Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Moma stand at Waterloo

Moma stand at Waterloo, originally uploaded by PR Geek.

Nice to see the healthy breakfast people (who we did PR for for a bit)
are still going. With a new look at new products too!

Thank you Tom Gorringe

I am typing out the letter that appeared on today's Metro Mail page in full (in our free morning paper The Metro with a 1.3m circulation, international readers) – purely to see what it feels like to have this level of genius come out of my fingers.

I would just like to defend Jacqui Smith's husband and his inadvertent mistake of watching porn and charging it to her expense account. I have a similar TV package and it is only too easy (particularly when my partner is not at home to assist me) to purchase an adult film.

When the film genres are displayed on screen it is easy to make a simple keying error on the remote control (pressing 'Yes', 'Are you sure?', 'Now enter your PIN' etc.). It is due to this very same complicated system on my TV that I have inadvertently purchased Bangkok Chick Boys and Linz's Dirty Dreams on several occasions. I for one am glad this scam by the cable companies has finally been exposed.

Tom Gorringe, Essex

Monday, March 30, 2009 Gonzo's rehearsal

Michael Gonzalez, on stage at the LMC, practising his presentation for Wednesday's LEWIS PR Industry Forum.


Gonzo's rehearsal, originally uploaded by PR Geek.

My tube train broke down halfway into the station

My tube train broke down halfway into the station, originally uploaded by PR Geek.

Sunday, March 29, 2009 Customer service: Good, better, best

For reasons too obvious to mention, customer service and customer service-orientated marketing has started to go into overdrive. I've been fortunate to experience three fantastic examples in the last few weeks. Take note, big business and their PR agencies - personal service is back, and it's working.

1. Good.

Habitat (who I've openly criticised before) sends me a personalised letter making me feel special, a nice brochure of their new stuff, and £10 off if I spend £50 or more.



2. Better.

Egg sends me an email asking me about my chat with Janine (at 8.59pm - not a good time for call centre staff I imagine) about their bizarre online security policy. I had, actually, lost my rag with Janine, but this short survey allowed me to feed back on the incident and now I feel better. (Janine was very good under the circumstances.)



3. Best.

I got this email from the founder of the Rare Tea Company, a small site where I bought a box of silver needle tea ages ago. Just click on the image to read it – it's wonderful. Then read the blog, and wonder at Henrietta's obsession with her company and its products. Then go buy some tea.

Friday, March 27, 2009 Super Chameleon

Podcasting with Parity

Podcasting with Parity, originally uploaded by PR Geek.

Interviewing Alwyn Welch, CEO.

Thursday, March 26, 2009 Twitter signs with Vodafone for free SMS in the UK

Twitter's news that it was cutting off SMS updates in the UK was much discussed. Some said it would kill the little blue bird, but that didn't happen. Far from it.

Now SMS is back with a deal with Vodafone for free SMS updates. Judging by the buzz around Twitter at the moment, it won't be long before the other networks join in. Will it make a difference to the unstoppable Twitterforce?

Update: Apparently the deal's exclusive toVodafone. How lame. Mind you, there aren't any decent phones on Vodafone contracts so they need SMS-based Twitter...

clipped from blog.twitter.com Full SMS Service for Vodafone UK Customers! Extending the power of the real-time network globally through the simple technology of SMS is a driving goal for Twitter. Anyone in the world can update Twitter via SMS but receiving tweets on your mobile has been restricted to North America. Today, we're happy to announce an agreement between Vodafone UK and Twitter. The shortcode for UK Vodafone customers is 86444 and you can activate your mobile in your Twitter settings.

New math

Via @chubbykid.

clipped from www.morenewmath.com

Captured

Another day, another 100 takes to get five lines out without laughing.

Adamo

Dell has brought out a funky new...



Whoa. Who was that? She didn't look happy. Anyway, Dell's big news is the...



Oi! Hey buddy! What's your game, eh? Like the hair, by the way. As I was saying...



Alright love, chill out. And go and put a coat on, it looks windy out.

Blimey, it's only a laptop. I ask you.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Want to read a decent white paper on e-business?

Decent, of course, as we were involved in the writing of it (for client Echo E-business). 

