Watch on Black
Originally uploaded by CDB Photo

THE SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES

At last…the final list of names and (correct) links to all 275 participants in this global social networking book phenomenon has been released.

My chosen subject is – "Conversation to Action."

Titled: "Federal Environment, Heritage & Arts Minister Peter Garrett – "Why don’t politicians get it?"

Its a hot subject around these parts.

I’ll explain the importance of finding a real champion to move your conversation to an actionable project. This in a backdrop of Australian  federal, environment, heritage and art politics which unlike social networking is mainly exclusive of the general population, rather than inclusive.

I feel very privileged to be apart of this ground breaking group, especially when so many of my co-authors are really great marketers and bloggers – even my MD, Craig "truckie" Wilson.

Don’t take my word for it…check these bloggers out:)

Adam Crowe, Adrian Ho, Aki Spicer, Alex Henault, Amy Jussel, Andrew Odom, Andy Nulman, Andy Sernovitz, Andy Whitlock, Angela Maiers, Ann Handley, Anna Farmery, Armando Alves, Arun Rajagopal, Asi Sharabi, Becky Carroll, Becky McCray, Bernie Scheffler, Bill Gammell, Bob Carlton, Bob LeDrew, Brad Shorr, Bradley Spitzer, Brandon Murphy, Branislav Peric, Brent Dixon, Brett Macfarlane, Brian Reich, C.C. Chapman, Cam Beck, Casper Willer, Cathleen Rittereiser, Cathryn Hrudicka, Cedric Giorgi, Charles Sipe, Chris Kieff, Chris Cree, Chris Wilson, Christina Kerley (CK), C.B. Whittemore, Clay Parker Jones, Chris Brown, Colin McKay, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Cord Silverstein, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Goldstein, Dan Schawbel, Dana VanDen Heuvel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Darryl Patterson, Dave Davison, Dave Origano, David Armano, David Bausola, David Berkowitz, David Brazeal, David Koopmans, David Meerman Scott, David Petherick, David Reich, David Weinfeld, David Zinger, Deanna Gernert, Deborah Brown, Dennis Price, Derrick Kwa, Dino Demopoulos, Doug Haslam, Doug Meacham, Doug Mitchell, Douglas Hanna, Douglas Karr, Drew McLellan, Duane Brown, Dustin Jacobsen, Dylan Viner, Ed Brenegar, Ed Cotton, Efrain Mendicuti, Ellen Weber, Emily Reed, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, G. Kofi Annan, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Graham Hill, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, J.C. Hutchins, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeremy Middleton, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, Joe Talbott, John Herrington, John Jantsch, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Flowers, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kris Hoet, Krishna De, Kristin Gorski, Laura Fitton, Laurence Helene Borei, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Barnes-Johnston, Louise Mangan, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Marcus Brown, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Mark McSpadden, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Hawkins, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Monica Wright, Nathan Gilliatt, Nathan Snell, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, Paul Marobella, Paul McEnany, Paul Tedesco, Paul Williams, Pet Campbell, Pete Deutschman, Peter Corbett, Phil Gerbyshak, Phil Lewis, Phil Soden, Piet Wulleman, Rachel Steiner, Sreeraj Menon, Reginald Adkins, Richard Huntington, Rishi Desai, Beeker Northam, Rob Mortimer, Robert Hruzek, Roberta Rosenberg, Robyn McMaster, Roger von Oech, Rohit Bhargava, Ron Shevlin, Ryan Barrett, Ryan Karpeles, Ryan Rasmussen, Sam Huleatt, Sandy Renshaw, Scott Goodson, Scott Monty, Scott Townsend, Scott White, Sean Howard, Sean Scott, Seni Thomas, Seth Gaffney, Shama Hyder, Sheila Scarborough, Sheryl Steadman, Simon Payn, Sonia Simone, Spike Jones, Stanley Johnson, Stephen Collins, Stephen Cribbett, Stephen Landau, Stephen Smith, Steve Bannister, Steve Hardy, Steve Portigal, Steve Roesler, Steven Verbruggen, Steve Woodruff, Sue Edworthy, Susan Bird, Susan Gunelius, Susan Heywood, Tammy Lenski, Terrell Meek, Thomas Clifford, Thomas Knoll, Tiffany Kenyon, Tim Brunelle, Tim Buesing, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, Tim Longhurst, Tim Mannveille, Tim Tyler, Timothy Johnson, Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Toby Bloomberg, Todd Andrlik, Troy Rutter, Troy Worman, Uwe Hook, Valeria Maltoni, Vandana Ahuja, Vanessa DiMauro, Veronique Rabuteau, Wayne Buckhanan, William Azaroff, Yves Van Landeghem

