As if Venezuelans do not have enough challenges.

Facing a 50% devaluation in their currency (announced by Chavez this past weekend), record crime rates, power outages, collapsing industrial infrastructure and food shortages, President Chavez is asking film producers to alter Venezuela’s beloved soap operas or telenovelas to make “socialist soap operas” as part of his plan to reduce the amount of capitalism on television.

This movement by Chavez is not a total surprise. Chavez has made it clear that he wants to eradicate free-markets and capitalism from the country. In the process, gaining control of the media – especially TV and radio programming – has been an important element of his government. Over the years, Chavez has established many limitations on television and radio – suspending licenses of stations that aired opposition programming, expanding government control over broadcasters and using political pressure to alter programs in ways that support the government’s socialist agenda.

However, Venezuela is one of the largest producers of telenovelas in the world. Programs are diverse and have romantic, criminal, comedic, working class and other angles. They are a popular draw for actors and actresses from different Spanish-speaking countries, and generate a sense of pride in Venezuelans (as well as provide a valuable source of regular entertainment).

Chavez has indicated that his model of replacement would be Cuban soap operas. But Cuban programming, subjects to its tough state controls, tends to not only be low-budget, but include bland socialist political philosophy that render programs dull. Gone are typical dynamics seen in most latin telenovelas today.

How exactly Venezuelans will react to one of their leading and most popular enterprises undergoing such drastic content changes is unclear. But with so many challenges facing the country, Chavez’s latest effort to control the masses to build his socialist state could have the reverse effect his desires and bring about a more steady erosion of this popularity over the next year.

Well, today I did not quite have a “new” show as I had planned. But the name did change. The program will now be known as Social Web Radio. I’ll make some changes on the site over the next few days to reflect this, as well as update the show intro and other music. I made some progress this past week, but not quite the amount I had desired. Life often intercedes to the detriment of my radio show!

In the meantime…

On today’s radio show, I discuss the interesting dynamic I think netbooks can play on the lives of our children. Allow me to elaborate. The other evening I had a bunch of people over for my birthday party. A bunch of us got into talking about technology as I showed them my new netbook. As I pointed out some features, it occurred to me that cost ($250 – $300), light-weight and overall technology (many run on an XP OS and have 7 to 10 hours built-in battery life) in this netbook potentially made it an ideal tool for a tech-savvy kid in my daughter’s age group. I can set-up parental controls, share access to our home network, and she can read online, write stories, chat with her friends and develop excellent computer skills at a very young age.

The truth is – kids her age (9 – 11) are all getting iPods, cell phones and tonight at a Girl Scouts meeting one parent was going to add a Kindle to the mix as well.

But the more I thought about the idea of all this technology entering her life – the more I wondered about our educational system and its ability to teach a child who downloads song off iTunes, socializes online with her friends and could have access to her own computer that is light-weight enough to carry in a small bag and almost go anywhere she goes. Are our schools really equipped to meet the interests and the intelligence of kids with that kind of mobility and desire for information on-demand? Is the curriculum we have established really what our kids need to know? And are those big, factory-sized schools with aging computers and 30-year teaching veterans who have never worked with new technology the right venues and right people to surround our kids with?

My short answer: no, not really.

But what is the solution? Tune in for the discussion. Or share your thoughts here.

Special Announcement

Now for my special announcement. As if I need another challenge, I am working with others across the country to reinvigorate the Reform Party. For far too long we have let this country be run by the professional politicians and special interest groups. They’ve sold us bill after bill, and made promise after promise. What do we have to show for it? Are our schools, bridges and roads the envy of the world? Are we at low levels of unemployment? Unfortunately, no.

Instead, we are faced with trillion dollar budget deficits, over $12 trillion in debt, a currency in decline and an increase in partisan fighting and divisiveness – much of which is for show. When one side assume power – it manipulates legislation to provide pork for the special interest groups, while the opposition cries foul – all the while trying to leverage their own deals. The two major parties exist to support themselves and keep themselves in power.

