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Q&A: Phil McKinney, Former CTO, HP (Pt 1): 'Killer Questions' for Sparking Innovation

Phil_McKinney_photo1_square_smallI first met Phil McKinney when I was hired to give a briefing on the state of gaming to top executives of Personal Systems Group at computer giant Hewlett-Packard.

I was impressed with the then-chief technology officer's questions and insights, and I really enjoyed the conversation we had about opportunities.

This last fall, McKinney announced his retirement from the company and his new role as a consultant focused on helping other companies - from start-ups to major brands - unleash a new level of creativity and innovate the way they do business. And in February, his first book, Beyond The Obvious: Killer Questions That Spark Game-Changing Innovation, hit stores, garnering very positive press.

I recently discussed the book with Phil - and will post portions of that conversation over the next few days. We'll hear about some of the killer questions you need to ask to change the game for your organization, including how to get buy-in for your innovation agenda from those above you who might fee threatened by it.

Along the way, we'll hear what REALLY happened with WebOS; the short tenure of Leo Apothaker; and what Phil thinks of Meg Whitman in her new role as HP CEO.

It's a must-listen for anyone focused on driving innovation in their organization.

Q&A: PHIL MCKINNEY (PT 1): 'KILLER QUESTIONS' TO SPARK INNOVATION

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Use the player, or click here to listen to Q&A: PHIL MCKINNEY (PT 1)

 

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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'The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore' Wins Oscar (Video)

 

What wasn't mentioned on last night's Oscar telecast was that this amazing animated short (YouTube video shown above) was part of a wildly popular iPad app that rose to the top of Apple's Top Grossing Books Apps last year.

Enjoy this beautifully crafted film, which is a kind of love note, sans dialogue, for books and all they mean to us.

Congratulations to William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg, and everyone at Shreveport, La-based Moonbot Studios (which is part a public/private initiative to spur growth in Louisiana's budding film industry) for the achievement.

Read more here.

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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Q&A: Rachel Pasqua, Exec Dir, Mobile Marketing, Organic (Pt 3): Beyond The QR Code

Rachel photo

In part three of my conversation with Organic’s new executive director of mobile marketing, Rachel Pasqua, talk turns from QR codes to other forms of 2D barcodes and even NFC.

As the prototypical consumer – a working mom with two kids – Pasqua definitely has some insights on how mobile marketers could make her own life a whole lot easier.

Q&A: RACHEL PASQUA, EXEC DIR, MOBILE MARKETING, ORGANIC (PT 3)

(4:49)

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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Q&A: Rachel Pasqua, Organic's New Exec Dir of Mobile Marketing (Pt 2) - On Mobile & The Super Bowl

Rachel photo

For the record, Rachel Pasqua, Organic's new executive director of mobile marketing, thinks the QR code is like cilantro: You either love it or hate it.

You'll hear more pronouncements like that, presumably, in the upcoming book Mobile Marketing in One Hour A Day (Wiley) that Pasqua is writing with eMarketer analyst Noah Elkin (listen here as Elkin interviews me about QR codes for an eMarketer report on QR code best practices).

In part two of my interview with Pasqua, we begin a discussion about this month's Super Bowl advertising and mobile's varied role as an activation or response mechanism - starting with audio activation ala Shazam and yes, more about cilantro.

Q&A: RACHEL PASQUA, EXEC DIR, MOBILE MARKETING, ORGANIC (PT 2)

(3:32)

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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Q&A: Rachel Pasqua, Organic's New Exec Dir of Mobile Marketing (Pt 1)

Rachel photo

On the heels of its designation as Ad Age's "Comeback Agency of the Year," Organic has hired Rachel Pasqua as its newly-minted executive director of mobile marketing.

In part one of my recent interview with Pasqua, we get a sense of mobile's role in the post-modern marketing firm, and how it will help Organic stay on top of its game (full disclosure: Organic Chief Creative Officer Conor Brady wrote a rave review and cover blurb for my latest book).

In coming days, we'll review mobile's role in this month's Super Bowl advertising - and what it all could mean for mobile integration moving forward.

Q&A: RACHEL PASQUA, EXEC DIR, MOBILE MARKETING, ORGANIC (PT 1)

(3:32)

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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Amnesty International: Swipe Your iPad to Unlock the Truth Re: Guantanamo (Video)

Interesting integration of iPad marketing and digital outdoor from Amnesty International Sweden to call for writ of habeas corpus for those held at Guantanamo Bay.

It is reminiscent of a similar iPad ad campaign from the organization for political prisoners.

I'm not sure the swipe action is quite right in this particular effort, however.

Here, swiping releases the prisoner, which is not the same as guaranteeing a fair trial. I don't think anyone would want people suspected of terrorism to just simply be set free.

I understand the initiative is primarily asserting that detainees should be tried or freed in accordance with international law. I just think that the swipe-to-set-free motion may undermine the sentiment for many who may otherwise agree with the argument for fair trials, but not with the idea of simply letting suspects go.

(And I'm not sure the more subtle call for those US officials responsible for any right violations to be held to account in the matter would win many enthusiasts in the US, either.)

Bottom line: This looks like an innovative campaign that may undermine its own effectiveness due to two elements that in many people's view may go too far in calling for a remedy to an important issue.

Read more about the effort, here.

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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Domino's Pizza Launches 'Think Oven' Virtual Suggestion Box (Video)

 It's just the latest in a long line of digital innovations coming from Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Domino's.

Sure, there are few things that will beat the system that lets you order Domino's from your TV set. And I totally dug the "Pizza Hero" iPad game and the whole honesty campaign - especially the customer comments posted to Times Square billboards thing. But this new Facebook page seems like a cool way to invite consumers to submit ideas for cool projects, or ideas specific to Domino's. The first contest is for visual submissions for new Domino's uniforms, for instance.

It's not all just food for thought. The concept came from Parmesan Bread Bites - featured in a new TV spot and concepted by Brian Edler, a Domino's store owner in Ohio.

$500 bucks goes to those with good ideas.

Not a huge amount of dough - but enough to buy more than a few pies. 

(Full disclosure: Domino's CMO Russell Weiner wrote a glowing review of my book, THE ON-DEMAND BRAND, featured in a cover blurb.)

What's your view: One crowdsourcing idea too many? Or too much cheese, not enough sauce?

Read more about the initiative, here.

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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Starbucks Brings Mobile Augmented Reality to Valentine's Day (Video)

 

What's good enough for Christmas is good enough for Cupid, too.

On the heels of its holiday AR drink cup initiative, Starbucks has a new AR cup campaign that enable syou to send and receive AR Valentine's greetings to your special someone.

This is yet another sign of Starbuck's commitment to mobile - what with QR codes and its mobile loyalty app. As Mashable reports, that app alone has been used in more than 26 million transactions. And Starbucks seems to be on a tear, with profits up 10% and sales rising 16% last quarter.

But what's your take on the Valentine's AR cup: A sweet treat - or too Sacharin by half?

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 OD_cover "... EXCELLENT ..."

 

“Through persuasive arguments and Q&A's with the major players in advertising, Mathieson makes an excellent case for greater creativity and outside-the-box thinking backed up with solid ideas."

Publisher's Weekly

 

>>> IN STORES NOW: ORDER YOUR COPY HERE <<<

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Author Rick Mathieson to Talk Digital Marketing at Marketing Edge 2012, Feb 14

Marketing edge 2012 copyCan't wait for next week's big Marketing Edge 2012 in Houston, where I'll be talking trends in social media, mobile marketing, branded games, augmented reality & more!

If you're in the area, this is one event you won't want to miss - not just because of me. Take a look at the great line up here, and get your tickets today.