laratallman.com design & advertising blog

PANTONE 2012 Color of The Year

2011-12-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

Just in case you wondered, Pantone has announce the "Color of the Year" for 2012. Drum roll please: the color is 17-1463 Tangerine Tango! Yum.

You can read the full story and see the color here.

Happy Christmas - Get designing!

Attack Blogging

2011-12-12T08:52:00.001-08:00

Here's a link to an interesting article about Internet defamation from the New York Times. This is an incredible account of one bloggers attack on two men who were innocent victims of this woman.

“A woman who I did not know, who had no connection to me or my company or with this case she has been making statements on, has turned my business life and personal life upside down,” Mr. Padrick said.

Frightening . . . read the complete article here --

When Truth Survives Free Speech
By DAVID CARR

Last week, a story came across my desk that seemed to suggest that a blogger had been unfairly nailed with a $2.5 million defamation award after a judge refused to give her standing as a journalist. A businessman who was the target of the blogger’s inquiries brought the suit. . .

Facebook Advertising and Ford

2011-11-07T15:51:00.000-08:00

Something I know a little about . . .

Companies are shifting marketing efforts to Facebook because that is where consumers are. In September, U.S. Web users spent an average 6.8 hours on Facebook, far more than on any other site, comScore said.

Facebook says 96 of the top 100 U.S. advertisers, as ranked by Ad Age, bought ads on its site in the past year. Of the world's 100 largest companies, 61% have a presence on the seven-year-old company, up from 54% last year, according to Burson-Marsteller.

Read more

Steve Jobs

2011-11-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

— Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech, 2005: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Gotta Love the Daily Show's Take on Online Reputation Mistakes

2011-10-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

More and more people are becoming aware of protecting their reputations online.

In an amusing episode of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman offered some tongue-in-cheek advice to individuals struggling with an online reputation management problem. While intended as satire, the segment offered some valuable information about how simple mistakes online can become major issues thanks to the viral nature of the Internet.

Enjoy!

Facebook's Frightening Power

2011-10-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

I love Facebook, I use it at least daily. I'm sure you do too, but think of the information out there about yourself. At first I was very careful about my friend list and had all the security locked down as tightly as possible. Then I got more involved and started using it as a business tool, and that changed things. I started adding business contacts and people I didn't know very well, and it's been useful. If you are using Facebook the same way, consider a "page" instead of using your personal profile. I know this swap can take a little work, but is worth it. If you decided to stay with your profile, just be careful about what you put out there. Be advised that these days EVERYONE will research you online, prospective clients, employers, friends . . .

Also, just because you are careful doesn't mean you won't—unfortunately—end up with someone who decides to trash your reputation online. More about that in my next post, and my work for my client Colleen Bonnicklewis.

Read more about Facebook here.

Hacker Can't Stop

2011-10-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Florida man arrested for hacking into the e-mail accounts of Scarlet Johansson, Mila Kunis, and other celebrities has apologized for his actions, claiming that he knew what he was doing was wrong but that he couldn’t stop himself. According to the hacker, he “became addicted to seeing the behind-the-scenes of what’s going on with these people you see on the big screen every day.” If convicted of all charges, the hacker faces up to 121 years in prison.

Read the full story here

Blogging, Social Media and Transparency

2011-10-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here's an article that is a good resource for anyone blogging or participating in social media in order to support a sponsor:

Are You Disclosing? What You Need to Know about FTC Rules and Social Media

eNewsletters

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've been reading Michael Katz's newsletters for a long time, and enjoying every one. They are always informative and humorous. I especially enjoyed today's edition as it is something I really believe. Do whatever you decide to do 100%, it might be car racing, or opening your own company, whatever, do it!

No Way Out

The Power of Facebook

2011-07-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

All my clients know I am a FAN of social media. It works, it's inexpensive, but yes, time consuming. There are so many options: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, StreetFire, Yelp (how did I live before Yelp?), I'll stop, you can see below for a complete view!

I thought this was an interesting article about the power of Facebook now. I do blog less these day, especially for motorsports and the CA Sport team. It's just easier to update the Facebook page and to tweet. For business I still like the power of blogging, simply because the complete control of length and design.

It is impossible to manage them all as a small business (for larger companies, they better be on task for all of the above). So have a conversation with your marketing person, about which suits you best, but then work it!

