The Right Tool for the Job
Posted by keirsun on May 09, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Welcome to Friday and the next episode of StraightUpSearch the Podcast!
Tim's guests this week are Drew and Leah, who are here to discuss the economic benefits of outsourcing your search engine marketing efforts to a preferred vendor, specifically during a downturn in the economy.
Our conversation this week stems from Drew's recent blog post, SEM Agencies to the Recession Rescue!, which was our most popular post last week.
Enjoy the show and we'll be back next week.
Tags
StraightUpSearch
StraightUpSearch Podcast
Oneupweb
If The Red Rose Turns Orange, Will Lord & Taylor Close Its Doors?
Posted by carly on May 08, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Let's talk branding—with a touch of classic fashion tied in just-in-time for Mother's Day. Which by the way is on Sunday. May we all remember dear mom. And while I'm at it, "Hi mom!"
On with the story.
The oldest department store chain in the United States, Lord & Taylor, is embarking on a rebranding effort that will turn its signature Dorothy Shaver Red Rose a lovely shade of orange for 2008.
Though Lord & Taylor may not be a familiar name to all of us, if your mother or grandmother grew up shopping on the East Coast or in any of the larger cities in the Midwest—ask her about it. She'll fondly recall shopping there, more than likely with her mother. Leaving the store with the iconic white box embellished with the Dorothy Shaver Red Rose was half of the fun. Being seen with something from Lord & Taylor meant you were a real "lady".
I remember it and can recall many birthdays filled with beautiful boxes from Lord & Taylor. Though I don't remember what was in them, I remember the box and am able to recall the logo vividly—as well as the name of the store. Perhaps the most important part.
It was 1946 when Lord & Taylor became the first major store on Fifth Avenue to name a woman, Dorothy Shaver, President. This was also the time when the red rose debuted as the stores logo—and stayed the course for over 60 years. Pretty impressive.
Equally impressive is the fact that a department store founded in 1826 is still open. Go tell that one to Wal-Mart. Of course, the store has gone through hard times, expansion, retraction, restructuring and the like—but Lord & Taylor is still around. Why? How? Is it the red rose? Is the department store doomed without it?
Absolutely not.
Lord & Taylor is still open and has made it through flu epidemics, world wars, and recessions because of its progressive thinking and ability to adapt. Faced with adversity in its 180th year of business, post purchase, the new leader of Lord & Taylor's branding efforts was committed to returning the store to its "fashionable roots". Quickly the realization set in that its "fashionable roots" were more than the Dorothy Shaver Red Rose, the fashionable "roots" were the people. Trendy but classic, esteemed and reminiscent—and now missing from the store and no longer carrying the noticeable bags around town.
What to do? Launch a promotional campaign allowing the public to recreate the rose and rebuild that classic connection with the store. Crowd sourcing? By definition, yes. Though the winner gets paid. Social media marketing? Heck yes. Good idea for an old brand? By definition, absolutely. This isn't a one time contest; a new rose will be unveiled every spring. A stunning reminder to pay attention to the store every year.
I hope it works and I commend Lord & Taylor for their approach. It's not about slashing prices, it's not about downsizing at every turn to keep a brand alive. It's about forging a connection with your customer, delivering value and staying nimble even if you're 182 years old.
Live Search Gets Gussied Up
Posted by keirsun on May 07, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Microsoft's Live Search engine is sporting a new look today.
According to the Live Search Blog, features of the new layout include:
- Search box near results
- Room to breathe on the page
- Crisp, clean type
- Intuitive video search
- Health results integrated from many sources
In my opinion, the design definitely has more of the Windows Vista flowing feel to it. I particularly like the hover-over preview function on the video search results. Also, I appreciate the footer link to the Webmaster Center of Live Search.
According to the Live Search Blog, the new design is the product of Microsoft's "growing team of designers, researchers, and developers" who "think of design as being a critical part of a search product".
Tags
Live Search
Microsoft
Oneupweb
Yahoo Turns on SearchScan Security Feature
Posted by keirsun on May 06, 2008 at 11:02 AM
If you used Yahoo to perform your morning searches today, you may have noticed a message similar to this one at the top of your search results.
This warning is the result of a new feature called SearchScan. Yahoo has released the feature in an effort to protect its users from viruses, spyware and spam.
According to Yahoo, SearchScan is the result of a partnership with McAfee, Inc. and utilizes McAfee's SiteAdvisor technology to identify "risky websites" that appear in Yahoo's search results. Yahoo says SearchScan will identify three types of risks:
1. Browser Exploits
Sites that automatically trigger a malicious download when a user visits the site. But you're unlikely to see this warning listed in your search results - Yahoo says it will automatically remove these sites from its results.
2. Dangerous Downloads
Sites that offer potentially dangerous software downloads, which include viruses, spyware or adware.
3. Unsolicited Email
Sites that send spammy emails or share email addresses with third parties without the users consent.
The SearchScan popup info box provides a "More details" link that points to McAfee's Site Advisor site, providing more information on why the site was flagged. There is also a "Site owner support" link for webmasters who want to protest.
By default SearchScan is turned on for all Yahoo users in the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain. But the feature is optional.
Awhile back, we looked at the growing trend of search engine safety. For Yahoo, SearchScan appears to be the next step in making its existing users feel safer, in addition to trying to entice new users.
For more information about SearchScan, visit the Yahoo Search Blog.
Tags
Yahoo
SearchScan
Oneupweb
Microsoft Pulls the Plug on Yahoo Deal
Posted by keirsun on May 05, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Over the weekend Microsoft withdrew its bid to purchase Yahoo, after Yahoo's CEO refused an increased offer of roughly $47-billion, or $33 a share.
According to reports, Jerry Yang refused the new offer, stating that he would not accept an offer below $37 a share.
On Yahoo's Yodel Anecdotal blog, Yang answers the burning question, "What's next for Yahoo?"
With Microsoft's withdrawal, we'll be better able to focus our energy on growing our industry leadership and maximizing value for stockholders. We'll continue to execute on our plan — making your Internet experience as personal, relevant, open and social as possible, serving advertisers so well they insist on working with us, and opening up Yahoo! in a way that developers dream of. And, we'll also continue to pursue strategic opportunities that position us for long-term success.
Following the deal breaker, Yahoo's shares are expected to take a dive in the market today. Some analysts have speculated that if Yahoo's shares fall low enough, talks between the two companies may startup again.
Image: xenolon
