Google+ is Disappointing Experiment in Social Media Networking

While Google+ was late entering the social media market, they have become a major player within a month, with an estimated 20 million members. According to FindPeopleOnPlus.com, more than 77,923 engineers, 12,511 programmers, 5,459 musicians, and 1,250 doctors use Google+.

I have tried to use Google+, but it is very unwieldy in some aspects, like getting back to my email account after visiting Google+. I understand the circle concept: you add people to your circle and they add you to their circle. However, I have had to add the same person to my circle several times before it "took." Another thing is the demo page. I was afraid I was going to seize before I could get off it. Who designed that page?

I like the huddle(group chat)and instant upload features, but the hangouts remind me of Second Life.  Do you remember Second Life? Second Life's status as a virtual world and/or computer game, populated by avatars buying and selling land for Linden$, left many users cold.

I know it has been only one month since inception of Google+, but I have already noticed the lack of support for which Google is infamous. In the end, that may be the -(minus)that keeps Google+ from success.

First Lady Betty Ford Died on Friday

Betty Ford, 
First Lady, 
Republican Feminist, 
Breast Cancer Survivor, 
Addict and Alcoholic,
American Heroine

• Betty Ford always spoke her mind. She spoke publicly about breast cancer and subsequent mastectomy. 
• She worked to support the Equal Rights Amendment.
• She was pro-choice, saying that having babies should be a “blessing, not a duty."
• Her openness about her dependency on pills and alcohol changed the national discourse on addiction and opened doors to treatment centers for thousands of Americans. 

Rest in peace, Betty Ford, your work is done.  You will be missed by many.  The sadness in my heart is that many will never know you for the heroine you were.

Practice Freedom this July 4 in the USA

We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.  ~William Faulkner~

Uncoventional Ads Wins Awards for MacLaren McCann Calgary

What makes an excellent ad? You could ask MacLaren McCann, the ad agency that came up with the award-winning campaign for Fotolia entitled #1 in Europe. MacLaren McCann pushed the boundaries of advertising. They took a risk, creating an unconventional campaign that did not include any mention of price, quality or product. 

 

From only a single run-on sentence, a couple fragments, and a dash of tastefully arrogant sarcasm, you learn that Fotolia is Europe's number one stock photography company.

See all advertisements which were created on both sides of the Atlantic here.

Agency: MacLaren McCann Calgary
Art Director: Mike Meadus
Creative Director: Mike Meadus
Copywriter: Nicolle Pittman
Typographer: Mike Meadus