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Archive for November, 2011

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Celebrities Get How Much To Tweet About A Product? Are You Kidding Me!

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Celebrity tweets that endorse products are on the rise – clearly no surprise, but what might be a surprise is how much they get paid per tweet!

    • Lindsay Lohan $2,353 per tweet
    • JWOW $2,353
    • Mike Tyson $3,250
    • Jose Conseco $3,900
    • Khloe Kardashian $8,235

Seriously, that is a lot of money!  When I first read the article I thought, what company would pay any of these stars to endorse a product? That can’t possibly per worth it. Then, I paused for a few minutes and grabbed a calculator and thought that might not be a bad deal.

Here is my logic.

Let’s take Khloe Kardashian, who has over 5,000,000, yes, 5 million followers! Let me just say I am not a fan of the Kardashians, nor do I follow Kloe, Bruce or any of them.

So if Khloe endorses and tweets about a product, what is the ROI? Is it worth it? Well, this is where my hand dandy calculator comes in.

5,000,000 followers

If 1% take action because of Khloe’s tweet that would be 50,000 people. If you don’t like that number (which might be too high) lets use 10% of that number which would be 5,000 or .0001% of the original number (which might be more likely) and multiply the 5,000 people who buy the product (call it body lotion) for $25.00 generates $125,000 in revenue.

So the tweet cost you $8,235 and generated $125,000 – who wouldn’t take that ROI?

When I did the math I actually thought it was a pretty good deal for the companies and the tweet cost wasn’t that outrageous.

  • What do you think?
  • Where does my logic breakdown?
  • Which stars do you follow on twitter?
  • Have you ever bought a product based on a tweet endorsement?
  • If you were in charge of marketing at a large company would you use celebrity tweet endorsements?

Crazy yes – but very interesting in my mind.

I look forward to your comments.

PS – here is a sample tweet from Khloe:
OMG… Wheat Thins has a new limited time sweet cinnamon flavor…. Why am I so excited about this?  LOL

Posted in Business, Entertainment, General Comments | Post Comments (8) »

Are You Ready For Some Football? Join The Week 13 Merrill Dubrow Blog Football Pool

Monday, November 28th, 2011

After the Thursday games 50 people were undefeated and tied for the lead. After the early games yesterday 9 people will still perfect at 10-0! And as of this morning two people share the top spot. Lisa Smith and Matt Hancock each have 14 wins and if New Orleans wins it will come down to the tie-breaker. If the Giants win Zealie will be added to the mix.

Congratulations to last week’s winner Sharon Gautschy who joins Andy Davis, Marshall Toplansky, Amber Leila Esco, Kelly Christine Delaney, Rick Hurwitz, Clay Dethloff, J.R. Venza, Sam Picchiotti, Bob Tekampe & couldbStu in the championship week!

To see the current standings, click here. Andrew Dixon has a two game lead over Erin Jewell and a four game lead over Casey Turner in the cumulative rankings. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Remember, the weekly winners will receive $50 and be given a spot in the grand prize pool during week 17 for an opportunity to win $400 and of course bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people who have the highest cumulative score (these standing will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners.

REMEMBER THERE IS A GAME ON THURSDAY NIGHT SO THE CONTEST CLOSES AT 5PM ON THURSDAY!

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (184) »

Movie Theaters Have So Much Extra Space – Why Don’t They Use It?

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

There are a lot of things I don’t understand and this is one of them. Every time I walk into a movie theater I am amazed at how much space they have in the lobby and what a poor job they do turning that space into revenue.

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Why not rent the space out to a company that sells movie memorabilia?
  • Why not rent out the space to a company like GameStop that sells the most up-to-date games?
  • Why not rent out the space to Apple to see their hottest products?

I must truly be missing something because I think all three of those suggestions would increase revenue for an industry that might be looking for revenue.

They have the space, they have the customers and frankly they could easily match their demographics to attract the right opportunities for companies to target new customers.

  • What am I missing?
  • What do you think of my ideas?
  • Do you have any other companies that should be included?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Business | Post Comments (6) »

Who Owns That Armrest?

