On hold.
Posted by Editor in Uncategorized on May 15, 2013
This blog is currently on hold.
Stay tuned for more information.
Words of wisdom from Howard Schultz
Posted by Editor in Uncategorized on April 19, 2013
Starbucks rules at what they do. I mean, they really, really do. Everything from the quality to local support to social media.
It’s one of the most well known and respectable life style brands. They even dropped their name in their logo because they’re just THAT universally accepted.
Here’s why:
Every company needs a strong leader to succeed and Starbucks was lucky with Howard Schultz. What an inspiring business man.
If you haven’t yet read “Onward”, I highly recommend it. Here are some inspiring quotes:
- “Every step of the way, I made it a point to underpromise and overdeliver. In the long run, that’s the only way to ensure security in any job.”
- “There is a word that comes to my mind when I think about our company and our people. That word is ‘love.’ I love Starbucks because everything we’ve tried to do is steeped in humanity.
Respect and dignity.
Passion and laughter.
Compassion, community, and responsibility.
Authenticity.
These are Starbucks’ touchstones, the source of our pride.
Valuing personal connections at a time when so many people sit alone in front of screens; aspiring to build human relationships in an age when so many issues polarize so many; and acting ethically, even if it costs more, when corners are routinely cut–these are honorable pursuits, at the core of what we set out to be.” - “Dream more than others think practical. Expect more than others think possible.”
- “Authentic brands don’t emerge from marketing cubicles or advertising agencies. They emanate from everything the company does…”
- “People want guidance, not rhetoric. They need to know what the plan of action is, and how it will be implemented. They want to be given responsibility to help solve the problem and authority to act on it.”
- “Mass advertising can help build brands, but authenticity is what makes them last. If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand.”
Here’s to that…
iPhone vs Android vs Blackberry
Posted by Editor in technology on March 22, 2013
It goes without saying that phones are on the cusp of becoming more intelligent than humans and we love LOLcats.
So what’s your device choice for that special something that never leaves your sight?
For a long time it seemed the iPhone had the lead but in the past few years Android and Windows have given them something to worry about; their operating systems spreading across more models with features rivalling the iOS. No one should get too comfortable even if they’re leading the pack (see RIM).
Basically….
- If you want a device that takes full advantage of Web connectivity, applications, and personal media that you can also use for simple business tasks like as e-mail and calendars, get the iPhone.
- If you’re subject to high security requirements, need to manage lots of devices, or just can’t handle using a touch-based screen keyboard, get the Blackberry.
- If you can’t stand the thought of using either Blackberry or iPhone and don’t need to access corporate e-mail, get the Android.
And speaking of RIM, we’ve all heard enough about the new Blackberry 10 by now:
To be honest, what will likely determine the success or failure of the Z10 is the performance of its software and operating system (that the above ad does not give enough insight into might I add). It’s going to be tough because what iOS and Android have been building on for about 5 years, BlackBerry had to do from scratch to simply keep up. The disadvantage is that it’s basically a first-generation software competing with veteran products but there is hope. BlackBerry’s keyboard is heard to be the best experience of any touchscreen phone. Let’s take a look at this chart from Huffington Post:
You said:
With RIM being a Canadian company, I really hope it comes out on top and it looks like it the future is promising.
But in the meantime…
Source: ilovemacintosh
St Paddy’s Day, pandas, and green…
Couple of things -
Busy times as always at the Good Beer Folk headquarters. I am representing GREEN all over.
Speaking of green, St Paddy’s Day is coming up and there are few not to be missed events happening in the city. Most notably:
Be there!
If you’re into all sorts of green events, check out Green Enterprise Toronto. I am speaking at the networking event this Wednesday:
Also, I couldn’t help but share this beyond adorable video announcement VMG has worked on with FedEx.
This spring the Toronto Zoo welcomes two giant pandas as part of a new giant panda conservation initiative that they entered into with China in February 2012. This will be the first time since 1985 that pandas have visited the Toronto Zoo and will strengthen the long-term conservation partnership agreement between China and Canada.
Er Shun (female) and Da Mao (male) will arrive in late March/early April at the FedEx Express tarmac at Toronto Pearson International Airport before being carefully transported to their quarantine area at the Zoo. These two pandas were selected to come to Canada as they are an excellent genetic match for breeding. They will spend five years in the Toronto Zoo before residing in the Calgary Zoo for an additional five years.