sleevedplanet-02
Originally uploaded by Martin Krzywinski

Big thanks to Andy Sernovitz who pointed me to a new website designed to help shape the future of Starbucks.

They ask – "What would make your Starbucks experience perfect?" My view is to make the coffee stronger…

Starbucks is trying to reach out to its loyal followers for ideas — big ideas, little ideas, maybe even totally revolutionary ideas — and they want to hear them all.

Is this going to help them fend off McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts? Time will tell…

If you are a fan and would like to help shape the future of Starbucks go to My Starbucks Idea >>>>>

Age of Conversation Bum Rush March 29, 2008
Originally uploaded by Gauravonomics

Finally the Age of Conversation Bum Rush is here.

It’s time to execute the plan that’s been in the works for weeks.

We are launching The Age of Conversation up the Amazon charts. The book “brings together over 100 of the world’s leading marketers, writers, thinkers and creative innovators in a ground-breaking and unusual publication.” All of the proceeds generated from book sales and referrals will be donated to Variety, The Children’s Charity.

Buy, Starting Saturday March 29th

Click Here to buy your copy!

Please purchase 1 copy at a time, using the link above, for maximum impact, and because all referral fees will be donated to charity as well.

Don’t go too far because starting Saturday I will making continual updates to this post, reporting the books movement up the Amazon charts. This will be your go to post to find out how the plan is being carried out.

You can also follow the conversation on Twitter. Gavin (@servantofchaos), Drew (@DrewMcLellan) and I (@freshpeel) will be giving a play-by-play throughout the day. Join in the fun!

Since this is a global effort, I thought I would post the ranking as of 2pm CST on March 28th as a beginning marker. The ranking has already changed in the last couple of hours because of sales from the other side of the world.

Peter Garret
Originally uploaded by 2991

In the Age of Conversation – why don’t politicians get it?

I mean city branding.

Successful cities like Sydney, London and New York have qualities the same as strong corporate brands, marketing history, lifestyle, culture and economic strengths. They also form good cooperative and proactive partnerships between city and government to enhance infrastructure.

So in the case of my very own city of Newcastle – why doesn’t Federal Environment, Heritage & Arts Minister Peter Garrett get it?

Sydney’s heritage includes the Opera House and Bridge, Newcastle has Nobbys Lighthouse and Fort Scratchley.

Politicians give Sydney heaps of money to maintain its heritage, Newcastle gets zip – nothing!

So why has the Federal Environment, Heritage & Arts Minister Peter Garrett refused a local entrepreneurs proposal to redevelop Nobby’s Lighthouse, after decades of Government neglect.

Peter "Midnight Oil" Garrett is going against six years of community consultation, city council & state government support, even advice from his own department and his own Labor party colleagues.

How can a city like Newcastle grow and create an identity, when all its major assist are abandoned, spray painted with graffiti and rundown. In the words of another stupid Australian politician "please explain!"

Who’s got the ear of Peter Garrett? Well watch this short film made by ClownWatcher and findout.

DSC00214
Originally uploaded by Zafar Baig

Free Coffee! If any of my fellow co-authors decide to take a trip to the lovely Australian Port of Newcastle, I’ll stick my hand in my pocket and pay for your coffee or tea for the duration of your trip. Please do not come all at once…

Back to the book.

In mid-January, Gavin Heaton and Drew McLellan announced they were ready to take on the sequel to the incredibly successful Age of Conversation.

Gavin & Drew put out an author call and in a new twist, asked everyone (authors and readers) to vote on the theme of this year’s book.

The votes are tallied and we’re off to the races!  The winning theme was "Why don’t they get it?"  To add dimension to the book, Gavin & Drew added a new layer — topics. 

