OMG! This phone is amazing

INTRODUCING THE HTC INCREDIBLE!

For the few of you out there who have yet to develop intimate relations for your cellular device, I dare you to not totally crush over the newest Android device, the HTC Incredible.

If you're in the love with the Apple iPhone, break up with it. This Incredible takes a dump on it.

• With a 1ghz Snapdragon processor, it is the freaking fastest PDA device on the market.


• The 8 gigs of internal memory is built into the motherboard which leaves ample room for another 16 gigs on a memory card. (That's well over 5,000 songs you could have stored on your device.)


• An 8-megapixel camera with a flash. Um, hello. AN 8-MEGAPIXEL CAMERA. (It's the most advanced camera smart phone offered by Verizon.) My camera on my Motorola Droid is 5 megapixel (see Facebook photos for examples of pics taken on the Droid)


• Google Maps with turn-by-turn vocal directions, Latitude, Google Talk (search your cell and the Web just by speaking into the phone), Gmail, Google Calendar (make adjustments to your calendar on phone, and it will automatically update the calendar on the computer without being connected- or visa versa)


• 
  
  Access to over 50,000 applications through the Android Market (now offering more free apps than the iPhone market)


• Sync music or photos from your phone to your computer or from your computer to your phone.


• Wifi capable

Some other awesome features include the opportunity to customize your phone using widgets and shortcuts so that the seven panels are filled with programs of your choice. The Incredible has a button similar to that on a Mac computer that brings all the seven panels onto one screen allowing you a more efficent method to get to the programs you need. Plus, it has the most up-to-date software version of the Google Android operating system.

...and it's available through America's largest and fastest 3g Network, Big Red! (aka Verizon Wireless)

The Incredible will be available for $300 with a $100 mail-in rebate prepared by me, so that you WILL get that money back!

Call me with questions about opening a Verizon account or regarding your current account with Big Red.

Kelly Jackson

Your Personal Wireless Consultant

(814) 490 9431

This week's Win/Loss Record

This week I made note of all of the win/lose scenarios that occurred. Below is a brief synopsis.

We shall begin with this week's victories

Wins

• Correctly identified an item at a food sampling as one modeled off Top Chef Season 3 (Banana with chocolate sorbet topped with a single raw shrimp)
• Burped out loud 5x at lunch
• Discovered a lunch special of a Buffalo chicken tender wrap with chips and a bottled pop for $5 even
• Successfully hinted to my managing editor that I will be leaving within the next two months
• Managed to keep my mouth shut while a bum in Buffalo (with Turetts Syndrome) harassed us for money, muttering "money, money" (read in the tone of Gollum from the Lord of the Rings)
• Restrained from pulling out all of my eyebrows. Please see Trichotillomania disorder
• Remembered the name of the new Weezer song "(If you're wondering if I want you to) I want you to"
• Watched my boyfriend get up fast from a couch only to immediately fall face down on the floor
• Refrained from following on Twitter Gretchen, Kim and Tamara from the Real Housewives of Orange County and Atlanta
• Stopped following Aneesa from the Real World on Twitter
• Gave someone the thumbs down for driving wrecklessly

Losses

• Failed to speak English after a coworker said "excuse me" while passing by. Instead I said something along the lines of "aarggghaw"
• Misheard a coworker compliment my boots. When she said "Your boots are cute," I thought she said "You lose" to which I replied " Ha ha, Yeah I know."
• Was assigned a story about a Mac Computer user group
• While interviewing the User Group's president, the wife came on the phone and began interrupting everything he said
• My graduate program advisor suggested changing my project's logo that I created because it resembles one of an Ad Agency as opposed to the business I'm working with (the Designated Drivers of Buffalo)
• Went another week at work where someone still does not know my name, what I do, or even where I sit (my place of work houses only 64 people)
• Was forced to use the bathroom at work to go "#2"
• Forgot a lunch on Friday to work
• Fell asleep before 10 on Thursday night after about 6 small cups of wine samplings and a single gin and tonic
• Admitted to liking the new Britney Spears song "3"
• Sported a camel toe while dressed as Beyonce from the "Single Ladies" video for Halloween
• Realized I needed to use my upper lip hair removal creme while attending a benefit

Tune in for next Friday's Win/Loss Record!

No Sex Ed in China- BUMMER!

After reading an article on The Slate Magazine regarding the lack of sex education in China, it really got me thinking about all of the funny/awkward (awesome) moments I experienced growing up while attending these classes.

I feel bad that those noodles (I refer to Buffalonians as WingDings) don't know how to properly apply a condom, but they should feel relieved that they didn't have the same opportunity to go through what I went through.