That’s it for now.
Let the #sonicrevolution begin
Posted by Editor in product review on February 21, 2013
Warning: this post will be girly.
Ever feel like your make up just doesn’t come off?
Clarisonic may have found the answer.
Typical manual cleansing can leave behind dirt and oil trapped in pores. This build-up can damage the appearance and health of your skin and keep your skin care products from working like they should.
Used and recommended by spas and dermatologists, Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems use a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Cleaner skin is the first step toward healthier skin. And healthier skin is smoother, more radiant and more beautiful.
So I gave it a try….
Honest impression?
The price tag is $175 so from the beginning your expectations are set high. After using it, your face just feels so…. clean. Seriously, for the lack of a better word, you feel clean. Which then makes you wonder what exactly have you been feeling this whole time?
Anyway, some of these benefits that come along with using the product include….
Sonic Cleansing Benefits:
- Removes 6X more makeup than manual cleansing
- Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
- Removes impurities that keep creams and serums from working their best
- Gentle enough to use twice a day
- Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
- Minimizes the appearance of visible pores
- Exfoliating on steroids
I may or may not have added the last point myself.
Thanks guys!
Online video infographic:
Posted by Editor in Uncategorized on February 13, 2013
Where was Facebook when I wanted a puppy?
Posted by Editor in Uncategorized on January 16, 2013
Two sisters wanted a puppy. Their dad challenged them by saying they can get one if the photo gets 1 millions likes on Facebook.
They reached the goal within 6 hours.
Check out the segment on Good Morning America – crazy!
YouTube is fed up with fakers.
Posted by Editor in Uncategorized on January 6, 2013
Record companies are used to manipulating the charts and taking hits. Youtube has finally taken a step further in its war against fake views, deleting thousands of videos that received ‘unnatural’ views during the past few months.
Bots: 0
YouTube: 1
It probably struck little by surprise to hear that the labels were now being accused of massively manipulating YouTube view counts to make certain songs look a hell of a lot more popular than they really are. However, it seems that there has been a bit of a miscommunication….
“The answer comes in the second way that YouTube changed its view count. The company recently decided to remove view counts for videos that are no longer live on the channel, or so-called “dead videos.” For Universal and Sony, that meant thousands of music videos that over the past three years slowly have migrated to the VEVO channel, which is jointly owned by the two companies. A senior label executive confirmed the migration….
That meant high-profile videos that once lived separately on the Universal and Sony YouTube channels have been relocated to Vevo. As a result, the views that those videos received during their time on the dedicated label channels were taken away in YouTube’s latest “clean up” effort.
In other words, those views happened; they weren’t “faked” or even double counted when they went on to Vevo. But because the videos are no longer on the channel, YouTube considers them “dead videos.” They still live on in YouTube, just under a different channel.”
Whatever it is, it brought an interesting point up and I blogged about it.
Read more below…
How to avoid the embarrassment of fake views on YouTube
With the recent news of YouTube deleting more than 2 billion “unnatural” views from the website and regardless of which side you’re on in the debate of whether or not this actually happened, it’s apparent that the video platform has had it with the violation of “TOU #4 Section H”. Each of the users who has violated the code, received a warning email clearly stating that this is a breach of YouTube terms of service and that if they are caught again, their account will be terminated. To put in brief, YouTube has had it with black hat views.
How does this relate to you and your brand?
There have been cases where videos have received up to 60, 000 views with just $50; however, you definitely “get what you pay for” to put in nicely. Views can be received with automated bots that can manipulate the count to make it look like someone really watched the video, when in reality it was played without any eyeballs gracing a screen.To get the views, the services use a relatively simple system. First they embed the given video on a random website somewhere and set it to autoplay. Then they use bots to direct thousands of rented IP addresses from around the world to the web address. Since the video autoplays, each hit the site gets racks up another view.
There have also been cases of “link tricks” which do not count – where a call to action on a link takes someone to a completely irrelant video (eg. “click here to win $100″ taking you to a video about a cat) similarly presenting bogus numbers to clients.
