We have searched in vain to see if we are navel-gazing and to our delight and surprise found that we are running the only open web marketing event in Canada until 2008. Plexus 2007 is a conference and exhibit format using the Demo model which has taken silicon valley by storm. Anyway if you can correct us we will accept our challengers humbly.

The interest in on-line marketing is approaching its crest i.e. it is as high as it can get. Especially here in Canada. The solutions, platforms and services now available to reach customers are unprecedented  in lowering acquisition and maintenance costs. And becoming more relevant and resonant to each customer.

We are negotiating so many outstanding exhibitors for our Demoplex (who will also present on stage) in all facets of on-line marketing that I am confident no visitor will leave Plexus 2007 without feeling on top of the game. Here are just a few of the category players which we will reveal soon:

1. web analytics,
2. search engines,
3. ad networks,
4. email platforms,
5. marketing survey platforms,
6. sales generation platforms,
7. tons of digital media options,
8. mobile advertising,
9. mobile in all of the above,
10. rich media solutions, platforms, services,
11. social media
12. marketing project management
13. CRM

We will be starting a massive attendance campaign soon which will last 3.5 months using all methods available. That should not be too difficult with the investment we are making in top-rated keynote speakers and authors.

Yes, we are trying to set a record for attendance in Canada for an on-line marketing event. After all, AdTech which is well established in USA pulls in a reported 3,000+ in Chicago and 12,000 in New York. Our numbers are bang on; but, we are aiming higher. 

We conducted an on-line survey of our customers and viewers, marketing execs and agencies, in reference to web marketing and the results were somewhat in line with other larger scale surveys with a few surprises. The question was, “how do you feel about the following subjects scoring 1 as not important and up to 5 as most important”. In order of importance here are the topics ranked from highest to lowest:

Ranked 1st: web analytics

Ranked 2nd:

• Social media marketing

• Search engine marketing

• Advertising on the web

Ranked 3rd: Improving web site content

Ranked 4th:  eMail marketing

Ranked 5th: Rich media in on-line advertising

Ranked 6th: mobile marketing

The disparity between analytics and mobile marketing surprised us but this is still directional data. We are continuing the surveys and will adjust the results as we advance. Bear in mind these are Canadian executives and their vision and needs likely differ from their US counterparts.

As results come, they confirm that our growing line-up of keynote speakers at Plexus 2007: the Web Marketing Conference & Demo is bang-on.

I am tickled pink that Larry Weber, Chairman, W2Group, Boston. (founder of Weber Shandwick and early player in establishing the web with Tim Berners-Lee) is our keynote on Marketing with Social Media at Plexus 2007. And if that’s not enough, John Vincent, founder and CEO of Eyewonder, Altanta, had quite a chat yesterday when he accepted our keynote spot on Rich Media in digital advertising and publishing. Our line-up of four keynotes cover the four most sought topics by marketing execs and agencies: email marketing, search engine marketing, social media marketing and rich media. We will add a few more headliners on mobile marketing and web analytics. The rest of our stage time will be delegated to the top founders and leaders from emerging, growing and leading marketing/advertising platforms and services who will also be exhibiting at in our Demoplex.

Now that Plexus 2007 is refocused on internet marketing–email, search, networks, streaming media and much more–it seemed fitting to invite Kevin Lee, Chairman of Did-it.com and John Stichweh, Global Digital Marketing Director for Coca-Cola. They are leaders in search and email email marketing and will give our audiences on November 27 and 28 the knowledge they need now to leverage the internet’s deep reach of consumers. Watch for the growing list of top Keynotes and Presenting Demoers at Plexus 2007.

I have been absent from posting beyond my norm–for 8 days. And I am crestfallen. Sometimes you have to pull away to get perspective. Well, I’ve been rethinking the focus of this blog. My focus at Plexusity is now is about marketing brands with technology and the web.  So I won’t be writing about gadgets or software unless they enable marketers, brands and their customers. I have always run a brand practice or ad agency and I must stick to what I do best. Socrates waxed about this.

What’s more our Plexus 2007 event is totally focused on bringing technologies and the web to the marketing and advertising biz. This too is a refocus.

I do write another blog dedicated to Branding. Running two blogs, 3 websites, umpteen events, writing a book, coaching clients, managing one corporation and running a family. You’d expect I’s say, “running on empty” next. Not a chance!