According to a recent Rasmussen Reports poll – just 32% of Americans believe that their elected officials represent their best interests – 67% do not. The number of Democrats is at a substantial low (a 7 year low), but the number of people joining the Republican Party remains largely flat. People are not aligning themselves with a party for a reason – and I believe it is because a growing number of people have no confidence in the two-parties to solve our economic challenges heading to the future. This presents an excellent opportunity for the Reform Party.

The Reform Party can provide an outlet for the millions of Americans who want to take their government back. I am proud to work with so many people across this country to try and rebuild something that was the cornerstone of the modern, American grassroots movement. If you are interested, please email me at: mike@hackmer.com

I should preface this blog post by saying that I am, and always have been, a Boston Celtics fan. I grew up just outside of Boston, and took in quite a few Celtics games in the 80′s, suffered through some of the bad years and very bad years (like when ML Carr was the coach), and have enjoyed the resurgence of the team the last few seasons.

But that does not mean that I cannot have an opinion about other teams, like, the Washington Wizards, for example. In fact, I feel as if I should be able to comment just as openly about the Wizards as I could the Celtics, because I have lived in the greater Metro-DC region for quite a few years and have followed the team through its ups and downs.

In my view, one of the low moments for the Washington franchise, and I am not alone in this opinion, was when they changed their name from the Bullets to the Wizards. For those who are local you will remember the bogus name-the-team contest that took place that led to the eventual selection of a team name that has absolutely nothing to do with the history, culture or environment of Washington, DC. The owner, Abe Pollin, wanted to get away from the name “Bullets” because he felt the name had a violent tone, and we all understood that. However, the name change to the Wizards rang hallow among many in the city.

Leap forward from 1995 to 2010, and it would seem that the team should change its name back to the Bullets or at the very least swiftly address the public relations nightmare that is Gilbert Arenas – aka Agent Zero.

According to reports in ESPN and other sources, the NBA, the Washington DC Police and Federal Authorities are examining reports that the Wizards guard brought and stored “unloaded” guns in a container in his locker. Now the New York Post is reporting that Gilbert Arenas and his teammate Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other during a Christmas Eve locker room argument over a gambling debt. There is no indication from the reports I have read the guns were loaded for the alleged draw.

Arenas denies that he drew a gun on Crittenton, but sources have indicated that the standoff at D.C. Corall, otherwise known as the Verizon Center, was over a gambling debt that Arenas refused to pay. Apparently, league security officials are part of the sourcing for the story.

Arenas has made a fairly successful comeback from some devastating injuries this year, but this latest saga for the Washington franchise is a PR and financial nightmare for the organization. If the team had any chance to reinvigorate its shrinking fan base that is depressed with another losing season (The Wiz are 10-20 and 3-7 in their last 10 games), that has been thrown out the window. What’s more, any hope at luring talented free-agents or to dump Arenas and his huge contract (Arenas signed a six-year, $111 million contract in 2008) is likewise a non-starter.

So, what is the owner to do?

In truth, there is really only one decision that works, regardless of how financially unfriendly it may be. If Abe Pollin is serious about the image of his team and its connection to violence and he wants to build something successful that reflects his values, he will take a long and hard look at sending Gilbert Arenas packing as soon as he possibly can. The decision may not sell tickets, but let’s get real – he was not selling too many tickets with the current line-up anyway. What’s more, if you are going to scuttle the name of your team because of it has some violent connotation, then you should be willing to scuttle other pieces as well to make the whole a true sum of its parts.

Otherwise, Mr. Pollin might as well go and change the name of the team back to the Washington Bullets.

There is nothing better than celebrating the holidays with family and friends – Christmas and the New Year especially.

Of all the holidays, Christmas and the New Year are the strongest celebrations about beginnings – the birth of Jesus Christ and the start of a new year. They are moments in which we are thankful for the year gone by (and sometimes surprised at the speed with which it has come and gone) and we look ahead with optimism, freshness and hope that are unlike other times of the year.

It is in looking ahead to all the possibilities in 2010 – for me, my family and friends around me – that gets me revved-up and excited.

