We wanted to do something really big and really different for the WebmasterWorld PubCon conference community this year. A lot of attendees come in early to mingle before the shows and look for things to do and sometimes there are a host of private parties, the trick is finding them. There is also the attendee that isn’t necessarily into the conference party scene but still wants to experience all that Las Vegas has to offer. We also have a very unique type of attendee – the type of attendee that wields considerable influence in the World Wide Web by being very vocal about the types of products and services they consume – the blogger. That type of attendee hasn’t gone unnoticed by several Las Vegas marketers who have banded together to put a rather unusual but unique promotion together for this year’s PubCon.
So to put a twist on things, we are excited to announce that we have secured several hundred tickets to some of the best live theatre that Las Vegas has to offer. After years of having conferences in this town we’ve made a few friends and now these friends of ours at venues such as Blue Man Group, Cirque Du Soleil, MGM Grand, Treasure Island and The Wynn Las Vegas have graciously offered us tickets for our attendees in the hopes that they wouldn’t mind compiling a little review telling them what you think of their shows.
In true Hollywood fashion, where press corps get tickets to top rated venues to provide reviews and commentary, we approached these partners with an even better idea – that we have a conference full of the most innovative social media experts out there and armed with an abundance of user generated content and social media channels for which our attendees to build buzz on - the concept was considered a win win for everybody so ‘Bloggers Night Out’ was born.
Here is a summary and listing of show times for ‘Bloggers Night Out’ taking place on Monday December 3rd and Tuesday, December 4th.:
Show Information
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group’s critically acclaimed show has been called “visually stunning,” “wildly inventive,” and “hysterically funny.” Although it is almost impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that Blue Man Group’s Venetian Show is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous experience that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state.
Blue Man Group takes place nightly in a brand-new 1760-seat theatre built especially for this spectacular show. Join the celebration and see the show that, USA Today calls “an absolutely ecstatic experience” and Time Magazine calls “A Sensation.”
KA
KÀ by Cirque du Soleil is an unprecedented theatrical event. A masterpiece in storytelling, KÀ uses acrobatic performances, the thrills and action of martial arts techniques from all over the world, plus innovations in puppetry and multimedia to tell the epic tale of twins on a perilous journey to fulfill their shared destiny.
Along the way, the twins confront characters and events representing the opposing forces of good and evil. Before their world comes under attack and collapses around them, the twins receive a magical talisman for protection. As the plot unfolds, danger lies in wait for them at every turn.
Mystere
Looking for some stimulation? Cirque du Soleil will satisfy with more than you could ever imagine at Mystère! Adventure into an entirely different world where fantasies are played out in vivid color right before your very eyes. Come, be part of the dream!
Honored eight times as "Best Production Show" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mystère has an international cast of 72 performers featuring dancers, singers, musicians and champion-caliber acrobats. The Chicago Tribune called Mystère, "one of the most innovative and exciting shows to be seen anywhere". An intriguing blend of beauty and strength, power and grace, passion and precision… this is Mystère by Cirque du Soleil. Come, live the exoticism! Directed by Franco Dragone.
SPAMALOT
Tony Winner – Best Musical 2005! Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT is a new musical directed by Mike Nichols, with a book by Eric Idle and entirely new score created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.
Telling the Legendary tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and featuring a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT “raises silliness to an art form” (The Sunday Times) and has been hailed as “a no-holds-barred smash hit.” (The New Yorker)
Times and Tickets
Monday, December 3rd 2007
7:00 – Mystere
8:00 – Blue Man Group
8:00 – Spamalot
9:30 – Mystere
Tuesday, December 4th 2007
8:00 – Blue Man Group
9:30 – KA
9:30 – Mystere
Rules of the Promotion
To participate you must be a WebmasterWorld PubCon attendee, and an active editorial or video blogger. You may attend more than one show provided that you write a separate review (i.e. separate blog post) about each show. These tickets are in limited supply and this is a first come first serve opportunity and we reserve the right to deny tickets to any blog or editorial that we deem inappropriate to host a review. Please R.S.V.P. to me here: ‘Joe (at) PubCon (dot) com’ with your full name, URL and the name of your blog or video hosting channel or editorial area where you will be posting your review.
We’re looking forward to a great show – see you in Vegas!
UPDATE 11/30/2007
All tickets for KA and Mystere are gone! I have a limited supply for Spamalot and Blue Man Group so if you have not RSVP'd or responded to my email request to pick a show, then please do so ASAP as I need to pick up all of these tickets ahead of time.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Yes, I just resigned as SES Official Party Coordinator
Wow, thanks for all of the emails for those that read into my post at Search Engine Watch stating that it was my last time posting the *Official* SES Party & Events Schedule. It does mean that I will no longer be the party coordinator for SES. Danny Sullivan had appointed me SES Party Coordinator back during SES Chicago 2005 after we had endured a conference with no formally planned events and just following a conference (SES San Jose 2005) where either there were multiple events all at once or nights where nothing was planned. I had already been posting a party schedule for the US SES shows since I was moderator of the SEM Related Organizations & Events Forum at SEW. Danny just figured I was the guy for the job since I had insight in the social scenes at various conferences and always had a crowd with me going from one social gathering to the next.
The appointment entailed working with the search engines directly and with multiple vendors known for throwing great conference bashes to mainly avoid 'party collision' so that the parties flowed well from one to another and didn't overlap too much. It worked well and many event planners and party organizers made sure to check the list or check with me before scheduling their event. For many conferences we had more pageviews of the party thread than for the actual conference session coverage. Kind of puts it into perspective as to where the priorities of the industry lies doesn't it?
Even with that obvious importance, we have begun to see a deterioration of social events attached to SES - now what does that mean? I was speaking to someone today about this and she said to me "You know Joe, we're all growing up...". Maybe she was right, perhaps we are maturing as an industry, maybe it just isn't as new anymore and new client acquisition and branding isn't the goal of the engines and vendors and now its managing their brand and working with the audience that they have built. Years past have had a sparring between Google and Yahoo when Google had their GoogleDance and Yahoo rented out Great America Amusement park trying to compete for best conference party. Ask Jeeves retired their butler in style during SES NYC 2006's Code Red party and the revelers drank the bar dry sending the bartenders out to stores to replenish. Industry veterans will remember the Overture bashes and the dull Yahoo parties and how the Yahoo parties suddenly got better after the Overture acquisition. Coincidence? I think not. Remember the GoToast 'After Over' parties? I think those of us San Jose veterans will always remember The Flying Pig and how we drove those poor bartenders crazy.
