconds. Remember, that’s the AVERAGE Only 20% of all ads are viewed for 2 seconds That means that 80% of all ads…
-
My first book has been re-released as a free download on Amazon
My first book – “Weapons of Mass Distinction” – has been re-released and is available as a free download on Amazon. Get it here.
-
Do you trust audience measurement data?
Trying to accurately measure audience against a plethora of cable, satellite, over-the-top, mobile, tablets, Roku, AppleTV, and on and on is no doubt a difficult task. To date, it hasn’t happened. Everyone in the research sphere will tell you they can estimate based on algorithms and assumptions – but nobody…
-
How much do small businesses spend on social media outsourcing?
The lure of social media for small businesses is huge. The promise of a direct connection with local consumers that you can do yourself at no cost is a big promise. For most who try it, though, they realize pretty quickly that to make an impact, it’s a lot of…
-
Just how prevalent is social media for small businesses?
Just how prevalent is social media for small businesses? It’s fair to say it’s nearly universal. Nearly 87% of small business owners say they use Facebook for marketing, according to a new survey from G2 Crowd via eMarketer. So, how’s it going for them? There are mixed results here. 38%…
-
Facebook, Apple join the billion dollar club for spending on original video content
Everybody, it seems, wants to be in the TV business. OK, it’s really the video business, but it’s the same thing the TV networks have been doing for years: producing original television content. The WSJ reports that Facebook is looking to spend A BILLION DOLLARS on original video content for…
-
Five Perceptions to Make Team Members Try Harder
Guest Post by Sarah Jacobs | At first glance, hiring employees for a company is not too difficult a task. However, if you take a closer look to what every company really needs, it might not be as easy as it looks. Yes, every company definitely needs employees to keep it…
-
Bad ads can destroy brand credibility – and cost you money
Bad ads aren’t just hurting your brand. They’re hurting your sales. 60% of adults in the U.S. says they have stopped buying from a brand because they didn’t like its ad campaign, according to new poll from Civic Science. A great ad can bring new business and reinforce your brand…
-
Can 2 second video views really be effective at driving sales?
P & G – acknowledged as the world’s largest advertiser – says their data reveals the following about digital video ads: The average ad is viewed for 1.7 seconds. Remember, that’s the AVERAGE Only 20% of all ads are viewed for 2 seconds That means that 80% of all ads…
-
Facebook vows to fight back against foreign interference in US elections
CEO Mark Zuckerberg laid out his plan to protect the integrity of US election. He says he wants to make sure “Facebook is a force for good in democracy.” “I don’t want anyone to use our tools to undermine (our) democracy,” Zuckerberg said in a video address. In order to…
-
Facebook: Tracking your in-store visits and serving ads?
When ads target you on-line from where you’ve gone in the real world If clicking on a website once and having its ads stalk you wherever you go on-line wasn’t enough, now there’s real world targeting. Go to a physical store and they’ll re-target you online. Now Facebook appears to…
-
If you share it on networking websites, does it become public or can access be limited?
It’s a battle over privacy rights that has constitutional law implications. At the heart of it if a simple question with an incredibly complex answer: If you share it on social networking websites, does it become public or can access by limited? Right now, the case features two companies going…
-
Dominating Digital Ad Revenue: Google, Facebook, Amazon, and … ?
Amazon has gotten a lot of attention lately for its move into the advertising sales space, but another online retailer is making moves as well. Wal-Mart is now in the advertising business. Both companies have a dizzying array of consumer information in their databases to target consumers. Wal-Mart is positioned…
-
9 NBA teams will have ads on their jerseys this season
The NBA voted it in and now 9 NBA teams will have advertising in their journeys. Here are the teams and advertisers.
-
How to check if your website violates new Google Chrome “Annoying Ads” filter
Google recently announced its going to penalize websites that have poor ad experiences in its upcoming update to the Chrome browser. Starting next year, Chrome will block sites with “annoying ads” in search results. If you think because you’re a name brand publisher, you’ll be exempt, think again. Google has…
-
Programmatic ad buying continues to rise, but is it really an efficient way to buy advertising?
I’ve written a lot about Programmatic Advertising over the past four years because of the rise in usage among media buyers. While recognizing the efficiency, I’ve also cautioned against eliminating the direct buy of premium websites from name publishers. There’s no arguing that more people are using programmatic – machine-driven…
-
What drives ROI in advertising? Creative and Reach
Nielsen, the ratings folks, unveiled a study of 500 advertising campaigns which tracked ROI against sales and media usage. Nielsen – Driving ROI in media 47% Creative 22% Reach 15% Brand 9% Targeting 5% Recency 2% Context
-
If Programmatic Ad Buying is the future, why are advertisers not buying it?
