Planning Diaries - All Comments

re: An Age of Openess

Kevin Gordon — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:18 GMT

Hi Richard,

After all the lies are laid bare, the truth is the only thing left.

The irony is, the truth has always been there.

However, most people prefer to deny it.

And in denying the truth, they deny themselves of living in reality.

So what happens?

It builds up, and builds up, and builds up,

then all of a sudden it comes crashing down.

This recession has been the result of

"Cumulative Lying".

That's why everyone wants the truth again,

but it won't last, because it never does.

That's the pathetic frailty of human nature.

Unlike humans, Animals learn by their mistakes.

re: U2 Love Blackberry .... and Apple

Ian Gee — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:58:28 GMT

"We'll pay U2 ..."

re: Just A Little Bit Better ....

S P — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:25:21 GMT

They have friendly lawyers too?

Wow!

re: Just A Little Bit Better ....

Emma Janson-Smith — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:09:11 GMT

I think you'll find that Costa may beg to differ..........

www.costa.co.uk/.../taste_test.aspx

re: Just A Little Bit Better ....

Tom Haigh — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:36:00 GMT

You oughta try working there mate. Its hell. Starbucks are an abomination. Their commercial goals are just a little more aggressive. Their obnoxious brand and company ethos a little more prevalent. Their clientelle just a little more self-aggrandising and nauseating.

I read an email from the company CEO while i worked there telling us that Starbucks coffee is actually far nicer than authentic Italian coffee...

re: Just A Little Bit Better ....

Lee Robinson — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:31:40 GMT

I think it all depends on your local Starbucks. They've opened a new one where I live which is big and spacious, but I find many of them - especially in central London - are crowded and noisy. I'm much more of a Caffe Nero fan. Friendly baristas, comfy seats and much better soya milk hot chocolates! Plus the loyalty card offers me a free drink for every 9 I buy.

I'm not sure if this makes it a question of 'doing things a bit better' or of loyalty or target audiences...

re: Loyalty and Pigs

Mike Page — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:11:04 GMT

Viruses like flu have always jumped species. Always have, always will. As it is now so much easier to pick up and analyse the DNA code of a virus now, that's why it seems like species hopping is becoming more prevalent.

All a virus is is a coil of DNA that infects a host cell, the likelyhood of mutation during viral replication is high. This can bee see with the current swine flu outbreak. The H1N1 variant (which many human flus are) is from the same variant as swine flu. The current outbreak of swine flu has elements of human, bird and swine flus - purely from species hopping and mutation.

Viruses are clever buggers - easily mutate so thay can keep on replicating, hence we'll never be rid of them.

As for the current outbreak, I seem to remember the same (if not worse) media hysteria over bird flu. OK that killed stacks of people too, but again, in the main, in countries with lower levels of healthcare.

re: Loyalty and Pigs

John Gallen — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:08:50 GMT

I'm still more concerned with the fact that this has jumped species and mutated... not exactly normal or regular, is it.

re: Loyalty and Pigs

Mike Page — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:03:55 GMT

Yes, there is a Scottish couple diagnosed with the illness, but judging by all reports, this is a real mild flu - outside Mexico. No one's died in the US, or Spain, or New Zealand or Australia. It's probably all down to healthcare, as it's the pneumonia that'll get you, and that's easily treated with antibiotics - readily available in developed countries - not saying that Mexico is underdeveloped, just maybe poorer than the other countries where there are diagnosed cases.

Like I said earlier, it's all about perspective. 'Regular' flu will kill tens (maybe hundereds) of people in the UK every year, yet this is not blown up out of proportion.

re: Loyalty and Pigs

John Gallen — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:45:10 GMT

No deaths outside Mexico... but there is an English couple carrying the disease who have landed in the UK. I don't like saying it but this could be terrible for all. Worse than bird flu. Its already reached New Zealand, Asia and Israel.

re: Loyalty and Pigs

Mike Page — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:41:40 GMT

Yes John, level 4 WHO rating. But lets not also forget - NO DEATHS OUTSIDE MEXICO.

Perspective is a good thing, not that I'm planning on a long haul trip any time soon. Well, not on these wages!!

re: Loyalty and Pigs

John Gallen — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:30:44 GMT

Lest youhaven't checked... the death rate now stands at 150, up 85% in less than 12 hours since your original post.

The threat of pandemic has been raised to level 4 by the WHO.

re: Loyalty and Pigs

John Gallen — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:22:28 GMT

I don't think it is an over reaction. One infected, coughing passenger on an interconnecting, international flight could kill 1,000s more and spread this new flu at an alarming rate around the world.

This new flu remember has mutated once already. It would be foolish in my opinion to go on an unneccesary flight.

It won't happen to me, you appear to say. Well, why not take the whole family and take your chances.

re: Brand or Demand?

Mark Cadbury — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:20:15 GMT

It is always about balance between brand building and direct marketing, and they are not mutually exclusive, indeed every communication should be brand led. However, the question I think you are asking is more to do with a shift from straight advertising to digital/direct techniques and there is no doubt that the latter is favoured for effectiveness in creating opportunities at a lower cost, therefore qualifying for brand building and ROI. As a Marketing Director in the B2B sector, I have moved budget from advertising to digital - although Google adwords could be described as a bit of both. In conclusion it depends on the customer and maintaining the right balance.

re: Brand or Demand?

Belinda Parmar — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:59:36 GMT

I am going through the exact same question with my client! I would welcome a chat with you about examples of brands that have done the different approaches and the results they yielded. Belinda