Before I get into this let’s do a little backtracking. Traditional 1D bar codes hold limited data; however, it is expected they will continue to co-exist alongside the new data-hefty 2D barcode. The first 2D bar code was invented in 1988; but since then, it has been re-designed many times. In fact, the 2D has egressed from the  “stacked ” design to the more familiar matrix design (above). The Aztec code  invented by Andy Longacre of Welch Allyn in 1995 has entered our cultural lexicon; it is seen on t-shirts and construction clap-boards among others. You will see it more.

There are over 20 2D symbologies available today. What’s nifty about them is that they can carry so much information that they do not have to be checked against databases–all the data necessary is on the bar code.

OK now for a look at the players. Motorola has recently acquired Symbol Technologies, reknown for their bar code readers; this will give Motorola a clear advantage. One of the most active spaces for bar code software is its application in the mobile phone sector. Among the major players are Scanbuy (which signed a global partnership with Nokia in 2004), Mediaseek, Mediastick (Japanese player), Nokia (who seems to be going direct according to their end user agreement)  and Neomedia (USA). Have I missed some?

Camera cell phones are the common rudiment enabling this technology. So now consumers can point, scan and get coupons on the spot.  That’s better than Googling a brand on your phone browser and waiting for information that probably won’t be relevant. It’s just not practical.

In the meantime, companies have joined together in Europe(HP Labs, Gavitec (owned by Neomedia) , Publicis (an ad agency?) and Neomedia), to develop a Mobile Codes Standard standard, MC2 (that MC two D). Who knows if in this dog-eats-dog world the group will grow.

So if I seem to be making a case for bar code phones, it’s because I am. Guess what else a souped up camera-phone with bar code software can do? Gavitec has gone a step further to inspire marketers in the mobile market. (Don’t miss Gavitec’s excellent on-site videos if you want to “get it” fast). It features Neomedia’s capabilities with ticketing, couponing, payment, loyalty, transport ticketing wherever you are– the possibilities astound. Here are some projects already in play with Gavitec:

1. McDonald’s Portugal
2. Bus tickets in Spain
3. H&M promotional campaign in Germany
4. Movie premiere tickets in Turkey
5. Payment in Switzerland
6. See the video below to get a broader perspective!

Gavitec has made great headway as the leader in mobile ticketing.This provides Neomedia a marketing engine for its patented software. Imagine, no more waiting at ticket booths or purchasing locations. More time to live.

Look for omniscience of the matrix bar code in our society–on everything from ads, through outdoors posters to products. Unlike RFID (which is being met with much criticism for privacy matters) it is not conceived to follow you but rather to enable you with information, access and opportunity. However! these bar codes’ data effectively travel in the SMS network; perhaps scrutiny as to the security of the information is due. After all we are talking about cell phones where conversations can be heard by other parties. Remember what Prince Charles said to Camilla in the privacy of their SMS network?

The big question that remains unanswered is how will retailers repond to this soon to be ubiquitous application? Will they fear encroachment on their house brands or slotting revenue tactics? Retailers are control freaks.

Anyway this is my take so far. I am engaged. This is truly a fantastic space to watch.

Footnote: I can only hope Neomedia will be smart enough to demo at Plexus 2007 : The Marketing Conference & Demo this fall in Toronto, an international event for business and marketers. If they can go to Spain and Turkey, they come here too. US needs to pay more attention to its good neighbor.

I am excited about the “demo” format : CEOs, CTOs and CMOs presenting their innovations in multi-media regalia within 7 minutes on stage (digitally recorded for continued viewing on the web) and joining their intended audiences again in their “theatres” in our large Demoplex. This format has been used for years for start-ups and has drawn mostly VCs. But we are bringing the format to our broad business audience, who want to squeeze as much value as possible from spending one or two days at an event. Time is money and they have little to spare. This format delivers. It’s dynamic and eliminates yawns. Frankly, it delivers more value than a short parade of “talking heads” in the tech innovation sector.

There is no better outlet for new launches. Demos trigger buzz and fast growth. Expect many unveilings at the Plexus 2007!

Plexus 2007  is in Toronto this November 27 and 28, 2007. Starting at $2,777 CAD a Demoer can get a spot at the event. And for a little more Sponsors can have a real presence with business.

It’s an international event which will draw from across Canada and be easily accessible to N.E. USA and Europe.  

