Mobile Diner a place where wireless and washington meet….

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of catching up with Tamara Gruber of Crisp Wireless. I have always enjoyed using mobile websites powered by Crisp Wireless. Accordingly, I was psyched that she wanted to take a moment to give the mobile dining community some 411 about the company.

Crisp builds and powers mobile websites for some of the biggest names in media and entertainment. They also help monetize those websites too. Some of the biggest news destinations are also powered by Crisp Wireless. For instance, LA Times, USA TODAY, and the Washington Post come to life on your mobile (via Crisp) and these folks are leveraging the mobile opportunity by providing content between publishing cycles.

On a related note, Crisp also allows consumers (depending on your device) to access audio and video clips. I have actually seen this in action via an NPR clip (which was click to call). It is very smooth…

Crisp is answering a much needed call for both consumers (providing a nice experience) and publishers (making sure the product is rich). Those goals have been tough to achieve and Crisp is delivering for both camps. In a larger sense, they may also help provide a jolt in getting folks to use mobile broadband. With a less clunky and more crisp experience, folks may be more inclined to check weather, news and sports from their favorite web destinations. Continue Reading »

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We have discussed how the winners in the wireless revolution will be the ones that collaborate. In this new world of communications, it is a must. Rapid advances in technology and a hyper-competitive environment no longer allow companies to have monopolies on innovation.

In the consulting world, same story. An organization can no longer hold all the intellectual property under one roof.

At Tin Can Communications ™, we are co-creating with one of the best interactive companies in the market - Blue State Digital. On that note, we were delighted to see them highlighted in a recent article - Obama’s Secret Digital Weapon - in Business Week. BSD are leaders in digital communications and we add some firepower for one of their clients in the telecommunications space.

Prahalad and Krishnan (Professors at the University of Michigan’s B-school) are credited for coming up with the term co-creation in academia. For many folks, this might be a novel concept and you should pick up their latest book. However, for others, keep co-creating and increasing your contributions to consumers.

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Qui Diaz (over at the Buzz Bin) briefly highlighted the latest “marketing tactic” by Verizon to market My Home 2.0. She was quite judicious in her assessment of their marketing.

At a time when Fortune 500 companies are starting to think about utilizing social technologies in different capacities (advocacy, organizing, marketing etc.) this is a setback. In fact, it makes my old company’s mLife campaign look brilliant.

So what was the agency on record thinking when they devised this campaign?

Obviously, they want to target folks who may be predisposed to upgrade their service to FIOS (or flee the cable companies). Accordingly, they are positioning themselves in different social areas because this demographic more likely comprises heavy internet users. I see the justification and the merits of a social media strategy. However, “Twittering Teddy” is just awful.

Social media is risky. It provides an excellent opportunity to engage and get closer to consumers but it can blow up if it is not authentic or just plain silly. Verizon has successfully developed the brand over the years with strong products. It has had great pitchmen from James Earl Jones and the “Can You Hear Me Now” guy is a legend…. Twittering Teddy?

The good news (in all of this) is that a Fortune 100 company is willing to utilize social media to reach consumers. The bad news is they jeopardize the brand with a campaign that is as poorly developed as this one.

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As many diners know, I was out in Virginia today at Blog Potomac. It was a great conference that attracted many local bloggers and social media gurus.

On that note, I was really psyched to interview Debbie Weil, who was a co-host of Blog Potomac and author of “The Corporate Blogging Book.” It is a great book and I suggest it for those who are interested in helping their company engage online.

In any case, here is Debbie discussing social media and the mobile opportunity on the horizon. Enjoy!

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Mashable reports that help is on the way for iPhone users… These are big developments in mobile broadcasting and I look forward to watching the mobile media revolution come to life!

On a Mashable note, here’s a Qik video of me interviewing Adam Ostrow (Editor in Chief) who covered the stories above. Adam was in town for a politics and tech conference in DC.

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TR Blogs editor Toni Bowers reports that Google’s 20 percent rule is getting a makeover. On that note, I thought this philosophy was brilliant when I first read about it in “The Google Story.” However, I can understand that as the company has grown exponentially that it might need tweaking.

