How Do Consumers Feel About “Native Advertising”?

18 May

What is “native advertising” and why are some people upset about it?

Consider this commentary from eMarketer:

“Social networks, news sites, digital content aggregators, and streaming media services are rife with ads that are integrated into the content experience. According to a new eMarketer report, Native Advertising: An Emerging Consensus for a New Kind of Ad, these so-called ‘native ads’ are providing new ways for marketers to reach target audiences and new avenues of monetization for content sites that are under intense revenue pressure.”

“Although business prospects for native advertising are positive, the medium has its detractors. Some media executives and marketers are wary of the blurring of lines between content and advertising that occurs with native ads, particularly in the context of news sites. Others question the return on investment of these ads, arguing that native ads cannot scale for multiple placements.”

Take a look at the chart below and click on it for more from eMarketer.

 

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Will Calorie Counts Stop the Criticisms Directed at Coke?

17 May

The answer to the question raised in the title above is probably no — especially with the most severe critics of the company and its soft drinks.

Here’s what Coke is planning to do, as reported by Mike Esterl and Paul Ziobro for the Wall Street Journal: “Coca-Cola Co. is broadening distribution of its low-calorie drinks and said it will put calorie counts on the front of its packaging around the world as it ramps up global efforts to counter criticism its sugary drinks are fueling obesity. The beverage giant also promised to sponsor physical activity programs and reiterated its commitment to not market its drinks to children under 12 years old in each of the more than 200 countries and territories that it operates. The moves come as Coke and other soda makers such as PepsiCo Inc. find their products under rising scrutiny in a growing number of countries amid climbing obesity rates. Coke, the world’s biggest drink company, is the main target despite diversifying beyond its namesake cola into dozens of other categories including fruit juices, bottled water, and sports drinks.”

Click the image of Coca-Cola’s CEO Muhtar Kent to read more.

Photo by the Associated Press

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Is Sharing One’s Salary Data with Co-Workers OK?

16 May

Many (most) companies frown on their employees sharing their salary information — to avoid jealousy and possible legal complaints. Some firms even have explicit policies that prohibit sharing such information (even though this is typically illegal).

However, the times are changing. According to Lauren Weber and Rachel Emma Silverman, writing for the Wall Street Journal: “Comparing salaries among colleagues has long been a taboo of workplace chatter, but that is changing as Millennials — individuals born in the 1980s and 1990s — join the labor force. Accustomed to documenting their lives in real time on social-media forums like Facebook and Twitter, they are bringing their embrace of self-disclosure into the office with them. And they’re using this information to negotiate raises at their current employer or higher salaries when moving to a new job.”

In their article, Weber and Silverman summarize several tips on how to behave.

Click the image for a video clip.

Illustration by James Yang

 

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Crowdfunding: A New Source of Capital That Keeps on Giving

15 May

As we have noted before, crowdfunding has become a major online investment source for entrepreneurs and start-up companies.

Reporting for Fortune, Michal Lev-Ram and Kurt Wagner note that: “Welcome to the new world of fundraising, in which so-called crowdfunding Web sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter let just about anyone with an idea try his or her hand at bankrolling a dream. Proponents of crowdfunding believe it has the potential to upend traditional financing models, such as loans and venture capital, and unleash a tidal wave of capital for entrepreneurs, creative types, and, yes, cheesemongers. Reliable estimates of the industry’s size are hard to come by, but one research outlet, Massolution, predicts some $5 billion will be raised through crowdfunding this year, up from $2.7 billion in 2012.”

Click the image to read a lot more from Lev-Ram and Wagner. And click here for a video.

 

Illustration by Alex Nabaum

 

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A Personalized Self-Assessment Infographic

14 May

No matter the stage in your career (or life), it is imperative that you regularly do a self-assessment. In the infographic below, there is a 20-item self-assessment quiz for you to take.

How do YOU fare on this quiz? What activities do YOU need to modify to improve your career profile? How YOU can be happier? :-)

 

 

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Will the Volt Get a Jolt?

13 May

Thus far, General Motors’ electric Chevy Volt has been an under performer — except in the eyes of General Motors.

Take a look at this video interview with GM CEO Dan Akerson, who has high expectations for the future role and success of the Volt.

What do YOU think?

 

 

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Are You Trying NOT to Get A Job?

12 May

There are a lot of things that people do to try to improve their chances of getting the jobs that they want. But, sometimes, they also do things that are not helpful to themselves.

As Michael Trust writes for Careerrealism, here are three harmful things that people sometimes do:

  1. “You Have Not Fully Grasped The Reality of today’s market and the massive economic upheaval that is occurring. All of the fancy degrees, past experience, and so on just isn’t enough today. These things DO matter – it’s just the applicant pool is full of people with these backgrounds. Thus, the competition is much more stiff. Nothing in this job market will come easily. Some positions will come more easily than others, but they may be positions for which you feel you’re overqualified. The ‘gem’ positions will typically take much longer and be harder to get.”
  2. “You Don’t Apply because you don’t like to be rejected, and if you don’t apply, you can’t be rejected. This is circular logic, and self-fulfilling (and self-defeating) behavior. You don’t know until you try. In the marathon that is today’s job search, you’re going to be rejected until you’re not. It’s a fact of life. We’ve all been there. It’s not personal; it’s just business.”
  3. “You Don’t Take Your Job Search Seriously. If you’re unemployed (or underemployed), your job search should be at least 30-40 hours per week – responding to ads (low value return, but necessary), resume and cover letter customization, and networking, networking, networking (did I mention ‘networking’?).  If you are employed and are looking for a new gig on the sly, at least 10-20 hours per week would be appropriate. Watching daytime television and hanging out with friends is not likely to get you a new position. Looking for a job is a job. Treat it like one.”

 

Click the image to read more.
 

 

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