http://www.ar-com.com/blog The blog for the corporate communicator Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:03:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Most of the apps on my iPhone were downloaded by my kids, so I don’t often use them (unless a meeting is really unproductive …).  There are, however, more and more business apps being released that have real value to corporate marketing efforts.  One of our clients’ greatest challenges is ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/social-media-marketing/this-app-is-better-than-ice-cream/ Last week, Matt Hartley, the National Post tech reporter, interviewed Patrick Pichette, the Canadian-born chief financial officer of Web giant Google Inc., and formerly BCE Inc.  In the interview, Pichette is quoted as saying: "Canadian companies do not spend what would be required to actually capture the [Internet’s] advertising opportunity; ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/web-strategy/canada-risks-missing-digital-revolution-google-cfo/ Huh? How can that be? Well, according to the book What Would Google Do?, in a “google universe” most information is both public and transparent. That means you can save a lot of anxious moments down the road (not to mention revenues) by knowing your worst customers and finding out ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/social-media-marketing/your-worst-customer-is-your-best-friend/ Video blogging is another of the social media tools we get questions about.  “Does it really work?” clients ask.  “Can it make a difference to our corporate bottom line?” And so on. As I am fond of saying, one good example is worth a thousand blog posts. Before reading on, open ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/using-current-technologies-in-interesting-ways/what%e2%80%99s-up-with-video-blogging/ By all appearances that is exactly what happened.  Scott Brown's upset, come from behind, win in the Massachusetts Senate race now represents the 41st vote in the Senate, breaking the Democrats filibuster-proof majority in Washington.  In another word passage of President Obama's healthcare reform legislation is now very much ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/using-words-to-advance-your-business/did-social-media-determine-fate-of-us-healthcare-reform/ In WWGD, Jeff Jarvis addresses a number of principles (he refers to them as laws) that have enabled Google to become so dominant so fast.  His first law is: "Give the people control and we will use it; don’t and you will lose us". He speaks of it primarily in ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/uncategorized/what-would-google-do-trust-vs-control/ One of the ways we make our clients’ lives easier is by reading and studying the latest marketing trends and then synthesizing them into actionable strategies and tactics. This way, we can help our clients keep up with the massive amount of information flying their way.  In fairness to my ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/tapping-into-specific-expertise-for-specific-projects/what-would-google-do/ The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently approved new guidelines with respect to certain aspects of online marketing. These guidelines represent administrative interpretations concerning the application of Section 5 of the FTC Act (15 U.S.C. 45) regarding the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, and ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/marketing-communications/new-ftc-internet-marketing-guidelines-%e2%80%93-pay-close-attention/ A good number of our clients have been rolling out social media initiatives over the last year or are in the process of doing so.  These initiatives include blogs, podcasts and social networking. We also hear regularly from clients who are considering initiatives but are still unsure ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/looking-at-the-media-we-use-to-deliver-messages/is-social-media-for-real/ The Canadian Bar Association has issued new guidelines on Web & Social Media Marketing.  These were created in response to an influx of questions from lawyers looking to ensure their marketing initiatives were onside with existing regulations. Read Robert Todd's article in the Law Times, where AR Communications'  Michael Rabinovici is ... http://www.ar-com.com/blog/using-words-to-advance-your-business/new-web-social-media-marketing-guidlines-created-by-the-cba/