UK preparing to regulate social media marketing

http://www.clickz.com/3639734      Since the first Internet boom, new media types have argued that "the old rules" about separating editorial / content and advertising ("church and state") no longer apply, and that Internet users don't really care.  I suspect it's mostly a matter of regulation not keeping up with the rapid pace of change, which has allowed conscience-free individuals to exploit users until regulators catch up.  Speaking of catching up . . . ClickZ says that British regulators are preparing to regulate marketing on social media sites.  The British government is essentially asserting that "a claim is a claim," wherever it appears.  This will also be one more complication for marketers seeking to use new media tools internationally.

Google + Dish Network: Are We Ready?

     A digital video recorder gives you a basic ability to search for programs.  Google is running a small experiment with Dish Network to offer dramatically expanded video search, including searching for video on sites like YouTube, or maybe Hulu if that site survives long enough.  What's different is that Google indexes individual (or at least individual household) search behavior, using it to serve relevant ads and to refine the search engine's behavior.  Are we ready for someone to be monitoring our viewing habits this closely?  Is there really such a thing as privacy . . . if Google knows you are looking for Baywatch episodes, how long before everyone knows it?

Infomercials

     Technically, television infomercials count as direct response television (DRTV), and hence are a part of direct marketing.  But direct marketing is about addressability--sending specific messages to specific customers.  Is that really what is happening with DRTV?  Who is being addressed?  A bad headache had me up at 3:30 this morning, and I saw infomercials on channel after channel.  To quote Gregory "Hurricane" Helms, "What's up with that?"

A second wind for Second Life?

     The hypemonster loved Second Life--virtual worlds, the next big thing.  Well, a recent story sugggests that some people are making money, with $567 million in annual real dollar transactions.  Then again, monthly repeat visitors totaled just 770,000 in a recent month.  Is Second Life a real vehicle for marketers, or just an interesting experiment?

The Industry Standard

     Back in the day, The Industry Standard was a terrific Internet economy magazine--thoughtful, forward-thinking yet cautious, often citing real  numbers to back up (or cotradict) the hype.  The Standard succumbed to the same grow at all costs stupidity that sank so many firms, but the new Industry Standard website is pretty interesting, and worth a look.

News about online games

     A recent report says that middle-aged women are the largest single demographic playing online games.  These players favor games like FarmVille, which can be played in short burst, as opposed to games like World of Warcraft, which can consume hours at a stretch.  This has been the continuing challenge as game-creators have sought to broaden their appeal past teenage males.  Games for the general population must be engrossing enough to hold interest and bring players back, but must allow episodic play that fits into the interstices of busy adult lives.  These games are free for basic play, but "extras" cost either money or "points," which may be earned as rewards for various activities.  For marketers, these games offer opportunities for both product placement and for loyalty programs, generating a "currency" that customers appreciate and use.