It will be a “medium tail” event populated with Fortune 500s, medium biz, small biz, start-ups and homepreneurs to be. There simply is no event in Canada yet that can enable businesses whose core competencies may not be technology to leverage everything technology has to offer them to market to their customers. Tech events are usually esoteric, geek populated. This event is especially for marketing, advertising and the throngs who populate the industry.

Expect innovations in web marketing, customer management, ecommerce, mobile marketing, security, analytics, social media, internet media and so much more.

I am “Pumped for Plexus”. hmmmmm… That could be our t-shirt mantra.

The following innovators from the stalwart behemoths to the bootstraped entrepreneurs are worthy of praise–they are changing our future. I am confident I’ve forgotten a few. Sadly, I am not omniscient. It is a live list that I will expand in the same updated post daily, weekly. Your suggestions are welcome. These ideas are actionable, useful and often border on genius. All are worthy of praise whether they make it to the finish line or not. So they are NOT PRIORITIZED. It is a democratic list. Their innovations are recent 2006 and 2007–some are so fundamental yet “new” that I ignored their birth date.

Listed as: Brand Name, Corporation, (description)

1. iphone by Apple (the most robust phone device yet)
2. Qode by Neomedia (Mobile Phone Bar Code Scanner)
3. Zink by same (portable inkless printer for digital devices)
4. Eyejot by same (video sharing thourgh email)
5. PayPerPost by same (Paid consumer blog network for advertisers)
6. Joost formerly Venice Project (richer alternative to YouTube)
7. Lotus Connections  byIBM (Collaboration software)
8. LinkedIn by same (Answers/Experts Low cost procurement of soft expertise)
9. Yah00! 100 brands  by Yahoo! (Media Channels for advertisers)
10. ejamming by same (voip for musicians)
11. Apollo by Adobe (web apps to the desktop)
12. Mobio Networks  by same (mobile mashup platform)
13. Scram by Ceelox (embeds encrypted messages behind images)
14. Sentinel by Iwerx (catches blog content pirates)
15. D’Fusion by Total Immersion (inserts 3D into live video images)
16. Advanced Photonics (No name yet) by Alps Electric / CAPE (holographic image from mobile devices)
17. BitTorrent by same (bandwidth enabling video distribution like no other)
18. Orb Networks by same (allows users to view and create videos on their mobile devices)
19. Sundance Global Short Film Project /Robert Redford (creating short content for mobile devices)
20. Sitemaps by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft (new search protocol by stie maps)
21. Wibree by Nokia (radio technology dual core chip uses so little energy for smallest devices like a watch)
22. Tagworld by same (social network with all-in-one capabilities)
23. RDF and OWL – Semantic Web by Tim Berners-Lee (application-free framework and language that allows data interchange)
24. Videoegg by same (simplifies video capture)
25. iUpload by same (blogging platform that requires no programmer)
26. Xensource by same (moves mutliple virtual servers without friction)
27. Scrybe by same (robust and elegant productivity tool driven by a calendar-perhaps the best)
28. Geni by same (great hosted genealogy app )

I love the turn-key aspect of Shipwire. Entrepreneurs can receive, store and ship merchandise with just a few clicks. I know our small business wannabees and gonnabees visiting Plexus 2007 will hook in to this one. Credit card and PayPal make money simple. There’s no programming required–just a Shipwire email address into your on-line store makes it happen. Question is with warehouses in L.A. and Chicago what can Shipwire do for Canada?

Makes me want to start importing pirates paraphernalia on the side (minus Johnny).

I have reviewed all the new apps, most from start-ups, many from big players like Adobe and Seagate, and all were impressive. Kudos to all the inventors–they are defining our future. The Web 2.0 meme is alive indeed! Here is a list of what I see as the top dozen favorites in the buzz network (not prioritized):

1. Zink (inkless printer that fits in your pocket!)
2. Eyejot (the best of email video)
3. eJamming (voip for musicians)
4. Apollo (Adobe) (web apps to the desktop-not hosted!)
5. Mobio Networks (mobile 2.0 mashups paltform)
6. Jamman (high-def feature films from all over the world)
7. Scram (Ceelox) (embeds info behind images for security)
8. Sentinel (blogwerx) (tracking blog plagiarisers, sploggers)
9. Zoho’s Notebook (multiple sources of content into one)
10. D’Fusion (Total Immersion) ”augmented reality”
11. Shipwire (affordable browser based warehousing & shipping-could launch a new legion of home-preneurs!)
12. Me.dium  (follows people’s web surfing)

Frankly, it’s unfair to leave any out; but, we all suffer from a collective attention-deficiency. Merit should be given to Teleflip, Vringo, DesignIn, Seagate’s Crickett, Boorah, Blinkx, Aggregate Knowledge, SplashCast and Boston-Power’s Sonata. Everyone has favorites. I tried to blend those of the pundits.

