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Michael Arrington of TechCrunch (one of the best blogs for info on emerging startups today) points to an intriguing new advertising based site called Moola.com. The site creates a new business model by asking users to view ads prior to playing a faceoff style "AdverTournament" with other users. Each time you win a round, you … Read more
Anyone in the marketing and advertising industry has probably followed the evolution of product placement on TV and in films with interest. With the Tivo phenomenon changing how consumers view (or skip) the 30 second spot, some say the future of television is in product placements. But what about product placement and sponsorship on blogs? … Read more
Any author (or blogger) will tell you that titles matter. The name is frequently what draws people in to read a post, or buy a book. In a world of competing diversions, these titles are more important than ever. Why the Irish Saved Civilization was a very average book released with a perfectly crafted title … Read more
For anyone who has ever sat in a marketing strategy session, inevitably the discussion usually comes down to dueling product/service benefits. Does it taste great? Is it less filling? I suspect it was a creative impass that led Miller to come up with what is probably the most famous dueling benefit campaign ever created. But … Read more
Searching for a movie this weekend, I cursed my way through yet another painful online experience dealing with AMC Theaters. The main problem, in their case, is that I know their brand and I have been to their theaters. And because I do, I have higher expectations from AMC. For one, I assume the theater’s … Read more
Taking a look at the current promotions from two of the world’s largest hotel chains is an interesting snapshot of the different philosophical approaches each chain brings to their hotel operations. Hilton launched their Be Hospitable campaign with a call to people around the world to just be nicer to each other. Their campaign site … Read more
One of the surest ways to confirm your uber-geek status is to be able to solve riddles, puzzles, and other mental challenges. Google first made it’s mark in this world with their innovative recruiting billboards in the valley designed to drive techno-geeks to a secret URL to test their intellect in order to get a … Read more
In light of Chevy Tahoe’s recent experience with consumer backlash towards their promotion run on The Apprentice, viral marketing is a hot topic of discussion in marketing circles these days. Is it too risky to do well? Should companies avoid it? Is Chevy doing the right thing by not stepping in and removing negative consumer … Read more
Walking through the streets of Old City in Philadelphia this weekend, there were people standing in line to get into clubs telling each other to "follow the finger." At first I thought it was some college student slang, or a Philadephia thing – but looking around I realized – they were actually responding to a … Read more
Rebate Phishing: The practice of luring customers online to make a purchase with the promise of receiving a nonexistent rebate check in return. Recently unleashed from the bonds of my 2-year mobile phone contract, I went online this weekend to search for a new mobile phone. Within seconds, I ended up at Wirefly.com – one … Read more
Non-Obvious Thinking is my upcoming book about the 4 secrets of becoming a non-obvious thinker - coming 09/24!
Rohit Bhargava is a trend curator, founder of the Non-Obvious Company and the 3-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author of ten books.
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Rohit is the author of 10 books on trends, the future of business, building a more human brand with storytelling and how to create a more diverse and inclusive world.
