February 10th, 2010
 |
Merrill Dubrow
Man of Mystery |
Yes you know I am a passionate baseball fan and love the Boston Redsox. Yes you know I have worked in marketing research for over twenty-five years. Yes you know I live in Texas and am very competitive. But five things you probably didn’t know:
- That I broke my collar bone not once but twice as a kid? The first time was playing street hockey and the second time was at the beach when I was buried in the sand standing up – yes standing up and when I tried to get out – well let’s just say that didn’t work out too well.
- I have two sisters–one who has been in the healthcare field and has the biggest heart in the world and the other one is in new business development and is better at sales than I ever have been!
- I lived in Deerfield, IL when I was 11 years old and still can remember going to the tennis courts and actually putting my hand under the fence and stealing tennis balls (certainly NOT proud of this) WHILE there was a game going on.
- I rarely drink and sometimes can actually feel the effects of liquor after 5 sips of a beer.
- The most famous person I ever had dinner with (by far) was Reverend Jessie Jackson. This was a few years ago in LA at Dantana’s and was an amazing experience. There were only six people at the table and he was very charismatic and charming.
Ok now you know a little more about me.
What about you sharing a few things about you that I don’t know or would be surprised to know?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in Life | Post Comments
25 Reader Comments »
February 8th, 2010
Recently I read a very interesting article about children and mobile phone usage. As my kids get older I have been thinking about when they should have a cell phone and for what purpose. Meaning to stay in contact with their parents, their friends, play games, listen to music or 20 other things?
Americans are beginning their "always-on" habits at a younger and younger age, according to the "American Kids Study" from Mediamark Research & Intelligence’s (MRI’s) as reported by eMarketer.
I was shocked to read that more than one-third of 10-to-11-year-olds in the US owned a mobile phone in 2009, compared with 20% in 2005. That is a huge increase over a 4 year period. Ownership among kids ages 6 to 11 rose from 11.9% to 20% over the same time period.
It was also interesting to read that in 2007, ownership among boys was 12.4%, while 18.6% of girls had a mobile phone. I assume this has more to do with security than maturity?
Penetration increased for both groups, but ownership among males increased faster, helping them catch up and narrow the gender gap to 18.3% versus 21.8%.
"Preliminary data suggests that boys and girls may use their phones differently," noted Anne Marie Kelly, SVP, marketing and strategic planning at MRI, in a statement. "Girls are more apt to make calls and send text messages while boys are more likely to instant message, access the Internet and download games, music and video."
- What do you think is the perfect age for your child to have a cell phone?
- Does it differ by gender?
- Do you restrict their usage to certain times of the day?
- What applications like texting, music, and games do you allow them to have?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in Life | Post Comments
13 Reader Comments »
February 5th, 2010
If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call them and ask if they meant you or them.
- Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM and Chrysler.
- Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.
- The Mafia is laying off judges.
- Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.
- Congress says they are looking into the Bernard Madoff scandal. So that means the guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!
- Do you have a funny ending to this sentence: "The Economy Is So Bad That . . ."
Please let me know if you chuckled at least for a few seconds?
Also what was your favorite?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in Friday Fun | Post Comments
4 Reader Comments »
February 1st, 2010
Ok the final stage is set. We now know that the Indianapolis Colts will be playing the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl. The question is what will happen?
- Will it be an offensive show?
- Will Peyton Manning and Drew Brees each throw for over 300 yards?
- Does Reggie Bush fumble or score 3 touchdowns?
- Does Colston have a big day?
- Does either defense step up to the plate and stop anyone?
- Who do you think will be the MVP?
- Who wins the game?
Ok, readers. I have obviously asked a lot of questions. Here is what I think will happen: Both offense units come out on fire. They score early and often and I could see the first quarter ending with a total of 21 points. At the end of the day the Colts win 35-31 in a great game! The MVP will be the QB of course. Mr. Manning will throw for over 375 yards.
Ok your turn. What do you think will happen in the big game?
I look forward to reading your predictions.
Posted in Sports | Post Comments
15 Reader Comments »
January 29th, 2010
This blog was started August 2006. During the last 3 1/2 years there have been over 7500 comments from 1100 different people. I am still amazed at how much I have learned over that period of time and how much I have enjoyed sharing information, thought and ideas.