So, as 2009 comes to an end, I hope everyone else out there can seize the energy that comes with a fresh start – all the power and joy that comes from a new beginning, where the slate is wiped clean and all your ideas and dreams become possible again.

Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off to summer travel. But with the economy still in decline, industry analysts see a continued trend shaping American travel patterns that will have repurcussions throughout the summer and should send strong signals to marketers in a variety of industries.

Reports indicate that Americans will reduce the amount of summer travel by air. During the Memorial Day weekend alone, air travel is set to decline by 1 percent and could set the pace for a 7 percent drop in travel by plane this summer.

The beneficiary of this decline in air travel are localities. According to a survey done by American Pulse, 27.4% of those survey are looking for a local get-away that does not require air travel. Many are in fact contemplating a series of day-trips and trying to minimize hotel stays whenever possible. This has some states and regions making a push for local tourism in an effort to keep wealth within their own communities and encourage people to rediscover the world closest to them, their friends and families.

Of course, this trend also sends a strong signal to marketers and business developers across many industries that going local may be a way to help take some of the sting of a prolonged economic downturn.

For example, local search companies and online advertisers, as well as those companies connecting people with local listings through GPS and other technologies, stand to help local businesses who are seeking to get their online act together. According to data from The Kelsey Group, a division of BIA, by 2013, local mobile ad revenue is expected to reach more than $3.1 billion, up from $160 million in 2008. Mobile search, which is an area local businesses can start to get engaged in now, will constitute a majority of that revenue at $2.3 billion.

What does this mean to local businesses? Essentially, more people are using their phones as a means for shopping (local and online merchants) as well as local business search. Companies are rapidly developing mobile coupons and text / sms campaigns to help drive commerce through mobile devices.

By connecting people to local offerings, businesses are more likely to build stronger word-of-mouth or viral initiatives to compliment their online marketing efforts. Overall, tapping into the online world can help a local business develop new revenue streams – but now the key is not just to be online, but to target your local consumers as well to address the renewed emphasis on Americans to stay close to home. Using mobile advertising and targeted online ads are two methods local businesses need to consider very seriously.

Posted By: Michael Hackmer

There is fundamental thing I hear over and over when it comes to people going online and using social networks – and that is the concern over privacy.

I am not one to dismiss the concerns over identify theft, Internet scams that rob people of their money, or pirates, hackers and malicious individuals who break into personal accounts and poison someone’s reputation (or far worse). There is no doubt that people need to be careful about who they share information with and take steps to safeguard their accounts and online activity.

Actually, what I am referring to is the position people who live on the tail end of Generation X and beyond who think the general practice of giving away personal information is somehow detrimental. Now, by “general practice” I am referring to the posting of pictures (parties, family events, etc), stories and other personal accounts of someone’s life that a vast majority of us do on a daily basis.

On this front I hear time and time again that those pictures or stories, posted by NextGeners and younger GenXers will come back “to bite them when they seek a senior corporate job or public office.” Today, this may be true. But in 5 to 7 years, do we really think anyone will care? I mean really care?

If we take into account the changes in culture we are experiencing, as well as how the workforce is changing, people are going to be less concerned about some college party picture over the next 5 years than they are today, because the chances the same kind of picture exists for them is probably pretty high. Or – they have experienced so many other people who have shared similar images it will not strike them as that big of a deal. This is not to suggest that our overall moral attitudes will change, or that we will start to accept reckless behavior in the workplace. Far from it. But people will certainly be more understanding of what people once did or do in their personal lives.

Technology is encouraging a lot of changes. Changes in our activity level, recognition of other people and cultures, and overall, I think technology – specifically the consumption of information online – is making us more tolerant and accepting.

With that said, I would be interested in hearing comments or opinions about this. Take a moment and respond the poll below. Let me know what you think about privacy and online use today.

When the holidays roll around, starting with Thanksgiving in late November, we often hear people say that we need to be thankful.

Indeed, with the economy sinking more each day, hundreds of thousands of Americans out of work, and many more on the cusp of losing their jobs and homes, it is even more critical now than ever to find some silver lining, as well as to look ahead.