Monday, November 21st, 2011

I remember growing up with my 2 sisters and taking a very long trip up to Montreal to visit my mom’s family every 3 or 4 months. During the 6 hour car ride one thing was for certain, we would ALL fight for the armrest. Back in the day, that was the trophy in the car, the Holy Grail and the thing we all coveted most.

Speed up 35+ years. I guess the same thing is true but this time you are playing the game with strangers, in fact most of the time total strangers. Have you gone to the movies recently and sitting on your left side is a person (stranger) who is hogging the armrest? He/she got there before you and they have the inside position and aren’t moving an inch? Or what about when you are sitting on a 4 hour flight in a row of 3 people and have 4 armrests – who gets what armrest? Does the left rule? Is the 1st to arrive the king/queen?

I know most of you are laughing and thinking I am 100% nuts, but seriously…….what do you do?

So I ask you:

  • How do you handle the situation when you need to share an armrest?
  • Does the situation change when you know the person sitting next to you?
  • What is the protocol?

I know this situation has happened to everyone but the question is what do you do?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in General Comments, Life, Travel | Post Comments (6) »

Are You Ready For Some Football? Join The Week 12 Merrill Dubrow Blog Football Pool

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Interesting start to week 11 as the NY Jets get upset by Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. I am not sure how it happened all I can tell you is it did happen! Of course I didn’t predict this but 16% of the pool did – nice job!

With Thanksgiving around the corner we are posting the pool a few days early so everyone can get their picks in prior to the holiday.

A few interesting stats about the football pool:

  • We have been doing the pool for 28 weeks and the M/F breakdown of the winners is exactly even at 14 and 14
     
  • Last year’s winners in the pool averaged 12.5 wins per week while this year the average winner is 12.8
     
  • We have had 4,871 entries in the pool an average of 158 last year and 192 this year
     
  • Two people have had perfect scores J.R Vezna was 16-0, Rick Hurwitz 13-0. Other top scores include Ben Smithee who was 15-1 last year and Bob Tekampe who was 15-1 this year!

Congratulations to last week’s winner Andy Davis who joins Marshall Toplansky, Amber Leila Esco, Kelly Christine Delaney, Rick Hurwitz, Clay Dethloff, J.R. Venza, Sam Picchiotti, Bob Tekampe & couldbStu in the championship week!

To see the current standings, click here. Andrew Dixon has the top spot followed by Erin Jewell and Randy Carson in the cumulative rankings. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Remember, the weekly winners will receive $50 and be given a spot in the grand prize pool during week 17 for an opportunity to win $400 and of course bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people who have the highest cumulative score (these standing will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners.

REMEMBER THERE IS A GAME ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON SO THE CONTEST CLOSES AT 5PM ON WEDNESDAY!

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (173) »

I Can’t Believe I Am Saying This… But The Older I Get The More Important The Weather Is…

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

I think the title of this post says it all – the older I get, the more important the weather is. Yes, I grew up in the Northeast. Yes, I am familiar with blizzards, bad weather and short summers. I hate the cold and snow!

If you ask me to go skiing the answer is, NO! Not just because I tore my ACL over a decade ago but because I really don’t like the cold, ice, snow and everything else that comes with it.

I still remember trying to get in my rental car around 6:30 AM in Boston last year to battle with a frozen door! I couldn’t even unlock the car to try and get the car warmed up.

Yes, I live in Texas and yes, I love the heat! The more 100 degree days there are, the happier I am. You can do so much more outside with nice weather. Frankly, as I get older the ice (I assume) will be much more terrifying for me so I don’t slip, fall and break my wrist or hip!

Ok, I said it – the older I get the more important the weather is.

What are your thoughts?

  • Do you agree?
  • Has the same thing happen to you?
  • Are you going to retire to a cold spot or a warm weather city?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in General Comments, Life | Post Comments (6) »

Are You Ready For Some Football? Join The Week 11 Merrill Dubrow Blog Football Pool

Monday, November 14th, 2011

Another week of football and another crazy week filled with upsets – the Eagles lost again – seriously! Am I dreaming that. I guess not since 9% of the people who particiapted were smart enough to take them.