An interesting point is that few are monetized via advertising-it’s all pay-as-you-go or straight-forward buys.

Apparently, the Demo 2007 was crawling with VCs. Plexus 2007: The Web Marketing Conference & Demo will be populated with real buyers from the marketing and ad world. VCs are welcome.

The very successful “demo” event model applies to every innovation even if from Yahoo, IBM or Adobe. It moves quickly. It’s dynamic, invigorating. And you get the big picture, the value, quickly. Reportedly, attendees just love it! Chris Shipley, head of Demo 2007, has been inundated with praise for her excellent execution of this demo-styled event.

We are so committed to engaging our business audience that we had an awakening. AHA! The Demo format is dynamic and truly engaging. The Demoers of innovative products and solutions, also do a 7 minute bit on stage demoing live on PP or the web. That’s a lot of changing content, but not toe fast for the speedy, time-pressed minds of our biz vistors to grasp the value. If the founders can’t do it in this time, their intended won’t get it. It’s a proven format. One that customers love. And never used before in Canada. So the event is aptly re-titled: Plexus 2007 – The Web Marketing Conference & Demo. The site has already been re-suited. We’re excited.

It’s called Lotus Connections and was announced yesterday at its Lotus conference in Florida. I don’t believe it’s available in beta yet; but it is due to be launched sometime this year. It rivals Microsoft’s SharePoint insofar as it is entirely web 2.0 enabled. (Frankly, SharePoint has not made a big dent in business sectors–yet.) The Lotus platform is more pointedly described as “collaboration” software rather than “social networking” where business feared to tread.

While we have seen breakthrough social networking platforms enjoy unprecedented participation on a global scale, business dragged its heels. But now IBM stands a chance to make its mark–again–as a leader in the most lucrative market.

The web as a platform is still fairly unchartered for business. The fear of loss of security and control are the root cause, holding corporations back. But now with the new Lotus, the conversation will increase. My hope is corporations will be quick to embrace a platform that will enable employees and associates to exchange information easily and quickly on the web, without the annoyances of lock-in software.

I am so glad the Big Blue is providing impetus for business to leverage what the web has to offer. Now let’s see how this pans out. Watch for a flurry of web apps. And certainly a competitive response from Microsoft.  Quelle surprise!

I have not been posting much for the last while. My mother was diagnosed with the most horrible invasive cancer six weeks ago. She passed away two days ago. She was my hero. My best friend. A great scholarly intellect.  A prolific artist. Despite losing her husband suddenly (my father whom I also adored) in late August she planned to “spread her wings”,  painting more beautiful landscapes. Yet her wings were clipped. It may seem odd to post this on a professionally geared blog. But blogging is about honesty–we all long for the genuine. After all it is my blog and my whole countenance is offered here. I am reminded that while many post and comment with vitriol to each other (fortunately I have been spared) about their different iniatives or characters that it all does not amount to a hill of beans. The Web 2.0 community much collaborate and support each other. Negativity is tabloid fodder. Constructive criticism or recognition is virtuous. Life is too short.

I will keep posting soon because work heals (this post is healing too).  I will re-apply myself with a vengeance to this task and building up the most extraordinary Web 2.0 event yet very soon.

Now VCs are continuing to open their pockets to blog networks– GigaOm, PaidContent, B5 Media (founder presenting at our Plexus 2007) and PayPerPost (see yesterday’s post below). Years ago any content was perjoratively referred to as vapor! Well, vapor has condensed into a real threat to old and web news media. And these blogs can truly be monetized because the myopia of advertisers is now lifting toward 20/20 vision. No more vapor. No more bubble. Sequoia Capital of Silicon Valley fame plunked down $5mm on blog network Sugar Publishing. It’s most popular blog is PopSugar. In fact, it is rumored that this network born in Fall 2005 from scratch is in the $12-15 million range, probably more. Watch that valuation fly upward. Why? Because it caters to a large consumer audience, young, hip women. Sugar includes a number of blogs and sites catering to the same audience. Sugar reports 3 million unique visitors and 20+ million page views per month (up from 13 million monthly page views and 1.5 million unique visitors only a couple of months ago!). Sugar aims to launch four new blogs on the heels of this deal including GeekSugar (about gadgets), GiggleSugar (just fun), BuzzSugar (audio, video, reviews) and YumSugar (food and drink). I have a feeling the recent deals are going to trigger an onslaught of niche networks. For advertisers this development arrives not a moment too soon. Boy oh Boy! the landscape is changing.

