If asked to identify the characteristics of an ideal product to market, most would likely put at the top of the list broad appeal, the ability to evoke strong emotion, a venerable brand - and something very, very, sexy.If this sounds a lot like the Olympic Games, then it's easy to understand why TV advertisers line up from Beijing to Burbank with large checks in hand to get a … [Read more...]
Lost in Translation
Ten years ago, Jaime lived outside Managua, Nicaragua, worked in a shoe factory and took college classes. The then-35-year-old did not own a car and shared a house, a TV and a stereo with his parents, along with his brother and sister- in-law. Both Jaime and his brother helped his parents pay the rent, and the rest of Jaime's paycheck went toward saving for a move to the United … [Read more...]
Stand By Me
The last of the big independent affiliate and performance marketing networks was finally swallowed up by another large international conglomerate.In early September, Japanese e-commerce portal Rakuten took its first step into the U.S. market by agreeing to acquire privately held New York-based performance marketing network LinkShare for approximately $425 million in … [Read more...]
The Overstock Obsession
Every so often, there's a company, a person or a philosophy that attracts such a rabid following it can be only be described as a phenomenon.In music, the Beatles and Elvis come to mind. It's hard to think of either without envisioning ecstatic throngs of screaming, teary-eyed fanatics who would do anything for a souvenir to link them forever to their idol.In technology, Apple … [Read more...]
Online Travel Takes Off
Schlepping his burgundy leather briefcase and navy canvas travel bag through the Portland airport, George Bragg doesn't care as much about how he gets his ticket as how soon he'll get home to Dallas. He'd happily buy tickets from affiliates, discounters, travel agents or airlines. With travel representing the single largest source of Internet commerce, travelers like Bragg have … [Read more...]
Here’s Herby
From his passionate crusades against spam and "scumware" to hosting his group's annual summit, the baritone-voiced entrepreneur has a knack for stirring things up and forcing long-neglected ethical issues to the front burner. Now, he's ready to launch an accreditation program that would require participants to act more responsibly.Herby (hardly anyone uses his last name) has … [Read more...]