But as we express thanks for the people and things that matter most to us, I suggest we take a few additional steps and strive to make personal improvements in our own character that will serve us well into the year and life.

• Show more gratitude to the people who have been there for you, not just during the year, but in your life. You know how financial analysts say that if you cannot pay a bill completely – at least send some money and show good faith? Well, the same is true with relationships. No one is expecting you to give back everything they have done for you in one swoop. Sending flowers, a card, or making a simple phone call every once in a while can go a long way to letting people know that you care.
• Be polite to people you meet

Thanks to everyone who loved and cared for me last year, and indeed all the years I have been alive. May 2009 bring you the joy you deserve and the strength you need.

We all have our favorite commercials or tv programs. Growing up in the 1980′s, shows went through periods of great popularity, and at times, rapid decline. I remember the ALF craze, which my daughter wants to get into. I am resisting and holding ground. Then there was Miami Vice – which still lives on in my house, much to my wife’s dismay. And real quality television, like Sledge Hammer, Mike Hammer and Saturday morning cartoons.

However, the landscape has changed. As soon as cable tv and high speed internet access became more common, the shape of what we watch and how we watch video began to change. Likewise, the kinds of videos that “work” or resonate with us as viewers, has also changed.

After just having watched a very funny video of one of my colleagues (discovered by another colleague who searched YouTube), I got to thinking about the kinds of videos we watch online and on television, and what really works for us and what does not. Is it humor, drama, pop culture? Or is there something more complex at issue here?

To answer that question, I’ve decided to review some videos that I have enjoyed recently online to see if I can identify any common themes. Your comments are encouraged, as are your own video selections… And no porn or attachments please!

Email me at: mike@hackmer.com

VIDEO 1
Rabbit Bites: An Interview with William Redpath

After making my initial post about Blog Potomac, I’ve decided to write something shorter along the lines of customer interaction.

Lionel Menchaca, Digital Media Manager and Chief Blogger at Direct2Dell, had some excellent points during Blog Potomac that deserve some mention in this space.

For one thing, Menchaca started in tech support providing information and support to customers. This experience gave him crucial insight into both the issues from Dell products that were negatively impacting customers, as well as how Dell customer support was causing anguish and frustration.

One of the important themes in Menchaca’s presentation was the need to “listen” to what people were saying. For Dell, learning about what customers were talking about – the core listening stage- helped them to understand the fundamental issues at stake, which in turn helped to drive solutions.

Another important factor for Menchaca was to establish his voice as a blogger, and learn how to connect with other people. Customer support is not only about listening and responding with technical answers, its communicating those answers in a clear, friendly and understandable manner. When its done correctly, the results are going to be worth it.

Of course, managing the dialog you have with your customers not only depends on listening and communicating, but also managing expectations. You have to know the limits that exist within your company, and not risk over-promising and under-delivering for your customers on support issues.

Playing the expectation game also is not something reserved for the customers. Internal managers are interested in the results from customer support oriented blogs. The key here is to make sure that executives and managers understanding that a learning curve exists for everyone. What’s more, people need to recognize that positive as well as negative conversations are going to take place in this environment. As Geoff Livingston would say, “You cannot control the conversation”. However, convincing your CEO or direct supervisor that having “negative” conversations is just as valuable is not an easy task.

When its all said and done, Menchaca mentioned some other challenges that are important for many businesses that seek to establish a blog for customer support:

Lastly, I think it is important to note that if you blog with your customers in mind, and work towards establishing relationships – you can drive improvements in your company’s brand, reputation, product development, and in some cases, customer satisfaction, which is ultimately measured in repeat business and referral business. Dell has proven to be a good industry case study of this approach.

Last Friday, June 13th (yes, Friday the 13th), I ventured to Blog Potomac, where Geoff Livingston and his team at Livingston Communications, the folks at Viget Labs, WordBiz.com, Inc., and others put together a premiere social media marketing event for the greater Washington DC area at the State Theater in Falls Church, VA.

