RyanOLeary.org Launched

I recently launched a Ryan O’Leary website at www.ryanoleary.org, which will be a hub for all of my websites.

Razorfish’s digital outlook 2009 Report

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

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.

1. Identify your advertising goals
2. Targeting
3. Keyword Targeting
4. Make your product stand out
5. Keep your ad simple
6. Use a strong call-to-action
7. Use an image
8. Landing pages
9. Keep the user experience in mind
10. Evaluate your campaign performance and make the necessary changes

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

Spotify – What’s up with all the hype?

I just learned about this service called Spotify.  Their is a lot of buzz around the company.  Here is how Spotify describes themselves:

Spotify is a new way to enjoy music. Simply download and install, before you know it you’ll be singing along to the genre, artist or song of your choice. With Spotify you are never far away from the song you want.

There are no restrictions in terms of what you can listen to or when. Forget about the hassle of waiting for files to download and fill up your hard drive before you get round to organising them. Spotify is instant, fun and simple.

Because music is social, Spotify allows you to share songs and playlists with friends, and even work together on collaborative playlists, Friday afternoon in the office might never be the same again! We’re music lovers like everyone else.

We want to connect millions of people with their favorite songs by creating a product that people love to use. We respect creativity and believe in fairly compensating artists for their work. We’ve cleared the rights to use the music you’ll listen to in Spotify.

http://www.spotify.com/en/about/what/

I signed up for their premium service and couldn’t be more satisfied.  I was listening to old Weezer and Green Day tunes, and also rocking some old Oasis favorites.  Also, my wife and I listed to John Legend’s newly released album… that’s pretty cool.  I also made a few playlists of Jack Johnson tunes, which made working time fly by.  The only hole I was able to see (much like iTunes) is that there weren’t any Beatles songs.  Check it out.  I also have some free invites, so let me know, and I’ll hook you up.

Superior Challenge II

Last weekend, I went to Superior Challenge II. It was the second event from the clothing company Superior Wear.

Below is their promo, which was really well done.  It was posted on the event home page.

I was able to take one good picture of Christopher SpÂng celbrating after his victory.

Christopher SpÂng Celebrating Victory

Lastly, I did submit an event report to Sherdog.com, the leading MMA Web site in the world. They read my event review on the Jordan Breen Show (a popular podcast). Here is the podcast – Jordan Breen Show with Superior Challenge.

interNOT – It’s funny or NOT?

These InterNOT episodes crack me up… Episode 3 is my favorite.

Starbucks vs. Starcups in Gothenburg

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 http://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

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

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

Read Article

Wayne’s Coffee – The real deal in Stockholm

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.

Seth Godin Speaks to Google

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

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