When insulation is bad

Maybe this sounds a little negative, but lately, we have been attending a lot of Web 2.0 tech events and finding that they are all the same. The same people, the same topics, the same parties and hangovers, just all samey. It dawned on us that these are like little safety zones companies run to (it’s definitely like summer camp) – where you go to feel safe, get a pat on the back and just feel like you are making progress. But in reality, you aren’t. Some of these events are just venues where you can preach to the choir over and over again, that doesn’t give you feedback and constructive criticism to help you grow and companies aren’t really expanding their footprint, they are just making sure they don’t get forgotten with their peer group. It’s like high school with ashtrays and expensive cocktails.

At some point, you have to change high schools and step outside of your comfort zone and try something different. Maybe your company goal is to get regular users outside of early tech adopters or maybe it is to reach operators… you have to look carefully and see where your influencers are.. normally they aren’t the guys that live in your town.

We met a young guy at Mobile World Congress from Smaato, the over-exposed and rumoured soon to be bought out mobile ad optimization platform. This guy went in head first judging everyone at the table (and this was a non work related event after the show) by their device — I had a Blackberry so he hurled mobile numbers at me, my colleague (much younger than me) had a Blackberry and he said she was too young for the device and my three non mobile friends who were professional cyclists in Barcelona on a training trip, were all carrying iPhones so they were okay to talk to… Trouble was, they didn’t want to talk and didn’t care what mobile penetration numbers were or who had the most apps or the difference between 3G and 4G. My point is that sometimes this industry is too myopic and in order to grow and bleed into the real world –the world where people see advertisements from Verizon about 4G and have to secretly ask me, “what does that mean and should I care? — they need to remember there is a world outside of the insulated tech bubble we all live and work in.

It’s a ramble I know, but someone has to do it. – JLH

Tags: Mobile World Congress

Tattletech’s new foozball table

So, after our game of foozball at the Kimengi opening party with Mathys van Abbe (MobyPicture) we did buy the foozball table. Here I am trying to not get beat by the boy team.

Dog Days of May

Who really knows why, but today we just felt like looking at this image of Henry – ink’s new work buddy. He’s funny, he’s practical, he’s goofy – he’s all the things an office needs to keep you on your toes. He reminds us that sometimes Tuesdays can feel like Mondays.

Our dads read this blog

It’s true – our dads read our blog. We think its the ultimate compliment that our dads read what we are up to – we aren’t sure if they are checking up on us or just being proud dads – we think we will go with a little of both. Thanks Dads.

Here we go again

We wanted to say ” happy new year” but we decided that everyone would say that and it would be better to say what people really were thinking…here we go again.. well maybe most people were thinking that but for us — the new year means so many things. It’s like the clock starts running again and the climb begins again — shows, conferences, news, acquisitions, rumours, denials, achievements, let downs — its like the whole thing just starts over. Which is nice because it gives everyone a chance to recharge and reflect on what they can do better or what they would like to change.

Personally, I feel like a new person. I feel and hit my head and had a concussion over Christmas and I know its NOT true, but in some way I feel like I am not the same person. Maybe I am listening MORE (no laughing) or maybe I am just processing better, but in the end I know everyone, including our clients, will benefit.

So here’s to “here we go again” with a reminder that renewal is good for everyone.

Get well Jane

Here is a big “get better soon” to our colleague Jane Pruitt. We miss you.

Something to say v. nothing to say

I heard someone here at ETRE tell me that I don’t blog regularly enough. No, I probably don’t, but sometimes I don’t have anything to say – so I keep my mouth shut. As in this blog, it really says nothing but since someone said this to me – I thought I would blog about it cause it really is about nothing.

And speaking of in the mood….

Today an article in the The Independent reported that certain types of music makes sharks want to mate. And just who gets them going? Justin Timberlake – is there no stopping him? We also thought we should add that this study was conducted by German scientists.

Moody blues

You know — PR is not like instant coffee, you just can’t add water and have a steaming cup of visibility. I bet you thought it was magic didn’t you – or maybe you thought a genie popped out and gave you three wishes – Fortune, Forbes and the FT – oh my!

Back to the Welshman

We finally made contact again with our Welshman. This is the Welshman who eluded us at IBC and that we blogged about on the first night of IBC.

Today we finally got an email from him – Martin Davies – and now we are all a twitter again. You ask, why isn’t the head of events on the best looking men of IBC? Well for one, he disappeared on us on some pretense to go back to London and get some work done – ha! And we are kinda strict about who gets on the list so that includes those that take the time to come to or party. We even had someone fly in special from Zurich for this party – (thanks Pleun!) I mean who would NOT attend an ink party?

Anyway, ink is a tiny bit smitten by the Welshman who eluded us at the party – much in the way we remain smitten by Phillip B. We do have our favorite topics and favorite men so what harm is done by that? We are only human after all and need a diversion from all this industry tech talk.

Anyway, you can trust us when we say that if you ever have the chance to meet this head of events at Perspective Publishing, you are in for a treat — charming, Welsh and witty combined with a dress code that sort of reminds you of your 8th grade boyfriend (which is alluring in its own unique way).