Today is Vishu, celebrated as the beginning of a new year across the south Indian state of Kerala, where I come from.
I am thrilled to start with a new name and focus for my blog. I have been writing here since 2007, but, as you can see, not too many posts to brag about.
I've been part of the digital marketing industry since pretty much the beginning. Being an engineer, with a flair for creative thinking, it cannot get any better! Though I have been based out of India, this industry is truly global, and except for the initial years when we started Webshastra (now Position2), most of our clients were global.
Advertising, for me, is losing its worth. The means as becoming an end. People do ads to win awards! Clients boasted about their advertising spends, media even awarded top advertisers. Think about it, getting an award for spending more?
As part of the change in name, I intend to focus my blog to share more experiences from my work, clients, and my thoughts in this amazing art (+science) of digital advertising.
Enjoy! and please do share your views. We may not agree, but a POV is a POV
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Google like ads on Twitter?
Reminded me of the way people try to fit in existing familiar models, to try and predict how new systems would work. Greek? well, when the 'talking movie' was introduced, few believed that it could replace silent movies!
Here is an interesting excerpt:
All of this changed in 1926 when Warner Brothers, in conjunction with Western Electric, introduced a new sound-on-disc system. In this system, sound effects and music were recorded on a wax record that would later be synchronized with the film projector. In order to exhibit this new technology, Warner Brothers released "Don Juan", the first motion picture to have a pre-recorded score and synchronized sound effects. Although "Don Juan" proved to be a box-office hit, many movie studios still refused to adapt to talking picture technology, believeing that "talkies" would never replace silent pictures. (More here)
The point I wanted to make was, Twitter needs to find a model, based on how it functions, and that definitely is not like Google. I did post a comment there, and the same is reproduced here.
We are dealing with 2 highly different systems. While Google is more an entry point for people searching for content. Twitter is more of a system to help people follow folks who they percieve as experts, and be in the know.
In Google, the ad serves a purpose, so it is successful. In Twitter, an ad like Google is anything but a distraction.
Having said that, the best thing Twitter can leverage is fan following. Sort of like endorsements in the real world. People with the highest following, can be contacted to promote products - essentially endorse them.
Is it unethical? Not really. Celebrities do endorse products.
In Google, the ad serves a purpose, so it is successful. In Twitter, an ad like Google is anything but a distraction.
Having said that, the best thing Twitter can leverage is fan following. Sort of like endorsements in the real world. People with the highest following, can be contacted to promote products - essentially endorse them.
Is it unethical? Not really. Celebrities do endorse products.
Watch this space...
Cheers, Vinod
Position2 Newsletter: Issue 2, March 2010
Heres' our second issue. And along with the link, here is a summary on what to expect. Happy reading!
In This Issue:
- Social Media Buzz Article 1: Google Buzz: Facebook Killer?
- Social Media Buzz Article 2: Flying Tweets: Kevin Smith vs. Southwest Airlines
- Brand Conversations: Tracking The Buzz On Apple's iPad
- SEM Insights: The Power Of The Funnel
- Social Media Buzz Article 2: Flying Tweets: Kevin Smith vs. Southwest Airlines
- Brand Conversations: Tracking The Buzz On Apple's iPad
- SEM Insights: The Power Of The Funnel
Position2 Newsletter: Issue 1, Feb 2010
Happy to present the first issue of our in-house newsletter. We have had many knowledge sharing initiatives in the past - these included events like Search Engine Marketing round-tables that we organized in the US, Mumbai, Bangalore and Singapore.
This one came out in February, and I will be posting them here on a regular basis. I will post the second issue for March, right here in a while.
If you want to get it on a regular basis, you could sign-up at our website (www.position2.com)
Happy reading!
Vinod
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, October 8, 2009
MOP 5 Time to wake up, India
This time its a book. It was a book I had with me for a while before I read it. I had three copies actually, 2 of them signed by the author. I started it a few weeks back, and frankly, after many years, I have come across a big fat book, that I don't want to keep down. It has the power to draw you in. And specially if you are an Indian, you just can't help it.
Nandan Nilekani's book, Imagining India, is a must read for every Indian. Like Tom Friedman says, Nilekani is a great explainer!.
Initially I thought this book was about business. I was pleasantly surprised, this book is all about India, how we are, why we do certain things, and where we are headed and ideas that will help us. It has anecdotes and mentions on our history, culture, politics, religion, and just about everything that we see around us. All set in a casual, but genuine tone. Here is a random excerpt. (I just can't help but share it. It is just a random page I picked, and in no way is my endorsement of the policy or the political party involved ;))
"The big fear for the states about moving towards VAT was that it would reduce their independence, and the centre would appropriate their revenue and tax collecting powers. The UPA govt. took up VAT reforms where the NDA govt. left off, but the challenge in convincing the states remained. Dr. Shome tells me, "Chidambaram met the resistance from some states against VAT by offering to compensate them for any losses... At the meeting, I was sending him memos to stick to a 12.5% compensation. But he looked up and offered 17.5%! He then passed a paper to me, which said, Partho, sometimes in life, you have to take risks". These guys have their bit of fun too!
