Blogs I like to read

Some blogs that I read regularly include:

http://www.mediavorous.com/ - By my friend Brad Berens. Very insightful commentary on digital media space

http://www.shanghaiist.com - a must read for those living or visiting Shanghai

http://calgoldenbearfootball.blogspot.com - for the Cal football fan

http://blog.pmarca.com - a well-written blog on a variety of topics. I recently found new music on this blog. Rodrigo y Gabriella rock!



Until I learn how to link them properly using the features of blogspot, this will have to do.

Children of the Web

This is where web 2.0, globalization, and youth culture collide. Businessweek’s recent article on marketing to the global youth culture highlights the importance and advantages of using the web to bring products to younger consumers. Case studies include Axe deodorant spray. I must be older than the target demographic. I thought Axe was a pretty cheesy product judging from their product package and their scent names. But now reading their commanding and growing global market share, they are clearly doing something right.

The most interesting thing I find about this article is that the web is finally starting to show promises of the early hype of global connectivity. We are starting to see it happen. A new product or movement is introduced and within minutes it can be spread globally. We no longer need to rely on TV. Teenagers all over the world can share the same clips via Youtube and share party pictures via Facebook. The world is so much smaller. We can make friends and stay in touch with people all over the world. Cultures are shared and experienced much more easily across geographic boundaries. These are exciting times. Marketers are embracing this knowledge and coming up with some lucrative results. Teenagers are leading this charge but the connections will spread to all age brackets; just a matter of time.

Of all the companies profiled in this article, I find the FRIDAY CLUB the most interesting and personally relevant.

“The target customer for major brands is someone like Malini Agarwal, a 30-year-old radio deejay in Mumbai. After growing up all over as the daughter of an Indian diplomat, Agarwal settled down in the city and two years ago launched Friday Club, which organizes social gatherings and now has branches in four Indian cities plus Hong Kong, London, New York, and Toronto. The club's multinational members make plans, keep in touch, and share photos via social networking sites. "It's a global family," Agarwal says.”

I’ve thought about starting something like this for the Chinese set recently. I need to get off my butt and just do it. Less thinking, more action. It’s something that would work incredibly well in China and for Chinese all over the world.

User beware: Facebook

I’ve always taken caution when placing my personal information on Facebook (and all other social networking sites in general). A lot of the information I put on a site like Facebook is very personal and used in many secure transactions. So I’ve always felt the need to take caution. This blog makes a justified case as to why I should so careful. I recommend you to take time to read the post and view the video as it provides a brief and information education on how sites like Facebook work. The video exaggerates the dangers of Facebook but the point of the video is clear: You are selling your information to the social networking sites by putting it online. The sites are free to use the information as they see fit. This is just something to keep in mind and certainly no cause for panic. But next time you decide to update your Facebook, Myspace, Friendster, or other social networking profile, stop for a moment and consider if you really want that information available out there.

Block Party

Damon Dash is a bold man. I like his attitude and his frank answers to questions. He doesn’t bullshit and is proud to say what he thinks. Dash is known as a hip-hop impresario as co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records and Rocawear. Incredibly successful in both endeavors Dash is now on the social networking bandwagon with Blocksavvy. I think it’s a very interesting idea. Haven’t played on it long enough to know weather or not it will work. But I believe it will. Dash is in touch with urban audiences and if he can drive them in masses to the digital space, he can surely monetize that advantage. Business 2.0 Magazine has a well-written article here.