Today’s guest post is written by Molli Megasko.

I’m sure you’re as overwhelmed as I am with all Google+ search and looming FTC investigation stuff, but as marketers, it’s our jobs to stay on top of what is happening and how it can affect our clients or our companies.

If we break it down, I see two different debates going on:

1) Fairness (for corporations and businesses); and

2) Privacy (on the individual side).

Let’s dig into each one. Continue Reading »

Today’s guest post is written by Adam Justice.

SEO has a few basic principles that will never change, but search engines routinely refine their algorithms in ways that usually make any fringe efforts worthless.

Every few months there is a new set of best practices, and another group of web properties are adversely affected by changes.

This year, in particular, has been especially harsh on websites that focused a lot of their attention on SEO.

It’s also the year Google search began to lose some of its power as gatekeeper of unique hits, but gained some of it back with Google+. Continue Reading »

I’ve been thinking a lot about Google+ since they launched their business pages last week.

You see, it was announced at the same time that Joe Thornley, Martin Waxman, and I were recording Inside PR. So we all happened to be on the page watching it happen in real-time.

Google+ announced at 1 p.m. CT and, by 1:11 (yes, just 11 minutes later), Toyota already had more than 3,000 followers.

We asked one another the question, “How is that possible?” Continue Reading »

Did this week feel like an entire month to anyone else?

Joe Frazier died. Heavy D died. Joe Paterno was fired. Kim Kardashian didn’t make the news. I spoke four times in three days. And Google+ rolled out their brand pages.

A lot happened!

But nothing compares to the video you’re going to see in the number one spot of today’s Gin and Topics. So I’ll let you get to it. Continue Reading »

I swear Mother Nature is punishing me.

My mom called last night to say they’re getting snow in Utah. My sister-in-law called to say they’re getting snow in Southern Missouri. The east coast got snow last weekend. Denver is getting snow.

I live in the Northern arctic. WHERE IS MY SNOW?!?

Mother Nature, I’m sorry! Whatever I did, I’m sorry!

I realize that has nothing to do with Gin and Topics. I just had to get it off my chest…and hope the power of Spin Sucks will deliver the apology.

And now Gin and Topics. Continue Reading »

Today’s guest post is written by Anne Weiskopf.

Apologizing is hard to do. As Elton John so memorably summed up; “Sorry seems to be the hardest word.”

But sorry can be the smartest word for your brand if it’s sincere, delivered in a timely fashion, and if concrete steps are outlined to right the wrong.

What makes one apology more successful than another is the subject of a growing body of research. A key finding is that it’s much easier to forgive a perceived mistake then an intentional act.

Let’s look at a few examples. Continue Reading »

It’s almost time for PRSA! I’m going to Orlando just in time for Chicago’s sub-40 degree temps.

I actually love sub-40 degree temps, but I guess I can do with sitting by the pool on Sunday afternoon with Abbie Fink (right, Abbie?!?).

Don’t forget, if you’re going to be there, look me up! I’ll be the one with the two Canadians and large microphones.

And, we’re hosting a TweetUp on Monday night. If you RSVP ahead of time (invite here), Martin Waxman and Joe Thornley will buy your first drink.

Me? I’m just going to going to be eating bon-bons and people watching.

If you’re not going to be there, well…here is Gin and Topics to tide you over. Continue Reading »

It’s been said the last quarter of the year is like a second New Year for businesses (unless, of course, your fiscal isn’t on a calendar year).

What are you doing to take advantage of it?

Whatever your plans, taking advantage of some of the newest technology can help you.

Following are some examples of how five new technologies are being used…and how they can help you prep for 2012. Continue Reading »

Well, Google bought Motorola Mobility this week, in an attempt to even further their Global Domination.

I know. I know. *I* am supposed to achieve Global Domination (it is, after all, my initials). But I do much better when I have someone in my front view that I need to catch.

So don’t you worry. Global Domination will be mine in the next 10 years. Put in your requests for the country you’d like to control soon! First come, first served. And bribes will be accepted. I do, after all, live in Chicago.

Between that news and games on Google+, you’re all caught up on the big happenings of the week.

So no Gin and Topics this week. What? OK. Fine. Here you go… Continue Reading »

I’m a big Angry Birds fan. The first time I saw Mr. D playing it I said, “What the heck is that?” After I spent a few weeks making fun of him, I discovered I was hooked.

It’s a fantastic brain break for me. But that’s what it is – a brain break…after work and instead of watching TV or reading.

So when Angry Birds came to Google Chrome, I was a bit mystified. Why would I want that distraction where I work? I opted not to install it.

Now it’s available on Google+, along with 15 other games.

I don’t get it. Continue Reading »