Google Search Updates

2011-06-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

SEOMoz is my number one source for SEO continuing education. If you're interested check out their whiteboard Friday video series. Today the topic is more about what we've all been talking about in SEO land.

How Google's Panda Update Changed SEO Best Practices Forever

Teens are Spending More Shopping Online

2011-04-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

This comes as no surprise to me, as much time as I spend on-line, my teens spend more They don't have the excuse of working — well, I guess some of their time is spent on research and online classes.

My guess as to why teens didn't already spend their money online is that a credit card is usually the best way to purchase and teens don't always have their own credit card. The article does state this. With the prepaid credit cards available now it's a lot easier for teens to have their own credit cards.

Read the full article here.

The Future of Blogging

2011-03-08T08:50:00.000-08:00

I was just reading the New York Times article about blogs becoming less popular with the younger demographic. It made me wonder why I finally got around to starting this blog. No, not really blogs are still a very effective way to discuss topics in greater depth. Also with Google's recent changes is rank and search blogs still are a great way to add relevant content.

I have to admit that when I post certain topics on Facebook, say race team updates, I wonder why I need to head over to my blog and basically re-post. Partly I still do just for our fans who are not on Facebook, and yes they tend to be the older demographic. For now I'm a fan of both.

You can read the NYT article here. And if you're interested in the race team the blog is here. Or, you can just become a fan of CA Sport on Facebook!

Superbowl Ads 2011

2011-02-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

Year after year I can't resist the Superbowl ads, but who can? I can however miss the Superbowl, thankfully there's Hulu, so I spent tonight checking out the ads. Here's my short rundown:

Kia: On Epic Ride — Snickers was the worst until I saw this, I was also disappointed in all of the Coke ads, Doritos we expect to be painful and stupid and they did not disappoint.
Snickers: Not Yourself — yuck, Dawin award
Superbowl: Celebration — a trip down memory lane
Pepsi: Love Hurts — good, but a far cry from my favorite commercial ever - Pepsi Every Generation has a Soundtrack
Chrysler: Imported From Detroit — love the industrial revolution and propaganda art, but a little too dramatic
Walt Disney: Pirates of the Caribbean — there's another one, really?
Cars.com: Go FIrst — short, amusing
Lipton Brisk: Eminen —worth watching
Groupon: Whales & Tibet — big money from this new player with Timothy Hutton and Cuba Gooding Jr., kind of a disappointing ads that trivialize real problems.
Living Social: It'll change your life —yikes no thanks
CityDeals.com let's go!

Auto Manufacturers
Audi: Release the Hounds — my pic for the best creative, totally different and sexy car!
Mercedes got dissed in this one and their Welcome commercial couldn't compete, although the cars were awesome!
Cadillac: Why talk about a luxury sedan that goes 190 mph do we get to drive that fast?
Volkswagon: Black Beetle —BMW: Diesel way too American for the Euro brand but that is the focus of their ads made obvious by the X3 ads, give me the gorgeous Joy ads, my second favorite of all time.

Ford where are you? I guess social media is king this year for Ford who doesn't have to push the made in America label.

The ad with the most votes on Hulu was Volkswagen: The Force which I did really like, I don't think there's a mom with a son out there who can't relate to this one.

Check 'em out for yourself (there are 71 so yes, it could take all night)!

Just Because Your Company Doesn't do Social Media, doesn't Mean You Aren't Part of it

2011-02-04T10:27:00.000-08:00

You may be one of the last companies holding off, resisting jumping on the social media wagon, but that doesn't exclude you from it. You may be listed on Yelp or Merchant Circle as an unclaimed business but that doesn't stop members from adding reviews. You may be getting tweeted about, but unless you are monitoring Twitter you'll never know what's being said.

There are many high-tech monitoring options but at least start by using Google alerts—one of the many free tools available through Google. Set up the alerts and you will receive emails for web and blog mentions of your company. My favorite Twitter monitor is Social Ping developed by Joel Strellner, for a higher tech solution or for low-tech keep a search going with your twitter account that finds your mentions (ie: #laratallman). For business listings such as Yelp, Merchant Circle, Hot Frog you or your SEO experts should have accounts set-up and monitor reviews and mentions.

Having negative buzz doesn't have to have a negative impact on your business. By responding to negative reviews it gives you a chance to express your view or make the situation right. But if you aren't following the buzz, you'll never have that chance.

Social Media Privacy

2011-01-31T14:39:00.000-08:00

While I am a big fan of social media marketing, there are a few things to be aware of in regards to privacy. Photos are worth a thousand words, just make sure they are the right ones.

