This is the funniest client exchange ever!

It's like Twitter but we charge people to use it!

If I did have a working time machine, the first thing I would do is go back four days and tell myself to read the warning on the hair removal cream packaging where it recommends not using on sensitive areas.

Check it out >>

There's nothing like a man cold!

What type of Twitterer are you?

Did you know 4.0?

I love these clips. So amazing to see how convergence of technology and media has changed the world we live in and in such a short amount of time!

I have been totally addicted to Facebook and Twitter fore ages now, but for how much longer I wonder? What will be the next big thing? I'm sure it's just around the corner...

Abomination of Beds are Burning to support climate change

Now I am all for climate change! And like many I will be watching the events unfold in Copenhagen in December, in anticipation of more climate change focus and collaboration from our world leaders. Hopefully they can agree on real targets that will make a difference, rather than have yet another talk fest.

But I'm afraid this video which launches the UN's TckTckTck Campaign, whilst it has all the right intentions, is a complete abomination of Midnight Oil's classic 'Beds are Burning'.

There are some good artists collaborating on this and the song was rewritten for this campaign by Midnight Oil themselves, but the production is awful and did Peter Garrett really agree to having the likes of Mila Jovovich attempt to sing this great song??

Anyway, do your bit for climate change and watch it, laugh or cringe, then pass it on. Like my greenie mate Deano says, at least it's for a good cause.

This is very funny!

The iSnack 2.0 saga continues

Well it seems Kraft have bowed to public pressure and have announced they will move away from the unpopular name 'iSnack 2.0' to allow the public to vote. Check out the Punch's article here.

iSnack 2.0, more like iCrap 2.0!

What were Kraft thinking? iSnack 2.0 just doesn't roll off the tongue like Cheesymite or Vegelite now does it?

I guess the chances of getting a great name when you run a competition like this is greatly reduced when the Marketing department chooses the winner. I wonder how many people signed off on it?

I am not sure why Kraft didn't set up a poll to vote for a name. Surely something better than iSnack 2.0 would have won. Plus it engages their loyal consumers to be part of the decision making process. Well lets see how long this lasts.

From a PR point of view, it's certainly got people talking! What's that old saying? All publicity is good publicity. Hmmm....I'm not so sure.

Great ad taking off Border Security

Toyota ad, this cracked me up!

The Sack

After Campaign Palace Melbourne lost a major account, creatives Ben and Shane found themselves out of a job. Ingeniously, they have documented their journey right from leaving the office to compiling their portfolios and of course, every unemployed person's fave activity - basking in the sun!

No doubt there will be agencies knocking on their door in no time. Check out The Sack here.

How to lose a sale in 1 condescending email

I have been helping my mother in law out with her new small business. She wasn't interested in an online presence as she struggles to turn on her own laptop and yells out "WOW" when she sends an email! So I just did it for her so she could see the results for herself.

I have listed her on all the free directories you can imagine (Google, TrueLocal, Hot Frog, Ulladulla.info etc) and she has received heaps of enquiries. Many are for weddings which are quite profitable for a mobile hairdresser who normally cuts hair for elderly clients confined to their homes!

I looked at a few wedding directories and found one major site that did not mention any advertising costs. I got a response listing their cost structure and benefits of their site. I responded straight away with thanks so much, but it's early days & we are only looking at free listings at this stage.

Instead of a thanks or some helpful info for when we are ready they came back to me with a highly condescending so called sales pitch that included the following bitchy remarks...

"If you cannot afford this, there may be more serious concerns for your business and we acknowledge that we cannot help you. In this case, my humble advice is for you to consider re-adjusting your marketing strategy and directing your dollars to the most accountable means."

"If you would like any advise on how to build your business online, please dont hesitate to contact me... thats what i'm here for."


Spelling and grammar aside, the condescending nature of this email was enough to send me into a rage. So I walked away and then responded when I had calmed down with a polite PFO.

I am a big fan of online advertising and their rates we actually quite reasonable. BUT it is the role of our community to educate the world (particularly small business) on the benefits of online advertising, not to belittle them for giving it a go and judging a business they know nothing about... Suffice to say, when we do start a PPC trial we will not be advertising with this little upstart!

Anyway, vivsmobilehairdresser.com.au is getting more enquiries than she can handle from her free listings. In fact, my Mother-In-Law is now such a big advocate of having a website she has recommended my services to all of her friends... Thanks Mum B!!

The party has to come to an end eventually

Finding myself out of work for the first time in 15 years has been quite an eye opener to say the least!! What does one do when not juggling multiple deadlines, employee development and agency briefings?

It has been exciting and incredibly liberating to leave the crazy world of telcos, only to enter the craziness that is my own life! So with a to do list that included moving house, painting, catching up on more tax returns than I dare to mention plus all that other personal stuff that has been neglected for years, I have filled my days faster than my old corporate diary.

So as the craziness settles and I am starting to find some spare time on my hands I am now itching for a new challenge. And as the bank balance starts to go down rather than up and our very first mortgage payment was debited from our account it became a harsh reality...time to get a job!

Ah crap, the party must come to an end eventually. Being a new home owner with very aggressive payment goals (ie pay it off in 15 years!!) plus having expensive taste in everything is simply not conducive to unemployment! As my very supportive husband gently reminded me, if I am to continue the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed AND pay our mortgage I need to get a job. Plus I think he is sick of my poor attempts at being a domestic goddess...cooking is just not my thing.

I am now filling my days with the tedious task of job hunting! There is the element of surprise and anticipation when submitting an enquiry or application, not to mention the highs and lows of dealing with recruitment agencies and of course the ever changing CV, linked in profile etc that is never complete and following multiple tweets.

So here I am juggling my own deadlines, working on my career development and dealing with recruitment agency briefs. Ahh the circle of life!