Taco Bell’s Social Disaster

The source of confusion

With a few years in social media and a few years in the restaurant industry under my belt, I couldn’t help but cringe as I read this story.

The abridged version, if you haven’t already heard, is that Facebook and Twitter fans were supposed to be able to order the new, highly anticipated Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos a day early. Unfortunately, some crucial details were not properly communicated – mainly that not all locations were participating, and fans weren’t shy about leaving their frustration all over Taco Bell’s wall.

I just can’t help but feel sorry for the employees of Taco Bell who have to face these angry fans in person and not just on a Facebook wall.  What do you think is the best way for Taco Bell to respond to those who feel cheated?

Before the Internet

No. Not really. But I do remember dial up!

Get social… with your business

So you’ve decided to get social. Maybe it was Facebook’s recent execution of the largest IPO in history that made you decide to take social media a little more seriously, but where do you start? And what do you say? Or pin…or post… or tweet…

Consider this a crash course on some of the most popular social media platforms out there. It’s important to understand how each of these sites are used and how to use that to your advantage.

Best Buy’s last-ditch effort

Best Buy’s last-ditch effort

Best Buy’s last ditch effort – Copy Apple.

When I was working at Circuit City, I remember the day our GM announced during one of our early morning meetings that Circuit City was rebranding itself as “The City.”  The City stores would have an “interactive layout” – meaning they would no longer place stock anywhere other than the back inventory to reduce clutter and lighting would enhance the displays and – and this seems to be EXACTLY what Best Buy is doing now.  Why don’t they learn from “the City’s” mistakes?

Web Arcarde – My nerdiness is at all time high

Web Arcarde – My nerdiness is at all time high

While my nerdiness might be apparent to most of friends now, I would bet that even my closest friends wouldn’t be able to guess how much time I spent at arcades growing up.Combine my past obsession with Bubble Trouble, Street Fighter, Sonic the hedgehog, first person shooters etc with my new found interest in web development and this website will keep me entertained for hours.

I’ll talk to you in about… 3 days? Depends how hard the bosses are at the end of each level

What does IPv6 really mean for advertisers?

If you came to this blog looking for answers, you’ve come to the wrong place.

As part of my job(s) I read a LOT of different articles.  I read about the same things I once wrote about here – advertising, technology, internet, social media – and sometimes I start to make some interesting connections.

For example, I recently read about IE10 and what an uproar it caused when they announced that the new browser would default to Do Not Track.  It’s pretty much common knowledge at this point that users do not want to be tracked, the fact is most of the information we get are from those who are unknowingly supplying us with the information – defaulting to Do Not Track would vastly reduce the amount of information advertisers are able to track on online consumer buying habits, how website developers are able to track analytics of their page – it could really change online adverting, should this become the norm for internet browsers.  After all, Google Chrome did recently suprass IE as the most popular webrowser. 

Google Wallet: No need for plastic

Who’s really surprised that Google found a way to make it possible to pay for your cab with your cell phone?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsaJMhcLm_A?rel=0&w=560&h=315%5D

Creative advertising

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LppK4ZtsDdM&w=560&h=345%5D

Petri dishes aren’t anything new.  I remember a girl using petri dishes to determine which of the drinking fountains in my elementary had the most bacteria festering in them in 2nd grade.

But using bacteria as a form of art? For a billboard? Crazy cool concept, and by the looks of the video, definitely drawing in crowds.

Why It Worked for Mac, but not T-Mobile

Whether you follow advertising or you follow technology, chances are you are familiar with the Apple vs. PC campaign.   The videos that perfectly exemplify “brand personalities” and the differences between Apple and PC without showing either one.  The entire campaign can be found here, but here’s a glimpse of what I’m referring to:

Advertising about Technology can be fun too!

Kudos to Webroot, the antivirus software that found a way to promote themselves in a way a young audience can understand and appreciate… and they even made it funny!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/24571390%5D