First of all, I should probably change the title of this blog entry to read “DC Marketing and Communications Professionals Gather for Blog Potomac”. When asked who was in marketing, communications or PR, close to 200 hands went up, prompting the emcee, Josh Hallett, to say, “Holy shit!”

But true to its form, Blog Potomac was exactly what marketing and communications professionals needed – a solid event geared around social media.

THE STARTING POINT

One topic discussed over and over again during Blog Potomac was about starting a blog at the corporate level. For anyone who has tried to get their company more engaged in using social media, writing a blog has been the logical starting point. With bloggers permeating mass media and popular culture, the chances your corporate executives have heard about and even read a blog or two is pretty high. Whereas, going to the CEO or division head about initiating a company Twitter account might get a more skeptical response.

Before your blog initiative gets underway, there are some important factors you need to take into account, which the speakers discussed during Blog Potomac.

ONCE YOU ARE ROLLING

Assuming you have built an initial strategy, have your team assembled and everyone is ready, willing and able to contribute (no small task in itself), another critical component is measurement.

If your organization is remotely skeptical about the value of blogging, being able to identify some return is going to be critical to continued support and future development. To that end, no one’s presentation was more anticipated than KD Paine’s talk on measurement and value.

One of the most important things Paine discussed was how measurement to many marketing and communications professionals is equated with monitoring. Paine noted that “measurement says, I’ve done something over here… I’ve started to listen and as a result something over here is happening…” Marketers certainly monitor web traffic, PPC advertising campaigns, and the like, but the key is not watching results as much as it is measuring how something has happened based on some other action that took place earlier – and evaluating those results against the goals you have set.

It all starts, according to Paine, with identifying what return you want from your marketing initiatives, what investment you want to put in, and start with some kind of benchmark for evaluating your success.

An important point Paine stressed in this context was that you “cannot measure via eyeballs.”

Measuring the amount of eyeballs, Paine said, was one of the most common mistakes people make. For example, if you developed a website or launched a widget and measured strictly on eyeballs, what are you gaining? In business, eyeballs are never the most important factor; leads and business opportunities are. Items such as downloads of a white paper, purchases of a publication or software solution, clicks on advertising, and the like are all specific results stemming from goals your team sets. At the end of the day, it all comes down identifying your goals and then measuring based on that criteria.

KD Paine’s points were all about getting back to what you and your business / organization want to do, and making sure you are keeping track and measure the right things.

Some questions for consideration along this line are:

LET’S MORALIZE

Lastly, Kami Huse, MyPrPro, gave a very solid presentation on blogging ethics. As with many of the presenters, Kami was quick to point out that “blogging is not a sales channel. It’s a conversation channel.” If you treat your blog as just another sales tool, you are going to miss the point of blogging altogether.

Kami included a number of examples in her presentation, but the main take away, from my perspective, is that when managing a blog you need to stay away from manufacturing things (ie, fake outrage or a fake persona or online identity), and stick to building an honest identity and honest relationships.

If we accept that social media, and blogging as a subset of that, are about building relationships online, trust is such an important factor. Misleading people online is deadly, because it can destroy your company’s credibility in ways you cannot calculate. Huse suggested that we become anthropologists of social media – in the sense that we study the culture of the communities we are participating in, so we know what is acceptable online behavior and what is not acceptable. The same holds true of the standards you create for your own company and its blog initiative.

IN CONCLUSION

As with any one-day conference or un-conference, a lot of material tends to get rolled into the various presentations, experiments take place with speakers, topics, and formats, and challenges occur (the lack of wireless was the only real frustrating element). But as this was the inaugural Blog Potomac event, it was an exciting start to what I, and many others in the DC region hope will be an annual event for many years to come.

Though the focus was overwhelmingly on blogging, everyone recognizes that there is more to social media than just a blog. However, taking that first step in using social media for your company or organization is not easy, and blogging can represent the easiest way to step forward. In that regard, Blog Potomac accomplished a valuable service – stressing the fundamentals marketing and communications professionals all need to consider.