Nowadays it seems to be all private parties as the engines and vendors try and trim their budgets, also the conference grew in size to a point where no one wants to foot the bill for a conference now numbering in the thousands of attendees. Perhaps it's the end of an era, but after compiling this years list and waiting forever for any word whatsoever to compile an even somewhat decent party schedule and getting 'we're only having a private party this show' or 'we aren't doing anything for this show' time and time again plus given that unfortunately PubCon Las Vegas 2007 and SES Chicago 2007 happen to fall during the same week (where I happen to be one of the conference organizers), I now have a good opportunity to relinquish my role as party coordinator and pass the torch on to someone else. I'm not sure who will take over my position or if there will be enough event activity to warrant an 'official person' but I wish them well and I cherish the time that I have spent in this role.
See you guys in San Jose!
The appointment entailed working with the search engines directly and with multiple vendors known for throwing great conference bashes to mainly avoid 'party collision' so that the parties flowed well from one to another and didn't overlap too much. It worked well and many event planners and party organizers made sure to check the list or check with me before scheduling their event. For many conferences we had more pageviews of the party thread than for the actual conference session coverage. Kind of puts it into perspective as to where the priorities of the industry lies doesn't it?
Even with that obvious importance, we have begun to see a deterioration of social events attached to SES - now what does that mean? I was speaking to someone today about this and she said to me "You know Joe, we're all growing up...". Maybe she was right, perhaps we are maturing as an industry, maybe it just isn't as new anymore and new client acquisition and branding isn't the goal of the engines and vendors and now its managing their brand and working with the audience that they have built. Years past have had a sparring between Google and Yahoo when Google had their GoogleDance and Yahoo rented out Great America Amusement park trying to compete for best conference party. Ask Jeeves retired their butler in style during SES NYC 2006's Code Red party and the revelers drank the bar dry sending the bartenders out to stores to replenish. Industry veterans will remember the Overture bashes and the dull Yahoo parties and how the Yahoo parties suddenly got better after the Overture acquisition. Coincidence? I think not. Remember the GoToast 'After Over' parties? I think those of us San Jose veterans will always remember The Flying Pig and how we drove those poor bartenders crazy.
Nowadays it seems to be all private parties as the engines and vendors try and trim their budgets, also the conference grew in size to a point where no one wants to foot the bill for a conference now numbering in the thousands of attendees. Perhaps it's the end of an era, but after compiling this years list and waiting forever for any word whatsoever to compile an even somewhat decent party schedule and getting 'we're only having a private party this show' or 'we aren't doing anything for this show' time and time again plus given that unfortunately PubCon Las Vegas 2007 and SES Chicago 2007 happen to fall during the same week (where I happen to be one of the conference organizers), I now have a good opportunity to relinquish my role as party coordinator and pass the torch on to someone else. I'm not sure who will take over my position or if there will be enough event activity to warrant an 'official person' but I wish them well and I cherish the time that I have spent in this role.
See you guys in San Jose!
The OFFICIAL SES San Jose 2007 Party & Events Schedule Has Been Posted
I just posted the *Official* Party and Events Schedule for the 2007 Search Engine Strategies Conference (SES) in San Jose.
There is one VIP Private party on Monday evening and three private parties on Wednesday nights but here is a recap of all of the public events:
Sunday August 19
Marriott Bar
Downstairs to right of reception at Marriott is usually the place to be.
Monday August 20
Women In Internet Marketing Luncheon
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: The Grill on the Alley
172 S Market St (at The Fairmont Hotel)
Space is limited, to rsvp send an email to Li Evans at smg@searchmarketinggurus.com
Monday Evening
SEMPO The Search is Right Night
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Come on down to “The Search Is Right Night” Following brief
remarks about the state of the organization, attendees are invited to learn how they can get involved with the various SEMPO committees and enter for a chance to win door prizes such as an iPhone, gift certificates and more.
The event is open to SEMPO members and non-members alike, so brush up on your Plinko skills!
Location: Room B at the Conference Facility
Open Bar.
SEMPO In-House Search Marketer Networking Event
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Drinks and snacks to be provided, but come early or the snacks will run out.
This event is for In-House SEMs only. We will be checking folks at the door - agency reps will be politely asked to leave.
This event is an excellent opportunity for In-House SEMs to meet and grow their network of contacts. No sense going it alone when there are folks just like you who are happy to share what they know.
Location: St. Claire Hotel
Tuesday August 21
3rd Annual San Jose Classic
9:00 a.m. to ???
Once again, random golfers are welcomed to take some time out from SES San Jose (only if you have a permission slip) and join the organizers of this informal golf outing -- Chris Boggs, Andrew Goodman, John Krystynak -- for 18 holes of rather mellow semi-sporting activity.
Location: Sinnabar Hills, 25 minutes from downtown SJ
Leave a post on the classic thread if interested.
AOL Search Lunch
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Watch a demo of the new AOL Mobile Search, enjoy free lunch and network with other search engine professionals. Also, enter for a chance to win an iPhone! This free event is open to all registered SES San Jose attendees, but RSVP is required since space is limited. Please bring your SES badge, photo ID and your RSVP confirmation for admittance.
Location: Room J (next to the Keynote Hall)
RSVP: http://www.ersvp.com/r/aolsearchlunch082107
Google's GoogleDance VI
7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Come party the night away at the Google Dance 2007 at SES San Jose.
For registered SES attendees, buses will depart from the San Jose Convention Center beginning at 7:00pm and run continuously until 11pm. Parking will be available at the Shoreline Amphitheatre parking lot "C", across the street from the Google campus.
**SES badge and photo ID are required for admittance.
Location: GooglePlex
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
RSVP: http://services.google.com/events/googledance07
Wednesday Night August 22
Webmaster Radio's SEARCHBASH 3
7:00 - ???
SEARCHBASH continues in their quest for the ongoing lubrication of the SES set. Vivid Night Club is located just a few blocks from the Convention Center.
Open Bar, food, Music, and all sorts of fun surprises should be expected. To ensure you get in the door, stop by one of our awesome sponsor booths. The following companies are again contributing to our delinquency:
Ask.com
Bruce Clay, Inc.
Epiar
Moniker
Network Solutions
Webmaster Radio
Location: Vivid Night Club (Same club as last year)
8 South First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
RSVP Here
Thursday Night August 23
Nothing yet!
I know the schedule is a lot lighter than normal and that is the reason for the delay of this post. I'm feeling that the search industry is changing and maturing and we are now seeing far less activity on the social scene. With that said, this will be my last 'Official Party & Events Schedule' post. I'm moving on to other things in my career and I'm finding my time limited - also I wont be involved with SES Chicago this year due to my involvement as a conference organizer with PubCon Las Vegas 2007.
It was a fun ride while it lasted. ;)
There is one VIP Private party on Monday evening and three private parties on Wednesday nights but here is a recap of all of the public events:
Sunday August 19
Marriott Bar
Downstairs to right of reception at Marriott is usually the place to be.