We’ve heard so much about “Programmatic Ad Buying” in the past two years, it’s almost become a joke around our place. Everybody tells us it’s coming and we’d better be ready. If you’ve ever bought a self-serve Google ad or a Facebook ad, that’s really the kind of thing we…
-
FTC investigates allegations of deceptive pricing tactics by Amazon
When a company like Amazon buys a company like Whole Food, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) takes a look at a lot of other things than just the business deal at hand. Reuters reports that the FTC is looking into allegations of misleading price tactics used by Amazon. The investigation…
-
A scary chart for the newspaper industry
The decline of U.S. newspaper has been well documented by now, but this chart from the American Enterprise Institute shows just how deep the cuts have been.
-
Branding when your name isn’t Apple or Google
Guest Post: Lara Davis Your brand is the core of your marketing, the central theme around your products and services. Your brand is not your Logo or your Company Name, unless of course you are Apple or Google. For people to come and hire you, or buy from you, your…
-
World’s largest advertiser cuts $140m in digital ads and grows sales
The world’s largest advertiser – Procter & Gamble- has been vocal about concerns over where its online ads are running and who’s clicking on them made a startling announcement at the end of July. After spending a third of its ad budget last year online – and watching sales diminish…
-
Pebble (gone), Jawbone (liquidating) – is Fitbit next?
You couldn’t go anywhere this past holiday without seeing Fitness trackers all over the place. Just about any place that sold electronics, or the big department stores, all had Fitbit displays on hand – many of them right by the checkout lanes. Wow, what a difference a few months makes…
-
FCC signals rollback on net neutrality rules; Nearly 11 million comments filed
Before the Federal Communications Commission takes action, it puts out proposals and asks for public comments. When it comes to net neutrality rules, the public commented big time. Nearly 11 million comments have been filed. There’s no question the issue is a lightning rod. In 2015, the FCC voted in…
-
Great read: Digital Vault highlights the intersection of Digital + Media + Marketing
Blatant-plug-alert! I’m the publisher and editor of another website, Digital Vault, which I’d love for you to check out. The site focus on the intersection of digital, media, and marketing. We now have more than 100 advertising, marketing, and digital evangelists writing and contributing to the site and the growth…
-
Facebook discussing metered paywalls for publishers on platform
Publishers that have tried out Facebook’s Instant Articles have been pleased with the speed in which pages load, but not necessarily pleased about the economics. By keeping readers within Facebook’s walled garden, publishers didn’t see the activity translate directly to page views – and exposure to the accompanying ads. Ad…
-
Ad Copy that sizzles and sells
GUEST POST: Adrian Posner, Posner Marketing A successful marketing plan relies heavily on the pulling-power of advertising copy. Writing results-oriented ad copy is difficult. There is no magic formula to write perfect ad copy. So how is any writer supposed to pen a piece of advertising copy that sizzles and…
-
For every second it takes your mobile site to load, conversions drop by 20%
Use this free Google test tool to see how your site stacks up Google has updated its tool to test your website load speed to show you how many visitors you lose because it takes so long to load. 46% of people say the worst part of mobile browsing on…
-
In today’s media world, you need to be a Multi-Platform Seller
If you needed more proof on why you need to be a Multi-Platform Seller (MPS) to be successful in advertising today, look no further than Borell’s Annual Survey of Local Advertisers. It’s no longer traditional media or digital, it’s a mix of both. 74% want a package that works. 74%…
-
Amazon moves causes Best Buy to lose $1 billion in market cap overnight
Recode reports that Amazon has been hiring folks to provide in-home installations for electronics and smart home devices. The operation is up and running in 7 markets so far. Smart home gadgets are selling, but Amazon reports higher than normal return rates, in part because they can be tough to…
-
News organizations ask Congress for authority to collectively bargain with Google, Facebook
The New Media Alliance represent almost 2,000 news organizations, primarily newspapers. This week, the organization starting asking Congress for some help in taking on the big internet companies. Call it a pre-emptive strike for collective bargaining with Google and Facebook. It’s no secret that Goo-book dominates digital advertising. In the…
-
Canada’s Supreme Court rules Google must block some search content worldwide
Can one country really tell Google what it can and can’t show in its search results for the rest of the world? Read on. Canada’s Supreme Court made a startling ruling that has broad-reaching impact around the world. In a 7-2 ruling, the court decided to grant an injunction preventing…
-
Five steps to empower your team
What would a story about business practices be without a Peter Drucker quote? “So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.” – Peter Drucker New manager soften make the mistake of feeling like they have to make every decision – and exert…
-
Is the advertiser boycott of YouTube over?