But today it appeared - thanks to our wonderful PR team doing their wonderful work - in the print edition of The Telegraph and on The Telegraph Business Club website. The download link is below in the web clip. Enjoy.

clipped from telegraphbusinessclub.co.uk E-Business Evolution 2009 Exploring how e-business will help companies survive.

Monday, March 23, 2009 Samsung N310 - just an NC10 in a hideous shell?

This article on Crave seems to suggest the new N310 has some new coating on its keyboard to protect against germs. Well my NC10 has that too, no nothing new there.

clipped from news.cnet.com As if that wasn't enough, it also "uses the latest medical technology" to smear the keys with a "special finish" that makes it "almost impossible for bacteria to live and breed." We don't recommend using it to clean your toilet, however. The N310 will be available in May. No word on price yet, but we'll keep you posted. If you'll excuse us, we're off to wash our hands again.

Why sustainability should be voluntary

My old blogpal Tebbo talks about BT's environmental policy, and its leader Dr Chris Tuppen.

clipped from teblog.typepad.com Today, he sent me a copy of a short (internal at the moment) paper he's written called "Green sticks or green carrots", which contrasts punishment with reward as motivators. He says that "companies and individuals can't simply be bludgeoned into making the significant changes in working practices and lifestyles that will be required." As he points out, "a volunteer is better than ten pressed men".

A full wine rack = a happy home

A full wine rack = a happy home, originally uploaded by PR Geek.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Optical Illusions TV advert

More great advertising that warns drivers to think about bikers.

Via Creative Review.

London fire: Twitter wins again

We were following the news of today's big fire in the Breams building in London's Chancery Lane on Twitter well before the press (oh, and the fire engines) had even got there.

Here's what Twitter threw up (thanks to mitchrob84):



And here's my rather disappointing picture from my office window:



Luckily nobody was hurt.

Friday, March 13, 2009 Stewart vs Cramer / Goldacre vs Leeming

Two videos have caught my attention today that pit traditional media against new approaches to decision making and public influence.

The first, labelled by Jason Calacanis today as the 'most important video you'll watch this year' is of The Daily Show's Jon Stewart *completely taking apart* CNBC finance reporter Jim Cramer for being an unethical broadcaster (or as another Twitterer says, 'handing him his ass in a handbasket' - new favourite phrase alert).

It really is amazing to watch, and a focused and efficient assasination of Cramer's credibility.

Update: The video has been taken down by YouTube due to a copyright claim by Viacom.

Update #2 - Don't panic, here's a playable link of the entire interview. Watch it now.

Second is a report from London Tonight on LBC's foul reportage of the risks around the MMR vaccine. Fair play to B3ta for adding the link to this vid in this week's newsletter.

Now tell me any of this would've happened without the Internet. How fitting for its (arguable) 20th birthday.

Tim Berners-Lee's desk at CERN

Tim Berners-Lee's desk. Coooool.
Originally uploaded by PR Geek

Happy Birthday the Internet!

In celebration of the Internet's 20th birthday (always arguable as to date and technology but let's just go with it, shall we?), here are the pics I took on a trip to CERN last year.

Notable things: The pad where Tim drew the Internet, and the sticker on his PC that says 'Don't turn this off - it's running the Internet' (or words to that effect). Click the pic for the rest.

Sunday, March 01, 2009 Things I learnt in America

My recent two weeks on 'vacation' (holiday) in Florida has taught me some important life lessons. Use them wisely.

1. It is possible to drive 20 miles in 20 minutes. Unlike London, where it takes me 20 minutes to get half-way to the end of my road.

2. If you are the controller of a local radio station, you only need five songs on your playlist. It's even better if two of them are by Akon.

3. Chopping things, like onions or tomatoes, is a massive waste if time. Buy them pre-chopped and save vital stuffing-your-face time.

4. Engaging in conversation with shop assistants can result in your name literally being worn out.

5. A 4.8 litre engine is small and economical.

Oh, and according to the news, Brangelina is looking hotter than ever, Li-Lo is on another diet, Joaquin is an acting genius, and there is no credit crunch.

Well, they didn't say there isn't a credit crunch, but they didn't mention it so I assume it's over.