I would love to get to know you a little better and have a quick 12 question quiz that asks you to pick between two different choices and will take you less than a minute to complete.
I think everyone will enjoy reading everyone’s answers.
Click here to take the quiz.
I look forward to reading your answers.
Posted in Friday Fun | Post Comments
118 Reader Comments »
January 27th, 2010
Like most of you I am on the social networking bandwagon. Yes I post on a blog, tweet, use Facebook and LinkedIn. Last week I noticed I got my 800th connection. First of all I am really excited about that! Here are a few reasons that I am excited:
- Industry contacts are changing/losing jobs at a record pace and with LinkedIn I find out about it really fast
- I can see what conferences people are attending in the future
- I find that contacts in social networking communities respond faster than regular email. I actually tested this last month and sent out the same email to 20 people in LinkedIn and 20 regular emails. I was amazed that everyone responded on LinkedIn while only 55% responded through regular email.
- In a fast and changing economy I find speed really important right now and I use LinkedIn to contact people about what is going on in the industry and the economy.
- It’s a great prospecting tool for new business
- It’s a great resource to find contacts you have lost touch with
Now your turn:
- Do you use LinkedIn?
- Do you like the community?
- What changes or enhancements would you like to see them make?
- How many connections do you have?
I look forward to reading your comments.
P.S. In case you were wondering, LinkedIn is not a CLIENT OF OURS AND DIDN’T PAY ME TO WRITE THIS BLOG.
Posted in Social Networking | Post Comments
10 Reader Comments »
January 25th, 2010
A few years ago when I was on the MRA National Board, we were discussing conferences and I tossed out an idea that I thought had some legs. The idea was a niche conference that focused on developing talent with people who have worked in the research industry for 5-10 years. Almost a superstar in training conference for people between the ages of 25-40. People who have tremendous potential and could benefit by going to a three day conference and be part of a small group of 40 people or so. The conference is similar to the CEO conference–just for a different group of people. The presenters would all be successful business executives from the industry and the topics could range from:
- Being a GREAT leader
- Presentation skills development
- Understanding financials
- Basic knowledge of running a company or division
That’s the concept. I really like it and really want to know what you think.
- What do you think of the concept?
- Would you attend or send someone on your staff?
- Do you think the industry could support a conference like this?
- Is the timing right for this conference?
I look forward to hearing your comments.
Posted in Research | Post Comments
10 Reader Comments »
January 22nd, 2010
Life sometimes takes so many twist and turns! Sometimes you think something is going to happen and it doesn’t. Sometimes you think you will live in a city forever and then something changes and you end up somewhere else. That is exactly what happened to me. I was living in Boston, happy and then all of sudden I move to Dallas, Texas. I promise you I never ever thought I would live in Texas. I never had a desire to live in Texas but can honestly say I love it!
Here are a few reasons I love Texas:
- The weather is great – can play golf/tennis 11 1/2 months of the year
- Little to NO traffic
- People are VERY friendly
- Great restaurants
- Four major sports teams
- The airport is the best in the country
- No state income tax
Now your turn:
- Do you love where you live?
- What do you really love about it?
- Did you end up moving there by accident?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Posted in Life | Post Comments
12 Reader Comments »
January 20th, 2010
As 2009 comes to a close and 2010 starts I took a few minutes to reflect back and think about the year that passed. During that process I started to think about what I was really proud of in 2009 and here are a few of those things:
I am very proud:
- Of the M/A/R/C Research team and that we were able to make more money in 2009 than 2008 during a difficult economic time
- That I continued to grow as a person and improve areas that needed some attention
- That I continue to have meaningful friendships
- That I was able to be a resource to industry contacts and help them during this difficult time
- That I continued to work out consistently
That is a few things that made my list.
As 2010 starts what are you most proud of from 2009?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in Business, Life | Post Comments
3 Reader Comments »
What Is Your Favorite Building You Have Ever Been In?
February 3rd, 2010I started to think about buildings and structures and think about what are some of the coolest/nicest/most beautiful that I have ever been in.
Here are a few that I have on my list:
Now your turn:
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in General Comments | Post Comments
17 Reader Comments »