The Social Media MBA Blog by Karl Long

Google is currently worried that it’s trademark google is going to become the generic verb for search, and therefore lose valuable protections around it’s trademark. Well as I was reading the book The Long Tail, I came across a pretty bad example (namely because it’s in print), where Chris Anderson says “But if you Google “dell hell”…”

But was Chris saying go and do a search for dell hell, or was he saying go to google and do a search. I don’t think anyone that says go and google something ever means you should go to altavista. Surely this is different than when someone says xerox and they could give a fuck if you actually use a xerox, or if they say fed ex, they really mean overnight.

When has anyone said “go google something” and meant go search something? No, it’s short hand for go to google and do a search. I’m not a lawyer, but surely that makes a difference.

How about it Chris? Did you mean go to any old search engine or did you intend that people actually google it
K

In another nail in the coffin of network television Anheuser-Busch has just announced it will be launching Bud.tv in February ‘07. Bud.tv will be an online entertainment channel that will blend professionally produced content, news, sports and consumer generated content.

Oh, and this is not a lame, me-too toe dipping into social media either, this is a huge investment in talent and technology (30 Million according to paidcontent.org). In the press release, not only do they mention Kevin Spacey and Vince Vaughn, they also note that the video produced will be DVD quality, and play full screen on the computer. In an article last month Ad-Age noted that Anheuser-busch was starting an in house tv/film production company that will create “humorous shorts”, but noted it was probably one of their most ambitious forays into content creation. Put it this way, if you spent 1.6 Billion dollars a year on advertising, do you think there are other ways that you could engage with males 18 to 35? Considering myspace, youtube, flickr and all the other great social media plays were probably started for less than a Million I would say Budweiser can probably create a pretty kick ass site.

Oh, and they’re launching in February, what are the odds that they will use their Super Bowl ad spend to launch this service?

One thing I will be interested to see is just how “social” it will be. There is little clue in the press release or related material on “social” features except for the buzz word “consumer generated content”. I imagine it would be a lot cheaper for them if they supplement their professional channels with a “football in the groin” channel, that will surely keep them coming back. On looking closely at the screenshot I see a channel called “bud tube”, I wonder what that will be?

UPDATE: Cnet confirms some of the the Bud Tube details

Related:
I Want My Bud TV from Joe Wikert
Media Buyer Planner - Anheuser-Busch to Produce Own Content for Web, Mobile
Media Post article from a year ago about rumored “bud screen”

A friend of mine in Lebanon just emailed this photograph of a Johnnie Walker billboard in Nahr El Mot, Lebanon. Advertisers are rarely this brave, but I think Johnnie Walker pulls off an amazing bit of visual communication here. Reminds me of what used to be called the “blitz spirit” in England during World War II. Anyway, my friend noted that it give him a smile every time he drives past it, and it certainly seems to have threaded the needle when it comes to a humorous, “on brand” statement, in an incredibly difficult situation.

I found it being discussed on another blog called BloggingBeirut and the commentary is somewhat polarized. What do you think?

Hmmm Adrants hates it

As does Adverb

The Scotch blog provides a balanced view:

Anothe entry into the Steven Colbert greenscreen challenge, enjoy. Have a great weekend everybody.

Peace,

Karl