My husband is a channel flipper. He wastes no time changing the channel as soon as a show has gone to break. Every now and then he will slip (or I steal the controller) and we will get a chance to see a few spots. I am impressed with the new now network sprint commercials. The series of commercials all have the same concept but different content. The commericals contains random facts/statistics about what is happening right now.... 233,267 people just twittered. 26% of you have no idea what that means. The facts are interesting and something you would never otherwise look up or even think of. Visually it is solid. It's hard to look away because you want to know what other strange stats will be presented. It gives the viewer a window of the world and what is happening around them. It gives a sense of being connected. The commercials are not overplayed, infact their concept is what is happening right now so the commericals are always changing. I have seen about 3 or 4 different ones. Last night there was one about mothers for Mother's day. It reinforces the idea that they are current and if you join their network you will be connected and be exposed to new things as well. Highly effective, well done.

Click here for a sample of one of the commercials.

So many times these days, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are treated like the must have things for your company and if you have one then everything will fall right into place. 

Don't get me wrong, these micro-blogs and friend finding, fan making machines are a must for anyone who has a marketing plan in today's society. 

(Enter record-scratching, time-halting sound here)

Yes. I said marketing plan.

So many times all of us think that just by having one of these under our belt in the business world is enough to be hip and cool enough to say we have more fans than xyz company or more followers than xyz company. I'm a firm believer that this part of marketing and brand building is a necessity. I'm also a firm believer that if you implement one or two of them and really have no idea what your overall marketing plan and position is you are destined to yes, FAIL.

Now, lets say you have an actual marketing plan. You're set right? Not so fast. How you then use this newfound gold at the end of the rainbow could get you back to right where you started. Take a look at "Twitter FAIL! The 8 worst brands on the world's hottest microblog."

Interesting stuff indeed.

Being a huge Steelers fan, you would think I would have to root for the other Pittsburgh power house pro team. No, Herm, not the Pirates.

The Penguins-Capitals series is living up to the hype. The Caps took a 2-0 lead last night. And I should be devastated at the horrific start. But I can't seem to root against Alex Ovechkin of the Caps. Not only is he extremely talented, he's such a likable guy. And he's great for the sport. Granted, he's not everyone's cup of tea, but I can't help but love him. Check out the ESPN E:60 piece on him. Just click the link below.

Ovechkin E:60

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