Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Andy Beal's Marketing Pilgrim

Andy Beal's Marketing Pilgrim

Pilgrim’s Picks for July 15 - Krispy Kreme Edition

Posted: 15 Jul 2008 09:58 AM CDT

The "red light" is on! If you live near a Krispy Kreme, you’ll know what that says about today’s Picks. If you live near Amsterdam, then my apologies for that connotation. ;-)

Is there Any Board Carl Icahn Hasn’t Shaken-up?

Posted: 15 Jul 2008 09:26 AM CDT

Is it just me, or does Carl Icahn shake-up the Board of Directors at every company he invests in?

News today suggests he’s hell-bent on replacing Yahoo’s board at the August 1st annual meeting.

Icahn filed the final nominating papers for a slate of candidates that will oppose Yahoo’s current nine directors in a showdown scheduled for an Aug. 1 shareholder vote. In separate letter to Yahoo shareholders, Icahn accused the incumbent board of being more interested in protecting its jobs than evaluating the merits of Microsoft’s latest offer for Yahoo’s online search operations.

Icahn, who owns a 5 percent stake in Yahoo, also accused the board of misleading shareholders about some aspects of the proposal, which was rebuffed late Saturday.

Just from memory, and a quick Google search, Carl Icahn has a habit of doing this to companies.

If Carl Icahn is on your board, or a large investor, you may want to have a contingency plan in place. ;-)

Pilgrim’s Partners: Discover your Best Leads while reading your Email. Best Contact Form

How to Get a Guaranteed #1 Ranking on Google!

Posted: 15 Jul 2008 09:11 AM CDT

"Psst! Kid, wanna be number one on Google? Guaranteed?"

While many companies have heard similar snake oil pitches, it might soon become possible to ensure your web site is #1 in Google–albeit for your browser only.

Eight months after it was originally spotted in the wild, Google’s Digg-like voting buttons have returned, this time with a new look. Here’s what was sent to TechCrunch:

Google’s always testing new features, so don’t expect to see this in your results anytime soon. But, when you do, you’ll be able to honestly tell your SEO client, "Well, I’m seeing you in the #1 position, want me to send you a screenshot?"

Of course, you wouldn’t do that, would you? ;-)

Pilgrim’s Partners: SponsoredReviews.com - Bloggers earn cash, Advertisers build buzz!

Viacom Withdraws Original Demand for YouTube Data

Posted: 15 Jul 2008 08:59 AM CDT

It is now safe to return to your normal YouTube viewing habits. Viacom will not be getting its hands on your personal data.

According to the YouTube blog…

We are pleased to report that Viacom, MTV and other litigants have backed off their original demand for all users’ viewing histories and we will not be providing that information.

In addition, Viacom and the plaintiffs had originally demanded access to users’ private videos, our search technology, and our video identification technology. Our lawyers strongly opposed each of those demands and the court sided with us.

So, should we celebrate the protection of our private data? Not so fast! Viacom’s not getting your data because it realized the swarm of negative publicity that would follow, not because a judge ruled it couldn’t have it.

The precedent has been set and, until challenged, will give grounds for others to request all kinds of personal data from the Google et al.

Hosts to Provide Google Webmaster Tools Access

Posted: 14 Jul 2008 04:28 PM CDT

Google announces a new program today to work with web hosts to integrate Google Webmaster Tools for their users.

The Google Webmaster Tools Access Provider program features APIs to enable web hosts to offer their subscribers access to Webmaster Tools. Subscribers will be able to create Webmaster Tools accounts and submit sitemaps without leaving hosts’ control panels.

In all, this is a boon to web hosts, since they’ll be able to add value for their subscribers. Subscribers wouldn’t be forced to participate in Webmaster Tools, but easy access to information to help new and inexperienced webmasters understand how their site is doing in Google would probably be pretty popular. Google gets sites that are better optimized and more relevant in its index.

And if you don’t want to take my word for it (Webmaster Tools is cool), then take Andy’s:

At BlogWorld, an audience member asked me to share my #1 SEO recommendation for bloggers. Tough question, right? I told the audience that every blogger should sign up for Google Webmaster Tools. It’s the only place where you get data straight from the horse’s mouth and the information they share is invaluable.

The APIs are free to use for web hosts and Google will even give you a pretty little badge (shown above).

A similar pilot program with GoDaddy has been running since November, and has apparently seen success.

Pilgrim’s Update: Learn online reputation management skills directly from Andy Beal. Attend the Online Reputation Management Workshop and save $400 when you register today!