Monday August 20
Women In Internet Marketing Luncheon
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: The Grill on the Alley
172 S Market St (at The Fairmont Hotel)
Space is limited, to rsvp send an email to Li Evans at smg@searchmarketinggurus.com
Monday Evening
SEMPO The Search is Right Night
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Come on down to “The Search Is Right Night” Following brief
remarks about the state of the organization, attendees are invited to learn how they can get involved with the various SEMPO committees and enter for a chance to win door prizes such as an iPhone, gift certificates and more.
The event is open to SEMPO members and non-members alike, so brush up on your Plinko skills!
Location: Room B at the Conference Facility
Open Bar.
SEMPO In-House Search Marketer Networking Event
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Drinks and snacks to be provided, but come early or the snacks will run out.
This event is for In-House SEMs only. We will be checking folks at the door - agency reps will be politely asked to leave.
This event is an excellent opportunity for In-House SEMs to meet and grow their network of contacts. No sense going it alone when there are folks just like you who are happy to share what they know.
Location: St. Claire Hotel
Tuesday August 21
3rd Annual San Jose Classic
9:00 a.m. to ???
Once again, random golfers are welcomed to take some time out from SES San Jose (only if you have a permission slip) and join the organizers of this informal golf outing -- Chris Boggs, Andrew Goodman, John Krystynak -- for 18 holes of rather mellow semi-sporting activity.
Location: Sinnabar Hills, 25 minutes from downtown SJ
Leave a post on the classic thread if interested.
AOL Search Lunch
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Watch a demo of the new AOL Mobile Search, enjoy free lunch and network with other search engine professionals. Also, enter for a chance to win an iPhone! This free event is open to all registered SES San Jose attendees, but RSVP is required since space is limited. Please bring your SES badge, photo ID and your RSVP confirmation for admittance.
Location: Room J (next to the Keynote Hall)
RSVP: http://www.ersvp.com/r/aolsearchlunch082107
Google's GoogleDance VI
7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Come party the night away at the Google Dance 2007 at SES San Jose.
For registered SES attendees, buses will depart from the San Jose Convention Center beginning at 7:00pm and run continuously until 11pm. Parking will be available at the Shoreline Amphitheatre parking lot "C", across the street from the Google campus.
**SES badge and photo ID are required for admittance.
Location: GooglePlex
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
RSVP: http://services.google.com/events/googledance07
Wednesday Night August 22
Webmaster Radio's SEARCHBASH 3
7:00 - ???
SEARCHBASH continues in their quest for the ongoing lubrication of the SES set. Vivid Night Club is located just a few blocks from the Convention Center.
Open Bar, food, Music, and all sorts of fun surprises should be expected. To ensure you get in the door, stop by one of our awesome sponsor booths. The following companies are again contributing to our delinquency:
Ask.com
Bruce Clay, Inc.
Epiar
Moniker
Network Solutions
Webmaster Radio
Location: Vivid Night Club (Same club as last year)
8 South First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
RSVP Here
Thursday Night August 23
Nothing yet!
I know the schedule is a lot lighter than normal and that is the reason for the delay of this post. I'm feeling that the search industry is changing and maturing and we are now seeing far less activity on the social scene. With that said, this will be my last 'Official Party & Events Schedule' post. I'm moving on to other things in my career and I'm finding my time limited - also I wont be involved with SES Chicago this year due to my involvement as a conference organizer with PubCon Las Vegas 2007.
It was a fun ride while it lasted. ;)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Deliver Great Speeches with a Hangover - and Other Good Advice From Brett Tabke
Brett Tabke from WebmasterWorld.com blogs on how to give a killer presentation, including how to pull it off with a hangover. Great preparation for PubCon speakers.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Monday, July 09, 2007
I Returned My iPhone Back to The Apple Store...
I was anxiously awaiting the coming of the Apple iPhone like everybody else and I even waited in line for two hours on opening night and was relieved when the Irvine store hadn't run out and I was able to get my hands on one - forget relieved - more like extremely excited. I travel a LOT so this was to be my great new travel gadget that I could use on flights to now watch my movies in landscape mode, listen to music and just plain play with, all of the cool features are too numerous to mention and I'm sure everybody has now heard of how unbelievably cool this thing is. So it is with unusual trepidation that I make the following statement:
I just took back my iPhone - and it's hard to explain why...
Know when you love something SO MUCH, that when you find a flaw you are more disappointed than with something less ordinary that you would normally be more accepting of?
I just couldn't get past:
1). The slow Edge network
2). The no GPS on Google maps (which my Samsung SCH-i730 has and it ROCKS! - shows traffic patterns and I can be somewhere - and hit connect and it tells me where I am)
3). The 8GB capacity
4). No swappable battery plus Apple just announced that after 300 - 400 charges you have to send in your phone to have Apple replace it for $79.00 and a loss of your phone for three days (which I cannot do)
5). No external memory and no swappable SIM (which is why you get GSM in the first place - so you can swap it out in Europe)
6). No compatibility with Microsoft Exchange Server and Active Sync - my perhaps favorite feature on my current PDA the Samsung i730 - even though rich text emails on the iPhone looked incredible and my Gmail worked especially well
7). More of my friends, family and daily calls are on Verizon - or 'In my network'
8). The text/email portion didn’t adjust to landscape mode when turned sideways which would make the keys larger and easier to text
9). The recessed headphone input - rendering my $400 Westone UM2 audiophile headphones obsolete - unless I bought a silly adapter
10). No stereo support via Bluetooth. (OK - now I'm nitpicking, but did I mention the slow Edge network???)
Even still, this was not going to be my primary phone! I actually have an ATT account and phone (RAZR) that I maintain to take WebmasterWorld/PubCon calls on and also use primarily when I travel to Europe.
All things considered, I really, really loved this phone (the user interface was out of this world), I am becoming more of an Apple fan because of it and I'm seriously considering getting a MacBook Pro now. Also to complicate my feelings about the iPhone and my incessant raving while pointing out its flaws, I dropped it on the pavement once while showing it to a friend and scratched the top, bottom and a little bit of the screen (!!!), further pushing me apart from it (I know - I have tons of scratches on my Samsung SCH-i730, yet seeing ONE scratch on my iPhone really, really hurt).
To make myself feel better about returning it, I exchanged two thirds of what I paid for my iPhone ($599) for a 180GB Apple TV ($399) - now THAT thing really rocks - I can't tell you how cool it is to have all of the contents of my audio and a lot of my video library readily available not to mention slideshows of all of my pics set to music as a screensaver for my plasma TV...way cool! All wirelessly streamed via my home network without having to manually sync like I do with my iPod.
If Apple were to fix even half of these things, they would have even more of a real winner on their hands. In the meantime, I anxiously await the arrival of the new Samsung SCH-i760 which is supposed to be out any day now. I firmly stand in the camp of waiting for the second generation of the iPhone to come out before I will break down. Before that happens however, I have a feeling that I will be first in line for the new sixth generation iPod player - which is hey, what I was really looking for in the first place now wasn't I?