Goog’s 20 percent rule is a philosophy that Page and Brin encouraged during the early days at Google.  As the book details, the 20 percent rule allowed folks to focus on projects that interested them (and was not considered a part of the respective job duty) one day a week. Page and Brin wanted to attract the best and brightest as well as keep the creative juices flowing at Google. Accordingly, they thought this was a good way to do it and it differentiated them from other tech companies. Google news is a product born from 20 percent time.

I am a still a fan of the philosophy. In many instances, you cannot escape from the daily routine on the job. One becomes comfortable and competent doing a few things the same way until those methods stop working. At that point, it is probably too late - for your product, client, or business.

Mobile Diner arose out of my own “20 percent rule.” After business school (at night), I felt it was important to challenge myself and think about new ways to engage wireless enthusiasts and policymakers. Letters to the FCC from the same folks get old. Chairman Martin’s been ignoring them for years. Engaging consumers will keep the industry on its toes and responding to consumer demand will minimize “putting fires out” that so typically define careers.

With 10,000 (or so) employees at Google, Page and Brin do not personally interact with everyone on campus anymore. They used to do all the hiring. They used to know all their people. I understand that there now needs to be some guidelines on 20 percent for Google. However, it is a beautiful policy and I hope other folks embrace it in their respective fields. The benefits internally and externally are hard to ignore.

update - this post has been edited…

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(radio row at the Free Press conference)

I have returned from Minneapolis and the National Conference for Media Reform held over the weekend. Thanks again to Free Press for having me. I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk about mobile broadcasting and hope to see other folks augment their citizen journalism by utilizing their wireless device.

On that note, we had a great turnout on Sunday morning to hear about the latest in mobilizing. As you know, I focused my conversation on how mobile broadcasting is a game-changer. Accordingly, I showed two large groups some of my videos and then took the opportunity to demonstrate in real-time. I think everyone had fun participating.

With regard to an example of how mobile broadcasting can mobilize people, I mentioned an upcoming verdict on a high-profile court decision.  In that instance, the jury may be deliberating and you may not know the exact time of the verdict.  If you have some individuals in your organization monitoring, once they announce the verdict - with live mobile broadcasting - you could turn your community out quickly.

Once again, thanks again to the folks who came out on Sunday morning.  You guys were great!  The power is in your hands.  We can participate like never before and make a difference.  I look forward to watching YOUR mobile media!

as always, feel free to contact me if you have additional questions - chris(at)mobilediner.com

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dish ingredients - the following item has some promotion…

Summer is here in DC and there’s a great deal of stuff cooking in the district of communications…

Instead of serving the usual FCC dish and policy snacks, I thought I would serve up some other links to chew on…

Here’s what’s cooking -

Free Press Conference - I’ll be speaking about mobile broadcasting and social technologies next week at the National Conference for Media Reform. Looking forward to joining an awesome panel and demonstrating how wireless can augment citizen journalism.

Blog Potomac - Livingston Communications is hosting Blog Potomac in Northern Virginia on June 13. It should be a great conference and I know that Geoff has worked hard to put together an interesting program. Hope to see YOU there.

Continue Reading »

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As diners know, this is the district of communications and wireless is always a hot dish in this city.

On that note, Larry Page will be coming to town and discussing GooG’s vision for expanding broadband access across America with Michael Calabrese (New America Foundation). Mr. Page will also delve into spectrum policy too.

You can register here…

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I’ve been digesting the latest from policymakers and regulators the last few weeks. Overall, lots of good conversations about the wireless industry and thoughts about what is on the horizon. These are exciting times…

This new world of communications isn’t built around voice and text-messaging. It is a world built on innovations - many from startups and small companies - that can thrive on next generation wireless networks. A world where we know where our friends are at all times and a world where we can shoot mobile video - anytime and anywhere. It is our world and we are driving this revolution.