Money talks. Most of the advertisers boycotting YouTube are back in the advertising tent, according to Digiday. MediaRadar said General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, Verizon, and Walmart have ads running on YouTube right now. Major brands pulled their ads from YouTube after worries about brand security and where their…
-
Three questions for Ford’s new CEO
GUEST POST: University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business The future arrived early for Ford’s new CEO, Jim Hackett, who recently replaced Mark Fields after the automobile giant lost patience with its former leader just three years into his tenure. David Kirsch, a management and entrepreneurship professor at the University of Maryland’s Robert…
-
Instagram growth is exploding
ICYMI, Instagram growth has exploded. It’s now exceeded 700 million active users monthly. The growth rate itself is incredible, adding more than 100 million users already this year. The growth has come at the expense of SnapChat, which has seen growth slow down some 82% since Instagram launched Stories –…
-
New Study: Cord-Cutting is accelerating in 2017
Cord-cutting is growing rapidly. After years of relatively small number of consumers ditching their cable and satellite connections, the number of people opting for going it alone or smaller video bundles has grown dramatically in the last year. According to a Magid Broadcast study of consumers this April (reporter by…
-
We’re hiring serious journalists to do the important stories
Have you become disillusioned with the TV news business? Tired of the fluff and happy talk? We want serious, experienced reporters that are willing to take on the tough stories, dig deeper, and do the important journalism our town deserves. Here’s the kicker: We’re willing to pay for experience. If…
-
Game Changer: Google confirms built-in ad blocker coming to its Chrome browser
It’s been rumored for a while, but now Google confirms it will update its Chrome browser to include an ad blocker. If your site has what Google terms “unacceptable ads,” it’s going to block all the advertisements on your site. The list of what is unacceptable will include pop-ups, videos…
-
A virtual explosion of internet-connected devices in homes
If you believe the new study from Parks Associates, there is a virtual explosion of connected devices going into consumer’s homes over the next few years. Analysts predict more than 442 million connected consumer devices will be sold in the U.S. in 2020. These sales totals include connected entertainment, mobile,…
-
Social media companies facing fines for failing to remove hate speech, illegal content quickly enough
Social Media is under attack again in Great Britain as government officials debate fines if Facebook and Twitter don’t remove illegal content fast enough. Britain’s home affairs committee unleashed a scathing report, going so far as to suggest the social media companies pay for policing. They compared it to a…
-
FCC takes first step towards repealing net neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a big first step in overturning net neutrality rules. In a 2-to-1 vote, the Commission began the rule-making process. That’s the first step in replacing the Open Internet Order adopted in 2015. The net neutrality rules prevent ISPs (Internet Service Providers) from giving preferential…
-
It’s over: Mobile has won
We passed the tipping point in 2014. Since then, the use of mobile has exploded. If you’re still focusing on your desktop website first, you’re way behind. 71% of web traffic in the United States is mobile, according to ComScore. Mobile usage is larger than desktop in almost every country.…
-
My (failed) attempt to subscribe to the local newspaper
You’d think in this era of declining circulation a newspaper would jump the chance to add a print subscriber. Apparently not. I’m a bonafide news junkie. I watch TV News primarily and I’m online every day. But I still like to sit down and read the Sunday paper. There’s something about…
-
Can’t find qualified employees? “Upskill” them.
If you think it’s getting harder to find qualified employees, you’re not alone. Nearly half (46%) of U.S. employers report difficulties filling jobs due to lack of available talent. That’s up from 32% reported last year at this time, according to the Talent Shortage Survey from Manpower Group.
-
FTC cracks down on Zombie Cookies that track your online behavior even after you opt-out
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a settlement with Turn over its use of Supercookies (also called Zombie Cookies). The FTC has accused Turn of deception by tracking consumers for ads even after people tried to opt out. While not admitting any wrongdoing, the settlement will prohibit Turn from misrepresenting…
-
If you want customers, you’ve got to invite them to buy
Before you can make a sale, you’ve got to get people in your store. Before you do that, they’ve got to know about you, what you offer, and what makes your business different. Imagine this: You’re a salesperson and you walk into a business for the first time to make…
-
Would you rather pay for content or put up with advertising?
