The Big Fat Marketing Blog

It’s not because they signed Brett Favre, the on-again, off-again NFL journeyman quarterback who has brought his three-ring circus of self importance to Minneapolis. It’s because the Minnesota Vikings are letting the world know via its Website, in many different ways, that the future Hall-of-Famer will be under center this fall.

But as annoying as it is, it may be a very good marketing move for the Vikings… even if it seems the only people other than the team who are thrilled about Favre’s latest un-retirement are the team’s ownership, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and Reebok. more

Is there any difference between spamming someone and really just trying to get the most from your customer? Here’s why I ask. more

I was talking Monday evening at the eTail opening reception with Kevin Ertell, VP-retail strategies for ForeSee Results, and Brad Wolansky, VP-global e-commerce for The Orvis Company, and the conversation quickly steered to social media.

The question: How can retailers effectively leverage Facebook, Twitter and other social networks? Are merchants going to force-feed its customers with offers a few times a day? Or will their message get lost in the shuffle of other status updates and Twitter feeds? more

Good news for 1-800-Flowers - it debuted its online store on Facebook today.

Bad news for 1-800-Flowers - its press release does not tell the world how to access its online store on Facebook.

So if you go to Facebook and search 1-800-Flowers, here’s what you’re going to see: more

If a customer or potential client talks about you on Facebook, can you avoid losing a sale?

No, not unless the customer is a part of your own conversation.

But if someone is talking smack about your brand or company of Twitter, you have that chance to join the conversation and steer the conversation in a more positive direction.

Here’s my quick, unintentional case study. more

It takes Bezos six minutes to cut to the chase about the deal, but is worth watching.