So each author was asked to select one of eight topics that falls under the "why don’t people get it?" theme. 

So now Gavin and Drew thought it was time to introduce you to the 275 (yes…275!) authors of Age of Conversation: Why Don’t People Get It?

Adam Crowe, Adrian Ho, Aki Spicer, Alex Henault, Amy Jussel, Andrew Odom, Andy Nulman, Andy Sernovitz, Andy Whitlock, Angela Maiers, Ann Handley, Anna Farmery, Armando Alves, Arun Rajagopal, Asi Sharabi, Becky Carroll, Becky McCray, Bernie Scheffler, Bill Gammell, Bob Carlton, Bob LeDrew, Brad Shorr, Bradley Spitzer, Brandon Murphy, Branislav Peric, Brent Dixon, Brett Macfarlane, Brian Reich, C.C. Chapman, Cam Beck, Casper Willer, Cathleen Rittereiser, Cathryn Hrudicka, Cedric Giorgi, Charles Sipe, Chris Kieff, Chris Cree, Chris Wilson, Christina Kerley (CK), C.B. Whittemore, Clay Parker Jones, Chris Brown, Colin McKay, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Cord Silverstein, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Goldstein, Dan Schawbel, Dana VanDen Heuvel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Darryl Patterson, Dave Davison, Dave Origano, David Armano, David Bausola, David Berkowitz, David Brazeal, David Koopmans, David Meerman Scott, David Petherick, David Reich, David Weinfeld, David Zinger, Deanna Gernert, Deborah Brown, Dennis Price, Derrick Kwa, Dino Demopoulos, Doug Haslam, Doug Meacham, Doug Mitchell, Douglas Hanna, Douglas Karr, Drew McLellan, Duane Brown, Dustin Jacobsen, Dylan Viner, Ed Brenegar, Ed Cotton, Efrain Mendicuti, Ellen Weber, Emily Reed, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, G. Kofi Annan, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Graham Hill, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, J.C. Hutchins, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeremy Middleton, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, Joe Talbott, John Herrington, John Jantsch, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Flowers, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kris Hoet, Krishna De, Kristin Gorski, Laura Fitton, Laurence Helene Borei, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Barnes-Johnston, Louise Mangan, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Marcus Brown, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Mark McSpadden, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Hawkins, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Monica Wright, Nathan Gilliatt, Nathan Snell, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, Paul Marobella, Paul McEnany, Paul Tedesco, Paul Williams, Pet Campbell, Pete Deutschman, Peter Corbett, Phil Gerbyshak, Phil Lewis, Phil Soden, Piet Wulleman, Rachel Steiner, Sreeraj Menon, Reginald Adkins, Richard Huntington, Rishi Desai, R.J. Northam, Rob Mortimer, Robert Hruzek, Roberta Rosenberg, Robyn McMaster, Roger von Oech, Rohit Bhargava, Ron Shevlin, Ryan Barrett, Ryan Karpeles, Ryan Rasmussen, Sam Huleatt, Sandy Renshaw, Scott Goodson, Scott Monty, Scott Townsend, Scott White, Sean Howard, Sean Scott, Seni Thomas, Seth Gaffney, Shama Hyder, Sheila Scarborough, Sheryl Steadman, Simon Payn, Sonia Simone, Spike Jones, Stanley Johnson, Stephen Collins, Stephen Cribbett, Stephen Landau, Stephen Smith, Steve Bannister, Steve Hardy, Steve Portigal, Steve Roesler, Steven Verbruggen, Steve Woodruff, Sue Edworthy, Susan Bird, Susan Gunelius, Susan Heywood, Tammy Lenski, Terrell Meek, Thomas Clifford, Thomas Knoll, Tiffany Kenyon, Tim Brunelle, Tim Buesing, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, Tim Longhurst, Tim Mannveille, Tim Tyler, Timothy Johnson, Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Toby Bloomberg, Todd Andrlik, Troy Rutter, Troy Worman, Uwe Hook, Valeria Maltoni, Vandana Ahuja, Vanessa DiMauro, Veronique Rabuteau, Wayne Buckhanan, William Azaroff, Yves Van Landeghem

Obelisk @ Night 1
Originally uploaded by Snelvis

According to Tourism New South Wales about 95 per cent of the state’s business visitors spend most or all of their time in Sydney. This fact is not easy to forget, when you consider Newcastle is New South Wales (NSW) second city and the sixth largest in Australia.

