Knowing that I work in interactive marketing where 99% of our products are never even printed out onto a laser jet, I started reflecting on how much has changed in my industry, and our world, in the last thirty years.

My mom took computer classes where they used punch cards. My grandpa was on the original ARPAnet team. I remember the days of DOS. And here I am today.

I wonder what the future holds for technology, marketing, and, well, my life.

In a semi-related note, my childhood friend, Lauren, just had her first cover story published in Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine. Her article is about obsolescent technology. Read it! http://www.spiritmag.com/features/article/last_tech/

Here’s a video from a Volkswagen campaign. They took an ordinary subway staircase and transformed it into a piano. Might not have *much* to do with driving a VW, but it is about brand awareness. They try to put the FUN in FUNCTIONAL. Plus, they video taped it and now the campaign has a viral component. Good work.

While I won’t be stepping on any giant piano keys this weekend, I am going to my high school homecoming football game (go Lancers!) and rock-climbing with a friend!

So I’m calling out some of the top 100 brands that SHOULD be on Twitter that aren’t… yet.

#4 Apple
I’ve seen the commercials. The Mac is supposed to be the cool guy. Since IBM is on Twitter @ibmevents, I’m going to have to say that Apple is a step behind on this one. I know I’d appreciate a little Twitter love when my iPod shows that sad iPod face…

#7 Microsoft
Those Zunes aren’t going to sell themselves.

#10 Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola spends millions on web site promotions like the CGI Happiness Factory, but they aren’t willing to sign up for a free Twitter account and assign a PR or marketing staff person with the task of monitoring the tweets related to their brand. I can’t imagine how many people are already talking about how they’re craving a Diet Coke right about now. Or maybe that’s just me!

#18 IKEA
There’s an entire (un-official) blog dedicated to do-it-yourself-ers that modify Ikea products for added efficiency. They could be talking about new product releases, decorating ideas or even helping people figure out how to turn a box full of parts into a new bookshelf!

#25 Skittles
The new Skittles web site is devoted to Web 2.0 with links to YouTube, Facebook and even Twitter. But the company doesn’t even have its own Twitter account? Lame. Well, lame and a completely incomplete launch.

#29 Lego
Anyone on Twitter that follows @GuyKawasaki (who doesn’t follow Guy?) will see all the crazy Lego creation links he posts. Wouldn’t it be phenomenal if Lego was also posting links to these creations?

#47 Subway
Wouldn’t you like to know what Jared is eating for lunch today? I sure would.

#75 Budweiser
Maybe because I’m from St. Louis and I’m still a little salty about the InBev takeover… but seriously! They could be posting about new commercials, where the clydesdales will be making appearances… I’m going to stop there. I guess I’ll have to settle for the alcohol-induced Texts from last night blog for now.

My boyfriend was the kind of kid who would take a part things just to see how they worked. I never understood those people… until it came time for me to understand the Internet. It started when I was about 12. I had this really cool graphics software on my computer and there was a way to design web sites on it. So I made a web site and posted it online just to figure out how it worked.

So when everyone started talking about the “blogosphere” I just didn’t get it. Why post things in chronological order? Why would people turn to everyday individuals to hear what they say when they could turn to “credible” published sources? I thought blogs were little Internet diaries where dumb people posted their innermost thoughts for the world to see… and the proceeded to piss off all their friends and families when they saw what they posted online.

I started off just reading blogs, you know, just to see what good would come from it (check out my LINKS page for some of the blogs I frequent). Then I realized that I too had a unique perspective and experiences worth sharing. Not going to go in to details about my personal life or try to piss people off, but I could definitely share things from my school, work and networking experiences.

My subject matter has expanded and changed over the last 12 months If you check out post #1, you can see why I started Resume Rehab and focused this site a little more on marketing, networking and the web.

Then, like any good addiction, I got hooked. And I started writing on multiple blogs. I made new friends through the blogging world. Learned the joys of WordPress and SEO, keyword searches and organic linking. Not only has it been a fun year, I’ve also expanded my professional skills and can help colleagues, clients and friends with navigating the confusing world that is blogging.

I’ve been dabbling in Twitter now too, and let me tell you, I’ve opened a whole new can of worms.

Thanks for stopping by and reading what I have to say. Thanks for year number one and here’s hoping for an even more wild and fun year number two!