Plexus 2007 will be held in Hall 5 at the International Centre, Toronto, smack dab in front our new airport terminal. For those coming in by air this will be incredibly handy. We are also locking up bedrooms at three hotels within a short jog from the venue. The venue is simply put–awesome! This relatively new hall is completely wireless including two swanky speaker theatres (Oralplex) and 40,000 sq ft (we may have to use more!) for our exhibitors (Demoplex). And plenty of space for reception, book signing events, press, food refueling and great networking luncheons in the Fuelplex. The venue is completely enclosed with all the amenities and parking your heart desires. Our site re-launch this weekend is exciting but the participants to be posted soon will put this special occasion over the top.

I have heard the buzz or should I say the “cry” for a web 2.0 conference in Canada. There have been a few spotty and some good events. But ones where many international rainmakers are speaking and opportunities to demo innovations for business and not just for developers? Uh uh. This has been non-existent north of the border. That’s why Toronto is hosting the next Innovation 2.0 Demo Plexus 2007, just for business this Nov 27 & 28.  We’ve conducted email surveys too and the demand is indeed strong. Business in Canada! don’t miss this opportunity to get a handle on what’s coming down the pipe for every silo in your business. For marketers, media and agencies the opportunities are vast. For technology the applications and ideas are beyond our daily imaginings. Learn how many corporations are already ankle or knee-deep into this new paradigm. Companies like GM, Disney, Boeing, many many more. We’ve got 55,000 square feet booked and then some. You’ll sit in the Oralplex (two staged theatres), travel through the experiential Demoplex, meet the stars at book signing events, connect (and feast on delicious food) at the Fuelplex, and cart away goodies and brilliant take-aways in the Plexus Packet. What’s more, the event will be hypeless–speakers will present interactively, some in conversations. This is different. Events 2.0 meets Web 2.0.

Now that we have gotten our Web 2.0 Conference and Exhibition in the “buzz”, we are working on our site’s aesthetics. Plexus 2007 will be reborn in a few days with new colors, graphics and organization. Not shortly after that there will some dynamic Web 2.0 apps working within the site too. We can’t wait to announce. Keep posted for the upgrade. Clear your cache because here it comes again!

As many of you know we are launching the first and largest demo-styled event for business, PLEXUS 2007 , north of the border in Toronto. (There have been other smaller and darn good speaker only conferences here). It may seem we are early out the gate but when you are organizing an event this size (over 50,000 sq ft) you need all the time you can get !! Many have been visiting our “beta” site due to be spiffed up shortly with completed speaker line-up including a number of celebrities in the realm. We have now changed the Multiplex (exhibition section) to the Demoplex–we want visitors to know that every exhibitor will be demoing and demoing and demoing–no business cards in the fish bowl draws here. Real hands-on experiences and learning. In fact, we don’t call exhibit space “booths”; they are theatres. The whole Demoplex will be one big theatrical experience with all senses engaged. Showtime is Nov. 27 & 28, 2007–and the visitors passes are selling already! Yahoo! Of course, our celebrity speakers and authors are the main draw–we are blessed to have their participation for the first time here in Toronto. It’s only going to get better from here on. Finally, businesses can get this knowledge all in one place in two days and make the kind of international connections they need to harness Web 2.0.

Who didn’t love Steve Irwin. He wanted to be Tarzan. At 44 he is gone. He was life and authenticity. His images and voice are burned into our memories. It was easy to bear after losing my father suddenly on August 22nd. My father was a Doctor of Philosophy. An unstoppable thinker. A personality that was never more than 49 years of age. Relevant to technology, this young soul in an old body authored a book (in french) in 1982 about the social impact of computer automation. Alas, AOL squashed his enthusiasm as a user. The world is lesser without Dr. Paul Germain. A piece of me is gone. Goodbye papa. I will see you soon. Say hello to Crocie for me.