Update 7/23/2007:
Perhaps the best pro/con review I have read on the iPhone yet...and we come to just about all of the same conclusions. ;)
I just took back my iPhone - and it's hard to explain why...
Know when you love something SO MUCH, that when you find a flaw you are more disappointed than with something less ordinary that you would normally be more accepting of?
I just couldn't get past:
1). The slow Edge network
2). The no GPS on Google maps (which my Samsung SCH-i730 has and it ROCKS! - shows traffic patterns and I can be somewhere - and hit connect and it tells me where I am)
3). The 8GB capacity
4). No swappable battery plus Apple just announced that after 300 - 400 charges you have to send in your phone to have Apple replace it for $79.00 and a loss of your phone for three days (which I cannot do)
5). No external memory and no swappable SIM (which is why you get GSM in the first place - so you can swap it out in Europe)
6). No compatibility with Microsoft Exchange Server and Active Sync - my perhaps favorite feature on my current PDA the Samsung i730 - even though rich text emails on the iPhone looked incredible and my Gmail worked especially well
7). More of my friends, family and daily calls are on Verizon - or 'In my network'
8). The text/email portion didn’t adjust to landscape mode when turned sideways which would make the keys larger and easier to text
9). The recessed headphone input - rendering my $400 Westone UM2 audiophile headphones obsolete - unless I bought a silly adapter
10). No stereo support via Bluetooth. (OK - now I'm nitpicking, but did I mention the slow Edge network???)
Even still, this was not going to be my primary phone! I actually have an ATT account and phone (RAZR) that I maintain to take WebmasterWorld/PubCon calls on and also use primarily when I travel to Europe.
All things considered, I really, really loved this phone (the user interface was out of this world), I am becoming more of an Apple fan because of it and I'm seriously considering getting a MacBook Pro now. Also to complicate my feelings about the iPhone and my incessant raving while pointing out its flaws, I dropped it on the pavement once while showing it to a friend and scratched the top, bottom and a little bit of the screen (!!!), further pushing me apart from it (I know - I have tons of scratches on my Samsung SCH-i730, yet seeing ONE scratch on my iPhone really, really hurt).
To make myself feel better about returning it, I exchanged two thirds of what I paid for my iPhone ($599) for a 180GB Apple TV ($399) - now THAT thing really rocks - I can't tell you how cool it is to have all of the contents of my audio and a lot of my video library readily available not to mention slideshows of all of my pics set to music as a screensaver for my plasma TV...way cool! All wirelessly streamed via my home network without having to manually sync like I do with my iPod.
If Apple were to fix even half of these things, they would have even more of a real winner on their hands. In the meantime, I anxiously await the arrival of the new Samsung SCH-i760 which is supposed to be out any day now. I firmly stand in the camp of waiting for the second generation of the iPhone to come out before I will break down. Before that happens however, I have a feeling that I will be first in line for the new sixth generation iPod player - which is hey, what I was really looking for in the first place now wasn't I?
Update 7/23/2007:
Perhaps the best pro/con review I have read on the iPhone yet...and we come to just about all of the same conclusions. ;)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Pubcon Las Vegas or SES Chicago?
Barry has posted a poll over at SERoundtable on whether people will be attending WebmasterWorld's PubCon in Las Vegas or Search Engine Strategies in Chicago this upcoming December. Now granted I am a little bit biased since I am one of the conference organizers for PubCon. However, I am also a Moderator at Search Engine Watch and the Official SES Party Coordinator as well as a long time speaker at both venues.
I will say however that last year, out of 18 conferences that I attended worldwide, PubCon Vegas was my favorite. It helped having great keynotes and having Danny Sullivan there was an added bonus so it was really almost a twofer ;) Barry gives reference to several facors to help attendees decide including:
Weather
Venue
Business Opportunities
Networking
Educational Experience
I'll let you decide on your own which one to attend and how to give weighting to each category, but there are a few other factors to add to your decision making. Consider the 'Three P's':
Programming - SES Chicago won't be programmed by Danny even though he will be moderating - it won't be his show as he won't be the conference Chair. Brett Tabke does a fantastic job with the programming so I'm giving a hat tip towards PubCon.
Price - SES is typically a more expensive show and when compared to PubCon Vegas all around - the conference price will be considerably less, hotel rooms in Las Vegas are fairly inexpensive in relation to Chicago and flights to Vegas can usually be found on the cheap - especially in the off season. Once again, nod towards PubCon.
Parties - Typically, Chicago SES is terribly lacking on the social front and for the past couple of years the parties have been failry dismal and if it weren't for last minute contributions by a few folks there wouldn't have been anything party wise, whereas with PubCon, there are usually several good sponsored bashes and the last day of the conference is devoted to the 'Pub' portion of 'PubCon' which is where the conference actually originated so staying true to its roots, the 'Pub' is open to all for a great time networking. 'Nuff said - PubCon!
We'll see you in Vegas!
I will say however that last year, out of 18 conferences that I attended worldwide, PubCon Vegas was my favorite. It helped having great keynotes and having Danny Sullivan there was an added bonus so it was really almost a twofer ;) Barry gives reference to several facors to help attendees decide including:
Weather
Venue
Business Opportunities
Networking
Educational Experience
I'll let you decide on your own which one to attend and how to give weighting to each category, but there are a few other factors to add to your decision making. Consider the 'Three P's':
Programming - SES Chicago won't be programmed by Danny even though he will be moderating - it won't be his show as he won't be the conference Chair. Brett Tabke does a fantastic job with the programming so I'm giving a hat tip towards PubCon.
Price - SES is typically a more expensive show and when compared to PubCon Vegas all around - the conference price will be considerably less, hotel rooms in Las Vegas are fairly inexpensive in relation to Chicago and flights to Vegas can usually be found on the cheap - especially in the off season. Once again, nod towards PubCon.
Parties - Typically, Chicago SES is terribly lacking on the social front and for the past couple of years the parties have been failry dismal and if it weren't for last minute contributions by a few folks there wouldn't have been anything party wise, whereas with PubCon, there are usually several good sponsored bashes and the last day of the conference is devoted to the 'Pub' portion of 'PubCon' which is where the conference actually originated so staying true to its roots, the 'Pub' is open to all for a great time networking. 'Nuff said - PubCon!
We'll see you in Vegas!
Monday, April 02, 2007
SES NYC 2007 Official Party and Events Schedule Now Posted
I've just posted the Offical SES Party Guide for SES New York over at Search Engine Watch Forums but here is the summary:
Sunday April 8th, 2007
Easter Sunday but many do arrive early (including myself) so if you're one of the early to arrive - meet up at the downstairs bar ('Lobby Lounge' near the reception desk). That way you can see who is arriving. Bridges - the bar around the corner is usually closed on Sunday evenings.
