Category Archives: Wall Street Journal

The Rise of the Tweet-Ready Marketing Event

by

It’s one of the newest trends: companies inviting notable names in social media to a grand opening or product launch so they can post about it on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. As the Wall Street Journal vlogger Elva Ramirez (above) notes about the arrangement: “they’re getting you to engage with their brand but they’re getting you to tell all your friends about it too.” So look for this type of marketing to catch fire in 2012.

Businesses have taken a big hit for not being responsive to consumers on social media platforms. But if done right, the “tweet ready marketing event” could go a long way towards reversing the bad press for their non-responsiveness. A failure to reach out to consumers is potentially damaging behavior in the short- and long-term, especially with a tech savvy generation more comfortable in the online world.

President Obama’s Aggressive Move on Job Creation

by

I am very happy that President Obama is being more aggressive on job creation. Everyone knows he came in with a tall order: to clean up an unbelievable mess while simultaneously preventing our economy from falling off a cliff. Yes, his first year has a been a legislative and diplomatic success, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

And yes, the Stimulus Bill has worked. It created and saved jobs. So says a report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. In fact, The USA TODAY examined data that shows how stimulus cash has lifted Blue & Red States alike, and has offset a major drop in tax collections. And if that’s not enough, the ultra conservative Wall Street Journal even admitted that the stimulus (which they campaigned against) is helping the U.S. climb out of the current recession.

But, the jobs picture still isn’t improving fast enough for many Americans.

So yesterday, President Obama brought together Big Labor, Big Business, and ordinary citizens to field questions, and share his thoughts on what he can do immediately to reverse job losses. According to my sources, President Obama is going to lay out his plan of action next Tuesday.

Among the things he’s considering: getting the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make it easier for small businesses to get guaranteed loans; freeing up more capital for start up ventures; and tax breaks to small and mid-sized businesses that hire workers. He is also looking for ways to jump start an impressive number of green jobs now, instead of waiting for the impending Climate Bill, which Obama will sign next year.

With Americans hurting, this is the right move.

Website for the Federal Stimulus is Relaunched

by

The U.S. Government launched Recovery.gov back in February to give supporters and critics of the stimulus a way to monitor how the money was being spent, etc. Now, after both the USA Today, and conservative The Wall Street Journal recently admitted that the stimulus has worked, Recovery.gov was relaunched yesterday with a better design and even more info.

This new site provides user-friendly tools, such as a ZIP Code search that shows stimulus projects in that area. Also included is a toll-free hot line (1-877-FWA-DESK) for reporting waste, abuse, and fraud. Indeed, this is awesome. Very efficient and resourceful.