Monday, March 4, 2019
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-Up
Good for a Laugh
“Marketoonist” Gently Mocks AND Teaches Marketers
I recently discovered the cartoons of Tom Fishburne, a.k.a the “Marketoonist.” He makes fun of marketers — sort of how the comic strip Dilbert makes fun of office life. In so doing, the Marketoonist also reveals some underlying truths and lessons about marketing. Good, funny stuff.
New Business Model
Hulu Introduces Innovative New Advertising Format
Those of us in marketing and communications are constantly wondering how best to reach our target market. For businesses that have traditionally advertised on television, digital video recorders pose a challenge (consumers fast-forward through commercials). Some consumers opt-out from traditional 30- or 60-second broadcast ads altogether by subscribing to services (such as Hulu or Netflix) that don’t interrupt the show with advertisements.
Hulu recently began to experiment with a new advertising model — display ads that appear on the screen only when the viewer pauses the broadcast. Such ads don’t interrupt the broadcast because it’s the viewer, not the advertiser, who has decided to pause the show.
This is an interesting model — something that may become widespread in the future. Here’s an interesting article about Hulu’s experiment.
Website Tip
Make Your Site Secure — Even if You Don’t Conduct E-Commerce
For websites that collect credit card information, a secure socket layer (SSL) certificate has long been an essential add-on. SSL encrypts information submitted through a website so hackers can’t easily steal it.
But now, SSL is a must-have add-on for all sites — for several reasons. Search engines like your site less (give it lower ranking) if it’s not secure. And web browsers alert visitors when your site is not secure. For example, Chrome now puts a red “caution” icon and “Not Secure” in the address bar of sites that don’t have SSL.
Think visitors don’t care? Guess again. Here’s an article that reveals how many people have a “bad reaction” when they see the “not secure” warning.
Recommended Reading
Three Human Traits that Haven’t Changed for the Last 10,000 Years
Sure, we all have different target markets. But we’re all marketing to humans. I enjoyed this article that opens with an interesting point, “By placing too much emphasis on what’s next, companies risk overlooking and undervaluing the things that remain constant.”
The Only Thing We Have to Fear…
On this day in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his first first inaugural address. Here’s the transcript and audio recording. Delivered at the height of The Great Depression, this was the speech in which FDR delivered this famous sentence:
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.
Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.
Tom