Experience #1

In seventh grade, I sat through my first "Health" course aka Sex Ed. It was Mrs. Ferrari (MF), my middle school gym teacher. She liked me because I played sports and talked a lot. More importantly, she thought that because I talked a lot that automatically made me an articulate reader. And most importantly, she thought I was mature (AHAHAHAHAHAH).

Let me take you back to that first class. We pull out our books (to which I immediately turned to the page featuring the male anatomy, where I would get my first sight of a cartoon version of a dong). I snicker, show my friend seated next to me (who probably didn't find it nearly as funny as I did), and turn to the first page. MF calls on me to read. Oh shit, I think to myself (except I didn't really swear a lot so I probably actually thought to myself "oh Chautauqua Lake").

I begin reading. And there it is in the first sentence. "Penis."

Me + 7th grade + "penis" = liueagfhlyiahfbwhjvbj,sev

I get to the word and try to keep my super "articulate" reading voice but while I consciously make the effort I accidentally put too much emphasis on the word. It turned out something like this (imagine all caps in the tone of yelling as you always should). "THE PENIS, which is the male...."

Everyone began laughing.

MF never called on me again that whole 9-week period to read. (Now I could just sit in class staring at the cartoon D #WIN)

Experience #2

Introducing Sex Education with teacher Byron "Sex" Eddy (self proclaimed CREEP for the reasons that he 1. was rumored to have sex with the other high school phys ed teacher in the pool and in the wrestling room 2. would actually KICK my bumbum when our soccer team wore our sweat pants that said 'kick' on the bumbum 3. continue reading).

Three great tales come from this class in 10th grade at my high school.

A) I had a sprained ankle during the first week of school sophomore year because my best friend Lauren (our soccer team's goalie) completely took me out during practice while conducting a 1 vs. 1 drill. I never knew anyone to actually slide tackle during practice until I met Lauren. This injury forced me on crutches for a few days (which was awesome because I got to ride the elevator---which in high school is a pretty big deal, #WIN).

Anyways, I'm sitting in class and he's throwing out hypothetical scenarios. He begins a sexy story involving myself and my friend Mike. Sex Eddy then says, and I quote, "Kelly, go sit on Michael's lap to make the story more believable."

B) Episode two- He asks me in front of the class to "go home and tell your parents that you and I had sex. Then share with us what their reaction was."

C) As we learned the symptoms and background behind what is formerly known as an STD (now STI), a slide came up about what is associated with the Clap.

As 15 of my fellow classmates and I sat there in the dark reading the slides to ourselves while Sex Eddy read them to us, one word stood out from the rest.

It was p-u-s-s-y.

The Context: Symptoms of Chlamydia

- pussy discharge

WHAT?!?!?!???!?!????!??!

WTF?!?!?!

I only know one way to pronounce pussy. When he didn't know why we all immediately busted out in laugher (because now we're 15-16 years old and finally people other than myself find this stuff hilarious, thank GOD), we didn't know what to do but continue laughing.

Apparently, what Sex Eddy was trying to convey was however you would spell the adjective or adverbial form of the word "pus." Silly Sex Eddy making up words. He should've known better. Unless this was another way he could rub his creepiness on us.

Ew. That sentence is so wrong on more than one level.

Experience #3

The Electronic Baby Project (#fail).

If China really wanted to enforce their one-baby-only rule, they should make everyone at the age of 15 do this project. It's. The. Worst.

Not only do you have to spend two weeks caring for a robot who scares the feces out of you in the middle of your slumber, but it is STANDARD procedure to be partnered with the person you would prefer not to be partnered with.

Mine was Ross, a ginger. He took great care of our robobaby. Too great of care. He wouldn't let anybody touch our screaming robot. I, on the other hand, had it tucked away in a garbage bag at soccer practice and gave it to my mom (grandmother wannabe) at any chance I could.

Sex Eddy mandated that all "couples" had to take the robots to the mall to reap the awful expressions of adults who assumed the robot was a real baby and that we were legitimate teen parents. Curse them.

I wanted to get this done as soon as possible because obviously I just wanted to get to my house so I could spend all afternoon on America Online chatting with the older boys and thinking I had a real chance with them (#FAIL).

Ginger, however, thought that we were really a couple and insisted that he buy me lunch after we finished getting AWKWARD photos in the different stores throughout the mall (FML). I didn't know what to say other than "dude, this is just a project. I'm not your girlfriend."

WRONG AGAIN, KJ.

He only wanted to treat me to lunch because my mom had driven us to the mall and would also pick us up. His mom had insisted that he buy me food to show gratitude for my mommy's taxiing.

#fail #fail #fail #fail.

If you're interested in actually reading why the Chinese should enforce more sex education programs, you can read the article here - Slate Article

Blondes vs. Brunettes Recap

The competitive attitudes fumed immediately after the six referees blew their whistles to signal the first play of the 2009 Blondes vs. Brunettes Alzheimer's Association Powder Puff matchup.

