March, 2008 Archive

BBC Launches New Look News & Sport Sites

The BBC’s press release here says both news and sport will go live, fully revamped, this week.

Seems like they’ve just switched on the new news site which looks great!

“The new look will include higher profile promotion of the new embedded video service, extra emphasis around breaking news and live events, wider page designs and more ambitious use of pictures.”

Search Engine Marketing For Beginners

Guy Phillipson from the Interactive Advertising Bureau does a really great job in showcasing some of the products and services available to marketers via “Search”.

Sponsored by Latitude, I found this little gem by clicking on a banner (who’d of thought eh?) on the Media Week website.

Kudos to Marketing Magazine for bringing this kind of initiative to the marketing masses.

              Marketing Digital Masterclass – Search

Taxi Ride From Hell

Next time you fall out of a pub or club at closing time and you need a ride home, when some bloke whispers “minicab” as you stumble past, just hope he’s no relation to this guy!

Top Of The Search Results To You! – Search Marketing World 2008

Next week I’ll be in Dublin for Search Marketing World 2008. The inaugural conference last year was a great success. A short, sharp injection of searchification with a keynote from Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land and tracks for the newbie and advanced search marketer alike.

Chris Sherman is officiating this year and I’ll be speaking on a panel with Google and Yahoo! getting quizzed on all sorts of interesting topics I’m sure.

So if you’re reading this in Dublin register here. If you don’t live in Ireland why not take advantage of a great one day conference and enjoy a few pints of the black stuff while you’re there!

The Irish Independent have written a great article to introduce the conference….

Hilton Hotel New York Customer Service

Ask for my feedback and you’re going to get it!

The Hilton asked me to fill out a survey after my stay during SES New York and I told them what I thought:

  • “Executive” room was tiny 
  • Internet didn’t work – 30 minute call to support
  • Ridiculous packaging on laundry when it was returned
  • Bath took 20 minutes to drain
  • Room smelt musty
  • Decor was tired
  • Daft portion sizes – who eats large 4 sausages and 4 huge pancakes?
  • Do not disturb sign ignored
  • Receptionists sullen and humourless
  • Ad finitum

Now I complain but am not very good at doing at the time. Maybe it’s because I’m reserved (ahem!) but mainly because I’ve already unpacked and can’t be bothered.

Anyway I’ve just had an email from their assistant director of housekeeping:

“Thank you for taking the time and consideration to let us know the circumstances surrounding your recent visit to the Hilton New York. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the inconsistencies in service you experienced during your stay.

We at the Hilton New York consistently strive to achieve high standards of service and regret we failed to meet your expectations on this particular occasion. Our primary concern is the quality of your experience in our hotel, and the problems you have encountered are not at all indicative of the fine service we strive to provide to our guests. We can offer no excuse, but do want to assure you that your concerns have been addressed with the appropriate members of our staff and steps have been taken to prevent recurrences of this nature in the future.

We look forward to a future opportunity to deliver a level of performance you have every right to expect from the Hilton New York.”

I think it’s a really nice touch. They could have just taken the feedback but to get a personal email like this is quite cool.

But where are the extra loyalty points to ensure I come back…..? 🙂

Don’t Be Foolish Recruitment People

Had an email yesterday from a director of a large digital media agency here in the UK.

Apparently a recruitment firm had got past their telephone receptionist saying they were calling from New Media Age (top industry magazine) and wanted to interview a particular person.

In fact they wanted to interview that person for a job with us apparently.

Now we don’t use that recruitment firm, so why are they arsing about malpracticing and causing potential friction between us and an agency?

Are they so stupid to think that someone won’t cotton on and it might not get blogged about?

Don’t do it! Or next time you’ll be outed!!!!

London Marathon 2008 Update – 17 Days To Go!

 

Well there’s just over two weeks till the big day and I’m just about prepared. 11 miles around Central Park in New York last week and 15 miles around Richmond Park here in London on Monday have made tree trunks out of my legs. It’s incredible how the body reacts to training properly.

The 15-miler was hard. I just hadn’t eaten properly that morning having had just a couple of Weetabix before setting off. It took a good 1 1/2 hrs before I started to feel comfortable. Then the heavens opened and it started to snow. I ended up with an inch of snow piled ontop of my head at one point.

I managed to drum up a lot of support to come and watch the big day. I’ve never been to see the London Marathon as I always vowed the 1st time I saw it I’d be in it. Visualising crossing the finishing line is a serene thing, although there’s 26 miles to cover before that.

I’ve run 20 miles before but I was woefully under-trained and it nearly crippled me. I’ve only put in a couple of runs a week and a long run for the last few months. I could have done better but the race being in April means training through the cough and cold season and that ain’t fun.

I’ll let you know how I get on at the weekend. I aim to cover 18 miles and then that’s it!

In the meantime there’s plenty of room for sponsorship!

So far we’ve raised just shy of £2,500 which Microsoft will match so – £5,000 or $10,000 which sounds even better!!!!

Please give what you can here: http://www.justgiving.com/melcarson

Microsoft adCenter Community Party Photos – SES New York 2008

Wednesday night saw Microsoft show some of the delegates/speakers from Search Engine Strategies New York 2008 a good time.

It was all to celebrate the launch of our new adCenter Blogs and Forums 

 

The Bus Driver

The Anticipation!

Times Square in the Rain 🙁

Jeremiah AndrickCindy KrumRichard Zwicky

David Szetela & Kristjan Mar Hauksson & Partners

Counting Cards

Jill’s Mean Backhander

Warming Up For Karaoke 🙂

adCenter411 Incognito

Fabulous Food….

Beautiful people!

Chips Are Down

Tamar Weinberg & Jonathan Hochman

Lady In Blue

JenStar – Lorna – Danny Sullivan

Me Carefully Whispering

Mona ElesseilyLee Odden

Jason Yormark Wearing Some Billie Jeans

Martin Gilliard

SMO New York – New York

Matt McGowan & Friend

Kevin Ryan & Rory Brown Outside SearchBash

3am – Time for bed!?

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