Sunday, April 19, 2009
Ad:Tech SF - Digital Marketing's Must-Attend Event In San Francisco
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When we first established Sports Business Simulations, we launched the new site on June 22, 2003 and got just three unique visitors all day long. I had the stupid idea that if you build it -- the website with sim games -- they will come. I realized within one day I was totally wrong.
In my quest to find answers to improve our traffic I discovered for myself an event that I at first wasn't sure I should go to, but then was glad I did. That event was Ad-Tech, which takes place Tuesday through Thursday of this week at Moscone Center West..
Where Web 2.0 conferences are more about glitz and gitter and parties, Ad-Tech is more about nuts-and-bolts website marketing and promotion. It's where you find affiliate marketers and shopping cart software makers and website ad creators actively trying to find a fit with you and your web business.
I'm not taking anything away from Web 2.0, which is a fantastic networking event, but Ad-Tech is a place to do deals for your web business that can help you in some way. But if it's your first Ad-Tech and you don't have an understanding of what digital marketing is or how to separate the good vendors from the "ok" ones, I have some advice for you.
Just take the time to go to the keynotes speeches, look around, and get to know the vendors. Get a bag and stuff it with material. And learn who wants to deal with you and who acts like you're gum shoe. I'm serious, because that happened to me two years ago. One company that places ads on websites like mine just made me stand around waiting for five minutes (think about it) to talk to someone; when they finally realized I was an Internet site builder and operator and not the Roto-Roter man, they talked to me, and even then they didn't take me seriously.
"Well, we only deal with people who have blogs and websites", the rep said. No kidding. You can imagine where it went from there. After all, why would he assume I don't have a blog or a website, rather than a lot of them?
Huh?
Now I was dressed business casual so no problem there, right? And here's where the matter of race could come into play, right? Because what logical reason would anyone have for ignoring me? None. Then they would say, "you're playing the race card" to which I would respond, "racism is a form of rejection without reason other than skin color; what logical reason did you have for rejecting me" -- in fact, that's what happened. (Hey, women go through this crap, too!) I gave them a piece of my mind and then walked away. I found another ad placement company to work with.
That's the beauty of Ad-Tech and a good reason why you should "kick the tires" of the personalities first. Learn who you want to deal with and don't want to deal with. If that example I gave happens to you, don't argue as I did, just walk away.
The other good reason to check out Ad-Tech SF is just to learn what the state of the art of thinking in digital media is. This year's event looks exciting, as Jimmy Whales, the founder of Wikipedia will speak at a keynote adress, as well Kevin Rose, the founder of Digg, and Jason Kilar the CEO of Hulu (an awesome site). There's also the AdSense Publisher Forum on Wednesday, which is an event for all of my friends who I tell "You've got to sign up for Google AdSense" so they can place ads on their blogs.
Also, go to as many parties as you can. For example there the "Advertising 2.0" party Tuesday night at the "W" Hotel, who's lobby is the "in" place to hang for the tech community at these events. And there's the Affiliate Summit Beer Garden, which is a must, because affiliate marketers are without a doubt the most fun folks in the digital media industry. You'll find many of them are from places like Vegas or Florida, or Colorado, and are an interesting mix of "smart" and "party", which makes their events smart parties to attend. But to be sure, according to the AdTech folks there's the ad:tech SFAMA Mixer, Digital Social Media Networking and Oldtimers Foundation parties to check out, too.
To sign up, just click here: Facebook Invite Page
So, go to Ad-Tech SF and follow my instructions, I guarantee you'll have a blast and learn a lot.
As for me, I had to travel to Atlanta for family matters so I will not be able to attend but in order to blog about it, I've asked my friend Molly Fuller, the founder of the cooking class company "Hands On Gourmet", to go in my place and use Twitter to tweet what she sees and her impressions. That material will be used for my blog. It will be great to get her view of Ad-Tech as a first-timer.
Giants try to pick up a free agent receiver and other pre draft notes
Giants try to pick up a free agent receiver and other pre draft notes
It seems that the reports hold some truth at least: The Giants want to swing a deal with the Browns to get Braylon Edwards, who is another talented but "difficult" to work with receiver. Edwards may have some problems working with new Browns and Ex Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini, which seems to be the main issue right now. The Browns want a #2 and a #5 pick in this draft, plus receiver Steve Smith. The Giants countered with the two picks plus receiver Dominik Hixon. What some people are missing is that Edwards isn't Burress. He's two+ inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter. Can he play the same "Jump Ball in the End Zone" game? Sure he can. But if Hixon also goes in the deal the Giants would still need to get another "taller" wide out in the Draft or Via Free Agency to help stretch the defensive backs.
I'll cast my vote for Brian Robiskie early, or Ramses Barden late. I prefer to see a team built through the draft rather then through free agency. To pick up one, two or three players that is is one thing, but there is no way you can get 20 players through free agency without going past the salary cap, at least this year. Now let's see if there still is a salary cap next year. Seattle Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell seems to agree with me that "there isn't really a franchise player in this draft." He told the Sporting News this weekend "(At #4), you think of who will make an impact on your team as quickly as possible-except for a QB. That guy your going to groom."
Right on Tim! Every team i've ever seen play that continually won in post season did so because a G.M or a scouting director took the time to build the team through the draft and not through trades and free agency.