Monday April 9th 2007
Pre-conference.
Hitwise
3:00pm Hitwise University Live Search Marketing Workshop begins
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Private Cocktail Mixer
This cocktail party is in conjunction with Search Engine Strategies and our Hitwise University Live Search Marketing Workshop. If you'd like to attend the complimentary session, hosted by Bill Tancer, please contact your account manager.
Invitation only event.
RSVP required to gain entry.
Internet Marketers of New York
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Internet Marketers of New York is hosting a Charity Party to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charity. Best of The Web and Text Link Ads are generously covering the cost so the $40 donation at the door goes all to charity.
Join us for this 3 hour open bar party with cocktail food and raffles. Why not have a good time while also doing a good thing and talking with fellow internet marketers?
Location: Town Tavern
134 W 3rd St & 6th Ave.
Tuesday April 10th 2007
Private Party - Search Engine
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
If you know about it, then you may get in if you're lucky!
Private Party
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm or ?
VIP Private Dinner Party
Wednesday April 11th 2007
SEMPO SES NY In-House SEM Networking Event
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
SEM Networking Event
Location: Playwright Tavern
8th AVE (between 45th & 46th)
The tavern is roughly 10 minutes walk from the Hilton (one mile).
Private room booked for this event upstairs.
SEMPO is covering the tab for a bit, folks, so get there early, grab a drink and meet some new and familiar faces! If you’re In-House, this is YOUR event and shouldn’t be missed.
Marchex / Industry Brains
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Marchex (IndustryBrains, TrafficLeader, Enhance Interactive and GoClick.com) presents the – “Skyline Cocktail Party”:
Mingle with fellow advertisers, senior executives from premier publishing partners, members of the media community, and the teams from Marchex, IndustryBrains, TrafficLeader, Enhance Interactive and GoClick.com, over intimate cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. This event is invitation only. Attendees must RSVP.
Location: AVA Lounge at the Dream Hotel
210 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019
located two blocks from the Hilton where SES is held.
Thursday April 12th 2007
Private Party
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm or ?
Private Dinner Party + bar crawl
See you guys in NYC!
Joe
Sunday April 8th, 2007
Easter Sunday but many do arrive early (including myself) so if you're one of the early to arrive - meet up at the downstairs bar ('Lobby Lounge' near the reception desk). That way you can see who is arriving. Bridges - the bar around the corner is usually closed on Sunday evenings.
Monday April 9th 2007
Pre-conference.
Hitwise
3:00pm Hitwise University Live Search Marketing Workshop begins
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Private Cocktail Mixer
This cocktail party is in conjunction with Search Engine Strategies and our Hitwise University Live Search Marketing Workshop. If you'd like to attend the complimentary session, hosted by Bill Tancer, please contact your account manager.
Invitation only event.
RSVP required to gain entry.
Internet Marketers of New York
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Internet Marketers of New York is hosting a Charity Party to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charity. Best of The Web and Text Link Ads are generously covering the cost so the $40 donation at the door goes all to charity.
Join us for this 3 hour open bar party with cocktail food and raffles. Why not have a good time while also doing a good thing and talking with fellow internet marketers?
Location: Town Tavern
134 W 3rd St & 6th Ave.
Tuesday April 10th 2007
Private Party - Search Engine
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
If you know about it, then you may get in if you're lucky!
Private Party
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm or ?
VIP Private Dinner Party
Wednesday April 11th 2007
SEMPO SES NY In-House SEM Networking Event
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
SEM Networking Event
Location: Playwright Tavern
8th AVE (between 45th & 46th)
The tavern is roughly 10 minutes walk from the Hilton (one mile).
Private room booked for this event upstairs.
SEMPO is covering the tab for a bit, folks, so get there early, grab a drink and meet some new and familiar faces! If you’re In-House, this is YOUR event and shouldn’t be missed.
Marchex / Industry Brains
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Marchex (IndustryBrains, TrafficLeader, Enhance Interactive and GoClick.com) presents the – “Skyline Cocktail Party”:
Mingle with fellow advertisers, senior executives from premier publishing partners, members of the media community, and the teams from Marchex, IndustryBrains, TrafficLeader, Enhance Interactive and GoClick.com, over intimate cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. This event is invitation only. Attendees must RSVP.
Location: AVA Lounge at the Dream Hotel
210 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019
located two blocks from the Hilton where SES is held.
Thursday April 12th 2007
Private Party
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm or ?
Private Dinner Party + bar crawl
See you guys in NYC!
Joe
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
JP to Propose Tonight via 'Veronica Mars'
Well it's finally over. For everyone finally wanting to know the end result and the answer to "Did she say Yes?" will be able to find the answer tonight at iFilm.com after 10:00 p.m. Pacific /1:00 a.m. Eastern. The show Veronica Mars was chosen to air the commercial locally because that is the bride-to-be's favorite show. All in all this whole project will have a happy ending.
Good Luck JP. ;)
Click here for more information at MySuperProposal
Good Luck JP. ;)
Click here for more information at MySuperProposal
Thursday, February 01, 2007
JP wins AdWeek Superbowl Commercial Poll
"That Marriage Proposal Guy" was voted #1 as the Superbowl Advertisement you would most look forward to see during the Superbowl.
Wow and what good company to be named against.
The contenders were:
That marriage proposal guy 36%
CareerBuilder.com 21%
Anheuser-Busch/Bud 18%
Nationwide 10%
Coca-Cola 5%
GoDaddy.com 5%
Pepsi 3%
Taco Bell 3%
General Motors 1%
Wow and what good company to be named against.
The contenders were:
That marriage proposal guy 36%
CareerBuilder.com 21%
Anheuser-Busch/Bud 18%
Nationwide 10%
Coca-Cola 5%
GoDaddy.com 5%
Pepsi 3%
Taco Bell 3%
General Motors 1%
Friday, January 26, 2007
My SuperProposal's JP Featured on 'Entertainment Tonight'
Our anonymous and mysterious groom-to-be 'JP' was featured on a segment of Entertainment Tonight (click to play video) last night. He appeared a bit nervous from what I could tell from his mannerisms and I wish that they hadn't shown so much of him. I would have preferred just a sit down shot with his face darkened out and voice altered. ET had shots of him walking (neck down) and from behind so I'm hoping that people wont try guessing who he is. At least they didn't make him sound like a South Park character with a high squeaky voice and made him sound more manly with a low guttural alteration...lol.
So I'd like to clarify a few things to any reporters who read my blog for details. There has been a lot of mis-information printed out there about several possible identifying traits or characteristics about JP.