Well after 15 games the winner of this week’s pool will be either Andy Davis or Genevieve – both have 12 wins (impressive) and both have the Packers tonight as do all of the people who have 11 wins.

Congratulations to last week’s winner Marshall Toplansky who joins Amber Leila Esco, Kelly Christine Delaney, Rick Hurwitz, Clay Dethloff, J.R. Venza, Sam Picchiotti, Bob Tekampe & couldbStu in the championship week!

To see the current standings, click here. Erin Jewell has the top spot followed by Andrew Dixon in the cumulative rankings. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Remember, the weekly winners will receive $50 and be given a spot in the grand prize pool during week 17 for an opportunity to win $400 and of course bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people who have the highest cumulative score (these standing will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners.

REMEMBER THERE IS A GAME ON THURSDAY NIGHT SO THE CONTEST CLOSES AT 5PM ON THURSDAY!

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (188) »

How About A Few Funny Headlines On A Friday?

Friday, November 11th, 2011

A few weeks ago I got an email (thanks R.R.) that was pretty funny. It had about 20 actual headlines from the newspaper. I thought I would share five of them with you:

 

    1. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

    2. Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

    3. If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

    4. Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

    5. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

 

I must admit I thought all of these were very funny but my favorite was ‘Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures’ – Really?

I hope this brought a smile to your face for a minute!

  • Which is your favorite?

Have a great day!

Posted in Friday Fun | Post Comments (5) »

Two Influential Leaders In My Life…

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a Baylor University S3 Advisory Board meeting and participating in a leadership panel. During the discussion, I was asked who the leaders that have influenced me the most are.

Without pause, I answered with two names very quickly:

    1. John Boni – He was my boss when I worked for Quick Test way back in the 80’s. He was an amazing person who taught me many things, including not to react to something when you are emotional, treat everyone fair and give back to the research industry.

    2. The second person was my dad. Over the years his name has changed to JD, a nickname I gave him years ago. JD taught me so many things but one in particular has really stuck with me. I have always embraced and often share it:

When an opportunity presents itself, you need to do two things:

    1. Recognize it’s an opportunity.

    2. Do something about it.

Thanks, JD and John Boni for having such an influence on my life!

One of the other things I discussed was the importance of having a great boss to start your career – John really was that. I was young, goofy and many other things but I was also impressionable and a sponge. John was perfect for my career. Unfortunately, he passed on shortly after he retired so I don’t get to discuss business with him anymore but I do quote him often.

Think about your first boss (no names please).

  • Were they good/bad for your career?
  • What do you remember the most from them?
  • Who are the leaders that influenced your career the most?

I really look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Advice, Business | Post Comments (2) »

Are You Ready For Some Football? Join The Week 10 Merrill Dubrow Blog Football Pool

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Almost 200 people were part of the pool this week and I thought for the third time we might have a perfect score. After the early games Jason Miller, Steve Benson, Brian Bussetti and Rick Johnson were all perfect at 7-0. Things settled down and where we stand now is Brian Bussetti and John Chenelier are tied with 11 wins. Both have the Eagles tonight but if the Chicago Bears win we will have a 4 way tie between Brian, John, Ginger Blazier and Marshall Toplansky.

Congratulations to last week’s winner Amber Leila Esco who joins Kelly Christine Delaney, Rick Hurwitz, Clay Dethloff, J.R. Venza, Sam Picchiotti, Bob Tekampe & couldbStu in the championship week!

To see the current standings, click here. Erin Jewell, Andrew Dixon and Randy Carson are all tied with 93 wins in the cumulative rankings. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Remember, the weekly winners will receive $50 and be given a spot in the grand prize pool during week 17 for an opportunity to win $400 and of course bragging rights for the next 6 months. In addition, the two people who have the highest cumulative score (these standing will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners.

REMEMBER THERE IS A GAME ON THURSDAY NIGHT SO THE CONTEST CLOSES AT 5PM ON THURSDAY!

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Contests, Sports | Post Comments (183) »

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