I only just came across Queen Rania of Jordan’s YouTube channel. The always-hip Queen Rania has a YouTube account and has set out to address some of the misconceptions about the Middle East and specifically Islam. She is also soliciting videos from other YouTubers with questions about the Middle East.

Both Queen Rania and her husband Abdullah II bin Al Hussein (aka King Hussein) evidently very keen on maintaining positive relationships with the West. If you’re not familiar with Queen Rania, take a look at this video.

Good news (for us humble new media types, anyway):

More than 75% of senior marketers say they expect spending for new media and online initiatives to increase in the next year despite the tough economy, according to the sixth annual PR Week Marketing Management Survey.

Only 21% of the 252 US chief marketing officers, VPs of marketing and marketing directors and managers say budgets will remain the same, and 4% expect a decrease.

Less Good News (for some agency folk):

Survey participants also overwhelmingly agree that they would be “most likely” to cut from many other disciplines before turning to digital if forced to scale back budgets as a result of poor economic conditions. Advertising is cited as the most likely to be cut (35%), followed by point-of-sale marketing (29%), public relations (16%) and direct marketing (16%).

Says a spokesperson: “Digital is an advisable investment because of the strong, measurable results it can produce and targeted audiences it can reach, and it’s also one of the more economical options. On the other hand, advertising is more expensive and PR more vulnerable because marketers feel it isn’t measurable.”

I have seen a growing number of examples of consumers (often frustrated business people) using social media to make a public protest about bad service from airlines and hotels. This slideshow (which I belatedly came across) actually predates Joseph’s “Delta Skelter” by a few years (its from 2001) and I don’t think the protagonists initially used the power of social media to get their point across. That said … its hilarious(!)

“The presentation in question [is] a deliciously snide and witty enumeration of the many ways in which the DoubleTree Houston screwed over a couple of weary business travellers who showed up at their hotel and found their rooms given away.”

1. What The F–k Is Social Media?

You may well ask! Marta Kagan has some answers…

2. Micro Interactions and the Power of Small

More mouthwatering chartage from David Armano …

• Madora Frey’s Georgia
  Artist Madora Frey’s newest photo essay.
  (tags: madorafrey georgia art photography culture)



• Subway Grate Garbage Bag Art
  Wooster Collective points us to a video interview showcasing street artist Joshua Allen Harris. He creates these amazing animated inflatable sculptures that come to life as air flows from passing subway cars drift up through grates in the sidewalk.
  (tags: art garbage streetart popculture)

Interestingly, according to David Lang of MindShare Entertainment, Blaine’s character is “based solely on Degree’s brand positioning.” Degree for Men, which claims to be adrenaline-activated, “protects men who take risks,” its website proclaims. And Blaine is a guy who takes adrenaline-pumping risks aplenty but never sweats through his shirt.

Says Unilever’s deodorant supremo Sam Chadha: “Degree is about embracing challenge and giving men more confidence by equipping them with more power than they need for the one day they do need it, ‘24′ is just a perfect fit. It’s one of those ‘Ah-ha!’ moments you get in your career with marketing where everything fits together.”

Hmm. Not so sure about that, but all in all it has to be more interesting than traditional advertising. The 1.4MM site visits it generated doesn’t sound much, but the 5 minute average spent on the site does.

Mindshare also have some figures that show a 22% sales increase and brand score improvements. These can be apparently be attributed to the “Rookie” effort, as it was the only communication in market during the survey period, say Mindshare. Viewers were apparently driven to the web via Rookie teasers in TV, print, online, mobile channels. (This activity might have done some of the “heavy lifting” in terms of audience).

Mindshare need to work on their own copy-writing skills though … “Unilever needed a communication activity that would help grow Degree for Men faster than the antiperspirant/deodorant category, and increase the brand’s relevancy with Men. The partner needed to align with the brand’s consumer insight around risk and reach a broad audience of men.” Groo!
(tags: brandedentertainment rookie unilever)

• Ad Agency of the Future?
  Digital agency execs take the stage and explain how their unique business models are custom-built to react quickly to current and future challenges.
  (tags: agencies digital future razorfish)



• More than One-Third of Entertainment Consumed on PCs
  Some 36% of all entertainment is now consumed via computers, according to Netpop Research, in a recently released report that underscores the central role of the PC as a primary access point for entertainment.
  (tags: internet digital entertainment stats research)
• Meet Now Live: Party Radar & Free Beer
  Meet Now Live is a location based social networking tool that lets users find bars, nitelife and new friends. Anyone with a mobile web browser can sign up on the website and find out where the happening party is at.
  (tags: socialmedia mobile alcohol beer)
• Visible v Relevant
  Work that is strategically sound, but creatively dull = (RELEVANT - INVISIBLE) Work that is strategically unsound, but creatively exciting = (VISIBLE - IRRELEVANT) BMP allegedly made ads strategically sound & creatively exciting. (RELEVANT and VISIBLE)”
  (tags: bmp davetrott cst advertising agencies 80s)
• Traffic Miles in the USA
  Graph of the day - this shows how the total miles travelled on American roads have doubled in last 15 years; from traffic volume trends. The topical interest is in the little swerve in 2008 - the last 6 months all show year on year declines.
  (tags: environment globalwarming automotive)

• Soho House’s “Virtual House”
  The Soho House has climbed aboard the Social Media bandwagon and launched its own networking service. ASmallWorld had hitherto been known as the “Soho House of social networks”…
  (tags: sohohouse socialmedia trends digital)

You gotta love McDonalds. Or rather, not … apparently what is advertised on the fast-food outlet’s menu as a “32oz Sweet Tea” actually only contains 21oz of said splenda-filled beverage. Evidently the 32oz advertised “include ice” (see below). If you choose “no ice” in your 32oz beverage, you only receive 21oz of tea!

I know McDonalds is running a business like everyone else, but … really …

• Fifteen Internet Sites That Can “Make or Break Your Brand”
  Interesting list - some you’d expect (Google, Amazon) and some you wouldn’t (Colbert Nation)
  (tags: crm marketing internet seo socialmedia digital)

• The Fifteen Most Useless Internet Euphemisms
  Gawker lists the The Fifteen Most Useless Internet Euphemisms including their take on The Long Tail. Plus a funny side swipe at boingboing for its selective transparency.
  (tags: internet jargon gawker boingboing popculture digital)