The book is set with numerous examples and interesting tidbits like how politicians were wary of Rajiv Gandhi and his team of computer boys, which included advisors like Sam Pitroda. Sam apparently told Nilekani, that he saw his first phone when he went to the US. We all know how that spark ignited the telecom revolution in our country.
The book inspires the optimist, and has the power to pacify and reason the pessimist in every Indian. Once you read this, your perspective on the pothole that you curse changes. You suddenly feel, you need to do your bit too. Not necessarily in repairing that pothole, but in the overall development of our country. The potholes are but an effect. Its the cause that needs to be mended.
And I take pride in the fact that Mr. Nilekani is no stranger. I had the opportunity to meet him along with Rakesh Varma and Kiran Gopinath, when we were on the road (literally), trying to raise funds to set up Webshastra. He gave us time at his office in Infosys, some advice, and also invited us to join a state Govt. seminar on IT, which was attended by the then CM, S M Krishna. Back then it was some advice and good wishes, now it is an inspiring book that has shifted my thinking. Thank you once again.
Nandan Nilekani's book, Imagining India, is a must read for every Indian. Like Tom Friedman says, Nilekani is a great explainer!.
Initially I thought this book was about business. I was pleasantly surprised, this book is all about India, how we are, why we do certain things, and where we are headed and ideas that will help us. It has anecdotes and mentions on our history, culture, politics, religion, and just about everything that we see around us. All set in a casual, but genuine tone. Here is a random excerpt. (I just can't help but share it. It is just a random page I picked, and in no way is my endorsement of the policy or the political party involved ;))
"The big fear for the states about moving towards VAT was that it would reduce their independence, and the centre would appropriate their revenue and tax collecting powers. The UPA govt. took up VAT reforms where the NDA govt. left off, but the challenge in convincing the states remained. Dr. Shome tells me, "Chidambaram met the resistance from some states against VAT by offering to compensate them for any losses... At the meeting, I was sending him memos to stick to a 12.5% compensation. But he looked up and offered 17.5%! He then passed a paper to me, which said, Partho, sometimes in life, you have to take risks". These guys have their bit of fun too!
The book is set with numerous examples and interesting tidbits like how politicians were wary of Rajiv Gandhi and his team of computer boys, which included advisors like Sam Pitroda. Sam apparently told Nilekani, that he saw his first phone when he went to the US. We all know how that spark ignited the telecom revolution in our country.
The book inspires the optimist, and has the power to pacify and reason the pessimist in every Indian. Once you read this, your perspective on the pothole that you curse changes. You suddenly feel, you need to do your bit too. Not necessarily in repairing that pothole, but in the overall development of our country. The potholes are but an effect. Its the cause that needs to be mended.
And I take pride in the fact that Mr. Nilekani is no stranger. I had the opportunity to meet him along with Rakesh Varma and Kiran Gopinath, when we were on the road (literally), trying to raise funds to set up Webshastra. He gave us time at his office in Infosys, some advice, and also invited us to join a state Govt. seminar on IT, which was attended by the then CM, S M Krishna. Back then it was some advice and good wishes, now it is an inspiring book that has shifted my thinking. Thank you once again.
Friday, July 17, 2009
MOP 4 - A whack on the head
This is fourth in the series of Mind Opener Posts, I'd like to share.
The whack on the head is severe when someone close is involved!
Neethu is my niece, and this is her story.
Neethu came to Bangalore to enrol for a 6 month vocational training course at EnAble India, a charity that assists people who are challenged.
She was born blind. She has never seen how the world or even she looks! But she was a free bird. I picked her from the bus station and much to my surprise, rather than being apprehensive and nervous like most others, here she was singing in the car, trying to learn what was around, all excited about being in Bangalore. I have yet to meet a more optimistic and cheerful person.
It's not going to be easy, she stays in an apartment close by, she will need to walk across unaided. She will be staying with people she has never met. I was apprehensive when I went to hostel the very first time. And here she is, all by herself from the very first day.
I got my lesson. There's no room for complaints or excuses - play life like a game, using what you have. Play and enjoy or spend the rest of your life complaining! It will get you nowhere.
My best wishes to Neethu, I know she will make her mark one day!
The whack on the head is severe when someone close is involved!
Neethu is my niece, and this is her story.
Neethu came to Bangalore to enrol for a 6 month vocational training course at EnAble India, a charity that assists people who are challenged.
She was born blind. She has never seen how the world or even she looks! But she was a free bird. I picked her from the bus station and much to my surprise, rather than being apprehensive and nervous like most others, here she was singing in the car, trying to learn what was around, all excited about being in Bangalore. I have yet to meet a more optimistic and cheerful person.
It's not going to be easy, she stays in an apartment close by, she will need to walk across unaided. She will be staying with people she has never met. I was apprehensive when I went to hostel the very first time. And here she is, all by herself from the very first day.
I got my lesson. There's no room for complaints or excuses - play life like a game, using what you have. Play and enjoy or spend the rest of your life complaining! It will get you nowhere.
My best wishes to Neethu, I know she will make her mark one day!
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