Carriers are currently evolving their traditional networks and building for this broadband revolution. A revolution where not just a few participate but one where we all are active. This revolution will allow everyone the ability to browse, search and share on their wireless device…

Unfortunately, there is a little bit of noise and static from a few folks in Washington. These folks believe they know what we want to do with our wireless devices - when most of them are still stuck in analog. These folks want to take us back to the antiquated world of spectrum caps. These are the folks who are not happy with the results of the 700 MHz auction and have an appetite to micro-manage a sector that doesn’t need it…

How many times do we have to go down this road? Spectrum caps only hurt consumers. Continue Reading »

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As many diners know, I usually participate in the “Bad Beat on Cancer” poker tournament held at Union Station. Unfortunately, once again, I was eliminated and did not make the final table. However, there were many poker professionals who joined the fun and it is a great cause.

The video is a little poker chat with Annie Duke. Annie talks about her charity and her efforts as a lobbyist to pass legislation overturning a law promulgated under former Senator Bill Frist (which banned online poker). If Annie ever decides to run for Congress - she’s got my vote!

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A former colleague sent me this article - “The third leg of the stool” - which appeared in The Hill this week.

We have covered this ground on a few occasions.  However, the fact that the article was written by a well-known K street lobbyist makes it a splendid dish.

Enjoy!

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Sadly, this is going to be my last post here at the Diner. I will be leaving my firm at the end of the week to go to the Hill, where I will be a legislative assistant for a Philadelphia member, and while I’ll always be a co-founder of the Diner, I’ll no longer be a contributor here.

So, I wanted to take this opportunity to write about some things that have been on my mind and leave you with some parting thoughts. I apologize in advance, but this is going to be an all-you-can-eat buffet, so loosen your belts…

First off- thanks!

I really want to take a minute and thank Chris for inviting me to help him in this venture. About two years ago, when Chris asked me if I wanted to help him out in starting a blog about wireless, I said, “But Chris, you’re the wireless guru, who’s gonna care what I have to say?” Well, Chris picked up his cell phone, held it up, and said, “Do you have one of these? That’s what I thought. You know plenty about wireless.” He believed in me, and I hope that I’ve helped him build the blog and develop a community that’s passionate about wireless like he wanted to! That brings me to my second point…

People in new media are AWESOME!

I suppose that if you are compelled to blog, you have an inherent interest in sharing your knowledge and in learning what other folks have to say. Well, I learned that to be the case pretty quickly working in the Diner. When Chris and I were first starting out, we were inundated with tips and suggestions from fellow bloggers. From Steve Garfield, who showed us how to use our new video camera, to Chris Brogan, who was willing to be our first interviewee, to Jeff Pulver who invited me to blog at VON 07 in San Jose, to Jonny Goldstein and the DC Media Makers for introducing us to folks and letting us get in on some live broadcasting, and to the people at CTIA who asked me to lend a hand when they were first getting into the blogosphere, everyone who does this wants to help others do it too, and I’d just like to say thank you. It’s the inclusiveness of these on-line communities that makes them so profound! Continue Reading »

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(the photo above was taken at Podcamp DC - analog owners will remain anonymous!)

What would be YOUR caption for the above photo?

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You think you need a blog… Do you?

You think you need to join Facebook… Do you?

You think your organization needs to get social media and social technologies… Do they?

The answer is NO. In fact, if you want to operate in analog, do not adopt these digital tools. These tools will only make your head spin and the results will be quite ugly.

Analog methods still work. Those direct mail hits that are “successful” when they reach 1% penetration and those advocacy efforts where you get a handful of signatures (for your letter) will get you a “pat on the back.” However, these tactics to reach people are becoming less effective and more costly. These tactics are costing your organization dollars and you are also interrupting people. Millions of folks signed up for the do not call list in the first three months it opened for a reason. Spamming and interrupting do not represent the future of marketing or politics.

Organizations that are seeing the future of media and mobilizing using digital tools will reap the benefits. These folks are now evolving their traditional methods in marketing, customer service and advocacy. They are figuring out what is effective and they will be leaders in this digital revolution.

I think I’m talking about YOU.

update - this post has been edited.

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