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Southwest Props for Customer Listening – Kinda Sorta

Everyone has heard the rumors about Southwest moving to assigned seating. They gave me the impression that they were clearly listening this morning for a moment or two.

I was sent an e-mail asking me to vote on the issue (Including using my frequent flyer number to create integrity) – though the questions were not detailed and there was no comment box option. It’s clear that they are looking at a few seating options.

OK, Dave, what could they have done better? Well, for one while they sent me the e-mail the poll is not mentioned anywhere on their blog at this time and it should be. Secondly, they should have made the poll results transparent to the voter afterwards so they got the feeling their opinion matters.  But overall, props for taking the time to ask!

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Cubs Rainout Pleasure

It’s so nice when you get to watch unedited, unplanned and mostly live TV – during the Cubs rain delay – fun content… 

Local Newspaper Daily Herald Reporter Interview
Dusty Baker Pre-Game Press Briefing
Ron Santo Interview & Tribute
Greg Maddux Says Goodbye
Bruce Sutter Tibute (Now a Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
2003 Cubs “Highlights”

Ah the simple pleasures in life…not nearly enough of them.

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Wall Street Journal Says Google “Stumbles” in Video

Today’s Wall Street Journal has an awesome article about Video ads and discusses MSN’s early dominance. The article states:

“MSN’s early success positions the portal to benefit from the explosion in online video advertising now under way. It also raises questions about Google Inc.’s ability to maintain its stranglehold on Internet advertising.”

“Advertisers say there aren’t enough ad spots to go around. A June study by McKinsey & Co. estimates that 80% of video inventory was soaked up in 2005 and that demand is likely to rise five-fold next year, outstripping current supplies. “Whenever we create more inventory, the sales force can sell it instantly,” says Rob Bennett, general manager of MSN Video. “There’s a tremendous demand.””

“Jason Zajac, general manager of social media at Yahoo, says Yahoo currently runs banner ads only on the home page of video.yahoo.com, Yahoo’s page for homemade videos, which are vetted by Yahoo editors. Mr. Zajac says that Yahoo hopes to be able to offer 15- to 30-second ads inside user-created videos soon.”

“At the same time, portals are keeping an eye on Google. The search giant stumbled in an effort to move into video early last year.”

It’s interesting to see people questioning Google’s potential in this area so early in the game. Just like mobile marketing, the premise that Google will dominate is being questioned very early here.  

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Interesting Concept – Think Customers – Not Campaigns

If they truly live what they say, it sounds like I’d like these people.

“Too many marketing organizations are still underperforming due to a “think campaigns” mentality rather than “think customers” mentality. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. To make the transition from campaigns to customers-and reap the rewards-organizations must begin by gaining a strategic focus. Using the four best practices of relationship marketing, help identify your marketing organization’s weakest link when it comes to building more profitable customer relationships and then choose the best Enterprise Marketing Management solution for filling the technology gaps. From increasing their customer IQ to bringing measurement up to customer speed, companies like BMO Bank of Montreal are becoming relationship marketing leaders, and they have the results to prove it. Think customers.”