My personal API

Another day and another cold call from a automated service telling me about a PPI claim that I might have. I realise that companies all have to make money and trim costs wherever they can. Having ACTUAL people cold call only to be told no is an expensive business.

This post isn’t actually about that. I don’t mind people calling me. Well… I do when it’s inconvenient but if they catch me at the right time I’m happy to have a chat (and then say no).

This post is more about defining the terms of condition through which I’ll be marketed to. Hell having worked in PR for years, I’ve done the ‘media pitch’ only to catch journalists at an inopportune time thereby pissing them off. I know what it’s like being on the other side.

For those active in social media marketing will know, we talk a lot about the customer journey and optimise the customer touchpoints (phrases I hate). But as a customer, I feel that I should take responsibility for telling those that want to sell me something the terms of conditions by which to do so. A kind of personal API if you will

So with that in mind, here’s a typical online journey for me complete with the appropriate touchpoints (another word I hate).

Wake up (Between 6am and 7am)

• Check Twitter for Arsenal news, whoever I spoke to last night, any interesting trends
• Check Flipboard and Feedly for Sports news and other feeds on marketing, business, and technology news
• Check Timehop
• Possibly check Facebook

Bath time (7am ish)

• Listen to Talksport (unless it’s been a bad day for Arsenal then it’s Radio 4 or LBC)
• Watch a bit of BBC Breakfast following by Peppa Pig and or Noddy/Postman Pat/Thomas the tank engine (I have 2yr old in case anyone is wondering)

Journey into work (8am to 9am)

• Listen to Talksport (unless a bad day for Arsenal then see above)
• Listen to podcast by Mitch Joel /HBR/Jay Baer

Arrive at work (9am ish)

• Check Twitter,
• Check LinkedIn on any contacts I’m meeting or prospecting
• Feedly for industry related topics

Lunch at desk (bad I know) (1pm ish)

• Read latest Kindle book

Leave work (6pm ish)

• Listen to Talksport (chances are I’ve gotten over the bad Arsenal news)
• Listen to podcast
• Read book (kindle)
• Write blog post via WordPress mobile (as I’m doing now)

Get home (7pm ish)

• Watch Peppa Pig (urgh)

Evening chill out time (ie once daughter finally sleeps) (9pm ish)

• Watch TV (Comedy, drama or sport)

Bedtime (11pm ish)

• Check Feedly/Flipboard
• Check Facebook

That’s roughly it. If you’re a marketer and think you can find an gap to ‘interlock’ with me, feel free.

UPDATE:

Since writing this post I’ve discovered a great tool built by Visual DNA  that allows you take simple personality test that ascertains what brands you’ll likely be receptive to (amongst other things).

Mine is scarily accurate….

 

Time at the bar for alcohol advertising – Or is it?

It’s bold move by the British Medial Association to call for a blanket ban on alcohol advertising. They are backed by organisations like the Department of Health, Alcohol Concern and the British Liver Trust.

The crux of the argument lies with the NHS approximately spending £3billion a year treating injury and illness linked to drink.

As you would expect, there’s a lobby group on the other side of the debate. Step in the Wine and Spirits Trade Association saying:

“the measures proposed by the BMA would hit the pockets of millions of consumers and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of people working in the drinks industry, media, advertising and television.”

A fair point.

Enter another lobby group. This time the UK advertisers trade body, ISBA calling the report a ‘headline-grabbing stunt’ and saying:

“The BMA clearly recognises the problems but has failed to come up with serious recommendations other than eye-catching calls for bans and price rises.”

“There are many factors affecting the misuse of alcohol by a minority of drinkers. Government and business recognise the need for action. Business is investing in a campaign to tackle misuse.”

Hmmm…. Isn’t headline grabbing stunts what advertisers do?

It’s almost as if they are saying banning advertising won’t change lifestyle choices. But advertising DOES change lifestyle choices. Ad agencies spend lots of time convincing clients they do in order to justify budgets. Ok it’s simplistic just to imply banning ads will solve the problem but not to even acknowledge a ban would have an impact, strikes me as a bit disingenuous.

Will anything ever come from this? I seriously doubt it.

Don’t get me wrong, I laud the BMA for taking such as strong stance. They see first hand the dangers of what alcohol can do. However in the face strong opposition and lack of any strong evidence to link an advertising ban and a reduction in alcohol related injuries, we’ll be seeing those annoying WKD ads for many years to come