Internationally, NSW has been successful in attracting over 65 per cent of all Australian-based Asia Pacific regional headquarters or operations – that’s well over 600 companies. Unfortunately, very few have located their headquarters in Newcastle.

Courtesy of the Australia Bureau of Statistics, over half of Australia’s 500 leading companies have called NSW home including companies like WestPac, Commonwealth Bank, St George Bank, Macquarie Bank, AMP, Woolworths, Seven Network, Boral, CSR, Harvey Norman, PBL, Leighton, Qantas, Lend Lease, Fairfax, and Westfield. Again, very few have seen the benefits of locating their major operations or headquarters to Newcastle.

Whilst Newcastle is struggling to project an attractive new image, Sydney our nearest and biggest competitor has been named the world’s best city by the Anholt City Brands Index, followed by London, Paris, Rome and New York. Paul Keating even said, “If you are not living in Sydney you are simply camping out"

It is no exaggeration to say that Sydney is as close to having a ‘perfect city brand’ as any city can have.

Like Sydney, increasingly more and more cities around the world are using branding, positioning themselves more effectively to compete globally for their fair share of the world’s consumers, tourists, businesses, investment, capital, respect and attention.

Rather than being classed as a campsite, Newcastle’s future success relies on it becoming a strong compelling brand. I can only hope our political masters see the potential of branding my adopted city.

Give me the job…I’ll do it.

According to Al Ries the shape of the logotype should fit the eyes. Hmmm…what do you think creatives? Is he correct? Watch The Ries Report and see if you agree with him.

OPEN MIND
Originally uploaded by dental research.

The battle for Australian minds

Sydney is beautiful, Melbourne is culture & style, Perth is laid-back, Canberra is artificial, Brisbane is fresh, Wollongong is corrupt, Adelaide is picturesque, Gold Coast is fun. These are the brands of Australia’s major cities.

Regrettably, Newcastle is steel with a reputation of being a dirty city. This is tied to Newcastle’s 100 years of steel making.

Newcastle’s steel mills are now closed, the air is clean, the sky is blue and Newcastle has seen a remarkable period in growth and development.

Today, Novocastrian’s are rediscovering the beauty of this peninsula city with a bustling harbour and beautiful beaches. Whether its the Newcastle’s rich history, culture and arts and business, I can honestly say there is a genuine buzz and energy around the city.

Read the rest of this entry »

Emporio Armani AD
Originally uploaded by johannesrummelhoff

Watch out Advertising Agencies!

Fellow blogger Valeria Maltoni has posed the question — is the agency model broken?

Valeria thinks it is.

As I work in an agency (Sticky Advertising), you’d think I’d be jumping up and down denouncing Valeria as a witch, but no, I’ll sit on the fence for the moment.

I recommend agency peeps and marketers alike should read her article and digest.

Valeria lists 10 behaviors and outcomes she has observed that need to be turned around including:

1. Thinking that "not invented here" is a problem
2. Focusing too much on your process and not enough on the client’s business
3. Being inconsistent
4. Lacking in originality
5. Signing up for one thing and wanting it all before delivering on that one
6. Listening but not hearing
7. Making it hard to get work done
8. Thinking only in terms of billable hours
9. Not working on the relationship
10. Moving on before the work is done

What do you think of her list? or even better – do you have any behaviors or outcomes you can add to the list?

Starbucks water drop edited
Originally uploaded by `Mark&Manna

Starbucks stores across the US shut down for a few hours last week to retrain baristas, trying to renew their brand focus on providing exceptional quality.

I’m sure this act is to reinforce Starbucks position in consumers minds and is in response to the aggressive challenge by McDonalds and now Dunkin Donuts.

Laura Ries mentions Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds in a recently released video titled ‘Who’s the enemy’ on the Ries Report Youtube channel. Has Al and Laura got inside information or are they just good observers?

I do agree with the Profitable Marketing blog that this is more to do with using the US news media as an advertising vehicle, rather than training baristas.

Give me your thoughts on what is happening in the coffee shop wars…