We, the Brunettes, started with the ball. After preparing weeks in advance for the game, we were strong and united. Unfortunately, moments after the half dozen striped force blew their pieces, we were already in trouble.

Apparently, in women's flag football and/or charity football games, only light blocking is permitted. We had been instructed by our coach, Nick Primerano, to block heavily. This led to serious pushing, shoving, bruising and soon to occur: whining.

Whoops.

The lighter hair colored floozies instantly began "bitching" to the refs. "Did you see that, she was all over me?" was the one comment I heard from the girl I had just bulldozed to prevent her from removing my darling teammate Carrie's yellow flag.

I laughed and began asking the closest ref what was allowed and what was not. As I started to gesture a finger poking action toward the ref to see if it was permitted, my quarterback, Jen, told me to quiet down.

But instead of ignoring the referees' remarks, we instead capitalized on the Blonde team's eagerness to tattle on us by surprising them with a reverse play. Seconds later, our wide receiver or "TO" graciously ran the ball into the end zone (special shout out to Miss Hopp!).

We fooled them again later with a reverse play, and this time I am pleased to announce that I ran along the side of the fake out wide receiver, which provided me the opportunity to see the look on one of the albino's faces after she realized the girl's flag she

had just yanked belonged to a brunette without the ball. (Hilarity ensued.)

Yadda, yadda, yadda, the game ended in a draw.

Even with numbers up, a greater hold of our emotions;and a stronger offense lineup and organization of plays, we still tied.

I can't be too upset about the tie, even though I consider this a major loss for women with poop-colored hair, because in the end if was all for a good cause: the Alzheimer's Association of WNY. (Both teams raised over $15,000 for the organization- thanks ya'll).

The co-chairs, Tracey, Chrissy and Lorraine, did an awesome job organizing the Kelly-Brenda showdown and confirmed that this event will be held again in the years to come. Which is mad cool since it ruled--- despite my animosity toward the tie.

Here's a good pic of everyone at the end pretending like we all like each other-

Look for me creeping in the back fourth from the left.

The Buffalo Jills were there too to cheer for their respective hair

color and perform a border-line inappropriate half-time show, and the sell-out Wing King in left corner.

Marketing glass half full

The Importance of Marketing During a Recession

by PR-inside.com

June 22, 2009

I've become so accustomed to hearing businesses should cut marketing and advertising during a recession that finding an article encouraging businesses to invest in this threw me a bit of a curve ball.

Cohen and Company Creative, Inc., located in Fort Lauderdale, alerts readers that now is the time businesses need to step up and invest in marketing and advertising in order to "forge" ahead.

"This is a great opportunity to pick up market share and stand out from the competition instead of fade away," said Michael Cohen, president of one of South Florida's leading full-service advertising agencies. 

Just as we've learned, if done effectively, investing in marketing now can lead to some flourishing results in the future. But is Cohen only saying this because he runs an ad agency? 

One of his supporting points is that without marketing, customers cannot find you as easily. To avoid playing  catch-up, he suggests maintaining an advertising budget. But I disagree with him when referring to brands that have customer loyalty and a strong following. 

A good brand shouldn't have to depend on marketing and advertising for its consumers to learn of its where abouts. 

I do, however, agree with Cohen's point that not all marketing has to be expensive in order to push the best results- which backs up my guerilla marketing posting below. "Smart marketing," as Cohen refers to it as, is far more superior than costly marketing. 

Cohen closes his article by mentioning that people are indeed still spending. To ensure business, companies need  to make sure these people think of their business first prior to purchasing. 

I think his optimistic perspective on how smart marketing acts as an excellent investing is definitely worth thinking about. He's right in some aspects. I only wish he had specific examples backing his points that when companies lack marketing initiatives, consumers have tough times locating their businesses. 

Baking with PR consultant of Baker Communication

Who: Glenn Rossman

Of: Baker Communications Group

Twitter: GlennRman

Background: I’m in my fourth year as a p.r. consultant at Baker Communications Group (www.bakercg.com) where we work with young technology companies. I’ve had many years experience working at technology giants IBM and HP, plus start-up StorageApps (which was acquired by HP), plus p.r. agency giant, Hill & Knowlton. Working with smaller companies, I get to see direct results and it keeps me fresh staying on top of things like emerging social networks.

How have you see social networking affect the industry? What tools have you used to keep up to date with target audiences? I’ll answer in the context of “the industry,” being p.r. and our clients in high tech. Right now, we’re all: 1- gaining experience with social media – like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter (along with Plaxo, Xing, maybe even YouTube and blogs) – by signing up and using these ourselves; 2-learning by participating in seminars/webinars; 3- experimenting by trial and error. A good summary is something I picked up on one webinar: “How do you measure success? Try things. See if they work. Try again.” We’re really at the beginning of the wave here and that really says it all, I think.