I went to the LiveNation site today to see if tickets were available for the St. Louis leg of the Coldplay tour this year. Luck would have it, yes! And lawn seats are $35! Sweet. (After typing this I did realize that $35 is a lot to sit cross-legged on a weed besotten hill… I digress…)

So I add two tickets to my cart and go to check out. Total: $114.30.

Wait. $35 + $35 = $114.30? No. No, it does not. I may have been a communication major, but I know basic math.

It turns out that 2 x ($35 ticket + $6 parking fee + $13.85 ticket fee + $2.30 tax) = $114.30.

What is a ticket fee? Why should each person have to shell out $6 for parking? I am sure each person does not bring their own vehicle. Why not be honest and say each ticket is actually $57.50 instead of adding on $22.15 in extra charges?

Pricing is just one component of the marketing mix. But lately in my case, pricing has been the deciding factor in my decision whether or not to purchase something. Can I afford it? Yes. Will I go against my principles? Nope. Sure I like the band. But I don’t like LiveNation tacking on $13.85 in unknown fees. Please.

I decided not to buy the tickets. Maybe I’ll go buy 5 movie tickets instead. At least then I could sit in a chair!

McDonald’s says it’s worth nineteen cents. That’s why if you stop by your neighborhood Mickie-D’s today, you’ll notice that they’ve removed  the double cheeseburger from their $1 value menu. A double cheeseburger will now run you $1.19.

The Hamburglar Strikes Again

Have no fear! You can still get your fill with the replacement McDouble. It’s got two burger patties and one slice (instead of two on the double cheeseburger) of cheese for just $1.

Not enough cheese, you say? Go crazy and upgrade to the double cheeseburger for less than two dimes!

This is what my boyfriend would call a “recession lunch.”

Don’t believe me? Read the post on WalletPop!

Today I was zoning out, when I heard, “Celebrate Shell’s thirty second anniversary.” Immediately I thought to myself what’s a 30 second anniversary?! I was waiting for some sort of marketing schtick about how Shell stations pump gas 30 seconds faster than other gas stations or some other meaningless claim.

As the commercial goes on, they say “it’s been a great 32 years.” OH! When they said thirty second, they meant 32 years, not half a minute!

I just wonder if they could have said the same thing, minus the early morning confusion. Did anyone from the Shell advertising team even think about the fact that the two phrases sound the exact same?

And the worst part about this? I’m probably the only one who noticed.

So here’s my question – with all the talk about how our water supply is now contaminated with chemicals from prescription drugs and cleaning supplies and the greater push for Method “enviro-friendly” cleaning products – why isn’t there a bigger marketing push for the return of baking soda as a simpler cleaning product?

When baking soda first hit the mass market in 1846, it was advertised as follows: “Not only does baking soda neutralize odoriferous fatty acids but it also attacks grease by turning it into — believe it or not — soap.” Now most people just keep a box in their fridge to keep it from smelling bad. What happened?

I visited the Arm & Hammer baking soda web site to see what else they’re doing to market baking soda as the best thing since sliced bread. There’s some creepy video lady named Jill that shares the “secret” powers of Arm & Hammer through a micro site and disseminates not-so-special special offers. (Side note: why can’t marketers just call a “special offer” a “coupon”?)

I am totally convinced that baking soda is the super hero of home and personal cleaning products. It’s not even that hard of a sell. That’s why it completely ticks me off that I don’t hear about it. Sure, there are a couple of magazine articles here and there… but I haven’t seen any online, television or radio ads about it. I haven’t seen any on-premise demonstrations or contests to create the next great home cleaning product solution using readily available products from grocery stores.

There’s a serious lack of promotion for the brand – coupons don’t count. Half-assed viral/word-of-mouth marketing (via a “e-mail to a friend link) and branding pre-made toothpaste and deodorant are not enough. I have no clue who Jill is. Get a real spokesperson. One that people have heard of – and like! Even a spokesperson that the public hates would be well enough if it got you some publicity. I feel like the world is just waiting for someone to openly sing the praises of baking soda! (I’m available if you get really desperate…)

Get on your toes, Arm & Hammer (is there even another baking soda company out there?) and get to work so little marketing blogger evangelists aren’t the only ones singing the praises of the miracle maker known as baking soda!