One of the ways to catch these fakers is through YouTube Insights – just imagine the embarrassment experienced when those who had purchased fake views had no statistics showing up and yet somehow had over 100, 000 views! Another way is through the traffic source or by viewing the comments - again, just imagine the embarrassment when very clean and corporate companies use Adult or Casino or when a video has a high amount of views with zero comments.
Merry Holidays! The world didn’t end!
Posted by Editor in Uncategorized on December 26, 2012
Merry holidays!
Hope your holiday season is as wonderful as The Nutcracker. For those who haven’t yet seen this wonderful production from the National Ballet of Canada, I highly recommend it. Culture at it’s finest:
Heads up for another awesome event coming up = “Classic Albums Live: Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon” How amazing is that? See ya there.
Although Christmas is over, the gifting has come to an end. My favourite tip -gifts for people you hate, complete with used toilet paper rolls, poorly drawn portraits, glitter and DYI googley eyes. Check it out.
Congratulations to Reid Campbell on making it into PROFIT magazine’s Top 20 Young Entrepreneurs in Canada!
I mean, you must be a big deal when the Globe&Mail writes about how you spend your lunch…
Oh yeah, wasn’t there suppoused to be an end of the world?
Damn.
‘Tis the most fattening time of the year #instagramthis
Posted by Editor in Uncategorized on December 19, 2012
(I can’t get enough of this cat)
Holiday parties are busier than ever this time of year – there’s not enough hours in a day. On the plus side, you get to see everyone at their best.
Work tree is up and it’s probably the best tree you’ve seen this year (right???):
Obligatory 2012 meme video:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! 
Oh yeah, and Instragram sold out but then tried to go back on their words. Their original updated rules & regulations stated:
Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.
Yeah? Obviously the interweb went wild which prompted the CEO of Instagram to say they will not use the photos for advertising purposes.
So, what’s considered to be an “ad” these days?
Not to worry, Anonymous are on it.
I know you do this.
Posted by Editor in social media on December 4, 2012
#NewEraIntroducing, podcasts, We Are Legion, #DXIntersection….
This past Friday, #NewEraIntroducing came to town. If you haven’t heard….
“New Era Introducing is a global creative project showcasing unique talent from across the world. The project gives creative minds of tomorrow an opportunity to make their own statement using a blank New Era 59FIFTY as their canvas. Those judged to show the most unique display of self- expression will go on to form a touring gallery exhibition and be published in a limited edition New Era Introducing book.”
Pretty cool, huh? Thanks to Lotus Leaf for hosting a great launch in the heart of Queen West West.
More photos from the event and the neat designs can be seen here.
I dropped by to Bloor Hot Docs Cinema for a Sunday matinée to learn more about the hacker nation in “We Are Legion”. Any self proclaimed lover of the internet needs to see this documentary and feel the empowerment that comes along with it. It’s pretty ridiculous the sentences these “criminals” get. It definitely goes back to the fact that no one has any idea what to do with the online yet …
“ANONYMOUS is like a buff kid who had low self esteem then punched someone in the face and all of a sudden was like, holy sh*t I’m really strong…”
“If you’re going to violate the rights and freedoms of the internet, you better watch out” (I think Anonymous is looking at you SOPA)
I was featured in a Mikes on Mics podcast. You can listen here. Awesome guys to chat with.
And last but not least, party of November is coming up Friday! DX Intersection!
Multiple DJs will fill the multi-level venue with energizing tunes, brought to you by Embrace. The Toronto-based trio behind Keys N Krates will take the stage with their blend of hip hop, electronica, and jam that truly shows off the artistry of live remix. Celebrity chefs and mixologists will conjure up offerings that are as visually appealing as perfectly balanced for the palate. Designers and artists will create installations that evoke question and intrigue. Whimsical balloons will float through the air as guests are enticed to participate in an amusement park-style raffle with unprecedented prizes. A silent auction will allow 20 lucky guests to walk away with custom creations. As the end of the evening draws near, late night guests will be rewarded with a food market in the Link, inside the lobby of the Toronto- Dominion Centre. Food Dudes will join the party with their new food truck, serving breakfast treats as the celebration continues into the morning.
Don’t miss it. Get your tickets.
Boston this weekend! Life is busy. Cheers!
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