Agency Byte

Calling All Carnivores: Buy Windows 7

Brett Derricott — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:02:13 +0000

Burger King and Microsoft have teamed up to promote Windows 7 in Japan with…a 7-patty burger. The statistics on this burger are pretty absurd: 2,120 calories, weighing in at 1.7 pounds.

Assuming Microsoft’s objective is publicity, not coronary disease, the stunt appears to be working. But, let’s be honest, this is still coming from Microsoft. What do you think? Would this be more successful coming from Apple or Google (not that they’d ever do this)?

View CNN’s coverage below:

Here’s an ad I can’t read:

Keeping Content Fresh

Brett Derricott — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:25:31 +0000

As you know, Agency Fusion offers a content management system (CMS), that resellers can brand as their own and resell to their clients for a profit.

When resellers ask us for tips on persuading more clients to purchase a CMS, we’re usually quick to mention the benefits of having fresh content on a site. Our friends at SEO.com have a nice write-up, including some good visuals, that help illustrate just how important fresh content is from an SEO standpoint.

Here’s a graph from the article showing a drop in organic search traffic as a result of letting content go stale for 4 months:

Check out the full article here.

Play, Purchase Songs Directly from Google Search

Brett Derricott — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:15:38 +0000

Go try a Google search for a band name and check out the results. This brand-new feature is obviously a partnership between Google and Lala.com. I’m not sure it’s going to change the way I buy music, but with Google’s massive reach, I’m sure they’ll make some revenue from this.

If you’re too lazy to try your own search, try mine.

UPDATE: Apparently this was announced 2 days ago.

We’re Getting Ripped Off

Brett Derricott — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:31:03 +0000

You’re so glad the days of dial-up Internet access are a thing of the past, right? We’re all happily using broadband and surfing the ‘net with super-speed connections, right? Well, it turns out when compared with Japan, we’re pretty much still using dial-up.

Japan’s average broadband speed is over 15 times faster than ours! Ridiculous.

Check out this fantastic graphic which illustrates broadband speeds and costs around the world. I’m moving to Japan.

View the image full-size.

Google’s Telemarketing Patent

Brett Derricott — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:33:41 +0000

Google recently filed a patent which describes a system wherein advertisements are played during phone calls you make. That’s an oversimplification, so go read more here.

Agency Smackdown: Speak Your Mind

Brett Derricott — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:03:28 +0000

Ever get annoyed by that designer you have to work with? Ever think that developer is a bit too know-it-all? What about that new intern who is absolutely useless?

It’s time to speak your mind.

At Agency Fusion, we’re big believers in open communication. We think it’s healthy. That’s why we built Agency Smackdown, the site where designers, developers, copywriters, partners, and even that useless intern can all have their say.

Check it out when you need a break. Leave a comment, cast a vote, or better yet, give someone the smackdown! It’s good for you.

iPhone Users Don’t Click

Brett Derricott — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:55:49 +0000

For all of the positive hype about the iPhone, here’s a bit of bad news for advertisers: iPhone users rarely click on ads.

Distractions

Brett Derricott — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:29:59 +0000

If you read my recent post entitled Your Inbox Controls You, you’ll be interested in this humorous spoof on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

It’s called The Hierarchy of Distractions. View the full size image.

via swissmiss

Google Maps + Hasbro = Worldwide Monopoly Game

Brett Derricott — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:59:46 +0000

Google and Hasbro have teamed up to create an online game called Monopoly City Streets. With the popularity of both Google Maps and the Monopoly game, it isn’t hard to believe this is going to be big.

The game, launching September 9th, could become one of the biggest, most widely-played online games ever, with players competing from all over the world. As in the board game, players will spend Monopoly money buying property (each players starts with $3 million).

Downing Street will reportedly cost $231,000 while Pennsylvania Avenue will fetch a cool $2 million.

The Truth About Creative Directors

Brett Derricott — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:51:21 +0000

via Lunchbreath’s Flickr photostream