Location
Its been reported that JP is from Nashville, Illinois/Wisconsin area, 'A West Coast Man' and 'from Southern CA'. OK, reporters and disc jockey's - pay attention - I am the one from Southern CA. Just because the website contact information lists me in Southern CA, Jamie O'Donnell in Northern CA and Greg Jarboe from Boston doesn't necessarily mean that JP hails from these areas. We are the media and adverting contacts who have been helping JP in his quest so please take the time to read the posts more carefully when trying to pinpoint and then go printing it.
The Official answer that we have constantly given out is:
JP is from the 'lower 48 States'.
Age
I've seen in print that JP has an age range listed anywhere from 'A 21 Year Old Man' to 'A Man in his Mid Thirties'.
All we have ever stated is:
JP is between the ages of 25 and 35.
Occupation
I've read blogs and online newspaper reports that indicate that JP is an 'Internet Entrepreneur', a 'Web Developer' or in the 'Internet industry'.
Funny because our official statement is:
JP is Internet Savvy. No occupation given.
I understand that CBS wants to put out a series of clues leading up to the game, we don't know what were going to come up with yet if we do that because it is still very important for us to maintain anonymity right up until the game.
Seriously though, with all of the attempts at his identity, its amazing that his girlfriend still has not found out.
Wish us luck.
So I'd like to clarify a few things to any reporters who read my blog for details. There has been a lot of mis-information printed out there about several possible identifying traits or characteristics about JP.
Location
Its been reported that JP is from Nashville, Illinois/Wisconsin area, 'A West Coast Man' and 'from Southern CA'. OK, reporters and disc jockey's - pay attention - I am the one from Southern CA. Just because the website contact information lists me in Southern CA, Jamie O'Donnell in Northern CA and Greg Jarboe from Boston doesn't necessarily mean that JP hails from these areas. We are the media and adverting contacts who have been helping JP in his quest so please take the time to read the posts more carefully when trying to pinpoint and then go printing it.
The Official answer that we have constantly given out is:
JP is from the 'lower 48 States'.
Age
I've seen in print that JP has an age range listed anywhere from 'A 21 Year Old Man' to 'A Man in his Mid Thirties'.
All we have ever stated is:
JP is between the ages of 25 and 35.
Occupation
I've read blogs and online newspaper reports that indicate that JP is an 'Internet Entrepreneur', a 'Web Developer' or in the 'Internet industry'.
Funny because our official statement is:
JP is Internet Savvy. No occupation given.
I understand that CBS wants to put out a series of clues leading up to the game, we don't know what were going to come up with yet if we do that because it is still very important for us to maintain anonymity right up until the game.
Seriously though, with all of the attempts at his identity, its amazing that his girlfriend still has not found out.
Wish us luck.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Who is 'JP' from My Super Proposal?
I'm receiving a LOT of mail, phone calls and press calls about my involvment with MySuperProposal.com. To give a little bit of information on how this has changed my day to day routine, one must know that being listed as one of the contact persons for JP, especially after a live interview or the Good Morning America Show - creates a flood of phone calls and emails with requests for more media interviews (I spoke to 8 reporters or newscasters yesterday), companies wanting me to push their creative or sometimes kooky idea, sponsors interested in giving JP everything from a diamond to a honeymoon to spa treatments for his future fiance. I've taken phone calls ranging from 4:00 in the morning until midnight, and I estimated yesterday that since January 1st, I'm averaging 16 hours a day on the project. The battery on my cordless office line and the 2 batteries for my cell phone constantly seem to be drained and are beeping from a lack of battery power. The emails of course never stop. I've done interviews with reporters from foreign countries wanting 'their countries exclusive'. I've put my whole agency behind this effort (and then some, we actually have 9 people working some sort of angle on this project and not everybody has full knowledge - everything is on a 'need to know' basis) and my business partner Juan Prado is working as many hours on this as I am. Greg Jarboe and Jamie O'Donnell of SEO-PR have been working the phones tirelessly and fielding press and sponsor requests to the team. I haven't shaved in a week.
But the biggest question I constantly receive, the one question I hear over and over in interviews while I'm either silent in the background or participating with JP or asked when dealing with a media producer is:
"Who is JP"?
Yesterday I listened to a radio broadcast after JP had hung up and heard the morning show radio personalities banter back and forth trying to pinpoint what part of the United States JP was from. When asked, he simply responded "Somewhere in the lower 48 states". They analyzed his somewhat disguised voice for accents and also picked apart his statement from carefully crafted questions in order to summise clues as to his whereabouts. Putting all of their clues together, one disk jockey staked his reputation that he was from the Michigan/Wisconson area, while the other was trying to determine whether he heard a Southern twang or not.
We will be shooting a video of her response and immediately upload it online for viewers to see her reaction to the world's first ever proposal during the largest televised event of the year which has prompted several girls to call me, desperately trying to figure out if JP is in fact their boyfriend and if they really should get themselves prepared mentally for the Big Game (forget player preparation - this year the fans are getting prepared!). One girl wanted to know if she should have a suitcase prepared in order to appear on 'Good Morning America' the very next day, since she was so convinced that JP was in fact her boyfriend of many years since he is "creative, over the top, and romantic and this is something he would do". One guy emailed me and sent pictures of he and his girlfriend and wanted to join JP and propose to his girlfriend at the same time. A very large ad agency called me representing one of the current Superbowl advertisers lamenting the fact that they already had commited air time and had spent a small fortune on their ads but perhaps if we weren't able to pull this off, did we want to air a commercial during the Pro Bowl?
More to the question though, we have taken many, many steps in order to protect JP's identity because the surprise would be ruined if she found out. On several occasions his voice has been electronically garbled and his face was blacked out for his Good Morning America segment. He has had many phone interviews at odd hours and when we conduct a phone interview, I have the interviewer dial into a conference call bridge that I arrange in advance so all they get is an 800 number and when that cant be arranged, JP masks his caller ID in order to protect his location. Early on before my involvement, JP told me that on his very first interview, he laid in the back of his vehicle, head upside down with a t-shirt over his head in order to disguise his voice. We've put out some disinformation in order to throw people off as to his location or employment, the domain is listed in an aquaintance's name, the site hosted elsewhere, and in the beginning, an anonymous email account set up. JP's girlfriend wouldn't be able to make the connection between my involvement or the PR guys from SEO-PR since I was the one who brought them in.
Anyway, sorry to be so vague and not answer any specifics and give any clues, but we have to do this in order to add to the mystique and intrigue of this project. I do predict one thing though, I think that among this years single female viewers watching (thinking it might be them being proposed to and in the response video), it will be a very well dressed Superbowl!
But the biggest question I constantly receive, the one question I hear over and over in interviews while I'm either silent in the background or participating with JP or asked when dealing with a media producer is:
"Who is JP"?
