Archive for May, 2012

If GM thinks Facebook ads don’t payoff, they shouldn’t advertise there. The fact that Ford does says it all really. Different mediums will work differently for different brands – and their respective marketing shops.

For us at CBA, they pay off. If they didn’t we might stop, but we’d also be mindful of the folks that follow and like us, and expect us to participate in their favourite online destination.

The ROI is clear – both in advertising, promotions, and community engagement. In fact, if I had one complaint about Facebook it would be this, at times, it is very, very effective. We have had campaigns we envisaged running for a month sell out in days – reducing the brand reach. But that’s ok.

The reality is that GM Isn’t abandoing facebook. Just advertising.

“Although many will latch onto this news in the next few days as a reason for the skepticism around Facebook’s advertising model to continue, we believe that this proves that Facebook’s power lies in engagement, not display advertising. According to the WSJ report, GM is still spending approximately $30 million on Facebook. They’re not abandoning ship,” Dachis said.  “Engaged users on Facebook – whether they’re on mobile or the browser – will monetize better than throwing mobile or display ads at them.”

My prediction, is that we will see much, much, much more advertising on Facebook. When paired with an analytics platform Facebook will light-up and the skeptics, inlcuding GM, will be back.

You’d have to be ignoring the worlds most powerful social media platform at your peril.

Any online site needs to incorporate recommendations.

Recommendations on products, content, people. On just about everything.

Recommendations are a barometer of trust. The Global Trust in Advertising survey released this month says that the majority of digital users, trust lies first and foremost in recommendations and opinions from their peers. As for the bulk of formats found on web sites or on mobile (such as various flavors of display advertising), they fall to the bottom of the chart. Nielsen’s study, based on 26,000 respondents in 56 countries, was conducted in Q3 2011.

There are a few things I miss about Austin – actually, technically only two. The people and the food. I miss my Dell peeps. And I miss Uchi, Torchy’s Uchiko, La Condessa… and food trucks… especially the food trucks. This came to me via some Yelp email thing… you want to do the food trucks when in Austin.

Taco trucks are the OG food trailer, and Austin is a mobile Mexican food Mecca. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, gorditas or tortas, there’s no need for a hasty run for the border! Just grab some cash and a copy of this Weekly Yelp, your secret map for tracking down all that tasty treasure.

The rooster is crowin’, and Ann Marie N scores two breakfast tacos from Taco Bella: “I get a potato, egg, and cheese and a sausage, egg, and cheese. I just can’t help myself – I need one for later!” And when later rolls around, find Matt P for a midday pep talk: “Dude. Just do it. Veracruz tacos are three bucks apiece. Cilantro, onions, tortillas, everything made fresh daily. PS, the lady who owns and runs the truck is smoking hot!” And for heaven in a “delicious corn tortilla,” Tina N takes a little trip to Matamoros Tacos. “They’re cash only and open until 2am,” perfect for late-night noshing.

“Before trailers became the foodie’s amusement, this was what it was all about: A questionable looking taco truck, dishing up cheap and tasty food,” per Tasha B. She recs La Fogata if you want to experience the real deal. For other glorious handhelds, Tayna A snags some “totally authentic” gorditas from Taqueria La Canaria, “made the ol’ school way – by hand.” And Piedras Negras‘s “gordita is two big-ass meals in one,” promises Illi G. “Make sure you douse it in hot sauce and limon to really experience its potential!”

Next, find tantalizing tortas at Tortas El Guero with Brian B: “They specialize in Mexico City tortas, which are really big sandwiches with loads of toppings, jalapeños, and spicy sauce on buttered bread.” In other parts of town… “a crusty roll gives way to a soft interior overflowing with spicy chorizo, grilled ham, avocado, tomato, lettuce, and a hot dog.” That’s Tony B‘s torta Cubana from Taqueria 7, aka his “love sausage. This sandwich could easily take the centerfold in any food porn mag.” And finally, at El Primo, Solomon W chides, “You’re obligated to indulge in a $5 torta with migas – an amazing conglomeration of egg, freshly sliced tortilla, and sauce.” Te gusta migas? So do we!