 

In terms of “tools,” we have our own WordPress blog (www.bakercg.com/blog), plus I use TweetDeck and am looking at all kinds of programs like TweetLater (has keywords and reporting, identifies people to follow), Twellow (Yellow Pages of Twitter - classifies by industry), MrTweet.net (an agent that suggest “Follows” and helps link to others), along with wefollow.com. Also, I’ve been evaluating new offerings like “Social Media Metrics” from PR Newswire and VocusNews On-Demand, which has added social media tracking capabilities. These help us track what is being said in social media perform analytics to make sense of it all and do a better job of directing our messages.

Do you think it's becoming easier or harder to reach consumers? “Consumers” in my work are typically other businesses that purchase technology. I would say it is “easier” and “harder”. It is easier because we have many more ways to reach consumers (our target audience) and now we are better able to reach consumers directly – not only through media. That is also why it is harder because there are so many outlets and they are growing so fast. Before the emergence of social media (and blogs), there were a pretty finite number of media outlets and reporters. Now, the number of potential “influencers” is almost infinite (bloggers, Twitterers, etc.).

 Does Baker Communications use Twitter? Our agency and our clients are using Twitter. Why? There is no upfront cost and momentum has built to the point where it has proven to us to be another useful way to reach our target audiences.

What do you see for the future of social networking? We have one client (Open-Xchange) at the front of the social networking wave, which next week will introduce a trial that begins to assimilate information on the different social networks. For example, taking my LinkedIn contacts information and integrating that with my e-mail address book so that they are not two totally separate places with my contacts information. (As an example, Kelly, right now you are in my LinkedIn but if I want to send you an e-mail I have to manually add you to that address book.) Also, they’re working on sharing Profile information so that I maintain one bio/profile, which can be published to multiple sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, for example). The idea is that in both cases – integrating address books and maintaining profiles – are dynamic and continually update. In the future, we’ll see far more integration of social networks than the standalone, isolated islands we have today.

 

Do you think social networking sites are successful? Yes, and the proof is the number of users and vibrancy of each of those. I believe we’ll see maturing and maybe some go away or, more likely, they find their niche. MySpace is the best example where maybe its peak is past, but it is settling into a good niche (artists, musicians).

For more information on Baker Communication visit the company website

Stuntin' like my daddy did- Guerilla Marketing

(courtesy of weburbanist.com)

Other than having an outside party sponsor your business 100 percent, I can't think of a more cost-effective marketing technique than guerilla marketing. With the economy gone to the crapper (hopefully not for much longer!) guerilla marketing techniques should be used by those businesses that need the publicity, the awareness, the following, and have a skinny wallet.  It has proved to work extremely well when budgets are low and goals are high.

Defined, guerilla marketing means any form of unconventional promotions that moves away from a dependency on budget and instead relies on time, thinking "outside of the box" and effort put forth. Most often these tactics are unexpected and unconventional. By catching the consumers off guard, the idea being marketed becomes memorable and a topic of conversation--- ultimately transforming into a viral campaign. 

This article from weburbanist.com lists 13 guerilla stunts that were deemed "extremely effective" by the authors.

While many convey a sense of humor-- something all of us could use in struggling times like these-- others use powerful images to evoke emotions that connect the viewer to the meaning of the message.

Like Amnesty International's humanitarian-awareness campaign. Amnesty is the world's largest grassroots human rights organization. And together with the arts and entertainment industries, the organization works to raise awareness about human rights abuses throughout the globe to motivate people to take a stand. In the ad featured in this article it shows two hands reaching over the bars of a sewer top in a street with Wrong printed on one hand and Faith on the other. This disturbing yet meaningful image created buzz and served the purpose for why it was created: to get people talking about human rights.

The article made a point to mention the reversal of guerilla marketing that can result. In New York City, a band of street artists worked together to replace corporate ads that used public space without license with "clever guerrilla protestations" against the assumed injustice. One of these ads was replaced by a giant "delete" computer button. 

Some larger brands that have used humorous guerilla tactics successfully include: Volkswagen that placed one of its vehicles parked beside a curb with a giant brick that eared to have split upon landing on the non-damaged vehicle; FHM who used a mini coop's curvy front frame to compliment a feminine body; or Careerbuilder.com covered the top of a truck trailer with "Don't Jump carreerbuilder.com" to be seen by people working in tall buildings or those contemplating suicide. 

The reason I chose this brief article to discuss is to mention the importance of guerilla marketing. Not only is it cost effective, but it's a great way to stand out in a very cluttered and polluted marketplace. The stats are remarkable regarding how much information we receive daily, and how much of that we actually remember. Unless we as marketers do something memorable, our ideas will not stand out or be recognizable.