Yesterday I listened to a radio broadcast after JP had hung up and heard the morning show radio personalities banter back and forth trying to pinpoint what part of the United States JP was from. When asked, he simply responded "Somewhere in the lower 48 states". They analyzed his somewhat disguised voice for accents and also picked apart his statement from carefully crafted questions in order to summise clues as to his whereabouts. Putting all of their clues together, one disk jockey staked his reputation that he was from the Michigan/Wisconson area, while the other was trying to determine whether he heard a Southern twang or not.
We will be shooting a video of her response and immediately upload it online for viewers to see her reaction to the world's first ever proposal during the largest televised event of the year which has prompted several girls to call me, desperately trying to figure out if JP is in fact their boyfriend and if they really should get themselves prepared mentally for the Big Game (forget player preparation - this year the fans are getting prepared!). One girl wanted to know if she should have a suitcase prepared in order to appear on 'Good Morning America' the very next day, since she was so convinced that JP was in fact her boyfriend of many years since he is "creative, over the top, and romantic and this is something he would do". One guy emailed me and sent pictures of he and his girlfriend and wanted to join JP and propose to his girlfriend at the same time. A very large ad agency called me representing one of the current Superbowl advertisers lamenting the fact that they already had commited air time and had spent a small fortune on their ads but perhaps if we weren't able to pull this off, did we want to air a commercial during the Pro Bowl?
More to the question though, we have taken many, many steps in order to protect JP's identity because the surprise would be ruined if she found out. On several occasions his voice has been electronically garbled and his face was blacked out for his Good Morning America segment. He has had many phone interviews at odd hours and when we conduct a phone interview, I have the interviewer dial into a conference call bridge that I arrange in advance so all they get is an 800 number and when that cant be arranged, JP masks his caller ID in order to protect his location. Early on before my involvement, JP told me that on his very first interview, he laid in the back of his vehicle, head upside down with a t-shirt over his head in order to disguise his voice. We've put out some disinformation in order to throw people off as to his location or employment, the domain is listed in an aquaintance's name, the site hosted elsewhere, and in the beginning, an anonymous email account set up. JP's girlfriend wouldn't be able to make the connection between my involvement or the PR guys from SEO-PR since I was the one who brought them in.
Anyway, sorry to be so vague and not answer any specifics and give any clues, but we have to do this in order to add to the mystique and intrigue of this project. I do predict one thing though, I think that among this years single female viewers watching (thinking it might be them being proposed to and in the response video), it will be a very well dressed Superbowl!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Video of 'JP' of MySuperProposal on Good Morning America
The video segment of JP on the Good Morning America Show aired this morning. This link shows that JP is real and unfortunately he sounds like a South Park Character with the way GMA altered his voice in order to keep his identity a secret. Check out our groom to be in his first live television appearance!
Monday, January 08, 2007
MySuperProposal.com to be featured on the Good Morning America Show
I've just confirmed with a Producer for the Good Morning America Show that they will be doing a story on MySuperProposal.com and our quest to go from a blog post to a Superbowl ad. We will be featured this next Wednesday morning 01/10/2007. They have agreed to have JP live on the show but to use a silhouette of him and to also alter his voice so as not to be recognized. JP has already been altering his voice when he does radio interviews.
Thanks for all of your support in our quest to help 'J.P.' propose to his girlfriend during the Superbowl and be sure to tune in to the Good Morning America Show to see their coverage of our little project.
Update: the segment will air during the 8:30 a.m. timeslot of the show. It is live in New York time-wise but taped in all other timezones so that it is at 8:30 in all timezones.
Thanks for all of your support in our quest to help 'J.P.' propose to his girlfriend during the Superbowl and be sure to tune in to the Good Morning America Show to see their coverage of our little project.
Update: the segment will air during the 8:30 a.m. timeslot of the show. It is live in New York time-wise but taped in all other timezones so that it is at 8:30 in all timezones.
Friday, January 05, 2007
My Super Proposal - Super Bowl Commercial Proposal Update
It's been awhile since my plea to help promote 'J.P.' in his quest for a 30 second commercial spot during next February's Super Bowl game in order to propose to his girlfriend so its time for a long overdue update.
The response has been tremendous.
The intial blogosphere bang was first launched by Danny, Lee, David, Jeremy, Liane and many more and followed up by a press release by Greg Jarboe of SEO-PR. Although we had some initial coverage before my involvement, the combined efforts led to the 'tipping point' - an article written by Abbey Klaassen of AdAge Magazine. The AdAge article led to a flurry of coverage from radio, print and tv inquiries and also a lot of inquiries from potential sponsors and advertisers including 7 diamond ring retailers or manufacturers!
To sum all of the exposure up, here is a list of media and press that has happened to date:
Radio Interviews and Coverage:
Radio Station in Virginia (prior to my involvement - no call station info)
Radio Station in California (prior to my involvement)
107.5 The River, radio station in Nashville
710 KIRO Newsradio The Ron & Don Show, Seattle.
KKND - New Orleans
STAR 94 Radio in Atlanta
Saint Louis morning drive time talk show
Ken and Tammy Show on WOXL in Asheville NC
WRMF South Florida
Howard Stern Show
Daily Search Cast
94.3 FOX Northern Michagan
KROQ Los Angeles Kevin and Bean show
Newpaper and Online Media Coverage:
AdRants
AdJab
AdAge
AdAge Garfield: The Blog
New York Post
Netscape
Media Buyer Planner
MediaPost
MarketingProfs Daily Fix
Entrepreneur.com Blog
Business 2.0 Blog
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
ABC News / ESPN Sports
ESPN - The Magazine
Chicago Tribune
ABC News - GMA
International Media Coverage:
Sweden
Denmark
Norway
Mexico
Spain
Television Coverage:
Fox News (National - on a Sunday afternoon)
MSNBC (Tomorrow morning 7:30 a.m. PST)
Good Morning America (multiple video segment starting next week)
We've also had inquiries but haven't done interviews with NPR Radio, USA Today, Inside Edition, Rocky Mountain News and a few others.
My initial goal was to show Madison Avenue how a few bloggers could help to get the word out and hopefully give this project some legs. I'm now getting emails from people outside of my industry who've learned of my involvement and are sending well wishes and in several instances in conversations, emails or in forums when the project is brought up - the response is "Oh, I heard about that". If anything, we've already succeeded with our goal, to yell loud enough in the blogosphere to make Madison Avenue take note and to raise a substantial amount of money for the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
Our next goal of course is to actually get 'J.P' his moment on the largest Nationally televised sports show in history with an audience hoping to beat last year's 90.7 MM viewers. As Bob Garfield from AdAge Magazine puts it:
"Everybody and his brother thinks their Super Bowl ad is an event within an event. Every year, almost all of them are wrong. Super Bowl ads are mainly just overproduced comedy blackouts without much of a selling point. But a marriage proposal -- followed (somehow) by an answer -- is real drama, especially if the answer is "no." It's worth the money for the publicity alone, but just imagine the traffic to a properly designed website. "
Now knowing the proposer and proposee I can almost assuredly say that her response will be "YES!" and with that brings up another goal. This year, the NFL is on a push to increase viewership of the Superbowl and the demographic where they see the biggest increase is in female viewership. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently stated:
"It's a very big initiative," he said. "(Women) fans want to be treated as real fans because they love the game, understand the game and want to have the opportunity to experience the game just as anyone else does."
