Gerry? Are You Really Reading?

Gerald Landolfi, one of my favorite people on the planet and emerging financial and marketing and sales guru (among other things). Thank you for reading my blog and catching the occasional typo. What would I do without you?

(For the record, I misspelled “rumor” on purpose just to see if you were really reading.)

2 comments July 11th, 2007

CNN and YouTube Bring Debates to E-Masses

As a testament to the mainstreaming of Web 2.0 technologies, CNN is hosting two 2008 presidential debates with YouTube. In a move that recalls the Nixon-Kennedy debate of the 1960s, the first to be broadcast on television, the live forum will feature video questions, submitted to YouTube, that will be broadcast and answered by the presidential candidates on CNN. CNN’s Anderson Cooper will moderate the two-hour debates and pose follow-up questions.Specifically, CNN and YouTube will partner on the Democratic debate to be held at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina on July 23. The Republican Party will get its turn at a Florida debate on September 17. CNN will produce the televised events and will choose the questions used in the debates. Selected YouTube users will be among those in the live audience. YouTube is already calling for users to submit their questions at its site.

Click here to read the rest of this story on NewsFactor.

Add comment June 15th, 2007

Wiley Releases Web Analytics For Dummies

To purchase Web Analytics For Dummies, click here.
Wiley Publishing has released Web Analytics For Dummies by Pedro Sostre and Jennifer LeClaire. The book is currently selling in bookstores and on Amazon.com.

With Jupiter Research expecting online advertising spending surge to $18.9 billion by 2010, the need for Web analytics is evident. Wiley Publishing is ahead of the curve with the Web Analytics For Dummies title.

Pedro Sostre and Jennifer LeClaire offer unique experience in the Web analytics market, which will reach $565 million in 2006, Jupiter estimated. Recognized as an Internet business and marketing guru, Sostre is a columnist for Revenue magazine. His coveted knowledge has also landed him invitations to judge design awards at Content Week. The Yahoo! Search Marketing Ambassador and Google Adwords Qualified Professional is also a regular presenter at industry events like eComExpo and the Affiliate Summit.

For her part, LeClaire has been chronicling e-commerce since its humble beginnings. She has witnessed the rise, fall and resurrection of Dot-com Land. LeClaire is an anchor reporter and analytics columnist for NewsFactor Network. Her credits have also appeared in Information Week, Inc.com, and scores of other leading media outlets. In fact, tens of millions of readers rely on LeClaire for straight-up business and technology news and insightful special reports each year. LeClaire is a weekly guest technology analyst on CBS Radio’s KMOX, where she shares the real news behind technology headlines with millions of listeners nationwide.

Web Analytics For Dummies is an introduction to the wonderful world of Web site statistics. The book will help readers understand and unleash the power of Web analytics. It will take them on a journey that details what they need to know about their Web site today so they can make changes that will pay off tomorrow. Indeed, Web Analytics For Dummies will build confidence in the reader by equipping them with practical techniques that get results.

ABOUT PEDRO SOSTRE
Recognized as an Internet business and marketing guru, Pedro is a columnist for Revenue magazine and is regularly quoted in media outlets, including Microsoft.com, Web Host Industry Review, and Internet advertising hot spot Adotas. Pedro’s coveted knowledge has also landed him invitations to judge design awards at Content Week. The Yahoo! Search Marketing Ambassador and Google Adwords Qualified Professional is also a regular presenter at industry events like eComExpo and the Affiliate Summit. An accomplished affiliate marketer with several successful Internet properties that prove Conversion Design works, Pedro is a New Media entrepreneur who understands how to blend art and business to reap financial rewards.

ABOUT JENNIFER LECLAIRE
Jennifer is also a veteran business news journalist, with credits including the Associated Press, the New York Times, and CBS and ABC News. Jennifer is a weekly guest technology analyst on CBS Radio’s KMOX, where she shares the real news behind technology headlines with millions of listeners nationwide. Jennifer launched Revelation Media Networks, an integrated marketing communications firm, in 2005 to address marketing myths. Jennifer’s unique blend of technology journalism and business marketing savvy leaves her with a strategic perspective on issues that impact Corporate America’s bottom line, technology being merely one of them.

3 comments May 26th, 2007

What Language Do You Speak?

What language would you prefer to do your shopping in? Don Depalma, chief research analyst at Common Sense Advisory, has an interesting insights on global e-commerce. Even for consumers who feel comfortable in English, many prefer buying in their own language, he says, and most want customer support that is similarly accessible.
“With sites lacking local currency or transaction support, many non-native speakers discover that buying from English-language sites is literally an impossible undertaking. Global e-commerce adds a ‘localization’ concern to navigation and forms. Visitors who decide to buy may find that data forms on the site haven’t been adapted to their country.”

Some of the logical structure  or functions of the English-language site are missing or not translated, he explains, and consumers might discover, after filling out a form, the site won’t accept  their credit cards or ship to their country. Global firms investing in English-only sites should have no trouble seeing what is not working — it’s the assumption that people in other countries will use English, he concludes.

English is still the dominant business language, but Depalma makes a good point: it’s not necessarily the dominant shopping language. E-commerce vendors who want to cash in with international shoppers may need to go global in more than one sense of the word (no pun intended).

Add comment May 14th, 2007

Web Analytics Guru Goes Solo

Well, it’s finally official. Eric T. Peterson has left his position as Vice President, Strategic Services at Visual Sciences to form his own strategic consulting group, Web Analytics Demystified, Inc. Eric promises to provide the same high-quality consulting, industry research, and web analytics education he has for years.

I’ve always respected Eric and bless him in his new venture. I’m sure we’ll be working together in my editorial wheelings and dealings.

Be sure to check out his site. He’s offering a free whitepaper titled The Web Analytics Business Process: Making the Case for a Process-Driven Approach to Web Site Measurement. Click here to download it.

Congratulations to a classy, knowledgeable guy and look forward to seeing his name in my AnalyticsInsider.com blog in the weeks ahead.

Add comment May 8th, 2007

Check Out My Latest Venture

I’ve just launched VinylInsider.com, an online community where sign makers, graphic artists, vehicle wrappers and others who work with vinyl can network, share ideas, and keep up with the latest products and services that help you them that you do better.

The web site offers vinyl installers installation tips, tricks, training, and techniques 3M, Avery, Oracal, MACTac and Professional Decal Association of America experts. It also offers an interactive blog, vinyl application e-books, industry news, contests and photo galleries and other social media plays.

Check it out at VinylInsider.com.

Add comment April 5th, 2007

Cisco and Apple Resume iPhone Talks

Two technology heavyweights are going back to their corners this week, and might be preparing to call an early draw in what could otherwise be a lengthy trademark fight.On Wednesday, Cisco agreed to give Apple more time to respond to the trademark suit it filed against the Mac-maker on January 10, the day after Apple declared to the world that it had “reinvented the phone.”

Cisco took exception to Apple’s announcement, claiming its use of the iPhone name infringed on trademark rights Cisco had obtained with its purchase of InfoGear in 1996. The networking giant’s suit claims Apple’s use of the iPhone trademark will cause confusion among customers.

Click here to read the rest of this story on TopTechNews.

Add comment February 2nd, 2007