Check out this video from abc news.

Women Don't Really Watch TV

2011-01-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

This is one thing I know, and that is I rarely watch TV, but I do listen to it. I think most multi-tasking Mom's will agree that there just isn't enough time in the day to sit down and do nothing but watch TV, most of the time I have my 17" Apple in front of me too. Read the research here on SheConomy for more about mom's TV viewing.

The second part of this equation is that women spend the most time on Social Media, blogging and watching TV on-line. This past week the nations top bloggers got together in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival to meet face-to-face and exchange ideas. Guess what? They were mostly women. One top blogger explained it like this: following a blog is like having your friend call up and say—you'll love this movie, or this product.

I've been following all of the Ford social media efforts over the last few months and am very excited to be joining Ford in Spain for the Ford Focus Global Test Drive next month. They have devoted a lot of time and effort into their social media platform for 2011.

Think Social Media isn't important enough to be part of your marketing plan? Think again.

Word! (of 2010)

2011-01-20T22:41:00.000-08:00

I had a few minutes to kill while waiting for my lunch yesterday so I picked up a convenient copy of the Salt Lake City Weekly and started reading the Opinion article by John Rasmuson. John's topic in part was the word for the year for 2010.

Somehow I have missed the fact that there is a word of the year each year, there are in fact two ---Merriam Webster and the American Dialect Society--- each have their own word. The American Dialect Society chose "app" as their word of 2010 and Merriam Webster chose "austerity". You can read more about it here on the NPR website. In fact, on the NPR iPhone app, which I happen to have!

While austerity is a great word, with an aesthetic that I appreciate, app is a word that has come out of my mouth many times in the past year. The Tallman's are a family of all things Apple and I'm not sure how I survived life before the iPhone.

On the opposite side is the fact that in order to fit all the words into the most recent dictionary other older, less fashionable words have to be removed. Who uses a printed dictionary anymore anyway, isn't there an app for that?

Will Your Past Forever Haunt You?

2011-01-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the internet it just might, but Spain is taking Google on behalf of a few citizens—read about it here.

As the internet has changed our lives over the past decade, it has also invaded our privacy. It's a fine line between marketing our businesses and exposing all of our personal data. The laws have unfortunately not kept pace, which you'll find out the hard way should you acquire an internet stalker or an obsessed old flame. Even if your past is squeaky clean you can find your reputation stained. I have talked with many people who had much damage to their reputations and stress added to their lives because of the ease of spreading negative propaganda through the internet.

Here are a few safeguards I recommend to all my clients online:

• Make sure you have all of your Facebook (or other social media) privacy settings turned to "only friends". You have to go into your account settings and change them since this is not the default setting.
• Set up a Google alert for your name, your kids names and your business so that if something gets put on the internet you will be notified right away.
• Be careful about giving your personal information or address on site like forums, and blogs.

There are bots and scrapers out there pulling little bits of information about you from thousands of various sites, so even if you leave a little info here and there be prepared for it all to compile in one location. Which means, yes, it is too late, too much information is out there.

I appreciate the last line of the Spanish article: "Become a blogger!" which basically means create enough content to bury the bad.

A Blog about Design and Marketing — From Lara Tallman — finally!

2011-01-16T10:58:00.000-08:00

Not to presume that you were all waiting for this, but after years of blogging for clients and the team (that would be my motorsports team CA Sport). I decided the cobblers children must have shoes, and what better time to make this happen than a new year. Yes, I have posted links on my website to things of interest, but my goal is to bring it all to you in one place.

Do you remember Tess McGill in "Working Girl" when she is asked by Mr. Trask where the idea for radio came from and she says I was reading this in the Post and this on Page 6 . . . Sometimes all the input into our brains combines for an "aha moment" where the solution to our problem become clear (from the Collins English Dictionary). —and that to me is the study of marketing.

I'm not too into new year's resolutions but I do find it a time to get all those things done I may have procrastinated on during the final months of the previous year. The January weather in Salt Lake is conducive to staying inside without distraction, and doing things like organizing 2010's files. That works right up until the 24-hours of Daytona when I head to Florida for some much anticipated racing.

So just in time for the start of 2011 I bring you the laratallman.com blog and not only that I have the Brad Tallman website underway. Hopefully soon the cobblers child will have a new pair of Puma's to run with.