Ryan O'Leary's Blog

Razorfish’s digital outlook 2009 Report

olearysd — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:53:13 +0000

You can get the full report here (Razorfish digital outlook 2009). It’s a good take on spending allocations for Razorfish’s clients, upcoming trends, and interesting insights into 18-25 year olds (many of whom report texting in their sleep=) and young mothers.

http://www.razorfish.com/img/content/2009DOR.pdf

Facebook Best Practices

olearysd — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 07:37:15 +0000

I will be starting my first Facebook campaing for a client. I found a “Suggested Best Practices for Advertising on Facebook” from Facebook. Here is an outline of the content.

Identify your advertising goals
Targeting
Keyword Targeting
Make your product stand out
Keep your ad simple
Use a strong call-to-action
Use an image
Landing pages
Keep the user experience in mind
Evaluate your campaign performance and make the necessary changes

http://www.facebook.com/ads/best_practices.php

Starbucks vs. Starcups in Gothenburg

olearysd — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:08:31 +0000

Yesterday, I saw the front of the DN (one of Sweden’s largest newspapers), and I saw a picture of a Starbucks cup. I then saw Gothenburg in the headline. This meant just one thing… Starbucks was coming to Sweden!

….. however, once I began to try to understand the details of the pending Starbucks takeover of Sweden, I began to realize the article was about something very different. It seems that a new café owner has opened up a small shop called Starcups. Starbucks isn’t too happy about this, and has filed a lawsuit that “alleges that its name and Starcups “sound nearly identical” and that the logo Najafpour has chosen for his café is strikingly similar to the Starbucks trademark.”

To ready the full article on The Local (Sweden’s news in Sweish), visit http://www.thelocal.se/17782/20090223/

This kinda reminds me of Eddie Murphy’s movie Coming to America, when his love interest in the movie’s father opened a MacDonalds, and was complaining that McDonald’s was all over them.

This seems commonplace for Starbucks. Here is a little article regarding Starbucks vs. Starpreya from www.csr-asia.com

Starbucks has lost a trademark dispute with a little-known South Korean company which styled its products ‘Starpreya’. The patent court ruled against Starbucks, which filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit against local firm Elpreya. Starbucks claimed Elpreya’s use of the brand ‘Starpreya’ causes local consumers to confuse the product with its own corporate and brand name. The Intellectual Property Tribunal ruled that the trade names were too dissimilar to be confused. Both logos are pictured left (with other Asian imitators) – make your own judgment….

Learning Swedish

olearysd — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:22:34 +0000

As I integrate myself into the Swedish business community, it’s essential that I learn the local language. Although it is quite easy living in Sweden without speaking Swedish, since everyone speaks great English, it’s time for me to learn to write ans speak Swedish. Here you’ll be able to track my progress. Although I already know some Swedish, like:

lyftkran (crane)

kissa (pee)

snö (snow)

komma hit (come here)

tack (thanks)

blöja (diaper)

hej (hello)

I’ll update you on my more advanced learnings and challenges, as I develop my skills. My goal is to be able to participate in a business meeting in Swedish by the end of the summer. Wish me luck!

iPhone vs. BlackBerry

olearysd — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:20:42 +0000

Interesting article comparing the market share of Apple vs. RIM/Blackberry.

Read Article

Wayne’s Coffee – The real deal in Stockholm

olearysd — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:06:08 +0000

On a previous post, I complained about Starbucks, or actually the lack of Starbucks in Sweden. Latte’s in coffee shops here are more like expresso shots, and they cost $4-$5! Another odd thing is that many coffee shops open at 10am… including the one downstairs from me.

A large latte at Wayne's Coffie

OK, on to the positie news, I found WAYNE’s COFFEE. I had a chat with a local entrepreneur and marketer from America. I got there a little early, and couldn’t help notice the familiarity of the shop. It had an open layout, and I saw two folks with Macs working away with their headphones plugged in. I ordered a latte, and it was amazing. Best of all it was huge… the equivalent of a venti (they stay “stor” here). Anyway, cheers to Wayne’s coffee, it’ll me my new work space. One complaint. If anyway from Wayne’s is reading this, please get some “gratis wifi” or I’ll still have to go to Kofi down the street (click here for directions) in Odenplan to check my emails and download large files.

Focus Group Madness! This is funny stuff.

olearysd — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:08:05 +0000

Seth Godin Speaks to Google

olearysd — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:40:15 +0000

Hear from Seth. A 2006 talk to Google. Great marketing insights… as usual.

Unbreak things! Great talk again.

Marketing Delights & Idea Diffussion

iPhone coming to Wal-Mart

olearysd — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:19:13 +0000

I heard last week that iPhones would be on the Wal-Mart shelves later this year at a $99 price point. Hard to believe, but I guess the low-end consumer is the next untapped market. Here’s more details about timing, pricing, and locations:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10118152-37.html?subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&part=sphere

Sweden’s Hottest Search Terms

olearysd — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:13:55 +0000

I’ve heard that the most visited Web site in Sweden is a teen Swedish blogger. Today I read an article about her blog, and a listing of the most popular Swedish search terms. Her name is Isabella ‘Blondinbella’ Löwengrip, and she was recently named “Sweden’s most sought after celebrity in 2008″. It’s pretty amazing that a young blogger has garnered so much attention. I read some of her recent posts, and it seems she is striking a chord with young and old with her straight-forard, and persanlly devulging about her dating and fashion life. He also responds to teens seeking help, and throws down some “girl power” advice in a dear abbey style of advice.