JGlicksberg's Blog

The New Home of ICON Worldwide founder

[jglicksberg-blog]

"Cloud" Data Has to be the Worst Branding Concept Ever

I'm increasingly convinced one of the big stories of 2012 will be the simultaneous explosion of mass-market "Cloud" data storage and "Hacking".

As developers, we find ourselves increasingly integrating with third-party apps. to provide complex configurations which would be unwieldy for us to develop on our own, and too costly for our typical clients.

The logic is clear, an app solution such as MailChimp provides massive functionality for email list management, great analytics (see below ;) and, they do only email... so I guess they have most of the bugs worked out of the system.

Now, I personally believe a 3rd party app provider will actually have BETTER data security.  They are forced to comply with many more clients and tech demands then a single company.  And, their entire business disappears with a single breach of security.

But try to explain to a non-tech client that their data in a "cloud" is secure.  Forget, the word "Cloud", attached to "Data" instills instant anxiety.

There are real risks, of course, and lack of direct control may feel insecure.  The risk, I think, is in the points of intersection between a website and an app.; i.e. where the data crosses-over is where security and glitches will likely be an issue.

Regardless, these types of common-functionality applications are a huge growth market for tech, and cloud remains a hot topic.

I combine this trend with my totally unverified sense that hacking is...out of control.  The political cases get the most news, but I am also aware of a growing trend to banging away at root passwords on multiple servers until hackers get into a server and can use that power to hack another system.

As a result, there is a growing movement towards selling on security.  This was the rationale behind our recent move to FireHost as a hosting provider.  FireHost's message is clearly based on server security.

By contrast, our past hosting provider, MediaTemple, has a clear policy that companies are responsible for maintaining their own server security.  Fine for a large corp. but not for a small business without a 24/7 IT support staff.

[jglicksberg-blog]

Please Note: Mailchimp Does Not Track "Opens" in Plain-Text Emails

Wondering why your plain-text email sent via mailchimp shows a zero open rate?  

It's because MailChimp does NOT actually track opens in plain-text emails, but only "clicks" on links within the email.  

This is obviously different than Open rates, which companies desperately need to measure campaign effectiveness.

MailChimp explains this in their follow up emails and knowledge base articles.  But the information is not prominently mentioned in the process of deciding between a Plain Text or HTML email.  

When you disable tracking of links within an email, you are actually eliminating the only small chance you have of measuring your emails reach.

And staring at a chart which says ZERO opens is frustrating for client and agency.

[jglicksberg-blog]

Don't Forget Who You Work For

One of the sad downsides of the current economy swing towards freelance, internships, etc., is the lack of classic advertising traing that used to be part of the entry level job experience at most big agencies.

When I started my first agency job at Backer Spielvogel Bates, we did a one year program in which we worked across all departments of the agency, including account, creative, production and media.  Very valuable experience which gives you a better understanding of how an agency works, and more appreciation for the skills we depend on in each respective department.

In this big agency experience you also get an introduction to basic pricipals of working in a client service busines.  "We appreciate the opportunity our clients give us to work on their business, and we are committed to their business success."

At BSB we drank Miller, and BBDO we drank Pepsi.

And at ICON Worldwide, when we build FaceBook fanpages, blogs, apps, etc., we "Like", "Share" and download.  We never ask our start up clients for free samples, we pay for them.

(A) We are proud of our work, and (B) we have promised our clients OUR work will help them succeed so we do our part to contribute to their metrics of success.  Most importantly, (C) they have paid us for this work, and in ANY day and age, we appreciate the opportunity to prove ourselves.

So, I appreciated this memo from Leo Burnett, a classic reminder not to forget who puts a roof over our head (Falkon ;) and food on our table.  As well, I miss the age of legendary agency leaders whos name was their brand:

75890465-Leo-Burnett-Note.pdf Download this file

[jglicksberg-blog]

Definitely the Best Used Car Ad Ever Made

I have no real way of verifying the authenticity of this ad.  I can, however, validate it simply as a good idea...

[jglicksberg-blog]

How We Read Now

How we read now, has changed.  The good news is, we appear to be reading more than ever.  The recent release of publishing statistics has unleashed a new wave of speculation about the future of the book.  The New York Times went straight for the biggest scope, comparing the move to eReaders to the evolution form the scroll to the book, actually very interesting: The Mechanic Muse: From Scroll to Screen. And the Atlantic worries about what is lost in changing mediums, from curling up with a good book, to your kindle: Hybrid Books: 'Illuminations' And The Future Of The E-Reader. 

While it make sense that literary parties are noticing the huge impact that ereaders are having on the publishing industry, both the New York Times and Atlantic failed to comment on the excitement these digital platforms add to the experience.  The overall growth of the publishing industry is good news, and readers are sharings, liking, and exploring new content in new ways, and on a much grander scale.

Simultaneously, book publishers are innovating.  The recent "Our Choice" iPad book is an excellent example of how publishing is embracing and exciting period of transformation.

[jglicksberg-blog]

Solving the Social Media Pharma Equation

We think we are getting closer.  The ongoing discussions across all media about how pharma companies, patients, and foundations can come together effectively and responsibly on social media.  We find ourselves in a unique position as a combination of current clients, such as Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Swiss Association for anxiety and depression, merge with prospecive clients and projects.  We do believe there are success stories out there.  One of them is in the recent experience of the Michael J. Fox Foundation who were able to register 500 new clinical trial participants inside of one month, with social media spreading the word.  What is clear from this experience is, social media doesnt happen by itself, it needs a clear set of objectives, and strategic roadmap and a dedicated personnell to support the effort client side.  I've added a few slides to the ICON Blog.

[jglicksberg-blog]

60 Minutes: Why is Switzerland the Greatest Country to Live & Work

[jglicksberg-blog]

Posterous won't autopost to google +

Lame

~~~ Reply above this line ~~~

Hello Jonathan,

Thank-you for your feedback. When Google+ becomes a bit more established and develops an API, we will begin to consider it as an autoposting destination.

Thank-you for using Posterous!

Kathleen

Give Kathleen Bunn kudos!  Kudos help us rate how well we're supporting you.

On August 13, 2011 at 02:10PM Jonathan Glicksberg <[email protected]> wrote:

please...

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