Things are heating up for next weekend at the NFL Draft. We will bring you the latest news all week and from the draft both days.
Our Blogs are at: nflbiz.blogspot.com, and nfldraftmag.blogspot.com
Our websites are www.footballreportersonline.com and to order our NFL Draft Guide (E-Book-PDF) please go to www.gridirondraftguide.com
Last Thursday on our Internet radio show/ podcast at Football Reporters Online was our 2 Hr. mock draft show. This week we have out 2 Hr. Preview show Thursday night at 9pm eastern, and our 45 min. Day one wrap up sunday morning at 12:30 am, plus a two part total recap on Monday the 27th at 7:30 eastern (pt.1) and Thursday the 30th at our regular 9pm eastern slot (pt. 2). The Shows can be heard at www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters or on iTunes at Keywords: Football Reporters.
On Saturday and Sunday we will team up with Sports Business Simulations, Black Athlete.com, and Consensus Draft Services to bring you all the NFL Draft coverage you could need I would love to hear from you at : askdrfootball@gmail.com or at 1-866478-5982.
It seems that the reports hold some truth at least: The Giants want to swing a deal with the Browns to get Braylon Edwards, who is another talented but "difficult" to work with receiver. Edwards may have some problems working with new Browns and Ex Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini, which seems to be the main issue right now. The Browns want a #2 and a #5 pick in this draft, plus receiver Steve Smith. The Giants countered with the two picks plus receiver Dominik Hixon. What some people are missing is that Edwards isn't Burress. He's two+ inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter. Can he play the same "Jump Ball in the End Zone" game? Sure he can. But if Hixon also goes in the deal the Giants would still need to get another "taller" wide out in the Draft or Via Free Agency to help stretch the defensive backs.
I'll cast my vote for Brian Robiskie early, or Ramses Barden late. I prefer to see a team built through the draft rather then through free agency. To pick up one, two or three players that is is one thing, but there is no way you can get 20 players through free agency without going past the salary cap, at least this year. Now let's see if there still is a salary cap next year. Seattle Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell seems to agree with me that "there isn't really a franchise player in this draft." He told the Sporting News this weekend "(At #4), you think of who will make an impact on your team as quickly as possible-except for a QB. That guy your going to groom."
Right on Tim! Every team i've ever seen play that continually won in post season did so because a G.M or a scouting director took the time to build the team through the draft and not through trades and free agency.
Things are heating up for next weekend at the NFL Draft. We will bring you the latest news all week and from the draft both days.
Our Blogs are at: nflbiz.blogspot.com, and nfldraftmag.blogspot.com
Our websites are www.footballreportersonline.com and to order our NFL Draft Guide (E-Book-PDF) please go to www.gridirondraftguide.com
Last Thursday on our Internet radio show/ podcast at Football Reporters Online was our 2 Hr. mock draft show. This week we have out 2 Hr. Preview show Thursday night at 9pm eastern, and our 45 min. Day one wrap up sunday morning at 12:30 am, plus a two part total recap on Monday the 27th at 7:30 eastern (pt.1) and Thursday the 30th at our regular 9pm eastern slot (pt. 2). The Shows can be heard at www.blogtalkradio.com/Football-Reporters or on iTunes at Keywords: Football Reporters.
On Saturday and Sunday we will team up with Sports Business Simulations, Black Athlete.com, and Consensus Draft Services to bring you all the NFL Draft coverage you could need I would love to hear from you at : askdrfootball@gmail.com or at 1-866478-5982.
Boston Tea Party? Not so much... -By Tom Hayes
-Let’s skip past questions of who benefited from Bush-era tax cuts, and move right on to the guts of the question: 
are taxes unfair, and is a tea-bag an apt modern rallying symbol?
People having trouble making ends meet have reason to wish bank and credit-card fees were less onerous, and we naturally resent the inevitable burden of any tax they think is unfair. Money is tight for most of us, but we don't want to become the next Somalia, either - we value government services as much as - if not more than - our founding fathers did when they included phrases such as, "insure domestic Tranquility," and, "provide for the common defense," in the preamble to the U.S. Constitition. Today we just want the burden to be fair.
And that tea-party tie-in? That was a reach. We might've bought it if the whole movement really was spontaneous - but with 8 months of planning, to settle on "tea bagging" is frankly embarrassing. The media coverage reminded me more of Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter than it did of colonials risking their lives and livelihoods to thumb their noses at distant despots (they sure didn't want anybody recording their presence for posterity.)
are taxes unfair, and is a tea-bag an apt modern rallying symbol?People having trouble making ends meet have reason to wish bank and credit-card fees were less onerous, and we naturally resent the inevitable burden of any tax they think is unfair. Money is tight for most of us, but we don't want to become the next Somalia, either - we value government services as much as - if not more than - our founding fathers did when they included phrases such as, "insure domestic Tranquility," and, "provide for the common defense," in the preamble to the U.S. Constitition. Today we just want the burden to be fair.
And that tea-party tie-in? That was a reach. We might've bought it if the whole movement really was spontaneous - but with 8 months of planning, to settle on "tea bagging" is frankly embarrassing. The media coverage reminded me more of Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter than it did of colonials risking their lives and livelihoods to thumb their noses at distant despots (they sure didn't want anybody recording their presence for posterity.)
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