85% say give us ads. 75% say they would drastically reduce their online activities if they had to pay. In fact, Americans assigned a value of nearly $1,200 per year to the array of free, ad-supported services and content currently available to them on computers and mobile devices, according to…
-
Self-serve Snap Ads coming to Snapchat
Snapchat is about to launch a self-service ad platform. Digiday reports the interface will allow you to do Snap ads. Snap ads are full-screen videos (vertical) that show up between stories. Previously, you had to buy these through a Snapchat ad partner that would manage the process. That left a…
-
Is Google getting ready to launch its own ad blocker?
The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is readying its own ad-blocker as part of its Chrome browser. Chrome is the undisputed most used browser in the world with a market share north of 41%. The ad blocker would be added to both mobile and desktop versions, per the report,…
-
Despite new tech chips in credit cards, fraud jumps 33%
I got that call on the weekend. Somebody had used our credit card to try to book an Uber ride. Since we hadn’t left the house that morning, I knew it wasn’t a legitimate charge. I’m happy the folks at Chase knew it wasn’t right and called. One of the things…
-
Lessons in Leadership from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
“Jeff, what does Day 2 look like?” That’s how Jeff Bezos started out his annual letter to shareholders. While the text talks about what he’s been trying to instill into the culture at Amazon, the message applies to any business and its leaders. Bezos has been reminding people that’s it’s…
-
175 TV stations sell off spectrum, nearly 1,000 will move to new channels
A bunch TV stations got a windfall from the FCC’s spectrum auction. Some got so much they opted to go off the air forever and take the money and run. Altogether, 987 TV stations must change channels. [ FULL LIST AFTER THE JUMP ]
-
When is a sale not a sale? Amazon under fire for inflated “regular prices”
A Consumer watchdog group is calling out Amazon for what it calls deceptive practices by posting inflated list prices and leading consumers to believe they’re getting a better deal than they really are. The aptly named group, Consumer Watchdog, has petitioned the California Attorney General to investigate Amazon. John…
-
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press
I put this up right outside my office door to remind everybody who walks into our TV station how important it is that journalists do their job. The Bill of Rights warrants Congress shall make no law abridging the Freedom of Speech, or of the Press. The founders saw journalists…
-
Social Media sites under increasing pressure to police themselves – or risk huge fines and prosecution
It’s not just advertisers putting increasing pressure on social networks and platforms that share user-generated content. In Germany, the government is considered legislation that would fine Facebook, Twitter and the like fines of tens of millions of dollars for failing to remove hate speech quickly enough. In the UK,…
-
The IRS Tax Scam continues to take people’s money
Consumers filed more than 30,000 reports of scams with the Better Business Bureau in 2016. For the second year in a row, the top scam goes to… the IRS tax scam. In fact, the top three were the same as 2015’s list. New in 2016 were phishing scams and…
-
Should Google & Facebook be regulated, pay license fees for news content?
The British government has officially opened an inquiry into “fake news.” Damian Collins MP, Chair of the Committee investigating, summed it up: “The growing phenomenon of fake news is a threat to democracy and undermines confidence in the media in general.” Now British publishers have responded. The newspaper group News Media…
-
I love my cable / satellite / streaming / internet provider (said nobody ever)
Nobody, it seems, is happy with their cable, satellite, or streaming provider. Overall cost, hardware problems, streaming issues, and quality – take your pick. When you’re paying that much money, you just want to watch something of quality and have it work right without issues. When it doesn’t, people get…
-
Cable company hit with $25 million penalty, $8 million legal bill for not cracking down on music piracy
Known fact: people pirate music online. It’s hard to track down each offender, and even taking individuals to task, it’s like the little boy sticking his finger in the dam only to have another leak pop up. Music publishers have tried to put the burden on internet service providers (ISP’s)…
-
Everytime there’s new technology, someone figures out a way to hack it, exploit, or infect it
Doesn’t it seems everytime there’s new technology, someone figures out a way to hack it, exploit, or infect it? 16 million homes have had a serious virus problem in the past two years. The conflicker virus alone has infected nearly 9 million computers. Even cars are being hacked. And there’s…
-
Life lessons: Steve Jobs commencement address at Stanford, 2005
I recently came across Steve Jobs’ commencement address to Stanford University graduates. The year was 2005. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but surgery would help him live until his death in 2011. He had three important things to tell those assembled: You can’t connect the dots looking forward;…
-
Auto sales off to a slow start in 2017, but projections show another record year for auto industry
Following a strong close to 2016, January’s retail new-vehicle seasonally adjusted annualized sales rate (SAAR) is expected to slow to 13.9 million units in 2017, down 200,000 units from last year, according to a forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. U.S new-vehicle retail sales in January are…
Paul Dughi.com 