The Merrill Dubrow Blog

We tend to remember certain days of the year. Birthdays and anniversaries tend to be easy and obvious. But for me, other days like the first day I started at M/A/R/C Research or even a day that something special happened I remember (which is the case on August 1st.)

Two years ago we launched the Merrill Dubrow Blog. Since that day we have:

• Posted 300 different times
   
• Exceeded 4,000 comments
   
• Over 750 different people who have posted comments
   
• Averaged 1,200 hits every week

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

In addition, we have tried really hard to make the blog very creative, dynamic, fun and a learning experience for everyone.

Over the past few months we are hearing from readers more and more with ideas for posts, videos and funny pictures and general comments.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

When I go to conferences I am hearing more and more from people that they enjoy what we are doing and how we are doing it. Readers seem to like the quick contests we have had and also the diverse subjects we have been writing about.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

To our internal team of Christopher, Susan and Frank, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything without your support and dedication.

So happy two year anniversary to the Merrill Dubrow Blog.

• If you have an idea, let us know.
   
• Want to be a guest writer? Let us know.
   
• Like/dislike what we are doing? Let us know?

On behalf of our team

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments.

It’s hard for me to believe there was a time I wasn’t sure what a blog was or frankly cared. At times they were mentioned on the radio, but rarely was it in my everyday discussion. After having numerous discussions with Joan, Frank and Randy, they convinced me that it was a great idea to start a blog. I finally said yes and contacted industry friend and blog guru Toby Bloomberg. She flew in and gave a company presentation. The rest is somewhat history. 

Over the past year we have been highlighted on a tremendous number of websites. We are averaging 900 visitors a week and have almost 1200 comments. Yes I am surprised, in fact very surprised. I guess we are doing something right and clearly our internal team makes me look good.

My hope is that I would make a little bit of a difference in people’s lives. I try and look at things a little differently and write about things I see that don’t make sense to me. It has been an honor to write the blog for over a year. I must admit I have had a lot of fun writing it and enjoy hearing from Christopher D when he says “I am still shocked you are doing this”.

Over the past year I have heard from so many people who enjoy reading the blog and suggesting topics to write about. Please keep them coming!

Our goal is too try and appeal to a wide variety of readers. Our topic range could be about research, TV, sports and some kind of business issue that irks me.

What’s next? More of the same mixed in with:

• Guest writers
   
• Videos

And yes more contests!

This past year has been a whirlwind tour. I have learned so much. I want to say thank you to all of the readers, commenters and especially a big thank you to the internal M/A/R/C Blog team!

I really look forward to hearing:

• What was your favorite blog?
   
• What would you like to read more of?
   
• What doesn’t interest you?
   
• What can we do better and different in the next year and beyond?

Thanks again! Your support means a tremendous amount to me.

Happy Birthday to The Merrill Dubrow Blog!

Ok I am very surprised that today you are reading my 101st post on the blog.

Way back in the summer of 2006, I had no idea where this was headed and am probably still not sure. Because of people like Joan, Randy, Frank and Christopher, we have a blog…and for some reason it actually is fairly popular. I hear from so many people at conferences that they enjoy the blog and frankly never know what to expect. I guess in some ways that is a good thing.

At this point we are averaging over 600 hits per week and over 6 comments per blog–much more impressive than I thought it would be. I want to thank everyone for contributing to the blog, all of the readers and all of the people who are brave enough to post their comments. I have learned so much in the past eight months and for that I thank you very much.

Looking back I would love to know:

• What was your favorite blog?
   
• What was your least favorite?
   
• What topics would be of interest to you?
   
• What makes you post a comment?
   
• Why haven’t you posted a comment?
   
• Should we have more contests?

Thanks again for exceeding my expectations over the past eight months. I look forward to becoming a better writer over the next eight months.

I look forward to reading your comments.

I can remember when I was so impressed with a fax machine, 286 computers or even a Pentium. It seems that technology has changed now more than ever. The second you buy a computer, a faster one is introduced two days later. The world we live in now is all about communication in real-time – whether that is with constant use of your cell phone or emailing thru your blackberry while you are driving. As another way to communicate with our clients, industry contacts and become more relevant we have decided to set up our own research blog. From time to time you will here from my colleagues at M/A/R/C. In addition we will be posting industry resources, conference calendars and plenty of commentary on things.

Our goal is that our contacts use this as another way to increase their knowledge base and will participate when appropriate to have a very engaging and ongoing dialogue.

We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

– Merrill Dubrow