I find most companies asking for user generated content want one of two things:

1)Other people to do their work for them on the cheap and/or
2)Don’t want to pay an advertising agency

Sometimes it works (Doritos and the Super Bowl) and rubs advertising creatives the wrong way and we all get in a tizzy and think of ways to criticize the work as “unprofessional” when really we’re thinking “we should have thought of that.”

Sorry, this new campaign from Century 21 doesn’t sell me on wanting to create a wacky video of me doing wacky things for “exposure”

I’m personally of the opinion that payoff doesn’t match the efforts, but then again, closing costs are a pain

Being that I hang out with people who do these things, I’m sure I’m going to get a lot of emails asking for my vote…but that teaser ad. Yikes

Technorati Tags: Century 21, user generated content, marketing, things that rub me wrong

For someone that is so passionate about bands using new channels to distribute music and empowering fans to market for them, I should have my ass handed to me for not blogging about this sooner. On one day, March 22nd (that’s Thursday), bloggers, podcasters, and music lovers that don’t like the idea of the music industry suing its own customers, are going to strike fear into the heart of the Evil Empire, the RIAA. On March 22nd, we are going to send independent band Black Lab’s new song ‘Mine Again’ to the top of the iTunes charts.

Now before any of you cynics say this is a ploy by the band to get some exposure, guess again, this is being done by US to get the attention of traditional media, and the RIAA. Here’s what the band had to say on their site when they found out what the deal was:

Holy Crap!! hey everyone, welcome to blacklabworld, home of the american rock band black lab. apparently, some insane stuff is going on. as we speak, a group of podcasters, representing millions of listeners to cutting edge media, have decided to make black lab’s song “mine again” NUMBER 1 on the iTunes charts on March 22nd. one day, one song. the vision is to make a statement about the power of those who make, broadcast and listen to music outside of the traditional media models, and it’s an incredible opportunity for black lab fans to get familiar with podcasting and for the larger world to get familiar with black lab. I hope you’ll support us and the podcasting community on March 22nd by clicking this link and purchasing the song via the affiliate link (proceeds go to a scholarship fund, as does half of everything we will make on the 22nd). thanks!

 

Yep, I saved the best part for last. BumRushTheCharts, the defacto fansite for this movement, has set itself up as an iTunes affiliate. What that means to you is, if you buy Black Lab’s Mine Again via THIS LINK, the site gets 5% affiliate fees, and all the commissions earned via purchases from that link will be donated to fund college scholarships! Black Lab has also agreed to donate 50% of its earnings from all iTunes sales of Mine Again tomorrow to the scholarship fund as well!

So beginning at midnight tonight, you can buy Black Lab’s ‘Mine Again’ via THIS LINK, which will fund college scholarships, help support an indie band that supports podcasters, and bitchslap the RIAA. All worthy goals! Do your part to get the message out by blogging about this worthy cause! Hat-tip to Jaffe, who has been all over this. He’s threatening to add it as a case study in his upcoming book Join The Conversation.

I knew I lived in a bubble, but usually my bubble is pretty good about including advertising stuff.  This one, however, I managed to miss. 

Apparently CareerBuilder.com recently put its account into review after their SuperBowl spots didn’t make the USA Today top ten SuperBowl ads list.  For some reason, this pissed off their agency Cramer-Krasselt who decided to semi-preemptively retaliate by resigning the account.

To get to the bottom of the story, TalentZoo has interviewed Peter Krivkovich, President & CEO of C-K, in their latest Hot Mic podcast.  He offers some insight into the agency’s decision and the situation leading up to dumping the client.  Give it a listen here.

Technorati Tags: beyond madison avenue, advertising, Cramer-Krasselt, CareerBuilder.com, Talent Zoo 

 

TalentZoo is bringing back Sally Hogshead’s podcast The Naked Career in a BIG way.  Their first guest?  None other than the guru himself, Seth Godin.

"The interesting part of this is the fact that this is the first time Seth has directly addressed the ad industry and the fact that they are in dire need of self reinvention if they are to survive and get back to leading the pack instead of merely following the status quo."

Let’s see.  An industry guru interviewing an industry guru who’s willing to call it like he sees it.  Sounds like a recipe for uproar to me.  Have a listen here.

Technorati Tags: Talent Zoo, Beyond Madison Avenue, Sally Hogshead, Seth Godin, Radio Talent Zoo, podcast

What are you doing right now?

HEY!

You should probably be listening to BAMCast Episode 3! (See PodPress doohicky below to download or play from browser.)

This episode includes an elooooongated version of the wine marketing minute and another quick jab at K-Fed’s Nationwide spots.  Oh yea, and you’ll need a flask and/or a plastic wine shuttle (listen to find out what that is).

Technorati Tags: podcast, Beyond Madison Avenue, marketing, wine, K-Fed, Nationwide

Yup, more podcasting goodness including one of your friends at the BMA.

This time, it’s the Dallas Marketing Zoo, hosting by Scott Baradell of the Media Orchard and Spin Thicket, with a cast rounded out by Brian Clark of Copyblogger, Cam Beck and Paul Herring of Chaos Scenario, and me, Paul McEnany.

And now for the best part, you get to be a part of it, too!

Just call 646.915.8556 on Monday, December 18th at 8:00pm CST, to listen or join in to the live podcast.

Be there!