" So this is my marketing to women nudge for the cause: For those brands interested in gaining the attention of the women who watch the Superbowl as well as the men, consider these reasons:
Now imagine this - What if every girl in America who is involved in a serious relationship is aware that a proposal is taking place? What if the intrigue that we generate can keep her watching the game, well into the 4th quarter sitting on the edge of her seat, breathlessly anticipating and wondering if it's her? Then when the proposal airs and our bachelor has made his heartfelt plea, the commercial finishes with a "find out if she says YES...go to www.adsponsor.com/proposal" Can you now imagine the branding opportunity of taking users from offline to online - all with measurable statistics?
Combined with all of that emotion, we can also add the following benefits for a major sponsor to take up in their initiative:
The response has been tremendous.
The intial blogosphere bang was first launched by Danny, Lee, David, Jeremy, Liane and many more and followed up by a press release by Greg Jarboe of SEO-PR. Although we had some initial coverage before my involvement, the combined efforts led to the 'tipping point' - an article written by Abbey Klaassen of AdAge Magazine. The AdAge article led to a flurry of coverage from radio, print and tv inquiries and also a lot of inquiries from potential sponsors and advertisers including 7 diamond ring retailers or manufacturers!
To sum all of the exposure up, here is a list of media and press that has happened to date:
Radio Interviews and Coverage:
Radio Station in Virginia (prior to my involvement - no call station info)
Radio Station in California (prior to my involvement)
107.5 The River, radio station in Nashville
710 KIRO Newsradio The Ron & Don Show, Seattle.
KKND - New Orleans
STAR 94 Radio in Atlanta
Saint Louis morning drive time talk show
Ken and Tammy Show on WOXL in Asheville NC
WRMF South Florida
Howard Stern Show
Daily Search Cast
94.3 FOX Northern Michagan
KROQ Los Angeles Kevin and Bean show
Newpaper and Online Media Coverage:
AdRants
AdJab
AdAge
AdAge Garfield: The Blog
New York Post
Netscape
Media Buyer Planner
MediaPost
MarketingProfs Daily Fix
Entrepreneur.com Blog
Business 2.0 Blog
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
ABC News / ESPN Sports
ESPN - The Magazine
Chicago Tribune
ABC News - GMA
International Media Coverage:
Sweden
Denmark
Norway
Mexico
Spain
Television Coverage:
Fox News (National - on a Sunday afternoon)
MSNBC (Tomorrow morning 7:30 a.m. PST)
Good Morning America (multiple video segment starting next week)
We've also had inquiries but haven't done interviews with NPR Radio, USA Today, Inside Edition, Rocky Mountain News and a few others.
My initial goal was to show Madison Avenue how a few bloggers could help to get the word out and hopefully give this project some legs. I'm now getting emails from people outside of my industry who've learned of my involvement and are sending well wishes and in several instances in conversations, emails or in forums when the project is brought up - the response is "Oh, I heard about that". If anything, we've already succeeded with our goal, to yell loud enough in the blogosphere to make Madison Avenue take note and to raise a substantial amount of money for the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
Our next goal of course is to actually get 'J.P' his moment on the largest Nationally televised sports show in history with an audience hoping to beat last year's 90.7 MM viewers. As Bob Garfield from AdAge Magazine puts it:
"Everybody and his brother thinks their Super Bowl ad is an event within an event. Every year, almost all of them are wrong. Super Bowl ads are mainly just overproduced comedy blackouts without much of a selling point. But a marriage proposal -- followed (somehow) by an answer -- is real drama, especially if the answer is "no." It's worth the money for the publicity alone, but just imagine the traffic to a properly designed website. "
Now knowing the proposer and proposee I can almost assuredly say that her response will be "YES!" and with that brings up another goal. This year, the NFL is on a push to increase viewership of the Superbowl and the demographic where they see the biggest increase is in female viewership. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently stated:
"It's a very big initiative," he said. "(Women) fans want to be treated as real fans because they love the game, understand the game and want to have the opportunity to experience the game just as anyone else does."
While women comprise about 40 percent of the U.S. television audience for the Super Bowl, media watchers note the broadcasts fail to address them.
Commercials during the game, the most expensive television advertising event of the year in the U.S., are dominated by beer, cars and electronics."
Andrea Learned, The co-author of Don't Think Pink: What Really Makes Women Buy – And How To Increase Your Share of this Crucial Market recently wrote in her blog:" So this is my marketing to women nudge for the cause: For those brands interested in gaining the attention of the women who watch the Superbowl as well as the men, consider these reasons:
- You will be connecting people to one another around your brand. (You sponsor it, and consumers will make note of who aligned with this intriguing event.)
- You will be presenting an emotion-filled event with which lots of Superbowl watchers - and many of your consumers - can relate.
- You will offer something very different in a "same-old" saturated several hour timeframe that is all the more likely to catch viewers off guard, and keep them from running to the kitchen for the chips.
So what are you waiting for?!"
Exactly Andrea - and combine this viewpoint with what MediaBuyerPlanner calls a "Rare Opportunity for Sponsorship", the potential that this yields for anticipation of the event and also with the ever frustrating problem of offline to online brand integration. We've kept the identity of 'J.P.' a secret for multiple reasons, primarily to keep his girlfriend from finding out and spoiling the surprise but also, to add to the mystique of the project.Now imagine this - What if every girl in America who is involved in a serious relationship is aware that a proposal is taking place? What if the intrigue that we generate can keep her watching the game, well into the 4th quarter sitting on the edge of her seat, breathlessly anticipating and wondering if it's her? Then when the proposal airs and our bachelor has made his heartfelt plea, the commercial finishes with a "find out if she says YES...go to www.adsponsor.com/proposal" Can you now imagine the branding opportunity of taking users from offline to online - all with measurable statistics?
Combined with all of that emotion, we can also add the following benefits for a major sponsor to take up in their initiative:
- ROI for an advertiser; with massive media coverage of their ad and the proposal in addition to the Superbowl and the response video (far greater than any normal commercial) ROI could be greater than a 'normal' Superbowl ad.
- Direct measurement of traffic via the web; links from MySuperProposal.com and from a video site (hosting the response video) will show the advertiser the direct page views and unique visits. You can't get that with normal TV ads.
- Branding that lasts a long, long time; it will still be a video people watch and still talk about in six months. Most likely, press would continue after the proposal up to, including and after the wedding (Good Morning America has already expressed an interest in interviewing the couple the following day in New York).
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